Blossoms in spring
The laughter of children
Sunshine eternal

Rough notes about Ahiro, Johiro and Tiru.

They all met at a Phoenix Clan Ceremony 2 years ago. Johiro and Tiru found themselves alone at one point and became friends. Since she is a higher caste than he (her father was a politician – negotiator? Diplomat? Liason?), they could not officially see each other. They started to see each other in secret. They also fell in love (Johiro did anyway).

Tiru’s father was actually a traitor. He was dealing with the Scorpion Clan in secret. One year ago Tiru came across a scroll that detailed her father’s transgressions. Fearing its implications, she stole it and hid it among Johiro’s love scrolls, which were hidden in a secret place. She was in a moral dilemma and was worried. She of course did not say anything to anyone. Johiro, seeing that she was distraught decided to cheer her up. Unknown to Tiru, he knew where she kept her scrolls. He decided to put a small gift in there to cheer her up the next time she looked in. There he saw the stolen scroll and read it. Realizing what it was, he stole it.

He decided to try and cash in by blackmailing the Scorpion Clan. Some of the things in the scroll were quite dishonorable. Of course, being only 16, he was no match for them. They turned the tables and planted evidence that Tiru and Johiro were the traitors and that the Scorpion Clan was innocent. When Johiro realized what they had done and what would happen when everyone found out – he panicked. He begged to make a deal with the Scorpion’s, who gladdly complied. In return for the original scroll, Johiro would be cleared of all implications, leaving Tiru to take the fall. He would also be expected to "assist" the Clan from time to time. He agreed. Tiru was sickened that Johiro would betray her, but she decided to sacrifice herself to save her father.

At this point Ahiro started to piece the mishaps together. With some quick use of illusion and fool-heartedness, Ahiro secretly managed to point the blame back to Tiru’s father and the Scorpion Clan. The Scorpions thought that Johiro had planned this from the start. Thus they marked him (earning him his Enemy disadvantage). Tiru’s father was disgraced and the Scorpion’s sunk slightly lower on the other Clan’s opinions. Intervention by Tiru’s greatly honored grandfather saved her lineage permanent dishonor, but her father had to commit seppuku. Only Tiru knew what truly had happened.

After that, she fell in love with Ahiro. Ahiro and his brother, who had always been competitive, now became enemies.

As I have been instructed to give a report to my impressions of my fellow Magistrates, I feel I must do so with honesty and candor.

• Hida Tagasuru, Crab. He is a gifted warrior and true Crab. He has also shown restraint for which the Crab are not often noted for. The weight of his new position hangs heavy on his shoulders, though he seems to hold it well. It is obvious he wished he were back at the Wall - fighting a clear-cut battle.
• Akodo Kasumi, Lion. She is a Lion. She has behaved in a fashion, which would do her ancestors proud, though she lacks the ability to control her pride. I believe that in time she will grown to understand a sense of balance in herself and the world around her.
• Daidoji Kage, Crane. The strain of being a Yoriki under Moto Booty was taking its toll. It is fortunate that he was made a Magistrate when he did, otherwise, I believe he may have sacrificed his life. It appears he has a strange fascination with the Moto. Time will tell what the nature of this is. As for now, he tries very hard to be an exemplary Magistrate and not to dishonor his assignment.
• Moto Buti, Unicorn. Obviously, I would never presume to question the Astrologers of the Emperor, though I fail to understand their portents regarding Moto Buta. His devotion to his blade seems to have increased. He does not seem to be able to resist the siren song of the cursed blade. I fear that I must petition you to allow us to that action against the Moto and/or the Blade. Dark energies are at work and the Empire may suffer for it. Even without the sword, he is a powerful warrior and uses his divine powers like a weapon.
  Not a man to treat lightly.
• Youma, Wasp. While often abrasive to the others (especially the rigid Lion) he is a most honest man. He seems to see the world in a rather interesting manner. With total disregard for Bushido, he sometimes sees the world with clearer eyes. It remains to be seem whether this will be of help or hindrance to him later on.
• Kozo, Unicorn. Also a skilled warrior. He has risen from ronin to Samurai. No small feat. He has also been a good companion in our journeys from the old days till now. I do worry about his current experiences in the City of Lies. His encounter with the oni we described in our report left him a changed man. He requires assistance in the long fight he has before him. Hopefully he will fight and ask for the assistance he needs, otherwise he will not survive.
• Isawa Ahiro, Phoenix. As for myself, I fear I have not been all that I should have been. My own performance was below my own standards. If allowed to do so, I will strive to improve myself. I also was left changed by our dark encounter, both with the oni and Hungry Blade. I request a leave of absence while I under go a rite of purification and meditation. While the stink of the oni will fade, the touch of the Blade may not.

  *bowing low*
  Isawa Ahiro
  Phoenix Adept and Emerald Magistrate