Session Four; It All Can Change in a Night

Dew clung to Mikoto’s kimono as she waded through the field outside of town. She had woken that morning, eaten breakfast by herself, and left with a basket to find herbs and other plants that could be used in medicinal ways. She had no idea what she was really looking for, not knowing anything about medicine besides folklore and tales. It wasn’t something people studied when there were priests around who could heal with just a prayer. But she had seen Asahina patching his own wound the first day they were in the dream world and the idea planted itself in her head that it was probably something worth learning. Today she would ask Asahina to teach her, he wouldn’t be able to say no if she already had the plants. And if he did, she’d just make sure Hikaru was nearby to keep Asahina from leaving until he decided teaching her was the better idea.

Mikoto looked at her bounty. She had some circle leaved plants, some with pointed leaves, a few thin stalks of something with some sort of seed pods, a plant that was two different colors, and a branch that had berries on it. It looked like a pretty good haul, the only thing she was missing was some sort of flower, and she knew people used flowers for medicine. Mikoto inspected the area, she could always grab some cherry blossoms on the way back, but that seemed way too common of a flower to be useful. Maybe there was a bush closer to the woods that had flowers on it; she could also pick up some bark while there. Mikoto remembered a time when she was young that she had gotten sick and in order to get better they made her drink a tea made from bark, it was terrible. But if bark is part of medicine she would definitely add it to her basket.

Near the forest Mikoto found several bushes with flowers, she grabbed the yellow tiny ones, some purple pokey things, some large white petal ones, and picked the bark off the nearest tree. That should do it, she thought to herself studying the basket now brimming with foliage. The sun had risen, warming the air as Mikoto walked back to the house, Hikaru in tow. The dew was drying off the plants creating a sweet green smell, and the scent of the cherry blossoms that surrounded the village blew on the gentle breeze that kept the spring the perfect temperature for outdoor strolls. Mikoto almost didn’t want to go back indoors. The day was starting beautifully, and even though she lacked an artistic eye for nature, she couldn’t deny that something was just better today.

The house was open on all sides when she came in, allowing the sun, wind, and outside pour into every nook and cranny. Pleased with herself, she crossed the courtyard to Asahina’s room, easily seen from the front door. It was closed, but it was late enough in the morning she didn’t expect him to be sleeping. Mikoto knocked, setting her basket on the ground.

“Asahina-san?”

No answer came. Mikoto frowned, trying again, and again there was no response. It wouldn’t hurt if she just took a small peek she decided and slid the door open enough for her to look about the room. Asahina wasn’t inside. How could he just leave this morning after all the work she did gathering the herbs so he could teach her medicine? She made her way to Shiba’s room who also was missing. That’s two for two. Believing the rest of her housemates had gone on some group outing without her, she almost passed up Daigotsu’s room. Mikoto sighed and looked at Daigotsu’s door. She didn’t want to find out everyone had left her here alone, like she had grown up, and if she knocked and Daigotsu was also gone that would clearly be the case. The door swiftly slid open, Mikoto finding herself in the presence of Daigotsu who was just staring at her as if she was expecting Mikoto. Daigotsu didn’t say anything or make a move.

Session Three; All Roads Lead Together

“What a spectacular match,” Anjin began talking to the person closest to him which happened to be a Scorpion. The clan didn’t matter; he was speaking loud enough so all those passing could hear as well as all those filling in the seats around him that had held the entire Spider traveling party just moments before. He had always had a way with words and he liked Asahina, so a little boasting was the least he could do in order to shine a more positive light on the duelist who bested his new yojimbo, Daigotsu. He very much appreciated Daigotsu as well, she had proven to be efficient enough to reach the finals and losing to a Kakita Duelist wasn’t something to be ashamed of; it was expected to happen.

“To win the tournament is one thing; but to win it in such magnificent style is unprecedented. It’s legendary! Such deeds of heroics shall surely be spread far and wide. Poems will be spoken of this man.”

Speaking of his bodyguard, Daigotsu wasn’t in sight. When the duels started he had been approached by Daigotsu Yanagi, the same man he spoke with the day before about assisting Anjin with matters outside of his abilities. Yanagi had introduced Daigotsu Katsumi, though no introduction was actually needed. Anjin had already met Katsumi in some strange clouded world, along with Asahina Kyuzo, Shiba Morasahi, and Matsu Mikoto. It seemed far from coincidence when Katsumi was the one tasked to protect him, more like destiny revealed. She probably slipped away to wherever it was the Spider had disappeared to after the match was lost. Anjin supposed it didn’t matter too much at the moment, the closing ceremonies were going to start soon and he had a perfect seat to watch from, a seat Daigotsu had procured for him.

It wasn’t long before the crowd settled back into the benches provided. It seemed to Anjin that more people were interested in shows of strength than the actual tournament as the crowd was at least halved in size from an hour ago when Daigotsu and Asahina had taken their positions across the dusty field from each other. It was unfortunate that so many were unaware of the power the mind held, and how much wealth could be gained simply from listening instead of applying brute force.

The Mayor began with all due respect given to the samurai who attended; so happy this year he had the honor of holding the championship in his lands, lands largely unaligned. It was a humbled and gracious speech, the perfect start to a long line of others more boastful and less appreciative that were to come. Teachers and dojo daimyos took their turns, speaking both of their schools and their students who placed first in the various competitions over the last three days. Asahina was awarded several scrolls, recommendations and vouchers along with flattering speeches about his skills. Somewhere around two hours, the ceremony finally came to a close, leaving Anjin wishing more Crane had spoken, since they were the type to have the most flowery, drawn-out speeches. He wouldn’t have minded another hour.

Session Two; The Winner Anounced

Katsumi surveyed the scene, or what remained of it. The world still stood as it had before the ogres, but their bodies faded away like all the others had. The tent was toppled. That’s right, the tent, and those bats. She glanced over towards the strange cave, sitting there where she was almost certain it hadn’t been the day before. There wasn’t any movement but never had she seen so clear of a sign on where to go next. If the bats had been causing the problems, and they still had to find the problem, then the cave was where they needed to head. Katsumi leaned her bisento against her shoulder and watched Matsu go through the motions of cleaning off her already clean blade before sliding her katana back into its sheath. Shiba was collecting her spear that was sticking out of the ground at least five feet behind where the ogre had been. And Asahina stood stringing a bow. He seemed to always be ahead of the game, or at least cresting the lead. First to run after a task, and now preparing for the inevitable fight against aerial creatures. Katsumi absently gazed at the cave, wishing she had a bow to conquer their foe with.

“By the way, the bats…” It was Shiba’s whispering voice. She did this nearly each time she spoke, start off but never finish her thought until everyone was staring at her waiting for that last word to come. “The bats, they went that way.” She was holding her spear with one hand, but pointing timidly towards the cave with her other, barely gesturing at all.

Katsumi watched her; this one wasn’t much of a talker, or a leader. Come to think of it, she wasn’t ever first to strike either. The spear had been the most aggressive Shiba had been since Katsumi met her yesterday, and even that missed probably thrown off by shaky nerves. Shiba seemed to need someone to lead her, which could be something to work with. She smiled to herself as Shiba fixed on Katsumi, obviously noticing just then that she was watching Shiba.

“The bats went over there.” Shiba was pointing with more conviction now that someone was paying attention to her. She was waiting though, Katsumi could tell, probably for someone to give her an order. “So… we should probably go after them.” Shiba finally suggested. Katsumi continued to stare, wondering if the Phoenix would go mad without receiving a response.

“So you saw which way the bats went?” Asahina ruined it. Shiba quickly refocused her efforts to be helpful on Asahina.