A tie-in to the Puerto Rico Hitomi memorial Tournament, this story introduces the winners of the First Legion of the Coqui Create-a-Character Tournament: Shiba Suzaku and Isawa Kebin, as they are assigned the task of finding who among the Phoenix can be considered heroes
Virtues and Fortunes
Posted in 6 - Samurai Edition, Legion of the Coqui, Phoenix Clan, Ronin with tags Hitomi Memorial on October 6, 2010 by Tensei and Isawa KitsuneChance Meeting at Falling Water Shrine
Posted in Imperial, Ronin with tags magistrate, Seppun, Yotsu on June 24, 2010 by AkaihyoYotsu Itoshi watched his charge Seppun Akira, magistrate of his Imperial family and priest of the kami, review the Miya made map again. “Yotsu-san, you know this area better than I, which path do we follow?” asked Akira.
The Yotsu looked at the fork in the road, “Right, Seppun-sama, towards the stream. Falling Water Shrine, ne?” He was of a more practical mind than the Seppun having been a ronin before the Yotsu joined the Imperial House as vassals. Itoshi acted as yojimbo to the Seppun who, while skilled in his roles, was often surprisingly unprepared for the world beyond the temples.
“Of course. Forgive me, Yotsu-san.” The Seppun started down the path.
Distant Thunder (A Matsu Nanako story)
Posted in Lion Clan, Mantis Clan with tags Khan's Ride, Toshi Ranbo on May 13, 2010 by AkaihyoMatsu Nanako counted her arrows again by touch, for there was little else to do. While her khaki armor and off-white snow cloak made her nearly impossible to see from a distance in the slight depression she shared with Yoritomo Kanamura, neither of them could leave as there were Unicorn samurai as far as the eye could see in every direction around them.
Fire and Sea
Posted in 4 - Diamond Edition, Mantis Clan, Phoenix Clan with tags Mantis Phoenix war on May 7, 2010 by AkaihyoThe southern coast of the Phoenix Lands
Yoritomo Yoshiki gripped his yari tightly and kept low behind the embankment along the rice paddy. Overhead, the spirits clashed. Fire and ash rained down on Yoshiki and his crew as the young Moshi did her best to shield them from the mystic wrath of the Phoenix. But Yoshiki could see that she was being worn down and he could feel the Phoenix fire coming closer.
Mouse Trap (A Matsu Nanako story)
Posted in 6 - Samurai Edition, Lion Clan, Unicorn Clan with tags scout on May 6, 2010 by AkaihyoTwelve Hours Ago . . .
Nanako gestured her archers forward through the night. The Unicorn patrol was lax, thinking they were safe along the Dragon border. The Lion scouts were outnumbered eight to five, but half of the Unicorns were sleeping. Nanako counted to twelve and then drew back and released her arrow, a split second before the others.
Kiharu in the Imperial Palace, c. 1169
Posted in Imperial, Monk with tags Moshi, Seppun, Ten Thousand Temples, Toshi Ranbo on May 6, 2010 by AkaihyoSeppun Kiharu looked out and Toshi Ranbo lay spread out before him, the view from this balcony of the imperial palace was impressive. The scars of the battles earlier in the year had not been entirely removed but the worst of the damage was gone. The roads had been the first things rebuilt, allowing materials and workers to flow where they were need. New buildings replaced the ruins of old. Scaffolding covered the walls of the city as teams of masons rebuilt them. Between the wonders of spring and the hard work of the people, the city was coming alive again.
Blood in the Snow
Posted in 6 - Samurai Edition, Lion Clan, Unicorn Clan with tags Ikoma, Matsu, Utaku on May 1, 2010 by AkaihyoThe snow fell gently over the landscape, it should have been beautiful, it should have been silent. The ragged Lion line dressed itself, readying yari and naginata. The attempt by the Moto outriders to push them aside had failed, the ground in front of the Lion was torn by hooves and stained red with the blood of horses and bushi alike. Shout of men and cries of pain rent the day.
Several of the Lion samurai had not survived either, their bodies had been pulled aside and were slowly vanishing under the falling snow. Several others had quickly bandaged their wounds and awaited the next attack. The Lion force was too small to stop the Unicorn advance, too small to even slow them for long. But they could not run. All they could do was sell their lives dearly, for honor demanded.
Border Patrol (A Matsu Nanako Story)
Posted in Dragon Clan, Lion Clan, Unicorn Clan with tags Kikage-zumi, Matsu Nanako, scout on April 21, 2010 by AkaihyoMatsu Nanako finished waxing her bow string as the first light of dawn emerged along the horizon. Ever careful, she checked her arrows and moved through the dim light. Unicorn patrols remained aggressive, even when they risked provoking the Dragon samurai. Nanako was curious why the Unicorn were testing the Dragon yet avoiding the Lion, it was all very unlike the Moto. She hoped that some clue would reveal itself in the next day or two before she had to return and report to her Taisa.
Sword of the Onisu: Fear
Posted in 6 - Samurai Edition, Shadowlands, Spider Clan with tags onisu on February 18, 2010 by TenseiThe young Hida ran through the devastated forest. As he stumbled upon the dead trees and branches, he could still hear the sounds of battle coming from behind. He ran, without looking back, yet he could still see the massive man-beast ripping apart his comrades. He could see the agonizing faces of the Unicorn and Lion as they died alongside the fearless Crab. The sudden attack from the destroyers had cut short his gempukku ceremony, and even though he still had not chosen his name, he was to defend the wall from the incoming enemy. When the attack came, all his comrades ran fearless against the enemy. He ran… away… in fear.
The Heroes of Aobayashi
Posted in Crab Clan, Crane Clan with tags Eta, Mahou, Peasants on July 22, 2009 by Asamori YutakaThe day was warm and humid, more than usual even for the month of the Dragon. Ayame splashed cool water onto her face, and looked outside the window. Sunlight sparkled on the rice paddies in the direction of the river, and swarms of insects rose from the waters to plague the first farmers heading out to the fields. Dust blew over the dry square in the middle of the town, carried by a light breeze. She sighed. The year had begun peacefully, at least here, but peace had eluded her and her family.
