Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Sept 23, 2011 11:07:17 GMT -5
He said… He said he has hope that once we discover what himself has forgotten, their interference in our life probably will cease… Due the time in Meido, he doesn’t remember why he seeks Saimei for… Maybe he wishes her soul to know something very important about her death… which caused his death, indirectly. You know, they truly loved each other… With a sigh, she raised her eyes to look at Shodai, noticing his confusion and frustration. So, even after Myia Shokujin having told her about Shodai’s feelings, he seemed not comfortable in making it known to her. Yes, somehow he was able to surpass your strong defenses, my friend, to make clear his intentions. He asks for help. We can’t deny it. As soon as we reach Kyuden Myia, we will have the truth about this mystery. Who destroyed their lives. Now, about… about the kiss… Mitsouko was able to read his expressions to deduct what he was thinking, and felt it was not fair to him to hide an important fact. I kissed you, Sho-san. Just please, don’t ask me why. Forgive me, please. She bowed to him, hiding her face in shame.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Sept 23, 2011 20:50:38 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai felt his heart skip a few beats as Mitsouko bowed her head as she admitted that *SHE* had been in full control of herself when she'd kissed him back, that it wasn't Saimei as he'd thought she'd been trying to say when she'd said the ghosts had been trying to communicate with each other. It warmed him from his core, even as he felt his precise and logical mindset being battered aside by the emotions running rampant within him, leaving him feeling befuddled and awkward as he hadn't been since he was a child...
The Void Master looked at the Kakita Family daimyo and realized that she had shed her emotional armor... The fierce, strong, brave Kenshinzen whom he'd fought beside, whose life he had saved and had nearly sacrificed his own life to protect had let him in to see the true Kakita Mitsouko, the woman she was when she was when not trying to conform to society's standards. THIS Mitsouko was open and caring and wore her emotions openly... Pure of heart and soul with an innocence that existed almost at odds with her bushi nature...
Shodai felt a wrenching sensation in the pit of his stomach as his own emotional armor cracked before the sight of the woman he'd come to cherish hiding her face out of mortified embarrassment. Suddenly, all the logic and reason behind his self-perceived honorable actions of trying to conceal his feelings in a sense of fair play to the missing Toku Sanjuro seemed woefully inadequate...
"Oh, Mitsouko..."[/b] The shugenja said as he reached out to gently caress her cheek, his own warming as he crossed who knew - or cared - how many rules of social etiquette. He half knelt as he gently raised her chin so he could look into her eyes, which glistened like emeralds. He knew that his normally impassive face would be broadcasting the feelings he'd tried to hide, tried to deny could or did exist...
But he no longer cared who knew. The shugenja had seen enough in the visions of Miya Shokujin's life that though he only had Seppun Saimei for a few short years and it had ended tragically for the two lovers, the courier had LIVED more in those two years than Shodai had in the past twenty. Shodai had been little better than a mindless automaton, doing his job but finding himself on edge even when given time to relax...
It had taken the memories of a dead man to make the shugenja truly realize the value of living.
"You are not the one to have to seek forgiveness, Mitsouko; *I* am. I kissed you first; whatever happened next was because of me and my moment of selfish need."[/b] Shodai said gently, the words spilling from his mouth without him even being aware of it.
Shodai took a deep breath; the kiss had put him in for the zeni, there was naught to be lost for going in for the koku. "Mitsouko... I... I came into your life acting on behalf of destiny. I bid my Clan Champion seek omiai arrangements for your hand because of destiny and the fact that it was to the benefit of my Clan. But if I had known you then as I have been honored to get to know you now, I... I... I would have done it all over again, but of my own desire, my own wish, and I would do it even if I had to fight Destiny every step of the way just to be able to catch a fleeting glimpse of you, Mitsouko... Because I... I..."[/b]
The admission caught in his throat, fighting with him to come out, until he looked deep into the bushi's eyes and he finally found the strength to say it. "Because *I* love you, Mitsouko, and I would rather disgrace myself than try to deny it a minute longer."[/b]
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Sept 26, 2011 8:22:41 GMT -5
She opened a wide smile, raising her eyes.
Shhh! Let’s talk about it Kakita's way.
Mitsouko slipped her hands behind Shodai’s neck and brought him for another kiss.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Sept 26, 2011 16:04:32 GMT -5
As the smile lit up Kakita Mitsouko's features, Agasha Shodai felt its warmth to his very core. As the Crane woman looped her arms around and pulled him forward, a broad smile appeared on the face of the Phoenix man's as his strong arms ringed her tight waist.
"Whichever Kakita figured out how to discuss things this way was a certified genius..."[/b] Shodai whispered as the lips of the two samurai were reunited once more.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Oct 4, 2011 18:43:13 GMT -5
At the end of that day the small group reached Kyuden Myia gates, seeking for the special document kept in their archives for a century. Mitsouko had spent days there during her travels with her father, years ago, but hadn’t good memories of it. In fact, not many memories as well, since she was committed by a sudden fever during their stay. Now she was afraid the memories of Shokujin would make Shodai suffer as well, one way or another. Mitsouko knew he was a strong willed man, but she wasn’t used to those kharmic things.
She glanced to her companions, while the Myia guards checked their travel papers with the most polite manner possible. Even in those times of war, Myia were still attached to the courtesy they were known for.
They sent letter about their purpose in the beginning of this journey, even before leaving Kakita Lands, so they were expected. After the morning moment Mitsouko and Shodai shared in the Inn’s pond, they haven’t much time to talk and both preferred to keep silence and composure about their new situation. Like any other well educated Rokugani samurai they knew there were time for everything and were used to keep face in all public situations. She wasn’t fool to believe Naetaru was unaware, of course, as he was a really perspicacious Doji, but to everyone else nothing strange happened. Not long ago they reached the castle and someone was already awaiting for them.
A petit mid-aged woman using the colors of Myia family approached with small steps, her hands hidden by the sleeves of her kimono:
Welcome, Agasha-sama and Kakita-sama, Doji-sama, you are expected. Myia family is pleased to host you. I am Myia Nokiko and will be your guide and host in your stay. Please refer to me if anything is needed while you are here. We would be honored if you join us for a meal at the dusk with Shoin-sama. Unfortunately our honorable daimyo Yumi-tono is travelling to the court at the moment.
Mitsouko was glad the woman didn't mention war and troubles in their arrival, she was in need of some time to breath about this subject. Afterall, as soon as they finish this travel, she would be back to her lands and take care of what was required. Right now, letters were crossing the empire and words were being exchanged. Nothing really was happening while this moment of the Rokugani politics wasn't over.
She bowed to the woman as soon she jump from her ride and it was taken by the groom with the others.
Thank you very much. We are honored for being received by Shoin-sama as well I am honored to be hosted by such honorable lady. Our journey was long, our purpose brought us far. But it's a sweet experience to finish our journey in Miya Castle.
The woman bowed as well. Very well, in behalf of my family I can say we are glad for your words, Lady Kakita. I am sure tomorrow by the morning our librarian will help Master Shodai-sama to find what he is searching. Please let's come in. She commented with discretion, making a graceful hand sign to show them the way in.
OCC: In fact is a little hard to not present a Myia NPC in thread in Kyuden Myia, but it's solely for fit in. She will not be explored further. Anyway, feel free to contact me if you think I am breaking the rules using an Imperial character in this scene.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 5, 2011 19:22:47 GMT -5
OOC: Remember 1 Rokugani hour = 2 RL hours
Agasha Shodai nodded to Miya Nokiko as he walked beside Mitsouko. "I agree, it feels good to reach our destination..."[/b] He glanced at the Kakita Family Daimyo. "The journey took longer than expected... And many interesting events sprung up along the way, to be certain..."[/b] The Void Master said simply, successfully keeping his face from breaking into a rather inappropriate grin.
To say that Shodai was happier than he had been in many years would not be a euphemism, but now that they were back in a proper society setting, the shugenja had to curb his enthusiasm. Doubly so since they were in the palace of one of the 3 Imperial families.
The Void Master contemplated the angle of the sun; it would be at least 2 hours before the typical time for dinner. "If at all possible, I would like to make use of an onsen to get the off the dust of the road so that I may be properly presentable..."[/b] He also reeked of horse, having spent the last month - more or less - on the back of one, but for the Miya and the Unicorn it was a common perfume that caused no distress in social circles... It more or less went with the territory.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Oct 6, 2011 18:08:49 GMT -5
This journey had provided more hard times than good ones, but it all was kind of washed away of their minds by the excellent night they had in the company of the Myia. Naetaru shone, having much in common with Nokiko and managing to keep everything perfect fromt guests part. Mitsouko spoke little, just appreciating the calm elegance of the Imperial family. The hosts were kind to notice the need of rest of the travellers and after the perfect diner and some music the trio were allowed to rest in their chambers. Mitsouko dreamt... She Dreamt she was fleeing in the back of a strangely ethereal bird... and Mitsouko always dreamt of with when her spirit was touched by the air kami during her sleep.
Much of her gift was severed by the ritual to set her free from Saimei's memories, but deep inside she was able to be connected with the Air and Water.
LIke many other times, she tried to look back and see from what she was escaping from, while the kami- bird flied over Rokugan. All she was able to see was the dark shadow she recognized as her own father,... And in her dreams he was somebody from whom she needed to flee.
Then she saw war... a huge battlefield surrounding the capital, swords clashing, clans battling each other, while the entire Empire trembled under the shadow coming after her... Suddenly the bird goes north, and it lands over marbled ruins... MItsouko knew something important was buried deep into those ruins, and started to dig harder, with bare hands. not bothered with the fact her hands started to bleed... The shadow was coming after her, ready to swallow Mitsouko with corruption and fear... she stared in horror to he huge eclipse going over her, when she saw that without what she was looking for she would be lost and doomed...
I must seek it. I must seek it.[/b]
She woke up feeling ill and these words floating in her mind like a mantra. Mitsouko not even used the aid of the servants to get herself ready, taking this time to meditate about the scary dream she had. Somehow she knew that something important was to come, something mysterious and maybe related with the war. Now, she was sure of what was expecting for them in the next months. Blood, doom, and a great and hidden danger spreading while the clans would rather battle for pride and greed.
Mitsouko thought she would maybe find Shodai in one of the gardens, as she knew he was used to get up really early. The strange nightmare had put her serious and the expectations about the content of the document Myia Shokujin had written so many time ago put her preoccupied as well.
A Myia young courtier told her the Phoenix shugenja was in fact already talking with the old librarian that, as many old men, had the habit of exchanging insomniac nights for vespertine naps over the scrolls... She was enchanted with the humor of this family while in their own lands. The young Myia guided her to the building of the Myia Library, and opened the doors...
OCC: Using the advantages/disadvantages I had chose for her but never had much time to put in a thread...
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 8, 2011 21:58:27 GMT -5
The conversation with Miya Roshi, the old man whom was the caretaker of the Miya Family’s archives, had become an endurance test for Agasha Shodai’s patience over the course of the last few hours.
The once-proud courier turned archivist was bent over whenever he tried to walk and whenever Shodai would finish explaining what he was looking for, would turn to his assistant, Miya Toshiro, and either ask for something to ease the pains that came from a long life on horseback or the wrong item from the archives – usually because Roshi had asleep during the explanation.
The Void Master was beginning to think the man was either being deliberately unhelpful or had finally become senile. Shodai had tried to get the assistant to disregard the older man’s orders and get what he was asking for – the aide had heard the details and bits of what Agasha was willing to share of Miya Shokujin’s story at least three times now – but the young samurai, who was somewhere between Hirotomo-kun’s and Mitsouko’s age, would balk at the thought.
Toshiro-san had offered an apology to the Void Master during one of Roshi-san’s inconvenient naps, explaining that he had been assigned to work in the archives – indefinitely – because he’d failed to follow a superior’s explicit instructions which had resulted in a group of bandits stealing a message he’d been assigned to deliver. The bandits had sold the letter to a rival of the intended recipient and had cost the recipient no small amount of face. Toshiro had had his life spared – first by the bandits and then by his superiors – but they’d not only taken him off of active duty.
They’d also told him that if he failed to obey Roshi’s orders, he’d be lucky if was permitted to become a ronin.
Agasha Shodai had been on the verge of pinching the bridge of his nose between his eyes in an insulting gesture of frustration, when the doors of the library were opened and Kakita Mitsouko swept into the room with Miya Nokiko in tow. The vibrant Kenshinzen lit up the room as she entered it, but as she got closer the shugenja noticed that she had a haunted look to her gorgeous green-gold eyes.
When he turned to push himself back from the reading table, the Void Master noticed that Miya Roshi’s eyes were both open and as wide as saucers as he watched Mitsouko’s hips sway as she walked towards them with the almost sensual grace that she had earned through her training. There was a lustful glint in the librarian’s eyes as he looked at the Crane bushi that filled Shodai with a rage-filled desire to smash the old pervert’s face in, but knew that Mitsouko was more than capable of dealing with the letch; if it came to that…
Not that the Phoenix shugenja could completely blame Roshi in his heart-of-hearts – Mitsouko had an amazing figure, after all – but the Void Master had to admit he would be hard pressed to not beat the librarian senseless if he so much as touched the Kakita Family Daimyo.
Agasha Shodai coughed loudly to get Miya Roshi’s attention. The old man turned his head just enough look at the shugenja with one eye while the other remained locked on the female bushi heading towards them. ”So, as I was saying before, Roshi-san, you would be doing Kakita Mitsouko…”[/b] He gestured towards his beloved with one hand and the lecherous old sinner’s other eye snapped back to the oncoming Daimyo. ”… and I a favor by letting us see scroll number 4131981, which was entered into the archives by the Imperial Herald sometime in 960. Preferably somewhere we are unlikely to be disturbed; we did travel from the far side of the Empire to see it, after all.”[/b]
”Oh… Yes… Such a long way… A long, hard ride for such a delicate flower…”[/b] Roshi said with a perverted chuckle as his mind went somewhere that made the Void Master clench his teeth to resist the urge to blast the old man into his next incarnation. Almost regretfully, the old man turned to his assistant. ”You! Uh… Togashi! Fetch the scroll for the gor…”[/b] Roshi broke into a cough as he suddenly remembered his manners. ”Ahem! These good people here… You DO know where to find it, don’t you, Toku?”[/b]
The young man had to exert a significant amount of grace to resist uttering a long-suffering sigh. ”Yes, Master Roshi; I know just where to look for it. It’ll take me just a few minutes, Agasha-sama.”[/b] The look of relief on the young man’s face was almost comical; he’d likely located the right scroll several trips ago, but had not returned with it only because he was following the doddering old man’s orders to the letter.
Miya Roshi made a shooing gesture with one hand. ”Well, then off with you, boy! Don’t keep this swe…”[/b] Another bout of coughing buried yet another surely sexist remark. ”…these honorable samurai waiting on you too long, Tonbo!”[/b]
The younger samurai rushed off.
By now Kakita Mitsouko had reached the table where Agasha Shodai had been sitting for the past hour or so. He nodded his head respectfully to the Crane woman. ”Ohayo, Mitsouko-san. “[/b] A smile, the first genuine one he’d felt all day, crossed his lips. ”Hard to believe that we are finally nearing the end of the journey that we began what feels like many months ago, isn’t it?”[/b]
’And the start of the next one…’ He thought silently to himself.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Oct 12, 2011 10:29:03 GMT -5
Ohayou Gozaimasu, samurai! Did I miss something? She bowed to the two, with a smile. In fact the lascivious glances the elder man kept sending her weren’t unnoticed, and it was quite surprisingly to her. She never thought of herself as a sexy woman, but she knew in fact she wasn’t too used to high heeled geta and the last trend in the Court, silken Kimono with a generous cleavage and less layers, inspired in antique imperial outfits. Anyway, she was attached to the idea she would honor their hosts by dressing with elegance they deserved. Well, not this senile Myia, maybe. When the assistant brought the scroll adn delivered it to Myia Roshi, she exchanged a glance of contentment adn thrill with Shodai, using the opportunity to send him a significative look. She was open to the connection they were sharing now. With a deep breath she confessed: I think I will not be able to understand the antique speech, I am not used to old scrolls. But I am thrilled to now what we will discover in there...
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 12, 2011 16:01:49 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai shook his head with a wry grin. "Not much, Mitsouko-san; it took us a while to locate the item is all."[/b]
'And if I'd known I could have saved me two hours of dealing with this lustful codger, I probably would have called you in sooner...' He thought to himself. 'Your company would at least have made his bearable.'
As Miya Toshiro returned with Shokujin's scroll, Agasha Shodai felt his heart pounding in his chest at the sight of it. Despite being over two hundred years old, the scroll was in immaculate condition, thanks to the preservation spells that the Miya used to protect documents of great importance that were put into the Archive.
A sudden flare of emotional pain ripped at the Void Master's insides, like a Dragon's talons eviscerating him, causing his vision to tunnel... Instinctively, Shodai knew that the second he broke the wax seal on the scroll and began to read it, the crucial memories that Shokujin - and correspondingly, Shodai - carried within his soul would finally break free in a vision filled with the emotional trauma that Shodai's previous incarnation carried with him into the afterlife.
Fighting to maintain his composure, Agasha grabbed the edge of the wooden table with a one-handed death grip while his other brushed against the back of one of Mitsouko's hands. The electric thrill he felt whenever he touched the Crane woman, helped banish the pain. He wanted - needed - to take her hand in his, but resisted only to keep from breaking social protocol.
"I have a feeling reading the scroll might not be necessary, Mitsouko-san; if you follow my meaning..."[/b] He whispered softly to her.
"Whew! Hefty-looking thing ain't it."[/b] Roshi said with a toothy grin as he took the sizable scroll in his hands.
The man's eyes narrowed as he saw the chop impression wax seal.
"This... The Eclipse... Faugh!"[/b] He practically threw the scroll back into Miya Toshiro's hands as if burned or fearing being tainted. "What... possible... reason... How DARE you..!"[/b] The old man speared Shodai with a wrathfully flinty glare.
"Master Roshi! Please, sir, these are our guests! Remember..."[/b] The aide began to protest the archivist's behavior.
Miya Roshi backhanded Miya Toshiro viciously across the face. Stunned, the younger man fell silent. "Shut your mouth, boy! Our so-called guest has offered us an insult in the worst of ways."[/b]
The Void Master looked genuinely confused. And felt genuinely outraged by the man's poor behavior. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Miya-san. As I said previously, I'm merely investigating a series of visions I've recieved and that scroll..."[/b] He pointed at it. "Is a part of it. I know nothing about the events surrounding it."[/b]
The archivist let off a hiss like a teapot overheating, his ire fading as quickly as it popped up. He nodded slightly. "Perhaps you don't at that... It's a story from a dark time in the Miya Family history; one we generally do not care to remember. I know the story only because my great-grandfather, who lived in that era, kept a journal while the rest of the Family records related to the events were purged."[/b] His eyes narrowed as he looked at the scroll. "Though clearly some things were missed..."[/b]
Roshi took a seat, gesturing for Shodai and Mitsouko to do so as well. "One of our couriers - now spoken of only as 'The Eclipse' - murdered a high-ranking Otomo woman, claiming that she had conspired to kill his betrothed. Rather than gather witnesses and get a confession, The Eclipse broke into Kyuden Otomo and slew the poor girl in her own bedchambers in a particularly grisly manner."
"The Eclipse was permitted to commit seppuku, but the father of the murdered woman was not satisfied with that alone. Until the father died some ten years after his daughter's murder, he used his political acumen to pull the rug out from underneath every negotiation involving the Miya Family that he could act on. The Eclipse's rash action cost our Family dearly; it took the better part of 30 years for us to recover the losses we suffered."[/b]
Agasha Shodai felt almost sick to his stomach; not sure how much of what the man had just said was fact and how much was revisionist history.
The librarian pointed a gnarled finger at his assistant as he stood up. "Since you have come all this way and I do not wish to anger those whom owe you favors, I will permit you to view this scroll. But make sure you get what you want out of it on this trip because I shall be burning it once you are done."[/b] He turned his glare to Toshiro. "Take them and that... that THING to a private cubby. I do not want to see it again except to throw it in a fire!"[/b] He ordered, before storming away as best he could with his bent spine.
Miya Toshiro gave the Phoenix and the Crane a wan smile, his face red from where his superior struck him. "I do apologize for Master Roshi's behavior, Agasha-sama, Kakita-sama. Please, if you'll follow me..."[/b] He said, gesturing to the depths of the Archives.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Oct 12, 2011 16:42:46 GMT -5
Mitsouko was shocked with the outburst of the old man, and without further words literally dragged the Void Master by the tip of one of his sleeves to the designed cubby. She didn’t want to embarrass Nokiko making any comment or directing words to that man, either to apology or to show her shock by his and rude words and poor behavior.
But Sho was her main concern right now.
Afterall, since the last night she knew this moment would happen. She was afraid from the beginning about the reaction Sho would have. In fact, her heart was pounding as well, but maybe she felt a bit distanced of this feeling, due the lack of memory. Thankfully she wasn’t able to experience the same feelings and visions Sho was; so she could be practical. But… the man had said almost everything they needed to know, and inside her heart, she knew they already had the response. So, when they were left alone, she looked at him, talking very seriously:
We do not need to read this, Sho. You do not need to suffer twice.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 13, 2011 17:07:31 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai smiled sadly at Kakita Mitsouko; he wanted to pull her into a hug for her words of compassion, but fought off the impulse. "I am a seeker of the truth, dear Mitsouko. If I turn away from the truth within that scroll..."[/b] He nodded to the object that they had crossed the full breadth of the Empire to find as he spoke softly to her to keep Miya Toshiro in front of them and Miya Nokiko behind them from overhearing. "...simply to spare myself pain out of fear of it, I would be denying my nature as a samurai and an adept of the Brotherhood of Shinsei."[/b]
The Void Master looked back in the direction of Miya Roshi for a moment: the man's age had clearly affected his ability to temper his natural impulses for lechery and anger in the honorable fashion. He then returned his gaze to look into Mitsouko's eyes; a fiery determination is his bi-color eyes. "I refuse to completely believe in Roshi's retelling of events because it relies heavily on hear-say; only Shokujin knew all the facts... If I blindly accept Roshi's words as the truth, then it means that a part of my soul is somehow able to lie to me. It would mean I was a cold-blooded murderer in a past life and all it cost me - kharma-wise - is a downgrade from an Imperial family, but came with a massive step up in terms of personal power and status; a fact that flies in the face of everything ever I have learned about the Celestial Order..."[/b] He shook his head at the thought.
Miya Toshiro set Shokujin's scroll on a sturdy desk in an isolated nook. "Well, uh... Here we are..."[/b] The librarian's aide said, stumbling on what to say after his Master's deplorable behavior. "I'll... I'll just be..."[/b] He sputtered for words before giving up with a regretful shrug. "Uh... Nokiko-san?"[/b] The Miya samurai-ko nodded to him before both of the Miya bowed to Mitsouko and Shodai. The two then walked to a bench far enough away that they would be unable to hear any conversation between the two Kuge samurai, but would be able to watch and act as ji-samurai to protect Mitsouko's virtue from any semblance of impropriety.
The Void Master looked at the scroll, silent for a few moments longer before turning back to the Kakita Daimyo. "There's also another reason I, no, WE need to read this so that we can try to right as many of the wrongs that happened to our prior incarnations as possible... Shokujin clearly believed that he avenged Saimei's death before performing seppuku, but it's obvious that Kakita Rensei was never able to get the proof needed to restore Shokujin's name."[/b]
"But there's also a third reason we should do this, too; the most important one as far as I'm concerned..."[/b] Looking deeply into the kenshinzen's liquid green-gold eyes, the shugenja smiled warmly at her. "If we can see justice done, it should - hopefully - be enough to resolve Shokujin's and Saimei's unfinished business and let their shades rest... Maybe I'm being selfish, but when it’s all said and done, I'd like to know that our future together will be about who we are now rather than who we were last time we lived, Mitsouko-san."[/b]
Agasha Shodai glanced at the scroll again. He began to reach for it, but stopped. "I know you have your fears about magic, Mitsouko, but do you want to be able to see and hear the vision I'm undoubtedly going to get when I begin reading the message Shokujin hoped his future self would somehow discover. I can make sure to alter the spell to filter the emotional sensations of whatever memories this scroll will awaken; there's no reason we should both suffer whatever it is that I'm going to feel..."[/b] He offered, a solemn look on his face.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Oct 14, 2011 15:32:30 GMT -5
Her mind ran fast with all wrong possibilities, she felt her body to get warmer, the blood running fast in the verge of panic. But, while her thoughts went back and forth about a new exposition to magic, she rationalized that she had trust many times before in Sho, in her capability to make her safe from the magic realms effects and the wrath of the kami. If, Sho, she took a deep breath after breaking the minutes of silence between them, we do it… and I truly do not suffer as I suffered when I was a child… I think you will help me to win over my great true enemy. Her voice was a bit rough, right now. This fear. I don't know if I'll be of some use, but I am ready to do it with you. She tried to smile to show Sho her resolve, but her face was somewhat paralyzed. She trusted him totally, but she did not trust herself. But Mitsouko was ready to try, despite of the risks.
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 16, 2011 12:19:01 GMT -5
Giving a nod of respect at Mitsouko's bravery and wishing he could give her a kiss to help fortify her resolve - and would have if not for the two Miya samurai keeping an eye on them - Agasha Shodai smiled gratefully at the samurai-ko beside him.
With a few whispered words, the Void Master formed a link between himself and the Kakita Family Daimyo. To him it felt as if his essence took the form of a comfortingly warm, thick blanket on a cold winter's day, which he then gingerly draped around Mitsouko's soul... It was almost like a hug that surpassed anything the body alone could provide.
As the bond took hold, the shugenja could feel her fears as if they were his own, so he opened the bond a little wider, allowing his love and confidence to tickle at her senses; letting her know she wasn't alone and that, should she wish, she could push her fears into the bond and use his strengths for herself to fight the nightmares of her youth.
"Just so you know what to expect, Mitsouko, when one of the visions comes, it will surround you as if it's happening to you for real. It won't be like before where you have to close your eyes to see the visions."[/b] Shodai said when he was certain that only the positive sensations that he was feeling were flowing through their bi-directional bond. "But I've taken the precaution to weaken the bond's ability to transfer emotions and pain. You shouldn't feel anything negative, but if you do, it'll feel more like the pins and needles feeling you get when a limb falls asleep; no worse."[/b]
What he was doing now was likely akin to what Isawa Tisuke, Mitsouko's mother, had tried to do in order to seal Seppun Saimei's soul fragments, but where Tisuke had relied on Water magic, Shodai was connecting to Mitsouko through the Void - the element best suited for any soul-affecting techniques. The Void Master rarely used such magic because of the transcendentally intimate sensation that most people felt when the magic was used in a positive fashion or the soul-rending agony when used offensively, but in this case it was the only sure way to let Mitsouko see the vision.
Taking a deep breath with Kakita Mitsouko - a side effect of the bond caused their heart and breathing rhythms became synchronized - Agasha Shodai broke the two-hundred-year-old wax seal on Shokujin's scroll and began to unroll it. The text was written in a slightly antiquated style, but Shodai had spent years reading texts far older and even more outdated that the on in his hands.
"'To the reader of this scroll...'"[/b] The Void Master read aloud for Mitsouko's sake. "'...let it be known that these are the final words of Shokujin, formerly of the Miya family. It is my fervant hope that the one who is reading this is my future incarnation, that the Kami and the Fortunes have recognized my innocence, though the laws of Man have not, and guided you to this scroll and that They, in their infinite wisdom and compassion, will grant in your life the future that was denied to my beloved, Seppun Saimei, and myself in ours. A future ripped away from one who betrayed our bonds of friendship out of selfish desires...'"[/b]
And with that, the vision/memory began as deep within Agasha Shodai's soul, the key was turned in the ultimate lock and opened all of Miya Shokujin's memories...
OOC: More coming
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Oct 16, 2011 19:13:58 GMT -5
~*~
~Small Manor near Kyuden Otomo, 20th day of the Serpent, 960~
Miya Shokujin rose from the body of his horse, leaving it where it lay in the torrential downpour that had begun shortly after he'd raced from the Crysanthemum Bride Manor, leaving the body of his beloved Seppun Saimei to be properly cremated by her family. Shokujin had driven his proud Miya steed so hard over the last two days as he sought the one who'd betrayed both himself and Saimei that he'd neglected his training for how to properly treat his horse for a difficult journey.
It was a crime that would get him severely reprimanded by the master of the Imperial Heralds, Shokujin's own uncle, the Miya Family Daimyo, but at the moment, the courier was concerned more about vengeance than his dim future. Every breath he'd taken since he'd seen his sun-and-stars on that bier had been filled with pain from the loss of Saimei and grim determination to kill the one who'd destroyed their hopes and dreams.
"Forgive me, old friend..."[/b] Miya Shokujin whispered to his dead companion as he took Koimizu Hinata, the katana he'd had commissioned specifically for his beloved bushi, from where he'd tied it on the saddle and slipped it into the obi of his drenched outfit. "But I thank you for your sacrifice..."[/b]
An hour and a long, wet march later, Miya Shokujin reached the small estate where his contacts at Kyuden Otomo had told him he would find his prey. Two Seppun Guardsmen carrying polearms stood at the gate, which they crossed at his approach. "Identify yourself!"[/b] One of them yelled over the downpour.
Miya Shokujin pulled his Herald's badge, the sign of his personal authority and considered to be universal-access travel papers, out from his wet Uwagi jacket. It glinted brillantly in the light from the torches that flanked the manor's gate. "Imperial Herald Miya Shokujin with an urgent message for the lady of the house!"[/b]
The head guardsman nodded as they uncrossed the polearms. "The lady is expecting you, Miya-san! We just didn't expect anyone in this storm; especially not on foot!"[/b]
"The message is really important."[/b] Shokujin called back as the men began to open the door. "My horse broke its leg, so I needed to finish the journey afoot. But I know my way; I've been here before."[/b] He said as he walked into the manor's courtyard, heading for the main house.
As he entered, he was met by Azusa, one of the manor's servants. "Shokujin-sama! You must be freezing in those wet clothes."[/b]
Miya Shokujin waived his hand aside. "I'm fine, but I have an urgent message for your lady; her eyes only. Can I see her?"[/b]
Azusa nodded, though there was a look of disapproval in her eyes. "She's waiting for you... In her bedroom and gave us orders to let you in when you arrived."[/b]
'Of course she did...' The man thought to himself sourly as yet another piece fell into place. She'd constantly flirted with him with her wildly suggestive behavior; behavior that continued - no, had escalated - even after his betrothal to Saimei had been announced. "Well, as much as it's going to disappoint her, I'm here for business; not pleasure. Take me to her."[/b]
The servant bowed and led him into the heart of his enemy's lair. As they reached a wood and rice paper door, Azusa knelt on the floor. "Mistress, Courier Shokujin-sama has arrived."[/b]
"Excellent. Let him in and then make yourself scarce."[/b] The voice of Saimei's betrayer came through the door.
Miya Shokujin entered the room.
Across the way in a sheer silk jinbei dyed a soft pink that covered her skin but left very little to the imagination, Otomo Kaoruko, the shugenja whom his beloved Saimei had protected for years as her yojimbo, sat in the seiza position. She rose to her feet and walked over to him, her steps faltering as she noticed he was dripping wet. "Shokujin-san; you're soaked to the bone! Let's get you out of these things..."[/b] She said with a fliratous glint to her eyes as she reached for his obi.
Shokujin caught her wrist, his bi-color gaze boring into her filled with such absolute disinterest that it made Kaoruko freeze. "Could you, for once, behave yourself? I have a message to deliver to you; a message from my Saimei-sa at Shiro no Yojin."[/b] He said, referring to Saimei with the honorific that lovers and married people typically used for each other, as he reached into his message pouch on his right hip to hold out a piece of paper.
Otomo Kaoruko had flinched when he'd mentioned the embattled Castle of Vigilance and her hands shook as she took the letter: the letter that had proclaimed the death of the man standing before her, stained red in spots with blood; Saimei's blood. "What..? Where did..? HOW..?"[/b] The shugenja sputtered, her eyes near tears; a look of someone who'd risked everything on a wild gamble...
And had lost.
"It's a brillant forgery, Kaoruko, I'll give you that..."[/b] He growled at her, his eyes devoid of any warmth or compassion as she proved what he had instinctively known the moment he'd seen the letter in Saimei's death grip. "Except that the Imperial Herald uses a DIFFERENT seal; his personal chop as the Miya Family Daimyo when he sends out a notification declaring the death of a courier."[/b]
Otomo Kaoruko remained silent as she witnessed her hopes and dreams begin to crumble.
"So what was your plan? Get Saimei-sa to make a dishonorable mistake and flee the battle so that my Uncle would retract the omiai with the Seppun family?"[/b] His eyes narrowed to slits. "Or did you hope to get my sun-and-stars killed so that you could have me all to yourself?!"[/b]
Tears now flowed copiously from Kaoruko's face.
In a flare of rage at her play for compassion, playing the innocent victim act as she had so many times to manipulate Saimei, himself, or anyone else she could work her wiles on, Miya Shokujin backhanded the woman who'd used the Lion Clan to murder his betrothed. "Answer me, you whore! Or I swear I will summon the magistrates and see you stripped of every ounce of rank and status you have before I let Saimei kill you for your betrayal! I demand you tell me how you could do this to me and Saimei! We were your friends!"[/b]
"FRIENDS?! Saimei, Saimei, Saimei! Do you have any clue how much I've come to despise hearing that name coming from your lips?!"[/b] Kaoruko demanded, her anger at being twarted bursting forth from the stinging blow to her face. "Through my family, *I* carry the blood of no less than 3 siblings of Emperors past that put aside the Hantei name for the good of the Empire! *I* bend the kami to my will and my will alone! Before you, Saimei's sole purpose in life was to act as a shield to protect *ME*!"[/b] The spurned shugenja raged at him.
"To live and die at *MY* command! Compared to *ME*, Saimei is *NOTHING* - a first generation Imperial and mere bushi at that - but you put her on a pedestal and treat her as if she is *EVERYTHING*! And I *REFUSE* to play second kokyu to her in the eyes of *ANYONE*!"[/b] She growled a quick prayer and the letter burst into flames, which she then crushed in her hands.
"No!"[/b] Miya Shokujin protested in futility, even as he felt a blush of grim satisfaction in the pit of his stomach. He'd known he could have never proven the letter had been sent by Kaoruko... It could only be used as he'd used it - to goad her into confessing; not to the magistrates he'd claimed he'd bring in - she could rely on her father's influence to minimize any penalties she faced - but to confess it to him and to the all-seeing Kami and Fortunes.
She gave him a feral smile, like the cat who swallowed the canary. "Now, Shokujin, it is only the words of you and Saimei against *MINE*! You gambled that I'd cave and admit my guilt to anyone who asked, but you never should have put your only evidence into my hands. And look how foolish you were, boya... You confonted me alone, in my very bedroom; for your defiance - and the fact that you have really pissed me off - *I* should summon the magistrates and accuse you of raping me... But that be such a waste of a such a fine figure of a man like yourself. So I offer you another choice..."[/b]
Kaoruko gave him a lacivious grin. "I will spare you such a fate and even let you have your beloved Saimei-chan as your wife, but you will also take me as your lover and come to me on the night of the new moon each month."[/b] She stepped into him, rubbing her hands over his muscular chest through his wet clothes. "A very fair deal, wouldn't you agree?"[/b]
"To be sure..."[/b] Miya Shokujin said as his left hand silently eased Koimizu Hinata's habaki, the metal ferrule that kept the blade from falling from its saya, free. It was time to end this farce, the only way it could... "But I still have yet to deliver Saimei's message to you; and as a Herald, I must deliver it before I can make any deals... Please stop trying to seduce me out of performing my duty."[/b]
"You're lucky that I like you so much, boya... I have crushed more important men than you who have denied me..."[/b] Otomo Kaoruko rolled her eyes to the ceiling, but took a step back. "There. Happy? Now give me the bloody message and then let's get to the fun part..."[/b]
Miya Shokujin's eyes turned even harder than before, his black left eye as pityless and cold as the black pit in the middle of Jigoku and his jade right eye blazed with something akin to the divine wrath of an outraged Kami. "My beloved Saimei-sa, who was killed in battle two days ago as a result of your cruel deception, wants you to know she awaits you in Toshigoku... And in her name, I send you to her, traitor!!"[/b]
As the Miya courier's words registered, the Otomo shugenja was torn between fight or flight. The world seemed to slow as Miya Shokujin's right foot slid forward and with every ounce of his skill in iaijutsu, his right hand gripped Koimizu Hinata's tsuka, feeling the grooves within it spaced where Saimei's fingers would have rested in the customized grip, and - for a brief instant - imagined that her spirit was in the room with him, guiding his hand to avenge her death.
With a burst of speed, Miya Shokujin lashed out at Otomo Kaoruko as the shugenja cried out for the guards she'd ordered away, expecting to be able to seduce the man now committed to execute her and wanting no one to hear it.
There was a meaty thump as Kaoruko's right arm - which interposed itself between the blade and the neck Shokujin was striking for - was severed mid-forearm, turning the traitor's cries for help into a shriek of agony.
The shrieks cut off as Koimizu Hinata's five body blade - forged by the descendant of the swordsmith who'd forged Tsukinai, the blade Shokujin had comissioned the blade in his hands to replace - struck Otomo Kaoruko's jaw and severed her head in an upwards diagonal slash.
As Otoko Kaoruko's scantily clad body collapsed to onto the futon, her blood staining the white bedding, Miya Shokujin spat on the corpse. "Promise made. Promise kept."[/b] He intoned, referring to the oaths he'd made during the last two days, before wiping the blood off the blade on the wet sleeve of his Uwagi jacket and returning Koimizu Hinata to its saya with a soft click that thundered in the now quiet room.
Shokujin turned and stepped out of the room. He stood outside it, waiting to see how long it took for someone to respond.
Azusa appeared first, her eyes widening as she saw the blood on his jacket. "MISTRESS!!"[/b] Azusa cried as she raced past him into the room. Shokujin could hear as she spotted the mangled corpse, she shrieked in horror and ran from the room. "GUARDS! Miya Shokujin has murdered Mistress Kaoruko!!!"[/b]
As the two Seppun guards who'd let him into the estate clattered down the hall in their medium armor they found Miya Shokujin standing stiffly where Azusa had left him, but Komizu Hinata - saya and all - was in his hands, extended to them in a silent invitation for them to take it. "I have executed Otomo Kaoruko for a vicious betrayal involving a forged document that resulted in the death of Seppun Saimei. I ask that you conduct me to Otosan Uchi so that I may surrender to the Imperial magistrates."[/b]
The lead guard took Saimei's katana and handed it to his assistant before he entered Kaoruko's bedroom to look at the scene of the crime. His face was pale as he exited. He looked at Shokujin in utter disbelief. "You'll die for this, Miya Shokujin. I swear to you that I will see you dead for this..."[/b]
A sad, emotionless smile pulled at the corner of Shokujin's mouth. "I sincerely hope so, Seppun-san... My heart died with my beloved two days ago; my need to avenge her merely hasn't permitted my body to die yet..."[/b]
~*~
As vision ended, Agasha Shodai became aware of the Kyuden Miya archives first, then the bitter tears dripping from his eyes. In that moment, he knew he would never re-live the pain of Miya Shokujin's seppuku... The man had willingly accepted his death, choosing to live only long enough to kill Otomo Kaoruko for her betrayal. There would be nothing of importance to learn by going through it a second time.
Otomo Kaoruko, Seppun Saimei's betrayer in her last life, now Isawa Tisuke, Kakita Mitsouko's mother in this life...
Agasha Shodai felt a rage-filled bile build up in the back of his throat. "Excuse me for a minute, Mitsouko-sa..."[/b] He whispered hoarsely, unconsciously using the same honorific that Shokujin had saved for Saimei. Shokujin's pain, rage, and feelings of betrayal were amplified by Shodai's own feelings towards Isawa Tisuke at that moment. It was good for Mitsouko's mother that she was on the far side of the Empire at the moment; had she been there...
For the first time in a long time, Agasha Shodai was so angry that he wasn't sure what he would have done...
The Void Master turned, opening a portal into the pocket dimension of the Void - the world of white-on-white - where he stored items that were important enough to be needed at all times, but too much to easily carry on a horse. Normally the portals - even when they opened into Ningen-do - were invisible to anyone without the gift of Void magic.
Unknown to Shodai, who thought he was retreating into a place that no one could see, because of the soul bond, Mitsouko was able to see the hole into the space between spaces... She would even be able to follow him, if her courage would allow it.
Stepping into the silent whiteness of the pocket dimension, Agasha Shodai let off an almost animal howl as he began to hurl spell after spell harmlessly into the infinite white wasteland, forcing his emotional torment from his body to keep it from leaking through the bond with Mitsouko.
When his magic was expended, the Phoenix shugenja dropped to his knees, like a marionette with its strings cut, and wept...
|
|