The clan samurai stepped to the side to let the ronin pass. As the ronin entered the village even more Lion samurai cam into view. Securing bags and readying planquin to be moved. Obviously the lion samurai were the honor gaurd of a winter court entorage. The heaviest of the samurai protection was around the Shrine. The small shrine was simple yet still a fitting house for the thunderer who thundered in the heavens above. A bolt of lightning arced across the sky.

"This weather is unnatural" A Kitsu said. He stood gaurd with a group of Akodo in Heavy Armor outside the arched path to the temple.

Tenshi stood near the back of the group, still green and shaking from the river ride. Between bouts of nausea, he looks around at the temple, enjoying being in a place where spirits would congregate.
"Correct brother, very unnatural." He calls out to the kitsu, smiling slightly.

"Unnatural and unsuprising." Matt added. He looked over the guards and the house they were to visit. "We wish to pay our respects at the shrine."

"Excuse me good Lions, but my friends and I wish to go to the temple you are guarding. With this storm passing by and us about to leave town, we wish to pray to Osano-wo for good luck during our travels. Could you please let us by for just a humble request." His request was very simple, he just hoped that the Lions would listen. With all the guards around, he definitely didn't want any trouble.

"What is your business at the shrine?" The lead gaurd said. He readied his sword, in case he didn't like the answer. Several bolts of lightning streaked across the sky deafening the village with the sound of thunder. The temperature had dropped and the rain shifted to snow now.

Tsubasa quietly thanked herself for not speaking. She had no experience whatsoever with dealing with clan samurai and guards and gods and spirits and whatnot. She kicked herself inwardly as to not being a better companion and developing skills like her friends have...no, more like acquaintences, they were. This wasn't some tour or pleasure trip or anything like that. But then she got to thinking more. Is this normal for a ronin? Saving the village of defenseless peasants from those bandits seemed okay, but coming across a god who seemed to have handpicked them of all people for a task best suited to clan samurai? Not that she didn't feel grateful, but still, why them? Osano-wo didn't exactly give them a concrete answer, but she wasn't about to argue that he didn't. Also, she not only met forces of Scorpions but now Lions as well. She didn't think that during her own travels, she'd come across large forces of clan samurai such as these, or that she'd be affiliated with them in any way. Yes, this definitely isn't normal, and this final thought showed on Tsubasa's face, which looked to be a mixture of nervousness, horror, and utter amazement.

Samoht's staff was at his side, in case the samurai with the swords got any ideas. He turned his head to the side, and coughed hard. More blood came up. He didn't know how many more times he could force his lungs to hock up blood. His old acting master would have been disappointed in his lack of ability to create more realistic blood disease.

"Like we said. I'm sick, and I need medical attention. But more importantly, we're here on important business from Osano-wo himself. For your sake, I hope that you won't detain us any longer. That is not a threat, but a warning. Osano-wo has very personal stake in our mission. If you were to stop us, well... let's just say that strange weather will be the least of your worries."

Matt sighed. This new compatriot was quite the handful to cover for.

"Please excuse my brother." Matt said, creating a story on the fly. "He fell ill sometime ago, and we believe it has spread from his lungs to his head. He believes he saw the Thunderer in person and requested that we go and confirm it at Osano-wo's shrine." The Unicorn stepped closer and lowered his voice. "We come here to please him. After our visit, we are making the trek to the Seven Thunders to seek the help of their monks. I don't think he has much longer to enjoy Rokugan."

"I can not let you go any further, until my lord has completed his business with the monks of Osano-wo." The lion said. "There is a saki house down this street. You can wait there until my lord has finished."

"Thank you very much samurai-san." Matt bowed then turned towards Samoht. "Come along brother, you'll meet Osano-wo right after these nice men." He grabbed the rafters shoulders and turned around towards the saki house.