Kaneka was restless. It was early spring, and everywhere patrols were going out, plans for summer campaigns were being made, and bandits were being fought. He was not in the thick of anything. He was acting as "special adviser" to the Champion of the most pacifistic Clan in the entire Empire. He growled under his breath as he stormed into his rooms. He was surprised to find them dark. Even if his wife had gone out somewhere for the evening, the maids should have lit the brazier and a couple of lanterns at least. He started to reach into his hip pouch.

"I wouldn't, if I were you," A cultured voice said from somewhere in the shadows. "Why don't you have a seat and we'll talk?"

"Your Imperial Majesty," Kaneka bowed, and the taste of those words in his mouth were bitter. He heard a cup of tea being poured and ignored it when it was pushed across the low table to him. "Where is my wife?"

"I believe she received an invitation from Shiba Tsukimi to take tea this evening," The voice replied.

"Everyone in the Empire is looking for you, and you convince Tsukimi-san to invite my wife to tea. Does Tsukimi-san know who induced her to invite my wife to tea?"

"Of course not." The voice was perfectly neutral.

"Wheels within wheels, eh, Your Majesty?"

"I wanted to talk, Kaneka. You may or may not be related to me by blood, but I will not stand for impertinences from you. If I believed you to be a physical or political threat, we would not be holding this conversation."

"I don't believe you." Kaneka's voice was very low. "Don't try to threaten me, Naseru. You know very well that if anything were to happen to me, the civil unrest would erupt into full-fledged war. I still have many supporters."

"Yes, and all of them disrespectful of the crown, Kaneka." There was a touch of heat in Naseru's voice now. "You're the worst of the lot, refusing to attend Winter Court when summoned, yet receiving diplomats from my enemies. If you wanted that war to occur..."

He calmed himself and leaned back, taking a sip of the tea. "The Crab will not leave their wall, Kaneka. The Lion face a two-front war. Chagatai will not back down from his skirmishes with the Lion, especially when their attention is divided. Your only real allies are the Mantis, Kaneka, and I can deal with them if I must."

"Which is why you imprison me among the Phoenix." Kaneka said flatly.

"Do you lack anything here? Do the Phoenix treat you with impertinences? Do you have any complaints to make against the hospitality of the Phoenix?"

"Don't try to twist my words."

"Then don't try to twist my Empire to treason." Naseru rose, a shadow against the closed blinds. "You will not continue your public disrespect of me. And if I find you are conspiring against me- in touch, say, with the Gozoku-"

Kaneka blanched and counted himself lucky that Naseru kept the room in shadow. Then he wondered...

"-then you will swear fealty to the Seppun and be sent to guard an empty temple somewhere where you will cause no harm. Out of respect for our father and our sister, I have not moved against you, Kaneka. You will show me the same respect."

Naseru swept from the room. Kaneka knew better than to try to send someone to apprehend the Emperor. Naseru would have paced out his escape route and was probably dressed as a samurai of the Phoenix. He waited for a couple of minutes, and then struck a light.

A note written in elegant calligraphy lay beneath the teacup. Never commit anything to writing.

"Someday, you will meet me on my terms," The bastard snarled to the empty room.