Price of Loyalty [RP]

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

[This is a closed RP that takes place during the battles of Toshi Ranbo. Please PM Haruka or Hiromitsu if you would like to join in.

We are inviting everyone join us by voting on our poll about who should win in this epic battle.]

Step after step, Bayushi Hiromitsu felt the weight of his efforts, in what he stood for, and what he was doing. In his point of view, he was defending his clan, if it was the case that the Hantei side should win the war. Now, they could not say that 'no scorpion defended toshi ranbo'.

One did. "I carry my ancestors beside me"[/b]

The 'worst' student of wet rock dojo, the smallest dojo in the scorpion lands. It was not the glory that he searched for when he was alone outside the walls of the capitol..

"I was well trained, I am brave, I will fight with pride and honor, and It will be my best time"

Well, he was part of no group, and the lone scorpion could not ambush the enemy by himself. So, he just mixed with a group of light infantry and got himself in the most dangerous place in his lifetime.

"I am going to die... And it's going to hurt like hell."

He was on the front line. On the ground there were plenty of bodies on both sides. As he ran, trying to avoid stepping in one of the bodies of the fallen, arrows rained down, and nearly struck him right then and there. But luckily it hit a different mark, killing the bushi right behind him. The arrow sunk into his neck as he tried to scream. His eyes shot wide open and his soul went astray.

Hiromitsu's soul itself froze as he saw the young one behind him dying. He would never marry, never would know a woman, never would hold his son in his arms and feel the warmth of his kiss.

It was then that everything changed.

One of the enemies was a great bushi. A large man with full heavy armor and with a mean look in his eyes. He was crushing down and below, opening a crack in the battlefield. He had a No-Dachi painted with red of the blood of anyone who stood in his path. Behind him, a never ending number of lions followed.

"A deathseeker... No way I can fight a deathseeker, I am more of a lifeseeker. We don't get along"

It was too much, he couldn't win against a warrior of that caliber. Hiromitsu looked behind him as his courage started to fail him, but was then he saw that was no turning back. Even if he tried to return, it was clear that the defenders of the capitol would mistake him for a invader.

The great bushi wiped the ground clean with another strong blow, the pieces of the bodies, cut in half got airborne, revealing the scorpion, scared as hell behind his kabuki mask.

But, suddenly, one false step made the great fighter slip in one of the pools of blood he himself made. He lowered his guard for just a moment. Hiromitsu, katana in hand stepped forward.

None could see that, behind his mask, his eyes were closed the whole time.

The giant fell right into his katana tip, and with a swift flick of the wrist, he was too dead.

All looked amazed, once more, to the "brave Hiromitsu" who "obviously feared not even death itself". The defenders, moved by his brief victory moved forward carrying him even deeper into the heart of the war.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The field near Toshi Ranbo had become such a turbulent place again. But instead of the hustle and bustle of peaceful life, now battle and conflict raged and consumed.

The Lion clan had advanced with their desire to try and cut the beast off at the head and take the capital to end the war as quickly as possible. Some were pleased with such decisive haste, and others gave their quieter disapproval.

All the while the politics of one clan had both brothers who called themselves Emperor in some contest again. The Scorpion still had no decisive answer to who's side they took. Months went by as the Scorpion discussed long and hard about the matter. The clan appeared to simply speak quietly and watch as the battle lines were drawn.

But Haruka could not stand for it another moment.

Kaneka's assistance with the Yobanjin likely saved her and many of her friends' lives. A debt she could not ignore or forsake at a time like this. But even as she rode into the heat of battle, there was still always a look on her face as though she looked past the fighting. Searching, hunting... unsatisfied.

---

The Lion were forced to frontal combat and skirmishes with the enemy, something they were used to. But now with Hachi's armies causing chaos in the north, they were forced to fight offensively and defensively.

Hantei's defenders started to cut off various groups of lion. One included an entire regiment of Matsu and their trained legion of followers. The arrows soared through the air, the men moved in around them but still the Matsu gripped their blades and snarled like hell at the oncoming threat.

It wouldn't be too long before the defenders would start breaking into their ranks and dividing the group further. As one was pulled violently out into the open and surrounded, she did her best to slash at the defenders without hesitation. But the numbers were too overwhelming. Soon, with all the battle knowledge and experience on the field, she could not help but leave her back open and exposed. She could practically feel the steel ready to strike her in the shoulder or neck perhaps. In this moment she closed her eyes, not in pain but acceptance of a fate to come.

The moment before death had been heralded as many things, and those that had seen it and lived told of lights, or time standing still. For now it seemed that time did indeed linger. The Matsu opened her eyes to turn and see.

Too long... she thought.

It was then that she would see the surprise on the infantryman's face. His mouth hung open and eyes turned up, only to have a lance violently thrusted into his chest. It was thrown, and the Matsu's eyes followed it back.

And there she finally stood. "I cannot stand inaction." Haruka, wife of the Scorpion champion, astride her stallion Riku, a pure black Utaku steed that stood tensely over the scene.

She gave a nod to the Matsu as the Lion woman began unleashing her lively counter attack. Haruka had given them the opening to push back, and her cavalry rode in to help the group from being cut off.

The samurai would exchange no words, even as Haruka rode by to retrieve her lance from the body of the Hantei defender. She only bowed her head, as the Matsu bowed it back in gratitude for a passing moment. Such was the way of battle.

"Ride on!" She would shout with a mighty call, as her cavalry began breaking into smaller groups and running through the infantry that they could.
Haruka however would help finish and ensure the Lion returned to their ranks, safe from being cut off and surrounded again. She stood on the open field trying to assess other movements, but she looked firm in place and confident in the saddle as Riku turned obediently.

The only thing that seemed to remain constant was Haruka's unwavering tension. She took no pleasure in killing Rokugani, clearly, but she had to do as she must.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

All that his brief moment of glory has done was send him deeper into the war. The sounds of screams and the metal meeting metal was all that could be heard. That was his first war. And he never have saw so much blood and gore.

If was not the fact that his heart was pounding so fast, so scared, he would be sick.

No less than four times he meets a near death experience. Sadly, the defenders can't tell the diference between a battle hero that changes the tides of war over a reckless kid to scared to think.

He was not fighting for honor, or for his Daimyou or Emperor, this time it's for real, he was fighting to survive!

His desperates attempts to flee were somewhat saw by the group as "brave selfless acts"

"To hell with this, I am gonna throw myself in the ground, hug a corpse and play dead!" - he said to himself.

Then, when things could not get any worst, they all heard the battle cries of the cavalry! They looked towards the "hero" as they would ask him what to do. Obviously, the fortunes would not let him get so easily of this mess.

His only chance was to play his part to the fullest! Try, like some kind of a madman, not to die.

And when he raised his katana once more, blocked all the feelings he had until then, used some Void and prepared the most awesome kiai ever heard in the battlefield.

And then, as he looks straight ahead, and sees Haruka leading the cavalry squad.

and instead of a Kiai he says:

"WHAT THE F...?!"

[Bayushi Haruka]

The awkward pause in Hiromitsu's movements caused the rider that tried to attack and charge from the side to catch his blade. His outstretched katana slit the side of the horse and rider, causing the saddle to come loose and the rider to fall.

His dying cries would gain Haruka's attention as she turned, her eyes fell on him like a Hawk. But much to Hiromitsu's misfortune, they did not soften and her mood did not change as she turned to face him.

Riku's muscular body huffed loudly with the effort, but the beast seemed to hold enough power to easily continue. A true horseman would see Haruka holding him back, as the stallion pawed at the ground.

"I see..." Her motion was much more careful and slow. She started to walk towards him as the battlefield between them became unusually calm.
With a swift and powerful grace she stabbed her lance into a dying soldier on the field below her. Then much to Hiromitsu's horror, she drew her powerful Dai-kyu from her saddle and began to place an arrow into place.

Very few had time to stop and watch. Those that did fell to the blade of the focused enemy.. for a moment it seemed as though no one had the time to stop and watch as Haruka stared right into this Bayushi bushi on the battlefield.

Oh what will you do now.

She only seemed to hesitate a moment, allowing Hiromitsu the chance to react.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

"Did I just... did that?"

The bushi was stunned, aside his high tolerance with alcohol, he never done nothing so impressive before. But that moment soon passed as he saw the wife of his Daimyou raising the pointy arrow towards him.

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die. I'm soooo going to die. How can this be happening? Am I mad? Am I really seeing Bayushi Haruka-sama? Why bayushi-sama is even here?"

He have no time to think further, with another burst of speed he took one of the fallen's body and with one of his hands behind his armpits and the another hand, still holding the katana right next to the waist, made himself the most disgusting shield ever. The arrow almost got trough the whole body, with a little nasty explosion of dead blood in the other side...

"Ok, the Bayushi Daimyou already hate my guts, now I am most certainly dead! If I survive here, I would die latter!!

"And now I'm dirty. "

"I MUST DO something, if I don't fight, I will sure die I have only one choice... Die now or die latter."

Maybe this was his first truly brave act, he used all strenght in his body to lift the cadaver and charged. He tossed the body into the air as he striked low aiming the legs of the horse.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Riku however was a bit more prepared than perhaps Hiromitsu had hoped. The valiant steed reared up and kicked the corpse aside.
When the dust had settled between them, Haruka still stared, unmoved by the motion of it all.

But to Hiromitsu's surprise she did not notch another arrow, but instead put the bow away, and plucked her lance from the ground with a wet sound as the spear left the flesh.

However whatever spirit Hiromitsu had was about to be tested as she approached again.

"Bayushi Hiromitsu-san, it seems destiny has brought us to this place, and clearly our clan is so divided that we would find ourselves on opposing sides this day.

I wonder if is the will of men or the will of the kami that makes it so."

Haruka seemed completely unshakable as she turned her horse and strangely decided to dismount it. Turning her back to Hiromitsu for a moment. Her daisho clattering at her side as her slightly bulky armor hindered her movements a bit.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

-Bayushi Haruka-sama! - Hiromitsu bowed showing great respect to the samurai-ko. Removing his kabuki mask of his face and placing it over his forehead, revealing part of his face and eyes.

That was impressive, even with the mask on his face not only she could recognise him but she also managed to remembered his name!! He was way more glorious than he suspected, Bayushi-sensei would be proud!

On second thought, the Daimyou knew Hiromitsu was coming to toshi ranbo and probably told Haruka. He was supposed to keep the secret, not share with every girl he sleeps with.

Hiromitsu made a swift movement with his blade, cleaning the blood off, gladly it wasn't scorpion's blood. The bushi then rested the katana into the saya.

-If Bayushi-sama really want to know those answers, I might know a shugenja who can provide it. Would Bayushi-sama like to pay him a visit with me?


He was ready for a disagreement but deep inside he was hoping her to agree, even if he could not remember any shugenja right now. Seeking for answers would be a better quest than seeking for blood.

[Bayushi Haruka]

A very strange offer, and a very strange move to suddenly realize one's superior on the battlefield.
This civil war had divided the Scorpion harshly, but Haruka did not expect someone like Hiromitsu to be at the other end of her blade.

She now walked to him on her own legs, her motion rather slow and careful as she was always on guard. Her katana was drawn out into the light of day. Haruka always had the intensity of the bushi, a Unicorn's strange pride. Battle was sacred to her, and the condition of defeat or surrender was not one she could accept.

..But Scorpion were not as she was, as she had come to realize. They did not hold honor as high as her old family once did. Loyalty was the highest calling.
In a strange truth, none of the other fighters would dare approach now as she leveled her blade and brought it next to head head. He could see the reflection of his eye in the edge of it as she rested the end gently on his shoulder without harming him.

"Hiromitsu-san... if you know a shugenja, now would be the time to have him take us away from this battle.

...or I will ask you to stand and fight."

Haruka looked down on Hiromitsu. This was not what she wanted, but her way was a hard path to take. This was war, and forgiveness and compassion had to remain aside.
But at least she had not forsaken all courtesy.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

His tired hand rose once more and lowered the red kabuki mask again. "will ask you to stand and fight." she sounded so much like his sensei right now. Like a scorpion surronded by fire that, by legend, attack his own head, Hiromitsu put his best Iaijutsu stance.

-I shouldn't offend Bayushi-sama by giving less than my best. If this how it ends, I am glad that was Bayushi Haruka-san that I have found here.

Again Hiromitsu remembered his firsts classes in the Wet Rock Dojo. The very first thing he learned was the price of loyalty. He had six years back then, and was given a akita dog, a yellow cute puppy he quickly named "Genky". As he come back from the Dojo, Genky was the first to go to him. The puppy was allways happy to have his young owner around.

For three weeks, the two come closer and closer. They played and Hiromitsu was begining to teach Genky a few tricks. The young Hiromitsu, nothing but a child, loved his very own dog.

It was in a early morning, a raining cold one, that his sensei, bringing a Aiguchi, told Hiromitsu to kill the dog. The order was given, did the young student put something in the way of his loyalty? Did he not understand how important the orders are?

Genky's eyes trusted and loved Hiromitsu; there's no doubt of this. And deep inside, the child wish they did not. He ratther be hated, deeply despised to betray the love of that stupid stupid dog... For he did not ran. Why did not he ran? Why?

Hiromitsu's last memory of this day was to... come closer and closer to Genky, Aiguchi in hand, tears in his eyes, yelling to Genky to go away. And the soft smile in the faces of the sempais and sensei. He never saw the dog again, nor he remembered what happend that day, no matter how many times he asked or tried to remember.

Now, years from there, that wound became a scar. No one tells the hardships of the scorpion's Dojo, even though it exists.

At the end, there was nothing to fear, in a way or another the clan had took his dog. That is the life of the Scorpion, the clan is going to take you everything with no pay backs. His own life is only one last tax, as much as hers, sooner or later.

-Are you ready to defend your honor, Bayushi-sama? I AM!

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka's careful and slow draw back of her weapon could have been represented by any manner of predator at this point. Her gaze rested on him, and seemed to focus on nothing else at the moment.

They were both able to take up position in this most honorable combat, Haruka took up a gentle but firm position as she actually mentally distanced herself from her body.
So much has been decided on the edge of a blade in her life. Very few times had it been this controlled, or this strangely perfect.

In the moments before movement, her mind flashed back to the previous war and the hundreds of captains she had to face off in such a similar way.

---

'Honorable' dueling, as one lucky fool was able to storm out alone, only to find Haruka there ready and waiting, likely plucking the last lucky yobanjin from the end of her katana.

Another flash in her mind, and the memory of when she received the blade was on her heart, as her mother passed down the blade to her. Her judgmental eyes on her and her sister as they kneeled across from their parents after their genpukku. One of the few Rokugani weapons that they were able to retain even after all the years in the Burning Sands, and certainly the same blade that was held when the Unicorn were welcomed back into the empire.

"Our mothers passed this blade along through these years, Utaku Haruka-san.. Never forsake your courage, never dishonor our family.. but most importantly.

Never forget your compassion!"

The thought of her mother's voice caused her to tense in place as she tried to refocus.
But then it came back to one night at Kyuden Bayushi. A young Bayushi who did not know any better, keeping a tired and irritated wife company while she stared bitterly at court. Sharing a drink, having a few quiet words to pull her away from the war of words as the Scorpion decided their banner. That sweet unburdened young soul who was the only Scorpion to hear her thoughts and worries of the conflict ahead. The first to eagerly drink in what she had to say... Bayushi Hiromitsu..

---

The fighting continued to rage around them, even as a stray arrow planted in the ground next to Haruka's foot.

Even Riku, her horse gave a startled jump, but this was just the sign Haruka needed. Hiromitsu standing with his blade at the ready, she lunged for his sword arm..

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

Hiromitsu saw the Bayushi maiden flying into his direction and the only think he could think of was the probable incoming pain.
The iaijutsu stance was left behind and before he could even notice he already had both hands on the tsuka.

Kenjutsu, back to his first class. Now his ancestor weapon was the only thing between him and certain death, or at least, certain serious injuries and then death.

The background and the extensive training of the Samurai-ko had molded her into a true fighter, her was most of all, way more capable than the class-skipping Hiromitsu. The only thing he had so far as some type of advantage was the encumbrance of her armor.

The sound of both katanas meeting each other was the louder he ever heard. The speed and strengh of Haruka's attack damaged the average katana of Hiromitsu. The steel cried out a bunch of redish sparks while the blades slid against each other.

Hiromitsu was able to divert the attack, but not at all to scape from it. Finally the coup hit the hand guard of the bushi's blade giving him no option but letting the katana go.

With empytied hands he gave a step back.

"I'm going for a severe beating! Suri-ashi, Suri-ashi, stay with the basics." - He thought.

"Suri-ashi" is the way they perform all the kenjustu footwork. It is a sliding movement. In kenjustu, they, most of the time, slide/glide. And was in this basic manouver that Hiromitsu was focusing his attention. This way he could manage to keep some distance of her for some precious moments.

First, he had to acquire the sliding movement.

In the basic stance, "chudan", his right foot is the front foot and the left foot is the back foot and the left heel is slightly lifted up.

However, when they move, it is much easier to lift the both heels up slightly.

How slightly do he have to lift his heels up?

Slightly enough to put a piece of paper between his heels and the floor or ground. Yes, the muddy, uneven and corpse filled ground.

His heart pumped fast as never before, when he tripped in the body of a fallen bushi. His momentum won't let him balance, so he rolled on his back to even further get away from her, but even the darkest moments of our lives can too, be blessings. As Hiromotsu fell over the body and rolled, he also managed to grab the katana from the obi of the body, and ended, surprisingly with another, undamaged, clean and better Katana.

-Wow, that was totally on purpose!! Now it's time for Pincers and Tail, let's see if I remember that! - Hiromitsu prepared the infamous scorpion's feint and charged.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka's eyes narrowed as Hiromitsu advanced. She watched every movement he made, every step as he came to attack as her blade tensed to try and counter.

He was bold, confident almost in a sort of clumsy rage it seemed. And yet he focused his energy into striking her in return. But Haruka was watching for the wrong signs. Her eyes slightly widened as the feint came in swift and wild, just like every other move he made. It was impossible for her to guess exactly where his blows would land.

Only through sheer tenacity and a little luck, the former shiotome was able to bring her steel against the new blade. The strike was close though, close enough to rend a hole in the clothing under the armor that covered her arm. Just barely missing flesh.

In her mind she cursed her own failure.
Has training with my Senshi taught me nothing... why did I let him get so close!

With a brutish force, she pushed back forcing him back a few steps. She would say nothing as she was entranced in the fighting. But Hiromitsu could see her eyes were somewhat different, and certainly very distant. He had met the woman before in the calm precise delicate realm of court, but this nature and this behavior from her was anything but.
Maybe she was trying to push all emotion to the side in order to give him the contest he deserved.

His endless resourcefullness...
It wasn't entirely honorable to take a blade from the fallen, but then again in a battle of life and death it would hardly matter who's steel you held, so long as it meant you were the victor...

Quietly Haruka was calling up a very suppressed fury from the courts. Months of bickering, discussion, upheaval, all wrapped into one heart. Her Unicorn nature cried out for Toturi's cause, as he was the man who rode to her people's aid. He spilled blood on the same battlefield where she had lost so much, and so many.

Only one thought rang out against her focused, troubled form...
Are you taking it out on this man?[/b]

She gripped the hilt of her katana and lunged in turn. Her intent was not to strike once, but twice.
The sounds of battle still raged around them as her feet gripped into the ground like a predator, as she charged Hiromitsu a worthy strike, aiming for the sides.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

(thank you all for the votes and now sit back, relax and get ready for the surprising ending this duel!)

Her first strike was nearly fatal. It shattered the kabuki mask and broke Hiromitsu's nose in the impact. The pain and the blood into his nose made vision impossible. And with the red pieces flying into the heavy air of the battlefield, the second blow struck.

The blade went through the layers of fabric of the clothes and entered inside his chest cutting everything in its path. One of his lungs were severely wounded and of course, some of his ribs were totally ruined by her sword. He felt the warm blood collapsing one of his lungs, and every breath felt like he was drowning. He stepped away from her, his strenght leaving, a sudden calm came and took all his emotions by assault. His end was near.

-Ok... Let's... Let's call it a draw...

He felt the cold grasp of death coming near, and fighted over every breath. Without the sword, the open wound led the blood run free. His hands gripped the katana's tsuka with even more strenght that before.

His eyes suddenly showed a disbelieve, maybe some kind of regret and he tried to say as quickly as possible.

[Bayushi Haruka]

There was something like a look of disbelief that came on Haruka's face. She stood, looking still right into Hiromitsu with a cold authority that she now possessed.

"A draw...", she restrained a laugh, knowing the sheer futility of his swagger. He was certainly not one to run or hide though, and in her mind she silently admired it.

She could see this Bayushi, another fine man of the Scorpion empire standing his ground. And it actually grew the pride in her heart for her new clan. One she had once feared so deeply, and now was such an important part of.

Alas this still moment could not last forever..
With her full strength in tact she raised her blade to strike him again and give this honorable soul his peace. Hiromitsu could watch as a single drop of his own blood now fell from her blade onto the battlefield. Joining the already stained grasses of Toshi Ranbo's field.

Her muscles shifted, and in that moment she would do as she must.
But then... THWOK

Haruka's eyes went wider as her mask suddenly was stained with her own blood as she coughed. Her grip on her katana was still steady but instead of lunging forward in an attack, Hiromitsu watched as Haruka practically slumped forward.
She was forced to catch herself as she took a knee and gripped around her stomach. Her katana stabbed into the ground to steady her.

And from where he stood, Hiromitsu could now see a massive arrow protruding from Haruka's back.
I've been.. shot!?
Her eyes would dart around to the sides in a flurry. But many arrows were being shot, from so many directions that it was impossible to tell. Her eyes shut tightly in pain as she tried to keep herself calm.

Haruka continued to cough uneasily as she struggled. Her armor had stopped the arrow from going any further, but she was clearly in trouble. And the duel had been ruined..

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

"There's no man taller than the last man standing" said his sensei more than once. Every time to justify some less-than-honorable method. Another could even enjoy the turn of the tides.

Another would have died right there. For when Hiromitsu ran to hold Haruka, more arrows hit the very ground where he was standing.

He reached down beside her, looking along the arrow that sprung into her back, he was no shugenja, and both need healing. He relieve her from her armor, giving more space for her to breathe. And without the armor's cover, he could see that she was pregnant, and badly wounded. That grievous wound that not only menace her life but the very innocent live she carried.

-I never asked for much before... And I won't never again... Grand me strength once more... BISHAMON!!!

Hiromitsu took Haruka in his arms and dropped everything he owned to lose weight, he carried only his wakizashi and now, and the helpless Bayushi-sama.

But he could not easly exit the battlefield, or could he?

The chivalry quickly got them surrounded, and the attackers brought up their bows.

-Put Bayushi-Sama on the ground NOW!!!

He looked around, avoiding coughing up blood, he looked half dead. However a strange smile began to form.

-Ronin... I don't know you... Neither do I know the things you will do Bayushi-Sama. So... As I am the deliverer, and I have no other choice... There is one thing, one last thing I have to say.
...Naggetepo![/b]

And just like that, in a cloud of black smoke, they disapeared from the battle.