A lowly ashigaru entered the courtyard. They come and go, and none are noticed. This one was no different. Her robes were plain and she did not stand out. Tucked into her waistband was her wakizashi. She left her shirasaya in her room. Her name was Akiko Kumakura.
It was nothing to do with being prepared at all times, she just thought it was expected. The short sword was a samurai's companion at all times. Even when separated from a primary weapon, such as a katana, when one slept or when one visited the room of a friend, the wakizashi must remain with the warrior. It was a sword which carried a lot of honour, especially since it could be used for seppuku, an act which has a primary purpose of retaining honour.
It was more for show than anything else. The needlepoint pins that held her hair in place were her preferred weapon of choice.
She had just spent some time in space trying to work out was wrong with her ship, a trusty dragon in it's own right. Ever since the battle there was something wrong with it. She decided to sit down on the marble bench below the sakura trees and relax.
"The solution will only come when you are ready." The thought echoed in her head. She could not remember who said it. Her eyes were open and to anyone who bothered to glance at the people in the courtyard for whatever reason would not have seen anything to distinguish her.
She had no idea of the going's on in the hall, and as such, she did not know that Sachiko-ojousama had been elevated, from hatamoto to roju.
![[Image: hG0lGaj.png]](https://i.imgur.com/hG0lGaj.png)