Last minute preparations (Closed/NPC)

[Doji Sakura]

"Ano..."

Sakura, who had bowed when the sensei spoke, looked up.

"May I speak, Doji-sensei?"

[Vutall]

"Thank you for the invitation, Kakita-san. Yes, Doji-san?"

[Doji Sakura]

"Thank you" Sakura bowed again "ano...I know Kenji-san hasn't approached everything in the normal or expected way, but Kenji-san is doing something in unity with other clans people, to arrange something with others. We are here to learn as we go, and it's ok to make mistakes now because we're not at gempukku yet. This is when we should make mistakes, so we learn from them and become better. Kenji-san has learnt a lot from this experience, and I understand that Doji-sensei feels her time has been wasted, but I think Doji-sensei could consider this as a good chance for a learning experience and then lead by example to show Kenji-san the elegance of the Crane."

There was a pause, and she added "ano...It is also important for a samurai to keep their word, and if Doji-sensei said they would oversee or attend then they should, not only to show the importance of keeping ones word but to show unity between kin."

She bowed again.

"Thank you for letting me speak Doji-sensei. Ano...forgive me if I overspoke, I was just saying what I thought would be the right thing to do."

[Vutall]

"You are correct in your sentiment, Doji-san. Now is the time for mistakes, but how does one learn their mistakes without consequences for their actions?"

[Doji Sakura]

"Kenji-san has had consequence. He has learnt his mistakes, and is now learning the way of fixing them. I think that if Doji-sensei were to not show up as Doji-sensei said before, it would appear like a..." she paused, thinking of a wording "a public snubbing from a sensei of his own clan, which would be bad for both him and for all of us."

[Vutall]

"Kakita-san's actions are deserving of shame however, Doji-san. He brought forth a plan, which I agreed to. Then, he came to me to say that his plans went astray, thus I informed him of his failings of keeping his word and the consequence being me not showing up, which would send a message to all that you must not promise something you cannot make good on. And now, he has realized rushed his report and had to correct information that he previously had told me, thus showing he has much to learn yet about proper planning and procedure. Were this an official court and he made a proclamation to his lord as he did me, do you not think there would be consequences? Or if this were a war room, and he a scout, having to come back and correct previous information that was not true, disaster could have happened."

She shakes her head and lets out a long breath.

"However, your argument for my attendance has merit to it as well."

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura lowered her head.

"Ano...the art was my creation, and I said to Kenji-san I did not think it would be prepared in time. Kenji-san was protecting me. Forgive me sensei."

[Kakita Kenji]

"You don't have to be the host Doji-sensei, but if you would only appear, you would do me a great honour. I realized my mistake and overestimated my luck. As I said before, I accept every decision you make. I still have a lot to learn, but I do not wish to disgrace the crane. After all he is my home and my destiny" he also bowed low besides Sakura

[Vutall]

"I see. Kakita-san did not inform me that it was you who overpromised and not him. Let this be a lesson to both of you then. Kakita-san, you were honorable in attempting to cover the shame for someone else. I may have been to harsh on you without knowing the entirety of the circumstance. I will be there then."

[Doji Sakura]

"Hai sensei. Please accept my apology, and thank you for being at the tournament" Sakura kept her head bowed.

[Kakita Kenji]

"Thank you, Sensei. May we leave?" Kenji asked

[Vutall]

"You may."

[Doji Sakura]

Sakura bowed again to the sensei.

"Thank you sensei. See you at the tournament!"

She let Kenji leave first before she exited the room after him, closing the door slowly.

[Kakita Kenji]

After reaching a distance from Doji-Sensei's quarters, Kenji bowed to Sakura: "I owe you a great favor, Sakura-san, thank you for your help and your incredible blacksmithing skills. I did not wish for you to get scolded by Doji-Sensei, i'm sorry".

[Doji Sakura]

"You're my kin and my friend" Sakura smiled "a burden shared is a burden lessened, and it worked out ne? Don't worry about it! You gave me a giant crystal, I feel like I still owe you."

[Kakita Kenji]

"Yes, it worked, but without you, Doji-sensei would still be angry with me" Kenji said, also with a smile. "Oh wait, I might have something for you" Kenji pulled out a mochi "Here, you like mochi, right?"

[Doji Sakura]

"Mochi!" Sakuras eyes lit up and she made a grab for it, pulling back at literally the last second. Her fingertips might have even touched the mochi.

"Ano...it's your mochi, I cannot accept."

[Kakita Kenji]

Giggling a bit Kenji said "But Sakura-san, i insist that you have this Mochi. It's nearly nothing compared to what you did for me"

[Doji Sakura]

"Nooo...I didn't do it for a reward~" Sakura said after pinning her own arms firmly to her sides "it's your mochi."

[Kakita Kenji]

"But Sakura-san, this isn't a reward, but a gift for a lovely, small but very talented Crane Maiden. Think about how sad this mochi will be, if it's not with you, it could hardly live with this rejection." he said, and could barely wipe that grin off his face