[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sgdFSiN.png[/img][/center][right][sub][@Demous][/sub][/right][hr] Even though rain poured down on him, the Crane Pillar shuffled around his inner garden. With shears in hand, he pruned the overgrown vines that had taken over his fountain. Pillars rarely had the free time for such trite things. That didn't mean that they couldn't find time, however. Saburou had put forth as much effort as he could into his work. For weeks of skipping out on lunches to work more, he had finally made enough time so that he could dedicate his afternoon to his garden. Of course, life rarely worked out in such simple ways. [color=#746c82][b]"Hey! Hey!"[/b][/color] A familiar voice rang out. Oh no. Saburou's mood slightly soured as he looked behind him. A soaked crow hopped across the ground with an incredibly angry crane running after it. After a pained groan from Saburou, he began to yell at the crane. [color=7ba4b0]"Taro! Get away from that crow!"[/color] The crane suddenly stopped and stared at the garden tending pillar. With a large huff of its chest and flap of its wings, it flew up to Saburou's head in order to scratch at him with its talons. Quickly, Saburou cradled his head in his arms, eating the bird's flurry of swipes with his forearm. With another, disappointed huff, the crane landed back on the ground and hopped back inside of the building. With that bastard of a crane gone and the crow with message on foot, Saburou let out one last sigh. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get just one day off. Travelling to the Storm Pillar's estate wasn't an enjoyable experience. Traveling in the middle of a rainstorm was never enjoyable. Still, his duties called for it. Traveling from city areas was, thankfully, considerably easier than those who lived on the outskirts of civilization. Trains ran from station to station, turning what would have been a hours long trek into a single train ride and a brisk walk with an umbrella. With Sayuri, his disciple, the muddy roads finally came to an end as they approached the large estate. Large and traditional, it was nothing like the city in which they resided in. It probably would have been easier if he had just traveled by himself. Still, what was Sayuri to do if she was alone? Look at the corps' financial records? Haul around spools of fabric in the storage? Tend to [i]his[/i] garden? With him finishing up the local investigations, there really wasn't any duty that he could get her to complete. At least, not until tomorrow. Instead, he decided that he would take her along for the ride. It was always good for demon slayers to get a grip on the inner workings of the organization. Maybe even make a few connections along the way. As always, the estate of the storm pillar was unlike his own. The atmosphere was always too tense for him. The large foreboding building, the ornamental students he kept at each exit, and the general rigidity of it all. Such a place was apt for the head of the executioner squad; not exactly meant for the man who had the responsibility of looking over finance reports, keeping inventory, and allocating resources. Now at the entrance, Saburou turned to his disciple and spoke to her. [color=7ba4b0]"Sorry, but you have to wait outside in the rain. As much as I would like to show you how some of the pillars operate, I am absolutely certain that the Storm Pillar would be upset at me if I took you inside. Still, it is a good opportunity to meet some demon slayers. You can use my haori to stay warm, if you would like. Sickness is much too common in this weather."[/color] Without even waiting for a response, he took off his crane-embroidered haori, handed it to her, then left the umbrella leaning against the wall. While such a gesture was noble, it would be incredibly awkward if she actually didn't want to use his haori. He would have just dumped his worn clothes on his disciple. Entering the building was even more tense than usual. Something bad happened without a doubt. Once everyone had arrived, the eldest of the pillars spoke of treason and betrayal along with the details behind them. It was always a rough subject. Finally, he asked for their course of action. [color=7ba4b0]"We should be careful in our actions,"[/color] Saburou interjected. He may have been a pushover, but he was by no means shy. [color=7ba4b0]"At such a turbulent time for Japan and our organization, we have to be careful in how we handle this situation. If, by worst case scenario, this is not a mere ideological dispute, then the entire organization might be fractured by our actions. If the numbers of those who align themselves with [i]them[/i] are great, then brash action could only lead to another war. In any case, I would seek to open a dialogue in order to understand what has caused this."[/color]