Chapter 9: War and Romance

Naomi rides to a war at the edges of the shadowlands. She leads her small army tactfully, losing only two units in a battle that was overwhelmingly not in her favor.
Her skill is noticed by the Clan Champion of the crab, who congratulates her. Xieng informs her that she is likely to see courtship from his sons, and she laughs at the idea. It is also noticed by Deijiko, who asks that she come to possibly replace one of the fallen Cavalry generals of the legion at the end of Spring.
She goes home afterward, and letters are sent for her courting. First, a crab shows up--the second son of HIda Kuan, he is far less easily bristled than Naomi would hope. Though he is not good for her, he doesn't get upset at the idea of subservience she presents for her husband, and they leave on decent terms, even if he is close friends with Matsu Orihime.
Next a lion seeks her hand, and the arrogant man sits across from her boasting of his ability. She asks him if he can wrestle her bear, Hida-chan, named after the Hida suitor who had gifted him to her just recently. He is quite strong--impressively strong, but the bear eventually wins and lays atop him. Naomi doesn't allow it to get off for a while, and he almost lifts it in a bout of adrenaline, but she does free him finally, and tells him bluntly that he and she would never work, no matter how impressive he is, as she needs a polite, submissive boy. He says she's describing a crane woman--and she says he underestimates the flexibility of crane men's personalities.
Next, a Spider's request--the same spider she had threatened at court. She's sure he won't work, but he answers the questions about raising children and doing the housework well, and she likes his personality, despite the fact that she's sure he's a Moto, and she'd never marry a Moto. He insists he's quite well versed in how to be a good Unicorn husband, and she considers him--until the next day when she brings him to the horses and they all scatter. He, embarrassed, reveals he generally rides a Onikage, to which she responds 'why do you have a demon horse--are you tainted? Are you making fun of me? Tainted men cannot marry.' He embarrassedly admits he forgot that was a rule. He sighs and mutters too bad, before he grabs her and picks her up, forcing her into a violent kiss. "Wanted to do that since Winter Court," He says, before beginning to walk off.
She tells him that he had best duel her right then or she'd kill him. And he accepts, to first blood, by her request, and she loses. Naomi returns angry and tells Sara of the situation, making her swear to silence.
Hearing of the Lion's gambit at courtship, the Crane send an artisan to court Naomi. He's perfectly polite and submissive and Naomi is pleased with the idea of the man. In his entourage, though, the little Juri is having a fit. Naomi is informed by Xieng that the kid definitely has a karmic tie to her, and that she is definitely head over heals in love with her. Naomi, amused, suggests they adopt the little crane, but otherwise cannot figure out *why* or *how* and doesn't put too much effort into it. She comforts Juri, talking to her out in the courtyard when she's breaking the practice mannequins. Juri admits she never wanted to be a shugenja, but a bushi, and Naomi scoffs about the idea. "Bushi make arbitrary rules because we are scared of the power you have. You can treat that like a hobble, or you can treat it like it is--a power. If you want to be powerful, you need only choose to be. The Kami will supplement you however you like; don't hold yourself back with bitterness toward them."
And, comforted, Juri accepts. The whispers of a war in the north arrive, and Naomi begins to saddle up, leaving the courtship to blossom over the year with the young Kakita Kiyoshi.