<div class="floatright">(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnpcVNWUsAAnnXr.jpg:large)</div><strong>Kogatana (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=274532.msg13503346#msg13503346)</strong><br/><strong>Location</strong>:Mountains of Fujishima<br/><strong>Tagged</strong>:Gunba Takeda<br/><hr/>Deep in the Clan Aka ka heartlands a temple lay nestled in forest and overgrowth, an ancient mass of cracked stone and with a peak rotting wood stark against the sky like a jagged mountain. Black and orange banners emblazoned with the mon of Clan Aka ka lining every wall. The only remnant of its former use is a half obliterated stature of a man sitting with legs crossed and an open palm raised near the entrance of the structure. But whatever ceremonies where once practised here are long forgotten, it is now dojo where young members of the clan have trained to become great warriors for many generations. It was for this reason it was chosen as a meeting of the clan captains, with the hope that history and meaning behind this structure would deter any possible violent outbreaks. Kogatana stood in front of twelve kneeling men in the main floor of the dojo, The death of the emperor has spread great unrest among the members of the clan, all eager to to begin fighting without and care for strategy or unity, something that needed to be dealt with immediately.<br/><br/>"Many of you of have already heard the news." she began, her voice clear and precise, projecting from deep within her. "The emperor is dead, and now our clan has an opportunity we haven't had in centuries, a chance to take what's ours. Rumours of growing unease among the other clans have been spreading, there will be war soon, whether we are the ones to start it or not." she paused, casting a silent glare over her men "But I am this clan's leader, and I decide our fate. I have heard news of soldiers being mobilised, equipment being requisitioned, all without my word... their heads remained bowed, their eyes on the floor. "As I said we will get what is ours, but by my word. We must remain unified, focused, or we will be confronted from all sides and our war will be unwinnable. I know this is not our way, but treaties must be considered, for the greater good of us-"<br/><br/>"Coward's words!" A man's voice interrupted, clearly waiting for the opportunity. A wild unkempt looking man stared up from his place on the ground at his clan leader, his gaze unfaltering. "A true leader wouldn't shirk this opportunity, if war is coming we should be the ones to start it, the other clans are weak, farmers and aristocrats all, they would fall easily under our blades! If you were worthy to lead this clan you would realise this, and not some upstart otokomasari whore!" The longer he spoke the faster the words came out, and the louder his voice became until it resounded off the walls of the dojo. Hanging in the air for several moments of long silence. The other captains looked up at Kogatana, waiting for a response, their faces unreadable.<br/><br/>For a brief instant Kotaganas face flashed a barely controlled rage, before she tightly closed her eyes and hissed a response through clenched teeth. "Is that a challenge?" she said in a quiet but severe voice. A rhetorical question, but a necessary formality to make the upcoming duel official. The man stood without a word, stepping forward and drawing his blade, holding out in front of him with both hands. Kogatana put her hand on the hilt of her katana preparing to draw just as the man lunged forward and and took a wild swing towards her chest, she leapt back with seconds to spare, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. The man flashed a wild grin as if he had made his mark, but she felt nothing.<br/><br/>"Coward!" She roared, unsheathing her blade and lunging forward in one motion, sending her blade rocketing long ways towards his head. He managed to raise is sword just in time, sending her blade away with with a deafening clang. The mighty blow sent the man off balance and he grit his teeth as he struggled to regain his footing, but in vain. Kogatana put one foot of to the side, arcing her sword down and then up parallel with the man's own blade, taking a large chunk of flesh out of his face, briefly revealing cross section of the man's teeth before the wound was flooded with blood. He stumbled, the grip on his blade loosened. Before he could even realise what happened Kogatana's blade found its way across his stomach, spilling intestines across the floor like writhing pink worms. He doubled over, screaming. Just as kogatana raised her blade to finish the deed a steward ran in from a door behind her.<br/><br/>"Kogatana-dono! I have a message from clan Gunba!" He stopped when he saw the man sprawled on the floor, and turned visibly pale. She turned to him without acknowledging his interruption, making a vague but violent gesture towards the prone man. "Fetch the surgeon, I want him alive!" without waiting for a response she turned to her captains, her frustration evident in her face. "All of you, Dismissed!" Before she could turn to leave the steward stopped her. "Madam, you're bleeding, are you hurt?" His voice echoed genuine concern. She looked down to see the entire sleeve of her kimono soaked black with blood.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>After a day's ride on horseback she finally arrived at the Tavern in Mists, in fresh clothes but admittedly still looking more like a vagrant samurai then a daimyo in her tattered mans kimono and hakama. The deep gash across her bicep throbbed with a dull pain under it's wrapping. She would have to be careful to keep it hidden, the last thing she needed was leader of clan Gunba assuming her weakness.<br/><br/>She dismounted her steed and tied its reigns off near the entrance of the tavern, shortly after adjusting her katana and wakizashi, making sure they were secure in their place sheathed in her hakama. She looked up at the tavern. It was a quiet unassuming little place, but something about it made her uneasy... It wouldn't be impossible for a weak clan like the Gunba to try to assassinate a clan's head before the war even starts, but too much could be gained from this meeting to back out now. Gritting her teeth she made her way through the front entrance, she had no idea what this man even looked like, but hearing tales about the masked leader of clan Gunba, she figured that would be a good place to start.<br/>