The New Winds

Kenji had a not very successful day behind him and just wanted to rest. But he shouldn't be allowed to do so. Just as he was making his way past to sleep, it scratched at the door....

A whisper from the shadow, Kenji would hear a familiar poem.
"Fancy Daisy smell
Winter comes in Morning dew
lives continue"

"Who's there?" Kenji said with a slightly panicky undertone. He was a bit scared...

"No one..." He came into view. "How are you Kakita san?"

"Kaidan!" he nearly screamed, "How, what,...?" he shook his head. "Come in, do you want some tea?" he asked. He put back the Futon he made ready a few minutes ago. "I have been better, the Fortunes have not cast their shine upon me today," he replied.

"I did not bring my own cup but I will trust you this time." He moved into the room. "You have a lot of people that care about you. Kharma is a bad thing to gamble with."

Kenji ignored the note with the cup.
Scorpio paranoia, he thought
He prepared tea and poured him and Kaidan a cup of wonderful jasmine tea.

"I, was surprised how many people were suddenly there for me, though,..." he took a sip of tea and put the cup down. "Perhaps it was indeed Kharma that I did so poorly today. But, I cannot change the course of yesterday's events."

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D2 LE Tea Ceremony/Void TN 20: 5d10o10k4 23
Kaidan and Kenji get a VP back!

"True..." He took a sip. "Only be better for the future." He smiled under his mask. "I think i should give you an explanation. That boy reminds me of things that I will have to do." He closed his eyes enjoying the aroma.

"I only know the pillow book stories about scorpions and frogs. I thought they were just an exaggeration, but like many stories, there's a kernel of truth in them, isn't it?" Kenji took a sip of tea again.

"I am not talking about that but the nature of the clan. We are the underhand." He explained. "I might have to do things like Chen."

He was surprised. For what he knew and was taught, the Scorpions were just... ...deceitful now and then.

"It sounds like you have a heavy burden to carry for your clan. How do you feel about that?" he asked.

"It is a burden that Bayushi no kami did as a sacrifice for Hantei no Kami. I am used to it i suppose." He sipped. his tea. "Make it difficult to have friends."

"Hence your comment yesterday," Kenji said.

He brooded a little.

"I am often told that I see things too idealistically. And, I can also understand why, but I find it hard to exclude Bushido from my life. The samurai in me had to bring Chen to the magistrate yesterday, even though the person in me would have liked to set him free. It was not an easy decision"

"I understand. I guess that is why Crab san was so adamant with me, when I told him what happened. You two seem to be good friends." He looked at his cup sadden.

"I do value him very much,... the Crabs per se really grew on me." he admitted.

"Just because I do many things,... more idealistic,.. than others doesn't mean I don't consider you a friend, Kaidan-san. Even though I don't know if it's mutual..."

He took his cup and placed it in his lap with both hands.

"I can't promise that I can do every mischief with you, but if you need someone to talk to and a good cup of tea, I'll be there for you," he said with a smile.

"I have told you about my duties to the Empire. Consider that a plus in the bridge towards friendship." He nodded. "I am not asking for that, just asking for understanding and just explaining somethings to you. It might hurt your right hand what the left hand does."

Kenji nodded "I think i can understand that"

Kaidan nodded. "You should talk to Kokyou San. He did not take that well." He sipped his tea. "I was with him in the bath earlier and he seemed hurt."

"The feeling is mutual. I followed the Ronin with him, fought against the Zokujinn and visited him on his islands. It wasn't an easy decision, I don't think there would have been any way to make all of them happy." Kenji paused briefly and sipped his tea.

"He might have had his... his own particularities, but he has a good heart. I will try to talk to him about it."

"He is easier to make amends with than myself. I am detached from emotion." He sipped his tea. "He considers you a friend. Making tough decisions hurt the bond." He looked at the cup that is halfway through.