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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 21, 2014 22:28:27 GMT
As the Ikoma's fist connected solidly with his jaw, Kaigen reflected that the rising of the sun had perhaps been a bit more surprising.
Never tell a Lion you think he needs help.
Particularly and especially when you are correct.
The drunken Lion's expression was absolutely comical when the Phoenix gunso seized him by the guruwa, lifted him off of his feet, and gave him a "gentle" throw onto the snow-covered street- so gentle, in fact , that the air left the hapless man's lungs, leaving him gasping like a landed fish.
"Perhaps I was unclear, Ikoma-san. I do not question your right to chastise a peasant."
He planted his foot on the man's chest, pinning him to the ground without so much as a contemptuous glance at the Lion's fellows.
"I question the wisdom of doing so when the peasant in question is a budoka of the First Imperial Legion conducting his duties as directed."
He looked over his shoulder to where the budoka in question still sat, bowing with his face in the snow, flanked by two ashigaru who were trying to bow even lower.
He stooped down, putting more weight on the leg keeping the Ikoma in place, and almost whispered his next sentence.
"Particularly when a gunso of the same command is nearby to witness your folly."
He stepped off and raised his voice. The Ikoma was still gasping for breath.
"I cannot help noticing, Ikoma-san, that you have no rebuttal. Nor have your fellows seen fit to argue the point."
Although they'd clearly thought about it.
"Perhaps if you paid less attention to gossip in your search for the bottom of a sake bottle, you might have considered the suspect this peasant was attempting to apprehend before you barged in. I cannot help noticing that she is conspicuous by her absence."
He motioned for the other Lion samurai to collect their winded comrade.
"Get out of my sight."
As they did so, he spoke, this time to the budoka.
"What is your name?"
"K.. Kuan, samurai-sama."
"And who do you serve under?"
The budoka's voice grew firmer. He was on far more familiar ground.
"My Nikutai is Doji Kazumaya-sama. My Gunso is Kakita Haruko-dono. My-"
"Sufficient."
Haruko's boys, huh?
"The woman you were attempting to apprehend- why were you chasing her?"
"We saw multiple straight, regular scars on her left forearm, samurai-sama. In light of what we have heard today-"
Could be nothing. On the other hand...
"Describe her."
"She... looked a bit too clean for where we spotted her. Long hair bound up in a bun. Very beautiful, as well, if truth be told."
"I see."
I should have killed that fool of an Ikoma. But I suppose that wouldn't go over terribly well with my honored hosts.
"Resume your patrol. If you spot that woman again, send one of your ashigaru for help."
Of course, if she has any sense, she'll lie low for a while longer...
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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 22:43:23 GMT
Hatosenshi limped down the road. Rumors of peasant violence had been abounding in the castle, and like any good samurai, Hatosenshi had volunteered to take his time on the watch.
There was a woomph. Hatosenshi winced at the blow. Kaigen's jaw must certainly hurt. An Ikoma was lifted to his feet by his comrades and dragged into a nearby inn. Hatosenshi raised a single eyebrow as Shiba Kaigen spoke to a few words and the legionnaires set off.
"Kaigen-sama!"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 21, 2014 22:50:05 GMT
The Phoenix turned slowly, having stopped to pick up his naginata.
Clad as he was in light armor, and armed to the teeth (a naginata, his daisho, and a tanto stuck through his obi), he looked quite at home, despite the signs of a bruise forming on his jaw.
"Doji-sama. This doesn't seem to be your usual... milieu. Good of you to offer your help."
It wasn't a question.
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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 22:59:51 GMT
The simple statement required a simple response.
"I am samurai."
Hatosenshi was clad in light armor, his kakita blade in his obi, along with his wakasashi. Oddly, a yumi was in his hands, being used both as a walking stick, and one would assume, a weapon.
"I am not a fast man, Shiba-san, so my weapons much catch my opponents." A genuinely mirthful smile crossed Hatosenshi's face as he approached. "The Lion are proving excellent hosts?"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 21, 2014 23:08:22 GMT
"Well, I'd be lying if I said that little... altercation... was the least fun I've had since Court began. Unfortunately, it may have cost us the capture of a Bloodspeaker."
He quickly related the information the budoka had given him.
"Sadly, I am not well-versed in hunting people through a crowded city."
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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 23:14:58 GMT
Hatosenshi listened intently. "Shiba-san, I am not a tracker or bounty hunter. But, I am a man who enjoys stories. She was seen on this street? Come, into the inn."
Hatosenshi lead Kaigen into the inn. After a few moments, Hatosenshi moved himself to the innkeeper, and spoke a few words. The innkeeper brought tea to Kaigen.
"Inari's blessing upon you all. I am Doji Hatosenshi, Crane Samurai and humble storyteller. I have come...."
Hatosenshi spun out a story of a beautiful geisha who haunted this town, matching the description of the escaped bloodspeaker. As his modulated voice carried throughout the inn, commoners stopped what they were doing to follow the story of love and treachery. As the story wound down, several of the commoners clamoured for Hatosenshi's attention.
"Crane-sama! I have seen her!" "She haunts the temple district! I always see her there!" "Crane-sama, this woman!"
"Shiba-san. It would appear your bloodspeaker is not as...discreet we we think."
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 21, 2014 23:20:23 GMT
Kaigen arched an eyebrow.
"It's possible, then, that she is no Bloodspeaker at all... but we could do worse than find her. You!"
He pointed to one of the louder peasants.
"The Temple District, you say?"
"Hai, Phoenix-sama! I often see her near the Shrine of Benten!"
Several other heimin muttered their assent to this piece of information.
A beautiful woman, troublesome... and lurking near Benten's shrine. Typical.
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Post by Bayushi Katsuro on Jan 21, 2014 23:21:47 GMT
"Perhaps I might be of some assistance, Shiba-gunso?" came a voice from nearby.
A masked Scorpion in a crimson kimono stepped out of the shadows nearby. "This one is called Bayushi Katsuro," he said with a bow. "I should like to assist with this problem, but the local authorities appear...ahhh...reluctant to accept outside help. But perhaps Shiba-gunso feels differently?"
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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 23:22:41 GMT
Hatosenshi grinned broadly at that. "Oh! That is the making of a perfect story. Shiba-san, I believe this story needs to be written out! The beautiful, blessed by Benten bride, and her unlucky Phoenix pursuer. Obviously, she's in cahoots with the scorpion!"
Hatosenshi stood, a brief grimace crossing his face. He turned a bow to Katsuro.
"I think we should head to the temple district, and see if we can find her, yes?"
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 21, 2014 23:24:54 GMT
"Bayushi-sama, any help you provide will be most welcome. I am not entirely unskilled, but nor am I blind to my deficiencies."
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Post by Bayushi Katsuro on Jan 21, 2014 23:36:26 GMT
"I should be pleased to assist Shiba-gunso if I can, then," the Scorpion replied with another bow. "Naturally we are most concerned about the recent...unpleasantness...and should like to get to the bottom of it. But, do not permit me to distract you from your duties, of course."
He turned to the Crane. "I believe the renowned storyteller suggested investigating the Temple District?"
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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 23:50:36 GMT
Hatosenshi nodded at the Scorpions words. The moon was full outside and the streets were clearly lit.
The three samurai moved to the Temple district, through the jostling crowds and peasants who flooded the streets. The chanting of priests and monks filled the air, as the samurai approached the Temple to Benten.
"Companions, I believe that woman, there, is our lady?" Hatosenshi pointed at a woman who fit the description given by Kaigen.
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Post by Shiba Kaigen on Jan 22, 2014 2:56:55 GMT
The object of Hatosenshi's gesture spotted the trio of samurai roughly as soon as they spotted her... and smiled at them.
It was the sort of smile to quicken a man's pulse... and the rather leisurely way in which she ducked into the shadows surrounding Benten's shrine didn't exactly indicate that she was afraid of them.
"I don't like this one bit. Too easy."
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Post by Bayushi Katsuro on Jan 22, 2014 4:48:54 GMT
The Scorpion nodded. "I might suggest that we approach from several directions, thus surrounding her and preventing the woman from slipping away once again."
So saying, Katsuro stepped away from the others and made to circle around Benten's shrine to intercept the elusive suspect.
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Doji Hatosenshi
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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 22, 2014 15:55:56 GMT
Hatosenshi nodded. He had always preferred to take a straightforward approach. With a purposeful stride, he moved through the alley way toward where the woman had vanished.
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