#doomzo

After some business talk, the two strike up a conversation once done and both of them are smitten with one another. Of course, this leads to both of them talking more, getting to know one another, spending time with one another, etc etc. And, really, it’s great. Hanzo likes how Akande is level-headed and calculated in everything that he does, and Akande likes how cunning and precise Hanzo is, especially when he watches the Shimada train when he visits the Shimada Castle. To each other, they’re equals.

However, the strain in the relationship comes into play when, after much talk with his father, Hanzo and Sojiro both conclude that their partnership with Talon must come to an end. And, while Hanzo is saddened by this, he hopes that Akande will understand. Besides, just because the partnership between organizations is ending doesn’t mean that their own relationship has to end. Right?

Well, upon telling Akande this news, it doesn’t go well. Not terribly bad, but Hanzo can see that Akande tenses up when he tells him of his father’s decision. And, while Akande presses a bit more about the decision, Hanzo is quick to reiterate that, if he had the choice, the Clan would stay, which keeps Akande quiet for some time, making Hanzo think that all was well.

And, for a time, it was. But, Akande is not patient and doesn’t take rejection well. I mean, with persuasive he is, it doesn’t take a lot for someone to be on his side. So, after a few months, Akande starts asking Hanzo to join Talon as a member. And, at first, Hanzo is ecstatic, mostly because it gives them more time to be together. But, being his with the realization that he is to lead the Clan someday, and that his father would probably not approve of it, Hanzo says “No” and Akande leaves it be, but not for long.

Over time, Akande gets more insistent in wanting Hanzo to join, and, each time, Hanzo says no. And, while Hanzo was ok the first few times, it became draining as the asking went on. However, when it finally came to be more demanding, that’s when Hanzo had enough and proceeded to cut all contact with Akande.

Of course, Hanzo didn’t want to, especially when he loved and cared for Akande. But, the constant asking became too much, and, in the back of his mind, Hanzo knew that Akande was not going to stop until he got what he wanted.