Now following his own inclination, Kedo--along with Sakura--makes his way back to Kakita Tsutomu's modest dojo.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:37, Thu 17 Apr 2008.

[Kedo and Sakura, actually ... ;p]

Sakura walked in silence for a few minutes, evidently contemplating something.

"Kedo-Kun" she began, "I need you to understand something. I do not wish to simply hire you for a season; I intend to care for you in the traditional way ... until you stop wandering the waves."

"I am not terribly experienced at it" she added apologetically, "but that is my intention."

 Now there's room for a world of interpretation in that statement.

 And it's probably for the best that Kedo is, as far as you've been able to tell, almost completely impossible to 'ruffle' - having rather a level of deep inner tranquility that would be the envy of more than a few monks.

 "I... do not entirely understand the implications of your words, Sakura-sama." he admits without particular emphasis or evidence that he's too disturbed by them, "But it should be understood that I travel as I do to a purpose. I journey towards a goal, and whether I meet that goal or fail it, it is not a journey that has a place in it for... closeness with others. You are an admirable person, and I am proud to be your sword against the world. But you are not the journey, nor the goal."

 In other words 'I like you, but only as a friend', couched in careful generalities so as to make sure that there are no hard feelings.

Sakura chuckled at Kedo's statement.

"No, that's not what I meant." She thought for a minute before she continued. "Most of those in my position will hire a Ronin for their own goals, willing to dispose of them whenever it becomes convenient for them to do so. I do not -- I take upon myself the same obligations that a Daimyo would for his or her life-long retainers."

"I know of your quest, Kedo-Kun" Sakura added softly, "and your origin -- it is one of the reasons that I requested you. I encourage your goal fully. I will honor you and your quest by keeping my knowledge to myself, as well as by not imposing myself in where my help is not wanted. I will, however, ask that you remember that my help is available ... should your honor permit it."

"One day you will leave my service" she continued in a normal tone, "but until then remember that I do not 'hire throw aways'. All Samurai must be ready to give their life -- I willingly give both life and honor for the clan -- but no Samurai should be expected to throw away their life for their Lord's entertainment. Mistakes are acceptable in a Lord, arrogance is not."

"That's all I'm saying ... for now."