L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby KakitaKaori » Wed Jun 14, 2017 6:51 am

To battle! And Daidoji!
Kakita Kaori
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Thu Jun 15, 2017 4:39 am

The restoration of Shiro Moto took time. A lot of the summer and even moving on into autumn. Once it was properly cleansed of the taint, the rebuilding could commence. Word was sent around the Empire to other Unicorn and many began their make their way back to Unicorn lands. The encampment of yurts around Shiro Moto grew in size. They brought what they could on horseback and in carts, all of them helping in their own ways to restore the Shiro.
But the Shiro itself surprised Harun. Even when the rebuilding was almost over the fortress was basically a shell, nothing more than walls and nothing really special about it. At least, not compared to what he had seen in Crane lands. Surely the main fortress of the leading Clan of the Unicorn would be built much grander than this? When he told this to Majid, the Moto only laughed.
“It’s not supposed to be more than that,” Majid explained. “What Shiro Moto is to the Unicorn is a symbol we show to outsiders, but it’s not our home.” He nodded to the bare plains that surrounded the Shiro. “This is our home, this is what must be restored.”
It seemed as if everyone was helping with the building even menial tasks such as carrying loads or digging hole for new foundations. Harun even saw Moto Chinua pushing a wheelbarrow, doing what he could.
Doji Ayumu would never do anything like that, thought Harun, and if he did, what a scandal it would be!
But the Unicorn were only spurred to do better when they saw their Khan pitching in like they were.
One afternoon in late autumn, Harun came across the monk that had spoken to him when Harun had been in the infirmary. The monk was sitting outside two rebuilt shrines that stood side by side. He was crouching before one of two flat stones, cutting words into it with a hammer and chisel. He showed surprising control and precision.
Harun watched him work and waited until he was done to speak. “You have many talents- Gimu-san,” Harun said.
Gimu bowed. “I have the talents necessary to carry out my duties, Kakita-sama.”
Harun reflected on the monk’s words, “gimu” itself meant duty. He looked down at the stone the monk had carved. Hikahime, it said, the Minor Fortune that Gimu served.
“Gimu-san,” said Harun, “after we spoke I was thinking about what you said. Hikahime, the one you serve, I’m sure I have heard her name somewhere. Can you tell me more?”
“Of course, Kakita-sama,” said Gimu, he sat down and motioned for Harun to sit beside him. “Hikahime was a peasant, early in the Onyx war she joined what was known as the Last Legion.” He looked at Harun. “I suppose you have heard of them?”
“The peasant legion?” Harun asked, Gimu nodded. “Didn’t they become the First Imperial Legion?”
“They did,” said Gimu. “The First Legion still bears her name, carries her banners, chants her name before battle.” He looked ahead, smiling wistfully. “She rose in the ranks quickly to a position of command in the Legion, earning the respect of everyone, including samurai.”
He talks as if he knew her, Harun thought, he wanted to ask questions, but to ask a monk about his former life wasn’t done.
“I think I remember now,” said Harun, thinking back to his father’s stories. “Didn’t she die in battle? My father said she was a hero, she had honour and courage to match any samurai.”
Gimu smiled in response to this, but said nothing.
Harun stood up. “I’m, keeping you from your duties, Gimu-san,” he said with a bow. “Thank you for your wisdom.”
The monk looked at him curiously. “I only answered your questions, Kakita-san. No koans or riddles like you would expect.”
“Perhaps that is what I needed,” said Harun, and with another bow he left.
Gimu sat for a while, memories came back to him. From another life, when he had another name. The rush of battle, the thrill of speed in a cavalry charge…
He stood up, with his hammer and chisel he carved a name on the second stone. When he was done he dusted it off. Chagatai, the Fortune of Courage. He set the stones in their places in the shrine, and knelt before the second stone. He reached out and touched the characters with his hand.
He spoke, in a soft voice that no one else could hear.
“Father.”
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:50 am

The days began to get cool as the autumn went on. Harun got calluses on his hands helping with the rebuilding that he knew Arahime would tease him about.
Some afternoons he would go riding. Most of the time with Majid, sometimes with Asuna. He liked spending time with her, but that conversation he had had with Majid put a dampener on it. But try as he might, he couldn’t get the Utaku out of his mind.
He had promised Arahime he would return for her Topaz Championship, but would it really be that bad if he stayed? The thought stayed in his mind day after day. And the more he thought about it the better it sounded.
There was really no one he could confide in about this. Not Majid, not Asuna and he didn’t want to worry Arahime by writing to her about it. How would she see it? A betrayal of trust? It was likely.
The first snow was falling when the final preparations were for court were being made at Shiro Moto. Shugenja were going around with fire kami drying the newly plastered walls. Tapestries, carpets and other exotic things were brought by the Ide traders to decorate the tenshukaku.
It definitely makes the place warmer, less forboding, Harun thought, examining the decorations one morning. One of the tapestries showed a great cavalcade of Unicorn lords, made in an unfamiliar style to Harun but brilliant with coloured and gilded threads.
Below each rider was a name: Moto Chinua, Moto Naleesh, Moto Chen, Moto Chagatai, Moto Gaheris, Shinjo Yokatsu…a lineage going all the way back to Shinjo-no-kami.
And there was room too, to continue the line, as it must.
He turned and saw Majid approaching him, the Moto carried a bundle in his arms.
“Do the aesthetics please your discerning Crane tastes, Niwa no Moto?” Majid asked.
Harun gazed around with an exaggerated expression of disdain. “It’ll do, it’ll do,” he said, nodding grudgingly.
Majid laughed, he offered the bundle to Harun. “I’ve got something for you, the winters here can be harsh once Tamon’s north winds sweep across the steppes.” He unfolded it to present to Harun. It was a cloak, of a deep purple wool trimmed with white fur. It was beautiful, Harun wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “Majid, I—“
Majid cut him off quietly. “Let’s not go into that Crane gift dance, eh Niwa no Moto? I’m here to take you somewhere and I haven’t got all day.”
This sort of move wasn’t unusual for Majid, so Harun just thanked him and put it on. It was warm, far too warm for this heated hall. The fur felt soft against his skin and helped a little with forgetting that it had come from a dead animal.
Outside, the horses were saddled and ready.
“So where are we going?” Harun asked as they made their way through the now rows of yurts that now encircled Shiro Moto.
“The first of the Khan’s guest are arriving,” Majid said. “We are heading east to Kaeru Toshi to escort them back to Shiro Moto for the winter.”
This seemed straightforward for Majid, there had to be something else there. Some trick. “That’s it?”
Majid looked at him, his face a picture of innocence. “Would I like to you, Niwa no Moto?”
“It’s not lies I’m accusing you of Majid, but tricks,” Harun said, flashing a grin at him. “I think I know you to well by now.”
Majid laughed. “Then I don’t think you know me at all then.”

The arrived in Kaeru Toshi the next day, light snow was falling and Harun pulled up the hood of his new cloak, grateful for its warmth. Kaeru Toshi hadn’t changed hadn’t changed that much since he had been there in the summer. A few made buildings had been raised then, but it was still far from the city it had once been.
The most surprising change Harun noticed was the Lion troops were no longer there. Instead he saw the emerald green of the Imperial Legions, the soldier no doubt station there for the winter.
They left their horses through the ruined city, a Kaeru pointing them to a newly built inn where the Unicorn’s guests were houses. They tied their horses and approached.
And standing outside, checking on the horses, was Kakita Kousuda. The Unicorn turned Crane went to greet them, giving them his best smile and bow.
“Ah yes,” he said, “You must be our escorts. I am Kakita Kousuda, I can introduce you to the to the others and we can be on our way.”
Harun looked at Kousuda’s face from beneath his hoods. He doesn’t recognise me, Harun thought, that was Majid’s game.
Silently vowing to get the Moto back at a late stage, Harun pulled back his hood. “Oji-san.”
Kousuda froze, turned in surprise. “Harun!” He gave a genuine smile and shook Harun’s hand like one Unicorn greeting another. “Harun, I knew you were here, but didn’t expect to see you so soon, or like this!” He nodded at the cloak and they both laughed.
“Uncle Kousuda, allow me introduce Moto Majid,” said Harun, gesturing to the Moto in his best Crane fashion. “He’s been my guide to the ways of the Unicorn since we met at Shiro Mirumoto.”
Majid made a flourishing bow. “I am pleased to finally make the acquaintance of one of Harun’s family.”
Another Crane came out, this one younger and carried a daisho. He stopped, stared at them. “Harun?”
Now it was Harun’s turn to be surprised. “Kunta?”
The two young men greeted each other with surprise and amusement.
“I haven’t seen you since the Topaz Champion,” said Harun. “What have you been doing since then?”
Kunta nodded to Kousuda. “His old yojimbo retired, I have been in Kakita-sama’s service since. And what’s this?” Kunta nodded at the cloak.
Majid gave a loud cough.
“Forgive me,” said Harun. “Moto Majid, meet Doji Kunta. We were together at the Kakita Academy, we made our gempukku together.”
“Well, if you’re as much trouble as Harun, then you’ll fit right in, Doji-san,” said Majid with a laugh.
The others started to emerge from the inn, Kousuda made the introductions. From the Mantis Clan there was Yoritomo Takara and Kitsune Ariko. And from the Spider Clan was Daigotsu Yukari and, to Harun’s dismay, Susumu Hokori.
Eager to be on their way, it didn’t take long for everyone to get ready and soon enough they were all riding west to Shiro Moto.
Harun rode next to Kunta, the Doji rode stiffly and a little nervously. Harun rode as if he was born to it and Kunta said so. Harun laughed.
“if you had seen me in the summer you wouldn’t be saying that,” Harun said. “Majid took me out with the Utaku battle maidens against some Dark Moto. I fell off my horse and they had to carry me back.” He looked at Kunta. “You’ve probably done a fair bit of travelling with Kousuda-sama, right?”
“Not as much as you would think, Harun,” Kunta said. “We were at Shiro Giji with the Daidoji for most of the summer. I spent a lot of time walking the ground when my presence wasn’t needed.” He smiled at Harun. “Hardly any of the exciting things I’ve heard you’ve been getting up to.”
“Exciting?”
“Riding every day, fighting in battle, your first duel, I wouldn’t be surprised you had Arahime riding up here in the spring begging to join you. I saw her before we left.”
“You did?” Harun’s heart leapt at the sound of her name. “Did you speak to her? How is she?”
“She is well,” Kunta said. “We sparred a few times, she beat me all but once. “He looked at Harun. “She misses you, she didn’t tell me but she does.”
And I miss her, thought Harun, staring out onto the horizon.

They camped that night on the steppes, taking warmth from the fire, sharing a simple meal. Afterwards, Harun took a walk behind the tents, saying he wanted to stretch his legs but he wanted to avoid Hokori. He was the approached by the Spider yojimbo.
“Good evening, Daigotsu Yukari-sama,” said Harun, giving her a formal bow.
She seemed to smile ay him, as if amused by his formality. “I’ve heard a bit about you, Harun-san, if I may call you that,” Daigotsu Yukari said. “With a name like that, a face like that, I’ve been wondering what you’re doing in those Crane clothes.”
Harun grinned, he was starting to like Yukari already.
“And then Kousuda told me something that explained everything,” she continued, giving Harun a long look. “You’re Yamada’s son.”
Harun nodded. “That is true.”
Yukari shook her head. “I thought your mother would have had more sense than to have you wear powder blue.”
Harun laughed. “I don’t think I’ve done too badly for myself.”
“That’s a matter of opinion,” Yukari said. “I guess you are out here learning the Unicorn ways. But if I were you and I had the chance to stay here, I’d take it.” She looked around at the steppes, the snow lit up by the light of the moon. “Why you’d want to leave for the tedium of courts is beyond me.” She looked back at Harun. “You’re Doji friend is a little green, I wonder if he knows what he is in for. The Unicorn throw the best parties. After your parent’s wedding, many of us were staggering out of the camp at dawn. If this is anything like that…”
Harun grinned, they were in for a good time. “You knew my parents?”
Yukari nodded. “Your father not so much, but your mother Yamada, she taught me to ride.” She looked at Harun carefully. “I think the last time I saw her would have been before you were born. Things were different by then, she was so strong but your father’s death hit her hard.”
“I’ve heard many things about her,” said Harun. “Not all of them good.”
“You mean with the Obsidian Hand?” Yukari asked.
Harun nodded.
Yukari sighed. “It’s hard, but let me know if you want to talk about it,” she said. “You’re not the only samurai who has a dark legacy to deal with.”
Harun nodded his thanks and they returned to the fire.

Harun was about to turn in for the night when Kousuda came up to him.
“I know we haven’t spoken much yet, Harun, but there will be time,” his uncle said. “I just wanted to give you this.”
He handed Harun a bundle of papers tied with a pale blue ribbon. The op one had his name, in Arahime’s handwriting.
Harun looked up at Kousuda. He didn’t say anything, he didn’t need to.
Kousuda smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”
By the light of the fire, Harun went through the letters, saving Arahime’s until last. There was one from his father Karasu, he had been in the lands of the Sparrow Clan that summer but the situation hadn’t improved much. There was one from Aunt Kyoumi, congratulating him on his duel at Kaeru Toshi as well as some news from Otosan Uchi. There were even a few from his siblings at Kakita Academy, one from his little sister Sakimi begging to know about Shiotome.
And then, finally, he read Arahime’s letter.


Dear Harun,
I hope this letter finds you well. Sometimes, I see the lightning playing across the sky to the west and hear the thunder in the distance, and I wonder if you are huddled under a bush somewhere, getting soaking wet. I know Musha Shuga can be hard sometimes, living almost like a ronin on the road. I hope that you have been getting enough to eat.
Kenshin-sensei has decided that I must develop my defensive stances more. That I must alter my technique because I have not yet managed to develop the strength needed to disarm a stronger opponent. Of course, he is correct, but I would hope that I do not permit any opponent to stay standing that long. At this rate, Kenshin-sensei will have me fighting like my mother. And that would be truly embarrassing.
I hope you are able to stay a second year on Musha Shuga, so that we can go together to the Temple of the Kirin or to Kitsune Mori now that it is free. There is still darkness in the Shinomen, we can stand with the Daidoji against it maybe. I will need to know true battle before I am allowed to face a Kenshinzen in a duel, the way things are now.
But until then, I will just have to keep practicing. I wish there was more exciting news to tell you, but the school is much the same as it ever was. There haven’t even been any good new kabuki troupes come to visit. Instead, I will simply have to hope that you are well and look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return. In the meantime, I will light incense at the shrines of Koshin, Fortune of Roads, and Megumi, Fortune of Heroic Guidance, that they might help you find your way safely home.
Faithfully,
Kakita Arahime


He read it twice. Her letter was like a bright star that lit up the night sky, a soft song that was carried by a warm breeze. Her words brought back the formal discipline of the Kakita Academy, the gentle beauty of Shiro Sano Kakita.
He ran his hands over the letter where her brush had formed the words, inhaling the delicate lavender scent. She felt so close to him, as if he could reach out and touch her. And as Kunta said, she missed him.
Soon, soon as the spring comes, Harun promised himself, folding her letter carefully and placing it inside his kimono, close to his heart.
He dreamed of her that night, he was chasing her across the Unicorn plains. Arahime ran ahead of him, laughing, just out of reach. But Harun kept running.
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby KakitaKaori » Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:33 am

Aww....Arahime feels loved. And Harun is in quite the pickle.

<and the evil author hurries off to do horrible things to her character to make up for the lovely moments of sentiment>
Kakita Kaori
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:12 pm

No update yet, just showing you guys Moto Majid.

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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:17 am

They arrived at Shiro Moto the next afternoon and found it a flurry of activity. More people had arrived, most of them Unicorn but Harun saw the colours of a few different clans as well. Fortunately, an Ide courtier found the part and showed the guests to their accommodations. Doji Kunta was a little surprised when they were shown the yurt set aside for them.
“What did you expect?” Harun asked, a little amused.
“Well, I thought we would be staying at the Shiro,” Kunta protested.
Harun laughed. “It’s a bit small such a crowd like this.”
He was mollified somewhat when they went inside and saw how warm and comfortable it was. It was similar to the yurt that Harun had, but it was set for two people rather than one. Kunta looked at the patterned carpets on the floor and the brightly coloured cushions strewn around the table.
“This isn’t what I was expecting at all,” Kunta said. “When I heard the Unicorn lived in tents, I thought…” He looked at Harun. “So, you’ve been living like this since you arrived.”
Harun nodded. “I was surprised too, it’s like taking a small house with you.”
They emerged from the yurt and looked around, it was one in a small circle around a central fireplace. Each had the banner of the clan that was to occupy it. Next to the Crane were the Mantis, then the Dragon, the Spider and then finally the Lion who were next to the Crane.
Out of the Lion yurt stepped a red-haired shugenja in golden robes. Kunta could not help but stare, Harun smiled and approached him.
“Zetsubou-sama,” he said. Harun made a formal bow as fitting station as a Jade Magistrate. “When did you arrive?”
“Yesterday,” said Zetsubou. “I asked where you were, Harun, but you’d left with Majid by then. I can see that you’ve decided to take on a few of your mother’s way.”
Harun laughed. “Oh, this.” He tugged at the cloak. “It’s cold, in case you haven’t noticed.” Kunta approached them and Harun made the necessary introductions. Kunta seemed intrigued by Zetsubou being a full-blooded Kitsu. “How have you been? How are your family.”
“We travelled with the Dragon delegation, my wife Nikako has taken to children to stay with the family for the winter.” There was something in his voice that sounded as if he wanted to say more, but not right then. “Have you seen Majid?”
“We rode in together, but I haven’t seen him since,” said Harun. “No doubt he will find us later.” Harun noted Kunta wasn’t saying anything. “You’ll have to excuse my friend, I think this is his first time he has left the Crane lands.”
“That’s not true,” Kunta argued. “I’ve been to Otosan Uchi a few times. But court is court, no matter where you are. How different can it be?”
Harun almost told him, but decided not to. Kunta would find out for himself soon enough.

Harun dined with Kunta and Kousuda that night. His uncle had brought some tea and sake from Crane land, which Harun didn’t realise how much he missed.
“Not into the kumis and jerky yet, ne?” Kousuda asked.
“I have tried kumis, once, before the battle,” said Harun. “But not red meat, not yet.”
“But I thought you were born to it,” Kunta teased.
“I thought so too,” said Harun, “and then I fell off my horse.
They all laughed. Harun took a sip of sake. The light, delicate flavours were a welcome change from the heady, strong Unicorn brews. “Oji-san, what is it like being back?”
“Back in the Unicorn lands?” Kousuda thought on this a moment, his eyes glazing over. “I was very young when the Unicorn lands fell to the Onyx. There’s not a lot I remember about before…but getting back home was what drew the rest of us together, the ones that were left.” He smiled sadly. “But for the past seven years I’ve been a Crane, I’ve adapted well or so I’ve been told, and still…” He sighed, looking at Harun. “When we crossed that river from Lion lands, it really felt like coming home.”
Harun nodded in agreement. “I know what you mean, it’s something inside you. I didn’t know I had it until I came home, but now…”
Kousuda nodded. “It’s in the blood. The Unicorn travel, explore, see many lands and places. But as strong as that is, we all want to return home.”
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Sun Jun 25, 2017 5:33 am

Harun woke early the next morning and dressed in practice clothes. While he had diligently kept up his practice every morning, this was the first time he had been to the dojo. Called the Dojo of the Centre, it had been rebuilt from the ruins along with the rest of Shiro Moto. An imposing building, or would be when it was finished, it was the main dojo for the Khol.
Once inside, Harun could smell the sweet, grassy smell of fresh tatami. It brought him right back to the Kakita Academy. He wasn’t the only one there that morning, several of the Khol had come to spar and practice. Harun found a free space and took a practice sword from one of the racks.
He began to practice katas. The familiar movements and the feeling of the tatami under his feet helped him focus. In his mind he was back in the dojo at the Kakita Academy, beside him was Arahime and they practiced their movements in unison, a perfect matched pair.
He came to a stop, his bokken in front of his face, sweat building up at the back of his note.
He turned saw Utaku Asuna standing there. She gave a respectful bow.
“Very beautiful,” she said, “But what use is it outside of a place like this?”
“I may as well ask what use you are off your horse,” Harun countered.
Asuna smiled. “Care to settle that then?”
Harun made a bow. “With pleasure.”
Asuna took a practice sword from the rack and joined him on the tatami mat. They stood across from each other, still, quiet, then they attacked. The bokken’s coming together at once, coming together with a clatter. Harun pushed his bokken against hers, trying to outmatch her strength, but somehow that wasn’t enough as Asuna threw him back.
But if Asuna was strong, Harun was fast. Before Asuna could get one attack in, Harun got in two. She blocked the first attack, deflecting the blow that came at her shoulder, but could not block the second. It hit her hip and she went down. Harun closed in, resting her bokken on her chest, pointing at her heart.
“Fine then,” Asuna said crossly, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. “You do have some uses, beyond decorative ones.”
Harun stepped back and made another bow. “Your compliment does me honour, Asuna.”
Asuna scowled back at him. “I thought I told you that your pretty Crane words don’t work on me.”
“Is that why you keep seeking my company then?” Harun teased.
Asuna smiled, but didn’t answer. They walked back to the camp together.

Even though Harun wasn’t part of the Crane delegation, he still dressed for the first day of court. He wore his best kimono, hakama and juban, pale blue with the mons of his family and school displayed proudly.
He smoothed his hair back, flattening out the kinks, pulling it back into a topknot. Then with his fan in his obi and his daisho peace-bound, he made his way towards the Shiro. He wasn’t the only one going, and he could see a few more colours amongst the purple. Somehow, at the main doors to the tenshukaku where the guards were checking sword, was Moto Majid.
“Look at you!” Harun said, gesturing to the Moto’s fine attire.
Majid grinned. He wore a style of clothing that Harun hadn’t seen before. It was like a kimono, but the sleeves were narrow and it was fastened on his right shoulder at a strange angle. Harun later found out it was called a deel. It was purple, patterned with horses and riders decorated with gold piping. Majid also wore several gold rings with stones of different hues on his fingers, around his neck was a leather thing strung with coloured glass beads. And to top it all off, the Moto’s hair was neat and his beard had been trimmed.
“I don’t think I have ever seen you look this civilised,” Harun teased.
Majid shook his head, deflecting Harun’s compliments. “There’s still plenty of wild Moto if you miss it.”
They climbed the steps to the first level of the tenshukaku where the Great Hall was. At the end was the dais where Lord Chinua and a chosen few lords would sit on chairs. The hall itself was a sea of purple, Unicorns greeting each other, exchanging stories. Majid led Harun through this crowd and up the stairs to the next level.
From the gallery above, Harun leaned over the balcony railing and looked down at what was going on below. Now he could see the different colours of other clans dispersed through the purple. The blue of the Crane and the Crab, green of the Mantis and the Dragon, orange of the Phoenix...
There was one group that stood together that wore the black and white of the Spider Clan, two men and a woman, but Yukari and Hokori weren’t among them. Who could they be?
“Majid, do you know who they are?” Harun asked. “The ones over there in black and white.”
“Who?” Majid looked. “That’s Lady Haihime, the Princess of Ashes.”
“Kanpeki’s daughter?”
Majid nodded.
Harun had a closer look. Haihime looked about thirty, her black and white robes were of the finest silk, her white hair tied back and secured with elaborate black ornaments. She stood tall, rigid, unmoving and proud.
“The man next to her must be her husband, Doji Sorei,” Majid said, nodding to the elegant white-haired man in black next to her.
Doji Sorei…Harun remembered the name now, he was a cousin of the Crane Champion, Doji Ayumu. He had been in Otosan Uchi that winter when they had married. Karasu and Kousuda had been at the wedding and had told him and an enraptured Arahime all about it.
That was the winter before we went to the Academy, Harun remembered. He had another look at the couple, if there was any affection between them, they chose not to show it in public.
“That’s my mother and father,” said a small voice.
Harun and Majid turned to see a small girl. She had white hair tied into braids and serious brown eyes. She looked about eight or nine. Her clothing was a smaller version pf her mother’s, a white kimono with patterns of spider webs in silver and grey.
Majid smiled warmly at the girl. “Then you, young lady, must be Isanko.”
The girl nodded. “Are you a Moto? My mother said the Moto had long beards and wore strange clothes.”
“Your mother is right,” said Majid. “But that’s not all the Moto are. We also paint our faces white, can ride our horses backwards, and dance howling like wolves under a full moon.”
Isanko frowned at him. “You’re making that up.”
Majid shook his head. “I would never lie to such a clever girl.”
She laughed. “I like you, Moto.”
“Isanko-chan?” A woman in non-descript brown roads of a shugenja ascended the stairs. Her face was pale as if she never saw the sun, but was kind. She looked at Harun and Majid. “Are you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Isanko blushed and looked down. “Joshu, I’m afraid I don’t know their names.” She was clearly ashamed at the mistake in etiquette she had made.
Harun decided to step in. He made a bow. “I am Kakita Harun, son of Kakita Karasu. And this is Moto Majid.”
Majid made a flourishing bow to the girl.
Isanko also made a bow, it was quite touching. “Allow me to introduce Moshi Janisha, she is my joshu, my teacher and companion.
Janisha…a name he had heard before.
“Forgive me, Moshi-sama,” said Harun. “But were you not once Champion of the Mantis Clan?”
Janisha gave a small smile and a nod. “I was, but that was years ago and much has changed since then.”
She gave Harun a curious look, not sizing him up but as if she was seeing if she recognised him. Harun was sure they had not met before, perhaps there was some connection to his parents, either adopted or natural.
How does one go from a Clan Champion to a governess? Harun wondered. No doubt there is a story there.
“Please excuse me, but I was sent up here on a task,” said Janisha, she turned to Isanko. “Your mother wishes you downstairs.” She looked again at Harun. “I do hope we can speak later, perhaps this afternoon?”
“You said you would take me riding this afternoon, joshu,” Isanko said.
“I did, Isanko-chan,” said Janisha.
“Perhaps we could accompany you?” Majid suggested. “Riding on the plains of the Unicorn is better with a Moto at your side.”
Isanko smiled. “Can we joshu?”
Janisha looked at Majid for a moment and then nodded.
“Good, we will meet at the stables,” said Majid.
Isanko and Janisha took their leave. A curious sound began to emerge from downstairs, like someone singing but a low, constant drone, like a man singing at the bottom of a very deep valley. Harun looked down over the balcony, several Moto priests parted the crowd, their song bringing all conversation to a stop.
“It’s the khoomei,” Majid explained. “Throat singing, the harmony of the steppes.”
Behind them was Moto Chinua, taking his place on the dais along with several other Moto kuge. Among them was his heir, Moto Tengri. A quiet young man, Harun would have overlooked him had Harun not pointed him out.
One by one, the family damiyos of the Unicorn presented their gifts to the Khan. Ide Tobuko, Utaku Machiko and Iuchi Haruko. They were followed by the rest of the Great Clans, as well as a contingent from Zogeku. The Zogeki stood out, very warmly dressed but in various different colours.
The presentation of gifts took a number of hours, and the speeches the courtiers gave was rather long. He had thought his Uncle Kousuda’s speech was long, but the Scorpion ambassador’s speech left it far behind.
Majid nodded to Chinua, Harun could see the Champion’s attention was flagging.
“I doubt we will see him here after today,” said Majid in a low voice. “Tengri will take over, and the change will happen soon.”
“What do you mean?” Harun asked. For his age, Chinua looked quite healthy. But Majid did not explain more.
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby KakitaKaori » Sun Jun 25, 2017 6:25 am

Great update!
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:17 pm

The stables of Shiro Moto were large and lavish. They took up the entire ground floor of the tenshukaku, leaving only leaving only a small entry for people to ascend the stairs to the Great Hall above. Inside, the accommodations for the steeds were better than for some samurai.
Harun walked past the stalls, some of them had bronze played on the doors showing the horse’s name and lineage. Some of them were Rokugan ponies, most were gaijin-bred horses, but towering over all of them were the famous Utaku steeds.
This is where Harun found Isanko. Janisha was talking to her when Harun came in. The girl turned and made a small bow.
“I wanted to see the Utaku steeds,” she said to Harun. “But joshu said we may not ride them.”
Harun gave a small smile and bow. “Moshi-sama speaks true, Isanko-san. But if you have seen the shiotome in battle as I have, you might see why.”
Isanko looked up at him seriously. “Have you ridden with them, Harun-san?”
Harun nodded. “They are something to behold, nothing can stop them.” He leaned over and said something in a low voice. “I’ll let you know a secret, Isanko, my mother was one of the Utaku.”
“She was?” Isanko asked. “But, why are you a Crane then?”
She doesn’t miss anything, that girl
, thought Harun, but I can’t lie to her.
“She had to do something important for the war with the Onyx,” Harun explained. “But she made sure I was looked after first.”
Isanko nodded solemnly, accepting this.
At that moment, Majid walked in, leading his horse.
“I see that I am the only one ready,” he said, looking between them all.
Majid was prepared to help Janisha and Isanko, but they had their own horses and had more than a little experience with them. Even Isanko, who had her own horse, Kiki.
Soon enough, they were riding across the steppes. Isanko rode between Janisha and Majid with Harun on the end next to Janisha. Isanko chatted to Majid, asking the Moto all sorts of questions.
“She is a bright girl and a credit to your guidance, Moshi-sama,” Harun said.
Janisha smiled softly to herself, like a mother when he child is praised. “I can’t take credit for her mind, only the cultivating of it.” She looked at Isanko. “I have an obligation to her mother, but I never imagined it would be like this.”
“Does she know much about her…heritage?” Harun asked.
Janisha nodded. “Some, she comes with questions from time to time and I answer them. No doubt they will grow as she does.”
Harun stared at her. “But…she’s so young…”
“The sooner we have truths revealed to us, the more time we have to deal with it, do you agree?”
Harun was torn, part of him wanted to agree with Janisha. He had been denied the truth about his true parents for most of his life. Would things be different if he had grown up with the knowledge? Would he be different?
“I’m not sure if I can agree, Moshi-sama,” said Harun. “I was told the truth about my parents only months ago. I could have been told it earlier, but was I ready to know? Was I ready for that burden?”
“And what if it had been given to you, piece by piece, over time, rather than all once like a heavy load?”
Harun considered this. “I was already seen as different at the Kakita Academy. I don’t think I needed another reason to feel like I didn’t belong.”
Janisha smiled. “Fair enough, a dark legacy is not easy to deal with either way.”
He looked at Janisha. “How much do you know?”
Janisha looked him directly in the eye. “I knew your father, Harun, and what he died for.”
Harun stared back at her, his eyes wide with surprise. But he had no time to say anything. Isanko said something to Janisha and then as the light was fading, it was time to go in.
Harun was still thinking about it when they got back to the stables, but he managed to hide it from Majid so he wouldn’t be asked any questions. When they made their farewells, Majid made his excuses and Harun walked alone back to his yurt.
I knew your father…and what he died for…
All Harun knew what that his father, Nakura, had done something that the Scorpion Clan saw fit to challenge him to a duel to the death. Harun didn’t know what it was, but he was pretty sure that Janisha did.

That evening there was a festive mood that infected the camp. From his yurt, Harun could hear the music and chanting, smell the grilled meat over the fires. Smiling, he headed towards them.
Gathered around a few campfires, the Unicorn celebrated. Grilling meat and flatbread over the fire, playing instruments, passing around bowls of kumis. They saw Harun and immediately welcomed him to their fire, and when he joined them he saw he wasn’t the only non-Unicorn there.
Across from him he saw Daigotsu Yukari, sitting between to Moto who were teaching her a rousing drinking song. And a few down from her was Ikoma Sesuke, the yojimbo with Zetsubou. He was tuning a shamisen, but took a long draught of kumis when the bowl was passed to him.
It was relacing, and a sort of pre-empt to the feast that was the follow the next evening. The sky was clear and the moon was almost at his fullest, the cold air contrasting with the warmth of the fire
One of the Moto began to play a strange instrument, almost like a shamisen but he held it between his knees and ran a bow of horse hair along the body, working the neck with his fingers. Majid later told him it was a morin khur.
The sound it made was unlike anything Harun had heard, it had a low drone that he could feel deep inside himself. At first it played a low beat, but then it grew faster and faster. Harun felt his feet starting to starting to tap.
Then the Ikoma started playing the shamisen, the tune was light, lilting and quick. One of the female Moto got to her feet, the man braids of her hair swinging as she swayed to the music. She tapped her feet on the snow, then started to spin around and around, everyone clapping and shouting encouragement as she spun.
As the song reached a climax, she jumped up and spun in the air, coming to land on one knee with her arms stretched out to the applause of everyone. Harun joined in, then the Moto woman met his eyes and stepped towards him. There was laughter.
“Oh no!” Harun protested when he realised what was going on. “No, no, no!”
He was pulled to his feet and led into the circle of people.
“What’s wrong, Niwa no Moto?” Majid’s voice could be heard over the others.
Harun made a face, he’d show Majid.
The music began again. At first, he imitated the Moto, bending his knees and swaying side to side on the balls of his feet to the beat. He extended his arms as the Moto extended his arms as the Moto extended her, moving them softly as he swayed on the spot, He had a quick look around and saw Yukari dancing with one of the Moto, clearly enjoying herself but protesting she wasn’t drunk enough to dance yet.
The music grew faster, they started spinning around and around. Harun tried to imitate the Moto’s footwork, but in the end, gave up and just let the music carry him. There was no form, no grace like in the courtly dances of the Crane, this was primal, it almost seemed to go right down to his bones. Everything was a blur as they went around and around until Harun fell to his knees, his head spinning.
Some of the Unicorn came forward, clapping them in the back. One of them put a full bowl of kumis to his lips, forcing him to drink it all. He choked on it a little, some of it running out of his mouth and down his chin. When it was pulled away empty, there came a cheer.
Majid put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll make a Unicorn out of you yet, Niwa no Moto.”
Across the fire, he could see Yukari talking with one of the Moto. They were surprisingly close, talking about something. The Moto went in to touch her but Yukari slapped his hand away, striking his cheek for good measure and then leaving him.
Another man may have been insulted, perhaps even challenging her to a duel. But this Moto, he looked impressed, stroking his cheek where Yukari’s hand had struck him.
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Re: L5R - Chasing the Winds - A Winter Court 5 Sequel Fic

Postby Kakita_Harun » Sun Jul 09, 2017 8:21 pm

Little update before the big one



The next morning, Harun was coming out of the shiro with Kouta when they saw the Unicorn with shovels some distance away in a clearing between the yurts. Digging, it looked like.
Kouta gave a snigger. “I didn’t think they actually dug ditches.”
Harun ignored him and walked over to them. They were digging a ditch, or a fire pit to be exact. Harun had seen them when he was with the Khol, the meat carcasses cooking on spits and the Unicorn coming back and hacking off pieces with their knives. But he hadn’t seen on this big before.
There were other signs of preparation for the evening feast. Small tables stacked on the ground, next to them were a large number of rolled up carpets and a big pile of cushions. There were also some servants with big vats of kumis, taking it to a large tent for storage.
And outside the camp, he could see animals being led to a screened area. Being led by eta. Harun shuddered as he realised what was being done behind that screen. He still hadn’t tried the red met yet, and now he wasn’t sure he would.
“I hope that head of your is ready, Harun.”
Harun turned to greet Majid. “I’m ready for most things, as you know by now Majid.” He looked around at the people. “But I think there’s a few who aren’t ready for what will happen.”
Majid laughed. “Well, this isn’t for them! They just happen to be here!”
Harun laughed with him. “It never is, is it?”
Majid nodded, Harun finally understood.

That night the clearing was transformed in a way Harun couldn’t quite believe. Above their heads were lanterns made of different coloured glass, hanging from chains on steel poles. In other places there were torches on stands, providing heat as well as light.
There was music, the low drone of the khoomei throat singers along with strains of the morin khur, shamisen, drums and flutes. There was dancing of many different kinds, the traditional and proper Rokugani court dances, the scintillating and beguiling dances from the Burning Sands and the athletic, boisterous acrobatic dances of the Moto.
And there was the food. A number of spits of meat turning on the red-hot coals of the massive fire pit. The air was pungent with the smell of meat and spices.
In the middle of it all, he found Kouta, looking hopelessly lost. He seemed visibly relieved to find Harun.
“I take it all back, what I said about this being just another court,” he said. “All of this, it’s just so…loud…and brash and…”
“Gaijin?” Harun suggested.
They both laughed.
“A lot of this was new to me when I first come,” Harun reminded Kouta. “Now, it’s hard to imagine leaving.”
Kouta looked at him in surprise. “You’d take this over a proper Crane court?”
“I don’t know,” Harun admitted. “But I do know that I’d take the brutal honesty of a Unicorn rather than the polite insults of a Crane.”
“I see your point,” Kouta conceded.
The feast was yet to begin properly, so Harun and Kouta walked around to see what they could see. And some of it was a little surprising. Kousuda, three-deep in a crowd of Ide traders all talking at once. Ikoma Sesuke, deep in conversation with some of the musicians until they decided to set whatever dispute they had by seeing who was the better player. Yukari, faring off some stout Moto men drinking kumis in one draught and gaining their respect. Zetsubou, sitting opposite a Moto death priest, a shogi board between them and a crowd around them taking bets.
By the fire pit he saw Isanko, trailing a long silk ribbon and admiring how it caught the firelight. Nearby was Janisha, talking with Majid.
This is going to be an interesting night, Harun thought.
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