[D0, EM] Another step on the path

[Shiba Haru]

Shiba Haru stood with his brother before the gates of Tsuma looking up at the arched structure. "Well this is it, do you think we are ready?" There was no doubt in his voice but curiosity. "The best of the best are going to be gathered here and among them your betrothed, any nerves?" He shot Jiro a teasing smile.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Not nervous really," he said, not realizing just how nervous he would feel later, completely unsuspecting. "And we are as ready as we can be. Not really a whole lot we can do at this point to be more ready," he replied with with a smirk.

[Shiba Haru]

"Do you think anyone has ever reached this gate and run away? Surely someone has over the years, not everyone handles pressure well." With no table to tap on he crossed his arms and started tapping on one shoulder. "I haven't said it out loud due to superstition but you know what I want to accomplish here, make new friends, build alliances and kami willing..." He would not complete the sentence trusting his brother knew his heart. He turned and looked Jiro in the eye. "We can begin to change our family's standing here and now. Our ancestors are with us and our descendants are counting on us."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I think anyone chosen to represent their clan here would either pass through the gate or never leave home," he says, he says to Haru, before pointedly taking steps to the entrance.

"And our family's standing has never been a concern to me. We serve. There are many much worse off than us."

[Shiba Haru]

He fell into step with his brother. "Concern is a bit of a strong word, I'm not CONCERNED about our family's standing but I do wish to elevate it; our family's and the Shiba as a whole. This isn't just a simple gempukku Jiro this is the Tpoaz Championship. We wouldn't be here if the clan didn't think we could represent the Phoenix better than others within the clan. We have to live up to that."

[Shiba Jiro]

"But don't forget that we were also selected. We are not only our training and need to also be ourselves. I certainly won't be taking it lightly, but I also won't be anyone other than myself. Don't lose yourself to your duty Haru. It is part of you, not the other way around." He smiles warmly.

[Shiba Haru]

"I'm not sure this is the kind of thing I can appreciate as it happens, I'll be too focused to enjoy the moment. Thankfully I have you to remind me, without Wakumi-sama to center me my main concern is having an outburst even if it has been years." As the passed under the gates arch Haru glanced around with a bit of childish wonder. "Where do you think you will go first? I may go to the Academy grounds before even dropping our things off."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I do not know, honestly. I will likely just drift through the streets and take in the sights. If something catches my fancy... who knows," he says, his normal free spirited self. "And just remember the exercises Wakumi-sama taught you. If you end up having difficulties come find me. I am always here for you brother."

"I imagine I'll get to see the academy as part of the events here though. It's likely beautiful but I imagine my explorations will take me elsewhere."

[Shiba Haru]

"I expect I will find you in the gardens here whenever I go looking for you. Woe be unto the other competitors if there is an Ikebana event, something I'm sure the Crane will do, They should just name you the victor now and save everyone else the embarrassment. Doubly so for any origami event. Meanwhile I will working out in case any Hida wanna arm-wrestle me."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I'm sure that there will be many worthy competitors for the different competitions and tests. I hope to get to know some of the others and hope I am not the only artisan sent here. This tournament is known for favoring duelists after all," he says with a slight shrug.

"And let me know if you run into any Hida. Preferably before you talk to them. I don't want them to mistake me for someone that runs around challenging people to arm wrestling matches."

[Shiba Haru]

"You think me vain enough to challenge a mountain to a test of strength? I know well your interest in the Crab, I will let you know if I find any that could interest you but I imagine your free time is likely to be taken up by another no?"

He gave his brother a wink.

"If you ever need someone to ensure you have some privacy this week remember I've been trained for it."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Possibly. But they have given me nothing more than a name and intention. I honestly do not know what to do with only that.

[Shiba Haru]

"Find and meet her of course, then just be yourself and let her do the same. Don't try to impress or charm her just show her who you are and she will love you."

Haru gave his twin a pat on the back and warm smile.

"This is some solid wisdom I'm giving you here, are you sure you don't want to write this down?"

[Shiba Jiro]

"Love?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'll settle for, pleasant. I hope to be able to make her happy, whoever she is, but I can't assume anything about her at this point," he says, shaking his head.

"I... simply know nothing. And no meetings were arranged. I need to figure something out. And you don't exactly have a lot of experience with this either, so I'll accept your wisdom with some healthy skepticism," he teased.

[Shiba Haru]

"I have NO experience what so ever." He said with a laugh. "To be honest I was just planning on copying whatever you end up doing when my day comes."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I suspect you won't get a surprise letter telling you that you are about to meet your betrothed at some event you both happen to be independently attending. It's really an odd situation."

[Shiba Haru]

"She's probably just as nervous as you are and at least you get to stay with the clan, within our home. I'll likely end up on the other side of the empire in a Kuni's hut or on a leaky boat. Hope for the best brother and if that fails remember your duty. If possible try and make me an uncle before I get sent off to kami knows where though."

[Shiba Jiro]

He shakes his head. "I'm not rushing anything like that. The last thing I need to do is think about children before I even reach gempukku. That will happen when it does."

[Shiba Haru]

"I'm only playing with you Jiro. I can feel you tensing up, it will be fine. Don't let your future distract you from your present, we still have a gempukku to pass first." He said with warm but concerned look in his face.

[Shiba Jiro]

"I know. It's just... an unprecedented situation for me," he says with a sigh. "I'll navigate it but it will be uncomfortable I think."

"And passing isn't really a concern. I suspect that most everyone here likely meets the qualifications. With the martial nature of this tournament though, you will shine far more than I will."