Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 28, 2011 9:40:31 GMT -5
Mom! Even extremely tired, Mitsouko was sure that this method was a risky maneuver and then she rose and went to her mother’s aid. Do you know how risky is it? Please… Don’t do it! Maybe, it’s time to an outcome, maybe… she glanced the Void Master over her shoulder. Maybe there’s a way where Kaoruko can talk with Shodai, or Shokujin… Maybe this agony can have an end here, now… or at least, soon. Can you do it, Sho?
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 28, 2011 20:19:20 GMT -5
Isawa Tisuke smiled sadly at Kakita Mitsouko, reaching around to cup the back of the Kenshinzen's head as she had so many times in the duelist's youth before the "illness" of the shugenja's soul had forced her to leave her daughter. "It is a minor calculated risk, Mitsu-chan... My magic can neutralize any poison instantly; I could have healed you any time after Kaoruko's assassins poisoned, but I had to wait until it had progressed to the point that you would have to either face death or your fear."
"The poison I have taken is slow acting in small doses, but in the amounts I've been taking would put me in the same state you were in when Shodai-dono healed you by nightfall tomorrow. Kaoruko knows this, just as she knows that I am willing to sacrifice myself to protect you. This forces her to use our shared magic to heal us every time she surfaces because she can't be sure if she'll have another opportunity. And, fortunately for all of us, the effort of healing magic takes enough out of her that I can push her down and maintain control."[/b]
At Mitsouko's suggestion of trying to invoke the spirit fragments of all three of them, Shodai frowned thoughtfully. "I'm... Not sure, Mitsouko... The Kitsu shugenja have a way of opening the planar boundaries to Yomi, the realm of the honored Ancestors, but I don't know of any to evoke a soul fragment from inside a living person."[/b]
"You needn't worry yourself, young Master."[/b] Tisuke said, shaking her head. "I fear no amount of talking will salve Otomo Kaoruko's wounded pride, Mitsu-chan. Honestly, she should have never been permitted to reincarnate before truly repenting of her sins in Toshigoku, but the deal made to permit her to shed the kharmic debt from her crimes against your prior incarnation required her to be reborn before the two of you."
"No, the only way this can end is if we resolve whatever lingering onus clings to Saimei's soul fragment and then allow you both to have what Kaoruko's crimes denied you... Once that is done, the curses of Benten and Hotei will be lifted and, with their blessings, Otomo Kaoruko will be banished like the bad memory she is."[/b] The Isawa woman looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "Try and focus, Mitsouko... Let your mind wander and you'll be able to sense, deep in your heart, what Saimei seeks."[/b]
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 30, 2011 14:40:56 GMT -5
I don’t think I will be at ease knowing you aren’t well, and recurring to these methods… we need to find a solution to it, not mere palliatives!
Mitsouko cannot refrain her reproval to this option, no matter how safe her mother could think it is. If magic depends on kami, it eventually can be denied. Risking her Tisuke’s life. If I’d be permitted to give a word of advice to my own mother, I think the guidance of monks can be enlightening to this part of your soul that is so rebel and dangerous to others and yourself, my dear okaasan…
I... I had a dream. Mitsouko forced her mind through a response, but maybe the tiredness or anything else wasn’t making her too much focused. A dream about the sword that... that killed Kaoruko. It’s an important token to every of them but I… I am not sure what the real link and why it’s as important to Saimei… as Tsukinai is to me, I think… both were hers, right? This sword is lost, okaasan. It seemed to be confiscated by Otomo’s family but…
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Dec 31, 2011 0:20:42 GMT -5
Mitsouko's mother smiled at her daughter's genuine concern for her well-being. 'Once I'm rid of this curse, I fully intend to join the Brotherhood of Shinsei and spend the rest of my life seeking Enlightenment in the hopes I can make this my soul's last journey through life, Mitsouko."[/b]
Isawa Tisuke she then grimaced briefly - her face twisting as if fighting to keep down bile - and gave a knowing nod... "Koimizu Hinata, the name means 'Tears of Love in the Sun.' I'm not surprised that her focus would be there... Let's see... Where was..?"[/b] The female Phoenix shugenja turned to the scroll satchel she had on Shodai's side of the kotatsu. "If you'd be so kind, Shodai-dono, as to pull out the scroll with the Seppun sigils covering it's backing?"[/b]
The Void Master opened the heavy cloth bag and pulled out a scroll with two rolls - one smaller than the other - with a luxurious Seppun green ribbon holding them together to mark a place in the scroll. He handed it over to Tisuke who removed the ribbon and opened the scroll to an elegant watercolor of Seppun Saimei, clad in the same armor she'd worn in the dream.
"I was able to procure this copy of Saimei's official biography from the Imperial Archives shortly before the destruction of Otosan Uchi a few years ago... I thought that if I could learn more about her I would be able to steer the two of you in the right direction."[/b] She opened the scroll further and set it down to let Shodai and Mitsouko read it.
'Taisa Seppun Saimei requested to act as kaishakunin by Seppun Inoue. Request accepted and Inoue's seppuku proceeded properly and honorably.'
'Following this service, Saimei chose to retire Tsukinai - the Kakita Blade which she had wielded since her gempukku - citing that holding the blade caused her mind to wander in the memories of Inoue, her instructor and mentor and was given to her younger sister, Meitsukou, who had just completed her own gempukku and showed as much promise as her sister had at the same age.'
'Before the Imperial Guard could commission a new katana,' The next few characters were blotted out; expunged from the record. ', her betrothed husband-to-be, presented Taisa Saimei with a new Kakita Blade; forged by the great-grandson of the master smith who'd forged Tsukinai. Hinata Koimizu was later stolen from Taisa Saimei's effects after she was killed in action defending her father's former clan, the Crane, during the battle that became known as "The Night of Falling Stars."
Saimei's suitor claims he used the blade to avenge what he claimed to be a "murder by deception" and killing Otomo Kaoruko, the shugenja to whom Saimei was assigned as yojimbo. During'[/b] Another censoring of Miya Shokujin's name. ''s trial, he demanded the katana be placed into evidence. This request was denied by the father of Otomo Kaoruko, citing that Kaoruko's apprentice, Seppun Tiatsuke, had declared the weapon to bear a foul maho curse and had sealed away the weapon for all time in the labyrith beneath Otosan Uchi.'[/b]
Agasha Shodai snorted derisively. "Maho my left foot! They just didn't want to risk Shokujin demanding the kami of the blade to be questioned. Kami can't be used to provide testimony, but with the right questions it could repeat Shokujin and Kaoruko's last conversation and cause a spectacle that would utterly disgrace Kaoruko and her entire family."[/b]
Isawa Tisuke nodded. "That was my suspicion as well, young Master... You two must..."[/b] The Phoenix shugenja shuddered as another pulse of magic tickled Shodai's senses. A look of horror filled the features of Mitsouko as she tried to pushed her daughter towards the Void Master. "No~o..! Too soon... Too STRONG..![/b] She moaned clutching her head.
Realizing what was happening, Shodai lurched to his feet, grabbing Mitsouko's hand. "Mitsouko, come on! We need to get out of here before..."[/b]
"It's too late, Shokujin-kun..?"[/b] A voice from another life demanded from Isawa Tisuke's lips. "Water Arts, Frozen Hell Prison!"[/b]
With a burst of magic, the walls of Tisuke's apartment were suddenly layered with three inch ice, sealing the three of them inside. The candles instantly went out, but a subtle blue illumination came from the ice. The temperature made a nosedive and suddenly the very act of breathing became a chore thanks to the cold.
Shodai pulled Mitsouko close to him - both of them were wearing light summer clothing and wouldn't last long - and tried summoning a fire kami to warm them, but the spell fizzled.
The essence of Otomo Kaoruko, however, was unaffected by the bitter chill and began to laugh. "Silly boy... I know my sap-hearted reincarnation taught you that the most powerful water spells will also banish fire kami from the area to magnify the spell's effects. You'll both be dead of hypothermia before they return to this building..."[/b]
"Well, here I am, Saimei!"[/b] Tisuke/Kaoruko, her eye wide with insane hatred, snarled at Mitsouko. "You foolish little girl... I have spent 10 times longer than you've lived HATING every single aspect of your existance! Did you really think that a few words would erase two centuries of planning how I was going to kill you both?"[/b] Kaoruko cackled insanely as she sat regally on a frozen chair. "Well, go ahead! Talk! Maybe I'll find a measure of pity and kill you fast instead of slow..."[/b]
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 13, 2012 0:51:15 GMT -5
It was too fast and too impressive, Mitsouko was too weary o have a quick reaction but also, would hse ever hurt her mother? The answer was no, and all she wished in that moment was that, if it was a nightmare, she wished to awake now. Though, it was pretty real. The air was chilling, the temperature dropped so fast that breath and pump blood for the heart was becoming aching. But she found answers in Saimei. Mitsouko wasn't able to channel as they were in balance now, or maybe she was too tired for it, but she knew what to say: So be it. The one who gave me life will also be the one to reaper it. Because, no matter what you think now Mistress, you are still part of it. I never understood half of things that happened when I was a child, but now I can. I had the chance to love you once more; you had this chance as well. Didn’t you ever have any feeling of friendship for Saimei? She loved you! Can’t you really remember how Saimei loved you? How Saimei admired your spirit, your beauty, your courage and your grandeur? What happened, Kaoruko? Now I can remember the very aspects of our life together as friends, as sisters. Though I cannot speak with her voice anymore, I know it! And... I cannot hate you too, because she is a part of me and her feelings are her feelings somehow...She never knew, Kaoruko, she died without never have had any bad feeling against you! I can say she would prefer cut a hand out before making you feel sad. Though… I am sorry it was not enough. It’s sad to see one life was again wasted when it could be shared as real family, with a real blood tie, with true love… Saimei truly consider you above her own needs. Before she goes to war Saimei spent her own resources in a mission and had found for you what you was looking for in those days. She expected to take you there, she expect to make you happy. You were her big sister, but… If she only knew…You both died without knowing the true feeling of each other. But now I, Mitsouko, your daughter, question you Kaoruko: Why did you ever permitted me to be in peace with my mother? Why did you ever permitted to be in peace with yourself?
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 14, 2012 15:33:13 GMT -5
The wrathful spirit of Otomo Kaoruko narrowed Isawa Tisuke's eyes at Mitsouko's questions. "Friendship? Love? Big sister? PEACE?! You are as clueless in this life as you were in your last, Mitsu-chan!"[/b] She demanded shrilly, her features glowering at her reincarnated foe. "Saimei was my meat shield; she was never anything more than that to me! An Imperial only because her father managed to marry up in the world: her love and admiration was my DUE as both a shugenja and third cousin to the Emperor! I was damned near royalty!"[/b]
Saimei rose from her icy throne and kicked it aside; the frozen wood shattering as she paced the chamber, the air cooling more and more with each step. She was clearly trying to remain aloof and in control, but it was just as clear that Mitsouko's words had touched her; eating away at her unrighteous indignation.
And Kaoruko hated it. She had been spoiled rotten in life, but she was still a woman capable of feeling guilt, though she had tried to blame Saimei and Shokujin for her actions.
"Even IF I had begun to warm up to Saimei..."[/b] Though she spoke the words snidely, her tone confessed that she had, since - while she was clearly skilled at misdirection and deception, as befitted the daughter of a high-stationed Otomo courtier - outright lying was beyond her ability. "...when she, when YOU, met Shokujin, her dedication to her duty as my yojimbo waned!"[/b]
A spear of ice formed in her hands, which she pointed at Shodai's throat. "This is all your fault! YOU RUINED HER! You charmed her, you stole her, you disregarded me and then you cut off my arm and slashed my face in two!"[/b]
Agasha Shodai looked at the spear. His twin gaze narrowing as he mentally struck the weapon with a tendril of the Void, shattering it into ice cubes. Tisuke's eyes widened in shock and she quickly backpedaled; Kaoruko had momentarily forgotten that she was dealing NOT dealing with a courier that had killed her with the cunning of a ninja assassin, but a man whose true power easily eclipsed her own.
Then the Void Master's eyes unfocused for a moment. When they stabilized, they became rage-filled slits and a snarling expression that looked completely out of place filled his features.
"*I* ruined her?!"[/b] Miya Shokujin demanded, pushing himself to the surface of Shodai's consciousness. "Who tried to interfere with our omiai negotiations? Who kept dragging Saimei off on spurious "missions" those rare times when my duties spared me time to see her?"[/b] He rose to his feet, the air around him crackling as Shodai's power responded to Shokujin's anger. While the Miya had been a mere courier in his previous life, he had been awakened by the early stages of Shodai's education in the shugenja arts and had learned them along with his reincarnation. "Who wrote a falsified notice of my death and sent it to her WHILE SHE WAS AT WAR?! It was all you, you selfish, spoiled, self-agrandizing bitch! Two hundred years and you still haven't gotten it through your thick skull that YOU'RE the one who made the bed all three of us had to lie in! Dying once wasn't enough for you get that?!"[/b]
Kaoruko glared daggers at him as tears dribbled down her cheeks. "You want to kill me again? FINE!"[/b] She pulled open her kimono to reveal her cleavage. "Then do it like a man this time and stab me through the heart! End it, Shokujin and send me to Gaki-do along with the other damned spirits!"[/b]
Shokujin's eyes widened - as if greatly tempted to take the offer - but then Shodai forced himself back to the surface. Shodai shook his head. "You are missing the point, Kaoruko... Don't you see? If you had just accepted the will of Tengoku, your life - both last time and this time - would have been so much better."[/b] The shugenja told the spirit with a sad kindness.
He looked at Kaoruko/Tisuke as a thought suddenly entered his mind. "You were lonely, weren't you, Kaoruko?"[/b] The eyes of Mitsouko's mother widened in shock as she took a stuttering breath. "You had power and status and you could never be sure if people were being friendly or if they were trying to use you for their own ends. Then you found Saimei, who didn't CARE about any of it, and became someone you could finally entrust with your heart..."
"But then she and Shokujin fell in love and that closeness began to wane... And that terrified you, didn't it? You were afraid that he would completely take her away from you and you'd be right back to where you were... Because it wouldn't be as bad as it was before; it would be worse because you had known true friendship and would feel the pain of what was missing."[/b]
Kaoruko sank to the floor; stunned almost insensible. "That's... No... HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?!"[/b] She wailed like the lost soul that she was and began to cry copiously. As she did so, the ice filling the room cracked and began to melt away as her concentration was completely disrupted.
"Because..."[/b] The shugenja took a deep breath before he knelt before her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Because that has been my life, this time around... It was MY punishment for Shokujin's failure of compassion to your pain. He should have wondered why you were so jealous of the time he spent with Saimei - he could have shared her instead of trying to monopolize her."[/b]
Shodai gestured to Mitsouko, waving for her to join them. "We need to end this cycle, Kaoruko... Death couldn't stop it, so that means we need to LIVE the solution, instead. Help us; in doing so you will only be helping yourself and end your suffering."[/b]
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 17, 2012 2:05:49 GMT -5
Kakita Mitosuko witnessed with horror the the Tensai's threat and Shodai/Shokujin's reaction, as well Tisuke/Kaoruko's display of power and fury. Though the Void Master regained his mind and conducted things to a better outcome. It was only matter of trying to make the long dead self willed Otomo's piece of soul regain her mind as well. Please, Kaoruko... I am not only Saimei's reincarnation. I am your flesh and blood, I am your daughter. You also is not somebody apart of Tisuke, my mother. If... If we all are imprisoned in this cycle of shattered pieces of our own souls, this sickly and deadly commitment with feelings of vengeance, we now have an opportunity of have love again... Do you remember...? When Saimei needed you, when the brother of the emperor prefered to commit seppuku and asked her to be his second... you supported Saimei. You said you loved her...she listened your advices...you said her you'd be proud of having a daughter like her... now you have. Please... chose peace and redemption for all of us... Kaoruko fell silent, her fixed eyes showing that her mind was recollecting the facts Mitsouko/Saimei reminded to her. I think...a sudden idea crossed her mind, and Mitsouko asked her mother: Do you know where your apprentice hid the sword Shokujin used? Maybe this piece can be used to a ritual able to free your souls from this mutual and senseless wrath. Mitsouko looked to one and then the other, standing between both. Because... I simply love you both (and it was very strange for Mitsouko to hear that being spoke by her own lips, as it was referring to Shokujin and Kaoruko, and not Shodai and Tisuke), and don't wish to witness or be tied to this downward spiral of hatred.
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 18, 2012 14:26:05 GMT -5
Otomo Kaoruko/Isawa Tisuke's eyes widened in further disbelief of what she was hearing. "You... You forgive me..? Despite what I have done to you as Saimei and as you are now, you still have it in your heart to forgive me..?"[/b]
Kakita Mitsouko's answer to that question was clearly etched onto her features as she looked upon her mother without fear or distaste for the first time since she'd been a little girl.
The water Tensai sniffed back tears, blotting her face dry. She looked back and forth between Mitsouko & Shodai - Saimei & Shokujin - and finally nodded. "I... I'm so tired... Of the hate, of the guilt, of the pain, of EVERYTHING."[/b]
Kaoruko whispered a soft prayer and the water pooling from the melting ice gathered in front of her. In the water, an image of the ruined capital of Otosan Uchi appeared. "Here, in the Forbidden City district of the old capital, there was a mansion reserved for the Otomo family elite and any guests they wished to entertain at the base of Seppun Hill."
"In the basement of this building - if it survived the destruction of the capital five years ago - there was a secret entrance to a network of underground service tunnels that runs to the Northern Wall a short distance away. The tunnels were used to allow the Otomo to move contraband that they did not want the guards to know were entering the Forbidden City: Gaijin spices, opium, and so on."[/b]
"No surprise there... The Northern Wall relied more on manpower than magic to protect it."[/b]
The spirit nodded. "The tunnels do not extend beyond the Miwaku Kabe, but they go quite deep into the ground. Tiatsuke, my apprentice, was a master of Earth magics: for all I know she could have had the kami excavate an entire room off one of the tunnels just for Koimizu Hinata. I - Tisuke, rather - has made any number of tries to locate the sword without success. I can only tell you where to start..."[/b] She said, sounding sleepy.
Isawa Tisuke's head bobbed once, but then she perked right back up. She reached over and gave Mitsouko's hand a squeeze. "Well done, Mitsu-chan, Shodai-dono! Between the mystical exertion and the emotional toll of being forgiven, I have managed to put her back to sleep. For the time being at least. You both must hurry to Otosan Uchi. When you get there, ask for Yotsu Dan at the Yotsu Dojo in the Yatoshin district near the bay. He is..."[/b] She paused. "A... a very dear friend. He should be able to help you find the tunnels."[/b] Her fair cheeks colored slightly and it was obvious that this "Dan" was more than a mere friend.
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Kakita Mitsouko
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Jan 21, 2012 5:56:36 GMT -5
A great relief instaured upon Mitsouko's heart, after those taxing events. Her mother's safety once again was of her great concern, but finally it seems Kaoruko was trying to grant them all peace once at all. You, okaa-san, please rest. In fact, I need some rest as well. When we can discuss these events with a clear rested mind, we probably will find a better route to do what we need. Her eyes were pleading for a moment to soothe the stress. Mitsouko, also, needed to reflect not only about Kaoruko's directions but, for what she found within herself as well. The Crane woman reached Shodai's hand and squeezed it for a brief moment, in a silent recognition for all he did so far.
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Jan 22, 2012 19:56:16 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai smiled as Mitsouko squeezed his hand; nodding in agreement - rest would be very welcome right about now. The effort to reunify Mitsouko's soul, fighting that odd spell inside her soul and then having to deal with Otomo Kaoruko afterwards had left him feeling rather drained. "Yes; sleep would do wonders at the moment..."[/b]
Isawa Tisuke nodded. "There are quarters reserved for the Council and their honored guests in the central school by the Falls, young Master. I would escort you there, but..."[/b] She gestured to herself in her white death robes.
The Void Master nodded. "It is fine, Tisuke-san. I know how to get us there."[/b] He squeezed the Kakita Daimyo's hand in return. "We can continue our quest when you're ready, dear Mitsouko."[/b]
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Agasha Shodai
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Feb 23, 2012 12:38:57 GMT -5
OOC: This concludes A Mother's Love; A Daughter's Pain.
The Threads of Destiny Arc races towards its conclusion as Kakita Mitsouko and Agasha Shodai travel to the ruined capital of Otosan Uchi to seek out the long-lost blade, Hinata Koimizu, and bring closure to the tragic stories of Seppun Saimei, Miya Shokujin and Otomo Kaoruko in the story "Tears of Love in the Sun," Coming soon to the Imperial Court board!
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