On a suggestion of a meeting, Honoka had set up the main meeting room with the cushions and got her tea set ready. She was preparing tea, waiting for the others to arrive.

Sayomi on the other hand brought some breakfast from the kitchens to share with her fellow Lion. "Good morning, Ikoma-san," she greeted the girl with a bow and placed out the food on the nearby table. "I brought food from the kitchens in case you haven't eaten yet."

"Kitsu-sama" Honoka gave the woman a smile and a bow "good morning. I hope you are well? I haven't eaten yet, I was just preparing tea while I waited. Please join me."

"I am well," she replied with a nod and joined Honoka. "And you? We've all been keeping so busy this past week, and... it's been a lot." A covert-mission to Ryoko Owari to fetch an Imperial ronin, and then the Empress' death.

Sayomi understood why 'may you live in interesting times' was a curse.

Kenji was late to the meeting and arrived bearing apologies and a small bag of treats. "I am sorry for being late minna-sama! I brought these to compensate." He laid out some scrolls and sweet rice rolls then bowed.

"No apologies are needed, Akodo-sama," Sayomi replied warmly. "The season is keeping us all busy."

She eyed the scrolls. "And you've been keeping very busy! Here, have some tea and breakfast, and we can enjoy these sweets afterward."

Honoka bowed to Kenji, sliding over a cup of tea to Kenji then Sayomi before pouring her own.

"Good to see you Akodo-sama! It's been some time since we've all had a chance to sit down and discuss things" she looked to the scrolls "what have you been studying?"

Kenji nodded his thanks to his clanmates and took the offered tea gratefully. "Yes indeed, we have all been kept rather busy."

He looked to the scrolls. "Oh, I have been buried away in the Ikoma libraries learning about the Winds. It is amazing what details can be found on record if one knows what to look for."

Sayomi lit up with interest and handed out the breakfast. Trays with rice, pickled daikon and seaweed, clear miso, eggs, and fish.

"I am curious about what you've found. With the Empress gone, rest her soul, we will have to get more involved with these Winds. The Empire might depend on it." She looked serious for a moment before returning to her usual calm expression. "What have you learned?"

"The Ikoma Libraries are a wonderful place one could lose days of their life to" Honoka commented with a small laugh, before going quiet. A curious expression on her face as she also wanted to know what Kenji had learnt.