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For days I have watched as armies begin to build
outside of Otosan Uchi. Two armies in particular have caught my interest.
They are the armies of Kitsu Motso and Ikoma Tsanuri, two armies that carry
the banner of the Lion Clan.
Tsanuri's army stands before the gates, defying
any who hope to enter. Behind her family banner is the banner of
the Matsu family. It is hard to believe that the protege of the Fallen
Lion has chosen to stand there. If I was asked to guess which side
of this battlefield she would be on, it would not have been that one.
And on the other side of that field stands the
banner of the Kitsu family, also supported by the flags of the Matsu.
The proud and handsome Matsu has gathered quite a force, but I do not know
if he has the ability to hold his army together if he should engage the
army of the Lioness.
As I said, I have watched for days as these two
armies have stood, staring, waiting, watching. A dark violence is
building here, like the tension of a bow string that has been drawn too
long, too far.
Long ago, my father told me a story of two cats
and one bowl of milk. Both of the cat's hovered over the bowl, staring
and unmoving. They snarled and bared their claws as each dared the
other to try a sip. For days they sat still, perfectly motionless,
each muscle tense and ready to pounce at the first sign of movement.
Each of them was so engrossed with the other
that neither of them saw the wolf that crept up upon them and tore each
cat to pieces. Then, when he was down tearing their meat from their
bones, he washed it all down with a nice bowl of milk.
Shinsei says, "When the student is ready, the
Teacher is there." I do not give my advice when it is asked for,
but on this day, I watch the Lions gather, ready to destroy themselves
to prove their courage and I must ask myself, "Why?"
For all of you who call yourselves Lions, I have
only this to say.
The wolf is waiting.
If you are not ready for him, he will tear you
to pieces.
-Miya Yoto