White wings

1. Strategic Partnership

"Bullseye!" yelled the new recruit. A flinch was the only approval the lieutenant got from General Kujou Sara.

"Let me know when they improve and add more moving targets to their training."

She turned around and left. She knew that they were getting ready for something more significant than a civil war. Her senses told her that. News from Sumeru's internal insurrection raised the alarm within Inazuma as well. Very similar to their own struggle, and yet so distant. Her instincts told her that something greater was being plotted somewhere somehow. The only thing she could do was maintain a strong army and train them well. 

She had planned to go back to Tenshukaku by waverider, enjoying the morning dew. But a shade following her on the side of the path to the bay made her stop.

"Come out and tell me Shikanoin, I can't stand you lurking over my peaceful morning stroll."

Like a breeze, Heizou was in front of her. His expression was unexpected. Trouble, perhaps. Sara thought.

"Lord Kujou sent me to give you a message. It was rather urgent." Then he handled a sealed envelope which she opened quickly. 

"General, your presence is needed immediately at Tenshukaku. Be fast as our guest tea is about to get cold."

"Cryptic" She said. "Do you happen to know who this guest might be?"

"Sorry, the guard caught me outside when he gave it to me. I didn't get the chance to see what was going on inside."

"Sure. I'll fly there, it's faster. I may need your assistance, let's meet afterward."

Se took off, feeling the air in her lungs and the freedom in her wings. The flight was only about 5 minutes to the Tenryou commission headquarters. Maybe four if the wind was in her favor.

The first thing she saw was her father's tense body, which turned on all of her alarms. With an imperceptible movement, her hand drew closer to the bow on her back. He was sitting at a table drinking tea. Then she saw who the guest was. Annoyed she got closer and greeted them.

"That was fast general." Said her father. "Please take a seat, Lord Kamisato here has something important he want's to discuss with us."

"Thanks for making time General Kujou. As I mentioned to your father, all commissions have noticed the territory recovery plan and how successful it has been. Especially on Yashiori Island, those eternal storms were a nightmare. Thanks to that, people from all over Inazuma will be able to attend the next spring festival in safer conditions."

Sara was hearing but not listening. For her, Lord Kamisato was a boring politician who could never be straightforward with words. Busy, she was too busy for that. She stood up fast as lighting. 

"I'll take my leave." As she turned around, his next words stopped her in her toes.

"The Raiden Shogun knows that as well."

"He knows", she thought, "how to catch my attention". She sat back down only to notice that the Kamisato's clan leader was looking at her completely ignoring her father.

"That's why I wasn't surprised when I got this letter from her.  A few weeks ago our intel started noticing odd shipments between Jakotsu Mine and Fort Hiraumi on Seiramaru island. Of course, we thought it was part of the expeditions to recover land or just people visiting the renovated Asase Shrine."

"We haven't deployed soldiers in Seiramaru. As far as we know only a few adventurers have gone there." She was quick to answer. Knowing where this was going.

"I deducted as much, seeing how uncooperative the sailors were when we asked about their business. After tracking them for a couple of weeks, more than fifty shipments were spotted. And, in many of them, some common enemy disguised as Tenryou soldiers."

She knew the fatui were still around, but having such a large operation right under her nose. She felt embarrassed.

"Don't blame it on yourself." Continued Ayato, almost like reading her mind. "They are very clever to hide their tracks. Anyway, after bringing the information to Guuji Yae yesterday, this letter was delivered this morning, sealed with electro power."

What did the Guuji intend with that?  The only electro-vision carriers within Inazuma were her and the Arataki girl.

"So I took the hint." now his eyes were piercing her "I came to offer a partnership, General Kujou. I believe the information within this envelope can be useful for both parties, however, I can't open it and you can't have it. I propose that, no matter what it says, let's make this a formal cooperation between the Yashiro and Tenryou commissions. "

Her thoughts went down a rabbit hole. They knew about the stolen uniforms, but how could Ayato have been faster to uncover the truth? She'll have to talk with Shikanoin, to gather intel. And was this some kind of direct order from the Shogun? Or was this one of Guuji Yae's schemes to find something to write about? Of course, he wouldn't ask for a favor nor give the envelope as easy as that. But working with the Yashiro commission? People could interpret it as if they were not strong enough to protect Inazuma. No, she had to talk with Heizou before making a decision.

"I'll consider your proposal, Lord Kamisato." She said after thinking it through. "I'll get back to you tomorrow morning."

"Of course, I understand. Let's meet tomorrow at dawn in Chinju Forest. Thank you both for your time. I have matters to attend to."

His tea stopped fuming at the moment he stood up as if it was all calculated. He left in silence, with swift movements like a calm sea. 

"Lord Kujou, I don't think this is a good idea. I'll investigate further in this matter and proceed with a team of our own." She said to her father.

"No, not this time. This might order directly from the Shogun, you know we are not in a good position with her. This could be our chance to restore confidence in the commission, even if we are more than capable to solve it by ourselves. These are my orders. Make it work with the Kamisato boy."

She was infuriated and used as a political tool. She knew she could solve it herself, plus Lord Kamisato really frustrated her, with his complicated words and manners. She wondered if he even knew how to use the sword on his belt.

"Yes, father."