"Curse?" Now there's some curse that bounds this woman? What does that even mean? Despite getting some kind of intel, Dotsu still felt out of the loop of the whole story. Meeting Kenji in the eye once more, they both came to the solid foundation that there is much more left to be revealed. Though it was a surprise notice that he was bound to Kanda now, something that can't just be brushed over. The vice captain remained silent since he could not really give much to respond. He felt there was more that he needed to understand beforehand. Being the lead to actually having a stop for rest and food, Dotsu simply followed suit behind him, glancing over to Kanda with the look of; "the only thing we can do I guess." What really got him curious was the fact that Kanda has yet another person aside from the captain and himself to answer to. "Let's just get Elni to rest. We can settle everything else afterward."
Elninio was glad to be rid of the curse even if it was temporary. Though most likely it was gone for good. "He will not get me again." She says coldly "He will die first." memories of what happened to her threaten to flood her mind as she glares at nothing in particular. She was going to have to find away to make amends for all those poor souls. She sighs as their was nothing she could do at this time. Elninio then attempt to take a halfhearted swing at Kenji when he pats her on the head but is not able to because Dotsu was still holding her. Elninio frowns and blames herself for Kanda getting chained to Dotsu and wonders about the repercussions for all three of them. "Kanda-chan when my nephew starts to scold you tell him I said shut up and come talk to me. Mizu-san it is my fault not hers." She says trying to sound like her old self but failing to do so. She did not really want to deal with her nephews anger but was not going to allow him to go at Kanda. Come to think of it she was not even sure what type of leader Sasuga was, the last time she saw him he had just become a judge. "No Kanda I am mostly to blame for the Vice Captain finding out. It was part of what those creeps did to me their is not telling how much they got out of me before I broke free." It would be nice to be home and if she had her way she was not going anywhere for a long time. She looked at Dotsu when he says curse and feels sorry for the man as he was getting information overload. She smiles broadly when they finally reach Sasuga's manor. And calls out to a vassal she saw "Bring me a wheel chair so Vice Captain Kesato-sama does not have to keep carrying me. And tell Sasuga I am not calling him sama that his Aunt Elninio is here to see him."
"Lady El ..." Kanda says and trails off while Elninio orders for a wheel chair once they reach the grounds. The vassal quickly darts off to find a subordinate who will know where the wheel chairs are kept. Soon one is brought to Elninio as ordered. Kanda meanwhile has been pondering on what has been going on and the implications of it. The retainer bows politely and says, "Lord Sasuga is having a meeting with the vassals, but the family heads have the option of joining or not, my lady." Kanda is still quiet ever since Kenji chewed her out, even after Elninio stated that she deserves the blame. As they walk to where Sasuga is holding his meeting in the Tensho, the uppermost room in the shiro Hi Manor. All talking ceases as they enter. Sasuga sits at the head and watches them. He sets aside his papers and looks at them with a patient expression, though the retired judge still has the same demeanor as one who would still be sitting in court while still retaining a noble air. "Come in," he says. Kanda bows very politely and introduces Dotsu. "Oyakata Sasuga, this is my vice-captain, Dotsu Kesato-sama. Please excuse my bringing him unannounced."
Kenji politely nods to Sasuga and says, "Old friend, I have some matters of importance to tell you about. The first and most important matter is that your Aunt Elninio has returned!" he waves towards Elninio as the retainer wheels her in from the elevator. Sasuga stands up suddenly and is across the room giving the woman a huge hug. "We thought you were dead!" He turns to the vassal that was handling her affairs in her absence. "Ensure that Lady El caught up on everything within her house. She may still need assistance with getting up to speed, but I will entrust you to work with her and for her as needed." He grins broadly and then takes note of her visible condition. "But first, somebody get her a healer and some decent clothing." Kenji grabs his sleeve, "Sasu-kun, there's more to the story. She was captured and ... unspeakable things were done to her ... I am still worn out from the exorcism and I know that the rest of the ceremony can be done by the monks, but I have to strip her seal and put a new one on in another location." A dark look crosses the retired judge's face. "I see. I sense there is more."
Kanda bows again and says, "Your lordship, there has been a complication. There was a reason that I have introduced you to my vice-captain." Sasuga's expression turns grave, "I can already sense it. You are chained to him." The vassals present begin to react poorly to this. Some shout for the need to preserve the secrecy by any number of poorly thought out ideas such as locking him up or killing him. More reasonable voices call for the severing of ties. Others yell that she herself should be punished. To which all of this is met with him snapping his fan shut and giving them all a very severe look. "Enough," he says sternly and without raising his voice. "I will hear them out. Besides, this is not my grandfather's era nor is it my uncle's era. We do not kill allies, even if they do find themselves in this situation. I am sure that there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. Isn't there, Kanda?" She sweat drops and does not meet his gaze, trying to think of how to word her answer. "Forgive me, please. This was not how I wanted things to go today, but it is not Kesato-sama's doing. He is a good and just man. I respect him highly." Sasuga nods and replies, "Very good, but that is not an explanation. That's a deflection. Would you accept such an answer in your duties?" "No sir. I would not," she sighs, "It was-"
Kenji, sensing her distress and remembering Elninio's rebuke wonders if he should step in and answer for her. Before he can stop himself he finds himself speaking up, "It was an emergency." He does not desire to cause either woman further trouble. "I have confirmed this with my efforts. No evil intent nor desire to break the taboo was desired."
Dotsu had in his thoughts that he was finally getting somewhere now that they were being escorted to the main household of Kanda's clan. Upon arrival he remained quiet giving the fact he had no idea what he was about to get himself into. It would have appeared that Elninio was tired of being carried in his arms thus being provided a seat for her to do her own set of temporary travel.
There was a table that he noticed few members awaiting them. Perhaps this was the group that have brought Kanda much inner trouble and worry. It kind of reminded Dotsu of the Kuchiki family, his captain and his whole family were kind of intimidating in their own right. Watching Kanda sit, Dotsu simply stood behind her at an eased attention. It wasn't right for him to sit at table of important matters that he didn't belong in. Instead, he treated it as merely being a representative. She was formal enough to introduce him however, which he returned in kind with a slight bow of respect. He made sure to pay attention to the words that were to be exchanged at this meeting. Hearing again that he has now become involved in some family secrecy by "chaining" with Kanda. Thinking back, he wondered if it was when he held her after she became a weapon that forged the connection? Though those thoughts were short lived due to hearing from voices having ideas of entrapping him or killing him. There were some ideas that Kanda herself should be punished. The silver vice captain's eyes dimmed. He had no plans of anyone going to be on the receiving end of torture, though he had to be mindful this is not by his own accord and must respect this family's code...whatever it may be. Fortunately however, the head seemed to be a reasonable man who made it concrete that his reign would be nothing like those who came before himself. A noble act, one that Dotsu himself can respect.
