As the Samurai came to the wall of their beloved city, they saw that the Gates of Sendai still stood and looked the same as when they had left – however long ago that was...
As they approached, they could see that it was manned by new Doshin and Samurai Yoriki of the Chief Magistrate.
When those in the way station noticed the Samurai approaching, they cautiously came out to meet them, hands ready on their weapons, but not having drawn them yet – “Hold travelers! Please prepare to present your papers in the name of the Daimyo!”
Showing their slightly dated papers and satisfying the proper protocols, the Samurai were able to inquire as to what day and year it was, explaining simply that they had been occupied in the mountains for some time and had lost track.
“It is the 1st Day of Spring… 1306,” a Yoriki answered with a short bow.
Eight years and eight months.
So they had jumped into the future, but no so far that things would be drastically different (except for the Korean fellow Lee – who was utterly screwed the moment he inadvertently lost his way in the Spirit World).
Everyone else inwardly sighed in relief, except Yuki, who was struck with the realization that her Mother had been watching and caring for Kioko for nearly a decade – nearly ten years of having to answer the question ‘when will my big sister return to take me home to my real mother?’
Did So-Kitsune spirits even age? Yuki’s Mother certainly would have. Yuki could feel the lonely disappointment of years that must have dragged on for the poor little fox girl who had trusted Yuki to return and take her home.
Entering the city and straightaway reporting to the Chief Magistrate, the company found Noburu Saito quite surprised that they were yet alive – as the City of Sendai had thought the Samurai Yoriki of Sendai lost, after they had failed to return from some great quest for the reclusive Master Wu-Jen Yunikawa.
The whole thing was simply astounding.
Since the Samurai had still not returned to Sendai a year after their leaving, new Yoriki and Doshin had been chosen to replace them, taking over the duties of protecting the City in the Daimyo’s name.
And because the word of the Daimyo had not officially changed concerning them in regard to their service to Master Yunikawa, it was decided that the Samurai must first return to Yunikawa, before their position in Sendai could be re-evaluated. Once they had finished their business with Yunikawa, messengers would be sent to Edo to find out what the Daimyo would have them do then.
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Leaving the Chief Magistrate, everyone returned to their homes. It was a joyous reunion with friends and family – especially for Yuki, with her mother and little Kioko – who had not aged a bit – and was absolutely ecstatic to see Yuki once again, showering her in hugs and kisses and asking her to tell all about the wonderful adventures she must have had.
It seemed that Kioko had no concept of long term; apparently staying in a constant perception of time where she thought it had only been a few weeks since she got lost and ended up staying with Yuki’s Mother.
Yuki’s mother however (and the rest of Sendai for that matter) looked aged. And some had passed on and others had come up in their stead.
Notably, was the passing of Exalted Patriarch Yukio Onishi – the former High Priest of Sendai, Advisor to the Daimyo, Exalted Patriarch of the Temple of Five Gods in Sendai, and Highest Ranking member of Sendai’s Spiritual Community for most of his life.
He was replaced by Exalted Patriarch Yasuo Sanjo – now High Priest of Sendai, Advisor to the Daimyo, Exalted Patriarch of Sendai’s Shrine of the Ancestors, and the current Highest Ranking member of Sendai’s Spiritual Community.
Replacing his old position, as Sendai’s Second Highest Ranking member of Sendai’s Spiritual Community, is High-Priest Midori Onishi – High-Priest of Sendai’s Temple of The Five Gods.
Lastly, the Samurai are informed, via a package that finds its way to Rai, that the Nezumi Shaman Split-Tooth (the brother of Thorn and Shaman Leader of the Mountain Shadow Nezumi Clan) has also passed away in their absence.
Rai also discovers a magic chain and sickle in the package – a parting gift from Split Tooth to help restore him to the throne of Nippon.
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And so, the Samurai of Sendai would rest for a day or so and then head out to Master Yunikawa’s place. They still had the Book of Secrets to deliver (after Yuki had a chance to get it to the Sendai Order of Arcanum for copying) and a special little foxgirl who needed help finding her way home…
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END
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Topic: Mythic Nippon Adventure III (Read 361388 times)