Where to start? Well that is a question that could never really be answered. But Lou’s story begins a long time ago. In a faraway land, a time when power was changing hands, and those that once were the ruling families, soon found themselves exiles.
One family managed to escape, the Amatatsu family, the last of the five great families. But this isn’t about them, a second family, a family loyal to the Amatatsu’s, a family sworn to protect. A family steeped in tradition, honor, and courage; The Tohsaka family.
The Tohsaka family was a samurai family, sworn to the Amatatsu’s, Defenders and protectors, Soldiers to fight for their lord.
So what does a humble cook, from a backwater town, in a common tavern, have to do with a noble family? Well let’s just say that Kasuri, wasn’t always the family name. After fleeing their homeland, the Amatatsu family fell under the leadership of Tsutoku, and standing by his side was the powerful swordsman known as Tsutamu Tohsaka.
In order to remain safe the families changed their names. Tsutoku Amatatsu became Rokuro Kaijitsu, and Tsutamu Tohsaka became Tokiomi Kasuri. Now many historians already know much of the Kaijitsu family line, but what of the kasuri?
Tokiomi Kasuri bore a son, named Yuto. He began his life learning the way of the samurai and of the sword. But all that changed in the fury of a storm, and the loss of three ships. Tokiomi never returned from that trip. And nobody knows what happened to him. Yuto remained bitter and blamed Rokuro of the loss of his father. That led to a separation of the families.
The Kasuri’s settled in Sandpoint and Yuto gave up the way of the samurai and kept the secret of the past from his children.
To further separate himself from his past, Yuto married a Varisian Gypsy; together they had two children, a son, Lou, and a daughter, Noro.
Lou Kasuri was the older of the two children. he grew up on the Kasuri family farm, just outside of Sandpoint.
Lou and his Sister, Noro, were complete opposites. Lou was always reserved and followed father’s strict regime of exercise and training; while Noro was more like her mother, wild and impulsive. Their father was constantly scolding Noro in an attempt to make her more disciplined, but this only drove her emotionally further from her father. She will always love her father and will never willing do anything to bring dishonor to his name; unfortunately she could never really understand how.
Noro and Lou studied martial combat with their father since they were old enough to walk. He was adamant in teaching the children the old ways and to fight with honor. Lou managed to grasp much of these concepts, but Noro was another story. She didn’t mind learning to fight and stand up for herself she just didn’t have the discipline to know when to avoid a fight and not to attack out of emotion and anger.
Noro would work hard at her studies attempting to be calm and reserved like her brother. But at every turn there were the other kids tormenting her again, attempting to urge her on in the hope to see her get angry again. Luckily Lou would intervene on many occasions before it would get to far.
Lou was always there for her until he found someone new. There was a new girl in his life, Ameiko from the Rusty Dragon. Noro has no idea how or where they met but Lou always had that lovesick puppy dog look whenever she was around. Of course Ameiko never seemed to even notice Lou, a fact that Noro would frequently point out. Perhaps, she was just a bit too old for him?
Noro would follow her brother to the Rusty Dragon and spy on him as he would do anything he could to get her attention and fail every time. However once word got around that Lou was pre-occupied Noro was soon again the target of the hazing and bullying.
In an effort to get closer to Ameiko, Lou took the position of cook at the Rusty Dragon when an opening came up. he added a unique blend of Tien and Varisian cuisine, as well as specialty dishes of each. His best known dish was spicy glazed chicken.
Lou is Noro's older brother, while it is true that Lou is more disciplined than Noro it is not entirely true that he is the perfect student.
Lou still always managed to get into mischief. One night Lou managed to steal some of his father's choice wine and soon after a fun and rowdy night with Noro and some friends Lou found himself at the wrong end of his father’s cane.
