The Daughter

The Daughter is a fiction written by Seth Mason. It is the second of ten parts from the Dawn of the Empire promotional ccg set. 

Annotated Story
Previously: Dawn of the Empire.



Unmei continues his story about the Dawn of Hantei's Empire, and how the Kami found their followers.

Somewhere in Rokugan Takishi the kenku lands next to a branch where his brother is sitting. It is spring, but still not warm enough in Takishi's opinion. Takishi asks his brother what is so important, and Mukashi points down towards a human village. No more than a dozen buildings a situated around what would most likely be a water source, and the men and women of the village are tending to a herd of livestock. Takishi is not overly impressed by humans, but Mukashi motions to the headman's house with two horses outside. Takishi understands his brother is on to something, and asks if the headman is the same as the Emperor. Mukashi does not wish to elaborate further but tells Takishi to watch the house and how sad the people leaving it are. The man and woman who emerge from the house are clearly upset, and the man barks orders at two other approaching men. Takishi asks Mukashi what they are saying, and Mukashi explains that the headman wishes to know if the search party have found his daughter which was lost in the snow. Takashi asks what they found, but Mukashi explains the child has been lost for a week and nothing has been found. Takashi asks if he has been brought here to feel pity, but quickly suggests the two may go looking for the girl themselves. Mukashi reveals that he found the girl this morning dead. Takashi thinks it is terrible, but Mukashi opens his palm and shows Takashi a inky substance hovering in his hand like smoke. Takashi wonders what it is, and Mukashi replies that it is a piece of Nothing which was not named by Lady Sun and Lord Moon. Takashi asks what Mukashi intends to do with it, and Mukashi suggests to give it a place in the universe, to prevent it becoming dangerous if left on its own. Mukashi knows they are not supposed to interfere with humans, but asks his brother leniency this one time. Takashi merely looks at his brother, and then back to the village where the woman runs into her house wailing after hearing the messenger's news.

The following day a peasand is carrying a young girl in his arms, crying out to Ito that the child has been found. People emerge from their buildings and watch as the peasant runs to the headman's house. The girl is covered in dirt and her hands are scratched and raw. Ito comes out and hugs his daughter, happy to see Shuro again. Behind a bush near the village a girl who looks very much like Shuro is watching. A big black bird had put here there and told her to hurry to her father. Her memories were quite clear, but somehow she knew the child being hugged was the right child. She feels lost, and for a moment considers going into the village. She knows she does not belong, and decides to find her father. Gathering up what courage she could muster.



Ten years later, Bayushi is is meeting with his twin Shiba. They are discussing how he first met the woman sitting next to him, Shosuro. He had first thought her a stable boy, but he can now see what Shiba and Togashi see in humans. Shosuro had become used to Bayushi talking about her as if she was not in the room. Shosuro can sense Bayushi is thinking about something, which Shiba cannot even sense. Bayushi continues the story, about how he was surprised to discover her with a knife to his throat in a geisha house the same evening. Bayushi's mask is on the table, which he has begun to remove while in Shiba's presence. Shiba's eyes seem to bore into Shosuro, as if aware there was something different about her. He looked at her not with lust, but as a scholar examining something interesting. Shiba compliments Shosuro's ability to fool Bayushi, something even Doji failed to do at Hantei's coronation. Bayushi agrees and looks at Shosuro with open admiration, a first infront of any of his siblings. Bayushi doubts her like will ever be seen among the humans again. Shiba finally looks away from Shosuro, agreeing with Bayushi. Shosuro senses Bayushi's heart sinking, and she realizes something passed between the twins that she could not see. Shiba had revealed some truth to Bayushi which he had discovered from Shosuro. The night continues as the brothers discuss stories of humans, and Shosuro feels more and more alone with each moment.



Sometime later, Bayushi promises Shosuro the will find an answer as they ride away from Shiba's home. Bayushi had made the exact same vow a year ago after she had revealed to Bayushi she could change her appearance. Bayushi could not explain why no other humans could do such a thing, ad she was fearing she may have been touched by some demon. Bayushi thinks about how when she had met Hantei the Emperor had remarked how much she resembled Doji. Shosuro tells him it was because she had chosen to resemble Doji, because the Emperor favored her very much. Bayushi knew Shosuro had not come to him by accident. While Akodo and Doji will be known for bravery and charm, Bayushi and Shosuro must lurk in the shadows as villains, tricksters and liars. Shosuro wonders if his deeds will even be mentioned beside those of his siblings, but Bayushi thinks that he will do what they are not willing to do. Shosuro jokes that with such a bleak future she would be better off with Shinjo on some horse somewhere. Bayushi thinks she makes a better villain, and after a moment Shosuro cannot help but smile. Bayushi is about to say something, but stops. When Shosuro gives him a look he tells her it was nothing, but she must go away for a moment. Shosuro retreats a distance, then skulks through the shadows to watch and listen. Behind Bayushi stands Togashi, saying nothing. Bayushi however seems to have heard something, and tells Togashi to speak like normal people. Shosuro is surely listening in, and it would be rude to exlude her. Shosuro likes Togashi the least, as she finds him more irritating than even Hida or Akodo. Togashi inclines his head towards Shosuro, and Bayushi turns to see her crouching in the shadow. Bayushi asks Togashi if it is necessary. Togashi's voice is in her head now too, telling Bayushi she must walk her own path. Bayushi says she needs him, and that Togashi cannot understand such a bond between two people. Bayushi is getting quite angry, saying Togashi watches from a distance, and he knows and feels nothing. Togashi says he will show Bayushi what he has seen and Shosuro can no longer hear his voice. After a moment Bayushi closes hi eyes, and Togashi says she will always be alone. Bayushi denies Togashi's destiny, and vows to remain beside her to prevent it. Togashi tells him to be sure, or he will have to become involved. Bayushi does not care for his threat or permission, and Shosuro smiles at him when he looks at her. As they look back at Togashi he is gone. Shosuro asks Bayushi to tell her what is wrong, but Bayushi automatically replies it is nothing. Togashi merely had concerns about their future, but they will be fine as long as they remain together. Shosuro smiles and tells him she will always be there. Bayushi asks her again, and she tells him she will be.

To Be Continued in: Glorious Battle.

Characters

 * Takishi
 * Mukashi
 * Ito
 * Shuro
 * Fake Shuro
 * Bayushi
 * Shosuro
 * Shiba
 * Togashi

Not Present, But Mentioned

 * Lady Sun
 * Lord Moon
 * Togashi
 * Doji
 * Hantei
 * Akodo
 * Hida
 * Shinjo
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