Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 20, 2011 15:04:30 GMT -5
"Yes I think that would be most pleasant Akodo-sama." Her eyes gently glanced longingly over her shoulder to her old home as she let out a slightly saddened sigh.
"I suppose seeing my family will have to wait a bit longer. I'm surprised though, did someone tell them that we were coming. I think they're already preparing a feast for us."
She seemed quizzical as she spoke, for as she had turned, the three could clearly see a tiny trim of smoke drifting over the few hills that she gestured towards. Her home of course being just beyond them. But she practically stared at it. Much for her would remain unspoken, but her gaze would return to Tomatsu.
"All right then, let's have that bath at the very least. We would not want our Champion-sama here to feel out of place because of some dirt now would we." She bowed her head a bit and looked to Kasumi to lead the way, as she was uncertain where they would be tended to.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 20, 2011 15:17:11 GMT -5
He held up his hands in front of him as he spoke. Oh no Haruka-san, forgive me. Let us see your family first, I have prepared some more gifts for your family, in thanks for being so welcoming to me when I last visited. However clearly my manners have failed me again. We shall visit them first, then once things settle down, we may bathe and change our clothes. Family comes first after all, that is the whole reason why I am here.
He nodded his head to her in apology. He remembered the last feast he had had here, with her family. He hoped he would not be so challenging as it was last time. At least this time he won't be the focus of attention as he was last time...... he hoped.
He bowed to Kasmui. Would you be joining us Utaku-san?
|
|
|
Post by Utaku Kasumi on Sept 20, 2011 15:37:20 GMT -5
Kasumi rubbed her nose, probably thinking of what to do. I wonder if I should. It should be something that Haruka and her family share together, without their daimyo hanging above their shoulders, watching every step they take. She smiled gently. Besides... I am not sure if a daimyo should pop out out of nowhere, wearing clothes for a practice... sweaty and smelly. My advice is to let them prepare everything without a rush and at least take a bath, that should be ready ... Kael knows his job. Would you rather greet them clean and shiny... or smelly and dusty, Akodo-sama? Her face was calm and composed but not her eyes. Blue eyes of Kasumi laughed.
Obedient or proud? Which one will you be here, Lion?
She didn't like Lions. In fact she hated them all - she had her own reasons... and she shared them with no one, ever. Glanced at him again, waiting for his, not Haruka's, response. She had a feeling...
Impossible...
For a second Kasumi's eyes opened widedly...
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 20, 2011 16:03:00 GMT -5
She could see Kasumi's mind in that moment. Testing the Lion was a very bold move on her part, and one Tomatsu could easily stumble into trouble with. The Unicorn valued family so greatly, and it was possible that Tomatsu might be ignorant of this.
"Well I would not wish to burden the Shining Lion-sama with his gifts for any longer." She bowed quite deeply to him, knowing she needed to control this situation quite carefully.
"And I would not be opposed if my old daimyo wished to accompany me. Clearly they were prepared for us some time ago." Again her gaze would turn to the hills, watching the thin bit of smoke from the cooking fire. Without any further hesitation she would give a bit of a whistle, her horse Riku coming to her side. Strangely enough he had the cunning to also bring Tomatsu's horse Lioness along with him, leading her by gently holding the reins in his lips delicately.
"It is a bit of a short ride, I hope you don't mind Tomatsu-sama." She pulled the reins from his mouth and mounted him without a hint of effort, even in her heavy set state. And with a flick of the stallion's tail, she trotted on towards her old home, only going slow enough to allow the others to catch up if they so desired.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 20, 2011 16:12:42 GMT -5
I bow to your wisdom Haruka-san. You are right, if I were in your sandals I would not want to wait to see my own mother. I am blessed that they live at Shiro Akodo these days so when I am home I can visit them.
He turned to see the horses coming, and cocked an eyebrow at his own, following Riku. He took her reigns after Riku dropped them, and took a moment to pat Lioness' flank. He shot her a look, and she shot him one back, a silent conversation of Did he just lead you over here?
Yes my lord, that did happen.
How?
I'm not so sure myself my lord.
He swiftly took the saddle, clearly displaying the hours of awful horse training he had received from his mother, in one of her few attempts to teach him something Unicorn before she just gave up and embraced the fact her only child was a Lion through and through. He adjusted himself on his hard saddle, the hours of riding already taxing him greatly.
Yes Haruka-san, I can survive a little longer in the saddle, but I must confess that I beg you to render me the same services you did last time I was here. Perhaps I should invest in either a new saddle or a better back? What do you recommend? He looked at both of them with a smile, already spurring Lioness towards the smoke on the horizon.
|
|
|
Post by Utaku Kasumi on Sept 20, 2011 16:33:15 GMT -5
Shaked her head at Haruka, that she spoiled her fun. She pouted her lips and snorted.
Then I will join you later, Haruka, soon.
Kasumi has been watching Tomatsu getting himself on a horse and frowned.
Better not to use any than that piece of... something, proudly called a saddle...
I am giving you an hour. After that get ready for some stories, Haruka!
She waved and started to walk in a different direction.
After 10 minutes she has entered her own house.
Kael! NOW! Bath, pretty please. And get someone to bring my clothes. And all that fancy stuff they use. Whatever. Rush it, man!
She wasn't happy. If two more Lions come she will start to worry... more than two visiting means invasion! Shaked head to herself, laughing. But after a second smile was already gone and she started to frown again. Haruka coming home was a pleasant thing. A Lion coming here - not really. But he came with Haruka, so she should at least try to be nice to him. Plus he had a personal invitation from the Khan... She bit on her lower lip, and started to take clothes off.
Ahh... comfy! Don't be so happy, Kasumi-dono. There are things you should check... Let my Hatamoto handle it then. Those things require your attention, not your Hatamoto... Yes, yes. Now shut up and let me enjoy my ten minutes bath...
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 20, 2011 18:41:51 GMT -5
Haruka waited until they were well out of earshot as they rode together along the faint roads. The Utaku plains were hardly a changed place by the hands of man. Their pure state maintained by the family that called it home for themselves and their herds.
"Oh Tomatsu, I know you ride, and Kasumi-san is quite right to think that you could use some more instruction. But you know that I will not hesitate to do my best to mend your aches to the best of my ability."
Haruka seemed to ease with only the Shining Lion around, having become quite friendly with him. She could think back to all the months ago when they had first met in Crab lands. She was so considerately meek then, but his continual urge to have her treat him as a friend and an equal rather than some being beyond her reach had allowed her the chance to get accustomed to the Lion Champion in a way she only suspected her husband had.
They would continue on at a gentler pace, as Haruka seemed more conservative now. She wasn't willing to risk the comfort of the guest to her homelands for something so simple as a visit back to see her family.
The hooves of their horses were softened by the earthen path, though the weight they carried could still be felt. Finally they would round the bend that Tomatsu remembered heading to before when he had gone to make himself the voice for Senshi's desires.
But then the scene opened up as the estate came into view, smoldering in a heap of burned ruins with only a faint trail of smoke leading away from the remains. The one they had seen from the main area of Shiro Utaku.
Haruka stopped as still as death with her eyes going wide, as Riku seemed to take in the scent of the burning of hay and wood as a dangerous sign. He started to stir restlessly under Haruka, but she seemed unable to move.
Mortified she looked upon what was her old home, now a pile of rubble and ash. The stables empty, the servant homes all destroyed. Everything she remembered, gone.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 20, 2011 19:14:29 GMT -5
Tomatsu knew these smells, he had smelled them since his birth. Since he was bathed in the fires of clan skirmishes. Since he lead men into the Shadowlands, since he had fought the Yobanjin, since he defended Permission City, since he had fought at Toshi Ranbo. But this was the one time he truly did not wish to smell this. Not here, where things were suppose to be quiet and pleasant, where there was to have been a feast for them, and a few awkward moments amongst his closet friend's family.
Tomatsu dismounted, and in a strange act of acknowledgement, Lioness bowed her head towards the scene. Tomatsu walked over to Riku, and placed a hand on his reigns. Haruka, please, come down. Let us go look for survivors together. There must be some. He bit back the words, "I hope." He held his other hand up to her, hoping she would take it, he so badly wanted to embrace her and hold her, to comfort her. He couldn't imagine how traumatic this would be for her. He knew he wouldn't be able to control himself if this had happened to his parents.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 20, 2011 19:33:22 GMT -5
Her eyes scanned the scene, falling on places she'd been. Years of memory flooding her mind.
The place I first met Rin and Riku, and fed them.. while my mother stood by and called them mine.. The place where Hasana and I sparred, where she accidentally cut my arm.. The corral where I learned to ride and found my place of joy being in the saddle.. The place where I learned to fight, to live for a greater cause, where the concerns of the empire were distant rumors that made no sense to me, for I knew no better.. My.. home..
It was his voice that pierced the stillness. Haruka was broken in her mind, and yet she could feel this shaking, pleading voice in her head as she snapped awake. She didn't realize Tomatsu had even dismounted or come to her side. Riku seemed to respect his efforts as he settled down and stayed quite still obediently. Haruka looked down into the eyes of her greatest Lion friend. It was a moment of true weakness for her, and she couldn't even feel the tears that now streaked her face.
Moving without thinking, she let her senses overtake her as she allowed herself the comfort. Unable to stay upright alone and on her own now, as she reached out as she leaned to dismount but ended up only collapsing into Tomatsu's arms. It was all an awkward occurrence, but any sense of embarrassment or self conscious thought was far from her mind at the moment.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 20, 2011 19:58:12 GMT -5
He caught her and took a knee with her impact. He held her close, slowly sitting down holding her in his arms, facing her away from the scene before them. He whispered into her ear softly for an hour, holding her, letting her get it out. His shoulder felt wet with her tears but he didn't care. He held her close, as if he had let go she would have floated up to the heavens. He knew how painful this must be for her, how much of her life was now just gone. He began to quickly think of how to find out what happened, and how he could help her set this right.
I promise you, we will get justice for this. I swear it on the memories of my ancestors, the Lion, and I will not rest until justice is done till your satisfaction. Do you hear me? He kept holding her, staring into the wreckage, stroking her hair, trying to think of how he could make it better.
|
|
|
Post by Utaku Kasumi on Sept 20, 2011 20:31:18 GMT -5
So good... Just to close my eyes and open them a few days later... Sleep, this is what I really need. No people coming with questions and needs... no Kael acting like my mother. No troubles with this whole situation... A few days without any worries... And with the one I want...
Kasumi closed her eyes and smiled softly, thinking about the one who's precious to her heart. Jasmine petals were floating on the water. She loved their scent.
I wonder what is he doing... and where he is...
Kasumi has opened her eyes suddenly and just a second later her Hatamoto entered, wearing full armor.
Utaku-dono! There was an accident... she bowed deeply to Kasumi. One of the houses was burnt, we don't know about survivors yet... Where? Redhaired girl got up and reached to get a sheet to cover. But her Hatamoto could clearly see huge and awful scar on her daimyo's back. It was almost from her hip to her angel's wing. For certain it was made by a katana. Older Utaku lowered her eyes, forgetting of what she just saw.
Kasumi tuned to her and said: Call Shiotome. We will ride. She didn't have to say anything else. Utaku's Hatamoto left without a word, bowing first to her daimyo.
Don't know who yet... but he, she or they are already dead... for ruining my bath... This time she was really pissed.
One minute later servants came running with Kasumi's clothes and armor. It didn't take much of a time to get her ready. When she left her house, a unit of Shiotome was already waiting for her. Kelero, armored as well, was dancing impatiently. Sisters, we will ride to find those that disturb peace of our land. And if there is at least one wounded... no, if there is at least one who lost a strand of their hair... we will hunt them down even to those damn Shadowlands. All women were used to their daimyo's moods, so no one questioned it. They all could see that she's really mad. Plus someone just invaded their land.
She got on her horse and put a menpo on her face. Go! Kasumi pushed Kelero to a gallop, wanting to get on a spot as soon as possible.
Even from far she could see two people on the ground. She knew who it was. Not because she could see their faces. She knew this place. And she didn't like it at all. I want you to inform other families that there was an accident... if we can call it that way. She turned to the right to one of her chui. Yes, Utaku-dono Shiotome turned her horse and galloped other direction.
Kasumi got off of her horse and walked to Haruka and Tomatsu. She touched man's shoulder gently. Give her to me, please.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 20, 2011 23:48:57 GMT -5
He didn't say anything, he just held her even tighter. He struggled to his feet only using one arm and his legs. He grunted and with tears in his eyes, just began to walk. He didn't say anything as he walked, he didn't care that his arms hurt from holding her, he didn't care if they saw him cry, he didn't care where he was going. He just needed to get her away from this place. So he just walked.
His mind was blank. He was numb, he wanted to hold her and keep her safe, as if his arms could will her parents back to life. As if staying with her face pressed to his chest would shield her from the realities of what had occurred. His heart felt like an empty pit, filling his stomach with an aching sickness.
The linger heat of the day wore on him, he took a second and angrily tore off his kabuto, hurling it away from him, as if that would make things right. The increased ability to draw in fresh air didn't make things better for him. He just buried his face into her shoulder as well and just wept for her. Walking, stumbling along, with no direction, through tear streaked eyes. Trying to make sense of things, trying to find his center. A center which at this time, was too far in the distance to understand, and pained him too much to try and reach.
|
|
Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
|
Post by Bayushi Haruka on Sept 21, 2011 0:09:09 GMT -5
Through it all Haruka seemed to cling to Tomatsu, certainly helpless in her own way. But it was now she would slowly come back to her senses, the shock of it all having worn off at last.
Slowly blinking her eyes finally pulling away from nothingness as the life returned to them, she looked over now and realized she was being held, nay carried.. protected. Tomatsu was the last thing she saw before falling into her haze of shock, and here he still was using his arms to hold her in a way she hadn't been held by any other man besides Senshi. Steadily her feeling returned to her arms as she reached up to hold onto him in return.
It started to heal her in a way she did not fully understand, but the closeness of the Lion, the passion written into his tears, and the silence that he held her and her family in seemed to draw her senses back. She would not dare touch his skin, but she regained herself enough.
"Tomatsu.. please." She wished she could take the tears away from him. The emotion of it shouldn't have been his to bear, but she failed to save him from it. "I beg of you, please do not weep any longer my dearest Lion. You have come to far and seen so much to let this sorrow consume your heart."
She was not fully steady in herself, but she knew now how to shove even her emotions aside to say what needed to be said. The mask was on her heart, showing an impossible courage. She knew she could not help the shock of the situation from consuming her, but she would not allow it to harm him.
|
|
|
Post by Utaku Kasumi on Sept 21, 2011 5:04:15 GMT -5
She was looking at Lion taking Haruka away with a consternation. For a brief of moment, she wanted to take her out of his arms by force. But after that thing crossing her mind she just shrugged and returned her face to the house that was burnt almost to the ground.
Spread out and check if there are any survivors. Make it quick and you better bring me some good news... she said with a muffled voice. In a less than a minute only a few Shiotome left, to guard their daimyo. Kasumi has taken her menpo and kabuto off. Red hair, unfolded, fell down and curious wind started to play with it. She has raised her head to the sky and made a loud and high sound that pierced ears. And waited.
In the mean time other Utaku women were searching through what left after the conflagration.
Kasumi was standing still, watching the skies and ignoring mixed pair of the Lion and the Scorpion. It was not her bussiness what they do, she had her own thoughts and things to deal with... to get more troubles on her shoulders.
Whenever I wish for some peaceful time... something like that happens. Am I cursed? I really have enough...
But her face showed no emotions, rasied to the skies, watching it carefully. Finally, a small point showed up, growing with every second. Soon after that a huge bird came down from the skies and landed on Kasumi's arm that she reached to the bird. Welcome, handsome. She rubbed bird's head and gazed into its eyes.
"Did you come here at night, Isao?" Bird nodded two times and spread out its wings. "Did you see anything unusual?" Hoase, rasping scream came from its nib, begining at a high pitch and sluring downward. It started to flap its wings so hard that Kasumi had problems kepping her arm still. Easy, Isao. I understand. Go! Raised her arm higher suddenly, helping the bird to start flying. After that she's been waiting patiently for her troops to return or Haruka to focus on reality.
|
|
Akodo Tomatsu
Lion Clan Mod
The Shining Lion
Lion Clan Champion?Samurai?Tactician?Loyal?Paragon of Sincerity?Defender of the Empire
Posts: 1,042
|
Post by Akodo Tomatsu on Sept 21, 2011 12:07:44 GMT -5
He stopped, her words finally reaching him. He stopped and gave her one more tight squeeze before setting her down. He looked away and daubed at his eyes with an armored hand.
I'm sorry for my display of emotion Haruka-san. This war had been difficult on me and I have lost so many friends and family during its course and the battle with the Yobanjin. I couldn't hold back my feelings any more when I saw the hurt on your face. Forgive my lack of control.
He looked back at her, with red eyes, for a brief second. He sniffled, and walked back a few feet, taking up his kabuto, trying to hide the shame he felt. He tried to convince himself that his lack of control was acceptable in this circumstance, but that did not completely wash away the feeling guilt.
Are you ok my friend? What can I do to help you? The Utaku seem to be handling the situation for now, but what of your immediate concerns, let me make amends by helping you. He said over his shoulder, still not quite ready to face her again.
|
|