Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
|
Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Nov 30, 2011 16:43:05 GMT -5
Inside the courtyard of Seawatch Castle a shimmering began, which swiftly developed into a a gate in the air. From within it rode a group of Crane samurai; a small knot of Asahina shugenja surrounded by heavily armed Daidoji veterans. At their head were three individuals; Asahina Yuuto, Daidoji Ryo and Kakita Hitoshi. All expressions were grim and all looked ready for action.
As they hit the ground, Hitoshi turned to Yuuto "Yuuto-san, can you establish from Hatsune-san what the situation is here. Where was the oni last sighted and can assistance be offered to Mitsouko-sama?" He then grabbed the nearest Crane soldier. "Where are Yasuki Chad and his troops, and how many survivors have made it back here?"
|
|
Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
|
Post by Agasha Shodai on Nov 30, 2011 17:12:23 GMT -5
OOC: Shodai's appearance here is assumed to occur either before Bayushi Senshi summons him to fulfill his oath to help with the hunt for Tamihei Shoju or shortly thereafter. He is not in two places at once (obviously) or rushing back and forth between them.
~Somewhere far away from Seawatch Castle~
As the Void Master went about his business, he felt a disturbance resonate through the Void that nearly brought him to his knees. An image of Kakita Mitsouko, his bride-to-be, dropping from her horse as the vile touch of maho pricked her; trying to force a connection to... an Oni?!
The world seemed to turn red around Agasha Shodai as the eldritch forces surrounding him reacted to his outrage. "I will not permit this travesty... My future wife will not face the same fate as Isawa Isshin."[/b]
He reached behind him to pull the Isawa Naginata from his back. The nemuranai's power joined with the Void Master's, magnifying his already substantial abilities as he spat a complex incantation. "Fire Magic Arts, Flight of the Phoenix!"[/b]
An aura of fire that possessed offensive, defensive and utilitarian qualities, given life from a spell of Shodai's own design, enveloped the Void Master. With a thought, flaming wings sprouted on the back of the aura, easily lifting the armored shugenja, and began flying south.
Taking the Naginata in a two-handed grip, the Void Master chanted a second spell. "Void Magic Arts, Voidwalk Path!"[/b]
An aura, as black as midnight, formed on the edge of the Naginata. With a swing of the bladed staff, a hole into the space between spaces formed before the shugenja. A normal trek on the Voidwalk path would take an hour to reach the Seawatch Castle. But combined with the greater speed that his fiery wings granted, the Void Master would reach the Kakita Family Daimyo in half that time.
"Hold on, Koishii Mitsouko-sa..."[/b] Agasha Shodai whispered through the Void to Kakita Mitsouko's troubled mind. "I am on my way now... Hold on to who you are... Don't give in; you're stronger than that."[/b]
The air crackled with heat as Shodai focused the whole of his being into flying as fast as he possibly could.
OOC: Koishii = Beloved/Darling
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Nov 30, 2011 17:18:27 GMT -5
Infirmaries full of Crane and Mantis alike, the surviving officers keeping everything in control for the sake of everyone's sanity there. Looking further by the castle's walls, the scenery was of nightmarish waste. The horizon was grey and dull, the stench coming to their noses with every breath. No eta in the Empire could be forced to work today, outside.
The activity was confounded with apprehensive glances from here and there. No true samurai should admit their fear, of course, but a realistic mind cannot cheat itself, either.
While the shugenja had their conversation, Ryo followed with Hitoshi, leaving the veterans he brought with him gathering from the whispers and conversations what the soldiers knew from the oni... Every piece of information should be of utmost importance...
|
|
Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
|
Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 30, 2011 18:23:25 GMT -5
Kakita Yehchi went about the grim business of tending to the wounded. He was no shugenja, but he did have an understanding of more mundane medical practices. The situation was grim - he had already had to perform three amputations. Many of the wounds sustained were foaming with a black fluid that crept up the inside of the wound and corrupted all living flesh it touched. Many more were simply so savage to hopr to repair. The scent of scorched flesh from cauterizing amputated stumps joined the foulness of rot in the air.
The kakita saw his commanding officer, kakita Hitoshi, return through a magical portal with reinforcements. He finished bandaging the Mantis he had carried in, one of the bright spots in his first aid attempts as the man would likely make a full recovery given time and rest, and then walked over and bowed.
"Hitoshi-sama. Permission to report?"
|
|
Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
|
Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Nov 30, 2011 19:30:21 GMT -5
Raiden stood looking directly at Lady Kakita. Hands behind his back. Standing relaxed yet unimpressed. A slight smirk rested at the corner of one mouth. Either confidence or arrogance, Lady Kakita wasn't quite sure. Raiden tilted his head to the side looking her over.
She really does resemble her father Raiden thought to himself holding back a slight chuckle.
"Please allow me to summarize what information we have at the moment. In the heat of battle an oni appeared. Started ravaging both sides the reports of its actions and size suggest it is freshly summoned. A oni gathers it strength before unleashing, I do not think this is an ordinary summons. I am led to believe it was summoned by someone on your side of the field, perhaps a rogue maho tsukai that happened onto the battlefield or a bloodspeaker in your midst. What do you remember before we......caught you? A small smile crept onto Raidens face the first real expression the Kakita Daimyo saw on him.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 1, 2011 4:02:53 GMT -5
O hint of a chuckle was more remarkable than the inaudible words he spoke. Her face was stern, though.
While she needed time to think in what to do and time deal with the hearing loss she was experiencing right now, the same way she couldn’t spare this time as well. The Yoritomo daimyo…seemed to be an unusual samurai, someone she couldn’t guess or read.
Make a use of your well learned courtesy, Raiden-sama. I need fresh water, please. Pardon me if I offend you asking, I just can’t wait you to offer by yourself.
In this very war my clan found Mantis loyal to reason, which used their efforts to save people despite their origins. My return to my clan is what we need to discuss right now. I can’t fight an oni if I am not there, and I have little information since I was…unconscious and …taken.
|
|
Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
|
Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Dec 1, 2011 5:47:00 GMT -5
Raiden motioned his figures to one of the watchmen aboard the ship and they ran off to get some fresh water. Raiden then did something that shocked Mitsouko he took a couple of steps forward and extended his arm to her clenching a rolled up scroll and smiled very deeply.
"Why Mitsouko-sama since you did bring it up I have take the liberty to write out a contract and thus terms for the Mantis' surrender. Once you sign and approve this you will be free to go back and fight any oni's you see fit. I suggest you hurry though that thing has been reported near us currently. I believe you will will see that this agreement is more than fair, and the Crane will benefit as well." A merry tone came from the Mantis.
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 2, 2011 3:40:27 GMT -5
She used the fresh water offered to appease her thirst and then washed her face and hands, before turning to the Yoritomo daimyo again. Mitsouko got surprised that he produced a scroll to her, but the fact she was given something to read and not to listen was advantageous.
Though she didn’t know what the content of it was about, she opened it and skimmed over the terms presented. The document stated as terms to Mantis surrender was that the Crane would give enough land for the Mantis to have small trading outpost just north of the southernmost river, which 15% of koku made would return to Crane coffers. Also patrol of the southern river and control would go to the Mantis.
In a better day, Mitsouko would have to fight hard against the laugh outburst this reading should probably induce her, presented in a day of massacre and terror. This Yoritomo daimyo was a strange man, indeed. But in the present moment her sense of humor was reduced to zero.
Milord, you should remember that, before this unfortunate incident that forced us to rethink our strategies, your clan wasn’t exactly in position of such demands. But… in respect to your clan, I will not give you a reply right now. I demand a dealer, a diplomat of my clan that will discuss not a term to surrender, but business agreement with your clan…soon. I can fight the oni in Crane soil, or in a Mantis deck. Remember milord, there are millions of your kin out there, at the mercy of an oni exactly as the Crane are now. Send message to my clan to have a diplomat prepared to talk with you as soon as possible, or give me paper and ink then I produce a letter myself.
Mitsouko's glare was defying and proud, but she was clearly exhausted.
|
|
Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
|
Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Dec 2, 2011 17:08:12 GMT -5
"Hai, Yehchi-san, a report on the situation would be most welcome. I need to know exactly how many fighting men we have available, where Yasuki Chad is, and where the oni was last seen. We may not have much time!"
Hitoshi took in the wounded men lying all over the place, especially the blackness of some of the corrupted flesh. His heart sunk. There would be some hard decisions that had to be made today.
He sent the shugenja off with Yuuto to find Hatsune, barring a couple who had some minor affinity for the earth kami and would prove useful in the upcoming struggle, and asked Ryo to arrange the Daidoji veterans into a fighting formation whilst he listened to Yehchi's response.
|
|
Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
|
Post by Kakita Sojiro on Dec 2, 2011 18:07:16 GMT -5
Yenchi bowed again.
"To my knowledge, Yasuki Chad-sama is still here in Seawatch. I have no knowledge of the oni's location. It seems to be.... wherever it wants to be. And it's not the only threat out there, sama. There are other things in those woods."
"After your departure, we linked up with the Yasuki 9th and did our best to round up survivors, Mantis, Crab, or Crane, on our way to the castle. Fully half of my numbers were depleted on the way, but we did manage to pick up several survivors in various states of health. The forest seems to be deliberately enchanted to mislead and confuse those in it, sama. It took far longer to navigate than it should have, and we were under attack the entire time from.... things. I can't really describe them any better than that. Eventually we found ourselves surrounded, but apparently we were within range of the Kakita Elite archers guarding the shugenja. They made a hole for us to escape through and covered the retreat to the castle. By this time we had several wounded, and I was not about to leave a man to the mercy of those creatures, so several of my men wee carrying wounded, myself included. After linking up with the archers and shugenja the retreat was relatively uneventful, but our forces are down to roughly one third of their original strength. Sojiro-sama's archer unit is at roughly half strength, and I can't speak for the Yasuki or shugenja."
"One other thing, sama. The mantis that fought beside us, fought with much honor and bravery. When this nightmare is over, I request permission to honor their fallen properly."
|
|
Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
|
Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Dec 3, 2011 17:36:14 GMT -5
Raiden stood there wind blowing hard against him from the fading storm. Pride he thought was one of the Cranes deadliest flaws. In interest of diplomacy and getting this contract agreed to Raiden knew he had to play to this. Snapping back with venom would just prove useless in this situation even though the Mantis had lady Kakita currently.
Raiden pursed his lips benignly "Indeed Lady Kakita the Crane forces had us on the push. In fact if the oni hadn't appeared perhaps this conflict would be over by now. You could be standing over my lifeless corpse right now holding a Crane banner, it would be glorious in deed. However you are on my ship weaponless, and probably one of your own in the heat of battle lust sold his or her soul to summon a foul abomination that has been butchering us both. In interest of diplomacy I will contact your people to send a diplomat. May I ask however why do you ask for one? I was under the assumption the Lady Kakita could make and approve a peace agreement. I am confused on this fact."
Raiden motioned for the watchmen to talk to one of the other Shugenja's on board to send the message to the Crane shugenja's. Then he walk forward and tilted his head to one side as though he could hear a distant voice.
"huh"
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 3, 2011 18:00:25 GMT -5
Ohhhh Fu... Yes, Lady Kakita was able to think in rude words, even if she wasn't allowed to say them. I can't understand anything what he is saying. Being at the sea, with waves rolling under the vessel didn't any good to her new acquired (and hopefully temporary) deficiency. The little she could hear was muffled by it. But this time she got hints of sarcasm, so she could use it:
Excuse me milord, will you 'yes' or 'not ' permit a diplomat of my clan. A single word is enough for me.
|
|
Yoritomo Raiden
Mantis Clan Mod
Mantis Clan - Shugenja - Water - Thunder - Damiyo - Not Kolat
Posts: 437
|
Post by Yoritomo Raiden on Dec 3, 2011 18:15:07 GMT -5
Raiden put the palm of his hand into his face. All Raiden could think of at that moment was to hang a fish around Mitsouko's neck like a necklace, and leave her in a paddless kobune for the oni to devour. However no enemy honored or not should not be left to that fate. Taint was never tolerated, EVER. Raiden took a moment to put on his mask of boredom and arrogance.
"Yes" There was no emotion in his response. He bowed respectively and turned away.
One of the watchmen approached "Lord Yoritomo the message has been sent to the Crane, we await a reply."
"Good make our honored guest happy, bring her food or water, or clothes. I will be right back." Raiden seemed preoccupied
|
|
Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
|
Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Dec 3, 2011 19:21:52 GMT -5
This time Mitsouko just observed the Yoritomo daimyo masking his displeasure and turning from her, with little relieve, though. Her problems are piling over her head and she needed to not defocus of her inner battle in any moment...when giving up would be so much easier...she waved her head, dismissing the beginning of this thread of thoughts.
Turned around, analyzing the faces, the glances... finding herself lonely. These men would be eaten, smashed in an instant by the oni that was trying to steal her soul... and petty questions from a petty guy were preventing her of trying to save Crane and Mantis' lives. It was so... surreal... but Mitsouko have faith in her men, her true allies. In this exact instant she knew they were planning a reaction. Hitoshi, one of the Kakita boys, would not fail her. Or the ones chosen by Yuuto, a noble soul. And...would Naetaru be aware of it already? Probably not...
She felt a cold glare at the nape of her neck and Mitsouko would not be so stupid to don't know it was Sanjuro's widow. When a Mantis offered her to get some privacy and rest, she followed to a cabin where she could clean herself and change her clothes. The Mantis offered to her to repair and clean her armor items as well. She respectfully accepted and thanked them for the service.
She was eating from a fuming bowl of rice when the oni's call inside her mind started again...
|
|
|
Post by Asahina Yuuto on Dec 3, 2011 20:08:15 GMT -5
The clomped beat of foot soldiers in lock step, the drudgery of mud and defeat weighing their feet down upon tread of Imperial road, encouraged by the monotone yelps and yells of orders to march faster, build to crescendo as the disheveled crane legion snakes across the landscape. The tattered and soiled banners of the Kakita 1st legion sink their heads in shame, exposing the pain and pride upon the minds and faces of these samurai this night, a blood red moon shining its corrupting light.
Among the rabble, whispers banter back and forth, “why are we leaving our Emperor at this hour,” they find angered response, “follow orders.” The commander’s loyal guard on horseback flanks those filed, keeping order with those who falter in movement or mind, bamboo baton reminding slouched sides or those weary in walk to keep in line. As the formation passes, the embittered whisper, “Alesha-san he’s hell on retreat,” their mumbles shrill in defeat, further muffled by the ringing of metaled men and wagon on the move.
A man slinks from the line, muscle and leg failing to keep in time with Alesha-san’s pursuit; taking notice, a loyal horseman breaks from stride to stamp out such misstep, his grim voice intimidating conformity, “get in line.” Failing to receive a response, he turns to the cut of bamboo stick to issue a more stern demand, quickly painting the man scarlet red in an artistic display of discipline. The man cowers in pain screaming, “I am loyal to my Emperor – my clan – I wish to serve, but…” such words pulsing with pain, only encourage more scorn. “You will fight for Alesha-san as long as you wear that mon, or die like the dishonorable waste that you are.”
Another man, breaking from rank in concern, makes movements to the man, his brother, now bleeding under terrifying sky and more nightmarish commanding officer. He offers a compromise as his sibling shivers in turmoil, his terror eased between his dishonored hands and arms, “…sama, I will carry my brother in his moment of weak—” his words, interrupted with bleaker terms, “you will string your brother upon the side of the road” the young samurai’s eyes bulge in fear, "...or be made an example of weakness as well," the whispered gurgles of his brother, cough and coax him to swift action as other guardsman draw near.
“MASAOOOO,” shrieking in dulled lunacy, “my brother forgive me,” the infirmed man, bed ridden and eyes bulging in terror, begins flailing in madness as he awakes from his sleep. Beading sweat drains down upon his yellowed and sunken face, the acridic smell of corruption wafting from his bed. As he becomes more violent, two Asahina begin to restrain him, administering the narcotics necessary to coax him back to slumber.
The door slides closed upon the scene, Hatsune apologizing, “Yuuto-sama, forgive my tardiness, but things have turned more dreary than we realize; how may I attend to your needs?”
Motioning his student closer, a look of concern upon his face, Yuuto whispers as the two begin walking down the hall, “can they be saved?” With more pragmatic response, Hatsune replies, “their minds may be lost to us, but some may still have their honor retained.”
The halls of Seawatch are filled with activity, as the wounded, and reinforcements flood the halls with tasks and talk. Of most curious interest is the Crab contingent under the Yasuki Daimyo, their lot a strange collection of tools, timber, and ammunitions.
Yuuto had often gazed upon their work while walking the walls of Toshi Ranbo, interested in how their mechanical motions might be merged with his own, more “artistic” pursuits. As Hatsune relayed the events of the last two days, he was amused that some of his ideas had been quite successful.
Navigating the halls, the two shugenja soon find their way to the parapets outside, between now silenced siege devices, they continue their conversation, the Mantis fleet in the distance bobbing with the motions of the waves, their sails tacking away from the land. “Hatsune-san,” Yuuto’s taking a more serious tone, “did our plan survive to see the Lady Kakita through?”
”Hai,” Hatsune, clasping his hands together in a meditative manner, “unfortunately we lost sight of the Daimyo during the skirmish; the kami suggests to me the Mantis now entertain her audience within their fleet, but my perceptions have been clouded since the betrayal.”
Looking upon the clouds still agitated, the migration of cranes still fluttering southward, Yuuto strokes his chin seaward,“Then we need to find her quickly if we are to break the link; I do not know how much longer our ancestors can keep her safe or the oni asleep”
|
|