Breaking Through the Clouds

Breaking Through the Clouds

Springtime bloomed at Shiro Mirumoto, which spoke to the dual nature of the Dragon Clan. The warm sunshine and blossoming flowers stood in crisp contrast to the cold air and snow-capped mountains, into whose arms the remote fortress was nestled. It was strong, austere, and well-fortified, but no army had ever stood outside its walls, nor would they. It was too remote, too hard to reach. All but impossible to march upon. Nonetheless, the Mirumoto always kept troops here, training in the courtyards.

Practice, while your enemy rests.

Mirumoto Kissaki gazed out the window of the daimyo’s waiting room. Last Glance Castle commanded a powerful view over the mountain pass below, and the morning sunlight warmed his bald head. He had not been to this part of the castle in a good while; the Taint prevented it. That had been cured, however, and now it was time to report to the new daimyo of the family, Mirumoto Takejiro.

That was a hard thing to say… but such is the way of mortal man. Uso-dono fell in battle defending the clan, which is as noble a death as any bushi could hope for, but still. These things hurt, even if no one spoke of it. His attention was pulled away by a door sliding on it’s tracks.

“Takejiro-dono will see you now, Kissaki-sensei,” the attendant said, bowing deeply.

Taking one last sip of his tea, he stood, thanked the girl, and entered.

The room, like the rest of the castle, was... functional. Elegant in its simplicity. Beyond the bookshelves were an ancient bonsai tree and a kamidana shelf, high on the back wall, filled with small statues of various Fortunes… each one lovingly carved by a Mirumoto family daimyo so that their spirits can watch over future generations. Uso’s was the last on the left. Takejiro sat behind his desk and was just finishing up a bit of paperwork as Kissaki entered.

The sensei bowed to his lord and waited for permission to sit, which was promptly given. Tea was brought in shortly after, along with a few minutes of pleasant small-talk.

“I have read your report on the incident at Oblivion’s Gate,” the daimyo said with a smile, motioning to a small pile of scrolls. “I am beyond happy for you, Kissaki-san.”

Kissaki bowed. “I am truly blessed, Takejiro-dono. Words cannot begin to describe my gratitude.”

“I can only begin to imagine the relief you and your family feel. How is the work on the Temple of Redemption coming along?”

“It is going much faster than anticipated, and should be done soon. Kitsuki Geigeki-san has been working around the clock, and donations have come from across the Empire. Isawa Ume and Kuni Kasumi, among others, have been hard at work instructing the priests about the cleansing ritual, and from the last report I’ve seen, the Bell of Heaven, as it’s being called, will be finished soon.”

“I read a report about that. That’s the one Hoshi-dono made from the iron you recovered from the Burning Sands and that piece of Oblivion’s Gate you brought back?”

“Hai. Between the blessed iron from the Fist of the Sun, thirty-some pounds of jade chain, the portal stone itself, and whatever else Hoshi-dono is doing with it, that should help to continue cleansing the region. I wish I could be there to hear it though.”

“You’ll be at Shiro Ide for your daughter’s wedding, yes?”

“Yes. She is very excited about it. Her future husband is an honorable man.” It was hard for Kissaki to maintain a neutral face, and as such a proud smile pulled at the corner of his mouth.

“That is wonderful to hear. Just wonderful.” Takejiro could not help but smile either. His son was to be married soon, too. A sly smile crept over his face. “Perhaps I should send him a grooming kit. I hear the young man is giving hanahige-jutsu a noble effort.”

“Thankfully the Way of the Unicorn is not the Way of the Horse and Moustache. I do not think he will make it past First Dan.”

Both of the men laughed at the poor fellow’s predicament. It should remedy itself with age, at least, but one of the simple facts is that no seventeen-year-old can grow respectable facial hair... outside of Crab lands. There’s something in the tofu down there…

“Congratulations on reaching 5th Dan, by the way.” Takejiro said after a long sip of tea. It was a notable achievement to reach. “Have you decided where you will go from here?”

“With your permission, Takejiro-dono, I will speak with Akohime-sensei and enter the Swordmaster school.”

“How is the Living Blade Dojo coming along? that’s right next to your house, isn’t it?”

“Yes, dono. Right in the backyard, in fact. It looks to be completed in a few years. For now, the students are here at the Hojatsu Dojo.”

“Proceed with my blessing then,” Takejiro said, rising to his feet. Kissaki did so as well, and bowed, expecting the meeting with the busy daimyo to be over, but Takejiro did not dismiss him. Instead, he motioned for them to go for a walk.

“Speaking of the Hojatsu school, I have been reading your accounts that you have written in the last year. They are very illuminating.”

“Thank you, dono. My… time away from the dojo made me consider many things, and I figured it prudent to record my observations from my previous life.” Kissaki said, his voice reverent and humble as they moved to a private balcony. The warm sunlight was a joy to behold. “I... never expected to return.”

“No one did, but here you are. Have things been different since the ritual?”

“Aside from the obvious? Yes.” Kissaki looked at the shadowed mountains across the small valley. “I get to have my life again. Spend time with my family. For that I will be forever grateful… but… I spent a great deal of time in Yomi, and a piece of me went away with the ritual. I feel… hollow, at times, as when a cloud obscures the sun.”

Takejiro said nothing, taking in what are otherwise incredibly private observations.

“I can no longer remember my past life. It was never supremely clear anyway; like a dream from long ago, but it was always there. Now… nothing. I read my own writings and it is as if they written by another person.”

“Has this affected your work?”

“No, not really. The techniques and lessons are still there, but… the memories of learning them are not. They are close, but… distant.”

“Many say that to become a master you must forget your lessons. Kill your sensei, and all that.” Takejiro said, taking a reflective sip of his tea. This phrase was not typically meant to be taken so literally. “Many of the Hojatsu’s Legacy school have recommended that you take the position of Head Sensei, which is why I called you in to see me. Do you feel up to the task?”

Kissaki thought for a long moment. That his advanced students and peers, who typically operated on an “among equals” learning system (at least, before someone with first-hand knowledge of the ancient sensei arrived), would promote him for such a position was a great mark of respect. He had never actually considered it, but mostly that was because the Taint had cut short any hopes of advancement. He was not a particularly ambitious man, but cast those thoughts aside: the Mirumoto school had no room for doubt. He bowed deeply.

“I am not worthy, but I will not fail.”

“Good.” Takejiro nodded; he would fill out the paperwork for it later. “The Empress’ Dojo has asked for you as well, which means you are going to be very busy once again. May I suggest something?”

Kissaki nodded.

“Donate your home to the Living Blade Dojo and move here to Shiro Mirumoto. It’s a little cramped here compared to what you have now, but I understand your older girls have moved out, and your youngest is training here anyway. It would save you a lot of travel time, and you would get to spend more time with your family by keeping them closer.”

“Would I still be working under Kitsuki Shichirou-sama?”

“No, you and your wife would work for me here. Uso-dono, Kami rest his soul, left large shoes to fill, and with the loss of so many of our diplomats and courtiers, I could certainly use the extra assistance.”

“Of course, dono. It would be my Honor.” Kissaki bowed low. It was a lot to take in all at once, but Kissaki knew that he and Aisha would be up to the task. Not that she would relish the paperwork or the bureaucracy,of course, but it is an important promotion and a vital service to her new clan. Besides, that’s what she gets for complaining about boredom. Perhaps she should study with the Kitsuki...