Opening Lotus

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Chapter 2

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Author's Notes: Wow, this is a pretty fast update for me. I haven't written in awhile, either…so I guess I'm just bursting with ideas or something. Thank you for the reviews!

Ratings For This Chapter: G

Warnings For This Chapter: None.

Disclaimer: I do not own Japan, Mountains, or SamuraiWar RPG. I also do not own Tea. Thankyou.

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Opening the door slowly, it creaked as it swung.

She now found herself in a long hall, the floors of a deep mahogany color, shining. She knew that Lord Takeshi had money… but she was always surprised when she stepped into his halls. It was like being struck down with all the wealth he had possessed in his earlier life as a Daimyo (1), and now as an Emperor. Had he been a Shogun (2) once as well? The question only puzzled her as she strode down the hallway. She knew where the meeting would be held…in the door to the right…the one with the clan's name on it.

"The Silent Wind of Fate" was inscribed in golden letters on the door elegantly polished and shining with icy warmth. She didn't know why this is the name Takeshi had given this clan, but she knew that it foretold of great things, even in its name. She was glad to be a part of those great things indeed… for it gave a reason for her existence…even when she was a wanderer…she never had a fixed home before here. Never had she felt…excepted as she does now…with this clan…with these people. It's hard to realize that she had only been here a year.

Opening the door with a slight strength of will, she stepped into a much lighter room, with a window overlooking the small village. There wasn't very many people in this clan as of yet…but she knew by the countenances around her that they had great things in their minds for what they should do to achieve the greatness that they expected to eventually gain within this place. How they eventually felt that they could be the top…the greatest clan in all of Japan. A small smile softened her features as she bowed to Takeshi, and to Rikimaru, his Shogun, kneeling beside of Harumi at the low table.

Everyone was now here, seated around the table, watching to see what their leader would say. He smiled, taking a cup of tea for himself and sipping it, before lifting up his dark eyes again. "For a long time we have been at peace with the clans that share our borders, but there were a few squabbles in the past week that must be contend with. Word of these squabbles has reached my ears…and if any of you wish to go on special missions or quests for the good of this clan, please present the option of it to me before you act, so that I can give you a measure of protection if I may, and maybe prevent you from getting killed."

Taki looked down, her ears burning. She knew that he was speaking about what she had done… but did some of the others also do this? Did they go and try to spy and things just so that they could understand the way that a potential "enemy" must work? If she had been the only one, she was sure that Takeshi would've spoken to her privately, or had Rikimaru to do it, or something… nothing public…this wasn't his way. Chewing on her bottom lip slightly, she raised her head back to gaze at their leader as the others were. He was wearing a simple grey robe, his hair pulled back in to a low ponytail. It was plain that he was wise, even though the years did not weigh heavily upon him. A wise youth he seemed, as he sat there, conversing to them about different things of the village life, and how they were to only get revenge on people that they knew had dishonorably attacked them, and not ones that attacked them honorably, or for some gain or purpose of their own clan.

Her ears burned again at this. She had done this thing exactly to this "Mithrandir" that she had fought. She had actually found it funny on some points when she would knock him unconscious, and then steal his money. Sometimes she had actually laughed. She hadn't really needed the money or anything…she had just been bored. Sporting with him. Sighting a bit, she took some tea, and sipped it softly, looking at the rest of the people at the meeting. There were Takeshi and Rikimaru, and beside them were the Daimyo's… one who called herself "OldMischief"…. One whose name was so unpronounceable that everyone just called him "Wing" and another that called himself "Doktor," who had healing arts above the rest of the one's in the clan, rivaling even the Emperor in some aspects. There was also her and Harumi, the Samurai (3)of the village. Then last were the three peasants (4). Their names were "Pilarsh," "Dulzo," and one who had just become a member of the clan, "Kei Kun." So, all in all, there were only 10 of them, though they were a very honorable ten, they couldn't really say that they had "strength in numbers." It was more like "strength in honor and loyalty." She doubted a bit that Kei Kun would be very loyal…or even Wing. Neither of them said very much…but then again, they might just have had a rough background or something, and chose to remain silent. It was really none of her business anyway…

The meeting was over in a few minutes.

As they stood up to go, Takeshi stopped her. "Taki-san, please stay afterwards, I wish to speak with you,"

Nodding her head, she stayed where she was, standing near the doorway, though taking a few steps more into the room, curiosity shining in her dark eyes.

After everyone else had left, he looked at her, and smiled. "You have been advancing in techniques and levels greatly so far, you should keep up the good work."

She smiled, and said nothing.

"Though, I know that most of the squabbles that I spoke of were mostly your fault…"

"…Sir..?"

"Yes, I know that you went out and basically kept on "picking on" a certain member of the Dikjimin Clan, and I wish for you to stop. It is not very honorable for you to do these things, even if you do feel that it is for the good of this clan. We will not risk open war with them. They are stronger than us, and we would surely lose. I feel hope in my people that we will one day be stronger, but I do not feel that we should squabble with them so much when we are but 10 banded people." He looked up into her eyes. "Do you understand this, Taki?"

"Yes, Sir. Please forgive me."

"You are forgiven. Just remember that if you wish to go into their territory again, and to spy, or do whatever quest, to see me first…and I shall aid you, or help you with your plans," He smiled at her. "You do not always need to be alone in what you do…we are hear to help you." He placed a hand on her shoulder, and squeezed lightly.

Smiling softly, she nodded, gazing into his eyes. "Thank you, Sir, I will try to do my best, and I will remember that."

Nodding, he dismissed her, going back to his table, and watching her bow, and take leave. A very interesting one…I wonder where she came from…she testifies to amnesia…but I think that she might remember yet who she really is… He thought, as he looked out over the mountains. It would be winter soon, the air already getting colder… "Ah well…even the winter is beautiful here…" He said, and sighed, drinking some more of his tea, before setting his cup back down, and going into the halls. He had much thinking to do, and time was growing thin for him to do it. He must make a decision on what to do… on how to act against this oncoming storm…

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Notes:

1. Daimyo: Japanese feudal lord which was the vassal of the Emperor.

2. Shogun: Japanese military commander who ruled the country under the nominal rule of an Emperor.

3. Samurai: An aristocratic Japanese Warrior.

4. Peasants:A member of a class of people living in rural areas who are engaged in agricultural laboring or are small farmers.

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To Be Continued…