Last Words
24 March 2006
by O'donna Dean, with contributions by everybody else

Takako stood in the room where her body had been laid out for mourners to view. She was appreciating the work that had been put into making this time easier on Nikana. She realized how much she had under appreciated what the Eta did for the Samurai caste.

People had been filing in and out for the past several days and she could tell that it was beginning to take its toll on Nikana. He had refused to leave her side, except when the Emperor asked to see him. Even in death he would not leave her. Takako hated seeing all the pain this was putting him through.

"Nikana-san, we are so very sorry for your loss. We were looking forward to having Takako-san in our family," Seppun Kiharu said as he and his wife, Naoko stood before Nikana. "She will be greatly missed."

"Thank you for your kind words Kiharu-sama," Nikana said and bowed.

Takako laid her hand on Nikana's shoulder. Oh how she wished she could feel him one last time and he her. She wanted to bring him comfort and could not.

The Lion samurai-ko Matsu Setsuko walked into the room. She looked uncomfortable. Setsuko walked over to where Takako laid and bowed. She then walked over to Nikana and bowed, and then the Lioness left the room without a word.

Takako was not sure what to make of Setsuko. They had never been formally introduced to her and yet she came to mourn Takako's death. One never knew with the Lion.

The young Scorpion Shugenja, Soshi Chihiro, came into the room. Takako shook her head. Chihiro had asked for the opportunity to meet and speak with her but because of the Wedding and then her untimely death she had been unable to. Now she stood before her crying.

"Takako-san, I am sorry I was not able to help more than I did. I wish we could have stopped her. Your death served no purpose. This will be the coldest winter we have known because your presence is not here to warm us." Chihiro bowed low to Takako and walked over to Nikana.

"Nikana-san, I am sorry." With those words Chihiro and Nikana bowed to each other and she left the room.

The next group of people made Takako want to weep. Nikana's mother, Miyako, and little sister, Ayame, were still noticeably shaken by what had happened. Ayame's eyes looked so red and swollen. She walked over to her brother and put her arms around his neck. Miyako walked up and put her hand on her son's shoulder. "Nikana, will you please go get some sleep? Ayame and I will stay here with her. She will not be alone." Miyako's voice cracked with those last words and Takako could hear Ayame lightly start to sob.

"Thank you for offering mother but . . . but I can't leave her," Nikana said. He hugged Ayame, "I appreciate you two coming to see her ever hour but I think Ayame has had enough. Takako would not want to put her through this much pain. Ayame-san, I know she loved and cared for you as if you were her little sister but seeing you like this," Nikana's words broke off.

Ayame let go of Nikana's neck and kissed him on the cheek, "hurts you," Ayame finished his sentence. "I am sorry Nikana. I will come back when it is time to leave for the ceremony," and with those words Ayame bowed to Nikana, then to Takako and then she left the room. Miyako followed her daughter out of the room.

"They loved you so much Takako."

A distinguished Scorpion walked into the room. He stopped in front of Takako and recited a Haiku.

Secrets and teacups
Shatter when released to soon
Shards will affect all

With that he bowed and walked over to Nikana. "Nikana-san, I am sorry that your lovely bride was taken from you. From what I have heard, she was a remarkable person. She will be greatly missed," Bayushi Paneki said. "The haiku was one she had written for me. I will treasure the book of Haiku she gave me." Paneki bowed and left the room.

The three mourners that now entered the room were ones Nikana had just met for the first time earlier this week. Isawa Mito, Dayu and Daikako stood before Takako's body. The first to step away did not even bow to her, not that Takako had expected him to. She was just grateful there was not a smile on his face. Dayu gave Nikana a quick bow and left the room.

Takako walked over to Mito and Daikako. They were both crying. "My sweet little Phoenix," Daikako whispered and reached out to touch Takako but Mito stopped her. "She was Seppun, Daikako-sama, not Phoenix. Remember and be proud of her." Daikako pulled her hand away from Mito and bowed to Takako and then Nikana and left the room.

Mito bowed, "I will miss you Takako. My world will be a lonelier place without you in it." He bowed one more time.

"Nikana-san, I am so sorry. I know how very much she loved you and that all she wanted was to be with you. Your lives together should have not ended like this. I am so sorry," Mito bowed and stayed that way.

"Mito-san, I know how much your sister loved and respected you. She told me how you helped her and that you were the only one who cared how she felt. I want to thank you for loving her and supporting her. I am also sorry for your loss," Nikana bowed to Mito.

Mito rose from his bow and left the room.

"I wish you two could have been friends. You two are so alike," Takako said to Nikana.

The regal beauty of the two Cranes that had just entered the room would have taken Takako's breath away had she been alive. Doji Kurohito and Takako's ancestor Doji Akiko came to pay their final respects to Takako. Kurohito pulled out a scroll and read,

Your death cannot hide
The beauty you possess
Spirit and Body

With those words, Akiko laid a beautiful white Chrysanthemum on Takako's hands. "You always made me proud little one," Akiko whispered. Kurohito and Akiko bowed to Takako together.

"Nikana-san, there are no words that I could say right now to describe the anguish that we feel for you. She was amazingly selfless, to you and to the Empire. The heavens will truly be lucky to have her."

"Thank you, Kurohito-sama, Akiko-sama."

They bowed to each other and they left the room.

Another Lioness entered the room but this one Takako knew. Ikoma Madoka. They had met for the first time at the White Orchid Festival and then when the Lion attacked the Crane. Takako had great respect for her because she always seemed honest and fair in her dealings.

Madoka stood before Takako and spoke so all could hear,

Lightning from the sky
The Lions in turmoil
A Phoenix stood calm

Madoka bowed and then walked over to Nikana and bowed.

"You did her great honor by writing that haiku for her Madoka-san. Thank you."

"The words I spoke were true. I was amazed to see her with the fighting ranks that day. She never backed down from the fight. I admired that about her. I am sorry that she has been taken from you, Nikana, and in such a cowardly way. In a fair fight that Togashi would not have stood a chance against her." Madoka's eyes started to show the rage she felt so she bowed and left the room.

"So much respect Takako, I am so proud to have been your husband."

Mirumoto Tetsujin slowly entered the room. It was strange that it had taken him so long to come. With the white kimono and his bleached complexion and hair, he looked the ultimate image of mourning, though it still could not match Nikana's.

He stood in silence for a time, simply looking at the body. His usual stoic expression cracked slightly as he spoke softly. "I have f-failed." He stood in silence for a while longer, and then, glancing up at Nikana, then around the room, he whispered, too softly for any living ears to hear. "Nikana's blade has avenged not only you, but Hanshiro as well." The words came without his usual stammer.

Takako was momentarily confused. Hanshiro's death and mine. The Togashi was Hanshiro's assassin. Peace filled Takako, for now her enemy had been found and had been dealt with.

Moving quietly around the room, Tetsujin stopped briefly by Nikana's side. "I am truly s-sorry." No more words seemed able to come between the two. After a moment, he then left, as silently as he had arrived.

Takako could not be mad at him. Even in death, she could not bear ill feelings towards Tetsujin. The anguish he was feeling because of his failure was more then enough punishment. She also knew that when he found out the truth of what had truly transpired, his guilt would almost certainly be more than he could abide.

Katai did not have much to say. He respectfully greeted Nikana, wishing him to find peace and happiness. In his mind Katai's thoughts were racing. Though, he was sure that his feelings would be expressed clearly to Takako as her spirit stayed close to her body. 'How was it', thought Katai, 'that such a thing could happen.' Katai knew that Tetsujin was partly responsible for this, and that he did not warn Takako nor Nikana of the danger at hand. Maybe Mirumoto Katai was right about his brother, and that he was more of a danger than his worth as a friend, or even a brother.

Katai felt that he owed his life to Takako. He was once dead to the dear things of Rokugan that Katai cherished in his heart. 'Thank you for saving me from damnation' Katai said in his mind. 'I will forever owe you for this. I will help your husband as best I can to overcome his grief. Although I have never been truly close to you two, you have saved me and shown me a new perspective on life. Your example will guide me to overcome my own weaknesses, and maybe I can make peace with my past and those whom I have deeply offended.' Katai's thoughts now drifted to his childhood friend, Setsuko. How is it that I find myself now nearly at the edge of a sword against her. For a long while, I have looked forward to the day that I may best her, but now I can't bring myself to bear against her.

If Takako could give me a new lease on life, then ending a life of bitterness is also possible. Katai then got up and whispered quietly, "Thank you Takako, I owe you my life."

Takako looked at the young Crane and smiled. She knew those words could not have come easily to him. She bowed to Katai as he left the room.

Shinjo Yul entered the room and knelt down before Takako's body. Takako was surprised to see this but knew that the Unicorn honored their dead differently then the rest of Rokugan. She smiled, after all this time, Yul still intrigued her.

"Takako-san, life's wheel turns quickly for some. I must admit, I feel great regret for not being able to help you in your time of need. You were always willing and available to help those in need. Hopefully you can take comfort in knowing that your killer was dispatched and justice served as quickly as possible. I know that this cannot bring you back, but hopefully you will find some comfort in this as you await the reward of your honorable life. I am most grateful for the trust you placed in my sword and I only wish now that you could remain to enjoy your new life. Yet in this hope, I am afraid I am terribly short sighted. I must trust that you are happy and that your new life will bring you much joy. Good luck my friend and may you find your way swiftly."

With his final words, Yul rose from the ground and walked over to Nikana and bowed. He then left the room.

Shosuro Ridachi was dressed with precision, as were the other members of his family. He stood between his wife Etsuki and son Korekeda, one hand on the youth's shoulder, his head bowed. The family stood silent for a moment, paying a simple respect, and then moved on, bowing to Nikana as they went.

Ridachi allowed the other two to leave without him, and he spoke very softly to Nikana.

"I cannot express my sorrow, Nikana-sama."

"No words are needed, Ridachi-san."

"You are an honorable man, and one who has come far from his origins. It would render meaningless all your redemptive work if the loss of Takako-sama drove you to end your family line."

"You need not worry on that, Ridachi-san," Nikana replied quietly. "I will carry on."

And Ridachi simply bowed and walked away.

Takako shook her head as she remembered her first thoughts concerning Ridachi, 'I am uneasy around him. Trust will be hard for this one to earn.' She had been wrong about him. He was an honorable samurai who served Rokugan in a way that others were unwilling to. Sometimes questionable things had to be done and Ridachi was always willing to do them for their group. He had earned her trust; for he was the first one she and Nikana had turned to that night when they discovered the intrusion into their room. She hoped that he would remain Nikana's friend because he would be needed now more than ever. "When they find out the truth, it will test them both."

The sun had set long ago and Nikana spoke briefly with the four Miharu guarding Takako's bier. They took their post just outside the door. Nikana put out all the lamps in the room except for one, which he placed on the floor in front of Takako. In front of her body at least. Nikana settled down across from the bier – the open flame on the lamp dancing in the distance between them – and spoke out softly into the dark silence.

"I am blinded by the pain of your passing my love. But I have not forgotten what you brought into my life. I have read your last letter many times Takako-sama and I endeavor to take your last wishes to heart. I promise that your last words of wisdom will not have been given in vain. But you must be patient with me. It will be some time before I can live again. The Sun rises and falls. The moon waxes and wanes. Even the mountains grind down with the weight of time. This life is so fragile. But my love for you will never die."

Nikana gazed deeper into the flame thinking of Takako.

Takako looked into the flame thinking of Nikana. She looked up into Nikana's dimly lit face and knew that the time had come to say good-bye. It would soon be time for the funeral ceremony and then off to Meido to wait. "Nikana, I must leave you now. My love, I wish you could hear me. I hate that my death came so quickly and I did not have the chance to tell you one last time that I love you. You have made me so very happy and proud this last year. I wish we had had longer. Stop blaming yourself, my death was not your fault. Those that told lies and deceived are the ones to blame. We will see each other again someday and until that day comes I will wait patiently for you. Do not rush to join me. May the Kami keep you safe and guide you. I love you."