RP: On Outskirts of Toturi's Camp - OPEN

[Kagehiro]

Kagehiro was momentarily stunned by Akodo Mumble-sama's statements.

Shaking his head, as if to clear what he had heard from his ears, Kagehiro took a long sip of sake and replied

"Well, Akodo-sama, I must admit, I see a different picture than the one you paint. Ronin, while being less than even a Minor Clan samurai, are still samurai. If not, they would have had their daisho stripped upon being cast out.""As to ronin being incapable of becoming a Minor Clan, well, I suspect the Hare would disagree. And that's to say nothing of the founding of the Monkey Clan and Toku family. The Emperor may elevate as he sees fit, no?"

"And, to equate a group of ronin dedicated to hunting bandits, with the bandits they hunt? There seems to be a fundamental difference. Or, approximately seven: Bushido."

"Admittedly, these ronin are crude culturally, but I see nothing ignoble in attacking the bandits who prey on the peasants who feed us all."

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Homura accepted refill.
That's good one. I like your taste for sake.

She took a sip enjoying the drink.
As long as those ronins weren’t or will not be bandits themselves. If they were, what’s the difference?
But they are useful. There were noticeably less bandits groups. More ronin’s though, we had much work with them. Some of them were quite good fighters.

She took a sip.
They might have been useful in upcoming times.

She took 2 or 3 long sips.
You don’t need to be so courteous Kagehiro-san. Ronin didn’t only form minor clan’s families. If one ronin group some time ago didn’t receive and seized their opportunity to prove themselves, one Major Clan would be one family short. And all this wouldn’t happen.
She dried her cup and refilled it.

[Kagehiro]

"I've never been a bandit myself, but I feel that the only thing better than eliminating banditry, is convincing former bandits to do so.

It shows those bandits susceptible to moral persuasion that they have an option besides villainy. And, at the least, it results in one less bandit at no cost in troops."

Kagehiro smiled, and took another sip, and continued:

"But, as to whether this band of ronin is worthy of being a Clan, well, I would not think to second guess an Emperor. Even a ronin can see that as blasphemy, eh?"

[Kagehiro]

[OOC: a decision on the Spider emissaries has been reached - death]

Upon receiving the news of the Emperor's decision, Kagehiro smiled slightly, and took another sip of his sake.

"Well, Akodo-samas, the Emperor has ordered the Spider emissary executed. As I am part of this diplomatic effort, albeit in a trivial guard role, I suspect our conversation must end soon."

"I assure you, I will make no hostile actions; that would be to defy the Emperor, and would show poor manners and cowardice."

Bowing deeply, to Akodo Homura

"Thank you, Akodo Homura-san, for allowing me a glimpse of beauty. Hopefully it shall guide me in reincarnation to a better place."

Turning to Akodo Tomatsu, and bowing, but not as deeply,

"Akodo-sama; you are clearly a Lion of no small importance. I hereby surrender to you. Obviously, honor does not allow me to survive the Emperor's displeasure. If I am not mistaken, the decision means I should be executed. If it does not require such shame, surviving the death of the ambassador I should protect, by the order of my Emperor, leaves only seppuku as an option."

"I leave my fate in your hands, Akodo-sama."

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Oh don't get me wrong, the Emperor may elevate who he wishes, I'm just saying that just because you gather a group of ronin together does not entitled a person to automatic clan status.

And I'm sure as well there are ronin out there who are honorable souls, present company included, however I have seen too many who forget their station and become nothing more than common bandits and it is those who I despise and want nothing to do with. However given the current condition of the Empire, we must sort through these men to find those of quality amongst them. He motions to the boy, and whispering for him to bring some food for the group before sending him off.

He sits quietly for a while, listening to the conversation. He is taken a bit aback with the turn in the conversation.

I will be forth coming with you, Samurai-san. I am not just some Lion of importance, I am the clan champion of the Lion, Akodo Tomatsu. You may know me as the Shining Lion. I understand your predicament, and you should know I lobbied for your emissaries execution as well. However you have proven to me more samurai than all other Spider combined. I am willing to spare your life so we can continue our conversation, if that is ok with you?

[Kagehiro]

Kagehiro bowed deeply to the revealed Champion

"I'm afraid we have a problem, Akodo Tomatsu-sama. If I am not an honorable man, I should be condemened with the rest of the Spider. That would leave me able to join another Clan, but certainly not worthy of such."

"If I am an honorable man, how am I to proceed? The emissary I was sent to guard has been ordered executed. The Emperor has deemed the Spider criminals. I have sworn an oath to the Spider."

"Perhaps if things had been different, I could have continued this conversation. I would have enjoyed that very much"

"No, Akodo Tomatsu-sama, it appears my only choices are death or dishonor. I may be ronin, I may be considered a criminal by the Empire. But I am still samurai."

[Kagehiro]

"So, Akodo Tomatsu-sama, I have no real choice to make."

Kagehiro summoned a servant to bring paper and a brush. Writing after a brief pause, he dried the ink, and folded up the paper, setting it aside.

"Akodo Tomatsu-sama, if you would be willing, and I know I ask too much, would you second me?"

Kagehiro removed his armor, set it neatly aside. Taking up his wakizashi, he slipped his kimono around his waist, tucked his sleeves under his feet, and performed the three cuts, with no loss of composure.

[OOC: Second or not; do as you like. Below are the contents of the paper.]

-------------------------------

The Spider, having been rebuffed by the Emperor, and our emissary ordered to commit seppuku, leaves me with no honorable life remaining.

As the leaf floats by,
Does it wonder at it's course?
The river flows on.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

I understand your choice. As much as I wish you to reconsider, I admire you conviction to your honor that forces you to commit to this path. It would be my honor to be your second if you wish to continue.

Tomatsu stands, and draws his blade from his saya. Unlike his wakazashi, his katana handle and saya are blue and gold, the blade is perfectly crafted, always catching the sunlight and reflecting it, no matter how he holds it or where one looks at it. The craftsman mark simply reads, "Made by Hojo of Blessed Fishing Village".

When ever you are ready, it will be my honor. He motioned for the boy and instructed him to bring some water and silk for ceremony. Your convictions, Samurai-san, are worthy of that of a Lion.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

The boy came nearer to the Champion and listened to the instructions. Both the Lion and ronin minds were occupied by the upcoming ritual so neither of them noticed quick glance the boy sent to samurai-ko nor her slight nod. Boy disappeared for a minute or two and come back carrying bucket of water and white silk cloth.

Homura was sitting like earlier looking at the garden and drinking. Both man nearly forgot about her presence. When everything was ready and she started talking. I admire your Honor and Courage Kagehiro-san. The only virtue I can’t find in you is Loyalty. For your own good you are forfeiting your life which is your lord’s property.

She took last sip from her cup and stood up. It was a pleasure to share a drink, talk and this view with you, Kagehiro-san. It’s a pity we had this little time. I hope we will meet again. She bowed lightly.

[Mirumoto Shigekazu]

OCC: One simple question: do youe have a permission to commit seppuku?

[kentaro]

OOC: As to permission, would you know if he had it? Would a ronin need it? Remember, the Spider have been told they are NOT a minor clan, none of their daimyo are recognized as such.

Further, if his orders had been to safeguard the emissary, he certainly would have been in an honorable situation to commit seppuku. Perhaps disloyal to his master if they had not approved, but honor, duty, and sincerity(said he would protect with his life, therefore his life wasd forfeit) would have demanded it.

Personally, seemed honorable to me.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

OOC: well, he swear loyalty, so his life belongs to the man he has sworn to. but as always, everybody understands bushido in a (at least) bit different way.
and personally, I don't like it when players must kill their characters. so as a player I will do what I can to prevent it. as long as it suits my characters and with some dose of good will they can cope with many things here what Homura said suits her well

[Akodo Tsanuri]

The ritual was over. Ronin’s body was lying on the floor. Blood puddle with every minute grew bigger and bigger near the place where a few minutes ago the three of them were drinking sake. His head had rolled 4-5 feet away from the rest of his body. It was lying on the grass looking at the garden he was enjoying just before the information arrived.
Boy came to the Champion and hand him the silk cloth. Homura took out paper sheets and moved to the lying head. She picked it up holding for the neck and put it n the basked that the boy carried especially for that purpose.

When Champion wiped his katana clean and sheathed it, Homura bowed deeply.
My Lord, with your permission I will supervise the burial of this man body. Here, where he died. And I will hand his head and last words to his men so they can present it to his lord.

[Akodo Tomatsu]

Do what you can. Give this man all rights reserved for one of our clan. While he may not have been a member of the Lion, his spirit and determination was something we should all look up to.

With that he turned and walked off into the night, to matters of state and warfare, but the actions of that ronin weighted heavily on him, as he compared himself to the simple dedication of the man he but so briefly knew.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Homura nodded after hearing Champion's instructions. She told the boy to bring some eta and more water. When eta came she has already cleaned the head and pulled Kagehiro's body out of blood puddle it was in. Samurai-ko walked through the garden and when she found a shadowed place under the pine trees she ordered eta to start digging the grave. 2 others were washing the body preparing it to be burried.
When all eta were working she walked back into the camp, found one shugenja and asked him to perform all the necesary ceremonies and prayers needed for a soul to leave this world and found itself a better place in next life.

It was late when Homura walked into the ronins' camp with a basket in her hand. All tents were being quickly dismantled, some people already left the plains. She walked to the man commanding the remained samurai.
This is head of Kagehiro-san who swore to protect your diplomat and here are his last words. She handed the ronin both basket and sheet of paper. When he heard about Hantei-dono decision he committed seppuku as he couldn't save the life he swore to protect. He died with honor, without a word of complain nor grimace of pain. I have seen it with my own eyes. Take his head to his lord and tell him about Kagehiro-san actions. He deserved that.
Ronin reluctantly took the basket, opened it and looked inside. Then he took his eyes of the head he nodded and gave the basket to one of his man telling him to fix it with the rest.
I will do what you requested, Lion.
She nodded and took her way back.


Kagehiro’s body was buried next day, in the early morning. Just a few people came. Only large stone and freshly dug earth revealed where ronin was buried. Homura waited for shugenja to finish his prayers and when all present went back to their duties she came to the grave. She took out the sake bottle the same one she offered yesterday but ronin didn’t have possibility to try. She drank some and poured rest of it on the stone.
I hope we will meet again in the next life.
She turned around and left the garden.


[occ: sorry for grammar and spelling mistakes. hope they won't be bothersome]