Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XXVI: New Heights===
:>The first match of the Second round began.
:>Kitsuki-san took his stance, one foot forward, front knee bent, sword gripped at waist height, point aimed at his opponent.
:>It doesn't get more basic than that.
:>Rei mirrored his stance.
:>To my surprise neither of them shifted stances.
:>I glanced over to Aoi-san.
:>She had gotten changed right before the match and came back in something... normal.
:>The disappointment was palpable.
:>The fact that it was brought out a few scowls from some of the ladies of the court.
:>Rei was one.
:>Finally, Rei stepped in to strike.
:>Kitsuki-san did the same.
:>Rei checked her blow and leapt back.
:>Monkey whispered.
:>Did you guys see that?
:>Of course we did.
:>But, just to be sure we all saw the same thing what did you see, Monkey?
:>It looked to me like Kitsuki-san moved the same way she did, at the same time.
:>Bullshit.
:>Aoi shook her head.
:>It's not. His memory is flawless, after all.
:>He's exploiting the limits of her Daidoji style.
:>Hah?
:>She stepped to his side, and he mirrored her again. I saw only a slight delay certainly not long enough for ME to have recognized what she was doing and copy it.
:>I see.
:>Amano joined in.
:>Yes, in a one on one situation like this, her technique is limited to mostly basics that are taught in all dojo's. In other words, there is no move she can make that he cannot already replicate.
:>Aoi nodded.
:>And since he had time to study her before, he can spot her tells easily.
:>Rei began to shift her stance, and Kitsuki-san followed her.
:>If I wasn't seeing him do it with my own eyes I would have said this was impossible.
:>Rei had enough, with a snarl of rage she rushed in and attacked.
:>Too reckless, by far.
:>Kitsuki-san deflected both her strikes, then brought the pommel of his bokken at her face.
:>As she recoiled he stopped, then quickly struck her wrist.
:>A loud crack announced he had broken it.
:>Doji Rei fell to her knees, clutching her wrist and biting her lip.

:>Kitsuki-san waited until a shugenja had tended to her, then exchanged bows and returned to us.
:>Did you seriously do what it looked like you were doing out there?!
:>Yes, I did.
:>Toshiro looked at him.
:>So why don't you do that more often?
:>I would need to know an opponent thoroughly. for starters, to guess what they will do that fast.
:>I would also need an opponent who only knows techniques I do.
:>I cannot learn new movements just by watching them, I would have to practice to ingrain them into myself.
:>And if those movements are not taught by my school, it would be detrimental to learn them to that extent.
:>Lastly, it only works if my opponent allows themselves to be goaded by that.
:>How did you know Rei would?
:>I didn't. I took a gamble.
:>Huh. Well then.
:>I left to prepare myself for my match.
:>Shiba Ayame intruded upon my meditation.
:>Hida Ishigaki-sama?
:>Very formal.
:>Yes?
:>I just wanted to make sure you remembered your promise...
:>I opened my eyes and looked at her.
:>Is it because you want to take revenge yourself?
:>She looked away.
:>Is that wrong?
:>Not at all.
:>She looked back at me, surprised.
:>Naomi is the kind of person who would say revenge only begets more revenge, or something like that.
:>Personally, I think you have every right to look him in the eyes as you extinguish their light.
:>So long as you aren't planning anything stupid.
:>Uh, no. I mean, I don't really know what I'm planning...
:>I folded my arms.
:>I can't believe I'm about to say this, but...
:>I think you should speak to Bayushi Amano-san.
:>Huh?!
:>No one does revenge like the Scorpion.
:>Obviously you don't want him to handle it for you, but he can at least advise you on the best ways to get your former Gunso into a duel.
:>That IS what you want right? To best him in a fair fight?
:>Otherwise there really isn't any point in me holding back.
:>Yes, that is what I want.

:>Alright then. Go to Amano. Tell him to give you the Ishigaki discount on his advice.
:>What's the Ishigaki discount?
:>The discount Scorpions give out when they don't want a Crab pissed off at them for taking advantage of someone that Crab likes.
:>She smiled at me.
:>Thank you, Hida Ishigaki-sama.
:>You don't have to be so formal with me, you know?
:>As you wish, Ishigaki-sama.
:>It still didn't feel right, hearing her address me as -sama, but I guess it was true that I outranked her.
:>For that matter, I always felt a little odd whenever ANYONE addressed me as -sama.
:>Of all the things in court life I had gotten used to, outranking people was the one thing I could never get a hold on.
:>I had never desired promotions before, nor holdings.
:>I had never expected to live long enough to attain any rank worth mentioning.
:>How a simple warrior such as myself found himself rubbing shoulders with the movers and shakers of the empire, I will never understand.
:>Let the philosophers and sages argue about it, if they want.
:>I had heads that needed a good cracking.

:>I entered the arena.
:>Shiba Hotaru faced me calmly.
:>I had promised I wouldn't to anything permanent.
:>But I'll be damned if I don't make him pay in some way.
:>I pulled my arms inside my kimono, and thrust them up through the opening in it's front, reminding the Shiba he was now facing a large, scarred wall of muscle.
:>An ANGRY, large, scarred wall of muscle.
:>I saw the corner of his eye twitch, just a little.
:>He bowed.
:>I just took my stance.
:>He stood for a moment, then rushed at me, trying to knock the bokken from my hand.
:>I held my grip, locked up our blades and shoved him back.
:>Hotaru backpedaled, but kept to his feet.
:>Good. I didn't want this to end too quickly.
:>I began to stalk him, walking instead of stepping.
:>My sword resting on my shoulder.
:>Showing utter contempt for his skill.
:>He tried to make me pay for that by thrusting at my chest.
:>I didn't even bother trying to avoid it.
:>He looked at me in horror, as I swung my own bokken at his side, hard.
:>He managed to deflect it.
:>So I swung again, at the same spot.
:>Of course he deflected that one as well.
:>But I knew his palms were stinging when he re-tightened his grip.
:>I knew I was getting to him.
:>So I spread my arms wide apart, offering him a free shot.
:>He stared, incredulously.
:>And took it.
:>I didn't so much as flinch as his bokken slammed into my chest.
:>Nor did I attack him.
:>I just scratched at my chest.
:>Is that all?
:>I stared into his eyes.
:>He dropped his gaze.
:>Then his bokken.
:>Hai. I surrender.
:>I slid my kimono back on and left.

:>There was a break for lunch in between the first two bouts and the last two.
:>Katsuie-sama asked me, Toshiro and Naomi to join him for a private lunch.
:>First, I should congratulate you, Ishigaki-san.
:>I do not know quite how I feel about the way you disrespected your opponent in your last match, but I must admit making him admit defeat was impressive.
:>I opened my mouth to explain myself, but he held up a hand.
:>No. I know full well why you did what you did. Everyone does. Which is why I said I do not know quite how I feel.
:>If you had done that to any of the other contestants, I would be very upset with you.
:>There was just a tiny hint of warning in Katsuie-sama's tone.
:>I understand Hida Katsuie-sama.
:>Good, good.
:>He poured me a fresh cup of tea, silently declaring he considered the matter dropped.
:>I suppose it is all well and good that you so humiliated the only Phoenix to advance to the second round.
:>Oh. Oh shit.
:>Toshiro spoke.
:>So, it's official then, Katsuie-sama?
:>Hai. I do not like it, but Yasuki-san assures me that the deal is very good for our clan.
:>He spoke at some length about return on investment, market forces, other things I do not understand, nor would I care to.
:>Suffice to say that in the worst case, even with the value of the Crane rice increased we will still see no loss on our own dealings.
:>And we most likely will come out ahead this year.
:>If we do well, we may even have some grain left over for next year.
:>Toshiro and I were shocked at that.
:>Most every Crab soldier had, at some point or another, been feed lesser grains like millet.
:>The Yasuki did their best, but sometimes there just wasn't enough rice to feed the Clan for the year.
:>An actual surplus? Just the possibility of one would get the Clan's undivided attention.
:>Will you be able to endure this, Hida Naomi-san?
:>Naomi looked Katsuie-sama in the eyes.
:>Hai. I am Crab now. My children are Crab.
:>I will do what is best for my Clan.

:>I understand this is a difficult time for you, and I want you to know the Clan appreciates your efforts.
:>Please, Katsuie-sama, this much is expected, is it not?
:>True, yet I would be remiss if I were to ignore the position you are in.
:>I am not so heartless.
:>Here, I want you to have this.
:>He pushed over a bag.
:>Naomi bowed.
:>Please Katsuie-sama, I am not doing anything praiseworthy! When I took my marriage vows, I knew I was leaving my old Clan behind!
:>Yet your family will always be your family, and now we do battle against them. Your heart carries a great burden.
:>My family are also Crab, my children are Crab! They need this rice as well!
:>You are a fine person Naomi-san. Loyal, compassionate, with strong magic and a gift for healing. Though you detest war, you set aside your feelings for the good of the Clan. For this I, at the very least, must thank you.
:>Very well, Katsuie-sama.
:>Naomi accepted the bag he had offered.
:>She did not open it, it was rude to open a gift in front of the giver.
:>We did not speak of anything else heavy during lunch, instead Katsuie-sama gave a lengthy discourse on the cultivation of tea leaves.
:>When lunch was over we returned to our rooms.
:>The others were there already.
:>Amano greeted me first.
:>The 'Ishigaki discount'?
:>He smirked a bit.
:>I hope you aren't planning on handing that out willy nilly.
:>Nah. In the first place it's a small miracle I recommended you at all.
:>True. Still it is a marked improvement in our relationship, and I will treasure this moment my entire life.
:>To my surprise, I couldn't detect even a trace of sarcasm.
:>He couldn't really mean that, could he?
:>No Ishigaki, of course not, That's just how the Scorpion lure you in.
:>Naomi opened Katsuie-sama's gift then.
:>Seeds.
:>What are these?
:>Oh! Kitsuki-san, are these...?
:>Seeds for tea leaves, yes.
:>So that's why he had gone on and on about growing tea leaves.
:>I wonder if these are from his own crop?
:>Toshiro looked at the seeds.
:>Most likely, Ishigaki-san.

:>Wow, that's neat!
:>Monkey looked at the seeds.
:>So, what did you do to earn that reward?
:>Everyone looked at him.
:>Huh? What did I say?
:>Kitsuki-san shook his head.
:>Even Mantis-san knows, Monkey.
:>How can you be so oblivious?
:>Hey! 'Even Mantis-san'?!
:>Kitsuki-san ignored Mantis-san's protest.
:>Monkey just looked around.
:>Okay, fine I get it. I'm dense. Will someone just spell it out for me?
:>Amano answered him.
:>The Crab have accepted the deal, and now support war between the Mantis and Phoenix.
:>Monkey's face fell like a Oni no Tsubaru shoved off the south side of the wall.
:>Oh...
:>I'm sorry, Naomi-sama.
:>I have been hearing that a lot. I am fine, really. There is no-
:>She broke off into a coughing fit.
:>I caught her, Toshiro called forth some fire kami to get the tea going, Kitsuki-san produced her medicine, and Monkey got the tea set.
:>Daiko handed him the cup herself.
:>So, she has begun to understand about her mother's illness.
:>Tetsute just chewed on his knuckles looking confused, but knowing something was wrong.
:>Mantis-san knelt beside him, and patted his head to soothe him.
:>Once the fit had passed, and Naomi had rinsed out her mouth, she sipped at her tea.
:>It had not been very bad, comparatively, she was able to hold her own cup and drink without help.
:>After a few minutes she spoke.
:>Like I was saying, I am fine.
:>The Crab clan needs that rice. My children need that rice.
:>Everyone nodded and let the matter drop.
:>No sense bringing it up over and over again.
:>That would only make it harder on her.
:>Monkey changed the subject
:>So, any tips for me in my match?
:>No, I can't think of anything.
:>You SHOULD by all rights, loose handily.
:>Which means you'll win.
:>Monkey blinked.
:>Hah?
:>Mantis-san agreed with me.
:>It's just what you do, Monkey.
:>Kitsuki-san nodded firmly.
:>We've all come to accept that fact now.
:>Um. Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I think...

:>As we headed towards the ad hoc arena Ayame tugged at my sleeve.
:>Thank you.
:>She whispered.
:>It was my pleasure.
:>And that was true.
:>Kakita Sakurada was already waiting for Monkey.
:>Monkey shot us one last "really? no tips?" look before heading in.
:>He scratched his sideburn while the Crane stood and faced him.
:>They bowed and took their stances.
:>The Crane adopted a stance I'd never seen before.
:>His feet were shoulder width apart, and he raised up on the balls of his feet.
:>He faced Monkey squarely, with his bokken held at waist height. Edge to Heaven, point towards Sakurada's rear.
:>His left hand open and resting on the end of the handle, right hand also open, with the top of the handle near where the tsuba would be on a real sword resting in the nock of his thumb and forefinger.
:>All I could see was a man begging to be disarmed and knocked on his ass.
:>Kitsuki-san however...
:>This stance! It's a Kenshinzen stance!
:>Whoa, what?
:>Among the Kakita there is an elite group.
:>As the Defender of the Wall is the best of the best of the Crab Clan when combating the Shadowlands, the Kenshinzen are the best of the best iaijutsu duelists the Crane clan can produce.
:>And they only ever get better with each new entrant.
:>Because in order to become a Kenshinzen, one must first defeat a Kenshinzen in a fair duel.
:>When the Crane MUST win a battle, it is these warriors who often turn the tide.
:>They enter in the fray, hunting down enemy officers, taking their heads and throwing the enemy into chaos.
:>So of course, their Kenjutsu in no joke either, since resheathing your blade after every strike is a bit impractical in the midst of a raging battlefield.
:>Neither were they typical soft bishounen one typically associates with Crane duelists
:>It simply wasn't possible to avoid injury when in open warfare.
:>A squishy bishy would never live long enough to be able to penetrate deep into enemy territory.
:>Now more than ever I was certain of it.
:>Monkey was going to win.

:>Monkey took a step towards the Crane.
:>Who then sprang off the balls of his feet, changing his grip in the air and slashing at Monkey.
:>Monkey had no hope of avoiding the blow.
:>The Crane struck him solidly on the shoulder, pulled his blade back up, and rapped Monkey on the head for good measure.
:>Monkey stumbled and staggered back from the assault, rubbing at his head.
:>OW! That kinda hurt, y'know!
:>Sakurada blinked.
:>A long, slow, catlike blink.
:>Then reset his stance.
:>I chuckled softly.
:>That damn Monkey...
:>Aoi looked at me.
:>What is it, Ishigaki-san?
:>He's tougher than he looks. I'm like a big rock, but he's more like bamboo.
:>I... see.
:>Monkey tried to take the Crane off guard, going from rubbing his head to slashing at Sakurada in an instant.
:>But the Kakita sprang again. I saw now the point of his feet placement. It was true that his balance was precarious, with his heels up off the ground.
:>But his hakama hid the fact that his knees were slightly bent, so that he could spring in any direction he needed at a moment's notice.
:>A solid blow would almost certainly take him off his feet.
:>Good luck landing a solid blow.
:>Fortunately for Monkey, Luck was his special skill.
:>Monkey followed through chasing after the Kakita.
:>Monkey took a swipe at the Kakita's legs, but pulled his blade up as it traveled.
:>As Sakurada dodged again, Monkey managed to clip his ankle mid air.
:>The Crane landed awkwardly, but did not fall.
:>He lashed out at Monkey, more to keep Monkey off of him than to actually hit.
:>Monkey however, was still in pursuit.
:>And so he ran right into the Crane's thrust
:>Monkey twisted his body, letting Sakurada's bokken glance off his body and slide past him.
:>So that he could get inside the Crane's range.
:>Monkey struck, then, three rapid thrusts of his own, all to the Crane's sternum.
:>Kakita Sakurada's eyes bulged as all the air was expelled from his body.
:>He fell to one knee, gasping like a fish out of water, and tried to recover his breath.

:>Monkey was moving awkwardly however.
:>The Crane's strikes had taken their toll.
:>However, Kakita Sakurada had clearly gotten the worst of that exchange.
:>Kitsuki nodded.
:>It's over.
:>And it was.
:>Monkey stomped heavily forward, batted aside the Kakita's bokken and struck him once more, squarely on the top off his head.
:>Sakurada's eyes rolled up into his skull and he fell over face first.
:>Once the Crane hit the floor, Monkey dropped down onto his ass.
:>Naomi-sama!
:>He whined.
:>She got up and ran to him.
:>Aoi blinked in surprise.
:>Even Amano was open mouthed.
:>You were all correct, it seems...
:>Mantis-san shrugged.
:>That's Monkey for you. He's good at doing the impossible.
:>Mantis-san glared at Amano then.
:>But if you ever tell him I said that I'll rip out your tongue and feed it to you, understand?
:>Amano smiled, unconcerned in the least with Mantis-san's threat.
:>Perfectly.
:>Monkey and Naomi then rejoined us.
:>I congratulated him on his victory.
:>Looking forward to kicking your ass in the final, Monkey.
:>Aoi looked at me.
:>Don't you mean you're looking forward to watching Takeshi-san defeat Monkey in the final?
:>Kitsuki-san's eyebrow twitched.
:>I did my best to respond innocently.
:>No.
:>Kitsuki-san's eyebrow twitched again.
:>Aoi tittered behind her fan.
:>But Ishigaki-san! Strong though you may be, Kitsuki-san has known you for years!
:>There is nothing you can do to catch him off guard!
:>Then I wont bother with tricks. I'll just hit him really hard.
:>That seems to work out for me more often than not...
:>Kitsuki-san finally opened his eyes and looked at me.
:>I wish you luck in our upcoming match, Ishigaki-san.
:>His tone was colder than I had expected.
:>The grin on my face died immediately.
:>Kitsuki-san could get annoyed from time to time, but he wasn't one to let banter get the best of him.
:>However, I cannot afford to lose to you.
:>Especially since you so handily defeated the Shiba.
:>Oh. I see.

:>Kitsuki-san's eyes darted across the room.
:>Shoji, Katsuie-sama, Togashi Akuma and the Yoritomo who had taken over for Yohko were deep in conversation
:>It was easy to lose myself in the thrill of this simple competition, but now every victory I earned was a proxy argument in favor of the Mantis Clan.
:>I inclined my head respectfully to Kitsuki-san.
:>I cannot afford to hold back either, old friend.
:>I know, Ishigaki-san.
:>Damn. I had avoided thinking about it, but now the Crab Clan's gain would be the Dragon Clan's loss.
:>They lived in the mountains, terrain not well suited to growing rice.
:>Every bushel of rice taken, every grain store burned would be one more the Dragon would need to get from the Crane.
:>And the Crane would make them pay dearly for it
:>Of course the Mantis would not compete with the Crane this year, and the Crane could convince the Unicorn not to offer rice to the Dragon.
:>None of us knew how to shake off the heavy air that had settled in as the last bout of the day began.
:>Moto Li-Ta, still as shameless as ever, faced off against Akodo Yoshi.
:>Bows made, stances taken, the two collided.
:>Li-Ta swung her bokken in wide arcs, driving the Akodo back as he sought an opening.
:>She spun off to the side as he attacked, aiming a slash at his side.
:>He anticipated it, but as her blade struck his, she spun the other way striking at his opposite side.
:>He was able to deflect again, and again she allowed her bokken to rebound off his and propel her to his other side.
:>Only to bring the blade down from above instead of the side.
:>This time he was out of position, and she struck his shoulder.
:>He shrugged off the blow and shifted his stance.
:>Li-Ta spun the bokken in her hand twirling it twice before seizing it in a two handed grip and bringing it down on him again.
:>This time the Lion was ready. He raised his blade, stepping to the side and deflected her blow past him.
:>Then he spun facing his back to her and thrust his bokken into her stomach.
:>Hard.

:>A loud whuff escaped her as she flew back through the air, her light frame allowing her to stay aloft for an impressive length of time.
:>She managed to land on her feet, but stumbled to a knee as her momentum continued to pull at her.
:>Yoshi wasted no time, shifting his stance in an instant, he rushed to her and struck the bokken from her hand while she was still recovering her balance.
:>So then.
:>I would face Kitsuki-san tomorrow morning, and Monkey would face the Lion Clan Kensai in the afternoon.
:>Then I would face Monkey the day after in the final.
:>I had no doubt Kitsuki-san had some plan in store for me, that was obvious.
:>I was equally certain it would not matter in the end.
:>We ate dinner together, and made small talk.
:>Avoiding the looming confrontation.
:>I donned my armor that night after we all bathed, though I allowed myself to sleep tonight.
:>My old instincts were reawakening quickly. I had no doubt anything out of place would awaken me.
:>It turned out I was right about that.