OPEN THREAD: The Kakita Marriage

[Zeure]

"Mitsouko and I met for the first time some... almost 4 years ago at this point. But I have this belief that we were always meant for each other. I've heard about others that have a spiritual connection to others, a kharmic tie, if you will... Mitsouko and I have such a tie. I know where she is, before I see her, and if she is in danger, I feel it and quickly rush to her side; not that she needs it, she's a far more accomplished with a sword than even I am. And I am considered a prodigy."

He smiled knowingly, there was something going on in his head, but he wouldn't speak on it.

"We met while I was at the academy for the first time, just about to graduate, right after my gempukku. Sojiro-sempai was actually my first student instructor and he is the one that introduced us. We three are very connected to each other."

[Shoju]

Yamuso nodded as Battou recounted his story, and then posed a question. "If I were to tell you that Mitsouko is in danger at this very moment, would you believe me?"

[Kakita Hitoshi]

"You think I should simply walk out of here after doing what I did?" Hitoshi raised an eyebrow at the Daidoji opposite him. "That would be... strange."

Nevertheless, the Kakita struggled back to his feet and held out his bound hands in a silent invitation for the ropes to be cut. "One thing first, Ryo-san: tell me what you think about Mitsouko-sama."

[Zeure]

"I know."

He looked out across the room to the door that she had left through, straight in the direction that she was currently from him.

"I don't know why she became... on edge... when she saw you and that other man, but ever since I felt it, I've been watching you. And she is watching him. If I feel anything more distressful I'm going to rush out to her, hopefully finding her standing triumphant over his newly dead corpse."

He smiled at the man.

"I can't decide whether or not you are a threat too."

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Ara! Ryo grumbled, noticing he was forgetting a very essential action. I don’t need to be a Doji to know that you should avoid the celebration's main hall… but…maybe you can wait into a proper room, and discreetly leave after its ending.... the Daidoji drew a tanto and quickly cut the ropes, freeing Hitoshi’s hands …Kakita cousin, your ancestor’s blades will be confiscated until you choose the way you will fix this mess. You can get them back with your daimyo when you are ready to talk to her… whatever your decision is, I’m sure Mitsouko-sama will make sure it’ll return to where it’s supposed to be.
And, about my little cousin… She is a good woman… though not the typical sort we value in our clan. ‘Mitsu-chan’ isn’t fond of tradition; her ambitions are the simplests, but there’s one thing you should already know: she is truly committed to our clan. Sometimes, even against her personal beliefs. The experienced Iron Warrior thought, but refrained from commenting. Ryo felt embarrassed for a moment, not knowing if it was a good thing to make Hitoshi to talk more about what he briefly said before about Mitsouko. Even if he was utterly concerned, some things should remain into one’s family ….Maybe you shall share your concerns about the Kakita daimyo's health to her husband, shireikan-sama. It seems to be a loyal action to do. Keeping it as a strictly family's business seems wise as well.

[Shoju]

[ooc] if I need to change this I will[/ooc]

Yamuso chuckled. " If things go the way I want, then there is no threat to be had here, Battou-san. " Yamuso leaned in close and whispered. "I'm afraid that I have lied to you Kakita-san. I am not Shosuro Imogawa. Everything else that I said though, is the truth. Where I met your bride. How I met your bride, where I was during the Yobanjin war, The Traitor, All of it. It is just easier for all involved if I am Shosuro Imogawa, while I'm here.


Yamuso stepped away from him, his eyes cold behind the mask. "It is believed that the Crane have in their possession a powerful artifact. It is believed that your bride may know either where it is, or who has it. It is in the best interest of all involved if my friend and I can retrieve it peacefully, and without incident. If we can, it may prevent the bloodshed of my kinsmen, as well as your own, and that is always a preferred solution isn't it?"

[Kakita Mitsouko]

Not always the quickest way possible is the right path to what you wish, Omigawa. Sometimes, it’s exactly what will make you lose it completely. She looked at her own hands, pretending to observe carefully the long enameled red nails. It was her house, her dojo, she knew every inch of this room; every bokken, dummy, blade, door and window. In last case, of course, it would have a violent outcome. But it’s a pity, I liked these nails…
Well, if you say it’s a powerful item, you know, you should make me understand why I should believe it’s yours just because you say it is. Remember, previously, you said you give little importance to most of Rokugani ethical views, like bushido and, well, it was how we, Rokugani, measure whether or not one is honorable enough to never claim to be owner of something he is not.

[Zeure]

So, thats what it's about...

He sighs and shakes his head.

"Well, that answers that question... What is it you are after? You know the Kakita family has a long tradition of crafting exceptional and sometimes magical items... there are just too many for me to be able to recall which one you might want without some description."

In a fashion similar to how Yamuso was standing, Battou crossed his arms and rested his right hand upon his blade, which in one quick motion, he flipped over, into the proper position for an iaijutsu draw.

[Shoju]

Yamuso eyed Battou from behind the mask, and tightened his grip on the blades concealed in his Kimono. "This was no Kakita crafted piece Battou-san. This was a piece that was brought out of the Shadowlands. We were able to track its movements to Seawatch Castle, and shortly thereafter, I had the pleasure of being reintroduced to your bride. It was the first time I've seen her since the festivities in Scorpion Lands. " Yamuso spoke softly.

"The Nemuranai was stolen, though the original theft was not by the Crane Clan. I believe that they felled the original thieves, and simply claimed the item from them." Yamuso shifted his weight again. "My goal is to return it to its rightful owner, and prevent bloodshed. The civil war has heaped enough of that on this Empire to last a generation."

[Zeure]

"Well.... that does narrow it down some... but you see... on our trip to the shadowlands, I killed so many of the creatures... and uh... 'people' there that I just simply can not recall any particular group or any particular items."

His leg moved back and locked, his weight shifted, his form... perfect.

"Now that you've had your say, I will have mine." His eyes narrowed, focused and angry. "Get out of this house, pit-spawn. Your kind has never been welcome here and never will be. If you leave, right now, then I won't have to kill -another- of your kind right now."

There was no denying that this man was ready to draw and kill. The look of his face, the tenseness of his body; like a tiger ready to pounce.

[Shoju]

Yamuso chuckled. " You have it all wrong Kakita-san. I am not tainted. Hand me a piece of jade. I will gladly hold it, place it against my flesh, A small enough piece, and I would gladly eat it to sate your concerns about my taint." His leg slid back into a defensive position, as he pulled his hands tighter against his body, titling the blades, meaning the draw would pull the blades free of the Kimono.

"You know the artifact I speak of. You know it when you are in its presence. You feel the terror in your soul. Do you think that the owner of that artifact is the type of....... 'being' you want storming Crane lands for something they believe you stole? Wouldn't the easier solution be to hand it over to myself? Allow me to return it to them? Saving you the deaths of countless Crane over something that has no business being here?"

[Zeure]

"If the next words out of your mouth aren't 'good bye' or 'I'm taking my leave' then I am going to have a problem."

He inched forward, just the smallest bit, realigning himself for the strike.

"Last warning."

[Shoju]

Yamuso pulled his hands out of his kimono, and reached up, and removed the mask from his face, revealing his muted features. He let the mask drop to the ground with a clang. He folded his arms back into the sleeves of his Kimono, and sighed. "I will take my leave Battou-san, but I believe before I leave, I should warn you. You have no idea what you have done Battou-san. You have doomed your bride. " Yamuso turned on his heels, and began walking away slowly through the crowd.

[Kakita Hitoshi]

Accompanied by two Daidoji guards, Hitoshi found a more comfortable antechamber to wait in and asked for some water to be sent, along with a fresh kimono from his quarters. He cleaned the worst of his wounds, and removed the tattered material of the kimono he had worn to the wedding, replacing it with a much simpler garment.

I need to see a shugenja, he thought, and Mitsouko-sama. He had asked Ryo to relay his findings to the Kakita daimyo, and hoped that she would speak with Chad, whose blunt manner Hitoshi was beginning to appreciate. He sent a servant to see if Yukihime or Yuuto were in attendance - he thought it unlikely that Shodai would be given the history between him and Mitsouko - and awaited the answer along with his daimyo's presence.

[Zeure]

After the man turned on his heel, Battou took the opportunity to quietly say: "Not while I live, "scorpion-san". Don't come back, either."

He went over to one of the few guards standing around the room and pointed out the mask to him. Again, in hushed tones: "Take that mask out to the forge and melt it into slag. Also, make sure your hand is covered with a glove or something, just in case. Don't ask questions, just do it."

Then, he smiled around at all the startled guests, and motioned them to continue on about their business. Moving over to his mother and father, he smiled broader and: "I'm going to go find Mitsouko. If anyone asks, tell them we are out in the garden momentarily to finalize some private vows."

Then he walked out of the door that Mitsouko had left so recently to find her. He stopped several times to ask the servants which way she had gone.