Doji Hatosenshi
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“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 21, 2014 21:51:04 GMT
First Bank of Kyuden Meiyo:
It turns out that building a whole palace for the Empress in six months is an expensive endeavor, which has left the Lion Clan in debt for the winter. You may take this chance to help or hinder them in their efforts to regain some monetary power. Speak with their and other diplomats or find a new source of revenue for the Right Hand of the Empress. Alternately, take the time to crush them under your economic heel and grind them into subservience. Hatosenshi clacked down the hall towards the Lion wing of Kyuden Meido. With him, Daidoji Kota and Doji Tsumaki kept pace, their purpose clear and simple. Over the intervening days, Hatosenshi had become the de facto leader of the Crane delegation in the smaller matters that did not require Kurohito-dono's attention. Unless Kurohito-sama was involved, you could assume Hatosenshi had his eyes and fingers involved in the matter.
The old Crane disliked the task before him, but such work was necessary. The firm rapping of Kota's hand upon the doors carved with Lion mons drew forth a guard to open them.
"Greetings Akodo-san. We are here to meet with Ikoma Katanubo regarding the loans the Crane issued to help build Kyuden Meiyo." Kota's practiced voice kept measure simply. The Lion guard eyed the three Crane, two obviously courtiers and merchants and the third, a lame samurai of age. With bow, he opened the doors, and sent the Crane into the Lion wing. A servant guided them to the office of Ikoma Katanubo, where all three Crane were seated.
"Greetings, honorable Crane, what can I assist you with?" Ikoma Katanubo, the Lion clan samurai in charge of the financial aspects of Winter Court had some reservations. It had been a long day. Meetings and tallies and debts. Such a long day, full of numbers and duty. Katanubo's yojimbo, the young samurai-ko Matsu Ikarya, stood behind him, hands folded in her kimono.
"Honorable Ikoma-sama, the Crane have send myself, Hatosenshi-sensei, and Kota-san to speak with you regarding the numerous borrowing of koku." Tsumaki reached into his kimono and laid a scroll on the table. "Here, you will find written our agreement, and the conditions that you yourself agreed to. The balance of the debt is due upon receipt of the final supplies."
Ikoma Katanubo looked puzzled. "Indeed, Doji-san, but the supplies have not yet arrived. As you can see, the palace is unfinished."
Kota spoke up, smoothly following in. "The palace is indeed unfinished. However, if you were to send a servant to inquire at the supply houses, you would find the Crane had delivered the reminder of supplies one week before Winter Court started."
Ikoma Katanubo stared. No such shipments had come in. He would have been...his heart sinking, he reached for a scroll of deliveries. With quick mental tallies, the truth became clear. Yasuki delivery of iron. Yoritomo delivery of wood. Ide delivery of silks and paints. The Crane had used other suppliers to deliver all the supplies the Lion had purchased.
Kota smiled, and there was subtle menace there. "Ikoma-san, the balance of koku the Lion owe the Crane is now due. As with our agreement, if you can not pay, the forfeited amount of land will equal the koku borrowed with payment to be delivered within one year of the balance."
"That's...impossible...not enough...empty...resevoirs..." Katanubo had never been a courtier, and that was evident as his on slipped off, and he was staggering.
"I'm sure the honor of the Lion will ensure they keep their end of the agreement." Tsumaki stood and bowed. Matsu Ikarya grimaced as the pompous Crane left, Tsumaki and Hatosenshi exiting first. Kota turned back, at the end, and with a shallow bow, "The Crane will be sad to hear the news of the Lion being unable to pay their debtors. You'll find, should you inquire, the Crane have purchased all your debts we can for Kyuden Meido. Very little remains that you do not owe us." Kota leaned closer. "Consider this Crane payback for..."
Red painted the walls, and Kota fell upon Katanubo's table with a gurgling sound. Ikarya stood...shock in her eyes as the blood-stained katana in her hand shook slightly. Blood slowly pooled upon scrolls and papers, and under teacups as Kota died, noisy and shaking.
Hatosenshi and Tsumaki looked into the room, Hatosenshi had placed himself between Ikarya and Tsumaki, his hand upon his katana hilt.
Ikarya fell to her knees, staring at the dead Crane on the table. The importance of what she had done, now sinking in. Katanubo stood, ashen faced, and hands shaking. "Fetch the guards."
"We will speak later, Ikoma." Hatosenshi turned and lead the shaken Tsumaki out of the Lion wing.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jan 23, 2014 0:17:23 GMT
There was a whole herd of them. Or more likely, a flock. All of them with straight white hair tied in the latest fashions of chomage topknots or let loose to blow in the breeze with a single feather attached. Furthermore they all wore that bright sky blue or silvery white. Worst of all, at their head was a man that everyone in the palace knew. He wore no armor but his station was emblazoned on his robes. It could only mean one thing to see this many of them all at once marching across the snowy courtyard: the Crane were on the warpath.
Kurohito did not wait for a proper invitation into the Lion wing. As soon as a servant answered the door, he entered, followed by his sizable entourage. A Crane servant scouted ahead and picked a proper room to direct the Crane Champion to and the entire envoy took up residence in said hall. they announced officially that they were there to see the Ikoma Daimyo, immediately if possible.
Presently, Ikoma Sume and several of his samurai were seen marching the halls of the Lion Wing headed towards the reception hall. The servants were astir with all manner of rumors about what had happened and made sure to stay in hearing distance of the thin paper walls that hid the two men.
Only snippets of conversation ever made their way out of the hall. On the lips of heimin, the meeting was telegraphed throughout the whole palace and city. Several remarks punctuated any retelling of the story. Things including: "What did you think would happen?" and "-over something as trivial as money" or "We are seeking direct restitution for your grievous act." Only hours later did the Crane agree to leave the Lion's quarters, contingent on what turned out to be one of the most exciting announcements of the day for the entire court to hear.
*** Rising before the Empress, Sume made publicly known that there would be a duel between Ikoma Katanubo and the late Daidoji Kota, who would be represented in his absence by the honored Sensei, Doji Hatosenshi, The duel would commence in the morning in the courtyard of Kyuden Meiyo. Terms were that the duel would be to first blood to settle the matter of Katanubo's yojimbo's disgraceful manners in the face of a simple negotiation.
***
Katanubo was spending his last night as an honorable member of the Lion Clan by himself. He was rereading hsi favorite poetry compilations and trying to put together something himself, but nothing would flow properly from his brush. He was doomed to a position of obscurity and shame from tomorrow onward. Just as he was contemplating alternate methods of avoiding the duel there was a knock at his door and a servant let in a large figure wearing Imperial Green with the Otomo mon stitched prominently on his haori.
"Konban-wa, Katanubo-san, I believe I have an offer for you concerning your dilemma tomorrow."
***
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 23, 2014 16:24:29 GMT
Hatosenshi knelt in the room that had been provided to him. His daisho sat on the stand in front, as his forehead was pressed low to the floor. A murmering of prayer was escaping his lips.
Hatosenshi felt sick in his heart. The latest report had been that Ikoma Katanubo had not obtained a champion to stand for him. The art of the duel was a beautiful thing, but the slaughter of an untrained man, was nothing but a waste of a samurai's life.
Hatosenshi stood, leaving the room he had been waiting in for the main courtyard of Kyuden Meido. A dueling circle had been marked out and assembled samurai from all the Great Clans stood there. Hatosenshi stood, waiting for Katanubo at the edge of the circle, his fingers wrapping in and out of the pale blue ribbon tied around his saya. The only ribbon there...
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jan 23, 2014 19:47:16 GMT
...was finely braided and had been given to him by his wife. He continued to finger it as he made his way out of the Lion Wing and into the cold bright light of a winter day. Flanked by Katanubo and a couple of servants, Otomo Yatsuji made his way toward the dueling circle, pushing past several people who were watching his opponent already.
When Yatsuji came to the fore of the crowd he finally realized why the name Hatosenshi had sounded familiar. It was the old man from the Gardens of Heaven. How fortuitous that he would have the chance to clear the Lion's name and satisfy his own longing to beat the man to a pulp at the same time.
He stepped across the chalky white lines and into the circle, puffing up his chest at Hatosenshi and swaggering about.
"Doji-sensei! How interesting to see you here of all places. It seems that we are able to settle a long past argument. I hope that we may have an honorable duel today."
Yatusji bowed slightly to Hatosenshi and then turned to address the crowd.
"For those of you who may not be lucky enough to know, I am Otomo Yatsuji, son of Otomo Kaguro. It was I who defeated Shiba Ryoki in a duel at Toshi Ranbo, and I come before you today to protect the honor of the Ikoma against the slanderous tongues of the Crane. I will see that this man is soundly taught a proper lesson as to the righteousness of the right hand of the emperor."
There were several cheers from enthusiastic Lion in the crowd while the Otomo turned back to Hatosneshi's hobbling form.
Hidden in the crowd another Otomo watched carefully every step of the man's slow walk and noted the expertise still present in an old warrior, despite his ongoing injuries.
Your turn old man.
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 23, 2014 21:00:18 GMT
"Otomo-san. I am sure several things will be resolved this day." Hatosenshi made the barest of honorable bows. As he approached the circle, he eyed the swaggering Otomo. Hatosenshi bowed low to the Ikoma, and in the voice of an experience storyteller, announced his words to the crowd.
"I am Doji Hatosenshi, Sensei of the Broken Wing Dojo. I am trained in the Kakita blade style. I studied under the Emerald Champion, Kakita Toshimoko, sensei of the Kakita Dueling Academy. I have eight duels to the death, and numerous duels to first blood to my name and reputation. The honor of the Crane has been insulted dearly by the actions of Ikoma Katanubo, and satisfaction is to be had. I am honored to oppose an Imperial Scion defending the Empress's subject."
Hatosenshi quietly moved into the dueling circle and sank into the famous Kakita dueling stance. The cheers from the crowd faded away as the realized the duel was about to start...
Time began to move in heartbeats.
One heartbeat. *Beat* One perfect strike.
Two heartbeats. *beat* two duelists.
Three heartbeats. *beat* Three steps.
And the kakita blade came out...with a perfect strike...
<span style="font-style: italic; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Fire 5 + Peerless Duelist + Initiator = a 7 on my conflict and strike.</span>
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Bayushi Satomi
Unwanted Betrothed
Scorpion Clan
Posts: 1,080| Likes: 322
Rings: Earth 4 * Fire: 5 *Air 3 * Water 1 * Void 3
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Post by Bayushi Satomi on Jan 23, 2014 23:34:13 GMT
Kaiu Satomi and a small retinue of Crabs assembled in a good spot, waiting to see the duel. It was the first official duel of the court, for honor reasons, and the Clan always had an strange relation with the iaijutsu. Which means, they were very interested in the outcome.
When the two champions were declared, a discreet buzz ran through the group. The general, was said later, has bet her koku in the older duelist.
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Moto Arandaru
Unicorn Clan
Posts: 199| Likes: 103
In Kyuden Seppun, eager to find a way to save the Empire!
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Post by Moto Arandaru on Jan 24, 2014 0:21:18 GMT
The first duel of the court was being attended by the revered form of Ide Tadaji. The sickly old man was accompanied by the hatamoto of the Unicorn, the first one sitting on a fine dais, overlooking the duel, whereas the Moto stood beside watching with piqued interest.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jan 24, 2014 0:51:42 GMT
((OOC: Air: 3 + Renowned Duelist + Seppun Guardsman = only a 5. Hatosenshi has already won narrative control, but let's make this fun.))
A perfect strike indeed. It would have perhaps cut Yatsuji straight in half if his own blade had not already come out. There was a flash of sparks as the beautiful razor sharp kakita blade came in contact with solid Tsi steel. The resultant clang drew a gasp from the crowd and a breath of relief from Yatsuji inasmuch as the cutting edge of Hatosenshi's blade was perhaps a whole inch away from his thigh.
The old man was much better than Yatsuji had expected. His form was absolutely flawless despite his wounded leg. He would not have, indeed he didn't, expect such skill from someone who had retired to sensei-hood, but he was in the thick of it now.
Blades rattled against each other momentarily before Yatsuji began to push forward. He dug his feet and shoulder into the move and attempted to cause the old man to stumble. when he had an opening he disengaged only a heartbeat before coming back at Hatosenshi.
The true target here was Hatosenshi's leg. Not his bad one, but his healthy one. A single swift swing and a shifting of feet put Yatsuji out of the immediate line of attack and just to the sensei's side. Discreetly, Yatsuji twisted his hands so that not his sharp but the side of his blade was headed for Hatosenshi's good leg with rapid momentum and an incredible amount of force (Water 5 + Large = 6).
However, in his concentration he had overcommitted. Only too late did he realize the opening on his left that was easily exploitable. His eyes shifted and he stared directly into the intense eyes of the Broken Wing Sensei. For that moment it was as if they could talk to each other without speaking. Each knowing the mind of the other. Therefore, unbeknownst to the entire crowd, Yatsuji smiled and taunted, "Come on old man, let's see whole the real winner is."
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 24, 2014 5:04:58 GMT
Hatosenshi twisted under the force of Yatsuji's shove, his feet sliding across the courtyard. As their eyes met, Hatosenshi let a slight smile cross his face.
"If you think the contest is not decided, you have already lost."
Hatosenshi let his leg collapse underneath him, and with a sweeping motion, brought the back of his katana around and behind Yatsuji's knees, in a blow clearly intended to topple the larger man. As Yatsuji's katana blocked the blow, Hatosenshi suddenly thrust his leg under him and upwards, sliding the blade up against the crossguard of Yatsuji's sword, and with a flick of his wrists, attempting to knock the sword out of Yatsuji's hands onto the ground.
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Post by Kakita Kanehitsu on Jan 24, 2014 21:39:39 GMT
"Nothing is decided until-"
Yatsuji wasn't really aware of what had happened until he heard the clattering on the ground beneath him. It seemed that his sword had somehow become lighter, but at the same time his hands had opened, despite his firm grip. He was so intent on his silent conversation with the sensei that he had not considered even the possibility of being disarmed.
Instantly, Yatsuji let his training take over and he broke distance with Hatosenshi by turning and sliding away a pace or two. He was still tense and if anybody knew anything about it, he was actually halfway into a jiu-jutsu stance, ready for further violence. It was just a side effect of the world he had grown up in. There was always more violence.
After moment it seemed that there was little to be afraid of though. If Hatosenshi did not press the attack further, Yatsuji would bow and give his admission of defeat.
"You are very skilled, Doji-sensei."
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Doji Hatosenshi
Kougataribe
Global Moderator
Posts: 145| Likes: 42
“We tell the tale of heroes to remind ourselves that we also can be great.”
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Post by Doji Hatosenshi on Jan 24, 2014 21:42:52 GMT
Hatosenshi stepped back three paces. Never taking his eyes from Yatsuji, he bowed, accepting Yatsuji's defeat and waiting for the brash samurai walk away...as Hatosenshi's fingers toyed with the blue ribbon in his saya...a gift from Hoturi-dono when Hatosenshi was a child...
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