[D8,LM, Expecting] Not Painting

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji stands atop the hill he met Udo on a few days ago, expecting him. The lazy dog he acquired is laying on it's tummy next to him.

[Togashi Udo]

Udo approaches, his own dog running wild and free nearby.

Udo smiles and bows to Hiroji. "I... am not entirely sure what to do with this dog."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji gives a slight chuckle. "The Moto truly have an unique mind when it comes to challenges."

[Togashi Udo]

"Definitely. I'm sure I'll figure something out."

The dog goes running across the field chasing something unseen, and Udo shakes his head.

"How have you been?"

[Kaiu Hiroji]

He scratches the back of his head. "I have been better. The matters of love and death have weighed heavily on me these past few days."

[Togashi Udo]

Udo nods. "Hopefully matters of death are behind us for the moment. It would be good. Is there something I can do to assist you?"

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji is silent. "I need to speak to someone. It's about... It's about Chi-pu."

[Togashi Udo]

A flicker crosses Udo's face. "That is understandable. I felt similarly."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji is silent for a moment. "I feel that... I feel like I have failed, Udo-San. My skills and my strength has failed me, and that is why Chi-Pu is dead."

[Togashi Udo]

Udo is silent for a time.

"You are not the only one, Hiroji-san. Not all who fought the serpent... if I had been stronger as well. I... was not myself the next day."

He is quiet again. "I, too, feel guilty."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji is silent for a moment. "I met a wise Lion yesterday. She told me that Chi-Pu would not thank me for carrying the wright of her death... I will never stop carrying that weight, but I think... I think she is right. She died an honorable death, the best any samurai can hope for."

[Togashi Udo]

Udo nods. "There does seem to be wisdom there. For myself, her death is a weight, but I am trying to make it a weight for good, like training with a sword a little too heavy, or fighting someone more skilled. It is a weight that I am trying to learn from, so that the weight is something I no longer experience, but it is always there."

[Kaiu Hiroji]

Hiroji nods. "You harness your sorrow. That is respectable."

[Togashi Udo]

"Perhaps. I'm not sure of another way forward, not at this time."

"Are you okay, though, Hiroji-san? I broke down the day after in front of strangers, and somehow that helped. Is there anything you need?"

[Kaiu Hiroji]

He is silent for a moment. "I... I have spoken about this to many people. My clansmen, some others, and Matsu Kogo. She spoke to me wisely... And I have found those words to be of ease to me. She suggests I come to talk to you about this. And I think she is right. It is admirable how you handle this Udo-San."