posted 10-29-2003 11:05 AM            

He picks up the jar carefully, feeling the heat from the contents, as he had since they had been brought to his office some time ago. Stepping from the boat cautiously, testing the water, he finds it supports him. Walking from the boat on the water, he goes 100 yards from it, and starts to chant. The water of the ocean begins to surround him, thin spires from its surface swirling around his body.

"Isawa Jubei, here is where your body shall ever rest. I hoped that from the ashes of your tainted life you would rise, as we always do. It was not to be."

Turning, Tonkatsu prays quietly, "Dragon of Water, Kami of Water, take these ashes into the depths. Keep them ever apart, never letting one part touch another, that the madness that was Jubei may never again walk the earth. May this act help to purify his corrupt soul."

With that, Tonkatsu opens the jar, and begins spreading the ash within on the surface of the water. Wherever it touches, the ash immediately sinks and spreads, each particle separting, flowing to the depths well away from each other particle. Tonkatsu takes great care to ensure that none of the ash touches him or his clothing, and the water spires circling him catch any ash that drifts too near on the wind. Finally, it is finished, streams of ash flowing in the water towards the bottom, all going in different directions.

"It is done, Jubei. I hope, eventually, your soul finds peace."

Tonkatsu heads back to the boat, a sense of completeness in his heart.