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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tokiwong" data-source="post: 44488" data-attributes="member: 961">Rokugan #3: Renshi's tale15th of Fu-Leng in the 1158th year of the Emerald EmpireThe air in the large, open room was cool, as was much of the rest of Shiro sano Kakita, the famed Dueling School of the Kakita family.  Kakita Yojotaka, simply Sensei to his students, paced the long room, admiring his four finest students of the season.  He gave no indication of his pleasure in training such eager students, simply a silent glare as he paced, his blade meticulously placed in his light blue obi.He glanced to the largest of his students, Seppun Kiyone; a large bear of a man who possessed a gentle grace that belied his size and great strength.  To his left was the graceful and very talented Kakita Sani, his niece and skilled duelist.  She was slight in build, and had cut her hair short, and dyed it white; she was a precious beauty.  Next to her sat Kakita Renshi, son of the great hero Kakita Hyuske.  He was tall and muscular and could be quite the swordsman, given time and effort.  Sensei glanced over his final student, Doji Hatoshin, a gunso in the Crane armies, who was both refined and fearsome.  Sensei was pleased that the winter season had blessed him with four exceptional students.Sensei turned his full attention to the gathered students, "Renshi... Sani... take your places on the practice mat... I wish to measure your training..."Renshi nodded and stood and took his place on the mat, followed by Sani taking her place across from him.  Sani smiled lightly to Renshi, who returned her smile for but a moment before settling into his stance.  Sani focused her thoughts, crouching ever so slightly, preparing herself for the coming moment.  Renshi narrowed his eyes slightly, but could glean little from Sani’s stance, as he had come to expect.  Sani could easily see Renshi favoring his right side, as he prepared to draw his blade.The moment flashed as the two both reached for their blades and moved to strike. Renshi quickly snapped his ancestral blade to his hand, moving in a graceful motion, like a crane in flight.  Sani countered, her delicate fingers gripping the soft blue pommel of her blade; it eased free of her saya with slightly musical tone.  But it was too late; Renshi’s blade snapped cleanly and tore away the mon of the Crane on her shoulder.  Sani stepped back surprised; never had he beaten her, in all of the months they had trained.  She had greatly underestimated Renshi’s resolve.Renshi sheathed his blade and bowed with a faint smile. Sani returned that bow, with a smile of her own.  She had been humbled and impressed in that one fateful moment.  The two were friendly competitors, confidants, and more during their stay at the dojo.Sensei moved forward, and gave Sani a disapproving glare, “Sani, you make a fool of yourself with such sloppy skill.  And you Renshi, satisfaction in besting a poor foe is a sign of weakness."  Sensei sighed passing in between the two bushi, “But I can see your time here has not been wasted.”Renshi replied calmly, “I do not consider her a poor foe, Sensei."Sani simply bowed, “Hai, thank you Sensei…”Sensei turned on his heels effortlessly, as his long white hair, tied into a long single braid swung gracefully in the air.  His white kimono shifting noiselessly as he spoke, “Oh, and I am sure you are an expert in what makes a proper foe?""No, sensei.  I just feel she has trained as hard as the rest of us," Renshi replied with the proper level of respect in his tone."That she has, and I expected much more of her," he glanced to Sani sharply, "she could do so much better..."Sani bowed deeply once more, “Hai, Sensei…”Sensei kept his gaze on Sani, “Take your seat Sani,” and then moved to stand in front of Renshi.  Sensei locked his cold gray eyes with Renshi, “You have come far Renshi, and at first I figured you would do little more then be a burden to this school.  But you have proven your name... Kakita Renshi.  I have but one question... what does a samurai fear?"Renshi shifted visibly; he did not like answering Sensei’s questions.  He stammered out a reply, “Bringing dishonor to his family and clan." Instantly Sensei shifted into his stance, slowly taking the measure of Renshi with a glare.  His hand hovered six inches above the hilt of his Father’s Honor.  He looked Renshi in the eye, his old body still spry and loose; “A true samurai fears nothing.”  Sensei glanced to the rest of his gathered students, “All of you remember that.  Cowardice cannot be tolerated... but... one must understand the prudence of recognizing a superior foe...”Renshi replied, standing firm, having yet to take his stance, "But Sensei, does not the fear of nothing make one reckless?"Sensei smiled. Renshi was wise and would do well in the years to come, "Reckless... no. For when one fears nothing they can think clearly..."Renshi bowed, “Yes Sensei, you have taught me much.”Sensei glanced to the main door to the training room, a commotion brewing without.  The screen slid open furiously as the Emerald Champion, Yasuki Hachi, strolled into the room.  Sensei narrowed his eyes at Yasuki-sama, remembering well the day that Yasuki-sama ‘won’ the title, amidst Scorpion treachery.Yasuki-sama smiled and then spoke to Sensei, “Greetings Kakita Yojotaka...”"What brings the Emerald Champion to my dojo..." Sensei replied as his look of disdain worsened.Yasuki-sama stopped some distance away from Sensei; "I have business with a student.  The son of Kakita Hyuske, Kakita Renshi; I have been told he is here."Sensei glanced to Renshi, then returned his gaze to Yasuki-sama, “What of him?”"So this is the son of such a great hero..." Yasuki-sama placed his gaze upon Renshi.Sensei glanced to Renshi, "A poor student, but he shows promise..."Yasuki-sama smiled, “You said the same about me… Sensei.”Sensei nodded and spoke, "Not all of us have the favor of the Scorpion...” Yasuki-sama glared as Sensei continued, "I applaud your success at the Tournament of the Emerald Champion," he turned to his students, “All of you are dismissed, except Kakita Renshi..." The students filed out quickly. Sani closed the door behind them as she exited, giving a brief smile to Renshi as she left.Yasuki Hachi turned to Renshi, giving him his full attention, “Your father is a hero... he fought well at the Battle of Oblivion's Gate... but I am sure you are aware of that."Hachi walked towards Renshi slowly, “So, tell me of yourself.”"I serve my master.  What he commands, I do,” Renshi replied.“And that is all there is to Kakita Renshi?” Hachi replied."I strive to honor my father, my family, and my clan.”"You have said all the things I come to expect of a bushi... but you have yet to tell me anything of yourself... or is that all you are?" Hachi replied, arching a brow."I came here to honor my father, and I have worked hard to live up to his ideals and Sensei's teachings," Renshi glanced to Sensei, ever so slightly."I see, and in the spring you head off for the south to assist in the Spring Patrols..." Hachi spoke, a slight pang of fond remembrance in his words, "The Spring Patrols are a good place to begin ones career...""I shall live up to what is expected of me, and more," Renshi replied, with a faint smile upon his lips."I hope so,” Hachi paused, then continued, much more serious, “Your sister leaves soon for the Phoenix lands, under the auspice of Shiba Yotunaga... it is your father's wish that you join her."Renshi nodded slowly as Hachi continued, “But... I have a task for you as well...”“Your will?” Renshi replied, distinct deference in his voice."You are being sent to assist in the conflict between the Dragon and the Phoenix, but I fear that there are other forces at work... I believe the Scorpion may have allied themselves with the Dragon but I cannot prove such a claim..." he turned his attention to Sensei, “And where the Scorpion tread, Hantei Naseru is quick to follow...”Hachi took a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing, "Your father hopes to end this conflict quickly... my intention is to see what game the Hantei play... and despite my curiosity, I have current concerns that I must deal with. But you, Kakita Renshi, may prove a great service to the Crane, and the Emerald Empire..." Hachi spoke sternly, "Something is brewing in the north... the Hantei seek to manipulate these events... I will not let Rokugan descend into chaos over the machinations of one man..." Renshi nodded sharply, “I shall not fail in my duties.”Hachi bowed his head, "I am pleased, and I can see some of your father in you, and I am sure Sensei does as well."  Sensei simply nodded, a look of slight amusement across his face."Thank you.  Your words honor me," Renshi replied with a genuine smile.He bowed his head, and turned to walk towards the door, "See that you honor me, with action, Kakita Renshi. Be mindful of the Scorpion... and stay true to the empire... we shall meet again...""If I may ask, what exactly do you want me to do as I travel with my sister?" Renshi asked, as Hachi turned to leave.Hachi turned, his hands on the sliding door, "I wish for you to be my eyes and ears... and be watchful of Scorpion influence..."Renshi bowed deeply, “It shall be done, Yasuki-sama.”Hachi nodded, “Are you clear on your duties?”"I am to observe and report any unusual activity, especially dealing with the Scorpion clan.  The Hantei in particular," Renshi bowed once more.  Hachi returned his bow, and smiled to Sensei, “By your leave Sensei...” he bowed once more.  Sensei simply nodded to Hachi, showing his distinct approval of his finest student.  Hachi bowed deeply and slid the door open; he left rather quickly.Sensei turned to Renshi, “One of my finer students.”Renshi smiled with a nod, “You honor me Sensei.”Sensei walked towards him with a grin, “I was speaking of Yasuki Hachi, you... you are still but a novice... but you show the glimmer of promise.”Renshi nodded, embarrassed. “Of course Sensei.  I have learned much, but still have much to learn.”Sensei did not reply, he simply took his stance, Renshi watching his master prepare to strike at an invisible opponent.  Sensei drew his blade with lightning speed, it whistled as it sliced through air ending with a distinct snap, his arm and blade one.  As quickly as his Father’s Honor had left its saya, it returned.  Renshi was startled at the amazing display as Sensei walked towards him.“Return home, your studies have ended here, Kakita Renshi,” Sensei continued on into the hallway with nary another word.  He hoped he would see Renshi again; he had the potential to match Yasuki Hachi, and potential such as that does not come along every day.Renshi bowed to Sensei and glanced around the dojo one last time, then quickly exited, only to meet Sani in the hallway.  She smiled at him surprised, “That… that… was the Emerald Champion, Yasuki-sama.”Renshi nodded, “It was, but he has gone now.” He continued down the hall, Sani falling in step next to him.“I know, but he was here…” she spoke with awe, “His skill in iaijutsu is nearly peerless.”“Yes it is. One day I hope to match that skill,” Renshi replied with a smile.Sani smiled at him, “You were lucky, you know that, don’t you?” she gestured to her torn sleeve.“I know.  You are a very skilled opponent, despite what Sensei said,” he smiled to her, a gentle relaxing smile."Thank you, but you have skill as well, and I was honored to be beaten by you,” she continued walking alongside him. “I look forward to serving together in the south, in the battles against the Crab...”Renshi felt a pang of longing well through his body as he spoke, “It seems that I shall not be heading south.  My future lies north, with my sister”Sani stopped and turned him towards her, looking into his eyes, “The north?”“By the will of my father I must go to the Phoenix lands…” Renshi spoke, the words heavy on his heart.“Why the north? We have no conflict with the Phoenix,” she continued, her words strained with pain."I will be serving with my sister and the Phoenix clan in their conflicts with the Dragon clan," he replied, trying to comfort her.Sani gazed into his eyes and asked simply, “Why?”"I don't know.  It is my father's command.  He hopes to resolve the Phoenix-Dragon conflict quickly."Sani nodded sadly; “Your sword arm will be missed... in the south...” she turned and walked to her room, sliding the door open slowly.Renshi followed her, “I will miss you as well, Sani-chan.”“I will miss you too, Renshi-kun,” she smiled, despite her sadness."I will look for you when I return.  I promise," Renshi smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood.Sani grabbed him by his light blue kimono and pulled him into her room.  She slid the door closed and smiled impishly at Renshi, “You leave in the morning?”“Yes.”Sani embraced him in her arms, as he embraced her, “Then tonight is all we have... Renshi... until you return...” she smiled softly, looking into his eyes, “You still got lucky.”“Lucky that I got you,” Renshi replied, holding her close as the two shared their last night together.  The night passed delightfully for the two bushi, but morning came all too soon.  Lord Sun had barely crested the eastern horizon when Renshi departed the dojo.  Sani watched him go with tears in her eyes, waving from the castle walls…Sensei watched the young bushi go, and smiled; he had definitely been blessed with fine students this season.</blockquote>

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