The New Winds

Having secured a pair of ponies, Bayushi Jiro waited patiently at the prearranged spot, a quiet smile on his face.

Prashant was actually a bit surprised Jiro would be the one asking for and bringing the ponies. But go and meet him he did, with a quiet, serene smile of his own.

Other than his usual equipment, another small pouch hung from his obi.

Jiro brightened considerably as Prashant came into view. Stepping forward and flowing into a bow, he greeted the Iuchi with a broad "Konbanwa, Iuchi-san! I hope that you have had a pleasant morning, and that these fine steeds meet your standards. Your humble friend is not the greatest gauge, I am afraid." He grinned with a self-deprecating look.

"Are you well?"

"Konbanwa, Bayushi-san! Have you had your rice?", the Iuchi said with a smile of his own, bowing to the Scorpion, then looked at the horses. One of them, oddly enough, was very similar to the lighter-coloured one Nesrin had ridden into the battle with Sugai just the day before. The Unicorn raised his brow at the horse for a moment - it couldn't be the same one, could it? The stable hands would probably have kept it resting for some time before sending it out again?

After a moment, though, he uncreases his brow and nods at Jiro, looking at the horses.

"They will do finely, Bayushi-san. And hai! It's been quite a day yesterday, hasn't it? But... after all that happened, I could actually rest quite well."

He then beams at Jiro. "By the way... I haven't had the chance to congratulate you properly, Bayushi-san. I've watched some of your debates between the Iaijutsu matches. You were nothing short of brilliant!"

Tomohiro beamed at the praise. "I...well, some semblance of brilliance was bound to reveal itself, yes? After all, I had a great teacher in the intricacies of the Tao. And of course, your own performance in Iaijutsu was very impressive. Had you been training in it beforehand? I did not recall you seeking out that instruction at Hirosaka."

He paused. "Is something the matter with the horse, Iuchi-san? I could not help but notice a look of...concern, I think it must be, on your face."

"Oh", Prash's eyes lower a bit at Jiro's compliment as his eyes continue to smile. "You're too kind, as always, Bayushi-san"

As he raises his head, he extends his hands to get the reins of one of the Ponies. "The Tao is a path, ne, Bayushi-san. One may help you see it, but you walk it yourself", he says, a warm smile as he nods to him. "The simple shows the outward things, The complex reveals the soul... it was nice seeing your soul shine there".

As he gets the pony's reins, he gestures for them to mount. "No problem with him at all - just reminds me a lot of one of the noble little ones that rode with us yesterday... probably not. Poor hero deserves some rest, ne?", he says, smiling again. "That all... " he stops. This was not the best time for talk about what happened.

As they mount the ponies, he goes back to the other question. "Oh...I was happy to get that far in the Iai tournament. I practiced a bit at Hirosaka, but I started receiving training in the ways of the sword from Haha*", he says, warm smile on his lips again. "I... suppose it's not expected? But the match against Matsu-sama stirs me to practice harder, in fact", he says with a happy smile.

When both are mounted, he nods towards the road. "Have you thought of anywhere in particular to ride to, Bayushi-san?"


*Haha = familiar term for mother

"I have not, Iuchi-san." Tomohiro turned his head. "I thought that, as I had picked last time, I might leave it to you."

As he rested in the saddle, waiting for Prashant to decide, he asked quietly..."I wonder...what did you see in my soul during the tournament?"