Kyuden Shika

Moshu sat down to his favourite - a spot of black tea and boiled rice.

Thinking back on his duel, he wondered why he went for the wrist fist - his headspace had been back in the Crane lands, when he was making his way home, so why did he show such mercy?

Perhaps, just maybe, he was beginning to forgive himself.

Maybe.

With Short strides Soyokaze shuffled over to the Kitsu's table, a bottle of Mayako in his hand. "Good afternoon Moshumaru-san, I hope Inari's blessings have reached you today. I was wondering if we could speak for a moment?" Embarrassment was written across his face.

The Kitsu nodded, his past assistance not being forgotten. He gestured for the Crane to take a seat.

"By all means, Asahina-san. Join me."

Soyokaze sat down and let out a weighty sigh. "How was the event today for you?"

"Really well, honestly - I was challenged by a friendly face who I suspect wasn't one for duelling and took it in one strike. Has your day been likewise well?"

He didn't comment on the Asahina's absence - he could probably guess as to why.

"It has been pleasant, I have been here most of the day in truth working on papercraft and enjoying Oubaihime-san's company." he scanned around after saying that as if looking for someone before adding. "She chose to join me." he withdrew a folded note from his robe and placed it before the Kitsu. "I wanted to talk to you about this."

"I assume you want me to read what's inside..."

The Kitsu waited for the go-ahead before unfolding the papercraft to read what was inside - if told not to, he would look at the folded note.

He was... surprisingly calm. Like he knew about something similar.

"She did mention something about that to me, yes. From what I met of Luixian though, you dodged a fatal arrow there."

"I want to apologize to you, to all of you. I did not know about your connection when I made my rather uncouth approach. I know we have had issues between us but I did not mean to attack your happiness and once I became aware I stopped my rather awkward advances." He bowed respectfully and sincerely to the Lion. I don't know what I was thinking both in making the advance nor in telling that devil-woman.

The Kitsu nodded.

"It is because you didn't know that I take no offence. This is a miai, after all; It is natural to seek partners. Should you require it, consider yourself forgiven. As for telling Bayushi-san..."

He paused, thinking for a while. He let the words roam through his head for a while, before making a decision of sorts.

"A word of advice, if I may. Women want to feel like they are the center of your world, but that you are strong enough to get by in the world for both you and her. If you truly told the Bayushi that your attention was with another woman, then you must be toughest Crane I know, because you survived that uninjured."

"So far." he said with a grin. "Given what she did to Unsei-sama I don't discard the idea that I may yet be punished. Do you know her well?"