(D2, MM, Gathering) A Basket in Hand

[Shiba Yukari]

"Good call, Doji-san!"

Yukari paused.

"And please, in future, call me Yukari, all right?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Yes..." The girl nodded. "Sorry... it is part of the training... you can use my chosen name if you wish as well."

[Shiba Yukari]

"All right then, Hantsuko-san, I think the might-be-daikon were right over here..."

The Phoenix stooped down to examine some green shoots. Frowned.

"Hm. Whatever this is, it isn't daikon."

She carefully dug up a root and held it up.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The Doji shook her head. "I never heard that song... yet it is somewhat sweet... I kind of like it." The Crane Girl smiled. "Yukari san I think this is a good find."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well, then, we'll need to thank it properly."

She smiled and did precisely that, offering a prayer to the plants as she gathered a few more roots.

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The Doni nodded and offered her own. "I think Inari has been kind with us." She offered another prayer. "Shi... Yukari san...we probably need to marl these places if we want to come back and get some seedlings."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Hm. Good point. Do you have anything that will suit the purpose?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

She took the ribbon from her hair. It was white and silky ribbon. "Do you think this isn't work?" She know that some hunters tend to tie markers on trees.

[Shiba Yukari]

"I think that will do... and if we run out, I can give up mine."

She looked at the trees. Grinned.

"Besides, letting them dress up a little... I doubt they'd care much, but maybe they'll appreciate it?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

The Doji giggled as the melody shifted. "I think they enjoy it. Something new for them. Even if they prefer their own colors, Yukari san." The Crane took her comb and tied her hair in a bun.

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well. Anything we can do to make them happy, eh Hanatsuko-san?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"For now... not much... maybe we can tend to the saplings that may come..." She looked at the ground to see the new growth. "They could be competing for the same space... you know."

[Shiba Yukari]

"Maybe give them a good home in the garden?"

[Doji Hanatsuko]

Hana nodded. "Do you have an idea where would you like to make the garden?"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Well, much will depend on where Kaiu-sama decides to locate the shrine, because I'd like the garden to surround it, but if it's in a bad spot for some of the plants..."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"hmmm... it will take a while then...Kaiu-sama is probably working on many projects that the garden might be in the low priority list." The Doji shook her head. "Fine... I guess"

[Shiba Yukari]

"Kaiu-sama said they would begin work on the shrine structure in a day or two, actually. Spiritual needs have been neglected her for far too long."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"Hm..." She became pensive "I see... perhaps that may help then." Something simple to bring peace to the forest spirit.

[Shiba Yukari]

"That's certainly the hope. Of course, if we know more about the forest, we might be able to make some adjustments to make it... fit better."

[Doji Hanatsuko]

"The forest..." She sighed. Hana looked to the forest's horizon shaking her head. You will know me or kill me...soon enough "They may be protective and on defense. They know we are here and the are not happy."