The meal was excellent. Chijin had listened with great interest to Yuki's "history". He had tried to steer their conversation away from the troubling events in Kusari the past few days. There were enough tensions in Kusari.. no need to spoil a fine meal or a new friendship with talk of politics or "war".
"You asked how my career in Kusari started, Madam." He pointed to a corner in the Blossom's main salon. "As fate would have it, we are on the very spot."
Kumicho Ayaka raised a well-sculpted eyebrow in question.
"At the time, many years ago, I was down on my luck, disenchanted and lost, searching for answers to matters of the soul. I turned to an ancient oracle, the I Ching of King Wen, looking for answers."
The Inspector paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Yuki sipped from her saki cup and waited patiently.
"I became proficient at 'interpreting' the Hexagrams of the I Ching. I found truths, but no specific answers to my own search. It did however manage to keep me in food and drink. I sat in that corner, quietly, and threw the coins for the amusement of tourists and guests.
"One day, as fate would have it, I threw the coins for another woman, only to learn later that she was the Kusaran Ambassador, Madam Fiona H. deLuna. After I had interpreted her hexagram, she jokingly referred to me as a 'the fool with I Ching'.
"Two days later, to my great surprise, I was on Honshu at the Ambassador's residence, helping to organize and lead a new Naval trade division, the '[KNT]'. 'The Fool' had been enlisted."
The next course arrived. They ate in silence for a few moments, enjoying the delicious tepenyaki.
![[Image: malsig_alt1.png]](http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o108/Shamus_FL/malsig_alt1.png)