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Post by Shoju on May 2, 2011 16:22:51 GMT -5
"ah ah ah. I don't think think so Iuchi-san" Shoju held his hand out, and whispered a spell staying the samurai-ko's blade. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you have that honor."
"I never asked you to reason with me, I asked you a simple question. You look upon me with such contempt, as if I and my people are somehow lesser than you. Of all the great clansmen who I would have expected that from, The great Unicorn clan was not among them. I thought that you would understand the difference. Look upon me. You will see that I am indeed different than those of the corrupted Moto's past. Look upon me and see that I now kill you not out of some corrupted deluision, but out of duty for the crimes you have committed against myself and my kinsmen. Your Crime against our Honor has condemned you."
Shoju took the last step to the Iuchi in a large stride. As he did, his hand had drawn his katana and plunged the blade through her heart.
"She may be an unwilling servant to me, but I wonder if she would be an unwilling servant to the young Daisuke-sama..." Shoju turned and looked at the bushi. "Prepare the body. Tonight, he undergoes his first lesson."
As Shoju flicked her blood from his katana, he examined the the trinket he held in his hand.
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Kitsu Hiraku
Lion Clan
Sodan-senzo * Loyal to the Emperor
Posts: 197
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Post by Kitsu Hiraku on May 2, 2011 16:35:17 GMT -5
- What do you mean by that, Shoju-san? Are you suggesting that I should try to perform my first ritual tonight? An interesting thought, but first we must leave this area before more enemies arrive. Let us think about this when we are safer. Daisuke said after he finished taking care of his wounds. (OOC: With that I would end this thread. I'll let you start a new one for all the "awesome, edgy, dark adventures"(TM) I'll have )
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 2, 2011 16:38:00 GMT -5
Finally having a moment to examine it he could see a small scroll tucked in the back.
"I have loaned this bird to Iuchi Misaki, it belonged to my daughter. I wish to have it returned to me, as it is all I have left of her"
- Sensei Utaku Chinatsu, of the School of Shiotome.
Seemed strange that an Utaku might actually own a bird, but it appeared the beast was of some sentimental value. A shame that it was dead though.
The body would be prepared without problem as the other Shinjo waited to be killed or bled. They were willing to beg for their lives as they quivered under the spell. They appeared to have just accompanied the Iuchi as a part of a deal, being paid to escort her on this mission.
((ooc: Sorry, I figured he should know what the note said, and the shijo are somewhat unwilling but able to be made to submit even in life as you will.
edit - Well gotcha, back to the chitter chatter! :3))
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Kitsu Hiraku
Lion Clan
Sodan-senzo * Loyal to the Emperor
Posts: 197
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Post by Kitsu Hiraku on May 2, 2011 16:41:09 GMT -5
(OOC: I only meant we should start to wrap up the action, not just go "cut" and end it)
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 8:27:59 GMT -5
Shoju looked over the note. This was curious indeed. An Utaku bird owner who loaned out the bird to the Iuchi? GREAT. Shoju turned and walked towards the captive troops, folding the note into his hand to keep it hidden. As he arrived at the captives, he eyed them for a moment before speaking. What a curiously scared bunch they were.
"Who can tell me about Utaku Chinatsu? Does she have a personal stake in this assault?" Shoju was calm, collected, and firm. "The more information I have, the less likely you are to be a mindless undead servant."
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 4, 2011 8:53:54 GMT -5
They seemed to look between each other in some worry, as if their words might condemn them further than they already were. One of the Shinjo men finally seemed to decide that it couldn't hurt more than what he'd likely do to them.
"Sh-she is a rather terrifying woman, but I do not believe that she knew anything really of the task we had undertaken in trying to recover... him." Glancing towards the traitorous lion boy. "Iuchi-san had merely requested the bird for a time so she might cast a spell of aided sight on the beast.
Chinatsu-sama has instead been rather busy and only just returned home. But without the return of the bird, she will know that something ill has come to pass on all of us." His head bowed as his clan brothers seemed to detest the words coming out of his mouth. Two seemed to lurch a bit with their hands on their hunting knives, but only froze back in place so as not to disturb Shoju. They'd likely kill him later on.
But his fear kept him talking, he hoped to be set free, no matter the dishonor, he valued his life. "The other Shinjo scouts will report what has happened either way. We are as good as forsaken souls, Shinjo..." Apparently the man before him had settled on believing he was as good as dead.
"Even so, the bird may be dead, but I think Chinatsu-sama would still prefer to have it returned to her. Even if only to bury it."
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 9:01:53 GMT -5
Shoju smiled. He could see the murderous intent in some of them. The Rain had amplified that as well as the doubt and fear that welled inside them.
"You." Shoju said pointing at the shinjo scout who had talked. "Come here." The scout felt incredibly compelled to walk towards Shoju, who met him standing over the dead bird. "Tell me, what was Chinatsu-sama busy with that would distract her into allowing an obviously important possession out of her sight?" Shoju looked from the bird to the Shinjo. "Truly, if this was the only possession that she had left of her daughter, it meant a great deal to her. Something must have had her thinking less clear to allow it to be taken out of her sight."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 4, 2011 9:05:58 GMT -5
He trembled but still spoke, "Her other daughter, the great Haruka-sama just wed recently." He seemed to bow his head, and it seemed as though for all the silent distaste he had for Chinatsu, there was a silent admiration of Haruka. Why exactly couldn't be read on his face.
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 9:29:43 GMT -5
That name hit Shoju like a ton of bricks. Haruka's Mother's Bird.... That belonged to her now gone other daughter? Well now... This... This was going to be a boon after all. Haruka. The Battle Maiden wife of the Master of Secrets. Survivor of the Battle at Shiro Saisei. The one samurai in the Empire whom he thought could see the spider as something other than a monstrous plague upon Rokugan.
Sometimes it seems, Destinies were meant to clash against each other.
"Tell me, How did Haru... I mean Chinatsu's daughter die?"
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 4, 2011 9:38:14 GMT -5
"That I honestly do not know.." his eyes averted. By whatever means that he could understand, he would know the Shinjo was telling the truth.
"Chinatsu-sama never spoke of it, we only know of it because of the funeral that she had held. But when they burned the pyre it is rumored that there was no body atop it. Because they never could find it...
Only she and Haruka-sama know the truth. Not even her husband Utaku Ryota knows, or so he says."
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 10:08:08 GMT -5
"Thank you Shinjo-sama. You have been most helpful. Sadly, that means that you have also come to the end of your usefulness to me." Shoju motioned for him to step back inline with the other scouts.
Shoju picked up the bird, and ushered over a bushi. "Prepare this as though it were to be buried as a samurai." The bushi hurried about, and Shoju eyed the 5 Shinjo Scouts in front of him.
"One of you today, will be leaving to go home. You will take the hawk back with you. You will explain the truth of what happened here today. The crimes that you committed against us. The Dishonorable actions forced upon you by the Iuchi. You will explain that you attacked a group of ronin who had made no provocation to you, you stole from them, and you are the only survivor." Shoju looked over them.
"How will we decide this?" Shoju grinned slightly under his Jingasa. "You will fight to the death. The last one standing will be the one who returns to your Home. The rest of you, will become my riders. " Shoju stopped a moment to let the gravity of his words sink in.
If you choose not to fight, I will kill you myself. If you choose Seppukku, I will still raise you and you will be my servant. If you choose to attack someone other than a combatant in our little tournament, I will make you wish you had died. If you choose to all die at the hand of one another, then your first act as my servant will be to assault Unicorn Lands in response for the attack on me today."
Shoju walked over and gathered their 5 katanas, and began handing them out. "One of you is going home today. The rest of you, are coming with me. Now. CHOOSE.
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Bayushi Haruka
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 4, 2011 10:19:26 GMT -5
Their gazes flared rather intently, and even the talkative Shinjo seemed to have his gaze come alive. The choices before them were uncertain, and they felt suddenly no desire to harm one another...
But a unified purpose in harming someone. With a bloodthirsty roar they would take their blades, they all chose the most painful fate they could as the five went to take on Shoju themselves.
They had hoped the change of heart would be enough to overpower him. They were not his tools yet, they were still proud Shinjo, even if they were dishonored. Fighting one pride filled strike was far better than squabbling like dogs before this man.
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 10:59:41 GMT -5
Shoju sighed. Typical. He thought. Shoju crushed a vial of blood in his hands, and closed his eyes. An egg shaped shield of blood surrouned Shoju as the blades began slicing at him.
Shoju opened his eyes, and began studying the men. The talkative one lives. He thought. Shoju knew the blood shield wouldn't last long, so he quickly produced his last vial of blood, and poured some in his hands. He recited a small spell and the Talkative Shinjo began to scream.
"Tainted. That is what you have become. The darkness within you, drawn out for the world to see." Shoju's irritation welled in his voice. "Corruption burns within your soul. Now. You will cut down your brothers in arms. You will live with their blood on your hands."
As Shoju finished talking the now tainted Shinjo's eyes began to bleed, and his will was no longer his own. He cut down the Shinjo closest to him, and began advancing on the others.
"perhaps, you were still useful after all".
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 4, 2011 11:11:50 GMT -5
His will no longer his own he would fight and destroy the others. They seemed to have been more intent on harming Shoju when it was revealled they'd be used to attack the Unicorn in kind. Their shame was bad enough, but they'd hoped to take it with them to the grave instead of having their families dishonored with their forms being used so willingly.
The deed was done and the tainted Shinjo still stood.. drenched in the blood of his former companions as his form trembled. If he was not freed from the spell, Shoju would have a blade slave. The Shinjo would not speak, would not really move much at all except to breathe as he stood over the fallen. The blood dripping off him as he waited for his next order.
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Post by Shoju on May 4, 2011 11:28:31 GMT -5
Shoju walked to the Shinjo. "I have but one last task for you." Shoju moved him to his horse, commanded him to mount. Shoju ordered Bushi to lash him into the saddle. and stowed the bundled Hawk across the back of the Steed. "You will ride to Shiro Moto, and you will relay what has happened here. I forbid you the three cuts until your Lord and Chinatsu are aware of what has happened here. "
With that, Shoju let his concentration lapse, and the spell was broken. "Ride true Son of Shinjo."
As the horse began to gallop away from the awful scene, Shoju began walking back towards the fallen Shinjo. There bodies were in rough shape from the bludgeoning they took, but they were still usable. "Prepare these bodies for transport as well. We are now woefully behind schedule, and I still have necessary plans to make."
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