A/N All conversations are in Japanese
"Shane," Mai stated, her voice laced with venom. She moved forward, ready to punch him, but the guards around Shane were quicker and held her back.
"Is that any way to treat your host?" Shane purred, a satisfied smug gracing his features at the sight of the restrained Mizushima.
"Seeing as you have me here against my will, I don't see why not. Where are Megumi, Ichigo and Huey?"
"I have your family members somewhere comfortable. As for your little friend? He's no longer here"
"What did you do to him!?"
"Nothing. He ran like a dog back to the surface"
"You're lying!"
"I have no reason to," Shane replied, his grin displaying victory. Shane's gray eyes watched as Mai slumped forward, her head focused on the ground.
"What now?" Mai growled, "We fight for the position of Head over Moonrea?"
"My my Jewel of the Mizushima, aren't you in much of a hurry? Fighting is the last thing you should worry right now. You will be joining my family and I for a feast. A feast in your honor"
"Why?" a surprised Mai asked.
"You'll find out in time. Until later, Mai Mizushima"
Shane exited the room as the guards dumped Mai on the floor and shut the steel door behind them.
"Make sure that the Jewel is fed and her injury checked. And when the time comes, have her properly dressed for tonight," Shane ordered.
"Hai, Shane-sama!"
In the hour after Shane had left, food had been brought to Mai and a physician was brought in to look over an re-bandage Mai's arm. Afterwards, when she was alone again, Mai sat against the cold wall and crossed her legs. Eyes closed, she began to meditate. The tension in her muscles began to roll away, and her breathing evened out. As she did this, Mai went over the plan. She honestly hoped Huey was fine and that he did his part. Please, she hoped, for my sake, don't let Shane's words be true. Sighing, Mai's eyes peeled open and she gazed at her hands, eyeing her right wrist. With her left hand on her right wrist, Mai stood; armed or not, she would have to be prepared for anything that came her way. Just what is Shane planning? She thought, slipping into a fighting stance. She began to reiterate through the moves of the kime-no-kata*.
Mai continued in this manner, doing it slowly so as not to expend her energy. It was unknown to her how much time had passed, but she stopped abruptly when she picked up the sound of footsteps from outside her cell. Mai quickly sat seiza style on the futon and watched as the metal door slid open. A guard stood there and said, "Time to go"
"Where are we going?" Mai demanded, slowly standing up.
"To Yuki-san. You have to be presentable before going to the main dining room"
The guard stepped aside, waiting for her to get out. When Mai stepped into the corridor, she noticed that there where nine more guards, specifically the elites, inhabiting the hallway.
"Am I that dangerous to have these many guards?" Mai said, more to herself. Mai was rather pleased to know that her grin unsettled the guard beside her as he shoved her in the direction of the baths.
Soon enough Mai was left in the care of Yuki-san, a plump woman in her early 40yrs dressed in a plain yukata. Mai was undressed, shoved into a bath and scrubbed a bit to thoroughly. As Mai would see it, she was not in any way treated too gently as she was being dressed and dolled up for the 'feast'. When she was done, Yuki-san circled Mai, checking her work. Mai wore a scarlet red kimono with a design pattern of flying cranes and sakura leaves. Considering her skin was naturally pale, a light amount of face powder had been applied to her face, a fair amount of blush to give her cheeks color and her lips given a sharp red look. Instead of having her hair in the traditional Japanese hairstyle, Mai's hair was pinned up with pins and hair ornaments (almost like an easy twisty). Mai was also given indoor white socks for her feet so she wouldn't have to go around barefoot.
Satisfied with her inspection, Yuki-san asked, "You know all the protocol to be followed when in the dining room?"
"No I don't," Mai replied sarcastically.
"Mind your tongue girl," Yuki-san warned, "you will be dining with the main family"
"Do not forget who you're talking to," Mai retorted.
"Of course, you still think you are going to lead the five clans? You are very ambitious little girl, but your dreaming can only take you so far. Your place is to stand behind your husband. I imagine that's not to far off"
"What does that mean?" Mai demanded. Yuki-san brushed off her question and called forth for the guards to escort escort Mai to the dining hall. Yuki-san's words plagued Mai's mind. What did she mean? Something is off, Mai thought, her hands entwined above her heart. While still in thought, one of the elites bumped into her, bringing her out of her reverie. She was ready to tell of the elite when she felt two familiar objects slide down her sleeve. Mai was careful not to display any emotions or sudden body movements as she expertly guided the objects into an inner pocket. She was not worried about being searched as a full body search had been done before she left the care of Yuki-san. She inwardly smirked to herself, the wrath of the Jewel of the Mizushima begins.
In the Main Kurosawa Dining Room
Shane was seated with his wife -Akemi- at the head of the long low table. At left was an empty seat that had been reserved for his son and after that sat the head of his elites, Keichiro. On his wife's right, an empty seat was reserved for Mai Mizushima, who they were currently waiting for. The rest of the seats were occupied by three elders of the clan and their wives.
"Husband," Akemi spoke softly from beside him, "as much as this is a victorious occasion, I don't seem to understand why we're having a feast with the enemy"
"Patience wife," Shane replied, "All will come to light soon enough"
The guard announced the entrance of the Mizushima heiress and the shoji screen door was open. All heirs turned to the heiress as she entered the room.
"Ah, welcome Mai of the Mizushima. Please, have a seat," Shane greeted, pointing to the seat beside his wife. Mai sat down at her designated seat and folded her arms over her lap.
"Thank you," Mai replied, no emotions in her voice or facial expressions.
"Such a pretty thing with such a face," Akemi spoke, "why don't you show us why you're called the Jewel of the Mizushima and smile"
"Now now dear wife," Shane cut in, "let's not make our guest feel uncomfortable. After all, tonight is a special night"
Mai noticed the empty across from her and asked, "I assume you are waiting for another guest besides myself?"
"Why yes," Shane replied. He was about to speak further when the shoji screen door opened once more, attracting everyone's attention. In stepped a tall young man in a uniform Mai recognized as unique to the Mori Samurai school, body fitted black and gray top body armor with the Kurosawa insignia on the right breast plate. Mai recognized him, despite the years that had passed. His tan skin, his stubborn smirk implanted on his now chiseled facial features that defined his handsome features. His deep brown hair was tied into a samurai bun and his gray eyes swept the room, landing finally on Mai.
"Well well well," the young man began, "this is quite the surprise"
"Welcome home son," Shane said proudly.
*kime-no-kata- is a long kata consisting of self-defense techniques against both unarmed attacks, and attacks with swords and knives. (This is in relation to judo and this information courtesy of Wikipedia)