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Hamasoki Hiroshi

"I was never much for idle contemplation."

0 · 481 views · located in Japan

a character in “Way of the Ronin”, as played by almostinsane

Description

Hamasaki Hiroshi
"Lord, give me strength



Image
Age
23

Appearance
With a height of 5"6 and a well-built physique, Hiroshi cuts an imposing figure, especially when outfitted in full armor which is admittedly hard to come by for a ronin. Thus, Hiroshi contents himself with armoring his torso, arms, and knees, relying on speed and finesse to compensate for his vulnerable points. It is foreign appearance that sets him apart, however. Hiroshi's eyes are brown and a tad too wide and his skin betrays his Portuguese heritage as he is obviously not pure nihonjin. He takes advantage of negative stereotypes by keeping his hair long and unkempt and has a rather magnificent beard if he can say so himself.

Hiroshi prefers to wear simple clothes or his own armor if possible, disliking ostentatious clothing, though he does not mind wearing simple midnight blue kimono on more formal occasions. At all times, he keeps his katana and wakizasha sheathed at his side and iron crucifix over his heart. He can also often be seen wearing a sugegasa, particularly on hotter days.

Likes
  • Stars
  • Different Languages
  • Trade
  • Combat
  • Jesuits
  • Crucifixes
  • Good food and drink
  • Religion/Folklore

Dislikes
  • Most nobles
  • Injustice
  • Being treated as if he's nothing
  • Dishonor
  • His mother's family

Personality
Hiroshi's manner is one of calm confidence amidst a storm. He feels things deeply, but he almost never loses control of himself save for times of extreme distress and when that happens, his rage is something to behold. His eyes burn in fury and his voice rumbles in fury as he lashes out at whatever has finally caused him to lose his temper. He does not stop until he has said his peace or, if it is in battle, he has achieved complete victory. This, however, is not the norm and Hiroshi feels deeply ashamed in the aftermath.

Most of the time, Hiroshi is focused, but easy-going. He always shows respect to whoever he is interacting with unless given a reason otherwise. He possesses a dry and, at times, a surprisingly risque sense of humor for someone raised by monks. Although an honorable man, Hiroshi is a cutthroat haggler and, were things different, could have become a successful merchant. As it stands, Hiroshi cannot bring himself to pursue that sort of life due to the issues he still has with his father. He is also fluent in Japanese, Latin, and Portuguese and can speak passable Chinese and Korean. Hiroshi is a religious man, though he respects the spirituality of the land of his birth. He will never charge a Jesuit as he feels forever indebted to the order he raised and, to his guilt, left to pursue the life of a ronin.

At heart, Hiroshi seeks the honor denied to him as child born out of wedlock in a land where some view him as foreign though his mannerisms differ only slightly from his countrymen. He seeks the acknowledgement of a father whom he hasn't seen in years and a way to vindicate his choice of life to the monks who raised him. The event of his mother's death left a wound on his soul and he feels guilty that his very existence was the cause. Nevertheless, Hiroshi has been taught to look beyond himself and has vowed never to harm an innocent or let anyone suffer when he has the means to prevent it.

Relationships
Francisco Perez| Hiroshi's father, Francisco is an aloof Portuguese merchant who impregnated a woman from a prominent Samurai family on Kyushu. Hiroshi has only met him a few times and at once hates and craves for his approval.

Hamasoki Motoko- Hiroshi's mother, a daughter of a prominet Samurai family, she was disowned when she was found to be pregnant outside of wedlock, but was cared for at a monastery set up by missionaries in Kyushu. Shortly after he was born, she committed seppuku.

Brother Arashi "Juan" Hayashi| The man who was Hiroshi's primary parental figure, Brother Arashi taught him about honor, God, and his homeland. The monk had hoped that Arashi would join the Jesuit Order as he had. Hiroshi could not bring himself to explain himself to him face to face and left him a letter before he left the monastery.

Equipment
Katana| Hiroshi prizes his katana above all his weapons as it is one he earned from completing one of his first jobs. It is a weapons forged by a real samurai swordsmith rather than a cheap knock-off commonly used by Ronin such as the one he first wielded. It is of average length and width with its hilt fitting surprisingly perfectly in his hands, as though it was forged for him.

Wakizasha| Little more than a long dagger, Hiroshi uses this weapon when a shorter blade is required. Hiroshi dislikes this weapon as it is the very weapon his mother used to kill herself, but he chose to take it long ago and has used it since.

Yumi| Although he is more of a close range fighter, Hiroshi has found the yumi longbow useful in the past and keeps his skills sharp in this area, though he acknowledges he will never be a master at the art.

Strengths
Hiroshi's primary areas of expertise are trade and combat. He understands the value of goods and services well and has an eye for detail that he has inherited from his father. This has served him well in life from when he discerns whether someone is telling him the whole truth to the condition or value of an object to his opponents' fighting styles. In battle, Hiroshi uses his speed and endurance to wear down his opponent until an opening presents itself before striking without mercy or hesitation. He also has a gift for languages, religion, and folklore and is able to interact with Portuguese and Christians much more smoothly than a normal Ronin.

Weaknesses
Hiroshi suffers from a severe lack of self-worth that would be today diagnosed as depression. He feels stained from the dishonor of his birth causing his mother to kill herself and his father to keep his distance. In addition, he has a strong distaste for manipulation and will not compromise his honor, even if that makes things more difficult for him.

Home
Raised in a monastery on Kyushu under the protection of the Otomo clan, since becoming a ronin, Hiroshi has wandered the country, going where fortune and duty has demanded.

History
As with all human's, Hamasoki Hiroshi's story begins with his parents. Francisco Perez was a well-to-do Portuguese merchant with a keen eye for opportunity and dwindling prospects either at home or in the Portuguese colonies in the New World. It was inevitable then that he would find his way to an a growing market for goods from Portugal and her colonies in the form of Nihon. Francisco was a gifted haggler who, thanks to the Portuguese presence in India and China, found himself doing quite well in acquiring goods the Japanese desired from said countries and through fruitful business relations and personal charm, Francisco gained the friendship of a minor samurai family in Kyushu, the Hamasakis.

Hamasaki Motoko, the head of the family's youngest daughter, found herself fascinated with the strange foreigner and Francisco, in turn, was charmed by the demure young woman. Soon enough, the two began an affair, culminating in Hiroshi's birth. The family was dishonored by this half-foreign bastard and Motoko was disowned by her family with the implication that they would cut down Francisco Perez if he ever dared to show his face at their home again. With Hiroshi in tow, Motoko made her way to a small monastery in Hoshu under the protection of the powerful Otomo clan and run by the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. There, she sent letter after letter to Francisco with no reply. Fearing that he had died or, worse, abandoned her and their child and feeling the shame she brought upon herself and her family, she killed herself with the only possession she had left from her family, a wakizasha just days before Francisco arrived, having been delayed by ill weather and fortune.

Hiroshi was left in the care of the Jesuits, Francisco having neither the ability or interest in raising a child himself. He paid them an annual stipend for this service, but he remained aloof. It was an older monk, Brother Arashi "Juan" Hayashi who raised him as a father would. As he grew up, Hiroshi proved to be a gifted child, excelling in physical activity and the speaking and understanding of the Latin, Japanese, and Portuguese spoken in his childhood home. At times, Francisco would visit his child and teach him what he knew about trade and money, but the man remained cold and seemingly uncaring towards his only child. In addition, he was often bullied by other orphans for being a foreigner's bastard, though not to the extent he would have outside the monastery. No matter how much Arashi reassured him that he was worthy in the eyes of God, Hiroshi still felt the dishonor of his birth and felt the sting of his father's disinterest. In addition, he he was fascinated with his samurai heritage, more than even the things of God and his father's trade. While he honored Brother Arashi, Hiroshi felt that his place wasn't the monastery. He longed to travel the world not as monk or a merchant like his father, but as a samurai like those in his mother's family.

Things soon changed with the arrival of an aging ronin who had tired of his life as a wandering mercenary and converted to Christianity. In secret, Hiroshi begged the older man to teach him the way of the sword and of the ronin and after several fruitless attempts, he agreed. Over the course of five years, Hiroshi proved himself to be a natural and the old ronin felt that Hiroshi could do well as a ronin, though he still warned Hiroshi that he would not be able to achieve the honor he sough through the life. Eventually, Brother Arashi found out about Hiroshi's secret training and forbade him to learn anymore from the old ronin, but he needn't have bothered. The old ronin soon died as a result of a long life smoking cigars and drinking sake. Nonetheless, fearing for the direction Hiroshi's life was taking him, Brother Arashi encouraged his ward to take vows as monk or priest. Reluctantly, Hiroshi agreed but on the night before he did so, he ran away, leaving a letter apologizing for his disloyalty, but vowing to gain honor as a ronin and, if possible, a samurai.

Hiroshi traveled alone with only the cheap iron katana that was the ronin's beforehand. He took any job he could, provided that it was one of honor, and proved himself time and again, slowly building for himself a reputation as a ronin of skill and character. Throughout all this, he never forgot about the monastery that was his home or the monks who had been his family. At times, he has questioned his decision, but the knowledge of his mother's shameful death and the memories of his father's disinterest quashed those doubts. This was his path and he vowed to cleanse himself of the shame of his birth and bring honor to the Jesuit Order through his life in repentance for his actions. Inside, he knows that this goes against everything he was taught by the monks, but it is a path that he cannot leave.

So begins...

Hamasoki Hiroshi's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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Kohaku K A N A

The cool spring air rustled the hair of three individuals waiting on horseback at the edge of Edo, swords at their hips. Gaining upon their location at a canter rode up four more individuals, when there were only supposed to be three. Kana was particularly proud of herself for finding another ronin, or rather strangely strong foreign medicine man as it were, for their journey. She and ImageKousaka had been at a tea shop, on their way to find pick up the Saburuko they needed when a skirmish happened just outside. Kana couldn’t see how it all had started or anything, though the man was thrown out of an establishment - or kicked by her knew find and before she knew it this foreign medicine man was taking on three armed men with nothing but his hands and feet. Kousaka and she were glued to the scene, they even cheered him on, and afterwards Kana simply had to recruit him. His name was Atago Sora, and he was extremely odd, or rather Kana felt odd around him, she could sense him even when he wasn’t in her sight, as though she were hyper-attuned to his presence. She wondered if it was fear she felt, could that be because of fear? Well it was a good thing he was working with her and not against her in any case. She had asked Kousaka if he felt the same but apparently it was all in her head. Ah well.

And so the party of three traveled together to the ochaya of Seven Pleasures and picked out a suitable Saburuko after informing the madame of who had sent them. They had five women to choose from, each lovelier than the last, but in the end it was decided that the girl with foreigner blood in her would suit them best, as she looked the least like Kana out of the five and held an exotic look that men in Japan would be drawn to. Kana thought her best feature was that flowing fair hair, she had never actually seen anyone with hair the colour of straw, but had heard about foreigners from far west who looked like that, yellow like the sun. And she had nice big breasts too, best to cover their bases, Kana was lacking in that area after all. What Kana did for her mistress Lady Kobayashi could be considered the work of a Saburuko, but to meet actual professionals was something else, it had left Kana impressed and with a high respect for the group of women. They had even helped advise her on who to pick in the end, according to what they needed to do, which was helpful since at the beginning the three of them more or less were just left complementing and staring at the elegant women, unsure what to ask or do. Kana was glad to have experienced an establishment like that. If only she were a man, she’d go there all the time just to sit with those women.

Hara Noa was her name, and she made their group four, the four that was supposed to be three, if only that were the only thing wrong with the party Kana had picked up. Kana adjusted the collar of her riding kimono, it was still slightly chilly. “Here they are.” She said to her party when they got within comfortable hearing distance of Kojuro and his men. "Look what I picked up Kojuro!" She was smiling as she pointed at whom she thought was supposed to be his best friend. "Kousaka-kun you already know, but I also found this really strong man from China, his name is Atago Sora-san, and behind me over here is our Saburuko, the famed Hara Noa." Kana introduced each of her party in quick succession. "I know I wasn't tasked by Natsu-sama with picking up another ronin but Sora-san isn't actually a ronin, he's just really strong. Isn't he Kousaka-kun?" Kana looked expectantly over at Kousaka, expecting a happy reunion between friends and fun banter to ensue.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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(Ignore this. I am working on a new introductory post.)

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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"Ani-ue." A petulant, almost whining tone.

"Yes, Koharu? What is it?"

The Kagami siblings were outside of their modest home in Odawara, tucked away in a secluded room. This had been where they lived since being cast away from Lady Kobayashi's service, and despite everything, Koharu's been met with some success in providing enough money for them both to live on. As a ronin disguised as a man, Koharu slowly mastered the arts of deception and trickery. Yet, still-

"Ani-ue, do you really think it's okay?" Koharu asked, staring needily at her once capable - now disabled older brother. Her cheeks were puffed up in a slight pout. "Going back and helping Chinatsu- " She quickly shook her head, correcting herself at Kousaka's disapproving frown. "Lady Kobayashi after what she did to you? Why not simply remain as we are? I don't want to part ways with you!"

Kousaka just gave her a sage little smile, slight mischief playing in the corner of his eyes. He was definitely plotting something, and Koharu wasn't sure she was a fan of it at all. She knew that look - but she also knew that no amount of prodding would make him tell her his schemes. Before the crippling injury, Kousaka has been an individual full of wonder and excitement - always going on crazy adventures with another one of the Kobayashi retainers - a certain Ikeda Kojuro - doing things Koharu felt almost excluded from. The little sparkle had been gone from his eyes in the two years since his discharge and the fall of the clan - Kousaka almost falling into what could be called a depression.

It was odd. While Kousaka always seemed to place emphasis on honor and being a samurai, Koharu never really had it stuck in her head the way most children around her had. Sure, she was okay with being loyal and all, but it wasn't as if she truly understood her brother's struggles as he adjusted to his new life in Odawara. He would always be her top priority - he was the only family she truly had left. If there was anyone she could count on, it was him, disabled leg and all.

"Yes." Kousaka gave one look over Koharu's disguise. While anyone who knew Kousaka from before would never have been fooled, she still did look the role of a young, slender man. As long as she was careful, no one would ever find out her true gender. "I believe you should accept Kana-hime's offer."

Koharu was loathe to separate from Kousaka, especially on such a long quest as this one seemed it would be. Yet she couldn't bring herself to deny his almost excited look - the gleam of youthful adventure that had once been his entire life. After being sad for years, she couldn't simply take that away from him. It was her job to protect his smile now, no matter what.

"...Then I shall travel to Edo in your stead, Ani-ue."

Then Kousaka cracked a boyish grin that hadn't been on his face for the longest time. It looked both nostalgic and excited at the same time.

"If you can, see if you can meet up with Kojuro again. And punch him for me for being unable to assassinate Yousuke on his own." Kousaka sported a crafty grin. "Weakling."

And so, Koharu set off, leaving behind her brother for this quest.

Kana-hime was certainly a beauty to behold. The two spoke idly - Koharu certainly didn't know her all that well, given she only saw her face once ever before. Still, it was always nice to travel with someone so attractive, yet somewhat familiar - they were both from Katsunuma, after all, so surely with time, they could form some kind of bond.

Their duo became three when Kana-hime happened upon someone who wasn't meant to have joined them in the first place. She couldn't help but cheer him on as the lone man easily dispatched the three assailants with naught but his own body as a weapon. Surely, Atago-san gave her a strange vibe - how many people were skilled enough to win a fight, outnumbered, weaponless? Kana-hime had asked her, but Koharu denied any oddity - it' be best not to let her inner suspicions leak out for the time being. Whatever the case, she'd keep an eye on the man who was now apparently an ally.

The Ochaya of Seven Pleasures was certainly filled with many pleasures - Koharu had to really focus to keep a blush from her appearing on her cheeks. While Kana-hime was choosing which girl to bring, Koharu could feel the eyes of some of the resident saburako on her, as if boring into her soul. It made her feel a confusing combination of excitement and anxiety that she wasn't sure how to process. Koharu could only hope the Atago-san could feel at least some of the scrutiny. The Saburako they ended up enlisting was said to be the best of Edo, and her reputation didn't do her beauty justice. She held an enigmatic, mysterious sort of aura that Koharu couldn't tear her eyes from. Still, hiding these thoughts, Koharu quickly chirped a friendly welcome, wanting Hara Noa-san to feel at ease with their team. It was almost a shame that Koharu couldn't go and visit the establishment more often - she wasn't really a man, after all.

Yet as she was making these mental notes, Koharu was intent on giving everyone a friendly face - telling jokes that ranged from hilarious to petty, smiling more than necessary, and generally being easy to get along with. Her light hearted grins and calculated laughs were easy to fake, though she subtly wondered if Kana-hime or Noa might've seen through it.

Once they eventually reached Edo, Koharu knew what she had to do. She grinned cheerfully at the tall samurai who said something about honor for a few moments before turning her attention to her old friend. Clearly, he'd been expecting Kousaka. Koharu knew she couldn't let him blow her cover so easily so she took quick steps to her old friend (he seems taller?) and delivered a playful punch to the shoulder.

"Kojuro!" Koharu mimicked the deeper voice of her brother while maintaining the way he'd have inserted excitement and boyish pleasure at seeing such a close friend after so long. "It's good to see you again! You remember me, Kousaka, don't you? You better not have been slacking in your training, else Atago-san will surely outdo you."

Koharu offered Kojuro an almost threateningly venomous wink before returning to a benign playful smirk.

"Of course, I'll also perform better than you." She then clapped her old friend on the back, giving him a bedazzling expression. "Let's have an adventure like we used to, Kojuro!"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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It was nothing but a routine. That is how a certain Saburuko saw each rising sun and moon for the lost moments of her life. And this specific entertainer of the arts, displayed herself upon the balcony, draped with such fine robes of silk while her hair often compared to that golden threads, hanged like a curtain around her, delivering a silhouette both enticing and mysterious. Her eyes sparkling in amber hues gazed at the people passing by the okiya, and all of them could not help but gaze at her presence. Some pray for their deity to be granted protection from her heretic existence. It was but a normal reaction for someone like her. Yet, one thing was clear. Those eyes of hers endears people to her, as if she has a secret needed to be unfold.

The truth, she was being embroiled in the grassy fields of envy. People would think she was but acting or simply a show of humility. That was not the case as it lays deep within her deepest intentions. She was jealous of how they find mundane things to be relatively worth dying for. She has none of that. There was no difference in her motives or her aspirations. All that made sense to her from the beginning was to strive for her continued existence. Until now, that has not changed and for all the things she had done, there was not even an inkling inside of her to regret or to feel what they call guilt. She had already accepted the act and what would come after it. It is a job, do her part, get paid, then live for another day. That was enough, yes for her.

"Noa-sama." Hearing the name, she raised her body to a straight form as she was leaning at a nearby wooden pillar as she watched the little events on streets beyond the confinements of her room. "I am coming in." That would be her minarai It meant that she has to prepare for this day. She pulled away from the spring air blowing through her opened balcony windows as she closed them, retreating to her world covered in the blissful plays of sweet lies. That indeed reminded her, the Madame had spoke of a job that would require all of the skills which are possessed by the Saburuko of 7 Pleasures. The client would be coming in today and would choose among five of them which included her. She has no complaints and whatever the choice will be. It will simply meant that she would be hired or not.

Just like so, Noa prepared herself with the help of her minarai and was soon escorted to the ochaya where the other four Saburuko were already present. She greeted them with her gentle and cheerful self, a personality they all seemed to be fond of. After a while, the Madame arrived instructing the five of them about the basic sensibilities of the contract. It seemed to be a trip, not the usual ones where they operate within their quaint town. There was also the mention of the client's name, Lady Kobayashi. Her fellow Saburuko seemed to pale at that name and did express their apprehensions. She did not have any and listened as to how the Madame shot down all debilitating queries.

Once, they were all settled. They came in a group of three, Lady Kobayashi's representatives. One of a clear affluent background and pedigree befitting of who Noa had identified as the Lady's famed ward, Kohaku Kana. Her beauty was indeed enchanting, in a different manner. Second, a boy judging by the attire yet has a face of softness like that of a girl, Kagami Kousuka. Three, a sunset-colored man appearing to be of Chinese descent, Atago Sora. The said group indeed comprised of striking personalities on different accords. And by will, she had been hired to be a part of it. She of course accepted it without any resistance. People might say, it was a smooth interaction which also related as they departed for their next location.

Kagami as he is started conversation. That was a chatter seemed welcome by the Lady Kohaku. She obliged as well in an exchange of words aout simple casual and light-hearted matters. A smile, a soft laughter, and the elegant prose of manners awere used by her. She showed enjoyment and then again, she is an experienced conversationalist. Though what could earn her sparkle of interest was a bit of a crack in the atmosphere that Kagami wanted to employ around them. This was not of course influenced by outside factors, more like be the said person's disposition. Yet, it was not her business and was not something vital for her job's parameters. Her course of action, ignore it.

But the one she is now, it would not be an option. They seemed to have met with people that have a degree of familiar relationship with the Lady Kohaku. As the dialogues continued, Noa clarified that they would be working together with these people. That was of course was not a wonderful idea for some people who voiced out opinions. There were clear words of disagreement heard in those statements. Her eyes then glanced at Atago as the Lady Kohaku praised his strength which seemed to a confirmed factor from Kagami. That was an interesting detail to be seen in action, that however is not now.

Next, Noa lifted her attention towards the new individuals she was meeting. There was this man she knew to be a Samurai who has yet to be absent of a Master. He must be a vassal of Lady Kobayashi which explains the Lady Kohaku's familiarity. Then, there was also another one. It was a man with a complexion and features not reminiscent of the predominant populace of this country. From that, she was assured that this person also has foreign blood within, just like her. Last, but not the least, a man hiding his appearance. She has nothing against such things. After all, anonymity would serve one well, moreover for her line of work. Yet, it does go without saying, that these three individuals were more peculiar than the people she had met earlier.

For now, she must let her thoughts be still and introduce herself. That was but a common show of courtesy and manners. Furthermore, she is also a Saburuko and will act as one. She is after all working on the clock. "Good day, I am Hara Noa. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Her voice pilfered with a harmony resembling that of divine lullaby. She then followed that with a preordained bow and an elegant and innocent smile. Everything she had done was inevitably laced with grace and a sophistication despite how trivial her actions could be or is. indeed, she is worthy for her reputation as one of the best Saburuko of Edo.
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Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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Hamasaki Hiroshi


Hamasaki Hiroshi was man things. He was a runaway, almost-monk, a sharp-eyed haggler, and a foreign-blooded bastard to name just a few. He also was quite fortunate, it seemed. The samurai had found him kneeling down in prayer. It was a small-mission built by Jesuits who he was grateful he had never met before in his life. He thought of the Cathedrals he heard about from the monks. They spoke in wistful tones of grand buildings of stained glass, the equal of even the greatest Shinto and Buddhist shrines in Nihon. It was ironic then that Hiroshi had the ability to travel and see those great buildings where the monks could not leave their monastery on Kyushu. Still, Hiroshi doubted he would ever leave Nihon or the calling that he had answered. The small tabernacle and carved, wooden crucifix was enough.

"Deus meus, ex toto corde pænitet me ómnium meórum peccatórum, éaque detéstor, quia peccándo, non solum pœnas a te iuste statútas proméritus sum, sed præsértim quia offéndi te, summum bonum, ac dignum qui super ómnia diligáris. Ídeo fírmiter propóno, adiuvánte grátia tua, de cétero me non peccatúrum peccandíque occasiónes próximas fugitúrum. Amen."

He had killed seven men on his previous mission. They were wicked men, bandits who had once been ashigaru, but had deserted to prey on the innocent rather than fight in one of many conflicts. He had been taught to feel compassion for such men and perhaps a holier man could have converted them with words alone, but Hiroshi was not such a man. He had a sword and he put it to use.

The samurai, Ikeda Kojuro, was a model of respect and duty. The job he offered was like many he had performed before so, Hiroshi genuflected and made the Sign of the Cross before turning to the samurai and bowing.

"I would protect those you would charge me with with my life."

Thus, he found himself on horseback at the edge of Edo, waiting for the rest of his traveling companions to arrive. The women naturally caught his eye first. One was the picture of classical Nihon beauty, all pale skin and raven locks with a heart-shaped face and high cheekbones and the other was clearly of foreign blood, just like him. He had never seen hair the color of the sun, though he had heard of it from foreigners visiting the monastery on Kyushu. They were both beautiful and such beauty attracted unwanted attention from men who sought to take what could only be given and thus destroy what they sought to possess.

He bowed his head, but could not help but raise an eyebrow at the pale, raven-haired woman's words. It seemed that Ikeda knew the small ronin, Kousaka, and the boy had spoken with great excitement. He could not help but smile at his eagerness.

"It is an honor," he greeted the women and bodyguards they brought with them. He would say no more until Ikeda spoke. It would be a rude otherwise. He had already toed the line by speaking that small sentence before the samurai.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hamasoki Hiroshi Character Portrait: Ikeda Kojuro Character Portrait: Kohaku Kana Character Portrait: Tenshi Character Portrait: Kagami Koharu Character Portrait: Hara Noa
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May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.



Wanderer. That was what he had become. He knew this as fact and fully accepted the title as it suit him well. Adjusting the cloth over his mouth and nose the man approached a town, he had heard of it from the last village he had assisted. This town was under the plague of a renegade group of thugs, lowlifes of the worst type. They claimed to be samurai. The man in the simple armor finally arrived in the town, no one made eye contact, no one even looked up from watching their feet. Something wasn't right. It was as if every single person had been cowed into submission, like they had all given up. Tenshi went up to a woman and tapped her shoulder gently. The woman shook her head slightly and hurried on her way. The man folded his arms, this just didn't sit right with him. Not one bit. Most of these women were bruised and battered. Tenshi felt a cold anger underlying within him. He would find these ruffians and make them leave, by force if need be. He made his way slowly but surely into what appeared to be a bar of sorts. He went in and sat at the bar. There he looked around, music was softly lilting through the air under all the murmuring and the shouting of the big ugly group in the back corner. Tenshi pulled out his scroll and his little charcoal and began writing. He slid the note to the bartender lady. Tenshi noticed she was only around fifteen, but she was more beatup than most and some of her wounds were caused sexually. Now his cold anger was beginning to boil but he remained calm. If he lost his temper nothing would get done.
"Who did this to you?"

The girl looked at him, bandages covered her left eye she slid him a cup of tea and her body trembled as she nodded towards the goons in the back corner. Tenshi took the note and wrote again.
"Remain calm and exit the bar. Now, before you go nod if they are the goons who are tormenting this town. Also point out the leader. I'll rid you of them. Do not fear."

The girl trembled once more and nodded with a gulp and whispered. "Sago." Tenshi nodded and took her hand, she tensed and Tenshi raised his free hand to calm her. She nodded and he helped her outside. He motioned for her to go, to run away. The girl's eyes welled up with tears as she had an overwhelming feeling that this man would do as he said he would and she embraced the stranger with thanks before running off into the town. Tenshi smiled as she went but once she was out of sight his smile vanished and he strolled back in toward the back corner. He pulled up a chair and sat down with his tea. The men who were there all quieted and looked toward Tenshi with hate-filled glances. Tenshi looked up from his tea and smiled wide holding up a hand in the form of greeting. The biggest man in the back snarled trying to intimidate Tenshi.

"An' who the fuck 'er you?" He slurred, obviously drunk. Tenshi winced slightly at the stench of his breath and stood up slowly and bowed pointing to the angel wings insignia on the hilt of his katana. The man let out a loud laugh.

"Angel? You claim to be a fuckin' angel?" His thugs laughed. Tenshi threw a knife right next to the leaders head and his hands went to the hilt of his katana. He moved quickly, jumping onto the wall he free-ran a ways before landing on the table in front of the boss, the twin sheaths of his katana on his back giving him the appearance of an avenging angel Tenshi held the blade up to the boss's throat. All the other thugs drew their various weaponry but Tenshi's eyes never strayed from the leader. Reaching into his pocket and pulling out a note he held it in front of the boss.
"Leave here. Take your goons. Never return. Or I will be forced to kill you all."

The boss's face turned red and he slammed a fist on the table and yelled, causing all the other patrons to flee the establishment.

"Kill this 'Angel'! Kill him! Show 'em what we do to punks who think they can take us on!" All the men began charging at Tenshi at once, he only had a moment to react. Pulling out his second katana Tenshi blocked them above his head as he crouched low and shoved his Katana into the leader's throat. He sputtered and then lay still. The other men only got angrier, the first two began coming in for an attack and Tenshi quickly kicked one out of the way, pushing the other three off him so both katanas were at the ready. He dove and parried and after awhile he had made short work of the thugs. Before exiting the bar he left some money on the bar for the damages and an apology note for not being able to solve it with words. Then he left. Before he got out of the city he was interrupted by a man. He said that he needed Tenshi for a noble cause, after hearing the explanation it seemed like a good deal. So he agreed and went with the man, an Ikeda Kojuro.
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Once they arrived where his fellow new comrades were he was introduced to a woman by the title of "Kana-dono" Tenshi bowed respectfully and then sat cross-legged to observe the further interactions with the rest of the party. They were certainly an odd group but Tenshi figured that this was his destiny. As such he welcomed the change in pace. He thought to himself that this was going to be a wonderful new challenge indeed.