D2ME, Shopping! (Expecting)

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Yuuwaku stops suddenly.

"Tonight...no, that would be too soon. You said she was already working on something, right?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I left midway her work that already had a considerable progress on it. If she continued to work, it should already be finished by now."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"There will be time enough later," Yuuwaku says. "And, as you say, 'if.' Who knows what other demands are made upon her time."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He nods. "She should not, though, be painting this late at night, when there is not even natural light. She was working on a large pannel."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"A mural? Ambitious. Was that the task you set her to?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"She was doing it by herself. She is a wolf, probably got coin for it."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Well, supplies have to be gotten."

She nods.

"You seem to have an appreciation for her, indeed." Yuuwaku cocks an eyebrow at Sanaharu, grins salaciously. "Come on; tell me."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He returns on a equal playful expression, changing to a more serious one as he spoke. "I had not before when I arrived. Things change when that Scorpion insulted the honor of our entire clan." He looks to Yuuwaku. "I am not one to forget offense easily, even if my ancestors tell me not to make swords clash. This is a question of personal honor now."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

That bitch, she thinks again.

"And there's nothing else motivating it?" You're a young man, Sana-kohai. Live a little!

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"I had not thought of this before, but if the Ashidaka really accept her in, I will have the most eternal gratitude of someone skilled. This is useful."
...He really wanted to stay dead, didn't he?
Oh the fortunes on how Crane men were shy.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

Doesn't Yuuwaku know it!

"Sana-kohai," Yuuwaku says in a sisterly tone.

A big sister.

Or perhaps that aunt.

"You need to loosen up! There's passion in you, as I well know; I've seen you work. Ignite it! Let it flow!"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

He felt sympathy for the being known as Kakita Masao, the bushi had a lot of people to question him about marriage. Granted, the subject was not marriage, but was pretty close anyway.

"Oh no, are you too with this talk now?" He laughs in embarassment.

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Who else has been giving it to you?" Yuuwaku asks, archly.

"But I am concerned with your well being, Sana-kun. You're a friend and have been for a long time. I worry."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Masao-dono asked me about marriage. As I'm to seek on my own my bride, those two can overlap. And I don't know if I wish or fear for this to be the case."
He squints his eyes. "Hey! Why do you worry?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"I wasn't talking about marriage, Sana-kohai!" Yuuwaku chuckles. "You're always so shy, and you don't need to be. You never have."

She pauses.

"Well, except that one time with the noodles..."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Why did you have to remember this?" He still had this half-awkward, half-humouristic smile on his face. "Isn't it better to chase those things at more prestigious places, anyway?"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Well, it wasfunny," Yuuwaku says before moving to the other question.

"But think about it. You're here, this place is what it is, the event is what it is--and how likely are you to see most of the people here again? This is the perfect place to get some of those things."

Unless...no, that couldn't be it, could it?

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Had he not makeup on his face, he would have blushed severely.
Because he did put it on religiously, he only blused slightly.

"I didn't knew you... Oh... Well, you are right. I can't deny that. But I thought you were talking about romance!"

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"You didn't know I what?"

She cocks her head at him, raises the eyebrow again.

"But 'romance' is one way to put it, yes. And even a, shall we say 'straighter' use of the term might apply. What was it the sensei said? 'The flower that blooms briefest is best beloved?'"

Maybe it actually is, she thinks.

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Ah, forget that know part. You caught me too off-guard when I was already on no guard. I strumbled upon my words." He shakes his head. "I think I'll start with things simply. I think." He shakes his head. "Anyway, that noodle thing was still an accident. To make it clear."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"You don't need to worry about it, Sana-kun," Yuuwaku says, warmly. "Like I said, you're a friend, the one I've had longest. If you can't relax with me, who can you?"

She faces him. "But I am serious about you going out and finding some fun. It will do you good."

[Asahina Sanaharu]

Had she said not that it was a perfect place for one-time things, he would have thought something else.
Well, he was already thinking that something else, but brushed the idea out of his head. No way it was possible.
He nods.
Then Sanaharu noticed he knew not how to answer that and spent several seconds on a freeze before talking again.
"Well, the first step is looking for people."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"It is, indeed."

And there is a bustle around them, to be certain, although it appears to be dying down as night draws closer.

"What kind of fun were you thinking?"

[Asahina Sanaharu]

"Nome that lasts, like you said. My fear, though, was if word spread. I have two people I know here, and well, whilst I mind you not, it would be awkward if Masao-dono heard anything."

[Kakita Yuuwaku]

"Oh?"

She considers.

"Then we will have to be discreet, won't we? And we'll have to be careful in considering taste, yes?"