04: The Competition, Day Two

Hitoshi smiles at your approach as does Jun. "Indeed, the fortunes seem to be favouring me more this day" the Mantis says before Jun chips in "Well, we still have two contests remaining today so we shall see". Hitoshi nods at this, hid good mood seeming to dip slightly but Yasuki Jun seems not to be overly phased by the prospect of failing their Gempuku.

Aki looks to find a quiet spot in a nearby shrine, as she enters the shrine keeper gestures for her to sit next to another figure who also seems to be taking the opportunity to pray. As you approach you recognise it is one of the other competitors, Kitsu Tsubasa. The Lion Shugenga nods slightly to you in acknowledgement but otherwise does not interrupt their devotions.

Yoshi - Jun shrugs "If the fortunes will it I will achieve my Gempuku, if not I wont. We are all somewhat victims to the whims of fate".

You all finish up your lunch and are escorted over to a large training field. Archery targets stand at one end and three lines are drawn in the sand in intervals, leading away from each butt. The judge, Kakita Naomori of the Crane Clan, bows serenely to you all before instructing you to take a bow and move to the closest line from the target to take a shot. You are then to move to the next line back and take another, and again for the third and furthest line from the target. As you all take your positions he quietly says "True archers understand that the arrow knows the way to the target." before gesturing for you all to begin. As you take your places you all think you catch a glimpse of the visage of Doji Satsume regarding you all from the crowd but his visage is gone as Hitoshi moves across your eye line looking more confident and relaxed than you have seen him in any of the other contests so far. You all know the Mantis needs to succeed in this and the last contest of the day, the Hunting, and also achieve the front position in at least one of them in order to achieve his gempuku....

You all find your performances fail to meet the mark. Aki at least get's an approving nod and Yoshi gets a curt geusture to move to the side when done, but the judge goes so far as to shake his head at Kashita in disapproval. You are joined at the side by Yasuki Jun and Shiba Toya, the Crab bemoaning the fact that they are more used to the crossbow and the Phoenix seeming to have struggled with their somewhat poor eyesight.

The highlight of the contest comes at the end as Hitoshi moves to take his turn. Instead of positioning himself at the first marker he moves directly up to the target before turning and beginning to run back up the track. As he hits each of the three markers he snaps a shot at the target not even bothering to slow his pace nor seeming to spare more than a glance in its direction. Almost as quick as he began he reaches the end, barley out of breath and you can all see his three arrows clustered tightly in the dead centre of the target. The silence lingers for a few moments before a stuttered applause breaks the air. Hitoshi stares at the target for a moment before a slight grin of satisfaction breaks across his face and he turns to leave the field.

As the last contest of the day, the Hunting, is expected to be the longest you are all hurried to the edge of the training field and told by the next judge, Hiruma Kagehiro of the Crab Clan, to select either a bow or a spear for those of you who are not proscribed against the spilling of blood. "Keep alert," the judge says "the hares and bucks are quick to flee, so you‘ll have to spot them first." he says to you all. For those, such as Shugenga and Monks, who are not allowed to shed blood you are instead instructed to locate and return with any valuable or rare medicinal herd you can find before you are all sent off into the forest.

Aki manages to return with a small amount of Reishi, a red kidney shaped mushroom that is known to be beneficial for ailments affecting the chest. As she returns the judge gives her a slight satisfied nod. The rest of you fail to meet the mark on the Hunting contest and based on the judge's disapproving frown your approach was also not what they were looking for, his frustration seems particularly focused on Kashita as he says "Just because you may have already achieved the required standard does not mean it is acceptable to not even try to meet the final challenge.". Mirumoto Hinata and Shiba Toya also return empty handed, looking similarly abashed. Moto Batbayar gains the most praise as he brings back a splendid silver-furred fox.

As the judges withdraw to compare notes and tabulate the final standings you all return to your lodgings to change into your finery and prepare for the feast that will be held this evening at the Tsuma magistrates estate. Your thoughts also linger on what is to come tomorrow, the Iajitsu contest for the Bushi and other more martial competitors and the Taryu-jiai contest for the Shugenga - the winner of which will be named Topaz Champion!

No, if that's what would have been expected, she'll do that. I'll edit out the spear from my post as well then. Sorry xD