Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 25, 2011 13:19:44 GMT -5
Haruka was naturally awakened to all the hustle and bustle of things as she overheard the report. While Senshi began preparing she took the opportunity to gently and thoroughly assist him in readying himself for the coming conflict. She wouldn't appear before him initially, but her hands were familiar enough for him.
"I am with you to the end Senshi-sama."
As she stepped into his sight, he'd be able to see her own riding armor, now toned properly to the Scorpion colors along with her horse's armor, and bearing the mon proudly. She'd been somewhat ready for this.
Tenshi had to let her horse go off as he was too badly injured for any sort of conflict for now. The Utaku steed would seek refuge out of sight and out of reach as she stood apart from the others with her hand simply resting on the hilt of her katana. But besides the slight paleness in her skin and the slight tears in her lip, it was nearly impossible to see her unholy nature. She said nothing and did not even look at Shoju as she simply looked forward, noting the few scouts and agents that were shadowing their movements.
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Post by Shoju on May 25, 2011 13:26:54 GMT -5
Kijiro could feel it. He was surprised it had taken this long. He couldn't see them, but he could feel them. Slowly, he began working towards Shoju's side. When they walked alongside them, Kijiro simply whispered "We are not alone any longer."
Shoju nodded, and took the trinket around his neck and wrapped it in his hand. It grew warm, and the glow began to shine through the cracks between his fingers. He hoped that Haruka's crystal were close enough to her that she would see it glow.
Shoju looked to Kijiro and spoke clearly. "My life is not the one you guard tonight Kijiro. By now you have seen that I'm not as fragile as most. On the other hand, Daisuke is mortal, and his death would be a tragedy. stand your ground with him Kijiro-san. Tenshi and myself are more durable."
Shoju turned to Tenshi. "I fear the time for battle may soon be upon us if cooler heads are unable to prevail. The Scorpion tracks us now."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 25, 2011 13:41:48 GMT -5
The battle maiden simply nodded as her piercing eyes met his. She would not draw her blade until the time was right. She wasn't entirely sure what they were fighting, but in the light of things, she couldn't care. Tenshi did notice the glow in his hand, but said nothing as usual.
Haruka only departed to ready her horse as she noticed the glow. This only confirming his presence as she pocketed it for now. It was all unsettling but to be seen with something to identify any connection between the two might be considered a betrayal.
She prepared Rin to hide around nearby to intercept if she gave the signal and equipped her daisho as well. Her scimitar, lance, and dai-kyu were all lashed to the saddle for now as Rin was a handy way to move such large weapons around without hindrance.
She would return to Senshi's side as she would stand with him, but she silently hoped it would not be a situation of who protects who.
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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 25, 2011 14:06:55 GMT -5
Unlike the rest of his group Daisuke didn't notice anything at first. Only a few moments later he noticed the weird conversations of the spirits. When asked they answered calmly that they didn't see anyone. That was the part that one of their shugenjas messed up. Maybe he wasn't even a shugenja and that was why he made that mistake? No matter the reason because of someones mistake he knew they were tracked
He was about to say something to Shoju but he saw Kijiro already talking to him. Then he heard his word. - Hey, I'm not THAT fragile. Your teachers did well. But thank you for anyway, as the situation will probably prove for the special attention t be much needed. Especially when they notice which one of us are undead and who isn't. Daisuke said.
- But I do hope that we won't fight tonight, especially when that isn't our goal. Would be a shame to die in a battle no one would even know about, considering how silent can the Scorpion be... and if we fight you can leave fighting the shugenja to me. I want to try a thing I prepared
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on May 25, 2011 14:33:04 GMT -5
Senshi took one long look at his wife before he turned to leave his chambers. Outside the palace he was met by his men, veterans of the battle at mountain watch keep, and a gunso who even had lived long enough to survive the exile to the burning sands. They bowed in military precision and unison. Then followed Senshi as he began the march, his blade, the legendary Churetsu unsheathed and in his hand.
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Post by Shoju on May 26, 2011 9:44:09 GMT -5
Shoju returned the trinket to around his neck. He hoped that she had at least seen the message. He hoped that bloodshed didn't begin before he had a chance to at least show her that he had kept his word. His thoughts of actually being able to speak to her, and allow for her sister to speak to her and put her mind at ease were folly. He should have known better than to think that anything but war followed him in the lands of the Scorpion.
Shoju drew his katana. His blade hummed in the night air. Shoju listened to the song of the blade. Within it, he could hear the voices of all who had fallen against it. All whose blood it had drank. All those who wished to stand against him in his quest to fortify the empire. Tonight, it seemed it would feast again.
Shoju halted the group in the road. Kyuden Bayushi stood in the near distance. The Silence seemed deafening
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on May 26, 2011 12:06:05 GMT -5
Senshi spoke to his wife, his own excitement ever building, "I have long awaited this day. Today we send the abomination responsible for the plague to traitor's grove. I don't know what manner of idiocy drove him to come here, the center of my power. But it matters little he is surrounded and vastly out numbered."
He turned to the bushi he brought with him, "Remember men, we aim to capture the traitors. A nice long entrapment in the grove for the lot of them. Be wary of Oronkohiro, he is a renowned maho user. Has our runner been able to get in contact with Ishida? His assistance would be most helpful today."
The gunso saluted, "Hai dono! The traitors will be defeated, no word yet from the Soshi."
Senshi frowned, as if to say more, but then he saw the band of travelers ahead on horseback. He smiled, "No-dachi!" A bushi ran up and offered his lengthy blade witch Senshi took. "I do hope you brought Rin with you?"
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 26, 2011 12:57:13 GMT -5
She nodded softly, and as though the horse was coherent to the message it gently came to Haruka's side. She mounted Rin as easily as breathing but she still did not draw any weapon. She looked down to her husband, and while he was exhilarated to be handling things with Shoju again he seemed to have maintained the reserve that she'd hoped for. And he intended to take Shoju alive, all the better.
Rin flicked her tail impatiently. As they spoke briefly. "May I allow them to surrender peacefully my Senshi?"
He would only pause briefly before nodding to her. Rin gently stepped towards the group as she looked down to them, keeping a healthy distance for now. "The Champion has graciously allowed you the chance to surrender now. Put down your weapons and surrender yourselves and no harm shall come to you." Her tone was straightforward and commanding, her eyes locking with Shoju's cautiously.
Tenshi smirked a bit, as she didn't recognize the woman on the Utaku steed since she was covered by her head wrap. She'd yet to draw her weapon as she side glanced to Shoju. "Well, what are your orders sir."
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Post by Shoju on May 26, 2011 13:09:30 GMT -5
Shoju sighed. "They are lying Tenshi." Shoju's gaze fixed on Haruka. "There is no peaceful surrender for Kijiro and myself." Shoju turned and looked into Tenshi's eyes. "They will send us to the grove. I'm unsure of what atrocities they would commit against you and Daisuke." Shoju's face looked concerned.
"You know not what you speak Mistress of Secrets. Your husband would plant me in the Grove by morning." Shoju called down the road. He took a moment to survey the scene, taking in the Scorpion men ready to kill one they thought a traitor. "But I should tell you Mistress of Secrets. This trip is not solely about Saisei any longer. I made a promise to you, and I have kept it." Shoju sheathed his Katana, and spilled a vial of blood on the ground. He held his hands palms out and low and bowed his head. A crimson bubble began to cover the group of 4. It wouldn't hold for long, but it would deflect the initial blows he feared were coming.
"For now. Be ready. We will not strike first. We are not the agressors in this fight. Seek only to slay them when there is no other choice. Their hatred is born from understandable ignorance of the more subtle details of the situation."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 26, 2011 13:32:09 GMT -5
Haruka did not move, and neither would the others surrounding them as she slowly stepped a bit closer towards them. She was beyond Senshi's grasp now and Haruka placed herself purposefully in harms way now so that she could speak without an attack being launched without her consent.
"What then have you found of my sister, Shoju-san." Rin snorted and tossed her head again. Haruka held her presence as she looked them over again, but there seemed to be an unseen air about her that none of them could have anticipated. For now she would ensure that they would speak before any fighting broke out.
"Do not concern yourself with me Shoju-san. I can handle this woman dead or alive." Her grip intensified on her katana as she seemed poised to strike at Haruka with only a breath of command holding her back.
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Post by Shoju on May 26, 2011 13:44:59 GMT -5
"Tenshi. You WILL stand down." Shoju turned and looked at her. The look on his face didn't match the sterness of his voice. His expression was a passionate plea.
When Shoju was satisfied that his expression had been noted he turned back to Haruka. "Mistress of Secrets. I promised you my aid in finding your sister. You told me that she had last been seen in Beiden Pass. You told me she was a battle maiden the same as you. You told me that the Kami could not find her. Where the Kami failed, I succeeded." Shoju nodded slowly. "You sister had suffered grievous wounds and had been lost in an awful chasm, with Kami who were ancient. Their willingness to speak long gone."
Shoju bowed. "You did neglect to tell me how fierce your sister could be Mistress of Secrets. Where you are reserved, and thoughtful, she can be brash and headstrong." Shoju grinned slightly turning so he could see both of them in front of himself. "Oh what trouble you two must have caused."
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 26, 2011 15:18:53 GMT -5
((OOC: I was hesitating because I hate taking over threads but. BAHHH it's gotta be done.))
It was at this point it felt like time stopped a moment. Even the surrounding archers and bushi paused with a slight slack in breath as they looked between the two for a moment, but only a moment.
Haruka seemed frozen, where her steed never seemed to stand still as it pawed the ground. ""H-Hasana-sama.." her eyes widened, but that would be all they could see in her expression.
"No longer. I waited, I fought against the living and the unliving things inside of the mountains and there I lay until I died."
Haruka's expression did not shift of anything short of true astonishment. ""Then how do you stand with us now?"
"Only by Shoju-san's grace and power." The conversation up to this point had been of some stunned revelation, but now Tenshi drew in a hot breath as she stepped towards her sister, drawing her katana. "Unlike you, who did nothing to save me. I sent my horse, I sent my Hawk and still the only rescue I find is in a Bloodspeaker." She spat off to the side as her pale beauty seemed marred by the lines of frustration and anger built into her expression. "You doomed me Haruka. Didn't you."
With Rin's reins in one hand, the beast was urged back, and so the horse obeyed gently backing away a few tentative steps. ""Hasana-sama.. I.."
"I am Tenshi now. Utaku Hasana died in that miserable hole, and is no longer!" Growling with her words. She held her ground, blade drawn as she stepped apart from Shoju and the others, out of his protection.
Haruka seemed stunned still, a cool breeze falling between them as she looked back with tears in her eyes. ""Hasa.. Tenshi-san.. I searched for so long. But mother told me to stop, she wanted me to move on. It was not my choice Tenshi-san!"
Tenshi's grip intensified. "Mother, then." Her grip was intense enough to rupture part of her hand as it started to bleed out, dripping quietly from the hilt to the earth below.
Haruka's tone immediately turned to a pleading voice. ""Do not take this out on her Tenshi-san. Please... you know she only wanted the best for you. You were to become the new sensei to the shiotome after she retired..."
Tenshi rested her eyes a moment before glaring at Haruka. "You will not stop me. Not with your words..."
Haruka reached a resolve as well then as she dismounted and took her katana from its sheath and held it low, still standing with Rin. "Must I." Her expression had finally settled. Tenshi was a thing of unbridled power, there would be little doubt why she would have naturally been selected to become the next sensei. Haruka would show no fear, but she was clearly distraught.
The only thing holding Tenshi back now was Shoju and what sense of honor still remained in her mind in her second life. But her restraint was starting to weaken with the scent of a challenge. Her love for her sister had left her, but Haruka still seemed to retain that part of her heart.
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Bayushi Senshi
Scorpion Clan
Scorpion Clan * Clan Champion * Samurai * Kensai * Experienced * Loyal * Unique
Posts: 1,891
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Post by Bayushi Senshi on May 26, 2011 16:38:21 GMT -5
Senshi stared in mild disbelief. But knew not what to do, the scene before him was as if from a nightmare. He turned, "Where. Is. ISHIDA!?" He looked back to the blood prism, unwilling to do anything to harm his wife. Unknowing of the consequences of an assault. The battle hadn't even begun, and already Haruka was practically their prisoner.
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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 26, 2011 17:09:13 GMT -5
Daisuke saw the troops that surrounded them and he knew that they didn't really stand a chance. At that was even without the Scorpion champion and Haruka who were both great fighters.
- It's a shame we didn't have a chance to do this the peaceful way. Now it seems they'll just torture us to get information and then dispose of us. Or something along those lines. Not nice stuff generally. And I was just starting to know all of this stuff. Daisuke answered to Shoju.
Then everything changed. Haruka just came to his group and then she was stopped by her sister. - Now that is serious family issues. Totally beats a bloodspeaker mom and dad. He said silent enough for only the people inside the bubble to hear. - Seems we meet again Senshi-san. You could at least be a little nicer considering the fact that I helped you and Haruka a lot with those wyrms. And that I'm about to help you both again. He said and with the last word spoken waved his left hand back. With that movement Tenshi suddenly flew backwards, away from Haruka, and landed on her back. - Sorry Shoju. I added some safety measures of mine to those symbols I made back at the cave. Just in case she wanted to crush you and me for being the "bad guys". AND ANYWAY BEFORE YOU TRY TO GET AWAY. [/i] The boy said while throwing a vial of blood at Haruka. It hit the ground near her and "tentacles" made of flesh that were created by the spell caught her hands, legs and her throat.
- And now, since no one is in immediate danger; Please don't move Tenshi, you could probably get free but it will just make the situation worse. Pretty please?; And as I was saying since no one is about to die maybe we could TRY to talk? As in: At least ask questions before slashing and stabbing. Because I'd rather do that. Or I could just crush your wife throat; And trust me Haruka-san I really don't wanna do that; and we can start killing each other. So Senshi, what would it be, will we talk like civilized Rokugani or will we just charge at each other like Gaijin? Daisuke said with his old, childish voice.
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Bayushi Haruka
Scorpion Clan
OOC Cleanup Crew
Samurai? Battle Maiden? Cavalry? Paragon of Courage? Friend of the Lion
Posts: 1,054
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Post by Bayushi Haruka on May 26, 2011 17:27:49 GMT -5
The sheer outrage that Tenshi wanted to direct at Haruka now fell onto Daisuke. "What was the use in bringing me if you'll only bind me whelp!?" She would snarl like an unrestrained creature, struggling at the spell as she'd soon get loose and stared daggers into the young shugenja. "If you're going to be an obstacle, I'll be happy to deal with you as well in due time, little one." Her words dripped with absolute malice, but for now at least she'd hold her ground. Shoju didn't probably approve of her advancement anyway, but now they had an edge in this fight.
But Haruka was an entirely different matter as she simply clicked her teeth and had Rin not move a muscle, holding position where she was held. And even though the horrors caressed her vulnerable throat, there was a glint in her eye to Senshi.
"Just like we practiced." She'd smirk under her head wrap as one of the tendrils pulled down the front to reveal her smile. She feared nothing.
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