[open-RP] A Ronin, His Thoughts, and SAKE.

[Zeure]

Jak's mind was filled with the news that he had taken in over the last few days. Every warren was buzzing and talking over the stained paw and the war that the humans were in. And it was a terrible sadness that overcame him as his posed relaxed because he couldn't tense while speaking of this subject.

"Every nezumi is upset right now. All warrens are talk-talking. One of the Nezumi tribes has fallen to the tomorrow. And now they serve the terrible one. At the same time, every human is fighting every other human. Not coincidence. Jak see-see much more than most think. All nezumi in danger. Tomorrow is coming fast."

He tilted his head back and sniffed the air with his eyes closed. Probably not something that a human would understand, but to those who have seen Nezumi before, it was regarded as an expression of sadness; akin to crying.

Also, something that most may not understand is the Nezumi's concept of time. The tomorrow was anything that was dangerous to the nezumi anything that could kill them. They might call an exceptionally dangerous ogre or an oni part of the tomorrow.

The terrible one was the kami that had crashed into the shadowlands and formed a pit to Jigoku. If one understood that piece of information, it would leave little doubt as to what the Nezumi was saying had happened. One of the tribes had become corrupted with the taint.

[Shoju2]

Fuzo nodded at the Nezumi's words. Tell me Jak, how long would it take you to reach your warrens from here? The Shugenja looked over at the Ronin, and back at Jak. I believe that your kind may be able to help this man, more so than saving him from an oaf with a testubo.

The Shugenja walked towards the Nezumi, I have been told that your shaman have powers over names. Some of them, can even take someones name. I'm hoping, that they may be able to discern what has happened this man's name.

The shugenja looked at the Nezumi, waiting his response.

[Zeure]

"Jak think.... *he holds up two fingers* two moons to warrens from here."

He paused to think for a moment, looking at the Tonbo.

"Hey, you big name samurai? Jak could use favor. Jak could use some food to take back to tribe. Make gathering easier. We all gather in Isawa Mori to discuss coming of tomorrow tribe. I take this human *indicating The Ronin* to tribe. And I take food with us to feed.

He nodded as he spoke, as though this was a fair deal.

"Not sure what shamans will say, but they do know names and if he has lost his, maybe they can put it back."

[Shoju2]

Fuzo thought for a moment, and then nodded as well. I think that sounds like a good plan....

The Ronin interrupted Wait.... What!? You want me to go!? Look, people are going to miss me if I don't report back eventually. I just came here because it was a nice detour, and to see Ranita. The ronin looked slightly scared. What about the Business at the Jasmine Dragon!? What about Ranita? They aren't going to be happy that I ruined the place and then POOF! Disappeared. The ronin made a wild gesture with his hand at the word poof.

The Shugenja thought for a moment. I will handle the Jasmine Dragon. No one will know of the deception. Fun should be back with your possessions any minute, and then the only thing to worry about is the woman, and I assure you, she will be safe. Fuzo bowed slightly to the ronin.

As if on cue, the Heimin returned with the Ronin's armor and Daisho. Fun bowed low and held the daisho out, wrapped in a piece of silk cloth, as to not touch the daisho itself. The Armor was carried by a pair of Heimin and placed honorably. They bowed on one knee, head down, and didn't move.

The Ronin took the Daisho, and removed it from the silk, and attached it to his hip, and began placing the armor on. That handles that, but doesn't handle Toturi-Dono, it doesn't handle me not returning.

The Shugenja walked towards The Ronin, and held his arms up. Please, Ronin. Listen to me, go with this Nezumi. His Shaman are the only chance you have at lifting the veil over your memories, and regaining your name. You are in no shape for combat. What if this gets worse! Fuzo looked at him. The Ronin was old enough to be his father, but he was as impetuous as a samurai fresh from his gempukku.

The Ronin sighed. He looked at the Nezumi, he looked at the Shugenja. If your shaman can't help me, I'm leaving. Quickly.

The Ronin sat down in a huff. Clearly, the arrangement was begrudging at best.

[Zeure]

Jak nodded his head as if this was all perfectly ok. He looked over at the Ronin and smiled. Of course, it looked deranged on a nezumi, showing teeth with upturned lips. But he might catch it.

"Don't worry...uh....samurai. If anyone can help-help you with your problem, shaman can."

And so it was that the Nezumi and the Ronin set off into the wilderness that skirted along the mountains the dragons called home. With several packs of food granted by the Tonbo, the made their way to a small cave that you would have overlooked if the Nezumi hadn't been there to shuffle aside some of the vegetation surrounding it. A long tunnel is what awaited the ronin after that it curved several times and had many passages that could be confusing, except that the Ronin had a guide.

Eventually, the scent of wood and undergrowth filled the Ronin's nose and they soon emerged into a forest. Jak explained that this was the Mori Isawa. But at what precise location in it, the Ronin would be hard pressed to say. There were hundreds of Nezumi in this place all gathered in a central tree that was hollowed out. Several tunnels led to and from this place that the Ronin suddenly found himself in.

"Good, we not miss-miss Kan'ok-tichek speak. You get to meet whole tribe!"

The Nezumi sounded far more excited than the ronin probably felt at the prospect.

"And then I take you to shamans. They busy-busy right now. Dancing for success. Can't be interrupted."