What The Hell Did I Do?!

[Morei Haji]

Type of Quest:
Mystery! Suspense! And lots of anger!
Quest Info:
A random Daimyo is pissed! He married the love of his life, only to find out she's got guy parts! And he blames Haji for it for some reason! Now the poor kid has to clear his own name while finding out who caused all of this commotion while avoiding this Daimyo's wrath the best he can!
Location:
A random province Haji happened to pass through on the way back home, worst mistake of his life.
People Involved:
Haji, Daimyo, wife dude, assortment of NPCs.
Plot-Important: Maybe! Who knows!

[Takeda Shingen]

In the province of Oki, the esteemed Lord Taniguchi Yoshiro was out and about, though not for the reasons the peasants expected. He was not on official duty, or stopping in to check on them. No, today he was out... because he was pissed. Utterly raged filled. And currently tearing up his province. Why you may ask? He was searching for someone. A certain white-haired individual that he blamed for the misfortune that was bestowed upon him!

He had felt on top of the world, like the Gods had blessed him, he had married the love of his life... only to discover she was a he! And he did not like to be made a fool of, which meant someone had tried to ruin his reputation! It was all that white-haired boy's fault! And when he found him, he would make him pay!

"WHERE ARE YOU BOY!? I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! AND WHEN I FIND YOU, THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY! NO ONE MAKES A FOOL OF TANIGUCHI YOSHIRO AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE!!!"

[Morei Haji]

"W-.. What the hell did I do?!"

I was hiding inside of someone's home. They were kind enough to take me in after I explained my misfortune. I peered out the window as I heard the Daimyo's voice. He was preeeeeeeeetty damn angry.

Moving away from the window, I slumped down against the wall of the hut, hands on my head as I tried to think of a way out of this. If I was captured, I'd surely be executed! For something I didn't even do! I was just trying to get home to Katsumi! Why the hell did I take this so-called shortcut?! Now I could potentially be gone for months!

Looking up at the villagers whose home I had intruded upon, I had a look of ;^; on my face as I spoke.

"My deepest apologies for troubling you. I shall be off, so you're not involved any further."

I got up, bowing my head politely before looking outside. When the coast was clear, I would exit the door and book it straight behind the house, planning on finding a new place to hide. This was, of course, if nothing went wrong for me. And with my crappy luck...

[Takeda Shingen]

The old couple whom had sheltered Haji from their Daimyo after hearing about his plight and the misunderstanding giving the young man gentle nods of their head, the old man would give Haji a onigiri before he left, because it was obvious he would need the energy, if he was to outrun and outmaneuver their Lord.

Haji would make it outside unnoticed, and would faintly make out the roars of Yoshiro off in the distance, but before he could find a new place to hide, he would hear voices from somewhere to his left, and from the sound of it, they were soldiers under Yoshiro's command. Haji had only a few seconds to hide, and his current location wasn't the most ideal hiding spot. Fortunately, there was a well nearby, which he could hide behind if he hoofed it.

[Morei Haji]

"You have my gratitude. Thank you." I said to the elderly couple before stuffing the onigiri into my robe. It may come in handy, if it was anything like the ones I had eaten when at Numa Castle.

I made my way into a clearing, luckily having not run into any of the Daimyo's men. I felt I could take them, but I didn't want to have any needless bloodshed, especially over a situation such as this.

Suddenly, I heard voices to my left. It sounded like they were approaching my direction. Looking around in a panic, I spotted a well. I quickly darted over to it. Why hide behind it when I could hide inside of it?! I jumped inside, quickly catching myself on the walls before I hit the water in it using my arms and legs. It took a bit of strength, but I should be able to hold myself up long enough for them to pass... I hope.

[Takeda Shingen]

Haji would successfully hide inside the well! He would hear the voices of the soldiers come closer and closer, until they were practically on top of him! Except they weren't. The soldiers had stopped near the well, and were currently talking to one another while searching for the white-haired boy their Daimyo was intent on capturing. Though it was only seconds, it would feel like hours to Haji, as he'd feel the burn on his muscles from having to basically fight against gravity take effect!

"Hey, what do you think about Lord Taniguchi's orders?"

"Huh? What're you talking about?"

"Well, he sounds hellbent on finding that boy, but... I don't feel like that was the kid's fault."

"Maybe... But I'm not going to be the one to disagree with him."

Eventually the soldiers would move off to continue their search, their voices fading away, and after a little bit, Haji would be able to climb out of the well and move on. Though his arm muscles definitely feel sore from this. He can continue on his way getting out of the province, but he'd have to move fast. He could hear off in the distance, Yoshiro's voice coming back towards him! The closest hiding spot was a nearby empty merchant's stall, but he'd have to cover a bit of ground to reach it.

[Morei Haji]

I held myself up in the well, biting down on my lip as gravity was working its toll on me. I was looking up at the opening, eavesdropping, and yet, wishing they would just go away already! My legs and arms were starting to get a bit shaky! Hurry the hell up!

Finally, I heard their voices fade, and slowly, I worked my way back up the well, crawling along the wall like some weird looking insect. I eventually made it out, crawling out of the well and landing on the floor, panting with relief. So they didn't think I had anything to do with it, which was nice... but regardless, they wouldn't stop me from being a scapegoat if it'd calm their pissed off lord down.

"Oh, son of a..."

I heard the Daimyo's voice again! And it was getting nearer! Jumping up onto my feet, I booked it, running as fast as I could. Seeing an empty merchant's stall, I would sprint towards it and dive into it, hiding underneath the counter in a huddle, trying to catch my breath. I only hoped I wasn't seen. This guy was out for blood.

[Takeda Shingen]

Haji would just barely manage to dive under the counter of the merchant's stall as Yoshiro came charging into view, still as angry as a bull, perhaps even more, seeing as his target still wasn't found! Coming up behind him were a group of his soldiers, though it was hard to tell which they were more frightened of, the fate that awaited Haji, or their fate if Haji escaped.

"WHERE ARE YOU BOY!? THERE'S NO POINT IN HIDING! I WILL FIND YOU EVEN IF I HAVE TO TAKE DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS TO FIND YOU!"

Yoshiro storming off, the soldiers following after him, after a while his voice and their footsteps would fade away, giving Haji a chance to flee. He would see a nearby empty house, but before he could reach it, he would hear a voice whisper out to him.

"Psst... White-haired warrior!"

If Haji looked over, he would see a young "woman" hurriedly gesture to him from behind a nearby large tree, "her" eyes darting back and forth worriedly.

[Morei Haji]

I sat underneath the stall, wanting to cry. Months? MONTHS? THIS GUY WAS GOING TO TRACK ME DOWN EVEN IF IT TOOK MONTHS? What if I was busy just having happy time with Katsumi AND THIS GUY JUST BURST IN ALL ANGRY-LIKE? THAT WAS UNACCEPTABLE! UNACCEPTABLE, I SAY!

Looking around, I wanted to get out of here before I busted a cap in someone's ass. Spotting a house that looked abandoned, I figured that would be my next destination, and started to move towards it, staying low so no one would see BUT SOMEONE SAW ME DAMN IT!

I turned around, ready to draw my weapon just in case it was someone about to attack, but all I saw was a woman... what I believed to be a woman anyway. Glancing around, making sure no one was around first, I would approach the woman cautiously, making sure to stay out of sight once I got close enough.

"... Who are you? What is it you want with me? I'm kind of trying not to die here..."

I kept my guard up, just in case she was going to try and stab me or something. Please don't, I'm delicate.

[Takeda Shingen]

"Forgive me warrior, my name is Hayami Mizuki... but I was born Hayami Mazaki. And it is all my fault that Lord Taniguchi is tearing apart the entire province looking for you..."

A downcast expression on "her" face, it was clear "she" had no intention of stabbing Haji... or harming him, at all. It didn't take a genius to figure out "she" felt guilty for involving Haji in this unintentionally.

"I can understand if you hate me for causing such trouble for you. I do not know who revealed my secret to Lord Taniguchi, but from what I heard, it was a young man that you resemble greatly. I do not know his present location... but I heard he sometimes rests at a inn just outside the border of Oki. I wish you a safe journey warrior."

And just as quickly as "she" appeared, "Mizuki" would disappear, leaving Haji free to continue towards the abandoned hut. He'd better hurry though, as loud shouting could be heard off in the distance.

[Morei Haji]

"Your fault...? But..."

I stared at her, confused. What did she mean? From what she said, she didn't seem like she set me up... instead, she mentioned a man that resembled me. lol another Aeron And that he frequented an inn on the border of Oki. But before I could press her for more information, she left, and I didn't have a chance to stop her. Who was she? Was she perhaps the Daimyo's wife...? Nah, why would she be way out here...?

I didn't have time to think though, for there was shouting behind me. I had to move quick! I quickly dove into the empty house, hoping I could stay out of sight. I needed to gauge the enemy's strength before deciding what the best course of action would be. And I had to find that lookalike before he caused even more trouble.

[Takeda Shingen]

Before "Mizuki" disappeared from sight, Haji would barely catch sight of a ring on "her" finger, which bore the Mon of the Taniguchi clan. "She" was indeed the Daimyo's wife, and there was only one reason "she" would be so far out from the castle... "She" had come to find Haji, deliver the information to him, before completely disappearing, with "her" secret now exposed.

Haji would manage to dive into the empty house in time, as Lord Taniguchi would come storming past, his shouts audible through the window of the house... so audible in fact, poor Haji would feel like the Lord was directly on top of him. And if Haji wanted to gauge the strength of the enemy... well he'd get an indication now, as Yoshiro would rip apart the merchant stall Haji had just hidden behind in rage... with his bare hands.

"IF IT TAKES ME YEARS TO FIND YOU, THEN SO BE IT!"

Storming off once more, his group of soldiers in tow... and in fear from his demonstration, if Haji moved fast enough, he could reach the province border. But there was only so many areas left that Yoshiro could search in, before he'd eventually find Haji.

[Morei Haji]

I would peek over the open window, attempting to get a good look at what was going on outside, just in time to see the Daimyo tear the stall apart... with his bare hands... My face probably looked a little like this.

I quickly ducked back down, cursing my luck. Years? YEARS?! WAS THIS GUY THAT PISSED THAT HE WOULD HUNT ME DOWN FOR YEARS?! What was I doing?! I was Izanagi's Chosen! I could beat this guy down! Maybe I couldn't, not even I could tear a stall apart with my hands... Oh, Katsumi, the situations I get into when you're not around. ;^;

Once the coast was clear, I would take a deep breath, and book it towards the border. I had to find that inn, fast! I didn't want my head on a pike for something I didn't do! This imposter would pay!

[Takeda Shingen]

Haji would manage to reach the border of Oki without a hitch! ... Well, almost without a hitch. Just as he had one foot over the border, he would hear a roar of rage blast out from behind him, and it wasn't hard to figure out who it came from. Off in the distance, and getting closer with each passing second, the esteemed rage filled Lord Taniguchi Yoshiro could be seen charging towards Haji, his group of soldiers just barely managing to keep up with him.

If Haji didn't book it, he was going to be in for a world of pain!

[Morei Haji]

I looked behind me as I heard shouts, and I felt all the blood drain from my face in shock.

"WHAT THE HELL?! DOES HE HAVE LIKE 100 IN ALL STATS OR SOMETHING?!"

HE WAS GAINING ON ME. FAST.

I quickly sent out my doppleganger, who charged towards Taniguchi for a moment before stopping in his tracks, turning around, and running along next to me.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"
"I'm not messing with that."
"YOU DON'T EVEN FEEL PAIN!"
"Doesn't mean I can't feel fear."

You've gotta be kidding me! We ran as fast as we could, trying to get to that inn as soon as possible. If Taniguchi somehow caught up... I'd blast my doppleganger back with light to take the hit for me. I'm sorry, bro.

[Takeda Shingen]

Apparently Yoshiro did, because he was gaining on Haji fast. Rage does a lot to someone, especially upping their speed, because boy, he was pissed. Even more pissed than Yukimura was in Gassantoda. Haji and his doppelganger still had a good lead on Yoshiro though, and if they kept this pace up while running along the path on the outskirts of Oki, eventually he'd see, off in the distance, a nearby building, which, upon closer inspection, was the inn "Mizuki" told him about.

And no sooner did he spot it, he would see a young man disappear into it, but not before briefly making out the facial features of the man. He looked an awful lot like himself, didn't he? Spooky... The good news though, Haji was almost there!

[Morei Haji]

"What...?"

That lady... man... man-lady... whatever. She wasn't kidding when she said there was someone who looked a lot like myself. But this was friggin' uncanny. What was he? Why did he look like me? Did he really do this? I was about to find out.

I would huff it as fast as I could, sprinting to try and stay out of range of the Daimyo. For all I knew, he'd probably try to tear both of us apart.

[Takeda Shingen]

Haji and his doppelganger would make it to the inn successfully! But there was no time to rest, as Lord Taniguchi was hot on his heels. As soon as Haji reached the entrance to the inn and whipped the shoji door open, he would see his look-alike was just about to head upstairs to his room, only to halt in mid-step and would turn to look at Haji... only for all the color to drain from his face.

But Haji would notice his look-alike was not looking at him... but past him. And for good reason. If Haji turned around, he would find Lord Taniguchi standing right behind him, looking absolutely furious.

"YOU!"

It was hard to tell who he was referring to. But Haji's look-alike wasn't going to stick around to find out, and would bolt from the stairs to the kitchen, to escape through the backdoor. If Haji wanted answers, he'd better start running... and to avoid getting torn apart limb by limb.

[Morei Haji]

I caught up to that bastard! And as he turned to look at me, I saw the color drain from his face. That's right, everything finally caught up to him, and I was going to get my payback! But then... oh boy. I didn't even have to turn around, my doppleganger was looking at Taniguchi and I could see him in my mind, and booooooy was he pissed!

Without even turning to acknowledge the Daimyo, I would chase my golden haired doppleganger down while my fully golden doppleganger would do his best to hold Taniguchi back.

"GET BACK HERE! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

[Takeda Shingen]

"NO WAY, ARE YOU KIDDING!? I'M NOT READY TO DIE YET! AND WHO THE HELL ARE YOU AND WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE ME!?"

Haji's look-alike would yell back behind him, as he ran through the kitchen, pushing past the head cook and would bust through the back door, before running out onto the dirt path and away from the inn. As for Taniguchi, he would just bulldoze straight through Haji's poor doppelganger, chasing after both Haji and his look-alike, the inn and kitchen staff too terrified to stop him. They weren't ready to lose their lives either.

"BOTH OF YOU WILL PAY FOR MAKING A FOOL OF ME, LORD TANIGUCHI YOSHIRO!!!"

Pulling out his weapon, a nodachi, from its sheath, he would go to swipe at Haji, using the long length of the blade to his advantage, and Haji would swear he felt some of his hair had been cut! As for his look-alike, he'd just run even faster from the raging Daimyo, absolutely scared out of his wits.

(OOC: Lord Taniguchi Yoshiro's stats:

Str: 35
Dex: 35
Con: 35
Wis: 25
Spr: 20)

[Morei Haji]

In my mind, I saw my doppleganger get wrecked, and it terrified me. Taniguchi was even scarier than I thought, realizing he packed a friggin' nodachi of all things! I would pull out my sword in an attempt to parry Taniguchi, but I wasn't going to strike at a Daimyo, then I'd definitely be guilty. Instead, I ran after my lookalike as fast as I could. I had to get a clear shot if I hoped to catch him, and if I could get him outside...

And he did exactly that. I grinned as I transformed my sword into whip form, swinging it across and attempting to grab my lookalike by his ankle, pulling him back and tripping him. As for what I planned to do after that... I had no idea.

[Takeda Shingen]

Haji would managed to successfully parry Lord Taniguchi, though he would end up knocking some metal bowls and chopsticks over in the process... which would only serve to infuriate Yoshiro even more. Poor Haji would feel the Daimyo start slicing at him vertically, because even in his rage-filled state, he was careful not to cause any damage to the inn.

As Haji's look-alike busted out through the back, he would let out a cry as his ankle was caught by the whip wrapped around his ankle, but before Haji could do anything, he would feel a hand slam down on his shoulder... followed by Lord Taniguchi tossing him right beside his look-alike, who would groan as he pushed himself up after being tripped... only to quickly scramble to his feet and run like the wind as Lord Taniguchi continued chasing after them, nodachi swinging wildly.

"NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU RUN, I WILL COME AFTER YOU! THE BOTH OF YOU!"

[Morei Haji]

It felt like a boulder crashed down onto my shoulder before I found myself flying through the air, landing right next to my lookalike. I groaned on the ground before realizing he started to book it. Taniguchi was right behind us, and I must've screamed like a little girl as I got up and started running after my lookalike. Whether to catch him or to get away from Taniguchi, I wasn't sure what drove me most.

"WHY IS HE AFTER BOTH OF US?! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"

[Takeda Shingen]

"HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW!? AND ALL I DID WAS SAY MIZUKI IS NOT ALL SHE APPEARS TO BE! I WAS CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WITH HER, AND I CARED DEEPLY ABOUT- WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS!? ALL I KNOW IS I DIDN'T THINK HE'D TAKE ME SERIOUSLY!"

Continuing to run like his life depended on it, which it kind of did, Haji's look-alike would point his hand behind him at Lord Taniguchi, as a doppelganger of him burst forth, composed of light, to try and hold Yoshiro back. It seemed he resembled Haji in more than just looks, he even had the same Musou... well almost. Unlike Haji, his look-alike's doppelganger was composed of holy light, as opposed to regular light. It's all very complicated.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU ANYWAYS!?"

[Morei Haji]

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! THIS ALL STARTED BECAUSE OF ONE LITTLE SLIP UP LIKE THAT?! SO WHY THE HELL AM I BEING BLAMED FOR IT?!"

I would throw my hand back to send my doppleganger out towards Taniguchi, but at the same time, I would notice my lookalike had done the same exact thing... his own doppleganger came out, only it shone in a different color.

"I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THAT! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU COPYING ME DOWN TO MY POWERS?!"