D6, Lunch: Iai Practice (Open)

"Nor would I ask either of you to change on my part, which creates its own complication," Noboru offered freely. "Hoshiko-chan isn't willing to share me, nor I her. And yet I know that we would both be lesser without each other in our lives in some way."

At that the Dragon peered off to the other students in the dojo, each of them practicing their iaijutsu, kenjutsu or whatever other weapon they specialize in instead of partaking in their midday meal. Noboru's gaze flits to two younger students in particular, each pushing the other on. Each helping their classmate with some matter or another.

"When I see you across from me, I see the greatness we could both some day achieve. I see the only person who has ever been able to push me to the limits in a duel that wasn't a sensei, who equals my skill and dedication to the blade. But I also see a kindred spirit looking back at me. Someone who understands my pain, even if it is different from their own. Someone who sees my imperfections and my flaws and can help me refine them into something better. Something greater than I am now. And I see someone whose honor shines bright as she heals from her own terrible loss. Someone who I can likewise help heal from their own loss and help her to shape it into stronger. Someone who I think would be lesser without me in her life while knowing I would be lesser without her in mine. I see someone I could walk alongside if the Fortunes will it as we each honor our sisters' lives through our own."

"Then I look at Doji Hoshiko and I see something pure and innocent. Someone whom I hope never has to experience the pain either of us has felt. I see someone who completes me in a different way, through our shared love of music. And while I don't think I'll ever be comfortable performing in front of an audience I see someone who has been to the pinnacle of where I'm headed and can guide my path as I guide hers. Even then, she still has her own pains - pains brought on by my own actions, pains I will spend every day atoning for until either she tells me to stop or has found another. I see someone who wants so badly to help me heal from my own pain that I only learned today she went to my sensei without telling me to try and help end this conflict between our clans. I see someone whose confidence and kindness cause her to soar into the Heavens and I grow excited to see what heights I can soar to with her. Like you, I think we would both be lesser without each other."

Noboru smirked a little then shook his head slowly as he chuckled, having been rambling a bit. He looks to Uetani, offering, "I guess what I'm saying is I can't think of a life without either of you in it and at the very least I want you to remain in it as my friend or possibly rival. Whatever happens beyond that is the will of the Fortunes' as well as our own doing."

Noboru smiles to Uetani. "That doesn't mean you can't help me, either, Kakita-san. I just think those storms would be... different... if we were together." He suddenly blushed at the thought as he realizes just what a future with each woman might be like. "But th-that's putting the cart before the horse.

He gives it a few moments before letting the embarrassment pass, smile turning a little more genuine. "Is there anything I can do for you, Kakita-san? After all, friendship is tested when it's time to share the burden and you've shouldered plenty of mine. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't offer to help you in return."

"Adopting you?" He quirked an eyebrow, not knowing that Uetani had been orphaned as well as losing her sister, but then that was replaced with a smile. "I won't tell a sole without your permission, but that's excellent news. What brought this about, if you don't mind me asking?"

Noboru shook his head no before chuckling, "After what you have told me, Kakita-san, I'm glad to hear that there's at least one other you've grown close to. I can't say Kakita-sensei is very pleased with me right now after iaido club and I haven't told her what I've told you, though it may be good to let her in on what I do know now."

He then realizes how part of that could be taken and bows slightly, tone a little more contrite. "Gomenasai. I was referring to your pain, not..." A pause as he bowed a little deeper, "Forgive me."