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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Mar 31, 2018 7:35:17 GMT 10
The winter was coming fast, but there would still be some visitors before the snows came. Seishi rose early and lit the small flame that doubled as cook and heating fire for the shrine. The heat warmed his creaking joints as he stretched, and played along the protesting scars that lined the craggy skin of the elderly monk. Seventy Eight summers drag on a man, especially when twenty five of them were spent at war; but there was much to do today. He dragged himself from the warmth of the fire and began his morning routine of prayer and cleaning.
He exited the shrine, carrying an old worn broom and began sweeping away the detritus that the night had brought. It was very important to the old monk that the path be a welcoming and easy path for all who might visit.
The Brotherhood had long insisted that Seishi accept help from a younger monk. Someone who could assist with caring for the shrine and its gardens. Seishi suspected that despite his own objections, they would send one to the shrine this winter to learn during the cold months and be better prepared when pilgrims began arriving in the late winter and early spring. Whomever they sent would need to overcome the unyielding protestations of an old man who always did things for himself. He had been the caretaker of this place since construction completed nearly thirty years prior. His footsteps had been the ones to wear the small divots into the stone at the entrance. His knees had been the ones that had made the shallow bowls before the shrine.
Seishi knew it was a little selfish to want to do this forever, but he was too old to think about such things any longer. "Feh, they'll need to take this broom from me by force," he muttered to himself. A few had in the past, ronin or other vagabonds attacking the shrine looking for valuables or food. They had received a sound beating and a warm meal for their troubles. It's what the fortune would have wanted after all.
He finished his sweeping with a decisive swish and re entered the shrine trying his best not to hobble in the cold. Leaving the broom by the door, he stomped and shook a little to banish the cold from his clothing. He gazed into the shrine and gave the small statue a reverent bow, "Tadaima, Zetsubo-no-Kami. Your path is clear this morning. We'll talk a little later though, always things to do."
Late Fall 1167 - Shrine to the Fortune of Sacrifice, Unicorn Lands.
To be continued?
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Mar 31, 2018 20:52:24 GMT 10
Been looking forward to this!  |
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Post by Shinwa on Apr 1, 2018 10:00:40 GMT 10
I loved this story very much.
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Post by zetsubou on May 31, 2018 10:59:31 GMT 10
Finally, as if awoken from a deep slumber, the trees started to sway under the sway of some unseen hand. Suddenly, the tori arch at the front of the shrine swirled to life as the winds whipped the air into a cyclonic fury. Yet as soon as it started, it was gone. So to was the dirt near the entrance to the shrine, with only the faint scent of lilies remaining to waft over the meager establishment. A figure emerged from the arch. Not from the road, but from the whirlwind itself. He was a tall man, if he could be called that, for his red hair and golden cat-eyes would make many pause on such a judgement. Yet for any who would make that statement would also pause at the sturdy, massive frame of this creature, and the feeling of being in the presence of one touched by the Heavens would make them regret said comments about this one's heritage. After what seemed an eternity, Zetsubou no Kami returned to the mortal realm.
Although his body was that of a man in his prime, his peculiar eyes, full of joy and happiness, scoured the place for why he had come. "No one would deny me this." He spoke to himself "Not today, of all days."
It was then he saw the monk. Smiling, he knew where he had to go. He walked to the door, and knocked. "Umm, excuse me, honored brother?" His voice changing to that of one, long ago, at a boy's first Winter Court, when he found that which had been lost to him for most of his life, waiting to see what would happen.
"Umm I was told someone here was once called the Heart of the Mighty Lion Clan.....is that true?" He giggled a little at this knowing how the monk may respond.
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on May 31, 2018 13:07:02 GMT 10
Yay! More of this!
The "heart of the Lion Clan" in Unicorn lands. Somewhere Yamada is laughing.
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Jun 1, 2018 4:26:15 GMT 10
Seishi felt it long before he heard the voice. The dull pain of emptiness that had been at best comforted by his work here gently replaced by a wholeness of spirit long missed. Like a parched man having his thirst finally satiated, the old monk felt a satisfaction and joy that he had not felt for decades.
The monk grasped at his robes over his heart, his gnarled hands gripping at the invisible link that had returned, determined to never let it go again. He knew there was little that he could actually do to keep it, but still he gripped the robes tightly even as his knuckles protested. He turned back to the small burnished statue, his blurring eyes searching for some sign of life.
It was not from there that the sign came from, but the voice that he had held in his memories for so long. That he had heard only in dreams for decades. He didn't listen to the words, but treasured each syllable and sound as they came.
Seishi tore himself away from the statue to look upon the source of the sound. Gold upon gold, brighter than the statue had ever been even when it was new. There had been other Kitsu here, but the other signs dared the old man to hope.
To dream..
To wish...
"Zetsubou-no-kami..?"
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 1, 2018 9:05:37 GMT 10
I...have something in my eye
Great stuff guys
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Post by zetsubou on Jun 1, 2018 10:51:59 GMT 10
The monk was not the only one who's vision was blurred, for the Kami has tears at recognizing his kin. While time had lost most meaning to the immortal, he saw it had maintained its effect on the rest of this realm. Including his brother. However, this was not what caused the tears. It had been so long, so much had happened. He wondered if there would be enough time.
There must be, he decided, and started to speak. "It is I, but please, to you I wish only to be known as little brother, as it should be, sama." He bowed low to the aged monk. He look around, wiping the water away from his cheeks. "First things first, I must thank you for the dedicated service to my temple. You have shown a devotion that is envious among many other Kami." He snorted "You should hear the ranting from Osana-Wo, but, another time." He raised his hands, and in them two bowls formed with noodles,salmon and a steaming miso broth. Handing one to the monk, he replied "Here, I have some of your favorite ramen, enjoy, brave Seishi sama."
After he takes the bowl Zetsubou moved to a small stool and sat, inviting his monk to sit next to him "Come, brother, we have much to discuss, and less time than I would like." He sipped the broth and scanned the Temple. "I must thank the Unicorn sometime, this is a lovely location."
Returning to his guest he spoke, his voice full of joy and mirth "So, It has been an age, please, inform me what has happened?" Knowing the objection before it was even uttered, he raised his hand. "Yes, I am aware, but i want to hear your perspective on the past."
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Post by Nikako on Jun 1, 2018 16:41:13 GMT 10
So wonderful
Hoping for more!
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Jun 3, 2018 12:20:36 GMT 10
-Sama is way too much. Seishi takes a seat on the floor next to Zetsubou-no.. Zetsubou and accepts the bowl. "This one is just Seishi, Zetsubo-n." He stops himself before he finishes the honorific, Zetsubou had been like this too, it seems like not much had changed.
"This one does not keep abreast of current events, so the events that occurred after Seishi's entry into your service are not familiar." The aged monk smelled the broth, but does not partake. He spent a few moments remembering and collecting some thoughts.
"Kibo was distressed by your departure, and it took some time for him to recover." Seishi says, looking distant. "He was able to resume his duties in time to oversee the last gempukku of the war, but was not needed for the battle. Miraiko, your niece, was spared the duty as well, taking care of Bengo your grand nephew. I- Kibo saw to it that her husband, Akodo Harumasa's was placed under a good commander who did not risk his life unnecessarily, but he did serve at Toshi Ranbo."
"Kibo did what he could for your family as well." Seishi detailed for Zetsubou the things that he was able to remember about Zetsubou's family as well. Kibo's entry into the Akodo Bushi school. Koneko's official training by the Kitsuki Investigator's school, much to her uncle's chagrin. He even detailed the progress of Zetsubou's true-blooded children by the arrangement. All had been doing well.
"There had already been enough death in the family, Zetsubou-sama, and by the Fortune's blessings we-they did not suffer any more during the conflict." Seishi sighs, letting out a long breath. "The young ones have inherited what was dearly paid for, and Kibo was glad to see the end of it before he moved on."
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Post by Hida Tetsuko on Jun 3, 2018 19:24:01 GMT 10
Koneko a Kitsuki investigator? I like it, though I wonder if she can call up people’s ancestors so she can interrogate them  “Who killed you? Tell me!” |
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Post by Nikako on Jun 3, 2018 23:59:39 GMT 10
Dragon mom approves
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Post by zetsubou on Jun 18, 2018 10:55:11 GMT 10
He nods and a look of pain falls upon his face. "Yes, the Empire endured much pain and suffering due to the recent war, as is always the case when the Light must combat darkness." Sensibly looks to the distance, and, upon the horizon, a small, dark, storm cloud coalesced.
Returning to the present, he sipped his bowl, a look of the purest compassion. "And I know the pain my passing caused you, big brother." He raised his hand "Yes, I know, but lets bypass the past life thing, I wish to talk and not stand on honorific." His golden eyes focusing back to the cloud "Our time is too short now to deal with that."
His gaze falls upon the monk. "I want you, no, want is wrong. I need you to know I did not intend to cause you so much pain, brother. I wanted you to know I am sorry it happened the way it did. Yet, never once did you forsake our family, never once did my children feel your pain. I am grateful for that."
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Post by Kasuga Naosuko on Jun 19, 2018 3:46:47 GMT 10
"But Zetsubou, that man is no more. This one has done its best to leave that life of violence and death behind and cleanse its soul with peace and living instead." Seishi bows slightly to the Kami, "Unfortunately, this one has not rid itself of its stubbornness. You will need to forgive this old man his peculiarities."
"Kibo is still here. He still listens, but Seishi relates his pain with the distance that time brings. There was no escape from the emptiness, Zetsubou." The monk grips his robe again, "And there were many attempts to fill it. Anger, Duty... drink. Some of those things were distractions for a time, but after the heat of anger left. After the work day was complete. After Jurojin cleansed the body, the emptiness remained."
"He asked often, why? You knew where you would need to go and when you would need to be there, but still sent the letter only in time for him to prepare for that day and time. No time to travel. He could have rode as hard as he could and still would have collapsed on a road somewhere when the time came."
"He asked then, was there doubt that in those last moments that he would hesitate? Or that he would act too quickly and it would interrupt the rite?" Seishi sits up a little, "This one knows a little better. No one should be made to watch his family suffer and die. The memory would have been worse than the emptiness."
"What was, was. What is now, is. There is no changing it, and this one knows that what was done was one of your acts of Compassion, Zetsubou."
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