I believe it involves entertaining me with fanwork.
Would the following qualify?
(Also, I'd like to preemptively apologize for some of the language used here, but this is how I think
Tokei would think, in these circumstances.)
A Samurai's Honor
"Do you truly understand what's asked of you?"
Tokei has never liked Kanō Magoroku. The man had been granted a position at court by the previous Lord Imagawa after Kanō saved his brother from a bandit ambush, and in the years since then, the man had become more at ease with the battlefield of half-truths and flatteries than that of steel and blood.
Despite that, Tokei held a grudging respect for the man. Not enough to call him a Samurai - for as far as Tokei is aware, Kanō has not practiced with the sword for a decade or even sharpened it - but enough that when a page informed him that "Lord Kanō" wants to speak to him, he had stopped his preparations and come to Kanō's room.
For while Tokei would lay down his life to defend Lord Imagawa from any would-be assassin, he knows that such attackers are not the only ones threatening his Lord, nor are they necessarily the most dangerous. For despite their managing to keep the Shinobi out of their affairs for centuries, the Land of Iron is no stranger to coups, whether they be violent or velvet.
Such threats, instead, are handled by the former Samurai standing in front of him. While Kanō's hands have grown soft, more used to holding teacups than a sword, Tokei knows well that the now mildly chubby man could end his life without lifting a finger. Despite how difficult that is to imagine, as the man picks up a teakettle and gracefully poured two cups of tea, offering one cup to Tokei.
Rather than growling at Kanō's patronizing tone, Tokei takes the offered cup and inclines his head in thanks and acknowledgment of the question. "Yes, Lord Kanō. I am to protect the Lord's concubine and... her son," Tokei considers it a measure of his discipline that he managed to call the whore who had seduced his Lord and stained his honor by giving birth to his bastard child before his proper wife delivered him a son, "while she is in exile, and ensure that no harm befalls them." For no matter his personal opinion, Tokei is sworn to serve his Lord's wishes, and he has seen first-hand the love his Lord harbors for the whore.
He recognizes the look on Kanō's face, as one Tokei himself adopts whenever children flock to him, begging him to teach them his secret techniques. It is a look reserved for those who have not even begun to grasp at what is truly required to succeed at something.
And it is one that makes Tokei grit his teeth, even as Kanō sighs. Rather than speaking immediately, he takes a small sip from his cup, while Tokei pointedly ignores his own.
"That is what Lord Imagawa asked of you, in front of his concubine and the whole court," and based on Kanō's tone of voice, Tokei has no trouble deciphering that the man sees a hidden motivation behind it. "However, despite his love for Minami, it was hardly necessary for him to send
you - one of his most loyal and capable Samurai - to guard her. After all, in Leaf, there is little that
you could deal with that one of his less capable Samurai could not."
Kanō then shakes his head, sadness showing on his face. "No, my friend, the reason you were selected is that he knows that you will be able to protect his interests, even when doing so would stain your honor, and that you will not let the temptress subvert you." At those words, Tokei found himself straightening, even as his incomprehension showed on his face.
This time, when Kanō drinks from his cup, Tokei finds himself doing so as well, not realizing it until he holds the cup to his lips.
"So long as Daisuke lives, he
may be a threat to Lord Imagawa's rightful heir. A faction wishing to displace the Lord's heir might be able to claim that as the firstborn, Daisuke should be the Lord's successor. Unfortunately, the Lord has refused to make sure that this does not happen. Instead, he is trusting you to ensure that this does not come to pass."
"You must ensure that Daisuke does not grow up to become a threat. He must live a quiet life. One without renown and without fanfare. One that ensures that words of his deeds never reaches Iron and that he grows up ignorant of his true lineage." Then, Kanō expression grows severe and his stare piercing, as the other man seems to measure Tokei's worth, giving a nod after several seconds of silent judgment, as if looking for flaws and finding none. "And if he deviates from that path, showing that he may one day be a threat to Lord Imagawa's heir... then you must make sure that never comes to fruition."
As Kanō says those words, he drops his now empty teacup, the expensive porcelain shattering into tiny pieces.
Tokei's eyes open wide and he lets out a shuddering breath. "You're asking me to potentially kill an innocent child." It's not a question. It's not even an accusation. Rather, it's a demand that Kanō looks him in the eyes and says it straight.
And the man does. He raises his eyes from the teacup - as if he had not dropped it on purpose - and looks straight at Tokei. "The succession must be secure. If Daisuke gathers fame and glory, he may threaten the sanctity of the entire Land of Iron. If he is on that road, you must kill him before he can become a threat to Lord Imagawa's children."
Then, he rises and goes to fetch another cup, easily avoiding the porcelain splinters on the floor, and returns to pour himself more tea. As minutes pass by, Kanō appears for all the world to be entirely content simply sitting and enjoying his tea, while Tokei agonizes over the man's words.
For while striking down a child would be dishonorable on its own, this is so much more. For this would be carrying out an assassination in the middle of Leaf. The Shinobi would not tolerate such an action being carried out within their borders. And even if not for the fact that Shinobi would kill him soon after he killed the bastard child, should it come to pass, Tokei's honor would demand that he kill himself. For no matter how necessary it was, he knew how much grief it would cause his Lord. The only way for him to atone would be honorable seppuku.
With a deep sigh, Tokei inclines his head. "I shall do what is required to protect my Lord."
