Kazue sat on the dock in silence, watching the ships sail by. Her mind was going a mile a minute as she tried to process everything from the past few days. She had returned to the mainland to help Maori with her family again, saying her final goodbyes to Masao and his family. He had tried to convince her to stay of course, but some of what he had hidden from her had simply been too much in her mind. 'I had a right a to know... didn't I?' she found herself wondering. Her pipe hung from her lips precariously as her mind wandered, dreams and nightmares had taken over he sleep for the last few days. She found herself wishing Hijikata would come by again. She wasn't sure when he would be by again, but she couldn't help feeling like there wasn't much time left.
Somehow she knew something was going to change, or someone had to be coming.
She was simply waiting for it on the docks, every day, she waited. In her dreams there was a monster of blood and endless mass, sometimes there was a boy with red hair that seemed to be named Ryu. Memories slowly coming back. She took a slow drag from her pipe and breathed out the smoke and spice, letting it fill her lungs. She leaned back, laying back on the dock as her eyes drifted to the sky. Her pupils were growing as they took in the extra light greedily, and yet reddened, both effects of the drugs she had mixed in with the tobacco in her pipe this time. Her body finally starting to relax, some part of her hating the confliction in her own mind that was being brought on by the memories slowly coming to the surface of her mind.
[Graded] Painful Truths
Seiken & Kat
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Willoria
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[Graded] Painful Truths
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Another trip to the Fire Country, another set of trade agreements copies to convey to their burgeoning allies. Another visit to that village on the way home. Yet despite that, Hiji was beaming. For this was not just any other trip. Three painstaking months had passed since his last trip. He had wanted to visit sooner, but he had been detained by his own promise, one he'd made to Kazue. There had been things to prepare. Paperwork and licenses to prepare, a home to construct (which he'd personally shared in building)... precious metals and stones to find. A ring to forge. That ring now sat in a small pouch, within the folds of his robes. Within his bags, he bore the traditional gifts for an engagement: a naganoshi (or shell) to represent longevity; shiraga, a white thread of hemp, to express the wish that they grow old together; konbu, to represent healthy children; surume, dried cuttlefish, to signify a long marriage; a suehiro, emblematic of a happy future; and katsuo-bushi, dried bonito, meaning virility. He already wore his hakama, proof of his fidelity to her. They were set atop his other items in his traveling sack, both to prevent them from being damaged or broken as well as to occlude the sensitive documents beneath. Yes, after all of this time, he was finally ready.
When he left this place, he would not leave it alone. He would have Kazue's hand in his own, one way or another. She would be his wife, no matter what struggle he had to face.
Hiji's face was now easily recognized by the merchants here, having traveled here so frequently that they knew what fish he wanted to take home with him. They would call out to him with waves and smiles, which he would return. His footsteps were eager, perhaps a little less poised than he would normally demonstrate. Though if they knew the true reason for his exuberance, it was unlikely that anyone would fault him for the slightly more firm strides he took along the wood. He couldn't waste any time. He had to see her again. He had to hold her in his arms. He had been patient all of this time, and he couldn't wait any longer. This was the day. This was the day he would ask Kazue to marry him.
Stepping into view of house, his eyes searched for the family. A hint of confusion crossed his brow, not seeing the ever cheerful Emi charging at him to joyously latch onto his legs. Perhaps she and Maori were out doing errands. His eyes roved, searching. Where was she? Where was his beloved Kazue? His eyes soon caught sight of her trademark red hair. Her back was turned to him, her eyes scanning the ocean. Approaching slowly and quietly from behind, he set his pack down and knelt, slipping his arms around her waist and planting a single sweet kiss upon her neck. "Even with the letters, I missed you every day, my love," he whispered into her, the gesture feeling so natural that his body seemed to move on its own.
When he left this place, he would not leave it alone. He would have Kazue's hand in his own, one way or another. She would be his wife, no matter what struggle he had to face.
Hiji's face was now easily recognized by the merchants here, having traveled here so frequently that they knew what fish he wanted to take home with him. They would call out to him with waves and smiles, which he would return. His footsteps were eager, perhaps a little less poised than he would normally demonstrate. Though if they knew the true reason for his exuberance, it was unlikely that anyone would fault him for the slightly more firm strides he took along the wood. He couldn't waste any time. He had to see her again. He had to hold her in his arms. He had been patient all of this time, and he couldn't wait any longer. This was the day. This was the day he would ask Kazue to marry him.
Stepping into view of house, his eyes searched for the family. A hint of confusion crossed his brow, not seeing the ever cheerful Emi charging at him to joyously latch onto his legs. Perhaps she and Maori were out doing errands. His eyes roved, searching. Where was she? Where was his beloved Kazue? His eyes soon caught sight of her trademark red hair. Her back was turned to him, her eyes scanning the ocean. Approaching slowly and quietly from behind, he set his pack down and knelt, slipping his arms around her waist and planting a single sweet kiss upon her neck. "Even with the letters, I missed you every day, my love," he whispered into her, the gesture feeling so natural that his body seemed to move on its own.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
The clouds were pulled away by the wind and as she watched from where she lay on the docks, it was as if her soul was pulled away with them. How Kazue wished it were true in the moment. She had to force herself to sit back up, taking one last slow drag from her pipe before she began the process of putting it out and putting it away. Just as she clicked the box closed and put it in the small bag she had with her she felt his arms around her waist and his lips on her neck. She took a deep breath, taking in the scent and feel of him as a smile spread across her face. For a brief moment her concerns washed away as she turned to look at him and greet his lips with her own. "I've missed you too." she said thickly, her eyes bearing all too well the signs of what she'd been smoking in her pipe that day and that it hadn't all been her simple tobacco.
Her eyes were red, her pupils were larger than they should be, and she still had tears threatening to build in her eyes as she looked up at him. A guilt was building in her chest at the simple truth Masao had finally told her, and the memories that were finally returning. She hadn't spoken of it in her letters to Hiji, not sure how to tell him such things in a letter and yet the guilt of knowing and not telling ate at her. She only felt worse as she could see such a happiness in his eyes, and she knew what she would say next might shatter it. "Masao finally told me." she told him quietly, sighing as she looked up at him. "He told me everything he knew... and I think I've started to remember..."
Her eyes were red, her pupils were larger than they should be, and she still had tears threatening to build in her eyes as she looked up at him. A guilt was building in her chest at the simple truth Masao had finally told her, and the memories that were finally returning. She hadn't spoken of it in her letters to Hiji, not sure how to tell him such things in a letter and yet the guilt of knowing and not telling ate at her. She only felt worse as she could see such a happiness in his eyes, and she knew what she would say next might shatter it. "Masao finally told me." she told him quietly, sighing as she looked up at him. "He told me everything he knew... and I think I've started to remember..."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
At the sound of her voice, Hiji understood immediately that something was off. As he gazed upon Kazue, he saw the strain of her eyes as they succumbed to the effects of the drug that she smoked. That wasn’t what concerned him; instead, it was the tears that threatened to pour from them that made his heart waver. His smile quickly faded, replaced by loving worry, gently taking her cheek into his hand after returning the kiss she blessed him with. He waited for her to speak, knowing well that if she had partaken of those narcotics that she had to be struggling with a revelation so shocking that they were necessary to calm her nerves.
”Take the time you need, Kazue. I’m here. I will not leave you,” he promised. He had known ever since he saw that knife that this day would come. But she was here. She was still his darling, the woman he loved, the one whom he would soon soon make a family with. She was his seaside sunrise, his heartbeat. And he wanted her to know that she could depend on him through joy and tragedy alike.
”Take the time you need, Kazue. I’m here. I will not leave you,” he promised. He had known ever since he saw that knife that this day would come. But she was here. She was still his darling, the woman he loved, the one whom he would soon soon make a family with. She was his seaside sunrise, his heartbeat. And he wanted her to know that she could depend on him through joy and tragedy alike.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue took a deep breath, her whole body shaking with it as she did so. She stared out at the ocean as a ship made its approach in towards a set of docks not far from where she sat with Hijikata. The billowing sails looking like dark clouds on the horizon as they rolled in. She wasn't sure she could get the words out, to tell him what she knew, and what she saw on the ship's sails felt like a stab to her heart from a blade made of ice. "Kirigakure." she said quietly, unable to turn and look at Hiji as she spoke the name of the village. "Masao admitted that the tattoo he had me cover up... he said it was a creature called a Kraken... a symbol for one of the major families from Kirigakure." she swallowed hard. "He said he knew, the place he found me in, how hurt I was, with that symbol on me, there was no way I wore that symbol and was anything but a shinobi from that village."
Even as she spoke she couldn't take her eyes off that ship, a ship with deep blue sails and a crimson kraken emblazoned upon them. She had seen the symbol so many times in that port but had no idea of the significance. She only knew the sailors on those ships were best avoided, she never knew why. She swallowed hard as she stared at it. "I don't.. I don't know what this means, Hiji... and now there are dreams and nightmares ever since he told me that.... and because he lied to me I told him I'm done with him. I've cut him off, my oath is fulfilled as far as I'm concerned."
She took a deep breath. "But really... I wanted to beat him bloody for lying to me and hiding it for so long..."
Even as she spoke she couldn't take her eyes off that ship, a ship with deep blue sails and a crimson kraken emblazoned upon them. She had seen the symbol so many times in that port but had no idea of the significance. She only knew the sailors on those ships were best avoided, she never knew why. She swallowed hard as she stared at it. "I don't.. I don't know what this means, Hiji... and now there are dreams and nightmares ever since he told me that.... and because he lied to me I told him I'm done with him. I've cut him off, my oath is fulfilled as far as I'm concerned."
She took a deep breath. "But really... I wanted to beat him bloody for lying to me and hiding it for so long..."
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Of all of the possibilities that could have presented themselves in this situation, the revelation that Kazue relayed to Hiji may have been one of the most concerning. Hiji had seen shinobi from all sides participate in or condone terrible things during the war, but some of the most vicious and vile things had been done at the hands of Kirigakure shinobi. They had been relentless, efficient, and brutal in their pursuits, the mission and its success taking priority over anything else. Such intense focus had to have come from an equally cruel and heartless culture. If Kazue had come from such a place... then even though it was difficult for her to see it as such a thing, Hiji thanked the spirits for guiding her here. This curse she had been plagued with may have been a blessing in disguise, those memories locked away until she had found a better perspective with which to consider them.
The desire for vengeance for a wrong done to you was natural, but Hiji drew Kazue close, planting a kiss on the brow as he shook his head. "I won't pretend to know the pain you feel, my love, but I am here to weather it with you," he vowed quietly, running his fingers through the fiery silk that crowned and framed those beautiful ocean eyes. Even now, with the drugs irritating and straining them, he only saw the vibrant blue and the beautiful heart that sat behind them. "I promised you before, and I promise you now and forevermore: your heart is my home and mine yours. There will never be another battle you have to face alone."
Gliding his knuckles gently across her cheek, Hiji hoped to impart what wisdom his years had taught him. Hopefully, it might help assuage the pain in her soul or at least help her see what was happening through a better lens. "And I won't pretend to know his motives for hiding these things from you. It was likely for his own protection. Cowardice through and through, indeed. But my love, think also of what you have gained from that loss. Had these things not come to pass, Maori and Emi would never have met you. These townsfolk would not have the blessing of your kinship and protection."
He planted a soft kiss on her lips as if to punctuate the point. "I would not have the blessing of your love, Kazue... and I would be a lesser man without it. You are not only your past, my sweet. You are not only these lost memories. And your story may not have had such a happy beginning. But you are allowed to choose who you are now and who or what you become," he gently implored, knowing well that she might well seek to find more of her past. Hiji knew exactly what that might mean... and he wasn't sure if he was also a coward for feeling so, but it threatened to tear him apart inside. The thought of Kazue not being a part of his life terrified him more profoundly than anything he'd ever faced in his life.
"All I want is to be a part of what you choose to be, too," he softly pleaded, love pouring from his eyes like the gentle waves of the sea.
The desire for vengeance for a wrong done to you was natural, but Hiji drew Kazue close, planting a kiss on the brow as he shook his head. "I won't pretend to know the pain you feel, my love, but I am here to weather it with you," he vowed quietly, running his fingers through the fiery silk that crowned and framed those beautiful ocean eyes. Even now, with the drugs irritating and straining them, he only saw the vibrant blue and the beautiful heart that sat behind them. "I promised you before, and I promise you now and forevermore: your heart is my home and mine yours. There will never be another battle you have to face alone."
Gliding his knuckles gently across her cheek, Hiji hoped to impart what wisdom his years had taught him. Hopefully, it might help assuage the pain in her soul or at least help her see what was happening through a better lens. "And I won't pretend to know his motives for hiding these things from you. It was likely for his own protection. Cowardice through and through, indeed. But my love, think also of what you have gained from that loss. Had these things not come to pass, Maori and Emi would never have met you. These townsfolk would not have the blessing of your kinship and protection."
He planted a soft kiss on her lips as if to punctuate the point. "I would not have the blessing of your love, Kazue... and I would be a lesser man without it. You are not only your past, my sweet. You are not only these lost memories. And your story may not have had such a happy beginning. But you are allowed to choose who you are now and who or what you become," he gently implored, knowing well that she might well seek to find more of her past. Hiji knew exactly what that might mean... and he wasn't sure if he was also a coward for feeling so, but it threatened to tear him apart inside. The thought of Kazue not being a part of his life terrified him more profoundly than anything he'd ever faced in his life.
"All I want is to be a part of what you choose to be, too," he softly pleaded, love pouring from his eyes like the gentle waves of the sea.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue wanted to fall into his arms, to simply lose herself in him. Some part of her had hoped the drug would help that and yet instead it had reinforced the confliction she felt in her very soul. Even as he kissed her, her mind fled to a resurfacing memory for a moment. In her mind was a flash of green, black fingertips, and cold water enveloping her body. She pulled back with a sharp inhale, taking several shallow breaths almost as if she were about to panic. Her blue eyes searched Hiji for a moment as if she didn't recognize him and yet a moment later they refocused. She shook her head, dragged a hand down her face and took a deep breath to steady herself. "I'm sorry." she breathed quietly. "There's so much... it's like... everything I do, even the smallest things, there's this flash like I'm almost remembering and then its gone and I... I don't know what to make of it..." she turned her head and looked back towards the ship she had seen sail in. For a moment she watched as ropes were tied down and a plank lowered. Men began to file down, to bring down supplies and the woman suddenly stood to her feet.
"That ship... its the same symbol that was originally on my shoulder. It's exactly what Masao described to me." she told Hiji quietly before turning to look at him again. "These memories... it's such a mess. I keep seeing so much blood, Hiji. And a red-haired boy, I feel like I know his name in the dreams but when I wake its gone. So many faces." She didn't even realize she was crying again, tears streaming down her face until a sob choked its way out and she quickly covered her mouth with a hand in embarrassment as she tried to cover it and shook her head.
"I feel like I'm slowly being torn in two..."
"That ship... its the same symbol that was originally on my shoulder. It's exactly what Masao described to me." she told Hiji quietly before turning to look at him again. "These memories... it's such a mess. I keep seeing so much blood, Hiji. And a red-haired boy, I feel like I know his name in the dreams but when I wake its gone. So many faces." She didn't even realize she was crying again, tears streaming down her face until a sob choked its way out and she quickly covered her mouth with a hand in embarrassment as she tried to cover it and shook her head.
"I feel like I'm slowly being torn in two..."
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
If Kazue was being torn in two, Hiji was being shredded to pieces. Seeing Kazue like this hurt in a way that he didn't think possible, and his mind furiously raced to think of something, anything, he could do to try and help her. He didn't make any sudden movements as he rose to his feet, following Kazue as she now stood and stared across at the boat that had become her object of fascination for the moment. Hiji heard the wavering in her voice even before he saw her tears. It was impossible for him not to respond in kind, the waters welling up in his eyes. For everything Hiji had faced before now, it was not knowing how to comfort his beloved while she was in distress that frustrated him beyond what he'd experienced before this point. What was he to do?
He slowly approached and took her in his arms again, hugging her, holding her, communicating his assurances in whatever way he possibly could. "I know I can't fully understand, Kazue. I know. And it pains me that I can't in ways that I can't even put to words. But I am here for you. I want to be here for you. I want to face this with you, to help you face it for yourself. And you can face them. Together, we can face them, my love," he soothingly whispered, his own voice thick with grief at her misery. It wasn't fair that she had to endure this. She'd never asked for any of this. And finally, when they'd found happiness in each other's arms, these vile phantoms of her past sought to take even that from her. "These memories, whatever we find, won't change what I feel for you. It doesn't matter to me where you came from or what you did in that life. It doesn't matter to me if you went by a different name. Kraken or Kazue, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. You will be the person I love, always."
He rest his brow against hers, tearful indigo searching for her glistening sapphires. "I never want to be anywhere but by your side. Just... please, don't push me away, Kazue. Let me be here for you..." he begged through the streams that now streaked down his own cheeks, afraid of what she might do in pursuit of her past.
He slowly approached and took her in his arms again, hugging her, holding her, communicating his assurances in whatever way he possibly could. "I know I can't fully understand, Kazue. I know. And it pains me that I can't in ways that I can't even put to words. But I am here for you. I want to be here for you. I want to face this with you, to help you face it for yourself. And you can face them. Together, we can face them, my love," he soothingly whispered, his own voice thick with grief at her misery. It wasn't fair that she had to endure this. She'd never asked for any of this. And finally, when they'd found happiness in each other's arms, these vile phantoms of her past sought to take even that from her. "These memories, whatever we find, won't change what I feel for you. It doesn't matter to me where you came from or what you did in that life. It doesn't matter to me if you went by a different name. Kraken or Kazue, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. You will be the person I love, always."
He rest his brow against hers, tearful indigo searching for her glistening sapphires. "I never want to be anywhere but by your side. Just... please, don't push me away, Kazue. Let me be here for you..." he begged through the streams that now streaked down his own cheeks, afraid of what she might do in pursuit of her past.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue sniffled, resting her head into Hijikata's chest as he held her and she tried to make sense of what was going on in her own mind. She heard his words, and she shook her head, looking up as he spoke of her pushing him away. "No, I would never push you away." she said quietly, bringing up both of her hands suddenly to cup his face. "I love you, Hiji." she said emphatically. "I don't ever want to lose you or lose sight of that." She swallowed hard before closing the distance between them, kissing him deeply for several moments. She could taste salt on her tongue from both of their tears as she kissed him, her hands on the back of his neck and head for the duration before she finally broke the kiss and looked up at him. "I just... I don't know how to make sense of this right now... of who I was with who I am... I still don't know who I was." she added.
She sighed deeply as she looked up at him, not sure how to make him understand. "It isn't just about the things I might've done, Hiji... I might've had family. I think... I think I had a brother." she whispered. "I don't know who or what I left behind..." She took a deep breath and looked towards the ship again as she caught sight of something and her eyes went wide. On the ship she saw a man standing there with a forehead protector, the simple of Kiri carved into it. She had suspected a shinobi might escort the ships from time to time, and thought she might be glad to see her suspicion confirmed. Instead it felt like a rock sinking in her gut. "I need more answers." she whispered. "If I'm going to move forward, I need more answers." she added, suddenly stepping out of Hiji's arms and around the man as she made her way down the dock they were standing on to the shore. The woman was making a beeline for the dock where the ship had anchored, for the man in the Kiri uniform.
She sighed deeply as she looked up at him, not sure how to make him understand. "It isn't just about the things I might've done, Hiji... I might've had family. I think... I think I had a brother." she whispered. "I don't know who or what I left behind..." She took a deep breath and looked towards the ship again as she caught sight of something and her eyes went wide. On the ship she saw a man standing there with a forehead protector, the simple of Kiri carved into it. She had suspected a shinobi might escort the ships from time to time, and thought she might be glad to see her suspicion confirmed. Instead it felt like a rock sinking in her gut. "I need more answers." she whispered. "If I'm going to move forward, I need more answers." she added, suddenly stepping out of Hiji's arms and around the man as she made her way down the dock they were standing on to the shore. The woman was making a beeline for the dock where the ship had anchored, for the man in the Kiri uniform.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
The kisses they shared had already been treasures more precious than gold in Hiji’s eyes. Now, as they caressed and kissed, their tears intermingled with their love, he found them even more so. Because no one else would hold him the same way she did. Because no one understood him as she did.
…Because somewhere deep in his heart, Hiji dreaded that their time together was limited. That she might soon be ripped from his arms, just like Suzume.
Those moments could never last long enough now, the parting of their lips almost emotionally painful for him. He took of her hands into his own as it rest against his cheek, seeing the conflict in her eyes. Family… Family was important to Hiji, too. He knew what she meant. His mother, his father, his village, Fuhen and his partner, the people of New Tea… they all meant so much to him. But Kazue was the most important person in his family now. Would Kazue finding her family mean he had to lose an irreplaceable part of his own?
His brow furrowed as she looked at the boat, her eyes seeming to recognize something. Hiji’s eyes were drawn along her line of sight and settled on the same shinobi on that boat. His blood chilled at the realization, but for as badly as he wanted to plead with Kazue to wait, he held his tongue. If she was so driven to make this choice, it meant that she needed this for herself. All he could do was follow closely behind. No amount of restraint would stop him from protecting her if the need arose.
…Because somewhere deep in his heart, Hiji dreaded that their time together was limited. That she might soon be ripped from his arms, just like Suzume.
Those moments could never last long enough now, the parting of their lips almost emotionally painful for him. He took of her hands into his own as it rest against his cheek, seeing the conflict in her eyes. Family… Family was important to Hiji, too. He knew what she meant. His mother, his father, his village, Fuhen and his partner, the people of New Tea… they all meant so much to him. But Kazue was the most important person in his family now. Would Kazue finding her family mean he had to lose an irreplaceable part of his own?
His brow furrowed as she looked at the boat, her eyes seeming to recognize something. Hiji’s eyes were drawn along her line of sight and settled on the same shinobi on that boat. His blood chilled at the realization, but for as badly as he wanted to plead with Kazue to wait, he held his tongue. If she was so driven to make this choice, it meant that she needed this for herself. All he could do was follow closely behind. No amount of restraint would stop him from protecting her if the need arose.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
She felt like her legs should have been frozen, every step felt heavier as if they were filled with lead. But she forced herself forward. Across the shore, to the other dock, turning to make her way down as the crew of the ship was unloading and the Kiri shinobi seemed to be supervising. As Kazue walked he seemed to ignore her, but as she turned towards his direction and her approach couldn't be mistaken for anything else the man turned and fixed his eyes on her in a glare. "Close enough." he barked out eventually.
Kazue stopped a few feet from him. "Tell me about the Karagata." she insisted. She felt like she was shaking, but her voice was steady.
The shinobi scoffed at her, his hand unsheathing a katana from his hip as he turned to face her more. The dock workers around them slowed down what they were doing, several giving them space. "Who the hell are you to demand something of me, scum?!" he snarled at her, spitting on the dock in front of him. The man had short brown hair and dark eyes, his own tattoo of a kraken down his sword-hand. "Get the fuck out of here, we have work to do!"
Kazue snarled under her breath. "Just tell me!" she insisted. "Something, anything!" Her eyes darted back and forth a moment as she tried to go through the memories that had been flashing through her mind of late. "Tell me who Ryu is at least then!"
The man simply laughed. "You're nuts! Just leave before I put you down for the disrespect alone!"
Kazue stopped a few feet from him. "Tell me about the Karagata." she insisted. She felt like she was shaking, but her voice was steady.
The shinobi scoffed at her, his hand unsheathing a katana from his hip as he turned to face her more. The dock workers around them slowed down what they were doing, several giving them space. "Who the hell are you to demand something of me, scum?!" he snarled at her, spitting on the dock in front of him. The man had short brown hair and dark eyes, his own tattoo of a kraken down his sword-hand. "Get the fuck out of here, we have work to do!"
Kazue snarled under her breath. "Just tell me!" she insisted. "Something, anything!" Her eyes darted back and forth a moment as she tried to go through the memories that had been flashing through her mind of late. "Tell me who Ryu is at least then!"
The man simply laughed. "You're nuts! Just leave before I put you down for the disrespect alone!"
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Hijikata's feet were not so weighted down. Rather, the moment he saw the exchange begin and saw it immediately going south, his fear spiked within his heart, impelling his step to quicken with each stride. Desperate to be at Kazue's side as quickly as possible to prevent a terrible mistake, Hiji cleared several docks and circumvented the people walking past by leaping off of every other support beam for the dock. Thus, while Kazue had already reached the irate Kirigakure shinobi, he landed softly next to her. "Ser, please, she means you no disrespect!" he interjected. Each word he spoke hurt. He knew exactly what he was doing... exactly what each word he would tell this man meant. The weight of the ring that sat within the folds of his robe felt heavier by the second. "She seeks her past and her memories... She seeks her family."
The taste of bile quickly began to build in his mouth, and it was now his turn for the pit to form in his stomach, whiter and hotter than a dying star. Even with the first words, he already felt his heart ache. "I have crossed swords with many shinobi during the war. And your family's reputation has spread far and wide during that time. There are few who do not recognize the name Karagata," he started, hoping to soothe the man's irritation by feeding his pride. "So for your family to lose a member of their own would be no small matter, even during a war as grand as the one that just passed. It is a stain on the strength and honor of your name. She was rescued by the humble people here, but her injuries stole her memory from her..." He had to force out the next words. "She has been told that she once bore a tattoo much like your own: that of the sea monster, the Kraken. Please, we ask that you simply carry a report back to your village of this. If it proves to be false, then we are simply commoners with delusions of grandeur. And if it proves to be true..."
Hiji turned to look upon Kazue, feeling his heart fall apart piece by piece as he drew strength from her presence. He had promised that he would be by her side through everything... He didn't get to choose what she needed. He didn't get to choose what brought her peace. And if he sought to prove his love true... he could not be selfish. "Then your family will have rescued one of their own from the grave itself," he finished. The concern in his voice bled through, if only for a moment, and he turned back to face the shinobi. "Surely, the mighty Karagata would wish to know if one of their own still lives, however slim those chances might be, would they not?"
Hiji's face was relatively composed, but his fingers dug into his palms until his knuckles were practically as ashen as snowfall. Every fiber in his body screamed to take back what he had said, to fight for Kazue, to take her away from this place... but she would never be free of her chains if he did. She would be forever plagued by questions of the past unanswered. Just because they mattered little to him doesn't mean they didn't matter to Kazue. He had to have faith. He had to have faith that somehow, in some way, he would be repaid for this virtue, this sacrifice.
Gods, please let it be so...
The taste of bile quickly began to build in his mouth, and it was now his turn for the pit to form in his stomach, whiter and hotter than a dying star. Even with the first words, he already felt his heart ache. "I have crossed swords with many shinobi during the war. And your family's reputation has spread far and wide during that time. There are few who do not recognize the name Karagata," he started, hoping to soothe the man's irritation by feeding his pride. "So for your family to lose a member of their own would be no small matter, even during a war as grand as the one that just passed. It is a stain on the strength and honor of your name. She was rescued by the humble people here, but her injuries stole her memory from her..." He had to force out the next words. "She has been told that she once bore a tattoo much like your own: that of the sea monster, the Kraken. Please, we ask that you simply carry a report back to your village of this. If it proves to be false, then we are simply commoners with delusions of grandeur. And if it proves to be true..."
Hiji turned to look upon Kazue, feeling his heart fall apart piece by piece as he drew strength from her presence. He had promised that he would be by her side through everything... He didn't get to choose what she needed. He didn't get to choose what brought her peace. And if he sought to prove his love true... he could not be selfish. "Then your family will have rescued one of their own from the grave itself," he finished. The concern in his voice bled through, if only for a moment, and he turned back to face the shinobi. "Surely, the mighty Karagata would wish to know if one of their own still lives, however slim those chances might be, would they not?"
Hiji's face was relatively composed, but his fingers dug into his palms until his knuckles were practically as ashen as snowfall. Every fiber in his body screamed to take back what he had said, to fight for Kazue, to take her away from this place... but she would never be free of her chains if he did. She would be forever plagued by questions of the past unanswered. Just because they mattered little to him doesn't mean they didn't matter to Kazue. He had to have faith. He had to have faith that somehow, in some way, he would be repaid for this virtue, this sacrifice.
Gods, please let it be so...
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue froze in her tracks as Hiji spoke. She'd had no intent to give this shinobi quite so much information, she just wanted to learn enough to fill in the gaps and couldn't help looking at Hijikata in shock. Some part of her feared she might be grabbed and carted off now if the shinobi believed him, but she should've known better. A moment later and the shinobi was laughing at the two of them. "You're both insane!" he proclaimed, practically holding his gut as he doubled over in laughter, and yet he took steps towards them. "You think you have something to prove? Fine, then prove it!" he snarled as he suddenly lunged at Kazue with his katana. "Show me!"
Kazue understood almost immediately what the man wanted to see, and unceremoniously tried to shove Hiji back and out of the way with both of her hands before spinning out of reach of the man's katana. When she drew her own in response there was a flash of red as it came within a hare's breath of cutting the man. He had to make a last minute twist of his body to avoid it, getting an up close view of the streak of red down the black blade. In his twisting he came so uncomfortable close to her however that Kazue made a last minute decision to lash out with the sheath itself, managing to crack him across the face with it before she took a step back, having already sheathed the weapon and put it back in its rightful place.
The man took a step back, blood sliding down the side of his face from a small cut above his eyebrow as he stared at her, and at the sword for a few moments. With a glare he took a few steps back and simply told them, "Both of you go, Now." There was a threat in his tone that would seem foolish to ignore.
Even Kazue swallowed hard as she stared at him for a moment, shaking her head before suddenly turning and walking away to start heading for Maori's farm in relative silence.
Kazue understood almost immediately what the man wanted to see, and unceremoniously tried to shove Hiji back and out of the way with both of her hands before spinning out of reach of the man's katana. When she drew her own in response there was a flash of red as it came within a hare's breath of cutting the man. He had to make a last minute twist of his body to avoid it, getting an up close view of the streak of red down the black blade. In his twisting he came so uncomfortable close to her however that Kazue made a last minute decision to lash out with the sheath itself, managing to crack him across the face with it before she took a step back, having already sheathed the weapon and put it back in its rightful place.
The man took a step back, blood sliding down the side of his face from a small cut above his eyebrow as he stared at her, and at the sword for a few moments. With a glare he took a few steps back and simply told them, "Both of you go, Now." There was a threat in his tone that would seem foolish to ignore.
Even Kazue swallowed hard as she stared at him for a moment, shaking her head before suddenly turning and walking away to start heading for Maori's farm in relative silence.
Jutsu UsedShow
*[Iaido • Weapon Mastery]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Since Iaido is a style that prioritizes speed over brute strength, wise usage of the blade is paramount to the practitioner's success in the style. This Discipline represents the practitioner's knowledge of their weapon's strengths and weaknesses in combat, allowing them to use the weapon more efficiently both inside and outside of its use in Iaido techniques and avoid unnecessarily presenting their weapon's blind spots to the opponent.
*[Iaido • Ambidexterity]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
After practicing for a long amount of time with the concept of using both of their hands with equal skill, the user has developed a level of ambidexterity that allows them to utilize both hands equally and as effectively without any penalty. This extends to other methods of combat or simple everyday life as well.
**[Iaido • One with the Sheath]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Prerequisite(s): 8 Speed.
The practitioner has learned how to more quickly and efficiently sheath his blades. The practitioner can now seamlessly transition from drawing their blade to slash to sheathing their blade, allowing the practitioner to sheath their sword in half the time, up to a maximum speed equal to their Speed score, for the more rapid execution of Iaido techniques.
*[Iaido • Last Breath]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
The most iconic (and most basic) strike of Iaido, the practitioner quickly draws and cuts with their blade in a wide arc in one fluid motion. This simultaneous draw and attack straight from the scabbard makes Iaido well-suited for an initial surprise attack and for taking advantage of openings presented by the opponent.
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Since Iaido is a style that prioritizes speed over brute strength, wise usage of the blade is paramount to the practitioner's success in the style. This Discipline represents the practitioner's knowledge of their weapon's strengths and weaknesses in combat, allowing them to use the weapon more efficiently both inside and outside of its use in Iaido techniques and avoid unnecessarily presenting their weapon's blind spots to the opponent.
*[Iaido • Ambidexterity]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
After practicing for a long amount of time with the concept of using both of their hands with equal skill, the user has developed a level of ambidexterity that allows them to utilize both hands equally and as effectively without any penalty. This extends to other methods of combat or simple everyday life as well.
**[Iaido • One with the Sheath]
D-Rank Taijutsu Discipline
Prerequisite(s): 8 Speed.
The practitioner has learned how to more quickly and efficiently sheath his blades. The practitioner can now seamlessly transition from drawing their blade to slash to sheathing their blade, allowing the practitioner to sheath their sword in half the time, up to a maximum speed equal to their Speed score, for the more rapid execution of Iaido techniques.
*[Iaido • Last Breath]
D-Rank Taijutsu Maneuver
The most iconic (and most basic) strike of Iaido, the practitioner quickly draws and cuts with their blade in a wide arc in one fluid motion. This simultaneous draw and attack straight from the scabbard makes Iaido well-suited for an initial surprise attack and for taking advantage of openings presented by the opponent.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Hiji felt the shock from Kazue's eyes even while he was speaking. Despite that, there was little else they could do other than double down on the story they told. The shinobi had already discarded Kazue's questions out of hand. Even if she had continued to ask, she would have received nothing in return. Kirigakure's shinobi had little patience for anything other than their mission while out on duty. There had to be some level of credibility to what they presented, and the entire situation spat in the face of logic. If he didn't accept their explanation, there was little else they could do in this situation.
Hiji's hand reflexively dropped to the hilt of his katana, his trained eyes immediately recognizing the Iaido stance he himself was trained in. He was just as ready to defend himself as Kazue was, but her hands pushed him away unexpectedly. His eyes kept track of the quick series of movements as they happened all within the span of a few moments. Hiji had seen the khyber knife from before, but he had only ever seen the sheath of her katana. Now that he saw the blade, it was even more certain that she came from a shinobi village. That quality of steel was rare enough outside of those places. To have two weapons made of such a fine quality either meant someone was a lord, such as Fuhen-sama... or it meant were a shinobi.
Whomever this shinobi was, he was skilled, but not skilled enough to take one of them on, let alone two. Any flippant attitude that he might have had was gone, seeing they were at least a match for him. Hiji's eyes remained focused on his until he gave them his warning. Hiji hadn't wanted any of this... but he suspected that this would encounter would not go unspoken of once he returned to the village. The objective had been obtained. With any luck, Kazue might finally get some answers... and she'd be one step closer to being reunited with her brother.
The pit in his stomach grew hotter. The ring in his pocket grew heavier still.
Hiji also returned to Maori's, maintaining the silence that Kazue wished to hold. He would let her speak first. Even if things hadn't gone as planned, he would not make a liar of himself. He would help her face this... and all it would cost him was... was...
Everything.
Hiji's hand reflexively dropped to the hilt of his katana, his trained eyes immediately recognizing the Iaido stance he himself was trained in. He was just as ready to defend himself as Kazue was, but her hands pushed him away unexpectedly. His eyes kept track of the quick series of movements as they happened all within the span of a few moments. Hiji had seen the khyber knife from before, but he had only ever seen the sheath of her katana. Now that he saw the blade, it was even more certain that she came from a shinobi village. That quality of steel was rare enough outside of those places. To have two weapons made of such a fine quality either meant someone was a lord, such as Fuhen-sama... or it meant were a shinobi.
Whomever this shinobi was, he was skilled, but not skilled enough to take one of them on, let alone two. Any flippant attitude that he might have had was gone, seeing they were at least a match for him. Hiji's eyes remained focused on his until he gave them his warning. Hiji hadn't wanted any of this... but he suspected that this would encounter would not go unspoken of once he returned to the village. The objective had been obtained. With any luck, Kazue might finally get some answers... and she'd be one step closer to being reunited with her brother.
The pit in his stomach grew hotter. The ring in his pocket grew heavier still.
Hiji also returned to Maori's, maintaining the silence that Kazue wished to hold. He would let her speak first. Even if things hadn't gone as planned, he would not make a liar of himself. He would help her face this... and all it would cost him was... was...
Everything.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue didn't stop walking until she got back into the barn that she slept in. She seemed to walk almost in a daze. She didn't bother to light the small firepit that was a part of her personal space, walking past the shoji screens that she'd acquired since Hijikata's last visit that now gave her more privacy. She even had a real bed now, large enough for two people. She undid the katana from her hip and tossed it to the ground as if she didn't care, the dragon encircled saya sliding under the bed as she sat heavily on the edge of it and rest her face in her hands. "Am I going mad, Hiji?" she asked quietly, her voice muffled. When she lifted her head again she ran a hand through her hair to get some of the red mane out of her face before looking at Hiji again, the pain clear in her eyes.
"I feel like my head is being split in two... I don't remember anything, but these pieces keep coming back and they don't make sense." She practically threw herself back, laying on the bed and staring upwards at the ceiling. "What if... Hiji... does this mean that during the war I killed my own people? No matter how I looked at it, at some point I killed people I should have protected... didn't I?" It was something she couldn't reconcile. If she had been a Kiri Shinobi then in protecting Masao and the others as a samurai she killed people she had been allied with. Or that she killed innocents as a Kiri Shinobi, no matter how she looked at it, the answers of her past only told her she was a murderer on way or another.
"I feel like my head is being split in two... I don't remember anything, but these pieces keep coming back and they don't make sense." She practically threw herself back, laying on the bed and staring upwards at the ceiling. "What if... Hiji... does this mean that during the war I killed my own people? No matter how I looked at it, at some point I killed people I should have protected... didn't I?" It was something she couldn't reconcile. If she had been a Kiri Shinobi then in protecting Masao and the others as a samurai she killed people she had been allied with. Or that she killed innocents as a Kiri Shinobi, no matter how she looked at it, the answers of her past only told her she was a murderer on way or another.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Hiji stood back for a few moments to let Kazue get situated. He didn't even bother hiding the sadness and worry in his eyes, knowing it would be impossible to do so, knowing she would see. He had promised himself that he wouldn't be so powerless. He had promised himself he would be strong enough to protect the things he loved and cherished. And when it came to the thing he most deeply cherished, he found himself yet again at the mercy of a power he could not resist. Forgotten memories, a past home, Kazue's desire to know her past: all these and more stood against him, a humble man from a simple village who'd barely survived a war that shook the world. They tormented his beloved and threatened to tear them apart. He fought to tamp down the frustration that bubbled up within his chest. He had to focus on what he could do. Even if it was good for only a little, supporting and comforting Kazue was something he could do, and he wouldn't hold back from giving that and more. There was no telling how long he had left to do so now.
Exhaling deeply, Hiji lay down beside Kazue, seeking her eyes. Some polite platitude would not be of any use here. The war had done things to the people who had lived through it, whether they survived it or not. He was no exception, regardless of how virtuous he tried to be. "I don't know, my love," he admitted quietly, taking her hand in his own. "I can't speak of what I haven't witnessed... but I will speak of what I have. You have always acted in a way that is kind when you can be and necessary when you can't. You have tirelessly protected those around you who could not protect themselves... And I won't pretend that I could guarantee someone was worthy of death or life during those times, either. It was war. Each decision could determine whether you lived or died."
Pulling her hand to his lips, he would plant slow kisses on her knuckles as he continued. "The best we can do is to act in a way that we perceive to be right, to be true, to be just," Hiji shared. "And after having come to know you... and to love you... even if you don't think your decisions were perfect, you have always acted in such a way. I have faith that the person you were is not so different from who you are... and even if that somehow should not be the case, it doesn't change who you are now, who you choose to be. Have faith, Kazue. Have faith in yourself."
He lightly squeezed her hand. "Have faith in me."
Exhaling deeply, Hiji lay down beside Kazue, seeking her eyes. Some polite platitude would not be of any use here. The war had done things to the people who had lived through it, whether they survived it or not. He was no exception, regardless of how virtuous he tried to be. "I don't know, my love," he admitted quietly, taking her hand in his own. "I can't speak of what I haven't witnessed... but I will speak of what I have. You have always acted in a way that is kind when you can be and necessary when you can't. You have tirelessly protected those around you who could not protect themselves... And I won't pretend that I could guarantee someone was worthy of death or life during those times, either. It was war. Each decision could determine whether you lived or died."
Pulling her hand to his lips, he would plant slow kisses on her knuckles as he continued. "The best we can do is to act in a way that we perceive to be right, to be true, to be just," Hiji shared. "And after having come to know you... and to love you... even if you don't think your decisions were perfect, you have always acted in such a way. I have faith that the person you were is not so different from who you are... and even if that somehow should not be the case, it doesn't change who you are now, who you choose to be. Have faith, Kazue. Have faith in yourself."
He lightly squeezed her hand. "Have faith in me."
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
Kazue turned her head to look at Hiji, fixing her eyes on his. Something about them always drew her in, always made her feel safe. For a moment she marveled at how that hadn't changed even now. Staring into his indigo orbs for a moment her worries fell away, the nightmares of blood and formless horrors faded from her mind and she was almost feeling as if she were back on that hill with him. She could almost hear the bubbling spring around them. A light smile came to her lips as she felt him kiss her knuckles and she sighed quietly.
He squeezed her hand and she rolled towards him, leaning over him a moment before dipping her head down towards him to kiss him gently. One hand came to touch the side of his face tenderly as the kiss deepened. Fears gave way to passion for a brief instance and when she pulled her lips from his she had to take a moment to catch her breath and chuckle to herself. "I'm trying." she admitted quietly before she sat up. She shook her head as she looked around the barn around them and back at him. "It's hard to have faith in myself when I think about all this, when I question who I am... and remember things I've done. Even the things to protect others."
She took a deep breath as she remembered something more recent, from when she had first met Hiji. "Like remembering how I killed that drunk Kuro to protect Maori... suddenly I wonder if I really did it for that reason, or did some part of me do it because it was how I used to do things...?"
He squeezed her hand and she rolled towards him, leaning over him a moment before dipping her head down towards him to kiss him gently. One hand came to touch the side of his face tenderly as the kiss deepened. Fears gave way to passion for a brief instance and when she pulled her lips from his she had to take a moment to catch her breath and chuckle to herself. "I'm trying." she admitted quietly before she sat up. She shook her head as she looked around the barn around them and back at him. "It's hard to have faith in myself when I think about all this, when I question who I am... and remember things I've done. Even the things to protect others."
She took a deep breath as she remembered something more recent, from when she had first met Hiji. "Like remembering how I killed that drunk Kuro to protect Maori... suddenly I wonder if I really did it for that reason, or did some part of me do it because it was how I used to do things...?"
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Another quiet moment. Another treasure to hold in Kazue's kisses as Hiji's hand touched her cheek in kind. Another gaze into those sapphire pools. His keen eyes captured these simple things and stored them away into his mind. There was no telling what would come of these next few days and weeks. Though the demons the pair fought were very different from each other, the battle was frighteningly similar. Two people, confronting fears, one distant, one so very close. It was all he could do to pour all of his emotional strength into Kazue to help her confront her dread... but when that reaper came to extoll its price from him, he had to be ready to stand alone.
Sitting up with her, Hiji nodded. "Well... I won't coddle you and say that I agree with how you handled that, true," he acknowledged, placing a hand on her knee and giving a light squeeze. "But even if the way you responded to that situation could have been better, your motives at that moment were just. We both agreed that he needed to be stopped; we simply differed on how that should have happened." Hiji had always been honest with Kazue, but his admiration for her even colored his criticisms. But he knew that she needed more than just that alone. She needed some sort of reassurance, some demonstration that he understood the dilemma and conflict she faced.
Luckily enough for Hiji, he was pretty sure he did. He took her hand into his once more, clasping it gently within his grip. "One of the first lessons I teach my students is the reality of what they are learning. Swordsmanship has been fantasized through much of human history as a demonstration of grace, power, and dignity. And those things may be true... but at its core, they have to learn that swordsmanship is a way to kill," he explained. "It is a martial skill, meant to defeat opponents and end lives. No matter what my motives are for teaching it and using it myself, this is an inescapable truth. Only students who can accept that continue under my instruction."
He shook his head as he thought of the now countless faces of those he'd slain either by choice or necessity during the war. "Life is not so kind that we always get to be completely certain of our choices my love. We simply do the best we can with what we have... and we learn when we make mistakes. It's important to have remorse and regret things we've done ill, yes, but we don't amend those mistakes by obsessing over them. We amend them by doing better moving forward. And when you make a decision, even if you aren't certain of how things will turn out, all you need to do is what you understand or believe to be right. I'm confident that, regardless of how things turned out, you did what you thought was right. And if what you think is right now is different than before, that means that you've learned from mistakes." He paused as he recalled several particularly gruesome skirmishes he'd endured during the war. "Take it from someone who knows just as well, my love."
Sitting up with her, Hiji nodded. "Well... I won't coddle you and say that I agree with how you handled that, true," he acknowledged, placing a hand on her knee and giving a light squeeze. "But even if the way you responded to that situation could have been better, your motives at that moment were just. We both agreed that he needed to be stopped; we simply differed on how that should have happened." Hiji had always been honest with Kazue, but his admiration for her even colored his criticisms. But he knew that she needed more than just that alone. She needed some sort of reassurance, some demonstration that he understood the dilemma and conflict she faced.
Luckily enough for Hiji, he was pretty sure he did. He took her hand into his once more, clasping it gently within his grip. "One of the first lessons I teach my students is the reality of what they are learning. Swordsmanship has been fantasized through much of human history as a demonstration of grace, power, and dignity. And those things may be true... but at its core, they have to learn that swordsmanship is a way to kill," he explained. "It is a martial skill, meant to defeat opponents and end lives. No matter what my motives are for teaching it and using it myself, this is an inescapable truth. Only students who can accept that continue under my instruction."
He shook his head as he thought of the now countless faces of those he'd slain either by choice or necessity during the war. "Life is not so kind that we always get to be completely certain of our choices my love. We simply do the best we can with what we have... and we learn when we make mistakes. It's important to have remorse and regret things we've done ill, yes, but we don't amend those mistakes by obsessing over them. We amend them by doing better moving forward. And when you make a decision, even if you aren't certain of how things will turn out, all you need to do is what you understand or believe to be right. I'm confident that, regardless of how things turned out, you did what you thought was right. And if what you think is right now is different than before, that means that you've learned from mistakes." He paused as he recalled several particularly gruesome skirmishes he'd endured during the war. "Take it from someone who knows just as well, my love."
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
As Hiji spoke, Kazue reached under the bed for the sword and sheath she had discarded in her frustration and anger only moments before. She held it in front of her as he continued, her hand running over not the black part of the saya, but the red dragon that seemed to wrap itself around it. It was made of some kind of light decorative metal. The sheath was rarely visible with the way she wore her clothes, only when she was cleaning it or holding it like this was it really all that visible. Something about it had always felt precious to her, like it was her life. But as a samurai that had always felt normal. With bits of her memory returning it was like that was shifting somehow. A simple movement of her thumb as Hiji finished speaking and she pushed the weapon partially out of its sheath. She knew it was unique but had never really thought about it. Pulling it part of the way out of its saya now revealed the black blade with the red groove that ran parallel to the sharpened edge. The woman sighed as she looked at it. "I think this was a gift." she said quietly.
She shook her head and looked at Hijikata for a moment. "I'm such an idiot... I didn't want to see it until you mentioned the khyber... but this katana told me that same truth all along. It's design alone... I should have known. I think that's why I've so rarely fought with it outside the war. I told myself it was because drawing my sword outside war wasn't necessary but... I think I've been hiding from these memories."
She shook her head and looked at Hijikata for a moment. "I'm such an idiot... I didn't want to see it until you mentioned the khyber... but this katana told me that same truth all along. It's design alone... I should have known. I think that's why I've so rarely fought with it outside the war. I told myself it was because drawing my sword outside war wasn't necessary but... I think I've been hiding from these memories."
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Hiji shook his head in return. "You're not a fool for wanting a peaceful life, Kazue. You are not weak just because you couldn't face them before now. If you avoided these memories, you had a reason for doing so," he offered, trying to reassure her... or perhaps maybe himself instead. At this point, he wasn't even sure anymore.
His eyes rest on the blade that Kazue held in her hands, but for different reasons. For Kazue, it was the panacea to the amnesia that had plagued her for who knows how long. She deserved to know where she came from. She deserved to know who her family was and if they survived. Hiji knew this. He knew that helping Kazue was right. Yet there was nothing else in her life that he wished she'd abandon more readily. She might remember with time, or she might not remember until they came for her, but shinobi were a covetous kind, especially of their own. Bloodlines, village secrets, family loyalties: they often placed such things above all else... and they often cared little for the feelings of those involved, regardless of who they were.
Hiji's gaze now fell to his hands. Ever since this entire incident had started, Hiji had done his best to silence himself. But he could not keep everything in. Something had to give, and for now, this would be it. "...They're going to take you away, my love," he whispered, unable to hide the sadness in his voice. "I've learned many things crossing swords with them during the war. Shinobi are not merely soldiers. They are a bundle of knowledge and secretss that the villages protect at all costs... That includes you. If it conflicts with their needs and their values, peoples' happiness often comes secondary."
Hiji's eyes sought comfort in Kazue's. Never before had she seen his eyes so forlorn. "You know this, don't you?" he asked, his voice hardly louder than a breath.
His eyes rest on the blade that Kazue held in her hands, but for different reasons. For Kazue, it was the panacea to the amnesia that had plagued her for who knows how long. She deserved to know where she came from. She deserved to know who her family was and if they survived. Hiji knew this. He knew that helping Kazue was right. Yet there was nothing else in her life that he wished she'd abandon more readily. She might remember with time, or she might not remember until they came for her, but shinobi were a covetous kind, especially of their own. Bloodlines, village secrets, family loyalties: they often placed such things above all else... and they often cared little for the feelings of those involved, regardless of who they were.
Hiji's gaze now fell to his hands. Ever since this entire incident had started, Hiji had done his best to silence himself. But he could not keep everything in. Something had to give, and for now, this would be it. "...They're going to take you away, my love," he whispered, unable to hide the sadness in his voice. "I've learned many things crossing swords with them during the war. Shinobi are not merely soldiers. They are a bundle of knowledge and secretss that the villages protect at all costs... That includes you. If it conflicts with their needs and their values, peoples' happiness often comes secondary."
Hiji's eyes sought comfort in Kazue's. Never before had she seen his eyes so forlorn. "You know this, don't you?" he asked, his voice hardly louder than a breath.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
As Hiji tried to reassure her, Kazue put the blade back in its sheath with an audible snap and set the weapon aside by sliding it under the bed again. She really didn't want to look at it in that moment. She rest her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands with a heavy sigh. But Hiji's words cut through the silence. Kazue suddenly felt like she'd been stabbed in the heart. She turned and looked at him in shock, the thought had never even occurred to her. In her search for answers she really only had sought answers, she never thought about what it might mean, making contact with that Kiri shinobi the way she had. She felt a sickness creeping in as he explained and her eyes met his. She shook her head slowly. "No, I..." her voice trailed off as she thought about what had just happened and her mind tried to come up with solutions. "I-I can't... I mean... I just wanted to know, I didn't want..."
But the only solutions her mind could find were violent ones. 'I could kill the shinobi... but then those on his ship with him saw me fight him, they heard the same things... I'd have to...' She couldn't finish the thought. Her only options suddenly seemed to be killing several, potentially innocents, or doing nothing and realizing what she had just brought down on herself. "And the fact that I remember nothing won't dissuade them." she said quietly, suddenly remembering how ruthless many shinobi had been in pursuing targets during the war. "Once they know I exist..." The woman could only stare. 'They'll follow me wherever I go... I just put a target on my head, and his too.'
Almost immediately Kazue turned away and bent over the headboard of the bed, losing the contents of her stomach rather violently into a pile of hay behind it.
But the only solutions her mind could find were violent ones. 'I could kill the shinobi... but then those on his ship with him saw me fight him, they heard the same things... I'd have to...' She couldn't finish the thought. Her only options suddenly seemed to be killing several, potentially innocents, or doing nothing and realizing what she had just brought down on herself. "And the fact that I remember nothing won't dissuade them." she said quietly, suddenly remembering how ruthless many shinobi had been in pursuing targets during the war. "Once they know I exist..." The woman could only stare. 'They'll follow me wherever I go... I just put a target on my head, and his too.'
Almost immediately Kazue turned away and bent over the headboard of the bed, losing the contents of her stomach rather violently into a pile of hay behind it.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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Painful Truths
Hiji wasn't certain what hurt more: the truth he had to tell her himself or the look of despair in her eyes as the dread and horrified realization arose into her eyes. He saw her mind work furiously behind her twisting contorted face, desperate to find a solution, a way out. Hiji had done much of the same before returning to her. He just didn't have the heart to tell her. Even a war that shook the world itself could not change the world order.
Other than open defiance, surrender, or death, there were none.
"Kazue..." He said her name merely for the sake of having it on his lips. The truth that he'd come to understand the moment she took her first step toward that ship had finally come knocking on his darling's door. Her already fair skin turned pale, and he heard her breath lurch within her chest. As she vomited out of stress, Hiji immediately slid himself closer and took her firmly into his hands, doing everything he could to hold himself together and support her all at once. "I'm right here, my love," he breathed, taking her into his arms once she'd ceased her heaving. "I will not abandon you, not now, not ever."
He knew that he was speaking utilities at this point. But the only thing they had to rely on was hope. It didn't matter how slim or unlikely it seemed. Even a false hope was better than no hope. Even an illusion was better than despair. If they gave in, if they didn't fight until the very end... then she was already lost.
Other than open defiance, surrender, or death, there were none.
"Kazue..." He said her name merely for the sake of having it on his lips. The truth that he'd come to understand the moment she took her first step toward that ship had finally come knocking on his darling's door. Her already fair skin turned pale, and he heard her breath lurch within her chest. As she vomited out of stress, Hiji immediately slid himself closer and took her firmly into his hands, doing everything he could to hold himself together and support her all at once. "I'm right here, my love," he breathed, taking her into his arms once she'd ceased her heaving. "I will not abandon you, not now, not ever."
He knew that he was speaking utilities at this point. But the only thing they had to rely on was hope. It didn't matter how slim or unlikely it seemed. Even a false hope was better than no hope. Even an illusion was better than despair. If they gave in, if they didn't fight until the very end... then she was already lost.
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Willoria
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Painful Truths
She wiped her mouth, leaning back to sit on the bed again in time to feel him take gentle hold of her. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to steady herself and understand the reality that was slowly crashing down on her. But no amount of deep breathing would calm the sickness she was feeling, of course she didn't realize the two weren't entirely connected. She turned and buried her head into his chest, her body shuddering as she tried and failed to keep her emotions in check. The more she tried, the worse it became, until finally the woman was just sobbing in his arms with her arms wrapped around his waist.
"What have I done...?"
The whirlwind of emotions she had felt through the day had come to a head, and suddenly all Kazue could think about was that in her desperation to learn something of her missing memories she had likely destroyed the life she had made here.
"What have I done...?"
The whirlwind of emotions she had felt through the day had come to a head, and suddenly all Kazue could think about was that in her desperation to learn something of her missing memories she had likely destroyed the life she had made here.
The Tales of the Aes Sedai
Fukusha Reina - Iwagakure No Sato - Jounin - #EF2B2D
Atsushi Cho - Tea Country - D Rank Samurai - #A34402
Hanzo - Sunagakure No Sato - Genin - #35C4AF
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ShinobiTruth
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- Joined: Mon May 20, 2019 3:48 pm
Painful Truths
Despite the uncertainties that Hiji had faced before, Hiji had always found a way to hold his head high. He had always seen a path forward to better days, to better times. That faith he'd begged Kazue to maintain had been a refuge for his soul to retreat to when the darkest moments were upon him. Never before had it cracked, not even once. Only now, as he held her in his arms, his beloved, his family, did he look up and see the walls of that fortress buckle. No amount of faith would stop what was coming. There was no hope that would stem the greed of this monster that came to take their happiness away. He could not simply remain stoic, unaffected. His tears flowed just as freely as Kazue's, memorizing the feeling of her hair with the crippling understanding that he would not have long to hold her like this. This wasn't right. This wasn't fair. They didn't deserve this. Was this his destiny? To be powerless again, as once more he was denied his right to love?
What makes a samurai?!
Hiji's heart recalled a memory. A lesson, one that even the children of his new homeland had learned before him.
Letting your heart lead the way!
His desperation, his frustration, his anger crystallized around that one thought, that one cheer. No. This would not be his fate. Not without a fight. Not without giving everything he could to protect what they had.
Hiji's eyes sharpened, gleaming like stone even while the tears occluded his vision. He held the most precious person in the world in his arms, making a vow to himself: he had to get stronger. He had no idea when they would come. Every day, hour, minute now had renewed purpose. And for the first time, he looked the spirits and the future in the face... and he said no. He screamed his defiance from deep within his heart. He would not go quietly into this dark night. The time of silently enduring for her sake had passed.
Because if he didn't fight for her, for their future... did he really love her at all?
What makes a samurai?!
Hiji's heart recalled a memory. A lesson, one that even the children of his new homeland had learned before him.
Letting your heart lead the way!
His desperation, his frustration, his anger crystallized around that one thought, that one cheer. No. This would not be his fate. Not without a fight. Not without giving everything he could to protect what they had.
Hiji's eyes sharpened, gleaming like stone even while the tears occluded his vision. He held the most precious person in the world in his arms, making a vow to himself: he had to get stronger. He had no idea when they would come. Every day, hour, minute now had renewed purpose. And for the first time, he looked the spirits and the future in the face... and he said no. He screamed his defiance from deep within his heart. He would not go quietly into this dark night. The time of silently enduring for her sake had passed.
Because if he didn't fight for her, for their future... did he really love her at all?