[D7, LM] 1,000 Folds [Closed]

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"I cannot overstate how grateful I am for your friendship, which makes what I need to say next so hard; but I have done you a disservice." Soyokaze stopped walk and took a deep breath before moving to stand before Oubaihime looking her directly in the eye. "A few nights ago Raizo-san and I went to the sake bar to catch up and vent about this place. I was in a very low state at the time and I am an unexperienced drinker. At some point while Iwas ranting at poor Raizo-san Murato-san Moshumaru-san and entered the bar and sat not far from us and while trying to make a point that I can no longer remember I gestured to the room and noticed them. I admit with great shame that I was drunk, but even were I not I likely would have approached them.

You see, I dislike Murato, and it isn't just because he is a Lion but in a way it is. As I have said I don't understand this Miai, it isn't how we do them in Crane lands which usually involve many interviews. I don't know just how much the matchmakers are using 'love' as a determining factor on who to match. I know you are fond of Murato-san and he seems fond of you and this makes me very worried. As I have said I care about you and I want you to be happy and live a long life. A war is coming between the Lion and Crane, probably others as well, and I can't stop worrying about what could happen to you if you became a Lion. I detest war, aside from the generally needless loss of life and kharmic damage they cause they are unpredictable, and while I have every faith in your ability as a samurai the best way to avoid the horrors of war is to not be in it. I have a picture in my mind of you in your home temple gently sweeping in peace as birds chirp as you sing to them. A fantasy perhaps but a nice one, but then I have a vision of you standing in a column of bushi facing off an army in my own colors and I want to cry.

I shared this issue with Murato-san and suggested that if he really cared about you he would stop pursuing you so you don't become a Lion."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

The Kaito shook her head. "You should have come to me. I know that I will break one of your hearts when the Shika choose the person I am to marry. Be it the powder blues of Crane or the earthen tones of the Lion. If the war is to begin I will treat both with the same compassion I have in my heart." She took the Crane's hand. "I like you both for different reasons. I care for you deeply. It will break my heart if something would happen to either of you. Yes, either or both of you." She took the hand of the Asahina. "I worry about you and your happiness. A path that you have started and you are starting to molt your feathers and showing the world the beautiful Crane that you are."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

So she knows, did she know before I did?

I should have, Murato-san said as much but I would not listen, for that I am ashamed. I am also ashamed that I did not understand my feelings for you but I am happy that you could understand them when I couldn't. However you will not become a Crane, at least not with me because I have to marry out of the clan as it it both my father and my own wish; I cannot go home. I should have come to you with my concerns but I swear to you think isn't just because some rivalry, I will be sad if you were to become a Mantis or Dragon or Falcon but at least you will be spared this coming strife. I don't consider myself worthy of you, I just want you to be happy. if that is with Murato-san then I will accept that and continue to pray for you as I do every day, as I pray for your forgiveness." he bowed low, clearly offering his life for this offense.

There, it's all out now.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

The Kaito lowered herself to his bowing self. Her lips pressed on his forehead. "Then come an join my clan then. The Kaito is a small family and we can use more people like you." She smiled. "As I said, I do not know what the fortunes will bring us but what I know Soyo kun. I am not a fortune teller nor aspire to be one." She looked at the Crane. "You are one of the few I have come to care more than familial tie or just friendship. I understand if this is hard for you as it is for me." She sighed.

[Asahina Soyokaze]

It took everything the young Crane had to fight the urge to cry at the Kaito's offer but for once he was winning that fight.

"I would be honored to join the Kaito in whatever way is possible to me. I have been greatly disrespectful to you Oubaihime-sama, how can i make amends to you?"

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"I am not offended Soyokaze san nor feel disrespected in any way just a tad disappointed." She sighed. "You understand right. I can take it. I am named after a resilient flower."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"I know you can, I know you are not delicate and I should not treat you as such; but I also know you have known pain and I hate the though of you suffering more so much that I became the cause of it. I have been showering you with gifts in the hope that they would get you to like me, as a friend or otherwise and that too was childish. I am...unaccustomed to the positive attention you have shown me and became drunk off it. I still have one gift left to give you, the mirror, but it is not quite done yet and I hope when it is you will still accept it. I have several people to apologize to but yours had to be first. Next will be Raizo-san and then Murato-san though I know not how I will manage that. I don't hate him, I don't know that i hate anyone outside my father but I still find the idea of speaking with him I difficult I will have to pray on this."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"I will because it doesn't matter what you do, you are my dear friend." She looked at the Asahina. "How can I prove this?"

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Soyokaze looked like he had been hit by an arrow. "There is nothing you have to prove to me, the fact that you take the time to talk to me is proof enough. You tended my injured hands. You came to me when you had a need. You wear my gifts. Biggest of all you have not sought to punish me for my mistake." A bit of the kicked puppy he had been when he arrived here crept out under the shrine maidens gaze.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"I can't find your fault to this one. I wear your gifts because you gave them to me. I cherish them as I cherish you. Please stop thinking that you have wrong me and that you deserve punishment."