Day 10 - Kyuden Ashinagabachi

A forest of trees parts for the twisting road, and the black-garbed scouts rush ahead to bring word to their lord of her passing. All of Rokugan knows now that she has come, and her footsteps echo with rumor and with honor.

To be visited by her is a sign of destiny.

Tsuruchi, eyes narrowed, raises his bow, and the crystal arrow flies as if spurred by thought. Where it strikes, the tree shivers, and leaves fall from the topmost bough. "I have seen what you fight, Hitomi-san," he says curtly, lip curling in distaste as he indicates a new scar on his wide shoulder.

"You do not need to convince me that the threat of the Shadow must be defeated. Or that the Emperor must die."

"Morikage showed me how to fight them," he continues, placing another arrow in his string. "Hate taught me how to kill them."

"What has fear taught you?" Hitomi touches a shaft of crystal with fingers of black glass.

The second arrow speeds to its resting place, shattering on the shaft of the first. Tsuruchi lowers his bow slowly, staring into the heavens with an angry smile. "Fear breaks swords, Hitomi-sama. I am an archer." Tsuruchi slings his quiver over his shoulder and turns away. "I have no sword to break."

"We shall see," is all she reply she gives.

Source: posted to www.wizards.com/l5r on 1/31/00