Inei

Inei during the invasion of Masao

## Biography

### Early Life: Inei

Inei was born to the family of a well trusted samurai to the nation of Kyūbi-no-Kuni and friend to the past emperor Uiriamu. During the first War of Succession, despite Masao’s failure to conquer the nation, he killed Inei’s father. Inei’s mother, a green eyed hag, was killed along with the casualties of war. Uiriamu, pitying the death of his old friend’s son, adopted the young boy as his own son. Inei was never granted right to the throne but he was given housing and education inside the castle. After losing his father, Inei stayed quiet yet rambunctious. He could be constantly seen running or hiding across the palace. Inei’s desire to avenge his father led him to observe the samurai and ninja from the shadows increasing his aptitude in stealth. Yoriichi, a veteran samurai of the kingdom, saw potential in the young boy and would teach him from time to time. Yoriichi was the only warrior who took interest in Inei and his struggles. Not long after though, he retired and moved into the woods. Inei honed more skills like deception and thievery to entertain his boredom, steal extra food from the kitchen, and lie his way from trouble. After surprising the lead ninja of Uiriamu’s personal bodyguards he gained the attention from his father Uiriamu.

### Masao’s Invasion: 487 AE (Inei’s account)

15 years after the War of Succession, Uiriamu called upon Inei after recent understanding of his talents and desire to help Kyūbi-no-Kuni. Along with Yoriichi, the veteran samurai from the War of Succession, Isato, a forest ranger who was known for cultivating the apple-blossom forest, Kasandora, an undead oracle, Kagura, a prodigy healer from the shrine, Teru Bozu, a renowned monk of the basket folk. These warriors were summoned to investigate a threat arising in the kingdom and report their findings to Uiriamu. This was Inei’s chance to prove himself and be recognized as a ninja of the kingdom.

Entering the cave passage underneath the city they discovered a secret passage among the twists and turns of the dirt labyrinth. After traveling for even a short time Inei started to grow fondly of his new companions. Kasandora was scary, but her power was assuring to him. Isato was distant and calm, giving Inei a sense of calm and level headedness as well. Kagura he was fond of. With exchanging stories and small talk he began to take a liking to the young maiden. Teru Bozu was funny and entertained Inei, but his sense of duty was beyond what he expected and allowed Inei to take pride in his new companions. Yoriichi was the returning hero from the last war and Inei stuck to him like his own son would. After exploring the cavern, they engaged a group of Ogres with little knowledge of the army that was just behind. Inei deceived two of them to fight each other to the death. The surviving ogre was deceived by Inei into fighting the rest of his race and gave the group an opportunity to retreat back to the capital. Although, Teru Bozu was lost behind them in the midst of the chaos due to his lack of vision to see that the rest of the group were leaving.

Upon reaching the capital again, they found that the great statue in the southern part of the city was moved aside to make an entrance for the ogres. The statue was connected to the labyrinth beneath and Yoriichi along with Kasandora stayed back to defend the townsfolk and retain the fighting to that area. Inei rushed back to the palace where his father was, along with Isato and Kagura. When they reached the bridge they saw Uiriamu and Masao locked into battle across the bridge. Inei, realizing the power and strength of Masao, ran back to Yoriichi for aid. Isato and Kagura locked into combat to help their emperor.

After making it back with the other two Inei watched hidden from the other side of the bridge as Isato shot arrows across the bridge to give aid, but to no avail. Yoriichi locked blades directly with Masao but after a quick but masterful exchange of blows and parries, Masao struck down Yoriichi, Inei’s role model and safety net, before his eyes. Masao began to engage with Uiriamu once again, which gave Inei the chance to run to Yoriichi’s body. Not long after Inei realized Yoriichi’s state Masao beat down Uiriamu into a defeated state. Masao, turning to the boy, readied his hand. It was then that Teru Bozu grabbed Masao’s attention as a new threat arising from the waters of the river below (Toji Fushiguro style). Inei fumbled around the Body of Yoriichi when he saw from the side of his vision Teru Bozu being beat down by Masao, losing his hands first, and then his head (never leaving the basket though). Inei got up and tried to get Kagura to flee with him but Masao approached them giving them the choice to join him. To his horror Kagura stayed and joined Masao. As Inei was given the choice, he tried to run hidden from Masao, but his fear caused him to fumble and fall. As he got up to escape he heard from behind Masao's voice echo “Now all of Kyūbi-no-Kuni see you!”. As Inei ran past Isato he saw the hope had left his eyes and just before he left he turned to take one last look at his father. As he stared in disbelief he saw Isato drawing his bow towards Uiriamu. At this Inei faded into the shadows and disguised himself as one of the enemy in order to escape. No one knows what happened to Inei after this incident and there is no evidence of his life or death. On that day Inei lost his adoptive father, role model, and new basket friend to the hands of Masao and he witnessed Kagura and Isato, the two he was most fond of, turn against him. And Kasandora, she never showed… This is the account of the fall of Succession from the eyes of the witness Inei.