The Oath (closed RP)

[Kakita Sojiro]

(OOC if you want to be here for some reason, send me an IM first.)

TIME: One day after the Kakita Elite Squad arrives in Kyuden Otomo.
(OOC thanks for that title, Mitsouko. It makes us sound all awesome and stuff )

Sojiro walked slowly though the courtyard, enjoying a rare break in the recent rainstorms as he stretched his body. He had spent the night in the infirmary after his brief appearance in court, along with his companions Hitoshi and Hiroshi. He still walked with his walking stick just to be careful, but the Asahina had done an incredible job of patching the group up and healing their wounds. His leg felt as good as new.

He walked slowly, enjoying this break in the war and the chance to take in the sight of the changing leaves on the trees in the courtyard. His mind was still heavy though, as much involving the war could not be pushed out of his thought process. He took a deep breath and firmly but those thoughts in the back of his mind. He was here for something different. Something particular. Something special.

He had spent the evening thinking about the past week or so, and the battles he had been involved in. During those times, he, Hiroshi, and Hitoshi had fought as one more often than not. Together they had proven to be capable of feats that many would view as suicidal, and had lived to tell the tales. Moreover, when it came down to it, the three of them had repeatedly put the lives of each other above their own well being.

Sojiro had come to think of them as his brothers, in spirit if not in flesh.

He smiled, thinking of the reckless, suicidal charge Hitoshi and he had made from the walls of Toshi Ranbo to get to the side of Hiroshi, and the duel Hiroshi had fought, while wounded, to make sure that they all lived through that mess. Any military commander worth his salt would tell them that they had no business being alive.

And yet somehow, through their combined strength, they were still here.

Sojiro had extended the invitation for the two of them to join him in the courtyard when they felt up to it. He had something he wanted to say to them before he departed with Mitsouko on another mission. He stood there, admiring the trees in their multi-colored splendor, and awaited their arrival.

[Kakita Hitoshi]

Kakita Hitoshi walked through the gardens of Kyuden Otomo towards the courtyard, enjoying the brief respite from the rigours of war. Although his ribs were still a little tender, he was grateful to the Asahina physicians for restoring him to active duty with their prayers to the kami.

There were many things playing on his mind. Firstly was the beautifully written invitation from his friend Sojiro, inviting him to join him in the courtyard at the present moment for an unspecified purpose. Secondly was the closeness of Doji Mikado, who was also at Kyuden Otomo, but was incredibly busy assisting the Asahina daimyo. Hitoshi longed to steal a few moments alone with her, but so far it had been impossible. Finally, he was genuinely admiring the beauty of the gardens - it felt like too long since he had been able to relax and appreciate something of this nature.

He emerged into the courtyard and saw Sojiro, seemingly lost in contemplation. He walked towards him, ensuring that his foot scuffed the stone briefly so that his friend would know he was there, and then stood waiting in silence.

[Kakita Sojiro]

Sojiro heard the footfalls and the scuff of loose stone as Hitoshi approached. He pulled himself from his reverie to address his friend.
"I have always loved the gardens of Kyuden Otomo, particularly in the fall.

Leaves fall in the wind
Fading glory burns so bright
Before winter's grasp."

He smiled and turned to Hitoshi. "Thank you for joining me, Hitoshi-san. This place is special to me, and has been ever since my childhood. It is good that, for just a little bit, we can forget that we are at war, and simply enjoy the beauty the the Kami have blessed Rokugan with."

[Kakita Hitoshi]

"It is, my friend" Hitoshi said. "This is the first time I have been to Kyuden Otomo, but the gardens are certainly beautiful."

"As you say though, winter is coming. Will this conflict be resolved before then or continue in the spring I wonder?" He smiled wryly, almost to himself, then continued "I suppose my thoughts are of no matter. What is it you wished to speak to me about Sojiro-san?"

[Kakita Sojiro]

(OOC waiting for a response from Hiroshi...)

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Hiroshi was practicing in the back courtyard to help his arm heal, when a servant with Sojiro's message found him. Having completed his set of exercise, he read the note twice.

He looked around the courtyard, and headed to the dormitory to change into something more proper for conversation.

After changing into clean apparel, he made his way through the gardens. The autumn beauty of Kyuden Otomo was striking, but in his mind it did not compare to the gardens of his grandparents...

For a moment he stood at the entrance, lost in though. Then, he shook it off and followed the path to the main building and then to the courtyard. He found Sojiro and Hitoshi in conversation.

“Ahoy, there!” he greeted them. “My heart fills with joy to see you both better. How are your ribs, Hitoshi-san?”

[Kakita Hitoshi]

Hitoshi turned as Hiroshi entered the garden.

"A little sore, my friend, but the Asahina have done wonders in repairing the actual damage."

He looked around at the gardens. Are you likely to be staying in Kyuden Otomo? I am to be returning to Kyuden Doji for a while, ostensibly to convalesce.""

[Kakita Hiroshi]

“I am glad to hear you are receiving proper care and feeling better,” said Hiroshi. “I will be staying here a bit, to let all wounds heal enough for the body to be of use for something more than waving a stick around. Then? Who knows...”

Hiroshi turned to Sojiro. “What about you, Sojiro-san?” he asked. “You seem to be in good health, but your eyes are clouded, is there something troubling you?”

[Kakita Sojiro]

(OOC Gah! Just noticed that this was moving again, sorry guys!)

He smiled at Hiroshi's inquiry.

"I certainly can't complain, Hiroshi-san. My leg should make a full recovery thanks to the Asahina, as well as my arm. Broken bones tend to take a bit longer to heal, but it is already much stronger than it was."

"Sans, I asked you to join me today because I have been reflecting on Toshi Ranbo and the events after it. I have come to the conclusion that none of us have any business being alive after what we have done, and yet he we are. All three of us. There are two reasons for this, in my opinion. The first is that the fortunes have a reason for bringing us together, and the second is this - although separately we are all talented warriors, when we stand together, we are capable of feats that are the stuff of legends. I am truly honored to have met, fought beside, and gotten to know you both. So much so, that I have started to think of you both as brothers, in a very real way."

[Kakita Hitoshi]

"I know what you mean Sojiro-san; I think it is a minor miracle that we are all standing here. I wonder if it is possible that we knew each other in a former life?"

Hitoshi smiled at his own musings, idly sniffing some of the nearby blooms. "Ah well, perhaps it is best to leave such reflections for the shugenja. I agree that the conflicts have brought us close together and hopefully this new unit of ours will bring much glory to the Crane." He stared at Sojiro for a moment, looking at the mismatched eyes. "You're planning something, aren't you Sojiro-san? You're looking thoughtful, and I recognise the expression. It hardly ever crosses your face, so it always catches me by surprise!"

[Kakita Hiroshi]

Hiroshi pondered the words that fell for a while.

“I must confess, Sojiro-san, that your words sound very true,” he said in a somewhat quieter voice. “While each one of us can be proud of his skills, the events that unfolded... Were out of place somehow.”

He stopped, looking at the branches moving in a gentle breeze.

“My thoughts constantly go to that shugenja we met after breaking away from combat,” he paused. “I can swear there was something unnatural about him, so you might be right about the fortunes' smile... I believe we should thank them properly. We should be ashamed we did not do so yet... Is that what you had in mind, Sojiro-san?”

[Kakita Sojiro]

"The Asahina, if that is truly what he was, will never be forgotten. I have already made his sacrifice known to the court here, but I agree that we should definitely pay proper respect to him for his sacrifice, regardless of his true nature. And, if he truly was a messenger of the fortunes, as I believe him to have been, then I feel that what I am about to do is both fitting tribute, and serving his intentions."

Sojiro drew his katana, holding it aloft between the other two.

"Kakita Hitoshi-san, Kakita Hiroshi-san, from this day forward I, Kakita Sojiro, solemnly swear an oath of eternal brotherhood to you both. Though we are not bound by blood, our bonds of spirit and soul transcend such physical things. From here on, no matter the distance between us, I swear that I will always come to my brothers' aid. I will share both great joy and great hardships with them, and they shall never know defeat unless I to am defeated and fall beside them."

[Kakita Hitoshi]

Caught up in the moment, Hitoshi drew his own blade and held it with the chiselled end touching Sojiro's.

"Kakita Sojiro-san I join my oath with yours, to you and Kakita Hiroshi-san. From this day henceforth let us be as brothers. If you have need of me I will be there, and together we shall triumph or fall as one!"

[Kakita Hiroshi]

(OOC: Sorry for taking so long to reply... again ).

Kakita Hiroshi unsheathed his katana and joined it with the other two.

“While I do not think I deserve the honor of brotherhood of blood with you, honorable Sojiro-san and Hitoshi-san, I would be worth less than a Monkey to refuse what fate has given us. Through blood, and through tears, in sun, and in rain, I shall never leave you in trouble, always coming to your aid, until the Fortunes decide it is my time to pass from this world.”