A thin cloud covered the glow of Lord Moon in the night sky, and somewhere, the night grew black as pitch, and the wind blew a little colder in the darkness.

But not in Otosan Uchi.

The glaring street lights of the great capitol gave no hint to losing the light of Lord Moon. The skyline of the city stood bold against the black night, the square skyscrapers reaching like defiant hands into the sky. Atop one of the taller buildings of Otosan Uchi, a great ballroom was alive with activity, and the great glass ceiling and walls reflected the bright glow of the city. As the night progressed, the stone architecture of the rooftop was pelted by a slow rain. Inside the ballroom no one took notice.

The chamber musicians, the finest of the Kakita string orchestra, sat on a raised dais in the corner of the gigantic hall, playing older pieces, expressions of serenity on their faces. The music seemed to lift up over the sound of laughter, drinks, and the murmur of the crowd. As the final light overture of the piece came to a slow end, the crowd turned to the musicians and clapped politely.

One player leaned over to the young woman next to him, and whispered, "Why are we playing for them?" His voice was harsh, and the young woman was startled.

"What do you mean?" came the soft reply.

"You know what I mean!" He hissed, his eyes becoming a little darker. "These Scorpions!"

The young woman, her white hair and fair skin betraying her Doji ancestry, looked around at the assembled crowd. The festivities were held in a building owned by Dojicorp, and the ballroom was being rented by a family of the Bayushi. The House of the Scorpion.

The occasion was nothing particular; the Emperor would be holding an open court for some announcement, and many socially prominent people had arrived in the capitol city in the past few days. The current social life of the Bayushi was taken care of by a young woman, Bayushi Shiriko, who had sent invitations to people of even minor renown to this ball. Many of the invited parties had tried to travel to Otosan Uchi in private, but they had again learned that no secret is safe from the Clan of shadows.

"Oh Yoshiri," the young Crane laughed, "they're just having fun! Put away your hatred for another night!" She picked up her instrument at the conductor's command, and smiled. "Let your passions guide your music!" She whispered softly into his ear and began to play.

On the other side of the ballroom, a small gathering had formed around the young Shiriko. She was clad in a long red dress with a black vest. The traditional mask of the Scorpion house hung from the top of her head down to the bridge of her nose. The mask was black porcelain, and a silver Scorpion danced across the eyes of it. What was seen of her was the flowing black hair of the Bayushi family, and the dignified mouth and cheekbones of any socialite in Rokugan. She was young and pretty, many of the older generations said, and soon she would find a suitor to help her lead her Clan into the future.

Shiriko had lost her father five years ago; he had disappeared without a trace. Many who suspected the Scorpions to have less than honorable connections said his life was taken in a criminal war. The family denied such accusations, but never offered any other explanations.

Shiriko raised her glass to the gathered crowd. "To the nights of wonder ahead!" She spoke loudly, "The Diamond Empire will always be without equal!" Many of the guests cheered and raised their glasses.

"Ah, Bayushi Shiriko-sama" one young man said quietly to her left. She looked over to see a handsome young man in a formal suit with gold and black trimmings. A young Matsu of the Lion Clan. The Matsu continued, "I have heard it told you are seeking a husband to lend his strength to your Clan?"

Behind her mask, the young Scorpion raised an eyebrow. She smiled for all to see and said, "Yes, it is true that I wish to find love, as all should. The time of war is over and we should concern ourselves with living the life our ancestors died to provide us with!" This was met with several nods and shouted approvals from the crowd.

The Lion smiled and said, "I would be honored to provide such a station and service to one such as you." He bowed his head.

Shiriko laughed lightly. "And what makes you think I can love you, little Lion?" She asked to the suddenly startled young man. Behind her mask, the Matsu could see her eyes had become deadly.

No reply forthcoming, Shiriko smiled and said simply, "Nothing? Well, you at least do your ancestors justice with your boldness and bravery." She placed her hand on his shoulder her smile grew more wicked. Some of the observing guests looked uncomfortable at the sight. In public, there was still a strong aversion to physical displays of affection despite the changing times.

"Perhaps one cannot fully translate to speech the feelings of the heart," A calm voice broke through the spectacle, and everyone turned to see an older man holding a small cup of sake leaning against the glass wall. He wore simple gentleman's garb, but without the colors or markings of any Clan, except one.

The Mon of the Emperor.

"Magistrate Tetsugi. I am glad you could come by my small gathering," Shiriko bowed her head and replied without hesitation. The would-be Lion suitor seemed visibly more relaxed as her attentions left him. "You would perhaps know much of this subject of love, my lord Magistrate?"

The older man smiled. Tetsugi was the Magistrate of this section of Otosan Uchi, and was a friend of the Bayushi family here. He and Shiriko had worked together on several occasion, including the disappearance of her father. Tetsugi was perhaps the closest thing the young Scorpion Lady had to a father, but their relationship in social settings stayed completely formal.

The magistrate came away from the wall and towards the group. "I have seen forty-seven summers, young Scorpion." He reached the edge of the group and stopped. "That is quite a time to love and lose." He sipped his sake and laughed. "Perhaps too much time. Tales for other events, my lady Bayushi." He bowed low and added, "Provided your own cleverness does not blind you, you may live so long," Tetsugi smiled a little and took another sip of his sake.

Shiriko did not look amused as the Magistrate turned to leave. The voice of an older Unicorn diplomat caught her ear and she turned to her, acting pleasantly interested in her discourse.

The rain still came down steadily for an hour, and the guests of the evening began to mill their way toward the ballroom's great doors. After they had left, and the Crane players had removed their items, Bayushi Shiriko walked outside to the rooftop patio, holding an umbrella to stop the rain from ruining her dress and hair. Lightning made an arc across the sky and she reached out to touch one of the stone dragons on the ledge.

"You've grown," A voice came from the shadows next to the dragon carving. Shiriko peered into the blackness to see the outline of a crouching man, hiding in the shadow. "You were amazing at the party tonight, my Sakura-ko."

Little Cherry Blossom. Shiriko used to hear that from her...

"Father," She said softly. Shiriko closed her eyes to push back the flood of emotions, and said simply, "No." The young woman turned from the carving and stared off into the darkness.

The man came out of the shadows and stood behind her. His entire head was hidden in a black hood, and he wore a long cloak and coat over the rest of his body. "Yes, daughter. I am here." Shiriko turned to the figure, and saw the eyes of her father's ghost in the dark recesses of the hood.

"You're dead..." she whispered and reached for him sleeve. Lightning flashed across the sky again, and the young Lady Scorpion dropped her umbrella as her hand touched solid cloth. Her hair caught the rain and began to fall in her face as the minutes passed by. She stared into the eyes of her father, who stood unmoving, staring back into the depths of her soul. "You're dead..." she repeated.

"I am proud of you, my daughter. You've never disappointed me as I've watched you..." His voice seemed to come from every dark corner of the rooftop. The rain caught in his eye... No, a tear ran down his cheek.

"Father?" She whispered, and reached for his face. She pulled her hand back before it touched his skin, for she knew now that her father was alive, and stood before her.

"And you played that proud Matsu for the fool he was," He looked up at the sky, and the light from the ballroom showed a faint smile on his lips. "Some days I believe Bayushi-kami himself smiles down on you, my daughter."

Shiriko's sorrow quickly turned to rage as a haze seemed to lift from her thoughts "At what price?" She said, almost choking on the words. She spun away from him, "I have no Father, as far as anyone is concerned!" She nearly yelled. Only her clenched teeth held back her small fury, "I am some thing to be married off so a man can maintain the affairs of my house! They're not impressed with me, you know." He voice trailed off, "They find it amusing, I've heard. They say it's cute how I pretend I can handle things myself." Tears of anger formed in her eyes, and she balled her hands into fists, and whispered, "And you have watched this whole time."

"They believe the Scorpion are weak, daughter." He put his hands on her shoulders and drew her into his embrace. "I am sorry it must be like this." He drew a breath, and sighed it out slowly. "The Dragon are gone. And with them we lost our only ally in this war of shadows we maintain. We must take care." He turned her around, and held her head up to look her in the eye. "We are the Scorpion. We are the Underhand of the Emperor. It is our duty to walk the darkness so that others won't have to. So that others will be safe from their power."

He reached for her mask, and she did not resist. He pulled the ancient porcelain from her face and kissed her on the forehead.

Shiriko looked up at her father, and another flash of lightning showed a long scar down the left side of his face. "Why?" she said hoarsely.

"I have protected this family every day since my death." He said, and his eyes danced as the memories moved in his mind. "We have become lax in our duty, and our shadows are no longer ours alone. You must guide this family now, but we must seem to be vulnerable, so we may draw out our enemies, and the enemies of the Emperor."

The old man placed the mask back on her face and Shiriko saw the pain in his eyes as he stepped away.

"Take care, Sakura-ko" he said, but his voice felt like he still whispered in her ear. He turned back to the dragon carving and walked away, saying, "I will not always be here to protect you."

The lightning arced across the sky, and thunder rolled across the rooftop. The Lady Scorpion was startled by the noise, and looked towards the sky. When Bayushi Shiriko looked down again, her father was gone, and she was again alone.