Kyuden Shika

The Matsu continues to glare, glad on some level that the dense Asahina is still outside striking range. He grits his teeth, forcing himself to suffer the slight for the sake of not angering Narumi.

"Listen, Crane," Ishioka says with forced control of his emotions. "I know that Narumi-san looks favorably on you, so I'll set this aside for now. Be aware that there is nothing that matters more to me in this world than her safety," he says, then takes a heavy breath.

"I assume you would say the same?" he asks, trying to bridge their divide.

"Of course! But... uh... I still don't know what you're talkin' about."

Ishioka stares silently again.

"So you don't see where having two men who feel as strongly about the same woman as we do would be problematic?" The Lions tone is slightly incredulous, but he's still trying to manage his emotions.

"Strong feelings? Well I guess you wantin' to protect her is a strong feeling. But I don't see what that's gotta do with me? I mean that's our job as bushi - to protect people."

False realization, once again, dawns over the man's face.

"Ohhhhhh! You're mad that I didn't protect her from gettin' the busted lip. I get that. I feel bad I wasn't there when it happened to help. So, yeah, I guess for that I can take res... resp... responsibility and apologize. Sorry, Matsu-san."

There! Surely that has fixed the problem!

The Stone Matsu starts to growl quietly as Bo wanders through thoughts, fists clenching. As it continues, his eyes narrow and he starts toward the Crane. Stopping just outside swinging range, he snarls, "She's not yours to protect, you idiot. I. Love. Her."

"Ohhhhhh. Well that makes sense - she's swell." He nods and smiles, "Though I reckon that means it's my job to protect her too... and hers to protect me? Though that makes less sense given her health. But, I suppose there's other kinds of protectin'..."

He nods again to himself, "Reckon a good thing it's up to the Deer then. Things would be awkward otherwise."

The Lion's glare achieves an intensity level that might burn through the hull of a kobune.

"Do you even know what she needs protecting from?" Ishioka can feel his grip on this conversation slipping, but he's not ready to give up yet.

The big man shrugs again, "I mean anything and everything - that's the point of protectin' the one you love, isn't it?"

Ishioka closes his eyes and stands there for a long time, silently willing himself to breathe and remain calm.

"But do you know what that will mean, Asahina-san? What you're likely to face if the nakodo choose you for Narumi-san?" The Lion's voice sounds slightly distant, slightly haunted as he asks these questions.

"Can't say I know too much about the Otter but I reckon there's nothin' more dangerous there than I'd face as a Crane. Even if so are you sayin' you wouldn't fight an oni for that smile?"