A Matsu childhood; A childhood of sorrow
28 February 2006
by Jamison Leavitt

When just a lad Katai was known as Kai. He spent his days in his mother's home – Matsu Emiko of Ikeda, or simply Ikeda Emi as she was know to her friends. She was a kind mother, whose family was a vassal of the Matsu daimyo, Matsu Ketsui. Matsu Kio, Kai's father would come to visit his wife and families estate. It was not a big house, but suitable enough for a samurai. It had a rustic homely appeal to it that could calm even the most battle hardened samurai's mind. For Kio it was a place of rest and meditation, and here he could watch his young son, Kai, grow into a great samurai that would serve the Matsu and the Lion. Kai cherished these moments with his father more than anything else in his life.

Across the river which was the border between Crane and Lion lands lived Kio's father, Kakita Katsume. As always the relationship between the Crane and the Lion was cold at best, especially bitter for those who served among the Matsu. The battle of the Rich Frog had not happened yet, and as always the Matsu's fury was hot. They were mad not only the Akodo, and Ikeda Emiko's family was sure to live up to the Matsu hatred of the Crane, particularly the Kakita. Thus, Kio and Katsume maintained their relationship mainly through correspondence from afar.

It was during these times that little Kai first began to learn about the world. He would play in the rice fields near his house. His playmate, Si would join him on many adventures they had together. Si was 2 years older than Kai, yet the two still grew a bond and close friendship with each other. They were rarely separated from one another as playmates, and they both dreamed of the day they would be brave samurai serving the Matsu family.

Si was raised in a slightly more privileged family, that claimed to have a descendant who was of pure Matsu blood. But this meant nothing to Si and Kai, as they were only two young children playing in the fields caring little for the politics of powerful samurai throughout the empire.

When Si came of age she was sent off to the Matsu academy. It was not long before her teachers and masters recognized her aptitude for war and leadership, and her control and cunning in a skirmish. She was quickly trained as a Matsu Berserker. After her training was complete and at her gempuku Si took the name Setsuko, and has been known as Matsu Setsuko ever since. She fully expected for Kai to follow her and join the Matsu Bushi school and serve as a samurai in the proud Matsu legions.

However, fate had another life in store for Kai. During the two years that Kai was still at his mother's home and while Si had already gone to the Matsu training academy, Matsu Kio was disgraced in battle. This was a great dishonor to Kai and his mother, and due to Kio's actions Kai's mother Emi requested seppuku from her daimyo rather than continue living with the dishonor. Kai was left alone, and would have lead the life of nothing more than a ji-samurai serving only his vassal family. This all happened, fatefully when Matsu Setsuko was visiting her family's home near Kai and his mothers place.

Luckily for Kai, his grandfather Katsume stepped into his life. With his political backing, Katsume had Kai adopted into his family to be raised as a Kakita, where he took the name Katai. Many have said that this was where Katai truly belong all along, and that fate had finally brought him home. On that same fateful day, Katai swore that the Matsu were dead to him and that he would do everything in his power to expunge the Matsu taint from him, even the memory of his own father. To Katai, Matsu Kio no longer existed, as the memory of that man was dead to him.

For many of the Matsu this episode was below the radar. For why would the scorn of a dishonored Kakita really matter to any of them. However, this did cut one Matsu in the heart like a cold knife stuck in the back. Throughout all the years Matsu Setsuko had a crush on Kai, and hoped that one day they could serve their daimyo together, but now he became her bitter enemy and she would seek vengeance for this pain he caused her.

That was years ago, and many season have passed and Katai has seen a different life. Katai knows what it is like now to become a non-person to his own clan and family. His banishment to the wall was not much different than his father's dishonor. Katai now knows what true taint on ones soul is, and that redemption is possible. Thus how could he look upon his father's memory as a comparable taint on his soul now. He may never truly know why his father made the decisions he did, and why he left his duty on the Matsu front lines, but since Katai has found redemption so could his father in his afterlife. Maybe there still is a place for Kio in Yomi, the realm of the blessed ancestors, for Katsume never spoke any ill will regarding his son. Surely Katai could find this in his own heart too.

Being at Kyuden Bayushi and spending court with the Matsu, amongst other samurai, this may be the first steps for Katai to repair the wounds from his past. Facing Matsu Setsuko here and not in battle is an opportunity that he has never been prepared for, but now maybe this is the time to act. Yet seeing her now brings back memories of their childhood together, and the great bond of friendship that they shared. As a young child and young man Katai was well aware that Setsuko had warm feelings towards him, and even though she was typical of a Matsu women, hot blood and all, her passion was also the same. She has shaped this passion into becoming a warrior, but Katai is very familiar with this, as his mother was counted among the Matsu since she swore fealty to their daimyo.

However, there is something that holds Katai back, as he can't bring his full self to bear against Setsuko. Something deep down from his childhood keeps him from acting against her. Maybe he also had feelings for her too way back then, and after seeing her striking beauty now maybe those feelings have been reawakened in him.