The Winter Garden Of The Kakita
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  • Home
  • BLOG
  • RPG Tools
    • One-Sheet Primer to L5R by Katrina Ostrander
    • 5th Edition Opportunity Table
    • Of Dojos and Study >
      • The Kakita Academy
      • Other Clan Traditions
    • Rokugan Local Governance >
      • The Samurai Family >
        • Servants
        • The Samurai House
      • Of Koku: Samurai Economics >
        • Demographics
      • The Structure of a Village >
        • A Typical Village
        • Ashigaru and Levies
      • The Development of Cities >
        • The Layout of the City
      • The Transition to War
      • Courtiers with no Court
      • Clan Variations >
        • Crab Clan
        • Crane Clan
        • Dragon Clan
        • Lion Clan
        • Phoenix Clan
        • Scorpion Clan
        • Unicorn Clan
    • The Influence Game >
      • Creating a Court
      • What is Influence
      • Court Sequences and Events
      • Earning Influence
      • Spending Influence >
        • Rendezvous
        • Favors
      • Sample Courts
    • The Game of Letters
    • Rokugani Clothing
    • Rokugani Food and Feasts
    • The Tea Ceremony >
      • An Index of Teas
    • The Language of the Fan
    • Superstitions of the Clans
  • Fiction from the RPG
    • Stories of the Crab from the RPG >
      • Hida's Gift
      • What Does Not Kill Me
      • Letter Addressed to Akodo Hirano
      • Research of Kuni Mokuna
      • Hida and Shinsei
      • The Beginning of Meaning
      • The Story of Osano-Wo
      • Battle of the Cresting Wave
      • Lion and Crab
    • Stories of the Crane from the RPG >
      • Kakita's The Sword
      • The Lady Doji
      • The Marriage of Doji and Kakita
      • The First Crane Thunder
      • The Legend of Daidoji Hayaku
      • The Origins of the Asahina
      • The Silver Kirin
      • A Soldier's Report
      • To Win a Heart
      • The First Hantei's Bride
    • Stories of the Dragon from the RPG >
      • Mirumoto Hojatsu's Niten
      • The Sword Path
      • The Mysterious Nature
      • Journals of Matsu Chinojo
      • From the Novel Winter
      • Togashi's Secret
    • Stories of the Lion from the RPG >
      • From the Journals of Shinjo Gaemon
      • A Treatise on the Heart of the Lion Clan
      • On a Pedestal
      • A Letter by Akodo Rujo
      • Akodo and Matsu
      • Akodo and Ikoma
      • Akodo and Kitsu
      • Akodo and Shinsei
      • The Death of Akodo
    • Stories of the Phoenix from the RPG >
      • The Measure of Mortality
      • The Journal of Ide Amu
      • Regarding the Death of Matsu Kaiki
      • Observations of Agasha Tamori
      • A Kami on his Knees
      • Shiba's Wife
      • The Lady Asako
      • Battle at Fate Gate
    • Stories of the Scorpion from the RPG >
      • The Honest Scorpion
      • From the Journal of Matsu Sanuro
      • Letters from Daidoji Kukojin to Doji Yari
      • From Kakita Ryoku’s Famous Novel Winter
      • Bayushi's Promise
      • Frog and Scorpion
      • The Betrayer
      • Scorpion Fables
      • Bayushi's Thunder
    • Stories of the Unicorn from the RPG >
      • Unicorn Travel Poetry
      • The Lady's Heir
      • Regarding Shosuro Kenjo
      • Letters from Akodo Toturi to Matsu Kojike
      • A Ride into Darkness
      • Exodus
  • Fan Fiction
    • AEG Timeline >
      • Kaori's Stories >
        • A Ghost Story from Otosan Uchi
        • A Rokugani Fairy Tale
        • A Thousand Wishes
        • Broken Wings
        • Bushido
        • For Today
        • Gekidan Boukire - The Search for Doji Shizue
        • Ill Omens
        • Little Truths
        • Reflections of Honor
        • Shadow Stolen
        • Sunset at the Sake House
        • The Victory Tribute of Daidoji Uji
        • Watching the Heavens
        • War of the Heavens
      • The Stories of Other Writers >
        • Paper Folding
        • Arrival of the Crab Clan Ambassador
        • Forbidden Knowledge
        • The Journey of the Tear
        • A Song of Infinite Sadness
        • A Letter from the Scorpion - And Response
    • Children of Kashiwa Arc >
      • Beginnings
      • A Letter to the Fox Clan & Makoto - Complete Sincerity
      • March of the Kitsune
      • Words Against the Shadow
      • A Fox in the Works >
        • Chapter 1 - A Fox in the Works
        • Chapter 2 - The Way of Things
        • Chapter 3 - Maiden's Hand
        • Chapter 4 - Three Little Riddles
        • Chapter 5 - What Dreams are These
      • I Have Known Fireflies
    • Onyx and Ivory Arc >
      • Background for the Onyx Empire >
        • The Events of Winter Court 5
        • Between Winter Court and Empire Reborn
      • Who is Doji Arami
      • Light in the Leaves
      • A Hard Road
      • Kyoumi's Stories >
        • Jealousy (A Beginnings Retelling)
        • Snowflakes
        • A Piece of Truth (A Retelling of A Fairy Tale for the Scorpion Children)
        • The Crane Wife
        • A Horror Story
        • Bright and Precious
      • Kibo's Stories >
        • A Life Offered
        • A Life Taken
        • A Life Given
        • Mirror's Edge
      • Empire Reborn Arc >
        • Birds in their Nests >
          • Chapter 1
          • Chapter 2
          • Chapter 3
          • Chapter 4
          • Chapter 5
          • Chapter 6
        • The Banner of the Shogun
        • School Days >
          • Chapter 1
          • Chapter 2
          • Chapter 3
          • Chapter 4
        • Chasing the Wind >
          • Chapter 1
          • Chapter 2
          • Chapter 3
          • Chapter 4
          • Chapter 5
          • Chapter 6
          • Chapter 7
          • Chapter 8
          • Chapter 9
          • Chapter 10
          • Chapter 11
          • Chapter 12
        • Ditched >
          • Chapter 1
          • Chapter 2
          • Chapter 3
          • Chapter 4
          • Chapter 5
          • Chapter 6
          • Chapter 7
          • Chapter 8
          • Chapter 9
          • Chapter 10
          • Chapter 11
          • Chapter 12
          • Chapter 13
          • Chapter 14
          • Chapter 15
          • Chapter 16
          • Chapter 17
          • Chapter 18
          • Chapter 19
          • Chapter 20
          • Chapter 21
          • Chapter 22
          • Chapter 23
          • Chapter 24
          • Chapter 25
          • Chapter 26
        • Duty of War >
          • Chapter 1
          • Chapter 2
          • Chapter 3
          • Chapter 4
          • Chapter 5
          • Chapter 6
          • Chapter 7
          • Chapter 8
          • Chapter 9
          • Chapter 10
          • Chapter 11
          • Chapter 12
          • Chapter 13
          • Chapter 14
          • Chapter 15
          • Chapter 16
          • Chapter 17
          • Chapter 18
    • FFG Timeline >
      • The Lady's Last Journey
      • Tales of Golden Petal Village >
        • The Story Begins
        • The Emperor's Road
        • A Summer Squall
    • Clan Wars: The Storm >
      • Storm Rising
      • Storm Breaking
      • Calls the Lightening >
        • The Fires of Otosan Uchi
        • The Iron Citadel
        • The Battle of Beiden Pass
        • Flight of the Crane
        • A Higher Cause
        • Fire and Smoke
        • Lost Souls
        • The Battle of Asahina Fields
        • A Flash of Lightening
        • The Day of Thunder
    • Stories from the Jesters >
      • Winter Warfare
      • Toturi and Mikio
      • Reju's Return
      • Careful Planning
      • A Political Water Conflict
    • 1000 Years of Darkness >
      • 1000 Years of Darkness - Go Not Gently
    • Empire of the Emerald Stars >
      • Shinwa - Space Ronin >
        • Benjiro's End
        • The Field of Dreams
        • Catching Dragonflies
        • The Lantern Arc >
          • A Plea from the Lantern
          • The Shinjo Shipyards: Recruiting
          • Flyby the Lantern
          • Gennai's Garden: The Aftermath
          • Gennai's Garden: Late Night at the Hotel
      • Called Away
      • Hope is a Butterfly
  • Rokugan Mixology
    • Crab Mixology
    • Crane Mixology
    • Dragon Mixology
    • Lion Mixology
    • Phoenix Mixology
    • Scorpion Mixology
    • Unicorn Mixology
    • Others Mixology
The Winter Garden Of The Kakita

A Song of Infinite Sadness

 by Kakita Tetsuko
 
  That speak from twilight temples...
Ah! cool dialogue

-- Buson

These events took place after Origins '99 and before the release of Honor Bound, to reflect the feelings of Kakita Tetsuko to the current events of the storyline. Although not included in Reflections of Honor, it should be considered part of that project.


A Song of Infinite Sadness
By Kakita Tetsuko


The road grew dark as Lady Sun crested over the Spine of the World Mountains. Two travelers, one in magnificent blue armor and the other in more simple robes, walk along the silent trail. A sweet yet sorrowful song whispered on the breath of the Sapphire Champion as he exhaled drew the attention of his companion.

"What song is that Tetsuko-san?" the old monk politely inquired between the stanzas of the repeating melody.

"A song of loss and grief, of reflection and despair, a song to relieve my heart from the strain that tears at the Empire, my Clan and my soul." spoke the Champion as if in some sort of trance.

"…and it's name." the monk now led.

"Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. Its composer was from a Clan that has seen much sadness. I only hope now that with their return, they have learn that revenge only destroys those taking the vengeance." answered the aging Kakita.

"I do not think your friend Makoto would agree," led the monk once more.

Awake out of his trance like walk, Tetsuko now spoke up, "Makoto fights to avenge the dishonor and loss of a loved one. I cannot follow his path. This Living Darkness that nearly took me, wants me to hunt it, to hate it and to become so consume with avenging her death which I…"

Tetsuko, realizing his growing rage and shape tone to his voice, remembered Suzume Shintao's teachings. Moments passed as Tetsuko calmed himself and thought toward his task ahead.

The Champion began to speak the speech he had just composed, "With all of these problems, from the Shadowlands, Kolats, Bloodspeekers, Crane Civil War, Toturi's return and the slaughter of the court to this Living Darkness, how can you be so calm when the world around us grows dark with despair and evils that would see the world destroyed or worse?"

"Is it not always darkest just before the dawn?" Suzume Shintao said as he gave his prepared reply.

"Or just before it goes pitch black." quickly replied the Champion as he had done many times.

These games Shintao would play to get Tetsuko to look at himself revealed much about the monk's nature as well as his own. Usually Tetsuko traveled with his yojimbo, Hida Yokosuna and the Sapphire Magistrate Isawa Mubanji. This night however was a quiet distraction from the fighting that had taken place earlier that day. Mubanji and Yokosuna were out checking a lead giving Shintao and Tetsuko a few moment of reflection.

Stopping at a fork in the road, Tetsuko spoke again, "We stand at a crossroads, both here on the trail and in the history of this Empire. Once we choose I fear we can never go back. I only hope when the time comes, I will be able to choose and follow a path with conviction and determination. Great decisions must be made that will reshape this Empire. I hope the actions I take are the right ones."

"Be more concerned with good actions than great ones." the monk now quoted from the House of Doji.

"I see you have learned as much from me as I have from you." Tetsuko jokingly exclaimed.

"We are each the teacher and the student." The monk spoke with wisdom far older than his years.

Amaterasu now shown her last gleaming rays as she descended over the great hills. The sky grew darker with each passing moment.

"Tetsuko-sama!" yelled an approaching samurai in Crab colors helping along a wounded man.

"What is it Yokosuna?" Tetsuko quickly answered.

Now closer, Tetsuko could see the wounds on his yojimbo and the limping of his Magistrate.

"Is it true then?" The Champion inquired in a shape firm tone.

"Yes. Your vassal and protégé, Kakita Tsuruko, has joined Doji Adoka and the Horde," exclaimed the heaving Crab.

Tetsuko said putting on his helm, "It is a very dark night."
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