Arc 1, Session 2, L5R

 Hida Hotaru's Private Records, August 3rd

Shosuro Kiyuki paid me a visit last evening, to borrow some calligraphy tools. Our brief, but lovely, discussion was interrupted by a loud noise, as the door to my quarters was opened & shut quickly. Shosuro Kiyuki was quicker to her feet, & opened the door wide. Yudai was standing just outside the frame, reading over a small note in his hand.

It bore the seal of the Crane, & had evidently been delivered by Shizuko on Daidoji Hansha’s instruction. Much as he had remained quiet about their earlier conversation, Yudai only stated that he & I would break our fast as the groom’s private guests the next morning. As Shosuro Kiyuki took her leave, Yudai gave her some information that could perhaps be scrutinized best by a Scorpion.

With the dawn on August 3rd, Yudai & I were led to the southern-most abode in the castle. Here, so close to the cliff’s edge, the defensive walls stopped, allowing an unbroken view of the sea’s horizon. Daidoji Hansha greeted us gently, & invited us to a small veranda nearby.

Out of the direct rays of the sun, we were able to properly take in the scenery while we ate. The groom was polite, but it was clear something was weighing on him. While he & Yudai traded clipped sentences, my eyes were drawn to the windows above us- close as we were, I believe I saw one of the shades move as my eyes cast upon it.

I was soon pleasantly distracted to hear Yudai finding common ground with our host over their paths as bushi. It appears that Daidoji Hansha had served as the Yojimbo for Doji Tsukiko prior to their betrothal. It is heartwarming to see that love can bloom in any situation. As we made to part ways for the day, the groom hesitated a second before calling out once more to Yudai.

He spoke of the Battle of the Tidal Landbridge- a military tale from the year 715. Using the recounting as allegory, Daidoji Hansha expressed gratitude that, despite their typical circumstances, this Crane & Crab stood now on the same footing.

We re-joined our comrades as they left the guest’s breakfast. Upon returning to our lodgings, plans for the day were discussed. Both Yudai & Shosuro Kiyuki had leads they wished to pursue within Kyuden Amaoto, while Utaku Megumi & Kasuga Hayata seemed keen to investigate the strange tracks found between Mojiretsu no Puru & Kashu no Mori.

For myself, a simpler task: to speak with Kitsune Ryosei, the Fox clan Daimyo. In particular, information regarding the servant Hideaki would be most useful.

The day passed like a summer rain. Shosuro Kiyuki was paired against Fureheshu Garou, of the Badger in the judo matches, much to her dismay. Yudai engaged Tonbo Todori in the ring during the semifinals: though this match was cut much closer, it was the Dragonfly who finished ahead.

The other semifinal pairing was Fureheshu Garou with Asako Rekai, of the Phoenix. The air was already tense, given the events of the day prior. Would this be a chance at redemption, for the Phoenix to rise from the proverbial ash? It was difficult to quiet my gasp when it happened. Fureheshu Garou reached his breaking point during the struggle.

In a brief flash of rage, he fell out of his judo stance, gripping Asako Rekai in a wrestler’s embrace. There was a roar of effort, & the Phoenix was raised straight into the sky, a line balanced upon the Badger’s head. And then the Badger tipped backwards, & the Phoenix was brought to the earth with a shuddering slam.

Thankfully, I was not the only samurai who had been stunned into silence. Though the younger representatives seemed relatively unbothered, I could discern that many of the more tenured members were as aghast as myself. Shosuro Kiyuki & Yudai rushed to aid Asako Rekai to the Crane’s healers.

When the crowd began to disperse, I found my window to speak briefly with Kitsune Ryosei. From her telling, the Hideaki boy had been quite polite thus far. It seems no opportunity to stay in her orbit had been missed. The color in her cheeks leads me to believe she is flattered by the attention, & receives it earnestly. Her blush was so bright that it near matched the slight bit of red I spotted under her fingernails.

At the day’s dinner, our other companions returned. The swapping of information would wait until privacy was afforded us, & so we enjoyed what we may. Kakita Maru, Daidoji Hansha, & Tonbo Todori were unable to attend, but I was relieved to see Asako Rekai felt well enough to join. I understand Yudai may have had private words with her at the healers.

Fureheshu Garou had returned to form as if nothing untoward had occurred earlier. Again, I noted that the only eyes guarded in his direction were those of the experienced samurai. Once sated, we convened outside our rooms, as had become tradition by now. Our companions shared the story of their trek into the forest.

After paying a brief visit to her war-horse, Utaku Megumi gathered her owl. She & Kasuga Hayata gave the pretense of some hunting & training, as they wound their way towards the lake. They could briefly spot the form of Kakita Nisobu, practicing upon the shore, close to the village proper.

Following Yudai’s instruction led them to the tracks he had found earlier. Though the proximity to the lake made things difficult, Utaku Megumi’s keen sight was able to discern much. The first set of tracks was clearly made by an adult in proper outdoors footwear. This set of tracks had come along the same track as they, before entering into the forest.

The fresher tracks were smaller- perhaps someone of slight statue & frame- but appeared to have been made by more plain footwear. Oddly, these steps appeared to begin at the shore of the lake, as if the walker had crossed the water in some manner. As with the first set, these prints, too, head into Mojiretsu no Puru.

It was a trek of a few hours to follow the footprints beneath the cover of the trees. As the pair were reaching a need for rations, they noticed two things: the footprints appeared to fork away from each other, & some dried blood now accompanied the smaller footprints. Examination determined that the larger footprints led deeper into the heart of the forest, while the smaller ones bent South-East, towards the cliffs.

The addition of the blood enticed Kasuga Hayata & Utaku Megumi to follow the smaller prints first. Further study proved that the blood pre-dated the footprints: their quarry had seemed to follow the trail themselves. After nearly another hour of walking, the sounds of a scuffle amongst wildlife became apparent.

Taking stock of the situation, the pair found several wolves encircling a mountain lion. The cat had an arrow shaft sticking from its shoulder, though the injury appeared to have been treated & bound. The blood trail had clearly belonged to the cougar, & the wolves were following their natures to an easy meal. Recognizing the feline’s injury as a potential clue, the two samurai readied their bows.

As the wolves bore down on the injured creature, our comrades sent volley after volley into them. The cougar was quickly brought to the ground, but so too were its predators. Though the last wolf attempted to flee Utaku Megumi put paid its flight.

Kasuga Hayata was able to ply his healing knowledge on the mountain lion. The beast was returned to consciousness, but was too weakened to appear threatening. Examining its prior injury revealed that whoever had attempted to heal it had seemingly done so with elements found within the forest. Before leaving the creature, our companions broke the shaft off of the arrow, to keep as evidence.

The swirling of combat had flattened out any further tracks from their prey. The only other thing they could make out is that it seemed that the person had continued South-East. Heading in that direction soon brought them to the river’s end, as it tumbled over the cliffs into the sea.

They backtracked to the initial fork in the tracks, & began to pursue the larger ones. It didn’t take long before the smell of a campfire reached them. Kasuga Hayata crept forward as quietly as he could. In a small clearing, he recognized Seichū, the Ronin who had been seen at the wedding on August 1st.

The state of his set-up implied that he had likely been sleeping here since that first evening. They were able to spot one last thing of interest: laying close at hand, Seichū kept a quiver & bow. The fletching on his arrows matched that of the arrow found in the cougar. Realizing that it may be dangerous to approach him while we did not know their whereabouts, the pair began the trek back to Amaoto.

With everyone now caught up, it was decided to sleep on our new information before taking any further action. Though, Shosuro Kiyuki had a gleam in her eye, & returned to her room with much haste. I do believe our little Scorpion is flexing her tail…