Tag: Shirai

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 52

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Shanzi Matsu

Home, Heart, and Harmony


Mirumoto Tenryu san had been having a normal morning on guard duty for the city. All the lords within the city of the Great Falls Castle contributed samurai to its defense. Knowing that his lord’s son was returning soon. He was thumbing through a few pages of “In Defense of Honor” when a guard called to him about switching so he could have a break. Nodding he tucked the book away and headed back to his post.

When the aging samurai that had turned down so many promotions because he was happiest as a guard. Made out Kitsuki Donoha sama and his companions approaching he stepped out to greet them all. Between the two men an entire conversation of welcome home and it’s great to see you was said in the whispers of the wind when their eyes met. Donoha sama playfully embarrassed his friend by introducing him by the sama honorific when it was pretty obvious whom ranked higher.

Otaku Gunba sama began to do his normal routine, and was directed inside and to the right for the castle stables. There he spent an inordinate amount of time taking care of and putting away the horses. Tenryu san asked the young Dragon which damsel has he saved recently. Remembering the ribbing he got from Gunba sama about how he saved Tamae and nearly all the women in Tall Pine Village facing down six yeti. Even Hanzo san said his arrows were mere distraction and then their was the spell of fire and lightning he endured when other yeti were hurt and then finished off by him. Donoha again said nothing, smiled slightly, and nodded his head towards Kuni Shirai san.

The Phoenix and Crab shugenja were talking amongst themselves about Tamaki san’s fire enhancements. They seemed to have a bond building between them and it was wholesome to see grow. The old Dragon guard eventually told Donoha sama his parents were expecting them. Showing them to where Gunba sama had wandered off to they returned to their post.

Copper River Manor was the name of the estate, located at the northern most point of the castle town surrounding the Great Falls Castle. Even with winter fast approaching there was a serene calm around the home. None of the metallic decorations or accents were in gold or brass. They were all copper or iron. Efforts in “irogane” or “Red Gold” alloys could be seen as well as pieces deliberately allowed to patina to a soft, mint green in color. It was clear to see where Donoha sama’s fondness of mint green came from. Even the roof was sheathed in patinaed copper sheets blending it in with the trees.

The Dragon courtier tried a sincere attempt at casual conversation with Shirai san when he pointed out the ends of the roof. When his grandfather, Kitsuki Yushu sama before becoming Seppun Yushu sama, had the roof redone before his bride, Seppun Sora sama, came to visit. He had studied the notes of the Kaiu samurai that joined the Order of Togashi and built Great Falls Castle. They sloped in two separate directions at the same time and yet no nails were used in their design. She widened her eyes in amazement and bowed her head in acknowledgement but said nothing in return. At that moment he took the same hint he had with the five Moshi shugenja from the beach – not much of a talker.

Staff at Donoha sama’s home recognized him but the Dragon did not know how because for him most of these people were new. Gates were open as he approached and while he tried to bow in thanks everyone just bowed lower. It was amusing trying to watch him try show respect heimin and eta only to be “out bowed” by them. Shirai san and Tamaki san shared whispered conversations about the Crab shugenja’s bewilderment over his actions. The Phoenix simply reminded her when the Lion cousin of the Dragon left. It was Donoha sama that took care of the cat with the same care and attention he was giving to those in front of them. Even Hanzo san and Gunba sama got to see that everyone he had met and treated on the road was the same way he acted in his own home.

Upon entering the courtyard of the estate their eyes could feast on a kaleidoscopic array of colored plants. The Scorpion courtier could plants that were safe, medicinal, and even outright poisonous spread among them. They had been deliberately allowed to grow more than many traditional gardens might allow. It definitely wasn’t negligence but a conscious choice to do so. Without so much as a whisper a woman appeared from the main house follow by the return of sound attributed to the man behind her.

“Have you had rice?” her words felt as smooth as silk, but with with presence of steel beneath it.
“No, okaasama,” Donoha sama replied to his mother as he walked toward her and knelt with the same reverence he gave the Mirumoto daimyo. The others followed his example and then introductions were made to his parents before handing the scroll from Mirumoto Masashige sama to his father regarding Tall Pine Village and the yeti raid. Being shown inside, preparations for a meal had been made and places were set, but the thing that caught everyone were the chopsticks. Made of ivory and the colors on the handles matched the clan colors for all present! The fact that they had a set for Shirai san suggested how recent their information had to be.

The Kitsuki family of the Dragon Clan are unique in their approach to learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Raised from an Agasha shugenja in the late 700’s Agasha Kitsuki wanted facts to explain elemental phenomena. He began to experiment in short term kami bindings to potions so the recipient would be the person drinking the potion. Thus allowing magical effects to anyone! Once that was done they moved on to binding full prayers or spells in a form of alchemy.

The keen eye developed doing such experimentation led him to many new understandings about life and the things around him. Things most samurai would not bother to learn. Pushing past the comfort zone of an entire class of people is not an easy nor often advisable thing to do. The family founder had to do such when framed with murder. After proving his innocence, he saved the child of the Mirumoto Daimyo and was granted the right to form the new family. While the Kitsuki method is certainly unique, their ability to acquire information should scare even the Scorpion or the Crane clans.

Everyone’s favorite dish was present, even for Hanzo san (hot, udon soup, shrimp tempura, and desert from the City of Lies) and Shirai san (a shoronpo or soup filled dumpling)! The bond between the Phoenix and the Crab was indeed deepening as they had similar dishes with different seasonings. Neither were displeased with their choices when they tried sharing. They just prefered there own the way we all have a comfort food. Otaku Gunba sama’s favorite food was a plain rice, cooked with chicken broth, chili crisps lightly added to finish it. The Unicorn shugenja sat and stared at his dish a moment, then offered an additional small prayer to someone or something before joining the group in stating Itadakimasu before eating. The one person completely unsurprised by their meal was the young Dragon. Miso-glazed river salmon in a potsticker style dumpling with shavings of fermented daikon and local greens and mushrooms.

After the meal, the grouping split up, as Kitsuki Orochi sama led his son and Hanzo san on a walk through the city. While Kitsuki Hana sama, Shirai san, Tamaki san, and Gunba sama talked about their ancestor spirits given her training as a shugenja came from her upbringing among the Lion. The trio walking through the northern part of the castle town discussed how Donoha sama was willing to adopt Hanzo san as a brother should the Scorpion Clan decide to reject him. Orochi sama nodded knowing this was an ask of him and his son choosing to vouch for someone. Donoha sama mentioned that his father never asked why their clan might reject one of their own. The young Dragon took that to mean his was as informed as he suspected given the ivory chopsticks at the meal.

Then the conversation turned to Serpent’s Tail Mine and the problems surrounding Mountain’s Anvil Castle. Both the Dragon and the Scorpion informed Donoha sama’s father about their experiences at the mine and the betrayal at the castle. When emphasized the importance of the issue by showing his father the fingers of jade and “untainted” obsidian! Kitsuki Orochi sama nodded and left the two in order to prepare a party to leave on the morrow and head there.

The Scorpion and the Dragon took their time returning to Copper River Manor. The conversation had turned to the member of the family not present – Kitsuki Hoshikiba – Donoha sama’s sister. They discussed the bet that had gone wrong in the exchange of a Mirumoto and a Kakita to study the style of each family. Hoshikiba san had volunteered to replace the Mirumoto when the call for volunteers went out from the Mirumoto family daimyo. The young Dragon suspected she was in Kyuden Kakita in the southern Crane lands.

Arriving back at the house in the latter part of the day initially found them discussing the plants in the garden and Hanzo san was able to explain the medicinal properties of the plants his sister was so fond of caring for. Donoha sama was able to display a knowledge of the their physical properties: color, scent, texture, and so forth. They were able to teach each other what the other missed and displayed a modicum of lore on botany.

Before to long everyone’s attention, servants, Donoha sama’s mother, Shirai san, Hanzo san, and the young Dragon was drawn to the synchronistic display being performed as part meditation and part display of the kami’s power! The two shugenja were moving earth in the form of rocks, water from the courtyard pond, through the air in a cylindrical dance with the koi fish! It was a mesmerizing display of the beauty and wonder of nature!

After such a magnificent display Donoha sama could his mother hiding a smile. His friends had made his mother smile and he knew satisfaction at being their friend. His mother mentioned the evening meal would be ready soon, and the Unicorn and Phoenix shugenjas asked if they could send missives from here. The Kitsuki matron nodded and told them she would see them sent off wherever they needed to go.

After dinner Donoha and Tamaki toured the Great Falls Castle so he could see the riverways running through it and out the cliffsides! What surprised the Phoenix was the number of benches present at spots accentuating the flow of spiritual energy. Where a single person or small group could sit and loose themselves in the motion of the river, the ambience of peace. The ground was stones with four circular holes cut into each one. Filled with small, smooth, colored stones tied to the elements. Black granite insets connected them in a larger circle. Tamaki learned that the holes and the stones allow for overflow water to drain back into the ground preventing issues with standing water.

Donoha sama mentioned needing to get supplies from his workshop and left Tamaki san to enjoy his meditations. The Phoenix shugenja eventually sought out Mirumoto Tenryu san. They spent a fair amount of time discussing Donoha as a child and what he was like. The elder samurai said a comment among the tales that the Kitsuki samurai were some of the most “cerebral” people he’d ever met. The epitaph hung in Tamaki san’s ears like an ofuda charm from his hat.

When Donoha sama made it back to his room he unpacked his heavy and light armors. Servants were able to acquire boxes he could pack them on top of and they bore his family’s mon. He’d been practicing more and more of what Mirumoto Uesugi sama had taught him. He could feel himself beginning a new journey down the path of the Taoist Swordsman. From there he headed out to his workshop to resupply the kits he carried with him.

He failed to notice he’d been watched leaving as Hanzo san went into Donoha’s room to see a veritable library of scrolls and books. Sketches, paintings, and notes about he’d developed his own artistic style. Apparently he’d paint his sister to study how to capture emotions on paper. The Scorpion realized he was looking at an exploded view of his mind. His notes about how he made is steel billets for making weapons were among some those notes. Feeling he understood the man further he went to seek out Tenryu san as Tamaki san had done.

Elsewhere in home Gunba sama further explored the conversation about ancestor spirits with Kitsuki Hana sama. As we know our Unicorn shugenja hates the focus of attention to be upon him. From what I can glean he asked for help with communing with his ancestors and the Kitsuki matron mentioned they would see what they could find that might help.

As Tamaki san was wrapping up with Tenryu san and leaving in the night air. They appeared to be unaware their departure was observed from shadows nearby buildings. As Hanzo san approached the senior samurai to test how prepared he was. The Mirumoto guard never turned to face him but said out loud, “Shosuro san you have an incredibly light step, how can I help you this evening?” Hanzo san was taken aback by how nonchalantly he’d been addressed. The senior samurai gave him a look that said volumes. About how this had been his post as long as Donoha sama had been alive. Nothing moved around him he did not sense.

Hanzo san spent a fair amount of time talking with the senior samurai about Donoha sama’s sister. Is an infatuation growing my readers? Has the child of the clan that hoards secrets fallen for a child of the clan reputed to hold the most among them? Only time will tell.

On the following morning of the 16th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}) the sun rose upon a beautiful day. Up before dawn quietly practiced in the garden. While he did not see him leave to knew his father had left for his trip. The signs were there to his awareness and perception. His mother and two servants had made bentos and packed the ivory chopsticks in with the packages. His mother had taken hand in the direct preparation of the food and arrangement. Each would be unique and she then asked the kami to keep the food fresh until opened. Yukiabo – the young dragon’s snow pony mount was packed with all the additional items and supplies for projects he wanted to make. The last item and gift from his mother was for Otaku Gunba sama. A scroll with notes about how to find some information he was looking for as a shugenja.

There was a heartfelt goodbye between Tenryu san and Donoha sama. He promised to tell Inoki sama and Uesugi sama how much the child they knew had grown into man when he saw them for winter court. With that the group headed out from Great Falls Castle. Passage straight through Shiro Kitsuki had been prepared. The Scorpion tried to have conversations with the Crab shugenja only to learn one thing, the plethora of ways she can scowl.

It was the 21st of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}) when they saw the caravan once again. Though for some it was with fresh eyes or their first time. Then a loud shriek from above and Donoha sama tapped the leather should piece he had put on his right side that morning. Clearly modified from archery styled armor. He tapped his shoulder three times and then stuck his hand into a small pouch on his obi. Shirogane landed on their master’s shoulder and began to nuzzle him with its head.

Hanzo san had a stunned look at Shriogane’s wing span being almost as long as five shaku! Their beak to where their tail feathers start was two shaku when in flight! Shirogane was a BIG bird! He tried to reach out a hand to pet the bird while Donoha fed it scraps of dried. Only to hear a stifled laugh from the Crab shugenja when the great bird’s head swiveled to glare at him. Donoha sama mentioned, “I’d recommend letting Shirogane getting to know you first.” Then he continued, “Hanzo san, this is Shirogane. Shirogane, this is Hanzo san a friend of mine.” The bird reacted to the word “friend” and spread its wings wide as though it might strike. However, it stunned those present by bowing to the Scorpion! The young Dragon tossed up another scrap of meat with positive affirmations. The Scorpion bowed back and they continued forward.

During this nobody noticed Gunba sama slipping away to return to the stables and horses he loved so much. A path was made leading them to the inner circle of wagons that belonged to the Emerald Ambassadors. When the Unicorn’s absence was noticed, a runner was sent to fetch them. Once the group had been reassembled a meeting was had about the honor and recognition ceremony to come. It’s sure to be a blast for certain.

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 51

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Shanzi Matsu

The Perfect Land Is A Fallacy

Donoha sama asked Sanjiro san, the village’s headman, and Hoshi san to have the yetis skinned and turned into fur coats. With that he headed over to talk with Tamae about how her understanding had changed. Now that she’d seen him fight with Mittsu Tamashi. Their conversation continue, with Donoha sama mentioning that some parts of his journey he’d been forbidden to discuss with anyone by the Dragon Clan Champion.

Masashige sama was conversing with the others about the Perfect Land “sect.” Although, the Phoenix lands declared it a heretical cult and they banned it. Forcing those members to move west into Dragon lands. The daimyo’s son, Ichiro san, had become mixed up in the cult or sect and he had heard he was in the village. He asked if the group could help him find his son. Hanzo san offered to aid Donoha in this endeavor. Tamaki san saw this issue as an almost political one but offered to help nonetheless.

The search did not take long. The near whole of the town had been brought to bear on skinning the yeti’s hides, putting the meat to use, and making use of everything left by them. Sanjiro san explained about his wife also being mixed up in the group when queried about them. He point the group in the direction of a house. Donoha sama walked up and opened the door on a group sitting around a small fire pit.

Thus began a conversation that tested those present in their resolve to not shed blood. Fanatics just don’t listen to reason. Otaku Gunba sama and Kuni Shirai san were the first to leave. Gunba sama had just had enough and went to go and pack. Shirai san grumbled about the peasants being blasphemous. Kitsuki Donoha sama eventually realized he was about to have a moment like the alley in Toshi No Omiodoso.

As he understood his orders he was to get the son of the daimyo, Ichiro san, to his father, and to disband the sect here using reason. However, Tamaki san and Hanzo san were staying and engaged. When Donoha sama admonished the two wearing katana for only trying to defend their group and not the whole town he demanded their katana claiming they were unfit to bear the honor. When they handed them over he asked for Ichiro san to follow him so they could talk. The young man did so and they left.

Leading the son of the daimyo into the Pine Needle Retreat Tea House and straight up to his father. Donoha sama laid the two confiscated katana on the table before the samurai lord. Kneeling he offered to commit seppuku for failing to get the sect members to listen to reason. He mentioned why he confiscated the blades, and left because he had to fight the urge to kill them for blasphemy.

Masashige sama told him he did not expect a conversion with a single conversation and he did bring him his son. He did not shed blood of mislead people so the daimyo was happy. He should consider this a success and now had leave to go and visit his parents before returning to the Emperor’s Gift caravan. Turning to Ichiro san he told him, “Your father came on his own for you. Not with an army but as a parent worried about their child. Remember that.”

As he left the teahouse he ran into Tamaki san whom offered a slight smile, “I got them to listen to most of a reason, let’s discuss with the others.” Donoha sama listened and decided to rest after the yeti fight because he did not want to see Sanjiro san’s wife and her thinly veiled disdain. He still felt not shedding blood was something the Mirumoto daimyo would prefer. The group would head off with Sanjiro san’s wife to the tree the village was named for. There they’d perform a ritual that would take at least eight hours to complete. It would allow her to see the other world and the karmic cycle for themselves. To know that truth and hopefully the errors of their ways.

Both the Unicorn and Phoenix shugenja were vague about what took place during the eight hours. As the large group headed up to the aforementioned pine tree. The path now confused a few villagers as it’s straighter than before, and with nice clean switchbacks for easier transit. Hanzo san mix a special tea that Tamaki san requested. Next to a glowering Shirai san, looking for the slightest hint of treachery. Gunba sama aided preparations while Tamaki san and the headman’s wife made ready for their spiritual journey.

While they were under the affects of the tea and in a near death state. Gunba sama had made a charm chain to hang around the base of the tree. It was a Meishodo but vacant of spells, so a basically I’m hoping to appeal to the local kami out of curiosity. His hidden agenda was to put a Shinsei phrase on the tree: “The grasses feel the wind, as does the rock, the tree, and even us. Yet is it truly the same wind that each feels?”

It was late and one might have a hard time saying of it was the Hour of the Boar on the 7th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}), or the Hour of the Rat on the 8th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}) when they returned. From what I am told they were successful and in Tall Pine Village the Perfect Land sect was undone. It’s members would spread out and try to fix the misinformation they had spread.

When the morning cast Lady Sun’s gaze upon Tall Pine Village on the 8th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}). Masashige sama and his son had quietly departed. The yeti hides had prepared but no one wanted to mess up the resource for coats. Donoha sama was very happy with that thought process and they were rolled up and tied with their supplies to make to Great Falls Castle. The travel was pleasant and they set eyes upon Great Falls Castle upon the 15th of Shinjo (Month of the Dog {OOC: November}).

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 50

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Shanzi Matsu

Battles Are The Same In Love And War

Looking at each other they both started to talk the way you gauge whether something is a good idea. To Isawa Tamaki san’s credit he was calm and smooth with Kuni Shirai san. The only bump he could not have foreseen coming was learning that she entered the Kuroi Mori in the year 1042! She’s been transformed into a cat via a curse for around 80 years! Even though she trust he was not lying when all he said was that he knew he’d been betrothed to a Kuni Witch-Hunter but he’d never known the name. She was trusting that the Dragon Clan Champion would not have lied about such a thing when he removed the curse. The Phoenix agreed to give the Crab all the time they needed to get acclimated to a new age.

Meanwhile, in the Pine Needle Retreat Tea House. Mirumoto Masashige sama was surprised to see three of the group that made their way to the High House of Light return. When queried by the family daimyo of the Mirumoto, Donoha sama explained that Togashi Yokuni sama sent them back through some form of magic. He also explained that Masashige sama was to await a package from the Dragon Clan Champion. Both Shosuro Hanzo san and Otaku Gunba sama added part of the journey they had been permitted to share.

Settling into a more casual setting with food being brought out the Mirumoto daimyo began to talk about a smaller faction of the Brotherhood of Shinsei. A group calling themselves: The Perfect Land. This sect taught that people did not have to learn any difficult practices or cultivate merit within themselves. They said they would find enlightenment after death, in the paradise they said Shinsei had created for them. Donoha sama was vaguely aware of the group but thought their views were skewed, especially after seeing the realms beyond for himself. Masashige sama asked the samurai to talk with the members in this town. Apparently one of his sons had become enthralled and he would like for him to return home.

As Donoha sama was mentioning he would be happy to try and help the daimyo’s son see reason he paused. He mentioned hearing the sound of someone drawing a katana behind him to everyone. Masashige sama confirmed it and was looking past him at an older man whom had been whittling on a piece of wood. Now, that man, Kenjiro san, was walking out the door to the sounds of screaming beginning to start! Behind him he left his carving, a toy samurai on a horse! He was clearly upset at whatever had disturbed the peace.

With a nod to the daimyo in front of him, Kitsuki Donoha sama made for the exit drawing Chikai kodzuchi, the Oath-hammer in his left hand while calling upon Hida Nagahide as he drew Mittsu Tamashi, the Three Souls Katana with his right. Otaku Gunba sama was right behind him when he paused at the door to see the scene before him. Grabbing at his Talismans while Shosuro Hanzo sped past him, behind the dragon and up onto the roof where they would make ready with their yumi.

The cause of the screams were peasants running from a pack of nine yeti! Making their way though the main street that would have gone back to the village’s northern entrance. The six Mirumoto samurai had tried to face off on one for each of them. Their ends were hopefully quick for how brutal their bodies looked laying in pools of red snow. Their killers were at the entrance of tea house while two were starting to wander into the southern portion of the village. The final one coming in from the north still was waylaid by a flashing jade-green katana making a small cut in its side! The Crab with its jade-pincer had entered the battle.

The unarmored Dragon-courtier tapped his hammer and katana together and entered the skirmish drawing four of the six yeti! The elderly, wood-carving, Dragon-bushi showed remarkable agility leaping onto the teahouse’s support beams in its walls. Then soaring behind the other two yeti, the courtier had not engaged. With their attention now on Kenjiro san and not the one with the black-bladed katana.

Off to the north, Tamaki san, was busy helping his betrothed understand how they could compliment each other. Kuni Shirai san felt his hand on her shoulder, “Here, let me help you.” His calm smile and warm eyes met hers as he tore an ofuda from his hat and said a prayer to the Fire Kami. Flames spun around her and the jade katana without harming her! The Phoenix shugenja quickly moved to her backside so he would not be in her way to engage the yeti before her.

Donoha sama’s nemurani katana allowed him to channel the soul of a Crab bushi whose blade had broken on the Carpenter’s Wall. Together they moved in harmony, attacking the beasts as Hanzo san readied his yumi from the teahouse’s roof. As the Dragon courtier would swing their black-bladed katana through the hides. Leaving vicious wounds on them as revenge for the lives taken in mindless rage. THWUMP! The sound could be heard after each strike as though Donoha sama was telling Hanzo san which beast to aim for next. When two of the beasts fell to steel and arrow the errant two from the south came to fill up the gap.

Now let us not forget out Unicorn shugenja, they used a talisman to launch a wide area spell. It would unfortunately be centered on Kitsuki Donoha to hit every yeti in the area! From the doorway of the teahouse Otaku Gunba san leveled the lightning and fiery wrath of Osano-Wo! He would have let it unleash were it for the Dragon’s answer to his warning, “Do it! If they are attacking me then innocents are free to run!”

After what looked like the wrath of the heavens raining down and hurting everyone in front of the teahouse, where the north and south roads meet. There stood a burned, Dragon courtier performing a chiburi shake of their black-bladed katana. Even though he was smaller than the beasts he was facing somehow he was still looking down at them over his sword. At least one of the yeti succumbed to fire and arrows. From the rooftop Hanzo san felt like the messenger of Emma-O, the fortune of death! Mirumoto Masashige sama had loosened his katana, left thumb on the tsuba as he considered intervening. Upon looking at the battle he seemed to have an epiphany and he snapped his katana back in place as anyone nearby could hear the customary “click” of the habaki engaging the saya.

A pair of flame induced cuts from the north were followed by the cry of a down yeti to the Crab Witch-hunter’s jade blade. The gleam of absolute battle radiated from the Phoenix shugenja’s bride to be! Her look was one of thanks for allowing her to cut loose after being trapped as a cat for so long. Interrupting the look of budding affection was the sign of Donoha sama taking some powerful blows from enraged yeti seeing a third of their pack fall to the black-bladed katana.

Three were still raging around Donoha sama as the other two were still being occupied by Kenjiro san. Donoha looked far worse for wear dealing with a rain of lightning, fire, and blows from the yeti! Isawa Tamaki san seeing this, began running to his friend in order to heal him. All the while more arrows rained down as stood up from a blow everyone saw pit him in the snow! His clothes were in horrible shape and yet he persevered. The beasts were put down by a team effort, and the final one that had been harassing Kenjiro san was beheaded by Donoha sama. Standing admist the carnage he called out a victory haiku.
White fur, yellow eyes,
Claw bites deep, a final fall,
Wind whispers, I live.

Later, it would be Hanzo san that noticed how they entered Tall Pine village match the path of the rock that fell from the sky. A fact he kept to himself for a bit. Due to a speech Donoha sama’s would shout at the members of the “Perfect Land” sect. Huddled in a building just off from teahouse, among them was the son of the Mirumoto daimyo.

“TWO CATASTROPHES IN NEARLY AS MANY DAYS!!! WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? BECAUSE YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE WRONG PATH! YOUR VILLAGE WAS NEARLY WIPED OUT AND IT WAS OTAKU GUNBA SAMA THAT HAD THE KAMI MOVE YOUR TOWN! JUST NOW YOU WERE NEARLY MURDERED BY YETI, BUT KENJIRO SAN AND I RAN OUT TO SAVE YOU! AIDED BY MY FRIENDS, MY COMPANIONS! IF YOU REALLY BELIEVED SAYING A PRAYER WILL WIPE AWAY YOUR SINS, THEN SAY IT AND TAKE YOUR LIFE! OTHERWISE, YOU ARE LYING TO YOURSELVES AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU!!!”

Otaku Gunba finishes his prayers for the fallen Dragon samurai and followed Donoha sama inside to lay his head down and stare out the window. Tamaki san had quietly healed the yelling Dragon courtier as he said his piece. Then turning to meet his Crab bride as she walked up. “Were you injured Shirai san? I have one more blessing allotted to me form the kami.” She told him she would be fine and he spoke the following haiku to her before heading in.
Flame crown cursed fur bright,
jade blade carves through yeti skin,
honor burns anew.

As everyone was seated and the Mirumoto daimyo was looking outside with the slightest smile of admiration for those involved. Gunba sama was crafting something on paper when Donoha sama made a request of Masashige sama to write what he witnessed down so he could bring it to his parents. The daimyo agreed to this request as the Unicorn shugenja finished his own haiku and handed it to Miko.
Fire, Earth and Lightning
Fight for the future, for all
Both Lord and Heimin

Scroll of Kitsuki Donoha Part 49

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Shanzi Matsu

NOT IN THE PUBLISHED WORKS

The High House of Light

Over the last five days the will of Doji Kyouji san had broken, completely it could be seen by everyone. Using one working arm, as the other was slung in a sling made from a kimono that cost more that most katana! This Crane courtier had pushed the wagon to a bridge as tall as most castles stretching above them. Despite the searching efforts of the four samurai investigating for a secret way up, none was found. The Kitsuki courtier came up to him and maybe he had a look of pity in his eyes for the first time in dealing with the disgraced Crane.

While Donoha sama was appearing to being kind this person was still responsible for murder, and attempting to usurp control over a town. When the Dragon mentioned he had figured out a way for him to climb up. The disgraced Crane courtier, his arm in the most luxurious sling ever fashioned, raised as though he was trying to understand how. Tetsuo san had mentioned they would get Taro up there and they waited for the others to figure out their methods.

Isawa Tamaki san had done mystical investigation upon the bridge and found all five elements of air, earth, fire, water, and void to be in perfect balance. Sharing this news with the group they prayed to the kami for the ability to simply walk up the wall and onto the bridge. It was granted and they were soon tossing a rope down for others to use.

Donoha sama was the next up as they strapped a harness around the Crane and tied it to themselves. As he would climb all Kyouji would need to do is either dangle or use their feet to help scale the wall. The Dragon asked the Unicorn to bring the chest of missives up as he began his ascent. Otaku Gunba sama offered his thanks to the Earth Kami and they replied by constructing a set of stair out of the ground! Everyone else then used those stairs after him.

Despite some rather impressive tricks by Tamaki san’s ability to walk on any surface as though it was down. The group made there way down the bridge and through a few gatehouses along the path before them. To those few who actually found their way to Kyuden Togashi or the High House of Light as it is known. It had been described in many different ways. This has led some to speculate that the High House of Light was in fact several smaller castles, and with so many different ways to approach the castles there would be many different accounts of what it looked like. When they exited the last gatehouse the came upon a valley and a veritable city! Every building looked to be make from gold and trimmed in jade!

Donoha sama remembered the haiku that escaped Tamaki san’s lips:
Jade peaks shine,
whispers ride the morning winds,
wisdom in the clouds.

The group was led by Tetsuo san to an inner chamber of the tallest structure. Within this chamber everything was clad in jade! Yet he said this was not the most astonishing room. Another gate opened at the far end and they went though it to waiting chamber where they were greeted by Togashi Hoshi sama!

Kitsuki Donoha sama found himself sitting on his knees as his spirit was moved by everything he had seen. Then to be meeting up again with the son of the Dragon Clan Champion. It was only when Doji Kyouji san knelt behind him had he realized Taro san was missing. Tetsuo san seemed unconcerned as always and the Dragon thought perhaps he had been left at one of the gatehouses or in the care of one of the ise zumi tattooed monks. Strange he thought to himself that he had not seen anyone else as they moved through rooms and halls.

Togashi Hoshi sama spoke, “Welcome to the High House of Light, it is good to see you all again. My father will see you shortly, please wait here.”

Some of his companions waited, some walked over to gaze out of the windows. The Dragon courtier said he found it hard to focus on the passage of time as his senses were assaulted by the grandeur of room, the smells in the air, the crisp feel of a light breeze through the air. When he felt Kitagawa neko sama sit next to him as he had the jade katana on his back it was jarring enough to pull him from his sensory reverie. Soon afterwards, Togashi Hoshi sama announced his father was ready and what looked like a golden shrine in front of them split in half as it swung open to reveal the throne room of the Dragon Clan Champion.

When the group made their way into the throne room, there was a diamond shaped area made of stone, jade, and gold. Beyond that, was a small set of steps leading up to the dais where an empty chair awaited everyone. When Donoha went to kneel everyone else followed suit. Gunba sama set the chest of missives next to himself upon the floor. It was Tetsuo san that walked past everyone and began to ascend the steps. With each step there appearance began to shift until at the top of the dais was not a monk, but the Dragon Clan Champion that had been traveling with them the entire time!

They thanked everyone for coming to see him and then turned their focus to each of the people in the room. Kitsuki Donoha sama made it clear the group is not allowed to share all of the items discussed with their group but he would try to cover the highlights. When it came to the Void Rock from the sky Donoha sama was asked what he wished to do with it and he said he wanted to make items from it in the fashion of his sword, Mittsu Tamashi 三つ魂 the Three Souls Katana. Togashi Yokuni sama asked him if his family would mind him borrowing some copper and the young Dragon said no he did not believe so.

The Dragon Clan Champion waved their hand and 31 orbs of metal appeared along with a large chunk of copper out of thin air! With another wave Donoha sama was freed of the rope connecting them to the disgraced Crane. Togashi Yokuni sama mentioned for him to make his items, and to one side of the throne a large alcove had become bathed in light. Within was a forge and all the supplies and tools appeared neatly arranged around it. As Donoha sama took steps to it and away from his companions he began to become see through to his companions! To the young Dragon everything outside the forge became see through!

The next person Dragon Clan Champion focused on according to Donoha sama was Otaku Gunba sama. He answered the questions about his vision regarding a Unicorn Battle Maiden. While the identity of the prisoner was revealed along with those holding her captive. They cannot reveal it yet and they must wait until the caravan arrives in Unicorn lands to pursue this further. Next, he addressed the missives in the chest. With a wave of his hand the chest came to rest on a sitting area opposite the alcove where Donoha sama was a see through blur crafting weapons. Obviously, Togashi sama had plenty of time to read the correspondence and given the powers they displayed. They mentioned anything regarding there attention had been dealt with, no more need to worry about it. Then the Dragon Clan Champion provided Otaku Gunba sama with a nemurani to aid in freeing the Unicorn Clan Battle Maiden.

The Scorpion courtier, Shosuro Hanzo san was the next person Dragon Clan Champion focused on according to Donoha sama. Using ancient magics and for reasons he would not reveal. Togashi Yokuni sama revealed he was responsible for switching the Shosuro Hanzo san of this world with the alternate Shosuro Hanzo san that was standing before him! This would leave anyone stunned. All he would elaborate on about his choice for such an intervention is that each Hanzo san would more closely benefit the world they had been swapped with! The notion of alternate worlds that live out different events just boggles the mind.

Donoha sama did mention he was not necessarily going in chronological order, but trying to be careful about what he could and could not discuss. While not last by any definition when the Dragon Clan Champion focused on Isawa Tamaki san, even more surprises were laid bare. Apparently the Phoenix shugenja has been betrothed to a Kuni witch hunter of the Crab Clan! But that was all he ever knew about it, until Kitagawa neko sama was revealed to have been a form applied to the very witch hunter by a maho-user! The jade katana that Akodo Asahi sama found had been hers! Which explained why the cat followed the person that carried it. Then Togashi Yokuni sama waved their hand once more and Kuni Shirai san was restored to their natural form!

The Dragon Clan Champion turned their head in the direction of Donoha sama and mentioned he was almost done. The Phoenix shugenja wrote a haiku in thanks to the Dragon Clan Champion. Togashi Yokuni sama was so moved by the gesture that he waved his hand once again and the paper burned away like an ofuda charm, but reappeared etched in gold upon the jade wall to the Champion’s right side. Togashi Yokuni sama declared it would stay there so he could appreciate the gesture of kindness.

Jade peaks gleam at dawn,
morning winds bear Dragon’s voice,
wisdom veiled in mist.

Turning back to the new couple he mention she would be waiting for him in short order but he had two more items to discuss with the group. Another wave and the Crab samurai vanished from the room as fast as saki would from Crab bottles! As Donoha sama was returning from the forge and becoming more solid to everyone in the room once more. He had a beard now and it was long! In his arms he bore a bundle of blades made in the same style as his sword. He set the bundle down where he was instructed and with a glance he told the young Dragon he could take the two smallest blades and do with them as he saw fit. Both had his signature black gleam and copper hamon line. Donoha sama mention one of them was for Hanzo san and the other would replace his wakizashi. Among the remaining blades was the following:

  • fifteen katana swords,
  • five of the two handed odachi great swords,
  • four naginata,
  • three yari spears,
  • one nagamaki polearm sword,
  • one ono axe head.

The Dragon Clan Champion made a flicking gesture with their hand and Doji Kyouji san floated off the ground and landed next to Togashi Yokuni sama! It was explained he would be taking him on as one of the tattooed monks of the Order of Togashi. Ending the issue for both the Crane Clan and Kyouji san. It was also explained that Taro san had been sent home from the bridge when no one was looking. The group was welcomed to visit him as they headed out of Dragon lands. Donoha sama was instructed to now visit his parents on the return trip and he wondered how much of this did they know about.

The last item Donoha talked about, was a warning from Togashi Yokuni sama. For when the Emperor’s Gift met an ancient race awakening from a great slumber called the Naga. Many would consider them monstrous and they were not. The mistake of the Kami Akodo and the Kitsu must not happen with the Naga. The four samurai were charged with making sure the Naga were integrated within the empire and not obliterated by it. All of them bowed their heads in acceptance of the quest given, and when they lifted them they were standing in their provided house in Tall Pine Village! Kuni Shirai san was also in the room with them and just as stunned about the sudden change in location. All the men decided to head to the tea house and leave Tamaki san and Shirai san to get to know each other.