Togashi’s Decision
Mitsu entered the revered chamber as his servitude demanded, not like that of a bushi, but of a student for a trusted master. He stopped a moment as he approached Lord Togashi, who looked worried as he concentrated on each step of his bare feet touching the obsidian floor in a slow pace. Mitsu felt lonely for his master. He knew that Lord Togashi became reminiscent while walking like this in the sunlight, or perhaps it was actually a feeling which Mitsu, himself could not understand. Mitsu raised his hands to his forhead. “Greeting, Lord Togashi. You wished to see me?”
Lord Togashi smiled without raising his head. He turned and looked down at Mitsu not bothering to push his long brown hair from covering his face. Mitsu smiled back looking through Lord Togashi’s shining yellow eyes, his voice speaking in Mitsu’s mind. “I feel as if a weight is lifting. It has been a long time since my sister’s death and I have long wished to apologize to her.” Lord Togashi took a deep breathe feeling the warm rays against his skin before continuing. “It is now the young Prince’s sixteenth birthday and so, my message has been sent to Lord Shoju. He, in turn, will uncover a horrible truth. I have put a great many things into motion. But fate only carries us so far for, as you know…”
Mitsu finished the statement that he heard a hundred times before as he looked to the floor with an ironic chuckle, “…the fortunes favor the mortal man.” Mitsu looked up again. “I do not understand, but it is not my place to. I trust in your ways. What must I do?”
Lord Togashi turned and walked up the stairs to his throne. He took his helmet from its resting place on the corner and stared at it. “Bring me my tantos. I will send them out into this world but I do not know where they will fall.”
Mitsu looked puzzled and quickly ran up the stares as well. “But… how can you not know?”
Lord Togashi turned and smiled back and this time, spoke with his own tongue as his hand rested on Mitsu’s shoulder. “My dear Mitsu, there are a great many things I have not put into motion and there are a great many things even I cannot see… but I find comfort in that. Only trust in my ways as much as you trust in your own.”
That answer did not satisfy Mitsu. With a disturbed look he nodded once and replied, “Hai. I will bring the tantos.” Mitsu felt a wave of despair overcome him as he left the chamber. He only stopped short once as another question entered his mind. No, it was not a question. It was a concern and it did not need to be said. Mitsu strode off.