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by Isawa Kitsune and Yokubo Tensei

The young boy rushed through the halls of Shiro Shiba, taking care of not disturbing any of the samurai who called this place their home. He knew this place by memory, and could always find the quickest route to any part of the castle; which was perhaps the reason why he usually was given the labor of errant boy, a work he rarely complained about. Today was no exception and with a few quick turns, he found himself standing by the entrance to a small studio, one of the many the Shiba Bushi used to rest when they had a break from war; when it was time for them to cultivate their souls.

Inside the small room, he could see the familiar figure of Shiba Suzaku; her long brown hair neatly kept in her usual fashion; the dim light of a candle caressing her body, slightly revealing her perfect silhouette through the delicate fabric of her kimono. On her hand, she held a scroll, no doubt containing some part of the Phoenix histories which she loved to study. The boy simply stood, contemplating the beautiful Shiba, much like he always did; waiting for the right time to interrupt her; bowing the moment she turned to face him.

“Gomen-nasai, nee-sama”, he began. “Father asks for you.”

“Hai”, she replied, quickly standing up, fixing her kimono and patting her younger brother as she exited the room.

* * *

An old man of small stature sat next to a younger one, who wore an ornate kimono, bearing the mon of the Isawa. Instinctively, Suzaku bowed to the shugenja, acknowledging his presence before turning to her father, who received the young bushi with a solemn look.

“This is Isawa Kebin”, he said, gesturing to the young shugenja; taking time to make sure he pronounced the name correctly, “He has come bearing word from the Masters.”

Suzaku’s eyes betrayed her surprise. It was not uncommon for a messenger from the Masters to reach Shiro Shiba; but she had never been present when the message was delivered. With sudden realization, she began to once more bow to the messenger from the Council.

“Please,” Kebin said, as if reading the bushi’s mind. “I am but a messenger.”

“It seems that a monk from the Order of Odoshi has recently visited the Masters”, her father continued. “Apparently, they want to honor the Empire’s greatest heroes in something they call the ‘Hitomi Memorial’, and have requested us to nominate a few from the Phoenix.”

“A few,” replied Suzaku almost to herself. “That would not be an easy task; there are many aspects that can contrive a hero… and many among the Phoenix who could be considered as such.”

“Hai”, interrupted the shugenja. “Quite a difficult task, indeed. We have so many to select from. That is why the Masters hoped that someone who has served the Phoenix as much as your father could help.”

“Alas, I believe that such knowledge is far from my reach”, said the older bushi looking towards his daughter. “However, I believe that you, Suzaku-chan, could be of great help to Kebin-sama.”

“I…” began Suzaku, her brown eyes gleaming with excitement, honor and confusion. How could she, a mere Shiba bushi, barely out of her gempukku, be of help to the Masters?

“Rest assured”, intercepted Kebin, “that I have already consulted with Kimi-sama, and the Masters agree with your father.”

“… Then I would be honored”, replied the bushi containing her excitement.

“Very well, Suzaku-san, now tell me, what do you think the qualities of a hero should be?”