Chapter 7: A Dignified Visitor
Momozigo had finished going over a list of promising new recruits for the Coliseum and was looking forward to seeing how they fared during the next event they had planned. While he doubted that they had the same kind of style as his former two travelling companions did, he was looking forward to a little bit of action, for things have been too quiet around here as of late.
He rubbed his tired eyes and was just planning on going and ordering an early lunch when something unexpected happened.
"Excuse me?"
He looked up at the voice and saw a young woman dressed in long, flowing robes. But these were very different from the kind of spellcasting robes that he was used to seeing, and he realized that they were more kimonos than robes… while a familiar-looking weapon hung at her side.
The woman's long, black hair was tied into a tight braid and she carried herself with a very dignified air as she politely bowed before him. He blinked as he realized that Musosai used to do that as well whenever he greeted someone.
"Ah, yes?" he asked, wondering just who she was. "Is there something that I can help you with, Miss? You lost or…?"
"Yes," she answered as she stood up, "I believe that you are Master Momozigo, correct? If you are, could you please help me in locating someone? I am here looking for an elder who hails from my native homeland in the Far East. He goes by Master Musosai. I was told that he was here and that you know him?"
Momozigo's eyes widen at the name and coughed a little before he was able to ask, hoping that he wasn't as nervous as he sounded, "May I ask who is calling for him?"
She then explained, "Ah, my apologies. My name is Makoto and I have the honor of being an acquaintance of his. I am here looking Musosai, for you see, an urgent matter has occurred back in Hingashi and I had come here seeking his aid."
Momozigo was now at a complete lost as to what to do. The truth was that old Musosai had died not too long ago, but he knew not just what this woman's connection was to him. Just an acquaintance? Was she a friend of his? Or even a family member perhaps? Either way, he didn't have the heart to tell her the truth. He merely cleared his throat and informed her that Musosai was no longer here.
When she asked if he knew when he would return or where she could find him, Momozigo couldn't answer and she had decided to look about town for him. Well, that was going to be a long wait. He rubbed his chin as she left through the doors, wondering how he should break the truth to her when he spotted a familiar face just entering the tavern through another door. He blinked once, and then twice, just to make sure that he wasn't seeing things, but he then broke out into a wide grin when he saw that he wasn't.
"Oh, Claire!" he called waving her over.
Claire glanced up when she heard her name, smiling warmly at the sight of him there before she walked over to greet him.
"It's so good to see you again, my friend!" he said grinning. "And may I say that you seem to be doing well for yourself."
She certainly seemed to be doing very well. There was a bright shine to her eyes and she was dressed in beautifully light armor that glinted as she walked, while the katana at her side was looking like it had always been there.
"I have been. I'm planning to head to Gyr Albania soon," she explained calmly, "I was just in town looking for some materials. I was planning on forging a new katana for myself."
"I'm glad to hear that," he informed her as he looked to her old katana hanging at her hip, and he could see that it was looking rather beat up at this point. "And I see that you have been remaining vigilant, huh? The old man would be proud."
They spent a few minutes catching up with each other, and he only realized just how quiet things had been around here without her and Musosai. He must consider going out on another journey soon. But after they got reacquainted, he suddenly remembered Makoto and he knew that he couldn't let her stay here any longer without her knowing the truth.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," he informed Claire. "A woman had come calling on Musosai at the inn. Judging by her appearance, she's a compatriot and a samurai."
Claire looked surprised by this turn of events and he explained, "At the time, I couldn't bring myself to break the news to her. But in hindsight, perhaps it's best that it came from you anyway, seeing as you were Musosai's pupil."
He didn't like leaving such a sad task to her, but he felt that their guest may appreciate it more if it came from Claire instead of someone like him. Claire didn't look happy about this either, but she nodded in agreement and he gave her an appreciative smile.
"The visitor is in front of the Quicksand. You'll recognize her by her dignified air," he told her and she nodded again, promising that she would let him know how it went when she returned. He stood there and watched her head to the doors, a part of him wishing that he could go out through them as well and taste more of the fresh air that came with a mission to punish the wicked.
Though, perhaps he didn't miss the danger that came with it.
*Makoto*
Makoto stood outside the inn that was called the Quicksand as she tried to weigh her options. She had always known that it wasn't going to be easy, nor did not expect to be able to find Master Musosai right away. She had tried to follow his tracks as best as she could, including leaving on the same ship that he once took weeks ago and arriving at the same port that he apparently stepped off of. She spoke with many of the crewmates during her voyage and a few of them remarked seeing an elderly warrior, but could not confirm for her if it was truly the samurai she sought. Yet, they did inform her that he disembarked at Vesper Bay in Eorzea, so she should try the desert city of Ul'dah… which seemed the best place for her to start.
So after she disembarked, she headed straight towards the city—struck by the sheer beauty and size of such a grand city of stone and full appreciated just how far away from home she truly was. Still, she kept her mind focused on her reason for coming.
Makoto immediately began her search by asking as many people as she could about having seen Master Musosai and to her amazement, she found that the driver of a carriage informed her how he had driven an old friend of his and an elder from the Far East to the city himself. When she asked him more, he told her that he believed that they sought room at an inn called the Quicksand and that she was to ask for Momozigo—the friend who was with the samurai at the time.
She did just as she was told, but when she met with Momozigo, she learnt that Musosai was no longer here. What was she supposed to do now?
She would occasionally stop someone who walked by the inn, asking if they had seen an old samurai in these parts of late. She had gotten lucky to learn that there had been an elderly samurai some few weeks ago at the Coliseum, but he had disappeared from the city not long after that.
Which was strange to her. He did not seem the type of man who would put himself on display for a crowd like that. When she asked them more about it, it seemed that he was testing himself against swordsmen with great potential and had left after one won his challenge.
In fact, she ended up meeting someone who had seen him fight in the arena and he spared no detail in how he fought. From his description, it left little doubt in her mind that it had been Master Musosai who had been there. Yet all she knew for sure was that he had most certainly stayed here at this inn for a time, but it had been awhile since he seen.
She was just beginning to consider if she should risk leaving and search the city when someone stepped outside the inn at that moment and approached. She almost didn't see the woman approach for her footsteps were as light as a Shinobi's, but she greeted her politely when she found her.
"Hm?" she asked in surprise before realizing that this woman was wearing a katana at her hip and was carrying herself with the stance that was different from the people that came and went about her—but all too common back in Kugane.
"You appear to be a samurai, yet you are not of our land," Makoto stated as she looked her up and down. "May I ask who addresses me?"
"My name is Claire," Claire answered her with a soft voice. "I was told that you were here in search of Master Musosai?"
Makoto was astonished as Claire explained her connection to the old samurai, explaining that she had been chosen as his pupil.
"Well, that you should be Master Musosai's pupil!" Makoto gasped in pleasure, sure that if there was anyone here who could give her answers, it was her, "Tell me, where might I find him?"
That was when Claire's eyes sadden and at the sight, Makoto felt her own smile fade. She knew that look, understanding what had to have happened even before Claire informed her of the sad truth. Claire told her everything. How she had met Master Musosai at the Coliseum, who had been there testing swordsmen in the hopes of finding a promising pupil. In the end, he had chosen her after he saw her using a katana and they began their journey together as master and pupil. She also added that the Lalafell that she spoke to earlier had been their guide and traveled with them across Eorzea and of the good they had done. But when they reached the lands of Coerthas, they learned of how Master Musosai was seriously ill and of his true purpose for coming here.
It broke her heart to learn of what Master Musosai had to go through, and of the pain that it must have caused Claire to have learned that her master was secretly training her to take his life. But she couldn't help but find the tiniest bit of relief when she learned of how the master had died and that he was at peace at that moment.
"…Is that the way of it? Words cannot well express my sorrow," she said, feeling tears burning at the corners of her eyes when Claire explained how she and Master Momozigo had buried Master Musosai at a place called the Silver Bazaar.
"I had the honor of being acquainted with your master in the past," she explained before realizing that she had yet to even tell Claire her name. She cleared her throat and bowed respectfully as she told her, "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Makoto of the Sekiseigumi. Ours is the peacekeeping force of Kugane, a port city in Hingashi. I journeyed across the seas hoping to meet with Master Musosai, but it seems I must settle for paying my respects."
When she raised her head she then asked humbly, "Might I trouble you to show me to his resting place? The Silver Bazaar, you called it?"
Claire nodded, telling her that it wasn't too far from here and that she would be happy to show her.
"I am in your debt," Makoto said, "Let us away, then."
They left the inn together and walked through the streets, which Makoto could not help but stare about in amazement—having never seen anything like it. It was so different from Kugane, but just as wondrous in her opinion.
Claire led her out of one of the gates, telling her that he was buried in a quiet location that overlooked the ocean, as was his wishes.
Makoto nodded and thanked her once more as she followed her down a long flight of stone steps that would bring them to the hard, dry ground of the desert.
Still, it seemed odd to her. Master Musosai was known for many things as he traveled throughout Hingashi, and being extraordinarily selective about his pupils was one of those. There had only ever been one person that he ever took on as a pupil… until now apparently. Makoto wasn't sure what to believe. At first, she wondered that it may be some kind of trick or a trap… but what good would that be? She only arrived in these lands this morning after all and it wasn't like she carried much money with her? The only valuable thing she had was her katana… but that was when she looked to Claire's own katana and wondered how else would she be carrying around such a weapon unless she spoke the truth?
But as they finished descending the stairs and took a path that would lead them a little further west, she realized that they would have a chance to test that theory. For soon a pack of wolves seemed to appear out of nowhere, their teeth flashing and claws drawn. Makoto's hands reached for the hilt of her sword out of instinct, but she made no effort to draw it as she decided that she would find out right now. If Claire spoke the truth… she would have no problem dealing with such wild beasts… if she had been lying about knowing Master Musosai… then she would find out.
But Claire's expression didn't change as she walked forward, seemingly waiting for the beasts to come for her. Makoto tried to call out to her, but she needn't have worried for she watched how Claire drew her blade and ran at the creatures.
And in that moment, she was sorry for ever doubting her.
She had seen the master's techniques herself a few times before and she knew that she could never mistake them. This foreign samurai moved with the exact same amount of elegance and strength that the master was so well-known for. She used the katana like it was a part of her very arm and spun about as if she had used it her entire life.
In no time, she brought the wolves down and expertly swung the blade about before resheathing it calmly at her side. She then turned around and when she realized that Makoto hadn't moved she informed her, "It's safe to pass."
Makoto realized that she had been standing there with her mouth wide open the whole time and closed it as she gave her head a little shake.
"There is no mistaking your bladework—indeed, Master Musosai trained you," she said with certainty, taking a few steps towards her, "Forgive me for standing idle as you fought, but I had to make certain that you spoke the truth."
Claire arched an eyebrow at the statement and said, "What reason would I have had to lie?"
Makoto quickly explained, "Master Musosai seldom took on pupils, you see. But any doubt I may have harbored has been utterly dispelled. Now then, let us continue on."
Instead of suspicions, Makoto was beginning to ask more about the journey she had with Master Musosai. Claire gave her an explanation, from the moneylender in Ul'dah, to the serial killer in city on the sea, to even their own Momozigo's troubled past in the thick forests… before he finally met his end in the snows far to the north of here.
She listened with ever growing wonder and she knew that she had to be speaking the truth from the way that she described Master Musosai. It also pained her to hear how ill the master had been by the time came that he would ask of his pupil to perform her final duty as his student.
But she should not feel such. Thanks to her, the dear old man had found a measure of peace while on the brink of death that no one else could have given him.
"Do not apologize. That is the way that he wanted it. In truth, I am glad," Makoto informed her softly. "After all, you were there for Master Musosai and took care of him throughout his entire journey here, and for that I am grateful."
"I did not do much," Claire sighed. "Had I known what he would ask of me…?"
She fell silent as Makoto nodded.
"Do not feel that way," Makoto informed her. "It was the right thing to do. Master Musosai was not a monster, nor do I believe for a moment that he wished to harm you, or even to have deceived his true intentions. But he had his reasons for doing so. And he had faith in you from the beginning. Otherwise, he would not have taught you in the way of the katana."
Claire turned her piercing gazed at her as Makoto explained, "Our customs are very different from yours. But in our lands, even if Master Musosai wasn't the one who had killed those people in person, the fact is he taught his pupil in the art of the sword. He had all but trained him as a killer, though I know that he was no true pupil of Master Musosai. The Musosai that I know never would have condoned such acts of violence. But such actions have brought shame to him and he must seek to balance out the deaths that he felt he was responsible for by paying with his own."
Claire shook her head dourly, as if she could not believe that this was to be expected of one. But before Makoto could go on explaining, she pointed ahead to a small, dried-out settlement, informing her that they were almost there. After passing through the village—who had seen better days—Claire brought her to the very edge of a cliff to where a humble grave had been set and a very familiar blade marked the small mound. Makoto recognized that blade at once and sighed sadly before she knelt before the humble grave and began to pray.
'Forgive me,' she thought sadly. 'If I had been wiser… or stronger… mayhaps you would not have felt the need to go to such lengths. But I swear I will put a stop to this killer… no matter the cost.'
She knelt like that for a long time, silently telling him how sorry she was for all that had happened and how glad she was to have learned that he was no longer suffering. He was at peace, and that she would honor his memory by remembering the good times that they spent… rather than the bad.
With one last promise, she then looked up to see the light from the sun glint in the blade and the ocean the stretched out behind the horizon.
"A beautiful ocean view," she sighed sadly, "He will surely be at peace here."
She paused for a moment before going on, "As you may know, Master Musosai had one other pupil before you. Ugetsu is his name, and he is wanted in Hingashi for the murder of countless dignitaries in the bakufu, our nation's government."
"Ugetsu?" Claire repeated softly.
Ugetsu… just the name of that monster was enough to cause a burning hatred to ring throughout her soul. But if this was as bad as she felt, she could only imagine how Master Musosai felt, knowing that the same pupil had turned out the way that he did. Perhaps that was why she felt a sort of kinship about Master Musosai… for he was, perhaps, the only other person who could understand how she felt about Ugetsu's betrayal.
"Though his weren't the hands that wielded the blade, Master Musosai created the killer, and in the eyes of the law he was deemed no less responsible," she went on explaining as Claire remained silent behind her. "As a samurai, he was expected to commit seppuku in order to atone for the crime, but he refused. As a result, he was branded a craven in Hingashi."
When she first learned of how Master Musosai had refused to take his life and instead chose to flee, she did not wish to believe that he had become a coward. She had believed that there was a reason for it… much, perhaps, the same reason that she had been forced to flee to Kugane.
She got to her feet and looked to the grave for a moment longer before the answer came to her. She turned back to Claire, who still stood there silently before Makoto explained, "But naught could be further from the truth. Master Musosai fled not because he feared death, this I knew in my heart. And beholding your bladework, I know now what it was that he sought to do."
She gave this woman—whom she just met—a small smile before answering, "He wished to make amends by training a new pupil. Such was the shame he felt, death was not sufficient atonement. Nay, the only way he might know peace was to begin anew, with a worthy successor who would bring him honor."
Claire blinked at that, seeming surprised to have heard it worded that way.
"I see," Claire said slowly. "Momozigo had told me that Master Musosai wished to find a pupil in which he could pour all of his knowledge into. Though I always knew that he missed his homeland dearly, the thought of his first pupil weighed so greatly upon his mind that it drove him to come here."
Makoto nodded, relieved to finally understand, and from what she had seen so far, it seemed that Master Musosai had chosen his last pupil well.
"Know that Ugetsu is no common killer. He is a notorious insurgent who seeks to tear down the status quo," she explained, informing her of just how serious that Ugetsu truly was. "No few samurai sympathize with his cause, and every day more rally to his banner. For a time he remained in hiding, but our operatives report that he has recently resurfaced in Kugane. By all indications, he is posed to strike a heavy blow against the bakufu."
Makoto sighed once more before lowering her head, just realizing that she had come all this way for nothing.
"'Twas for no other purpose but to petition Master Musosai's aid that I journeyed here," she confessed, having hoped that by speaking with someone who taught Ugetsu would know more of his weaknesses and what he plans to do next. But there was no point in wondering about what can never be. "Alas, it was not to be," she finished. "As I came, so too much I return—alone."
She looked back to Claire once more and actually felt a feeling a strange kind of comfort from speaking with her—feeling almost like she stood in front of Master Musosai again for that brief moment.
"My thanks for showing me here," she told her and bowed low once more. "Brief though it was, 'twas an honor to meet you."
"I wish you a safe journey back to your homeland," Claire told her. "Do you wish an escort back…?"
"That is generous of you, thank you for your kind words, but no," Makoto told her. "I am capable of returning the way that I came. If nothing else, know that I am truly grateful to you for all that you had done for Master Musosai, and for freeing him from his torment. I know that I only just met you, but I truly believe that you will bring his memory great honor."
She bowed once more before she left her.
While she did not find what she sought, she left while feeling as though some of the terrible weight she had been carrying around with her had been lifted. She had wished that she had a chance to see Master Musosai again, to tell him everything that she couldn't in life, but the knowledge that he had finally been freed from what Ugetsu had robbed of was enough. To think that that kind, old man was made to suffer so was enough to bring her to tears. While others branded him a craven for refusing to commit seppuku, she knew in her heart that he had a greater purpose, and Claire's very existence has reaffirmed this belief.
Having paid her respects to Musosai, Makoto returned to Vesper Bay and found lodging for the night before she was able to set out early the next morning. The return journey to Kugane had been uneventful, and when she stepped back into the familiar town, she greeted Captain Kongo and the rest of her fellow Sekiseigumi, promising that she returned as well as she did when she left. But no sooner did she return did she learn of how desperate things had become.
While she was away, she had learned of a few more Sekiseigumi have been targeted and killed—all of which she had known. She felt her anger for Ugetsu grow even more as she fought back the waves of emotion that threated to break out. Ugetsu's influence seemed to have spread all across Hingashi, even reaching Kugane and her fellows were now in more danger than ever.
Not only that, but violent outbreaks were happening on a regular basis and it was all that they could do to keep things from growing out of hand. Meanwhile, their moral was growing ever weaker with every passing day while Ugetsu's influence grew. Someone had to be slipping information to him, she was sure of this… but knew not who could be responsible for it.
They needed aid… that much was clear.
She confided her woes to Shiden, lieutenant of the Sekiseigumi, and how she felt that the tides of chaos would only grow into a tsunami if something wasn't done soon.
"If you feel that way," Shiden asked of her as they patrolled through the streets in the early evening, things calm for a change, "Then why did you leave in the first place? The captain said that you wanted to seek the aid of another who may be able to shed some light on Ugetsu's movements?"
Makoto nodded sadly. When she first left, it was because she had gone to the Captain and asked if she could be given permission to track down Musosai. He refused at first, refusing to want to listen to a craven who had caused this problem for them, at least until she reminded him that they were unable of handling this on their own. Perhaps, if nothing else, she could learn of some sort of information they could use against Ugetsu. After a few more meetings together, he finally agreed in the end, though making her promise not to tell the others about this… for the last thing they needed was to cause any suspicion in their barracks.
But she could tell Shiden though… he was one of the most open-minded people she knew. And so she confessed, "Though he may be considered a disgrace to the art of the samurai, Master Musosai was once a great warrior. I learned that he left the Far East and had travelled to Eorzea so I thought…?"
"So, that was the reason that you left?" Shiden asked of her. "To go and find the old samurai? I heard that he fled here after he refused an honorable death. Well, did you ever find Musosai?"
"Yes… in a way," she sighed and she hesitated for a moment before telling him all that she learned while she was away. How Master Musosai had found a new pupil to train before he was given an honorable death. He had been buried at a place overlooking the sea and she was even blessed enough to meet this pupil of his… this Claire.
"So… you believe her to be the real thing?" he asked of her. "How do you know she spoke the truth? She may have stolen the katana from him… or was simply wearing one and calling herself a samurai?"
"I confess that it seemed odd to me as well," Makoto confessed. "But I had seen her in battle and there is no mistaking such bladework. Even by samurai standards, it is clear to me that she stands on ground that is perhaps equal to Ugetsu. And after all that Master Musosai went through, I don't believe that he would have chosen just anyone to teach, in fear of a repeat with Ugetsu. She was ever so kind to me when we met and she even was able to guide me to Musosai's final resting place and told me all that happened. I do believe that she… that she…?"
That was when she suddenly had an idea and stopped in her tracks as she thought it all over.
"Makoto?" Shiden asked curiously as she looked up at him.
"I just thought…" she said slowly, "How about… we ask her for aid?"
"Who?" Shiden asked, turning to fully look at her with confusion.
"Claire? What if… what if I ask her to aid us in this?" she asked slowly. "I mean, I know it's sudden, but… if I were to express just how serious this was then maybe she would…?"
"Come here to help us?" Shiden finished with a frown. "I don't know, Makoto. I mean, we do need help dealing with this threat… but you only met her once, right?"
"I had thought that you, of all people, would be more open about this," Makoto said darkly, "Just because she is Master Musosai's pupil doesn't mean that…?"
"I'm not saying that," Shiden cut in quickly, "What I meant was that you're asking that she drop everything she's doing, travel halfway around the world and aid us in a fight that has nothing to do with her?"
"I know, I know," Makoto answered despairingly. "I wouldn't suggest such a thing if it weren't serious. But if we could handle this on our own then we would have long ago. It's clear to me now that the enemy knows our movements and as Master Musosai's last pupil, I am sure that her skills will prove to be invaluable to us to stem the chaos… assuming, that is, that she will agree to aid us. I will write her a letter and leave the decision to her."
Shiden didn't look happy about this as he thought it over.
"Alright," he said at last. "If you feel that strongly about it then you may as well try. I mean, it wouldn't hurt. But if I were you, I'd keep the fact of who her master was a secret from the others. They will not take kindly should they learn of this."
"Agreed," she nodded. "I shall write to her as soon as we return to the barracks."
They finished their patrol before they were let off duty for the time being. While the others in the barracks were either getting ready for sleep that night, or preparing for their own shifts, she sat at the table with paper and a pen… yet even as she sat there into the long hours of the night she was unable to find something to say.
She knew that she was asking a great deal, and that just because Claire and Ugetsu were taught by the same master didn't mean that she would know how to stop him. But she also knew that Shiden was right in that she had nothing left to lose and it wouldn't hurt to at least ask.
So with a deep breath, she began to write.
Dear Claire,
I pray this letter finds you well. You received me with kindness with first we met, and I write to you in hopes of depending upon your kindness once more…?
