鬼

“If you want, then so be it. It does seem rather tame, anyways.” The feline was even purring in his arms, so it must be enjoying the attention. “Just don’t let my brother Chitose see it. He is… rather strict.” If push came to shove, he could try reasoning with Chitose, too, but he much rather avoid it escalating to that point. He didn’t want upset Miyako or his older brother Kazuya, anyways.

She returned a few minutes later with pieces of fish on a small plate. “Bring him over here.” She called, sitting down on the porch’s steps. She set the plate down on the lower step, “Here you go little guy~”

Glancing down at her, he bowed slightly towards her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, though, Miss. Name’s Kazama Kitsuchi. Hopefully I didn’t give you too much trouble.” He gave her a semi-apologetic, semi-flirtatious grin.

“I-It’s no trouble at all Kazama-san. It’s nice to meet you too.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot. Should she just come right out and say it? No-- not yet. “I’m Yuzuki Miyako. Um... by any chance, do you know someone named Tomo? Or um... Kazuya?”

“We need to stop getting so busy that we vanish for days on end on each other,” she joked trying to make sure the floral arrangement she wore did not fall. “Though while a bit hard to see form here I bet it’s lovely. Seems life got a hold of you as well?”

“I believe you’ve met Tomo-kun before right? He's a traveller that stopped by in Kyoto for a few months.” She moved to sit down beside Rei on the grass, “We’ve gotten really close over the time. He um-- He asked me-- We’re engaged now.” She puttered out. As weird as it still felt to say, it brought her great joy and was one of the happiest things in her life.

“Is this what you’d like? Or you can continue to look around if you wish.” Suzume suggested to her. 

“It’s beautiful, I love it.” She chirped, giving a small nod of her head. “It’s a lot like the one we have at home so I’m playing it safe. How much does this go for usually?”

“Do you have any particular place you want to visit or…?” He let the question hang, looking at her with curiosity. Tonight he was giving her total and complete control over where they would go.

She wrapped her arms around him tighter, nuzzling his neck as she spoke, “I think I saw a garden earlier today. We walked by it so I didn’t go inside, but it looked really pretty. You’ve seen those big ones before right? With the water and the trees and all the colours? I love them.”

Picking up the pace, he trotted along side her. He held her hand a bit tighter as they approached the crowds. “Miyako, stay close to me, okay?”

“People usually set up food stalls and some games by the way. The play is the main event in the afternoon, but the rest of the day people go around having fun. It’s almost like a festival.”

“You, too… look well… Where have… you been?” Izumi asked.

“What have you been up to Izumi-san?”

He took the chance to kiss her fully on the lips when she looked up at him. A little payback for teasing him. Pulling back, he grinned at her despite the flush of red on his cheeks. “I think you’re a little vixen sometimes, making me worry all the time. But then again, I like that part of you, so it’s a price I’m willing to pay.

{ ☯ } — The girl was caught by surprise, her heart stammering when her boyfriend kissed her and spoke those smooth words. Sometimes she wondered if Tomo was aware of his charms at all. “K...Keep paying it then.” She mumbled, stuffing her face against his chest. A smile pulled at her lips, but she didn’t move from her place, “Besides, you like foxes so I’m not going to change then.” 

A small chill went through his body as she spoke. “W-Well when you put it that way…” he mumbled now feeling guilty about skipping out on his training. “But its hard doing the same thing everyday!” Miyoshi said as he tried to defend his actions. 

{ ☯ } — Well she couldn’t exactly argue that. “I agree. It’s hard, and sometimes boring.” She fiddled with her fingers as she spoke, “I’ve been working at a tea shop since I was fourteen. Getting up early almost everyday, being away from home all day... It’s really tiring sometimes.” She glanced towards him with a smile, “I don’t know what your job is Yutaka-san and I don’t intend any judgement on you by what I’m saying. I just believe that doing something even when you don’t want to is a true test of responsibility and honour.”

“My name is Vlad. I suppose I could say the same…” the girl sure was cheerful. But she didn’t look a pirate or a criminal so maybe it was his conscious tell him to do something. He just hoped he could get this over with. 

{ ☯ } — “Hello Vlad-san, and I’m glad!” She wore a smile and tried to keep a friendly atmosphere. She almost felt guilty for asking him, but she would be out of his hair soon and they would go their separate ways. “I was wondering if you knew an inn around here. Maybe something not too expensive, but not cheap and run down either?”

Crossing her arms, she grinned at Miyako. “Well, if you’re so insistent on having my advice, just do exactly what I tell you, and I guarantee success. After all, why go for simple when you can go for the best?” After all, her dorky brother was so easy to please. But she knew a method to make him go through the roof in terms of being a total dork. Never settle for anything less than the best, as her father would put it.

For some reason, she had a sneaking suspicion she was being set up for something. Yachiru’s expression was very mischievous-- almost like Miyako’s when she was being cheeky. “I...I don’t know if I can do exactly what you tell me to do, but I’d like to know what you have in mind.”

“Aww, thank you. And don’t worry, I promise not to break anything…” he smiled.

“Thank you Drake-san, I appreciate it.” She smiled, bowing her head. When she looked up again her eyes were filled with enthusiasm, “Have you ever visited a shrine before?”

          he takes a seat detached from the rest, the farthest, but close to the natural blooms by the window. their vivacious color enraptures his attention for a moment–his weakness, admirable &&. noticeable–before jerking back into the present. caustic mouth desires the bitter taste of coffee, a late jolt to a midnight insomniac’s hymn.

“Hello.” She said with a smile when she stopped in front of his table, trying to keep the air light, “Do you know what you’d like to order or would you like some recommendations?”

“We can just go left to your place, then I’ll be on my way!”

{ ☯ } — This girl was so kind! If Miyako had more time she would love to talk to her for longer and even make friends! “Thank you so much! I’d love to repay you somehow. --Oh!” Miyako began to rummage through her satchel before pulling out a chocolate candybar. She smiled, offering it to the girl, “Do you like sweets? I have a sweet tooth myself~ I think this is one of the best brands so I’m sure you’d like it.”

  It always made him look so stupid. He was dressed in traditional clothes yet had a baseball cap on his head. “At least it’s cool out.” He mumbles to himself, shaking his head.

It didn’t deter her though. She didn’t stray from her path and kept her curious eyes on him as she got closer.

Female Warrior