Tsuruchi Shin entered the chambers of the Yoritomo Daimyo and bowed deeply.
"Tsuruchi-san, what has brought you here to me today?"
"Yoritomo-sama, I have heard that you enjoy collecting artefacts, and I wish to
present one to add to your collection." Tsuruchi Shin placed a katana wrapped in
a powder blue cloth on the floor, a servant quickly handed it to the Yoritomo
daimyo. His eyes widened as he unwrapped the sword.
"As you may have heard, Daidoji Hayashi passed away in Friendly Traveller
Village a few months ago."
Yoritomo Rinsei drew the katana from its sheath just enough so he could see the
inscription on the blade, quickly snapped it closed, and handed it to a servant.
"I cannot accept such a gift, the Daidoji family are wondering where Hayashi's
blade is."
"Please, do not think of it that way Yoritomo-sama. It is merely a token of my
devotion to the Mantis."
"The Wasp have already proven themselves worthy of the Mantis, Tsuruchi-san. The
Daidoji family will be grateful if you return the blade to them."
"I insist Yoritomo-sama; I have travelled far from my home to the Mantis isles
to present you with a gift I thought worthy of your collection."
"Thank you for your generous gift Tsuruchi-san. Such generosity however should
not go unrewarded."
"Please, Yoritomo-sama…"
"Didn't you say yourself that you've travelled all this way just to present a
gift? Allow me to give you something for your journey home."
"If you insist Yoritomo-sama, then perhaps you could mention a good word to my
Daimyo to allow one of my brethren to marry a Crane? Such a marriage would also
improve relations between the Crane and the Mantis after all."
"Consider it done Tsuruchi-san."
* * * * *
It was a cold day in the last few days of winter, as Tsuruchi Shin took a small
sip of the tea that had been offered to him and gently placed the cup back down.
He had travelled many months to Shiro Sano Kakita and now facing the Bride's
parents, he felt out of his depths.
In the beautiful chambers prepared he sat alongside Kakita Arihiko, the head
sensei of the Kakita painting dojo. Genuinely interested in helping Kozu to join
the Crane clan she was more than willing to help Shin in his quest.
"Kakita-san, we have come to you today because we believe we have a found
suitable match for your daughter, Kameko-san."
Kameko's father, Takeru, leaned forward slightly, as if he had misheard
something.
"He is one of my brethren, his name is Tsuruchi Kozu. We have already sought
permission from our Daimyos; Tsuruchi Kozu will take up the Kakita family name."
"What makes you believe he is suitable for my Kameko? Or even worthy of the
Kakita name at all."
Shin silently cursed his misfortune. He had hoped that his friend, Daidoji
Noritoshi was here to help. He had arranged to meet him here before speaking
with the parents but he had run late.
"Probably proving to another foolish samurai that 'The Merciful' is not someone
to insult," Shin thought to himself, almost smiling at the reputation his friend
was getting.
Kakita Arihiko gently placed her teacup onto the table and interrupted,
"Tsuruchi Kozu-san is a great artisan. His addition would greatly enhance our
prestige."
Takeru spent a moment thinking in silence.
"I cannot accept. I already have arranged nakodo seeking more appropriate, Crane
suitors."
A cold wind snapped at the clothes of the people as another entered the room. A
man dressed in a simple kimono, his white hair tied back in a samurai's top
knot. His one good eye glanced over everyone in the room. Bowing to everyone
present he settled next to Tsuruchi Shin, drawing a teacup from inside his
kimono.
"My apologies for my tardiness. I am Daidoji Noritoshi and I was to help my
friend in his task. I would have liked to have been here earlier but I was
delayed. Just as I was on my way, walking through the courtyard, a certain
little ill-spoken young samurai made a rather unforgivable comment about my
appearance."
Takeru glared directly at him from his seat and gritted through his teeth, "That
is my son that you're talking about."
A fan flickered across his face concealing a smile, "I didn't injure him badly
if that's what you're concerned about." Turning to face Shin, he offered his tea
cup. "Tsuruchi-san, has he accepted our proposal yet?"
"No, not yet," Shin poured out another cup of tea. "Kakita-san claims that my
brethren are not worthy."
"Well," Noritoshi took a small sip of his tea. "I certainly believe he is
worthy, perhaps you would reconsider?"
Blood rushed to his face, anger causing Takeru to stand. "How… How dare you! In
my own home no less! You have attacked my son and come in here and threaten me?
I will not be intimidated by…"
Noritoshi quickly interrupted, "You dare suggest that I, Daidoji Noritoshi of
the Kakita Duelling Academy, would resort to such lowly actions such as
intimidation?" turning to Shin, "Do you believe that he has slighted my honour?"
Shin quietly nodded while taking another sip of tea.
"I'll have you know that Sapphire Magistrate, Hida Hei and I are quite good
friends," Noritoshi unfolded a prepared writ with the seal of the Sapphire
Magistrate.
Arihiko lowered her teacup a little, "Calm down Daidoji-san, I do not wish for
my day to be ruined by the sight of blood being spilled."
Shin nodded in agreement, "Now, perhaps everyone would like to reconsider?"
His face turning white with fear, Kakita Takeru trembled a little while trying
to stutter a few words.
"The match will be more than acceptable," Takeru's wife finally spoke.
Arihiko gently placed her teacup down onto the table, "Excellent, Tsuruchi Kozu
will marry into the Kakita family, and to show our gratitude I will accept him
into my school. He will be the greatest artisan the Crane have ever witnessed."
Both parents could only look down at the floor, both of them burning with shame.
"You will pay for this Noritoshi. I swear by ancestors, I will live just long
enough to see you humiliated and beaten by all those you harm!" Takeru
thought, his eyes trickling with tears as the supplicants left.
* * * * *
"Tsuruchi-san, if you have a moment please," Kakita Arihiko stopped in front of
Shin as he was making his way back to his room. The garden was filled with the
snow that had collected the whole day.
"Of course Arihiko-sama," Shin bowed. She motioned him over to where she was
sitting moments before.
"All this time I've wondered, but never had the opportunity to ask you, why did
you personally come to me requesting assistance for this marriage? Why weren't
the usual Mantis nakodo assigned to handle this task?"
"As you are aware, Tsuruchi Kozu-san is clearly more skilled in the brush than
at the bow. I personally did not wish to see his artistic skills to go to waste.
However, I am relieved to know now that he will be accepted into the Kakita
family and into your prestigious school." Shin turned in his seat and bowed to
Arihiko.
"But he is famous; surely you would've known that it would've been just as grand
for the Crane if Kameko-san was to marry into the Tsuruchi family, but instead
you're willing for him to marry into the Kakita?"
Shin nervously laughed, "I guess I'm still inexperienced in the way of a nakodo.
Perhaps I really am more suited to the bow instead."
Arihiko smiled, "Please work harder then."
"HAI! Of course Arihiko-sama. It's getting late, if you would excuse me I must
return to my room."
* * * * *
Tsuruchi Shin and Daidoji Noritoshi sat in a dimly candle lit room, between them
a simple go board with eyeless formations and openings everywhere.
Noritoshi placed a stone down onto the board, "I win."
Shin quickly glanced over the board, not seeing any of the openings, and sighed.
"Okay, so you get to pick where the wedding will be held," Shin cleared the
board in preparation for another game.
"It's only fair, the Crane is paying for this wedding after all. We're even
providing servants to take care of the household," Noritoshi wrote another line
onto the paper next to the board.
"Yeah, I suppose so." Shin placed his first stone.
"Don't say it like that Tsuruchi-san, you're getting what you want in the end
after all." Noritoshi placed a stone next to Shin's.
"Well, it's only natural that he follows his brother into the Crane… You know,
it's funny," Shin chuckled. "His brother escaped your blade when he decided that
he would take the Hanagensai name. Kozu chose the path of the brush, his brother
chose the path of the sword. The Tsuruchi that don't value the bow in their
lives and mock the Tsuruchi Ancestors aren't even worthy of carrying the family
name."