Well Weathered Path

[Bayushi Haruka]

((This is more a narrative piece than a roleplay. Just a bit of writing to give people just a bit of perspective as to what is going on In Character for Haruka. I know there are a ton of curious glances and murmurings, and I certainly don't mind it in the least.
The setting for this is after Care when she departs for Crossroads.
But be careful where you use this information as it is not spoken, nor shared. This is more for Out of Character clarity.))

Some time along the ride on the way back to Toshi Ranbo after having been hastily required at Kyuden Bayushi for her husband's treatment, the lone rider took a moment for her own sake to rest at the roadside. Her new horse had been broken in, but was far from the caliber of warhorse she had ridden before. The beast understood its place and duty, but its loyalty and ferocity had not been bound to the rider as Utaku steeds were. But that was not why the beast was needed this day.
Far too many times she had been walking this road now. Twice now across the empire, and even though her stallion showed no less the gusto for his efforts, she inwardly feared for his health and safety. Her battle mare that had been tied to her since her genpukku had already been injured, and even in the call of war she did not dare risk her further injury until she could be certain she'd fully recovered. Admittedly she'd taken the time to inspect her progress at the stables, and it was then and there that she also decided to let her stallion rest. The healing was coming along well, but still not far along enough for her satisfaction and confidence.

But for now her bay steed was able to graze in peace, its soft sounds barely breaking the stillness of the night as a few travelers braved the evening air and the surrounding darkness to carry on their way. For now she would take the chance to enjoy some rather humble soldier's rations, unfurling the leaf that held the rice so dutifully tucked into the spheres for the ease of transport and preserving the volume of the sustenance it held.
She may have held many titles, and been the wife of great status, but in her private quiet moments she seemed to revel in simply being what she was. A warrior in her heart, having left her home to fight for what she believed in, she was honored to have the food before her as she had come to understand that not all in the empire could count themselves so lucky as to even simply have a meal to enjoy each night. Such strength she would need for the tasks ahead, both in battle and in negotiation.

But much as she drew strength from the meal, she seemed to also pull power from the peace of mind the simplicity that it all brought. Her mind was plagued with thoughts of dark times ahead for all the empire, whether they were considered a part of it or not. She had spared her husband's life, and fought bravely in battle each day that she was offered the chance to, and even now she rode off to attend the talks that could help secure some sense of order in the empire.
But in spite of such positive feelings, her heart had sank much as it had done so for some time. Her knowledge and experience ever increasing she could not set aside the worries and the burdens that came with it.

She took another bite, letting the bland rice balls settle in the back of her throat while she chewed it over, along with the reflective thoughts in her mind.

The spider have been reported causing chaos at the wall, the scouts have reported their forces causing carnage in a militant effort to impregnate the land. I preferred it much more when such attempts were more subdued and subtle. Such incidents could be managed, but war...[/color]

She shook her head, taking another bite and rubbing her stomach as she seemed almost disappointed. Though her opinion did not matter to them.
Her mind continued to drift now, ever churning as her own stomach as the future of her unborn seemed to be painted out in her mind's eye.

And what should be done if the lord Toturi-dono be slain, what if all our efforts were for nothing, what then are such souls like me good for. I know it is not something that a samurai should meditate on too strongly, but where then do I go. Would my Scorpion embrace me under their protective wing, or leave my shame hanging in the Traitor's Grove. I know my husband would not wish it, but... what less would I really deserve in their eyes.

She winced, her mind and body grimacing at the thought of such a grizzly end. She had no stoic hardiness to maintain here while she was alone. She could allow herself the reactive distaste of such thoughts, only drifting onward to her own husband.
Absentmindedly she looked down at her right arm, thinking of the void that now took its place instead of his own flesh and blood.

His devotion, his choice. He gave his clan the chance to follow the path of their hearts, what they believed to show the greatest loyalty, and yet I know he now denies himself what he believes is best. Each passing day he seems all the more the mocked in his own court as I imagine his warrior heart raging, powerless at times to stop the defiance around him.
He did not recant with his heart resting on Hantei-dono's divinity. He has only ever made the choice to try and preserve his clan, in spite of it all.
And then to cleanse the very hand he struck me with...[/color]

Her eyes dipped down in sorrow. Not in the fact that she had to remove such an offending limb, but that she had been the cause for his agony, his near martyring act.
Her eyes gently rested to still the pain of it, an empathic ripple going through her own body in sympathy to the pain he must have felt. She knew the Soshi daimyo had spoken highly of his actions, much as the Lion who had accompanied him to this event did, but something in her shook from having come to know the man who would keep no secret from her.

But then her thoughts took another strange turn. As another man crept into her sealed eyes. The master of the Lion, Akodo Tomatsu as he was called. Just Tomatsu to her now. After she had been sent away from her husband in such shame it was he who elevated her to his side. Their friendship had grown and their closeness was almost the same that she recalled Senshi and Tomatsu having before she had become close to either of them.
She actually had a smile fight its way into the corner of her mouth when she reflected on it. The sheer mischief they'd been causing in their little games.

Oh what rumors will spread to distract the hearts of angered men, what thoughts will push aside their heated voices and their blind rage.

She put a finger to her lip, gently biting the tip of it as the strange joy of his company continued to soothe her aching mind. Her knowledge of the hearts of the Lion Clan had changed, much as her perspective had changed on the Scorpion after meeting her Bayushi husband. She started to wonder if each clan had such a unique glory unto itself, for it was one thing to know a clan, but it seemed another to know its true heart for all the good and bad that it held.

Her face relaxed as her hand fell away from her face, allowing her to continue dining as she seemed to calm herself to the point where she could think on the path that now lay ahead. Tomatsu's incredible request for her presence ahead at such a gathering was something she could not refuse. For as much as her heart sang the furies of war and death, her soul also gripped her will in ending such bloodshed, lest it rend the empire too weak and allow some unseen darkness to conquer their land. Be it the Yobanjin or people from a more distant land now.

With a clap of her hands, she finished her meal and thanked the kami for the food that she had been provided. Thanking her ancestors for the path that they'd carved out to allow her to continue on to this day, and thanking the souls of the living and the dead for all that they had done to influence her life.
Such was a common ritual among, but one she never forgot.
And one that she, a former Unicorn that embraced the culture of the one true divine empire, relished wholeheartedly.

[sprinkles]

(ooc - discussed joining this before posting please do the same)

Sprinkles rode slowly up to where Haruka camped. "I am very fortunate to have found you young samurai. I've been keeping track of patrols to avoid them but when I discovered a lone rider I had to investigate further. So fortunate we should meet again Lady Haruka. May I join you?"

Sprinkles dismounted and approached slowly with both arms raised. "I mean you no harm I assure you. I merely wish to discuss the world we find ourselves in and see if we who are so very different may find common ground. For surely if the wife of the Scorpion Champion and the Daimyo of the Chuda can dine together in peace, then the two sons of Heaven can find common ground and we can put this war behind us."

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka strained to recall the face that now approached her, it having been some months since they'd last met. And then it struck her like an arrow to the chest, making her even flinch slightly.

The Spider from the camps at Mountain Watch Keep..!

She collected herself quickly, but did not bother to replace the front of her mask that she'd removed to eat.

"I must admit I am quite surprised to see you at such a time, Sprinkles-san..." There was a bit of an unease in her voice, though she tried not to seem to startled. It was far from her first interaction with the tainted, but as always her eyes seemed to be more alert as to who or what else might also be present.

"Again it seems I must advise you in keeping your.. fealty a less open topic, north of the wall." Her Utaku mare hardly payed him any notice, but granted she was upwind and unable to smell the taint for now.

Haruka did not reach for her blade, but where it was at her side was a present thought in her mind, as her eyes met his. "If only it were so simple to have two warring factions sit down to discuss things civilly, then warriors such as myself would have no purpose training for war beyond maintaining the borders.

But tell me... what brings you this far north, what brings your presence to me? You risk much by being here at all."

[sprinkles]

Sprinkles sat down opposite of Haruka. His face shifted. Usually he wore a slight smirk while weaving his lies, truths, and half-truths meant to manipulate; but now he seemed to shrink in presence. His face was that of a man who had seen too much.

"I have traveled to the Phoenix lands to seek help in destroying your friend Shoju. I have risked much..." Sprinkles hesitated. "...too much to gain my freedom. And I tire from it."

Sprinkles looked straight into her eyes as if he could see into her soul. "If it will gain you so much go ahead and kill me."

[Bayushi Haruka]

"I could kill you, as it would be right to give you a swift death, probably kind in some eyes."
She seemed to grow less anxious as she spoke, but her awareness of anything else around her or eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I would not be so quick to call Shoju my friend." Her eyes seemed to narrow, though she never broke contact with him. She would not be intimidated, but her mind continued to churn as she reconsidered the Spider's activities as of late. He might be able to sense her fearlessness, but it would not entirely cover her curiosity that also held her mind.

Her voice only dipped a bit lower to keep the words shielded for just their ears.
"I'm not certain I understand of what you speak. This freedom, and the Phoenix. I'm well aware of the plight of the 'Snake' and Shoju's intentions. But you do not follow with him, what burden is he to you? What trouble is he to the now warring Spider?

The more you tell me of the situation, the fewer questions I will have to ask."
As always, Haruka seemed to bear and endless patience for the tainted, so long as they were... coherent and not lost.

[sprinkles]

"Out of all the samurai I have ever met you seem the most...human Lady Haruka. You seek to find what's right and follow that path rather than the paths laid down by bushido."

Sprinkles dropped his gaze. "Let me tell you the story of who I am and why I do what I do. I was born in the land you call the Burning Sands long before the birth of the Empire. I was a powerful sahir but I heard of the kami. Spirits that would bow to the wishes of men. I traveled to these lands to learn this magic and learn I did. I learned much and became quite powerful. And like all powerful men I led other men. To some I was a hero to others a bane. But I followed my heart. I used a ritual much like the one Shoju did to become immortal. For years I was unbeatable. Then Hantei and his brothers came. The power of men was nothing to that of the gods. We were forced into slavery. I sided with Fu Leng if only to destroy as many as I could. I hated him as well."
"My vengeance was never enacted. Akodo himself destroyed my body. Being immortal has it's disadvantages. I was reborn in this time. Everything I knew is gone. All those who swore service to me died long ago and no one but me will ever remember their names. And now I am as servant of Daigotsu, by virtue of the taint. None would ever accept me or my quest. Not even the Spider."
"I wish to see an Empire built by the spirit of man. Not the traditions of gods. I wish to see an Empire where one can follow their heart and not be put to death for it. Taturi rode out to save the lives of your friends and family. And you seek to support him for it. But such actions are a betrayal to your clan. Surely you understand?"

[Bayushi Haruka]

She took in every word with quite the intent. His history coming to light in her eyes. His explanation now lending understanding as to how he could be so relaxed in the presence of a samurai, and how he'd referred to her as a young woman, when in her eyes she did not see a dramatic age difference. But with the taint she supposed, it hardly would matter as she had heard of its ability to mutate and deceive those that were burdened with it.
Still such a strange name, but I suppose it would not be my place to really question those born from a foreign land.

"Make no mistake. I am still one who understands and follows bushido in both war and peace, but my compassion is one that Shinjo-dono herself extended unto her brother Fu Leng." The name of the dark brother left her with a bad taste in her mouth, but she persisted through it, almost wondering if speaking the Kami's name somehow drew their attention.

"However, your interaction with the empire places it at risk. You understand the very danger you pose by being around the mortals of this world..." Finding it strangely casual to refer to herself and the other members of the empire as somehow naive short lived people.
She sighed, knowing he was likely aware of such a risk of infection he could invoke upon the empire. And yet she could also see his restraint and his desire to speak with her again dictating his actions, rather than assaulting her or any others and spreading the taint that way.

"...But either way. You do as you will, but know that I am still an honorable woman who will hear out the last wishes of the dying, who will take pity upon the defeated, and who will do her best to help this empire."

She seemed to pause then, taking her time to consider all that had been said and done. At many points she wondered why the Kami had not reached down to express their intent in the fate of this land. The fact that man was able to wage war without so much as a whisper of disapproval in such blatant aggression towards the Son of Heaven as he was continued to rest in her uneasy heart.

"Regardless of who is the victor in this war, our traditions and our culture will still endure. As it must, even if the actions of men choose who should rule it. Those that commit their offenses or fail in their duties will still be asked to sepukku. This will not change in Toturi-dono's empire.

But should he secure his place in power, I will have repaid my debt to him from the conflict of Mountain Watch Keep, and the empire will have an emperor that speaks and acts rather than remaining quiet and reclusive.

But if he should fail.." Haruka drew in a seemingly weight bearing breath, allowing it to slowly leave her in an acceptance of the truth of such a commitment. "Then my life will be forfeit, as the true emperor should take his place. It is why we war, it is why we duel, and fight and struggle. It is who we are."

[sprinkles]

Sprinkles looked up again at her but this was much different, rage crossed his face. A rage unlike any she had known before. "I refuse to accept that. I will fight for as many lifetimes as needed to see it so. I WILL tear down the Celestial Court and see the Fortunes bow at the feet of man. And I refuse to see you throw away your life. I know of your actions. Did Shoju not let tell you? I was able to spy if only for a moment on you. I know of your children." He used the word children on purpose hoping to strike a nerve. "I know what you did. How can you sit here and talk of honor and bushido? They are the lies holding you back. You are not an evil woman but already your actions would have you put to death. Take a stand against the hypocrisy that infects the Empire. That is your true Enemy! Help me steal back the destiny of mankind from the Kami. Help me save you!"

[Bayushi Haruka]

It did strike a nerve as her focus and gaze finally broke away from him. A pain piercing through her as she quietly took a gasping breath. Her sin had not gone unnoticed. Her eyes closed slowly to restrain the horror from her eyes, as she also took a hand and clutched it to her breastplate as if to try and still her heart.

"I will not.. I won't.." A flash of renewed strength took hold to steady her words in spite of the storm of her emotions. "I do not need to explain myself to you for my actions... But" Her voice suddenly changing from the quivering and regretful sort into something almost resolute. "...that makes me no better the person for it."

Her grip shifted, as one hand was tense on her chest, the other went to grip her wakizashi. The leather of the hilt unspoiled as it had hardly ever been drawn in all the lifetimes that it had witnessed.
Part of her action was instinct, part guilt. None of which took a healthy hold on her as she battled silently under Sprinkles' gaze.

"The only reason I did what I did was to try and save life. My life was as good as forfeit in any sense, as I was willing to give everything for the sake of the Scorpion. To drive them into the embrace of Toturi-dono and to survive this war. Such was a necessary act of loyalty, I only wished to save all that I could. I knew that should they place their loyalty in Han.. tei... Failure could only be.. assured.."

She seemed bitter with herself, having set aside the regret in her decisions now and having lived to see the days where her actions could be laid out for others to see.
This woman, so highly regarded in so many eyes quaking under her own mistakes. It brought a tear to her eye as she could not stomach the reality of it now. Sprinkles could see the beginning of steel being drawn as she continued with the motion.

[sprinkles]

Sprinkles moved with a flash of speed. He bolted forward and clasped Haruka's wrist. The position left him kneeling forward with one hand on the ground next to Haruka's hip balancing himself and other on her wrist. His head was was right next to hers.
He whispered softly in her ear. "Please! There is no need for that. Don't you see? We are the same. We are both committing sins to save those we love. That is why I have come to you My Lady. You are the only one who could ever hope to understand me."
He leaned back and looked her gently in the eyes. "And I am the only one who will ever understand you. Not the Unicorn, not the Scorpion. No one will understand why you have sacrificed so much except me."
Sprinkles sat back and hesitantly released her hand hoping for the best. "In the end your sacrifice will be in vain. You will be declared a monster and if you are remembered it will be as a villain. That is the price of compassion in 'this' Empire. But I know you can see another one in your heart. One where thousands need not die over the quarrel of two men. Where children do not suffer from the choices of their parents. And one where compassion like yours is seen as a virtue."
"I will remember you as a noble woman who understood what honor truly meant. Only I will remember you as that."

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka was stunned, even with all she'd ever done, and this man now seeing her choices in front of him. And yet he did not judge her as such, not that he had any right to. But the words that came from him seemed to be the lifeline that allowed some spark of hope to survive.

The blade re-sheathed the inch that it had been drawn, likely much to his relief. This spark continued to warm in her mind until the thought became clear to her then, once lost but now renewed. She understood it with all the more clarity.
I must... survive.

Her eyes blinked as she came to, pulling away from the shock and shame of her own ways.
Her gaze searched for anything now, resting on Sprinkles again.

"I... do not wish to be a memory. I know... my sins will not unmake themselves with my death." The hand over her chest now relaxing. Her eyes now rested, bringing herself to center as she did her best to calm herself.

No, my death will not help those that need me now. This war makes so many suffer and the spilling of more blood will not ease it.
Only my survival will ensure that wrongs are made right...

Her eyes came open again to him as she seemingly searched over him, noting his attire, his hands. Finding the words somehow.
"I.. thank you, Sprinkles. For what such thanks might be worth to you. But I pray that this... revelation was not the only reason for you seeking me."

[sprinkles]

Sprinkles smiled. It was a genuine smile of affection. "I may soon have to face Daigotsu. I have yet to regain my full strength. I will be defeated. I have only two hopes. One is that I may flee the Spider and find refuge elsewhere. I thought that the Scorpion's attitude would accept me if only to use me as a weapon to protect it's 'precious Empire'. But Senshi's actions seem to be far to hostile against any who are tainted for me to risk it."
"The other is a weapon of great power I used to possess. A oil lantern. I hoped to use it in my battle against the Kami. I do not know where to look for it other than perhaps the Lion lands, for that is where I fell. If you could find such a weapon it would be of great help against the Spider. Perhaps enough help to draw out Daigotsu himself. We could strike him down together."

[Bayushi Haruka]

She looked to him more securely now as his desire to seek her became clear. But confusion weighed on her as he explained these things.

"D-Daigotsu-sama..? The one who shepherds the taint in the city of lost and is one of the few forces who confidently walks in the darkness with the sort of prowess a leader possesses."

She found herself trailing almost dangerously closely to speaking of him in high regard and had to stop herself there. There was no question though that calling him sama showed an immediate respect for the name. One she could never share in any other's company.
"I know he is responsible for so much, and his existence is as much a burden on the untainted of the empire... but such vengeance, surely a man such as he would have attempts on his life... Surely we cannot do this as we are. The Spider make war on the empire, but I have not heard a word of his appearance at any point on the assaults on the Kaiu wall or the Crab borders.

And a being of his terrible power would not hesitate to move swiftly and heavily against the empire and do what he pleases."

She seemed to shake her head. Her mind reckoning with the reason she traveled now onto Toshi Ranbo.
"I go now to try and end this war, not to spurn another."

She did not wish to admit it, but her strength and her desire now had nothing to do with that man. In her quieter moments she had become somewhat grateful for the strange sort of order he brought to the darkness, only otherwise knowing faint whisperings of his mysterious nature.

And when she went to think on a weapon to do battle against the Kami, it actually made her hands shake as she did her best to contain herself. She closed her mind to search for the best solution in this situation. No good would come of an assassination attempt, but finding a weapon that could bear such destructive intent towards the great ones themselves.

She had to fight off her instinct now as a strange fleeting vision came into her mind. She had to find the weapon if she could, she had to find it first.

"And while I am unable to handle both this war and a hunt for your weapon... I could when the conflict ends and my summons to battle find their end. But not a moment before..."
There seemed to be a line crossed in her mind as he challenged the very heavens on their own. Surely he would not succeed, but in her heart she wished to be the one to prevent him from even so much as having the chance to so much as threaten their holiness. It pained her to agree, but she continued knowing what must be done.

"Tell me everything you know. As friend of the Lion, I can use my friendship and connections to secure it. If anyone can find it, I know that I will be able to so long as I know all that is needed."

[sprinkles]

Sprinkles held out his hand. A small flame appeared in it. The smoke rose and took the shape of an oil lantern. "This is the item you seek. It holds within it a powerful being known as a jinn. The sahirs learned how to captured these beings and force them to do our will. They make the power of maho look tame. Even I do not use this power without regard to it's nature. If such a being ever escaped it's wrath would be devastating."
"I have no idea where to look. But I can help you identify it." Sprinkles drew the White orchid presented to him at the Festival of the White Orchid. He bit his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the Orchid. The blood spread out in lines and the Flower appear to have a sunburst effect. "This Orchid has been enchanted to remain pure and alive forever. You have no fear of catching any taint from it. With this I will be able to locate you. As long as I know where you are I can speak to you in dreams. No other shugenja will know. It will be our secret."
"Please accept this."

[Bayushi Haruka]

She regarded the flower, a strange and delicate thing. Were this a court situation, were he a natural Rokugani, were any of this a more normal moment in their world, etiquette would have required her to refuse this gift twice in order to show a genuine respect for the gift given. To honor the giver, but this was no such time, and she was no courtier. Nor would she ever wish to be.

With both hands she took it into her own, holding the head of the flower into her palm. "I will accept this token, Sprinkles-san."
She bowed her head instead as a sign of respect to him, keeping the rest of her form still as a stone him.

"The only thing I can regret is that I have nothing to give in return for such a thing, but then I would hope my willingness to aid you would be enough. Let this be the tool for finding this lost item and the magic within."