Tea Gone Wrong

[Kirin]

The Shogun had been a busy man as of late. The Shogun was a younger man, in his early twenties. He was also extremely healthy, too. He sat down after a session with the kensei, Kitsune Shichiro, and motioned to a maid to bring his master and himself some tea. Ryuu Hiro sat down on a mat, still covered with sweat from the day's lesson. Shichiro seemed rather content with himself.

"You've come a long way since I've last come to visit you." Shichiro stated.

Hiro bowed. "I've been practicing more." He sounded determined.

Shichiro nodded. "The way of the sword is a hard path to follow."

The maid returned with a tray of tea, which she served to the Shogun and Kensei. She then took her leave. The kitsune took a sip of his tea, as well as Hiro. Hiro began to feel lightheaded. He frowned, thinking it was from a lack of water. He drank more of the tea.

"Shogun, are you all right?"

Hiro sat in silence. His skin was pale. "Water, maid. Bring me some water." The maid hurried off to fetch water. Shichiro moved closer to Hiro, helping him onto his side. Hiro began to tremble, and Shichiro moved to sniff the teacup. "It's a fast-acting.." He muttered. "It smells like a snake.."

"Dai'ichi!" Shichiro yelled. The figure of a younger male ran into the room. "Go to the temple and see if they have an antidote! Hurry up, kid."

Dai'ichi was off and running. Twenty minutes had gone by and Dai'ichi was out the gates of the Ryuu palace, on his way to the Temple of the Monkey King.

He arrived at the temple two hours later, clearly looking exhausted. Dai'ichi got off the horse and one of the priests let the horse rest. He glanced at one of the other priests. "I need to speak with Lady Makoto. It is of dire importance."

Dai'ichi was only seventeen years old. He had a tendency to change appearances whenever he wished. Dai'ichi had a very androgynous look about him. His face was rounded, with delicate features which gave him a sort of feminine appeal. He often wore his long hair braided down his back, different from the knots that typical boys of his age would wear in their hair.

The priest approached Makoto while she was waiting on Soren to finish his studies. "My Lady, Lord Dai'ichi from the House of Ryuu wishes to speak with you. He said it is of dire importance."

Makoto sighed softly. "Soren, your studies are finished. We need to meet with Lord Dai'ichi."

Once Soren would join her, Makoto led Soren to where Dai'ichi was pacing nervously outside of the temple.

[Soren]

Soren didn't know who the new face was, but he did know that the man looked far too attractive for his own good. Should he be jealous at this moment? No, but his Vuri senses suddenly stirred to life. He didn't dare speak- not when Makoto addressed him in such a mundane manner. The atmosphere felt heavy with hysteria, but it was the quiet kind of hysteria. People rushed around him, but they knew their purpose. He didn't understand the dire situation then, but he would in moments.

He instinctively bowed to the man before him and let Makoto introduce him. Shadows draped themselves across the wall and created unnatural silhouettes from the lit lanterns. It was almost evening and Soren was exhausted from his daily lessons with Makoto. However, he would obey her call always- that was the deal he had made when he had left home.

Soren was dressed in his usual attire. He stood at 5'9, which was a height that was relatively taller then his late father. He still had Vylrath's features, but they weren't as dark, or as sharp and threatening. While he was still considered handsome, this man made his nerves morph into jealousy.

He waited for Makoto and simply stood by her like a guard. Soren wouldn't speak, not even flinch a muscle unless ordered.

[Kirin]

"Soren-san. This is Lord Dai'ichi. He is the Shogun's brother. Dai'ichi-san, this is Soren. He is my pupil." Makoto gestured towards each respectively.

Dai'ichi bowed, a cursory bow and nothing more. His attention returned to Makoto. "Lady Makoto, my brother, there's something wrong with him. He's been poisoned. I do know that the nature of the poison seems to be rotting his blood cells. There is not much time, but I figured that if anyone knew anything about any sort of antidote, it would be you. Seeing as you are the most powerful member of the Tiger's court in this country."

Makoto rose an eyebrow. "The Shogun has been poisoned..by the Dragon, I presume. The Dragon holds a sort of toxin that does exactly as you describe. I possess no knowledge of a magic that can rid the body of venom.."

Her gaze was cast sideways. "It's a sort of foreign magic to the Twin Countries..but maybe your people know something?" She asked Soren, raising an eyebrow.

Dai'ichi rose an eyebrow towards Soren. Soren looked unusual to him. He found Soren to be rather exotic looking, not necessarily in a bad way. But Dai'ichi didn't dwell on this for too long. He was concerned for his older brother, Hiro.

[Soren]

Soren listened to both of them intently. He knew he should offer his powers, but he had become disconnected with them- quite literally. Soren had grown accustomed to being an average citizen. Magic had left his life when he entered this country. He knew that the powers could help them, but he didn't know how for sure.

“Each of the Vuri children have their own specialty. For example, my mother Caela, is tapped with nature. I have yet to find the use for my magic. I wouldn't know if it can help or not.” He paused, looking Lord Dai'ichi over. He was not stunned by his beauty, but the jealousy continued to fester underneath his pallor skin.

“We would have to seek Chizuru, if you want to test your theory on my magic. I am the only one who can truly wield it. If she tried...” He didn't let his words continue, but an image burned within his mind and it was not a pleasant reminder.

[Kirin]

Dai'ichi shook his head slowly, not sure about this plan. "Is this going to work? What if his power can't cure my brother and he dies?"

Makoto shrugged. "Then we'll have a rather large funeral. And you'll be the new Shogun."

Dai'ichi tended to shrink away from that title, as he didn't want the notariety for being a Shogun. The responsibility was amazing. He sighed. "Well, I guess we could take the risk.." He glanced at Soren, feeling uneasy about this. He looked away immediately.

Makoto sighed. "That's the spirit. Let's get ready to go to the capital. We'll leave in the morning."

Getting ready meant sleep. The next morning came, right after sunrise. Makoto was awake, wide awake. Dai'ichi appeared to not have slept. He met up with Makoto in front of the temple. A priest was sent to wake Soren up.

[Soren]

Soren was already awake when the priest arrived. He had been invading Makoto's mind, sensing her worry moments before. Since she had begun training with him, he had an unusual bond with her. It wasn't a love interest, but something much more meaningful. He cared about her like a mother- maybe it was because he was still so new and ignorant of his world.

He followed the priest to where Makoto and Lord Dai'ichi were seen talking to one another. They would be leaving that day for the capital and he was rather anxious to see Chizuru again. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken to her and felt odd at being so happy during such a dire moment. Soren greeted both of them and reassured Lord Dai'ichi about his brother's condition.

"Your brother will become Vuri and be most comfortable in that form. I doubt he would survive the poison in his body, if he were to remain human." He didn't mention that the Shogun would have to answer to Soren. In all honesty, he was still new at his own powers. He hoped that he was making the right decision, but he couldn't let someone like the Shogun die without mercy.

"I've forgotten, but how long does it take to get to the Capital?" Soren hoped it wasn't a long journey, since he knew that the man had very little time left in this world. He patted the shoulder of Lord Dai'ichi and attempted to comfort him. "Once we get my magic in your brother, he will be good as new. You won't have to burden yourself with the Shogun title." He had unknowingly read the mind of Lord Dai'ichi and felt as though he had unlocked an unwanted emotion. He felt guilty for a moment, but felt that the boy needed some encouragement.

[Kirin]

Makoto smirked, then tilted her head. "It takes a couple of hours to get to the capital. Do you think Chizuru would be happy to give you your power back after you had it sealed away?" She asked, smirk fading. "Oh well, come on."

The group were all helped onto the backs of horses. "We should ride quickly."

Soren's comment to Dai'ichi was followed by a stunned silence. He sort of felt violated. Yet he was amazed at the same time. At Makoto's word, the group left for the capital for a rather uneventful ride. Their arrival in the capital wasn't remarkable. They arrived right at the gates. Guards helped everyone off their horses. Makoto spoke with one of the guards, the one that took Soren to the cemetary.

The guard, Shino, took one look at Soren and almost gagged. Dai'ichi snickered at Shino. Shino sighed. "The Emperor is busy with a meeting. Gaijin undead have been showing up in the islands."

Makoto sighed. "We're here to speak with Chizuru-san. I'm sure you have heard about the Shogun."

Shino nodded, bowing. "Yes, Lady Makoto." He guided the group to a room. "I will go get her." He slid open a screen. It was a smaller room from the one they were in the first time. Dai'ichi and Makoto walked in to sit on the floor. Shino would close the screen once Soren walked in, then go get Chizuru.

[Soren]

He felt half responsible for Lord Dai'ichi. Maybe it was the age difference, or the fact that Lord Dai'ichi acted as naive as himself. The horse didn't allow him to mount, so he was forced to walk on foot. Soren still had an "aura" about him, that made others nervous- man or beast.

The journey wouldn't be without a reward. He would get to see his Chizuru, but he wondered if she even cared about his absence. He waited with the others, the tension in the room doubling.

"I hope they can give me some nourishment.." By nourishment, he meant blood and flesh. He wondered how Lord Dai'ichi would react to seeing him devour a body.

[Kirin]

Chizuru was escorted into the room by Shino and two other guards. She sat down in front of Makoto, bowing before her. Makoto bowed deeper. "Princess Chizuru." She greeted the younger woman.

Chizuru straightened. "Lady Makoto..Soren.." Chizuru was dressed in the finery only the Heiress to the Empire could wear. She appeared more feminine now, with a fierce gaze that hinted at the training she was recieving. "You have come to speak with me about the Shogun?"

In her hands was that staff that Soren had given her. Makoto nodded. "Yes. We have no known cure for that venom. However, Soren has a proposition that may save the Shogun's life."

Chizuru's gaze moved to Soren as she was silent to listen.

[Soren]

He mimicked the deep bow to Chizuru and gave her an apologetic look. It was awkward, hearing her new title. He ignored the other people in the room, save for Makoto.

Soren began to speak, his voice staying level. He didn't want to give the impression that he lacked confidence in his proposal.

"Give the Shogun some of my power. Not enough to overwhelm him, but enough to negate the venom in his bloodstream. He will become part Vuri and will still have his freedom. He will be cured of this poison and live a longer life with the Vuri blood. That is my proposition. I am here to serve you, Princess Chizuru."

He doubted his words would ring with any sort of sanity, but he hoped that she would see reason behind his tactic. He knew that the Vuri blood could do odd things to non-Vuri. He had seen men become cured of disease and others become walking nightmares. It was a chance they would have to take, if they were going to save the Shogun. Only her stubbornness would hold them back.

[Kirin]

Chizuru tilted her head. Her head lowered as she thought. Her eyes rose to Dai'ichi, Makoto, then Soren. Everyone was watching her intently. Chizuru was a little disappointed at first, but she also began to think it to be unwise to let the Shogun die. She tilted her head.

"How do I do this?" She asked quietly.

Makoto glanced at Soren with a raised eyebrow. This went more smoothly than she thought. Makoto was a little surprised. Dai'ichi just looked relieved more than anything. Chizuru glanced down at the staff in her hands.

[Soren]

"Unless you want to lose your soul and your freedom, you will let me give him the power." He sighed, feeling his own patience drain. However, it had been surprising that she had agreed so quickly. Was her new title causing her sleepless nights?

"You can trust me, Chizuru." He used her name without the title attached. Soren thought that she might remember their past in a situation like this. Could she trust him to the full extent that was required?

"I will not harm him and you will have your staff back. My training is not yet complete..." Unlike his father, he would keep his word. He felt a love for this place and an actual belonging. His homeland was merely his homeland- it was not something worth fighting for in the end.

"Trust me, Princess Chizuru..." He motioned for the staff, knowing that they didn't have much time.

[Kirin]

Chizuru handed Soren the staff. Her eyes were, in face, ringed with dark circles.

"All right. I trust you." She was swayed, but still hesitant.

She smiled slightly, folding her arms in front of herself. "I'll be waiting here." She said quietly.

Makoto and Dai'ichi bowed as Chizuru handed Soren his staff back. Dai'ichi sat up first, followed by Makoto. "We will return once the Shogun has been healed."

[Soren]

When he finally possessed the staff, he felt whole again. He shouldn't let the power overwhelm his senses, but he couldn't help the fact that he had been so deprived. His eyes would change, from their ink-like orbs, to a silvery hue. The power fed through his veins, making the staff almost powerless.

That was when he began to channel the power through the staff, to the man lying in front of him. The Shogun would immediately feel something taking over his body. He wouldn't be able to react. A part of the Shogun's soul would change to Vuri. The venom, would leave the Shogun and enter Soren. The Vuri power drowned out the venom in Soren's bloodstream. (It was a painful experience, but one he could endure.) He was not who he had been a few moments ago- he was a completely different person in the room. Maybe the Shogun could feel his power, but he couldn't wonder about that now.

The venom had been a relentless strike against the Shogun, but the Vuri power had extinguished the venom to non-existant. As promised, he fed the remaining power back into the staff. The Shogun would be connected to him, but still have his freedom- he should consider himself lucky. He spoke directly to the Shogun, using his mind. The Shogun would have to get used to answering to Soren. In the future, Soren might need a favor from him...he had just saved his life.

Rise, Shogun. You are with a new spirit.

He fell to the ground on his knees and let his breath fill his chest. Soren was mentally and physically exhausted. The staff seemed to tremble in his hands.

[Kirin]

Their arrival to the Shogun's palace was uneventful. The group went in their seperate ways with Dai'ichi and Makoto wandering in seperate directions. Dai'ichi went off with Soren while Makoto went towards the shrine of the Empress. The Empress had been dead for quite some time. Makoto knelt down at the shrine, praying to the gods and praying that the Empress was safe and resting peacefully. From the interior of the shrine, she heard a woman crying. Makoto peered inside, seeing what was obviously the body of the Empress Setsuka. She sat, crying into her hands. Her back was turned to Makoto.

It wasn't until Setsuka turned towards Makoto with vacant eye sockets that Makoto shrieked, stumbling away from the shrine. Setsuka went back to crying.

Dai'ichi watched Soren heal his brother. "How did you know that would happen?" He asked after everything was finished.

Hiro, the Shogun, sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. He turned to Soren and bowed his head. "I am grateful." The healing began when the pain left his body. At first, he felt like he was sleeping restfully, now, he was wide awake. He felt better than he had ever felt.