05: The Competition, Final Day

You all spent the remainder of the night enjoying the evening as much as you could. Whilst Aki tried to seek out Hitoshi the Mantis was very reluctant to speak and as soon as it was polite to do so made his excuses, citing feeling unwell, and left. Aki would have tried to follow however her standing at the top of the leader board has meant that as soon as she manages to get clear of one individual another three want to speak with her.

After the festivities end you all get what rest you can. Hitoshi seemed to be sleeping when you returned to the inn and had risen and left before you all awoke. You quickly prepare yourselves and make your way to where the final stage of the Topaz Championship will take place.

The tournament grounds are thronged with spectators, but the crowd seems subdued after the events of last night. A mild pallor hangs over the Topaz Championship and from the brusque instructions of the judges you get the impression they'd rather just get the whole event over with. You are all instructed to take your positions and to meditate on the event ahead whilst you are waiting.

Kashita - you are positioned to one side with Shiba Toya, Mirumoto Hinata, Kakita Riku, Hitoshi, Moto Batbayar, Bayushi Mei Lin and Yasuki Jun. As you are all getting positioned Kakita Riku moves to stand directly next to Kashita "Tell me Otaku-san, you have spent time with the Isawa. How would you rate her chances against Kitsu Tsubasa?" she whispers whilst not taking her eyes from where the two shugenga are standing.

Aki - you are standing next to Kitsu Tsubasa. The Lion shugenga seems much more relaxed than you have previously seen them during the contest and they turn and nod as you take your position. "Good luck Isawa-san" he says to you sounding genuinely sincere.

Yoshi - for a few moments you are left standing on your own pondering whether the judges have forgotten to place you before you sense a figure approaching. Turning your head you see Kitsuki Yuikimi striding over, smiling broadly in her resplendent blue and gold armour marking her station as last years champion. "Yoshi-san, I thought it would be an idea to speak with you. I appreciate members of your order are not usually expected to take part in Iajitsu tournaments or the like so if you wished to sit this out I was going to offer you the option to observe the proceedings with myself." she gestures over to where she will be sitting to watch the tournament where Kakita Toshimoko and Bayushi Sugai will also be sitting.

Yoshi - Yuikimi nods and smiles before indicating for you to follow her. As you approach the raised platform where Kakita Toshimoko is sitting Yuikimi takes her seat to his side and gestures for you to sit next to her. As you sit Toshimoko nods at you in a polite manner but he seems distracted, almost eager, for the start of the tournament before he turns his eyes to the empty seat at his other side where you presume Bayushi Sugai should be seated. He frowns then turns to a nearby attendant and says quietly "We will not wait any longer", in response the servant bows before running off.

Kashita - Riku merely grunts slightly in response but does not take her eyes from the two shugenga until the gong sounds indicating the start of the tournament.

All - The first two competitors, Bayushi Mei Lin and Moto Batbayar, moves to the weapon racks and select their specially prepared blunted swords. You had all previously prepared a similar weapon and the sheathes of each are decorated in your family and clan colours (those not participating in the Iajitsu duels were still expected to participate in that particular ritual). As they stand facing each other they seem utterly relaxed until the Lion judge bellows to begin. With a blur of movement the bout is over as Mei Lin's lightning speed proves too much for the slower unicorn. As they both bow and return to their places the next two competitors, Kakita Riku and Hitoshi, move to the racks. Riku is first to reach them and she selects her weapon with a distinctive white and blue wrappings. Hitoshi selects his, wrapped in sea green and gold colours. Both competitors take their positions and the Lion judge once again yells to begin. You think you see Doji Satsume's sad face amidst the observers as the two surge forwards and strike at each other. The sudden flash of blood across Riku's face and the sand of the duelling ring takes everyone by surprise as Hitoshi collapses to his knees, injured badly but still alive. Riku stares at the razor sharp katana in her hands as healers rush forwards to tend to the injured mantis.

Chaos reigns across the arena, Toshimoko and others are shouting orders and others are dashing about. As you study the scene you all catch sight of a slender figure slipping out of a side gate with a sword slung over their back. The sword is wrapped in blue and white wrappings, identical to those on Kakita Riku's blade. Yoshi notes that Kitsuki Yuikimi has also taken note of the figure and stands as if about to move. What do you do???

Yoshi is slightly surprised as Kitsuki Yuikimi nods in response but then moves to join the chase. "Toshimoko-sama's healers are tending to Hitoshi, we will be of more use apprehending this individual" she says as you converge with Aki and Kashita. Seeing Kashita about to pick up a practice sword she shakes her head and guestures to a rack of live weaponry "Grab something useful Kashita-san, we may need a sharper edge before this matter is resolved." she shouts over as she moves to follow her own advice.

You all rush forwards and move to the gate and pass out into Tsuba. Ahead you see the figure running flat out, if you do not catch them soon they will doubtless loose themselves in the buildings of the village....

You all manage to keep pace with the runner and Yoshi even gains considerable ground. As they are running the figure glances back and seems to curse at the fact you are all closing and Aki catches sight of their, quite familiar, face - that of Bayushi Sugai.

As he reaches a cluster of buildings he seems to change course and dash between them, seeming to hope that if he keeps going he will be able to out last you all. Kitsuki Yuikimi shouts to you all "Keep following them, I'll try and cut them off" and she turns and takes a difference route leaving the three of you hot on Sugai's heels.