Shiniga Compound: Dojo Rakka Hoshi

Makoto arrived on horseback, the white horse was exhausted after a long journey to the dojo, and she struggled to tame the horse to prevent it from tossing her off the saddle. The Naginata in her hand was distracting the gentle creature as it suddenly felt threatened by its retainer. She cursed under her breath, she could not believe that the horse she bred was misbehaving in such a way after spending most of her childhood raising it, this was not how she imagined spending her day. In her mind she wanted to make quite an entrance to impress the Shiniga clan with her present skills. It was not until a young fox-faced man pulled the reins and patted the white horse's nose with his gloved hand to calm it down.



The stranger was a foreigner, that was made obvious by his garb, and the strange lenses on his head. He carried a red washi paper parasol with Teru teru bōzu doll hanging on a string; it was ironic to have it tied to the parasol if he did not want rain, why even bother carrying an umbrella. Shin walked away from Makoto and made his way towards the dojo, closing his parasol he detached the ghost doll from it and tied it to on the hilt of his katana. Rather than making an entrance like his counterpart he took off his boots by the stone steps of the dojo, taking the short flight of stairs he entered the dojo and knelled between the painted the sliding doors, he set his katana down in front of him to make his intentions clear to Ryuk; he was no ordinary student but it was clear he was here to be a part of the clan.

Makoto unmounted her horse and tied the reigns on a post outside, she haphazardly took off her boots and stumbled next to Shin inside the dojo. The Naginata sliced through the colorful paper doors accidentally as she set it down, it was obvious she was not skilled with such a big weapon that was taller than her petite frame, and she was embarrassed as she looked down putting her weapon in front of her copying Shin.

Shin looked over to Makoto with the fox-face he harbored when he crossed her path outside, he stood up on one knee at first until he fluttered across the straw woven floor mats to sit across Ryuk with a bow as he placed his katana flat on one side. No words were exchanged at all other than simple body language that felt like respect coming from Shin to the dojo master.

The young eager female warrior took a deep breath to relax, she was skilled in other aspects besides her weapon of choice, and she got up elegantly like she would at a tea ceremony and followed behind Shin bowing in front of Ryuk. Makoto was not familiar with the clan's culture as she raised her head up and spoke out of turn. "Master Ryuk, I have traveled far from a small village in the mountains, I want to be your apprentice and serve the Empress! My name is Makoto, I humbly request that you accept!" She bowed again.

Shin's fox faced smile widened at the girl, everything was amusing to him and it was mainly a result of his demeanor but he was deadly and skilled with the blade, his facade hid his natural talents.

The two Samurai that had been left with Uesung to escort him to the Empress, returned. They came through, stepping infront of the two in the room and showed their respects to Daimyo Ryuk.

"Daimyo Ryuk, we gathered as much as we could before we were... dismissed. The man's name is Kenjin Uesung and he has a special sword of some kind. He WAS invited to speak. And he is requesting that the Empress supply men to help he claim land so he can become a Daimyo." One Samurai spoke before bowing and taking one step forward.

Ryuk spoke back in a tone that had a moderate sense of Anger in it, "I knew I was right... His sword belongs to the Shinigami. The Uesung family has no honor and any blood to the name is to be killed. If he walks from there with what he needs, it will not be of the Shiniga Clan. No being can rule if they do not build it themselves, there is no honor..."

Ryuk paused for a moment, having to clear his thoughts and return to his natural emotionless tone, "Good job, Samurai. Send an Erito Ashigaru to follow him and one to me. You may leave."

The Samurai would then vanish and dispatch the Erito Ashigaru.
Samurai Exit>

The silent samurai finally escorted Kenjin and his retinue to the dojo of the compound. "Stay here," Kenjin calmly ordered his samurai. They would remain atop their horses, just as quiet as the Shiniga samurai, but staring them down intensely. "And be nice," Kenjin said to them, smiling as he dismounted his horse. "Political implications are never fun."

Kenjin was escorted into the dojo, where he hoped to meet Daimyo Ryuk. He would bow before him in an act of respect.

(I had anticipated you to start the dialogue, so let's just assume Kenjin allowed Ryuk to do all the necessary formalities)

"Daimyo Ryuk, it is good to see you in good health," Kenjin said to Ryuk in a friendly tone, taking a seat with the others. "The Empress feels you overstepped your bounds, Daimyo, when you sent the escorts with me. I too thought it was a bad idea." Before Ryuk would think Kenjin insulted him, Kenjin held up his palm to dispel any such insult and continued. "But I understand the caution. To remain vigilant, even at times of peace, is a worthy attribute. Especially when you consider the son of a monster, like myself. And I'd like to comment on your samurai; they served you dutifully and loyally, and that is something I admire."

Kenjin recalled his time when he first arrived in Mitzushima, and what he thought of as belligerence between himself and the Shiniga clan. "The reason I am here, Lord Ryuk, is to absolve any negative thoughts between us. I've no ill will for you, and I am sure you've no ill will towards me. You seek to safeguard the Empress, and I respect that. I seek to restore the Uesung Province, and help bring about an age or prosperity, where the threat of famine is nonexistent. If you recall, before the Uesung became murderers, they were farmers."

Indeed, Kenjin spoke truth. He was the descendant of farmers-turned-tyrants, but it was clear he sought a more humble life than his predecessors. "To do that, I need allies. The Empress has agreed to help me, to an extent. I've also sent word to the Yanata clan for assistance. Would you feel up to the task of restoring what is no doubt the most fertile land in all of Katashima? If so, I require additional forces at my Ronin Encampment, in the Uesung Province." Kenjin was not wholly aware of the internal strife that existed between the Empress' allies and the Yanata, and so did not intend any conflict between anyone.

Ryuk's facial expression changed none, but Kenjin had walked in like an untamed creature spewing poison from his lips. Kenjin entered Ryuk's presence and decided to go straight to his spill. Ryuk did listen to Kenjin, but before he responded to his quest, he needed his ignorance to be addressed.

As the girl shot her hand up, it was snagged by the Samurai at the sliding door. Ryuk knew the girl meant no harm, but his Samurai took no chances. Ryuk would nod to the Samurai, letting the Samurai know the girl was fine and meant no harm.

Ryuk looked at the young girl, "You need to decide where your loyalty lies. If you wish for the Shiniga to teach you, you will not just jump to the servitude of another. There's no problem with helping, but nobody knows the Uesung like the Shiniga... He speaks of good things, but ask him to explain his weapon, and you will see more clearly.

There is Righteousness among the Shinigami as there is Honor among Man. What he serves is a Shinigami of unjustified greedy Death, while the Shinigami of the Rakka Hoshi take as they need with no preference. He forgets, despite our clans fighting against each other, before that, the Shiniga and Uesung worked together; we have copies of every scroll written by the two and all Shiniga are required to read every scroll and be knowledgeable of their history, making sure they don't make the same mistakes as their ancestors."

And then there was Kenjin, who Ryuk looked back at and began to speak in his lifeless voice, his anger barely noticeable, "First, Kenjin Uesung, you are no Daimyo. Daimyo is earned, not given. Second, not even the Empress tends to speaks before I am ready, much less you; we can forgive this once, but should it ever happen again, your tongue will be removed from your head. I am a Daimyo and you will respect me as such, Samurai.

As for the message from the Empress, who are you to deliver such? Does the Empress think words from your mouth amount to anything towards me?" Daimyo Ryuk spoke, as if trying to plant a false sense of mistrust between Ryuk and the Empress.

Daimy Ryuk slightly smirked before he got to his next point, "My Samurai have already told me of these boundaries. Do you think that's the first time she has said such? What she fails to explain is the many times I have had people people in shadows or as escorts that have saved lives. What she fails to see herself is that such an image shows unity under the Empress, that we are all one. So keep in mind, what relationship is between myself and the Empress is nigh understandable among others; do not ever try to use her words to demean me among company again, you may lose your tongue if it ever happens."

Ryuk would close his eyes and take a deep breathe, this was the topic that angered him, "If you think I will let you receive the title of Daimyo without fighting for it yourself, you are wrong. A Daimyo is a leader who has fought himself, with what he has, no matter the odds, and prevails...Your family, I care nothing about. As for the Yanata, if you value the Empress, you will speak none to them. The moment you ally with them, you become an enemy. Although the Empress thinks they will remain a Province under her, I do not see it happening. They wouldn't be an enemy, but I, myself, would not allow such lands to be controlled by them for anything...

Samurai, if you can make it worth the Shiniga to involve themselves, now is the time. Under no other circumstances would I allow such, but this world is becoming more political, and the Shiniga need to be more open. Even being open, there's only two ways this is ending, and it's all up to you..." Ryuk ended his response to Uesung, leaving the decision of how bad he wanted the help and how he could make it worth the Shiniga all up to him; let's hope Kenjin has a good sales pitch.

And then a Samurai stepped in with a three foot long, mahogany, pipe. The pipe had Shiniga artwork all over it and etched with precision. Ryuk would accept the pipe and the Samurai set a small bowl of fire between the group. Ryuk held the pipe over the over the flame for a minute, letting a glass coating be revealed at the base. The smell of a cherry began to rise from the end of the pipe. What was in it was starting to slowly steam, thus the smell. When the vapor was seen, Ryuk took a draw as he lowered the pipe further into the flame. His right index finger covered a small hole. 

Ryuk would release the vapor like smoke and inhale it French style(through his nostrils). The remainder of the vapor would crawl across his skin, revealing a slight shine in his skin tone. While doing such, he was passing the pipe to Shin. The herb was a calming herb that opened up the mind. It made conversations like this one a little more tolerable and reasonable.

(As far as I am aware, Ryuk was given ample time to start the dialogue, as evidenced at the top of my last post.)

Kenjin was mostly confused. "First off, I've never claimed to be Daimyo," he said calmly, "so that's a useless 'insult' if I ever heard one. Second, how many of these current Daimyo were given the title of Daimyo? As far as I am aware, all of the current Daimyo were born into their position, and I have no doubt you were too. Now, I'm certainly not saying they're not worthy of such a title, for I have yet to meet them. But of all these Daimyo, I'll be the only one who actually starts from scratch. I'll be the one to earn my title."

Kenjin stood up and looked around the room. "If all you intend to do is insult and anger me," he said, still calmly, "then I'm wasting your time. I will take my lands back; and I will earn my title." There was no expression of anger, no amount of hatred in his voice, just the calm, smooth tone that exhibited a pure spirit.

Kenjin bowed slightly to those in concession. "I'll take my leave now. The next time we meet like this, I can promise you we will be equals."

Kenjin mounted his white horse, and with his eight samurai, the nine samurai left the Shiniga province and headed for the Uesung Province.

<Exit>

Ryuk never looked at Kenjin. He considered him foolish and too easily frazzled. What would Makoto think if Ryuk reprimanded her and not Kenjin? Needless to say, Ryuk's dealings with Kenjin weren't over, he just knew Kenjin was easily bothered by having anyone enforce their superiority over him.

Samurai moved to escort Kenjin out as Ryuk spoke to Makoto, "A Daimyo is a leader over a portion of land and people. The rank structures are Empress/Emperor, a Shogun which we do not have in Katashima, and Daimyo...

Unlike most, my role as Daimyo was forced upon me and I have done the best that I can for the Rakka Hoshi. Until Kenjin has walked with my feet and fought with my sword, he does not know how much I have went through to be a proper Daimyo, and not once did I ask for help from others."

His eyes then moved to Shin as he pushed the pipe to Makoto, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Shin. I must apologize for such a scene. It is not normal that the Shiniga have guests like that. We are not perfect, but we do expect the utmost respect in our land and wanting our help."

Ryuk then spoke to both, "Please, tell me about yourself. What is your desire to be here? What are your dreams? Who are you?"

Makoto earnestly listened to the Daimyo’s explanation, she only had to be told once for her to understand his every word, being so far removed from the Empire in the country had only taught her of the Empress. In fact, she was no different from Kenjin with the exception that she was not asking to help, she wanted to help her family and friends further, and was told by a merchant that the dojo was accepting candidates. Her dark eyes followed the smoke coming from the lungs of the two men and she had never done anything with such a strange pipe that she started feeling nervous since she not idea what to do with it—instead she cast her long lashes down and bowed to Ryuk in a respectful decline. It was too risky for her to even try smoking the pipe without setting something on fire, she was fully aware that she was not experienced enough in that regard, and she continued to struggle as the samurai held on to her hand.

“Times are changing after all. Nothing is perfect, we are human. People are struggling and so am I.” Shin’s expression was still the same, “Half of my roots have brought me here to the family that I lost when my mother left by ship to arrive at a foreign country before I was born. Dreadful place really, theair is filled in soot, and ground is always covered in snow. I returned to this land 15 years ago, watched my family lose their land and everything they worked hard for. I wish to do something to regain the honor of my family.” He lowered his head to showcase how ashamed he felt in being unable to meet this goal yet.

“I am here so I can help feed all the orphans in my village…” Makoto said on the verge of tears, “All the food we grow has to be sold just to maintain the upkeep of the farm land. The children are starving and I must do something to feed them all…my grandfather is the leader there, the people are too busy with the farms, and I share all my food with the orphans. I left so that my portion could be given to them…at the same time I want to make the Empire a better place even if I can help just a little bit.” At that point her stomach growled, just talking about food made her hungry, it was true that her family was well off but she made it her responsibility to take in abandoned children into her home. Most people took in a stray animal but she took on children that passerby’s down the main road tend to give her. Makoto hard swallowed the lump in her throat as she tried very hard to hide that she was famished. "Let go of me already! My arm is falling asleep!" Makoto pleaded with the samurai who had not yet released her hand until she thought of what other reasons he would have to detain her, "Alright! I confess! I ripped the painted paper door at the dojo entrance. I promise to fix it! I can paint Daimyo!"