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Jishaku growled in fury as the thing with the cat-like face bit into him. Surprisingly there wasn't really any pain, but then the samurai is always prepared for death and doesn't go fainting like a little stuck up Crane at the sight of blood. There was rather a lot of blood though. In fact there was probably an unhealthy amount of blood going around and he idly wondered whose it was. Still, there was a beast or two to kill, and so without hesitation the Lion swung his katana in a wicked arc...
...and stumbled forwards into the long grass. He could hear the sea, and there was a familiar presence just up ahead. It was a woman. He vaguely recognised her but it took a moment for him to realise.
"Grandmother? What in Akodo's name are you doing here? Oh, and you're looking quite good for an old dead woman, if you don't mind me saying so."
Cub's grandmother, who looked as she did when she was about 25, rolled her eyes and walked towards him. "Look around you little Cub, you aren't in the Ivory Kingdoms anymore."
Jishaku did as he was told and reluctantly returned his katana to its saya. He walked forward to meet her halfway and found himself looking down onto a beautiful beach, waves crashing gently on the shore.
"Is this where I think it is? Did I just..."
"Yes my boy, it is. I can't believe you. Do you have any idea what your parents are going to say when they get here?"
Awkwardly he looked away before returning to meet her gaze. "Something about not listening to them, when they said I should take up the family tradition and become a historian?"
She tutted at him in the way that all grandmothers learn to do the instant a grandchild is born. "Tsk. Who cares that you died? You died like a Lion, rushing into battle! No Cub, they'll never get over this one fact..." His grandmother turned to look at the sea, a grin spreading over her face.
"You forgot to return your library books." As she bursts out laughing a grin spreads across Jishaku's face and he chuckles along with her. "Come along then, your grandfather wants to hear about the time you fought alongside Ikoma Otemi."
The two Lion walk down to the beach and off into the distance, their footsteps washed away by the sea.
I really enjoyed playing this character with all of you, and I'm sorry I missed out on getting to meet some of my crewmates.
