[Rokugan] Blood and Cherry Blossoms

[Festy_Dog]

The wakizashi piqued Kaji's interest. The blue glow was somewhat distracting, as it implied no small amount of magic imbued within the weapon. Kaji's curiosity demanded that he inquire as to the nature of the weapon, but it was not his place, and Kaneda was displeased enough with him just being there.

Kaji returned to maintaining his vigilance, but his ears were directed towards Kaiten-sama's conversation, eager to hear a snippet of information about the weapon.

 

[Scotley]

Itarabi

"Close one lady. I will need a tailor when we are through, but perhaps it will be you who needs a healer?" He renews his attack with a grin he hope will shake her confidence.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Cho springs into action, leaping for the clawed foe fearlessly, his fist and body poised to deliver a Storm Leaps Upon the Demon strike.*

OOC - I'm going to move up to him and attack, I'm doing a stunning attempt as well as a Falling Star Strike. DC 16 for both. +5 (1d8+4/x2/B, unarmed attack)

 

[Pyske]

Distracted slightly by her attempt to communicate the assassin's presence, it takes Zhiko precious moments before she can react. She tumbles deftly to her feet, moving to flank the opponent only seconds after he moves to press his attack. Her hands move with blinding speed as she withdraws a haripin from her elaborately wound hair, lunging toward the assassin with a desperate blow.

OOC - Tumble into flanking position (+11), quick-draw stiletto, and attack (+7/1d3-1/x2/P). Will use Luck to re-roll misses if the flank allows a sneak attack (+4d6).

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Kaji

“The craftsmanship is magnificent,” Kaiten-sama commented, carefully reaching into the box to retrieve the wakizashi. He held it for a moment, and as Kaji watched, the blue glow faded away. “I cannot accept such a gift.”

Kaneda-san glanced about the room nervously, before replying, “Nonsense, Kaiten-san. You would do me honor by accepting it.”

Kaiten-sama smiled, before placing the wakizashi back down. “This is too fine a weapon to be given away. You should give it to your son. He is having his gempukku this year, is he not?”

Kaneda-san shook his head emphatically. “I would not dream of placing a blade such as this in the hands of a youth. With your mastery with the wakizashi, you are a natural choice to carry this weapon. Please, accept it.”

“Very well, Kaneda-san. I am humbled by your generosity,” Kaiten-sama said with a deep bow. Kaji could not help but to notice that Kaneda-sama seemed quite relieved to be rid of the blade.



Itarabi

Mitsumi jumped back, trying to avoid the blow, but Itarabi manages to land the blow, opening a shallow cut upon her cheek. She reached up and touched her cheek, looking down at the blood that had flowed onto her hand, before giving Itarabi a withering glare. A moment later, the glare disappeared, replaced by a dark smile. “Well done, Itarabi-san. You have won the match.”




Cho and Zhiko

Cho leaps forward, his hands becoming a blur as he lashes out at the dark creature in an impressive display of martial arts technique. Bayushi-sama produced a tanto seemingly from thin air, and struck the creature, opening a deep wound on the creature’s chest that oozed reddish-black blood. The shadow creature hissed and lashed out at Cho, barely missing him. Easily, Zhiko tumbled into position, her thin dagger drawing a roar of pain from the creature. Moments later, Tamori-sama called upon the kami for assistance, sending a ray of light arcing toward the creature. Out of the corner of her eye, Zhiko sees that Yogo-sama is also casting a spell, thought its effect is not immediately seen.

(OOC: Cho rolls a 12 and a 16, doing 12 points of damage, though the badguy makes his save. Zhiko hits with a 19, doing 18 points of damage.)

 

[Pyske]

Zhiko continues to lash out at the creature's exposed flank, sending a flurry of strikes toward its vital organs.

"Bayushi-sama, the box!"

(OOC: full attack (+7,+2/1d3-1/19+ x2/P) w/ sneak attack +4d6. )

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Rolling to the side, hoping to block the creature's way to the box, Cho lashes out again, hoping to stun or blind the creature.*

OOC - Same as above, both stunning and Falling Star Strike.

 

[Festy_Dog]

As Kaneda-san made nervous glances about the room, Kaji couldn't help but do the same. He wanted to know what Kaneda-san could have been looking for. But this is not all that troubles him, as Kaneda-san's relief at being rid of the weapon implies some kind of problem created by having possession of it. Was Kaiten-sama at risk while he carried the wakazashi? It was not something he wanted to talk about while here in front of Kaneda-san, so it would have to wait until they were on their way back. Kaji adjusted himself, making sure he was prepared for the unexpected.

 

[Scotley]

Itarabi

Itarabi sheaths his weapon and bows deeply. "You are a more than worthy opponent and I am honored to have crosses swords with such a fine warrior. Watching your graceful moves as we battled was like watching the Nightingale take wing."

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Cho and Zhiko

Cho places himself between the shadow-creature and the box, and he strikes at the creature once more. He manages to strike it once, and an icy feeling spreads through his hand when he touches it.

Upon hearing Zhiko’s warning, Bayushi-sama turns his head to make sure that the box was untouched; the shadow creature took advantage of the daimyo’s momentary distraction and lashes out, tearing the silk of Bayushi-sama’s sleeve and creating a deep gash in his arm. The shadow-creature uttered a hissing laugh upon seeing the wound that it had caused.

The steel of Zhiko’s dagger flashed as she cut into the creature twice. Dark blood spurted from its wound as it howled in rage at the injury. It fixed Zhiko with an icy glare, before fading into nothingness.

(OOC: Cho rolls an 11 and a 21, doing 9 points of damage. Zhiko hit twice with a 15 and a 26, for a total of 34 points of damage [ouch!], killing the creature.)



Kaji

The conversation between Kaneda-sama and Kaiten-sama continued for a few minutes more, before Kaneda-sama politely excused himself. The courtiers bowed in farewell to each other, before Kaneda took his leave.

Kaiten-sama sat back on his heels for a moment, listening to the sound of Kaneda’s retreating footsteps in the hallway outside. The wakizashi rested upon the table in front of him. “Well, now, Kaji-san. What do you think?”



Itarabi

Mitsumi pressed her lips together as she returned the bow, the muscles in her jaw tightening. Clearly, she did not take losing lightly. “You are more skilled that you give yourself credit for, Itarabi-san. Perhaps you should reconsider and enter the dueling tournament?”