The Journey of the Tear
By Kakita Tetsuko and Hida Kuralan, edited by Hiruma Kani and Kakita Kaori, January 2000
Two ancient pine-trees...
A pair of gnarled and sturdy hands
With ten green fingers
-- Ryoto
In August, 1999, Doji Shizue-sama went to the Crab with a story...a story of a fallen man, destroyed by taint, who sought redemption by leading the armies of Rokugan to Volturnum to destroy the Shadow (found here). His name was Hida Amoro. The Crab at that time voted that they wished to follow Amoro and destroy him, but they did not wish to betray their charter by allying with the Shadowlands again. In this conflict of honor, one had the idea that Tear of the First Hantei, reputed to be able to remove the taint, could be used on Amoro to stave off his evil before his death. Our ambassador, Daidoji Toshi, carried word to the Crane of the request, and after much thought, the Crane voted that this would be the right thing to do. Our Asahina consulted the Kami (Ree), and they indicated that the omens were good for the Tear being used for this purpose. After confirmation with the Crab that this was the gift they required, it was decided the Tear would be sent.
This story is written by Kakita Tetsuko of the Crane, and Hida Kurlan of the Crab. It has been reviewed and approved by the mailing lists, and myself and Hiruma Kani had the honor of being editors for this story. It is fan fiction, and should not be considered official in any way, especially at this point in time.
Part One by Kakita Tetsuko
A message came, one the Clan called Crane could not ignore. A once long-time foe had been given a dreadful choice: to forsake their vows and ally with the tainted, or to defend the Empire against another evil, just as great. Though the Crane were unaware of the dilemma, one member of that enemy knew of an opportunity for salvation, and so the message came.
A great nemuranai could help, a nemuranai possessed by the Children of Doji. Much deliberation began as what to do about the message and its calling, but finally a decision was made. Help would be sent. This would not be done out of forgetfulness of what the enemy had done during the Great War, nor out of a sense of vanity or pride. The decision was made not for reward or agenda, but because it was a good thing to do. So now goes forth seven Clansmen. One Asahina shugenja to carry a Tear of the First Hantei and six yojimbo to protect it.
The journey began after the halls of the Asahina rang with supplications to the spirits inquiring to the worthiness of such intentions and the destinies of the nermuranai. Finally, with the blessing of the kami, the Cranes set out to meet their once war time enemy, joining them in destroying a new threat to the Empire and to save the soul of a fallen berserker.
As the yojimbo approached quietly in the night, the doors to the temple opened without so much as a whisper. Inside stood two men ready for travel, a robed shugenja and a proud bushi.
"This is Asahina Ki-Ris, he will carry the Tear as you must ensure its safety," spoke the tetsu tsuru, Daidoji Marako, "Know this, I can only go with you so far."
"You do what you must. It will be enough," the leader replied with a firm understanding.
"Tetsuko-san, we must hurry if we are to rendezvous with the Crab."
"Yes, Makoto, we must."
With that, the group rode out from Asahina fields and toward Hida lands.
The travels though the southern territories were much quieter then they were several weeks before. The shugenja was uncertain as to the omens. Most of the seasoned veterans were unsettled with the calm that have followed them from the temple. Even within the beautiful lands of the Crane, there existed
a level of tension brought on from the recent civil war. Now with the death of Lord Moon their tired eyes scan miles of barren countryside, but all was still.
Soon, days passed and without the notice expected, the travelers moved easily through the southernmost lands of the Crane. Time had come to cross into Crab lands -- Shio Senkyo no Riku, the Tidal Landbridge, was ahead of them. The group settled in before continuing the journey.
"I must take leave of you now," Marako said bowing as he took his leave. "My part has been played. It is now up to you to continue on and help our cousins, the Hida," said the departing Daidoji as he rode back to guard the Temples of his oath.
Kokoro, a young yojimbo, quoted a parting farewell, "We will not fail!"
"One down," a kenshinzen joked as he pulled a burr from his horse's forelock. From behind, the sound of running feet bespoke of two men moving fast.
"And two more to join you, Mitsurugi!" exclaimed the approaching swordmaster Musashi. He straightened and approached at a more decorous pace. A young yari master walked beside him. "I had feared we would miss your departure."
"It seems as though we are to have company on this journey," smiled Tetsuko as he began setting up the night's encampment while waiting for the tide to lower.
"With the group growing at this rate, it will be difficult to pass unnoticed," warned the Daidoji ambassador, Toshi.
Kakita Tetsuko replied, "As Kokoro stated, 'We will not fail'. It will be more difficult yes, but if trouble should come, I would wish Musashi-sama to be near."
"Agreed," smiled the ambassador.
The border to Hida lands was near and the journey had been easy. There had been no sign of trouble and the sky was red like blood since the Moon's fall, but all was clear. As Lady Sun's hollowed form rested in the west and the shadow of the world itself fell over the land, something watched. The night itself began chilling, not from the cold night air, but from something far more sinister. This night too would be "different".
Tainted shadows filled the dreams of the men sent to escort the Tear. The air was uneasy and the night was filled will movements that could not be seen. The watch wondered as only the light of a small fire kept the darkness at bay. The journey would have to wait until the water receded from Shio Senkyo no Riku. The darkness would wait no longer.
"What was that?" exclaimed a startled yojimbo.
"Nothing, just the shadow again," answered the exhausted Toshi.
Makoto now countered, "The shadow itself can be your enemy. It can conceal and it can...."
Togusa shouted cutting off Makoto, "It's coming this way!"
It was true. The shadow itself seemed to be creeping toward the camp. Daidoji Toshi quickly woke the others as Kakita Makoto and Daidoji Togusa went to investigate. They found forms that were vaguely human-shaped with faces as smooth as egg shells. Makoto ordered Togusa back as he himself prepared for battle. The forms came slowly, concealing their true numbers. As new forms would appear, others melted into the blackness of night. The sea sighed against the shoreline, wishing a hollowed farewell to those waking from their slumber. With no time to don armor, the Cranes stood ready for the fate they were all prepared to face.
The darkness came from an unrelenting quiet that was nearly deafening. Shadowy shapes moved swiftly through the camp penetrating everything. The Cranes stood their ground as they tried to take in the entirety of the situation. Then suddenly the deformed human forms came. The Tetsu Tsuru who stood closest to the wedge let few pass before the camp was filling with visageless forms.
With an elegant stroke from "Mamoru", the Kakita Blade, Doji Kokoro sliced a form in two. "That got one," shouted the young Crane.
"What are these things?" a confused kenshinzen inquired as the form he had slashed open reformed in front of him.
"They are not Shadowlands tainted; I would have felt it," answered Tetsuko as his blade cut down one of the many forms now besieging the camp.
"Tetsuko! Look!" Makoto shouted, eyes wide and desperate.
Another battle was being waged on the other side of the land bridge.
"The Crab have arrived, and they seemed to have met with battle as well," exclaimed Tetsuko, moving for a better look.
Daidoji Toshi quickly found the Asahina. "Whatever happens here, Ki-ris-san, you must get the Tear to Kyuden Hida. Do you understand?"
Fully understanding the order, the shugenja called upon the elements to protect him as the others battled the darkness. With every fallen form, another would meld from the shadow and take place. Stalemate quickly became the tide of battle.
"What are we to do now, Tetsuko-san?" demanded Toshi.
"We stall until sunrise," answered the Tetsuko is a firm, but worried tone . "If these things are spawn from the darkness, then let Lady Amaterasu's light punish them!"
With that, the children of Doji fought to protect the Asahina and the Tear of Hantei from the darkness.
The battle continued without end. Only a skill and speed honed in centuries of technique and the benevolent blessings of Shinsei allowed the bushi to escape without damage. However with each blow from their dark enemy, the Cranes weakened. The Crabs on the other side of the Land Bridge fought tirelessly, their roaring voices splitting the darkness. Both sides waited with desperate hope for the time Lady Sun's light would shine again.
The sky had become brighter and the darkness weakened, but the dawning was unlike the glorious spectacle it once was. When the Lady awoke, light did not radiate from her in bright bands of golden rays. Instead the Sun in shadow through forth blood red arcs of light that seemed to show the Lady's sorrow. The darkness stopped as the water reflected the light onto the sky and the whole coast turn red. The Cranes stopped to see which side the Lady would favor. They would not wait long.
They turned to face the darkness. It recoiled in anguish as the sun rose over their heads. The forms melted into wisps of inky black vapor. When it seemed the darkness was gone, the Cranes saw that the forms had not been destroyed, but simply fled west toward the escaping night.
The Cranes gave thanks to Lady Amaterasu and rode quickly across the newly forming bridge of Shio Senkyo no Riku to aid the Crab.
Part 2 removed at the request of the author.
Two ancient pine-trees...
A pair of gnarled and sturdy hands
With ten green fingers
-- Ryoto
In August, 1999, Doji Shizue-sama went to the Crab with a story...a story of a fallen man, destroyed by taint, who sought redemption by leading the armies of Rokugan to Volturnum to destroy the Shadow (found here). His name was Hida Amoro. The Crab at that time voted that they wished to follow Amoro and destroy him, but they did not wish to betray their charter by allying with the Shadowlands again. In this conflict of honor, one had the idea that Tear of the First Hantei, reputed to be able to remove the taint, could be used on Amoro to stave off his evil before his death. Our ambassador, Daidoji Toshi, carried word to the Crane of the request, and after much thought, the Crane voted that this would be the right thing to do. Our Asahina consulted the Kami (Ree), and they indicated that the omens were good for the Tear being used for this purpose. After confirmation with the Crab that this was the gift they required, it was decided the Tear would be sent.
This story is written by Kakita Tetsuko of the Crane, and Hida Kurlan of the Crab. It has been reviewed and approved by the mailing lists, and myself and Hiruma Kani had the honor of being editors for this story. It is fan fiction, and should not be considered official in any way, especially at this point in time.
Part One by Kakita Tetsuko
A message came, one the Clan called Crane could not ignore. A once long-time foe had been given a dreadful choice: to forsake their vows and ally with the tainted, or to defend the Empire against another evil, just as great. Though the Crane were unaware of the dilemma, one member of that enemy knew of an opportunity for salvation, and so the message came.
A great nemuranai could help, a nemuranai possessed by the Children of Doji. Much deliberation began as what to do about the message and its calling, but finally a decision was made. Help would be sent. This would not be done out of forgetfulness of what the enemy had done during the Great War, nor out of a sense of vanity or pride. The decision was made not for reward or agenda, but because it was a good thing to do. So now goes forth seven Clansmen. One Asahina shugenja to carry a Tear of the First Hantei and six yojimbo to protect it.
The journey began after the halls of the Asahina rang with supplications to the spirits inquiring to the worthiness of such intentions and the destinies of the nermuranai. Finally, with the blessing of the kami, the Cranes set out to meet their once war time enemy, joining them in destroying a new threat to the Empire and to save the soul of a fallen berserker.
As the yojimbo approached quietly in the night, the doors to the temple opened without so much as a whisper. Inside stood two men ready for travel, a robed shugenja and a proud bushi.
"This is Asahina Ki-Ris, he will carry the Tear as you must ensure its safety," spoke the tetsu tsuru, Daidoji Marako, "Know this, I can only go with you so far."
"You do what you must. It will be enough," the leader replied with a firm understanding.
"Tetsuko-san, we must hurry if we are to rendezvous with the Crab."
"Yes, Makoto, we must."
With that, the group rode out from Asahina fields and toward Hida lands.
The travels though the southern territories were much quieter then they were several weeks before. The shugenja was uncertain as to the omens. Most of the seasoned veterans were unsettled with the calm that have followed them from the temple. Even within the beautiful lands of the Crane, there existed
a level of tension brought on from the recent civil war. Now with the death of Lord Moon their tired eyes scan miles of barren countryside, but all was still.
Soon, days passed and without the notice expected, the travelers moved easily through the southernmost lands of the Crane. Time had come to cross into Crab lands -- Shio Senkyo no Riku, the Tidal Landbridge, was ahead of them. The group settled in before continuing the journey.
"I must take leave of you now," Marako said bowing as he took his leave. "My part has been played. It is now up to you to continue on and help our cousins, the Hida," said the departing Daidoji as he rode back to guard the Temples of his oath.
Kokoro, a young yojimbo, quoted a parting farewell, "We will not fail!"
"One down," a kenshinzen joked as he pulled a burr from his horse's forelock. From behind, the sound of running feet bespoke of two men moving fast.
"And two more to join you, Mitsurugi!" exclaimed the approaching swordmaster Musashi. He straightened and approached at a more decorous pace. A young yari master walked beside him. "I had feared we would miss your departure."
"It seems as though we are to have company on this journey," smiled Tetsuko as he began setting up the night's encampment while waiting for the tide to lower.
"With the group growing at this rate, it will be difficult to pass unnoticed," warned the Daidoji ambassador, Toshi.
Kakita Tetsuko replied, "As Kokoro stated, 'We will not fail'. It will be more difficult yes, but if trouble should come, I would wish Musashi-sama to be near."
"Agreed," smiled the ambassador.
The border to Hida lands was near and the journey had been easy. There had been no sign of trouble and the sky was red like blood since the Moon's fall, but all was clear. As Lady Sun's hollowed form rested in the west and the shadow of the world itself fell over the land, something watched. The night itself began chilling, not from the cold night air, but from something far more sinister. This night too would be "different".
Tainted shadows filled the dreams of the men sent to escort the Tear. The air was uneasy and the night was filled will movements that could not be seen. The watch wondered as only the light of a small fire kept the darkness at bay. The journey would have to wait until the water receded from Shio Senkyo no Riku. The darkness would wait no longer.
"What was that?" exclaimed a startled yojimbo.
"Nothing, just the shadow again," answered the exhausted Toshi.
Makoto now countered, "The shadow itself can be your enemy. It can conceal and it can...."
Togusa shouted cutting off Makoto, "It's coming this way!"
It was true. The shadow itself seemed to be creeping toward the camp. Daidoji Toshi quickly woke the others as Kakita Makoto and Daidoji Togusa went to investigate. They found forms that were vaguely human-shaped with faces as smooth as egg shells. Makoto ordered Togusa back as he himself prepared for battle. The forms came slowly, concealing their true numbers. As new forms would appear, others melted into the blackness of night. The sea sighed against the shoreline, wishing a hollowed farewell to those waking from their slumber. With no time to don armor, the Cranes stood ready for the fate they were all prepared to face.
The darkness came from an unrelenting quiet that was nearly deafening. Shadowy shapes moved swiftly through the camp penetrating everything. The Cranes stood their ground as they tried to take in the entirety of the situation. Then suddenly the deformed human forms came. The Tetsu Tsuru who stood closest to the wedge let few pass before the camp was filling with visageless forms.
With an elegant stroke from "Mamoru", the Kakita Blade, Doji Kokoro sliced a form in two. "That got one," shouted the young Crane.
"What are these things?" a confused kenshinzen inquired as the form he had slashed open reformed in front of him.
"They are not Shadowlands tainted; I would have felt it," answered Tetsuko as his blade cut down one of the many forms now besieging the camp.
"Tetsuko! Look!" Makoto shouted, eyes wide and desperate.
Another battle was being waged on the other side of the land bridge.
"The Crab have arrived, and they seemed to have met with battle as well," exclaimed Tetsuko, moving for a better look.
Daidoji Toshi quickly found the Asahina. "Whatever happens here, Ki-ris-san, you must get the Tear to Kyuden Hida. Do you understand?"
Fully understanding the order, the shugenja called upon the elements to protect him as the others battled the darkness. With every fallen form, another would meld from the shadow and take place. Stalemate quickly became the tide of battle.
"What are we to do now, Tetsuko-san?" demanded Toshi.
"We stall until sunrise," answered the Tetsuko is a firm, but worried tone . "If these things are spawn from the darkness, then let Lady Amaterasu's light punish them!"
With that, the children of Doji fought to protect the Asahina and the Tear of Hantei from the darkness.
The battle continued without end. Only a skill and speed honed in centuries of technique and the benevolent blessings of Shinsei allowed the bushi to escape without damage. However with each blow from their dark enemy, the Cranes weakened. The Crabs on the other side of the Land Bridge fought tirelessly, their roaring voices splitting the darkness. Both sides waited with desperate hope for the time Lady Sun's light would shine again.
The sky had become brighter and the darkness weakened, but the dawning was unlike the glorious spectacle it once was. When the Lady awoke, light did not radiate from her in bright bands of golden rays. Instead the Sun in shadow through forth blood red arcs of light that seemed to show the Lady's sorrow. The darkness stopped as the water reflected the light onto the sky and the whole coast turn red. The Cranes stopped to see which side the Lady would favor. They would not wait long.
They turned to face the darkness. It recoiled in anguish as the sun rose over their heads. The forms melted into wisps of inky black vapor. When it seemed the darkness was gone, the Cranes saw that the forms had not been destroyed, but simply fled west toward the escaping night.
The Cranes gave thanks to Lady Amaterasu and rode quickly across the newly forming bridge of Shio Senkyo no Riku to aid the Crab.
Part 2 removed at the request of the author.
