Editing Memories of a Stone Wall (section)

===Act XXVII: Maturing===
:>I was awakened by a soft tread approaching the door.
:>The presence of dim light, a single candle, told me the person creeping up to our room was not trying to sneak up on us.
:>So I waited calmly.
:>The door opened crack, and a soft whisper came in.
:>Onii-sama? Onee-sama?
:>Come in Ashitaka, just keep your voice down.
:>And don't panic.
:>He did so, looking around for me.
:>When he saw me sitting there in my armor lit only by a single flickering candle, he jumped back but did not cry out.
:>I told you not to panic.
:>Well, you didn't scream, so that's something.
:>Shut the door.
:>He did.
:>W-why are you...?
:>I wondered if I should tell him the truth.
:>'Oh,no big deal really. I just think your dad might try to have his daughter, grandkids and/or me assassinated in the middle of the night, that's all'.
:>Yeah, that won't do at all.
:>Things have gotten...complicated.
:>He sat down on his knees before me.
:>Everyone says that, or something like it, when I try to get them to tell me what's going on.
:>Ashitaka was a clever boy, there was no denying that.
:>And dancing around a subject was a good way to insult him.
:>I decided not to be rude to my little brother.
:>Though I also wasn't about to completely destroy his innocence.
:>I sighed, dramatically.
:>These are lessons you should not have to learn yet, Ashitaka-san.
:>He liked it when I addressed him as a grown up.
:>I would remember that for when my own children got a little older.
:>But I suppose you will worry more if you do not know what is going on. You're clever enough to pick up that something is happening, after all.
:>The situation has changed. The Crane and Mantis clan have convinced the Crab to join them now, working in support of open war with the Phoenix clan.
:>But...!
:>Shhhhh.
:>He started again, softer this time.
:>I thought the Mantis were just making threats to get our clan to offer them gifts!
:>That is what the Mantis say they are doing, yes.
:>And the Crane say they only want peace.

:>But in private the Crane have convinced the Mantis that war is the best choice for them.
:>And now the two clans have combined their efforts to sway my clan to their side.
:>... how did they do that?
:>The Mantis will strike at storehouses. They will attempt to take rice and grain from your clan in the war. What they cannot steal they will burn.
:>That will make the Crane's rice much more valuable.
:>I waited for him to nod along.
:>Though he only had a basic grasp of the value of rice, he understood cause and effect quickly.
:>You may not have known this, but my clan does not make enough rice to feed itself every year.
:>His eyes widened.
:>So, every year when winter court comes around, we give gifts of the things we do have enough of to others so they give us gifts of rice in return.
:>He nodded again.
:>By keeping us from being able to make gifts of rice, the Crane make their gifts more valuable... and since your clan needs rice that is why you opposed the war at first...
:>I nodded.
:>Yes, that's right.
:>So to get you to join them, they must have offered your clan enough rice that you wont need to rely on the Crane's more valuable rice?
:>I nodded again.
:>You really catch on quickly.
:>He looked down, as he realized what that must mean.
:>How can things like this happen?
:>I blew out another sigh.
:>The urge to protect is strong.
:>He looked up at me.
:>What do you mean?
:>I looked over to where Naomi and my children were sleeping.
:>If my clan does not get enough rice, then they might go hungry.
:>I will do whatever I must to ensure they get that rice.
:>But if the Crane have enough rice why don't they just give it to you and be done with it?
:>Because there are some things the Crane do not have enough of.
:>Sometimes what they need is not even a thing, but an ally instead.
:>Say the Lion want to make war on the Crane, because the Lion always want to make war on the Crane.
:>The Crane may offer my clan rice, and in exchange, ask us to send soldiers to aid them in battle.

:>I shrugged, making my armor rattle just bit.
:>It is how things are. It is not one person's fault, not even a single clan can be blamed for how the Empire functions.
:>Ashitaka stared into the distance for a long time.
:>I will not be able to protect everyone all the time, will I?
:>No one can.
:>It is up to you to decide, for yourself, who or what it is that you hold most dear.
:>And do your best to keep it safe.
:>Sometimes that means drawing a blade and taking lives.
:>Sometimes it means being able to put your blade away.
:>A warrior that can tell the difference between those two times is rare indeed, but I believe you will be able to, in time.
:>My father is very upset with me.
:>I figured as much, given that you had to sneak in here in the middle of the night to talk to me.
:>He says bushi are all bloodthirsty louts who will throw their lives away for nothing.
:>He says this tournament proves it.
:>Ashitaka looked me in the eyes.
:>Why do you do it, Onii-sama?
:>Not just you, all the other bushi do as well.
:>The way of the warrior is death, Ashitaka-san.
:>When others would choose life, the warrior chooses death. For himself, or his enemies.
:>But you just said...!
:>That is for those who rise high enough in rank to make those choices.
:>The vast majority of Bushi will not bear the responsibility of even hundreds of lives, let alone thousands.
:>For most bushi, they do not choose which enemy to fight, nor do they choose the time and place of the battle.
:>They must trust in their superiors who have made those choices for them.
:>The reason that we go so far, is that we must test ourselves constantly.
:>When our lord calls us to war, we must go.
:>When our lord commands us to fight, we must fight.

:>Only by defeating our enemies do we earn the right to return to our homes and loved ones.
:>And only by constantly training ourselves, pushing ourselves to our very limits and beyond, do we have any hope of emerging victorious.
:>Because our enemies are training just as hard, in the hopes that they will be the ones to win.
:>I looked at him evenly.
:>Are you having second thoughts?
:>He shook his head.
:>No. There is much more to being a bushi than I realized, but my desire is unchanged. I am glad I can ask you about these things, Onii-sama.
:>Good luck in your match tomorrow.
:>He slipped out of the room.
:>I went back to sleep.
:>In the morning I once again got out of my armor.
:>I ate breakfast with just my immediate family.
:>And I went early to the arena.
:>I sat down, folded my legs lotus style, and waited with bokken across my knees.
:>I heard people come in in small groups.
:>Whispers I did not care to try to make out floated about the room.
:>Finally I heard the steps of Kitsuki-san entering the arena.
:>I opened my eyes, took hold of my weapon and stood up slowly, allowing my joints to pop quite audibly.
:>I rolled my neck to get just a few more pops out.
:>And turned to face him calmly.
:>Of course, he was disciplined enough that he didn't let show if I had managed to throw him off or not with that little mind game.
:>Well, it's not like I had any other tricks up my sleeve.
:>I would just hit him over the head so hard he'd have to open his kimono to eat.
:>We bowed, and I moved as soon as our heads came back up.
:>Kitsuki-san backpedaled, deflecting my attacks.
:>I intended to give him no time to breathe, and pushed on.
:>His training with his sensei showed, his defense was solid.
:>I knew better than to overextend myself though.
:>While I doubted he could knock me over, he may have been able to disarm me, if I gave him the chance.
:>Still, I had him on the defensive.
:>It was all he could do to keep me away from him.

:>After several exchanges I had to give him credit.
:>Most people's hands would be numb by now, having blocked so many of my heavy strikes.
:>But he was parrying well, keeping himself from taking the full force.
:>Had he tried to just dodge, he'd have gotten tired eventually.
:>He was good at conserving his strength for the right moment.
:>I just had to make sure that moment never came.
:>Then Kitsuki-san surprised me.
:>He deflected my strike, then struck at my wrist.
:>I hit his bokken aside, forcefully, trying to knock it away or at least out of position.
:>But he had expected just that kind of response.
:>He had not committed to his attack, he let his wrists loosen and my strike passed his bokken.
:>Now I was the one out of position.
:>Calm determination was all I saw in his eyes as he moved, striking before I could prepare myself.
:>He hit me quite hard. No tricks, just raw force.
:>I was surprised that I actually felt it.
:>Then I brought my own bokken down on his crown.
:>Enough! I yield!
:>... Well.
:>I can't say I didn't expect to win, but he had gotten in the first strike.
:>So he did, at least, have the morale victory there.
:>For a courtier to come as far as he did, and perform as well as he had was impressive.
:>I bowed as Naomi came up to tend to his injury, then we both sat down together.
:>Aoi smirked as we sat down.
:>I knew Takeshi-san would win.
:>I looked at her.
:>In what possible way is that a win?
:>He is not a bushi, yet he advanced to the semi-finals of a kenjutsu tournament, and was able to outmaneuver the warrior who had so handily dominated his foe in his last match!
:>You may have won the match, but Takeshi-san's showing was far more impressive!
:>I looked over at Kitsuki-san.
:>He shrugged.
:>It was the best I could realistically hope for.
:>I see, so not a morale victory, but a political one.
:>Nicely done, then.

:>Since there were only two bouts today, there was more time for classic politicking in between the end of my match and lunch.
:>Having entered into the final, I was once again under assault left and right form fluttering fans and backhanded compliments.
:>Or, if you want to be honest about that last one, insults you can't actually respond to.
:>Yet another example in a long list of games of pretend played in Rokugan, so long as you disguise your insult like a compliment, you can lie about your intentions.
:>Then it is not you who is shamed, but anyone who does not pretend to go along with your bad lies.
:>This kind of crap gets under the skin of a Crab like nothing else, and the Lion aren't too fond of it either.
:>If I had to guess, the reason everyone tolerates this sort of thing is because they see it as a game.
:>You're supposed to trade insults back and forth, without being so crass to give your foe grounds for a duel, and the first one to lose their face is disgraced.
:>It's a test of wit, to come up with insult after insult, and of willpower, to endure one after the other without losing your composure.
:>I was lacking in the former.
:>But I had enough of the latter.
:>So I simply threw them off by playing to their expectations.
:>Your victories are quite impressive, Hida-san!
:>You show us all what is possible when one does not waste time learning manners and focuses all effort on being a fine warrior!
:>Well thank you, Scorpion-san! Sadly, it is true I will never be as good as a proper bushi at arranging flowers!
:>To my surprise, it was a Crane that came to my rescue.
:>Flower arranging is for courtiers anyway, Hida-san.
:>I, for one, am glad you sacrifice studies of art and culture.
:>I do not think a haiku, no matter how well written, has ever stopped a rampaging oni before.
:>I dug around in my ear a little bit, just to see if there was something in there.
:>Like a brain eating parasite.
:>There's no way a CRANE just said that.

:>A Lion gave voice to my own incredulity.
:>Are you implying art has no value, Doji-san?
:>Not at all, Ikoma-san! Your last painting moved me very deeply in fact!
:>But from time to time it does not hurt to remember that the Crab sacrifice much more than just their lives to stand their eternal vigil on the Empire's southern border.
:>I think it uncouth to hold that against them.
:>Oh, I almost forgot, Hida Katsuie-san wished to speak with you, Hida Ishigaki-san.
:>Ah, well then, If you'll excuse me.
:>I went over to join Katsuie-sama.
:>It was just him, a Yasuki, and a Hiruma yojimbo.
:>Doji Ai was able to get you out of there in one piece I see.
:>Hai, Katsuie-sama.
:>Good, good. Let's all just act like we are deep in conversation and keep those buzzing insects away.
:>Some of them have nasty bites.
:>So we did, until it was time for lunch.
:>We ate together privately, so Monkey would not have to deal with the jabbering of the courtiers.
:>Naomi had to take Tetsute in her lap and feed him herself, to keep him from crawling across the table to reach whatever bit of food had caught his eye.
:>So while my wife fed our son, I fed her.
:>Aoi, back in usual attire, tried to feed Kitsuki-san.
:>He looked to me for help, I just smirked.
:>Having a fine woman feed you was a simple pleasure every man should enjoy from time to time.
:>I know I loved it when Naomi fed me.
:>Toshiro snickered at that exchange.
:>So, no tips again, I assume?
:>Kitsuki-san used this as an excuse to evade the noodles Aoi was holding out for him.
:>He is a kensai. And I believe Akodo trained before becoming one of those elite warriors.
:>Akodo have great precision, their first lesson allows them to find the vulnerabilities in any suit of armor.
:>The real issue is the adaptability of the Akodo.
:>They are trained to be soldiers and to be able to face any number of situations.
:>They flow like water, seeking their opponent's weakness and attacking it with all their might.

:>The Kensai becomes even more versatile.
:>So even after seeing him in two bouts I doubt we've seen all he has to offer.
:>It's not that we do not think you need advice, Monkey.
:>It's that we cannot give you any.
:>Just expect the unexpected.
:>But Kitsuki-san... that's literally impossible.
:>If I DO expect it, then it's been expected so it's not unexpected anymore.
:>God.
:>Dammit.
:>Monkey.
:>From time to time my mind wanders into strange places, some of them better of unexplored.
:>Now I was struck with a sense of just how much I truly treasured these moments.
:>Yes, even the ones where I felt like throttling Monkey.
:>Perhaps it was a side effect of getting older, but as I looked at my children, already so big, I couldn't help but feel like time was slipping by faster and faster.
:>How many more of these precious memories could I make, I wondered, before time ran out?
:>I popped a mouthful of ramen into Naomi's mouth.
:>My fingers lost their grip on the chopsticks just enough that one noodle managed to get free and whiplash up her face as she tried to slurp them down.
:>She blinked, the noodle stuck up along the side of her nose.
:>Then slurped it up and blushed.
:>None of us could contain our laughter.

:>Monkey and Yoshi stood facing one another.
:>For a long time.
:>A soft, almost breathless whisper from Kitsuki-san.
:>Their battle unfolds now in their mind's eye.
:>Any last minute predictions?
:>He shook his head.
:>Only that whichever one has a deeper mastery of Mushin no Shin will win.
:>Even I knew Mushin no Shin.
:>It means, roughly, no mind.
:>That instant of clarity, harmony with the moment.
:>There is a limit to the speed at which thought becomes action.
:>Reflexes are faster, because there is no thought.
:>That is why the student trains night and day, to ingrain the techniques into his body until they become reflex.
:>But there is a level beyond even that.
:>Even if the technique is reflexive, you must still see what your opponent is doing, and then move appropriately.
:>In Mushin no Shin perception, understanding and response all become as one.
:>The speed of no-thought.
:>Lion and Monkey moved as one.
:>It was like a dance.
:>Strike, deflect, counter strike, step, strike.
:>I found it hard to believe, as smoothly as they moved, that they had not rehearsed this beforehand.
:>The steady "clack, clack, clack" of wood on wood echoed through the room, accompanied by the "tump, tump" of their stepping.
:>A song, played to give timing to their dance.
:>Then the sound of wood striking flesh, and the spell was broken.
:>Both had spun in the same way, and struck each other at the same time.
:>A jolt of pain could shatter the state of Mushin quite easily.
:>Who would recover first?
:>It was Monkey that did so.
:>He attacked now, again and again, pressuring his foe.
:>Yet Akodo Yoshi gave no outward indication of being under pressure.
:>His intense focus, his eerie calm, made it seem as though Yoshi had the upper hand, despite being on the defensive.
:>Monkey managed to penetrate the Lion's guard, a sharp strike to Yoshi's left shoulder.
:>And then everything changed.
:>Akodo Yoshi closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was looking at nothing.

:>I had seen thousand yard stares before, plenty of times, in the aftermath of battle.
:>Or when a Crab has stood too long on the Wall.
:>This was different.
:>I realized what it was.
:>The Lion was not staring at nothing.
:>He was staring at Nothing, and Everything.
:>His stance shifted even as he attacked.
:>Gasps arose from the onlookers.
:>...it cannot be!
:>Akodo Yoshi's blade was everywhere.
:>Kitsuki-san, what is it?
:>Akodo Yoshi was everywhere.
:>The Thousand Years of Steel!
:>I had heard of it.
:>During the brief reign of the Toturi dynasty the Daimyo of the Kakita family and the Mirumoto family came together and spoke at length to one another about their ancestors approach to swordsmanship.
:>The rivalry between the two men, and their descendants was legendary.
:>Exemplified by Kakita's saying 'One man. One sword. One strike'.
:>To which Mirumoto responded 'Two hands'.
:>But, when those two daimyo spoke they realized that their ancestors styles had much more in common than in difference.
:>One could liken it to two different generals, both employing the same strategy to seek victory, but both using different tactics to realize that strategy.
:>The daimyo of the Kakita and Mirumoto distilled their ancestors shared strategy into a set of kata.
:>1,000 Years of Steel.
:>These kata are passed on, taught in a single dojo erected at the Daimyo's meeting place.
:>Only a select few, by invitation only, may enter the dojo and receive it's instruction.
:>There is no favor, no gift, no appointment that can gain one entry to the Dojo.
:>Only being recognized as person who dedicates their entire being to the sword can one hope to be allowed to join.
:>I watched, in disbelief, as Akodo Yoshi struck Monkey over and over again.
:>I saw no technique on display. No form, no stance.
:>Monkey looked stiff and slow in comparison.
:>Every time Monkey moved, to attack or defend, the Lion was elsewhere.
:>At last, Monkey fell.

:>I grabbed Naomi's sleeve before she ran up.
:>I could see the Lion was still in his battle trance, anything entering his territory would be attacked.
:>Only once Akodo Yoshi's eyes snapped into focus did I let go of Naomi.
:>He waited, calmly, until Naomi had healed Monkey.
:>Then bowed, deeply, from the waist.
:>It was an honor to face you Toku-san. No man has ever forced me to use that Kata before.
:>Monkey returned the bow.
:>Thanks for the compliment, Akodo-san.
:>I can't even remember the last time I got my ass kicked so thoroughly...
:>No, wait I can. It was that guy that did it.
:>He pointed at me.
:>Yoshi nodded, but did not look surprised.
:>I look forward to our match tomorrow Hida Ishigaki-san.
:>I nodded back to him.
:>Likewise.
:>I could see the Courtiers ready to swarm.
:>But Yoshi would be their main target.
:>Everyone knew that only dedication could earn an invite to learn the Thousand Years of Steel.
:>But many Courtiers refused to acknowledge the limits of their power.
:>There was a long standing debate over the power of the pen vs the power of the blade.
:>Courtiers argued that it was their words and their pens that sent armies to war, or prevented them from beginning, or brought them to an end.
:>Warriors contended that no pen could stop a blade thrust at the heart of the one holding it.
:>So these courtiers would try to butter up Akodo Yoshi, to convince him to recommend this or that subordinate, hanger on, or relative for the Dojo.
:>He would not of course.
:>And then they would seek out other prey.
:>I had no intention of being around these sharks, not with blood in the water already.
:>I made from our rooms before the courtiers lost interest in Yoshi.
:>The others joined me.
:>You okay Monkey?
:>Yeah, I'm fine.
:>Naomi-sama fixed me up good as new.
:>But uh, Ishigaki?
:>Yeah?
:>I don't think you can beat him.
:>I beat you, didn't I?
:>That Kata though, his Mushin is endless!
:>I had to admit, having seen it firsthand I had no idea how I would defeat it.

:>Well? Any advice you guys?
:>Kitsuki-san folded his hands.
:>No.
:>I must say however, that it is because I do not know enough about the kata.
:>The Thousand Years of Steel is the essence of the strategy employed by the two greatest swordsmen the Empire has ever known.
:>It is so rare that I have never seen it until now, however.
:>So if there is a vulnerability to it, I cannot even begin to guess what that might be.
:>I nodded.
:>Alright then.
:>I slipped out of the room.
:>I went outside.
:>I found a nice large pile of snow.
:>And sat down in it.
:>I focused on my breathing, emptying my mind.
:>And I played the fight between Monkey and Lion over and over in my head.
:>Years ago, Shiba-san had taught me to meditate.
:>I found it useful. It helped when I needed to stay awake, when I could not find time to eat, when my mind was exhausted.
:>I had never tried to do what I was doing now though.
:>I had seen some of my senpai at Sunda Mizu doing this though. And the Sensei.
:>Even more often when I became a Defender of the Wall.
:>I was meditating on a problem. Focusing on the battle at hand.
:>It was a way of training, far more spiritual in nature than my normal routine.
:>Most of the time I exercised basic kata, I ran for long periods of time, I stood with knees bent and arms outstretched holding buckets of water.
:>In short, I trained my body to endure.
:>Now I trained my mind to focus.
:>I doubted it would be enough, not with only one day to go.
:>But I had seen firsthand the heights to which true masters could attain.
:>How had I managed to come so far, when I was so limited?
:>I could not hope to match the great masters yet, but I now had a goal to set for myself.
:>A challenge to overcome.
:>I was good at overcoming challenges.
:>It was only a question of how many beatings I would have to absorb before I broke through my limits once more.

:>Naomi and I performed the tea ceremony together in the morning, to steady my spirit.
:>Then I entered into the arena.
:>I still had no plan to defeat Akodo Yoshi.
:>Well then.
:>I'll just have to fall back to the standard plan.
:>Cover up, wear my foe out, and crush him when he gets tired of hitting me.
:>Crabs.
:>We can be a bit masochistic, at times.
:>I entered the arena and we bowed to one another.
:>I have been eager for this day to come, Hida-san.
:>I have often wondered how my technique would fare against the servants of the nameless one.
:>I do not mean to insult you, though.
:>I only think that sparing with one who can out ogre ogres, and stand up to the blows of Oni must be a fine substitution.
:>Oh? Has the soul of your katana awakened?
:>No, nor is it made of anything other than folded steel. I prefer to rely on my own skill, instead of great magic.
:>I nodded.
:>Perfectly reasonable, given the rarity of such things. But for Oni you'll need jade powder then.
:>Just, the more hits you land, the more the powder gets rubbed off, until you need to reapply a fresh coat.
:>It's especially obnoxious when you've got a big one, trying to keep it at bay while you reapply your powder over and over...
:>Akodo Yoshi considered that for a moment.
:>I see.
:>We took up our stances.
:>Yoshi did not use his kata right away.
:>That made me suspect there was a drawback to it, of some sort.
:>I deflected his first blows, because I had been prepared for him to unleash it from the beginning.
:>I shifted my stance, seeking Mushin.
:>Yoshi stepped back, preparing to receive my attack.
:>It would be rude to keep him waiting.
:>His defense held, and he tried to twist his bokken after taking my second blow, seeking to disarm me.
:>I was too strong however, and kept my grip.
:>I waited, patiently, for him to strike again.
:>Then I attacked at the same time.
:>I hoped to simply trade blows with him, trusting that I would injure him more than he injured me
:>Judging by the grunt and the way he staggered, I was right.

:>Yoshi nodded.
:>Then closed his eyes.
:>Oh shit.
:>He opened them, and stared at Nothing and Everything.
:>I instinctively assumed the stance of Earth, and called upon my own kata to make my body as unmoving and unfeeling as the mountains.
:>All I could do was endure this to the best of my ability.
:>Yoshi rained blow after blow down on me, it was as though I was attacked by a swarm of hornets.
:>His blows hurt far more than simple hornet stings however.
:>Knowing I could not stop all his attacks I simply guarded my weakest points, and allowed him to strike my strongest.
:>Just as I was beginning to wonder if he could keep going forever, a saw a tremor run through his jawline.
:>The flurry of blows eased, as his eyes refocused.
:>I saw shock when he realized I was still standing.
:>I lashed out, striking him across the ribs.
:>This spurred him to recover his calm, and then he shifted stances again.
:>He struck at me.
:>Then he stuck again, and again.
:>Like a river, he poured over me and I could not keep up.
:>This was not the same thing as he had done before, I could tell that much.
:>I realized that if all I did was defend against this attack, he would wear me down eventually.
:>I had no choice then. I attacked.
:>We struck each other at the same time.
:>My blow fell on his shoulder, and drove him to his knee.
:>He struck me on my temple.
:>Stars burst in front of my eyes.
:>And then I was looking up at him.
:>I realized I had fallen.
:>I was prone.
:>He was just barely able to stand.
:>Akodo Yoshi had defeated me.

:>I felt the familiar rush of Naomi's healing magic.
:>Once I could move on my own I sat up.
:>Damn. 
:>All I could say.
:>He was an Akodo, so I couldn't even claim my armor would have made the difference in that fight.
:>I had to use both The World is Empty, and Victory of the River.
:>Two of the four kata that make up One Thousand Years of Steel...
:>Which one was it you used to defeat Monkey?
:>Mon... ah a nickname. 
:>You are referring to Toku-san, yes?
:>Yeah.
:>That was the World is Empty.
:>And the one you used to beat me was Victory of the River?
:>Yes.
:>Aptly named, it really did feel like I was being engulfed by an onrushing river.
:>It was then that I realized there was no Phoenix healing Yoshi.
:>Were you only pretending?
:>Oh no, I'm in quite a lot of pain right now.
:>He sure didn't look like it.
:>But, I would just as soon be tended by the best healer in this castle. I have no desire for any of these injuries to heal poorly.
:>The room practically exploded into whispers.
:>Everyone wondering if the Lion were declaring a stance on the war.
:>I shook my head in annoyance.
:>Naomi turned from me to Yoshi.
:>Ah. It is different, than when most Kitsu do it.
:>So, this is the skill of a Tensai, is it?
:>He looked at me out of the corner of his eye.
:>You have a good eye, Ishigaki-san. I'm jealous..

:>So, sometimes I miss things that others find obvious. Bad with innuendo and all.
:>But they're... I looked with just my eyes at a not of whispering courtiers.
:>Fools, yes. I meant exactly what I said.
:>I thought so.
:>We both stood and bowed to one another.
:>As I left the arena I saw Shoji smirk at me.
:>...as if you had anything to do with that.
:>But I guess he needed something to cling to.
:>You did wonderfully, dear.
:>Thanks, Hana-chan.
:>It's good to find your limits in matches like this, it shows you where your weakness is.
:>As Shinsei told Hida 'Now you know your weakness. And by knowing it, you transform it into strength.'
:>Naomi giggled.
:>Have I mentioned how wonderful I find you when you become wise and philosophical?
:>Didn't you say 'sexy' the last time?
:>Naomi blushed. 
:>We are in public!
:>I chuckled.
:>I decided to grab a bath before dinner, a little early.
:>I went over the fight a few times as I soaked.
:>There was a muscle tremor right before his eyes came back into focus.
:>So I think maybe the World is Empty could only be maintained for a brief time. 
:>After which, some price was paid.
:>On the other hand, Victory of the RIver seemed a simpler thing, at least to me.
:>Strike, strike and strike again. 
:>It was a sequence of smoothly flowing strikes each blow opening the way for the next
:>Near the end, I was moving poorly, hampered by own injuries...
:>Yet I still landed my blow.
:>A pure offense, then. 
:>I see.
:>I didn't know if I had the skill to defeat Yoshi should we cross blades again. 
:>But, if it came down to it, I could see a path to victory now.
:>'There are a million lessons in defeat, none in victory'.
:>Good saying there.
:>I went to dinner.
:>The conversation was split between the the tournament, with several younger members of the court still in awe over getting to see the Thousand Years of Steel, and what might be coming next.
:>It was the older ones who spoke most of that.

:>I only caught snippets here and there.
:>Courtiers were a private lot, if you could hear them there was good chance they wanted you to do so.
:>Because of this, some courtiers had learned to read lips, so that they could tell what their political rivals were talking about.
:>Kitsuki-san told me that was the reason for fans to be a constant accessory for any courtier.
:>A way to cover your mouth while you spoke, keeping your conversation private.
:>According to Kitsuki-san, the Doji had gone a step further, inventing an entire language based on gestures and movements of one's fan.
:>I had been surprised it was the Crane, and not the Scorpion.
:>I turned to ask Kitsuki-san what the courtiers were really talking about, since I knew they were using innuendo to discuss other things.
:>But the words died in my throat.
:>That's right, he wouldn't tell me anymore.
:>We were on opposing sides now.
:>By now, everyone knew I was a simple bushi, and harmless.
:>So I was engaged only when the wanted my genuine opinion on something.
:>Wondering if I could be of more use, I approached Katsuie-sama after dinner.
:>Ahhh, Ishigaki-san! That was a fine showing today!
:>I am only sorry I could not secure victory for our clan.
:>It is fine, you were bested by a Kensai. There will always be an opponent better than you out there somewhere.
:>If you have good luck, you get to spar with them.
:>If you have bad luck you fight them.
:>He smiled as he said that, and glanced down to his missing arm.
:>So long as you learn something from it, it is fine.
:>You DID learn something, did you not?
:>You mean aside from the fact that I must be more diligent in my training? Yes, I believe I did.
:>Good, good!
:>So what brings you to me today?
:>I know I am not very good at courtly intrigue. If I had to give an honest evaluation of my own ability, it's that I am only aware of just how much goes over my head.
:>But still, I wondered about the state of things now, and if I may be of some use.

:>Katsuie-sama stroked his beard.
:>Ishigaki-san, you surprise me. You had been content to wait until I called for you before. What has changed?
:>I wasn't entirely sure myself, now that he asked me directly.
:>Katsuie-sama nodded at my hesitation.
:>I see.
:>Your friend, Kitsuki Takeshi-san his name was?
:>You have always followed his lead, and asked him to clarify when you do not understand, haven't you?
:>Yes, I have.
:>And now you two stand opposed to one another.
:>Without him to guide you, and with your recent defeat, you must feel very lost right now.
:>He clapped his hand to my shoulder.
:>It is fine, Ishigaki-san.
:>You should not try to do more than you can do.
:>I nodded.
:>Katsuie-sama's face darkened a bit, then.
:>I suppose I should tell you how things have progressed up until now then.
:>I couldn't guess whether it was going bad for our clan, or good; Katsuie-sama did not like being drawn in as a pawn in the Crane's economic war with the Phoenix.
:>Your Father-in-law is a proud, and stubborn fool.
:>The Crane play him like a biwa.
:>He is only agreeing to token concessions, more like insults than serious attempts to avoid the war.
:>The Mantis, of course, will not accept such things, and will make war when winter is done.
:>It is as though he does not realize just how much his Clan could lose.
:>I doubt that, Katsuie-sama.
:>Oh?
:>Shoji is not quite a fool, he simply has weaknesses easily exploited.
:>Rather than not knowing the price of the war, I think it is that he estimates the cost differently than most others would.
:>I remembered my conversation with Ashitaka the night before.
:>I had no doubt Shoji meant what he said about bushi.
:>I told Katsuie-sama as much.
:>I see. Yes, if he truly places no value on the lives of his clan's warriors then that would explain some things.
:>He is quick to insist the Mantis would find themselves destroyed at the hands of the Isawa.

:>Not the Phoenix clan, and not the Mantis armies either.
:>He means the whole Mantis clan, destroyed by Isawa magic.
:>As if his clan would not face severe censure for doing so.
:>I see. So he won't even consider it a war unless the Isawa are threatened. Enough that they can use their magic freely, anyway.
:>Katsuie-sama shook his head.
:>The Scorpion and Dragon are doing the best they can, but at this point all they are fighting an uphill battle, with Shoji undermining their own efforts.
:>Katsuie-sama, do you think... 
:>Hmm?
:>Do you think the Scorpion may...
:>Ah. Hmmm.
:>I do not think so.
:>Shoji has been taking many precautions since Yoritomo Yohko was killed. I cannot imagine that even the Scorpion would be able to arrange something like that right now.
:>Good. If anyone was going to kill Isawa Shoji,it would be me.
:>I have seen that look on young faces before, Ishigaki-san. Be more mindful of yourself, and do not act with undue haste.
:>Damn. I had forgotten why I had not pressed for details until now.
:>I could conceal my feelings, but a master courtier could still read me like a book.
:>I took a deep breath and wiped the expression from my face.
:>Yes, that is better. Ishigaki-san.
:>So, what could the Scorpion and Dragon do? Get other Clans to promise to support the Phoenix?
:>Well, they would ostensibly need the Phoenix to invite them as allies... assuming that does happen, then the Imperial families will likely step in at that point.
:>A war between two clans is something for them to observe, not interfere in. 
:>One with three of four will be watched very closely, and the Legions will be ready to move and end it should it be necessary.
:>One that size though? The Imperial families would never allow it to begin.
:>So with enough people on the brink of war, the Emperor would enforce peace? Seems like a good play for the Peace faction.

:>It might not be, Ishigaki-san.
:>The Imperial families often make those who fall under their gaze regret doing the thing that brought their attention down upon them in the first place.
:>Yes, I could understand that.
:>Initially, the Emperor did not have an army of his own to command, as the Clans did.
:>The Otomo and Miya families did not produce warriors, only the Seppun did that.
:>And there simply were not enough samurai with Imperial blood to equal even one great clan.
:>Indeed, more than a few Minor Clans outnumbered the Imperial Families. 
:>So it was that Akodo swore his clan to act as the right hand of the Emperor, being his army should he require it.
:>But as time marched on and the clans began to look out for their own interests ahead of the Empire as a whole, the need for the Imperial Legions was seen.
:>With numbers drawn from every Clan, great and small, the diversity of the Legions ensured that they could be counted on to fight even when some among them may be ordered to slay their own kinsmen.
:>The Imperial families did their best to ensure that only those most loyal to the Emperor were appointed to the legions, of course, but appointments were another form of political currency, and so this was not always the case.
:>But, the Legions still were only match for a single great clan. In the worst case scenario they could still be overwhelmed.
:>So the Imperial Families did their best to manage the feuds, rivalries and even alliances of the great clans. 
:>Everyone remembered the Scorpion Clan coup that had nearly ended the Hantei line, and the Clan war that followed as the 39th Hantei began to sicken.
:>The Emperor had a great burden, giving the Clans enough slack to pursue their ambitions without allowing any one Clan to grow so strong they could threaten the Empire itself.
:>For a moment, I could see the Empire laid bare, all the different powers at work, and how delicate the balance of the Empire truly was.
:>Then it was gone.

:>Such heavy considerations were clearly not for the likes of me.
:>I had my duty, and never before had I so cherished it's simplicity.
:>Find things that were tainted, and smash them into a gooey pulp with my tetsubo.
:>I returned to wife and children, to spend the rest of the evening in play.
:>The best things truly were quite simple.
:>Once they had played themselves out I donned my armor to take the watch over my family.
:>Once again, I allowed myself to sleep.
:>The forces of Jigoku were quite fond of sneak attacks upon the wall, so few Crabs were heavy sleepers.
:>I knew I would awaken should something out of place occur.
:>Though I doubted I would need to wake up in the middle of the night two nights in a row.
:>I could not have been more wrong if I tried.