(D0 LA) Praying for a Sunny Tommorrow

[Kakita Yuji]

"Actually, it's a bit out of the way," he replies shaking his head. "There is a small area on the border of Phoenix lands that has been in the care of my family for several generations. The second son of the family inherits stewardship of it. Technically it is still in my father's care, but I will receive the official documents upon officially graduating here."

"The place was sanctified by Benten-no-kami after one of my ancestors let a rival in love cut him down in a duel, not willing to kill a man that his paramour cared for as he didn't wish to cause her any pain. His rival had no such compunctions. It's a bit out of the way, and people do not visit often, but I hope that with the construction of the shrine there I can get people to take the path and read the story as it is written on the shrine."

He has a warm smile on his face as he thinks of that place.

Yuji nods.

"I would certainly be interested in such, assuming my upcoming duties allow such. I would think that riding along the Phoenix border would be quite beautiful with the way the sun would strike the mountains." he said, trying to picture them.

[Shiba Jiro]

"It is certainly picturesque," he says with a nod.

"So, what is there to do in Tsuma? There are obvious things like tea and sake houses, but what other distractions and entertainment are available here?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"It is certainly picturesque," he says with a nod.

"So, what is there to do in Tsuma? There are obvious things like tea and sake houses, but what other distractions and entertainment are available here?"

Yuji nodded.

"This is true. Tsuma is, at it's heart, a rather small town. Many people come here during the Topaz championship, but it is not one of the large cities of the Empire. The Tengu river is a slow and gentle one, wonderful for fishing or swimming on warmer days. The forest is idyllic, and home of the legendary Tsu Fish. On warmer days, kite flying is a rather popular past time in the surrounding fields. And while you noted that there are sake bars, I would be remiss in not bringing up the souvenir black clay jars from the Poisoned Water Sake House. No visit to Tsuma is complete without one." he lays out.

"And of course, this is the home of the Kakita Dueling Academy and Kakita Artisan Academy. Various artistic endeavors are always imminent."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I didn't realize that there was also a branch of the artisan academy here. I visited the Academy at Shiro sano Kakita during my training," he replies with a nod. "I'll have to visit the forest and Poisoned Water at some point then, thank you for the suggestions. Are you originally from Tsuma or did you come here for the academy?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"I didn't realize that there was also a branch of the artisan academy here. I visited the Academy at Shiro sano Kakita during my training," he replies with a nod. "I'll have to visit the forest and Poisoned Water at some point then, thank you for the suggestions. Are you originally from Tsuma or did you come here for the academy?"

Yuji smiled.

"Ah my family has deep roots with the Academy. My father is one of the tactics senseis, my mother one of the dueling instructors, my grandfather is semi-retired but still offers his advice on academy matters when invited to do so...."

He shrugged a bit.

"I could go on, but suffice to say my family's history with Tsuma goes back quite a ways. What about your family, Shiba-san? What are they known for other than giving rise to an aspiring topaz champion?" he asked.

[Shiba Jiro]

"A little bit of romantic tragedy and for an odd spiritual connection that manifests every few generations," he responds.

"An ancestor of mine was maneuvered into a duel to the death over a broken betrothal and love. But he would not lift his blade because he knew love was worth dying for, but did not wish to be seen as a killer by the woman he loved. So he stood there and let his rival end his life. The story goes that Benten-no-kami blessed Shiba Reijiro in his last moments and cursed his opponent."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji blinked a bit as the Phoenix repeated the story behind the construction of his shrine. It was clearly important to Jiro, so he did not comment on the odd bit of duplication.

"Hm...what about your immediate family, Shiba-san? Any brothers or sisters?" he asked diverting the topic of conversation slightly.

[Shiba Jiro]

He nods at that. He hadn't even realized he repeated himself. Perhaps something was on his mind and distracting him a bit?

"Yes, my twin brother is also here. He is trained as a bushi though. I imagine that when you meet him he'll be interested in sparring. He loves to challenge himself and practice his dueling technique."

[Kakita Yuji]

He nods at that. He hadn't even realized he repeated himself. Perhaps something was on his mind and distracting him a bit?

"Yes, my twin brother is also here. He is trained as a bushi though. I imagine that when you meet him he'll be interested in sparring. He loves to challenge himself and practice his dueling technique."

Yuji smiled a bit.

"There is no shame in practicing your strengths and enjoying them, and he will surely not lack for opponents while he is in Tsuma." he remarked.

Though it occurred to Yuji that these two brothers might not share much in common besides parents.

"Hmm, how are you both in the saddle? A ride together could prove quite pleasant assuming the weather improves a bit in the days to come."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I am not trained in riding at all. He is though, so Haru could likely join you. I am more the type to just give the horse an apple and let them run themselves," he replied.

"How about you? Any siblings?"

[Kakita Yuji]

"I am not trained in riding at all. He is though, so Haru could likely join you. I am more the type to just give the horse an apple and let them run themselves," he replied.

"How about you? Any siblings?"

Yuji nodded.

"Two younger brothers, behind me a handful of years. I'm sure they're be in the stands for the public events. A little incentive for my public performance. Hopefully I can show them what it means to be a topaz contender and inspire them to greatness when their time comes." he reveals.

Yuji considered something.

"Hmm, I take it that you are the elder between you and your brother?" he asked.

[Shiba Jiro]

"No, I'm a few minutes younger. Not that it matters a great deal. It's just a technicality," he says. "And I bet that your example for them will be exceptional. Growing up around this tournament has likely granted you greater insight on what it means to compete here."

[Kakita Yuji]

"No, I'm a few minutes younger. Not that it matters a great deal. It's just a technicality," he says. "And I bet that your example for them will be exceptional. Growing up around this tournament has likely granted you greater insight on what it means to compete here."

Yuji considered that.

"Hmmm, what does it mean? The brightest of the generation gathered here to prove themselves, to showcase their senses' teachings to show that they are not just ready to become an adult, but to serve as an example of what it means to be a samurai for the empire as a whole. A firestorm of talent and ambition, leaving but one to don the Topaz Armor."

He paused a moment.

"And yet that very next year, they return to Tsuma to pass the armor on to the next generation's hopefuls. It is a fascinating process, truly."

[Shiba Jiro]

"I suspect the fact that it is done annually is on purpose. It goes to show that the Empire is never without extremely talented people," he replies. "A person doesn't prove their skill at something by only doing it once. And so the empire proves the talent of it's students by displaying that talent every year. At least by my reckoning, that is how it appears."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji nodded.

"Your parents must be extremely proud that they have not one child in this year's tournament, but two. Did their duties allow them time to visit Tsuma to watch at least the final competition?" he asked.

[Shiba Jiro]

"No, but that is okay. They are proud but they also trust us to do well. They likely wouldn't have been able to make it to our gempukku regardless of the location."

Jiro smiles softly at Yuji.

"Besides, Haru and I have each other to support and cheer for each other. So we have family here in our own way. I am glad that you will be able to celebrate with your family here."

[Kakita Yuji]

Yuji smiled a bit.

"Family and new friends, yes?" he offered. "It is a wonderful opportunity to meet samurai from across the Empire. Who knows? Perhaps our meetings here will lead to nights at a Winter Court somewhere."

[Shiba Jiro]

"Maybe. Its certainly more likely that we'll attend important winter courts if we perform well here. It increases our visibility, so I would not be surprised if many end up having friendships that last a lifetime. I imagine a great many such relationships are born here."

[Kakita Yuji]

"Maybe. Its certainly more likely that we'll attend important winter courts if we perform well here. It increases our visibility, so I would not be surprised if many end up having friendships that last a lifetime. I imagine a great many such relationships are born here."

Yuji nods.

"There are. Though some bitter rivalries are also born here as well. Some years there is a debate event, and the discussion surrounding it can heat beyond the boiling point from time to time." he admitted.

[Shiba Jiro]

"Well, a debate would be fine with me. Though I will need to remember that. One must also observe their debate partner so as to make sure they are comfortable with the direction. It's not much of a debate if it devolves into a shouting match, no?"