Road Back to Ningen-dō
Donoha sama had long thought the souls belonging to owners of the blades that make up Mittsu Tamashi were inside the blade already. It had not occurred to him that what he’d managed to perform was creating a tether to those souls. A link to them in Gaki-do! In some ways he was destined to have to journey to Gaki-do in order to save them and bring them forth from the punishment of the realm of the hungry dead.
The three shadowy souls of Hida Nagahide san, Shiba Tsukasa san, and Akodo Chun san fell in line behind the Dragon courtier as musical bells began to ring out. Donoha sama was becoming convinced that one of Hanzo san’s relatives or close family friends had been a monk in his world’s Brotherhood of Shinsei. Their knowledge of rites typically done by monks whom focused on rituals for points in one’s life seemed prolific to put a word to it.
They all returned in mass to the shrine where Donoha reverently replaced the Karmic Key. After bowing in a show of respect to his part in helping the five samurai defeat the Queen of Hunger. He retreated to allow the others to make their feelings known. They have, after all, saved the process of reincarnation! Hanzo continued their performance with the bells used by monks to help guide souls to their place in reincarnation. Normally done from Ningen-do or Rokugan depending upon how the scholar wishes to describe the world.
Outside the shrine’s entry the mist parted to form a column of golden light. They were being granted passage back to Meido. With the constant echo of bells helping the shadowy souls find their place in a train behind the heroic samurai. Once everyone returns to the realm of waiting the one known as Tenth Kami appeared before them once more. The shadowy souls immediately began to find their way back into the line to be weighed again by Emma-O, the fortune of Death. This time their suffering in Gaki-do would be weighed as well and their chance at reincarnation seemed almost a given!
When the Tenth Kami turning their attention back to the group. The Lion bushi was knelt on one knee. The Dragon courtier in a kneeling bow with his head low and hand in gesture of contemplation. The others had deferred their gazes respectfully, and three lone souls stood behind Donoha sama watching him.
“Kitsuki Donoha san why have these three souls decided to remain with you?”
To be addressed directly by one of the Great Kami is a rarity for anyone in Rokugan since the founding of the empire. The Dragon courtier refused to touch his sword in the presence of the Tenth Kami when he answered.
“I believe these are the souls of Shiba Tsukasa san, Hida Nagahide san, and Akodo Chun san. Either their blades failed them and broke during their time as bushi samurai, or they failed their lord in their service. I was gifted each of their katana and used it to make the katana at my side, Mittsu Tamashi. I wanted to serve the empire by making swords that could be used to redeem the souls of samurai that had fallen. To give them another shot at reincarnation.”
The Tenth Kami spoke, “They have that chance and have decide to stay and serve you within the blade. I shall bind them to that fate they have chosen.”
With a raise of their hand each of the souls took the shape they had in life. Constructed by an outline of tiny pieces of light as though drawn in the dark sky. Then they became a bright mist that was absorbed into the handle of Mittsu Tamashi. Each time making it glow before settling down.
The Tenth Kami continued, “You have all done a service to every soul here and ones having gone through reincarnation. I will grant a boon to speak with a soul that has passed on.”
The first to choose was Akodo Asahi sama and they chose to speak with their father, Akodo Isoroku. Once their soul took form the two were allowed to wander off and have a private conversation. Hanzo and Donoha talk about the fact he came from a different history. Without meaning to the Dragon mentioned the Emperor had a vision and put the Emperor’s Gift Caravan together for forestall or alter that fate. According to Shosuro Hanzo san that moment is the event that led this world in a better direction than his.
Isawa Tamaki san asked to speak to the original Thunder Isawa sama themself! Only to be informed they had gone through reincarnation and were on Ningen-do actively at this moment! The Phoenix shugenja then asked for a private conversation with the Tenth Kami after everyone else was done, and was granted their request. I wish I knew what they asked but alas somethings must remain private.
Thinking about what he wanted Donoha sama missed what both Otaku Gunba san and Shosuro Hanzo san asked for. He gathered they seemed happy, or maybe relieved at the outcomes of those discussions. The Scorpion courtier seemed to think this world was a blessing to him now. The Unicorn shugenja seemed a bit more contemplative about his their result.
Donoha thought about the people they could talk to that were dead and decided to try and make this a gift. He asked if he could pass this gift to the Ikoma. He tries to get a boon for the Ikoma family daimyo, Ikoma Anakazu sama. Acknowledging how much the Ikoma damiyo has done for him in the last year he asked the Tenth Kami if such a boon was possible. The answer was that it may be possible for them to grant such a desire. He would have to pray when he was near the person and hopefully the Tenth Kami would hear the prayer.
After all conversations were had, the group headed back into the mist and became one with it again as they were once greeted by the Maiden of the Void, Chiasa. Donoha and she shared a brief moment, although this author is sure it felt much longer to the Dragon than it was. She told him their would be a time in the future they could be together but her duties would not allow it yet. At the mention of possibly infringing on her duty to her cause or lord. He stilled his spirit and apologized for he would not wish to cause her any harm. It was a look shared of two people in love. The mist swirled as she sent them home to Ningen-do.
Back in the Dragon lands each of them came to on the 4th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}), 1123. Three days had past and Togashi Hoshi sama had been caring for them and their mounts while their souls had been away. As everyone was beginning to realize how hungry they were for not eating for three days! Donoha sama and Gunba san shared a brief look about the journey. The Unicorn wandered off to the horses is soon joined by Donoha as he goes to groom Yukiabo, his personal horse. When he asked if the Unicorn shugenja was alright, Gunba san assured him it was nothing of import. The Dragon courtier leaned back and rubbed his eye apologizing for snow getting in it.
Togashi Hoshi welcomes us back as Donoha sama returns. Asahi sama begins cooking food with provisions. They are so talented at cooking one wonders if they had not cooked for a Hantei in a past life. The Dragon and Scorpion courtiers play a game of Go to pass the time. Donoha won the game, and its been a fair amount of time since the game they played in the Valley of the Centipede in Moshi no Machi against the Mantis captain, Yoritomo Sekimoto san.
As everyone was eating the food Donoha sama praises his cousin’s cooking alongside Hanzo san. After their food was done the Scorpion acted out one of the classic tales done normally in kabuki or noh mask theatre. They are an accomplished actor and everyone enjoyed the tale. Tamaki wanted to try and meditate during most of the meal. even going as far with magic of the kami to pull a flaming log up to him through the air to keep warm. Eventually, the log was not enough and they had to leave their spot they had claimed on a rock column. Even Gunba returned when the group was given our next destination on the way to the High House of Light.
The group was informed there is a shrine on a lake to Fukuro-kujin, the fortune or Wisdom and Mercy. There we will meet our next guide, Tetsuo san. Donoha sama asked about a few details of the shrine. Togashi sama confirmed and the Kitsuki nodded that he’d seen the shrine before but it was never on his way to or from Copper River Manor where he was born. The group decided that since the day was only coming upon highsun they begin their journey with haste. They packed up being rested, refreshed, and fed most importantly.
As they began to travel Asahi broke into song several times with amazing renditions of ballads heard around the Empire! Their voice is a joy to listen to, clearly another past life coming through this very talented samurai. Donoha sama gathered a thick branch and began to carve it in his lap on Yukiabo with his chisels and smithing hammer. He finished it on the following day of the 5th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}), 1123. He presented a three compartment stackable inro box to be worn from their obi. A scorpion was carved upon both its sides and stretched over the three compartments.
During the trek the group shared a number of shared moments between the group. When they arrived at the shrine on the 8th of Bayushi (Month of the Rooster {OOC: October}). Both the Lion and Dragon were inspired to come up with a haiku which I will record below. Donoha’s Haiku:
Quiet mind at peace.
Peaceful heart, a knowing smile.
Wisdom’s gentle light.
Asahi’s Haiku:
Cold Snow Falls So Clear
A Statue’s Silent Gazing
Mercy and Wisdom
Tetsuo introduced themselves to the group. Then offered them a chance to visit and pay their respects. The Lion and the Dragon bow and kneel at the stairs to offer their prayers. The Scorpion took some wonderful incense to burn at the alter of the fortune. After their prayers the Phoenix offered some of theirs as well. The Unicorn took the most time but he carved a token to add to the altar. They did a job that made them feel the Fortune would be happy with the offering. As they came out Shosuro Hanzo was beginning a divination by the nearby lake.