[D5 LE Expecting] Heirs of Heaven

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Matchmaker?" Satsuki giggled. "Didn't our parents manage just fine without such to fine someone to love and cherish all their lives?"

[Doji Dojihime]

"Grandmother played a key role in giving her approval and guidance in both of our instances, dear cousin," she responded.

[Togashi Satsuki]

"I think it's a different thing to seek a parent's approval, compared to having someone say; marry this person! No one's gonna tell me who and when I should marry, that's for sure."

Satsuki was quite firm on that.

[Doji Dojihime]

"Maybe not but marriage for us and those that come after will be about more than just love. The needs of our respective clans and families will matter," she countered.

[Ryoshun Rei]

"The Empire is very large." Rei said. "Finding someone appropriate to spend your life with seems like it would be difficult, at the least."

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Only if we make it hinge on stupid things like forcing people to marry for political reasons." Satsuki shrugged. "That we're family, descended from the same bloodline - that we want to work together to further the prosperity of the Empire should be enough, I think."

Of course, the Dragon didn't care for politics. So Rei of course got a nod. "Mm... doesn't mean you have to marry though. Only if you want to."

[Ryoshun Rei]

"I want to." Rei looked down at the water. "Mother had a very lonely life. In some ways, I think it still is. She's always happiest after she's visited him."

[Togashi Satsuki]

It seemed to her that Rei looked sad, and understandably so! She didn't have her father around like the other three did, and her mother was lonely. So Satsuki did the only sensible thing which was to scoot close next to Rei and give her cousin a firm hug.

"Then I want you to be very happy, Rei-Rei. And if whoever you choose don't make you happy, I'll personally come down from the mountain and make them regret making you unhappy. Hm?"

[Ryoshun Rei]

She hugged her back, laughing softly. "Don't burn anyone. Not unless they really deserve it."

[Hantei Genji]

Genji let out a laugh. "Well, cousins I think are out of the question, at least for me." He let out a small laugh. "And I am not sure a womb is a restriction exactly..."

He splashed some water onto Satsuki. "As for expectations..." he let out a heavy sigh. "Father's love is deep, but so are his expectations, I feel." He took another drink. "i just feel I need to make him proud. He took responsibility for a great many people, to protect them and make them prosper. The same promise binds me, and it is a huge ask."

[Doji Dojihime]

"The fact you take that burden seriously, says you will do your Duty in serving your people, cousin. As long as that concern remains set in your thoughts you will lead with Honor and Compassion," she said proudly to Genji, eyes still closed.

"Our methods may differ, but our goals are the same, to create something beautiful and orderly. Protect our people and families, and in time guide those that will come after," she added.

"For Genji-kun that latter part may come sooner than later if Kinsen-obasan has anything to say about it... he might leave here with a Lion or Crab strapped to him," she teased.

[Togashi Satsuki]

"I thought the Crab were kinda... you know, mean. Towards the Stag that is." As they were neighbours, she heard the stories.

"Genji-kun, if you just marry whoever your mother tells you to, you might be very unhappy, and that will ripple and make others unhappy too. So... all I ask is that you choose for yourself, hm?"

[Doji Dojihime]

“Filial piety is important, we should consider the wants and needs of our parents and family, it is not simply us being married we unite often two families and if you dislike your in-laws well that will not lead to a harmonious marriage either,” she responded without rolling her eyes, which took an enormous amount of big kami energy to do.

“Marriage is a Duty, an honor even. It is best to do what pleases your parents and hopefully yourself to forsake one for the other is selfishness.”

[Ryoshun Rei]

"Regardless, I feel fairly certain your mother wants to find a match that would please you, Genji-kun." Rei added. "I had that impression while speaking with her at least."

[Doji Dojihime]

Dojihime agreed with that, and gave a nod before returning to a sublime state of relaxation.

[Hantei Genji]

"Why is it that wherever I go, my love life becomes the topic?" He raised some sake, and drank some more. "If I get married, are we all going to talk about my kids, or what? Let's talk about Hime-chan's love life instead."

He turned towards the Crane. "Neh, Hime-chan. Your sister is married. Aren't you up next?"

[Doji Dojihime]

"Why is it that wherever I go, my love life becomes the topic?" He raised some sake, and drank some more. "If I get married, are we all going to talk about my kids, or what? Let's talk about Hime-chan's love life instead."

He turned towards the Crane. "Neh, Hime-chan. Your sister is married. Aren't you up next?"

"Because you are so adorable, Genji-kun," she countered.

At the question of marriage Dojihime added, "Sure as long as they meet my exacting demands."

[Ryoshun Rei]

"And, what are those demands?" Rei asked with a grin.

[Togashi Satsuki]

"I too am curious. If only to spare Genji-kun from some of the heat," she said with a cheeky grin herself.

[Hantei Genji]

"Yes, Hime-chan. I expect an itemized list, with color coding."

He splashed some water at the Craneling.