Kyuden Shika

"The Phoenix is the animal of rebirth. Do you REALLY think this is the best thing that could have happened to me? An uncertain future with someone who may hate me? Constantly wandering from place to place never building a home, never having a permanent forge? I could do that as a Wave Man and not have to deal with the disappointment of another." He dropped the wakizashi and embraced the Kitsu hard. "She hasn't even come, she's happy. I should just go so I don't pollute that."

The Wakizashi was dropped - that was step one.

He returned the brace in kind, letting the Asahina rest as required.

"Life isn't about what's the best or worst for us. It's about being the best we can, even if the worst happens to us. She chose you - chose you - because she wanted to build a future with you. If there was no love, no faith in you or that your talents would be put to use, she would have simply let the deer wed her to build their own relations."

"That said, who is to say the Unicorn will force you into that life? Perhaps instead you will be the bedrock of the family, managing the estate and family from a stable location within the Unicorn lands."

"So she goes off conquering the world and I sit at home sewing myself dresses. I did something Moshu, I must have done something terrible to deserve this life. My father must have known but wouldn't tell me what. I need to diviner, I need to know what I did so I can fix it. maybe then next time we..."

"While you sit in the estate forge and forge wonders only you and Unicorn culture could create, Soyokaze. You did nothing wrong,"

You let your emotions consume you and chose a random ronin's wakizashi over fighting for the woman you loved

"You did nothing to deserve what you feel right now,"

You gave your entire soul to a woman and then threw away to right to court her at a Miai, no less

"And don't let the world tell you otherwise."

He couldn't let go - he embraced Soyokaze as if he was his own son.

Soyokaze could feel his heart harden and he mourned the loss as much as he did the loss of his love. He wiped his face on his sleeve and pulled back. "What about you? Unsei?"

"Honestly, I've not even opened mine."

"What? Open it!"

"Alright alright, you don't have to shout at me!"

Fumbling with the letter in his hands, he carefully undid the seal, as he did, he commented

"I originally planned to open it with hers, but you need my attention more right now, so.."

He checked the letter. He was to marry Unsei.

"So it is."

"Go to her, revel in your joy...my friend."

He pulled in Soyokaze for one last hug.

When the hell had he become so attached to this boy?

"You found someone who loved you, and I'm proud of you for that. Now go out there and show her she made the right choice, Soyokaze-san. Things go too south, you'll know how to letter me."

He rose after the hug, but paused.

"Is there anything else we should cover before I go?"