They were not killed on sight, the lead scout had told them, because they knew of Mitsu. Amadan inwardly seethed at the arrogance and ease that the Naga could disregard a life. The group was taken to the edge of a Naga encampment, and allowed to rest. An armed Naga guard was set to them, and eventually Mitsu was called for. The scout only hoped it was a good sign.
The Dragon rested against a rock and stared into the fire, as did most of the monks. Others began silently meditating, while the newer acolytes practiced weapon katas. A guard eyed them suspiciously, and Amadan laughed quietly at the Naga's apprehension. He turned to the man next to him, a quiet monk that Amadan had become friendly with, and asked, "Where is Hoshi?"
The son of Togashi had left a half day before the main group of the monks, and Mitsu was told to lead any willing monks toward the Dragon mountains. Nothing had been heard from him since, but the scout knew Mitsu was aware of some plan Hoshi had.
The monk smiled and said, "I do not know." As the fire danced in the young man's eyes, Amadan saw a quiet wisdom far beyond the monk's years. "You are one of action, not contemplation," he continued, not taking his gaze from the flames, "Perhaps you would do better to seek him yourself?" Amadan turned to the monk, and matched his smile.
A moment later, the monk was alone by the fire.
Amadan crept silently between the rocks, as he skirted the edge of the Naga camp. Again. I have come back from my mission, he thought to himself, but you will not like my report, Hitomi. The gaijin danced in the shadows, nimbly edging his way around the vision of the Naga and the scrutiny of Lord Moon's light. More and more, Amadan found he could be free in the blanket of the darkness, and felt whole as he melted into the shadows. I am an outsider, he mused silently as he made his way to Shiro Mirumoto. The walls seemed defiant as they reflected both the light of the Moon and the campfire glow of the Naga armies. Just as I am not truly of Rokugan, but a part of their whole, perhaps the Shadow is another element outside Shinsei's five Rings. He chuckled out loud as he reached barrack's door. As Tomo was an adept of Water, perhaps so am I one of Shadow? Amadan reached for the handle of the door, but it swung inwardly, seemingly of it's own will. The scout looked up and saw Kokujin in the doorway.
The night breeze blew between the two for a second, and Amadan stood. "She knew you would be here," rumbled the tatooed man. Amadan simply nodded and walked inside. Kokujin shut the door behind them, and led him to a small room. Amadan, as habit, walked silently, but he noticed Kokujin's stride made no noise, without any effort. Kokujin opened the door, and revealed an earthen tunnel that Amadan recognized. The tunnels connected all parts of the Dragon provinces, and were made to be used in times of war. Until now, the tunnels were never needed.
As the two Dragons walked in silence towards Kyuden Hitomi, Amadan regarded the corrupted ise zumi beside him. The scout had seen many horrors from the Shadowlands, and had seen many brave samurai consumed by the Taint. Amadan knew Kokujin had to be in the final stages of the Shadowlands sickness, but there were no outward symptoms. Kokujin talked coherently, walked calmly, and did not seem to be off ill health. Somehow, the ise zumi had managed to keep the taint from destroying his mind. But Amadan knew Kokujin's body was finally being consumed by the blackness he had taken from the Shadowlands. If his taint was not purged soon, Kokujin would die.
Amadan was quite surprised to find himself somewhat disturbed by that idea.
The pair reached the lair of Hitomi, and Kokujin opened the door, then bowed low. "You will see her alone." The ise zumi said quietly, then departed silently. Amadan walked into the dark chamber, and shut the door behind him. The quiet noise of the latch falling into place echoed in the pitch black room. Close to him, a light pierced the inky darkness, and upon a raised dias, Amadan saw the visage of Togashi Yokuni.
And he remembered. The gaijin remember when he first came to this chamber. He remember the last time, when he knelt, his head bowed low as the old man began his art on Amadan's back. He remembered as he felt the fire enter his blood, as it mingled with the remains of forgien magics he had used in the land of ihs birth. And he remembered falling. All Amadan could see was Togashi's piercing eyes as he fell...
"To your feet, gaijin." Came Hitomi's quiet voice. Amadan shoook his head and found he was kneeliing of the ground, holding his head as if he had been struck on the skull. The scout looked up to see the face of the Dark Lady where he had imagined the eyes of Yokuni a moment before.
"Hai, my Lady," Amadan said sharply and stood rigid. "You knew I would come. Then you know why I have come." The fire in the lamp reflected light off of the black glass hand on the throne, but Amadan ignored it. Hitomi stood quietly and drew a sword from her side. "You have come here to die, gaijin."
***
As Ameratsu raised to her highest point in the sky, a small pyre was lit by a handful of men and women. Some were dressed in the colors of the Dragon, other in simple robes of holy men. One stood in front, and held the torch that had set the fire. Mitsu learned that morning that his student had been mortally woinded as he attempted to cross the Naga camp to return to the Monks. The body of Togashi Amadan was found with an arrow in his chest among the rocks of the Dragon mountains by a group of bushi. Images of dragons writhed on Mitsu's bare chest, and he said loudly, "War claims one of our blood again. No more." Mitsu had learned Mitsu's eyes flashed and smoke curled from his lips. He raised the torch over his head and bellowed, "No more!"
From a nearby plateau, A black-robed figure quietly stood from watching the proceeding. His brown hair blew in the light breeze, covering his gaijin eyes. The ninja bound his hair in a knot and pulled a black mask over his face. Behind him, an old man in golden robes said, "You will be missed."
The figure turned to the man and said, "Hai, Tamori-sama. But I know now who my master is." The ninja stepped backwards into a small break in the rock face, "And I may lose my soul to save him..."
Agasha Tamori looked down as the small crowd walked away from the pyre, leaving Mitsu to stare at the blaze. "I know he would be proud of you, gaijin." The old man said to no one as he began his long walk.