#kaynzed

“I still don’t see why we have to rely on deception instead of simply taking what we need, Master,” Kayn said, and Zed suppressed a sigh.

“Do not be so arrogant as to think that all things can be achieved with violent force,” he replied severely. “This is simply the best method we have of obtaining that information.”

Kayn frowned down at the layers of clothing he was wearing. The material felt expensive, soft and smooth in a way that only the rich could afford. He had never worn anything so fine.

He pulled at the belt that was to go around his waist, and then stopped. “Master Zed,” he said slowly. “I think... I may have made a mistake somewhere.”

His teacher had already finished dressing himself in the clothes of his disguise, and Kayn noted with some envy that the older ninja seemed to have had a far easier time than he had.

“You’ve put them on in the wrong order,” Zed observed, stepping closer and running a critical eye over his student. “Hold still.”

Kayn stood like a statue, hardly daring to breathe as Zed made the necessary adjustments. It took all of his self-control not to make a sound when hands reached around his waist to pull a sash-like belt around it, and he watched blankly as Zed tied the belt firmly in place.

“W...” he quickly cleared his throat. “Why do I have to wear such a complicated outfit, instead of something like what you’ve got?”

Zed gave him a flat, unimpressed stare. “Do I look like I could pass for a young nobleman with too much time on his hands?”

“You’d at least have a better idea of how to play the part,” Kayn muttered, scowling. “I don’t even know how to wear this stuff.”

“We’re not done yet, you know,” Zed remarked dryly. “Turn around.”

Kayn did as he was told, and Zed made swift work of the hair-tie at the end of his braid. “Wait – ” Kayn began, but Zed cut him off.

“You need to look the part.”

Kayn fell into silence as Zed undid his braid. He found himself hyperaware of his master’s presence, of each flicker the shadows made against the walls as Zed’s fingers slipped through the long dark hair which reached all the way down to Kayn’s calves.

He could feel every light tug on his hair whenever those fingers found a segment that was harder to work through.

(He wished that Zed would pull on it with greater force.)

His scalp tingled as Zed’s hands reached the base of his braid and pulled at the tightly wound leather cord which tied his hair into a low ponytail. The nape of his neck prickled, and he felt goosebumps going down his back. He was suddenly very glad for the layers of richly embroidered clothing he was wearing, for there was no chance that Zed’s sharp eyes would have missed that reaction if Kayn had been wearing his usual garb.

“I – I can do that myself,” Kayn said hastily, hands flying up to fumble at the knot which held his hair in place. He tilted his head at an angle which made the bangs fall over his face, fervently hoping that the dim lighting in the room would be enough to conceal the faint flush of colour that had risen in his cheeks.

In his flustered state it took several long seconds before he finally got his hair free, but fortunately Zed made no comment. Kayn stuffed both hair-ties into one of the hidden pockets in his clothes, trying to regain his composure. His hair was slightly wavy from being braided and out of habit he ran a hand through it, pulling on his shadow magic as he did. The long, dark locks smoothed and straightened out as he ran his fingers through them, and it was only when Zed made a sound that was somewhere between a cough and a chuckle that Kayn realised what he had just done.