Post by Takashi Mandaka on Sept 13, 2005 17:10:12 GMT -5
Born in secret, Rave began his life not knowing who his true parents were. Raised by Monks within the Temple of Zento, his childhood resembled what most orphans experience. But even at a younger age, Rave realized there was something different about the way they treated him. His primary caretaker, a monk named Ujio, seemed to always keep an eye on him, always concerned with Rave’s safety. Rarely could he talk to visitors of the Temple, and never could he speak to strangers around Zento. Several times Rave tried to validate his thoughts by sneaking out or acting irrationally. In each case, Ujio was always there to stop inappropriate behavior. This was not the same treatment everyone else his age within the Temple experienced, but he grew to accept it. What it was that made him different, Rave could never surmise. But he felt that one-day, he might discover something about himself that he should be fearful of.
As a student within the Temple of Zento, Rave was instructed on may subjects. The path of Buddha as well as the principals of Virtue became a part of his daily life. There was even an occasion for him to learn types of speech belonging to various creatures such as the dialect of Gargoyle. Outside of these primary subjects, Ujio also regularly tutored him in many other areas, not available to the others. Things such as politics, and a more detailed history of Tokuno were regular discussions between them. Stranger than most, being taught the principals of Honorable Combat by a monk seemed to be quite odd. But he seemed to enjoy these lessons most of all. How this simple monk came to be familiar with them to begin with, was a question Rave never realized needed to be asked.
On several occasions, Ujio would bring Rave to various secluded areas around Tokuno, where another man always clad in a mask, would meet with them to discuss how Rave’s learning progressed. Never knowing his name, and never seeing his face, Rave always seemed curious as to who this man was. What was obvious however, was the friendship the man shared with Ujio. At each of their meetings, Rave always felt as though the man was sizing him up. He knew that one-day, there would be more to come with this masked warrior.
The afternoon he celebrated his 14th birthday, Ujio informed Rave that the time had come for him to leave the shelter and instruction of the Temple. After packing all he owned in the world, and saying his farewells to the only family he had ever known, Rave left his friends in the Temple behind, not knowing if he would ever see them again.
Ujio took him by boat to the island of Isamu-Jima. Escorted by several Monks, they began their journey across the island upon reaching its shores. During the trek, an evil looking group of unmarked Ninja ambushed their party quite by surprise. Before the monks had time to react, a multitude of similar armored Ninja appeared out of nowhere and began subduing the group attacking his party. These Ninja were very different however, as their armor was of a dark blue color. These blue clad warriors all quickly dispatched those who had attacked his group. And no sooner than the last remaining attacker fell, all the men who had silently been protecting their group, each disappeared in a flash followed by a puff of smoke. No sign of their presence remained, yet the monks continued on the trek as if it had been a figment of our imagination.
A short while later, Rave and his escorts arrived at what appeared to be an old castle built in the traditional form of Zento architecture. It seemed rather out of place, here in the wilds of Isamu-Jima. As they entered the main chamber, Rave noticed someone leaning against the back wall with his arms clasped behind his back. Suddenly he recognized the man as the masked friend he and Ujio had met with so many times before.
Ujio took a step forward. “Rave, while we stand here in Nakamura Keep, I think it’s fitting that here I introduce you to your new master.” Smiling, Ujio continued. “This is Takashi Mandaka, Shihan of the Blue Lotus Clan.”
With that, the man now known as Takashi, bowed deeply towards Rave and Ujio. Rave and the monk quickly returned the bow with equal depth. As the three of them went upstairs, Rave noticed several ninja guardsmen, obviously related to their silent protectors, taking up posts at the Keep’s entrance. He could also see his monk escort already making their way back towards where they had come.
After they found a comfortable place to talk, Takashi then told him, “There are many things we must discuss with you. But know that we shall never again speak of this until such time as it is required for you to fulfill your destiny.”
After each swore to such, Takashi continued. “To begin with, Ujio Nakamura is your Uncle. As the last remaining brother to your mother, she asked that he and I guarantee your safety and that you be raised under our watchful eye, trained in both disaplines. Thus your journey to gain knowledge of Tokuno began within the Temple of Zento. Now you are to be instructed in the arts of Ninjitsu within the Blue Lotus Clan your father founded before you were born.”
“Your mother has never seen you following the day of your birth. Due to the relentless efforts of the Hanzagiri Clan and their leader, Daimyo Daizen, it was deemed best she not know where or who you are. This is how we came about giving you the name Rave. No one within the Temple of Zento or the Blue Lotus Clan knows of your true identity, save for your Uncle and I. This is how it must remain.” Clearly shocked at this revelation, Rave was silently overwhelmed. Yet Takashi continued.
“Your mother, Miko Nakamura, is the current reigning Empress of Tokuno. She knows you are safe, but has always waited for the day the two of you could be reunited. This day will not come until you must take over the Empire, or we have deemed the threat of the Hanzagiri Clan has ended.” Takashi paused while Rave gathered his thoughts.
“If Ujio is the brother to the Empress, why has he not taken the throne as Emperor, or succeed her if necessary?” Rave asked.
Ujio slowly lowered his head and said, “I was a witness to the tragedy surrounding the Hanzagiri Clan’s attempt to destroy the Nakamura Clan. I have seen many things that caused me to question my role within my own life, and this Empire. I have made my peace with it, but in return I have sworn never to serve as Emperor, nor allow anyone to know of my heritage.”
After having thought on this for a moment, Rave continued. “What am I to do within the Blue Lotus Clan?”
Takashi removed his hood and looked deep into Rave’s eyes. “You are to become my student. I shall teach you the ways of the Ninja, as well as the ways of your father’s Clan. You shall be treated no differently from any other student or member, and you shall be required to focus on the task I lay before you. Should I choose to do any different, your father would clearly haunt me till I met my end.” At this Takashi smiled, while Ujio began to laugh.
And so, Morimoto “Rave” Nakamura began his training within the Blue Lotus Clan. Clearly he was a man driven, as he studied more than any other student. Soon he began to structure a network of spies throughout Zento, as well as the entire lands of Tokuno. As a way to secretly keep track of his mother, Rave insured her safety, never revealing to her that she was his mother. Even at times when he personally was responsible for her as a part of his duties within the Clan.
After assuming the duties as Soke within the Blue Lotus Clan, one of his first postings was selecting Rave as the Lead Field Officer within the Intelligence branch of the Blue Lotus Clan. Without question, this was not done because of his heritage, but because of the extensive information-gathering network he had already expanded well into the Lands of Britannia.
Rave has continued to distinguish himself as one of the most dedicated members of the Blue Lotus Clan. Recently, he’s been trying his hand within the political arena by becoming involved within various organizations within Tokuno as well as Britannia.
Thinking back at his life, Rave has come to realize his childhood will always belong to Ujio and the monks of the Temple of Zento. But his heart and soul now freely belong to the Blue Lotus Clan, for they are now and forever, his family.
As a student within the Temple of Zento, Rave was instructed on may subjects. The path of Buddha as well as the principals of Virtue became a part of his daily life. There was even an occasion for him to learn types of speech belonging to various creatures such as the dialect of Gargoyle. Outside of these primary subjects, Ujio also regularly tutored him in many other areas, not available to the others. Things such as politics, and a more detailed history of Tokuno were regular discussions between them. Stranger than most, being taught the principals of Honorable Combat by a monk seemed to be quite odd. But he seemed to enjoy these lessons most of all. How this simple monk came to be familiar with them to begin with, was a question Rave never realized needed to be asked.
On several occasions, Ujio would bring Rave to various secluded areas around Tokuno, where another man always clad in a mask, would meet with them to discuss how Rave’s learning progressed. Never knowing his name, and never seeing his face, Rave always seemed curious as to who this man was. What was obvious however, was the friendship the man shared with Ujio. At each of their meetings, Rave always felt as though the man was sizing him up. He knew that one-day, there would be more to come with this masked warrior.
The afternoon he celebrated his 14th birthday, Ujio informed Rave that the time had come for him to leave the shelter and instruction of the Temple. After packing all he owned in the world, and saying his farewells to the only family he had ever known, Rave left his friends in the Temple behind, not knowing if he would ever see them again.
Ujio took him by boat to the island of Isamu-Jima. Escorted by several Monks, they began their journey across the island upon reaching its shores. During the trek, an evil looking group of unmarked Ninja ambushed their party quite by surprise. Before the monks had time to react, a multitude of similar armored Ninja appeared out of nowhere and began subduing the group attacking his party. These Ninja were very different however, as their armor was of a dark blue color. These blue clad warriors all quickly dispatched those who had attacked his group. And no sooner than the last remaining attacker fell, all the men who had silently been protecting their group, each disappeared in a flash followed by a puff of smoke. No sign of their presence remained, yet the monks continued on the trek as if it had been a figment of our imagination.
A short while later, Rave and his escorts arrived at what appeared to be an old castle built in the traditional form of Zento architecture. It seemed rather out of place, here in the wilds of Isamu-Jima. As they entered the main chamber, Rave noticed someone leaning against the back wall with his arms clasped behind his back. Suddenly he recognized the man as the masked friend he and Ujio had met with so many times before.
Ujio took a step forward. “Rave, while we stand here in Nakamura Keep, I think it’s fitting that here I introduce you to your new master.” Smiling, Ujio continued. “This is Takashi Mandaka, Shihan of the Blue Lotus Clan.”
With that, the man now known as Takashi, bowed deeply towards Rave and Ujio. Rave and the monk quickly returned the bow with equal depth. As the three of them went upstairs, Rave noticed several ninja guardsmen, obviously related to their silent protectors, taking up posts at the Keep’s entrance. He could also see his monk escort already making their way back towards where they had come.
After they found a comfortable place to talk, Takashi then told him, “There are many things we must discuss with you. But know that we shall never again speak of this until such time as it is required for you to fulfill your destiny.”
After each swore to such, Takashi continued. “To begin with, Ujio Nakamura is your Uncle. As the last remaining brother to your mother, she asked that he and I guarantee your safety and that you be raised under our watchful eye, trained in both disaplines. Thus your journey to gain knowledge of Tokuno began within the Temple of Zento. Now you are to be instructed in the arts of Ninjitsu within the Blue Lotus Clan your father founded before you were born.”
“Your mother has never seen you following the day of your birth. Due to the relentless efforts of the Hanzagiri Clan and their leader, Daimyo Daizen, it was deemed best she not know where or who you are. This is how we came about giving you the name Rave. No one within the Temple of Zento or the Blue Lotus Clan knows of your true identity, save for your Uncle and I. This is how it must remain.” Clearly shocked at this revelation, Rave was silently overwhelmed. Yet Takashi continued.
“Your mother, Miko Nakamura, is the current reigning Empress of Tokuno. She knows you are safe, but has always waited for the day the two of you could be reunited. This day will not come until you must take over the Empire, or we have deemed the threat of the Hanzagiri Clan has ended.” Takashi paused while Rave gathered his thoughts.
“If Ujio is the brother to the Empress, why has he not taken the throne as Emperor, or succeed her if necessary?” Rave asked.
Ujio slowly lowered his head and said, “I was a witness to the tragedy surrounding the Hanzagiri Clan’s attempt to destroy the Nakamura Clan. I have seen many things that caused me to question my role within my own life, and this Empire. I have made my peace with it, but in return I have sworn never to serve as Emperor, nor allow anyone to know of my heritage.”
After having thought on this for a moment, Rave continued. “What am I to do within the Blue Lotus Clan?”
Takashi removed his hood and looked deep into Rave’s eyes. “You are to become my student. I shall teach you the ways of the Ninja, as well as the ways of your father’s Clan. You shall be treated no differently from any other student or member, and you shall be required to focus on the task I lay before you. Should I choose to do any different, your father would clearly haunt me till I met my end.” At this Takashi smiled, while Ujio began to laugh.
And so, Morimoto “Rave” Nakamura began his training within the Blue Lotus Clan. Clearly he was a man driven, as he studied more than any other student. Soon he began to structure a network of spies throughout Zento, as well as the entire lands of Tokuno. As a way to secretly keep track of his mother, Rave insured her safety, never revealing to her that she was his mother. Even at times when he personally was responsible for her as a part of his duties within the Clan.
After assuming the duties as Soke within the Blue Lotus Clan, one of his first postings was selecting Rave as the Lead Field Officer within the Intelligence branch of the Blue Lotus Clan. Without question, this was not done because of his heritage, but because of the extensive information-gathering network he had already expanded well into the Lands of Britannia.
Rave has continued to distinguish himself as one of the most dedicated members of the Blue Lotus Clan. Recently, he’s been trying his hand within the political arena by becoming involved within various organizations within Tokuno as well as Britannia.
Thinking back at his life, Rave has come to realize his childhood will always belong to Ujio and the monks of the Temple of Zento. But his heart and soul now freely belong to the Blue Lotus Clan, for they are now and forever, his family.