Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on May 2, 2012 3:22:56 GMT -5
With a movement that was almost a shrug, Hitoshi straightened up out of his stance and moved back to where he had left the wrapped up daisho under Chad's watchful eye.
He took a deep breath and swallowed, tentatively moving aside the wrapping. Inside were a pair of blades, simultaneously both beautiful and functional. The scabbards were relatively plain, made of wood lacquered to a midnight blue finish, and the grips were both worn by generations handling them. Hitoshi unsheathed the katana an inch and there etched into the blade was the Daidoji mon, surrounded by kanji symbolising his family ancestry.
He closed his eyes. "It is them" he whispered.
Instantly the temperature in the room plummeted noticeably. Several of the beautiful ikebana arrangements seemed to be torn down as if by an invisible hand and five delicate vases that had been in Mitsouko's household for generations exploded into fragments.
Hitoshi looked up and shook his head wildly. "No, no!" he shouted, "You cannot do this!" His face contorted into an expression of rage and he seized the katana in front of him, slowly beginning to draw it out. His knuckles were white with effort and his muscles trembled; for the onlookers it was difficult to tell whether he was having trouble drawing it or whether he was trying to keep it sheathed. The yong samurai started to scream, a long drawn out sound of effort and defiance.
A second passed and then another, then the noise stopped. His body sagged slightly and Hitoshi looked up at the Yasuki daimyo. There was a pained and defeated look in his eyes. He whispered a single word: "Move."
Yasuki Chad sidestepped smartly, his size belying the rapidity of movement he could call on when necessary, and Hitoshi drew the katana in a powerful iaijutsu strike, smashing the chair behind where Chad had just been standing to smithereens. Jerkily he looked round, following his target, and drew the blade up to shoulder height. Again he looked at the man who had brought him these ancestral heirlooms and pleaded with him "Please, leave," as he launched himself forward with a great kiai.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on May 2, 2012 8:56:59 GMT -5
Not quite the result I had hoped for ,Chad thought to himself as he moved out of the way. Tainted? Hitoshi had just come from a journey to the Shadowlands.[/i]
"I am sorry, Hitoshi-san," he muttered as he drew his own sword. His guards reacted as well as the room near them exploded into chaos. Hitoshi launched himself foward with a great Kiai strike toward the Yasuki Daimyo, who only just got his blade up in time to block. Sparks rained down on the floor as they held their stance, each trying to overpower the other. Chad should have held the advantage there but Hitoshi was obviously forcing the much larger man back.
The Yasuki Guards rushed in and the contest was broken. They struck at Hitoshi with intent to kill.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 3, 2012 5:42:19 GMT -5
Though Mitsouko was heavily restraint by the heavy Bride garment, and obviously not being able to personally interfere in some fashion with the outcome of the sudden and bizarre route of events, she yelled command then some Crane Guards came, aiming to capture Hitoshi and disarm him. He was a skilled duelist, and maybe he could hurt (and even kill) his clan companions, but they were doing their duty in stopping that nonsense. It wasn’t a duel between Hitoshi and the Yasuki daimyo, it was a raw attack to most of the observers; and now, the Kakita daimyo was pretty convinced her shireikan was disturbed in some fashion by the taint. If the guards were successful, Hitoshi was able to be taken away from the party, for further interrogatory.
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on May 3, 2012 7:20:22 GMT -5
A great swirling melee erupted and Yasuki Chad was forgotten amidst the others attacking Hitoshi. As the first Yasuki guard stepped in to strike, Hitoshi moved inside his cut and responded with one of his own. At the last second he twisted the blade and rather than slicing into the man's head he struck with the flat and knocked him unconscious.
Despite the expression of hatred on his face, this happened time and time again, killing blows being averted into a pommel strike, a shoulder tackle, another strike with the flat... He concentrated almost exclusively on the Yasuki Guard, and rapidly began to bleed from the blows he took in return.
The Crane guards, arriving moments later, lent yet more numbers, but as Hitoshi virtually ignored them they were easily able to get around behind him and bear him to the ground. One snatched his katana out of his hand and the shireikan screamed. Another struck him a hard blow across the jaw and Hitoshi blacked out.
The Crane and the Yasuki guards stood facing each other., slightly unsure as to what to do next, then Mitsouko's voice rang out ordering Hitoshi to be taken away and held securely. Two of the house guards picked up the limp form, draped across their shoulders, and bore him away. For a moment, only silence remained.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_red.png)
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 3, 2012 17:37:39 GMT -5
"On the contrary, I am exactly what I present myself to be..."[/b] The disguised Agasha Shodai said to the human-guised panda spirit as they took a seat in the back. "But much as yourself, there is more to me than what the eye alone may see."[/b]
"Shugo" sat in silence for a moment while the servants brought them the libations they asked for - normal tea for the disguised Void Master and cup of bamboo tea for Takeyabu - as he contemplated how to explain things to the animal spirit.
"There are times, Takeyabu-sama, that I wish negotiating with humans is as easy as negotiating with beings like yourself... You agree to taboos and they are either adhered to or they aren't; there's no room for error or misunderstanding."[/b]
The one-eyed smith took a sip of his drink as he thought of an analogy that the forest spirit should easily be able to follow. "There was once two large families living on the edge of a great forest. The families agreed upon taboos and negotiated a deal to have one of the sons to marry the daughter of the other family so as to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the families."
"The couple, despite their differences, came to love each other and everything looked like it would work out perfectly... But, as with all stories, this was true until disaster struck."[/b]
Another sip. "A massive fire erupted in the middle of the great forest. Two brothers of the most powerful family in the region bickered with each other over what was responsible and how to fight the fire."
"The younger brother, being hot-headed, gathered the physically strongest people from the families around the forest and they began to fight the fire as they would an enemy. They moved fast, but many people died in the effort. The older brother, the head of the important family, took his time to try figure out how to deal with the fire safely and effectively. It was with the elder brother that the families of the proposed couple joined sides with."[/b]
"Shiba Shugo" looked over to where the Kitsune Daimyo was presenting a gift to Mitsouko and Battou, hiding a grimace behind a drink from his cup. The Void Master had faith that Tengoku was testing him and Mitsouko - for whatever reason - but it was agonizing to find themselves in this situation.
"When the fire was dealt with, the younger brother betrayed his older brother and claimed that he should be in charge of the family. The followers of the younger brother attacked those of the elder brother. The family of the woman were hurt exceptionally hard while the family of the man, who, much like a monsoon, move slow to build strength, but when they have it, it can be devastating."
"The man chafed at how slow his family was moving, but his duties prevented him from leaving while the family gathered its strength. Shortly after the man's family began to move with their inexorable force, the woman - his bride - became sick. The only cure to her illness was contained in the sacred heart of the forest, where she was taken by one who was close to Nature and could enter and exit the heart as he pleased."[/b] "Shugo's" good eye glanced at Daichi for the briefest of instants.
With another sip of his tea, Shodai turned back to his supernatural companion. "The man, concerned for the safety and well-being of his bride-to-be and feeling more than a little guilty because of his family's delays, came to an arrangement with a powerful forest spirit with whom he had brokered many deals with before; willing to pay any price and accept any taboo in order to be there for the woman he loved. The man even invited the spirit as a guest to the wedding, an offer that intrigued the spirit enough to agree to the deal. The man reached his love, finding his bride-to-be safe and in the process of having her illness cured."[/b]
He grimaced slightly. "It was not until after they returned from the heart of the forest that the man learned that there was great discontent within the woman's family because, though the man's family came to the aid of the woman's - as per the taboo they had first agreed to - they were upset with how long it took for the second family to arrive. The woman's family demanded that the man's family re-negotiate the terms of the deal to allow the marriage to occur."
"At the man's insistence - because though his family had fulfilled their part of the bargain without fail as there were no time constraints in the agreement, he too believed that the time it took was too long - his family began to do so. It meant an unexpected delay in when the wedding could occur; a delay that could cancel the wedding if they..."[/b]
Before Shodai could continue the story, there was a sudden outburst as Kakita Hitoshi unexpectedly took leave of his senses and attacked the Yasuki daimyo. Shodai could only look on in confusion; he'd shut down so much of his connection to the Void and kami that he had no clue what was happening. "Shiba Shugo," however - being a man used to ignoring tavern brawls - remained sitting until the fight was ended and the Crane guards carried him away.
There was an abrupt silence in the room after Hitoshi was removed; as if everyone was afraid of saying a word. Hitoshi's outburst, following so quickly behind Kimiko's, seemed to be an ill omen in the making for the marriage of the Kakita Daimyo...
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 3, 2012 17:58:51 GMT -5
OOC: Can't help:
Taint or Fox Tricks? More to come!
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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 May 4, 2012 2:21:11 GMT -5
Battou looked on, and for a moment, it looked like he was going to step forward, but... then Mitsouko gripped his arm in a way, not to stop him, but it reminded him of something and he hesitated. After she called the guards down, it looked like Battou was going to rush forward, but a moment of being tangled in his own garments, prevented it. Which, was good, as the guards likely would have hauled him down to the ground as well, or likely he would have only added to the confused pile.
He looked on as they drug Hitoshi away, not really understanding what had happened nor what should be done about it. He was just sort of... confused. Carefully, he took the few steps backwards that would place him back at Mitsouko's side, he craned his head around to look at her, quizzically, an unspoken question of 'what just happened' crossed his gaze; and she, who he had spent more than enough time with, could not mistake it.
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 7, 2012 5:19:33 GMT -5
When Daichi offered his gift, Mitsouko was able to refuse it properly for three times as demanded by tradition. They were in the middle of this process when abruptly Hitoshi stormed out and attacked Yasuki Chad. It was so surprisingly that for a moment Mitsouko just wished it was a nightmare of hers. Bowing low she spoke: A thousand apologies, Chad-sama! Please, don’t think it was a reflex of Kakita’s feelings towards you or your family! I am so ashamed! I assure you we’ll interrogate Hitoshi-san and try to understand what could cause such horrible outburst towards a friend of our family! I witnessed by myself, back at Seawatch Castle, his utmost respect and admiration for you, Chad-sama! I truly can’t understand now, but whatever were my shireikan’s reasons to do it, it’ll be soon known and surely his gross action atoned before you… if you accept our apologies, of course… Her face was a mirror of her heart; showing her agony towards such shame. Her eyes also looked askance for Kakita Kimanai, hoping the Hitoshi's spouse was able to tell them something useful right now, though she seemed to be as shocked as everybody else. I also apologize to all our guests for such unpleasant scene. I hope you all can consider it wasn't our wish to offend you, and we hope you can stay with us and share our happiness. A more pious woman should think it was The Fortunes' omens towards her marriage, but Mitsouko knew it was caused by men alone. The unfortunate event caused an expected buzz among the guests, and after Chad's response, Mitsouko excused herself in order to take a refresh and make one of the traditional change of dresses a bride was supposed to do. And though she hadn't enough time to be absent and make the guests feel poorly hosted by the Kakita couple, maybe she could find some minutes to talk to either Moshi Kimiko or Kakita Hitoshi...
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Post by Shoju on May 8, 2012 9:39:48 GMT -5
[ooc](as Yamuso)[/ooc]
In the back, watching the display with much anticipation, was a scorpion looking man. Wearing fine tailored attire, and a flat silver mask that covered most of his head, he watched. His hood was drawn up around his head to hide his baldness, and ears, both telltale signs of who the man was, the Mask betrayed his eye color, nothing of his nose, and only his chin. Everything else that wasn't covered by the hood, was covered by the mask.
Yamuso watched the Kakita's erratic behavior. It was truly a spectacle, marring the 'sensibilities' of such a gala. He grinned wildly under the mask. Yamuso milled about looking, judging the defenses of teh Crane, taking mental notes and counts of the guards.
He was unsure what the plan of his Lord was, but he knew that he would be ready, his blades hidden well under his kimono, running vertically along his ribcage under his arm. He grinned as he felt one move against his body. You don't survive this long, in situations like this, without a fair bit of guile at your disposal. Yamuso thought to himself.
He milled about the gathering, nodding, smiling, bowing, and planning.
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Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
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Post by Kakita Hitoshi on May 8, 2012 19:06:41 GMT -5
Kimanai watched her husbands actions with her hand covering her mouth in horror. She had no idea where this had come from and surely the shame on their household would be unbearable. She had the sinking feeling that she would be a widow before long.
However, she was determined not to let her feelings show any further, and when Hitoshi had been dragged from the room she made her way round the room, whispering quietly that surely there must have been some mistake or misunderstanding, and that she hoped it would be sorted out soon.
***
In a room a little way away, Hitoshi was roused by having a bucket of cold water dumped over his head. He was bound hand and foot, sat up against a wall. Bruises were starting to show on his face, and there was congealed blood mixing with the fibres of his torn kimono. He coughed as some of the water entered his lungs, and waited. Four Daidoji guards were watching him, their hands on their weapons ready for any resistance. He offered none. He was sure that things were going to get a lot more unpleasant very shortly.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_red.png)
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 8, 2012 20:47:16 GMT -5
The disguised Agasha Shodai shook his head as Hitoshi was hauled away and Mitsouko broke the unnatural silence. "Shiba Shugo's" eye blinked once when he noticed the man in Scorpion robes and mask mingling with the crowd... The man seemed out of place here, given Mitsouko's general distaste for most of the children of Kami Bayushi from negative contact with Senshi, Haruka and many others; perhaps it was a friend of Battou's?
The smith turned to his companion. "Back to the story... Because of the breakdown in the negotiations, the woman's family decided to marry her off before new terms could be agreed to. As a result, a taboo was forced upon the man - he could not show his face to the woman he loved without disgracing his family. At the same time, the man sought to be there for his love; to be able to tell her face-to-face that he understood why her family was tearing them apart and that it didn't change his feelings for her. So the man changed how he looked so he could see her without violating the taboo that he did not agree to."[/b]
Shodai looked at the panda spirit. "I know I threw a lot at you, Takeyabu-sama... If there is anything in my story that confuses you I would be glad to explain further."[/b]
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on May 8, 2012 21:52:32 GMT -5
Still somewhat unsettled by Hitoshi's attack, Yasuki Chad scanned the room. It was a fleeting thought that perhaps the Crane had been influenced by someone here, but every face showed horror. Or in one Scorpions case; surprised amusement. He ran down all he knew of Hitoshi in his head.
Taint? Maybe. But why then pull his blows at the last second. Taint madness is rarely quite and focused. But....from the moment he picked up his grandfathers sword it seemed he was of two minds. And one of those wholly bent on the death of Crabs.
He accepted Mitsouko's apology with grace. "It is alright, Mitsouko-sama. Nobody was seriously hurt and at a party... heh...Memories are short. The Kakita house is forgiven." He bowed again to Mitsouko and Battou. "I am, of course, very interested in Hitoshi's explanation and expect to hear it soon."
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Kitsune Poxo
Mantis Clan
Mantis Clan | Shugenja | Earth | Thunder | Kitsune Blooded | Naval | Daimyo | Unique
Posts: 225
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Post by Kitsune Poxo on May 9, 2012 11:41:22 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry for deleyed post been feeling uninspired.
Daichi was quick to shield his sister but once he saw the scene was quickly handled he returned to his eased state. "Is this more fallout from Sea Watch?" He asked with concern shown on his face.
His sister was first to reply "It could be from when we went to the Shadowlands..." She started then stopped hard and covered her mouth. She looked rather worried as she looked to her brother as his expression was already visibly changing.
"You went where?" Daichi said rather harshly as he turned to face his sister. "Are you insane?"
"We all have our taboos." Takeyabu said finally after the story. "Some we don't know about and most we don't agree to. Sounds as if this man violated many of his the universe is returning the favor. Tell this story the next time you talk to this man. Twenty monks and one nun, who was named Eshun, were practicing meditation with a certain Tao master. Eshun was very pretty even though her head was shaved and her dress plain. Several monks secretly fell in love with her. One of them wrote her a love letter, insisting upon a private meeting. Eshun did not reply. The following day the master gave a lecture to the group, and when it was over, Eshun arose. Addressing the one who had written to her, she said: "If you really love me so much, come and embrace me now."
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on May 9, 2012 13:43:02 GMT -5
It was strange, for Thrakhath to be bearing Unicorn colors again.
The outfit Thrakhath had "procured" for this occasion was mostly a simple purple, trimmed with white. There were no Unicorn mons anywhere on his person, but the colors were clearly meant to bring that clan to mind. His newly clean-shaven face was painted white, with dark stripes over his eyes and across his cheeks. He stood straight, and moved with the confident strides of a proven warrior, and a man without anything to fear. His greased hair was entirely unrestrained, and flowed loosely down his back. He was not visibly armed.
He spoke to no one as he moved about the court, sampling the various foods and drink set out by the hosts, and greeting those who made eye contact with him with little more than a curt nod. He watched with indifference as Hitoshi's fit of madness overtook him. During the confusion, however, he did give the most minute of nods to a masked man standing at the back of the room. Unlike that masked man, who had likely entered through some stealthier means, Thrakhath had entered through the front door, presenting the papers provided to him by Mitsouko as proof that he did indeed belong here. If she had not yet been informed of the arrival of a monk named Omigawa, she would surely be told soon.
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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 May 10, 2012 5:46:59 GMT -5
Patting his wife's hand as he departed her side, leaving her to converse with those around her. Battou made his way across the room. There was someone he did not recognize, and suddenly had the urge to get to know. As many know, there are rumors that the scorpion clan had been responsible for the attempted assassination of the Doji Princess, and Battou thought that it would definitely be in his best interest to know everyone that was at this occasion.
So, with confidence, but a determined look, Battou strode up to Yamuso and bowed to him appropriately. "I am the groom, Kakita Battou. I have not had the pleasure of meeting you yet, and I have had many pleasureable dealings with your clan. I would like to greet you and go through introductions. May I have the honor of knowing whom I address?"
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