The stiffness in Kakita’s arm stayed with him throughout the day…

He rotated it as he sat in the warm water, thinking about how lucky he was to still have it. He had made a choice in that moment to lose it in favor of fulfilling his destiny… And yet, somehow the fates had been kind to him.

He closed his eyes as his mind went back to the moment this morning… the natural rising of fire within him left him more anxious than normal. He could feel it in the flow of his blood; particularly through the tightened muscles in his damaged arm.

He was here to decompress… step away from the moment… and try to figure out his next step forward… one he had no idea where it would take him.

—————

D8 LA Meditation: 5d10o10k4 24

No evil-eyed bushi made his way to the hot springs.

Not this time.

But his daughter Phi did, her presence announced by the jingle of bells braided into her hair.

She didn't bother feigning surprise.

Sher had been looking for him, after all.

Kakita’s eyes opened at the jingling of a certain young woman’s approach.

He turned his head slightly in her direction and nodded a somewhat informal greeting as she drew near.

Phi bowed low, before entering the water.

"Kakita-sama. My father finds you, in his words, 'insufferable but a hero all the same.' That means you're someone I would like to meet. I am Jiyo Phi."

“I assume your father is Jiyo Sora then?” He bowed a bit more warmly.

“A pleasure Jiyo-san.”

"The pleasure is mine, Kakita-sama. I assume you were one of the people he met during one of those times he made sure my sister and I were busy in the library?"

“I have had occasion to speak with your father more than once this week, yes.”

"That makes sense."

She giggled.

"He says you talk like a Crane crossed with Uncle Bald- er, Togashi-Kami, but you seem perfectly comprehensible to me. So. I'm working on my first personal submission to the Imperial Libraries. And I was hoping I could write about you?"

“What would you like to know young one?” He asked in a polite tone.

"Well. Everyone's going to write about the hero who unmasked a demon in an iaijutsu duel, so I think that part's covered. And I'm sure people who know a lot more about swordsmanship will be assessing your technique, and people with an eye for romance will try to plumb your history as best they are able. People with a goal to either besmirch or protect the Crane will make much of your motives. So I thought I'd try a different approach..."

She took a deep breath.

"What one thing about your life would you most wish to be preserved in the Libraries?"

“One thing?” He thought for a moment.

“If it’s only one… Then… I hope I am remembered as one who used his strengths to protect those in need. A blade for the defense of the defenseless.”

He paused, “That’s what I aspire to be… beyond all the noise.”

She nodded, as if filing that away.

"And who was defenseless this morning?"

“All those subjected to the lies of the darkness. It sought to use our laws and societal structures against us. To destroy us from within… But truth is simple… and I am a simple man. I merely laid bare the lies so all those who missed it could see.” He replied.

She cocked her head to the side.

"I think you and my father have more in common than he wants to admit. But that's a very good line. I hope I remember it to write it down precisely."

“Your father is a noble man. I have nothing but respect for the life he has lived.” He replied.

"Yes, well, I love my father, so you needn't worry on that score. But you can't pretend he's someone you'd want to spend a long winter chatting with at length."

After all, Kakita hadn't mentioned liking him very much.

"Anyway. A man who wished to protect the defenseless with his skills. A simple man trying to do the right thing. So. What comes next?"

“To continue the fight… no matter how hopeless… no matter how far.” He replied simply.

"Angling for a spot in the rolls of the Order of Heroes, are we?"

She appeared to be teasing.

He simply shook his head.

"Well. I think you'll have plenty of company in that fight, regardless."