Kakita Sojiro
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When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Feb 3, 2012 6:57:33 GMT -5
Sojiro nodded.
"That is my plan. Shoju does not leave Ryoko Owari alive. And I'm not dueling him. I'm killing him. Period."
He held up the gloves for Battou to inspect.
"My latest addition to my anti-bloodspeaker arsenal. Just one surprise I have in store."
He sighed, and then... swallowed. Whatever he was going to say next, he was obviously not comfortable with it in the slightest.
"As far as Mitsu is concerned, I will tell her... eventually..." he looked back up at Battou, "You just have to trust me on this, Battou. I have my reason. A damn good reason, and it will be something you agree with. But I'm not allowed to explain it right now."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
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Post by Zeure on Feb 3, 2012 8:12:23 GMT -5
He narrowed his eyes at this statement, and shook his head again.
"Well, fine, whatever even. It's probably none of my business anyway. But I just can't believe that you would hide something from her, especially when it may involve your death...
He walked back towards the door.
"Do as you please, though I urge you to take my words into consideration. Do not do something else stupid other than actually attempting to follow through on this deal. Be safe, be wary, and always keep your hand on your tsuba."
He waited for Sojiro to say his farewell and then he would leave, having nothing else to say to him.
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Kakita Sojiro
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When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Feb 3, 2012 8:35:39 GMT -5
"I'm not any more comfortable hiding it from her than you are with me doing it, but that's how things have to be right now. Her finding out about that right now, especially so soon after Alesha... it could result in something horrible happening, and I won't do that to her. I'd rather face her anger than hurt her."
"I will keep this conversation firmly in mind, Battou-san." He smiled. "I never thought the day would come when my Baka-Seito would have to tell me that I'm being stupid, but I can't deny that you're right when you say that I'm not thinking clearly about this. I will promise you that I will think before I act, as much as circumstances - not emotion, circumstance - allows me to. And Battou?"
"Thank you. I needed this conversation, and I'm glad it was you who had it with me."
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Feb 3, 2012 9:26:54 GMT -5
He looked back over his shoulder as he paused at the door.
"Everyone needs someone who is not afraid to tell them they are being foolish. See you later." He put extra emphasis on the see you later.
Then, he was gone.
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Agasha Shodai
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Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Feb 7, 2012 21:42:35 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai had been unable to think of anything as Kakita Mitsouko broke down Sojiro's plan, pointing out the most of the obvious flaws that the Void Master had already begun contemplating (like being able to tell if Utaku Mai was still human and untainted before the exchange would take place) and a few new ones that he hadn't (that Shoju's plan was an honor trap with skill and finesse that only a former Scorpion - Shoju's clan before he became khadi - could have developed.)
Then she asked if the lives Shoju would destroy with the power of his no-dachi returned to him weren't enough reason for him to reject Sojiro's quest. It was a painful question...
The fact that it was that Mitsouko felt the need to ask him - and worse, the WAY she was asking him - made it feel like he'd had his entrails ripped out by a horse and set on fire.
Shodai HAD seen that destruction in his meditations: the images would haunt him for years to come. They were only snippets: the Void spurned the touch of those whose existence was fueled by the "element" of Corruption, but it could only allow Shodai to look at the futures involving them indirectly... It was like using a large mirror to look at a small mirror over your shoulder to try and look forward.
But that wasn't the worst of it... What had terrified Shodai more, the principal reason he'd agreed to help was what was down the OTHER paths of destiny: the ones where Shoju was completely thwarted here and now... The plans that he would turn to if he didn't get his sword back or the tithe of blood from Sojiro. The ones - at least 500 of them - where Shodai had seen Mitsouko's corpse amongst the mountains of the dead... Or leading the army of undead warriors flying Shoju's twisted standard... Or... Or... Or...
The bile rose in his mouth as he looked for ways to, if not stop then to at least slow the progression of the future. Shodai knew he alone was insufficient to end Shoju's threat: even with the power of the Isawa Naginata nemuranai, the Void Master alone could fight Shoju to a standstill, but never defeat him.
Shodai stood outside the doors of Mitsouko's room, where he'd followed Sojiro - who'd now wandered off on his own - without being able to say a word to the woman he loved. How could he explain the things that he'd seen, when she could only bring herself to accept so much before the decades of disbelief and fear of magic caused her to dig in her heels?
That was when he felt a deep pain; like he'd been stabbed in the belly. No, lower... There was pain and blood. He was dying? The Void Master looked down at himself, but there was no wound, no blood, and even as he focused on himself, the pain began to fade... No, HE was fine...
"Mitsouko!"[/b] He gasped as he realized that he was feeling a reflection of her pain through the Void.
Agasha Shodai spun on his heels and, over the objection of a guard that he rendered unconscious with a glance and a thought, the Void Master pushed open the doors to Kakita Mitsouko's room. The Kakita Daimyo was still sitting on the cushions the three of them had been sitting on just a few moments before, but now there was a crimson stain of his beloved's blood spreading across the front of her kimono.
"Mitsouko!"[/b] The normally urbane and well-spoken shugenja repeated numbly as he nearly leaped to her side in a few steps aided by the air spirits. He dropped to one knee by her side and wiped a sheen of cold sweat from her brow. "Stay with me, Mitsouko-sa..."[/b] He whispered worriedly as he began a basic healing spell to determine the cause of the bleeding. He needed to figure out what was wrong before he could fix things...
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Kakita Mitsouko
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::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on Feb 7, 2012 22:27:09 GMT -5
Stay.Away.from.me. she hissed, tilting forward from the sudden weakness, to realize her hands were blood stained. STAY. AWAY. FROM. ME!
Her fury and pride roared overwhelming the pain. Go, Agasha Shodai, for your futile contests of power once again. This time you have a contestant of your level, go find him. But please, give him some fair advantage, because we are honored. Let him escape again, with all he wants plus my brother’s soul! I feel it, I smell it, I feel the taste of betrayal in my mouth!
No matter what you say, I know him, I know you! You two are hiding, lying, cheating me! What do you take me for? I HATE YOU!
Obviously at this turn of events, all her yojimbo, guards, servants and else came to her aid, moved by her furious yelling. She turned imperiously, in an effort of will, retreating for her inner chambers, doors shut behind her by her guards. They were respectful to the Void Master, as they knew who he was (though they could only have a glimpse of what he was capable to do, it was already intimidating enough) but all would die to defend their lady’s privacy, as their duty demanded.
Inside the chamber, Kakita Mishima ordered a physician to be called, and also the most skilled Asahina available at the moment. Mitsouko panted, in panic, dizzy in her hatred and fear.
But everything calmed down and blurred when Mishima gave her a bitter liquor to drink…
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Agasha Shodai
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Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
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Post by Agasha Shodai on Feb 7, 2012 23:25:45 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai remained outside the doors doors and the guards that Mitsouko had placed between herself and him in utter disbelief. His hands and pants were stained with her blood and his heart was heavy that she seemed so angry for doing the only thing he could to ensure that Kakita Sojiro would come out alive on the other side of his encounter with Shoju.
But is wasn't these things that rendered him as still as a statue: it was what he'd sensed in the split second glimpse he'd gotten from the source of what was causing Mitsouko's problems. He'd sensed something that was not quite her... Because it was part him...
Kakita Mitsouko was pregnant... With Agasha Shodai's child!
They'd only had those few days hidden away in Shodai's extra-dimensional sanctum when he'd tried to help her recover her strength after the traitor Alesha's attempt to bind an Oni to Mitsouko's name, but...
Agasha Shodai had to take a number of calming breaths as the realization finally began to sink in. He wanted to celebrate, but he knew that this embodiment of their secret love would make their lives all the more complicated.
A man carrying a bulky satchel that identified him as a physician for the Otomo family came running in. He was an older man and was quite out of breath. "I... understand... the Kakita... Daimyo needs help?"[/b]
The Void Master nodded as he walked over to the man. "Yes, she's right this way, Sensei..."[/b] The shugenja said as he placed a hand on the man's shoulder and pointed towards the inner doors.
As contact was made, Shodai silently shot a fine tendril of the Void into the man. It would not harm him, but it WOULD keep him from having any lasting memories of treating Mitsouko's "sickness" AND allow Shodai to add his own extensive medical knowledge to the physician's; should it be necessary. The Void Master wanted to run to Mitsouko's side, to make everything RIGHT between them, but he needed to respect that the Kakita Family Daimyo was an independant woman that was extremely pissed off at him at the moment...
Until he could talk with her about it, the Void Master was going to do whatever it took to protect his lover's dignity and privacy...
The Otomo nodded, completely unaware of Shodai's actions. "Thank you, Phoenix-sama."[/b] The medic said as he recognized Shodai's distinct appearance. "I guess it's true what they say about shugenja - appearances can be deceiving..."[/b] The man muttered in passing as he headed to the inner sanctum.
The words struck a chord in Shodai's mind. And suddenly, he had an idea...
He could beat Shoju at his own game by giving the man everything he wanted; just not in the way he expected it...
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