[Rokugan] Blood and Cherry Blossoms

Ai

"Yes, father, everything is going fine with my studies...". Ai attempts to make herself more comfortable, but feels a little puzzled, as it sounds strange that her parents summoned her only for small talks. As tension is indeed rising again within her heart, after a short but embarassing silence she kindly tells them "Forgive me for being nervous, but when Kaitsu suddenly appeared in the garden and told me you wanted to see me... I was afraid there were dire news. Was I wrong?".

Shosuro Reiko

“Domo Arigato, Sensei-sama” Reiko answered as he bowed once more to the man before him. “It is my honor to bring such renown to you and your school. It is the least I could do to pay of my debt; and until the day arrives when I have paid you full, I shall exist to do as you command.”

Reiko once more sits up and this time looks up to the man he considered his Sensei and master “What is the task that you would like me to do?”

Togashi Cho
Shiro Togashi

Tamori-sama smiles, clearly pleased by Cho’s words. “Excellent! I plan to travel to the autumn festival at Kyuden Bayushi, and I would like for you to accompany me. Your sensei tells me that you are the best choice to aid me in the task that we must perform.”

With that, he gestured toward the servant who had just brought the tea. The servant retreated to the next room, and soon returned with a large wooden box. He set it down beside Tamori-sama. “This is no small task, Togashi-san, and I require your word that you will tell no one of it.”



Ikoma Itarabi
Kyuden Ikoma

Tukuo watches as his son tosses back his sake, and nods in approval. “They are here, my son, because they wanted to pay their respects and obtain permission to pass through Lion lands. They began their journey at Otosan Uchi, and are now on their way to a festival in the Scorpion territory.” It is clear, by the look on Tukuo’s face, that he did not think much of the Mantis, or the Scorpion for that matter. As he spoke, he poured himself more sake, and filled Itarabi’s cup as well.



Isawa Renshi
Shiro Isawa

“Ah, yes. The water kami can be difficult to please, but the rewards for doing so are great,” Boten-sama nodded his head in approval. “Do you feel that you are ready to test your skills among your peers?”



Hyota
Kitsune Mori

“Of course, you are more than welcome to accompany us,” Satsume replied with a wide grin. “The roads can be dangerous, and it is always handy to have another samurai along for the journey. It is indeed fortunate that the vixen led you here!”

Juri remained silent throughout the conversation, clearly quite shy. Occasionally, she took quick and careful glances upward at Hyota, but would quickly drop her gaze.



Kakita Ai
Kyuden Kakita

“Not at all, Ai-chan. Your father just has a flair for the dramatic,” Akane replied, offering her daughter a small smile. “Actually, the reason we called you here was to discuss your brother.”

Yoshimori spoke up then. “As I am sure Kaitsu has mentioned, he will be traveling to meet his betrothed within a few weeks. Your mother and I will be going as well, of course. We would also like for you to accompany us.”

“I think it will be an excellent opportunity for you, Ai-chan,” her mother added.



Shosuro Reiko
Ryoko Owari

“Good,” Aroru said gruffly. “Then here is your assignment. You have heard me speak of Yogo Aiko in the past, correct?”

Yogo Aiko was something of a legend among Aroru’s students. She had once been one of his star pupils, but years ago, they had some sort of falling out. Aiko had purportedly stolen something very valuable to Aroru, and despite his best efforts, he could not steal it back.

Dark Nemesis said:

Togashi Cho
Shiro Togashi

Tamori-sama smiles, clearly pleased by Cho’s words. “Excellent! I plan to travel to the autumn festival at Kyuden Bayushi, and I would like for you to accompany me. Your sensei tells me that you are the best choice to aid me in the task that we must perform.”

With that, he gestured toward the servant who had just brought the tea. The servant retreated to the next room, and soon returned with a large wooden box. He set it down beside Tamori-sama. “This is no small task, Togashi-san, and I require your word that you will tell no one of it.”

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"Of course, my lord. My lips are sealed. I will strive to do my sensei honor. When do you wish to leave?" Cho says respectfully.

Dark Nemesis said:

Ikoma Itarabi
Kyuden Ikoma

Tukuo watches as his son tosses back his sake, and nods in approval. “They are here, my son, because they wanted to pay their respects and obtain permission to pass through Lion lands. They began their journey at Otosan Uchi, and are now on their way to a festival in the Scorpion territory.” It is clear, by the look on Tukuo’s face, that he did not think much of the Mantis, or the Scorpion for that matter. As he spoke, he poured himself more sake, and filled Itarabi’s cup as well.

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Itarabi accepts the sake with a nod and raises his cup to his father before drinking it down. "So tell me honored father, can we trust this Mantis or their Scorpion friends for that matter? I like not the smell of them in Kyuden Ikoma."

Renshi does not hesitate to answer the Sensei's question, yet at that same time does not answer too quickly. Doing his best to keep a calm tone, he says, "I feel that I am ready, Sensei Boten-sama."

Shosuro Reiko

“Hai, Sensei! You have mentioned Yogo Aiko a number of times before.” Reiko agreed with his master. “She was once your student and it is common knowledge within the clan that she possesses something of yours. Is it the Sensei’s wish that this situation be corrected?”

"Aye! The roads can indeed be dangerous. But I am no samurai. I have studied with the Kitsune shugenjas and been instructed by the Chikushudo spirits as well. Although I will gladly defend you and your daughter, this I pledge. I am better versed with the spells of the shugenja then with the weapons and armor of the samurai. But my spells and family wakizashi are at your service."

With this last statement Hyota pats his family weapon and bows to Satsume and then to Juri.

Ai

Ai smiles with relief at her parents: "Yes, I would be very glad to accompany you... Kaitsu seemed to me a little nervous about meeting his spouse, perhaps it may help if I also come with him."

Togashi Cho
Shiro Togashi

“We will leave two days from now. I hope that it will give you time to make the necessary preparations,” Tamori-sama replied. He opened the box and with drew a jade statue of a dragon, coiled around a tanto. “This is the item that we have been charged with protecting. It is to be offered as a prize for the samurai who wins the dueling tournament.”



Ikoma Itarabi
Kyuden Ikoma

Tukuo chuckled softly. “They will not be here very long, my son. They leader, Tsuruchi Mitsumi has made it clear that they are in a bit of a hurry. But I suggest you grow used to their ‘smell’, as I am sending you as their escort.”



Isawa Renshi
Shiro Isawa

“Good,” Boten-sensei replied with a nod of his head. “I would like to see you compete in a shugenja tournament at the autumn festival at Kyuden Bayushi. I think it would be an appropriate test of your skill.” He smiled faintly then, and added, “I think you will recognize the prize that will go to the champion.”



Shosuro Reiko
Ryoko Owari

“I do wish to see my possession returned to me, but that is not your assignment,” Aroru replied. “If there is one thing that Yogo Aiko values, it is her privacy. She has made a number of enemies, so it is her habit to keep her movements secret. Yet the other day, I received an invitation to the Bayushi autumn festival, written by her hand. I consider this a challenge, and will be attending, but my movements will be watched. Therefore, it is your task to discover what plans she had laid for the autumn festival.”



Hyota
Kitsune Mori

“Good. I look forward to traveling with you,” the old man replies.

Shortly afterward, the stew finishes cooking, and Juri dishes it into wooden bowls. She serves Hyota first, her father second, and fills her own bowl last.



Kakita Ai
Kyuden Kakita

“I have no doubt that it will!” Yoshimori said with a wide grin.

“Perhaps, daughter, while you are there, you will participate in the shugenja competition?” Akane added.