The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift is a fiction written by Shawn Carman. It is the fourth of ten parts from the Dawn of the Empire promotional ccg set. 

Annotated Story
Previously: Glorious Battle.

As Unmei continues his story, Kaimetsu-Uo becomes concerned that all the tales from the dawn of the Empire are dark and terrible. Unmei reveals that not all were.



The story begins with a young samurai, who had travelled weeks to enter the tournament held by the Emperor. He had always been the most talented of his village, but was surprised when he found himself the victor and the Champion of the Emperor. It was the day his life had become difficult, not just because of his new title but because it was the day he met Doji.

Six months previously, on the fields outside Otosan Uchi. The city was recently completed, and the Emperor Hantei had declared a great celebration. People from all across Rokugan had come to participate in the trials the Emperor had sponsored. Hantei's siblings had also come, bringing their finest warriors, craftsmens and poets with them. The young samurai had spent his time apart from everyone, quietly cleanins his blade. Some mistook his silence for arrogance, but in truth Otosan Uchi overwhelmed a man from the northenmost provinces of Rokugan. He feared saying something foolish, and chose to preserve his focus in silence. He has already defeated members of the Ki-Rin Clan and Scorpion Clan, plus another handful who had no allegiances. The final challenge approached him now, Matsu of the Lion Clan. They faced off, and he fixed her with a smile as he held his hand open above his hilt as if offering a gift. Matsu, finding the pose mocking, lunged at him in the same way she had defeated her previous opponents. This time her opponent did not succumb to fear, and he stepped forward inside her strike catching her off guard. A precise strike knocked her weapon from her hand, and the followup knocked her to the ground. The hatred in her eyes told him he had made an enemy for life. The Emperor congratulates the man, and asks his new Champion his name. The man is momentarily distracted by the woman in pale blue robes beside Hantei, but finally tells Hantei his name is Kakita.

Sometime later, Hantei is meeting his sister Doji. He thanks her for coming, and she says she would never be to busy to meet him. Hantei introduces her to Kakita, and asks her if she would be willing to marry him. Kakita is stunned, unable to speak to a woman for the first time. Back home he could have had any woman with ease, but he had never seen a woman like Doji before. Kakita had thought of a thousand ways to win her heart, but in her presence they all disappeared. He finally pushes out a greeting, and kneels before her. Doji greets him back, and reveals she had heard her brother might suggest such a proposal. Kakita is surpised she could have known, but Hantei is not. Doji is flattered, but explains that in order to prove his worth as Hantei's champion, Kakita would have to perform one last thing. Hantei agrees, and Kakita's heart leaps as he agrees. Doji reveals she has three requests of him.

Sometime later, Kakita is regretting accepting the task. The requests had been riddles that wise men would spend decades contemplating without finding answers, and Kakita did not think himself a wise man. "Bring the dead to life, measure the width of the world and show her a vision." Kakita is at a loss. He is looking out across the sea, and throws a stone out into is. In desperation he had travelled here to a fishing village where he had been advised an old wise woman with the gift of foresight could help. Kakita had no luck finding her however, and exact directions had not been obtainable from the villagers. Kakita thinks she may have been a myth, but a voice behind him suggests he may be looking in the wrong places. Kakita leaps to his feet with his blade drawn to find a young man in fisherman's clothing. He does not mean any harm to Kakita and introduces himself as Torikago, the son of Yasuki. Torikago will take him to Yasuki, and after a moment of contemplating the offer Kakita thanks Torikago for his quidance. Torikago is only too happy to help.

Sometime later, Kakita is nervous for only the second time in his life. He does not like feeling this way, and his sister Kiyamori tells him to relax and Doji will not resist him. Kakita thinks it difficult for a god not to be able to resist him. Kiyamori points out that Doji was a god, but is mortal now. Torikago is nearby, and Kiyamori points out that if Kakita does not win Doji's heart she will not have to marry Torikago. Kiyamori tells him to do his best, because she does wish to marry Torikago. Kakita draws a deep breath and enters teh court chamber of the Emperor. There is a large croud, and the Emperor greets Kakita and asks him if he was succesful. Kakita says he was and turns to face Doji. For the first request, to bring the dead to life, he took a piece of driftwood and carved a Biwa. Kakita plays a brief bit of music, having been taught to play by Yasuki. When he finished he offered the Biwa to Doji, hoping that it met with her approval. Hantei's mouth twists into a slight grin and he nods. Kakita turns to face the crowd, and tells them the second request was how wide the world was and how long it would take to walk across it. Kakita reveals that the secret would be companionship, which he learned from spending only moments in Doji's company. If he was fortunate to consider her mother Amaterasu his companion he could cross the entire world in a single afternoon. Kakita can see Hantei is smiling once more, and for a moment thinks he sees Doji blushing. Kakita continues, making a points that the final request he found to be the easiest. To show her a vision he withdrew something from his travelling sack and held it in his hands. He stepped closer to Doji, who was eager to inspect the treasure. In his hands was a Golden Mirror, reflecting Doji's image back at her. The Emperor proclaimed the wedding of Doji and Kakita would take place at once. Kakita is filled with pride at his Emperor's words, but the love in Doji's eyes was the greatest feeling he could have.

To Be Continued in: The Hand of Peace.

Characters

 * Kakita
 * Matsu
 * Hantei
 * Doji
 * Torikago
 * Kiyamori

Not Present, But Mentioned

 * Yasuki
 * Amaterasu