Lone Rider, Grave Return

[Bayushi Haruka]

[RP Obviously intended for 2 characters: Bayushi Senshi, Utaku Haruka. Takes place a few days after the Inside Shiro Saisei, a new fortress. Anyone joining or eavesdropping in character will please PM me or Senshi before doing so.]

The dawn rose over the land as it always had, the winter still clinging to the air as the mist from the thawing dew was warmed by the rising sun. It was quiet, it was thick, only broken by the motion of two horses and a rider.

The horse bearing no rider was allowed to run back, as it obediently cantered back to his place at the Scorpion stables, as it was his home. The black stallion still bearing its rider came charging at the main hall of Kyuden Bayushi. The rider dismounting and landing with a heavy feet.

Bowing to each of the guards at the main court, "I have news of the brother of clan champion Bayushi Senshi-sama, I seek an audience with him as soon as possible."

They seemed to nod over their masks as they parted and opened the doors for her, the beautiful halls of Kyuden Bayushi becoming the ever familiar sight for this new guest.
The guest seemed somewhat armored but from the look of her she hadn't stopped long enough to rest let alone tend to her appearance as the several days of riding showed. The distinct pattern of the Unicorn mon emblazoned on her chest piece. The battle maiden let her hair down before being shown a place to kneel as the keepers of the court went to bring Senshi forth, the time and the hour were a bit early though so naturally it might take some time.

[Bayushi Senshi]

It did indeed take a while for Senshi to make it to the hall, habitually Senshi awoke before the sun, but he was not quite ready for court yet. But when he had heard that his betrothed had arrived with news of his brother, he took a moment to compose himself, and made for the main audience chamber as quickly as he could.

When he arrived in the hall he had just barely gotten his kimono all the way on, and the robes were still loosely draped on him. Alana hovered about him, preening over him making sure he was presentable for his future bride.

Senshi ignored his few delegates that were already awake, awaiting to attend to business, "Utaku san," he hesitated, not liking the situation at all, and feeling terribly uncomfortable, "I know of Yosuke's death. How did he die?"

He looked at her with an intensity rarely seen, and the other few delegates managed to get the hint and be less offended by Senshi's appearance and behavior. To Senshi's credit however, he seemed more composed then he should be regarding his only living sibling's death.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka's grief came over her again, but only Senshi could see the quiver in her eyes as she could not maintain her gaze even to look at him. She bowed flat to the floor with her palms pressed to the wood.

She took one of her hands to her armor and undid a small pouch she had managed to secure in her ride. It was red in color but certainly was never meant to hold what it did now. She held it with her head turned down in complete submission as an offering up to him.

"He died well in battle, great Senshi-sama. His body will not be molested by the shadowlands horrors. He passed helping to protect me and the other two samurai who had journeyed to Shiro Saisei. Although he passed by the blade of a man... he would not relinquish his spirit on his own as he became that of ash by his own will."

Her hands visibly trembled as she retold vaguely what had happened as far as events. It seemed the memory still clung to her, but also now the eyes of the champion were on her in a way they hadn't been before. Perhaps she then was also saddened by having to bear this news at all, the guilt of having turned her back on the shinobi for only a moment resulting in his brother's death welled up inside her.

She tried to be as polite as possible as the eyes of many of the court onlookers were on her from the edges of the room as she waited for someone to take the ashes of Yosuke from her.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi broke protocol to take the ashes himself. Taking the small pouch and her hand in both of his, he didn't let go as he said, "You have my deepest thanks for bringing me this, and for having the honor and the courage to do so yourself. He could not have been in better company at the time of his passing."

He stood up then and regarded the whole room, "Bayushi Yosuke's death is one that which we should all aspire to. Doing their duty, and preserving the integrity of their soul to the last defiant breath. I say truthfully, I wish I will be so fortunate as to die by my own volition an no other. Though the ronin Kijiro used his blade on Yosuke, it is clear that my brother would sooner die, then by the hands of a traitor to our clan."

Senshi then looked back down to Haruka, and asked her to rise, "Tell me, what became of the Scorpion traitors?"

[Bayushi Haruka]

The question stuck in Haruka's mind as seconds felt like years. His gentle touch in the court was bold as she stayed down, a bead of sweat hitting the floor from her forhead as she swept it away. Her thoughts swirling a bit, but unable to decide against what she knew she was obligated to say.

She would not rise as she spoke plainly, but the subtle fear was forced down for now. "Shiro Saisei burned to ash. I watched the coward Oronkohiro flee, but I did not see his end. Kijiro also met my vengeance with his ally's sword, I saw to it myself."

Her muscles seemed to tense a bit as the memory impact of such a large blade being wielded in her hands. She had never trained with such a heavy weapon and it had slightly strained her considering she had wielded it in such an adrenaline surged state.

To some extent it was the truth, simply not the whole truth but she was able to hold her ground as she relinquished herself from the floor, relieved to look on Senshi as she rose slowly to her feet. The champion could see her demeanor was somber, troubled eyes that had obviously seen the final death throws of his brother. Otherwise she hardened herself as she would in battle, she was in the scorpion den as she saw it and mere words could undo so much.

It would be upto the champion how he would choose to proceed, his beloved standing now with him in the center of the room as she looked up slightly upto him.

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi took a step back then, his look inscrutable.

After a pause, he bowed at the waste, very deeply considering his station, prompting the other delegates fortunate enough to be there this early to bow as well. Not rising he said, "You have my deepest thanks, Haruka-san. You are a very honorable samurai-ko, and we all look forward to the day that we can call you familiar by kin and clan. I may have lost my only brother, yet, I am pleased that my future wife returns to me." He stood then, it was almost as if he was crying, his eyes were watery for sure. But his tone and demeanor revealed nothing. The experienced courtier would notice this for sure, but Senshi was not one to reveal weakness in any battlefield, even the court.

"All that I have is at your disposal, Haruka-san. Please, stay for as long as you wish. The rest of you: Send word to the Shinjo and Toku daimyos, informing them that I offer the arms of my hospitality to Roku-san and Kenpachi-san. Those with business to discuss, please allow me this day to grieve my brother's death. My attendants will see that you have appointments made and first priority for meeting with me tomorrow." He bowed then, lightly, and turned to leave, heading toward his private chambers.

[Bayushi Haruka]

As the other various attendants would depart, she too would find herself without cause to remain in the court. The sun having crested the horizon and the still young morning parting the cool mists, Haruka stepped down to her horse again as she lead her stallion to rest with the other horses for the moment. He'd carried her to Unicorn lands first at full pace and then now to Kyuden Bayushi with little rest.

She took the humble honor of untacking the beast that bore her weight as she made sure he was fed and watered for now. The sight of her made the stable boys jump in some surprise, but then again it was far from typical for any scorpion to tend to their own horse in the stable. She tried to smile reassuringly but she had a lot still weighing on her.
After resting the saddle on the dark wood, Haruka turned and gave a gentle stroke to Riku in appreciation for his assistance in her travel.

For now she seemed to meditate while standing in the quiet. There was a side garden that had been mostly frozen from the cold winter and was mostly desolate for now. A few of the rocks distributed naturally drawing her focus for the moment as she sighed heavily.

Should I stay and comfort him, or am I overstepping my place. Surely he knows something more, surely he knew that I didn't say it all... By the kami I'm such a fool... but to start speaking as though I had met traitors... To say that I consorted honorably with his brother's murderer, a shinobi?

There is no good that can come from this. I feel as though my path was made for me, but why must it be so harsh. Why...

No amount of consideration lended her comfort as she just lingered around the court building with little else to do for the moment, more lost in thought than anything. To any onlooker she would be simply looking concerned over Senshi's well being. Her thoughts were her own.

---

The court closed for the day by Senshi's order as things would resume again the following day. Haruka would mingle about and disappear from sight until the next day. But her demeanor and visible appearance changed for the better as she had at least a night's sleep in a bed at long last.

Saddling up Riku, she gave a long look on Kyuden Bayushi before riding alone back to Unicorn lands, and as the word of mouth spread, back into the heart of the Yobanjin conflict.