Doji Hosai hated each one more then the last. He had grown to manhood amid the sweeping plains and rolling hills of Rokugan Yogasha Heigen, these monstrosities were impossibly foreign to him.

So, as any good Bushi would, he kept his eyes on the winding trail ahead, scanning the road for any threat to the shipment that he and his men had been charged with. "Iraju doesn't seem to mind this kami-forsaken place," He thought peevishly, casting a furitive glance at his old friend riding next to him. Doji Iraju did not notice, his eyes remained gazing out at the surrounding rocks, seemingly fascinated by the sprawl of stone. "and to remember how he grumbled about this assignment!" Mused Hosai. "now you would think he was ready to climb up here and join the ranks of these madmen." His stomach turned at the thought. To renounce your name and family... the very idea chilled him. Even the fact that these supplies were bound for the Dragons galled him. Why waste perfectly good rice on Insane monks?

At least they were killing Naga. those obscene serpents could break themselves out there on the rocks, and Hosai would be the first to raise his voice to cheer.

His reflection was broken by a voice from his side. "Hosai-sama, perhaps it is time to make camp?" Hosai turned to look at Iraju. they had served together during the coup, each owed the other his life many times over, and Hosai's daughter was engaged to wed Iraju's nephew next spring. Hosai counted him among his closest friends. Still, he could not keep a drop of envy from his heart when he looked at Iraju, who was several years his senior, With his handsome face, nearly untouched by the ravages of too much battle, too much time.

Pushing such thoughts from his mind, he smiled. "Hai, Iraju. give the order." So, as Amitaratsu slid behind the Mountans, the company of Samuri and porters rased tents to prepare for the night.

Long after the camp had drifted to sleep, Hosai rose, disturbed by some unknowable feeling. Steping outside into the bitter cold mountan air, his eyes swept the camp, alighting on the glint of the watchman's fire. he found Iraju there, his back propped against a slab of stone, the light of the lantern glinting off his Wakizashi as he ran a clothover its blade. Seating himself next to his old friend, he wondered again at how well Iraju had aged; in this light, his face showed hardly a blemish. he watched the cloth slide along the icy blade, the wet red of its dye shap against the steel.

"Where is Haijiru? I thought this was his shift." Iraju's eyes did not waver from the dark landscape ahead.

"He is...resting. his job is finished."

Hosai furrowed his brow. Iraju had releaved him? With a shrug, he directed his eyes to the landscape that facinated his friend so. "I Hate these rubble heaps. you can't grow anything on them, and fighting on them is torture. Just a waste of space, if you ask me."

A strange smile touched the sides of Iraju's mouth. "I hate them too, old friend."

"Why?"

"Because they are there."

Hosai blinked. "What kind of reason is that?"

The smile vanished. "One, I am sorry to say, you will never know... old friend." Hosai did not notice the other tighten his impossibly long fingers around the hilt of the blade... Hosai did notice when his view was suddenly obscured by the form of a man.

Both Samuri lept to their feet, Weapons at ready. "Who are you?" Hosai challanged, "Speak swiftly, or my blade will provide me with all the answer I need!" Bold words, although the stranger's impossibly silent approach over loose gravel had unnerved him.

"Peace, Samurai. My business is not with you." The man kept his head bowed, his face hiddin behind a wide straw hat. this, however, did not disguise the elaborate tattoos that wrapped his body, dominated by the stunning image of a Phoenix, spreading its wings across his chest.

"Well, if you have no business here, why do you disturb us?"

"I might say that I have issues with your friend, but that would not exactly be the truth, either." At this, the man rased his head, revealing a face too young for his voice, and eyes that burned like falling stars.

Perplexed, Hosai turned to Iraju, and was shocked to see the expression on his face. Hatred, pure and cold, marred his suddenly alien features. A man that he did not recognize backed against the rock slab as mystical fire enshrouded the intruder. A light, pure and dazzling, washed over the mountainside, casting shadows over everything... Except behind Iraju. The wall remained bathed in light, although he stood directly before it. Before Hosai's horrified eyes, the last human features melted from the thing that had been Iraju's face, leveing mind-blasting blankness behind. With a scream that was felt, rather then heard, the thing cast itself at the intruder, talon-like fingers tearing. the man caught it by the throat, lifting it as if it was made of nothing but shadows. The fire licked closer, and the thing's flesh seemed to evaporate as the flames touched it. The stranger's eyes flashed like novae, and both were immolated in a piller of white flame.

When the glow had vanished and he was able to stop blinking, Hosai saw the stranger, untouched, standing alone.

"Y..You..You killed Him!"

The man turned to him, his eyes filled with compassion and sadness, rather then the terrable light of before. "Doji Iraju died long ago. Samurai-sama. as would all of you, as well, had not the Kami guided my path tonight. Although, for some, I was too slow."

"Haijiru?"

A nod.

"What was that thing?"

A sad smile crossed the Ise Zumai's face as he turned to depart.

"It was Nothing....Nothing at all."