The first and foremost worry of anyone stationed in the City of Lies, Bayushi Kurumi mused, was corruption and deceit.

She reclined on her cushion in the attendance chamber of the mansion. She wore her most flattering kimono, one that shifted with her every move in the style of the legend Kachiko. The sun had begun to set; the combined light from the window and candlelight set the room in a soft, intimate glow. The doors were shut, and the sound of nighttime insects filled the room. She was alone with him.

He was a handsome man. His face was sharp and angular and reflected the pride that drove his actions. His black hair was long and braided and looked to be taken care of every day. His eyes were warm and golden, showing his emotions with surprising clarity. His shoulders were broad and firm and his physique showed that he would be dangerous in a fight. His kimono, marked with the Dragon man, was immaculate. He sat across the room from her, his eyes fixed on hers.

"Thank you for joining me tonight," Kurumi said softly. "I was hoping to have a chance to speak to you. Alone." Her voice sounded as musical as a strum of biwa. He leaned forward to hear her better, and her smile seemed more inviting from the distance.

"Anything I can spare for you, Kurumichan," he replied.

Kurumi opened a fan in front of her face and moved it delicately. "Forgive me for my forwardness for even asking this of you. You are an esteemed man, Kitsuki Okuni-sama, and I would hate to cast any mark of doubt upon it."

"Call me Okuni-san, dear girl," he said. "As for a taint of dishonor, do not worry yourself on it. You are a promising young woman and you have proven yourself marvelously this first month at court. No one doubts your company."

Her eyes were openly grateful for his kindness. She closed the fan and tapped it gently against the palm of her hand. Her kimono slid fluidly with her. "I thank you for your certainty. Okuni-san, but I do not know if everyone shares your optimism. I am an unwed woman in private with an older, impressive man. Immediate suspicions would fly towards our actions, Okuni-san. Could you blame them?"

Okuni frowned in mock contemplation. "An interesting thought, my dear. Perhaps my enemies would be quick to find ill intent where none was present. Though I meet you alone tonight, Kurumi-chan, would anyone truly believe any mischief could go on under your uncle's roof? His reach is notable. Few people would willingly incur his wrath."

Kurumi bowed to the floor. "I should have bowed to your wisdom from the beginning, Okuni-san. You are right. No one would believe anything untoward would happen here. Yet if we were to meet some other place, in some other time, where no one would know of our plans..."

Okuni's smile grew, and Kurumi knew she had judged him correctly.

"An interesting offer, Kurumi-chan. You know that I would be most delighted to further discuss your future."

Kurumi's eyes grew wide. "What do you mean, Okuni-san?"

He leaned even closer, and Kurumi moved forward to mere inches from him. "I have some pull with the Imperial Magistrates stationed in Ryoko Owari. I've been working with the Dragon embassy for many years now, and I've gotten to know the man very well. He is an agreeable man."

"What a wonderful idea, my lord. If your friend could somehow help my way... And you trust this man completely, Okuni-san?"

He nodded. "Harada is a man who can pull some strings for personal friends of mine, if she would have my recommendation."

Her smile grew secretive, and she raised her fan to cover it once more.

Though they had spoken for only a few hours, by the time Okuni set out to leave Kurumi had complete knowledge of his indiscretions. Perhaps more damning was his admission of corruption among the Imperial Magistrates. He could only hope for a chance to seppuku, when she handed her superiors the truth. The truth was, Kurumi thought as she left the house, the danger of Ryoko Owari did not come from corruption. The true threat came from those who were utterly convinced they held honor above all.