Flowers grow upward
The sun rises in the East
The sparrow sings long

Kozo

My Parents were killed in an attack on my town and I went to live with my Uncle were I became a Stable boy for the Otaku house that is where I met Shiko. We fell in love but because of my being a peasant there was never a chance of us being able to marry and live our lives together but that did not stop us from sneaking around our families backs. Then one day my life changed a travelling holy man came to my village looking for me he claimed I had a great destiny and that I should be trained in the arts of being a Samurai Bushi. Of course the local and myself thought the holy man was drunk or even Insane except for Shiko's father Otaku Hidetaka who some say knew the holy man. So he began my training in secret since I was not of Samurai blood it would have been a great dishonor should anyone ever know What Otaku Hidetaka was doing and he swore me to Secrecy that I should never tell a sole.

So for seven years Hedetaka and some of his most loyal Samurai trained me in Secret. As far as the Towns people and most of the Samurai were concerned I had been chosen to work in the Hidetakas personal stable taking care of his horses. But, instead my days were spent training and learning what only people of noble blood learned and my nights Spent with Shiko. We wanted to marry but we could not. That is when I decided no matter the cost I would prove myself to her father and ask his permission for her hand in marriage. So to accomplish that goal I decided to compete in the Topaz championship. The next day when I asked Hidetaka if I could he just laughed and said I was Impetuous and young and not readies to compete yet maybe next year. But I knew it was now or never so that night I left to Compete in the Tournament. When I arrived I met a group of fellow Samurai (the Group) who would later turned out to become some of my closes companions. While traveling around the town I saw Shiko and found out that she had also signed up for the tournament. That night we met in Secret and I promised her That I would prove my self worthy to her father and maybe even become A Samurai in the Unicorn Clan. Little did I know that this would be our Last night together (Skip a lot of the tournament Stuff and get to just before her death).

After the first day of competition we planned to meet again but because of Bayushi Sugai and the Scorpion Clans Treachery our lives together were cut short. Bayushi killed her in what he claims was defending his honor but for everyone and myself else present we know it was a coward protecting his hide. I feel responsible for her death and blame myself, for I also believed he was connected but said nothing, and because of my Silence She is dead. I wanted to lash out and Kill Bayushi But that was not the Time and I swore to myself if it were the last thing I do I would have my revenge on Bayushi. I also realized at that moment that I have to win the topaz chance for it is my only chance to become a Samurai and Avenge Shiko. (The Rest of the tournament)

By the final day of Compitition I was very near my goal (Skip most of the tourney events) and even with Bayushi Treachery I won that day and lived to become the Topaz Champion. But somehow I have the feeling that I will cross paths with Bayushi Sugai again and we will be able to settle this once and for all. Once the tournament was over I went back to my village to visit my Uncle and to pay my respect to Hidetaka. That is when he told me he knew all along of my Secret with his daughter and that he was proud of what I accomplished and me. He also thought of me as his son of which he never had .

• Isawa Ahiro, Phoenix: The Phoenix Shugenja is a very capable magistrate and a formable Shugenja. Very level headed and calm in the midst or chaos and war.
• Hida Tagasuru, Crab: As Crabs goes he is the shinning example of their ways. a bit of a hot head and impatient. But a capable fighter and honorable samurai
• Akodo Kasumi, Lion: As she is relatively new to the party I have only recently gotten to know her but from what I can tell she is a very capable in combat and is honorable
• Daidoji Kage, Crane: He is also relatively new, a very capable and honorable fighter, But I fear he is coming under the dark spell of the Moto.
• Moto Buti, Unicorn: Not to question you wisdom, But I think this one has become a minion of the Sword and is not to be trusted. I have seen him use dark magic and return life to the dead, he is also capable of killing without honor or regret but as by your request I am doing my best to keep him and the sword alive
• Youma, Wasp: I have also not know him long but he is a mystery to me a very capable and strong shugenja who sometimes doe not obey the code of the bushido but an honorable man just the same.