Background:
Yuto was born to Hiruma Uhiro, a proud out-runner and Hiruma Yuki, his Kaiu artisan wife. It was dutiful match but it was not a warm one. His father was dour and serious and his mother was very focused on her art, creating small intricate sculptures with many mechanical pieces. How Yuto ended up such a loud, and rambunctious child neither of them ever knew. Still Yuto was eager to grow up and follow in his father's footsteps as one of the Hiruma Scouts. It devastated him that on the vary day he completed his gempukku that word was received that his father succumbed to Taint and killed several of his patrol before disappearing deep into the Shadowlands. Uhiro was now one of the Lost.

For two years, Yuto volunteered for every mission and patrol his superiors would send him on, hoping that he could find his father. Desperate to prove he would not fall to the taint himself. When things were dire he tried to cheer up his comrades with crass stories and jokes, but always it hid the insecurity of meeting the same fate as his father. His father found him first.

Coming back from a deep sweep from the southern most tip of the Kaiu wall, Yuto and his patrol were caught in a thunderstorm, the likes of which seemed like the very rage of O-Sano Wo himself. The heavy clouds and heavier rain made the night black as ink, only when the lighting struck would the world illuminate. In that oppressive dark, is when a monster struck at Yuto. And as he grappled and stabbed at the beast it rasped out his name, and he knew, this thing was once his father. As he tried to push the slavering maw away he couldn't resist the horrible strength and with a too-wide smile and a flash of teeth, his left hand was bitten cleanly off at the wrist.

Yuto barely remembers what happened next. He tried to stab the beast but weakly as he lost blood. He had images of his comrade's blades and spears hitting the beast but it's taint thickened hide merely bleed, it did not break, as it fled back into the night. It was two days of fever and delirium as Kuni medicine treated his wounds. He remembers them talking around him to his superiors, but the Kuni felt certain that the twisted Lost that was his father, could smell and track Yuto, and sending him back out would only endanger those with him.

Once he was recovered he was sent to serve the Yasuki, who were glad to have him. He made an excellent runner and courier between different markets where they were making deals, and he was someone they could send to, at times, collect from those that did not pay their debts. Or to try and recover. He even rescued some young Doji and Seppun children that had been kidnapped while passing through Crane lands, which is certainly something they have been all to happy to leverage, and of course, something that brag about to the Daidoji, which has put their ire on Yuto's back.

For two years, Yuto has served the Yasuki and now they send him to the City of the Rich Frog hoping that he will protect their plans to keep koku flowing. Who knows what fate has in store for the young scout here.

Description:
A man of average height, stocky build and slightly rounded features that give him a friendly face, but not a handsome one. His black hair is often unkempt and his queue and top-knot normally look like they are held together by a prayer an merciful spirit. His traveling clothes are mostly tones of gray and muddy brown, with the Hiruma family mon over the left breast. His left arm is almost always tucked into his robe to hide his missing hand. He wears a brightly colored amigasa he wears and splashes of blue, reds and greens, 'fashionably' brings color to his otherwise drab attire. His daisho is tucked into his sash, joined by a third blade, an unadorned, antique chokuto blade.

When armored for battle, it's impossible not to notice his missing left hand. Light and mobile Ashigaru armor serves him well, with protection that doesn't impede his natural speed. His armor has no adornment, and is a mixture of muted greys and charcoal blacks to serve him well on when trying to scout ahead. The weapon in his hand is almost always the chokuto, as it has almost the same reach as the katana, but balances better in a single hand. He still wears that garish amigasa though.

Personality:
Yuto is a man of contrasts. Compassion is the virtue of Bushido he holds most dear, because he believes compassion for those that they have a duty to protect bolsters all the other virtues. His fondness of humor, and desire to lift spirits makes it hard for others to find him sincere. Also when it is time to fight he will lash out with surprising violence. He will tell you that is because once you are committed to a fight, you must end it as quickly as possible. Deep down it is his way of slaking that anger he feels at what his father has become and his fear that some day he might end up the same. Still he tries to hide this all with a smile and joke, even if that's considered unbecoming a Samurai.

He is well liked by children, even outside of the tales spread by the children he saved, he's always bonded with them easily. He is patient and will listen to what they have to say happily. They are his secret weapon when he has to appear in court, because the children always pay far more attention than anyone realizes.