Kyuzo was up at dawn, always rising just before sunrise. A routine that had become so ingrained in his being he had long ago stopped being surprised that it was nearly the same moment everyday when he opened his eyes. Today was another day he wasn’t looking forward to. He was restless. It had been a long month of training in order for him to accompany the Scorpion scouting party on a mission. A long month of little improvement on his part, he just wasn’t getting how one could make themselves lighter than they were. Maybe he just wasn’t suited for the art of silence. He’d keep at it, at least. Nevertheless, that didn’t solve how much he desired to be out of this small town where everyone bowed and addressed him as their lord. Just for a few hours. It wasn’t as if he wanted to run away, he just wanted a break. Even when he was painting, he didn’t really get that break. It was the same four walls, the same scenery, and the same people constantly interrupting him.
Kyuzo took a deep breath before leaving his room. He had dressed and was ready to begin another day of solving menial problems, if there were even problems to solve. The town seemed to function rather well on its own. The only issue that had been brought to Kyuzo’s attention so far was the unfortunate business with Tsuruchi Airo. A business he would rather put out of his mind than use as an example of his brilliant leadership. He was still uncomfortable about the way everything happened. Seeing the ghostly Airo following Negisa around town after she had taken him to enact ‘justice’ was even more discomforting. Then he had simply disappeared shortly after the new Mantis delegate, Airo’s brother, Tsuruchi Meintaro, had arrived. Kyuzo had decided he wasn’t going to postulate on what happened to Airo, he truly didn’t want to know, and so he didn’t ask.
Stepping outside into the backyard, Kyuzo found what he was searching for, or perhaps whom he was searching for. The Soshi twins were diligently directing a few Scorpion add onto the complicated obstacle course he had been running for several weeks. A man was hanging rings on the opposite sides of a beam, as if you were to swing from metal ring to metal ring across the beam, however, instead of some child’s game one would have played years ago, the man was stepping into each ring, and making it look rather easy as well. A deception, Kyuzo had learned from the first day, the Scorpion took a joy in perpetuating.
“Pardon me, Soshi-san,” Kyuzo addressed the two.
Both turned at exactly the same moment, and in tandem greeted him in return. “Asahina-sama, good morning to you.”
They had been acting like this since the day one of them informed him they were twins. It was easier before, when he had just believed Soshi some sort of shugenja that could manipulate time and always end up wherever he was looking for her at. Now they were nearly connected at the hip, speaking the same thoughts at the same time, and when they weren’t doing that they were finishing each other’s sentences without ever overlapping a syllable. Because of this, he tried to spend as little time as possible with them when the two were together. One at a time they were easy enough to handle, but both ended up disorienting him with the constant switching between who was talking.
“Good morning to you,” he responded, getting formalities out of the way. He had an express purpose for seeing Soshi, even if both of them were together. However, he also felt he knew the answer before he even asked it, seeing as how they were building more on the scouting course. “What’s the progress on heading out with our scouts? Are we going to have to train ourselves more? I just want to get the lay of the land, and I know I’m not catching on as fast as I should with this…”
Both Soshis held up one of their hands to indicate for Kyuzo to stop.
“If all you want,” Soshi began.
“Is the lay of the land, there won’t,” The other Soshi continued the sentence without missing a beat. It was going to be one of those times, Kyuzo sighed to himself.
“Be a problem having you ride out with,” They tossed the sentences back and forth creating a flowing dialogue.
“Say, some Unicorn contingencies. It sounds”
“like a wonderful”
“plan to me.”
“But if you’re”
“actually going out on the”
“scouting missions, you’ve obtained”
“the level of…a first year”
“novice.”
“Beginner.”
“In the first week of his”
“first year of training.”
“Yes,” Kyuzo agreed. He was well aware he wasn’t doing well when it came to these convoluted training techniques. “Well, I was thinking - You see, I don’t just want to walk around. I was thinking I could do some hunting. Daigotsu and I actually stumbled upon a boar at one point.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem”
“as long as you take some escorts or”
“some guards, some form of protection.”
“Is there anything else,”
“Lord Asahina?”
Kyuzo shrugged, “Maybe you could point me in the right direction for where I should be hunting?”
“Well, Lord Asahina, there”
“is a Tsuruchi in town and I”
“hear they are excellent at hunting.”
“That Tsuruchi, is he here in the house with us? I have to admit I haven’t been-”
“He’s replacing his brother, Lord Asahina.” They interposed together. Kyuzo already knew that. He just hadn’t given much thought to where Tsuruchi Meintaro was staying. He had assumed the barracks, but if the other delegates were staying in the house with Kyuzo, Tsuruchi should be as well.
“Yeah… that was all so messy. I must admit I’m sort of avoiding him.”
“I suppose that’s”
“understandable, Lord Asahina,”
“considering the situation that”
“happened with the last Tsuruchi.” Soshi nodded at Soshi.
“Yeah… so where is he?”
“As we said”
“before, Lord Asahina,”
“he’s probably still eating breakfast.”
“In the house.”
“Thank you,” Kyuzo headed back indoors. He hadn’t yet eaten breakfast himself, and if Tsuruchi was there, it would be a reasonable time to discuss plans for the day without cornering him and making a conversation any more uncomfortable than it had to be. Breakfast was a good choice.
Kyuzo took a deep breath before leaving his room. He had dressed and was ready to begin another day of solving menial problems, if there were even problems to solve. The town seemed to function rather well on its own. The only issue that had been brought to Kyuzo’s attention so far was the unfortunate business with Tsuruchi Airo. A business he would rather put out of his mind than use as an example of his brilliant leadership. He was still uncomfortable about the way everything happened. Seeing the ghostly Airo following Negisa around town after she had taken him to enact ‘justice’ was even more discomforting. Then he had simply disappeared shortly after the new Mantis delegate, Airo’s brother, Tsuruchi Meintaro, had arrived. Kyuzo had decided he wasn’t going to postulate on what happened to Airo, he truly didn’t want to know, and so he didn’t ask.
Stepping outside into the backyard, Kyuzo found what he was searching for, or perhaps whom he was searching for. The Soshi twins were diligently directing a few Scorpion add onto the complicated obstacle course he had been running for several weeks. A man was hanging rings on the opposite sides of a beam, as if you were to swing from metal ring to metal ring across the beam, however, instead of some child’s game one would have played years ago, the man was stepping into each ring, and making it look rather easy as well. A deception, Kyuzo had learned from the first day, the Scorpion took a joy in perpetuating.
“Pardon me, Soshi-san,” Kyuzo addressed the two.
Both turned at exactly the same moment, and in tandem greeted him in return. “Asahina-sama, good morning to you.”
They had been acting like this since the day one of them informed him they were twins. It was easier before, when he had just believed Soshi some sort of shugenja that could manipulate time and always end up wherever he was looking for her at. Now they were nearly connected at the hip, speaking the same thoughts at the same time, and when they weren’t doing that they were finishing each other’s sentences without ever overlapping a syllable. Because of this, he tried to spend as little time as possible with them when the two were together. One at a time they were easy enough to handle, but both ended up disorienting him with the constant switching between who was talking.
“Good morning to you,” he responded, getting formalities out of the way. He had an express purpose for seeing Soshi, even if both of them were together. However, he also felt he knew the answer before he even asked it, seeing as how they were building more on the scouting course. “What’s the progress on heading out with our scouts? Are we going to have to train ourselves more? I just want to get the lay of the land, and I know I’m not catching on as fast as I should with this…”
Both Soshis held up one of their hands to indicate for Kyuzo to stop.
“If all you want,” Soshi began.
“Is the lay of the land, there won’t,” The other Soshi continued the sentence without missing a beat. It was going to be one of those times, Kyuzo sighed to himself.
“Be a problem having you ride out with,” They tossed the sentences back and forth creating a flowing dialogue.
“Say, some Unicorn contingencies. It sounds”
“like a wonderful”
“plan to me.”
“But if you’re”
“actually going out on the”
“scouting missions, you’ve obtained”
“the level of…a first year”
“novice.”
“Beginner.”
“In the first week of his”
“first year of training.”
“Yes,” Kyuzo agreed. He was well aware he wasn’t doing well when it came to these convoluted training techniques. “Well, I was thinking - You see, I don’t just want to walk around. I was thinking I could do some hunting. Daigotsu and I actually stumbled upon a boar at one point.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem”
“as long as you take some escorts or”
“some guards, some form of protection.”
“Is there anything else,”
“Lord Asahina?”
Kyuzo shrugged, “Maybe you could point me in the right direction for where I should be hunting?”
“Well, Lord Asahina, there”
“is a Tsuruchi in town and I”
“hear they are excellent at hunting.”
“That Tsuruchi, is he here in the house with us? I have to admit I haven’t been-”
“He’s replacing his brother, Lord Asahina.” They interposed together. Kyuzo already knew that. He just hadn’t given much thought to where Tsuruchi Meintaro was staying. He had assumed the barracks, but if the other delegates were staying in the house with Kyuzo, Tsuruchi should be as well.
“Yeah… that was all so messy. I must admit I’m sort of avoiding him.”
“I suppose that’s”
“understandable, Lord Asahina,”
“considering the situation that”
“happened with the last Tsuruchi.” Soshi nodded at Soshi.
“Yeah… so where is he?”
“As we said”
“before, Lord Asahina,”
“he’s probably still eating breakfast.”
“In the house.”
“Thank you,” Kyuzo headed back indoors. He hadn’t yet eaten breakfast himself, and if Tsuruchi was there, it would be a reasonable time to discuss plans for the day without cornering him and making a conversation any more uncomfortable than it had to be. Breakfast was a good choice.
***
Katsumi resettled herself back at the breakfast table and began sipping her tea. She had heard her name from somewhere outside, and upon closer inspection, found it was just Asahina talking with the Soshis about nothing interesting. The topic of Tsuruchi came up, and Asahina did say he was avoiding Tsuruchi, which was somewhat interesting, if she really cared how her housemates were treating each other, which she didn’t. So, she had stalked back to the table and pretended as if nothing had happened, because, really, nothing did happen.
A whole lot of nothing had been happening recently. Well, besides Matsu’s little secret. That happened. Katsumi smiled to herself at the thought of her nephew who would be coming into the world in a matter of months. Moreover, she had managed to go a month without succumbing to the will of Lord Moon. That was also something to note. However, she couldn’t really note that with anyone besides Yanagi, who she already told, and Negisa, who she tried to avoid. No one else had been brought in on her little secret, yet. Except Kitsuki, and he didn’t believe she had an uneventful full moon at all. He was still bitter about the first night of the first month, Katsumi supposed.
“Um, Daigotsu-san?” Shiba mumbled. Katsumi set down her tea and stared at the liquid, bracing herself for whatever it was that Shiba felt the need to share first thing in the morning. “I was wondering… if you could have your cooks… make me something that’s… that’s typical of… what you usually eat?”
Katsumi felt the smile spread across her face. She knew it was coming even if she wasn’t conjuring it up. She slowly turned her head towards Shiba, as Shiba progressed with her disjointed request, and grinned with a devilish delight. Nearly a month ago she had offered Shiba a taste of her blood cake, after she had found out it was made with cow’s blood, Shiba had fled from the dining table and evacuated her stomach. It had been amusing. Katsumi had never seen anyone react in such a way, granted, she hadn’t seen many non-Spider members eating Spider food. She was aware the rest of the Empire avoided red meat, and with that, blood, and preferred the more delicate foods like rice and fish. But Shiba had shown interest then and now she was asking again to have something more substantial in her diet.
“Of course,” Katsumi confirmed and rushed to the kitchen. Leaning her head in, Katsumi held up two fingers to the cooks inside, “Scratch my last request, bring me two orders of pepper steak.” They nodded and set to work.
Katsumi returned, yet again, to the table for the third time this morning. Picking up her teacup, she considered how she would spend her day today. She had been extremely lazy when it came to continuing in her training. Katsumi realized it was the power to refuse all others that had allowed her lethargy to overcome her; and at first, it had been fun, but now she tired of having no direction. She had taken care of much of the building, or at least attempted to help just to give her something to do, but the Kaiu weren’t interested in having her do much besides direct and move things. In addition, honestly, she couldn’t remember the last time she had just sat and meditated, as she used to every morning. This town was changing her, and it was doing so in a way Katsumi wasn’t fond of.
“What things do the Spider cook?” Tsuruchi’s drawl drew her from her internal struggle. She blinked, trying to hear his exact question; it was kind of hazy behind the considerations going through her mind. Something about what she eats.
“It’s not much different than what everyone else eats.”
“Well, there’s got to be something special about it if Shiba is inquiring,” Tsuruchi noted.
It was a good point, but Katsumi didn’t always consider that her food was so different, being that she grew up with it. Though, when seeing a full day’s worth of meals side by side, it probably proved to be very different. They still had rice as a staple in their diet, but most harvested food besides that was harder to come by in the lands she once called home, which meant most meals were laden with meat and scarce on vegetables.
“We specialize in red meat.”
“You eat red meat?” Katsumi wasn’t certain if Tsuruchi was surprised. The way the question was formed said he should be, but the way he asked was contrary to shock, it was more like intrigue.
“Yeah, all Spider do.”
Tsuruchi looked at his mostly eaten meal as if he was considering continuing on the conversation. A lull ensued. Katsumi watched him. This Tsuruchi was so much different from Airo. It was perplexing what the two had seen in each other.
“I’ll just stick with what I have…” Tsuruchi finally said and picked up another piece of sushi.
A whole lot of nothing had been happening recently. Well, besides Matsu’s little secret. That happened. Katsumi smiled to herself at the thought of her nephew who would be coming into the world in a matter of months. Moreover, she had managed to go a month without succumbing to the will of Lord Moon. That was also something to note. However, she couldn’t really note that with anyone besides Yanagi, who she already told, and Negisa, who she tried to avoid. No one else had been brought in on her little secret, yet. Except Kitsuki, and he didn’t believe she had an uneventful full moon at all. He was still bitter about the first night of the first month, Katsumi supposed.
“Um, Daigotsu-san?” Shiba mumbled. Katsumi set down her tea and stared at the liquid, bracing herself for whatever it was that Shiba felt the need to share first thing in the morning. “I was wondering… if you could have your cooks… make me something that’s… that’s typical of… what you usually eat?”
Katsumi felt the smile spread across her face. She knew it was coming even if she wasn’t conjuring it up. She slowly turned her head towards Shiba, as Shiba progressed with her disjointed request, and grinned with a devilish delight. Nearly a month ago she had offered Shiba a taste of her blood cake, after she had found out it was made with cow’s blood, Shiba had fled from the dining table and evacuated her stomach. It had been amusing. Katsumi had never seen anyone react in such a way, granted, she hadn’t seen many non-Spider members eating Spider food. She was aware the rest of the Empire avoided red meat, and with that, blood, and preferred the more delicate foods like rice and fish. But Shiba had shown interest then and now she was asking again to have something more substantial in her diet.
“Of course,” Katsumi confirmed and rushed to the kitchen. Leaning her head in, Katsumi held up two fingers to the cooks inside, “Scratch my last request, bring me two orders of pepper steak.” They nodded and set to work.
Katsumi returned, yet again, to the table for the third time this morning. Picking up her teacup, she considered how she would spend her day today. She had been extremely lazy when it came to continuing in her training. Katsumi realized it was the power to refuse all others that had allowed her lethargy to overcome her; and at first, it had been fun, but now she tired of having no direction. She had taken care of much of the building, or at least attempted to help just to give her something to do, but the Kaiu weren’t interested in having her do much besides direct and move things. In addition, honestly, she couldn’t remember the last time she had just sat and meditated, as she used to every morning. This town was changing her, and it was doing so in a way Katsumi wasn’t fond of.
“What things do the Spider cook?” Tsuruchi’s drawl drew her from her internal struggle. She blinked, trying to hear his exact question; it was kind of hazy behind the considerations going through her mind. Something about what she eats.
“It’s not much different than what everyone else eats.”
“Well, there’s got to be something special about it if Shiba is inquiring,” Tsuruchi noted.
It was a good point, but Katsumi didn’t always consider that her food was so different, being that she grew up with it. Though, when seeing a full day’s worth of meals side by side, it probably proved to be very different. They still had rice as a staple in their diet, but most harvested food besides that was harder to come by in the lands she once called home, which meant most meals were laden with meat and scarce on vegetables.
“We specialize in red meat.”
“You eat red meat?” Katsumi wasn’t certain if Tsuruchi was surprised. The way the question was formed said he should be, but the way he asked was contrary to shock, it was more like intrigue.
“Yeah, all Spider do.”
Tsuruchi looked at his mostly eaten meal as if he was considering continuing on the conversation. A lull ensued. Katsumi watched him. This Tsuruchi was so much different from Airo. It was perplexing what the two had seen in each other.
“I’ll just stick with what I have…” Tsuruchi finally said and picked up another piece of sushi.
***
Daigotsu shrugged. It was a suiting answer for his last statement. Meintaro honestly wanted her to offer to him whatever meal Daigotsu and Shiba were going to eat, maybe even push it on him so he wouldn’t seem so blasphemous when daintily consuming the red meat. He had developed a liking to it, and although there were other sources of protein, he hadn’t come across anything as tasty as the flesh you weren’t supposed to be enjoying. Until the offer came, he was going to save face and pretend it didn’t interest him.
The room had grown quiet again; it seemed these folks weren’t much for conversation. He had realized that over the last two weeks since he arrived. No one had said much of anything to him, he probably had held the longest conversation with Daigotsu, and he wasn’t even sure she was anyone of importance. She was just a kid.
“Tsuruchi-san, Asahina is looking for you,” Daigotsu divulged as Asahina walked through the courtyard into the dining room.
“Good morning, Asahina-sama,” Meintaro cordially welcomed. Asahina only gave him a passing glance as he started listing out his breakfast order to a servant who made himself available as Asahina arrived.
“I’ll have some grilled mackerel and rice, and some tea.” Asahina took a seat near Meintaro.
He hadn’t spoken with Asahina in some time, not since the day he arrived, and even then, it was short. Meintaro had been more interested in finding the family bow and dealing with Airo than making nice with his new lord and creating lasting friendships. Now that those were taken care of, he still wasn’t interested in creating lasting friendships, but at least being amiable was on the table. Something Asahina hadn’t proven to be.
“Asahina-sama, I heard you were looking for me for something.” Meintaro attempted to initiate a conversation again.
“Yeah…” Asahina rubbed his neck pensively, “I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you much. I’ve just kind of been upset about the ordeal with your brother.”
Meintaro could understand that, he was also upset, though probably for very different reasons than Asahina was. “That’s alright, so am I.”
Asahina nodded. “It’s a very upsetting thing.” There was a pregnant pause as if the conversation was over. That couldn’t really be the reason Asahina was looking for him, Meintaro thought. In addition, why would Daigotsu know that? It didn’t make sense for there to be nothing more than an apology.
“I don’t know,” Asahina finally expounded, “I just felt that we spend too much time in this town. And, originally, I wanted to go on a scouting mission, but I believe that I’ll just get in their way, so… Let’s go hunting. I know that Daigotsu-san loves to hunt for boar.”
At first he didn’t understand what was going on. Asahina was being quite open about the reasoning behind whatever it was he was going on about, but then he said ‘hunting’ and Meintaro didn’t need to hear another word.
“There’s nothing I’d rather do than go hunting.”
“The boar was the prey of opportunity,” Daigotsu clarified. It didn’t matter, he would hunt boar if boar were there to hunt. Meintaro would hunt anything if the opportunity presented itself.
“If boar is too easy, we can find something that will present a challenge,” Asahina offered.
“Well, let’s be off. I don’t see the need to finish breakfast with an adventure like this.” Meintaro was ready and willing to head out this very moment. He had eaten, and if it was something to do that didn’t involve a whole lot of watching, he was ready.
“I’m going to eat,” Asahina insisted.
“Oh, I suppose you haven’t had anything yet.” Meintaro had become so enthralled with the idea of prowling through the woods, tracking down some sort of jungle beast, he had completely forgotten Asahina had only just arrived for breakfast.
“Feel free to have some sake if you’re just going to wait. We have a very good brand.”
“No,” Meintaro wasn’t interested in just sitting around watching people eat, if he was going to be waiting for Asahina, he was going to dress himself for the part. “I’ll go prepare myself for the hunt.”
The room had grown quiet again; it seemed these folks weren’t much for conversation. He had realized that over the last two weeks since he arrived. No one had said much of anything to him, he probably had held the longest conversation with Daigotsu, and he wasn’t even sure she was anyone of importance. She was just a kid.
“Tsuruchi-san, Asahina is looking for you,” Daigotsu divulged as Asahina walked through the courtyard into the dining room.
“Good morning, Asahina-sama,” Meintaro cordially welcomed. Asahina only gave him a passing glance as he started listing out his breakfast order to a servant who made himself available as Asahina arrived.
“I’ll have some grilled mackerel and rice, and some tea.” Asahina took a seat near Meintaro.
He hadn’t spoken with Asahina in some time, not since the day he arrived, and even then, it was short. Meintaro had been more interested in finding the family bow and dealing with Airo than making nice with his new lord and creating lasting friendships. Now that those were taken care of, he still wasn’t interested in creating lasting friendships, but at least being amiable was on the table. Something Asahina hadn’t proven to be.
“Asahina-sama, I heard you were looking for me for something.” Meintaro attempted to initiate a conversation again.
“Yeah…” Asahina rubbed his neck pensively, “I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you much. I’ve just kind of been upset about the ordeal with your brother.”
Meintaro could understand that, he was also upset, though probably for very different reasons than Asahina was. “That’s alright, so am I.”
Asahina nodded. “It’s a very upsetting thing.” There was a pregnant pause as if the conversation was over. That couldn’t really be the reason Asahina was looking for him, Meintaro thought. In addition, why would Daigotsu know that? It didn’t make sense for there to be nothing more than an apology.
“I don’t know,” Asahina finally expounded, “I just felt that we spend too much time in this town. And, originally, I wanted to go on a scouting mission, but I believe that I’ll just get in their way, so… Let’s go hunting. I know that Daigotsu-san loves to hunt for boar.”
At first he didn’t understand what was going on. Asahina was being quite open about the reasoning behind whatever it was he was going on about, but then he said ‘hunting’ and Meintaro didn’t need to hear another word.
“There’s nothing I’d rather do than go hunting.”
“The boar was the prey of opportunity,” Daigotsu clarified. It didn’t matter, he would hunt boar if boar were there to hunt. Meintaro would hunt anything if the opportunity presented itself.
“If boar is too easy, we can find something that will present a challenge,” Asahina offered.
“Well, let’s be off. I don’t see the need to finish breakfast with an adventure like this.” Meintaro was ready and willing to head out this very moment. He had eaten, and if it was something to do that didn’t involve a whole lot of watching, he was ready.
“I’m going to eat,” Asahina insisted.
“Oh, I suppose you haven’t had anything yet.” Meintaro had become so enthralled with the idea of prowling through the woods, tracking down some sort of jungle beast, he had completely forgotten Asahina had only just arrived for breakfast.
“Feel free to have some sake if you’re just going to wait. We have a very good brand.”
“No,” Meintaro wasn’t interested in just sitting around watching people eat, if he was going to be waiting for Asahina, he was going to dress himself for the part. “I’ll go prepare myself for the hunt.”
***
Mikoto awoke to an empty bed and a quiet house. A house that wasn’t hers, since she had stayed with Yanagi last night. However, Yanagi was no longer where she had left him, under her warm embrace. She sighed as she sat up, last night’s events replaying themselves through her mind. It had been one of the most trying nights of her life, she had told him she was pregnant with Asahina’s child, and he smiled at her and cared for her anyways. She was lucky to have such an accepting family. Yanagi. Katsumi. She wasn’t sure about Negisa yet, but she couldn’t be that much different.
Family; the word echoed back. Last night Yanagi had told her they were going to be married in three days. It was happening so fast. She had just found out she was wedding Yanagi a month ago, and now she was actually wedding Yanagi in three days. Mikoto sucked in a breath and held it, trying to calm herself. It was a lot to handle, and she was only just starting her life. Granted, she had been pushed into this situation, so she understood the rush on the wedding. If it were found out she was pregnant before they wed… She didn’t even want to consider the repercussions.
She dressed and entered the family area, finding it filled with ruddy-haired women. Mikoto furrowed her brow in confusion as she tried to comprehend what she had actually walked into. There were five women in the room, sitting quietly in the living area, four she had never seen before, and one a smiling, vibrant woman who broke the spell of silence and caused all the others to turn Mikoto’s way. For all the others to look at her with varying degrees of hazel eyes. It was all kind of eerie.
“Good morning, Matsu,” Negisa cooed.
“Uh… Good morning,” Mikoto watched the faces of the other women who sat patiently. “What’s going on?”
“We have to prepare you for your wedding in two days time, which means we have a great amount of work to squeeze into your small window of opportunity. These Kitsune shugenja will be helping with the… more spiritual side of things. Please, dress in that by the door.”
Mikoto glanced down at a white robe neatly folded by the door of the room she just exited from. She hadn’t forgotten how much preparation a marriage ceremony took, she just hadn’t thought they would be going through the motions with the ceremony being pushed up so much. Well, if they were waiting on her, she better get started. Mikoto swept up the robe and returned to her room to change. She supposed that it explained why Yanagi had left bright and early. If she was going through her things, he was probably off doing something on the man side of things as well.
Family; the word echoed back. Last night Yanagi had told her they were going to be married in three days. It was happening so fast. She had just found out she was wedding Yanagi a month ago, and now she was actually wedding Yanagi in three days. Mikoto sucked in a breath and held it, trying to calm herself. It was a lot to handle, and she was only just starting her life. Granted, she had been pushed into this situation, so she understood the rush on the wedding. If it were found out she was pregnant before they wed… She didn’t even want to consider the repercussions.
She dressed and entered the family area, finding it filled with ruddy-haired women. Mikoto furrowed her brow in confusion as she tried to comprehend what she had actually walked into. There were five women in the room, sitting quietly in the living area, four she had never seen before, and one a smiling, vibrant woman who broke the spell of silence and caused all the others to turn Mikoto’s way. For all the others to look at her with varying degrees of hazel eyes. It was all kind of eerie.
“Good morning, Matsu,” Negisa cooed.
“Uh… Good morning,” Mikoto watched the faces of the other women who sat patiently. “What’s going on?”
“We have to prepare you for your wedding in two days time, which means we have a great amount of work to squeeze into your small window of opportunity. These Kitsune shugenja will be helping with the… more spiritual side of things. Please, dress in that by the door.”
Mikoto glanced down at a white robe neatly folded by the door of the room she just exited from. She hadn’t forgotten how much preparation a marriage ceremony took, she just hadn’t thought they would be going through the motions with the ceremony being pushed up so much. Well, if they were waiting on her, she better get started. Mikoto swept up the robe and returned to her room to change. She supposed that it explained why Yanagi had left bright and early. If she was going through her things, he was probably off doing something on the man side of things as well.
***
Morasahi stared apprehensively at the meal that was placed before her. It was a dish of something; definitely meat looking, coated with some sauce and had slices of peppers mixed with it, served with a bowl of rice. She honestly wasn’t interested in trying anything Daigotsu ate, but she had been training on Spider culture with Negisa and Negisa had insisted she start branching out and imparting herself with what this town was to become. She thought back to what Negisa had said at the start of their training a few weeks ago, “I will tell you what to do, and you will do it.” She had told Morasahi that it was the only stipulation before accepting her as an apprentice, and Morasahi had agreed. She agreed, so that meant she had to do as Negisa said. Which, in this case, meant eating whatever this thing was that Daigotsu was now devouring for breakfast.
Morasahi picked up a piece of the meat and sniffed it. The smell stung her nose and made her eyes water. It was earthy and sharp, spicy. She wasn’t used to spicy dishes. If she wasn’t mistaken, only the Scorpion were ones who enjoyed a little spice from time to time, and that was because they had been exiled to the Burning Sands after their coup. They had picked up many odd food dishes during their time there, before they were accepted back into the Empire. However, Morasahi was learning that the Spider also enjoyed something different, besides the red meat, and the blood… and the human flesh. No, Morasahi tried to push the thought from her mind. It was hard to see the Spider as both cannibals and as a great clan, especially one who was to hold the Winter Court this year.
With an inward sigh, she popped the meat in her mouth. The burning was almost instantaneous. The sides of her tongue inflamed as she choked down the beef. The sensation spreading throughout her mouth. She took another bite of the main dish and tried to swallow without chewing; perhaps it wouldn’t burn as much. Morasahi felt her stomach churn, as it too, began simmering. Quickly she went to her rice and shoveled several bites into her mouth, attempting to quench the fire inside her with the fluffy grain.
Morasahi peeked at Daigotsu, who was eating as if nothing was out of place, eagerly consuming the spicy dish and only taking a mouthful of rice every now and then. She seemed happy to have her mouth set ablaze, picking up another few bites of her entrée with her - wait a minute. Morasahi squinted the mist from her eyes. Daigotsu’s chopsticks… they were bone. How had she never noticed that before? She shuddered at the thought of eating every meal with the refuse of animals. She felt her mouth hanging open and promptly closed it.
“It’s… um,” Morasahi attempted to stifle a cough, “Actually pretty good. Thank you.”
Daigotsu nodded in response.
“It is… much different than anything I’ve ever tasted before.”
Daigotsu stared at Morasahi, as she often did. “If you want, you can inform the Spider cooks to make you anything you want. I’ll just have them make two meals every time.”
“I-I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Thank you.” Morasahi didn’t want to try anything else. She was told she only had to do one meal, this was one meal. She managed to keep the heavy, burning meat down and that was enough for her.
Morasahi picked up a piece of the meat and sniffed it. The smell stung her nose and made her eyes water. It was earthy and sharp, spicy. She wasn’t used to spicy dishes. If she wasn’t mistaken, only the Scorpion were ones who enjoyed a little spice from time to time, and that was because they had been exiled to the Burning Sands after their coup. They had picked up many odd food dishes during their time there, before they were accepted back into the Empire. However, Morasahi was learning that the Spider also enjoyed something different, besides the red meat, and the blood… and the human flesh. No, Morasahi tried to push the thought from her mind. It was hard to see the Spider as both cannibals and as a great clan, especially one who was to hold the Winter Court this year.
With an inward sigh, she popped the meat in her mouth. The burning was almost instantaneous. The sides of her tongue inflamed as she choked down the beef. The sensation spreading throughout her mouth. She took another bite of the main dish and tried to swallow without chewing; perhaps it wouldn’t burn as much. Morasahi felt her stomach churn, as it too, began simmering. Quickly she went to her rice and shoveled several bites into her mouth, attempting to quench the fire inside her with the fluffy grain.
Morasahi peeked at Daigotsu, who was eating as if nothing was out of place, eagerly consuming the spicy dish and only taking a mouthful of rice every now and then. She seemed happy to have her mouth set ablaze, picking up another few bites of her entrée with her - wait a minute. Morasahi squinted the mist from her eyes. Daigotsu’s chopsticks… they were bone. How had she never noticed that before? She shuddered at the thought of eating every meal with the refuse of animals. She felt her mouth hanging open and promptly closed it.
“It’s… um,” Morasahi attempted to stifle a cough, “Actually pretty good. Thank you.”
Daigotsu nodded in response.
“It is… much different than anything I’ve ever tasted before.”
Daigotsu stared at Morasahi, as she often did. “If you want, you can inform the Spider cooks to make you anything you want. I’ll just have them make two meals every time.”
“I-I don’t think that’ll be necessary. Thank you.” Morasahi didn’t want to try anything else. She was told she only had to do one meal, this was one meal. She managed to keep the heavy, burning meat down and that was enough for her.
***
Meintaro was thrilled to be going on a hunt. The days had grown long, full of nothing to do. The fact that Asahina invited him only made him more eager to spend some time bonding in the woods, killing animals and eating his share of meat. He was a decent hunter back in the Mantis lands, and respected any man who could track as well as he, or enjoyed the sport of killing as much as well. He looked in his looking glass, checking to see if he was properly made up. He had his black war paint striped across his face. The feathers indicating his success in previous hunts decorated his hair. He rarely wore a shirt, but instead of just leaving his skin bare, he had also painted his body with black and greens in order to better conceal his location while in the underbrush. He was ready. He grabbed his bow, his quiver, and sauntered to the front of the house to meet Asahina for their trip.
Asahina was standing by the table, in the same clothes he had been wearing to breakfast. He had a bow on his back as well, and a quiver of arrows, but otherwise he was rather… normal looking. Daigotsu looked as he had become accustomed to her looking, dressed in the Spider Monk outfit. She also wasn’t much different from her everyday appearance. She did have a polearm weapon with her; apparently, she was coming on the hunt as well. Maybe she was Asahina’s charge, some sort of token of good faith the Spider gave to the lord of the town. Whatever the case was, they were rather unimpressive in dress and design.
“Are we ready?” Meintaro asked, expecting Asahina to request more time, surely he wasn’t going to go hunting in his blue and white robes.
“Yeah,” Asahina said. Meintaro’s heart sank. “Where would we be most likely to find game?”
“You said you found a boar. Wherever that was would be a good place to start.”
“Well, the last time, it was an accident.” Asahina shot a look to Daigotsu who didn’t seem to notice. “I don’t think we’ll stumble on another one simply by wandering around.”
“I suppose we should ask someone, then. We don’t want to just be tramping around in the wilderness and come back empty handed.” At the moment, Meintaro couldn’t think of a worse scenario. However, he had just the person in mind. If there were woods around here, and things to hunt, the other Mantis would know where to look. “Follow me, I know who to ask.”
Meintaro headed towards the Mantis camp, looking for Yoritomo, his advisor in the town. Asahina followed. So did Daigotsu. And Shiba tagged along as well. Not to mention the three yojimbo who accompanied them everywhere. It wouldn’t hurt while in town, but later on he had to remember to get rid of the large group traveling with them. Otherwise they really would come back with nothing.
It took Meintaro only a few minutes to find Yoritomo, and even less to determine he wasn’t going to be helpful in finding the ideal location for game. Yoritomo was a merchant, or at least a trader, which in Rokugan meant nearly the same thing, but was very different for the Mantis. But he had expected Yoritomo to, you know, advise. If a Tsuruchi wants to go hunting, he should be prepared to give the location of the best hunting grounds. It wasn’t that hard to figure out.
“To the southwest of town are some woods, you’ll probably find the most game there,” Yoritomo directed.
“Right, so you’ve been there before?” Meintaro baited, knowing the answer.
“No, but the Unicorn probably have.”
“I’ll go talk to them. Thank you.”
He had hoped to glean more knowledge off Yoritomo than he did. Dressed as he was, Meintaro wanted to show people he knew his way around, even if he didn’t. He was well aware no one was expecting anything from him, but he had sort of set himself up to be the big, badass hunter and was turning into a floundering poor excuse for a guide.
Asahina was standing by the table, in the same clothes he had been wearing to breakfast. He had a bow on his back as well, and a quiver of arrows, but otherwise he was rather… normal looking. Daigotsu looked as he had become accustomed to her looking, dressed in the Spider Monk outfit. She also wasn’t much different from her everyday appearance. She did have a polearm weapon with her; apparently, she was coming on the hunt as well. Maybe she was Asahina’s charge, some sort of token of good faith the Spider gave to the lord of the town. Whatever the case was, they were rather unimpressive in dress and design.
“Are we ready?” Meintaro asked, expecting Asahina to request more time, surely he wasn’t going to go hunting in his blue and white robes.
“Yeah,” Asahina said. Meintaro’s heart sank. “Where would we be most likely to find game?”
“You said you found a boar. Wherever that was would be a good place to start.”
“Well, the last time, it was an accident.” Asahina shot a look to Daigotsu who didn’t seem to notice. “I don’t think we’ll stumble on another one simply by wandering around.”
“I suppose we should ask someone, then. We don’t want to just be tramping around in the wilderness and come back empty handed.” At the moment, Meintaro couldn’t think of a worse scenario. However, he had just the person in mind. If there were woods around here, and things to hunt, the other Mantis would know where to look. “Follow me, I know who to ask.”
Meintaro headed towards the Mantis camp, looking for Yoritomo, his advisor in the town. Asahina followed. So did Daigotsu. And Shiba tagged along as well. Not to mention the three yojimbo who accompanied them everywhere. It wouldn’t hurt while in town, but later on he had to remember to get rid of the large group traveling with them. Otherwise they really would come back with nothing.
It took Meintaro only a few minutes to find Yoritomo, and even less to determine he wasn’t going to be helpful in finding the ideal location for game. Yoritomo was a merchant, or at least a trader, which in Rokugan meant nearly the same thing, but was very different for the Mantis. But he had expected Yoritomo to, you know, advise. If a Tsuruchi wants to go hunting, he should be prepared to give the location of the best hunting grounds. It wasn’t that hard to figure out.
“To the southwest of town are some woods, you’ll probably find the most game there,” Yoritomo directed.
“Right, so you’ve been there before?” Meintaro baited, knowing the answer.
“No, but the Unicorn probably have.”
“I’ll go talk to them. Thank you.”
He had hoped to glean more knowledge off Yoritomo than he did. Dressed as he was, Meintaro wanted to show people he knew his way around, even if he didn’t. He was well aware no one was expecting anything from him, but he had sort of set himself up to be the big, badass hunter and was turning into a floundering poor excuse for a guide.
***
“Isn’t finding the prey half the fun of hunting?” Katsumi asked, annoyed at Asahina and Tsuruchi’s need to ask for directions.
She had done a fine job last time, finding a boar within a matter of minutes when she had taken Asahina into the woods. There wasn’t a need for someone to tell them the woods were the best place. And even less of a need for someone to tell them where easy killing was. She honestly believed half the fun was finding something by yourself, with just your eyes, ears, and instincts to guide you towards the unlucky soul who would be dying by your hands for the night. But despite her feelings, their group was tramping to the Unicorn section of town, led by Tsuruchi, who was painted up in the most ridiculous manner.
Katsumi rolled her eyes when he asked for directions to Utaku Yue, the head of the Unicorn in the area. She dragged her feet as they plodded into the barn. And she sighed as Tsuruchi began his unfathomable desire to seek direction when it came to hunting.
“Utaku Yue, I was wondering if you could direct us as to where we’d find a good game trail?” Tsuruchi greeted the Unicorn who was brushing her horse. She was a wide woman, broad in shoulder, and hips.
“It seems you have me at a disadvantage, Mantis, have we met before?” Utaku paused long enough to give a curious glance, and then continued brushing.
“Oh,” Tsuruchi said, as if he had honestly forgotten courtesy. “I’m Tsuruchi Meintaro.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Utaku smiled and reached for Tsuruchi. She looked like she was going to grab him, but stopped short and just left her hand there, waiting. For what, Katsumi wasn’t certain but Tsuruchi obviously wasn’t following through with whatever it was.
Asahina bowed, “Asahina Kyuzo.”
Utaku also extended her arm to Asahina, who also didn’t respond. This was curious. Katsumi decided she wanted to be part of this strange custom and held out her hand, “Daigotsu,” she said.
Utaku gripped Katsumi’s hand. They were now holding hands. It was so unique. Then Utaku shook her arm firmly in a small up and down motion. A smile spread over Katsumi’s face. It was probably the most interesting thing she had ever experienced in Rokugan. People seemed to have an aversion to Katsumi touching them, often she would forget how uncomfortable it made people, but here there was not only a Unicorn, but also the leader of the Unicorn in the area, gripping and shaking her hand. It was kind of welcoming. It made her feel like she belonged.
“A pleasure to meet you all.” Utaku offered her hand to Shiba, who politely shook her head and sunk behind Asahina.
“Now that that is out of the way,” Tsuruchi expressed in a disdain manner, “I was wondering if you could tell us where the game trails are.”
“I can do more than tell you, I can give you a map.” Utaku pulled out a rolled piece of parchment and a chunk of charcoal. Quickly she drew a few items, then rolled it up and handed it to Tsuruchi, who gingerly accepted it. He seemed none-to-pleased to be touching what Katsumi was sure was the hide of an animal. She smirked under her mask and reached a hand out, offering to take it.
“Tsuruchi-san, you want me to hold that, right?”
“Very much.” He couldn’t get rid of it quick enough. Katsumi held her breath; it was all she could do from letting loose a laugh especially after Tsuruchi proceeded to wipe his hands off on his painted chest and arms, as if he was cleaning them by muddying them with paint.
“Is that all you needed, Lord Asahina?”
“Yeah, that should be good. Thank you,” Asahina was watching Tsuruchi smear his makeup as well.
“Not a problem. Let us know if you find anything good. Game has been a little scarce the last couple of days, but that’s still the best place to go.”
“That’s why we came to you,” Asahina nodded as they turned to leave.
“Now we’re going hunting?” Katsumi asked exasperated with the long line of not-hunting errands they had run before they did what they set out to do. She hadn’t agreed to come along so she could converse with others, or watch Meintaro converse with others. At least he wasn’t so long winded as his brother was. Nevertheless, this whole morning had been highly irritating when it came to saying one thing and doing something completely opposite.
“Yeah,” Tsuruchi affirmed.
Good, Katsumi thought. It was about time they set out to do some killing, and maybe eating. She looked over her shoulder at her Shiba yojimbo, who had continued to follow her every move from sunup to sundown. With a flit of her hand, Katsumi waved the girl away, the yojimbo taking note and quickly falling behind.
“I feel like maybe these yojimbo are unnecessary,” Tsuruchi commented, giving a knowing glance to Asahina. “You’re dismissed,” he called over his shoulder. Tsuruchi’s yojimbo also fell behind.
“Well, the Soshis suggest we bring someone to watch our back,” Asahina protested. It was kind of odd behavior, he sounded like the Soshis were telling him what to do, and wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?
“Did she think you were going alone?” Tsuruchi queried.
“Maybe.” Asahina shrugged.
“Well, you have three others with you. That should be plenty. We don’t want to make too much noise or we’ll turn up with nothing.” Tsuruchi did know a little something about hunting after all. Katsumi couldn’t have made a better argument if she tried. They already had her, Shiba, Tsuruchi, and Asahina. And from what she knew of Asahina, he was going to make enough noise they didn’t need three yojimbo stomping around in the woods with him.
“Alright,” Asahina agreed dismissing the last of the noisy bodyguards and they headed into the forest, the mid-morning sun quickly fading from view behind the thick copse of trees.
She had done a fine job last time, finding a boar within a matter of minutes when she had taken Asahina into the woods. There wasn’t a need for someone to tell them the woods were the best place. And even less of a need for someone to tell them where easy killing was. She honestly believed half the fun was finding something by yourself, with just your eyes, ears, and instincts to guide you towards the unlucky soul who would be dying by your hands for the night. But despite her feelings, their group was tramping to the Unicorn section of town, led by Tsuruchi, who was painted up in the most ridiculous manner.
Katsumi rolled her eyes when he asked for directions to Utaku Yue, the head of the Unicorn in the area. She dragged her feet as they plodded into the barn. And she sighed as Tsuruchi began his unfathomable desire to seek direction when it came to hunting.
“Utaku Yue, I was wondering if you could direct us as to where we’d find a good game trail?” Tsuruchi greeted the Unicorn who was brushing her horse. She was a wide woman, broad in shoulder, and hips.
“It seems you have me at a disadvantage, Mantis, have we met before?” Utaku paused long enough to give a curious glance, and then continued brushing.
“Oh,” Tsuruchi said, as if he had honestly forgotten courtesy. “I’m Tsuruchi Meintaro.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Utaku smiled and reached for Tsuruchi. She looked like she was going to grab him, but stopped short and just left her hand there, waiting. For what, Katsumi wasn’t certain but Tsuruchi obviously wasn’t following through with whatever it was.
Asahina bowed, “Asahina Kyuzo.”
Utaku also extended her arm to Asahina, who also didn’t respond. This was curious. Katsumi decided she wanted to be part of this strange custom and held out her hand, “Daigotsu,” she said.
Utaku gripped Katsumi’s hand. They were now holding hands. It was so unique. Then Utaku shook her arm firmly in a small up and down motion. A smile spread over Katsumi’s face. It was probably the most interesting thing she had ever experienced in Rokugan. People seemed to have an aversion to Katsumi touching them, often she would forget how uncomfortable it made people, but here there was not only a Unicorn, but also the leader of the Unicorn in the area, gripping and shaking her hand. It was kind of welcoming. It made her feel like she belonged.
“A pleasure to meet you all.” Utaku offered her hand to Shiba, who politely shook her head and sunk behind Asahina.
“Now that that is out of the way,” Tsuruchi expressed in a disdain manner, “I was wondering if you could tell us where the game trails are.”
“I can do more than tell you, I can give you a map.” Utaku pulled out a rolled piece of parchment and a chunk of charcoal. Quickly she drew a few items, then rolled it up and handed it to Tsuruchi, who gingerly accepted it. He seemed none-to-pleased to be touching what Katsumi was sure was the hide of an animal. She smirked under her mask and reached a hand out, offering to take it.
“Tsuruchi-san, you want me to hold that, right?”
“Very much.” He couldn’t get rid of it quick enough. Katsumi held her breath; it was all she could do from letting loose a laugh especially after Tsuruchi proceeded to wipe his hands off on his painted chest and arms, as if he was cleaning them by muddying them with paint.
“Is that all you needed, Lord Asahina?”
“Yeah, that should be good. Thank you,” Asahina was watching Tsuruchi smear his makeup as well.
“Not a problem. Let us know if you find anything good. Game has been a little scarce the last couple of days, but that’s still the best place to go.”
“That’s why we came to you,” Asahina nodded as they turned to leave.
“Now we’re going hunting?” Katsumi asked exasperated with the long line of not-hunting errands they had run before they did what they set out to do. She hadn’t agreed to come along so she could converse with others, or watch Meintaro converse with others. At least he wasn’t so long winded as his brother was. Nevertheless, this whole morning had been highly irritating when it came to saying one thing and doing something completely opposite.
“Yeah,” Tsuruchi affirmed.
Good, Katsumi thought. It was about time they set out to do some killing, and maybe eating. She looked over her shoulder at her Shiba yojimbo, who had continued to follow her every move from sunup to sundown. With a flit of her hand, Katsumi waved the girl away, the yojimbo taking note and quickly falling behind.
“I feel like maybe these yojimbo are unnecessary,” Tsuruchi commented, giving a knowing glance to Asahina. “You’re dismissed,” he called over his shoulder. Tsuruchi’s yojimbo also fell behind.
“Well, the Soshis suggest we bring someone to watch our back,” Asahina protested. It was kind of odd behavior, he sounded like the Soshis were telling him what to do, and wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?
“Did she think you were going alone?” Tsuruchi queried.
“Maybe.” Asahina shrugged.
“Well, you have three others with you. That should be plenty. We don’t want to make too much noise or we’ll turn up with nothing.” Tsuruchi did know a little something about hunting after all. Katsumi couldn’t have made a better argument if she tried. They already had her, Shiba, Tsuruchi, and Asahina. And from what she knew of Asahina, he was going to make enough noise they didn’t need three yojimbo stomping around in the woods with him.
“Alright,” Asahina agreed dismissing the last of the noisy bodyguards and they headed into the forest, the mid-morning sun quickly fading from view behind the thick copse of trees.
***
Tsuruchi was mystifying. He ducked below branches, crawled along the ground, Kyuzo was even certain he had tasted the dirt once or twice. The way he ‘hunted’ was foreign and nothing at all like what he had seen Daigotsu do. In fact, if she was hunting right now, compared to Tsuruchi she looked to be taking a stroll through the forest. Tsuruchi was simply so… complex in his execution. They had been walking for some time, Tsuruchi like a crazed hound sniffing out his prey. Daigotsu closely examining a tree, a rock, or something inconspicuous on the ground only every now and then, pointing a direction while whispering with Tsuruchi, who would take off on his exuberant hunting style.
Tsuruchi paused, holding up a hand to halt everyone. Kyuzo knew what this sign meant by now, Tsuruchi had done it only half a dozen times or so since they started this morning. Tsuruchi crouched on the ground, looking at something, something Kyuzo could actually see. It was some sort of upturned earth, like something had been dragged through here recently. Kyuzo quickly assessed his surroundings, wondering if someone else was hunting out here as well, and if they were still nearby. He noticed neither Daigotsu nor Tsuruchi looking around and took a step closer to the marks on the ground.
“It’s obviously very large,” Daigotsu pointed out.
“Snake,” Tsuruchi said before Daigotsu could finish wherever her thought was going.
A snake? Snakes were little things that hid in piles of dead leaves and grass, not whatever this track was. Maybe Tsuruchi had spent too much time in lands outside of Rokugan.
“Guys, this is going to be very tasty. Here we have a large snake, and I’ve only come across a few of these fellas. It’s bound to provide that challenge we were looking for.”
Kyuzo stared at Tsuruchi. He was serious.
“Erm…” Shiba gulped as she readied her spear. Kyuzo was starting to feel the same way. He strung his bow and decided to keep it in his hand, just in case.
“Shiba, don’t worry, it’s just a big snake,” Tsuruchi assured her, though it wasn’t very assuring.
Tsuruchi seemed sure of himself, but Kyuzo didn’t have as much faith as the Mantis seemed to put in themselves. He studied Daigotsu, who casually began following the trail again. She lagged behind Tsuruchi and his bizarre behavior, with Kyuzo third, and Shiba taking the rear. As they progressed down the obvious path, one Kyuzo could even follow, the ground began changing color. Subtle at first, just a few spots here and there, but quickly the muddy areas grew to be small puddles of something green and liquid. The way it sat on top of the dirt, only soaking in if one stepped on it, meant it was thick as well as wet. Kyuzo had seen something like this before, heard it somewhere, but it was eluding him. He began pouring over all the stories he could recall, something about green liquid and it came to him. Blood.
Kyuzo stopped in his tracks.
“Yeah, so I’m thinking that-” He began cut off by Shiba who must have come to the same conclusion at the same time.
“So…” Shiba also began, quickly leading into her muttered apologies, “Oh, sorry.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Kyuzo looked to Shiba.
“I think so…” She said, in her always-unsure way.
Kyuzo turned back to Tsuruchi and Daigotsu, Daigotsu was nodding as if she also understood the situation. “Have you ever heard of the Naga?”
“What?” Tsuruchi stood, confusion marking his face.
“I’ve never met one myself, but I’ve heard the legends. Didn’t you hear those stories as a kid? Giant snake people?”
“What makes you think that?” Tsuruchi split his question between Kyuzo and the tracks on the ground.
“The green blood,” Kyuzo pointed down to a large puddle of it. Larger than one should be. Granted, he had no idea how big these things actually were, but if it were human, it would have died by now from the loss of blood they had already found.
“Oh, that would do it,” Tsuruchi nodded, seemingly satisfied with Kyuzo’s conclusion.
“We appear to be tracking a Naga right now,” Shiba added.
“Oh,” was all that came from Tsuruchi. For their guide, and a recommended hunter by the Soshis, he seemed to be the last one on the uptake about what they were even following.
“The more intelligent the creature, the more fun hunting it is,” Daigotsu said chillingly. She wasn’t joking, at least it didn’t appear that she was, her voice was cold and steady and her body language spoke volumes about her intentions. Kyuzo brushed off her comment, hoping to pretend like he didn’t hear it.
“Well, this one is wounded. It won’t be much of a challenge,” Tsuruchi said pointedly.
That was a good point. Granted, Kyuzo was already aware the Naga was wounded, it was the reason he was able to draw the conclusion that instead of a snake they were following a Naga. However, Naga were giant, intelligent creatures. They were part human, part snake. They lived in communities so they were never alone. Yet, here was irrefutable evidence that something had injured what Kyuzo believed to be much more hardy and powerful than him. Moreover, if that something could do that to a Naga, then what could it do to their little hunting party?
“So,” Kyuzo decided to give voice to his concerns, “What would wound a Naga?”
The group traded concerned looks between each other. It seemed most of them were also drawing the same conclusion, that whatever it was must be big, must be powerful, and they should be wary if they were to proceed.
“I don’t know,” Tsuruchi followed the trail with his eyes, looking past the trees and bushes, well beyond what Kyuzo was certain he could actually see, “But we should find it to help.”
Now he was talking. “Alright, let’s find it.”
Tsuruchi paused, holding up a hand to halt everyone. Kyuzo knew what this sign meant by now, Tsuruchi had done it only half a dozen times or so since they started this morning. Tsuruchi crouched on the ground, looking at something, something Kyuzo could actually see. It was some sort of upturned earth, like something had been dragged through here recently. Kyuzo quickly assessed his surroundings, wondering if someone else was hunting out here as well, and if they were still nearby. He noticed neither Daigotsu nor Tsuruchi looking around and took a step closer to the marks on the ground.
“It’s obviously very large,” Daigotsu pointed out.
“Snake,” Tsuruchi said before Daigotsu could finish wherever her thought was going.
A snake? Snakes were little things that hid in piles of dead leaves and grass, not whatever this track was. Maybe Tsuruchi had spent too much time in lands outside of Rokugan.
“Guys, this is going to be very tasty. Here we have a large snake, and I’ve only come across a few of these fellas. It’s bound to provide that challenge we were looking for.”
Kyuzo stared at Tsuruchi. He was serious.
“Erm…” Shiba gulped as she readied her spear. Kyuzo was starting to feel the same way. He strung his bow and decided to keep it in his hand, just in case.
“Shiba, don’t worry, it’s just a big snake,” Tsuruchi assured her, though it wasn’t very assuring.
Tsuruchi seemed sure of himself, but Kyuzo didn’t have as much faith as the Mantis seemed to put in themselves. He studied Daigotsu, who casually began following the trail again. She lagged behind Tsuruchi and his bizarre behavior, with Kyuzo third, and Shiba taking the rear. As they progressed down the obvious path, one Kyuzo could even follow, the ground began changing color. Subtle at first, just a few spots here and there, but quickly the muddy areas grew to be small puddles of something green and liquid. The way it sat on top of the dirt, only soaking in if one stepped on it, meant it was thick as well as wet. Kyuzo had seen something like this before, heard it somewhere, but it was eluding him. He began pouring over all the stories he could recall, something about green liquid and it came to him. Blood.
Kyuzo stopped in his tracks.
“Yeah, so I’m thinking that-” He began cut off by Shiba who must have come to the same conclusion at the same time.
“So…” Shiba also began, quickly leading into her muttered apologies, “Oh, sorry.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Kyuzo looked to Shiba.
“I think so…” She said, in her always-unsure way.
Kyuzo turned back to Tsuruchi and Daigotsu, Daigotsu was nodding as if she also understood the situation. “Have you ever heard of the Naga?”
“What?” Tsuruchi stood, confusion marking his face.
“I’ve never met one myself, but I’ve heard the legends. Didn’t you hear those stories as a kid? Giant snake people?”
“What makes you think that?” Tsuruchi split his question between Kyuzo and the tracks on the ground.
“The green blood,” Kyuzo pointed down to a large puddle of it. Larger than one should be. Granted, he had no idea how big these things actually were, but if it were human, it would have died by now from the loss of blood they had already found.
“Oh, that would do it,” Tsuruchi nodded, seemingly satisfied with Kyuzo’s conclusion.
“We appear to be tracking a Naga right now,” Shiba added.
“Oh,” was all that came from Tsuruchi. For their guide, and a recommended hunter by the Soshis, he seemed to be the last one on the uptake about what they were even following.
“The more intelligent the creature, the more fun hunting it is,” Daigotsu said chillingly. She wasn’t joking, at least it didn’t appear that she was, her voice was cold and steady and her body language spoke volumes about her intentions. Kyuzo brushed off her comment, hoping to pretend like he didn’t hear it.
“Well, this one is wounded. It won’t be much of a challenge,” Tsuruchi said pointedly.
That was a good point. Granted, Kyuzo was already aware the Naga was wounded, it was the reason he was able to draw the conclusion that instead of a snake they were following a Naga. However, Naga were giant, intelligent creatures. They were part human, part snake. They lived in communities so they were never alone. Yet, here was irrefutable evidence that something had injured what Kyuzo believed to be much more hardy and powerful than him. Moreover, if that something could do that to a Naga, then what could it do to their little hunting party?
“So,” Kyuzo decided to give voice to his concerns, “What would wound a Naga?”
The group traded concerned looks between each other. It seemed most of them were also drawing the same conclusion, that whatever it was must be big, must be powerful, and they should be wary if they were to proceed.
“I don’t know,” Tsuruchi followed the trail with his eyes, looking past the trees and bushes, well beyond what Kyuzo was certain he could actually see, “But we should find it to help.”
Now he was talking. “Alright, let’s find it.”
No comments:
Post a Comment