(D6, LA, OPEN!) I Forgot the Title

[Moto Baatar]

"Why, was there something wrong with my acting, Tonbo-sama?" Baatar asked in mock dismay. "What part do you think I need to work on?"

[Tonbo Misa]

"I'm sure I could find something, but I can't think of a thing." She giggled into a sleeve. "Though no one would believe a ninja was attacking anyway!"

[Moto Baatar]

"That's how the ninja get you," Baatar declared solemnly. "They convince everyone that they don't exist, then, surprise! You get knifed by an imaginary assassin. It's all part of their Evil Plan."

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa gave a small smirk. "So I should marry Moto-san to protect me, hai?"

[Moto Baatar]

"Well... umm..." Baatar stammered awkwardly at this sudden suggestion.

But after a moment, he composed himself enough to sally back with, "Well, why not? If fighting off ninja assassins is what you are looking for in a husband, you've found the right man!"

[Tonbo Misa]

"The Tonbo lands would become the scourge of ninja everywhere. It would be some claim." She kept her soft grin.

[Moto Baatar]

"If you take me there, I promise I shall clear any and all ninja out of Tonbo Town," Baatar assured her solemnly. "And they would never dare to return."

From the tone of his voice, it's possible that he was smiling.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa gave a bow toward Baatar solemnly. "Then I will go back home and tell tales of the slayer of ninja. Perhaps with you in tow! Though, there are many factors complicating such a thing, yes?" She was smiling brightly as she straightened. The solemness was all a ruse!

[Moto Baatar]

"You are perhaps referring to the treacherous journey through bandit-infested forests, dangerous river gorges, and up the winding narrow mountain paths before reaching fabled Tonbostan?" Baatar inquired, inventing a little geography where his own knowledge failed him. "I am not afraid of such challenges ... and one might even hope that Lady Tonbo would share the secrets of overcoming those obstacles in order to reach her distant homeland."

[Tonbo Misa]

She gave a little giggle into a sleeve. "The secret is to take one step, then another. Finally, you'll reach where you are. It always works."

[Moto Baatar]

"Huh," Baatar said, trying to absorb Misa's parable. "I guess that does make sense... sort of. Though, I'm glad Togashi Myo-en was a little more specific in telling us how to get back to Rokugan!"

"Is what you said part of the Dragon philosophy that they tell stories about?"

[Tonbo Misa]

"I suppose you could say that. It's a bit more shintaoist, but then, so were the Dragon that taught me." She grinned. "Think of it as... realizing how simple some things can be when you break them down."

[Moto Baatar]

"Huh," Baatar said again, thoughtfully. "I guess we all could benefit from life being a little more simple."

"Maybe that's why fighting 'ninja' is more fun than worrying about the other stuff that's going on," he admitted ruefully.

[Tonbo Misa]

Misa nodded a bit, but her smile remained warm and earnest, despite her agreement. "Worrying is never something that helps. My cousin worries too much, my family worries too much, I believe many of the samurai that are here worry too much. Through meditation and relaxation, and the seeking of enlightenment, one can learn to shed worry and accept the world for what it is, even as you try to change it for the better. Failure is inevitable, pain and death as necessary as peace and life. By accepting one as well as the other, you can find the later."

[Moto Baatar]

" 'Failure is inevitable'? " Baatar questioned. "That sounds pretty negative! Some things are pretty hard, I'll admit; but I'd rather think there's a chance of success, and give it a try. Then, even if I fail, at least I would've tried."