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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alejandro" data-source="post: 47145" data-attributes="member: 248">Kitsu Shiro's Background (Part III)The storm howls sending ripples across the low paddies. You keep your eyes down as the wind kicks up water in the pools at the foot of your horse. Slowly making your way along the twisting path, you consider leaving the green valley and returning to the warmth of the stone inn. You press on, determined to learn more of Shirogitsune.You approach the cottage and notice that lamps are lit. Getting off your horse you hurry toward the small stone wall. Stones have fallen from the wall and it is generally in a state of disrepair. Fighting the wind and your balance at the same time, you leap over the wall knocking a stone or two to the ground. Seemingly like the snap of your fingers the wind ceases. There is an eiry calmness and the rain drops to a sprinkle. You hear the call of a bird across the paddies and move to the door. As you approach it opens. The ever-present smile of the peasant greets you with a flash of teeth. "I see even the wind cannot rebuke you," he giggles. "No matter, I have prepared the tea."You anxiously move to sit. You suddenly remember you forgot to take off your outter robe. The peasant did not notice the affront, at least you do not believe he did. You take it off and delicately fold the silks. Sitting as you have twice before, you take a sip of the bitter tea and listen."I have told you of the unusual circumstances of Shirogitsune's birth as well as his naming. Now let me tell you my testimony of his early adolescence. In his earliest years, Shirogitsune was raised by Mimuzuku in his household as a son. When Shirogitsune was 60 moons old his head was shaved and he began his tuteledge under Mimuzuku as a page. Leaving his grandmother and "aunts" (the matronly servants of Mimuzuku's estate) behind Together the older Shirogitsune and Mimuzuku traveled the Kitsu lands. Once a year, Mimuzuku would arrive in farming and fishing villages to settle quarrels, divide estates and administer justice. During these travels, Shirogitsune learned to read and write. Also during these travels, Shirogitsune also learned of the prejudice of ignorance. Many times children would stare or laugh at the flamboyantly dressed boy with piercing red eyes. Hearing the name "oni" or "demon" behind his back, Shirogitsune felt he brought shame on Mimuzuku and his family.This would be a feeling Shirogitsune nursed and it grew as he did. On one occassion, Shirogitsune was playing a game of stones in a courtyard at a local noble's house. His grandfather was with the noble settling some minor dispute among two villages and the right to fish a stream. One of the noble's sons sat on a ledge looking down at Shirogitsune. The child's large torso showed that he was wealthy and over-fed. The boy began to taunt Shirogitsune with the names of "ghost" and other derogatory words about Shirogitsune's features. Then the boy did something that no one else had done. He picked up a rock from a nearby planter and threw it at Shirogitsune. His aim was true and the stone his Shirogitsune in the back of the head. A maid was walking by at the time. She was of lowly birth and giggled as she saw the boy struck. Shirogitsune was knocked to the ground. Blood spilled lightly from the wound. Shirogitsune picked himself up in a daze. His hand touched the back of his head. When he saw the inky red flowing over his milky white hand anger welled up inside him. The maid later swore that Shirogitsune's eyes glowed red, "like an Oni." A flash of light and thunder encircled the other boy. The boy fainted and fell to the ground. Shirogitsune, afraid of what he had done and even more afraid of his grandfather ran from the household.Shirogitsune knew what his grandfather did to witches and practioners of demon magic. Shirogitsune fled into the wilderness. For days Shirogitsune lived among the animals. He drank from streams and somehow always found berries or nuts. Unusually the food was always in piles and near where he slept. Also, he never encountered the mountain lions or wolves that often terrorized the villages. Then one day, while he napped, Shirogitsune smelled something foul breathing on his neck. The noble guard took Shirogitsune by his neck and carried him off on his back. It was later that Shirogitsune had to face his grandfather.Mimuzuku was not angered as much as he was disappointed that Shirogitsune would run from the law. The noble boy sat smirking as healers tended to his broken legs. The noble demanded Shirogitsune's head at one point during the audience. Whatever anger Mimuzuku had been savoring for Shirogitsune was spent on the noble. "No, Shirogitsune shall have the same punishment that I had when I was his age," Mimuzuku wistfully said.It was not until a week later that Shirogitsune learned that fate...when his head was painted with the first red circlet of a new member of the Kitsu school.""But how is that a punishment?" you blurt out. The peasants face grows sour at your question. "That is all the time I have, the day grows short and there is much work to be done. Come back tomorrow."With that you take your leave. You sense the peasant has more to say, but is reserving it in deference to your station. You are slightly ashamed that your curiosity took ahold of you. As you turn on your horse back to the nearby village you notice a flash of white to your side. Your heart races, is it...no. Quickly turning you see a small dove circling the paddy. Perhaps the legend of Shirogitsune and his deeds is merely that a legend. You ponder this on your way back.</blockquote>

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