[D0: EE: Open] Nature's Touch

[Kitsune Shizenko]

After walking around the hedge maze, the Kitsune found herself in the flower garden with Raakun. Shizenko found a place to seat down and enjoy the smells and the sights. Raakun laid on her lap. She stroke the critter as it purred in delight.

[Taijo]

Taijo had not intended to visit the flower gardens again but finding himself there he could not help but stop and appreciate the beauty once more. Not immediately seeing others around he leapt high into the air, over the wall and above the flowers before landing softly a short distance from the Kitsune looking a touch embarrassed and bowing.

"Good evening Kitsune-sama, please forgive my juvenile display. I did not mean to interrupt your tranquility."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Raakun growled as he thought danger had approached. The Kitsune kept calmed as she tried to calm the tanuki. "No to worry monk sama. I am unmoved like the Earth. Yet my companion was the one startled." The tanuki stopped growling. "This humble one is Kitsune Shizenko and my companion Raakun."

I don't like him. He hissed

[Taijo]

"Deepest apologies friend Raakun, my actions were foolish. Please forgive me and accept this bit of fish I had saved."

He pulled a small piece of plain dried fish from his sleeve and placed it on the ground then took a step backwards.

"I am honored to meet you both, I am Taijo, may the spirits ever guide and protect you both."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The tanuki took the fish and ran to patch to eat it. Shizenko chuckled watching Raakun eat. "I think that won him over Taijo san." She gave a seated bow. "It is an honor to meet you... Please seat, accompany me in getting in touch with nature."

[Taijo]

"I would be honored." He said, seating himself in the lotus position a respectful distance away.

"I have heard a few stories about the grandeur of the Kitsune Mori, I would like to see it some day for myself. Have you seen much of the empire?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"I have not traveled that much... I have been to Isawa Mori studying the differences of the creatures of the forest of the north compared to those on the south. Something not many would be saying is relevant to the empire." She sighed.

You are protecting us from poachers and all that stuff. That counts for something the tanuki chittered between bites.

[Taijo]

"It is more relevant than most would like to admit. One cannot hope to understand the mysteries of the heavens and the kharmic cycle without first understanding the world in which we are a part. The Kami have given us this world, it would be foolish to think ourselves masters of it and simply move about it as we wish. We should tread softly upon the earth lest we ruin it for our future selves.

Did you find many major differences between your home and the lands of the Isawa?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The girl nodded at the wise word of the monk. "We must know what we have to know how to protect it." The shugenja smiled. "There are different spirits that roam the Isawa forests. The animals were more prepared for the cold than those in Kitsune lands... I would be glad to tell you more about my research if you so wish."

[Taijo]

"I would be most honored to receive your wisdom Kitsune Shizenko-sama." He said somewhat eagerly. He turned to face the shugenja and once he was settled he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, when he opened his eyes it was clear that all of his focus was directed at the Fox.

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The Kitsune smiled. "Well..." She beacon the tanuki to come. The tanuki moved to his owner after he groomed himself. "The forest are living entities... each has their mystical powers." The girl closed her eyes remembering as she petted the tanuki. "One can make friends and it provides you with shelter and food." Shizenko chuckled. "The water whispers and the wind sings... and sometimes the Earth dances."

[Taijo]

Taijo's smile grew as she spoke and her words drew forth images of his home.

"You have great insight, I should take you back to my temple to give lead a debate." He said with a light chuckle. "Are all Kitsune this thoughtful? We are surrounded by beauty and wonder in this empire but few are those who manage to perceive it fully."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Oh... it would be an honor Taijo san." She was surprised of his words and how attentive he was. Not many care for the forest and natural things. "Not all... But our teaching are to help protect the natural order of things."

[Taijo]

"It is refreshing to learn that there are so many samurai that care for the natural world. Oneness with nature is important to inner harmony, something I believe too many have forgotten. Of course, as a priest there is little I can tell you on these matters that you do not already know. You have a connection to things few can comprehend. Is your art a reflection of this as well? Surely you are here for the event."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

"Yes... I make origami of the animals. And yes... beside trying to help my friend here." The Kitsune giggles as she poked the tanuki belly. "He wants a special leaf... He has stories to tell."

[Taijo]

"A special leaf?" He asked, looking at the little creature. "Every leaf is unique, what makes a leaf special to you?"

[Kitsune Shizenko]

The racoon started chattering. The Kitsune started chuckling. "I know Raakun... you have told me the story a million times." She looked at the monk and smiled. "Raakun has this idea that there is a special leaf that will turn him into a spirit of Chikushudo." Shizenko patted the racoon's head.

[Taijo]

"Ah, I see." he said and leaned his face in a bit closer to the creature.

"But you ARE a spirit of Chikushudo my little friend. When you leave this world you will return there, but you should not rush through this life to see what is beyond and few are those who transcend their flesh yet remain here. We are all spirits and we all move through the kharmic wheel; an endless cycle of birth, life, death and ascension. You are a cleverer than most from your realm, use that to learn and experience all that you can with the time you have here and it will serve you ever going forward."

[Kitsune Shizenko]

Shizenko chuckled. The tanuki purred. "Now, you filled his ego and I will not be able to sleep. He will be ranting and saying that he was a spirit after all..." The Kitsune sighed with a smile. "I am now in trouble... with his demands."

[Taijo]

Demands?" He turned a disappointed eye to the tanuki. "We should not make demands of those we call friend lest that friendship sour. Kitsune Shizenko-sama is kind and thoughtful, there are many in this empire who would see you as a nuisance or a potential meal."

He let that thought hang in the air for a moment then continued. "One should always be modest in their requests of others. Shinsei teaches that the higher you stand above modesty the easier it becomes to lose your footing."

He looked back to the Fox.

"Origami is a spectacular artform, I cannot wait to see your work. If i might ask, what is the largest piece you have made? I ask because I so rarely see and pieces that are larger than two or three pieces of paper. Not really understanding the art myself I wonder if that is because of difficulty or some sort of tradition."