Growth

By Brian Yoon

MATSU YOSHINO LOOKED SERENE AS HE SAT in the middle of the room, but Ikoma Yasuko knew he was anything, but that. Yoshino had burdens placed upon his shoulders that would have crushed lesser men, but he bore them stoically, at least on the outside. He strived to learn as much as he could about strategy and politics in equal measure so that he would never fail the Lion Clan. It was terrible to demand that such a young, man bear such duties, but Yasuko knew that he would treat them with the respect and honor, they were due.

Yoshino looked calm. Yet his thoughts must be racing and strategies flying through his mind. Yasuko, her husband, lkoma Otemi, and many of Yoshino’s closest advisors had briefed him on how important the meeting would be. Today, they addressed a matter that would determine the fate of the Empire. The greatest minds of the Lion sat in the audience chamber as they waited for the guest.

They did not have to wait long. The doors to the audience chamber opened suddenly, and a single man appeared in the doorway. Yoshino looked up and stood at the sight of his visitor. The rest of the room stood as well, unwilling to remain seated while their lord did not. Their visitor paused for a second then confidently strode into the room. Toturi Shigekawa was a handsome man who wore his age very well.

Shigekawa bowed deeply to Yoshino and glanced at everyone gathered in the room. “The welcome is overwhelming, Yoshino sama, esteemed samurai. Thank you,” Shigekawa said with self-effacing smile on his face. He bowed deeply to Yoshino, who bowed back. Yoshino sat back down onto his cushion, and everyone else followed his example.

“The welcome is no less than you deserve, Shigekawa-san,” Yoshino replied, his voice projecting to every corner of the chamber. “You do not need to hide your merits. They are well known in this room.”

Shigekawa leaned back. It was true. Every Lion samurai followed the exploits of Toturi Shigekawa. Once an Akodo, Shigekawa followed his heart and swore fealty to Toturi Tsudao, now known as Empress Toturi the Second. After her death in the Shadowlands, he continued to serve the best interests of the Empire. Under the orders of Emperor Toturi the Third, he took command of the Seventh Imperial Legion. Shigekawa dedicated his life to protecting the Empire, and he stood as a paragon of samurai virtues.

“All I do is what is in service to the Empire,” Shigekawa replied. “I have no doubt that any person in this room would perform as well, if not better, if he were placed in my position.”

“You have no need to be so meek in this room, Shigekawasama,” Akodo Shigetoshi, Akodo Family Daimyo, said. He grinned fiercely. “We are warriors. We do not need boasts or false modesty. Our deeds speak for us, and yours speak quite well of you.”

A rumble of agreement traveled around the room.

Shigekawa smiled ruefully. “It has been too long since the last time I was in the presence of Lions. I must admit it is refreshing from the smog of politics that cloud the Imperial armies. Everyone attempts to curry favor. The intrigue is exhausting.”

“Then let us be frank, samurai to samurai,” Yoshino said. He leaned forward and stared intently into Shigekawa’s eyes. “Several months ago the Lion embassy in the Imperial City proclaimed that we would back you fully as the rightful heir to the throne. Because numerous events have claimed our attention elsewhere, I have not had the pleasure to meet you face to face and discuss the reasons why the Lion have done such a thing.”

“Very well, Yoshino-sama. I will also be clear,” Shigekawa said. He tapped his fingers on his knuckles. “I am surprised at the news. I am not a remarkable man. I am not of royal blood. What makes me the one to sit upon the throne? It seems almost blasphemous to contemplate it.”

Ikoma Korin, Ikoma family daimyo, seemed unsure speaking in front of such revered members of his clan. Still, unwilling to shirk his duty, he produced a scroll and read out loud from the document. “Perhaps you do not believe you are royal, Shigekawasama, yet the records show otherwise. Toturi Shigekawa, once Akodo Shigekawa, is the cousin of the late Empress Toturi Kurako. After the demise of Emperor Toturi the Third, Kurako-sama reigned in the Empire.”

“It is said,” Kitsu Katsuko, Kitsu family daimyo, added, “That those who believe they are ready for the power are the ones who are truly not. The Seven Thunders are heroes to all, yet stories state that even they struggled with the vastness of the task set before them.”

“And the responsibility set before you is no less important, Shigekawa-sama,” Yoshino said. “You must unite the Empire and guide us through the troubled times that must lie ahead.”

Shigekawa shook his head. “Kurako-sama and I were related, yet others would argue that a connection to the Empress is not enough to make an emperor. There must be dozens of samurai who share the same lineage. Why would anyone else accept me for this duty? Why would any other clan accept me instead of another candidate who would look upon their own with favor?”

“I have no doubt, Shigekawa-sama,” Korin said, “that you would treat all of the clans as honor demanded. The Lion Clan endorses your claim because we believe that you are worthy. It is not simply by blood, but by merit. Your connection to the Empress gives you a right of succession. Your deeds say that you are an honorable samurai who will dedicate his life to preserving the traditions of the Empire.”

“We shall make the other clans see the wisdom behind that decision,” Yoshino said. His tone was light, but no one could mistake – the steel in his voice. “They shall all see that you are the answer to this turmoil before all is said and done.”

“I can only do what I must for the safety of the Empire,” Shigekawa answered. “My role in all of this will only be determined by the heavens.”

Yoshino nodded his head. “I would expect nothing less from you, Shigekawa-sama.”

Silence reigned in the room as the impact of those words settled into everyone’s minds. The quiet was broken by a small cough from Akodo Setai.

“What do you think of the words of the prophet, my lords?” Setai asked.

Shigekawa turned to Setai with a surprised look on his face. “What of them, Setai-san?” Shigekawa asked.

“They say that the prophet speaks true, and that the words come from the heavens themselves,” Setai said. He shook his head. “They say that the prophet’s words dictate who deserves to lead Rokugan with the mandate of the kami.”

“Perhaps they do,” Yoshino said. “In the end, it does not matter. If the kami favor us, Shigekawa-sama will become the Emperor. If the gods do not favor us, he will not. It is simple. We do not have time to worry and react to the words of a person who is barely a samurai of a Great Clan. We will continue along with our plans, and if the prophecy shall prove to our benefit, we will know when Shigekawa sits on the throne.”

“Yoshino-sama,” Yasuko said, speaking out for the first time that meeting. “Your words have merit, and I applaud the strength and dedication your words show us about your will. However, such an opinion should be kept closely. It is one thing to ignore the words of the prophet. However, if word got out that the Lion Clan Champion does not respect this highly honored member of the Mantis Clan, the other clans might misunderstand the reasoning behind your opinion.”

Yoshino was silent for a moment, and the rest of the room waited to hear his response. “Does it truly matter what the others believe are my intentions? What I believe is the simple truth. I mean no malice.”

Yasuko smiled and bowed. “Those of us in the room know that you mean no disrespect, yet members of the other clans will use the opportunity to hurt our standings within the Empire. Sometimes, my lord, we must moderate our actions for the benefit of those who cannot see the truth.”

“I didn’t see it that way. You are right. Thank you, Yasukosan,” Yoshino said. “As always, your counsel is appreciated.” He turned to Shigekawa. “Thank you for coming, Shigekawa-sama. Let us work together to save the Empire.”

“Thank you for your support, Yoshino-sama. I am curious on one point and I hope you will indulge me this small curiosity. Speaking of relations with other clans,” Shigekawa said, “how fares the campaign in the Unicorn lands?”

AKODO SADAHIGE ROSE FROM HIS SLUMBER WITH A START. He looked around the room with glazed eyes, attempting to find the source of his discomfort. He could not see anything out of the ordinary. Even though the Lion army was now situated in the middle of Unicorn lands, the army had not faced major opposition in weeks. The Lion army had conquered and occupied the Unicorn city of Watarimono many weeks ago, yet the Unicorn had not retaliated. Some of Yoshino’s advisors told him that the Unicorn were paralyzed with the thought that innocent Unicorn peasants would be caught in the crossfire. As for himself, Sadahige did not think their opponents so weak. He knew that the Unicorn planned a surprise for them, yet he had no evidence that would support his claim. So he did what any obedient Lion would do in the situation; he kept his mouth shut and his eyes open.

Sadahige rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stepped to his feet. He looked out of the window at the sky. Clouds rolled over the sky, blocking the light of the moon. The torches that lined the streets seemed to be fighting a losing battle to push back the darkness. The light that emanated from the torches seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer against the black of the night.

Sadahige frowned. Perhaps he was still off balance from his abrupt awakening, but the torches looked unnaturally weak from his window. With a grunt he picked up his daisho and stepped outside. As he strapped the blades to his obi he searched the street for anything that would justify his concerns. The night was quiet. He shook his head and grunted. Perhaps it was simple unease at living in the middle of enemy territory.

Sadahige walked through the middle of the street as he headed toward the highest point of the city. The city was situated next to a sloping hill, and some buildings were constructed to take advantage of the incline. He could always think clearly there, on a street devoid of people. The light flickered and dimmed as the torches struggled to stay lit against the rising wind. In the distance he could see a group of young samurai talking animatedly to each other. Whispers of laughter and conversation drifted toward his ears. He could not suppress a strained smile. He had been just like those men only a short time ago, a loud man prone to yelling out his exploits at the top of his voice. The reputation had grown until others had even labeled him as The Braggart. Years, wars, and the deaths of his closest friends had stripped that from him. He still retained his quick humor and his friendly nature, yet he no longer felt the need to boast to others. His blade and his technique was enough to vouch for his skill.

The sudden beat of a war drum shattered the peace of the night and Sadahige flinched. It was the alarm, and Sadahige knew that a Unicorn army approached from,the horizon. He turned to run toward the city walls but stopped as another thought came to him. Why did the Unicorn attack now, of all days? What was different about today that made them launch an assault? He glanced around him and his heart sank. He could barely see the buildings because of the clouded sky. Without the moonlight, the city was filled with shadows and dark crevasses.

Sadahige quickly stepped in front of the way of the group of bushi who had been laughing only a few moments earlier. Their faces no longer showed mirth but were deathly serious; at least they were not as foolish as to treat war as a game. “The commander is in trouble,” Sadahige barked. “Come with me and follow my lead!” The men looked at him and nodded without hesitation.

Sadahige broke out into a full run and made his way toward the center of the city, and he could hear the others effortlessly keep up to his pace. The commander of the Lion army had commandeered the mayor’s house. Sadahige had no illusions that the location of the building would serve to protect them. The city was built by the Unicorn. No doubt they had dozens of secrets that a search would not uncover. He drew near the building and saw that five men were making their way to the door of the building.

“Your plan is foiled, Unicorn!” Sadahige shouted and drew-his blade. He could hear his companions follow suit with their own blades. The men stopped and turned to face them, proving his theory. They were indeed Unicorn men here to kill the general. Sadahige quickly analyzed the opponents. Each of them towered over the Lion and he was sure the Unicorn would only send their best on such a mission. On the other hand, the Lions with him were young men still immune t6 the cruel nature of battle. The thought that it would be an impossible fight rose up into Sadahige’s mind, but he dismissed it instantly. His companions were Lions. They would succeed, even at the cost of their lives.

“Assassins,” Sadahige growled and readied his katana in front of him. “The Khan was scum for his attack on the Imperial City, but I didn’t know he was such an honorless dog.”

The tallest Moto, apparently the leader of the group, stepped forward. “Does not your Leadership speak of defeating the general to instill panic in the enemy?” he said and drew his scimitar. He pointed its tip at Sadahige. “Let me give you the gift of Shinsei’s Smile across your neck, Lion.”

Without another word the Moto leader leapt into action. He seemed to move with grace and speed that belied his size. One moment, the Moto stood with his guards ten feet away from Sadahige. In the next moment, his scimitar sliced down at Sadahige’s head. His speed was remarkable, and Sadahige barely dodged the blow. Sadahige sliced out blindly with his katana but the attack did not seem to deter the Unicorn. The Moto blocked the blow with his scimitar and backhanded Sadahige across the face. Sadahige crumpled to the floor, but kept the presence of mind to roll away from the next attack. The scimitar stabbed deep into the ground with the force of the thrust. The Moto warrior struggled to pull the weapon out. Sadahige used the moment to gather his thoughts and his breath.

Around him battle raged as his companions joined the fight. Out of the corner of his eyes, Sadahige could see that the other Unicorns were no less impressive than his current opponent. They moved like phantoms, swift and deadly. However, Sadahige could not afford to pay attention to the others. His opponent shook the blade out of the ground and turned to Sadahige once more.

“I am surprised you did not bring more, Unicorn. It’ll take more than the likes of you to defeat me,” Sadahige said in defiance. He grasped his katana harder and tried to calm himself.

The Moto frowned. “Lion,” he said quietly, “what do you believe will happen here? You will die. Your general will die.”

“I am Akodo Sadahige, son of Hideo of Toturi’s Army. I am a Lion, and I will stop you from entering this building.”

The Moto paused. A newfound respect grew to his eyes. “I understand, Sadahige,” he said. “I shall not shame you by prolonging this further?’

Sadahige immediately raised his katana and readied himself for the assault. He was not disappointed. The Moto rushed him once more, this time slicing at his legs. Sadahige dodged the blow and struck at the Moto’s chest. The Moto raised his scimitar to guard his chest. With a casual gesture he deflected the katana from his body.

Sadahige felt his heart pumping in every inch of him as he saw the opportunity. It was a slim chance, but slim was better than none. He released his grip on his katana with his left hand and reached for his wakizashi. The Moto recognized the gesture and quickly began to move his scimitar to cut Sadahige’s head off. Sadahige twisted his katana with the entire force of his right arm, twisting the scimitar off center. The Moto had no defenses as Sadahige drew the wakizashi and stabbed it directly into his chest. The Moto convulsed in his death throes and collapsed onto Sadahige.

A wild, explosive joy rushed into every part of his body. He looked up and the emotion quickly turned to despair. Every one of the young Lions that had accompanied Sadahige to the commander’s building had died. Two of the opponents were lying on the floor, clutching grievous wounds, but two others were still fresh and ready for battle. The Unicorns looked at their leader’s body, fallen to the floor, and looked up at Sadahige. They readied their weapons and began to charge. Sadahige could do nothing to protect himself while the corpse still lay on him. He simply waited and watched as his death rushed toward him.

His mind was so prepared for his upcoming demise that it almost did not register to him when a pair of arrows flew through the air. The arrows hit the Unicorn with a whisper and they fell mid-stride. Sadahige struggled to get up as his rescuers rushed up to defend the building. The samurai leading the small group was a familiar face. Matsu Fumiyo was certainly a sight; she was wearing a night kimono with a bow strapped to her back. Sadahige knew that she had rushed to answer from her sleep when the call came out.

“How did you know about the threat?” Sadahige asked, his breath coming in short bursts.

An impish grin crossed Fumiyo’s face. “You stopped that patrol in front of my building, Sadahige-san. You yell quite loud when you need to.” For once, she looked completely at ease in his presence despite her state of dress. She grinned as Sadahige pushed the body off of him and sat up. He rubbed his sore arms and stared at the corpses of the young Lions. He had not even known their names.

“Where is the commander?” Fumiyo asked, interrupting his revelries, but the need to answer disappeared when Akodo Bakin exited the building. He was also dressed in a simple kimono, yet he looked ready for whatever awaited him. She turned to him and bowed deeply. “Are you unhurt, Bakin-sama?”

Bakin nodded. “We are fortunate that Yoshino-sama and Otemi-sama both left the city for the meeting,” he said. “I would dislike exposing them to such dangers. Thank you, Sadahige-san.”

Sadahige could barely catch his breath. Attempting to focus on the conversation at hand was even more taxing. However, with respect to his lord, he struggled to reply. “It was only my duty, Bakin-sama,” he gasped.

“Nonetheless,” Bakin continued, “I have always valued your dedication to the Lion army and your talents. You have saved the life of the command group of the Lion army and readied the Lion army against a sneak attack. I know you are worthy of carrying the blade that the Fortune of Steel has bestowed on the Lion. I will tell my superiors what you have accomplished this night, Sadahige. Your bravery will not go unrewarded.”

Surrounded by the bodies of the fallen Lion, Sadahige felt less deserving of accolades than ever before. He bowed without another word.