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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 11, 2017 19:47:58 GMT 10
Two days later, they rode east to Kaeru Toshi, arriving the next day. The city, or what was left of it, was situated at the main junctyion of the Three Sides River. It had been devastated at beginning of the Onyx War when the forces of Daigotsu Kanpeki had overrun it, then sailing downriver to take Toshi Ranbo. Now, little more than the original stones remained, among the tents of the Lion forces. There were also the hastily constructed dwellings that the Kaeru family had constructed from rubble. Harun, wearing his Topaz Champion armour, rode in with Majid and Hokori with a light escort of Unicorn. Their approach had been noticed as a small contingent of Lion samurai emerged from the city and assembled in a line ahead of them. Majid halted their progress and spoke to the head of their escort. “Signal them we wish to talk.” The tessen bearer signalled the Lion with his fan. There was a tense moment when the Lion didn’t respond, then there was a signal in return. They proceeded forward, stopping short of the Lion. Majid dismounted as did Hokori and Harun. Hokori stepped forward, holding a document in his hands. The Susumu bowed. “In the same of Susumu Shibatsu, Lord of the Spider Clan, the Lion Clan’s right to the city of Toshi sano Kanemochi Kaeru is challenged.” He offered the document. The Lion bowed. He was young, he looked surprisingly reasonable. “I am Akodo Chusei, Chui to Shireken Akodo Motome. We will conduct you to her.” They saddled up and proceeded in to the Lion camp. Lion samurai brought up the front and rear of their contingent. By now they had been noticed. Lion samurai and ashigaru gathered around and watched. They came to a stop outside the biggest tent where a woman came out as they approached. She looked about thirty, her eyes hard, her face set. This was Akodo Motome. “Hokori!” she shouted, her contempt for the Spider palpable. “This is hardly the army you promised to return with!” Hokori made a deep bow, his voice was as smooth as silk. And as slippery. “Our claim to this city is as strong as yours is weak, Akodo-san.” “This!” She brandished the piece of paper with the challenge on it. “I have no time for such games as this!” “Do you accept the challenge, Akodo-san?” Hokori asked, his pleasant tone had an edge of steel to it. There was a long silence as the words were considered. Motome looked down at the challenge, everyone watching her. Harun waited silently beside Majid, he knew he had no place in this until he was called upon. “I accept,” Motome said. “I will answer this challenge myself.” “I nominate Kakita Harun as my champion,” said Hokori. Harun stepped forward and bowed low, not speaking and his face a blank mask. Motome looked at Harun, trying to stare him down. Harun looked back at her unflinchingly. “This is acceptable,” said Motome. “The duel will proceed as soon as the grounds can be prepared.”
A courtyard was found and cleared of rubble and greenery for the purpose of the duel. Majid and a Lion shugenja purified the duelling circle. Harun stood to one side with the Unicorn escort, resplendent in his gold and blue Topaz Champion armour. It had been quickly modified at the Unicorn camp so he could duel in it. Hokori stood next to him, talking far too much than was necessary. Harun tuned it out. On the other side was the Lion, some gathered around Motome. No one looked their way. When the rituals were done. Majid called them both forward. Harun took his place on Majid’s right, Motome on his right. Facing Majid was Akodo Chusei, in his hand he held a fan. Majid bowed to Chusei and stepped back to be with the other Unicorn. “We are here to decide things according to the traditions of iaijutsu and bushido,” said Chusei. “Please state your name to those gathered here.” Akodo Motome bowed. “I am Akodo Motome, student of Motome Ikari-sensei of the Akodo school.” Harun bowed. “I am Kakita Harun, student of Kakita Kenshin of the Kakita Duelling Academy. I stand as representative of Susumu Hokori.” “This is a duel to the first blood,” said Chisei. “May fate decide the victor.” He brought down the fan between the two combatants and then raised it. “Hajime!” Harun examined Motome carefully. She was older than him, brash—that had been apparent from the beginning—and definitely more experienced. However, he had one distinct advantage over her: he had come prepared to duel, she had not. He looked for her weak spots. I could take her, Harun thought, Just, but I could. Satisfied, he sank into the stance of Void. Now he was in more familiar territory. The silence was welcoming, familiar, he could feel the connections between the ground, the sky, and the world around him. Reaching within himself for that energy, that lightning flash that would go into his strike. Harun struck, his katana slashing with such a speed that scratched Motome’s cheek, drawing blood. She glared at Harun, her sword had not even left her saya, and to be beaten by one she considered a mere boy. She bowed, still furious, but accepting the decision. Harun bowed as well. He had won his first duel, he wasn’t sure how he meant to feel. Good? Bad? He felt a little dazed. “The duel is decided in favour of Susumu Hokori,” said Chusei. He didn’t sound happy either, but like Motome he had to accept the result. The only one who seemed at all pleased about this was Hokori himself. “In accordance with the terms, Akodo Motome will be handed over for judgment,” he said. “The troops will remain here until something else can be arranged. I will remain, also.” He turned and left, without any thanks or even looking at Harun. The Unicorn troops took Motome into custody, leading her off somewhere and people began to disperse. Is this what it is to be a duellist? Harun wondered as he watched them go. We all talked about the glory and fame we would win at the Academy. Not this, this is just hollow. Majid came up to Harun and clapped him on the back. “So, you’ve won your first duel Niwa no Moto,” he said, grinning broadly. “I’d buy you a drink, but I don’t think they would like us to stay.” Harun nodded, they walked back to where they had left their horses. “If we ride hard, we should make it back to camp by nightfall,” said Majid, they mounted and started their way back. “Majid,” said Harun after a few hours, he was deep in thought. “How much does it help, what just happened?” “Well, that will depend on who you ask,” said Majid. “To the Unicorn, not a whole lot. The Khan wanted the affair settle and he wasn’t happy having the Lion this side of the river, but that’s about it. To the Spider and Lion, it matters, you decided a matter that needed to be mediated. But to the Empire…” Majid smiled. “It matters that the city is held, and now your name will be there deciding it.” Harun was satisfied with that, they continued on the journey west.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 12, 2017 22:33:57 GMT 10
Chinua was in war council when they returned, Harun went into his yurt to eat and change. After that Harun did something he had wanted to do for a while but hadn’t the chance to. He sat at the desk and wrote a desk and wrote a letter to Arahime. It felt a little strange, thinking of her so far away at the Academy. Such a different world from where he was. How much would she understand? Some things would be better explained to her in person.
Dear Arahime-san, I hope this letter finds you well. It feels very strange to think of you at the Academy, but it’s also comforting. It’s a world away from where I am and where I have been. I’m with the Unicorn, at the camp of the Khol their main army. And yes, I am sitting writing to you in one of the yurts that your father talks about. And They are better than we thought, more like a house than a tent. I owe being here to Moto Majid. We met at Shiro Mirumoto and rode together here. He is about as Moto as they come. He finds my “refined” Crane ways quite amusing and calls me Niwa no Moto. He is a true friend though and accepted me instantly. It is sort of strange, but I am seen as different out here but in a different way than at the Academy. There I was the gaijin, the foreigner, here I am the Crane with all their “unnecessary” pretentions and traditions. They have found need for me already. I wasn’t in the camp a day when I was in my first duel, which happened a few days later. The situation is a little complicated to explain, but it was about who has control of Kaeru Toshi. You can tell Kenshin-sensei that I won and did not embarrass him or the Academy too much. The Unicorn plan to take Shiro Moto soon, it should be decided one way or another by the time this letter gets to you. But with the land as barren as it is, and much of it still tainted, it almost seems hollow winning it back. Do you remember what the Crane lands used to look like when we were younger? Before we came to the Academy? It is a little like that, but it goes on and on forever and without all the damage from explosions Majid says this will hopefully change soon and I hope to see it, see the land recovering, the home that all the Unicorn talk about. There is so much to see here that I haven’t yet, so much that I wish you could see. And it was a little strange travelling so much at first, but I think I am growing to like it. There's something about seeing new places, not knowing where I will be the next day or what I will see. The feeling of freedom riding across the plains with nothing but the wind and sky. It sort of speaks to a part of me that I didn't know was there. I know it will be hard to get a letter to me, I hardly know where I will be in the future so it would be hard to get any letters to me. It is enough to know that my words will get to you. With affection, Kakita Harun
Harun folded the pages carefully and sealed them with wax, making his chop on the outside with red ink. He then went to find the courier that Majid has said was going to Otosan Uchi. Kyuden Kakita was on the way, the letter would find her. On his way back, Majid found him. “It’s time?” Harun asked. Majid nodded. They entered Chinua’s tent, the remains of the war council were being cleared away. Chinua congratulated Harun on the duel and asked them to sit. Harun noticed there was a seriousness about his demeanour. The normal tea and jerky were offered, Harun sipped his tea, waiting for Chinua to speak. Chinua cleared his throat. “I trust you know something of Majid’s errand?” “He has been discreet,” said Harun. “I only know of it urgency and importance.” Chinua nodded absently, he was deep in thought. “It is difficult to know where to begin with this, but perhaps I should with your mother Yamada.” He took a long draught of tea. “The night before the duel, we spoke of many things, but there was something she spoke of that I dismissed. “He paused, staring into the distance. “She saw a bigger picture than what was before us, conflict that would not just be won by military victories.” He looked at Harun, giving a sad smile. “If she were here now, I would tell her that she was right. Since she is not, I must make amends other ways. With you Harun-san.” Harun gave a small nod at the acknowledgment but did not speak. “What Majid-san is doing, and others with him, is a way to end the taint in Unicorn lands,” Chinua explained. “This will weaken the Onyx, and end the war.” Harun looked from Chinua to Majid. “This is ambitious,” he said. Chinua nodded in agreement. “This has been years in the making. Revealed, I believe, by the Divine Iweko, mother of the Emperor.” Harun looked at Chinua in astonishment. “She…lives?” Majid nodded. “I was fortunate enough to be in her presence. As were others, including Zetsubou-san.” “I do not pretend to understand the details of this ritual,” continued Chinua. “But I can tell you of another who is involved that Yamada spoke of that night. Haihime, the daughter of Daigotsu Kanpeki.” Harun frowned, remembering. “I think I have heard of her, she is friends with my Aunt Kyoumi.” “She was friends with Yamada as well, your mother taught her to ride,” Chinua said. “I guess she will be wanting to meet you, Harun-san, when she arrives.” He then looked to Majid to continue. “The participants will be gathering in the winter when Ourt will be held in Shiro Moto, then we will be traveling north to the site that has been prepared,” Majid said. “When the snow falls, we will strive to send the taint from the land. And when the snow melts, when the spring returns, we will hopefully have Heaven’s blessing and the land will be restored.” “I cannot order you to do this, Harun-san,” said Chinua. “But I imagine you would not refuse if asked.” “You are correct, my lord,” said Harun with a nod. “Good,” said Chinua. He took a strip of jerky and put it in his mouth, chewing vigorously and swallowing. “There is something else I wanted to talk to you about. I take you have never seen a battle, let alone been in one?” Harun nodded in assent. “Well, if it is agreeable to you, you can ride with Majid,” Chinua said. “Majid, I trust you will show him what to do so he doesn’t make a fool of himself?” “It shall be done, my Khan,” said Majid with a nod. “I thank you for such acknowledgement, my lord,” Harun said, inclining his head. “I will try to be worthy of your trust.” “You have proven yourself, Harun,” said Chinua. “Just keep doing that.”
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 19, 2017 23:33:24 GMT 10
“The first thing we need to do,” Majid said the next morning, “is to get you properly outfitted.” He led him towards one of the equipment tents. “I have armour,” Harun protested, “and weapons, and a horse.” “You do,” Majid agreed. “But your duelling armour is hardly adequate for the battlefield. And your horse, though a fine and noble beast, would simply turn and flee from a battle.” Harun nodded. “As for your weapons,” Majid continued, flashing a grin at Harun, “we’ll have to find a way to use your refined Crane ways.” Majid handed him a set of armour, packed inside a furoskiki bundle. They went back to Harun’s yurt to put it on. Harun changed behind a shoji screen into the garments that went underneath the armour. Purple, it seemed strange to be wearing it, but Harun liked its deep brilliance. When he emerged, Majid had laid the armour out. Purple again, made of silk, steel and…leather. Harun winced a little at this. Wearing leather, made from the flesh of a dead animal. “Something wrong?” Majid asked, he was holding the first piece to be put on, the sunate, the leg armour. Harun shook his head. “Just some of my “refined Crane ways”,” he said. Majid raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment further. He helped Harun put the armour on. Gloves, arm braces, then the kote. Then the chest plate, the do, lighter than usual. Then the obi, purple, he tied it closely. Then came the sode, the arm pieces, bigger than usually to protect against arrows. Thus equipped, Harun took up his daisho. The enamel of the sayas looked purple in the low light of the yurt. Carefully, he equipped it to the obi. He tied the hachimaki on his head, white with a purple unicorn mon in the centre. Finally, Majid passed Harun the kabuto. Again, leather and steel, with a long purple plume—horsehair perhaps?—that would hand down his back when he wore it. And play in the wind when I ride, Harun thought with a smile. He put it on, adjusting it and tying the straps securely under his chin. Majid gave Harun a strange look. He blinked, then took a step back, looking Harun up and down, still with the same expression on his face. “What’s wrong?” Harun asked. He already felt a little awkward, having Majid staring at him only made things worse. “Nothing,’ Majid said unconvincingly. Harun unsheathed his katana, angling the blade until he could see his reflection. He blinked, staring at it. The armour transformed him. The colour, his face, the beard…he could have passed for a Unicorn for anyone who didn’t know him. And perhaps a few who did. There was something else too. Harun noticed it when they left the yurt. No one noticed him. He normally got a few stares when he walked around the camp in his Crane blues. But in the purple armour of the Unicorn, he barely passed a glance. He fit in, he looked like he belonged. This was a new feeling for Harun, and it wasn’t altogether bad.
Out on the steppes, Majid put Harun through his paces. Improving riding, improving his seat so he was both firmer and more movable in the saddle. As this happened, Majid kept a constant look out, checking the horizon constantly. Harun enjoyed it, even in the bleak landscape he enjoyed the freedom of movement the steppes seemed to encourage. How it seemed to extend forever, from one horizon to the next. If it hadn’t been for the dangers Majid kept talking about, he might have enjoyed it more. When Majid was satisfied that Harun mastered the basics, Majid added more elements. Showing him how to ride to avoid arrows, how to stop fast, make quick evasive turns. And how to do all this with just the lightest touch of the reins so as not to ruin his horse’s mouth. “What about using my sword?” Harun asked when they took a break. “I’ll get to that,” Majid promised. “Right now, I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.” They kept at it, day after day, in the hot sun and in the rain. Soon it felt normal to be wearing the armour, and he liked more and more how he wasn’t attracting attention. And he did enjoy riding in the open plains everyday, loving the feeling of freedom he had galloping under the open sky. Sometimes Majid would spot enemy patrols and insisted on going back, sounding his horn to alert other riders. “You don’t trust me enough in combat yet?” Harun asked after a few weeks. By now Majid had shown him how to use his sword on horseback. Harun had trained both out on the steps with it and by slashing sacks on poles and ropes in the training yard. Majid had pronounced his efforts “adequate”, but they had done nothing further. Majid sighed. “You’ll see combat soon enough, Niwa no Moto,” he said. “I assume at the Kakita Academy you’re not allowed to duel your first opponent until you first knew how to hold sword?” Harun frowned. “You know me better than that, Majid.” “I do,” Majid said, clapping Harun on the back. “But you do not know me as well or what you will encounter.” “Then tell me,” Harun said.
That evening in Harun’s yurt, over tea, Majid explained it to him. It wasn’t just about the taint or with Jigoku, it had to do with the Moto family itself. Their origins in the deserts beyond Rokugan and their dark history. “The Moto has a dark legacy that we all strive to redeem,” Majid said. “There are those who share my name, who share my blood that were betrayed by the gods they worshiped, were tainted, were used by Jigoku. They are the Dark Moto. But in a way, they remained samurai, their bodies were lost to the taint but their minds were not lost to madness. They train like samurai, they have discipline, they use tactics like us. And were more than a match for us in combat.” “You talk about them as if it’s in the past,” Harun pointed out. “Are they gone?” “They were,” said Majid. “Until Kanpeki’s hordes came. Then they returned. And Daigoro, their leader, is ruthless.” He paused, looking down into his tea. “We beat them back, but they know us and we know them.” He looked up at Harun. “I tell you this, as you need to know it. Not just because you will face them in battle, but because I know you have Moto blood. This shame is something we all share, to ensure it doesn’t happen again.” Harun nodded, considering this. “These Dark Moto…they hold Shiro Moto?” Majid nodded. “They are why we have failed to take it so far. You haven’t seen it yet, as it is a bit better now, but every step we have made towards it has been hard fought. We draw them out, we winnow their numbers, until…”He clasped his hands together, resting his chin on them. “Until the day we strike.” “When is it?” Harun asked. “Soon,” said Majid. “Not too soon, the Khan knows when. He swore that that the Unicorn would hold court this winter in Shiro Moto.” “And so we will,” said Harun, smiling at him. Majid smiled back. “And so we will.”
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 28, 2017 22:28:07 GMT 10
Got a bad headcold and this is all I could type today, there should be more soon
A few days later, Harun was walking around the camp. Majid had to cut their training short that morning, saying he had duties to perform. So, Harun explored the Khol camp, still wearing his riding armour. He enjoyed the anonymity it gave him, it was like being invisible. He was walking past a training yard where he could see some Utaku shiotome wee training. He had seen them riding around the camp, but they weren’t willing to talk to him or even look his way. But this only intrigued him further. They rode through a series of obstacles. Attacking weighted sacks swinging from ropes, stuffed sacks tied to stakes. Not unlike what Majid put him through, but the pace and stakes were far more intense. He noticed the speed and tenacity they showed against the obstacles, their strength, discipline and the control they had over the massive horses. The Utaku battle maidens were reputed to be the best cavalry force in Rokugan. From what Harun could see here, this was no mere boast but the simple truth. And my mother was one of them, Harun thought. Just as another horse went by, one of the stakes fell victim to a particularly powerful blow and snapped with a loud crack. A few of the horses startled, they were quickly calmed. But the one nearest to Harun did more than that. It reared up, turning and thrashing on its hind legs, its deadly hooves coming straight towards him. Harun reacted instantly, his duellist reflexes kicking in. He lunged out of the way, rolling onto the ground as the hooves came down barely a finger span away from his face. As he lay there, him and the rider locked eyes for a moment. And in that moment he really saw her. Beautiful, her eyes wide with concern, the long braids of her black hair tossing around as she brought the horse under control. And she saw him. Saw the fear in his eyes as the horse’s hooves struck the ground, saw the hand that instinctively went to his katana at the first sign of danger. Harun kept rolling, dislodging clouds of dust and dirt, trying to get clear of the horse as the shiotome calmed it. The hooves came down just where he had been lying a moment before. Finally, the horse was calmed and everyone could breathe again. The disturbance attracted quite a bit of attention. A few people crowded around, someone helped Harun to his feet and asked him if he was hurt. “What’s all this?” Harun heard Majid’s voice through the crowd, the Moto made his way through and clapped Harun on the back. “I leave you for one afternoon, and you almost get yourself killed. Niwa no Moto!” He burst out in hilarious laughter, a few joining in even though they didn’t know the joke. “It’s nothing,” Harun, trying to brush it off along with the dust. Majid led him through the crowd, still talking fast. Harun looked back at the Utaku woman. She was being spoken to by what looked to be a superior, looking down and an expression of shame on her face. Harun wanted to interfere, go over and say that it was all just an accident, but he didn’t think that would be right. He nodded to Majid as they walked off. He was barely listening, still thinking about the girl.
That evening, Harun was sitting reading a Unicorn history scroll that Majid had loaned him when the servant said that a young Utaku woman wished to see him. Harun had a vague idea who it could be. He told the servant to let her in and to make tea. Harun rode and went to the tent door to greet her. The young woman entered. It was the shiotome Harun had seen earlier that day. She wore a plain purple kimono with a white obi. Her hair was in many braids all over her head, the braids themselves braided further to pull her hair off her face. She had a calm face, a quiet face, her brown eyes showing no more emotion than they needed to. The Utaku looked up at him, opened her mouth the speak then stared in astonishment at the blue garments of the Crane he was wearing. “Oh dear!” she said, bowing very low. “I must express my most humble apologies that I put you in danger, Crane-sama.” She looked down, her eyes on Harun’s feet. “That you are also a guest of Lord Chinua makes my error even more of a dishonour.” “Please, Utaku-san,” said Harun reassuringly. “Your actions saved my life. It is due to your skill as a horsewoman that you were able to bring your steed under control.” She shook her head, still not moving. “Crane-sama, it is a shame on myself as an Utaku and as a daughter of Shinjo that my failure to control my horse even put you in danger. Please, accept my apologies and this humble gift so that I might atone for this fault.” She straightened and presented him with a small box in both hands. “I accept your apology,” Harun said, bowing gratefully. “But I cannot accept such a gift, even if is freely given. I am not worthy of such esteem.” He gave a small smile, hoping that she recognised the game he was playing. She smiled, understanding the game. “I disagree, Crane-sama,” she said. “Such a gift is far from worthy of one esteemed as yourself.” “You flatter me, Utaku-san,” said Harun. “I know the Unicorn trade with many lands, what you give is no doubt rare and beautiful and should not be given away lightly to one such as myself.” “Perhaps something rare and beautiful to go with the rare beauties of the Crane?” she asked. Is she teasing me? Harun wondered. It was hard to tell, so he took it at face value. “Then I accept,” said Harun, taking the box and bowing. “I am Kakita Harun, son of Kakita Karasu. I bid you welcome, Utaku-san.” The Utaku returned his bow. “This one is Utaku Kogome, Kakita-sama, daughter of Utaku Kouma.” “I am honoured to meet you, Utaku-san,” said Harun. “I have heard much of the shiotome and I am pleased to finally meet one.” “You flatter me, Kakita-sama,” said Asuna. “Not at all,” said Harun. “It is but the simple truth.” He gestured to the table where the servant was setting the tea. “Will you join me, Utaku-san?” Asuna shook her head. “I don’t want to disturb you any further, Kakita-sama.” “Please, stay,” Harun said earnestly. “I don’t know that many people in camp yet. And I do want to thank you properly for your gift.” She sat down. Asuna seemed a bit stiff and formal, as if social setting such as this were unfamiliar to her. Harun served tea, forgoing many of the usual elegant flourishes he was taught at the Academy. He thought they might intimidate her further. He then lifted the box. It was small, about the size of the palm of his hand, decorated with intricate. Inside was a square of purple silk, wrapped around a small object. The silk had the scent of spices and exotic perfumes, giving a hint of lands far away. Harun unwrapped the silk, revealed the small figure of a horse at gallop. Its lines were cut finely in white wood, smooth and delicate like ivory. “This is exquisite,” Harun said, “I thank you.” He held the small horse in his hands then set it on the table in front of him. He looked up at Asuna, she was examining him curiously. “You can speak freely, Utaku-san.” She looked down, as if embarrassed. “You must forgive me, Kakita-sama,” she said. “I had heard there was a Crane in the camp, but I pictured someone more…” “Traditional?” Harun suggested. Asuna nodded. “I am a little curious about you, Kakita-sama,” she confessed. “Please, call me Harun,” he said. “As for my ‘non-traditional’ appearance, that can be explained. My mother was a Unicorn, an Utaku. I also understand that her father, my grandfather, was a Moto and she named me for him.” He took a sip of tea. “And my Crane ways, well, I was one of the many fosterlings of my father.” “Your father, Kakita Karasu, the Emerald Champion?” Harun nodded. “What was it like growing up with that?” Asuna asked. “We had the full run of the castle, Shiro Yogasha, there were that many of us that my parents found from all around the Empire.” He smiled at a memory. “I used to go into my father’s war room, rearrange the figures on his maps, sometimes during his meetings.” Asuna smiled at this. “Apparently, I once accidentally discovered a brilliant strategy,” Harun said, with dead pan seriousness. Asuna stared at him incredulously, was he being serious? Harun let out a snort, his face collapsing in laughter. Asuna put up a hand to stifle her own laughter. “I saw that!” Harun said, pointing triumphantly. “I saw that, Utaku-san! You’re not as aloof as you appear to be.” “I thought Crane were like that,” Asuna teased. “You noticed, I’m not a typical Crane, Utaku-san,” Harun countered. “Call me Asuna, Harun,” she said, smiling at him. She was very beautiful when she smiled, her eyes dark and filled with openness and honesty. She reminded him a little of Arahime, but there was something there that Arahime didn’t have. A calmness, a quietness, not unlike what in himself. It gave her poise, a quiet confidence, and the more she warmed to him the more he saw of her true nature. They talked some more, Harun telling her about growing up in the Kakita Academy; Asuna telling him about riding with the Khol. Harun found she was easy to talk to, easier even than Majid. She was close in age to him, and despite their differences they managed to find common ground. The hope the land would be restored, the hope for peace, that the war that had started before they were born would be over in their lifetimes. When Asuna had drained her second cup of tea, she said she could stay no longer. “But I did enjoy your company,” she said. “And I would like to extend to you the same hospitality.” Harun raised a sceptical eyebrow at this. “Would I be welcome in your camp? I have heard how the Utaku regard men.” Asuna laughed again. “You are not an Utaku man,” she explained. “So, it will not be as bad.” She got to her feet, made a bow. “We are in tighter quarters, but you said you wanted to learn of our ways.” “I do, and I will,” Harun promised, bowing in return. “And thank you for the gift, and the pleasure of your company.” He thought about her for a long time after she had left, holding the small horse in his hands. He had wanted to meet with the Utaku, but he hadn’t expected this. Not at all.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 29, 2017 21:42:29 GMT 10
Asuna was in his thoughts when he rode with Majid the next day. He did his best not to seem distracted, and if Majid noticed he said nothing. When the sun was high in the sky, Majid suggest a change in course further north. “You said you wanted to see combat,” Majid said. “You think I’m ready?” Harun asked. “I’d want more time, but we don’t have it,” Majid said. “But the Khan plans to move in days. To take back Shiro Moto.” He glanced at Harun. “It’s time you were blooded, Niwa no Moto.” Further north they met up with a shiotome patrol. Their Chui, Utaku Takara, seemed to know Majid and agreed to his suggestion they accompany them. They fell into the middle of the kaisha and continued. Harun felt a little thrill, to be riding with the Utaku battle maidens was a privilege. They continued north, keeping up a brisk pace, constantly on the lookout. Then they saw them, the Dark Moto, not much more than shapes in the distance in the plains. They picked up the pace, horns were sounded. Not just to alert the rest of the kaisha, but to let the enemy know they were coming. Harun felt his heart beat fast. This wasn’t really a battle, not yet, but it was far from the orderly duels of the Kakita. This was war. “Stay with me, Harun,” Majid urged, his tone devoid of its usual levity. The kaisha split into two long columns, Harun went behind Majid on the left column. Harun was grateful for all the riding training he had done with Majid as he managed to keep abreast with the Utaku battle maiden on his right. They rode along the ridge of a hill, on their left the ground sloped down. Harun took a good look off to the left, he could see the enemy below them. They were getting closer, he could start to see them in more detail. Horrible twisted, tainted riders on skeletal horses. They rode fast and eager to intercept them. Harun turned back, looking up the column of Utaku. I wonder what they have planned? he thought. A moment later he had his answer. At a signal from the Chui, the columns split; the right column proceeding down the hill with the left column continuing along the ridge, hiding the split from the enemy. Harun continued the pace as the column on his right fell away. And when the last one was below the ridge, the column started to turn left and proceed down the hill. The column became a charging wall of cavalry, galloping down the hill. And completely silent, Harun noticed. They drew their swords, readied their lances. The Dark Moto were fast approaching, firing arrows at them. Harun ducked down hind his horse’s head, hearing a few whizzing past his ears. He heard a few shouts and screams when shiotome got hit. Majid was right beside him, the line of Dark Moto were getting closer. Their hideous skeletal forms, closer and closer. Harun steeled himself for the clash, his katana ready. A calmness came over him, not unlike the moment before the strike in an iaijutsu duel. Another hail of arrows, and then the two sides met. There was a loud clash of steel, a piercing shriek of injured horses. Harun swung his sword, slashing at the enemy and using the sode on his arms to fend off blows. There was no precision, no finesse, just cutting though the enemy and urging his horse forward, through their lines. He cut off the arm of one, then the head, always moving, pushing ahead until he could make it through… Until he could make it through… He kept fighting, urging his horse forward with his knees and his feet. He felt something scratch past his cheek, but he ignored it. Majid was next to him, attacking fiercely with his scimitar. Harun slashed his katana forward, knocking back a Dark Moto and finally breaking through the lines. He kept riding, spurring his horse to regroup with the others as they prepared for another charge. It was then that the other column of shiotome attacked. Right from the flank of the Dark Moto, Harun didn’t know this at the time but they had come around the hill to approach the enemy from another direction. The Dark Moto were caught between two fronts, but they were not about to give up without another fight. Waves of arrows were fired as the Utaku charged. One arrow found a gap in Harun’s armour, sinking into his side. He groaned, leaning if his horse from the pain of it. But he fought through the pain, gripping his katana tightly. The Moto then raised lances and charge, shouting a horrible battle cry as they made their final stand. One hand on their reins, Harun quickly moved his horse to dodge their blows, but they seemed to be everywhere. The arrow in his side was like a brand of fire, he could feel himself bleed under the armour, soaking his clothing. Two shiotome pushed ahead of him, engaging the Dark Moto and forcing Harun back. Harun smiled weakly, letting them go, glad it was almost glad it was almost at the end and the fight was getting further away from him. Harun could see Majid with them, one Moto man amongst all the Utaku women. He laughed, his head felt a bit fuzzy. Sort of like when the Emperor’s son Kiseki had knocked him in the head with a training sword back at the Academy. A shiotome approached him. Was it Asuna? She was beautiful, whoever she was. Her eyes wide with concern as she stood over him. Over him? Wasn’t he on his horse? Why was she such a long way up. He was lying on something hard and his head hurt a lot. Majid was there next to him, holding his hand and telling him not to worry. Why is there anything to worry about? Harun thought, his head was swimming. They all looked blurry, surely everything was fine…
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 7, 2017 22:33:38 GMT 10
My head hurts, was Harun’s first thought. He opened his eyes, he was in a tent of some sort but didn’t know where. Where am I? Harun thought. He tried to sit up, but a spell of dizziness forced him to lie down again. He looked around, there was a shoji screen one side of him and the tent wall on the other. There was a blanket around his knees and he could see other people lying down not far from him. So, it was an infirmary of some sort, that made sense. He looked down and saw the bandage that wrapped around his torso to under his shoulders. There was an ache in his side whenever he moved. Then he remembered. He had been shot by one of the Dark Moto’s arrows. After that it was a bit foggy. He had fallen, perhaps? Fallen from his horse? He cringed with embarrassment, anticipating how Majid was going to chide him. He turned his head, carefully, there was a carafe of water and a cup on a small table just next to him. He couldn’t reach it without pain. “Need help, Kakita-sama?” A bald monk in a dusty coloured robe was speaking to him. “Yes, thank you,” said Harun, nodding to the water. The monk set the tray he was carrying down and helped Harun into a sitting position. Then poured some water into the cup and passed it to him. Harun took a few sips of water, his head began to clear. The monk seemed surprisingly strong, perhaps he had been a bushi in his former life. He looked about fifty. Harun noticed the mon on his robe, showing the order he served. “Hikahime,” Harun said, the name was familiar to him but he couldn’t place it. “Yes, Kakita-sama, that is the Minor Fortune this one serves,” said the monk. “She is the patron of ashigaru, as well as anyone who is in need.” The monk gently helped him lie down. “Can you tell me your name?” “This one is Gimu, Kakita-sama,” he said, bowing low. “Is there any service this one can do for you?” “No, thank you, Gimu-san,” Harun said. The monk bowed again and disappeared out of sight. Harun laid awake, staring at the tent ceiling. It was the first conflict with the Unicorn, and he had embarrassed himself. So much for fitting in, he may look like one of them but that didn’t make him one of them. So why am I doing this? He thought. Why did I think it would be so easy? “Ah, you’re awake!” Majid sat down next to him, offering a smile. “You had us worried for a moment there, Niwa no Moto.” Harun looked up at him but didn’t answer. Majid looked concerned. “What’s wrong? That tap on the head do something more?” “No, Majid, it’s just…” Harun sighed. “I fell from my horse, didn’t? I embarrassed myself in front of everyone.” “That’s all?” Majid asked. “You fell because you were wounded, Harun. Up until then you were doing fine.” “You’re just saying that to help me feel better,” Harun said. “Why would I? It’s the truth,” Majid said. “You fell from your horse, so what? I’ve done that. Just get back on and keep going.” “So…they don’t think less of me?” Harun asked. “Well, they do,” said Majid, with a grin, “but only because you’re a man, and we can’t do anything about that.” They laughed, Harun’s sides ached from the effort. “Majid,” Harun said when the laughter had subsided. “Were you helping me back there at all? I felt a…calmness around me, like when I assume the stance of Void before a duel.” “And how could I do that when I was fighting right beside you?” Majid asked suspiciously. “You’re an ishi, aren’t you?” Harun asked. “I’ve never seen one before, but then you aren’t as shugenja often are.” Majid smiled. “You’re correct. What gave me away?” “Nothing, Zetsubou told me,” Harun said. “But that was you back there, wasn’t it? You helped me.” Majid nodded. “You’re not the only one I helped, but yes.” “I guess I owe my life to you then,” Harun said. “Majid dismissed this. “Let’s not go into that now. Besides, even with what I can do I can’t make you into a better rider. I can’t make you something you are not.” He stood up. “You still need rest, you hit your head pretty hard when you fell. I’ll be around tomorrow to get you.” Harun watched him go, but there were still things he wanted to ask. Particularly about the story he had heard in Zetsubou’s house, about Majid’s sensei.
The next morning Harun was given the all clear, Majid wasn’t about yet so Harun went back to his yurt. No doubt the Moto would find him later. Waiting for him at the yurt was Utaku Asuna. She smiled at him, Harun smiled back if a little reluctantly. By now, she would know about what had happened. But wasn’t she there? Harun’s memory about it still wasn’t clear. “You have probably heard how embarrassed myself yesterday,” said Harun. “I did,” she said. “I also heard that up until then, you didn’t do too badly.” Harun looked at her sceptically. “Not you too, you’re just being nice.” Asuna stared back at him. “You’re alive, aren’t you? That’s something.” “I was hoping to do more than that,” Harun said. Asuna laughed, as if she was humouring a child. “Don’t we all? Focus on staying alive, Harun, people like you are needed.” “People like me?” Asuna didn’t get a chance to answer as several riders came into the camp. They wore the colours of different clans, the Crane, the Lion, the Dragon…Harun wondered who this could be until a standard bearer rode up with a battle flag that bore a simple motto: “For the Empire.” Harun knew who it would be, and sure enough riding her mighty white steed, the Shogun of the Empire Utaku Chikara arrived. Harun had heard of her, court gossip sometimes found its way to the Kakita Academy and of course his father Karasu had mentioned her a few times. She had been appointed by the Emperor after the sudden death in battle to the previous Shogun, Akodo Kano. Harun recalled that his father had always had suspicions about Kano, but Harun couldn’t recall from where he had heard this. Chikara was more than capable though, in the three years since she had assumed office, the Onyx in central Rokugan had been pushed back, in some places to the borders of what used to be Scorpion lands. She was not just known for her victories, but how she the forces of the different clans for maximum effectiveness. The most well-known of these was the Legion known as Chikara’s Sword, consisting of Matsu bushi infantry with Utaku battle maiden cavalry. She dismounted her horse and removed her helmet. She looked to be in her mid-thirties and was rather short once she was off her horse. She had a scar upon her left cheek, below her eye and wore her hair in a single long black braid down her back. She looked almost like a girl. Harun was content to stay and watch her from where he was, but Asuna nudged him forward. She’s going to introduce me? Harun thought as he went with her. He watched as Shogun Chikara and Asuna greeted each other, first formally with the appropriate bows, then embracing each other as kin. “Oba-san, let me introduce Kakita-Harun,” Asuna said. “Son of Kakita Karasu, recent Topaz Champion, and currently a guest of Lord Chinua while he learns the way of his kin, the Utaku.” Harun made a low and sweeping bow in the fashion of the Crane. “I am honoured to meet you, Utaku-no-kimi,” he said. “I have heard much about your victories against the Onyx.” Chikara took in this greeting with a satisfied nod. “I believe I know your father, Kakita-san.” Harun nodded in acknowledgment. “I have heard him speak of you, always in terms of praise.” Chikara smiled. “We should find time to speak later, Kakita-san. Perhaps you and Asuna-chan can see me after we take the Shiro.” “I look forward to that, my lady,” he said, making another bow as the Shogun and her retinue left and went into Chinua’s tent. “What was that about?” Asuna asked. “What do you mean?” “That…that formality,” Asuna said. “It was like you were a different person. It was like you were…” “Being a Crane?” Harun suggested. “It’s like having a script, it comes in at the right moments.” They walked back to Harun’s yurt together and stood by the fire outside. “Your aunt is the Shogun?” Asuna nodded. “My mother’s sister. Though she has been like a mother to me since I was young.” “I thought you would be with her,” Harun said. “I wanted to,” said Asuna. “But she told me that she would rather see me with the clan, she would not accept me breaking my wakizashi.” She looked at the group of horses they had rode in upon. “She is one of the reasons we will take Shiro Moto back.” “Indeed,” agreed the voice of Majid. Harun looked around to see the Moto had appeared just behind him and Asuna. “When they told me you had already left, I didn’t expect you to be with such company,” said Majid, smiling at Asuna. “Harun, aren’t you going to introduce me to the lady?” Harun did so, stiffer than he would have liked. Asuna then made her excuses and left them, but not before giving a smile Harun’s way. Majid saw that smile, he gave Harun a look. A sly grin, a cocked eyebrow. Harun knew what it meant. “No, no, no,” Harun said, shaking his head firmly. “I didn’t say anything!” Majid protested. “You didn’t need to!” Harun walked into the tent, Majid followed him. “Harun, I don’t blame you,” said Majid. “She’s pretty, she’s well-connected, I’m sure the two of you would make a fine..” “Just stop!” Harun shouted, his voice raucous with anger, his eyes livid with rage. “I gave my word, I would never do anything like this! I would never betray my family!” Majid looked solemn. “You may say that, Harun, but we both know the blood of the Ki-Rin runs through you. That’s a fact.” Majid left him then. Harun paced the floor of the yurt, thinking on it for hours. Majid couldn’t be right, he couldn’t be.
In the coming days, Harun learned more about his role in the coming battle. He was still riding with Majid of course, in a supporting role defending shugenja and keeping them from harm from the Onyx hordes. He rode out a few times, at first the gunso Shinjo Takahiro was sceptical of Harun’s inclusion in the Hojo Platoon. But when he saw how Harun acquitted himself with the platoon, how he followed orders without question, Takahiro accepted the help. Then it came to the eve of the battle itself. Armour was repaired, swords sharped, horses were reshod. Harun went to the Hojo Platoon briefing with Shinjo Takahiro. Before his dismissed them, he reminded them to rest and not celebrate too much. As Harun made his way through the camp with Majid, he saw what that “celebration” meant. He heard music, the trill of flutes and biwas, the high-pitched drones of horns. The Unicorn gathered around campfires, laughing, talking, passing around cups of white liquid. Kumis, made from fermented mare’s milk, Harun had heard about it but hadn’t seen it around the camp until now. Majid nodded to one of the fires. “Care to join in?” “Later,” Harun promised. “There is something I need to do first.” Majid looked at Harun with concern. They still hadn’t spoken about their argument the other day, but it still stood unspoken between them. “Are you worried about tomorrow?” “Yes…no…perhaps,” Harun said, he was a little worried, but he was also thinking about Asuna. If there was any truth in what Majid had said. Majid put a reassuring hand on Harun’s shoulder. “You’ll do better than I thought you would, Niwa no Moto,” he said. “But make sure you find me when you are done.” “I will,” Harun promised. He went back to his yurt, sitting on one of the cushions, going over in his mind what would happen tomorrow. He wasn’t afraid, but the waiting wasn’t a pleasant feeling. Is this how father feels before battles? Harun asked. As a bushi, as a samurai he knew he was supposed to be ready to die, but the definite possibility of it front of him was new. I need to stop thinking, Harun told himself. Like before a duel, I need to be focused. He calmed down after that, but he didn’t get up to leave. He needed to do something first. He sat down at the desk and wrote a letter to Arahime. If they lost the battle tomorrow, if he died, then he didn’t know how it would get to her. But he needed to write it.
Arahime-san,
I write this to you tonight as more than anything I wish you were here. To see your face, to hear your voice, to have you tell me that I am just being silly about all this and there is nothing to worry about. Tomorrow the Unicorn plan to take Shiro Moto, and I ride with them. Everyone is confident of success, but the fact that it is uncertain puts in question any plans I have beyond that. About my future, and the future I want to have with you. I…
And then words failed him. He knew if he was going to be honest with Arahime, it was now or never. But any words he formed in his mind seemed wooden, lifeless and not even approaching what he wanted to say. And how could he be honest with Arahime if he was constantly thinking of Asuna. It didn’t feel right. He got up, left the letter, left the tent. He found Majid, joined in the festivities. He even tried the kumis and found he rather liked it. The next morning, when he went out to the battle, the letter was still unfinished. He would get to it later, he told himself, but now there was only the moment.
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Post by Shinwa on Jun 7, 2017 23:43:03 GMT 10
Aw....and off to battle. And Koumis! I like how embarrassed he was about falling off the horse.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 14, 2017 23:25:35 GMT 10
The sun was strong, the summer day was warm and bright. Harun rode with the Hojo Platoon, unremarkable in his Unicorn armour amongst the other hohei. Majid rode beside him in his shugenja regalia, which Harun hadn’t seen him in before. Then Moto wore a white kimono and haori, adorned with the mon of the Moto in black as well as symbols of the element of Void. His face was painted too, stark white with black around his eyes, on his lips and in streaks on his cheeks. “We ride to war,” Majid said when Harun saw him. “We prepare our bodies for death.” Somewhere, Harun knew, amongst all the house and banners, was Lord Chinua. It was from his will and battle acumen that would determine the outcome, filtered down the ranks to all the soldiers to see who would win the day. Their will, and the Shoguns, but Harun didn’t know who she was. There was a great shout that went up through the ranks. Harun shouted with them, glad to be a part of it. I’ll try and remember this day the best I can, Harun thought, so I can tell Arahime about this day. Far in the distance, Harun could see the walls of Shiro Moto, the outlines of its bulging onion-like towers. He also saw the hordes of Onyx that surrounded it. There was another shout, an inhuman shout, and the clash of steel. The battle was joined. Harun was excited, it was hard to not get carried away with the energy of it all. He could see it affected the others, at how they grinned at each other, eager for their part to begin. They then got the signal from the tessen bearers and they were on the move. They were riding alongside a company of medium cavalry. They drew swords, a line of armed bushi protecting the shugenja on both sides. Harun thought for a moment they must be going faster, but had not time to think more on it. The enemy was on them. A pack of bakemono were on them, brandishing their weapons and shrieking. They cut through them easily, the bakemono disappearing under their blades and their hooves, and kept on moving. Harun quickly wiped his sword of blood as they went, then they charged a column of Dark Moto cavalry. But he was ready for the impact this time. He cut his way through, sword slashing and blocking at once, arrows whizzing past his head. But unlike last time, this time there was something different. Bursts of fire from the shugenja spells, and the horses didn’t spook as most did when there was fire. Majid was next to him, cutting through the Dark Moto with his scimitar. Shouting the curses that he only reserved for them. Harun just had to keep his head, staying in his position in the column and following orders. Were things ever like you thought they would be? Harun had grown up in the shadow of the Onyx War his whole life, but not even knowing what it really was. They used to play ‘war’ too, not just at the academy but before. At home at Shiro Yogasha, and at the villa where by the sea where the used to go some summers with Kyoumi and Kousuda. They had built forts in the sand, decorated them with shells and defended the walls with driftwood swords. Leaping out of the ford with Arahime at his side to fight an invisible Oni Lord. But there was none of that here. No heroism here. Just war. And to Harun it was far from heroic, only necessary. And it was confusing, horsemen and soldiers everywhere, Onyx infantry and cavalry attacking. All he could do was keep calm and trust that those giving the orders knew what they were doing. Not far away from where he was, he could see the Moto White Guard charge a massive Oni Lord with their lances, running through hum before charging past and turning to charge again. Somewhere else on the battlefield Harun heard loud cracks like thunder, he turned to see plumes of smoke rising, Onyx being cut to pieces in an explosion of fire and blood. Daidoji, Harun realised. He had heard of their gaijin pepper weapons, but this was the first time he had seen them. They were probably with the Shogun. Harun kept his position by Majid, attacking anything that came near the Moto when he was casting. But then, as we cut down yet another bakemono, the swirl of battle separated them. Harun tried to fend it off but the bakemono’s spear cut through the barding of his horse, skewering it. Down went Harun’s horse and down went Harun, the horse shrieking and kicking as it collapsed. Harun quickly rolled to get clear of it, scraping his face against the ground and losing his helmet as he did. He came up upon one knee, his sword out, just as the bakemono came on him, screaming in his face. Harun sunk his katana in its chest right up to the tsuba. Blood flowed down the tsuba and down his arm. When it was dead, Harun kicked the body away with his foot and drew his sword out. He quickly retrieved his helmet and looked around, katana ready. On the ground he was vulnerable, he couldn’t go back to the Hojo so he had to find somewhere else to be. He had to survive, until the Unicorn banner flew above Shiro Moto once more. Survive, until could get back to Arahime. Him being by himself made him a target. Several straggling Onyx went right by him, Harun backed away, attacking as he went. He had to move, keep moving, find a unit to be with. He attacked an enemy behind him and then in front of him, their weapon cutting through his armour on his arm before Harun finally killed him. Enemies were closing in on him, he backed away and they kept coming. And just as they started to charge at him, Majid rode up on his white horse and charged them down, shouting gleefully. He then came back for Harun who climbed up behind Majid on the horse. “Majid, you saved my life,” Harun panted. “Don’t thank me yet, Niwa no Moto,” Majid said. “We still have a battle to win.” Majid urged his horse faster, galloping past enemies at a blur. It was all Harun could do to hang on. The walls of Shiro Moto were closer, he could see fighting beneath them and…up on the walls as well? Had the gates been breached? Something was thrown from the walls. A body? Harun hoped it was an Onyx. Harun looked ahead, just in time to see that Majid was about to charge a line of Dark Moto cavalry. Harun quickly put his head down and held on tighter. They collided with a splintering crash, but they came through the other side. The rest of the battle was a blur to Harun, all he could do was hold on and keep his seat on the horse behind Majid. Then Majid nudged him, telling him to look up. High up on the ramparts of Shiro Moto, he could see the purple banner of the Unicorn flying free in the wind. Majid grinned at him. “Victory.”
“Your first battle wasn’t all you expected then, Harun-san?” Kenshin asked. Harun shook his head. “I suppose you will tell me then, sensei, that nothing ever is.” “I could,” said Kenshin, “but I don’t think I need to.” Harun smiled as he poured himself another cup of tea. “I imagine that there would be some people who wanted to speak to you about the taking of Shiro Moto,” Kenshin said. “Yes,” said Harun, “and some people have asked me, they’re usually disappointed when I tell them the truth.” “And what is that?” Kenshin asked. “That it wasn’t heroic at all,” Harun answered. “And that it was so confusing that I didn’t know what going on, even when we won.” Kenshin smiled at him. “And you think that the best stories don’t have a little embellishment.” He poured himself some more tea. “I guess from here is when you were at Shiro Moto for the winter.” “It is,” Harun said, taking a sip of tea and resuming his story. “Much of the Khol went north, to pacify the area, some stayed at the Shiro. To get it ready for the winter, to celebrate what had been won and mourn what had been lost…”
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 15, 2017 22:39:09 GMT 10
The restoration of Shiro Moto took time. A lot of the summer and even moving on into autumn. Once it was properly cleansed of the taint, the rebuilding could commence. Word was sent around the Empire to other Unicorn and many began their make their way back to Unicorn lands. The encampment of yurts around Shiro Moto grew in size. They brought what they could on horseback and in carts, all of them helping in their own ways to restore the Shiro. But the Shiro itself surprised Harun. Even when the rebuilding was almost over the fortress was basically a shell, nothing more than walls and nothing really special about it. At least, not compared to what he had seen in Crane lands. Surely the main fortress of the leading Clan of the Unicorn would be built much grander than this? When he told this to Majid, the Moto only laughed. “It’s not supposed to be more than that,” Majid explained. “What Shiro Moto is to the Unicorn is a symbol we show to outsiders, but it’s not our home.” He nodded to the bare plains that surrounded the Shiro. “This is our home, this is what must be restored.” It seemed as if everyone was helping with the building even menial tasks such as carrying loads or digging hole for new foundations. Harun even saw Moto Chinua pushing a wheelbarrow, doing what he could. Doji Ayumu would never do anything like that, thought Harun, and if he did, what a scandal it would be! But the Unicorn were only spurred to do better when they saw their Khan pitching in like they were. One afternoon in late autumn, Harun came across the monk that had spoken to him when Harun had been in the infirmary. The monk was sitting outside two rebuilt shrines that stood side by side. He was crouching before one of two flat stones, cutting words into it with a hammer and chisel. He showed surprising control and precision. Harun watched him work and waited until he was done to speak. “You have many talents- Gimu-san,” Harun said. Gimu bowed. “I have the talents necessary to carry out my duties, Kakita-sama.” Harun reflected on the monk’s words, “gimu” itself meant duty. He looked down at the stone the monk had carved. Hikahime, it said, the Minor Fortune that Gimu served. “Gimu-san,” said Harun, “after we spoke I was thinking about what you said. Hikahime, the one you serve, I’m sure I have heard her name somewhere. Can you tell me more?” “Of course, Kakita-sama,” said Gimu, he sat down and motioned for Harun to sit beside him. “Hikahime was a peasant, early in the Onyx war she joined what was known as the Last Legion.” He looked at Harun. “I suppose you have heard of them?” “The peasant legion?” Harun asked, Gimu nodded. “Didn’t they become the First Imperial Legion?” “They did,” said Gimu. “The First Legion still bears her name, carries her banners, chants her name before battle.” He looked ahead, smiling wistfully. “She rose in the ranks quickly to a position of command in the Legion, earning the respect of everyone, including samurai.” He talks as if he knew her, Harun thought, he wanted to ask questions, but to ask a monk about his former life wasn’t done. “I think I remember now,” said Harun, thinking back to his father’s stories. “Didn’t she die in battle? My father said she was a hero, she had honour and courage to match any samurai.” Gimu smiled in response to this, but said nothing. Harun stood up. “I’m, keeping you from your duties, Gimu-san,” he said with a bow. “Thank you for your wisdom.” The monk looked at him curiously. “I only answered your questions, Kakita-san. No koans or riddles like you would expect.” “Perhaps that is what I needed,” said Harun, and with another bow he left. Gimu sat for a while, memories came back to him. From another life, when he had another name. The rush of battle, the thrill of speed in a cavalry charge… He stood up, with his hammer and chisel he carved a name on the second stone. When he was done he dusted it off. Chagatai, the Fortune of Courage. He set the stones in their places in the shrine, and knelt before the second stone. He reached out and touched the characters with his hand. He spoke, in a soft voice that no one else could hear. “Father.”
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 20, 2017 21:49:10 GMT 10
The days began to get cool as the autumn went on. Harun got calluses on his hands helping with the rebuilding that he knew Arahime would tease him about. Some afternoons he would go riding. Most of the time with Majid, sometimes with Asuna. He liked spending time with her, but that conversation he had had with Majid put a dampener on it. But try as he might, he couldn’t get the Utaku out of his mind. He had promised Arahime he would return for her Topaz Championship, but would it really be that bad if he stayed? The thought stayed in his mind day after day. And the more he thought about it the better it sounded. There was really no one he could confide in about this. Not Majid, not Asuna and he didn’t want to worry Arahime by writing to her about it. How would she see it? A betrayal of trust? It was likely. The first snow was falling when the final preparations were for court were being made at Shiro Moto. Shugenja were going around with fire kami drying the newly plastered walls. Tapestries, carpets and other exotic things were brought by the Ide traders to decorate the tenshukaku. It definitely makes the place warmer, less forboding, Harun thought, examining the decorations one morning. One of the tapestries showed a great cavalcade of Unicorn lords, made in an unfamiliar style to Harun but brilliant with coloured and gilded threads. Below each rider was a name: Moto Chinua, Moto Naleesh, Moto Chen, Moto Chagatai, Moto Gaheris, Shinjo Yokatsu…a lineage going all the way back to Shinjo-no-kami. And there was room too, to continue the line, as it must. He turned and saw Majid approaching him, the Moto carried a bundle in his arms. “Do the aesthetics please your discerning Crane tastes, Niwa no Moto?” Majid asked. Harun gazed around with an exaggerated expression of disdain. “It’ll do, it’ll do,” he said, nodding grudgingly. Majid laughed, he offered the bundle to Harun. “I’ve got something for you, the winters here can be harsh once Tamon’s north winds sweep across the steppes.” He unfolded it to present to Harun. It was a cloak, of a deep purple wool trimmed with white fur. It was beautiful, Harun wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “Majid, I—“ Majid cut him off quietly. “Let’s not go into that Crane gift dance, eh Niwa no Moto? I’m here to take you somewhere and I haven’t got all day.” This sort of move wasn’t unusual for Majid, so Harun just thanked him and put it on. It was warm, far too warm for this heated hall. The fur felt soft against his skin and helped a little with forgetting that it had come from a dead animal. Outside, the horses were saddled and ready. “So where are we going?” Harun asked as they made their way through the now rows of yurts that now encircled Shiro Moto. “The first of the Khan’s guest are arriving,” Majid said. “We are heading east to Kaeru Toshi to escort them back to Shiro Moto for the winter.” This seemed straightforward for Majid, there had to be something else there. Some trick. “That’s it?” Majid looked at him, his face a picture of innocence. “Would I like to you, Niwa no Moto?” “It’s not lies I’m accusing you of Majid, but tricks,” Harun said, flashing a grin at him. “I think I know you to well by now.” Majid laughed. “Then I don’t think you know me at all then.”
The arrived in Kaeru Toshi the next day, light snow was falling and Harun pulled up the hood of his new cloak, grateful for its warmth. Kaeru Toshi hadn’t changed hadn’t changed that much since he had been there in the summer. A few made buildings had been raised then, but it was still far from the city it had once been. The most surprising change Harun noticed was the Lion troops were no longer there. Instead he saw the emerald green of the Imperial Legions, the soldier no doubt station there for the winter. They left their horses through the ruined city, a Kaeru pointing them to a newly built inn where the Unicorn’s guests were houses. They tied their horses and approached. And standing outside, checking on the horses, was Kakita Kousuda. The Unicorn turned Crane went to greet them, giving them his best smile and bow. “Ah yes,” he said, “You must be our escorts. I am Kakita Kousuda, I can introduce you to the to the others and we can be on our way.” Harun looked at Kousuda’s face from beneath his hoods. He doesn’t recognise me, Harun thought, that was Majid’s game. Silently vowing to get the Moto back at a late stage, Harun pulled back his hood. “Oji-san.” Kousuda froze, turned in surprise. “Harun!” He gave a genuine smile and shook Harun’s hand like one Unicorn greeting another. “Harun, I knew you were here, but didn’t expect to see you so soon, or like this!” He nodded at the cloak and they both laughed. “Uncle Kousuda, allow me introduce Moto Majid,” said Harun, gesturing to the Moto in his best Crane fashion. “He’s been my guide to the ways of the Unicorn since we met at Shiro Mirumoto.” Majid made a flourishing bow. “I am pleased to finally make the acquaintance of one of Harun’s family.” Another Crane came out, this one younger and carried a daisho. He stopped, stared at them. “Harun?” Now it was Harun’s turn to be surprised. “Kunta?” The two young men greeted each other with surprise and amusement. “I haven’t seen you since the Topaz Champion,” said Harun. “What have you been doing since then?” Kunta nodded to Kousuda. “His old yojimbo retired, I have been in Kakita-sama’s service since. And what’s this?” Kunta nodded at the cloak. Majid gave a loud cough. “Forgive me,” said Harun. “Moto Majid, meet Doji Kunta. We were together at the Kakita Academy, we made our gempukku together.” “Well, if you’re as much trouble as Harun, then you’ll fit right in, Doji-san,” said Majid with a laugh. The others started to emerge from the inn, Kousuda made the introductions. From the Mantis Clan there was Yoritomo Takara and Kitsune Ariko. And from the Spider Clan was Daigotsu Yukari and, to Harun’s dismay, Susumu Hokori. Eager to be on their way, it didn’t take long for everyone to get ready and soon enough they were all riding west to Shiro Moto. Harun rode next to Kunta, the Doji rode stiffly and a little nervously. Harun rode as if he was born to it and Kunta said so. Harun laughed. “if you had seen me in the summer you wouldn’t be saying that,” Harun said. “Majid took me out with the Utaku battle maidens against some Dark Moto. I fell off my horse and they had to carry me back.” He looked at Kunta. “You’ve probably done a fair bit of travelling with Kousuda-sama, right?” “Not as much as you would think, Harun,” Kunta said. “We were at Shiro Giji with the Daidoji for most of the summer. I spent a lot of time walking the ground when my presence wasn’t needed.” He smiled at Harun. “Hardly any of the exciting things I’ve heard you’ve been getting up to.” “Exciting?” “Riding every day, fighting in battle, your first duel, I wouldn’t be surprised you had Arahime riding up here in the spring begging to join you. I saw her before we left.” “You did?” Harun’s heart leapt at the sound of her name. “Did you speak to her? How is she?” “She is well,” Kunta said. “We sparred a few times, she beat me all but once. “He looked at Harun. “She misses you, she didn’t tell me but she does.” And I miss her, thought Harun, staring out onto the horizon.
They camped that night on the steppes, taking warmth from the fire, sharing a simple meal. Afterwards, Harun took a walk behind the tents, saying he wanted to stretch his legs but he wanted to avoid Hokori. He was the approached by the Spider yojimbo. “Good evening, Daigotsu Yukari-sama,” said Harun, giving her a formal bow. She seemed to smile ay him, as if amused by his formality. “I’ve heard a bit about you, Harun-san, if I may call you that,” Daigotsu Yukari said. “With a name like that, a face like that, I’ve been wondering what you’re doing in those Crane clothes.” Harun grinned, he was starting to like Yukari already. “And then Kousuda told me something that explained everything,” she continued, giving Harun a long look. “You’re Yamada’s son.” Harun nodded. “That is true.” Yukari shook her head. “I thought your mother would have had more sense than to have you wear powder blue.” Harun laughed. “I don’t think I’ve done too badly for myself.” “That’s a matter of opinion,” Yukari said. “I guess you are out here learning the Unicorn ways. But if I were you and I had the chance to stay here, I’d take it.” She looked around at the steppes, the snow lit up by the light of the moon. “Why you’d want to leave for the tedium of courts is beyond me.” She looked back at Harun. “You’re Doji friend is a little green, I wonder if he knows what he is in for. The Unicorn throw the best parties. After your parent’s wedding, many of us were staggering out of the camp at dawn. If this is anything like that…” Harun grinned, they were in for a good time. “You knew my parents?” Yukari nodded. “Your father not so much, but your mother Yamada, she taught me to ride.” She looked at Harun carefully. “I think the last time I saw her would have been before you were born. Things were different by then, she was so strong but your father’s death hit her hard.” “I’ve heard many things about her,” said Harun. “Not all of them good.” “You mean with the Obsidian Hand?” Yukari asked. Harun nodded. Yukari sighed. “It’s hard, but let me know if you want to talk about it,” she said. “You’re not the only samurai who has a dark legacy to deal with.” Harun nodded his thanks and they returned to the fire.
Harun was about to turn in for the night when Kousuda came up to him. “I know we haven’t spoken much yet, Harun, but there will be time,” his uncle said. “I just wanted to give you this.” He handed Harun a bundle of papers tied with a pale blue ribbon. The op one had his name, in Arahime’s handwriting. Harun looked up at Kousuda. He didn’t say anything, he didn’t need to. Kousuda smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning then.” By the light of the fire, Harun went through the letters, saving Arahime’s until last. There was one from his father Karasu, he had been in the lands of the Sparrow Clan that summer but the situation hadn’t improved much. There was one from Aunt Kyoumi, congratulating him on his duel at Kaeru Toshi as well as some news from Otosan Uchi. There were even a few from his siblings at Kakita Academy, one from his little sister Sakimi begging to know about Shiotome. And then, finally, he read Arahime’s letter.
Dear Harun, I hope this letter finds you well. Sometimes, I see the lightning playing across the sky to the west and hear the thunder in the distance, and I wonder if you are huddled under a bush somewhere, getting soaking wet. I know Musha Shuga can be hard sometimes, living almost like a ronin on the road. I hope that you have been getting enough to eat. Kenshin-sensei has decided that I must develop my defensive stances more. That I must alter my technique because I have not yet managed to develop the strength needed to disarm a stronger opponent. Of course, he is correct, but I would hope that I do not permit any opponent to stay standing that long. At this rate, Kenshin-sensei will have me fighting like my mother. And that would be truly embarrassing. I hope you are able to stay a second year on Musha Shuga, so that we can go together to the Temple of the Kirin or to Kitsune Mori now that it is free. There is still darkness in the Shinomen, we can stand with the Daidoji against it maybe. I will need to know true battle before I am allowed to face a Kenshinzen in a duel, the way things are now. But until then, I will just have to keep practicing. I wish there was more exciting news to tell you, but the school is much the same as it ever was. There haven’t even been any good new kabuki troupes come to visit. Instead, I will simply have to hope that you are well and look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return. In the meantime, I will light incense at the shrines of Koshin, Fortune of Roads, and Megumi, Fortune of Heroic Guidance, that they might help you find your way safely home. Faithfully, Kakita Arahime
He read it twice. Her letter was like a bright star that lit up the night sky, a soft song that was carried by a warm breeze. Her words brought back the formal discipline of the Kakita Academy, the gentle beauty of Shiro Sano Kakita. He ran his hands over the letter where her brush had formed the words, inhaling the delicate lavender scent. She felt so close to him, as if he could reach out and touch her. And as Kunta said, she missed him. Soon, soon as the spring comes, Harun promised himself, folding her letter carefully and placing it inside his kimono, close to his heart. He dreamed of her that night, he was chasing her across the Unicorn plains. Arahime ran ahead of him, laughing, just out of reach. But Harun kept running.
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Post by Shinwa on Jun 20, 2017 22:54:15 GMT 10
I loved it!
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 21, 2017 0:54:02 GMT 10
Thanks You have morbid stories, I like my romance.
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Post by emeralddragon on Jun 21, 2017 13:54:09 GMT 10
Poor Harun is really being pulled two ways, isn't he.
I wish him all the best of luck with this.
And I loved Yukari being Yukari, "Why would you go back to courts? This has horses and fighting and no marriages that don't involve drinking. Seriously, trust me on this, marriages will get old after then 9th or 10th. Best to only have a party that you stumble home from."
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 21, 2017 14:00:29 GMT 10
Janisha is due in soon, I'm glad she is there to give Harun some perspective.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 22, 2017 9:33:09 GMT 10
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Moto Majid! Should be an update soon!
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