[D4, EN] Hunters Hunted (Expecting)

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo crouched in a cluster of bushes next to the mouth of the cove. It all made sense to him, the storm would provide perfect cover for the poachers; washing away the traces of their activity and clustering the salamanders into one place as the took shelter. He had expected it to be raining harder by now but either Osano-Wo was taking mercy on them or the storm had stalled. So he sat and waited, either for action or company.

[Miya Akari]

Akari was not quite so sneaky as Kenzo. In fact, she was pretty bad at it. So she simply sat in a spot he had picked out for her and did her best to remain still. Which was obviously not her forte. It wasn't the weather or anything... she was just naturally very energetic.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Thank you for joining me this evening, I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances but at least the weather is holding; it is peaceful out here."

[Miya Akari]

"No point in apologizing for something you can't control. Besides," she leaned closer to him, "I don't mind seeing you in a soaked through kimono."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"Soaking wet happens to be a good look for you as well." He placed a hand on her thigh and leaned in for a kiss.

[Miya Akari]

She returned the kiss, taking the front of his kimono into a tight grip and pulling him into it. She then separated and whispered to him. Before letting him go.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

His eyes grew wide as she whispered in his ear.

"I love it when you talk like that but you are right, now it's not the time. I wonder if I can't find a way to make you worry less about the location part though. You're such a bold person, a little danger doesn't excite you?"

He reached into his pack and pulled out a bento box, placing it before her.

"I hope this can act as a substitute for now."

OK poachers, hurry up and show yourselves, I've got other things to be doing.

[Miya Akari]

"Minor public displays once in a while happen, but I am not one for dragging my private life for anyone that happens by to watch... Usually."

She continued to watch.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

You know, Kyo-sama is distrustful of my reasons for wanting to learn carpentry. Truth is the reasons I gave here were true but now I think I have another one. I want to go out into that forest and find a spot, maybe near a stream or kami willing a waterfall and build a little place of my own. I mean I would justify it by saying it's an observation outpost or something but just something out of the way and private. I wonder how many people constitutes an expedition, do you think three people is enough?"

[Miya Akari]

"I think any new construction like that would need to be approved by Hikaru-sama and I see that as unlikely. Plus, I have no intention of going into the forest without it being part of a full expedition. People disappear, they aren't heard from again, no evidence of their location is left behind. It's not something to play around with," Akari says with total seriousness in her tone. She had no intention of becoming a victim of some unknown force.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Few things could wipe the smile from Kenzo's face but the Miya's words did.

I will of course abide by your wishes and take your words to heart Akari-sama. I just...I love this place, I do not think I ever want to leave it. Hopefully the Crane will decide my duty should be to remain in this place.

He tried to put a smile back on his face but it was false, worrying that he had actually upset the mood of his companion.

Who knows, maybe they will make me governor of this place when all I said and done.

Maybe a rock will fall on Majo-kun and I will feel welcome at home again. Neither is likely.

[Miya Akari]

"I understand what you meant by your suggestion, but it's not something to play around with. For all we know the inner part of the island is overrun by gaki from long dead inhabitants that kill and devour anyone that comes close, making them one of their number to suffer until the end of time. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone, particularly people that I am fond of." She was serious but it was also obvious that she was concerned.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo put an arm around her at the waist.

"No, you're right, you're right. I just crave adventure. If I'm not jumping off a cliff with my hair on fire I get a little... impatient I suppose. I mean look at us now, we're just sitting here in the rain waiting for something to happen. Meanwhile you've already suggested something much more interesting we could be doing. I need to learn patience and I am trying."

He gentle pecked her neck a few times.

"And if I grow any fonder of you they'll have to make room for me in the kennel at Kyuden Miya."

[Miya Akari]

"Well, I likely won't be heading back there anytime soon. Depends on if Hikaru-sama does, but as an explorer I doubt she will. I suspect that I'll only be stationary in places that are not developed in the future."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Well I said at the start of this that I wouldn't chase people and I doubt that I would be allowed to follow you all across the empire anyway. So I guess I just have to hope this dream never ends because I really don't want to go back to my nightmare now that I've met you and Yukari.

[Miya Akari]

"What you need to do is let go of the idea that you shouldn't chase people. Talk to your wife, be honest with each other, give each other permission and stop feeling pain. And then look for pleasant distractions and bits of happiness without wallowing," she replied, brushing aside wet hair from his forehead.

[Daidoji Kenzo]

Kenzo sighed hearing her mention his wife.

" We have spoken plenty and we have an understanding. She took her first partner twelve days after we were married, that's how much she hates me. I beat him within an inch of his life when I found them together, he was a poet.

She detests what I do and what I am. I've heard her pray for her maidenhood back so she could give it to someone deserving and she has told me to my face multiple times that I will never have children because the Kami are punishing me for the evil in my heart."

All the joy has left him, his face was like stone and he looked much older.

"I have not been perfect mind you but at least in the beginning I wanted to try and make it work but as time went on we stopped even yelling at each other. That's when I left, the silence was worse than anything so I got myself sent to the front lines permanently which thankfully got me here."

[Miya Akari]

"Then let her go. Just because you are married doesn't mean you shouldn't find enjoyment in the company of others. Plenty of samurai have pleasant working relationships with their spouse, and more pleasant romantic relationships. I was once in a relationship with both a husband and a wife separately but simultaneously while they both knew," she admits with a shrug. "Just accept the past and seek joy in the present."

[Daidoji Kenzo]

"I am trying to let it go and I am certainly enjoying the company I have found here. If I am being completely honest I think I could actually fall in love with you if I let myself, I enjoy your company so much and I don't just mean the physical. But that seems like a bad idea for a lot of reasons. And all of that is compounded by the fact that I don't know nearly as well as I would like to, I've told you so much about me but know a lot less about you."

As always his words were honest but were neither overly sappy nor coldly detached, just the facts said pleasantly.

[Miya Akari]

"Love is as fleeting as lust. To me they're the same thing. One is simply carnal while the other is emotional. Sometimes they go hand in hand, sometimes they do not. It's all time and perspective, Akari says not verbally admitting one way or another how she felt toward Kenzo.