Conversation: Prologue to Dark Dreams

[Zeure]

[OOC]This thread happens the night after the assualt on the tortoise fleet that the snake clan are sailing aboard. It's closed-ish. If Kasuga Shinobu wanted to interrupt, he would have IC presence to do so, otherwise should be over quickly.[/OOC]

Yun's hair blew in the wind as he looked out over the dark waves the ship was beating against. Tonight the wind seemed strong, as though it was as eager to move the snake from the shadowlands as the snake were to be out of them. Yun had been pressured today to fight and kill many things; and he had done his duty to the best of hid ability.

On this night, he would perform his duty again if he was able. Yun was waiting for Tamihei Shoju to arrive from the duties that he had to make the deals with the tortoise. Or to send for Yun to come to his chambers. Yun was still fresh to the ways of his lord and did not know how he would approach.

[Shoju]

Shoju strolled out on to the open deck. He looked physically exhausted. The remnants of the battle, and dealing with the Tortoise had obviously exhausted the man. it was purely his soul that kept his body moving forward at this point.

As he walked the deck, looking for Tenshi, he saw the young Shugenja that he had stormed the ship with earlier. He used an Air kami to quickly scan the deck for Tenshi, but she was not here. He would find her soon enough, he was sure.

Shoju turned and walked towards Yun. Good evening Yun-san. You performed admirably today on the ship. How have you fared since?

[Zeure]

"Good my Lord, I have fared very well. I put some food in me, had a little rest after helping push the bodies off ship and now I'm feeling fine."

Yun paused to look over Shoju for a second, as if considering something that he wasn't sure if he should say. The wind continued to blow as the ships moved; and Yun moved back to leaning against the rail.

"Sama, I would imagine we have quite a few enemies trying to do what we are doing. Or at least, that we will have quite a few enemies by the time we are done. Obviously the great clan samurai would be against us, at least most of them would; but if you had to say, who your number one enemy would be, who would you say it was?"

Yun continued to lean against the rail, but his eyes had locked on Shoju, attempting to read any sort of a reaction that he might give.

[Shoju]

Shoju leaned against the rail of the ship, looking over into the black abyss of the water. Yun-san, I fear that question is not as easy as one would originally wager. You see, as I'm finding out now, even those I felt would have stood aside as I made my way, now in fact stand in my way. Shoju looked out at the horizon, and sighed.

My greatest enemy is no man. My greatest enemy is history. My history. The history of the Spider. The history of the Chuda. For it will be the weapons with which I am judged. Shoju turned and looked at Yun, and then back into the abyss of the water. If I had to choose a man as my greatest enemy, it would in fact, be The Master of Secrets. Shoju stared at the water for a moment longer as memories of the Scorpion Champion's brother dying in Saisei, The rage he saw in the man's eyes when they dueled outside Kyuden Bayushi, The hatred with which he struck Shoju down. Without lifting his head, Shoju pondered Why do you ask?

[Zeure]

"My, Lord. I ask because your enemies are my enemies. To put it bluntly, I must do my best to make sure that your goals are accomplished, such is a Samurai's life. I have no problem with this, but I have to know where to strike."

Yun began to stare off in the same direction as Shoju, out into the waves.

"This Master of Secrets, do you mean Bayushi Senshi? I know of him, but I have never had the... pleasure of meeting him. Do you foresee this man crossing your path again as you accomplish your goal?"

Yun shifted his feet on the decks of the ship, his sandles making an obvious clunking sound as he did.

[Shoju]

Shoju nodded at Yun's question as he watched the blackness of the water wash against the outside of the ship. Water seemed so much more menacing at night. The sight and sound was calming to Shoju. Indeed Yun-san. Bayushi Senshi thinks me a monster more hideous in his nightmares than any threat the empire has seen. And from his perspective, a long time ago, he was right. Shoju looked at Yun sideways. I belong in the grove.

Shoju stood up and looked at the moon. He undoubtedly knows that our last confrontation did not end in my destruction. He will be coming for me. He thinks me a traitor, the murderer of his brother, and the harbinger of Fu Leng himself. In Senshi's rage swept landscapes of thought, there is no redemption, no honor to be regained, no attonement for what I've done, except that meted out at the end of his blade.

A grin formed Shoju's face. It is why in my arrogance, I forged my blade. I forged this weapon from the No-Dachi he carried against me in his most dishonorable action. Himitsu no Akumu has but one purpose. It was forged to kill Bayushi Senshi. All those slain by it along the way, only fuel its desire to taste the blood of the Master of Secrets.

[Zeure]

The smile that played across Yun's face was unmistakably gleeful. It was if all the information that Shoju had said was everything that Yun was wanting to hear. A sudden gust of wind and a slapping wave against the boat drew Yun's attention for a moment as his wild hair continued to dance in the breeze.

"Hmmm.... I bet he will at least be interesting.... Where are my quarters, Tamihei Shoju-Sama? Or at least, where might I set up for meditation? I now have duties to attend to, unless my lord would request something else from me?"

Yun looked eager to begin whatever it was he intended, but protocol demanded him waiting for his lord to dismiss him.

[Shoju]

Shoju looked at the shugenja, and could see the happiness in the eyes of the young man. Be wary of the Master of Secrets, Yun. In my time walking this plane of existence I have encountered Maho Tsukai, an Oni, Shugenja, Shinobi, Sohei, Yobanjin, and countless other enemies. The only one to strike a mortal blow was Senshi.

Shoju looked back out off the side of the deck, watching the water play with the reflection of the Moon. The Captain has given us small quarters in the belly of this vessel. It isn't much, but it will do for the trip. If you need to meditate, it would be the best place.

[Zeure]

Yun bowed deeply. "A samurai's life is to serve, my lord."

And with that he marched off into the bowels of the ship to find the place Shoju had mentioned. Upon finding the place, he rolled out a blanket that he had in his traveling gear. He closed his eyes and he began chanting. It was slow and rhythmic, if you were just listening to it and not having to pay attention to anything else, you might just fall asleep. Yun opened his eyes and one could see the calm that he had attained. He reached into his scroll case and pulled forth a scroll marked with the symbol of air. He unfurled it and sat it down in front of him. Then, he continued to pray.

*end prologue*

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