Shin sat atop his personal horse, riding behind his mother and fathers carriage. He wasn't overly excited with the nature of their visit, but raised as he was Shin understood the importance of it, though the politics behind it were something he didn't particularly care about.

Hikane Etsu.. Shin knew very little bit about the girl. She was younger then him, but that mattered little in Cizok, he knew much of her father Hikane Toushin. The man had been Shins fathers equal in many respects, however Shin didn't know if that was possible.

He enjoyed the relative silence as they made their way deeper into his uncles land trying to remember all the information he could as before they made their entrance. Shin wasn't particularly worried about the event, he had been drilled on manners nearly as much as his swordsmanship and phony smiles with flowery words were all part of his training. He would make a proper impression, make his father proud and then hopefully continue his growth as a swordsman, which was the only thing he cared about at the moment.

Inside of the carriage, Ahiru adjusted her sky-blue hair, pulling it back into a pony tail, somewhat similar to Toryiama's black ponytail. He gave her a haphazard glance before feigning a scoff. At this Ahiru did all she could to stifle a giggle, before letting her hair back down.

Shin inherited his traits mainly from his mother, a woman with sky blue hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. The way the story went, the first of the Hikane clan were stricken with albinism, and over hundreds of years and dozens of generations, it simply became a genetic trait for the family. Light eyes, light hair, and light skin. An orange color was much more common for their eyes--orange or some shade of red, really, but sometimes other traits were mixed in. Ahiru, for example, inherited blue eyes from her mother.

Toryiama leaned back within the carriage, shutting his eyes all the while. For the most part, the two had been completely silent, excepting exchanges just like that. Ahiru turned after a bit to open the back curtains of the carriage, to see Shin trailing behind them on his horse. She frowned for a moment. It would have been nice if he had ridden with them. It wasn't like they were going to get there any faster by riding separate, after all! Besides, she would have liked to talk to her son about this meeting.

"Shin-kun?" Ahiru asked for his attention, "Could you join us, please?"

Shins concentration was broke the moment he heard his mothers voice, being drawn back to the hear and now he focused his own blue eyes on her smiling face through the carriage window.

"Right away mother." Shin smiled and dropped from his horse, handing the reigns off to a family servant. He jogged briefly to catch up to the carriage before knocking on the door then entering.

Shin was a little apprehensive, he had hoped to at least get through the trip to his uncles without seeing his father. He was naturally worried around him, feeling like he was under constant scrutiny and was terrified of failing or acting in anyway unfavorable to him.

Shin bowed to his father and mother the moment he entered, closing the door behind him. He took a seat right near the door as well, removing his Daisho and placing it in a holder above the door.

"Father, mother..."Shin paused briefly as he nodded again, giving just the right amount of time and showing proper respect. "..how may I be of service?" Normally he wasn't this proper around his mother but with his father he made sure to follow all proper protocols and etiquette.

Ahiru was happy to see that he son was obliging her request. He was a good person, and he really seemed to be growing into a good man. Ahiru was gladdened by this, and genuinely proud of her son; even if he didn't meet the full standards of his father, he left the standards of his mother in the dust! Ahiru waited patiently in the carriage as Shin caught up and entered. Excepting the driver outside, the only ones inhabiting the carriage at all were Toryiama, Shin, and Ahiru Shiden.

When Shin entered the carriage, Toryiama opened his eyes slightly and glanced at the boy, but closed his eyes soon after, a slight look of disinterest upon his face. The expression was much less stern than it had been years past--though it was unlikely that Shin would see that. Years of conditioning could lead a child to see a small fake rodent as a manifestation of evil, and see all things of white color and soft fabric as the same level of evil.

"Shin-kun," Ahiru started as Shin took his seat, "Have I told you about my brother? Your uncle-- Hikane Toushin?"

Shin hadn't expected his father to pay him any attention, so when Toryiama practically ignored his existence Shin was prepared for the slight sting to his heart and hid his own disappointment. When his eyes looked over to his mother the small pain was instantly gone and an honest smile spread it's way across his still boyish features.

He thought carefully over what she asked him. It surprised him to find out that he actually knew very little of his uncle. After a moments thought he shook his head. "I know he is spoken of very highly as a swordsmen. But beyond several of his recorded duels I know very little of him."

To his own surprise Shin was disappointed in himself, he told himself he should have known more about his family. But he was sure his mother would fill him on the details, or at least give him the important tid-bits before they arrived at Toushins house.

"My brother is a good man," Ahiru remarked, first and foremost, as if it were an important disclaimer to throw out there before she said anything else: "But he's also a very traditional man. He--"

But just as she was about to explain what she meant by that, Toryiama interrupted her. Gruffly, he explained much more bluntly than his wife would have--and thus, spoke much more truth about the matter than she would have: "Shogun-dono refused him the right of the Daimyo, following his injury, and offered him instead a position as rear-line tactician. In his resentment, he not only isolated himself, but took up much the same traditions that we rebelled against many years ago."

Of course, rumors had circulated about Shin's father and his involvement with the current government, but he had never really talked about it before, not openly anyhow--including outwardly stating that he had rebelled against anything at all, like he did just now . . .

Ahiru smiled sadly. It was the only indication that she completely agreed with what Toryiama had to say about her brother, but due to the fact that Toushin was her brother, she refrained from overtly agreeing or disagreeing with her husband.

"He still carries himself like the Daimyo he once was, however, so he can be very strict sometimes," Ahiru then thought aloud, "Stricter than your father."

Toryiama opened his eyes again to give Ahiru a sideways glance. She only replied by smiling at him innocently; Toryiama shut his eyes at the same time as Ahiru turned her attention back to their son.

"But it is much more like . . . expectations. He expects very particular things from people, and . . . can be very hard to deal with sometimes, if someone goes against his expectations."

It made sense to Shin, a man who had given so much of his life could expect certain things to come his way. However, following his injury Shin was sure Toushin felt betrayed. But the word of the Shoguns was law and one that no one had a right to contest, if the man thought that Toushin was unable to perform the duties of a Daimo then there was nothing to be discussed.

It made sense to Shin, though politics not being his strong suite. He did understand following the orders of a superior, regardless if you agreed with them or not. Such was the way of the Samurai, they were meant to serve in Shins mind and nothing more.

Tougher then Sensei... Shin looked to his father, then back to his mother. Is that even possible? Shin never heard of his uncle knocking someone into a raging river during a storm...then letting them fend for themselves. Shin had almost died that day!

He didn't hide his surprise at that exclamation though, or his disbelief in his mothers statement. Well if Toushins were based on expectations that meant he expected something of Shin...otherwise his mother wouldn't have told him, which of course lead him to ask the question he was thinking.

"And what does he expect of me?" He was sincere in his question, at the age of eighteen Shin was already an adult, a man by Cizokian standards. But around his mother he was still the same little boy, she was like a safety net one that he would even turn to in the presence of his father, could he do the same in the presence of his uncle?

"Respect," Ahiru replied.

It went without saying that respect was expected in Cizok, especially from a former Daimyo! Such was a man that was accustomed to being on the front lines of battle, leading men into the charge, and garnering the respect of his subordinates and enemies alike. Nobles and commoners alike looked up to such men with awe and envy, and even the Shogun himself respected his Daimyo, the generals of his armies, with the utmost respect.

Shin was used to his father, yes. His father commanded a certain degree of respect when Shin was younger, and would hit him if he did not show him that respect--as customary in Cizok in general, as far as parent-child relations went--but as a samurai, Shin never had to show any respect to his father. The worst that happened was Toryiama refused to teach him for months on end, but there was no intentional physical abuse.

But respecting a Samurai and respecting a Daimyo were two completely different things. In Shin's life, he had met only a single Daimyo, and that was Toushin himself, but it was extremely brief and happened many, many years ago.

"A very formal kind of respect. The utmost kind of respect. My brother can be very strict about that, even with your father and I."

It was true, Shin didn't have much experience in dealing with high ranking members. In the Dojo where his father taught Shin was treated with the utmost respect by the other students, skill wise there were very few that were above him.

And even those that were higher rank he didn't treat with as much respect as he should, unless it was his father of course. Shin thought over the type of respect his mother was describing. He decided that he would have to be extra careful around his uncle.

He wondered then how his father acted around Toushin? Presumably Toryiama followed the standard codes and edicts he was supposed to, even if his uncle was a cripple now. It would be a dangerous slope Shin decided and the best way to act would be to observe those around him and follow in kind.

Since Toushin was strict with his own sister and arguably one of the best swordsmen in Cizok, Shins father, then just because he was the mans nephew didn't mean he should expect some sort of special treatment. Shin was assuming the opposite actually, he would be under a magnifying glass and an error on his part could reflect back on his father or mother and that Shin could not allow.

"I understand. I will take extra care and make sure to not to bring any dishonor on to our family, or school." Shin finished sounding determined, his smile replaced with a serious expression.

Ahiru knew that, at the very least, it was important to Toryiama that Shin not bring dishonor to his name--and so it was important to Ahiru, as well. Her husband's interests were also her own, to a certain extent, so long as they made sense to her. But that was how she always was--not quite acting out against authority if she didn't agree with it, but not encouraging or acknowledging it, either. When it wasn't an impossible or borderline cruel belief, though, she generally supported her husband.

"Thank you, Shin-kun," she replied cheerily.

Roads quickly turned from refined to poor, and soon after ceased to carry the same form as before. No longer were they on a dirt road, but instead a grass path splitting through the woods, progressively leading out beyond the trees and up a hill that seemed to be a constant grade . . .

Out from the woods and onto the hill, Shin would be able to see, were he to look outside, that there was a small house at least a mile from them, separated by rolling hills, and completely lacking an actual road that lead to it. From afar, it looked much like a shack, run down and beaten, but not so terrible that it looked like a commoner's house. The hills sloped down to the west, leading to a valley in which a large stream ran through, and the edges of mountains could be seen in the distance. It may have been in the middle of nowhere, but it was beautifully placed.

"Well . . . that is it," Ahiru said to Shin as she motioned towards the house, "It does not look like much on the outside, but my sister-in-law keeps it beautiful on the inside."

His mother was right, to Shin the place looked nothing like he had imagined it would. It seemed to be falling apart, a man of Toushins station or previous station should have been taking better care of his home.

Shin was sure that there were things about his uncle he did not understand, and he didn't pretend to either. He hid his disgust as he looked on the house and kept his features passive. Perhaps money was an issue? That was likely Shin told himself. A man as proud as Toushin would no doubt refuse any of those that tried to lend a helping hand.

Shin sat idly in the carriage a little longer as they approached the house before turning back to his parents. "I shall return back to my horse." Shin bowed politely and attached his Daisho back to his side before stepping out of a moving carriage and trotting back to his horse where he would ride until they reached the estate.

"Okay," Ahiru nodded.

She always wanted to tell him to be careful when he was riding alone. Shin had been riding for most of his life, making it a completely unfounded concern of hers, but it was mother's instinct; she simply couldn't help it--but she could help saying such things, though.

Nonetheless, Shin left the carriage to take his own horse the rest of the way, which was a fairly menial trip, comprising hills to be climbed and descended, practically a gauntlet of the sort, before a large hill that lead to the house itself.

Up close, the house didn't look nearly as bad as it did from afar--an odd coincidence, as it was a general rule of thumb that details would often make or break an image. So, more often than not, something looked better from afar. Well, the details in this case made the image . . .

The frame of the house was sturdy, and while it wasn't that large, it was large enough to comfortably fit a family of five--while only three actually lived there. what made the house look lackluster from afar was how clean its frame was; it looked to have been awhile since someone wiped the corners and foundation down, but a few ornate designs, like fish etched into the house as if to mimic the appearance of fish migration during spawning season, gave it a glamorous sort of appearance.

Toryiama's carriage came to a stop outside of the back of the house. He opened the door and stepped out, turning in order to offer a hand to Ahiru, who accepted his assistance with subtle enthusiasm.

"Shin-kun?" Ahiru called out, as soon as he had dismounted his horse, "The entrance is this way. Please follow me."

Shins original disgust turned slowly over the course of his ride to an appreciation for the fine detail put into his uncle house. It was said looks could be deceiving and from a distance Toushins house certainly was. Granted, Shin still expected more, but he was satisfied with what he saw.

He wasted no time in dismounting his horse, handing it off to a servant and quickly catching up to his mother and father. He did as was requested and fell in step beside his mother.

"The detail is impressive." Shin stated, gesturing towards the artwork. "It makes me wonder what is on the inside." He smiled as he spoke knowing that this meeting was probably a big deal for his mother, she was visiting family after all and very few things came above that in Cizok.

Shin looked to see if his father had moved ahead or stayed behind, he wondered what his fathers business here was, or if he had any business at all beyond the normal. Pushing the thoughts from his head Shin concentrated on the here and now and preparedto meet his uncle.

Ahiru lead Shin and Toryiama, who quietly walked next to Shin (whether he liked it or not), to the other side of the house, on which one large sliding door could be found. It had a lock upon it, but the lock was undone. At least one member of the family was home, clearly. Ahiru stood in the forefront, directly before the door, while Toryiama and Shin stood behind her. Ahiru gently wrapped her knuckles upon the door's frame, and it wasn't long before she was answered.

Sliding the door open was an almost nondescript woman. She was, at the very least, eight years younger than Ahiru, who had just recently reached her thirty-second year (it was a known fact that she was married to Toryiama, seven years older than her, when she was eleven, and gave birth to Shin when she was fourteen). She had short, black hair and dark eyes; she was thin, but her dark gray kimono was a little large on her and hid this, and she was about Ahiru's height--five feet and five inches tall.

"Oh. Ahiru-sama, you are early," the young woman noted.

Ahiru smiled--but when she spoke, there was a trace of nervousness in her voice, "Um, well, yes. Or carriage was ready earlier than expected."

"I see," she replied as she bowed her head, "I will fetch Toushin-sama."

Both Ahiru and Toryiama bowed their heads in return, though it didn't matter much if Shin did or did not; all that would happen if he did not would be the act of his father jabbing him in the side with his elbow. It wouldn't be a horribly painful or intentionally combative act, but it'd be enough to get his attention, at least.

With the woman gone, Shin would be able to see the main body of the house. It comprised one very large room, that was surrounded by walls on all sides and doors that lead into five other much smaller rooms. The floor of the main room was hardwood, mahogany, and well polished. Immediately in front of them was a long step, on which four pairs of shoes sat, three sandals and two boots. The young woman from before disappeared into the second room from the left, sliding the door open, entering, and sliding it closed behind her. Ahiru made no motion to enter the house, nor did Toryiama.

Shin was fairly surprised that his father was walking along side him, it was as if they were equals. Almost. They might even have been considered such by outside sources but Shin didn't even bother to entertain such delusions. He continued to walk behind his mother, admiring the simplistic beauty of the house.

The jab in the ribs wouldn't be necessary, Shin bowed on reflex on cue with his mother and father. He of course kept his mouth shut during the ordeal, but his eyes and ears paid little attention to the conversation, beyond knowing when to bow, and were focused on the large room.

When the women left, leaving the three to stand and wait, Shin looked from the back of his mother head to his father then back into the open area. Shin didn't dare to take a step, he waited patiently and let his eyes roam over the house, taking in what he could and getting ready to meet his uncle.