Dojo of Destiny (D6 LA)

[Kakita]

He nodded slowly with perhaps the slightest hint of apprehension, “She is a trustworthy servant of her lord and the emperor… But there are limits to what one can achieve in such a short time. She had no definite proof that would be accepted by the public… Simply that the man in question has painted a portrait of the Lady Doji which resembles her current… condition.”

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru frowned. "That seems odd." His expression darkened. "Very odd indeed."

After a few moments, he shook his head. "But I don't understand what it means. Is it... some sort of curse? Does he know what's happening to her? Or..." Hikaru shook his head again, "-is it just some coincidence?"

He sighed. "I hope that perseverance can be a substitute for wisdom."

[Kakita]

“Everything will play out as it should Doji-san… Continue on. What you are doing is good. There will be wisdom that you find in the strangest places.”

[Doji Hikaru]

"Yes, thank you." Hikaru sighed, and then gave Kakita a sudden sharp look.

"Kakita-san..." He began, "-are you speaking prophecy? Those words are very close to Togashi-sama's vision."

[Kakita]

He shook his head, “I don’t have those gifts… just relaying what the wisest man I know told me once. I figure I need to hear it just as much as you do.”

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru nodded slowly. "Your father?" He asked, his voice soft. "He was a good man. I remember that."

[Kakita]

He smiled and shook his head, "He was... but no... that was from someone I refer to as 'Grandfather'. He was my instructor in the years I was away from home."

[Doji Hikaru]

"Oh." Hikaru tucked away his wooden sword. "You mentioned him, and Grandmother, the first time we met..." His lips shifted. "-since your return, I mean."

He regarded Kakita, gently curious. "Do you think you will ever see them again? Can you return to where they live?"

[Kakita]

“If they will it, then perhaps. But it’s highly possible that season has passed for me… they are our allies in this fight, but it is our Duty to fight it.”

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru considered that. "I see." He said. "Well. Fight it we shall."

Ever so slightly, he shrugged. "So much of your life is closed off. The Crane, this Grandfather and Grandmother. Your father and sister..." Hikaru bowed. "She passed as well, did she not?" Hikaru frowned suddenly. In truth, he wasn't certain what had happened to her.

[Kakita]

“She has not been seen since my father died… but I had been gone for longer and she never gave up hope for me. I feel I must return the same to her…”

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru gave him a sharp look. "You think she yet lives?" His tone showed surprise... and yet, Kakita came back from the dead, did he not?

He gave his old friend a slow nod. "When this is over, if we yet live, if there is any aid I can offer you, it is yours."

[Kakita]

He nodded, "First let's make sure it's safe for her... or anyone to return."