A group of five city guard come marching up to the Rokugani Embassy, talking quietly with the guards out front for a moment. The City Guard look tense, constantly watching around them for signs of trouble. A feeling that quickly spreads to the Rokugani guards as they talk to one another. After a few minutes, one of the Rokugani guards, a Mantis samurai, turned and headed to the doors. He opens and closes them behind him quickly, looking for another samurai that isn't on duty. Once he sees one, or many, he flags them down.

"We've got trouble. The city guard are here because, well. They want to consult someone concerning funeral rites."

Stuck here in case of the need for further questioning it was a change of pace for something to actually occur. The embassy was largely quiet. Well, there had been the message on the embassy door but more important individuals were discussing that. It was most likely to do with what had taken place the day before too. That wasn't important now though.

I nod to the man's comment "then we need either a shugenja or a monk. I will help you search sama"

I look around to see who else is nearby who may be able to assist. I also begin wondering - why would the Lanka guards need knowledge of Rokugani funeral rites? What has happened?

Fuichi stepped out of the Embassy on his way to return to the ships to relieve Nozomi. Seeing the city guards, he approaches with his customary grace and serenity. "Mirumoto-san, what is going on? is there some way I can help?"

I look the Crane up and down, noting one of his mon's. Not an Asahina? That's something. Still, he seems to be a shugenja from what he is carrying. He could probably help with some funeral knowledge.

"Hai Daidoji-sama. It seems the local guards are in need of someone who knows Rokugani funeral rights. Only the divine would know why. I can speak Rhumaal so can assist". I turn to the embassy guard "is this okay sama?" I ask the Mantis

Fuichi's serene expression does not change, but inwardly, of course, he is in complete shock. His mind reverted back to the military precision instilled in him at an early age by his father.

Possibilities
1. Dead Shipmate
2. Intellectual Curiosity. Note: unlikely
3. Attempt at Intimidation

Contingencies
1a) Inform Captain
1b) Demand sight of body(?)
1c) Insist body returned to us(?)
2a) Inform guard cheerfully.
3a) Inform guard cheerfully
3b) Note demeanor and Name
3c) Inform Captain

With measured calm, he replied. "Thank you for your generous offer of translation, Mirumoto-san. Let us proceed." His serene smile in place and his thundering heart slowly stilled by willpower alone, he approached the gate.

The two samurai came to the gate and the collective city guard all bowed some. "Samurai." One said, in heavily accented Rokugani. "I am sorry to tell you this. But one of yours has died. We believed you would wish to perform funeral rites." He paused. "Messy death." He adds, a bit lamely. "How you say, death by another?"

Fuichi's on does not shift. "The word is 'murder', Kshatriya. Thank you for permitting us to care for our own. You have caught the murderer?"

I bow to the city guards upon their explanation. I do not envy their position, nor the new duty I have inadvertedly placed myself in. I am having the worst possible luck here. I tack on to the Crane's comments, who I still have not had a chance to formally meet, a few words of my own. I do not want to taste time. In Rokugani I say "Daidoji-san is correct and thank you as well for informing us. We will come right away. Please tell us all you know". I look towards the gate guards "please inform the correct persons at the Embassy of this. We will try to assist in the meanwhile. An eta to handle the body would also be appreciated"

The guard nods. "Murder, yes. Once we realized it was one of you we came here at once. After make certain scene no disturbed. Only found body though. Haven't properly searched scene. Thought since it was one of your own..."

He looks at the Mirumoto. "Someone report finding body, Temple district. We arrive, see is one of you. Much blood, definitely dead. Come to find you."

One of the Embassy Guards looks at the two samurai. "Yeah, we'll call two of 'em up. Mirumoto-san, most people don't go out alone. Especially with all that's been going on. Might be we're missing two."

Fuichi took that in stride.
"Which two?"

The guard thought for a moment, then shook his head. "We don't keep a list here, Daidoji-san. And it could be anybody that left any time today."

Fuichi frowned ever so slightly, but held back from the series of reprimands that ocurred to him. Instead he turned to the Mirumoto. "Shall we, Mirumoto-san?"

"If the killer has not yet been caught you might do well to bring some added protection Daidoji-san. At the least more samurai might discourage the murderer from attempting a second attack." Kichirou offers with a bow as he enters. The Scorpion had just been returning to the Embassy and couldn't help but overhear the news.

Fuichi nodded. "Sensible. Would that be an offer of assistance, Bayushi-san? If so, then I accept with gratitude."

"I'd be glad to help Daidoji-san." Kichirou says with a bow before looking to the Dragon, "Is my addition acceptable Mirumoto-san?"

The news was troubling but not unexpected. The Scorpion was unexpected. I had had good and bad experiences with members of that Clan in the past.

"It should be..." I stop, taking in the fairly silent Scorpion's mon as I bow to him "Bayushi-sama. I agree with your line of thinking. Still, time is of the essence in case the weather worsens and disturbs the crime scene or such. I am no Kitsuki investigator but I have heard them talk enough. I can help by translating and perhaps providing some meagre insight into how things work here. I hope you have more knowledge of crime scenes than I though" I nod towards the local guards, signalling we are ready. "As Daidoji-sama says, let us depart" I begin to walk out of the Embassy "we can introduce ourselves formally as we walk" I say back to the two men

Fuichi stops dead in his tracks.
"A moment, Mirumoto-san, let me get permission from the Captain to perform the proper rites."

He then hurried back into the embassy to find Uminushi.

(Un)surprisingly, the man was up to his elbows in lists in the library. He looks up when the Crane enters and arches a brow, happy to have some distraction from paperwork. "Yes?"

"Captain," Fuichi begins, "We've a group of the city guard at the gate who have found one of our people murdered. I don't know whom, but I'd like permission to use my gifts to assist in the investigation. Also, any instructions or advice you might like to give would be most welcome."

"That's fine, just don't go asking the kami to name foreign gods who then turn them into kansen" the man replies amiably enough as he gets a pre-written and very official looking letter. He absently puts in Fuichi's name in the spot left for it and hands it to the man. Uminushi arches a brow at the question and replies dryly, "My advice? Don't get killed."