Family feud

"What?" Yuki asked, keeping a firm appearance as she screamed inwardly. "Why not? The women of your village have clothes, do they not?"

"I'm afraid that it's not that simple." The Lord said somberly, keeping his gaze averted to the best of his ability. "They do have clothing, but only the ones on their backs. I'm afraid that my village has been under attack by my sister, Gozen Asuna. She has been jealous ever since our father bestowed me the honor of the throne instead of her after she greatly dishonored our family. And ever since that day, she has been sending her trained snow monkeys to steal clothing from our women."

"... Snow monkeys?" Yuki asked calmly, a fire being lit in her belly as she realized why that monkey had run off with her clothes.

"She does have a few women working with her too, but my sister was always better with animals than with people." The Lord replied. "I would pay any price if the clothes were returned and my sister were brought to justice."

Now, one other thing to know about Hana Yuki is that there was one more thing is that when the subject of payment was brought up, she had a tendency to be a little greedy. Which is why her eyes briefly lit up at The Lord's plight.

"Your Lordship -"

"Lord Hiroshi."

"Lord Hiroshi." Yuki began as she kneeled before The Lord, cringing slightly as her knee made contact with the cold and snowy ground. "I am Hana Yuki, and it would be an honor if I brought your sister to justice and returned the dignity and honor to your women."

"You would?! Oh, bless Amaterasu!" Lord Hiroshi exclaimed, "Return with my sister and the clothes, and I shall reward you with the finest of silks and three hundred gold pieces!"

Three hundred?! She didn't get out of bed for three hundred! But if she played her cards right...

"A dangerous task it will be, Your Lordship." Yuki said as she got to her feet, "I may not come back alive."

"The finest of silks and eight hundred gold pieces?" Lord Hiroshi offered.

"And I would be doing this unclothed in this horrifically cold weather." Yuki continued, giving a convincingly fake shiver. "If your sister doesn't end my life, then the cold -"

"The finest of silks, nine hundred thousand gold pieces, and the hand of my eldest son, Gozen Yoshi, to the one who defeats my sister and brings her in!" Lord Hiroshi exclaimed, "That is my final offer!"

And there it was. The money and silk clothes were something she needed, but the hand of Lord Hiroshi's son?! She'd be set for life! She could possibly hang up her sword and retire in luxury after this mission.

"... You have acquired my services, Your Lordship." Yuki said with a bow. "On my family's honor, I will singlehandedly bring in -"

"Oh, I could never send you out alone. Especially in your current state! You shall be accompanied by Haruno Osaka, my latest Onna-Musha."

"... ... Oh." Yuki said. This was unexpected. Clearing her throat, she asked, "I usually work alone, Your Lordship. Is she experienced enough for this mission?"

"Well..."

"Your Lordship! I - WHOA!" A young woman Yuki's age and dressed in light samurai armor with a sheathed tachi on her back exclaimed as she came running out of Lord Hiroshi's home, slipping on a patch of ice before jamming her naginata into the ground, giving a sheepish smile as she regained her footing.

"... She means well and has a virtuous heart." Lord Hiroshi finished.

Yuki groaned. What had she gotten herself into?