Mitsuyoshi Nagano

[Taishou89]

Mitsuyoshi Nagano

Theme: Bushido

Name: Mitsuyoshi Nagano

Alias/Nicknames: “The Wolf of Nishino Castle”,

Gender: Male

Race: Half Human, Half Wolf Youkai

Age Appearance: 25

Actual age: 135

Height: 5'6”

Sexuality: Straight, bi.

Personality:


There is much about Mitsuyoshi's personality and character, that can best be explained through the details of his past but for the sake of biography, it can be summarized as thus. Mitysuyoshi often maintains a calm and collected demeanor befitting someone raised as a Samurai for most of his youth, but beneath this collected surface, his emotions and passions are as active and changing, as the seas change with the weather and conditions and sometimes this will show.

With the strict tenants taught to him as a young member of the warrior class and the illegitimate son of a Daimyo, he has a strong sense of loyalty and devotion, despite the discrimination and hardship he has endured since his father passed away. Since losing all he has known from his childhood and the often harsh and cold treatment he would receive when his identity was known, he tends to be a solitary figure and has made a lot of effort to avoid interacting with humans when it could be avoided, but despite all of this his sense of personal honor, and his own hope for good, often leads him to act in kindness for what people he comes across in danger, but what good he does experience after is often short lived once they see his un-human, wolf like ears and realize what he is.

When he is troubled, he often turns to music playing the Shinobue that belonged to his surrogate mother, a Shinto Priestess named Akari, she helped educate him beyond the Warrior class, and with what limited knowledge and information she had, helped him to learn more about himself as a half breed. It was also she who taught him how to manage his demon side over the many harvest moons that have come to pass, which combined with music, helped to bring thenature of his full demonself within control, but never the less in that status he was still extremely volatile.





Appearance:

Mitsuyoshi has the appearance of the average slim and fit build of most fighting age samurai of the period. He stands at 5'6” and has fair skin, light brown hair, human eyes with gold irises, and wolf ears. His hair is often kept in a ponytail like topknot configuration(Very much like Jin from Samurai Champloo), definitely differeing from the typical Chonmage of most Samurai of the period. He does have clawlike finger nails and toe nails that are quite resilient and sharp enough to cut through most human leather armor. He also has very pronounced canines much like Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.

When he turns full Human during his annual, he looks essentially the same except with black hair and brown eyes and normal fingernails and toenails.

However when he turns full youkai his eyes will turn completely red save for the gold of his irises and his claws become more pronounced much like how Inuyasha would. This occurs once a year during the Harvest moon and lasts for precisely 48 hours as well. He may turn also turn full demon when he his life is severely threatened and the threat of death is imminent, this may also occurr when the human side of him has grown weak or distressed emotionally and the extreme energy of the emotions of his human side, feed and allow his demon side to come out(This only occurred once in his life thus far).





Clothing/Armor:

In the current, Mitsuyoshi can be most commonly seen dressed in black Hakama pants the lower portion covered by his black leg armor just below the knees in combination with his black tabi, and sandles give the appearance of boots. His Kimono itself is a dark, almost navy blue color, with a traditional white underkimono, and a Crimson Obi(belt). Over his Kimono, he wears a black cuirass made of steel and bearing the mon(crest) of his clan. He has forgone wearing the traditional square shoulder armor to allow him better movement as well as most of the armor for his arms, feeling confident in his abilties. The armor “skirt” for the lower half of his body is made of leather plates woven and secured together by blue cord. From time to time he will wear a Heian era Eboshi hat which covers his wolf ears, allowing him to traverse through and conduct dealings with human towns and villages without causing fright. Like a true Samurai, he carries a set of swords at all times, in this case it is the Kazega an otherwise normal looking katana but sports a blue tsuka-ito(the traditional wrap around the hilt) that was his inheritance from his demon mother, his secondary is a normal wakizashi(short sword) with black tsuka-ito.

In the past Mitsuyoshi would wear a headwrap that covered his ears and kept his half breed status concealed to most of the people in the castle and the fief, the excuse that was given was a deformity of birth. On the field of battle back then he would also wear a custom made mempo(mask) in the shape of a wolf's snout snarling and baring it's fangs, the fangs were also painted to present more of menecing appearance, and he'd also wear a traditional Kabuto. Overall, compared to most Samurai of the time, he opted for more practical appearance than the elegant and beautiful colored patterns of kimono or armor. In doing this it had the opposite effect that he wanted, which was to not stand out but to be more practical.




Likes:

He loves music and he loves Dumplings and rice cakes. Especial fried Dumplings from the Modern era(hint hint, beware any characters from the modern era) and beware he may attempt to “liberate” some.


Dislikes:

He has a strong distaste for cruelty and especially unnecessary sadistic cruelty. He has reservations against most of the Human species as a whole, but he generally remains open minded to judge accordingly, depending on person's actions and their intentions.



Allies(optional) :

No known current Allies at the present time.


Family:

Lord Mitsutomo Nagano - Father, human(deceased)

Aya - Ookami no Hime, Toboejosei(Literally "Howling woman" but officially a Songstress/Shaman/Healer of the Wolf clans in the North), Mother, Full Wolf Daiyoukai. Status unknown

Lord Mitsutada Nagano - younger half brother, human, (deceased).

Lady Akari - Surrogate mother, Human(?), status unknown.

Ayame Nagano - Wife, Human, (deceased).

Hanako Nagano/Tachibana - Adoptive daughter, Human, (deceased).



Enemies(optional):



No known current enemies of this time.




Occupation(optional):

Ronin(Current)
Samurai Infantry Captain(Previously)




Weapons:

Kazega(wind fang), manmade Wakizashi, his claws.

The Kazega was commissioned by Mitsuyoshi's grandfather, The First Ookami no Kita Taishougun(Commander in Chief of the Northern Wolf Clans) after his first defeat in his campaign to conquer the southern lands. It was made from his Fang, and after making an offering to the God of Storms, Susanoo no Mikoto, He was granted a divine feather that flew down on a gust from the heavens. It was to be mended at the sword's construction to allow the sword to wield wind like powers, thus it's name Kazega(Wind Fang). Mitsuyoshi has yet to learn to wield a lot of the powers of the sword beyond it's ability to launch "wind blades", light blades that can shoot forth from the actual blade with each swipe and not just cut down anything in it's path, but carries with it the force of a strong gust to knock down anything in it's path(The size and power depending on his focus, he has yet to perfect it.) Aside from the Sword's unique abilities, it is also stronger, sharper, and more resilient than any man made sword.



Abilities:
As a hanyou he has Increased speed, leap/jump height, stamina, healing, and a superior sense of smell and hearing. When he turns full demon, these abilities increase by 2 and the energy from the rage and bloodlust can render him almost unstoppable, to avoid the last necessary resort of killing him, any Priest or Priestess of either Shinto or Buddhism, including monks to an extent, can conjure up means of restraining him, however music has had a major impact at soothing his demonic side.

Mitsuyoshi also has musical abilities, nothing magical about it, He plays the Shinobue(flute) as a way to he ease his mind and express some complex emotions within that otherwise would have been stifled under such a controlled societal setting as was his life growing up being a half breed in a human world. Also Although he has managed to gain much control over himself when he goes full demon, Music is a major way to calm and settle his volatile demon side and rageful blood lust.

History:

(Disclaimer: while certain historical events that occurred during Mitsuyoshi's history, some liberty may have been taken. Not a lot really.)
(Recommended music: Wind Inuyasha Symphonic soundtrack, Popular Koto Melodies of Japan, Gagaku Ancient Japanese Court music, To Love's end, Kojo no Tsuki, Sesshomaru's theme(It really went well with the part where he went full demon, you'll see.)

Mitsuyoshi was conceived on a cold night during a sudden winter storm that forced his father, Mitsutomo Nagano, to seek shelter while crossing a treachurous mountain pass. Against all advice of from his attendants warning him of demons, he ordered his enterouge to take the pass as it would cut the journey short and save them a day's travel. Winter had already set in, but a sudden snow storm blew in and had buried the procession with snow. Many attendants dropped dead from the continous and almost subzero wind gusts and the deep snow that accumulated. The young lord had suddenly come to regret this decision, as he found himself suddenly separated from the party and weakening as the storm raged. The last thing that he recalled, was warm fur enveloping him and the feeling of movement in a direction, but he could not feel his own skin before passing out from exhaustion. When the young lord awoke, a day later he found himself in a cave dwelling next to a fire, wrapped in a thick pelt of fur and strange naked woman with fair, almost pale skin, and strange markings all over her body.



The young warrior would later learn her name was Aya and although it was strange to awake in such a manner, as a young man, it didn't bother him to have awoken with such a beautiful woman the like of which he had never seen before. The Woman's living situation, isolated and so far up in the mountains, however raised many questions and the potions and herbs in the cave made him wonder if she was a witch. The woman's charm was undoubtable, over the next few days the young lord remained at the cave, and days turned to weeks, weeks to months.

He was captured not just by her beauty, but her personality, simplicity, tenderness, she was unlike all the noble women in court and it was unquestioned that the young lord had fallen deeply in love, and Aya with him. Passion and love took over and a new life was conceived. Sadly when the Lord awoke from their carnal and impassioned night, he discovered the true nature of his lover Aya. Her ears, which had been covered by her light brown hair, were pointed and unhuman, as she slept peacefully, her canine fangs were visible.

In fright, the young Lord jumped from their bedding on the floor. He stumbled backwards into a large basket of bones of human and beast. Horrified by the realization that the woman before him was a demon, he fled from the cave. The snow was long gone and spring had come, but he did not stop to gawk at it's sight. As he reached the road and stumbled into a band of warriors bearing the crest of his clan. At it's head was his father, the ruling Lord of the fief. The horror turned to joy to be reunited with his father and his people but it was shortlived when a distant howl pierced through the forest. Fearing wolves, the party and Father and son made for home.

In reflection, the young lord felt a twinge of pain in his heart as he heard another howl, this one sounding lone and sorrowful. As he turned his gaze behind him, he saw Aya in the distance at the edge of the forest and he felt his heart grow heavier and his eyes begin to water as he turned his gaze afore down the path. The young lord would return home and eventually marry another noble's daughter as part of an alliance between his father and the ruling lord of another fief.

Several years went by when a woman wearing pelts turned up at the castle gates, bearing basket with an infant, seeking to meet with Mitsutomo Nagano, now the ruling Lord of Nishino Castle, but had been turned away. The woman later intercepted Lord Nagano as he was out surveying the farms of his fief. As his guards moved to seize and punish her for breaking protocol and approaching unbidden, he stopped them and allowed the woman to approach. As she approached and raised her head to look at him, he recognized the face of the woman before him. It was Aya, but in disguise as a human save for the markings on her face, most of her presentment was humanlike as the day he had met her, no claws or fangs were visible.

A wave of pain and shame came over him, as a resurgence of the memories of how he left her flooded into his mind. Aya had saved his life and nursed him back to health, she had presented no harm and although she could have easily caught up with him and slaughtered him and his father's party, she did not. All these acts did not warrant his cruel and raw reaction for her acts were abnormal to a malicious entity. He had never spoken of that incident to anyone else and his survival had lent him a kind status of survivor's heroism being the only survivor of his escort through that pass. His eyes glazed as he averted his gaze from her eyes in shame and although he hadn't voiced his apology yet, She forgave him right then and there, but she had come with a more pressing matter to tend to. Beseeching her love to care for the child in her arms as It was his son that they had conceived on that night long ago. As was customary of the time for nobility, she had taken the first character of his father's name "Mitsu" meaning "Light, radiance." and affixing the character "yoshi" meaning "good, virtuous, kind." and named their child "Mitsuyoshi".


Her eyes glazed as she told Mitsutomo that she was forced to leave this realm and that she could not protect the child she so dearly loved in the other world. It was safer to leave him in the realm of humans where at least among them he could stand a better chance of survival even as a half breed. The Lord so overcome with emotions, dismounted his horse and placed his hands upon her upper arms as he would to embrace. His men averted their gaze out of respect for their Lord's dignity as he pleaded with her to return with him to Nishino Castle that he could protect them both from whatever danger had threatened them. It would be no problem, although he had married another Noble, it was not uncommon of the times for a Lord to have concubines nor to share more affection and feelings with a concubine than his lawful wife as marriage was generally more of a diplomatic and business contract in this age. He pleaded with her, that they could live in comfort beyond that of a lonely cave in the mountains. That he would come to her every night and then some.


Tears started to fall down her face as she gritted her teeth, her fangs now visible as she fought to maintain her human form. She could not remain in this realm, no matter how desperately she desired to, for she had been summoned by an even greater lord of her realm for marriage as a consolidation of power there. She gently broke away from the Lord as she handed placed the basket on the ground and removed the sleeping bundled child and handed him gently to Mitsutomo. She removed cased sword that she had carried slung across her back and lowered to her knees in the dirt, uncaring of the earth soiling her beautiful pink and red kimono. She removed the sword from it's case and held it out, whilst bowing her head, offering the blade. The sword belonged to her father, whom was a feared general in her realm who had fallen in battle. As he had no sons to leave it to, she had taken the sword rather than let it be claimed by her father's enemies, and on the chance that one day she bore a son who could properly inherit it.


Lord Mitsutomo's Chief Retainer, General Tomoyuki Hayashi humbly stepped forward to accept the sword on the Lord's behalf. As the General took it from her, he had to catch himself as he had not expected it to weigh greater than a normal sword. Taken aback, he gently unlocked the sword and removed it slightly to look at it's blade, but found it to be old and kinked. Aya warned that only the blood of the sword's owner could wield the sword's power properly, but that if a normal man or any other attempted to wield it, the sword would appear as a normal and aged blade. As a demonstration, Aya gently reached out and grasped the tsuka of the sword and the saya whilst it was still being held by the General. Almost immediately a visible bluish aura formed around the entire sword and a breeze emitted from the sword itself, the blade shined as highly polished steel as if it were new and it's weight was significantly lightened. The General immediately relinquished his grip on the sword and stumbled back shocked by the frightening and unworldly sight. Aya gently returned the sword to it's scabbard and the aura dissipated, and she offered it again to the General. It's name is the Kazega or Wind Fang, made by one of the elite sword masters in the other realm, carefully constructed from the lost fang of Aya's great grandfather before and passed down the line. It was only right that, as the last lady of noble lineage, that Mitsuyoshi as her son would be the one to inherit the Kazega when the time came. Until then, she asked that they hold the sword for when that day came.


Suddenly she perked up, having heard something that the humans hadn't. She quickly rose and bid her child and lover farewell in one final embrace, before turning to run. The weather appeared to suddenly turn foul as darkened clouds rolled in over the land and thunder could be heard. At the flash of a lightning bolt that streaked across the sky, their gaze turned to the storm. When Lord Mitsutomo looked back for Aya, she had vanished. Almost as oddly and quickly as the clouds rolled in, they rolled away and the sky was clear as it had been.


Mitsuyoshi was taken back to the castle to be raised as a Samurai and as Lord Mitsutomo's son, however despite being older, he would not be the heir Lord Mitsutomo's heir. That position belonged to Mitsutomo's legitimate son Mitsutada of his marriage. In the beginning Lord Mitsutomo's wife, the Lady Emiko, was suspicious and threatened by the existence of a son from another woman who could potentially be a threat to her own son's rightful claim to be the next Daimyo. These fears and concerns were alleviated when it had been decided that Mitsuyoshi would be ineligible to ascend the position entirely because of his status as a half breed, considered an abomination by most, but it was decided that he should enjoy the status of his father and son, so as not to provoke the anger of the spirt of Mitsuyoshi's deceased demon grandfather and any other Demon Lords. Never the less, Lady Emiko never cared for the young half breed and her disdain was well known. Mitsutada, however, did not share the same sentiment and the two would be enjoy a healthy brotherly relationship well into adulthood.



Life as a half breed would be challenging, and the young Mitsuyoshi's status would forever be a secret, punishable by death. His ears would be covered by head wrap under the guise of an injury at birth that caused a terrible deformity whenever officials from the capital or neighboring lords paid visit to the Lord of Nishino. Despite a rough adjustment in the beginning for the staff and all in castle, the men and women of the castle would eventually warm to the young half breed and as the years went on, Mitsuyoshi would be educated and trained as a Samurai until at age 11 when he had suddenly awoken as a normal boy. This caused a stir for the entire day, and the Lord sent for the priests and priestesses from the local shrines of the fief to perhaps explain what was occurring, of which they had no answer, so they sought the help from a priestess from the ancient Yoshida Shrine in Kyoto, who likely would know. It took almost the entire day for the Priestess to arrive at a rushed pace on horseback and the sun was just setting as the Priestess Kame had arrived.


Upon examination of the boy and being told the Lord's full story in confidence, Kame retrieved from a lacquered box that she brought with her, a series of scrolls that appeared ancient. She explained that these scrolls were written by the great Abe no Seimei of the Heian period and had been well cared for and passed down from a long line of Shinto priests and priestesses in Kyoto who guarded these sacred text during the many wars fought in the ancient capital. After poring over the ancient text for hours, it was almost midnight when she informed Lord Mitsutomo that for half human half demon off spring, it had been known that out of the year a half breed may experience a moment of being turned completely human and that perhaps this was likely what was occurring. She warned that it was during this time, the child of half blood would be vulnerable as any human may be.


However, Kame cautioned and warned, that the ancient text also stated that half breeds would also be subject to occasionally turning into their full demon self as well, and that when this happened, depending on the race of the demon, that a terrible blood lust and maliciousness could emerge and at which time, no mortal could stop it. Or as with foxes one could be mischievous and dangerously playful and tricky. Being that the boy was a half wolf demon, she had concluded that in his full demon state, he would likely be as she had first stated. The text gave various accounts of when this occurred, but could not define when it would. Therefore it would be wise for the Lord to do one of three things. The First would be to take the child while in his human state and execute him. The Second would be to take the boy into the mountains and leave him lost in a gorge. The third option was to chain the boy to wall in the dungeon of the castle using specialized chains blessed by a sacred ritual that she herself could perform, and seal it permanently, but this option would likely be risky.


Lady Kame urged the Daimyo to take the first option while the boy while the boy was still human, to save his domain and his rule from further potential trouble. For the first time in his life as the head of his domain, he hesitated and was visibly disturbed by the options presented. The only other people in the room party to the situation were General Hayashi and the chief priestess of the local shrine. General Hayashi moved forward and bowed deep, "I shall take care of this, my Lord." the general replied as he removed his Wakizashi(short sword) from it's saya and moved to the boy, it was his intent and honor to spare his Lord the grief of having the dispatching one's offspring from this world. Carefully positioning his blade above the boy's chest, Just as the General readied to plunge it through Mitsuyoshi's sternum, "wait!" the local chief priestess called out. Her name was Akari, Chief Priestess of the Ikeda Shrine in Nishino. Knowing full well the affections that all in the castle and the domain had come to share for the young Mitsuyoshi, perhaps there was another way. "Would it not be possible to somehow sooth the demon when it shows it self, make it more manageable? Can it be tamed?" she questioned the Lady Kame.


Indeed it was possible, and there were ways to potentially control the circumstances, but as far as accounts were recorded in the scrolls, it had never been done. The easy way would be the first option, however Kame had underestimated the Daimyo's emotional attachment to the child. In that brief moment of pause, young Mitsuyoshi transformed back to his familiar hanyou self. General Hayashi backed off and sheathed his blade. With the boy back in his half breed self, the first option was rendered no more. Lord Mitsutomo appeared relieved and regained his composure. Mitsutomo decreed that the Priestess Akari would come to reside in the castle and act as Mitsuyoshi's guardian. On one hand, the boy would have a maternal figure as the Lady Emiko had obviously no interests in fulfilling that role. On the other, Priestess Akari would be be better adept to handle the boy's demon side as it was not uncommon for her to have performed blessings and minor exorcisms. At General Hayashi's suggestion, the Lord agreed that The Priestess Kame would conduct the sacred ritual that would bless the chains and shackles to be able to restrain the boy should he turn. The matter had been settled and Lord Mitsutomo had made his ruling.

2 years have passed since and the castle and domain was in peace, through careful negotiating and politics Lord Mitsutomo had managed to keep his small Fief from most of the conflicts that raged as the country descended into the warring states period following the collapse of the Ashikaga Shogunate. It had been determined that Mitsuyoshi's "Human" day of the year fell 2 days after what was considered his birthday on the 12th day of the 11th Month. The Lady Akari, although a priestess still, attended the court of Lord Mitsutomo as a spiritual advisor, although the real reason was as Mitsuyoshi's guardian. Perhaps there was no one better for the job, than her, as even her tender nature and character towards all living things presented a more progressive view towards the young half breed and over her time at the castle she came dote upon the young boy. Life overall in the castle was normal.

It was at the end of the first month of harvest, the 9th month of the year; what we would know as the Harvest moon, shown bright on this occasion had shown an ominous reddish color likely caused from the haze of a volcano that had begun to smoke with activity, but never the less was seen as blood moon by the commoners. A dark aura began to surround the 13 year old Mitsuyoshi and he began to tremble. The whites of his eyes had turned red and his claws and fangs became more pronounced as the boy began to transform. Lady Akari was promptly summoned by the Samurai guards in the hallway of the castle. When she arrived, she ordered 4 of the bushi to quickly take him to the dungeons and away from people. She rushed to her room and retrieved the chains and shackles that she had so long prayed may never be needed. It took 6 of the warriors to transport and restrain Mitsuyoshi as he writhed in agony and rage his human side cried out in fear, whilst his pleas turned to feral growls. Lord Mitsutomo had been informed and also promptly arrived at the dungeons. The entire ordeal of attempting to shackle and chain the 13 year old took 10 men, as 3 of the original party had been injured by his claws and fangs and one man had died, but the shackles and collar were placed and the chains nailed into position in the wall. The Daimyo ordered his men out of the dungeon, leaving just himself, General Hayashi, and Lady Akari.


The ritual for the chains and shackles had worked, and it was visibly so with a purple aura as if it detected the demon held within it's grasps. Lady Akari quickly collected herself, and began to chant in an attempt to gain some kind of edge over the demonic power and perhaps sooth, but to no avail. There was enough slack that he could still function and move, but every attempt to grasp the chain and pull on it caused a flash of the purple aura and he recoiled in pain. Every lunge at the humans in the room would result in the chain securing the leather lined iron collar going taught and the young boy being brought to heel.

Deep down It pained Mitsutomo's heart to see his son suffer so and he had begun to think that he should have heeded the first option from Lady Kame. Every attempt he called out to his son only gained a growl and a lunge at him, forcing General Hayashi to hold his Lord back. As the Daimyo struggled to remain as stoic and composed as he voiced his encouragement to Mitsuyoshi to fight the rageful urges of the demons side, whilst also silently saying a prayer with in his mind for peace to return to his beloved son.


As the first chant had no effect, she switched to another and recited it fervently as she desperately tried to find a way to bring the boy under control. As she stopped her chant to shift to the next measure, that of writing a sacred talisman, she felt an object poke at her rib. It was her Shinobue(flute) and a thought suddenly occurred to her as she swiftly draw it from her Obi. At this point, their options were running out and talismans could potential harm or even kill the boy as both human and demon were mended together as one. Without hesitation, she raised the flute to her lips and produced a single haunting tone, slowly she began to play a haunting tune in the form of Gagaku, ancient music generally reserved for the Imperial court, shinto rituals, and special traditional dances. Almost at once, the music seemed to have an affect as the boy stopped fighting against the chains; his snarling and growling quieted. The music seemed to bring the young demon boy into a state of balance as he slowly sank to the floor and into a fetal position. "Father... Help me...I'm scared" A familiar, yet semi-human-demon voice pleaded. The Daimyo moved towards his boy, only to be held back by the General. "Sire, It could be a trick."

Akari suddenly stopped playing to test if the music indeed was the cause for the abatement of the demon's rage and anger. Almost immediately after she stopped, the boy descended back into a feral state. Akari would resume playing her flute, and the boy would calm again. It was now apparent that her music was having the desired effect on the boy, and she concluded that it would be safe for the Lord to go to his son so long as she continue to play, and that she would play as long as necessary for the peace of the young boy until this dark time passed and he returned to his normal self. The Lord went to his son to console him; It was no fault of his own for he could not yet understand why this was happening.

Lady Akari would continue to play through the night and the next night until finally she collapsed from exhaustion at sunrise of the 3rd day, coincidentally the boy had reverted to his hanyou self at that sunrise. They would then emerge from the dungeon; General Hayashi carrying the Lady Akari and Lord Mitsutomo carrying Mitsuyoshi, they were promptly greeted by the samurai of the castle who stepped in to carry the two to be cared for. Lady Akari would fully recover and go on to document the events that occurred, knowing now that music had allowed for a the demonic urges to subside and calm. Come the next year, they were more prepared and presumed that the next year's harvest coinciding with the Harvest moon would see the boy turn to his demon self again. At least the transformations between full human, half breed, or full demon, could be predicted and all mitigated courses of action could be taken.

As the boy aged and matured more, albeit his age appearance was somewhat slower than his human half brother Mitsutada despite being older than him, Mitsuyoshi would eventually learn to recognize the signs of his demonic transformation and with the help, love, and care from both Lady Akari and Lord Mitsutomo, he would be able to maintain some control and restraint from his urges. Never the less he would voluntarily proceed to the dungeons to be secured for the protection of everyone in the castle and the town. Through Lady Akari's music, he was able to gain some control and able to communicate intelligently in this state as well and became less feral, however whilst in this state he continued to remain volatile and still subject to rageful bloodlust. At least for now, things were stable and life in the castle would remain harmonious.


30 years would come to past and during this time Mitsuyoshi would grow into a fine young man at 43, although appearing as a man in his early 20s while his brother was already 40 years old and preparing. to take over the fief. Lord Mitsutomo was in his 70s and ill, no doctors could cure him. It was suspected that he had been poisoned by infiltrators hired by a rival lord who had designs on their fief. Lord Mitsutomo had ruled as wisely as his father and although he was of the Samurai class and a capable warrior and leader, he was more a nobleman accustomed to the ways of the Imperial Court as it was where his own father had sent him to reside. Skilled in politics and diplomacy, he had managed to keep his fief out of the power struggles that occurred in the country. Times were changing however, and it was more apparent that war would be unavoidable.


Mitsutada was more ambitious and more a military man like most Lords of the time. He had seen the writing on the wall and had begun preparing for the coming war which would likely occur soon after Lord Mitsutomo passed. General Hayashi who had been Chief Retainer for Lord Mitsutomo, was also aging; at 82 he was still fit and still as witty and sharp as a fox, but his body had begun to wear. It was Mitsutada's first course of action when he was made Regent when his father fell ill, to retire General Hayashi. Lord Mitsutomo had hoped that Mitsutada would honor his brother by assigning him the position as Chief Retainer, but with great pressure and prejudice from Lady Emiko, Mitsutada's mother, The Regent caved and rejected the idea of installing his brother. There were other underlying reasons for this as well; Mitsutada, although close to his brother Mitsuyoshi, did harbor some jealousy against him for it was hard to hide that he was the favored son. There also were some small amounts of prejudices involved, in that because the boy was a half breed, he was only half human and while physically superior in all aspects to a normal man, seemed unnatural. Mitsutada, after all, was to be the next Lord of Nishino.

Mitsuyoshi himself, had no aspirations of power, he had been educated as a Samurai in the ways of the warrior and the art of war, and he was also educated by Lady Akari, the Chief Priestess of Ikeda shrine of Nishino. He was more interested in being of service and loyal; his only ambition was to learn more about his mother and where she had come from. As his brother would become the Lord of Nishino at the Passing of their father, Mitsuyoshi would be the first to pledge his loyalty and sword to serve his younger brother.

On his deathbed surrounded by the Lady Emiko, Mitsutada, and Mitsuyoshi, Lord Mitsutomo summoned General Hayashi. The now retired General had arrived as summoned and as pre-planned and the ill Daimyo was helped to sit upright. He called Mitsuyoshi over as the General removed an old sword from it's case. The lord coughed roughly as he began to speak. 

"Mitsuyoshi... This sword was given to our care by your mother so long ago when you came to live here. Little is known about your mother and her own race other than that she is a wolf spirit and of noble birth in their lands. This sword..." The aged General managed to hold it out to offer the young half breed. "...belonged to your maternal father who was a great lord in their lands; it is made from the very blood and fang of his father before him and named Kazega. You have aged and matured well and proven to be a very skilled and talented samurai; educated and trained in our ways. It is only right to present to you what has been bequeathed to you by your own mother, this sword. Now you are a samurai of the Nagano clan, but I believe that you will not just honor our clan, but your own mother's bloodline." Mitsuyoshi accepted the sword gracefully, and as soon as he grasped it there was a light flash of a blue aura before it subsided, as if the Sword was recognizing it's rightful owner. Lord Mitsutomo slowly lay back down and had gone silent. The doctor was summoned and carefully placed his ear to the old daimyo's mouth before bowing, with both hands clasped as in prayer, declared him no more. Everyone bowed deeply as a final respect. Mitsuyoshi and Mitsutada held back their own emotions to maintain a sense of dignity not just themselves but for their father's sake.

Over the next several years Mitsuyoshi would learn how to wield the Kazega, although not much could be told as very little information had been passed on. In his hands, the sword functioned as any other sword but sharper, lightweight, and swifter than any made by human master craftsmen, as well as being extremely strong and resilient. With how effortlessly it was for him to wield it and the damage alone as a melee weapon, it was undoubtedly so that no armor made by man could withstand or protect against such a cut and this was tested and proven to the awe of the samurai in the dojo. With the help of Lady Akari's advice to focus and meditate, he managed to focus himself enough to use a power that none had ever seen. In the dojo while doing exactly as Lady Akari recommended he started from the seiza position; swiftly he moved his right foot out, planting it on the mat in stomp and drew the blade simultaneously, slashing horizontally from left to right. a light shot from the blade with a gust of wind and not only destroyed the training dummy, but proceeded to blow a hole through the wall of the dojo as if it had been hit by charging bull and ruining the tea party picnic his brother and sister in law were enjoying in the gardens adjacent. "Oops" and just like that suddenly all of the Samurai in the dojo, including Lady Akari had somewhere else to be.


It was undoubtable to all in Lord Mitsutada's court of the military applications of having Mitsuyoshi on their side and in the field and because of this, Mitsuyoshi was made a Captain of the Infantry provided that he go and practice with the Kazega outside and away from structures to damage. Lord Mitsutada continued his build up for a planned campaign into invade the neighboring domain of Ikoman, another small domain like his own ruled by the Suwa clan. by conquering Ikoman, it would provide him more rice and manpower to draw upon to perhaps give him more clout to form an alliance with one of the larger clans. However, war would come a lot sooner than Nishino could be prepared for when the Army of Ikoman crossed the border in a surprise move. Their Forces number close to 5,500 to the Nishino Army of just under 2,000 men. Under most circumstances it would have probably made sense to remain in the castle and hold out until a secret deal could be made with the Daimyo another neighboring province, but Mitsutada was confident that his brother could even the odds and he ordered his armies to march and meet the Ikoman army before they reached the town.



The Lord of Ikoman, Masahiro Suwa, felt intrigued to find the Army of the Nagano clan waiting for them in the fields on the outskirts of Nishino town. He had his army form up in splendid display of their superior numbers. From his field command post, he observed the field before him at the array of the Nagano clan armies. Lord Masahiro's force boasted a well superior number of cavalry which was formed on their flanks. He pondered the motives of Lord Mitsutada and his smaller army. He was vastly outnumbered yet he chose to meet on the field rather than hold up in his castle, he concluded that the Head of the Nagano clan must either be extremely bold or foolish.



Masahiro gave the order for his archers to let loose their barrage; Mitsutada returned in kind, ordering his own Archers to let loose. Both sides fired a 3 volleys, before Mitsutada ordered Mitsuyoshi's company to advance alone. Their banner contained the Clan's mon(crest) and the depiction of a wolf identifying their company as the Wolf Unit, paying homage to Mitsuyoshi as the "Wolf of Nishino". While the clan had managed to keep his status as half breed secret, they could not entirely dispel the rumors that circulated and it had been long thought by outsiders that the Lord of Nishino had a Wolf. As Mitsuyoshi's men advanced into the open field, Lord Masahiro assumed that this must be the Wolf of Nishino, perhaps an elite and well trained unit. He ordered 3 his ashigaru units forward to take on the so called "Wolf" unit.



As the enemy forces advanced spears ready, Mitsuyoshi drew his sword. He ordered his 2nd in command to hang back and let him even the odds for them. With that, he charged forward at an inhuman speed toward the center unit. The Kazega glowed in it's bluish aura as he leapt into the air and slashed several times sending blades of light and wind downward before the enemy spearmen could raise their spears to intercept Mitsuyoshi's downward path. The blades of light shot right down and sliced the spear poles where they met rendering them useless. The force of energy that follwed the blades struck the ground beneath with enough force to cause the earth to spew upwards as it had exploded. As he landed on the neutered polearm of one of the poor ashigaru, he slashed right through him with ease. The sudden action caused a storm of confusion among the ranks as they tried to turn and engage the threat within their ranks it made what spears were left at a disadvantage at such close combat, men tried to draw their swords but were cut down by the fast Mitsuyoshi as he decimated the first several ranks that descended on him. The move caused the 2 formations on the flank to stop and attempt to converge inwards, and at this Mitsuyoshi's 2nd in command drew his sword and ordered the company to charge. The center company that Mitsuyoshi had blitzed began to waver and ultimately broke when his Company clashed. Seeing their comrade flee, broke the morale of the other units. They would fight men any day as ordered, but not demons. Seeing his men flee from the field, Lord Suwa ordered his cavalry to move in and converge on the flanks of the Wolf and his men.


Mitsutada saw the move and was urged by his generals to send in their own cavalry to intercept, but he ordered them to hold. Mitsuyoshi saw the advancing cavalry and he considered having his men form a sphere but the cavalry advanced rapidly and would likely strike before they had a chance to complete the formation. He ordered his 2nd in command to form a spear wall on the cavalry approaching from their right flank, He would attempt to stop the charge from the left. Promptly, he removed his helmet and undid the head wrap covering his ears, but kept his mempo(mask) on. His mempo was custom and made as the snarling snout of a wolf, it's fangs painted white for added effect. Mitsuyoshi charged forth towards the cavalry coming from their left, producing barking and snarling sounds as he charged. With the Kazega he sent two light blades at the horsemen on the flanks of the formation as he charged up to the center where the leader of the charge. The sight of the wolf mask and the wolf ears atop this single man, combined with his scent and snarling barks, the Cavalry Captain's horse reared back in fright and threw his rider from it's back before breaking away.


The rest of the left flank Cavalry swiftly recovered and surrounded Mitsuyoshi, one of the riders managed to thrust his spear into Mitsuyoshi's left shoulder as he circled around while another rider came up from his rear and speared him in the back. Perhaps it might not have been wise to have been so brazen in his attempt to stop a cavalry charge single handedly, however it did save his men from being completely flanked. Just then he heard the sound of the Conch shell. Mitsutada had sent his own cavalry forward to help his brother, while his armies advanced forward to assist Mitsuyoshi's company. Had it not been for the advancment of the rest of the Nishino Army, it was likely Mitsuyoshi might have been overwhelmed by pure numbers. Lord Suwa ordered his cavalry back and committed the rest of his force to the battle, save for his Arquebusiers and archers and a company of Ashigaru spearmen to protect them.


Mitsuyoshi's company had managed to hold off against the cavalry charge and continued to fight them, despite Lord Suwa's orders for them to withdraw. As the Cavalry that had surrounded Mitsuyoshi began to withdraw, a solitary figure approached the young half breed from behind.


"Let me see your face, that I can know my opponent." the voice called to him from behind. Breathing hard from all the action and the wounds he received, Mitsuyoshi turned around to face the man whom he recognized as the Cavalry captain that had been thrown off his horse. He held his sword in one and reached down and drew another from the obi of one of his deceased comrades. The Captain tossed the sword at Mitsuyoshi's feet, it was clear that the Captain wanted to challenge him without the Kazega. The captain removed his own mempo and helmet, casting them aside. Mitsutada's cavalry rode past, originally pursing the retreating left cavalry, before changing direction and moving to encircle and cut of the cavalry on the right to prevent them from retreating. Mitsuyoshi and the Captain stood alone on their side of the field whilst the battle raged on on the other.


"I am Masatoshi Suwa..." as he positioned his sword at the ready in front of him. "...Wolf of Nishino, I would be honored to present your demon head to my Lord and brother. "


Mitsuyoshi removed his mempo and gave a slight smile flashing his canines. "I, Mitsuyoshi Nagano, would be honored to present myself with your own head before my Lord and Brother." as he removed the Kazega from his obi and set it aside; this would be a dual of skill rather than supernatural. The young half breed positioned his sword in the same fashion as the two steadily faced off. Although a battle raged in the background on the other side of the field, it felt as if all of the world had slowed down and gone silent save for the breeze that blew upon the grassy field and the trees nearby.


Masatoshi shifted his position, raising his sword to where his graso was aligned to the side of his head in the hasso no kamae position. His attack came swift as he advanced, raising his sword ever so slightly in the move and bringing it down aimed directly at Mitsuyoshi. Mitsuyoshi spun, twisting his blade to meet Masatoshi's in a loud clang before spinning out from under and around Masatoshi's right side swiftly moving his sword to slash into his right as he passed around, but Masatoshi twisted his sword at just the right time to block the counter as the two ended up standing at opposite sides facing each other. Now Masatoshi had positioned himself defensively. Mitsuyoshi raised his sword in the Jodan no kamae position, held above his head. He toward Masatoshi in one step, before he rushed, bringing his sword down toward his opponent. Masatoshi managed to block the strike and spin around and slash at his back. Mitsuyoshi's armor took deflected most of the blow but still managed to draw blood on the exposed area just below the line of the armor, but none the less was a just a flesh wound.



The fight escalated into a series of rapid strikes, clashes, deflections as Masatoshi moved quick and fast, Their blades ended up meeting in a clash as both of them pressed against the other with such fire, until Mitsuyoshi managed to kick Masatoshi just above the groin and cause him to back off, as distance was created. Masatoshi quickly recovered and charged in holding his sword high, Mitsuyoshi advanced to meet him, and crossed to Masatoshi's right as his sword slashed below his armor and across his belly. Masatoshi fell to his knees before as blood poured from his abdomen, as he turned to face Mitsuyoshi, he grasped his bell trying to prevent his innards from spilling out. A look of shock, on his face, but strangely his gaze turned to one of peace, accepting his fate as he hung his head; not just as an offering of respect, but to expose his neck and offer his head. Mitsuyoshi raised his sword and swiftly brought it down, severing the man's head.



Although his body and wounds ached, he managed a bow of respect until suddenly a sharp pain pierced his flank. As he recoiled backwards, he spun around to face the next threat, and it was then that he realized that an arrow head was protruding from his side. Looking up, a female warrior with a long bow readied another arrow, but the sound of galloping horses and the sight of cavalry barreling down on their side of the field, caused her pause before she retreated to safety of the main force, now retreating. Mitsutada's forces had successfully routed the army of Lord Suwa and he was now in full retreat back to Ikoman.



Less than a month later Mitsutada would go on to conquer Ikoman, laying siege to Ikoman castle in turn. Lord Masahiro Suwa would commit seppuku before the castle fell and his head would be presented to Lord Mitsutada as proof. Much to his disappointment, Mitsuyoshi had been ordered to rest and heal, despite already fully recovering from his wounds before the Army left for Ikoman. Mitsutada tried to convince him that it was a reward well deserved for such commendable actions in the Battle of Nishino, but deep down he wanted the glory of the Ikoman campaign all for himself.



The conquest of Ikoman and the acquisition of all of Lord Suwa's lands and assets, doubled that of Mitsutada's and greatly increased the status of the clan overall. The victories experienced in the battles and the rumor of the actions of the "Wolf of Nishino" in battle garnered quite a bit of attention from some of the Larger clans.



Lord Yasunobu Kashiyama, Daimyo of the Kashiyama clan, arrived at Nishino castle in full pomp and glory. This day marked an important moment for the Nagano clan as the Kashiyama were vassals to the large and more powerful Hosokawa clan and thus Lord Yasunobu was considered their dignitary. If all went well, Nishino would likely gain a powerful ally, even if the Nagano clan were admitted as vassals, the opportunities of gaining more lands, value, and perhaps more importantly influence could increase 10 fold.



As a valuable member of Mitsutada's court, Mitsuyoshi was required to be present for the welcome of Lord Yasunobu and his retinue, however at soonest convenience he would quietly be allowed to withdraw to avoid further attention, as the wrap on his head that concealed his ears tended to draw quite a bit of attention in these formal settings. It undoubtedly did, as Lord Yasunobu's gaze was drawn to the young man as he passed him, Mitsuyoshi averted his eyes further as he bowed hoping to draw less attention by his gold eyes. The Lord paused smirked and chuckled to himself before continuing with the procession. It wasn't just Lord Yasunobu's attention that Mitsuyoshi had attracted, but that of the young and beautiful female in attendance of Lord Yasunobu's procession Lady Ayame Onoda. He found himself so drawn to her beauty that he quickly felt himself blush when she smiled at him and quickly averted his eyes. Who was Lady Ayame? It was known that she was neither Lord Yasunobu's daughter nor his concubine, so it was assumed that she might be apart of the retinue of Lord Yasunobu's wife Lady Takeko.



After the formal introductions and exchanges of gifts were conducted, Lord Mitsutada and Lord Yasunobu would share tea. Most of the retainers and there staff would disperse to go about their business organizing and preparing the festivities of the evening, and it was at this time that Mitsuyoshi was able to slip away. In the gardens, he sat pondering to himself about Lady Ayame and attempting to write a poem in her honor, although this was not his strong suit. A familiar voice greeted him from behind, and when he turned he found Lady Akari approaching. Lady Akari had been like a mother to him and she could sense that something was occupying his mind. She asked to read the poem he had written and he handed it to her. It wasn't very well written, but by the reference to flowers and such things of beauty, she was able to conclude what bothered the young half breed; He was in love.



Mitsuyoshi had been forbidden from taking a wife or bearing offspring, this was by command of his brother, and Mitsuyoshi had gracefully accepted it as was required of him, but it did bother him within that he would never know what it was like to be in love or live a life as a man and father children of his own. Now he was experience the powerful emotions and feelings for the first time, and it bothered him to be confronted with such a trial. Lady Akari, did not share the same view of Lord Mitsutada nor the court. To her It was natural for all living things and she considered it an affront to deny a living being such an experience, but her position did not matter as far as the Court's concerns about the dangers and unnatural creation of more half human half demons, to Mitsutada and the Court, her value was as Mitsuyoshi's handler and keeping him in check.



"Perhaps instead of poetry, you should practice your Shinobue." she suggested knowing full well that music was more Mitsuyoshi's strong suit, after all she had taught him herself. "Play to your strengths, It will be like when the moth is drawn to the radiance of the lantern." The older woman smiled to herself as she walked away and admired how lovely the spring weather had turned to be for such an occasion.



Later that night, while festivities were being held in honor of Lord Yoshinobu's arrival, he would return to the garden and sit next to the pond. It was a clear and cool spring night; the moon was in full as the crickets sang their songs, and the sound of the festivities, music, and laughing could still be heard faintly in the distance. As he sat atop a rock and gazed up at the moon in it's splendor, he pondered what to play. Closing his eyes, he focused on the feelings within him and imagined the Lady Ayame basked in in the gentle moonlight that caressed her fair skin, and raised his shinobue to his lips and began to play.(The tune to us of this day would have sounded very similar to "Kojo no Tsuki", but it wasn't.) Although he caught her scent and heard her soft steps in the grass as she approached behind him from the main hall of the castle, he continued as if she weren't there. As Lady Akari had said, Lady Ayame had indeed been drawn to his music.



As he slowly winded down the tune, he feigned his surprise when she complemented his music and asked what the name of the tune was. He told her that it had come to him as he admired the beautiful moon, although he withheld the other part that it was her in the moonlight in his imagination. She asked his name, as because of the secrecy around him, it had never been known by any in their retinue. After properly introducing himself, she was a bit surprised, but pleased, to have finally met the mysterious brother of the Lord of Nishino. It was inevitable that she would ask why he wore a head wrap and surely she did, also asking if he were a Monk and that was the reason why. He bowed, a little uncomfortable with the question but proceeded to tell her that he was disfigured at birth hoping that would be the end of it. However she was even more curious and asked the young Samurai to see for his deformity for herself. He politely declined, telling her that he feared his deformity would be to horrible to gaze upon by a fine lady as herself.



Just then the two were interrupted by Hidemoto Omura, Chief Retainer of Lord Yasunobu. He bowed and apologized for interrupting the two before informing Lady Ayame that Lady Takeko had requested her presence. Bowing to Omura, she turned to Mitsuyoshi and bowed low, apologizing for her insistance and causing him much discomfort. Mitsuyoshi returned the bow and told her that it was fine, his only concern was for her well being. At that Lady Ayame left the two and it became apparent that there was more to be said from Hidemoto and surely there was. Mitsuyoshi was informed that he was being summoned to Lord Yasunobu's room for a personal audience with the young Samurai.



Mitsuyoshi was led to the wing of the castle that Lord Yasunobu resided. Here, the samurai who lined these halls were all of Lord Yasunobu's personal guard. As they entered Lord Yasunobu's room, it was empty and Mitsuyoshi was told to wait here for. The young hanyou couldn't figure out why he had been summoned, and how his brother could have allowed it, since it was he that personally asked him to keep a low profile and out of sight as much as possible. The door slid open and Lord Yasunobu entered, his face was flushed and he swayed; it was obvious that the Lord was intoxicated, Mitsuyoshi could smell it from his side of the room, never the less Mitsuyoshi bowed low.



Lord Yashinobu took his seat and his servants brought a tray with a bottle of sake and two dishes. An awkward silence followed as the Lord sat there looking at the figure bowed before him. Mitsuyoshi attempted to bow, before the older man barked "Did I tell you to rise!?" The hanyou quickly lowered himself and apologized. Yoshinobu's outburst and seeming anger suddenly changed as he bellowed out a loud laugh before telling him to rise and approach as he poured sake into the two dishes on the tray, offering the young Samurai one. Mitsuyoshi politely declined the Lord's offer citing that his Lord had forbidden him from drinking alcohol. This was true, as it was feared that alcohol would weaken his guard and the demon side of him could come out and wreak havoc. "Oi! oi! Nonsense! What brother would make such an order? He is more drunk than I!" the older man scolded.



Yasunobu Kashiyama, whose likeness was probably more akin to a pot bellied bull dog sporting a mustache, was of 56 years of age and wore the traditional shaved head and chonmage as most Samurai of the time, but his hair was died black to hide the many years of stress that accompanied a man of his position as the head of large clan. Yasunobu insisted again that Mitsuyoshi drink, and left with no choice without losing face for his brother, he did. Yasunobu bellowed out again in laughter as he watched the young samurai try to hold back from cringing at such a foreign taste, before pouring him another. This went on 2 more times, before Yasunobu started his inquiry.



"Are you the Wolf of Nishino?"



Mitsuyoshi, wiping his mouth of some sake that had spilled as he drank, he bowed and denied. Yasunobu chuckled and poured another drink.



"Why do you wear that headwrap? Are you a monk?"



Mitsuyoshi drank again before explaining that it was because of a deformity at birth. Lord Yasunobu smiled before telling him. "Take it off."



Mitsuyoshi bowed but before he could decline with his usual response, he was cut off by Yasunobu's command. "Take it off." Mitsuyoshi looked up to see that Lord Yasunobu was serious. He bowed deeper and begged Lord Yasunobu to rescind the command, that it would cause him much shame to reveal his deformity to someone of his high station. Yasunobu lost his composure and flew the dish at the young Samurai. "I said take it off you insolent little worm!"



Reluctantly, Mitsuyoshi did as he was commanded. Normally he would never be in such a position with someone higher than Mitsutada, and he did not want to cause any problems for his younger brother's ambitions and dealings with the Kashiyama clan. As he removed the head wrap, his furry ears perked right up, twitching in relief of being freed from the smothering confines of cloth.



Yasunobu sat back in awe and admiration, not only did Mitsutada have a demon in his service, but he found himself even more attracted to the young samurai. Saying nothing, he rose from his seat as the young samurai bowed likely thinking that he was leaving, but instead he stepped around him.



Mitsuyoshi felt a pair of hands touch his ears and rub them, baffled by this move he was further stunned when it turned into tight and painful grip. Gasping, he begged of his Lord to be released. Before he knew it, those hands shoved him forward and crashing over the tray. He felt the full weight of the man's legs attempt to weigh down his own. Yasunobu, grasping one ear, reached with his right hand and attempted to undo the young half breed's kimono. Now realizing what Lord Yasunobu was trying to do, he began to struggle, attempting to twist around before Yasunobu, still grasping his ear, slammed his face down against the floor. It was at this moment, he realized he could no longer hold back "NO!" He roared in an semi-human voice and sent his elbow crashing back into Lord Yasunobu's face, square in the nose. This caused the lord to stumble back and off of Mitsuyoshi, his blood trickling from his nose. Stunned by the move, it quickly roused the Lord's anger. "You insolent!" Yasu nobu reached for the Tanto(dagger) in his obi and lunged at the the young half breed.



Moving at high speed, he swooped in, dodging the blade, moving to Lord Yasunobu's right, and grasping Lord Yasunobu's wrist, using his left wrist he slammed against Yasunobu's elbow pushing against it's natural motion to bend, but stopping just enough to avoid breaking it. The move caused him to drop the weapon in pain. He then swiftly rolled around the man's back over to his left side, swooping up and under his left arm, grabbed Yasunobu by the throat and lifted him off the ground drove him through the shoji walls, up against a wooden beam in the hallway. He thrust his right hand ready to drive his claws into the man's face, before suddenly stopping inches from Yasunobu's face. It was no matter of time that the Kashiyama Samurai swarmed in with their swords drawn and surrounded them. His veins began to pulsate and he could feel "it" coming on as his eyes began to turn red. "No..." He growled, his voice turning rough. The Kashiyama Samurai stumbled back at the ungodly sight before them and for once in his life Yasunobu Kashiyama felt a terror he had never before experienced.



His grip over the man's throat tightened before suddenly Yasunobu was released and allowed to drop to the floor. Mitsuyoshi dropped to a knee and planted his fist into the hard wood floor. "No!" he slamed his fist into the floor again. By now, the commotion had awoken everyone in the wing as more Samurai came rushing down the halls. He slammed his fist into the floor a third time, before he sucked in a breath of air as he felt the transformation beginning to subside and settle. Sighing he rose to stand and looked up at all the Kashiyama men surrounding him. He then turned to Yasunobu, and dropped to his hands and knees, bowing low. He begged for his forgiveness for the events that had transpired. "Sake..." Yasunobu as he nervously, but lightly, patted the young half breed on his shoulder, bidding him to rise. As he did, Yasunobu waved off his men to allow passage. Mitsuyoshi proceeded down the hallway, proceeding to leave that wing of the castle, keeping his head and eyes low. All of the Guests in Yasunobu's retinue had poked their heads out of their rooms to see what all the commotion was about and as passed them, he came upon Lady Ayame. He paused as he noticed her, looked up at her briefly. His ears now fully visible, yet despite this her look was one more of concern than fright, He bowed his head quickly "Pardon me..." Before rushing away down the hall.



Although Lord Yasunobu would keep the details of the events in secret, Lord Mitsutada could not avoid suspecting his brother's involvement just by looking upon the damage caused in the hall. Lord Yasunobu's himself bore the signs, cloth plugs protruding from his nose and his bruised face barely hidden by what cosmetics his retinue could apply. Lord Mitsutada bowed and apologized to the higher lord, but it was brushed off by Yasunobu, citing that it was he who should apologize for causing so much damage and suggesting that perhaps he should have refrained from consuming so much sake; he even offered to pay for the damage.



None the less, Mitsutada would summon his brother in private. Mitsuyoshi, knowing full well why he had been summoned, bowed lowly before his brother and begged his forgiveness as he had broken the rule placed upon him to not drink. However, Mitsutada knew it was unlike his brother to disobey him, his loyalty had been tested and proven. It was well within reason to presume that Mitsuyoshi would not have consumed alcohol unless he were ordered by someone of higher status, Lord Yasunobu. The bigger question that gnawed at him was what was he doing with Lord Yasunobu?



When Mitsuyoshi confessed that he had been summoned by Lord Yasunobu, it caused Mitsutada some concern. They had made every effort to keep Mitsuyoshi out of sight as much as it were possible. He began to wonder if it would have been best to send him away to the Mountains during this time, but remembered it would have raised more questions as it was known that Mitsutada had a brother who was a Captain in their army and his absence would have been noted if he had hadn't been there on the day Lord Yasunobu arrived.


His eyes suddenly widened as the realization dawned on him that Yasunobu knew about Mitsuyoshi's half breed status. Somehow, he must have pieced together who the "Wolf of Nishino" was, but the purpose of summoning Mitsuyoshi still remained unknown, much less the circumstances that would have brought upon the drama of that night eluded him. When he inquired of what transpired and what Yasunobu wanted of him, Mitsuyoshi laid everything to bare, sparing no detail. Mitsutada was troubled by the events reported to him and he knew that even though Mitsuyoshi did what was honorable to protect his dignity, he struck an even higher ranking lord and nearly killed him even if there had been rumors circulating that Lord Yasunobu had a taste for young men, it was not regarded as a taboo or anything that would cause a scandal.



Whatever the underlying matter two facts were certain; Lord Yasunobu now knew the closely guarded secret of the Nagano clan. This alone made them even more vulnerable to the politics and ways of the current times, much less it gave Yasunobu the upper hand. The second was that this act and assault against a Lord could not go unpunished and normally for such an offense, the punishment was death. However rather than a normal execution which would disgrace the offender and his clan, A member of the warrior class would be allowed to preserve his honor through committing seppuku. Mitsuyoshi himself had known this and although deep within he struggled to accept this, he knew that it would be expected of him. Mitsutada was also troubled by the decision he would be compelled to issue. Despite Mitsuyoshi's strategic importance, he was still his own blood, even if it was only by half. There were serious consequences if he didn't act on this decision, and it had to be done without the request or demand of Kashiyama clan. To not do so would bring ruin to the clan and all the lands of Nishino as the Kashiyama, with the full support and weight of the powerful and influential Hosokawa clan, would surely wipe them from existence. With the weight of this prospect and for the good of the clan and Nishino, Lord Mitsutada decreed that Mitsuyoshi was do commit Seppuku at dawn. Mitsuyoshi's Lieutenant, Iwao Hirobe would act as his kaishakunin, or second; The man who's duty was to deliver the coup de grace at the moment of intense agony and avoid prolonged suffering.



That afternoon, Mitsuyoshi confided in Lady Akari everything that occurred including his brother's ruling. This caused Lady Akari much distress as she flew from her quarters to the Lord's main hall. Mitsuyoshi set off to prepare himself for the next morning by attempting to write a traditional death poem ahead of time knowing it was not his strong suit. Lady Akari would desperately attempt to appeal to Lord Mitsutada, being turned away by his guards at every attempt. Finally she caught up to him in the stables as he prepared to go riding casting aside all dignity by lowering herself to her hands and knees, pleading in the dirt for mercy. She cited how cruel the Lord had been to have placed so many restrictions and expectations on his own brother all his life, but to now kill him; had he no shame?



Moritomo Nagano, Mitsutada's chief retainer, harshly rebuked her for her insolence as he proceeded to strike her with his riding crop until Mitsutada intervened. He was neither angered by the woman's desperate pleas, it was only natural for a mother to want to protect her children, even if she wasn't Mitsuyoshi's mother. He sighed and calmly told that he had not made a decision yet, but that either way they should all be prepared to accept whatever fate may determine and that she should pray fervently for the Gods to intervene. With that said, he mounted his horse and departed alone. Lady Akari was overcome with grief and anguish from such cruelty of this world.



Mitsutada was not spared his own pain. Beneath his calm and collected appearance, his heart ached and weighed heavily in his chest, but he could never let it be shown as the clan looked to him as a leader and an exemplary follower of the warrior code. His ride across his land was meant to calm and collect him, but ultimately turned out to betray him as flashes of his childhood memories came to him at every which location. From the fields where he and his brother used to run and play to the stream where they had caught their first fish. He dismounted when he came to an old large maple tree standing vigilantly watching over the nearby rice paddies. Approaching the ancient tree he gasped and he couldn't stop the overflow of emotions that came over himself as he dropped to the ground sobbing uncontrollably. Carved into the tree bark from a time long ago by the simple minds of two young boys, it read "Mitsutada and Mitsuyoshi, Brothers forever; never will we fight again or side against each other."



As he sat in the candle lit room, crumpled paper littering the floor around him, Mitsuyoshi's hand trembled as he attempted to right the characters before him. A wave of emotion came over him as a wet spot appeared on the paper, followed by another. No matter how hard he fought, he couldn't stop the tears from falling. Conflicted by his duty to obey and his own personal feelings of injustice, he couldn't hold it back any longer as he dropped the pen, his trembling hand accidentally knocking over the vile of ink as he brought it up to cover his mouth as he struggled to hold his own cries back so that no one would hear. It wasn't fair... He had been denied many of the privileges of the human world and he dutifully obeyed because he loved and supported his brother's every cause and agenda. How could it come to this? Why? Would have been better to have submitted to Lord Yasunobu's violent lust than to have placed his brother, nay himself in this position.


A familiar urge within him told him to not be a fool and to run and live, nobody could stop him even if they tried. Lady Akari even pleaded with him to do so, vowing that she wouldn't write any talismans or bless any weapon for the men who would hunt him down, if he did run. However if he did run, Mitsutada would lose face and ruin the clan's position with the Kashiyama, if not bring about the invasion by them.


Iwao Hirabe hung his head in sympathy as he stood silently outside Mitsuyoshi's room. It was unbecoming of a warrior to bare such indignant emotions, but he greatly respected Mitsuyoshi for his courage and sense of duty, it also displayed that he was like any of the mortal world, for this he overlooked the muffled cries he heard. Silently waving away some approaching servants, to preserve what dignity remained of his superior. Quietly he knelt and placed a folded letter before the door of his master. He knew that poetry wasn't his strong suit, so he took the liberty of writing a death poem for him. No one need know of this act kindness and as a skilled swordsmen, he had vowed to be swift with his blade. Such occurences and personal distance and separation may have been common and easier in larger clans and domains, but Nishino was a small domain and it's rulers were consideredCountry bumpkins, but out here such things could be forgiven or overlooked that normally would not be in the larger power centers.



The following morning was cool, the sky was relatively clear, and the air was calm as the twilight shone on the horizon. The courtyard had been prepared and neatly arranged, the Sakura were in full bloom and all would admire that it was an opportune time for such a ritual. The cherry blossom is often associated with warriors as it's beauty represented the beauty of a life, yet the short period of which it blooms and the fragile and delicate nature to scatter at the wind and fall to the ground, symbolized the short life of a warrior.



Seated before Lord Mitsutada and Lord Yasunobu and their respective courts, upon a white mat against a while folding screen behind him, Mitsuyoshi dressed in all white unfolded the paper on the tray before him and read solemnly, his poem.



"Warm rays of the rising sun
Like Love felt by all
cherry blossoms in full bloom
gently they fall to the ground
For my Lord, I honor thee"


He bowed before Mitsutada, before placing the poem back on the tray. He turned slightly to acknowledge and thank his Lieutenant for his kindness. He bowed again to Mitsutada and humbly made one final request. He wished to die as he was born and requested permission to be allowed to remove his headwrap. Mitsutada bowed, granting him permission. Most of the Court who had grown and lived around the young hanyou would have struggled to keep their composure and the energy in the air was thick with this struggle.



He reached out and removed the Tanto from it's sheath, wrapping it's blade with the white cloth that was provided. He proceeded to unwrap the cloth on his ears, his ears perked right up and twitched slightly at being free one more time. He carefully folded the cloth and placed it on the mat next to him before undoing and gently lowering the top half of his kimono exposing his upper body and his belly. Keeping his form straight and face forward, he glanced with his eyes to those present. Among them, Lady Akari trembled as she tried to maintain her composure, but she could not stop the tears from running down her face. Closing his eyes, he took the Tanto and positioned it's point against his skin as he prepared himself. No one noticed a familiar man quietly approach Lord Mitsutada from behind and Just as Mitsuyoshi was about to plunge the blade through his flesh, Lord Mitsutada promptly rose and barked "Stop!"



Mitsuyoshi opened his eyes and the court was in confusion as to what just happened. Mitsutada then announced that by the order of the Katsumoto Hosokawa, deputy to the Ashikaga Shogun, Mitsuyoshi Nagano is here by pardoned and should be removed from his post with a cut in his stipend by half for 2 years after which time his stipend can resume and he can be reappointed. The deep relief of all could be felt in the air as the thick atmosphere had blown away from a breeze sent by the Shogun's Deputy.



The sudden act, although relieving, showed the hand of the power play behind the scenes. It revealed that, although Yasunobu was there as a delegate of the Hosokawa clan and their high stations as the caretakers and "puppeteers" of the Ashikaga Shogunate, but also displayed that Yasunobu's inaction to intervene in the punishment served his own purpose. Such were the politics of the Muromachi period. The Shogunate was weak and much of the real power rested in the Hosokawa clan and their promotion of their own and their most trusted allies to positions of power, this of which alienated much of the Daimyo of far away domains. Furthermore, it could reasonably be suspected that the entire reason for Yasunobu's visit, with the blessings of the Hosokawa, had been purely to seek out and find the secret to the victories of the Nagano clan in it's recent conquest over the Suwa clan. By the Hosokawa personally intervening, showed the crack beneath the surface of the differing ambitions between the Hosokawa and the Kashiyama. Lord Yasunobu had sought, not just to find out more about the "Wolf of Nishino" he sought to gain control over it as an asset to further his own personal ambitions of power, Meanwhile the Hosokawa recognizing the same value, sought to wield the "Wolf of Nishino" as their own enforcement and to tighten their own loosening power over the central government.


Yasunobu, had decided that he would not allow it. If He couldn't have such a weapon to wield, neither should anyone. Knowing from the very aftermath of his interaction with Mitsuyoshi that night, he knew that it surely would result in Mitsutada being left with no other choice but to sentence him to death, this would have denied anyone else from claiming the "Wolf of Nishino". Although in his own mind it was a tad shame that he hadn't gotten his way with the beast. It would be personal conquest to have dominated and tamed a "Wolf", but Now the Hosokawa were directly involved, he would have to play along. There were other means of gaining control over this valuable asset, that is specifically why he brought Lady Ayame along, and the half breed was already infatuated with her. She would serve his purpose and guarantee the Half Breed serve the Kashiyama's rise, he she would be the one to kill him as she was trained to do.



"Are you sure you aren't a cat?" A voice came from behind Mitsuyoshi as he stood in the garden yet again, gazing upon the starry night sky reflecting on his brush with death. Turning around he saw his brother standing alone. "I'm pretty certain, I don't smell like one." as he bowed, but he was waved off from the deference. In this moment, Mitsutada came to him as a brother, not as his Lord. Mitsutada approached his younger looking older brother and placed his hands on his shoulder and gazed intensely into his eyes, his own were glazed with a burning emotion within. "I am sorry brother for everything. I know that I have not been much of a brother as I should have been. I've made such policies designed against you all your life, and as I reflect upon them, I've realized how cruel I had been. How could you ever forgive me?"



"It's fine. Really, I understand the reasons you had. Although I have lived in the world of men all my life, I do not expect that had I lived in the world of demons that I'd be treated much different." Mitsuyoshi sighed deeply as he turned to gaze at the moon rising in the distance. "I don't know what father was thinking when he decided to conceive me with my mother. I don't know why my mother would do so either. To bring into this world a half being, always remaining a taboo."



Mitsutada resting his arm on his brother's shoulder as he came to stand beside him. "It was another taboo, one much older than time."



Mitsuyoshi looked at him quizingly, what taboo did he speak of?



"Love..." He started. "... Father loved your mother very dearly. He never told the entire story, but I could tell from the fondness in his voice as he recounted of certain aspects of your mother from time to time." A cool night breeze blew through the castle, like a breath of fresh air from the nearby mountains. "Mitsuyoshi..." he turned to to face him. "Ee Mitsutada?" he responded.



"Brothers forever..." Mitsutada started and then "...never will we fight again or side against each other." the two finished together, before Mitsutada pulled his brother in for a deep and long embrace. He was very grateful for the Hosokawa's sudden intervention, even if he didn't yet know the entire reasons behind it, but for now he was just glad to still have a brother there with him.



From that evening on, Mitsutada would revoke man of his restrictive polices he had held in place for so long over his brother, except for the alcohol prohibition, but he would eventually ease on this as well so long as Mitsuyoshi was able to control himself and not run amok damaging the castle or harming anybody. Lord Yasunobu later would return to his own domain that week, but permitted Lady Ayame to remain at Nishino castle, a kind of parting gift from him to Mitsuyoshi, or so everyone believed.



Over the days and months to come, the relationship between Mitsuyoshi and Ayame would develop and grow. She was strangely fond of his furry ears, from the first time she saw them and she often likened him to a puppy at times, much to his chagrin. To him it was unfitting for a Samurai to be "cute", but he tolerated it mostly because she loved it. It was because of her that he had developed a fondness for Mochi(rice cake), particular the ones that she made with red bean paste. Much came to be known about her, but no one in the castle could determine her family background or origin and this was somewhat an issue as Mitsuyoshi had requested permission for them to be married.



Summoned by Lord Mitsutada, the two were brough before him to settle the matter. Lord Mitsutada asked her of her family background and name, as no one to this point had known even her family name. A great sense of shame came upon the young woman as she was now forced to tell of her true past. She was the daughter of a farmer whose village had been ravaged by bandits. She herself was rescued by Lord Yasunobu who then cared for her and doted on her as a father. The revelation of Lady Ayame's background presented an issue as she was a commoner by birth. To Mitsuyoshi, this did not deter him or even sway him. She could have been a merchant's daughter and he would still sought to marry her. (Merchants were considered the lowest in the hierarchy because they did not produce anything, farmers were considered higher than them because they produced the grain that the country and people needed)



Mitsutada considered all these things but it dawned on him that because of Mitsuyoshi's demotion and cut in stipend, this lowered his status enough that he could be allowed to take a commoner as a wife. He conveyed his reasoning and concluded that Mitsuyoshi and Ayame could marry. Ayame would be allowed to enter into the Clan and take the Clan name as her family name with Mitsuyoshi as her husband.



With Lord Mitsutada's blessing, Mitsuyoshi and Ayame were wed. The ceremony was kept small and simple, but conducted and carried out by Lady Akari whom was more than happy to perform it. However, when news reached Lord Yasunobu of the marriage, he began to wonder if his agent was still his own or if she had been turned. He sent a shinobi disguised as an envoy carrying a gift for the young couple. It was then that the shinobi had passed a secret message to ayame and quietly relayed that he would need a response by the end of the evening. In her heart, she knew that she could no longer willingly serve Lord Yoshinobu in the capacity that she had for many years before. For the first time in her life she had fallen for her mission. Lord Yasunobu, however, had something to ensure that she would would continue to do his bidding.



By the end of the evening, the shinobi returned to take her answer, but finding her reluctant to respond, it was as much an answer as could be expected. The shinobi took her hand and placed in it a small wooden carving of a cat, wrapped around the cat was a small scroll. The cat was enough of a reminder, but the command that had been written in the message was clear. "Kill Wolf" The shot across her bow was made clear. Terminate Mitsuyoshi or her daughter would be killed. Ayame had bore a daughter from a previous mission that Lord Yasunobu tasked her. In that mission, she was to infiltrate the harem of Yoshinori Ashikaga, then the 4th Ashikaga Shogun. Her mission had primarily been to gain information that could help Lord Yoshinobu's ascent to higher power by means of which he could use personally for himself or provide to another Powerful lord. However before she could complete her mission, Shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga was murdered at the age of 48. The upheaval in the aftermath, allowed her to escape in the chaos, but she found herself pregnant with his child. With the heat on, Lord Yoshinobu initially refused to give her refuge, but eventually did seeing the potential use for the child if it were a boy. 9 months later, Ayame would give birth to a daughter that she would name Hanako, and initially the child was deemed not useful towards Lord Yoshinobu's ambitions. Ayame was still of use to Lord Yoshinobu, and he devised what he considered to be the perfect means of ensuring her continued service and loyalty. Lord Yoshinobu seized her daughter and would grant Ayame permission to see her, provided that she continue to serve loyally and do his bidding, whatever it may be.


Later that night as the newly wed couple retired for the night an readied for bed, Ayame forced her own feelings aside as she went to work. Mitsuyoshi sensed that something wasn't well with her and asked if she were alright. She responded that she was just tired and overwhelmed from such a long joyous and eventful day, before she pulled him into her. Wraping her arms around the back of his neck as she pulled him into kiss her. Her hand bruched through his brown hair, removing the binding for his ponytail topknot, allowing his hair to fall freely and around them. Slowly, leaned in deeper and nuzzled his face against her cheek, licking just below her jawline and kissing at her neck. His hand slipped beneath her yukata and gently pried it apart, as her hand did the same for him. For a 43 year who had never experienced a woman, it was a little of a surprise that it came so naturally to him and his demonic side probably had some hand in that as their love making turned more passionate and intense than Ayame had ever experienced of the many lords whose only pleasure was the satisfaction of their insatiable lust for power and control. In the wake of their passionate lovemaking, Mitsuyoshi collapsed into her arms, nuzzling into her warm neck. Her left hand pet his soft ears which she could never cease to be fond of. A heavy lump sank in her chest as he right hand reached beneath the futon and drew a Kunai.



Unknown to all at Nishino castle that night, a team of shinobi had managed to silently scale the castle walls and taken out the guards to the entrance of the Keep and silently made their way, lurking in the shadows, and professionaly silencing the castle's guards and roving patrols in the hallway as they made their way toward Mitsuyoshi's room. Lieutenant Iwao Hirabe was making his round checking on the sentries of the castle when he found the doors to the keep unguarded. Perplexed that the guards were no where to be found, he went into the keep. proceeding up the stairs and found no guards there too. His suspicion now aroused he began he proceeded down the dimly lit hall at an alarmed pace before stepping into a puddle as he rounded a corner. Kneeling down he touched the puddle and raised his fingers into the light of his lantern to find it was blood as he looked up he saw the lifeless face of one of a Samurai tied up in a dark corner between the beams.



"ALARM! ALARM! INTRUDERS!" Iwao called as he began to run down the halls with his sword drawn sounding the alarm.



It was at this sound that Mitsuyoshi roused from his sleep to find Ayame's blade plunging right down toward his chest. In swift fashion, his right hand rose to meet her wrist as it came down and promptly he leaped and twisted, flipping Ayame around and pitting her on her back as he slammed her arm down attempting to get her to drop the blade. Just then the Shoji door opened, and Mitsuyoshi turned back to find 3 figures dressed in black start to rush him. Promptly he picked Ayame up and shoved her into the corner of the room and out of harms way and spinning around just in time to dodge the thrust of one of the shinobi's sword. Grasping the man's sword arm, digging his claws in he pulled the man into him, using his other hand and driving his claws right into the man's eyes before sinking his fangs into his jugular, ripping a chunk of flesh out and being covered with his blood in the process. He then threw the lifeless body at the two other ninja in the room, managing to hit one of them with the force of deadweight sending him crashing backwards through the shoji wall. He snarled and growled as he turned his attention to the other man, this one wielding a sword as well.



Elsewhere in the castle Reinforcements of the night's watch had arrived and a battle was underway in the halls of the keep. Most of the Guard had concentrated around Lord Mitsutada's room as it was believed that he was the main target. 4 shinobi had managed to engage the Samurai in the hallway leading to the part of the Castle where Mitsuyoshi resided. After realizing that most of the action was occuring in that part of the castle, Mitsutada ordered some of his guard to aid the bushi who were already actively engaged with the intruders. Iwao Hirabe fought bravely and honorably but would fall when he was struck in the throat by shuriken.



As Mitsuyoshi was about to leap at the shinobi before him, he caught movement to his right just in time to see another shinobi plunging a spear into his side. Mitsuyoshi roared in pain as he stumbled to his left, the shinobi primed to thrust the spear again, but this time when he did Mitsuyoshi rolled out of it's way grabbing hold of the spear he shoved the spear with all his might upwards and crashed it's pole into the face of the ninja, causing him to release the weapon and stumble back. Mitsuyoshi flipped the spear around and flung it at the man before he could recover, impaling the man right through the chest. He quicky turned his attention to the the last man in the room. "Mitsuyoshi!" a voice called, Ayame then tossed him his sword, the Kazega. Catching it, he swiftly drew it from it's scabbard and just in time held it up to block as the ninja's blade crashed against his own in a loud clang. Mitsuyoshi was able to deflect the blow of to the man's left, before recoiling and swiftly lunging forward, the Kazega's blade emitting his blue aura, slashed right through the man's sword and body entirely. It was not a pretty sight. Seemingly over he turned to check on Ayame if she was alright only to see her toss her Kunai right past him and striking another shinobi right through the left eye.



Just as he turned his attention back to her another shinobi cautiously emerged from around the corner of the hallway with a fukiya(blowgun) and before either of them knew it he fired a dart accurately in her neck. Mitsuyoshi swung around to engage the ninja, only to find him drop a couple of round objects on the floor. In a matter of seconds they erupted in a loud concussive pop, causing Mitsuyoshi to drop to the floor holding his ears. The room filled with smoke and the ninja had fled. At the sound of these first bombs, the shinobi down the hall engaging the Samurai did the same, before making their escape. Mitsuyoshi, his head aching and spinning crawled to Ayame as she lay there, realizing her situation he quickly cradled her in his arms and removed the dart. He could smell the foul scent of the poison from it before tossing it aside. "Why? Why Ayame?"



Tears flowing down her cheek she struggled to speak as the poison had begun to take effect. "Yas-yas-u-no-bu... My daught-t-er... he will... I-... wuv.... yo" excess drool flowed from her mouth as her body went limp, her eyes still gazing at him as the small wooden cat fell from her hands. Mitsuyoshi trembled as he puller her tight to him, rocking back and forth, his mouth agape as he tried to howl, but had no breath. He inhaled deeply and this time his howl roared and echoed throughout the castle hallways. He sobbed so violently and uncontrollably the halls trembled. Lady Akari pushed through the samurai that had gathered in the hallway, Lord Mitsutada soon after. Lady Akari dropped to her knees, sobbing next to Mitsuyoshi as she embraced him. It would later be determined that had Lady Ayame failed to do Lord Yasunobu order, she was the primary target of the Shinobi that were sent, to prevent her from talking, but Mitsuyoshi could not think of these things right then. Eventually his sobs and wailing would soften as it was all let out, but it was then that the energy in the room became dark. As he slowly rose with her still in his arms, before carefully and gently placing her on their bedding positiong her respectully with her arms laid beside her. Reaching over her grabbed his sword, returning it to it's sheath before tucking it in his obi. It was then that Akari and Mitsutada noticed the dark aura surrounding him and the pulsing of his veins on his arms and neck, and when he opened his eyes they were fully red.



"Mitsuyoshi! You musn't!" Mitsutada started as he attemped to stop him.



"Stay Back!" The demonic voice growled as he shoved his brother out the way.


The Samurai quickly moved to heed Mitsutada's command to prevent him from leaving, but they didn't stay in the way very long when Mitsuyoshi drew the Kazega, they weren't about to deal with that. Mitsuyoshi sent forth a large wind blade from his sword with a single swipe and smashed a hole in the wall of the 3rd floor hallway approximately 6 feet in diameter. Sheathing his sword, he took off running, leaping through the hole and past over the castle walls.


Through the night he ran at full speed, leaping through the forest and across the wild terrain, taking the direct route if it meant shortening the distance to Lord Yasunobu's castle in the Province west of Nishino. What would normally be a day's ride via the roads, he did in 4 hours time crossing the wild terrain. His rage surged his body forward and across the rough and varying terrain, but he did arrive. Standing atop the branch of an oak tree panting, as he observed Ishido castle in the middle of the large town of of the same name. Most of the town was still asleep at this hour of the morning, and the night had not begun to lift. He continued on through the town, stopping just outside the Castle gates. He drew his sword before him and roared as he sent several wind blades at the castle's gate, smashing right through the gates and the guard house above killing all the guards in his path. He casually walked past the the destruction cutting through the cowering guards as they tried to flee.



With the commotion the rest of the night watch surged down the road towards the gate house. Mitsuyoshi dashed down the narrow pathway to meet their formation head on with his sword in one hand he surged through the formation with such speed that the Samurai didn't know what happened as he slashed through their ranks with both his sword and claws. The Samurai that remained in front of him broke and dropped their spears and swords, but he didn't care. He leapt on the back of one the fleeing Samurai taking him face down to the ground, he reached under the man's neck, grasping his adam's apple and digging his claws in before tearing it from the man, killing the others that were fleeing with wind blades as it would have been time consuming to pursue them. He burst through the gate of the castle keep and found that the interior guard had assembled with 6 archers and spearmen in the hall's tight confines. The archers fired their barrage, Mitsuyoshi managed to deflect some of them but he caught 3 arrows, 2 in his torso and one in his thigh. He casually severed the arrow's ends of the two in upper body with a single motion of his sword as the arrow tips were ejected from the penetration wounds on his back. The Arrow in his thigh had struck the bone and without even flinching he pulled it from his thigh and tossed it aside before starting to approach.


The Spearmen surged forward infront of the archers to form a wall of spears, but it Mitsuyoshi cleared the formation with a singled wind blade and proceeded down halls. He could hear the commotion from Yasunobu's room as the Lord was losing his nerves, he could hear some of his retainers mentioning a secret escape passage. With that there was no time to waste, Mitsuyoshi sped up the stairs cutting down every guard he came upon and swiftly caught up to Yasunobu as he rounded the corner. He stood there silent, covered in blood, his eyes glowing, blood still dripping from his claws. The escort rushed forward urging their lord to escape, but before they could even become an annoyance, Mitsuyoshi had rushed and slashed through them. "You three." He growled in his inhuman voice as he pointed at Yasunobu's two remaining guards and Chief Retainer Hidemoto Omura. "If you value your lives and your bloodline, leave and no one need know you were here at this moment."


With that being said the two guards dropped their weapons and ran, they needed no convincing, seeing this too Omura, apologizing and bowing to Yasunobu, fled with the guards. Seeing his position now hopeless Yasunobu dropped to his knees and begged for mercy. Mitsuyoshi sheathed his sword as he approach Yasunobu and suddnely grasped him by the throat and lifted him off the ground as liquid dribbled onto the floor. "You Bastard.... You worm... Is your lust for power so great that you would threaten a little girl and k-" his voice broke as the pain of Ayame's death wrenched him again.


"I-I-t was j-ust poli-t-tics" Yasunobu studdered, his voice strained as the hanyou's grip was firm.


Mitsuyoshi snarled as he squeezed tighter, digging his claws into yasunobu's skin just enough to draw blood, when a voice came from behind him. "why are you playing with Uncle Yasu so late at night?"


Glancing over his shoulder he saw the figure of a young girl, still dressed in her bed time kimono. "Mommy said it's not good to play late at night because the obake will come out and eat you."


The urge to kill Yasunobu was hard to overcome, but something in him told him to let him go. He felt his rage begin to subside and his eyes turned back to normal, With his left hand and using his claws he tore the sleeve off of Yasunobu's yukata, before releasing Yasunobu to collapse into his own puddle of urine. Wiping the blood from his face and hands, he tossed the cloth on the huddled form of Yasunobu before turning to face the little girl. He knelt before here. "What is your name?


"Hanako. What's yours?" the child asked shyfully looking down.


"Mitsuyoshi. I believe this belongs to you." he removed something from a pouch on his waist.


"My Kitty!" the little girl gasped in joy looking up at Mitsuyoshi as she took it. "Do you know my mommy?"


He choked back his emotions but managed to reply. "Yes little one... I do."


"One day my Mommy is going to come back and we will be together and she won't have to go away anymore." Hanako went on.


Yasunobu trembled and backed away as Mitsuyoshi turned and approached him. Kneeling close to the cowering, once all powerful lord, he spoke. "You do not deserve to live, but for her sake I will not kill you here and now, but know that you live on borrowed time." his voice low and soft so that Hanako could not hear. With that said he walked over and scooped the young girl up into his arms. "Come, let us go and see your Mommy once again." he said much to Hanako's delight. "Are you a kitty? You have ears like a kitty." the little girl asked as she petted his ears. "No, I'm not." he chuckled as she continued to talk on and on. He made every attempt to avoid the areas with the gruesome scenes so that Hanako would be spared the traumatic images.


The sun began to crest over the horizon as Mitsuyoshi and Hanako left the town of Ishido, but they were beheld by another surprising sight coming over the hill infront of them. It was a formation of cavalry that stopped at it's peak and the banner they flew was the familiar War Fan of the Nagano Clan crest. He recognized the leader that sat at it's head, garbed in full armor, his helmet with the ox horns. "Oi Mitsuyoshi! I think you'll be pleased to know that we were able to link the dead shinobi to a clan that has been known to work with the Kashiyama and with this information we sent an envoy to the Hosokawa to inform them that this was a retaliation and a service for them. The Hosokawa should receive our notice shortly. ehh there is a bit more to it, but I'll tell you about that later."


"Mitsutada, why do you always show up after I do all the work?" Mitsuyoshi whined.


"Oi, I'm still your Lord." He retorted, as he watched his brother straighten and about to bow to apologize, his seriousness melted into a smile and laugh for giving his brother a scare. "Moritomo is bringing up the rest of the Army, but I wanted to personally lead the vanguard to come to your rescue."



"Like I needed to be rescued." Mitsuyoshi shot back before starting down the road again.



"Wait." Mitsutada motioned to his war staff and a rider approached with a spare horse. "Take this, it's a long way back and I think she could use it." he pointed to the sleepy child in Mitsuyoshi's arms.


Mitsuyoshi bowed his head in thanks as he raised the dozy Hanako onto the saddle, before mounting just behind her and taking the reigns. "Thanks brother..."


"What of Yasunobu? Where is his head?" Mitsutada inquired.


"He Lives and is still cowering in his own filth in his castle. I couldn't kill him in front of her, even if he deserved it." Mitsuyoshi replied nodding to the sleepy Hanako.


Mitsutada was impressed at how much discipline and control his brother had come to wield over his demon side. He nodded before drawing his war fan and opening it. "Yosh! Ikuzo!" he bellowed out loudly for his men as he waved the fan forward. At that the van guard responded with a loud motivated cheer as they moved in to mop up what remained of Yoshinobu's garrison force and the castle, while Mitsuyoshi proceeded down the road with Hanako, heading back home to Nishino.

It would later come to pass that the message that was relayed to the Hosokawa, would reveal that the Kashiyama Clan had attempted to assassinate Lord Mitsutada and conspired to make it look like the Hosokawa had ordered it, so that the Nagano clan would move to ally with the Yamana clan and attack the Hosokawa. This manipulation of the facts and the manufacture of the conspiracy was the brilliant suggestion by Lady Akari from her years of silently witnessing the politics of the time as a simple and unimportant priestess. The plan would work as the Hosokawa had already held many suspicions of the Kashiyama for their constant involvement in harboring rumors and political manipulation within the bakufu as a result, The Hosokawa would not send aid to the Kashiyama.



Mitsutada would capture Ishido castle and also Lord Yasunobu with little resistance and Yasunobu would be executed and his head would be displayed at the main gate of the castle. This, however, would not be the end of the conflict as the remnants of the Kashiyama clan under the leadership of Yasunobu's son, Yasunori, rallied at his castle. Yasunori, impatient to wait for completely consolidating his forces, would lead a counter attack in an attempt to recapture Ishido castle, confident that their superior numbers would surely defeat the Nagano forces. but the ineptitude of Yasunori as a military mind, ordered his entire army to pursue Mitsutada's fvanguard as they fled from Ishido. Against the please of his Generals, Yasunori ordered them forward and as his armies pursued into the forest, they were met by a hail of arrows from all sides before waves of samurai surged from behind the bushes and trees. Yasunori's war staff and his generals barely escaped the ambush as they fled through the rapidly closing gap from which they came. His army became completely surrounded and victory for the Nagano Clan was assured.


Yasunori would be hunted and pursued by Mitsutada's forces over the next several days to the next week, until finally they caught up to his body. Yasunori had been ambushed by a band of peasants in the woods who sought to steal their armor and swords to be traded for much needed food. The peasants would be run off, but Yasunori's head would be taken and brought back to display before Mitsutada as proof of the end of the Kashiyama.


For their conquests and their service to the Hosokawa by vanquishing the Kashiyama and their treacherous ways, the Hosokawa granted the Nagano Clan dominion over all the lands of the Kashiyama and also become the vassals of the larger Hosokawa. With such glory and honor, many in the Nagano clan would come to benefit as so much new offices would be established to administer the many new domains that they acquired. Two years later, at the end of Mitsuyoshi's mitigated punishment, Mitsutada assigned Mitsuyoshi as Governor of in the far off Northern Mountain Frontier of the Suwa lands which lay to Nishino's east. To most it seemed like an insult and a demotion to be granted such a desolate and small civil location. The castle was simple yet strategically built in a Mountain pass making fulll use of the forest and mountain as it's natural foritifcations. Most of the populace in that area was sparse and consisted mostly of wood gatherers and hunters. Mitsutada's reason for this, however lowly and desolate posting, had more to do with keeping his brother further away from the politics and power of the Hosokawa clan, Yamana clan, the Ashikaga Shogunate, and even the Imperial court itself who had all begun to take an interest. All who would seek to increase their power and edge of the others.


Mitsuyoshi had adopted Ayame's daughter Hanako and they, along with Lady Akari, would proceed to their northern posting. Former Captain of Archers, Buntarou Tachibana, would become Mitsuyoshi's Chief Retainer to aid him in governing the Northern mountain outpost. He was given a garrison of 400 Samurai. Life at this outpost was peaceful, among such breath taking scenery of the mountains and forest, it served as a well deserved break to be far from the politics and dramas that waged in the West and subsequently affected life in Nishino. Mitsuyoshi was still missed Ayame and was plagued by bouts of sadness from time to time, but Hanako often melted those sad and lonely feelings. With Her youthful exuberance, innocence, and curiosity she had filled these painful gaps within him by occupying his mind more than the sadness. Unfortunately, soon fate would turn against Mitsuyoshi yet again.


Mitsutada's attempts to distance his brother from the politics would be in vain, as Tensions grew between the Hosokawa and the Yamana over the right to the Shogunate as Shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga had planned to retire. Yoshimasa had no sons to inherit the position, so he had named his brother Yoshimi as his heir, but a year later Yoshimasa's wife bore him a son and she had attempted to get her son, Yoshihisa, named as heir, but Shogun Yoshimasa Ashikaga declined to decree and retired anyway leaving the matter to be settled by his brother. With the Tensions between all of the factions, Mitsutada had been courted by the Yamana to switch sides. Concerned that Mitsutada could switch and with him Mitsuyoshi, The Hosokawa resolved to deny their rivals the potential gain of the hanyou. If war came, they would settle it the old fashioned way by and with the blood of humans. Mitsutada received a direct command from the Hosokawa to produce the head of Mitsuyoshi and present it before Katsumoto Hosokawa as proof of his clan's devotion to the Hosokawa or else they would be considered an enemy.


Troubled by the motion, but even more loyal to his brother since his brush with death following the drama with Yasunobu, he convened and emergency meeting with Mitsuyoshi, Buntarou, and Lady Akari, and those closest to him in his own court, but time was of the essence as the Hosokawa required a response by dawn of the next day. They spent hours debating and racking their brains, with some suggesting that Mitsuyoshi willingly sacrifice himself, to which he almost agreed, until Sir Buntarou Tachibana who had remained silent in thought through most of the arguments, spoke. "My Lord.." He bowed to Mitsutada and then to Mitsuyoshi, "...Perhaps we should agree to the Hosokawa demand..." He was interrupted by the outrage of one of the generals only for that general to be waved off from his interjection by Mitsutada.


"... As I was saying.... Perhaps we give into the Hosokawa demand, but with Lord Mitsuyoshi's annual approaching, we can convince them to wait as it would be easier to kill him when he is turned human."


Lord Mitsutada sat back, perplexed. Where was he getting at?


"... but in stead, we decapitate the head of a convicted criminal and store it in near to an oven, allow it to decay to at which point it would be unrecognizable, and we submit it to the Hosokawa as our proof. Meanwhile Lord Mitsuyoshi can go into hiding and exile." Buntarou's idea got everyone thinking about it, and finally the conference begun to move forward.


Mitsuyoshi proposed that he himself be sealed in a secretly built beneath Nishino Castle until it was safe to return, because if he just simply went into exile the risk of discovery would be too great, but if he remained hidden right underneath the noses of everyone no one would suspect.


A plan was eventually decided upon using Mitsuyoshi and Buntarou's suggestions, but it was Akari who would propose that she would put him to a deep sleep using an ancient ritual from the text of Abe no Seimei so that he did not starve or go mad from isolation. The Hosokawa was informed, much to their surprise they agreed if it meant avoiding the half demon from turning against the Nagano clan and subsequently themselves in anger at such a betrayal. It was better to wait until he was vulnerable.


Mitsuyoshi dressed in his full suit of armor entering the former room within the dungeon that would become his tomb. He placed his Kabuto on it's stand next to the futon that he would sit. Kneeling next to Hanako he embraced the young girl one last time. "I must go to sleep for some time, but I will awake one day and we will see each other again." He told.


"But I don't want you to go to sleep, Mommy went to sleep but never woke up." She broke from his embrace, distressed from the news.


"I promise to you, Hanako. I will come back, but I must sleep so that you, Uncle Mitsutada, and Aunty Akari will all be safe from the bad men." His eyes glazed, He wished it hadn't come to this, because he did not like to see her suffer, but if he didn't do this, doom was certain for everyone. He pulled her into him in another deep embrace as his closed his eyes to stop the tears that welled in his eyes before they could fall. With that He gently released her and stood. Turning and walking to the futon, he removed his wakizashi and placed it on it's stand in front of his Kabuto; he then removed the Kazega and he took his seat in meditation style, resting his back against the wall of the room. Holding his sword between his legs and resting against his left shoulder.


Hanako rushed over to him and hugged him one more time before handing him her little cat toy. "Kitty will keep you company when you are sleeping and keep all the obake away." she told him.


"I'm sure he will." Mitsuyoshi replied as the General Tadahiro Morikawa, gently escorted her from the room and back to the living areas of the castle.


After which all non essential personnel left the room while Lady Akari would begin the ritual. She took her position sitting within the 5 pointed star that she had painted on the floor earlier. The 5 points of the Taoist symbol represented 5 phases: Fire, Earth, Water, Wood, and Metal. She retrieved a paper talisman from the sleeve of her kimono. She held her hand out to Mitsutada, and he handed her the ink brush. Taking the brush she scribbled a series of characters of which neither Mitsutada nor Buntarou could recognize. She handed the ink brush back to Mitsutada before she signaled to Buntarou "Please hand me the arrow." the samurai drew and handed her an arrow from his quiver. She blew gently not only to dry the ink, but also to transmit her own life force and energy onto it. It was at this point that she began to chant in a language that wasn't familiar to neither of the men in the room. She then proceeded to wrap the talisman around the tail of the arrow just above it's feathers. Spiraling the base of the arrow's tail tightly.


She then dipped her free hand into a bucket of ice cold fresh water, gently shaking off most of the excess and leaving her hand moist. With her hand still moist she grasped the tail end of the arrow and ran it down it's length stopping only at the base of it's head. Carefully she turned the arrow, before positioning it, and pricking her palm quickly drawing blood. With that same palm she gently grasped the arrowhead to ensure that it would be covered by her blood. Grasping the tail of the arrow between the fingers of her right hand she then clapsed both of her hands together keeping the arrow held between her fingers running parallel to her index and middle fingers rich remained together but pointed outwards as she continued to chant.



The arrow began to emit pinkish aura as the 5 pointed star on the floor began to glow in a bluish white light, which quickly grew bright enough to light up the dimly lit room. Mitsutada and Buntarou stumbled back and shielded their eyes; neither men had never seen such a ritual before. Mitsuyoshi shielded his eyes but was not as surprised as the others. He'd witnessed Lady Akari perform similar rituals before, mostly excorcisms, when he'd occassionally accompanied her as a child. The light from the star quickly subsided and all that remained lit were the candles that lit the room and the aura surrounding the arrow. Akari approached Mitsuyoshi, kneeling to meet his level and held the arrow out resting on her fingers. "Touch the Talisman." she instructed him. Hesitantly, not sure what to expect, he reached forward and grasped the area of the arrow that was wrapped with the talisman. Suddenly, and anticlimactically, the aura was snuffed out the moment his grip enclosed over it. "It's finished." she said moved back


"That's it?" Mitsuyoshi inquired as Mitsutada and Buntarou looked at each other not quite sure what to expect, when suddenly she thust the arrow right through just below his right shoulder blade. Mitsuyoshi's eyes went wide in shock as he gasped at the sudden puncture and pain that accompanied it, but it quickly faded and he felt no pain. Suddenly his eyes became heavy and his mind went drowsy and he quickly passed out into Lady Akari's shoulder. She embraced him and whispered into his ear softly "I love you my son, sleep well until one day we will meet again."


Mitsutada and Buntaro were in shock. "Lady Akari! You weren't supposed to kill him!" Mitsutada blurted out.


"He's alive, just sleeping. He will be immune from starvation and thirst until he is awoken." Akari replied as she carefully and gently laid Mitsuyoshi back against the wall, still sitting upright. The arrow remained imbedded in him but no blood flowed. She rose to her feet and took the bucket of water, pouring it's contents into a teapot, before dipping her own pierced hand into it as well, as she did this there was quick flash of the same pink aura before she then removed her hand. She carefully placed the teapot on a raised tray next to the sword stand, before taking the ink brush from Mitsutada again and writing on the wall. "Life flows through water; Water flows through all life." With that, concluded the ritual. She ushered Lord Mitsutada and Buntaro out of the room and the Laborers were instructed to close it. The Laborers carefully laid stone bricks over the exit before the carpenters constructed a wooden wall that matched the rest of the castle hallway and concealed the existence of the room. The Laborers and Carpenters who took part in the secret construction, were all slain to ensure their silence.


As was planned, Lord Mitsutada presented the decayed severed head to the envoy sent by the Hosokawa, apologizing for it's decay and stating that no matter the efforts made to preserve it, it would not keep. Likely because it was of demon blood. The Envoy would return to the Hosokawa with the head, but it would never be presented because of it's putrid status. The Hosokawa took Mitsutada for his word as thus far to them he had been extremely honest, or so they believed. Hanako would be adopted and lived under the care of Buntarou's family, where she would later take his name. Mitsutada would go on to rule over his domains for 2 more years until war broke out in 1467, in what would later be known as the Onin war. The Nagano clan would muster and go on to fight on the Hosokawa's side against the Yamana clan, but The Nagano clan, weakened from ferocious fighting in the capital against the Yamana, would return to Nishino and be later ultimately defeated by a new faction that had developed as a result of the war's onslaught, the Ikko Ikki. The Ikko Ikki started as a band of monks following the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism and lead by their leader Renmyo and the group opposed the rule of the Daimyo across the country. With the hardships The Onin war had caused among many of the peasants and lower rungs of society many flocked and found refuge, security, and strength with the Ikko Ikki and swelled their ranks in their own resentment of the Daimyo.


Nishino Castle would be placed under siege and later sacked as the Army of the Nagano clan had yet to recover from it's previous battles. Mitsutada had made a last stand in the hall leading to the dungeons, specifically in the very hallway that led to where his brother's hidden tomb, but he would eventually be overwhelmed and ultimately killed there. His intentions may have been to attempt to revive his brother in their desperate fight, but his reasons would never ever be known to any as no one on his war staff would survive to tell. The Nagano clan would break and scatter across Japan, those that didn't commit seppuku, went on to serve other lords and join other clans. Some would go on to become monks, or join the Ikko Ikki in their campaign, but ultimately the Onin war, which waged for 10 years, would bring about the end of the Muromachi Period and usher in the Sengoku Period.

Buntarou would go on to live and continue to serve the Hosokawa clan, taking his family including young Hanako with him. Buntarou would go on to fight many battles for the Hosokawa and win much regard from them, until he too was killed in battle. Hanako and Buntarou's family would live in relative peace and comfort for the rest of their lives as a reward for Buntarou's valiant and loyal service. Hanako would eventually grow to be a fine young woman and marry into another Samurai family. She would pass away at the age of 76, having never got to see Mitsuyoshi again.

For 100 years, Mitsuyoshi slept in the tomb beneath the remains of the aged Nishino Castle, in it's slowly decaying state from a century of neglect, ramaining in the pose he had been left in, as a warrior who served his Lord and Clan honorably, awaiting the day that the spell would be lifted and he would be aroused from his slumber to continue to serve. After the battle and over the next 100 years, the castle had largely remained abandoned, and most of it's dead still lay where they fell. This was largely because the castle had an ominous aura about it, or so the religious Ikko Ikki invaders had claimed. The town of Nishino had been completely destroyed and it's citizens had long since passed or moved on.


However, as for Lady Akari, little is known about what happened to her. The day that Mitsuyoshi was entombed, she had mysteriously disappeared in the dead of the night, never to be heard from or seen again. The Priestesses at the Ikeda Shrine in Nishino, for which she was supposedly the head of, claimed to have no record of her at all and could not identify her despite being described in incredible detail by Mitsutada. It was as if she didn't exist at all, yet all who had met and encountered her could still recall her every detail and personality and were certain that she did indeed exist, but the more Mitsutada and his men dug into her past, they could find no record nor mention of her in any of the colleges of priests in Kyoto as well.