Search Posts
Listening to the Mirumoto come to the defense of his clansmen startled the Crane. Her mind had been made up already, the Tonbo was guilty and there was nothing to say about his involvement with the Bloodspeakers. She nodded in agreement to the Ikoma just as her voice reverberated through the air. "At the very least Tonbo Ukiya failed in his duty toward the Empire, we all heard Kuni-san give the warning about Blood-" The Crane stumbles over the word a few times before giving up. "The cultists yet he continued to harass Asako-san. I have little doubt that he arranged for one of the cultists to attack Hida-san as well, if he didn't personally lead that assault. Were it not for the great strength of our Crab companion no doubt Asako Ryoko would not be with us now. Every one of us did our part in our duties, why did Tonbo Ukiya fail in his? He allied with our enemies for a slim chance to steal his obsession, luckily he failed in that task as well."
Megumi listened to Ume's recounting of the events and added in a few choice bits in an attempt to damn the captive Dragon further. Even as she did so the samurai-ko's eyes were leveled on Tonbo Ukiya with a poorly hidden glare of contempt. "Do not forget," She hastens to add. "That he was pursuant of Asako-san before this incident as well. There's no telling what levels that man might have stooped to to get his way."
A light smile graces the young Crane's face as the two groups meet up again and continue toward their destination. She nods to the Kuni and Matsu then moves to talk quietly with them. "Did the two of you find anything of interest?" Her voice is warm with a tinge of tenseness in it. "Hopefully there isn't any more bad news."
Spoiler: Though she maintained the quiet air of the journey it was not hard to notice that moving again had cheered Megumi up, if only marginally. She looked around for the Kuni and Utaku companions she had travelled this far with bearing no sign of the worry from just a few minutes ago. Instead the samurai-ko appeared to have a sense of wonder about her peering at her surroundings with a renewed vigour.
Spoiler: The Kakita waits for the larger Crab to turn and begin walking before following on her own. After a few steps she hustles to catch up and walk beside the Hida.
"Thank you Hida-san," She begins peering toward the Crab's face. "This has been my first experience with, well, things of such a vile nature. The mysterious disappearance of my cousin... Or whatever he was- has taxed me. The walls of the fortress and a comfortable bed will help me relax, so you have my appreciation for agreeing to continue."
Spoiler: A surprisingly quiet Megumi watches patiently for the arrival of her Kuni and Matsu companions. Taking a few steps away from the rest of the group the Crane gazes into nothing for a time. After a few minutes pass she returns to the larger group.
"Perhaps Matsu and Kuni-san ran into trouble? Could we retrace your steps for a short while Hida-san? Perhaps we will encounter them part way. I do not like this waiting out in the open."
Spoiler: "It would appear so Hida-san," The Crane's voice showing obvious signs of restraint with a hint of trepidation. "If I may?"
She holds out her hand but keeps her eyes shut for a long while. The small swatch lacked in weight but still the samurai-ko's arms seemed barely able to handle it. Slowly Megumi opened her eyes to inspect the cloth taking some time to take in all the details.
Spoiler: With a look of puzzlement that only grows as the Unicorn shares her findings Megumi seems lost for words. After a few moments it seems as if she wants to add something but her face falls before it can come out. Finally the Crane manages to let a few words escape quietly.
"His, clothes? What... Why would Kakita-san leave them?"
Spoiler: The noise breaks Megumi's silent reverie and she begins seeking out the source of the hooves. Quietly the Crane picks up her pace in order to meet the horsemen earlier. After a brief pause to she turns to her Dragon companion. "Do you suppose Utaku-san and the others could have found Kakita-san so soon?"
Spoiler: "I wonder where it could have gone," Megumi begins quietly. "But I think we will have to leave it for now and focus on the task at hand; bringing this one-" She points out the fallen Tonbo. "Before the Magistrate. I hope there was nothing too critical in that report..."
The Crane's voice trails off toward the end as she motions to the others to follow her off the bridge.
Spoiler: "Do you suppose?" Megumi begins quietly. "That it could be a trick? Some foul blasphemy these-" A sweeping motion of the Crane's arm motions to the Bloodspeakers. "Things could have done?"
Throughout Megumi looks more toward Ryoko than Daichi, knowing the Inquisitor's personal knowledge on the cultists to be far superior.
Spoiler: "I don't recall seeing it go missing, do you suppose the Tonbo could have taken it?" Megumi turns to the fallen Dragon. "We will find the report Asako-san."
Megumi takes some time to look over the edge of the bridge, hoping to see something despite the unlikely chances.
Spoiler: Megumi's face become downcast at the mention of the other Kakita.
"That may be Mirumoto-san but I believe Matsu-san is capable of restraint. Besides, I do not think-" The Crane pauses for a long moment, taking a deep breath. "That is I doubt that Kakita-san would, err. I hope not anyway." After some uneasy shifting Megumi turns to Ryoko. "Asako-san what is it you are searching for? I am fairly certain whatever it is will not be found on the bridge."
Spoiler:
With a sigh the Crane nods to Ryoko slightly, her voice coming out quietly.
"If that is what you wish Asako-san, I am willing to leave the decision to you." She turns to watch Daichi as he reveals his willingness to take the Tonbo to the magistrate. "I trust that trip won't delay you too much Mirumoto-san? Should you require company I might be able to join you." Spoiler:
"Do as Matsu-san instructs." Megumi says her attention drifting toward the Inquisitor. After a few moments the Crane's eyes move in the same direction as Ryoko's.
Megumi's eyes darted between each of her companions watching the chase unfold. Wincing every time the Bloodspeakers were brought up the young Crane seemed unable or unwilling to argue any connections Umasu may have with them. While everyone else was rushing to move on Kakita Megumi remained stoic in her place. When she did move it was only to motion to the ashigaru. "This man," She points to the fallen Tonbo with a look of disgust. "Allied himself with Bloodspeakers-" Megumi's voice falters for a moment before continuing. "In a vain attempt to steal away Asako-san. He deserves nothing more than the swift death of an honourless dog."
Anger clouding her every move caused Megumi much consternation, she looked about in futility but was again quick to give up. Her gaze levelled onto the approaching Lion wondering what words of advice could be given in this frustrating situation. When nothing more than a stern look passed between them it took the Crane by surprise but the nobleness of the Lion was enough. Megumi closed her eyes and reached into her kimono taking deep breaths. After a moment she looked knowingly at Ume a thankful look in the Crane's eyes. "Can you follow them Utaku-san?" She looks to the Unicorn noticing the Battle Maiden already proceeding. "Now we can get to the bottom of this."
With hands clenched so tightly they match the colour of her hair, Megumi moves to investigate the scene. Choosing to ignore the wise advice of the Lion she stumbles around still fuming at the idea of a Crane allying with Bloodspeakers. With no evidence presenting itself immediately she gives up with great haste. "There is nothing here!" She snaps, frustration etched in her face and terse mannerisms.
A warm smile appears on Megumi's face once Nagatsuna shares that he is all right, aside from weariness. She seems happy in that knowledge but the feeling is very fleeting once the possibility that Umasu was in league with the Bloodspeakers. The very idea was enough to cause her cheeks to grow red in anger. "He must have been abducted! A Crane would never ally themselves with such vile things. The Crane are not in the habit of joining forces with enemies of the Empire, unlike some Clans. Our party owe it to Kakita-san to search for him in a rescue attempt, he was our guest after all." Megumi's indignance is palpable and grows with each passing word, an indignance she seems all too willing to share through her rudeness.
At Heihachi's warning the young Crane samurai-ko instinctively steps back from the large Crab, her demeanour becoming a little sheepish. When she responds to the Kuni her voice lacks in the smoothness and grace customary to Megumi, replaced instead by uncertainty. "Err, yes of course Kuni-san. I am, uh, sorry." Finally realising Umasu has disappeared she begins to search around the area. "Did anyone see where Kakita Umasu-san went?" Her tone has become considerably more focused and determined during her search for the other Kakita.
Megumi's eyes dart around but seeing the large Crab almost stumbling her face shows some concern. "Hida-san," She calls out. "Were you injured?" With a few hurried steps Megumi makes her way to Nagatsuna, her features the image of a worried friend.
"Is that all of them?" Megumi's question is distracted as she frantically glances around to make sure there are no more enemies. The Crane also takes the time to measure the condition of her allies hoping no one appears too injured.
Spoiler:
Spoiler: In the obscuring mists Megumi could barely make out her companions and navigating it was no small task. Every step had to be carefully measured, she might get lost and possibly fall off the bridge otherwise. But once she heard the scream coming from the base of the bridge the Crane threw caution to the wind and hastened her footsteps.
"He has fallen on to the bridge Kuni-san-" Begins the Crane, while continuing there is a tinge of worry in her voice. "But your cousin has sensed others and we are not safe yet." Spoiler:
The Crane begins searching with her eyes while sheathing her sword. With the fog still choking any vision she begins to back off slightly.
"We must retreat from this fog, back to where we came from. Hida-san are you all right to walk?" She asks the towering Crab seeing the strain in his body. After waiting for a response Megumi begins heading toward the foot of the bridge. One hand reaches for the unloved yumi on her back.
Megumi's voice rings out through the fog once again. "There is no love here, only a madman trying to steal away an innocent samurai! Utaku-san do your best to strike him down!"
"Tonbo you will unhand Asako-san now!" Megumi cries out with fury etched in her words. "Unless you desire a taste of cold steel." Spoiler: While she speaks the Crane enters her battle stance, one hand poised over her sword as though offering a gift.
Spoiler: Megumi kneels over Ryoko for a short while trying to discern the condition of the Phoenix. The Crane's eyes scan but finding little she glances at Yukari.
"Nothing that I can tell, although this mist makes it hard to ascertain." She sighs deeply and stands once again. "I hope we don't fall off the edge... Hida-san," She hastily blurts out after the Crab incredulously. "Is that proper!? I mean, well... I suppose the situation calls for it." Another deep, resigned sigh escapes the samurai-ko as she follows closely behind the Crab and Unicorn.
Spoiler: "That is certainly prudent Hida-san however-" Megumi's voice trails off as the Phoenix falls to the ground. Concern crosses her face and she moves next to the fallen Ryoko to gauge the condition of the Inquisitor.
Spoiler: Megumi looks around quickly becoming increasingly frustrated by the fog. She decides it's best to stick with companions and moves to join the Phoenix and Unicorn being careful to announce her presence as makes her way through the mist.
Spoiler: The Kakita heeds the words of Nagatsuna and follows closely behind, her hand floating just above her katana. With eyes carefully measuring each step the samurai-ko cautiously proceeds.
Spoiler:
Megumi takes a more defensive posture and glances around to try to make some sense of the scene. Her frustration grows as she sees little more than the large Hida close by. The Crane's voice calls out to the now-hidden members of her group. "Has anyone been injured? Did you see the source of this fog?"
A full smile stretches across the young Crane's face and her voice comes out playfully. "Perhaps you should ask our Dragon companion, I am sure Hitomi-san would be happy to discuss the river with you." Suddenly her tone changes to something more serious. "But as for travel, I have seen much of the northern Crane lands. One of my journeys, the other major one I hinted at, brought me all the way to Phoenix lands. On those roads I witnessed much of my homeland's beauty. More recently I spent some time among the Daidoji patrolling the roads but that is the large extent of my travels. As I said, Saburashi-sensei is very demanding and rightfully so. And you may not know it but life as a courtier is difficult as well." Megumi turns to look upon the river again taking a long time to drink in the whole scene. When she returns to the trail on the road her face is still one of confusion. "I still can not see home, the river here seems like something different from the ones at home."
"I can't say that I have Hida-san. Most of my life has been spent in Crane lands in class or court. Saburashi-sensei, as can be imagined, is a demanding teacher after all. My travels have been light for the most part with few exceptions, this being one of two." After she finishes the Crane glances around to take in the river once again. "How does it speak to you of home? I only see a river and it reminds me of nothing from my own home. Admittedly there is a beauty to it but there is also something lacking. I feel something of the outsider, I think it is that which mars the beauty for me."
Megumi is appreciative that Ryoko is more open with the group. The Crane will spend the remainder of the evening chatting with her or Kakita Umasu before retiring early. During the next day's travel the young samurai-ko chooses to spend most of her time with Umasu. She discusses things of minor interest for the most part. When the group approach the river Megumi doesn't take much note of the surroundings. Seeing Nagatsuna seemingly staring off into the distance worries the young Crane and she hurries to walk next to him. "Was something the matter Hida-san? You seemed lost for just a short moment back there."
Megumi smiles toward the Matsu then offers more tea to everyone at the table. "I am not certain I agree Matsu-san. Love isn't such a danger to duty, many of our ancestors found love and no doubt they would argue it granted them strength to do their duty. What do you think Kakita-san?" The samurai-ko's eyes travel back to the other Crane at the table.
It takes Megumi some time to speak again once the Tonbo has left. She sips some tea eagerly wishing to wash away the bitterness of the confrontation symbolically with it. "You need not worry about his behaviour Mirumoto-san. I don't think it is an ill reflection upon you or your clan. I am just sorry we couldn't get rid of him earlier for you Asako-san."
"Please," Megumi begins in a matter-of-fact tone. "Your offer has been refused. Do not embarrass yourself or insult Asako-san any longer." The Crane's eyes watch the Tonbo curiously hoping to see him turn to leave. |