[Rokugan] Blood and Cherry Blossoms

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Cho tries to consider his actions carefully. This incident was obviously one of great significance, and the fact that Tamori-sama was now guarding the statue meant that perhaps there would be more combat to keep it safe. As much as he desired true testing against a worthy opponent, he did not wish Tamori-sama or Zhiko-san to come to harm. It was his duty to keep others safe, and he would carry it out with all the skills he possessed. He slowly moved to a step behind and to the right of Tamori-sama, presenting a subtle united front, letting Bayushi-sama know without words that he would be guarding the statue with his master.

 

[Li Shenron]

Ai

As she sees the shadow creature in the street, Ai almost feels a sudden grip at her throat. She grabs Iuchi's hand and whispers to her friend: "Iuchi-san, tell me what it is in the road outside, and that is not what I think it is!"

Those men are of the Crane, are they being attacked? she says in her thought And I only have my wakizashi to help them...!

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Zhiko and Cho

At Zhiko’s words of protest, Bayushi-sama turns his eyes toward her, his gaze as sharp as a dagger. When she catches herself and acquiesces, he nods slightly, before turning his attention back to Tamori-sama and Cho. “Excellent. The tournament is to take place tomorrow. Until then, we shall see to it that your accommodations are comfortable.. Yogo-san, return the statue to the crate so that our guests may be escorted to their quarters.”

“A you will, my lord.” Trying to conceal a look of disappointment, Yogo-san carefully placed the statue back into the crate.

Bayushi-sama nodded in satisfaction, before getting to his feet. “Goro will escort you to your quarters for the evening. Tamori-san, Togashi-san, Bayushi-san, I appreciate all that you are doing.”

With that said, Goro, a slender man dressed all in black materialized from the shadows. He bowed deeply, before turning to leave, expecting the guests to follow. Bayushi-sama bowed as well, dismissing them.



Itarabi

“Sure, I’ll hang around,” Mitsumi replied with a shrug. “Though it seems to me that if ya’ll want to fight, you should do it with weapons. At least then you know for certain if you’ve won or lost.” She then paused, to look around the group,. “Hard to say. Probably not the Sparrow… she looks like she’s scared of her own shadow!”

After a few minutes, Seiyo stepped to the center of the room, and raised his hands to attract the attention of the others. “It appears that everyone has arrived, so I believe it is time to begin. The rules of the game are simple. Megumi, here,” with that, he gestured toward the woman from the Sparrow clan, “We will begin with a story regarding a widely known event in history. Those competing will then put forth their criticisms; the one who provides the most… eloquent criticism gets the honor of telling the next story. Are these rules acceptable to everyone?”



Kaji

As Kaji moved forward, he slashed at the shadow-creature with hissword. The blade cut deep, and the creature howled in pain, before turning its red eyes upon him. The creature slashed athim with claws of darkness, tearing his kimono, but missing him.

Meanwhile, Kaiten moved back, his hand upon the hilt of his katana. As he moved, another figure materialized from the shadows, attacking with dark claws. Deftly, Kaiten moved out of the way and drew his new wakizashi, though the creature seemed to waver out of the way.

Twenty feet down the street, the figure of a tall man could be seen. He moved toward the fray slowly, flanked with two more red-eyes shadows. “Give up the wakizashi. It is not worth your lives,” the stranger called out.

Initiative:
-Kaji (19)
-Ai (18)
-Bad guy 1 (16)
-Kaiten (12)
-Bad guys 2 (11)
-Tasha (7)

OOC: Kaji hit the shadow-creature with a 17 to hit, causing 12 points of damage. Shadow creature missed Kaji, a second shadow-creature missed Kaiten; Kaiten promptly missed the shadow creature. Whew!)


Ai

The Unicorn shugenja jumped at Ai’s touch and quickly snatched her hand away, though her eyes followed the direction that Ai indicated. “I do not know what you think it is, Kakita-san, but it appears to be attacking those Crane!”

As they watched, another shadow appeared behind them and attacked, though both Crane appeared to be unharmed so far. Then, they both heard a male voice call out, “Give up the wakizashi. It is not worth your lives!”

 

[Guest 11456]

Hyota : Male Human Shugenja 8

The presentation at last at an end, the young shugenja moves back out into the streets and wonders what he will do next. But then he yawns and remembers that he is in need of sleep. So he goes in search of Satsume and Juri, his daughter.

 

[Scotley]

"Ah dear lady surely you see that sometimes words are as deadly swords. One word from our beloved divine Emperor can slay many more than your sword ever will." When the rules are presented Itarabi nods approvingly and says, "Most agreeable. I look forward to hearing the sparrows song." He fixes the sparrow with what he hopes will be an unnerving gaze and waits for the story to begin.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Giving up the wakizashi was not a decision within Kaji's power, nonetheless he didn't expect Kaiten-sama to hand over the weapon so easily. His weapon cut deep into the creature so he pressed his attack, seeking to bring an end to his foe.

[AC 14, attack +12/+7, d10+5, 19-20/x2]

 

[Li Shenron]

Ai

Realizing that the Cranes in the street are being threatened, Ai rushes herself to the teahouse doorway to address the situation better, her hand ready on the wakizashi.

OoC: Ai doesn't draw her weapon until she is out of the tea house and sure that joining the battle would be inevitable. If a single move action is enough to reach the doorway, then she readies to draw & attack in case she is attacked first.

[AC 15, attack +7, d6+1, 19-20/x2]

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Cho trots along behind the two nobles, senses alert even in the corridors of the house. The Shadowlands creature had penetrated the house's defenses once, and it was likely it could do it again. He kept himself wary and alert, peering into the shadows, listening for the faintest whispers of sound, as they traveled into the house...

 

[Dark Nemesis]

Hyota

It took a few minutes, but Hyota was finally able to make it back to Kyuden Bayushi. As he navigated the labyrinthine halls, he came upon the main hall, where a number of samurai had gathered. Their attention seemed to be focused upon a nervous-looking Sparrow woman, who was addressing the crowd.

(OOC: See Itarabi's post below)


Itarabi

The Sparrow woman paused for a moment, clearing her throat and gathering her composure. Then, she began to speak, relating the details surrounding the conflict between the Fox and the Hare clans. She briefly related a few skirmishes between the two clans, and the intervention of the Emperor by sending the Crane Clan to mediate. She then spoke of the Night of 100 Deaths, in which 100 Fox clan courtiers were found dead and the Hare clan subsequently blamed for the slaughter. Finally, she reaccounted the final battle, in which the Crane clan sided with the Fox clan to utterly destroy the Hare clan.



Kaji

"I will do no such thing!" Kaiten-sama replied defiantly.

The shadwed figure shook his head ruefully, before replying. "Then you and your servant shall die."

With that said, the shadwed figures closed to attack. Kaji slashed at the shadow-creature in front of him, wounding it deeply, but not killing it. It attempted a retaliatory strike, but missed. Meanwhile, kaiten-sama seemed to be doing better, nimbly sidestepping two attacks, and cutting deeply into one of the creature.


Ai

As Ai hangs back, the Unicorn maiden leaps out into the street. her hands weave a complicated pattern in the air, sending a few fire kami to attack one of the shadow creatures. Her companion's efforts earn them both a glare from the shadowed figure down the street, the apparent leader. "This is none of your concern," he snapped, and made a gesture. Two more shadow-creatures detatched themselves from the wall, flanking Ai and Tasha.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Kaji smiled as he heard Kaiten's resolute reply. Protecting others was his calling, and he enjoyed every moment of it. He was surprised and relieved though to see a Unicorn and fellow Crane come to their assitance.

"My lord," he said, pausing to deflect an attack, "It appears others have come to our aid."

[AC 14, attack +12/+7, d10+5, 19-20/x2]