[RP] Searching for the truth in Beiden pass

[Shoju]

background

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This is an RP that takes place after Visitors from the south in Phoenix Lands. This Rp is intended for primarily Spider and Scorpion Clan Players. The beginning RP segment is primarily meant for Bayushi Haruka, Kitsu Daisuke (if he wishes), and myself. If for some reason you would find yourself in Beiden Pass currently, please PM me, and I will find a way to incorporate you into the RP.

I will post an (OOC) post later on that will open this post to any and all Scorpion and Spider who feel that they wish to be a part of this. If you wish to be a part of this thread, I highly recommend that you read at least some of |this thread|, |this thread| , |this thread|, |this thread|, and |this thread|, so that your character at least has some "news knowledge" of why things are going the way that they are.

story

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The time recently spent in Phoenix Lands was puzzling. The meeting with a champion. The conversation with Haruka through the Crystal. The enigmatic movements of his Yojimbo. Shoju had rolled with it, and obtained at least some of the information that he had been seeking, and some information that was a boon to him.

On his way back to his first home, he had regrouped with Kijiro, sent word to Saisei that Daisuke may wish to join him in Scorpion Lands, and sent word to the City of the Lost, and all Spider he knew that his move on Scorpion Lands had begun.

Shoju didn't know who would be meeting up with him, if anyone at all. While some saw this movement as a chance at revenge for what had happened at Saisei, Shoju's plan was a little more..... elaborate than that.

As Shoju and Kijiro reached Beiden pass, Kijiro stopped to take in the sight of his former homeland. "It seems as if it has been an eternity since I have been here." he quipped while starting to setup camp.

"Indeed. I believe that the last time we were both here, was when you swore fealty as my retainer" Shoju spoke dryly. "I hope that it isn't as raw of a memory as it once was."

"No Shoju. No longer do I look on my existence as a curse. I see what we are doing. I see why it must be done. And I see the Duty we must fullfill. Though I must admit, I do hope that it doesn't end in bloodshed." Kijiro trailed off at the end.

"I hope for the same thing. Sadly, most of my hope is long gone, and I believe that the reality is, we know not what temperament we will find the Master of Secrets in." Shoju began forcing an Earth Kami to give their camp a natural cover. "But First. We must begin by finding the sister of Haruka. She was last seen in this pass, and I fear it may take longer than expected to find her."

Once their makeshift camp was ready, Kijiro retired for a nap, and Shoju began a ritual at their small fire. He unsheathed his katana and plunged it into the fire. it had absorbed the blood of many vitctims. The vitcim he searched for now, was the Hawk killed on the planes near Unicorn Lands when Misaki ambushed him.

While Animals were hardly as easy to understand and communicate with as the spirits of humans. he hoped that something would be triggered here in the pass.

[Bayushi Haruka]

OOC: It's hard to believe how this has actually been carrying on since they first met.

The blood of the hawk did seem to set off a chain through the realm of Chikushudo seemed to rebel against the blood but in a way he could have never anticipated.
The spirit had not risen as he had anticipated, but that wasn't to say his searching would not reveal something. For now the flames lapped at the blade, blackening the blood into the steel as it danced in some rebellion. The kami were unable to resist his call, but the hawk spirit seemed to do so which would strike him as a bit odd.

He'd slaughtered so many and yet this soul seemed unreachable. But he'd hardly have time to debate it further as it seemed another entity yielded the summons, but this one was more alive in nature.

The gradually warming temperatures would have given a light foggy cover as the moisture was trapped in the narrow and uncleared passages of the pass. This seemed to be a rather appropriate veil as the light sound of footsteps approached him, but they didn't seem hurried in the least. And more interestingly, there seemed to be four distinct beats as he could see the distant motion of a slow horse bearing no rider approaching him from one of the fissures in the mountains.

More interestingly, it seemed that as it continued to approach, its marred white coat still carried a saddle but no bridle, and its breed was easily recognizable as the Utaku mon rested on the saddle in plain sight. Although admittedly it was fairly damaged and looked ancient because of the year it had been without care. The steed stopped a slight distance from the fire as it seemed to stare with haunted eyes at Shoju.
Sores covered the stallion's body from where obviously its equipment had been left on it, and it looked to be in terrible shape, but still alive, and still able to function on its own.

[Shoju]

Shoju almost dropped his katana as the realization of who this steed belonged to sunk in. A Battle Maiden in Beiden Pass. Her Hawk and Steed survive. The Steed drawn to camp. Surely this is no coincidence. Surely if this steed had wandered to other encampments, it would have been saved. Had it felt him plumbing the spirit realms?

Shoju slowly stood, sheathed his katana and bowed low to the horse. He was never much of an horseman, knowing only enough to keep himself from being thrown while traveling. The truth be told, Shoju was much relieved to find 'alternate' methods of travel in his second life. This beast was magnificent. He held his hands outstretched in the least threatening way he could, and tried to project calmness while approaching the horse slowly.

"Easy now. I'm not here to hurt you. Let us remove your equipment and tend to those wounds." Shoju wondered if Kijiro would mind sharing his rations with a horse.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The beast simply continually watched him. It would be fairly obvious to guess that it hadn't seen another living thing around in many months, as the Pass was sometimes known to be a refuge for bandits and mountain predators.

The horse remained still and even just gently nibbled at what little grass their was on the ground as the saddle came away uneasily. Much to Shoju's likely interest, it was covered in bits of blood, but it was so old it would be hard to tell if it was the horse's or the battle maiden that once rode her. The sores were not nearly as bad as he might have first anticipated, but no Unicorn would be proud of the state he had fallen into.

The horse seemed silently grateful to Shoju as it tolerated him and looked to him from time to time. Utaku steeds were known for being fiercely loyal and trained never to leave a battle maiden's side, even in death. However it seemed even the horse was keen enough to realize when it needed to depart for its own safety's sake. And it seemed to nuzzle against Shoju's shoulder in some relief, looking right into his eyes with ears perked.

Was it waiting for him?

[Shoju]

Shoju inspected the saddle, and noted the blood. After removing the Steeds gear, and looking over the sores, he decided that they weren't threatening to the animal. He walked to where Kijiro was sleeping and roused him.

"it may not be as hard as I thought to find her." And he pointed. "I'm planning to walk with the horse and see where it leads me. Scout the area. I don't want to fall into a trap." Shoju began walking back towards the horse, and reached out a hand to pet the side of its neck.

"Show me" was all Shoju said out loud. In his mind, he was urging the steed to lead him to its fallen rider.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The horse was quiet and merely tossed its head as it began walking. The pace was slow, but a path suitable for a horse would be suitable for him as well. However the beast's obedience seemed so natural, it was content to lead this man deep into the winding passes. It didn't even flinch as one of the resident mountain lions hissed in response to their passing.

The apparent broken tooth and hoofmarks on its body reminiscent of a previous bout between the two most likely. It would be some time before the pass suddenly opened to a crack in the ground. The Utaku steed merely stopping and looking down into the hole as it gave forth a rather charged neigh.
The purpose of this noise seemed unclear, as nothing but the darkness below stared back at the two. But after a few minutes, much to one's surprise, the slight sound of breath and struggle seemed to come forth from the darkness.

The horse picked its head back up and looked to Shoju, as if to say 'here.' But the crack seemed to be where two mountains met, and where part of a cave had fallen in. It was pitch black where the sunlight couldn't reach and the slight trickle of water made the ground seem even more potentially unstable. But there was a workable slope he could use to get in and out without a problem as it seemed to be worn away by a human visitor anyway.

[Shoju]

Shoju looked at the cave, and back at the horse. As he heard the breath, he decided to begin to negotiate the slope as carefully as possible. as he descended lower into the cavern, Shoju took a small amount of blood from a vial, and and traced a circle in his palm. Without much effort an orb of light began to hang just above the palm of his hand. It wasn't enough to fully illuminate much, but it kept him from being completely blind within the dark cavern.

Shoju began a mental battle of wits with an earth kami, attempting to interrogate it for the secrets of the cave.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The voices of the earth kami here seemed to hardly stir, almost older in feeling. The only thing they seemed to convey were the truth that the cavern's ceiling was in tact and would remain in tact.

The tiny light was more than what the cavern had seen in a long time, as hoards of tiny insects scampered away from the faint light's glow. His path would be clear, but he would continually hear this faint breathing.

His light would pass through several amazing formations as he made his way past a few pools of trickling water. Near one of them faint silhouette of skeletons seemed to litter the ground. It was still a bit further on to find this struggling individual.

And eventually he'd find them, resting up against the wall, barely breathing... his eyes would fall on the broken and withered battle maiden. Her legs were seeping with excessive blood and bones seemed to be jutting out from her legs with complex fractures. She wasn't going anywhere. She still held her scimitar on her chest as her eyes weakly looked up to Shoju.

"Oh... thank the.. kami. Not another.. ghost." Her voice was weak and cracking as it was apparent her strength was not long for this world. Shoju had managed to find the missing woman, and she was still alive.

[Shoju]

"My my. You are a strong one battle maiden." Shoju knelt down in front of her and looked her over. "Your wounds are grievous. Tell me, is this the only entrance?"

Shoju's face was compassionate, and a little downtrodden. In his mind, the scenario of finding the battle maiden alive had never crossed his mind.

[Bayushi Haruka]

"It is.. the only one. I have.. crawled through this place.. for so long. But please.. " She started to reach out to his shoulder, but her trembling hand looked pitiful as the bones protruded against the skin.

"Who are.. you, who sent you?" Her breathing got even more labored as she attempted to shift. It seemed besides her arms, she wouldn't have the strength to do anything. Her eyes seemed to water painfully as her lids were bloodshot and chiseled with lines from where the moisture had left them. But somehow she managed a single tiny tear as it slid down her face in absolute relief that someone would be able to see her before she died. Her face cracking as it smiled.

[Kitsu Hiraku]

Back at the camp the earth began to rumble. Pebbles moved as a hand made of clay suddenly sprung from beneath the ground. Slowly, a whole human figure uncovered itself and after that it stood silently, waiting without a sign of life

Finally it moved into the darkness surrounding the campfire and a squeal could've been heard. A moment later it returned to the light with it's head covered in blood and a critter husk in it's hand. It muttered something and the clay began to crack. As it felt off a human child in black robes could be seen beneath.

Daisuke looked at Kijiro. - Where is your master? We were supposed to meet here. He said while cleaning his clothes.

[Bayushi Haruka]

It all seemed too much for the woman as she'd given in, her hand nearly reached out to Shoju before it fell. Her gaze growing limp and the weakened woman was giving her last breaths, a sound Shoju might be rather familiar with.

"I am.. sorry.. I only wish.. I had more than one life.. to live for.. Rokugan.."

It seemed a peculiar choice of words as the last of her strength flowed away. Her body stilled, she had expired. A few of the insects already seemed confident even with Shoju's presence as they crawled over her lands and lap, unaware of the being's passing.

[Shoju]

{OOC} Sorry for the long layover, 3 kids + baseball seasons = one tired shoju. I had a huge post laid out and apparently never hit submit.....

Camp

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Kijiro thought about correcting the Kitsu's assertion of the relationship between the two of them, but thought better of it. "Shoju has a lead on the Battle Maiden he is searching for and is following it" Kijiro replied. "Your travel method, while unorthodox, hopefully is also discreet, yes? With Shoju following a lead so soon, it would be tragic for us to be discovered so soon."

in the cavern

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Shoju sighed. The surprise of finding her alive, only to witness her final breath. But what a final breath it was! Shoju worked a quick ritual and a blood red film produced a bubble around Himself and the Battle Maiden's body. the insects inside hissed, screamed, and ceased movement. A quick movement of air and her body was clean. Shoju inspected her, but alas, she was truly gone. There would be no gaijin rituals. This would need to be done his way. He hoped he had enough blood to make her more than an undead minion.

Shoju laid her body out flat, and began tending her wounds. He made sure to set bones, stitch skin, and preserve her as best as possible. It was an arduous process, but he had heard her last request, and he WOULD grant it. As he began working on her second leg, he paused, and worked to make contact with Kijiro. His only instruction to Kijiro:

Bring the Kitsu to me

He set about working to tend the final wounds on her left leg, knowing that soon he would have enough blood to resurrect the Battle Maiden.

Back at Camp

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Kijiro closed his eyes for a few moments and stood very still. Obviously preoccupied by something in his head. When he finished, he opened his eyes, look at the Kitsu and said: "Plans have changes. Shoju requires us both. I trust you are capable of navigating this terrain?

[Kitsu Hiraku]

I'm not stupid, of course it is discreet. Otherwise I'd walk here on foot. He said and sat near the fire. - Seems I'll just have to wait for him. Daisuke said and stretched his arms. Then he rested his head on the ground, listening to the spirits. They were a little nervous with his presence but also... excited? Probably that, considering all of the new people that appeared here.


He was surprised when Kijiro suddenly spoke. - Not a single moment of peace... Let us go then. I think I'll be able to find the way.

Daisuke stood up and looked on the ground. After a moment he saw the footprints of a horse and a man. Shoju's probably. He went where they guided him too motioning for Kijiro to follow him.

[Shoju]

Daisuke and Kijiro

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As Daisuke followed the path, Kijiro found himself wondering what Shoju intended to do once they got there. The path was simple, and they made it just fine. From the top of the Cavern, they could see a faint red glow. Nothing bright, but definitely not a natural light.

Kijiro began descending into the cavern, his form at times seemingly blending in with the heavy shadows and darkness of the caverns. His terrifying Mempo glistening in the moonlight.

Shoju

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He could hear them descending now. He worked quickly to finish replacing her armor. She was as whole as one could be in her current condition. He began the ritual to seal and strengthen the body. He was unsure if it would work well on the body of the deceased, but he wanted... no. NEEDED her body to be whole. By the time Kijiro and Daisuke would reach her, the ritual would be complete.