In Memory of Katsume
26 November 2005
by Jamison Leavitt

After the battle on the White Orchid Road, Katai was confident that his grandfather, his great ancestor, Katsume would guide his hand in dealing justice to those who know none. However, it was his overconfidence that had nearly gotten the better of him this time. Surely Katsume would not have been so rash as to charge up the hillside practically blind. Maybe it was Katai's urge for glory that caused him to charge.

Katsume was always one to understand the necessity of caution in every move that one must make. This was no less apparent than anything, when Katsume were to play even a simple game of Go. Katai must learn these lessons well, or how can he serve his grandfather's memory?

In Katai's mind he thought that maybe it could be the untempered blood of the Matsu in him that causes him to lash out so foolishly. In proper society Katai has all the poise and confidence that a Crane would have, particularly the Kakita. In fact Katai prides himself on the perfection that the Crane are, so why is it that in battle he sometimes does the opposite? Could his ancestor Katsume purposely not guide Katai's hand when acting rash, such as the incident on the hill?

Much time for Katai will be spent at his ancestral alter to the Kakita family while at Kyuden Doji. What a beautiful city. It even came close to rivaling the beauty of Otosan Uchi before it was blackened. Surely anyone here could find the inner throbbings of their heart, as if the very ancestors were speaking through its rhythm. Here at Kyuden Doji, Katai has a special alter in one of the many gardens. In the Kakita estate of his family he would be able to find further insight and embrace Kakita Katsume's memory in his heart even stronger. Ahh! Katai was near giddy, as they were getting closer to Kyuden Doji. Hours of solitude practicing Crane Kata would be wonderful.

Travelling at night was a potential danger, not that the Emperor's roads were totally unsafe, but one could easily stumble and fall in the darkness. However, travelling the Crane roads at night was a rare treasue to be cherished. The Crane lands had an entirely different majestic appeal at night than they did during the daytime. The fireflies flickering in the meadows was a beautiful sight to see. Watching the fireflies flickering on the cool breaze into the night sky was beautiful as one could barely tell where the night sky and its stars really began. The heavans opened up on the Crane lands at night making the whole of it like a perfect dream.

Surely his companions were thrilled to take in the beauties of these wonderful lands of Rokugan, the Crane lands. Katai wondered what the gaijin thought of such excellence. Do they cherish such beauty as this in their own lands? It was a pity that the craven and cowardly Tsurichi assassins waylaid them on the road like they did. Doji Shiju, even though of not too high of station was an honorable man, and Katai trusted him as he did all of his superiors. Katai knew that it was truly out of compassion and foresight that he invited the gaijin into his palace, and gave them the oppurtunity to have audience with such a great man as Doji Kurohito. Doji Kurohito would have the wisdom of Lady Doji herself in deciding the fate of the gaijin captain. It was not Katai's place to make judgement on this matter.