A single bird soared above the land of Rokugan, the Islands just off the coast of the Isle - the huge walls of the Crab in the South, the Mountains of the Dragon Clan monks and Samurai.  The mighty forests of the Pheonix Clan, the fields of the Lion Clan, the ships of the Mantis Clan, the horse-lands of the Unicorn, and the intricate gardens of the Crane Clan.  Each Clan important, including the Imperial Family and city, yet none were happy in this time, the Scorpion Clan, newly brought back into power, stewed and watched the growing conflict with ill ease.  War was coming, the Shadowlands beasts were beginning to grow, and it seemed as though another Dark Era was fated for Rokugan - yet that was not the only problem.  Clans began to war against Clan, people rising up in arms against their brothers, in the time when the Beastial creatures of the Dark blackened pits of the Demon God Fu Leng, rose from their homes to bring their power to bear against the citizens of Rokugan.

There was a war coming, the Mighty Lion Clan, noble to it's core, was rising, it's mane being ruffled as it began it's destined roar of battle - Samurai and warriors, armies marching off to wage battle against the Unicorn Clan, the horse warriors who refused to trade with the Lion for unspoken reasons.  All the while, the Dragon Clan sat in their monasteries and keeps, watching and beginning to fear invasion from the mighty Shugenja mages of the Phoenix Clan, who were beginning to stir from the depths of their forest and make moves toward the mighty mountains of the Dragon, at the same time of the Unicorn clan invaded Dragon territory to wage war against the Lion.  The Crab Clan, angered by the many powers, nearly took it's forces from the Carpenters wall, the sole thing standing between Rokugan and the forces of the now dead Fu Leng, the demonic God which once attempted to crush the kingdom of the Rokugani.  Crab now stands unsteadily on the wall, one comment away from pulling their massive army out to crush any who oppose them.  The Mantis Clan, the only Clan to forge an empire for itself after starting out as an offshoot of a Major Clan, is waging an unspoken battle against the Crane Shipping, pirates moving against the Crane for reasons known only to the Crane and Mantis.

All is not well.  Yet this is not the worst, for the Lion Clan, though beginning to move for war against the Unicorn, feels that it should crush the Scorpion Clan, the one clan which made the Lion Clan foolish in the last century, the one clan whose Samurai Daimyo beat the Lion Champion, winning the prize of becoming a Clan once again.  So it's forces secretly use the Dragon lands, under the pretense of 'protecting them' from the Unicorn, to better assess the once mighty Scorpion Clan, and to move in for the kill.  The Crane seem also interested in this decision, and move in with the Lion Clan, all is not looking well for the Scorpion Clan - and yet, this is not the worst of things, for the Imperial Family, in fact the Emperor himself, has decreed that there is something wrong in Rokugan.  The dark creatures who have been breaking through the mighty wall of the Crab, have begun to move through the lands like a plague, killing both Samurai and peasant, leaving no one untouched by their dark prescence.

Mighty Creatures, the Naga, the first beings upon the face of the land, long before the descendants of the 7 thunders and the descendants of the mighty Daimyos of old came to the land, stir in their snake-like hybernation, feeling once again the dark powers that stir, but not making moves to leave - for when they awaken they only awaken to bring upon a new era of the Naga, and the time is not now.  At the same time, the Nezumi, whose empire once stood in what is now the Shadowlands, lay hiding in their homes, for their mighty citys were decimated by the falling of Fu Leng from the sky, and now are trying to live in the miserable wastes of the Shadowlands, as well as a few small places within Rokugan - yet there is hope, for there is something coming on the horizon, a bright light say the Nezumi Seers.  The rat-like people hoping for the best as they begin to strive outward, secretly, as secret as the Ninja's of the Scorpion Clan, protect Rokugan from the beasts attempting to devour it from within.

Yet, the worst has come, for a single province has not only suffered from Shadowland monsters attacking it, but has actually come under the control of a strong Shadowland force.  The people suffer, some being eaten by the mighty demons, while others worship them as dark gods, something sinister growing within this province - yet no force has yet moved to stop them, and their power grows, becoming stronger with each Shadowlands beast which makes it way over the mighty Carpenter's wall to enter into the land they now control - the land which was once a beautiful land - a palace to the Crane Clan, there now stands a fallen darkened temple to the once mighty Fu Leng, and the powers of Darkness seem to move toward some sinister desire, one unknown by all.  The Crane fear this, yet the powers of the clan are more interested in their constant anger with the Crab, as well as an unspoken battle against the Mantis, and their moving of forces to deal with the Scorpion Clan, whom they distrust and hate for the recent courtier actions of the Scorpion Clan.

Still, something must be done, and it is said that in the small town of Aketsu, there are people gathering to aid the nearly helpless Crane people, some for Honor, some for their own reasons, and some for their goals - yet all share a common desire, and they move seemingly unorderly to the town.  It is not co-ordinated, and the powerful people who watch and do nothing, merely wait to see it's outcome.

((OOC - No posting as of Yet... I will tell each of you where you are, but be prepared, for it has begun))

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

[ Lotus Blossom - Shosuro Akro ]

The frigid winds of autumn seem to blow strongly this day, as you enter into what would best be considered the town meeting-place - the tavern.  To the Western mind, this would seem very different, since this was not a 'bar' it was a quiet tea-house where ruffians were strictly not allowed, you had your own personal room and it was assumed you would not make that much noise, or you would be forcibly removed.  As you enter into the room which was set aside for you, you think for a moment on your mission, and what you are here to do.  This town is merely a stepping stone for you, the first step on a much longer path, the path toward the fallen province within the Crane lands.  Yet you look again, and note carefully placed upon the stool of the room, is a single note - the stamp showing the sign of the Scorpion Clan, your family and Clan obviously giving you more information on what could be your final training mission.

You seem to take a moment before entering the room, your well trained senses making sure that you are alone before you use your well hidden weapons to slice open the envelope, neat and clean, and start to read through the contents.

Akro,

Your mission is very simple, you are to investigate, and if possible, deal with the problem within the Crane Lands.  The Crane do not agree to our prescence, and you are working under complete secrecy - you are allowed to do anything you can to get others to help you, though don't leave the bodies, you know our ways.  The province you are investigating is very troubled, and our spies have not returned, you are not a spy though, you are a Shosuro Ninja, a god among the insect spies.  Thus, it is your sworn duty to find out as much as you can, and either deal with it or tell us as much as you can, you are not allowed to die, but neither are you allowed to give information to anyone about your mission and goals.  You know how to end it so the body won't be connected to the Scorpion Clan.

There is no name, and you were not expecting one, the only person who could have written this to you, the Master of the Shosuro Ninjas, was too good to leave one, in fact, the writing itself looked like anyone could have written it, but you knew, you at least felt, that it was your old Master.

[ Burnt Offering - Atash ]

If where Akro is could be considered peaceful, then where you are would be what western civilization would be considered a bar, with partying and drunken partying.  This is the place where the law hasn't 'abandoned' the place, but it just doesn't step in.  You are sitting at a table in a corner of the room, while most of the action goes on around you.  There really isn't much drunken fighting, though there are several people who are pretty damn near close to pulling fists on each other.  It isn't that this place is completely rowdy either, it's merely that the place is much more rowdy than the average tea-house, and this would be because the normal drink is sake, rather than the light non-alcoholic beverages served in the more formal tea-houses.  Yet this place is where you like to be, you can hide here, and it allows you to drink whatever you want, not the gross sake that they serve, but a liquid of your own choice, something which reminds you of your homeland.

The people here do occasionally stare at you, with a look on their face which tells their mind.  People here loathe you, you are the foreigner, the one person here they probably can't trust as much as their fellow man, who knows why you're here...  Then again, you would probably be a better choice than a lot of people in the room, there are people here which make you look pure - you may not agree with their society of honor, but the corrupt individuals here pretend to be part of the society while living parasitically off of it day in and out.  You note that there are a lot more people in town this day, and you aren't particularly sure why - but it's probably because of the rumor you heard, a Crane Province has fallen to the 'Shadowlands'.  Though you only partially understand what the Shadowlands are, you do know this is a bad thing, that demons have conquered a portion of what they consider to be 'their world'.

Your weapons are on your person, and you sit unsteadily, for there is something coming on the horizon, your nerves seem to tell you this - be it good or bad, it is coming.  This province is near the conquered one, and there are stories of more forces rising from the conquered land, of dark beasts only seen from the fell depths of the Tomb of Fu Leng rising and walking the world again.  So, as you sit in your chair, drinking your beverage, you think to yourself, why isn't anyone caring about these poor people?  Why don't the Crane pull their heads out of the ground and deal with the corruption and decay before it eats them from the inside out?  But then, you realize once again that this society is beyond your understanding, that the Crane see an opportunity to remove the Scorpion from power again, to send them back into the oblivion which they rested in nearly a century before.  Why can't people get along?  This world you've fallen into is on the verge of War, internal war, and external war, both of which appear to be on the same horizon, why can't they work together just long enough to protect themselves?

[ Woods outside of the Town - Ksoo'ma ]

Food, nearbye - noise, stop.  Don't move.  Think.  Ok, it's gone.  Move again, sneak, stop.  Noise - closer this time.  It's gone, wait, it's gone.  The woods seem to speak to you, their smells, their sounds, their sights, each of them telling you something different, your rudimentary knowledge of the wilds coming in handy in this sense - the ways of the forest are not unknown to you, you are living off of them most of the time, and they are nothing compared to the foul Shadowlands.  Even the Crab lands show signs of the horrors of those lands, of what it does to everything which lives there to some degree, save your own people.  Your people are immune to it, as immune to it as the Nagas are, the one creature that anyone in your tribe would have fled before, no matter how honorable or strong they were.  Fleeing is more honorable than fighting at times, and to know the difference between these is the code that you hold so dear, your own Bushido and rules.

Yet things are not well in these woods, you can tell.  Though it appears that all is well, you have heard from a kind monk who you met along the way here, that there is something rotten in this part of the land, and your journeys have brought you here, just as your people said your journey would.  Something foul is beginning, and universe itself seems to be guiding you, taking a hand in your destiny, something which would mean little to you - though much to the humans, who believed the Nezumi to be foul and useless.  In some ways you are rather rough around the edges, and as you walk through the woods which you have scouted out, you feel something ruffle your fur the wrong way.  There is something in these woods, something dark and sinister, something which you just know is sneaking upon these humans, trying to get them while their guard is down.  Your tribe, not here, the feelings within give you the instinct to run, but there is something here, which would hurt the pups of this village, something like the beast which nearly cut down your mother that fateful day.

A smell fills the air, a rotting smell, something deadly, something dead - it is hard to describe more than that.  You know it is wrong, you can feel your whiskers wilt, but it brings you no ill tidings other than this, you know that the Shadowlands are coming, and that soon this small town will be much like the other you heard of - conquered by the Shadowlands, a tool for the demonic beings of their power.  Choices begin to show themself before you, to the east of you is the town, and to the west, lies the creatures you smell - you know not exactly which would be better, each choice shows merit, but you do know that the people of this town may attempt to slay you, for humans are not known to like Nezumi all too much.

Then, before you can make your choice, it comes, much closer, and you stop and see the thing that you were smelling.  A beast which is easily double your size, with putrid blue skin and metallic hide, walks - each footstep leaving huge clawed imprints into the ground.  As he walks, his tongues flip from fanged teeth, his two eyes looking around for any sign of movement as his third eye, the eye in the center of his forehead stays ever looking forward.  Two horns come from his head, as his three tongues, which you now notice are alit with flame, move around, none touching the ground, though few nearly lighting the local folliage aflame with a deadly fire which could be so devasting.  It's long arms dangle, nearly touching the ground, each of it's four fingered hand's having 6-inch long claws, one of which could easily slice you in half if you aren't careful.

It seems that the Shadowlands wait for no-one, and they have followed you here, you cannot escape - no matter how hard you try.  You have never seen anything like this beast, though from your conversations with Crab Clan soldiers, you have a pretty good idea of what it is, a Akuma no Oni, one of the Shadowland generals of Fu Leng.

[ Lotus Blossom - Daidoji Sha Ya Shi ]

You are the elegant yet quick duelist, Sha Ya Shi, the female Samurai known for your deadly speed, quick witted retorts, as well as your femine beauty.  Though you may be a powerful and strong Samurai, you are still a woman, and lose none of the femine traits which are so important to you.  The Crane emphasis beauty of form along with beauty of mind, speed, and elegant fighting style.  It as though, the ultimate form of beauty is simply the act of existance for the terribly clean and shining Crane Samurai - for they know how to stay clean in nearly any situation.  Yet your state of being was not important at the moment, your honor was what was - with your honor being put into a position where you were told that you could help the people of the Crane, help them in ways which no other could help them.  The creatures which you loathe, the beings which the Crab, your enemy, fights to keep out of the land, have infested your land, the land of your ancestors - the province itself being something of not much importance, but the mere fact these beasts took your land is enough.

Honor dictates that these beasts be slain, yet none stand against them, and with every report they do not weaken from being away from the once powerful stronghold of their master, and are growing in strength with every passing day.  So, you have taken it partially upon yourself, and partially have been given somewhat secretive information, that people are gathering in this place to combat the growing Darkness.  It isn't something that you learned of from someone you knew, it was simply a note which you found laying upon your bed one evening, telling you of the growing thorn in the Crane's side.  You do not know who could have possibly sent you it, but it did leave information about people gathering here, that this place is important - and you do not know why.  Still, it is possible there are others similar to you, who could give you more information on this, and possibly lead you toward the saving of your land.

Yet as you sit within your humble tea-house room, it seems to close around you, and your mind begins to wander, for a moment you doze off to sleep.  Within your dream, you see your ancestor, the original Crane warrior who founded the Crane family - and the Crane Clan.  He stands high among the mighty warriors around him, serving the Emperor with his great grasp of etticate as well as his deadly speed and his dueling capability.  Yet, when he looks upon you, he speaks as though you are not doing everything he wants of you, his voice ringing loudly in your head.

"Part of the truth, only part of it is said.  Look for all that you need, and you shall see what you need.  The path of the Crane is not always the path of beauty, you must look past physical beauty in order to better see the beauty of the World."

And then came an end to the dream, and a knock upon your door, something new entering into your world.  You stand up, and the door opens for you, the mistress serving the tea bringing you a new pot and taking away the old, leaving you to not only your thoughts, but to the hot tea sitting in front of you.  There are many things to think of, and many things to do this day, and it is only the middle of the day - there is still much time left before the sun sets.  Though there is something unsettling in this town, for there appears to be none of the birds which are usually part of a Crane settlement, especially the tea-house.

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

Akro walks around the room examining it to make sure if he was attack that he could have a second escape route.  He then keeps his ears open lissening for a sneak attack that might happen to him.  He does not expect one because he knows his identity has not gotten out.  He knows how to go places without being noticed getting here was safe and with no problems.  He then pulls out one of his weapons and quietly gets used to fighting in the room just incase he was to get attack.  Once he does that he puts his weapon away and then sits down on the bed and begins to think.

Hm, this is a big responsiblity I have been given.  Well I can do it the way I like it the most, make sure nobody knows who or what happend or that has been here.  Well I must find a way to stop these shadowland creatures.  I think I may need some help with this.  I have heard some horifying things about the shadowland creatures. 

As he thinks he bigins to walk around and as he does this he walks out of his room and down to the food hall to try and gain more info on the growing threat of the shadowland creatures.  He finds and empty table and he sits down.  He then puts on one of his many masks of a different type of person.  He begins to act as if he has honor and is trying to help save Rokugan and to save it only for honor.

---

A life, heh who needs one, I got it all here in RPing and video games.

*Dangerous foe indeed, it would take a fool to try to battle such a thing.* Ksoo’ma thought to himself. The Nezumi where known as the great survivors of the shadowlands for a reason; be it Bakemono, Oni, or worse the Nezumi are smart and cunning. They will survive, as will he.

Remaining motionless Ksoo’ma waited patiently for the Oni to move on, discretion was the key in this conflict; he has heard of Oni, heard how they can disappear and become invisible, how they can ride clouds and throw lightning.

As the creature treads on, Ksoo’ma slowly lowers him self to his belly as he crawls away holding his katana tight; even with such an impressive weapon he wouldn’t stand a chance, better to flee and live on for the tribe than to throw himself to his death needlessly…


(He is fleeing towards the town, at least the humans won't kill him unless they see what he is; and with his robe and wide brimmed rice hat he should be able to keep hidden, besides humans where stupid and self obsorbed they wouldn't notice him if he chose to stay hidden. Where as the demons of the shadowlands would kill anything not of there own, it was wiser to hide with the humans until he can figure out what to do next.)

Atash looks around at the various patrons of the bar, giving them equally strange glances. He sighs and can't help getting a bit homesick. He thinks back to the day when he washed up onshore of this acursed rock, and mutters a few unpleasant phrases at the people that told him this was a golden utopia.

He hails one of the employees and orders another round.

He looks around the room once more, and finally finds someone who looks like they may be having a bad day.

"Hello there, my friend. How would you like to have a chance to earn yourself a bit of gold?", he says with a grin. He pulls out some dice and says, "Test your luck?"

Sha Ya Shi stands upp and pours herself some tea.  She takes a small sip, sets it back down and then paces the room a little bit.  She then sits back down on her bed and takes another sip of tea and says to herself.

'I need to find out who gave me this note and why they did this.  I need to find out where the Crab are growing and report it back to the master.  I need to do all of this really quickly or we might have a serious problem on our hands.'

She then finishes her cup of tea, pours andother and starts to get dressed in her casual grab of blue and white robes.

[ Lotus Blossom - Shosuro Akro ]

You seem to notice that the local patrons, at least these rich people, all are somewhat edgy about something or other at this point in time.  The place seems to be at a stand-still, as though most of the business which may be in here, rich merchants and the like, were absent from the usual proceedings.  Yet you did manage to play your role well, and though the lack of a Katana was intriguing, you were able to pass yourself off fairly well.  Either way, you did manage to note several key things, the place did seem to look more drab than many other such tea-houses you have been to, and you have been to a few, part of your training.  Another key thing was the lack of all that many hostesses, which were normally so common among such establishments, not that you neccessarily needed such a person.  The strangest thing was, that you could feel the wind blow a fell omen on this place, as though the sky itself rejected the wind which flowed through here.

Through conversation, you did manage to pick up a bit more, from comments such as:

"I don't know what you really want me to tell you, I can't seem to send shipments into our adjacent province - it's as though the place has dropped from the face of the map.  I can't send messages, I can't get responses, and none of my messengers have returned."

"I have been to that place, though I wish I hadn't, the land there is no longer the beautiful place it once was, and I was lucky to even have the chance of escape - I got out before the big fighting happened.  No one leaves there now."

"That place... yes... I know of it.  Why do you want to know?"

The last comment was directed at you by someone who was a bit more important than the other mid-level merchants who were merely giving you the casual conversation - for this person was the one of the more prominent Samurai in this town.  This Samurai, a man who stood nearly 6 feet tall, with muscles bulging out of his elegant Crane clothing.  He was not ugly, for that could not be said of any Crane Samurai, those who believed their own elegance and beauty to nearly be as important as their speed and skill with the blade in fighting.  He carried a blade on his side, unlike you, and he seemed to be more suspicious of you with each passing moment, and when he began to approach, you knew nothing good would come from it.

"I didn't know there was another honorable Samurai within town, what family do you come from?  Maybe you can honor us with your family name, eh?"

[ Burnt Offering - Atash ]

The man looked as foolish as he was, you realized quickly, a man just too perfect for any con-man of mediocre skill.  From the first moment he put money on the table he actually believed that he had a chance to beat you at your own rigged game of dice.  It wasn't merely some hope, it was some sort of devout belief in some higher entity which would allow him to win all the money he needed.  Even after he had begun loosing heavily, where most gamblers would quit, he kept putting more money down - you losing on purpose at times to keep him in until you milked him for all he was worth.  After he gave you his last piece of gold, he walked away even worse than he had been before you met him, and you felt no different than before, only slightly happier that you now had some more money to deal with.  Yet there was clearly something wrong, after awhile when the normal rush that should have been coming in suddenly stopped, as though there were some foreboding sign upon the horizon, some sign everyone could see but no one could do anything about.

"Hey there, foreigner, what are you doing here!  You're driving away business!"

Yelled the angry bartender, assuming you must be the reason for his greatly shortened happy hour this day, not actually realizing that you could have possibly shortened it with your cheating at dice and such.  Even so, you still had to leave the bar, and you were forced to pick up your belongings and shoved toward the door - and then you heard something fill the air that caused your hair to stand on end.  A scream so loud and so fearful that it was most definitely one of a child, and you were pulled outside of the bar in the rush to determine what was going on - for children were not usually screaming a shout such as this - it was a scream of terror and fear that came from the bottom of their heart.

You also ran from the bar, more forced than anything else, and you too saw what it was that caused this child such great fear.  For standing in the front of the bar, were 3 creatures which you had only heard of in stories, the beasts which most people feared so dearly that they had no courage to stand against them.  Bakemono, beings who were goblinoid in nature, with clawed hands and feet, with chains wrapped around their arms, the chains which their masters used against them to twist them to their sadistic goals.  These drooling beasts bent over the twisted and mangled corpse a small boy who had the unlucky experience of being caught by the beasts unaware.  You are filled with a sick feeling in your stomach, but you manage to bat it away as you see the creatures' gaze move from their meal to turn their gaze at the screaming girl, the more easy target than the gang of men standing outside of the bar.

Several of the men run, going toward the town bell to alert the people, while two others go back into the bar - the rest can only watch as the Bakemono begin their turning toward their next target, and know that they have no chance of getting the child to safety before the beasts ripped her to shreds with their claws.  You are left with mere seconds to decide what to do, when the Bakemono howls fill the air, and the winds of fate carry the noise of a charge, something running at full speed toward the village, but not something you must worry about, for your own place is before this child - and the beasts which desire a meal.

[ Woods outside of the Town - Ksoo'ma ]

For a time as you crawled away, you heard the pounding of each gargantuan step of the Akuma no Oni, yet they soon passed, and you did take note that the creature did seem to move alongside your crawling form for a time before you were free from it's senses, free to move where you wanted to.  So you moved, breaking free from your crawling position and hitting speeds which only a Nezumi running on all four of their legs could hit, your nose taking note of the increasing Shadowlands smell in the air as you move toward the town, yet also taking note of the fact that you hear screaming, that of a small child.  Memories stir within you, and it eggs you to move faster and faster, your legs taking you to speeds you normally could not reach un-aided, and soon you begin to see the town before you.

The town itself is very quaint, and would be still indeed if not for the 20-30 Bakemono which seem to be moving into the town at their highest speed, moving from the same direction of the Akuma no Oni, something which cannot be a good sign for any who fear the terrible power of the Oni general.  It appears to you that whatever forces he may have had with him were sent ahead to deal with the town, leaving him with the spoils, as well as the finishing carnage that he would so enjoy, the breaking of townspeople to his will, and the domination of another town - bringing the Shadowlands beasts closer to domination of all of Rokugan.  Then, your eyes note the small child that you could have sworn screamed earlier, standing alone shivering, among approaching Bakemono.  Not alone, merely seperated from what appears to be a lone warrior who has stepped into the fray of battle.

You stand at a cross-roads, you can keep moving along, doing as any Nezumi would be allowed to do in such a situation, or aid those who could use the help of any able bodied warrior, for the townspeople were already running from the oncoming Bakemono forces - unprepared for the slaughter that would ensue, especially should the people experience the might of the Akuma no Oni.  So, whether you choose to stand and fight, or to run, the choice is in your hands, yet a small whisper seems to speak your name to you in your head, a whisper from nothing, which seems to grow out from the mere thought of your namesake - the name which brings power to the long-dead person to whom it belonged.

[ Lotus Blossom - Daidoji Sha Ya Shi ]

Within your room you are able to find some incredibly nice garb, allowing you to wear something which is on par with the garb of Imperial Courtiers, and something which you like a great deal.  It is a free flowing garment, allowing you the freedom to draw your Katana with a whim, or to bow and sit in a fashion suitable of respect.  As you leave your finely garnished room, you take note that you have no belongings here that you would want to come back for - simply put, you are traveling light, and everything was prepared before you arrived.  So as you leave, you have no fear of losing any of the nice objects which you may have left behind within your family's home, and are able to think calmly upon your actions as you enter into the main tea-room.  This is a place which you are normally in, for you are a Samurai, a Crane Samurai, elegant, able to hold a conversation, sharp of wit, and deadly fast when the need arises.

Interestingly enough, you take note of a comanding voice as you enter into the room, and take note of what appears to be two male Samurai talking over something, where one appears to be on the verge of anger - implying that soon one of these warriors would be dishonored by the loss of an iajutsu duel, the type of fighting which usually would come from two arguing Samurai.  Yet it appears to not have gone that far yet, and you are able to sit down and speak for a time with several of the other patrons for a bit as the story unfolds before you.  From what you gather from these patrons, no one has been in your room beside you, and the town seems to be a fairly barren place - the Shadowlands beasts who have taken over the nearby town must have devastated the economy of this small town.  From what you notice, none of these people appear to be all that rich, implying most of the rich merchants left town when the trade did - taking both their money, and their services, elsewhere.

Still, something is very wrong with this situation, and as you speak with the Patrons, you start to hear shouting coming from the outside, and arguing - one of the voices being the owner of the tea-house whom you had met earlier.  Either way, it didn't appear to be all that important at the moment, and you stayed where you were, the questions which usually accompany such a dream as yours beginning to fill your head.  It was a strange dream, one which could have meant many things for you - from what you could determine, the dream meant that you must look past your pride for the good of the people of the Crane Clan, as well as the other clans, and all of Rokugan as well - but from what you must protect them from?  That you are not yet sure, though the growing situation of the Shadowlands beasts within the area is troubling you, for it appears that all is not well - and soon another era of darkness could fall across the land.

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

Suddenly, Atash's mind flashed back to his lonely childhood. He was all alone, as this girl was right now. He would've given anything to have someone there to saved him.

So, he looked at the monsters with a set determination on his face and ran at them, drawing his sword. He slashes at the back side of one of the monsters, then hops back.

"Okay, tall, dark, and uglies! It's go time!"

A child in danger, a human child but a child none the less; it was his duty to save this child his conscience screamed at him even as fear welled up inside him like a black viscous liquid making him wish to flee. No, Koos’ma for whom I am named, a human risked his life to save the lives of Nezumi pups, Haikaru Yaomari the human risked his life to save my siblings and my own lives. These men have great name, and to live up to my name I must save this child, this is an act of great name.

With a shout of battle Ksoo’ma ran full speed up the slanted log of a fallen tree leaping high into the air from it’s height he drew his mighty katana and landed in the clearing next to the child and the lone man as the Bakamono closed around them. Using the force of his landing to slash through the first of many shadowlands demons.

Shosuro Akro then looks at the samurai.  "You may have the honor of knowing my family name.  I am from the family of Diadoji.  I only stopped in this kind little village because I just came back from Takia Kusa Geigen."  Akro realises that the samurai is thinking about why Akro does not have a katana so he quickly thinks up a story. 

"You may be wondering why I came from that place.  So I will tell you my story.  I came this way because I heard there was troubles, in Takia Kusa Geigen, so I journeyed to check it out.  I saw that in this area there is a large amount of shadowland creatures.  I was traveling back to this village when a group of the shadowland creatures attacked me.  There was a large amount pf them and they attacked from all directions.  I tried to fight them, but their number was to great, they over powered me.  They left me in the forest to die.  I was found by a wanderer.  I asked him where my katana was and he said he saw the shadowland creatures make off with it.  He took me in and saved my life and helped me get back to this town.  My goal now is to go back and kill the shadowland creatures and retrieve my katana.  That is why I am here learning about the threat that grows within Takia Kusa Geigen."  Akro continues to keep up his act. 

---

A life, heh who needs one, I got it all here in RPing and video games.

Daidoji Sha Ya Shi gets up from her chair and starts to walk over to the two yelling samurai.  Before she gets there, she hails a waitress to get her some tea.  Then she continues to walk to these men.  "Mind if I join you." 

She then pulls out a chair and sits down.  "You shouldn't raise your voice like this.  You need to keep calm in these troubled times.  As the wisemen once said, the one to lose their temper first is the first to lose their head.  Oh excuse me, where are my manners.  I am Daidoji Sha Ya Shi, samurai of the Crane clan."  She then puts her full attention to the man about to lose it.  "Please, don't go down this path anymore.  If you do, the shadowland creatures will follow your anger here and consume this place like they have so many others.  You need calm in this troubled time." 

[ Outside Burnt Offering - Ksoo'ma, Atash ]

Time seemed to stand still for a moment, for Atash.  He stood there, slashing at the Bakemono who were attacking the small child, and then more and more rushed in - the Outlaw not standing against three, but against twenty, all of which seem to have centered around the Outlaw, the warrior proving to be entertainment for a moment as the peasants ran from them.  So they moved in, the other two surviving Bakemono lunging at Atash with their claws as Atash deflected their ensuing attack.  For several moments Atash was able to hold them at bay, and then they seemed to keep coming, some of the Bakemono moving past you and going into the town, ignoring the child and the struggle to get it.  On and on they seem to be to Atash, though, as he danced around the Child, waving your blade around, cutting off limbs, deflecting chains as the Bakemono swing their implements to best slay you and your ward.

Then, out of nowhere, a shape moves, a blur which jumps over the lines of Bakemono, a flash of steel coming out and cutting down one of the attacking Bakemono as Atash sees a warrior come to his aid.  He stands there, and Atash is not able to get a good look at him, for his cloak seems to hide his face, but Atash is able to note that the man seems to have a pair of whiskers, before the head turns back toward the Bakemono, who have continued their assault into the town.  These oncoming Bakemono seem a bit better prepared though, for they are carrying primative weapons, spears, blades of steel from axes, scythes, whatever they could grab which they could use to cut with.  And so they continued, the hoarde moving in on you with battle-cries, metal flashing as it flew toward the two warriors standing before the warriors.

Two people, standing side by side, as the girl cried, and stayed huddled beside the building before which you two stood.  Blades unveiled, as the creatures charged, three at a time, each of the three swinging randomly, any of the blades having a potential to hit either of you in the charge.  Deadly it would be, if you were not able to dodge all of them, one of the others would get another strike in before you could respond.  Time is of the Essence, the town can be saved, and both of you know that the choices are yours, but now you are in a situation where you must deal with the problem at hand - and not worry much past that.  Soon, the tale of heroes shall be told, and the maybe you shall be added into it's many verses.

[ Lotus Blossom - Shosuro Akro, Daidoji Sha Ya Shi ]

A look of disgust crossed the face of the Samurai, as he first listened to the story which Shosuro Akro told him, and then a look of great respect.  For to lose one's family's blade - it was the greatest dishonor, but to do anything that it would take to retrieve that blade, that is the epitome of honor and courage.  So, the Samurai bowed to you, and smiled before he attempted to begin.  Attempted, because the moment he started to speak, he was cut off, by the Crane Samurai female who instantly joined into the conversation.  With tact, and great eloquence, she did manage to calm him a great deal, and the Samurai bowed his head in respect and reverance of the Crane woman.  He knew of the woman who stood before him, because she was one of the Samurai whose coming had been told by a courier several days earlier.  It was not something bad or good, for she was an honorable and deadly warrior of the Crane Clan, someone known for their utter loyalty, who would obey the Daimyo of the Clan with the utmost ability.

"Ah, I appologize, Daidojis, I see that you two are of the same family, and that my anger nearly got the better of me.  I would help you on your journey, but I cannot.  I have pledged my honor to this town, and in this town I must stay."

Then, as he prepared to order some tea for both of the people sitting side by side, Akro and Sha Ya Shi, a roaring noise filled the entire tea-house.  It was a similar noise to that of a beast, yet far louder, and the ground seemed to shake as huge crashes filled the outside of the tea-house.  Screams began to fill the air, and then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, they were cut short - the lives of those screaming having been ended just as quickly.  For a few moments, silence hung in the air, and then, the wall was ripped through, a huge hulking beast standing before you - a creature which you have heard spoken of in tales, but never have your eyes seen.  It was a beastial being, with two sets of horns coming from it's head, two bone protrusions from the sides of it's head, and then two cow horns on top of those.  It had a beast-like maw, gaping open, and it's fangs glistened with salivia.

The creature stood about 12 feet tall, and rippled with muscle, it's clawed feet left and imprint in the ground upon which he stood, the beast known as a Tsuno to those who had heard of it.  It's hands held an axe, twice the size of your head, and wielded it as though it were a mere toy to it.  And it's eyes glazed with fury, and yet it's tongue moved as it noted the occupants of the room.  His tongue moved about his mouth, as though he were licking his lips in anticipation, and he spoke, with a gruff voice hinting at violent tendencies, the words which could only be said by a creature of such brutality.

"I come for Samurai, I have met with fools.  Now, I SHALL FIGHT!  You will die by my hand, in the name of Fu Leng, I call your honor into question."

Those words, rang true in the mind of any Samurai, those words being the last words someone would say if they were on the same social rung as you, and any beast of the damned had no place to speak those words - especially not a slayer of women and children.  Fury raged within the Samurai, first for the loss of life, and then for the questioning of his honor.  Honor, family, loyality, those were the words embedded in the mind of any true warrior of the Clan, and this was a true warrior, and his blade was drawn with lightning efficiency.  He was fast, and you were unable to do anything but watch as he charged the beast, muttering words of importance to the both of you as he did.  His eyes were locked with that of the beast, and said one thing:

Death shall not come for me first.

While his words spoke true to both of your hearts, as the raging chaos of the tea house errupted, people running in fear of the mighty Tsuno, the beast which slayed with no reason, and feasted on the bones of his enemies.

"Daidojis, I trust your honor, I shall not live to the end of this day, but you must protect my town - The Shadowlands are calling, and my soul is willing to fight.  May your soul be true, and stand fast against the dark Fu Leng."

---

"... if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for Destruction Ice is also great
And would suffice."
- Robert Frost

Firmly gripping his katana in both paws Ksoo’ma brought it up in a diagonal slash in an attempt to cleanly slice open the throats of the advancing mob’s first line. Their warm blood spilling to their feet as more Bakemono surge from behind. Bringing the mighty sword up Ksoo’ma reverses his grip as he was instructed; he then brings the blade across again as the second line leaps to attack.

Ksoo’ma fights using everything he has learned refusing to give them an inch of ground. Fueled on by fear Ksoo’ma’s parental instincts that come naturally to all Nezumi force him to fight with a strength and fervor hard to match, utilizing his greater agility Ksoo’ma fights as though he where three men in order to protect this child.

Daidoji Sha Ya Shi stands up abruptly and the chair falls over.  She then turns to the dark Fu Leng.  "You have no place speaking those words.  One without honor can not talk about others honor.  But since you are giving me no choice, I think I might just have to kill you for all of the innocent lives you have destroyed.  You should not have come here foul beast.  Now, prepare to die by the blade that you have come to destroy."  With lightning fast moves, Daidoji Sha Ya Shi charges the beast, pulls out her katana and slashes the beast across the chest.

Shosuro Akro seeing both of the samurai charge at the shadowland beast and he thinks, Ok I hope two samurai could take that thing because I need to do other things and if I was to help them they would see my fighting style is not that of a samurai, but a ninja and then blow my cover so I must see what is happening to the rest of the town.  Akro then quickly makes a break for the door out and into the streets.  He then quickly gets into an alley and climbs up on top of the Teahouse and looks around the village to see what is going on.

 

---

A life, heh who needs one, I got it all here in RPing and video games.