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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 1, 2011 7:16:37 GMT -5
Hikori notices the mans predatory gaze but for the time being he takes it as a warning towards a possible love contendant...perhaps it is unrequited love after all.
In the end he could very well understand the mans reaction, Yushahime would make a fine bride...an upcoming star she combined beauty, wits and Glory...a fine package few samurai would ignore...he chuckled to himself for a moment before returning his attention to Yushahime.
He genuinly seems to enjoy Yushahime's inquisitiveness and answers all of her questions, making some of his own mainly concerning Reso and Minato sama.
(You can find most of the information on his background at Kyuden Doji...in addition you notice that he avoids speaking of his sister much)
Being much more relaxed from the last day he asks Yushahime if she would accompany him on a small tour around Shiro Kitsuki. There where some places from his youth that he wanted to visit before departing and his schedulle wouldn't allow him to visit otherwise.
He keeps an air of mystery as to what he wants to show her so as to kindle her curiosity...
(Ooc: yes this would be chapter 1, I will be a little absent these days and I had to writte this in a hurry...sorry in advance)
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 1, 2011 16:55:01 GMT -5
(ooc: Agreed, excellent chapter one - a natural meeting of all the characters too. That first meeting of Katsutoshi and Yushahime can be the prologue hahaha. Right... let's have some more fun. Also Hikori - i'll be starting a thread in Crane lands soon. Let's work towards arranging you coming with Yushahime to journey there ^^ )
Yushahime nods, hoping for an offer of company of some sort. She had thought he might be up for sparring but is happy instead to walk with him around the town. She realises it might be a good chance to learn more about him and his own experience in Dragon lands. She realises she is also a little curious about where exactly he will visit. She had the feeling he had some personal attachment to Shiro Kitsuki beyond just a place of training and this pleased her.
She did seem a little surprised to learn he could only stay briefly, almost pouting for a second at the loss of a new conversation partner in what to her felt like overly familiar, if also loved, lands. She recalled that she too had a meeting the next day to receive a new assignment. She had heard rumours that it may be an important posting but she would be happy with anything as long as it gave her a chance to travel.
Yushahime followed Hikori-san a step behind, exchanging gentle chatter with him. Her footsteps were light and energetic and the day was not too cold. She was evidently in a good mood. Eventually she had to ask "Where is our first stop exactly Hikori-san?". She smiled at him with a bemused expression, raising an eyebrow on purpose to emphasise her curiosity
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 2, 2011 8:04:43 GMT -5
Yushahime continues to shower Hikori with questions all the while they are making their way out of the castle. Hikori answers to all of them, his smile widening with each new inquiry ...when she asks where they are heading Hikori gives her a mischievous glance and remarks
"Well, aren't you the most graceful interrogator I've ever met Yushahime san?! Why not tell me something about yourself, your family, your duties...your dreams perhaps if you would be willing to grant me such an honor."
Having diverted her attention for a while Hikori frets his pace... To Yushahime's surprise he doesn't head towards town but instead takes a wilderness path.
A couple of steps ahead he turns towards her waiting to see if she would follow or not
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 2, 2011 8:51:47 GMT -5
Yushahime paused and gave Hikori-san a thorough glance and then talked a little about herself. She wasn't accustomed to speaking about her upbringing or family much. Still she tried to give a rough overview.
"My apologies, I tend to focus on others and would not wish to boast about my family. Sorry if I inquire too much. You are more than welcome to inquire about myself". She lists her different duties; that of a courtier, a Kitsuki sensei at times, a Dragon Clan magistrate and advisor. She downplays the level of responsibility of each.
Next she talks about her family, not yet revealing her parents "I have a younger sister and brother who are both training in other schools. My sister, Yukihime, is the youngest but has shown some natural aptitude for niten and my brother, Daikichi, hopes to soon pass his gempukku and be accepted as a full shugenja. Honestly I do not see them too often and they have never left Dragon lands. My cousin is also young but she's more outgoing like myself. I think she'd like you actually. Her name is Haru. She can be really adorable especially when she is doing her best to be grown up. She also likes my wagashi..." Yushahime giggles "sorry, I mean the wagashi I bring her. The women in my family tend to like sweet things". Yushahime takes a small pouch out from her right kimono sleeve and jangles it before opening it, revealing a handful of delicate but colourful sweets. She offers one to Hikori-san, having avoided the question about her dreams for the moment.
When Hikori-san goes in a direction Yushahime wasn't expecting she follows him but does seem a little surprised. She expected him to go past the market, the temple or perhaps the blacksmith or some such. When he turns around she gestures for him to continue "I won't stop now. I'd like to see what is so special to you if that is okay?". She does feel a little hesitant at not having a male minder nearby. The Dragon were not as particular as some clans about the observance of having an honour watch on all their samurai-ko but it was still unusual for one to be out alone with a man, particuarly one that was a courtier. Still, she could always insist as a Kitsuki family member that she was showing a guest around if anyone asked.
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 2, 2011 9:45:11 GMT -5
"Don't excuse yourself Yushahime san, there really is nothing to excuse...you are a most gracious host, your company and your questions are more than welcome" Hikori says accepting the candy with a small bow...
He wonders at all the responsibilities upon so young a samurai-ko.
"Reso sama, it seems you were right all along on her account he thinks to himself smirking."
He is already inside the path when he realizes that he and Yushahime are alone...he blushes for his nearsightedness and decides to let it slide for now, besides they are close to their final destination and they can be back in no time.
On the right side of the path there is a small formation created by the branches of two small trees leaning against the mountains slope...or so it seems...
Hikori being careful not to dirt his Kimono shoves the snow of the branches and pulls them revealing the entrance to a small space.
"This is it" he exclaims, excitement in his voice
"Yushahime-san are you ready for a little secret?" he asks with a fake serious voice
"This here was my secret hiding place...Only two people new of it, I and Reso sama...and now you".
He watches for her reaction sure that she will scold him but before she can do so he says:
"You know Yushahime san when I came to the Kitsuki lands I was little more than six years old...I had a strange pronunciation and was an orphan on top of that...it wasn't long before I became the target of some of the older student pranks. I didn't mind...but then there was this one time when they robbed me of a gift my sister had sent me, a small ceramic blue and white colored dragon...even though I found out who had taken it and confronted him he preferred to through it down the cliff behind the training grounds rather than hand it over to me. Searching for its remains I finally found them here...behind these branches. This place became my hiding place and I came here often enough for some time"
Hikori waited holding the branches for Yushahime to decide whether to enter or not...he should be looking kind of foolish he thought to himself...but he had something important to do here so he shoved the thought aside...
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 2, 2011 11:16:10 GMT -5
"This is unexpected Hikori-san. Not that I think ill of it though!" She quickly explains "we Dragon once retreated to seclude ourselves, contemplate life and seek understanding. A secret hiding place is very similar to that"
Yushahime bowed her head and adjusted her kimono slightly before moving between the branches that Hikori-san kindly held open. She moved to the side to let Hikori-san enter, analysing the space as he did so
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 2, 2011 14:27:53 GMT -5
Yushahime enters the small cluster that is formed between the dense branches and the mountainous wall of the castle's cliff. The ground is devoid of snow as the branches hold the snow off.
Hikori enters keeping the branches with his hand after he passes through so as to not make the snow fall on their Kimono.
The mountain wall was irregular and held a small recess. On the recess lies a small blue and white ceramic dragon.
"What my sister truly gifted me was refuge and strength to go on...it was only fitting I used the small ornament dragon she had sent me to guard this place...now it is time he returns to guard her and to give her the same refuge it granted me"
Hikori takes the figurine and shows it to Yushahime letting her observe it, his crude repairs and unknown to Hikori the small note inside the dragons hollow belly...
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 2, 2011 15:26:49 GMT -5
(ooc: Do you want Yushahime to figure out it is hollow? This is all your scene ^_^)
Yushahime gazed around the small clearing and smiled upon noticing the Crane coloured dragon. She nodded at Hikori's words regarding the true nature of the gift. "I am sure she will be happy to have such a faithful protector" she said smiling and with a slight chuckle she patted its head gently
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 2, 2011 15:44:21 GMT -5
(ooc: I want her to see the letter that wasn't there before and he does not know of...I've had an idea after one of Katsutoshi's remarks before)
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Kitsuki Yuushahime
Dragon Clan
This person sometimes posts things that are tl;dr
Courtier Magistrate Ambassador Daimyo
Posts: 1,140
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Post by Kitsuki Yuushahime on Feb 2, 2011 16:20:06 GMT -5
Yushahime chuckled more as she thought of a bad joke, tapping its head again she exclaimed "it sounds a little empty headed though... perhaps it is full of luck?". She giggled and started to make her way to the exit of the clearing "Sorry Hikori-san. It just crossed my mind. I did not mean to insult the gift. It is well made and has some battle scars to show the attentiveness of its owner" she offered, highlighting the repair work.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on Feb 2, 2011 23:04:17 GMT -5
(OOC: just curious, was the note in there from before or after it was broken? Wouldn't you know that there was a letter inside if you repaired it? *shuts up and keeps reading*)
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 3, 2011 20:18:09 GMT -5
Just as Yushahime taps the figurines empty head the small note falls to the ground.
Hikori laughing up to that point stops and looks curiously at the note. It is quite clear that he wasn't aware of its presence.
Yushahime san...you dropped something he says hesitantly all the while being sure that Yushahime was holding nothing more than the figurine.
To Yushahime's negative nod he picks up the note and unfolds it.
"Assassination" the only word written on the simple white paper.
Hikori's smile slowly disappears as he tries to understand the nature of this finding...
He turns the note to Yushahime with a puzzled look.
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Kitsuki Kai
Dragon Clan
Dragon Clan ? Ambassador to the Lion ? Magistrate ? Samurai ? Courtier ? Tatooed ?
Posts: 22
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Post by Kitsuki Kai on Feb 3, 2011 23:26:44 GMT -5
Kai trudged.
It was the only word that felt appropriate. He looked up the mountain slope towards his destination. Another hour...maybe two. He was on his way to Shiro Kitsuki and had been distracting himself by studying the tracks in the snow of a recent traveler and deducing what he could about him.
Steps, 22 inches apart...all of them; military training. Stands on the balls of his feet; A duelist perhaps. Medium height, muscular build. Most likely a Mirumoto, too few cranes around to be one of them....
Ahead coming down the slope was another traveler. A man dressed in black. Kai studied him as he approached. Muscular man, Average height, 22 inch step, balance forward. This was the very same man he had been following. Kai kept a wide berth when passing him out of respect. Each of them had hand on sword, just in case. Kai's assessment was that if it came to a fight his chances were 1 in 3. Best let him pass without trouble.
The mans tracks were identical. He clearly trudged up to Kitsuki Castle and left after only a brief visit. More could be learned at the castle. He looked to Ryoko, his eta attendant and she grinned back. Good... He thought. Ryoko is curious about him too. She'll discover his identity from the castle servants.
Kai was quickly waved past the guards after he identified himself. I will have to speak with my sensei as soon as possible. There is so much to report on. Kai gained accommodations and decided on a stroll through the grounds before taking a bath.
He approached the cliff side he so often came to meditate at during his years of training and was once again struck by the rigged beauty of the terrain. Kai closed his eyes and breathed deep. Enjoying the fresh clean air and the scent of evergreen. He felt the chill of the day through his soaked feet and resolved to visit the bath house.
When he was about to leave his eyes caught a glimpse of something. Movement down below. Almost invisible between the trees and snow. A green kimono, no White...one of each. He let his eyes adjust. A young woman, in the green. A man, in white and black with a Daidoji mon. So there are Cranes here after all and they are stealing a moment alone with our Samurai-ko. Winter Love.... It would take only a moment to learn their identities from Ryoko's investigations.
Then, a bath.
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Post by Kitsuki Bareian on Feb 4, 2011 1:03:13 GMT -5
(OOC: Oh I likey where this is going ^_^...)
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Post by Daidoji Hikori on Feb 4, 2011 6:49:47 GMT -5
(ooc: Hikori is wearing a white kimono with balck cranes emblazoned...but he has a dark blue Daidoji mon emblazoned as well...oh and welcome Kai!!!By the way what clothing are you wearing???)
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