Megumi bows politely to Saburashi her face the image of appreciation. When she turns back to Keitomaru she is surprised at his face.
"What is wrong Keitomaru-san, you seem as though you are very ill. Please let's settle down somewhere, I'll try to get something to drink."
"I..." Keitomaru trails blankly after you, sitting down at the table you indicate without ever clearly indicating that he knows it's there. "I made a fool of myself today... And tomorrow will be worse..."
Heihachi will mingle with the other crab until it's time to meet with the emperor.
Looking across the room to where Tsutakito and Utsuro are conversing, Yukari makes her way over to the two Phoenix. As she approaches, the Unicorn bows to them both. "Utsuro-san, Isawa-san, please forgive me for interrupting your conversation." Straightening up, Yukari looks to Tsutakito. "Isawa-san, would it be possible for you to accompany Bayushi-san and myself? It concerns the matter from earlier." The battle maiden then turns to the Shiba apologetically. "I am very sorry for disrupting your conversations twice, Utsuro-san. If it were not so important, I would not otherwise - I will explain to you when I can." She bows again to Utsuro.
Tsutakito blinks, clearly surprised. "If it is important...?" he trails off, seeming at first to want to stay seated, but when Yukari indicates that yes, it really is, he rises, bowing to Utsuro as he does. "Please, forgive me, Shiba-san. I hope to return shortly so we can continue our conversation." He allows himself to be lead off, and Utsuro hears him say, in a plaintive voice, "What's this all about?"
Ume walked through the contestants and courtiers, and decided she had been a little tardy. So she moved to her clansmen, demonstrating a little solidarity.
Nimoro bows as Ume approaches, and even Hoketsaku, speaking with Toturi Kobashi, gives her a slight nod. "Matsu-san," Nimoro smiles at her, "it is good to see you tonight at last! You have brought our Clan much honor with your performance so far!"
"I am very sorry for disrupting your conversations twice, Utsuro-san.
"Please, forgive me, Shiba-san. I hope to return shortly so we can continue our conversation."
"Of course, Yukari-san, Tsutakito-san. I am sure I will be able to find *someone* to speak with." After bowing to the other three young samurai, Utsuro turns and begins to wander through the crowd once more.
Looking across the room to where Tsutakito and Utsuro are conversing, Yukari makes her way over to the two Phoenix. As she approaches, the Unicorn bows to them both. "Utsuro-san, Isawa-san, please forgive me for interrupting your conversation." Straightening up, Yukari looks to Tsutakito. "Isawa-san, would it be possible for you to accompany Bayushi-san and myself? It concerns the matter from earlier." The battle maiden then turns to the Shiba apologetically. "I am very sorry for disrupting your conversations twice, Utsuro-san. If it were not so important, I would not otherwise - I will explain to you when I can." She bows again to Utsuro.Tsutakito blinks, clearly surprised. "If it is important...?" he trails off, seeming at first to want to stay seated, but when Yukari indicates that yes, it really is, he rises, bowing to Utsuro as he does. "Please, forgive me, Shiba-san. I hope to return shortly so we can continue our conversation." He allows himself to be lead off, and Utsuro hears him say, in a plaintive voice, "What's this all about?"
Yukari thanks both Tsutakito and Utsuro, bowing deeply to Utsuro before she turns to leave with Tsutakito and Tenmaku.
Shisumo:
Once the three of them are far enough off to the side that the other guests will not overhear, Yukari will turn to Tsutakito and speak to him quietly.
"Forgive me for interrupting your conversation, Isawa-san. Bayushi-san was telling me that he also witnessed what happened in the woods this afternoon. With his testimony, that makes three of us, which will give the Crane the means to act before any more events take place."
Will you accompany us to see Kakita Niriku again?"
"You do not know that yet." Megumi says to the Doji plainly pouring some tea for him. "Don't worry about what did happen, just worry about what can happen. Keitomaru-san I am certain you can impress your father tomorrow during the iaijutsu match. Then he will have to see your path is a good one for you."
She lifts her cup to sip some tea then absently begins fiddling with her kimono. Megumi's eyes wander around the room again to see who has paired off together in conversation.
Ume walked through the contestants and courtiers, and decided she had been a little tardy. So she moved to her clansmen, demonstrating a little solidarity.Nimoro bows as Ume approaches, and even Hoketsaku, speaking with Toturi Kobashi, gives her a slight nod. "Matsu-san," Nimoro smiles at her, "it is good to see you tonight at last! You have brought our Clan much honor with your performance so far!"
Ume received the congratulations graciously, and with a swellng feeling inside her chest. She was leading the tournament after day two, a fact nearly lost among the other honors of the day. "All due to the benefits I received, naturally. Without the aid of the ancestors and my teachers' patience, I would not have done any of it." she modestly replied, as she joined the group Lions.
The court scene is abruptly disrupted by the entrance of several Crane guardsmen, who appear from the doorways and push through the crowd, apparently under the direction of Kakita Saburashi and his hatamoto, Kakita Niriku. The soldiers approach and surround Matsu Chigitsu, who stares in surprise - followed by red-faced fury as he sees Utaku Yukari, Isawa Tsutakito, and Bayushi Tenmaku trailing after the Crane samurai, all of whom stare back at him with stony expressions. Matsu Hoketsaku immediately pushes through the crowd as well, stepping between the guards and Chigitsu, turning to face Saburashi with an expression of outrage.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demands in a thundering voice. "How dares the Crane treat one of my samurai in this unseemly fashion, violating all bounds of courtesy?"
Saburashi snaps back, "The laws of the Empire give me the right, Matsu-sama." He gestures behind him at Yukari, Tsutakito, and Tenmaku. "The testimony of three accusers, who say they saw Matsu Chigitsu threaten to murder Isawa Tsutakito in cold blood during the hunting contest this afternoon. Matsu Chigitsu is under arrest, Matsu-sama, and will be questioned; I have no doubt that we will shortly have a confession not only that Chigitsu tried to assassinate a fellow competitor in this tournament, but that he is also the one responsible for the sabotage of the weapons contest this morning."
Hoketsaku glares back at Saburashi, then at the three young samurai who stand to face him. Tsutakito shrinks back slightly, against that furious expression, but Tenmaku merely smiles - very slight, but very cold. Though it would seem Hoketsaku would like to say more, he does not, and his awareness of the Crane's legal rights in this matter is written clearly on his face. He steps aside, gesturing sharply, and the Crane guards seize Chigitsu and lead him away. "Hold him until I can be present for his questioning," Hoketsaku says, and Saburashi nods. The Lion Champion then storms back to his Clanmates whether they gather at one end of the room.
The court erupts in a furious storm of whispers and gossip.
Nagatsuna slowly turns back toward the table as the scene comes to a close and speaks to his fellow Crab at the table in a off-hand non-chalant manner, "I would like to see the Crane try that with a Crab. Why does it not surprise me that they would have a tourney full of intrigue and deceit?"
Ume's face had turned to solid granite over these few moments, and she watched the proceedings with icy silence. If that was true, then her clansmen deserved any punishment he might receive - and being given the opportunity to redeem himself was a fortunate outcome for him. If it was some elaborate plot, then by all the ancestors, the Lion wouldn't stand for it. She was sure of that.
Nagatsuna slowly turns back toward the table as the scene comes to a close and speaks to his fellow Crab at the table in a off-hand non-chalant manner, "I would like to see the Crane try that with a Crab. Why does it not surprise me that they would have a tourney full of intrigue and deceit?"
"Of course there's intrigue here...I'm more comfortable when I know who my enemies are"
The court erupts in a furious storm of whispers and gossip.
Utsuro moves to where he is just within earshot of the Tamori.
Shisumo:
"Of course there's intrigue here...I'm more comfortable when I know who my enemies are"
Nagatsuna nods and looks thoughtful, "You don't think this had anything to do with what you felt earlier, do you?"
As Chigitsu gives Yukari a look of sheer fury, the battle maiden levelly matches his gaze. His actions had been nothing short of despicable, and she felt that this was what the Matsu deserved. However, when the Lion Champion turns his glare on her, nervousness quickly replaces her confidence. This was the Emerald Champion, afterall.. and she had to admit, she hadn't thought of how the Lion clan would take this. She attempts to hide her emotion as best she can with the whole room watching these events.
But then, something else seems to stir inside her. She had done nothing wrong, afterall, and she was certain the Crane's questioning would prove that. Armed with this new thought, she suppresses her worry with much more ease and watches silently as Chigitsu is escorted from the room.
"I sense something more...in that omen, but I haven't been able to piece it together."
The whole ordeal simply stuns Megumi and she can do nothing more but stare in awe as the whole confrontation unfolds. It takes another few minutes for her to turn back to Keitomaru and she merely nervously fiddles with her robes some more.
She says nothing to Keitomaru though it must be clear she wants to discuss this shocking turn of events.
Utsuro moves to where he is just within earshot of the Tamori.
Shisumo:
** spoiler omitted **
Ryuko stands, replying in a voice that is clearly meant to carry, "Speak to me like that again, Shiba, and prepare to meet your ancestors. Your Clan has insulted mine for centuries - if you think I will pass up an opportunity to cleanse even the smallest piece of Phoenix filth from the Empire, you are mistaken. I, however, will do so honorably, not the way that Matsu dog did it - no matter how understandable his motives might have been."
Ume's face had turned to solid granite over these few moments, and she watched the proceedings with icy silence. If that was true, then her clansmen deserved any punishment he might receive - and being given the opportunity to redeem himself was a fortunate outcome for him. If it was some elaborate plot, then by all the ancestors, the Lion wouldn't stand for it. She was sure of that.
Tenmaku watches Saburashi and the Crane guards go, then turns toward Ume, approaching her and bowing deeply. "Forgive my absence, Ume-san, and forgive my role in this unseemly event. I regret that my duty demanded such an unfortunate display."
The whole ordeal simply stuns Megumi and she can do nothing more but stare in awe as the whole confrontation unfolds. It takes another few minutes for her to turn back to Keitomaru and she merely nervously fiddles with her robes some more.
She says nothing to Keitomaru though it must be clear she wants to discuss this shocking turn of events.
Keitomaru stares after the retreating backs of the guardsmen and Chigitsu. "I guess I know now why they weren't helping me in the hunting contest," he says distractedly.
Ume, maybe still somewhat affected by her kinsmen's arrest, immediately focussed her gaze on Ryuko. She gritted her teeth at what she perceived to be an insult to the entire Matsu line, but decided that her champion had a much better mandate to deal with that than she, who hadn't been formally recognized as a vassal yet.
When Tenmaku returned, her mood hadn't improved one bit yet. "We are all duty-bound, Bayushi-san. We all do what honor and propriety demand." Very civilized words that really didn't fit with the emotions all too clearly visible in her stance and carefully-retained composure. "If what you claim is true, and not some elaborate scheme against my kinsmen, then there is nothing I could or should hold against you or anyone involved."
"Hm, that might explain a lot Keitomaru-san. There's not much you can do when your teammates are-" Megumi hesitates briefly taking a deep sigh while her face twists unpleasantly with the words. "Engaged in other business."
Megumi's normally sweet voice contorts wildly from her usual tone and becomes rather venomous with that last word. After taking a sip of tea it returns to normal. "No doubt Saburashi-sensei will get to the bottom of this quickly. When the Lion confesses to sullying this Championship with his deeds I hope he gets what he deserves."
Her eyes look around for Tsutakito and she watches him curiously for a few moments absently.
Ryuko stands, replying in a voice that is clearly meant to carry, "Speak to me like that again, Shiba, and prepare to meet your ancestors. Your Clan has insulted mine for centuries - if you think I will pass up an opportunity to cleanse even the smallest piece of Phoenix filth from the Empire, you are mistaken. I, however, will do so honorably, not the way that Matsu dog did it - no matter how understandable his motives might have been."
Utsuro bows his head sadly. "I had hoped to point out how acting upon blind hatred will bring you nothing but an unfortunate end. I chose my words poorly, I know, but my intent stands. The only thing that separates your hatred from the actions of the Matsu is the fact that you stand behind your honor. As you travel the path of Bushido, I can only hope that your shield of honor will become such that you no longer need it to protect you from the hatred you carry.
I cannot apologize for whatever insults your family perceives, but I can assure you that I have no malice or ill-will towards them, or you. If my very existence offends you, I can only ask that you take that up with the Kami who put me here."
When Tenmaku returned, her mood hadn't improved one bit yet. "We are all duty-bound, Bayushi-san. We all do what honor and propriety demand." Very civilized words that really didn't fit with the emotions all too clearly visible in her stance and carefully-retained composure. "If what you claim is true, and not some elaborate scheme against my kinsmen, then there is nothing I could or should hold against you or anyone involved."
Tenmaku studies Ume for several moments, clearly aware of the anger and sense of betrayal she is feeling, before replying. "We still have only known each other for a few days," he replies at last, "but if I can call upon that knowledge for anything, let me ask you to trust me. There is no plot here, no ruse. What I saw, I reported, and what I saw was an angry bushi threatening to kill an unarmed priest in the hidden shadows of a forest." He looks over toward Yukari, then shakes his head and looks back at Ume. "I also saw a brave samurai step forward and confront that angry bushi, forcing him to withdraw and then, later, to face justice. I wish, for the sake of our friendship, that it were not so, but that is what happened, and I had a duty to report it, as she did and as Tsutakito did."
"Hm, that might explain a lot Keitomaru-san. There's not much you can do when your teammates are-" Megumi hesitates briefly taking a deep sigh while her face twists unpleasantly with the words. "Engaged in other business."
Megumi's normally sweet voice contorts wildly from her usual tone and becomes rather venomous with that last word. After taking a sip of tea it returns to normal. "No doubt Saburashi-sensei will get to the bottom of this quickly. When the Lion confesses to sullying this Championship with his deeds I hope he gets what he deserves."
Her eyes look around for Tsutakito and she watches him curiously for a few moments absently.
"The punishment for threatening murder against another samurai is likely to be exile from the Clan, though most samurai would offer seppuku instead. Chigitsu becoming ronin would be ironic, though, under the circumstances... I wonder if he might take that route, since he's been there before." The distraction seems to have taken Keitomaru's troubles off his mind, at least for a few moments.
Tsutakito has returned to his place near a wall, his expression turned inward in contemplation or something gloomier.
Utsuro bows his head sadly. "I had hoped to point out how acting upon blind hatred will bring you nothing but an unfortunate end. I chose my words poorly, I know, but my intent stands. The only thing that separates your hatred from the actions of the Matsu is the fact that you stand behind your honor. As you travel the path of Bushido, I can only hope that your shield of honor will become such that you no longer need it to protect you from the hatred you carry.
I cannot apologize for whatever insults your family perceives, but I can assure you that I have no malice or ill-will towards them, or you. If my very existence offends you, I can only ask that you take that up with the Kami who put me here."
"Don't presume to lecture me," Ryuko snaps, either unaware or uncaring of the spectacle she is beginning to create. "And one day, I very well might 'take it up' with your Kami - or send you ahead of me to do so." She turns on her heel and strides from the room.
After the guards have escorted Chigitsu from the room, Yukari glances around, seemingly at somewhat of a loss now. Most of the people she knew looked to be occupied in some way or another, and she thought she'd intruded enough on people's conversations for one night.
Eventually, she decides just to find a table and order some tea for now. Perhaps when things had calmed down a little, she would go find somebody to talk to again.
"Chigitsu was ronin before? Perhaps that explains his actions then." There is a tinge of distaste in Megumi's words but she smiles when she notices Keitomaru seems a little less distracted. "Whatever he gets will be just punishment," She motions to Tsutakito off on his own. "Isawa-san is just as much samurai as you or I, he does not need to tolerate such ill behaviour."
Tenmaku studies Ume for several moments, clearly aware of the anger and sense of betrayal she is feeling, before replying. "We still have only known each other for a few days," he replies at last, "but if I can call upon that knowledge for anything, let me ask you to trust me. There is no plot here, no ruse. What I saw, I reported, and what I saw was an angry bushi threatening to kill an unarmed priest in the hidden shadows of a forest." He looks over toward Yukari, then shakes his head and looks back at Ume. "I also saw a brave samurai step forward and confront that angry bushi, forcing him to withdraw and then, later, to face justice. I wish, for the sake of our friendship, that it were not so, but that is what happened, and I had a duty to report it, as she did and as Tsutakito did."
Ume pressed her lips tightly, and sought out the right words. "You speak with great sincerity, Bayushi-san. But let me ask you this: Do you know the why? What came before? I do not."
She neither had the heart to push the matter through, nor to quietly bury the issue. She couldn't just take his side, not with a good conscience, but had no doubts he spoke the truth either. There had to be more to the issue, some redeeming aspect none had seen yet.
"I believe you. Why should you lie over this, you have very little to gain." she finally conceded. "That means, either I have to accept a Matsu going wrong, or someone very successfully plotting against a Matsu. Neither makes for a comfortable feeling, I am afraid."
"Don't presume to lecture me," Ryuko snaps, either unaware or uncaring of the spectacle she is beginning to create. "And one day, I very well might 'take it up' with your Kami - or send you ahead of me to do so." She turns on her heel and strides from the room.
"A pity..." Utsuro sighs as he turns to look sadly at those who maybe witnessing this spectacle, though as he turns away it is possible to see a faint smile of victory cross the young man's face ever-so briefly.
After making a quick tour of the chamber, he settles onto a cushioned bench near the entrance to the courtyard.
Ume pressed her lips tightly, and sought out the right words. "You speak with great sincerity, Bayushi-san. But let me ask you this: Do you know the why? What came before? I do not."
She neither had the heart to push the matter through, nor to quietly bury the issue. She couldn't just take his side, not with a good conscience, but had no doubts he spoke the truth either. There had to be more to the issue, some redeeming aspect none had seen yet.
"I believe you. Why should you lie over this, you have very little to gain." she finally conceded. "That means, either I have to accept a Matsu going wrong, or someone very successfully plotting against a Matsu. Neither makes for a comfortable feeling, I am afraid."
"I know only what Chigitsu himself said to Tsutakito in the forest," Tenmaku says slowly. "He claimed that his father was once Phoenix, but had been cast out and made ronin through the efforts of Tsutakito's father in the courts. Chigitsu wanted revenge, so far as I know, nothing more. Whether it was the truth, though, I can't say."
Nagatsuna remains at the table with his fellow Crab feeling the swirl of activity rush about him but unable to make much sense of it all.
Perception: 2d10=12
"Hmm I wonder what that was about." Megumi says thoughtfully looking to her companion. "Did you notice anything Keitomaru?" Her eyes wander from the Doji back to the door where they remain for a long while.
Sipping her tea slowly, the Unicorn casts her gaze around the room.
Perception/Investigation: 5k3 = 44
Something catches her attention for a few moments.
Glancing at the ronin and Champion briefly, Yukari wonders why Kenji would have been the one sent to tell the Matsu. It seemed somewhat out of place - she would have expected either a Crane or Lion clan member instead.
Slightly puzzled by what she has noticed, the battle maiden returns her attention to her tea, her expression thoughtful.
Utsuro sits quietly, enjoying the refreshingly cool breeze coming in from the garden.
Utsuro sits quietly, enjoying the refreshingly cool breeze coming in from the garden.
Akodo Gintaku, a speculative look on his face, passes Utsuro on his way out of the courtyard.
Ume was too preoccupied to pay much attention to anything beyond herself at the moment - she did not notice anything.
"I guess we will see how this whole thing plays out. At least now it is in the open, and we need no longer worry about further accidents" Ume sighed, thinking back about the sabotage at the weapons trial. Even if there was a reason to it, how horribly foolish did you have to be to risk everyone's life like this?
Heihachi seems to be staring into his tea leaves.
"I guess we will see how this whole thing plays out. At least now it is in the open, and we need no longer worry about further accidents," Ume sighed.
Even as Ume's words still hang in the air, however, there is a horrible shriek from the gardens, which is cut off by a strange, strangled gurgle. A second later, Akodo Gintaku's voice rings out in a sharp kiai, followed instantly by a wet sounding thud.
"I guess we will see how this whole thing plays out. At least now it is in the open, and we need no longer worry about further accidents," Ume sighed.Even as Ume's words still hang in the air, however, there is a horrible shriek from the gardens, which is cut off by a strange, strangled gurgle. A second later, Akodo Gintaku's voice rings out in a sharp kiai, followed instantly by a wet sounding thud.
Nagatsuna's training kicks immediately in. You are always ready to defend the wall and sneak attacks are common. He's on his feet before even he realizes it and forces his way out toward the gardens, Let it only be a practice bout... The chill running down his spine already told him that this wasn't the case.
"What is going on there?!" Ume gasped, and was stopped from charging into the direction to the shout - but her step was stopped by her formal kimono immediately. She nearly tripped, just barely managed to not fall down. "Damnations!"
Even as Ume's words still hang in the air, however, there is a horrible shriek from the gardens, which is cut off by a strange, strangled gurgle. A second later, Akodo Gintaku's voice rings out in a sharp kiai, followed instantly by a wet sounding thud.
"Fortunes preserve us, what now?!" wonders the Shiba as he rises from his seat and moves into the garden. "The rest of my life will be long and dull, if everything interesting happens all at once!"
As you rush toward the garden, a horrifying and terrible tableau stands before you. Matsu Hoketsaku lies on the ground, froth pouring from his mouth, twitching and writhing in clear agony. Nearby, Akodo Gintaku - in the stance of one who has just completed an iaijutsu strike - stands over the crumpled form of Kenji, who is curled around a stomach wound that will surely be fatal in moments. The ronin smiles, though, blood pouring from his lips, and gasps, "For Shiro Kyotei... For the Tsume!" A bloody tanto falls from his hand to the carefully raked rocks beneath him, and the light swiftly fades from his eyes.
Gintaku turns toward you and the courtiers and samurai spilling into the gardens behind you. "Shugenja!" he shouts. "Healers! Quickly, you sluggard fools! Hurry!" Even as he calls out, however, Hoketsaku ceases his twitching, and a long, horrible rattling sound escapes his mouth. His body sags, and sightless eyes stare upward at the glittering spring night sky.
Heihachi follows closely on the heels of Nagatsuna, to find the confusing scene...
Ume arrived at the scene relatively late, given her struggle with the less than practical clothes. Even when she did, she moved out of the pathway by instinct to allow a priest to pass through, should one appear in time. The whole situation was growing deeper under her skin, more inflaming and poisonous to her temper.
She wanted to do, not watch. Lash out against anyone, instead of impotently watching kinsmen after kinsmen slain. Should she have warned someone of the Ronin? She had seen the insanity in his eyes. But what was she supposed to say then? And what now. Maybe he was not dead yet. Whatever poison the coward used might just seem to slay quicker than actually killing.
Musing silently over her tea over the day's events, Yukari was completely unprepared for the horrific sounds that came through from the garden. Immediately jumping to her feet, the Unicorn bumped the table she was sitting at, spilling her tea across the top.
Ignoring the mess for now, the battle maiden heads as quickly as she can for the door, behind the other samurai and courtiers also anxious to find out what was going on.
Her first thought was that it was something to do with Chigitsu's arrest. But that didn't make sense. It was far too soon for anything to yet have come from that. Once she reaches the gardens, however, the source becomes all too clear. Utterly shocked by the scene before her, Yukari can do nothing but stand among the gathering crowd. It didn't quite sink in properly. The Emerald Champion.. assassinated?
Nagatsuna's eyes narrow as he takes in the scene, a den of vipers. Knowing better than to rush in and disturb anything, now that Kenji and Hoketsaku are beyond help, he watches Gintaku carefully along with the reactions of the new arrivals. Noticing Heihachi coming up along side him he says in a voice loud enough for any Crane nearby to overhear, "At this rate there will be no competitors left by morning and to allow the Emerald Champion to be murdered while under your protection....." Games that are not games... A troubled look crosses his face, "Heihachi-san, is this what you sensed or is there more to come?" A cold realization comes to him, "Where is the Emperor? With his champion gone....." Nagatsuna quickly moves toward where he last saw the Emperor.
The piercing cry through the night startles Megumi as she takes a sip from her tea causing her to choke. Her body is slow to follow everybody else outside due to some impending sense of the horror that lay just in the gardens.
When the Crane samurai-ko does arrive she can do little more than stand motionless while the colour flees from her face. Her mouth opens widely but nothing comes out, instead Megumi merely stands dumb for a long few minutes. When she moves her hand to cover her face it is the first actions the young maiden takes since arriving.
"This must be what I sensed...a disturbance in the void...something wicked is happening..."
Heihachi's blood turns cold as Nagatsuna mentions the Emperor...
He will try to view the scene, as well as he can...