[D2, LN] It's not Night, it's Morning (Open)

[Akodo Michi]

"There are many thoughts on this matter at the War College", she began to say, and as well began her kata, making precise swings, flicking the bokken quickly with a sharp movement of the wrist. "To nurture, meaning in the sense of helping them and guiding them in some way, allows two valuable things. Affecting part of your opponent's strategy, as your words played a hand in creating it, or using it as a deception to lead them to folly."

one, two, three swings, ending in a lunging thrust. She retook her stance slowly.

"But others believe a more righteous notion, that the idea of being generous to your enemy rewards your kharma. If you have nurtured them properly, they are a strong enemy, more worthy of the contest, and can only bring your glory in victory, or honor in the sacrifices of defeat. If your kharma is clean and pure, the fortunes will see to their failure for you, and so doing well by them has rewarded you two fold. The strong become only stronger, as they say."

A loud warrior shout, and Michi performed a pure killing strike, stepping through fully and ending in a guard stance.

"These ideas tie to the thought that one must respect their enemy and their strengths. Be patient, be friendly to your foe, do not allow the time and field to be chosen by them, being their friend and ally serves to make this certain as one does not attack their friends. Yet when your opponent has become weak, your efforts put you uniquely in position to choose the time and place of your battle."

She drew up to standing and bowed, the short kata complete.

"Whether your ideal is righteous or pragmatic, the result would be the same. You do not wish to crush your friend, but your lord demands it so, and thus your honor as a samurai does as well."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru considered her words carefully.

"I wonder, is there room for a strong and nurtured enemy that you have been friendly with to become an ally? Furthermore, is someone you consider weaker than you always an enemy?"

[Akodo Michi]

"These matters are for a lord", she offered. "One's enemy is who one is directed at. My relationships cannot be allowed to affect such a decision." She assumed a new stance now, her guard high and she focused into the distance.

"Likewise, it is my lord who determines who the allies of my clan are. Should you nurture a rival, foster strength in them and your lord makes a treaty with theirs, I see only benefit." the strike was fast and she stepped backward into a lower guarding stance. "Yet that may mean little for one's daily life, it is our duty to be prepared should an alliance fail, should a friend become an enemy."

She rushed forward, a flurry of blows in three steps.

"Yet is one weaker always considered an enemy? My lord will decide, but my personal ideal is that friendship can be with all and of any like. Yet these circumstances, again, cannot be allowed to interfere with one's duty. One pets a cat affectionately knowing all the while it's claws are a threat. This is human nature."

[Shiba Haru]

"I must admit I am surprised that you choose not to consider such things. The nature of warfare means you could find yourself in command with no notice or your lord may call upon you for insight, I figured that every Lion would have solidified their opinion on most things."

[Akodo Michi]

Standing straight she held the bokken down and to the side, facing the Shiba.

"What did I say that lead you to believe I do not consider it?"

[Shiba Haru]

He bowed hastily to the Lion.

"My apologies Akodo-san I do not mean to offend. You deferred to your Lord's judgment when I asked for your opinion, I took that to mean that it was not something you should concern yourself with due to station."

[Akodo Michi]

"Apology is unnecessary, but your manners do you credit", the Lion said earnestly with a bow in return. "That my lord so chooses is his right, and my opinion matters little until asked for", she explained. "Should I be called upon to advise Akodo-ue, he will find a ready reply. My words explain that I see only benefit in gaining a nurtured enemy as an ally, and that a weaker force need not be a foe."

[Shiba Haru]

"I wonder what defines an enemy then. Certainly if someone attacks you, your home your clan that person is an enemy but there are many more reasons that drive us to war with one another. Our two clans have fought in the past but I do not think my clan views yours as an enemy, I do not think our clan views any as an enemy; we certainly aren't taught as such. But the Lion and Crane have often been enemies and it would not surpirse me if your cultures reflect that. I wish it were not so."

[Akodo Michi]

"What defines an enemy is simply a group who has wronged you in disagreement and refused to make amends", she said quietly. "At least to me, as myself."

She cleared her throat.

"Yet one does not give in to hate upon a whole clan unless the wronging is dire enough, or if one's lord demands it, regardless of your feelings."

[Shiba Haru]

And then Haru decided to ask the question his mentors would have warned him not to.

"Do you think samurai can live without war?"

[Akodo Michi]

"I do not", she said quite clearly and without hesitation. "War has always been our purpose. Our ancestors sacrificed much in it's fires, and so one day shall we."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru frowned, disappointed with the answer though not surprised by it.

"Indeed they have and we should honor them every chance we get, but weren't those sacrifices made to try and secure peace? Do we not owe it to our future descendants to try and make a peace that lasts?"

[Akodo Michi]

"Sacrifices were made to achieve victory", she answered resolutely. "My clan is the Emperor's strong right hand, we fight on his order, or his agreement, we halt at his demand. Even in peaceful discourse, sacrifices are made, but a Lion would rather give their life than their honor. What you speak of is well intentioned, but folly to our traditions. Should the Emperor so order us to never fight again, there would be no need for the clan of Akodo."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru looked aghast at the Akodo's words.

"No need? Surely there is more to the Lion clan than war. You have a connection to our ancestors that even the Phoenix cannot match, you are poets and storytellers, the keens minds in our empire. No of those things need be bent towards war and if it is so then there is always the REAL battle to the south."

[Akodo Michi]

The Lion was still for a moment, theoretical and practical danced in her mind. "Do not speak of the Crab's sacred duty, neither of us have the experience to say word one on it", she stated, perhaps more harshly than she meant, but allowed it to be. "And do not tell me of my clan's culture when I represent it and stand before you."

That was said much more quietly, but absolutely audible.

"Understanding is attained through gathering information", she said simply, in a much more clear voice now. "And so, Shiba Haru-san, you speak greatly of peace and it is a noble goal, but for what purpose then do you train to wield a sword?"

[Shiba Haru]

"I will speak of the Crab as I wish until one of them tells me they take offense but I do not feel I have offered any." He said with an edge creeping into his voice.

"And I have only spoken of the greatness of your clan, if you take offense to that, to the idea that there is more to your clan then just killing then perhaps we should end this conversation here Akodo-san. But I am not some courtier who speaks without knowledge, I have walked your halls and seen firsthand what the Lion are and I believe that you are more then you allow yourselves to be.

As for my training I learned the sword because it is my duty, but in that I have made it my mission to use my skills to prevent wars not perpetuate them. I believe that dueling should be where conflict between people ends, if we must make war let it be with external threats not each other. Murdering each other accomplishes nothing beyond creating more reasons to murder each other. At some point the cycle of violence and slaughter must be broken for the sake of our culture and our children's children. Just because our ancestors fought doesn't mean that we must, they are not perfect and infallible and nor are we but we can try."

[Akodo Michi]

There was a long pause. Then longer.

It drew on greatly.

Yet the Akodo's placid expression didn't change. "This would seem an apt place to praise the duel, but you forget who you speak to, and what matters passed between my honored cousin's ancestor and the founder of this dojo's method."

She stood straighter now. "Shiba Haru-san, tell me true, is there not a different subject you sought, or are we burdened to be adversaries of ideals?"

[Shiba Haru]

"I do not wish to be you adversary beyond what may come in tournament but I am an adversary of warfare. My desire here is to build relationships that may help avoid conflict in the future. If you find the topic of peace distasteful and unproductive we can certainly discuss something else or just go about our practice in silence."

[Akodo Michi]

"I find nothing distasteful about peace, Shiba-san. You are quite mistaken and presumptive", she told him. "It is a clear fact that samurai exist for war, without it they would have no purpose. It is semantic, however", she told him evenly. "Samurai fight battles, if there are no battles to fight, then samurai are unneeded. That does not rob any of serving an Emperor, you would require a new caste of servant, one that does not wage war. That is all, and not so difficult to see."

[Shiba Haru]

Haru began to walk back towards the rack to stow his bokken ."Yes, it was a presumption that you might engage me in a true discussion and that seems to have been a mistake. You seem to be hung up on the definition of the word "samurai" rather than the spirit of the conversation in what seems to be an attempt to deflect things away from the warmongering that plagues our history and excuse it's continuation."