Kyuden Shika

Moshumaru looked over the river.

Is this the right thing to do? If it prevents violence, then...

There was no time for hesitation. Crane comment, Lion do.

Bai had come to the forest to search for some herbs. It would be the last time she could find some rare herbs that wouldn't be found on the north. She sees the Lion by the river and smiled. "Ah Kitsu sama... I hope Inari no kami has blessed you this day." She bowed.

Moshu returned the bow.

"Likewise, Kaito-san. Did you find what you sought?"

"I think so, Kitsu sama." She looked at her herbs. "It is funny that I met your cousin doing this. I was looking for herbs."

"Are those the same herbs you were looking for, then?"

The Kitsu inquired.

"Yes... with me making balms my ingredients have been depleted and these are not really grown in the Phoenix lands." Bai nodded. "I wonder.. I never gave you anything."

"Do you need to? You helped me with the painting - Seppun-sama loved it, by the way - and that is gift enough for me."

"Ah, I assume your betrothed Unsei sama is the Seppun you speak off." Bai nodded. "Because I doubt Yuzu sama would have such taste." The Kaito shook her head. "I never got properly introduced but maybe one day I shall visit the Imperial city we shall meet again and be properly introduced."

"That would be nice, I think - maybe your family, Ishioka-san's family and my family could all meet at the capital one year and just... relax."

The Kitsu chuckles.

"It's funny - before I found Unsei, I would have likely fallen for you or Inoshishi-san. And yet here we are, with my pride having fallen for them instead."

"Funny neh... the fortunes work in mysterious ways. Destinies are never set in stone." Bai picked a chamomile. "I never thought that I would have met so many people in this path to find Hotei."