Takashi Hasegawa

Medium-Sized Human Female

Class: Samurai 2/Inkyo 1/Monk 3/Shintao Monk 3/Shiba Protector 1/Iaijutsu Master 10

Hit Dice: 2d10+1d8+3d8+3d8+1d10+10d10+20 (206 hp)

Initiative: +13 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative, +2 Warrior Instinct, +3 Lightning Blade) +15 with katana (+2 Way of the Crane)

Speed: 50 ft.

AC: 24 (+4 Dex, +7 preternatural, +3 canny defense [if Katana is drawn]), touch 24, flat-footed 17

Attacks: Katana +28/+23/+18/+13 melee; or unarmed +24/+19/+14/+9

Damage: Katana 1d10+11 (17-20/x2); unarmed 1d8+8

Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: Flurry of Blows, One Strike, Two Cuts, Smite Evil, Strike with No Thought, Unarmed Strike

Special Qualities: Canny Defense, Evasion, Immune to stunning, sleep and slow effects (Grasp the Earth Dragon), Lightning Blade, No Thought, Strike from the Void, Detect Evil, Speak to the Soul, Touch the Void Dragon

Saves: Fort +17, Ref +19 (+Evasion), Will +24 (Still Mind grants +2 vs. Enchantment effects & spells)

Abilities: Str 14, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 23, Cha 16

Skills: Balance +18, Climb +12, Diplomacy +12, Escape Artist +16, Hide +12, Iaijutsu Focus +26, Intimidate +8, Jump +16, Knowledge (religion) +11, Listen +16, Move Silently +12, Ride +10, Sense Motive +29, Spot +17, Swim +10, Tumble +29

Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Daisho Specialization (katana), Dodge, Expertise, Fortune's Breath, Improved Critical (katana), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Karmic Strike, Mobility, Spring Attack, Sudden Strike (katana), Superior Expertise, Warrior Instinct, Way of the Crane, Weapon Finesse (katana) (B), Weapon Focus (katana)

Challenge Rating: 20

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Background

Osaki Hasegawa was a respected samurai in service of Lord Hokage, the great Daimyo. Though only a moderately-ranked samurai, Osaki was a descendant of a long line of samurais, all of whom served their masters with utmost devotion. Regretfully, the first and only child his wife, Tsubeko, bore him was a daughter. Destined to be named Takashi, the samurai and his wife nevertheless loved their young daughter and raised her to be the perfect future wife of a samurai.

From a very early age, however, Takashi showed that she had a mind of her own, and it was set on other things. From the moment she could walk, she'd take a wooden stick and wave it around, much like her father did with his sword. At the age of six, she began training in the martial ways under the guidance of a simple farmer living nearby. She'd slip out at night and walk to the old man's hut. She has managed to do so for over two years, till her parents caught her one night. The old man was banished and Takashi learned years later that he has died of old age at a distant village.

Shortly afterwards, Lord Hokage ordered Osaki to go under the service of Lord Masaaki, a lord currently involved in a lengthy war against a clan of pirates and brigands. Lord Masaaki's order to Osaki was to guard a foreign ambassador, one which was highly valuable and most important to Lord Masaaki's war effort, since he was there to negotiate supplies and reinforcements. A week after the arrival of the ambassador, assassins raided the Shiro in which the negotiations took place. Osaki fought with all his might and devotion but he could not stop the assassin from completing their tasks, taking out the ambassador. Naturally, the pirates were blamed, and six years later they were wiped out. It was believed that, had the negotiations bear fruit, the pirates might have been destroyed in six months, rather than six years. Osaki was dishonored by his failure and the choice was made to commit seppuku. The seppuku was approved, barring one condition, that the child of the samurai be returned back to Lord Hokage's keeping. Takashi was nine years old when both her parents committed the ceremonial seppuku.

Even though she was only gone for a period of about a month, Lord Hokage's estate seemed different now for young Takashi. She was handed to Lady Asahina, one of Lord Hokage's concubines, to be raised under her guidance. During all this time, Takashi never stopped her martial arts training, continuing them on her own. She has made up her mind. She would become a samurai, even greater than her father and his father before him and the ones before him.

At the age of ten, she dressed up as a boy, took the name of Kauichi and enrolled in the Samurai School of Lord Hokage. For the next five years, all went well. She had managed to hide her identity pretty easily, and for some reason the Lady Asahina did not bother with Takashi's continued disappearing. She has made several friends and the school but bought some enemies as well. She excelled at almost, if not all, aspect of teaching and many students envied her. Her closest friends were Hiromi Akaido and Mitsuki Oshiro. They always stood by her side and supported her, since usually she tried to blend into the background, not to attract too much attention but the enemies she bought constantly teased her. Yet, as time passed it became harder for Kauichi to hide the fact that he's a she, as her body matured and became more feminine.

Five years after enrolling in the Samurai School, an event took place that changed Takashi's life. It was a dreadful night when Lord Hokage's ship sailed through treacherous waters. The storm created waves that could sink mountains. On the ship were, among others, Lord Hokage and the samurai students, including Kauichi. Suddenly, without prior warning, the ship gave way and was crashed under some unseen force. Though parts of the ships stay afloat, many people, including Lord Hokage, fell over board. Takashi remained on deck and saw Lord Hokage when the occasional lightning lit the skies. Most of the people onboard made for the boats as someone was shouting to abandon ship. Gigantic tentacles rose up from the surface of the angry sea and hit the ship again, while others grabbed people in the water and pulled them into the bowels of the ocean. Shark fins were spotted just minutes ago all around the ship and it appears that they have increased in number. Knowing fully that if she'd jump into the raging see she wouldn't make it and that the cold water would cause her clothes to cling to her feminine figure, revealing her secret, she nevertheless jumped into the turbulent waters and made for her Lord. As she approached him, a gigantic tentacle shot up from the water and with one fluent move plucked Lord Hokage from the water and pulled him under. From the impact of the tentacle, he fell unconscious. Immediately Takashi drew a long breath and swam down after her master. She could see him ahead of her but the tentacle pulled him to fast. As a lightning lit up the entire area it appeared like the sea itself is aflame and with it, Takashi saw the other end of the tentacles: a colossal sea monster, a Kraken! As the tentacles were retracted they threw the helpless people into its cavernous tooth-filled mouth and were never seen again. Realizing she'd never make it in time, she spotted a large shark heading her way. With an amazing burst of speed, she dodged the shark and caught its back fin. Plucking its eyes out, she directed the shark toward her Lord. Finally reaching him, she jumped from the back of the shark and, using the momentum from the leap, she cut the Kraken's tentacle that held Lord Hokage. Black oily blood filled the area as Takashi grabbed her Lord and made for the beach. Fighting off repeated attacks by an angry Kraken and its shark servants, she finally reached the beach, exhausted and wounded. She dragged Lord Hokage from the waterfront when suddenly the persistent Kraken shot its tentacles out onto the beach. Takashi held the line for over an hour, fighting off the tentacles while shielding her master with her body. Finally the Kraken gave up and withdrew to the dark abyss from which it came, moments after Lord Hokage woke up to see one of his samurai students defending him. Lord Hokage recognized the young warrior as Kauichi when he suddenly realized he was a she, Kauichi was actually Takashi Hasegawa. After the Kraken's withdrawal, Takashi immediately kneeled before her master. Contemplating on the matter for a moment, he understood the sacrifice Takashi has made when she jumped into the water after him: either die at the hand, or tentacle, of the mighty Kraken, or die at the hand of the executioner when it was revealed that Kauichi was actually Takashi. She could have saved her own life and the expense of his, but she didn't… truly a display of bushido at its finest.

The following morning, Takashi had prepared herself for her execution. Lord Hokage didn't sleep that night, contemplating on the events of last night and their outcome. At dawn he summoned his shugenja and they traveled with the using of his powerful magic to the Imperial City. Luckily, he managed to gain an audience with the Emperor at such short notice. After the Emperor heard the tale of last night, Lord Hokage asked of the Emperor what to do with her, and he explained that he'd like to see her become a samurai. After the Emperor granted his blessings, Lord Hokage returned to his Shiro and sent for Takashi.

The tales of last night spread like wildfire and soon all of the Shiro and surrounding villages knew about of Takashi's secret. Oshiro and Akaido were amazed at this discovery, though their friendship with Kauichi, or Takashi, was unaffected.

All the while she sat at her room, meditating and readying herself to welcome death. When the courtier of the Daimyo came to her at noon, she knew it was all over and she'd never walk in the morning mists again, a habit she loved since she could remember herself.

Takashi was lead to the Daimyo Hokage. When she reached him she kneeled before him, ready to take any sentence he'd decree, and she believed she knew what would come. The Lord Hokage asked someone for the daisho. Takashi didn't know what's going on. "Is Lord Hokage going to do the execution himself?" she wondered. Then Lord Hokage spoke. His voice only strengthened Takashi. This is the man she had died for, a worthy and most honorable Daimyo. Her sacrifice was worthy. But instead of harsh words, he spoke softly and calmly. He spoke of her bravery and dedication, of her devotion to her lord and her ultimate sacrifice. He told her that she did not shame her line and that she descents from even greater samurais than those she know off. Then he told her to rise and she lifted her face from the floor. And finally he told her the words that forever remain etched in her heart and mind; he told her that she is a true samurai. With those words he handed her the weapons of her forefathers, her ancestral daisho. He told her that with the blessing of the Emperor, she is expected to resume her training in the Samurai School. Needless to say that all of the audience was a little bit shocked, though none said or show anything. The one that was the most shocked and surprise of them all was Takashi herself.

At the age of eighteen, Takashi finished her training at the samurai school with excellence. Though she continued much like before (only this time without the need or fear of hiding her true identity), many students looked upon her differently. Some liked her more, some disliked her more, but Oshiro and Akaido only came closer too her, though those that truly hated her, even before she was revealed, despised her even more. The memory of her father's failure still lingered in Takashi's heart and mind and she asked her Lord's approval to find out if the assassins that caused her father's dishonor were truly dealt with. Searching the land, she found out that those that sent them, the pirate clan was destroyed over two years ago, the assassins themselves still lived. Takashi made sure they didn't. It took her only two months to track them down and kill them.

Takashi served Lord Hokage with utmost devotion and she never failed him. She carried out any command he gave to the letter. She took the learning of the iaijutsu mastery. At the March of the Walking Dead, when a horde of undead zombies marched in the Badlands toward the abandoned Shiro in order to unleash an ancient demon, she was dispatched as part of a group to stop it from occurring. When the zombies were at the bottom of the long stairs that lead to the top of the Shiro where the demon awaited imprisoned, the shugenja from Takashi's group started a ceremony to banish the demon forever. But there was no time, as the zombies would reach the top of the stairs before the ceremony was completed. Climbing on one of the battlements above the stairs, Takashi jumped into the midst of the zombie horde. The last her friends saw of her was her face between the zombies fighting them off as they attempted to rip the flesh off her body and she screamed to them to finish the ceremony. After the ceremony was complete and the demon was banished, her friends believed that Takashi was dead but have sacrificed her life to stall the zombies so that the ceremony would be complete. Suddenly, reaching the top of the stairs, Takashi crawled up, wounded and bleeding but very much alive and kicking.

On a different occasion, after mastering the iaijutsu art, a contest between the greatest iaijutsu master in the region and Takashi was set. The rules were first blood. Takashi won the contest but the master's student, Takanohana, said that Takashi cheated and it couldn't be that a woman was better than his master. He challenged her to a iaijutsu duel to the death. After getting her Daimyo's approval she regretfully accepted (she did not want to kill Takanohana, although he offended her honor). Takanohana never managed to draw his katana.

Takashi grew up to become a beautiful woman, and the tension between her and Oshiro began rising. After a long time, they became lovers. Oshiro loved Takashi with all his heart and she loved him the same. He saw great potential in the young samurai and supported her always. Unfortunately for the both of them, Oshiro was ordered to commit seppuku due to his disobedience to a Daimyo he was burrowed to. He was ordered to butcher an entire village that has fallen ill to a deadly disease. He refused because he thought that the healthy ones should be spared and evacuated (most of the village population were healthy women and children, as the disease seemed to affect mostly men). Oshiro appointed Takashi as a seppuku "confirmer" and she took the job with a divided heart. To Takashi's dismay, Oshiro did not manage to complete the seppuku properly and she was forced to finish the job herself. She did it perfectly.

That night she cried, truly cried for the first time in her life. She now understood what pain really means.

She is now 26 years old.