Just Another Samurai Story IC (closed for those invited)

Just Another Samurai Story​

The cherry blossoms fell in gentle silence. The man stood at the top of his Pagoda, looking out across the land. His land. Most men would smile when they saw the vast territory they controlled, the fertile land providing many riches and resources. Most men would be pleased when they saw their soldiers training, gleaning a small amount of pride from the discipline of the men as they expertly performed their maneuvers. But he did not feel any of the happiness that a man in his position should. He was a man born of ambition. Never happy with what he had he was always striving to take more. He had become Daimyo through his own strength of arm and power of will, politically maneuvering his way past his foes, killing those who would not cow to his wishes. Now he was the youngest and most powerful Daimyo, and still he wanted more. It was this ambition that slowly ate away at him. He had made many enemies on his rise to the top, but he did not fear them. He knew that he would crush anyone who came against him. He had been chosen by a greater power to lead, and soon all the neighboring kingdoms around him would come to realize his divine right.

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Far away on the other side of the Daimyo’s holdings, a poor blind man walked the road. He moved his head from side to side, listening to cherry blossoms fall, smiling slightly. This was his favorite time of year, when the wind spoke to him, singing it’s soft song. He lifted his head up, feeling the breeze catch his hair, carrying it behind him as he walked forward. The silk wrap covering the horrible scars that were once his eyes fluttered softly in the breeze. The man continued walking, listening all around him. The sway of the trees… the clinking his sword made as it struck his thigh with each step… the soft swish of his robes… He continued walking steadily, his hand reaching into his robe and lashing out sideways violently. A dagger whizzed through the air, catching the bandit hidden in the tree in the leg, causing him to scream in pain and topple to the ground. Two others rushed forward, their footsteps a loud thundering against the gentle sounds of autumn. They drew their weapons, charging for him. He sidestepped as the first came within striking distance, his sword clearing his sheath and taking the first man with a vicious slash upwards across his stomach, spraying blood into the air. He turned, pivoting on his right foot and his sword came back across his body, striking the second man in the neck with a ferocious chop, separating his head from his shoulders. The blind man walked towards the third bandit, just now regaining his feet from his fall. The man turned to flee but he was hamstrung from behind and he fell forward.
The blind man leaned forward, speaking in a hushed voice, “You are scum who would steal from a poor blind man? Pray that someone else coming up this road that’s pity upon you.” With that said he brought his sword downwards, severing the man’s left leg at his knee. The bandit screamed in pain as the blind man wiped his sword and sheathed it, moving back down the road with a smile on his face.

I sat calmly staring at my reflection in the mirror. As my hand maid entered the room she set down all the items needed for my preperation this night. My hair was the first to be woven and weaved into an entricate design, pressed back with hot wax to keep it in place and always shinning. The next was my face to be washed and cleaned then powered down with a white substance that allowed for the illusion of immortal beauty. My lips were painted a bright red, crimson in hue. Eyebrows were painted upon my face, dark kohl used to paint the highlight of my eyes, thankfully I had naturally think lashes therefore the kohl only made it seem that much more lush and sultry.

When all of my make up was complete the next preperation came in the form of elaborate fabrics and woven silk. I stood for what seemed like hours as the hand maids wrapped me in my garments. Soon I stood before the mirror in my robes unable to help the smile that crept along my lips, despite the years put into this work I still loved the lavishings of it. Still it did not diter me from my ultimate mission there was something more for me out there, a purpose for why I have lived so long, for why I have silenced my lips but not my mind.

"Ms. Sakaki it is time to go." I heard the voice of a house maid as I turned to the door. In strolled the mother as she came to check upon my appearance. Presentation was everything in this world of the flower and willows. Making my way from the room I strolled down the steps to the front of the house, slipping into my zori as the carriage waited out front to wisk me off to my next appointment.

Today was a private meeting between war lords. I still had yet to make a danna the mother of the house insisting that I take up an offer soon. With my popularity I didn't see the point, everyone paid quite a bit just to see me dance and to hear me play the flute at times. But the most of what the loved was my potraits and paintings they had a tendency to touch one's heart... I suppose its because I paint with my feelings more than with my hands. I spoke through these works of art what I vowed my lips with never say... not until that day, never would I utter a word.

As I got into the carrage, I looked up at all the cherry blossoms they fell with such luster and gentleness. Today I was being escorted along with mother. "Beautiful isn't it?" she asked, I simply nodded. With a sigh she seemed disappointed that I would not say a word, sadly those words were to be given to one man and one alone. Sorry my dear mother but you are not worthy of my words no one is... except that man. With that we took off for our appointment the ride spent in silence like so many times before.

Thin coils of dust rose up around his feet as Kurohasu made his way slowly down the road. He had been walking for what felt like weeks ever since he'd left the Heiiru dojo some miles back. The dojo was renowned in the area for their use of the naginata.

Kurohasu had left that school of warriors sadly disappointed.

The young vagabond didn't know what drove him foreword. He could have been content to become a samurai under the command of a noble lord, doing his master's bidding until he earned an honorable death. Or he could have stayed on as the future master of his school, living a life of humility and serenity as he passed on the Iwanami Iaido style of swordsmanship to a younger generation. But this was incomplete, it was not enough.

Afterall, how could he teach if he did not fully understand the sword himself? Moreover, how could he service a proper master if he was unable to even understand his own blade. Kurohasu had left his home filled with these ideas.

And now as he walked slowly down the stark dirt road, his wide brimmed straw hat pulled down low over his eyes, his busied his mind with thoughts of how a man should live, and die.

The sound of screaming caught his ears.

Breaking into a run, Kurohasu raced down the road until he came across the body of a man, lying prostrate in the dirt. The man's leg was severed, and he cried out in agony as he clutched the bloody stump. Nara Kurohasu lowered his eyes to meet the torteous gaze of the crippeled man. The wound was bleeding heavily. The injury was mortal.

"I will give you mercy" Kurohasu spoke gently as he looked down at the doomed man.

One of Kurohasu's hands fell to his sword hilt, his strong, trained fingers coiling just beneath the tsuba. The injured man's eyes widened in fear as he realized the ronin's intent.

The Black Lotus sword flashed from the saya for only an instant, stretching out in an arc of silver, before returning to it's scabbard with a single, gentle click. A spray of red erupted from the man's neck before his head gently seperated, rolling away from the now limp shoulders. Kurohasu clasped his hands and bowed his head gently before turning to continue down his path.

He took no pleasure in killing a man such as this, and it would do nothing to improve his blade. But he would not have left a dog in such a position, he could do no less for a man.

Raising his eyes, he noticed a carriage moving down the road.

The carriage continued on its way in silence, the two occupants within remaining as silent as the day. That was until hey heard a scream from in the distane only for it to be silenced almost as swiftly as they could hear.

Peeking from beind the small curtain the mother noticed a man in the middle of the road walking along. They made to drive around him the woman telling her driver not to stop for anything. "Sakaki, you are to remain in this carriage no matter what happens understood." The mute geisha nodded her agreement not bothering to take a peek outside.

He paused as the sound of the man's screams died away. Someone had found him, much sooner than he had expected given the little amount of use this road generally saw. He merely shrugged slightly and continued walking down the road slowly, still letting his senses stretch out and drink in the silent joy of the world around him. It had been over ten years since he'd lost his sight, betrayed by his master and left for dead. For the first few years he thought his life a worthless cause, believed he would end up as so many other cripples, begging for scraps of food, left to die alone in a gutter. Now he recognized his lost sense for what it truly was, a weakness. The eyes could be fooled, they were a liability for a swordman, every little thing distracting them. Sight was a weakness.

He continued walking, listening to the wind as he heard from further down the road the sound of a carriage moving towards him. Perhaps it had been whoever was in the carriage who had taken mercy on the poor bandit, granting him a quick death.

The carriage continued on Sakaki, despite what she was told peeked out of the curtain to see the man as they drove past. The cloth around his eyes indicated his loss of vision or rather he did not wish to see, either way his sight was definately hindered.

A mere squeak emited from her lips as she was yanked back to hide her face. "You must'n let him see you. We'll be to our destination soon." Reaching forward to knock on the wood, "Hurry driver we must not delay."

High up in a tree top Shenduri sat, overthinking his day. It was one the many days that went wrong. Had he not been able to climb in this tree and shake the guards, he would not have been a very happy man. He watched the loaf of bread he had stolen. It was worth it though. The bread tasted delicious and he had to feed himself with something.

Just as he settled back to eat it, Shenduri heard a cracking sound. His eyes widened in shock. The branch on which he was sitting began to break under his weight. He had to remain still. Someone who looked up and inspected the tree closer, could've seen a young man balancing on a branch. Something that must have looked very stupid.

It was to no avail though. The branch was already too weak to start with and Shenduri's shifting weight was just too much for it. The branch broke with a loud crack. Shenduri fell, his arms flying around to grab other branches. There were none he could take a good hold on.

He fell on the ground, right in front of some passing man (OoC: Tashi Kakitshi if ye don't mind). The air was kicked out of his lungs and Shenduri remained sprawling on the ground, gasping for air.

The blind man frowned as the carriage went by him. He heard and smelled the occupants. Women, one most likely a geisha from the scent she had. He had been long without the company of a woman, ever since he had lost his sight his mind had been consumed with thoughts of first depression and then vengeance. He stepped to the side of the road, allowing the carriage to pass by; bowing slightly to the woman he heard peek her head out and chuckling as he heard her snatched back out of his ‘sight’. Many travelers were on the road this day it seemed, unusual for this far on the frontier of the Daimyo’s holdings.

He heard the rustles in the trees ahead, his hand going to the hilt of his sword as he paused, listening intently. It was not the sound of ambush he heard though, but rather the sound of eating. He smiled slightly and continued walking forward, smelling the fresh baked bread in the air. He sidestepped smoothly as the branch cracked, depositing the person, man by his scent, on the ground in front of him. He listened as the man lay gasping for air and offered him his hand to help him stand. “One must be careful, the cherry tree's branches are becoming more brittle as the season carries on.” He said calmly, helping the man to sit up.

Shenduri's world had exploded in a dash of sparks and stars. There was a far away voice somewhere, a voice that must belong to the same person helping him up. Breathing heavily, Shen slowly regained his senses. And with his senses, the sparks and stars faded away, revealing the true world before him again.

"Brittle... Yeah... Brittle..." He tries to stand up, but he goes to quick. The world spins before him and he has to sit down again. As an alternative, he looks up at the person helping him.

"Thanks, whoever you might be." He offers his hand as a gesture of thanks. Then he realises that he still holds the loaf of bread in his other hand. He smiles. Breaking off half of it, he holds in front of the man.

"Do you want some?" And with a whisper he adds softly. "Freshly stolen."

The blind man smiled as he bowed slightly to the little thief, reaching his hand out to take the bread. "Your clumsiness in trees is matched only by your kindness it seems." He said with a slight chuckle as he tore a bit of the bread off savoring the taste. Another beneift to being blind was the heightened sense of taste and this boy had choosen his stolen bread well. He paused in chewing as he heard the slight rustle of feet in the woods and the telltale sound of swords clanking around as men attempted to sneak up on them. "Don't look now my friend, but it would appear whoever you have stolen from has caught up to you.." He said as his ears searched about, hand resting absently on the hilt of his own sword.

Shenduri looked surprised. He could not hear anything that signaled an ambush. In fact, the only thing that he heard was his own still heavy breathing. He looked around, searching for any signs in the bushes and the road behind him. None whatsoever.

Looking back at the man, Shen saw for the first time the cloth hiding the man's eyes. Blindness so it seemed, had enhanced his senses to incredible hights. He could hear, feel, taste, and sense what others couldn't. Shenduri was glad to meet someone like him. For was it not the man, he would have been captured and/or killed by now.

Instead, he draws his wakizashi, preparing for any oncomers. "How far are they away?"

The blind man was about to warn the young man of the predictament he was in when a voice rang out.
"They're right behind you dirty peasant." The voice of one of the warriors said, rising up behind the boy, his sword pressed against his spine. "You stole from our master, our master demands your death as payment!" He said menacingly, pressing his sword into the boy's back hard enough to draw blood.
The blind man stood still as three others came into view. These were the ones he had heard. He was surprised at the stealth of the other, most men could not get under his senses so easily. He frowned. He would be the one to watch out for.
He stepped back, his hand on his sword. "Please, leave the boy alone. His only crime is hunger. You would kill him for that?"

Looking at the blind man, Shenduri nodded. "Yeah, they would. This isn't exactly the first time I stole something from them..." He grinned, slowly gripping his sword tighter. Shenduri stood up, the sword remaining on his back. He was grinning all the time.

"Indeed they would, if they didn't make one mistake..." He turned around, pushing the blade away with his own. Shenduri was making this a bit off a show-off. He was being more arrogant than before, knowing that the blind man would help him. Well, he hoped so...

He stretched, loosening his sore muscles. "I am not a dirty peasant."


(OoC: I'll let you post the reaction of the guards, since you're the veteran here I'm going for now, tomorrow is another day at school for me. I will post in the afternoon around 16.00-ish. GMT+1)

"Careful youngling." The blind man said. "You will find him to be a skilled opponent." He commented on the man who had managed to slip in under his hearing. He frowned slightly, hearing the other three men draw their swords. "What do you want us to do Song?" One of the three asked.
"Heh, this boy found himself a pig sticker and he's got a bit of fight in him. I'll handle him, you three just make sure no eyes over there doesn't stumble in the way." With that the man called Song lunged forward, throwing a testing strike in Shenduri's direction, feeling the boy out, trying to get a handle on just how good he was. He surprised in the strength of the reaction he got. The kid seemed to know how to handle his weapon, but Song doubted he was a match for him.
The blind man meanwhile sighed as the three warriors walked over to him, hardly even bothering to keep their swords in a ready position.. once again he was being underestimated because of his disability. Still he was curious to see how the battle between the two newcomers would play itself out and he strained his senses to take in all aspects, knowing he could easily put these three warriors down at a moment's notice.

Maybe Shen didn't have the strength to fight this man. Maybe he didn't have the skills to wield his sword. Maybe he wasn't going to win this fight at all. But he was sure as hell that he would give him the fight of his life. At least he had speed as his advantage.

The combatants began to circle around each other, seizing each other up. Shenduri faked a few strikes, acting as if he favoured his right side. Suddenly, he switched sides, making a dash towards Song with his sword in his left hand. By doing so, Shen hoped to catch Song off guard, having a lucky first strike.


(OoC: Once again I ask you to post for the guards. Maybe you could continue to do so. Thanks in advance.)

The blind man smiled as he heard the fight around him. The young peasant was attempting to play up a weak side, a very smart move indeed. He vaguely wondered how a boy who was so shrewd with a blade would need to steal to make a living. He heard the near miss as Song barely sidestepped the left handed blow from Shenduri. The blind man smiled, looking up into the sky as he spoke. "This boy shall not be killed or arrested for stealing. I believe your friend there shall find himself eventually defeated by the boy's speed." The men turned towards him, silent for a moment in what the blind man believed was confusion. "Yeah well when it looks like that there's still three of us to overwhelm him. He won't live to steal again." One of the warriors said, confidence in his voice. "I do not think so. I will kill all three of you before you can lay a finger on the boy." He said, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. The three warriors just laughed and the blind man shurgged, content to watch the contest for now.

Song blinked in surprise and barely got out of the way of the first lefthanded charge. Shit this kid had a few tricks. Song turned as he stepped, bringing his sword down in a chop designed to slice open his opponents back, but the boy was fast and had already moved out of range. Song readjusted the grip on his sword, the fight seeming more serious now than it had at first.

OOC: feel free to kill/cripple him however you would like.

"This will soon be over!" Shouting this, Shenduri slipped in and out of range. He stabbed, thrusted, and sliced with his sword. He used his speed and youthfulness to full advantage. Song was nearing exhaustion, panting with effort of keeping up with Shenduri. He was bleeding from the cuts Shen had made. The sight of this made Shenduri smile. It was almost too easy.

He dashed one last time forwards, his wakizashi drawn in a cross-wise stance. He roars, diving under the swing of Song's blade. With one last powerful slice, Shenduri slit his throat, ending his miserable life.

He watched the body fell limp on the ground. He kneeled next to it, checking the body for useful items. As he did so, he cleaned his blade with Song's clothing. He stood up, grinning.

"Done."

The blind man smiled as the peasant boy finished the man named Song off, feeling the surprise in the other three men around him. Shenduri leaned over to clean his blade off and the three men roared challenges, swords coming up, the blind man momentarily forgotten.

It was all he needed. He stepped forward, sword clearing his sheath as he began a slow dance of destruction. As his sword cleared he reversed his grip, angling upwards to take the first man with a slash through his chest. Pivoting the sword came flowing around with him, hamstringing the next man as he turned to face the peasant, throwing him to the ground in pain. The third warrior had time to turn and face the blind man, but his febble thrust was easily sidestepped and his sword came around, impaling the man through the ribs into his heart. The warrior dropped dead instantly, surprise clear on his face.

The blind man walked over to the hamstrung warrior and kicked his sword away, chuckling at the familiarty of this situation. He turned to the peasant boy "You fight well. That man was a skilled opponent and you bested him with a skill that surprised him I am quite sure." He said, listening to the air around him for anymore trouble but he heard none, just the gentle breeze and the sound of heavy breathing from the youth.

Shenduri nodded slowly. He was amazed by the skill of the blind man. How could he...? But he was... and still he... What!?

He held his sword up, not knowing what the blind man wanted. This was not normal, that man must be some wizard. He must be using his magicks to best those men in combat. There was no other way to explain it. Was he going to use it on Shenduri?

If so, he wouldn't stand a chance. The blind man would cut him in half without a single sweat.

"Who are you, and what skills do you possess?"

The blind man smiled as he flicked his wrist, sending the majority of the blood on his blade flying off as he sheathed it in one smooth movement. He could sense the uncertainty of the lad. "If I meant you harm young man I would have simply stood back and let those three men overwhelm you." He said trying to calm the youngster. "I possess no special skills. Most warriors rely on their eyes to take in everything around them. But the eyes can be deceived. Your sight is a weakness. I fight by using my other senses." He said, tapping his ears and nose.

The blind man was right. He could have just let him die. But he did not. He let Shenduri live. Why? What use would the young boy have to him?

Trying to catch his breath, Shenduri looked with a suspiscious eye towards the man. He was somewhat intrigued by this warrior. Fighting without sight, a tremendous skill to learn. It might be useful for Shen in the future when he had to steal in the dark.

"You're right. I am sorry I jumped to conclusies." He lowered his sword, sheathing it inside the folds of his clothing. Shenduri sighed deep, walking up to the man and as he held out his hand, he introduced himself.

"I am Shenduri. I'm on a journey to see the Daimyo. Will you journey with me?"

Kurohasu had observed the fight from the onset. Leaning casually against a tree some distance away from the combatants, he had decided to watch the events unfurl. The fight afterall had nothing to do with him, so a little observation was harmless. And any opportunity to observe another's sword style was not to be passed up. One could learn something from anyone, Kurohasu had learned.

The battle had ended quickly however, with the two men easily besting the three attackers. But it was the man with the blindfold around his eyes that intrigued the ronin the most. Surely a blind man could fight like that, it was impossible. There had been rumors of men who faked such a weakness in order to throw an opponent off guard but to actually be competent with a sword without being able to use one's eyes? Unthinkable.

Approching slowly from behind the men, Kurohasu laid a hand on the hilt of his weapon. Surely his blade would tell the truth of this man's blindness.

The blind man frowned. He could still sense the apprenhension coming off the young boy. It perplexed him. He had done nothing to show himself aggressive towards the boy. He had made no actions to imply he was a foe. He shrugged slightly as the boy began talking. "You journey to see the Daimyo? I would meet him as well, though I feel our reasons for meeting may be quite different..." His voice trailed off as he heard the soft whisper of steel. Hmmmmmm... the blind man listened closely, hearing the nearly silent footsteps of the man behind him. His hands moved to his side, looking for all appearances like a natural position for them, but preparing to draw his sword in the blink of an eye if this newcomer wished him harm.

Standing just a few yards away from the blind man, Kurohasu kept his hand comfortably on his sword. The blade remained in the saya as his fingers drummed lightly against the silk wrapping around the handle. The blade would remain sheathed until the moment the fight began. His masters at the Iwanami-ryu school had taught him that only one strike was required to end a duel, therefore any more then one was a waste of energy.

Draw, strike, clean the blade, and sheath. All were a single motion, and all happened in the blink of an eye. That was how he had been taught and that was how he lived. The boy was of no concern to him, only the supposed blind man.

"I am called Nara Kurohasu of the Iwanami-ryu Iaido school. Your sword style is impressive...please tell me your name"

He had addressed dozens in this way before. First a simple and friendly introduction, a few pleasentries and then the swords were drawn. His blade would decide if this man was truly blind or if it were a ruse.

The blind man turned to face the newcomer, Nara he had called himself. "Greetings traveller. I am known as Tashi Kakitshi. This is Shenduri." He indictated the young boy next to him. "The Iwanami-Ryu Iaido school? Then you are a pupil of Swimari Lao? How is your master these days? It has been many years since I last had the honor of crossing blades with him." He bowed slightly to the man, frowning as he felt the man's body coiled tightly, prepared to draw his sword. "I have no feud with you sir and have no wish to fight anymore this day." He bowed again, turning away from the swordsman, waiting to see how he would handle a rejection of his implied challenge.