Kyuden Shika

Yuzu finds himself at his usual bathing time, at his usual bathing tub. It was triple cleansed after it had been touched by the eye-catching big Scorpion lady the other day. After bucketing himself with water to wash off, he then enters the warm waters to relax.

Soyokaze dragged himself into the baths offering a lazy bow to the room. When is rose he noticed the young imperial and nearly dropped his towel as he bowed again deeper and more formally. Seeing the rest of the bath house empty he spoke. "Forgive me Seppun-sama for interrupting your privacy I will excuse myself."

"The young Seppun raises an eyebrow and nods from his private bath tub, "Good day. I hope Inari-kami has been kind. There's no need to excuse yourself."

"Thank you Seppun-sama, this one is Asahina Soyokaze please let me know if you are in want of anything I will attend to it myself." He offered another bow and then sat down and began scrubbing every inch of himself vigorously, frantically.

“Seppun Yuzu. Governor of Chisei. Honored to meet Asahina-san. Please treat me kindly.” He replies with a. I’d from the bath tub, also approving of the brushing pressure applied.

"You are known to this one Seppun Yuzu-sama, I have watched with interest your performance in these tests and seek to emulate your mastery of the samurai way." He rinsed himself and, upon examining his fingernail, began scrubbing his entire body again.

The boy cocks his head back. It is clear — to him, at least — he was performing more than poorly since… since that Moth… touched him.

He narrows his eyes and questions the Crane in a denser tone of voice, “Does Asashina-san mock me? Insult me out loud, if he has the courage!”

The Crane dropped the brush he had been using and his eyes widened with terror. "N-No -sama! I would never, I m-meant every word -sama. Your efforts outstrip my own and your station speaks for itself. My father is a governor so I know something of the weight of your duties. Not that I would compare my families lands and duties to those of an Imperial governor my lord. What I mean to say is that my respect for you extends beyond the realm of this Miai."


This is how I die

The young Imperial maintains the terrorizing gaze for more heartbeats, and adds, without showing any emotion. “Steel up!”

He lays his back against the wooden tub and sighs, “I was hoping you would offend me so I could issue a challenge and get some stress out. I apologize.”

The young Crane's heat resume beating once the Seppun sat back but at his suggestion of a duel something defiant flashes in his eyes, his face grew sterner. "My life is yours if you wish it Seppun-sama." The flash was gone and demurred. "Though this one would be eternal thankful if you could give this one a few days."