Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 11, 2011 23:30:38 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 11, 2011 23:30:38 GMT -5
Senshi and his guard traveled quickly to Toshi Ranbo. Much was on his mind, he had his summons, he had his invitations, he had his correspondences.
He ignored them all. He ignored the Crane, the emperor, even his friends. He wanted to find his wife and unborn child. Now. Before he did anything else.
He stepped into a scene of carnage. War being waged by its masters, the lion and the daidoji. He watched as the city suffered under the siege. He saw men and women dieing for their cause, and his convictions swelled in his heart.
"Find Haruka." Was all he was able to say, a feeling uncommon to him clutched at his throat as he tried to give commands. A fleeting memory reminded him that it was fear. His guard dispersed and set up a small camp overlooking the field from a safe distance. Senshi stayed as his soldiers went looking for their daimyo's wife. Fear still a companion of Senshi. Senshi did not like this companion.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 0:10:51 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 12, 2011 0:10:51 GMT -5
Senshi's guard would pan out and divide up to cover the most ground. But when only his personal protectors remained and all others had gone to search, voices raised rather quickly from the road ahead.
"By the Kami, it's her! And she's hurt!"
And just around the hillside, where the road twisted out of view, Haruka sat atop her stallion Riku, hunched over in some obvious pain and still armored from the battlefield. Strangely enough at her side was Bayushi Hiromitsu, riding along with her. Their clothing had not been changed for now though as the blood stained, but it seemed the worst of the damage was healed.
When the shuffling of the guard got her attention, Haruka's gaze slowly lifted as her eyes fell on her husband. She had been riding against his wish, her hand slaying Crane and fighters on the field, and never once did she falter.
But now as she looked up to Senshi, her hands couldn't help but tremble as she gripped the reigns. Riku even seemed to tense worriedly as his ears twisted to find out what upset his rider so. Fear ripped through her form. And just as slowly as her gaze raised and came to Senshi, it fell again in shame.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 0:34:06 GMT -5
Post by Toku Hirotomo on Sept 12, 2011 0:34:06 GMT -5
Toku Hirotomo led his men back from another assault. They lost men, but the Crane ashigaru lost more. He spied the Scorpion Champion. Had they declared?
No. The man was not fighting. He was with a rider. They were wearing the Scorpion colors. He tried to look at the banner, but could not read it from his distance. They seemed wounded, being helped by another Scorpion. There were even fewer of them here than the Alliance. Red was not exactly a color that blended either. He got closer and saw Bayushi Haruka's heraldry on her horse. Oh. Damn. He saw her before, with the Lion Champion. What happened? His hand tightened on his katana as he breifly envisioned Rinko laying wounded on the battlefield. He'd be no use though. He was no healer. Damn it Sho. Why did you have to be on the other side. Maybe what saved him could help her. He started praying to Emma-O. He barely knew the woman, but what he did know was she deserved a better death than this muddy field.
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 0:40:57 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Hiromitsu on Sept 12, 2011 0:40:57 GMT -5
Hiromitsu knew he was going to die. But at least he had the whole trip up to Kyuden Bayushi to enjoy his last moments. Think of life and make peace with death. He would get to Kyuden Bayushi, take take a nice bath, be presentable, comb his hair and present himself to his Daimyou as a good bushi and explain how, in his view, was trying to protect the cla. It Is Often Easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, after all.
Obviously... He was quite surprised when he discovered that his journey to Daimyou been abbreviated. But he take the surprise very tastefully.
-You gotta be kidding me. - He sighed and confessed - I just got fu(@*ed in this s&!t. - he was not very happy about it.
He put the wakizashi the right, a sign of respect, and introduced himself for the daimyo, his forehead near the ground on his hands.
-Bayushi-Senshi-sama, I am Bayushi Hiromitsu, Bayushi Bushi, student at the Wet Rock Dojo in Goguri, third son of the Magistrade of the Bayushi Family, Bayushi Tenshi-san and the courtier of the Seven Sting Keep and Gokenin Bayushi Miyu-san.
-I bring Bayushi Haruka-sama, and I present myself to answer for my acts!
At least now Haruka was safe, she and the baby might have a chance. No wasted time.No regrets.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 0:49:46 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 12, 2011 0:49:46 GMT -5
Senshi stood a moment and just stared. He ignored the bushi and his guards. His eyes stayed locked on Haruka. Somewhere a fire burned.
He walked toward Haruka, calmly, slowly, his gaze never shifting. He passed the bowed samurai. Somewhere soldiers marched, shaking the earth.
He raised a hand, and offered it to Haruka to help her off her stallion. Somewhere a bolt of lightning cracked the sky.
It was only after he had helped her to the ground that Senshi realized these things were not happening on the battlefield, they were happening inside of him. His body shook, his heart burning with barely lidded emotion, the pain wrenching him like a sudden crack of lightning. Senshi raised his arm again, and smacked Haruka with the back of his hand. The crack sounding like sharp thunder.
The stunned silence was filled with Senshi's voice, softly, "Need I say anything?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 0:57:06 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 12, 2011 0:57:06 GMT -5
Haruka did not pick up her head from where it jerked so violently to. Riku nearly reared in absolute rage. Quickly pulled away from the scene.
She was not stunned into silence, but she had nothing to say. His anger was simple, and absolute. But she continued to assume the worst as the silence ripped her heart apart far more ferociously than any blade.
I knew this was coming... I deserved it. I'm.. sorry.. my Senshi.[/i]
She wouldn't apologize, as she couldn't. Beneath her mask, still in place and covering her lips, her mouth hung open. She was breathing heavily as the emotion swelled within her. Countless times had she looked death and taint and horrors in the face and she did not flinch, she did not fear.
But here and now, the strike which did not truly harm her, caused a single tear to fall. She could not pick her head up or look to the one she loved. And it was killing her.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 1:11:13 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 12, 2011 1:11:13 GMT -5
Senshi's rage now satisfied, he could hardly hold back his own tears. He whispered, for to vocalize would only betray his feelings in cracks and faltering tongue. "Must I say it?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 1:26:02 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 12, 2011 1:26:02 GMT -5
In slow realization, Haruka realized that another strike was not in order. The shock of it now sinking into her. Her eyes slowly came open and her head adjusted.
It seemed to take forever, but she gradually came to her senses she dared... somehow what strength was left in her compelled her to look. Their eyes met and locked again as he could see her wet eyes, shining up to him.
"I do not know Senshi.."
Haruka sucked in an uneasy breath as her wound caused her to wince in his presence. She concentrated on trying to ignore it though as her chin fell along with her heart and courage. It was all she could muster in the tense air. And her mind started to run, her heart pulled for her to flee, but she forced herself to remain and endure. This was one fate she could not escape. In spite of all of her defiant action, her emotion, and her loyalty to Toturi, she found herself defeated at her Champion's gaze. Her eyes fell and shut again as she embraced the pain.
Only Senshi could judge her, punish her, or forgive her.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 1:34:11 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 12, 2011 1:34:11 GMT -5
His voice still a crackling whisper, "You will never disobey me and risk our child again." His eyes just as watery, he didn't blink or move for a whole minute, though it felt like eons. Finally though he reached out, and gingerly rested a hand on her other cheek, and then pulled her to him in an embrace. He held her in his arms and wept.
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 1:35:31 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Hiromitsu on Sept 12, 2011 1:35:31 GMT -5
It was a difficult time for everybody there, for sure. Dramatic enough, perhaps too much. Hiromitsu would not want to see his Daimyou lose even more face. He took a deep breath and thought to himself: "Dead once, dead twice and a half" He had nothing to lose:
-Forgive the interruption!! Haruka sama is wounded and she needs care, Manji san did not treat her fully. Given that she is at risk, I ask someone of competence to be assigned to handle this.
-And.. Congratulations on your child, Bayushi Senshi-sama.
Hiromitsu smiled.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 20:41:09 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 12, 2011 20:41:09 GMT -5
Senshi finally turned to view the bowed bushi. He stared at him and blinked for a few seconds. Finally free from his display of emotion he asked calmly, "Haruka, who is this man?"
Senshi then pulled away just enough to look Haruka over, inspecting her for grievous injury.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Arrival
Sept 12, 2011 20:50:02 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 12, 2011 20:50:02 GMT -5
Initially Senshi would see no reason for the way she had approached the scene hunched over atop her horse. But then as turned to address Hiromitsu, the bloodstain from her wound would catch his eye as it was hidden on her back.
She seemed to take an uneasy, deep breath as she spoke. "This is Bayushi Hiromitsu." And her eyes met with the young man, as if knowingly focusing on them to tell him to trust her. "And it is thanks to him that I am here now." She swallowed a bit, mostly from having to admit her own fault in the matter, "He aided me in a moment on the battlefield when a group of ronin assailed me. Thanks to him I am not greatly injured, or worse."
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Arrival
Sept 13, 2011 0:42:52 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Senshi on Sept 13, 2011 0:42:52 GMT -5
Senshi bowed, "Thank you, Hiromitsu san. I am in your debt it seems. We should get you both to better medical attention. Perhaps the lion camp will be willing to entertain us? Tomatsu is still in the area, yes?"
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Arrival
Sept 13, 2011 8:44:33 GMT -5
Post by Bayushi Hiromitsu on Sept 13, 2011 8:44:33 GMT -5
Wait... What?! How could things turned this fast in life? So many questions rushed through his mind at the same time as he raise is head a bit. He remembered what a wise said, years and years ago:
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. " - Laozi (Lao Tzu, Lao Tse, Lao Tsu)
With that though Hiromitsu smiled softly to himself.
-Bayushi Senshi Sama honors me much. In the way I see things, there is no debt. But if the Daimyou insist, my wish is the permission to continue serving my clan.
-In my name, and in the name of my family, wish many blessings for the child, may he... or she... born strong and grow smart and quick.
He looked to his hands, dirty of mud and blood, his Katana missing... again.
-If I may give a option to be considered. As Bayushi-Sama knows, I delivered a letter to Asahina Yukihime-Sama, wich not only is a really powerfull and wise shugenja, but I heard in the Toshi Ranbo inner walls that Yukihime-san is the new Daimyou of the Asahina family. I believe Bayushi Haruka-sama will get the most high quality treatment there. As also Toshi Ranbo its a city and not a camp, wich means, better futons, ofuros, foodstuffs and the list goes on.
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Doji Naetaru
Crane Clan
Doji Daimyo - Courtier - Otomo Twin
Posts: 687
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Arrival
Sept 13, 2011 10:39:26 GMT -5
Post by Doji Naetaru on Sept 13, 2011 10:39:26 GMT -5
Meanwhile behind the walls of Violence Behind Courtliness City
Doji Naetaru had a pretty busy day. He had to answer to his daily correspondence concerning rumours and information that go around Rokugan. The Crane Clan was blessed with many allies among all the Clans and Naetaru was not an exception to this either. Isawa Serizawa seemed to share his happiness for he had been accepted into the next test for inquisitorial duty, a happy thing to share for Naetaru's second niece was betrothed to him.
Togashi Mitani chose to speak again in a cryptic fashion and all Naetaru could discern was the fact that part of the Dragon army were marching south to the Lion borders, stopping for rice supplies in Kyuden Tonbo. That message made Naetaru send a letter to his third cousin who was married to a Dragonfly shugenja.
Matsu Idonshin, his wife's mother sent a letter to inform him that she would offer a room in her estates for him and his wife, should he have changed his opinion.
Even Kitsune Semimaru, the Mantis Clan shugenja, with whom they had drunk that magnificent sake back on that Moshi festival, sent him a message that a bad storm was coming...and then Naetaru thought of his Clan's holdings back in Kyuden Doji.
But the most important that day was the message from Bayushi Shindachi, a Kakita artisan that Naetaru helped to marry the love of his life. Bayushi Saemi was a perfect seductress and he was stricken for her hard enough, so that Naetaru had to employ gifts and favors to let him land softly. Shindachi was ecstatic about his new array of poems that he almost let the important news be somewhat laconic. Bayushi Senshi had already left Kyuden Bayushi and was about to arrive.
Doji Naetaru searched a bit further and found out that the Scorpion Champion was there, amidst the battlefield. The Crane army did not deploy that day on the front, holding their honor for the armistice. He said missive to the generals regarding the agreement and lobbied to the Otomo chamberlain informing the Emperor that the Scorpion Champion had arrived. Of course they had to expect a Scorpion messenger detailing the arrival, but Naetaru thought that forewarned had to be forearmed.
After he performed his final duty for the day he returned to his quarters. Note had to be sent for his "new" kimono to be finalized. The proper stitches and embroidery fitting for a fashionable kimono for the court of Toshi Ranbo. He had to attend the Scorpion Champion's presentation in the court of the True Emperor.
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