Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)

[gman391]

--Talk to Aya

Your drunken state, is in the end, no reason not to make friends. At least, that's what you've decided and you know what you're doing, right?

"Hello Sister Aya" you say.

She starts for a moment before turning to give a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Hello Megumi-san, I thought you had fallen asleep right away."

"Wanted to talk to you"

"About what?"

You search your mind for a moment for a good topic.
"Never thanked you for your help looking after me."

"Ah well, Master Jubei and Sister Chou did far more than I did, but you are welcome."

"So's Monk of Goemon, how'd that happen?"

2016-04-07 17:38:01

Megumi

Courtier

1, 9, 10

1, 9, 10

1, 9, 17

3k3+0

27

no

Aya goes very still at that.
"It just sort of seemed natural. Master Jubei found me five years ago- alone, naked, and bereft of everything but my life in the mountain passes. He took me in and nursed me back to health..."

"Were you...?"

"No, Master Jubei found me before that happened. I never saw someone so angry...but the event...I don't...like to talk about it much, you understand?"

"Yeah, I understand....msorry for brining it up."

"You...you couldn't know... but you should sleep now."

"Sleep sounds good..."

You dream of the past, of walking across the Lion lands, and the Unicorn lands, but as you reached the first Shield City, your memory goes hazy.

Walking through thorns you see him, the man you loved...
Cradling his dead child as Tanako weeps beside him.
Your sword spotted and rusted through tossed at your feet.

The dream ends with sound of visitors coming into the shrine, and oh, for the love of Inari, make it stooooop.

"Rise and shine Megumi-san." the far too loud Aya says.

With a withering glare usually seen on unhappy Lion, you stagger to your feet.
It takes a few efforts to make yourself go through the proper morning rituals to clean yourself and everything even as the noise gets louder and louder.

Moving into the main court yard, you can see Jubei and a younger woman even younger than you talking passionately. Moving closer, you can see that she's not exactly pretty per say, but you don't doubt most would find her attractive to spend a night with. Her long black hair is tied up in a maiden's foxtail. Blue eyes hint that she has some Crane in her...not that way...
When did your mind become so perverted?

"I believe it was when Hida Katsuie was making you scream with his tongue," your grandmother says wryly.
Your face goes red....Grandmother, why?

The woman speaks in a high pitched tone meant more to carry than anything.
"Brother Jubei, your words are well heeded by Dai-Soju Chie, please come speak at the Conclave tonight."

Jubei folds his arms under his chest.
"Soju Sayako, whatever weight my words may have, I am not interested."

Soju Sayako seems crestfallen.
"You know that Soju Tashimi will press for us to dig deeper, quicker, and without concern with the proper rites in the name of profit."

Raising an eyebrow, Jubei resplies.
"It's my understanding that those are the proper rites for Daikoku-no-kami."

Sayako's wide blue eyes stare at him.
"Why do you not care?"

Jubei shrugs.
"If I speak, Abbess Taimi speaks and that's not going to help you....although this one might."

"Eh?" You say, surprised that Jubei noticed your approach.

Sayako looks at you.
"Oh this your new guest right?"

"Yep, Megumi-san, meet Soju Sayako, head of the Temple of Inari."

You bow and she bows.

A quiet falls on the scene as no one's quite sure where to go from here.

Finally, Sayako breaks the silence.
"Er, forgive me but I don't understand how this ronin can help?"

"If you can't win, join them. Soju Tashimi will have a hard time if you say you want to send an exploratory team down their first. Megumi-san can be part of your defenders."

"Er um....Brother Jubei, my sword?"

Jubei shrugs.
"Any journey will take a few months to organize, you've got time. Speaking of are you going to take another crack at Kaiu-sama?"

You consider
[] "Yes, I will try to speak to her again, maybe I can do something."
[] "No, I will go and speak to Tsi Masahiro. Can I have that spear please?"
[] "No, I will go and speak to Kakita Reika."

 

[gman391]

(Sorry for the delay)
-Simonbob

You consider for a moment, and then shake your head.
"No, Kaiu-sama has made an oath. I can not regain my honour by asking another to abandon theirs. So I will go and speak to Kakita Reika-sama"

Jubei nods, and Sayako raises an eyebrow.
"I see, Kakita-sama can be found at the Bluebird's Forge in Eiyuu, shouldn't be hard to find.

You nod, remembering this time to ask for direction which are quickly given.
"Megumi-san, will you walk with me down to the Temple of Inari?" Sayako asks.

"Consider it your chores for today" Jubei tells you.

Right, you have to do those, in exchange for staying at the Shrine. Well your pounding head suggests going back to sleep, you manage to bow and agree to walk home the young Soju.

Once again, you reflect at just how high up the Toriyama Ward goes, you can see at the distant top a temple being put together. Turning away from the height, and the feeling of anguish you get just thinking of walking up there every day. Your gaze makes its way back to Sayako, who walks down toward one of the large temples at the bottom of the hill.

A comfortable silence falls on you two. The green trees lining the roads, rustling with a warm wind.

"Brother Jubei often volunteers his guests....it's a bad habit of his, even if they usually work out for the best." Sayako says seemingly out of the blue.

You shrug.
"Perhaps, but I owe him my life I think."

Sayak0 gives a thoughtful look.
"Probably, but while his idea has merit, taking you on that sort of journey would be troublesome."

You raise an eyebrow in question.
"Why's that?"

The woman gives an apologetic look.
"Mostly because I don't know what you see for the future."

Taking a deep breath you consider your answer carefully. Don't want to seem like a cowardly ronin, or lie, or look bad, if that job thing pans out that might be what lets you finally get some real food with fish and everything!

So you answer:
"I try to see myself as alive for the most part. I want...I want to have a Clan Name." You say softly.

"An ambition many ronin have, but the question always arises how. Not many will accept a ronin into their ranks. It is said that a ronin must be a hero beyond compare or a villain to earn a name." Sayako says.

Thinking back to your grandmother...yeah, no villany for you.
"Hai, but I don't think my ancestors would like me being a villain."

Sayako shrugs.
"Rarely they do...but then there is already much that the Ancestors no doubt seethe at in this Empire of ours."

"Oh?"

You know vaguely that the Empire has changed vastly from before you were born until now, and not everyone liked that, but...hmm politics, you were a Crane you got politics, but a view from the hinterlands you didn't have that.

Sayako twirls black hair around her finger in thought.
"Hai, the Emperor may the Heaven's Bless him forever, has wrought much change and difference over the Empire since the War of the Eagles, but in doing so, much has been disrupted. I do not doubt that our Emperor is doing what is right, but his followers, his followers push harder than he does and in doing so, the strength that turned back the Yodotai will be lost, I think."

Alright, you remember enough politics to know what that means.

"That would make you a follower of the Owl Philosophy." You say.

Her eyes widen slightly.
"...Hai, I'm surprised a ronin knows such things."

You shrug, you are a Crane after all.

"Not every ronin is the same. Some follow the Owl, believing that now it is time to watch and wait preparing what we have for the next crisis and opportunity. Others follow the Hawk, believing that we should search the world for the next thing to seize with our own two hands, it's an old argument that's gone on forever, just a new form."

Sayako lets go of her hair to give a firm shaking of her head.
"Not precisely the same. While what you say is true, it's changed since the war. For centuries the Emerald Empire looked within, now it is forced to look without. That is a very different thing. Looking without brings change, chaos, disharmony...I am but a young woman yes, but I can read and learn, learn of how much has changed. And see all the problems that come from it."

"Problems?" You ask, still a little curious.

"Hai, the Heimin grow restless as they perceive that their place in the order is changed the Samurai grow restless in turn. Tensions rise, and revolts are put down. The merchants groan under the high taxes and chafe that they who allow the Empire to grow have no say in it's rule. It's all held together by the will of the Emperor, and he has done so much for us, how much longer can we cling to him like we do?" She asks.

That...is a better question than most would like. The Sword Emperor has ruled for twenty years, but the traditional age of retirement, forty is nearing quickly for him. While yes Emperors don't have to, most do, in order to keep the Emperor dynamic and active. The Iweko had been particularly adroit on this.

Which meant in two maybe three years the Emperor would probably step down...what happened after, well no one was too sure.

"The Emperor long may he live knows what he's doing." You say loyally.

"It hasn't been the same since his heir disappeared...it feels different, the omens are cloudy....I suppose."
She admits.

Which is the closest anyone will get to criticizing the Saviour of the Empire.

"So you believe the Empire should turn back?" You ask.

Even as the Temple to Inari looms close, Sayako still seems focused on you.
"No, that is impossible, the Shield Cities have grown too much to just be abandoned, but stop yes, stop pushing their borders forward. Stop antagonizing the Ivory Maharajah and the Steel Caliph. Stop trying to prove themselves to gaijin, we are the Emerald Empire, why should we fear? No we should stop, and consolidate, rebuild the Celestial order as it should be, give relief to the Castes"

You nod, that makes more sense then some Lion you've heard who think that things should become like they were in the days of the Hantei over two centuries ago now. Not too bright that man, cute butt, but not bright.

"So I suppose before I make sure to keep you in mind when this journey begins, I have to ask what do you believe?"

[] Write in

 

[gman391]

-Sirrocco

You consider carefully for a moment before giving your answer.

"I believe I do not know enough to say. I have enough problems trying to get my own affairs in order - to regain my honour, and find a place in this world. What you say makes sense. I could see how the Empire might be well-served to pause for a time and re-establish its roots. For myself, though, such decisions seem far above me."

Sayako looks at you, her dark eyes taking you in.
"You know the Lion have a saying: 'In seven breaths you will know right and wrong'. There has been much said about the Lion but none can claim they aren't honourable. Perhaps if more people took after their example, this Empire of ours would be better suited to serve the Emperor, long may he reign."

With that, she bows, and leaves you alone in front of her temple. Well, that was unexpected. Still you can't linger outside the temple to Inari. You have a Kakita to catch...no, not that way...in a different way.

It isn't difficult to make your way through the gates into Eiyuu, but you feel distinctly out of place here. Walking by you notice more than few samurai and just normal well to do heimin eyeing you. You are a ronin with no money to her name and you look more threadbare than even a Suzume...okay...not quite that bad, but close.

Eiyuu itself has that air you tend to associate with the higher class parts of the Doji lands: restrained wealth and pleasure all mixed into a sort of quiet need to prove yourself by not being ostentatious. Although...there are a few Mantis houses that tried to sear out your eyes with their display anyways. But, you concede, they are the exception rather the norm.
The Crane in you can't help but appreciate the numerous garden walkways and trees. It does your heart good to see plant life.

2016-04-13 03:51:25

Megumi

Investigation

1, 2, 6, 8

1, 2, 6, 8

1, 2, 6, 8

4k2+0

14

no

0

0

*FAILURE*

Your musings are stopped when you see a small group of men walking out of the house that Kakita Reika is supposedly in. Over one of his shoulders, one of the men carries a sack suitable for armor or weapon carrying...if you didn't care about treating them with respect.

Well, at least Kakita Reika seems to take orders for equipment, which is something you'd been wondering about. Officially, smiths never made anything that wasn't for their lord's use. Unofficially, most smiths did side work making knick knacks, useful tools and other things in addition to the sacred items that their lord wanted. After all, outside of a few key places that supplied most of the weapons of the clan, smiths usually had plenty of down time between orders.

You hadn't been sure if that was the case here, but it turns out that the pattern holds true. Ah, predictability... how a ronin loves it.

Walking toward the home you give a polite bow to the men who all seem to be ronin like you, if member of a gumi. They bow back and go the other way.

As the birds sing, you make your way to the entrance of Reika's home and clap to announce yourself.

There's no answer. Odd...well maybe she's still forging. Clap louder and servant should hear it.

You clap harder.

Still nothing.

Well, this is just irritating. You want to be acknowledged but going inside uninvited, well, that's a quick way to a duel. While you don't know who Reika knows, you'd bet that there is in fact one of your old dojo alumni amongst the number. And that's not something you want to deal with.

Bereft of other options, you clap again and wait for a while. Eventually she has to stop forging or a servant will return from the market or what have you and all will be...

"Excuse me." A deep masculine voice comes from behind you.

You turn around to see a Kakita man, older than you by a few years, but with rich flowing hair, blue eyes, and delicately strong features looking at you. All in all, not quite your type, but you wouldn't kick him out of bed either.

Instinctively, you bow low.
"Ah Crane-sama, this one is Megumi, a simple ronin."

A polite bow back to you, but no mention for you not to bow so low...lovely.
"Kakita Toshiro. What I want to know is why you're standing outside my house,"he says.

How to put this carefully...
"I have heard that Kakita Reika-sama lives here, and that she is a kind woman, I wish to ask for her help regarding my soul..."

"...Your soul...Kami, not another person trying to make her forge weapons when she doesn't want to."

"You know her, Kakita-sama?"

"Hai, she's my wife and she should have let you in already or told you to leave one of the two."

"I announced myself thrice so far. I assumed she was at the forge hard at work and that the servants were out on errands."

"Not a bad assumption, save today isn't market day for Katsumi...and you've heard nothing?"

"No."

He looks at you for a long moment, and then opens the door to his home.
You stand there for a moment before he calls.
"Coming?"

Shaking yourself, you nod and enter into the home with him.
The fact that his hand is resting on his katana really does nothing to brighten the mood.

Looking around though, you see a fairly normal home: small entrance way for your shoes and such, leading into an open area to just hang out in and spend time.

"Something's wrong." Toshiro says running forward.

Wrong? But not a thing seems out of place....
Oh.

No home is perfect even with an army of servants to look after it. A place you live in always has minor things slightly out of place, nothing worth commenting on really, just a subtle sense that people…well...live here.

"I don't like this. Sakura, be on your guard."

You nod absently to your grandmother's spirit and follow after Toshiro. His loud cry of anguish is enough to direct you out of the house and to the forge in the back. There, sword drawn, the Kakita looks at the symbol pasted over the sign to the shop.

A simple painting of a crow.

"No, they wouldn't..." Toshiro turns to you. "Did you see anything before you reached the gate?"

"Hai, a little while before I did, I saw a group of ronin from a gumi, I think, leaving. It gave me hope that Kakita Reika-sama was willing to help out souls in need."

"...A group...which way did they go."

"They went towards...I guess the district opposite Toriyama?"

"Senbonzakura Ward...damn," Toshiro snarls.

The loss of his on in front of you slams home just how wrong things are. Kakita don't show their temper. They lose it all the time but never show it. That's simply not the Crane way.

"Kakita-sama?"

Toshiro looks at you with piercing eyes, like a man on a mission that will get him killed.

"Megumi-san, my wife has been kidnapped by the Karasu-gumi, I'm going to get her back.

"Isn't this magistrate work, Kakita-sama?"

Toshiro gives a bitter half smile.
"Would be if the head magistrate of Senbonzakura hadn't been bought by the Karasu years ago."


[] Offer your services
[] don't offer your services him

 

[gman391]

--Offer your services.

In the end, there's really no question. Your grandmother would never forgive you for ignoring a Crane in need, even if they don't like you very much. With that in mind, you have to offer your services.

"Kakita-sama, can I help?" you ask.

Toshiro looks you over for a long moment.
"Hai...but you were here about your soul, neh?"

"...Yes..." you answer reluctantly.

He steps into the forge and comes out tossing an odd looking weapon at you.
"This is a paranagu, it's basically what she usually gives ronin. It's not a real weapon, and it can only take so much damage, but it'll work for now. I hope you're as skilled as you think you are, because I'm not protecting you."

You catch the paranagu by the hilt and give it a few experimental swings. It's not well balanced, but you think you can make it work.

Toshiro nods and runs out of the house. You find yourself having to work to keep up with him.

"So, where are we going?" You ask

"Crows Rest sake bar is their main base. I'm going to kick in the door and demand answers."

"...Well that's direct."

"Have you ever been in love Megumi-san?"

You blush thinking of him, of Hida Katsuie...
"Er...yes...."

"Then you know that you will do everything and anything for the one you love."

There isn't much you can say to that, so you follow him through the Wards.
Senbonzakura...is not a nice place, while you can see how people come here, there is a hunger in the air. A desperation for any source of solace, of relief. This is where lost souls go to live, and die, you realize. It makes total sense to you that an outlaw gumi would take up residence here and bribe a magistrate. It's almost like the spirit of the Ward wants that.

You eventually stop just outside a three story building with a hanging crow in front of it on the sign...cheery.

"So, what are we---"

Toshiro chops off the guard's head. Well, that answers that.

You ready yourself to fight, even as the alarm is sounded and a large group of ronin with that crow symbol on their backs pile out of the building.

They draw their weapons.
Time to fight.



Swords fly towards your face and you dodge between blows.
In your hands, the parangu swings wide and catches the crow feathered man in the neck.

You are fighting for your life.

There is no motion wasted, nothing but the cut.

Dodge

Swing up, swing down, blood flows across the street in the daylight.

So many of them.

Your hands grip your weapon as you move through them it's ill balanced, heavy but it's a blade, and you know what to do.

Swing left, swing right, limbs fly to the side.

Toshiro takes twin blows to his body but fights through them. His katana flashing crimson in the light.

No time to think, no time to do anything but act.

The paranagu comes at you and you know you have no room to dodge, taking that as an invitation, you push forward and catch her arm on your shoulder before stabbing up into the ronin's gut.

Toshiro's slowing down, and you know you can't let him fall, not now. So you charge right into the mass of remaining gangsters with renewed fury.

How many times did you swing the ill fitting machete? How many times did you let some poor soul explain to the Lords what their problem was?

More than one, that's for sure, as your machete literally snaps in half from taking too many heads. It was a weak thing not meant for real combat but it had served its purpose.

Breathing hard, you look yourself over, they had only pressed in once to seriously get in with blades. The feeling of blood dripping down your arms to the battered hilt isn't entirely that of your enemies - more than a bit of it is your own.

Toshiro seems to be the worse for wear himself.
"...Well we kicked in the front door at least..."

"And that's the last you'll be doing." A reedy voice trying to be solid calls out.

"Asako Masakoto..." Toshiro says turning around.

You turn around, standing there is a tall Phoenix samurai, with somewhat beady eyes and a harshly angular face, around his neck he wears a scarf. You note that his daisho hasn't been used in some time.

That's probably because of the twenty yoriki with him. They look tough, stronger than that goons you just tore through.

"Asako-sama to you, lout." Masakoto snaps.

Toshiro's fingers go white holding his katana.

"Why are you here?" Toshiro asks.

Making a great show of getting himself under control, Masakoto answers.
"Really Kakita-san, did you think you could just assault the premises of a legitimate business owner in broad daylight and get away with it?"

You can literally feel the rage radiating off of Toshiro.
"Legitimate...they kidnapped my wife!"

Masakoto raises a thin eyebrow.
"Really, because I have a sworn affidavit from twenty witnesses who say your wife went willingly, perhaps she was bored at home?"

If looks could kill, well there probably wouldn't be anyone left, but Masakoto would be dead three times over, for sure.

"Why you...." Toshiro says, barely holding himself back.

Masakato waves a hand.
"Go home Kakita-san, if your wife is kidnapped, I'll look into it. If not well I'm sure she'll tell you in a few days."

Shaking his head, your Crane friend raises his voice angrily.
"Asako-sama, you have toyed with me too many times for me to let this slide. If you mean to arrest me, then I demand a trial by duel. If not, get out of my way."

The Asako gives a somewhat coy look.
"Oh well, that might be bad...but on the other hand your friend here, she can just be executed regardless right?"

Toshiro seems torn between selling you out so he can keep going for his wife and knowing that isn't right.

[] What do?
(Megumi is currently grazed and has two void points left)

 

[gman391]

[x] OBJECTION

You feel your anger burning. You're not one to get on a high horse or anything, you're a ronin now, you've had to do things you aren't proud of.

But this is a travesty of justice and you know it.
To come this far and be turned back by a corrupt magistrate? No, you will not have it.
Not when you know the truth.

You step forward.
"Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honour enough to offer me one."

"My, my, my....how bold, I don't think you have any room to talk ronin-san, after all...you..."

"No, she gets to have a duel, Asako-sama, even you can't deny her that." Toshiro says stepping forward.

"Do you think so? It's a simple fact that I decree her testimony as invalid, after all she is a ronin no doubt she misunderstood things being new to our fair city."

"I may be new, but I am samurai. If you question my honour and honesty that I demand a duel to prove myself."

"Hmmm...no"

Toshiro takes a dangerous step forward.

"...careful Kakita-san...if I think you're threatening me..."

"MASAKOTO, I ACCUSE YOU OF BEING A TRAITOR TO THE EMPIRE. IF YOU WISH TO FACE MY CHAMPION IN COMBAT TO PROVE ME FALSE YOU MAY. SHOULD I BE WRONG THEN I WILL TAKE THE THREE CUTS"

Everyone stares at Toshiro, he...he just put himself on the line, normally a duel is to first blood, even in criminal matters where execution isn't the punishment. But this, this required a death duel.

"You can't be seriou---"

"I AM SERIOUS!"

"...Fine, then the ronin is your champion."

"FINE, WE DUEL NOW!"

"...Don't I get a say in this?"

"Megumi-san, you already challenged me to a duel, I thought you wanted this?"

"Hai."

You hadn't quite intended it to be a death duel though.

"Then let us begin. Shiro-san?"

A small, lithe looking man steps in front of Masakoto.
"Hai, Asako-sama."

"Deal with this please?"

"With pleasure, Asako-sama."

He takes a strange looking stance and shouts out.
"SHOW ME YOUR STANCE!"

"I am Megumi, the ronin of no house and no sensei, I honour you with this match," You snarl taking your own stance.

You weren't a barbarian with no consideration for the proper etiquette of a duel after all.

The world seems to slow down as the air feels your skin. The sounds of people stop as all watch, you study him, and try to divine his weakness...but all you can find is that he is as good as you are at Iaijutsu.

Damn...

You let yourself sink into the void into the mystical moment between moments where all is one and one is all. The perfect moment of the cut.

There you can see the line to kill him in one blow. You draw. The ugly acid burned sword that is your soul sings in the sunlight as it cleaves through his defences slamming into his shoulder and side. It would be a one hit, one kill...if not for your sword shattering into a dozen pieces as it gets lodged into his side.

Shiro looks at you with no small amount of amazement. He's hurt, but this is a duel to the death, and that means it's not over yet. He draws his own katana to take attack you.

You drop the hilt of your beloved katana and draw your wakizashi. As much as you hate it, you have to give this round to him.
His hands tremble as with wordless rage Shiro charges.

A slight twisting of your feet and you dodge his strike by miles.
You swing at his open midsection but fall short, the reach of the wakizashi is just not...what you're used to.

Shiro attacks again. You step backwards letting his fearsome blow slam into the ground. Taking a running charge forward you swing at him in a hit and run attack, nicking his face in what should have been a killing blow.

Yet, somehow he dodges it.

The two of you circle around each other. The duelling circle just formed was getting rowdy with Masakoto's thugs urging Shiro on to kill you. But the sound of Toshiro shouting for you to win helps a little.

Three blows Shiro throws at you, his knuckles white from the grip he keeps. You dodge each time easily, but you can't get a good hit on him again either, another hit and run sees him blocking you entirely.

This isn't working, the blood dripping down your arm reminds you that you are on a timer as well.
Flicking the blood off your wakizashi, you re-sheathe your honour, taking an iaijutsu stance.

'Your honour must never be tarnished Sakura-chan, but in the event that you have no other option, this is how you draw it.'

Arigato, sensei.

You muse as Shiro charges at you, his swing goes wide. You bring out your weapon in a brutal strike, cutting the man's head off, blood flies away from you as he crumples.

Once again, you complete the ritual of flicking off the blood from your weapon.

"...Urk..."

A strong female voice emerges out of the crowd.
"...Well well Masakoto, it seems our little ronin friend has won the death duel. You do know what happens now."

Masakoto turns, sweat dripping down his face.
"Her katana broke, it wasn't an official duel."

Towering over you, over everyone, a woman stands up, her muscles ripple with tightly controlled power. Her clothing is simple and her face more handsome than beautiful, but you don't doubt that wherever she goes, people pay attention. On the side, you note that her mons are that of the Akodo.

"A coward to the end eh?" She asks.

Faster than you can see, the Akodo woman draws her katana and kills Masakoto in a single blow. Still holding out her sword she gestures to the remaining thugs.

"The rest of you lot disperse, unless you want Akodo steel."

They sensibly run away from the giant Akodo woman.

"Well Kakita-san, still need me to bail you out of trouble."

"Akodo-sama." Toshiro bows to the ground.

You hastily bow to the ground too. That seems wise...

The feel of steel on the back of your neck.
"I should kill your ronin friend too, her soul broke after all...but on the other hand, she won the duel, so the Heavens smile on her...I suppose she needs to work off her kharma..."

"Akodo-sama?" Toshiro ventures cautiously.

"Rise, Kakita-san, and introduce me to your friend."

Toshiro scrambles to his feet, you can hear him more than see him.
"Megumi-san, this is Akodo Tsukiko-sama, chui of the 10th Imperial Legion and Captain of Otomo Hairyu's Special Missions Team."

The sensation you get is that she's smiling like a satisfied cat.
"Hai, and in exchange for getting your lovely wife back, you're both about to volunteer."

"Akodo-sama?"

"You have three weeks to get you and her up to par Kakita-san, then you both need to report to the Barracks in Eiyuu, understood?"

What could you say to that?

"HAI!"

...was about all you could say about it.

"Now, go home while your dear Taisa takes care of business."

You are sure of a few things in life. The fact that Akodo Tsukiko scares you is one of them.

Toshiro nods, and gestures for you to gather the shards of your sword.

-------------
Kakita Reika sits before you, cuddled into her husband's side.
Ordinarily you can tell that she wouldn't be violating decorum, but as her short white hair rests against his chest, you can also tell she's too scared to not do it right now.

Definitely not a fighter, her blue eyes are wide and she seems to be almost perpetually jumpy.

"Ano...I um...I don't...make good swords Megumi-san."

"You make fantastic swords."

"...But that one..."

"Mistakes happen, and she did break the sword for you."

"Um...I...no, I will help...ano...Megumi-san. Do you have a name in mind for your sword?"

"Eh?"

"The katana is an extension of your soul Megumi-san, a part of you. If I am to properly make a weapon for you, I need to know it's name...ano, if you don't mind telling me that is."

[] Write in
(For a write in to be valid it must be the following:
-Elementally themed [Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Void ect]
-In Japanese (With translation)
-consisting of no more than three words

--------

 

[OneirosTheWriter]

enough of that Please be aware that Varano is now on a 24 hour thread ban. Please cease that line of discussion.

@gman391 Your leveling-up system is dumb and nonsensical.

[X] Kakita Toshiro - Kenjutsu
[X] Kakita Toshiro - Agility

Click to shrink...

furthermore After a further review of the past two pages and your behaviour herein, @Varano, you are being infracted under Rule 4 for having disrupted the thread. It is one thing to discuss or criticise a mechanic. However, it is quite another to have a non-constructive and unhelpfully presented complaint lasting several posts past when you have been asked to drop the matter. In future, please be more mindful of your fellow posters.

 

[gman391]

You look at Kakita Reika for a long moment before nodding.

"Her name is Sakiyarumei," You answer.

Toshiro raises an eyebrow.
"The Shining Life That Blooms at Night...how poetic. I suspected you were once of my clan from how you fought and this only confirms it."

Your body freezes in place as you hold yourself rigidly still...was he going to throw you out? Attack you?

The sound of the cool wind blowing is all that you can hear for a moment as the three of you hold your breath.

"But a ronin is no longer what they were, maybe that name suits your blade and you," Toshiro says finally.

"Indeed, and even if that wasn't true..." Reika fidgets for a moment before holding out her hands. "You helped us when you didn't have to...if Megumi-san will hand over the shards, I'll do my best with them..."

You hand over the small bundle of metal to her. That Reika looks for all the world like a scared, adorable rabbit makes it hard to fully trust in her skill...but beggars can't be choosers.

"Erm...call it three weeks?" Reika says tentatively.

You nod, and Toshiro makes a subtle gesture of 'go away I want to have glad to be alive sex.' Seeing as how that kind of sex is awesome, you are not going to deprive someone of it. You make your goodbyes and move to begin your journey back to Goemon's Shrine.

-----

It turns out that three weeks passes by all too quickly. As you make your way towards the forge, it's difficult not to reflect on how different you feel. Like you've understood more, gained more. While your skills haven't improved, you feel like the world feels more in tune with you than it was. Kind of like you were a biwa that got restrung.

As much as you wish you could attribute that feeling to yourself, you have to admit that it's largely because of Sister Cho. You aren't quite sure what prompted you to seek out the Ivinda woman and learn from her. Afterall, there were a number of things that you could have done instead. Akodo-sama had said that you had three weeks to train. Toshiro had offered to train you, but you had told him to spend time with his wife..and he had all too eagerly agreed. It's a little disgusting just how happy they are together. No, it's not disgusting, you just feel envious. You had that once, with him, with Hida Katsuie, but never again. You've been no nun, but no one could make you cry out in pleasure like he did, make you happy like he did.

Augh all this heavy stuff comes to you more easily now, another thing to blame Sister Cho for. The last three weeks have been spent largely going through a number of exercises the monks use to reach enlightenment. You can't say you're any closer than you were, but it is the journey that counts, or something like that.

Looking up, you clap your hands to announce yourself.
The Kakita couple's home remains as nice as the first time. Soon enough, Toshiro comes out and makes polite small talk before taking you to a small waiting room.

Reika comes inside holding a simple yet somehow beautiful looking black saya with a katana inside it, resting on purple silk.
The hilt is familiar...your sword...that's your sword in the saya.

"Megumi-san, I present to you Sakiyarumei," Reika says softly.

The cowardly rabbit is not seen, it's almost like she's a priestess communing with the divine as she holds out the sheathe to you.

It's hard to speak around the lump growing in your throat. And so, all you can do is bow and take the saya with all the reverence you can muster.

Your soul...Reika has said that weeks ago. As the weight rests in your hand, you can't help but feel whole in a way you weren't before. This gnawing emptiness in the back of your mind...ends.

Reika looks at you and you look at her, she gives the tiniest of nods. In a single smooth motion, you slide Sakiyarumi out of the brilliant black sheathe to reveal it. The metal shines in blue, almost black, steel up and down the side of the blade, the tiniest of etchings rendered along the edges in a pattern of steel you don't recognize but inherently know it means strength.

It's a work of art, and it is your soul.

"Do you accept her, Megumi-san?"

"Hai," You whisper, moved to the very core of your being.

"Sakiyarumei will never desert you, so long as you never desert her. She is a willful blade, true, but that is the nature of her steel, of her mistress… I am glad to have worked on this for you Megumi-san... if you will follow me to the testing stone?" Reika gestures down the hall.

You nod, rising from the seiza you had rested in. A few quick motions are all it takes to put the familiar weight of your sword back at your waist where it belongs.

Toshiro waits for you out at the small pillar of gray granite that stands up in the garden. It's been scoured by very few marks, so you don't think Reika makes swords all that much.

The Stone Test is an ancient Kakita tradition. All Kakita blades are tested by striking the stone behind Shiro sano Kakita. Smiths outside of that castle all have a small stone somewhere near their forge to perform a similar test.

If the stone gives, the blade is good, if the blade gives then...well, the blade failed.
You take an iaido stance, as Reika looks on with her husband.

Draw

The blade feels perfect in your hands, better even...it's like the balance was literally made for you in a way you can't describe. The stone flashes white from the sparks. Another long groove is drawn along the stone, as you finish your strike in a single motion.

Toshiro watches your cut and nods in approval.
"A good strike, Megumi-san….it seems you have everything in order."

Reika gets a huge very undignified smile across her face, like she's just been told that she made topaz champion or something.

"Hai," You say quietly.

Sheathing your blade, you bow deeply to them.
"Thank you both so much for all your help. This one will be in your debt forever more."

Reika bows back to you.
"Ano...keep my husband alive?"

"Reika-san…" Toshiro looks at his wife.

You nod. Of course you'll keep Toshiro alive.

Toshiro seems embarrassed and rubs the back of his head.

"Well, today's our last day of freedom before Akodo-sama wants us to report for duties to her." He says, changing the subject.

"I can't believe she has the ability to just recruit people like that." Reika mumbles, apparently to herself, but everyone hears it.

Toshiro shrugs.
"Akodo-sama is...well connected. More importantly, these mountains and trade don't lend themselves to armies marching, but to small elite teams hitting in detail."

"I suppose…" she says.
You get the feeling they've had this discussion before.

You shrug in your own turn, trying to help out Toshiro.
"Hai, it's a little surprising. Forced conscription doesn't happen too much these days. It's not like most of the Imperial Legions are hurting for manpower."

A legacy of the War of Eagles, any samurai for whatever reason can be conscripted into the Imperial Legions by a gunso or higher ranked officer. This has mostly fallen out of use as powerful people said they didn't want to be conscripted, but people like you and Toshiro, you aren't connected enough.

"I wish you didn't have to go…" Reika-says, leaning into Toshiro a little.

"Hai." He responds.

The intensely private moment makes you feel incredibly awkward. You cough a little, and the two split apart, faces red.

Toshiro recovers first.
"Regardless, what are you going to do for your last night as a free agent?"

[] Write in

 

[Ria]

Grey clouds wander across the sky, obscuring the sun entirely. Another winter in Shiro sano Kakita.

Another boring day in court...and yet another set of new faces… I muse to myself.

In the end I was a simple Hida boy, no matter how you tried to pretty me up...I was raised to fight, to be doing things...

I sigh as I dress for court, mentally preparing myself to be bored out of my mind for the next few hours. At least there will be some new faces around here, although I hold no hope that anyone will be anything more than the usual flock of twittering, gossipy courtiers. Don't get me wrong, they're all perfectly pleasant...too pleasant in my opinion. But then, of course they are. Crane always are...to your face, at least. But still. It would be nice to see someone unique, someone with...spirit.

"Are you nearly ready, Katsuie?" My wife's measured tones float from behind the privacy screen. Don't ask me why she still uses one of those things. After eight years of marriage and all the experiences that come with it, it's not as if her body holds many secrets for me anymore.

"Hai, just finishing up," I respond, absently checking to make sure that I am presentable by Crane standards. So much fuss, and really, for what? I suppose I do understand to a degree. I am the husband of a Crane daimyo after all...but still…sometimes I long for the simplicity of the Crab, my birth clan.

My wife steps out from behind the privacy screen, smoothing the elegant blue kimono which depicts a scene of freshly falling snow.

"You look lovely, Ayame," I tell her. And it's true. She is a lovely woman, even if she doesn't excite me, not anymore.

It's not her fault really. We were...we were okay at the start, but eight years is a long time for passionless sex. If it weren't for the fact that she wants at least four children….I doubt either of us would have touched each other after that first night. And that would have suited us both fine.

"Arigato." She says her smooth clipped voice echoing in our large rooms.

No matter the time of day, she always has that voice, one of perfection, of control. Just once...I'd like to be with someone that was open with me.

A last look in the mirror before we walk to the courtroom together silently. We look the perfect couple, her, the ruler of all she perceives, and me, her loyal consort. There has never been any hint that she or I have taken other lovers, been with other people, which for a court as gossipy as the Crane is something of a miracle. Most assumed we were in love and that was our reason for loyalty.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't hate Ayame. I respect her in a lot of ways, but I don't love her, and she doesn't love me. We were friends once, back when we were children, but time and closeness has dulled that.

I school my features into my best on as we enter the court.

You're used to this, you've done this countless times.

Smile, bow, look pretty...that's all I have to do here today. Ayame will take care of the rest. I go through the motions out of force of habit more than anything else. My mind absently takes in the court as I battle ennuie.

Nothing interesting here. As usual, more of the sa...wait…

My attention is caught by a young woman who is obviously new. I would have remembered her. She's the most beautiful woman in the room. It's not because her features are the most harmonious or her skin is the most delicate - the Fortunes know that I've seen my fair share of Crane beauties and then some - no, what makes her beautiful is the animation in her eyes. She has ambition, this one, but it's pure and fresh, not like so many who would step all over their peers to get where they want to be. She's open about herself...honest...and that's the most beautiful thing I've seen in this castle.

My eyes follow her even as I lean slightly forward in my place behind Ayame on the dais. I must find out who this woman is, what her name is. And if she's staying long. Impatiently I wait for her to present herself to the Daimyo.

Finally, she approaches the dais. Her movements have the grace of the Kakita bushi. For just a second, her eyes meet mine. I can't breathe. And then she turns her attention to Ayame and bows deeply.

"This one has come to offer her services as per her assignment. Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu, Kakita-dono. This one is Kakita Sakura."

Sakura….

My heart begins to pound as I taste that name in my mind. Katsuie and Sakura...it's not a bad fit…

Oh Benten, you heartless bitch, why her?

"Welcome to my court Kakita Sakura-san. I welcome your duties," Ayame says beside me.

"Thank you Kakita-dono!" Sakura says happily.

Even as I ask the question I know the answer.
Because Kakita Sakura is the first person to act like herself in front of me in eight years.
I must have her.

 

[gman391]

--Poetry recital.

You shrug, looking at the couple. "Well, I can't get drunk and risk sleeping in or anything like that, so I thought I'd go try to find a poetry recital or competition...get some culture."

Toshiro and Reika look at each other, communicating with their eyes in the subtle cadence of the Crane.

Turning back to you, Toshiro says, "Well we can't say that we know of anything like that. Poetry recitals usually take place in the winter month...and it's spring. You might find some if you look around Eiyuu though."

"You've already done so much for me...I couldn't possibly repay such compassion, I won't impose on you further. I'll see you tomorrow in the Citadel, Kakita-sama," You say with a bow.

Turning on your feet after receiving their bows, you turn towards the door and leave.
High over head, Lady Moon smiles down on you with a bright light, even as the clouds leave the sky clear. It's a little chilly, but not too bad. Now, to go find a poetry recital.

Careful not to give offense to anyone, you begin asking around.

It takes a while but a kindly old Ikoma, instead of snarling that you are an abomination, tells you about a moon viewing going on at the Old Birch Tree. Thanking him you make your way over to the...sake house? You probably should have asked that, but were too surprised at an Ikoma being nice to a ronin.

The Old Birch Tree turns out to be a teahouse with a massive birch tree growing out of it's garden in the back. That explains the name at least. Looking around you don't see any bouncers looking to keep you out because you haven't got any money.

Not for the first or last time, you miss being a Crane...and all that.

"AS YOU SHOULD, SAKURA," a familiar strident voice says.

You just barely manage to resist rolling your eyes. But you can sense that your grandmother is pissed, and that is just not something you want to deal with right now.

'Oh hello, Grandmother. I wondered where you were.'

"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!" She screams in your ear.

Definitely angry.

'It's not like I meant to,' you mumble.

"YOU BROKE MY SWORD!"

Well, this just leads to a head ache...and she's not wrong anyways.
'Grandmother....I apologize for breaking your sword, please how can I atone?' you ask.

Grandmother humphs loudly in the back of your mind.
"SHOW THAT YOU ARE STILL CRANE IN SPIRIT."

'...Yes, Grandmother' you say obediently.

Now, how in Ningen-do were you going to do that?

Wait. She contacted you outside the tea house...probably means you need to participate in tea ceremony or poetry or something.

With that in mind you make your way into the tea house. The inside is tastefully appointed in a sort of forest motif, with green bamboo shoots and the like being used to create dividers for tables. A private grove for each party...clever, really.

"Samurai-sama." A polite woman about twice your age says.

You look and give her a polite bow.

"Are you here for Lady Moon's Viewing?" the servant asks.

You nod.

"Right this way then…" she says.

The back garden is an expansive place with a number of mats laid around it in a half circle for people to sit on. In the centre, next to the birch tree, stands a tall, burly Togashi whose expression is...strangely gentle. He clears his throat and begins to speak.

"Benten's biwa strings,
Snared me when I first saw her,
In her husband's arms"

You blink. It wasn't perfect...but it did seem...nice...and while the tattoos were a definite turn off, this Togashi seemed a little less straightlaced than others you had met. Wonder what he's doing---

"YOU!" a female voice shouts.

You stiffen as you recognize that voice. Oh Fortunes, no...

Turning you see a tall, lithe, but undeniably muscled woman jumping to her feet.

Hida Takamona...

You try to keep your on - the mask everyone wears so that no one feels bad but everyone sees through anyways - controlled.

You almost manage it as she charges at you. Almost manage to ask, "Who are you talking to?" Almost manage to say you're Megumi and whatever you look like, you aren't her enemy.
You almost manage to.

But as Takamona raises one fist to smash your face in, all that you can get in is a little squeak.
You try to dodge, to do something… But surprise and that sinking feeling in your stomach makes you sluggish so that all you can do is...feel your head snapping back as Takamona's knuckles slam into you. If your muscles hadn't already been relaxed when her fist connected, you're sure you'd be nursing a broken jaw. But as it is you just stagger to one knee. You look up to see Takamona's other fist coming down at you only to be stopped in mid air, a huge hand catching her by the wrist.

The Togashi.
"That's enough, Hida-san, whatever this ronin has done, it's not worth upsetting the party over."

"This bitch dishonoured my family."

"Did she now?"

"What say you, ronin?" He asks.
Up close, you can tell he has green eyes...that's nice.

[] What say
(Megumi is nursing 7 wounds and is down one void)

 

[Ria]

Sunlight pours down, warming the fresh spring air as I arrive at Shiro sano Kakita.

I'm finally here! I'm going to see Onii-chan!

Excitement courses through me as I make my way up to the castle. After a long winter on the Wall, I have finally wrangled a short leave to visit my brother and his family. It's been a long time since I've seen him, not since just after my gempukku. I have so much that I want to share with him. My feet want to skip and I have to actually restrain myself from carolling with joy. These Crane would probably give me that haughty, superior look they have and I don't want anything to spoil my reunion with Onii-chan.

My big brother has always been my hero. Ever since...well really, forever...I've looked up to him. Back when I was small, he was the best brother a girl could ask for. He was kind and loving. He always had time for me no matter what. He never had a harsh word for me. A look of disappointment was enough to quell even the most rebellious of beginnings of thoughts. He was gentle with me and always found a way to bring me small tokens to show me how special I was to him, how much he loved me. I remember that I cried for weeks after he left to get married. It was the first time that duty took him away so permanently from me. My sister-in-law has no idea that she's married to the most amazing gem of a man imaginable.

Onii-chan isn't waiting for me to greet me...that's weird…

I instruct the servants to bring my things to my rooms, frowning. What can possibly be keeping him from welcoming me to his home? Is he sick? Has he somehow been held up by a duty given to him by Ayame-sama?

I fly through the halls to the court. A brief glance around the room shows me that he isn't there. Just a bunch of Crane staring at me strangely behind hastily raised fans. Hastily, I duck out before I have to apologize and explain myself. Making nice with these Crane is the last thing I want to be doing right now.

"Where is Kakita Katsuie-san!?" I demand, grabbing the nearest servant. She stares at me with frightened eyes. I shake the girl by the shoulders.

"Where can I find your master?!"

The servant splutters and finally manages to give me enough words that I can understand that my brother can be found in the garden. I release her without another word and she scurries off after giving me another frightened look. Ok...it's possible that I maaaaaaayyy have been a little overzealous in my inquiry…

But still… The gardens? That's really odd. Onii-chan has never had much use for gardens, really. I must have been right. He must be fulfilling some sort of duty for Ayame-sama and gotten held up. A feeling of relief fills me. Of course my brother must fulfill his duty to his daimyo and wife even before coming to fulfill his duty to his sister...even though he would never spend time in the gardens of his own volition, especially when he's expecting me.

A thin tendril of resentment towards my sister-in-law snakes up within me. Couldn't she have taken my arrival into account? Doesn't she care that I have only very limited time to spend with my brother and we haven't seen each other in years?

Duty demands, I remind myself. I remember Onii-chan instructing me in the tenets of Bushido when I was very young.

Don't forget, Takamona-chan. Duty is the most important of all virtues.

I learned everything I know about being a good samurai from him. I have always tried to live up to his standards and his example. He would want me to be understanding about this, impatient though I am. And so, I push down the feeling as best I can.

Still though...he must be bored stiff at whatever tea drinking, flower smelling duty he's stuck at. I decide that I'll at least make my way down there and smile at him so that he can see I'm arrived and understanding of his delay. It will give him a happy thought to sustain him through his duty. My mind made up, I set off once again, my feet practically dancing over the floor.

In my mind, I can see my brother's handsome face, that special smile he reserves just for me. He's never smiled at anyone like that, not even Ayame-sama. I can hear his voice, gentle with just a slight hint of humour telling me that he's so glad to see me, that he missed me. I hasten my pace a little, as the walk seems interminable. Perhaps Onii-chan is right and I should work on being more patient. Ok, who am I kidding? Of course he's right. He always is.

Finally. The gardens. Where on earth is he? I scan the area carefully. There! At the entrance to one of the other gardens, I see him...well, his back really. He is faced away from me and appears to be waiting for someone or something. But there can be no mistake. I know my Onii-chan...it's him. A broad smile spreads across my face as I hurry towards him. I won't interrupt, just pass by him as though I was just another person visiting the gardens.

As I approach him, I see that he's with a woman, a Crane woman. Her laugh rings through the air.

Yes, yes, my brother is very entertaining, you lucky bitch. But when his duty is done, it is I who will enjoy his company, not you.

I walk by slowly, pretending to admire the flowers that I really couldn't care less about. And then I freeze in place, stricken as if by lightning. My brother is looking at the woman with such eyes, such softness about his jaw. His eyes pass over me but he doesn't recognize me. ME, his own SISTER!! This cannot be duty, not with those eyes. Who is this woman who so commands his attention?

My world shatters around me as I continue to watch them from behind a rose bush. Horror upon horrors, the smile that he gives her...that's MY smile. How can he smile so to another? Bitterness wells in my heart. How dare that woman take my beloved brother away from me? How dare she make him forget that I was arriving today?

I know just as surely as if he was shouting it out to the world. Despite the on he wears, despite the trappings, the pretense of Crane society, I can see it. My brother is in love. And now I, who has only once ever had to come second to another woman - his wife - am pushed even further away by this usurper, this vile seductress. She can't possibly be anything else. My brother would never so forget his duty to his family, to his wife...to me…

They begin to walk away, back to towards the entrance of the gardens. I strain to hear their words, to see if I can make out a name. Their conversation holds no interest for me. It's that polite, dull drivel that the Crane seem to have no end of.

"I must go, Sakura-san. But I will count the hours impatiently until we might talk again."

Sakura. Kakita Sakura, it seems, judging by her mons.

It's not until they are gone that I move from my place behind the rose bush. Sick with emotion, I make my way back to the castle and find a servant to direct me to my room. Given the wide berth that others seem to be giving me, I can only imagine what sort of expression I must have on my face. So much for controlling my on. Who cares anyway. Oni don't care about what kind of expression you have on your ace.

I pour myself a cup of sake and raise it to my lips, downing it in one single motion. I can't believe my brother betrayed me for a Crane floozy...no I won't believe it….he...he wouldn't, she must have...must have done something, done something to control him, to manipulate him…
That bi---

The sound of ceramic cracking echoes in my hears and I look down to see my cup utterly crushed between my fingers, a victim of my anger...no, not anger...hate.

That whore, that bitch stole my brother.

By all the Fortunes, I would get him back or die trying, and if that meant killing that worthless piece of shit woman…
Well, that just made me so damn happy.

I see the blood dripping from where the ceramic shards pierced my skin. I raise my hand up holding it in front of me, and bring up my tanto to let a little more blood flow.

"Onii-chan...I swear, I'll save you from her. This is my blood oath...Kakita Sakura is my sworn enemy from now until the end of our lives."

That bitch won't know what hit her.