**Backtracking slightly**
Just after sunrise, two figures approached an old high walled garden gate. The slightly smaller one stepped up and pressed a button molded into the ancient, imported wood.
The response was rapid and tinged with a half-growl, "Who are you and how did you find this place?"
The taller figure steps up then, into the light cast by the lanterns, a Chinese man, old but surprisingly hail and strong from his appearance. His voice was soft but held centuries of authority as it spoke in Chinese-tinted Japanese, "Take this message to the leader of your Skulk: Báihǔ fǎnhuí."
There is a momentary pause before the voice continues. "As you wish. But it is death to trespass on these grounds uninvited. I hope for your sake Tachibana-sama knows more of this message than I."
The smaller figure, a young Chinese american looks to the old man, "Are you sure this is the only way, Grandfather?"
The older man looks toward the gate and said , "No, child, but I am sure this is how it must be."
~~~~~
As Tachibana was going about her morning preparation and preparing for her day at her office, she received another call from her private estate stating that someone had apparently and mysteriously bypassed all of the guards, all of the security cameras, and walked up to her private garden retreat and asked to speak with her. It was a task that not even Daisuke could say, knowing all he did of the estate's defenses, he could replicate easily. That some pair of strangers could do so was unthinkable!
As Daisuke had been just about to leave when he overheard the conversation. He was instantly on alert and was about order the security to defend the estate, Tachibana raised a hand silently to him before asking, "Did they say why they had come?"
The caller replied, "They only said they had a message for you, my lady. For the leader of the Skulk."
Tachibana thought to herself, 'At least then they know of us and are unlike normals,' before replies, "And what was this message?"
The caller says, "It was...Chinese. I am not sure if I am pronouncing it properly. Báihǔ fǎnhuí?"
Tachibana blinked, her expression changing immediately as she sucked in a breath, "Invite them inside. I will be there at once. Treat them as most honored and revered guests. Anything they need, see they have it. I will be there immediately." She quickly puts down the phone and turns.
Daisuke was surprised, he had never seen her act so shocked nor such an order even for the most esteemed guest of the Skulk had she gone so far. "Grandmother? What is this... message?"
Tachibana looks to Daisuke as she prepares to leave, "There were... many centuries ago four clans of were-creatures that served the Chinese emperor. Kept the secrets of his family safe. When the Emperor fell, the four clans scattered. One of them came to Japan. The Báihǔ. The Japanese called them Byakko."
Diasuke blinked but frowned, "The White Tiger? Is that not just myth, Grandmother?"
Tachibana gave her grandson a slight frown, "Are not all myths based on some kernel of truth, child? They are...different from most other were-creatures, even their were-tiger cousins. They are larger, they rarely have the ability to assume a median form as most weres here do. They stand as full tigers and channel the essence of their Ancestor and are said to have powers beyond that of normal weres but the truth to this? It is lost to time."
She pauses and sighs, "However, the important lesson, grandson, is that a White Tiger saved the Skulk from hunters who had discovered the truth of our nature. Without him, the Skulk would have died. Skulk offered to repay him but he turned down every offer. Before he left, the White Tiger told them that he did it in the name of helping those who needed but in the future he and his clan would call them to repay the favor should it ever be needed and that we would know it when 'The White Tiger returns'. That is the meaning of the message. The story is inscribed on the in scrolls passed down to each Skulk leader. I heard the story from my father before he died."
She picks up her things, "The rest can wait. We must find out what brings the White Tiger out of the shadows of the past at this strange hour."
~~~~~
Back at the estate, the gates open and many servants bow to the two strangers. All were in traditional garb and in their were forms. One of them steps forward, "I am honored to welcome you. Tachibana bids you to enter and be made welcome as honored guests. She is not here but will be returning very soon."
The old man bows deeply and politely, "She is most kind. I thank you."
The younger man looks a bit flabbergasted himself and likely no less confused than Daisuke! But he bows quickly in the same manner as his grandfather, not wishing to be impolitely.
Together they enter the private gardens of the Skulk's leader.