To Protect What is Precious

[Utaku Mai]

Ok, all set to write a post...in the morning. *tired*.

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Homura heard Keisuke-sama words and steps followed by a different, quicker pace. Between him and Homura with Hiromitsu stood girl that came here with Homura holding her hand on the sword’s hilt. It’s saya was covered in dirt and blood but in some places beautiful motives of intertwining Lions and Cranes were still visible. She was perfectly calm. She didn’t say a word, just stood there like a rock attentively watching Keisuke’s moves.


Homura concentrated on the situation in front of her. Akawa was one of better swordsmen in her squad, despite her age and appearance. Homura didn’t have to worry about anything despite Hiromitsu now.

You are right… I apologize.. I am Akodo Homura.. nikutai of Ikoma Wardens. she bowed shallowly. Shall we continue?

She took the stance slowly unsheathing her katana.

[Utaku Mai]

Mai was prepared to fight, she had taken her stance in anticipation of the daidoji's response, but was shocked to find that the woman was ignoring her and continuing her ridiculous pull on the iron throne. The screech of the heavy throne scratching on the pristine floor was audible. What on earth was so important about this lump of iron, anyway? Mai was determined not to let her find out. With one step and a fluid movement, Mai stepped behind the woman, using her off hand to pin the daidoji's arm behind her back, and using her katana to block any movement on her right side, the strong edge of the fine blade resting threateningly close to the woman's throat. It was a variation on a gaijin move to be certain, but was nonetheless effective.

The throne rocked back and landed with a heavy thunk. Hoping that that would snap the faux emperor and her lion compatriots out of whatever duels they were in the midst of, Mai addresses them:

"Enough, lion-samas! I think we have humored this Hiromitsu-san and Daidoji-san long enough. Every moment we spend engaging them is another step Naseru takes away from this city." She took a moment to guage Hiromitsu's reaction to his threatened companion. "You wanted to know my name, Hiromitsu-san? I am Utaku Mai, shiotome and battle maiden of the Unicorn. My mother rode to her death defending the empire at Mountain Watch Keep and my father taught me more secrets than even he knows of the tactics of the Daidoji. I know that you are both trying to buy time, and I know that you probably know something about the Hantei's true location. Now," she said, pointing with her eyes to the diadoji in her grip, "one of you will tell me how Naseru managed to escape, and what path he is taking. If you do not, I will regrettably be forced to spill the blood of my father's clansmen. It is not an action I relish in taking, but for her sake, I would suggest you not doubt my resolve."

[yuuka]

Yuuka was focused in draging the throne, but when Hiromitsu jumped off it the sudden lack of weight made her loose balance and let the throne go for a while. Time enough for the newly arrive Unicorn move towards her.


Everything changed really fast... from dragging the throne to... somewhat pinned.
Great, now I'm screwed also.
Is that narrow-corridor moving away from me?

Yuuka remained silent at first, for there was nothing to be said about it yet. Analizing their position until the Unicorn presentse herself to Hiromitsu.
The words of the Utaku just took her mind away from this place for a while.

Realizing that Hiromitsu was too busy with the Lions to give attention to Mai's words Yuuka breath hopeless...

"Scorpion... can't trust them...

Well, Utaku-san, i'm really disappointed to know the former members of my family are teaching Crane's techniques freely around the empire. If you ever had to move to another clan besides the Unicorn, would you do such thing?

By the way... I'm Daidoji Yuuka. If you are willing to kill me you should give it a try now. Otherwise, please let me go and we can talk with the proper manners."

[Akodo Keisuke]

Keisuke, stepped back as Akodo Homura took the center. Time was precious yes as Utaku Mai said, but something felt made Keisuke feel as though what was happening here had to happen. If Homura was the instrument of the fortunes, then he would let her claim her destiny. After all what was it that his sensei told him once.
All true warriors follow the same warrior's path. When one is disgraced we are all disgraced; when one finds their death in glory we all share in the glory. No true warrior would allow another to suffer an unjust disgrace; nor begrudge them the fruits of a well earned victory.

[Utaku Mai]

Mai loosened her grip on Yuuka with a sigh. "I would have hoped his esteem for you would have stayed his hand, at least for a moment." She took a step back, squaring her feet for quick forward movement, should it come to that. She smirked at the offense to her father but didn't bother correcting her. Let her think what she would about the safety of her family's secrets.

"Your move, daidoji-san."

[yuuka]

Yuuka gave a few steps away from Mai when she got the chance to do it. She turned then, an within the proper distance briefly bowed.

She glanced at the Lions around, to the death wishing Scorpion and then to the supposed exit besides her. Soon her attention was back to Mai, without looking directly.

"I'm Daidoji Yuuka, 2nd daughter of Daidoji Kenzan-sama and Daidoji Yuuka-sama. Well, I'm sorry for your plan, I also would like better if it had worked >.o"

Yuuka is caring two daishos on her obi, but she keeps her hands away from both. The whole room is a mess but she just can't control her need for organization. And she slowly grabs the throne once more, putting it back standing on its proper place.

"Seems like Bayushi-san is more interested in this war than I first supposed. As I don't share his eager for more useless blood spilling, is there any courteous way that I could use to get out of here?"

Yuuka huge efforts to behave Crane-ish are nearly funny to watch. Of course the situation was far more tense than it could appear.

[Utaku Mai]

Mai rested the blunt end of her katana on her shoulderblade when it became clear that Yuuka was not going to attack. The fire of her previous anger quenched somewhat for the moment, she gave a wry laugh at Yuuka's request. "I don't know if I can be a judge of anything being courteous or not, anymore." It came out much sadder than Mai was originally intending. Much of the bloodshed had been useless, for all the good it did to bring Naseru to justice.

"I find myself in an awkward position, then, Daidoji-san. I could simply allow you to leave through the front door, but that would put you in the path of the entire Lion army. Or, I could accept your honorable surrender, and hope that your family is willing to ransom you for their own captured hostages. Many of your kinsmen have already died making their choice, but what path will you take?"

[yuuka]

"I don't mind fighting for my life if necessary. But when I first heard you...you requested just the throne"

Yuuka showed the throne with a brief movement

"And there it is. I have no interest in it anymore"
"Now, if you don't came here for my life, and I don't think you did, nor I'm here for yours. I just can't find a reason to fight you. The destiny of Toshi Ranbo is clearly defined already."

She glanced at Hiromitsu and Homura once more.

"Thus not everyone can recognize it."

And then addressed to Mai again

"But about your options, I had my share of "hostage experience" already, and not going through it again sounds like a brand new reason to draw souls.

We may have to work on our possibilities further"

[Utaku Mai]

"Unfortunately, those are the only two ideas I have, daidoji-san, though I am open to any other suggestions you may come to."

[Bayushi Jun]

Bayushi Jun smiles watching the entire event. Sarcastiscamente says, without hesitation, like a snake about to strike.

"- I think Hiromitsu-sama is the bravest man in this room. It could be running with his tail between his legs like a stray dog trying to save his own skin but are here to protect what is precious. I believe it is more able to the throne than any other monarch. it protects with his life showing that it has more balls than any other here. I don't see Hantei or Toturi on the front line. I just see Hiromitsu-sama willing to do anything to protect the throne. This indeed is the spirit of a true leader. Long live the Emperor Hiromitsu I. "

[yuuka]

"If I'm free to find my way out this corridor behind me will do it fine enough."

Yuuka had dropped her yari in order to drag the throne. She gave a few steps back to the weapon, she had no need to bend over, with a gentle touch of her foot the pole-arm left the floor like flying to Yuuka hand. She quickly placed it on the back of her armor, where it could be properly hooked, almost like a sashimono.

And pretended not to hear the "death wishing" words of the emerging courtier. Great he never addressed to her.
He manage to offed both, Kaneka and Hantei, is he trying to unite everyone in the room giving them a common foe?
Or just trying to have the Scorpion clan to seem all divided, emo and undecided again? May be they need a few more crimson blood until all the clan can be sure where their duty should lie.

It sounds fun, ok. Nice joke, bad timing.

She gave a few more steps towards the entrance of the narrow not-so-secret-corridor. Once more she gave a brief look to Hiromitsu and Homura. The fate of Toshi Ranbo was decided already and that fight was nothing but waste. All this war is waste caused by some massive blindness. And Yuuka could do nothing, she was aware she was not much different from everybody else... also unable to see the "whole picture" of what is going on, but at least she knew there were still missing parts.

She nooded to the Utaku.

"If you're ok I'm leaving...this way"

Yuuka faced the dark inside the corridor... that could be fun...

[Akodo Tsanuri]

Homura stood there, in the center of the hall observing Hiromitsu as he approached her. She watched the way he held the sword, his feet position, stance, balance trying to evaluate his fighting skills and determine best attack pattern. That didn’t look good. In normal conditions she probably could have win, but now she certainly wasn’t in her highest form. Like for the whole last 2 years. She ignored the thought concentrating on the enemy before her. Quick fight, 2 maximum 3 moves. She started to increase volume of fresh air in her chest. That should give her a second or two.

Hiromitsu was now close. One more step and they would be in a sword distance from each other. Last chance. Best moment. Homura charged forward planning to use Hiromitsu’s imbalance in the half of his step.

[Bayushi Jun]

Now there was no turning back. As Hiromitsu was on the battlefield during these months of war I had finally emerged from the shadows and come into my field of battle, "the imperial court." Nothing else mattered not protect what is left of Rokugan matter what. And it was clear that an emperor or an emperor in tatters without honor would not be the best options.With a devilish smile as one who had seen more than any one there I start my courtier battle and say.

"There are no lies in what I said and you know. And as funny as it sounds I am before the only man who Rokugan worth dying for. He is not hiding behind anything. And facing both sides. Some say foolish, crazy maybe but I call courage."



"My words may have sounded very bitter but that is exactly what is this war . Everyone here forgot the Bushido, their promises and hide behind a supposed truth. I'm swearing allegiance to Hiromitsu sama for the simple fact of not supporting a coward who abandoned the throne or someone trying to take it without honor breaking his oath of allegiance."

"As he stands before the throne ready to fight. I stand on the right of Hiromitsu, ready to fight, armed like a courtier. With my words."

"I do not know how anybody here can still be called samurai. Move out of the room rather than face his destiny. I am not afraid of death, San Daidoji, and if I had to summon a bushi to duel on my behalf to keep every word I said here."

"Of course you can ignore my words, because none of you have as to contradict me. The truth hurts and it's don't pretty, Daidoji San."

"And everyone in this room are witnesses that I am swearing allegiance to Hiromitsu sama. My life, my loyalty and my honor to belong only to the true emperor, Hiromitsu I".

The truth was only one. All though there talking about honor and war died of fear of death. Hiding behind beautiful words rather than face the consequences of their choices. But just as Hiromitsu was willing to anything I was also.

Everything I learned in my life I was using for the purpose of saving the empire. Probably no one there would never understand what I or Hiromitsu was starting. But if it worked and there were more followers Rokugan reborn bigger and better than ever before.

The current situation was worrying and it really came into my head at once. The walls poorly protected from Shadowlands, smaller clans wanting to grow at the expense of that war and countless betrayals he had seen there.

[Bayushi Hiromitsu]

The Akodo Homura's smile, shown hours ago was still in Hiromitsu's heart. Was she a samurai-ko that in any other day would be called a "friend"? Probably so. Time ceased to exist, a eternity seemed to have passed.

Life passed like a story to him, friends, enemies, the teachings of his masters and senseis, the rude lessons that only experience gives... All at once.

All the present there could saw him change. His soul and mind going to a strange place. Dark Sword of Bitter Lies seemed only work for the mad, the luck or both... And he was in the last group. To cross swords with a probable friend, to defend a chair, in a lost city... All of that was quite mad, but he felt that was his place.

He forgot himself in battle, His sword so fast and his moves so insane that made any prevision about his next actions worthless. Odds are not even he knew what he was about to do.


-For lack of attention a thousand forms of loveliness elude us every day.
(OOC: by - Evelyn Underhill)

His blade, so clean, reflected the lights right to Homura's eyes as the point sharp blade of his Katana aimed her heart. He thrust with all his strenght, to pierce the thing he admired most... Maybe then he could understand what "The heart of a Lion" by Doji Nakato-Sama meant.