Chapter 26

You thrust your hand out of the window. Cool air licks at your fingertips, and you withdraw them to poke your head out. Your eyes scour the sky. There are no frazzled storm clouds lurking in the vicinity nor in the distance, and you release a strangled puff of breath. Good. Your weather luck is holding. You've planned contingencies in case of rain, and neither you or Shinobu are the type to read weather events as omens, but you really want the date to go right in every aspect.

You shutter the windows. If anything goes wrong today, you'll at least be assured it will has nothing to do with the weather.

Your outfit for today lays flat on the bed, and it beckons you to approach. You putter over to examine it with a critical eye for the final time. It had been simple to coordinate something aesthically pleasing while remaining low-key, but not easy to decide if it was suitable enough. Luckily, your wardrobe has been tailored to not stand out from the very start. Eyecatching gaudiness is for those who aim to flaunt and draw attention. That isn't what is required of you for the type of business you're do, or what you're interested in. Eventually, you manage to pick from the limited choices available, culminating in the outfit you're looking at.

You withdraw your gaze. You strip down to your undergarments and start getting dressed. The first piece of clothing to wear is the under-kimono, followed immediately by the kimono itself. When you've fixed the sash into place, you straighten your collar and smooth out the creases buried in the sleeves. When you're done, you turn to stare admiringly at the vanity mirror.

The kimono's shade is muted, midnight black held down by a thin, snow white sash that loops across your waist. Standing before you, the formally attired man is ready and primed to do business. The sight builds your confidence. The clothes you picked are the best of your current wardrobe. If people decried you underdressed, you will be tempted to point out how much you paid for the bolt of cloth from which your kimono was made. Your heart had bled at the tailor's bill, totalling six times the average salary of a shonin.

You take a corner of your sleeves between your fingers. You rub it between thumb and forefinger, savouring the feeling of pinching a thin sheet of polished gold or silver.

Good investments always find a way to repay themselves. You didn't think it at the time, but you're confident to declare your money well spent. You shudder to think of what you would be wearing now if you had stored the kimono in your family home, like you'd thought to do months ago.

Next in line to be worn is your tonbi. It is an overcoat that sees frequent use during your visits to large and developed cities, and is as comfortable as it is stylish. The two toned colour scheme, charcoal grey on the outside and light, feathery brown on the inside, contrasts nicely with your striking, black figure. It is slightly thicker than your haori, but fitting to complete your outfit and for the chilly autumn weather. You'd honestly prefer your haori, to make it easier to craft an excuse should anyone catch you in the hallways later, but you've yet to make a new one after Wareta had stolen it.

"Oh, that's right. I nearly forgot." You pick up your notebook and money pouch sitting atop the dresser. You easily slip them into the tiny compartments hidden deep inside your overcoat. They chafe somewhat, but a sidelong glance shows they remain invisible from the outside.

If Shinobu didn't mind, you planned to check the village for tailors or seamstresses. You'd already prepared the design of your new haori. It would be good to find out if the locals were skilled enough to produce it. If not, you'd have to resign yourself to looking for someone who could, though you can think of several in other, far off locations.

You pick up the final article of clothing: an oval shaped hat. Its rough texture immediately reveals itself to be animal pelt. One of your more exotic gifts from a merchant you frequently make deals with. It is distinctly western, an uncommon fashion accessory here, but a sight for sore eyes in the major port cities brimming with foreign goods.

There comes a sudden realization, and it invites a fresh wave of anxiousness crashing into you. Your nails crimp on the rounded, brimmed edge as you grip the hat tightly.

Wearing this to a village… it will definitely draw stares. Though it probably won't be of the malicious kind, it will draw attention to you and Shinobu. Gossip is a double edged sword. You know firsthand that it won't bring terrible consequences in the Corps, unlike business, but you don't want to stain Shinobu's painstakingly built reputation.

You run a hand through your hair, untangling a curl that you didn't notice there. "Next time," you promise, returning your hat into the drawer. Giving it a parting pat, you whirl back to the mirror. You are about done. Your hair is made, your face is shaved and your outfit is ironed. You look as good as can possibly make yourself.

You steel your nerves with a hardy nod and a final reminder, "Do not overthink it and make this about yourself. This should be relaxing and enjoyable for her, Ryuu. Remember that."

You check the nearby clock. Shinobu had left about fifteen minutes earlier, per her request, and it's about time for you to leave. Best not make her wait longer. Giving your room a final examination, happy to be back in the one you'd originally been staying in, you tuck your hands into your sleeves and step out.

It's little silly how fast your heart is racing. You'd seen Shinobu at breakfast, and it's not like you didn't spend snatches of time with her throughout the past three weeks. You're not going into this blind. More than your nervousness, though, you are ridiculously elated to be spending an entire day with her. You get to frolic in her presence all by yourself.

You've racked your brains and pulled strings to prepare today's date. You truly hope she will enjoy herself as much as you will.

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The land around you opens up to forests on either side of the path, and you make your way to the meeting point in long and steady strides, dirt and pebbles scratching the bottom of your clogs in your descent downhill. The autumn air is crisp and chilled, though thankfully held at bay by the overcoat tied firmly across your shoulders.

There is a mountain in the far distance, specked brown with thickets and bare of clingy, low hanging clouds. You soak in the sight of it as your legs push you onward. It is a reminder of your proximity the mansion, a landmark you didn't notice how much you eagerly searched out. For the first time in four wandering years there is a place you've unknowingly attached with the word 'home'.

That thought curves your lips, and you quickly work to suppress it. No, no… better not get ahead of yourself.

You readjust your kimono's collar as the narrow path widens, lengthening into enough space for two to walk side by side. Gradually, a bent and twisted tree comes into view, one that casts shade over the road. Shinobu hadn't been bluffing when she'd said it couldn't be missed. Among the upright and normal looking trees in these surrounding, this one stood stark like a blackened, rotten kernel.

The branches that stretch out to the azure ceiling are stripped naked by the season. The closer you approach, the louder the crackling of fallen leaves, and the cacaphonic symphony gives no chance for fearful thoughts to take root. The muted brown below your feet shines dimly of gold in sheets of sunlight. A glint of purple enters your sight, and your pace quickens. Before you know it, you are stepping into the swaying shade peppered by patterns of light filtering past bare branches.

Shinobu is gazing at the up at the sky, her small but reliable back turned outward. When she doesn't react at your arrival, you put forth a greeting to announce your arrival.

"I am here, Shinobu. Forgive me for making you to wait."

And then she turns, and your explanation about how you were almost waylaid by a pair of Slayers, tumbles back down your throat.

"Though it isn't nice to keep a lady waiting… I can't fault your tardiness. It was me who insisted to arrive first, after all. Although…" Her gaze flicks down to take you in from head to toe, and when she blinks, her dark lashes make her glowing eyes rounder and brighter than freshly cut gems. "It seems my wait was worth it. You're dressed handsomely today. And my, if Aoi saw us, she'd think we purposely coordinated our appearances!"

Shinobu waves a hand at herself. The deep and violent purple of her kimono further flatters her shapely figure. The butterfly haori is draped over her shoulders, and the contrast between the two pieces of clothing elevates her already heart stopping presence into something divine.

Your eyes dart from outfit to face, uncertain where to land and unwilling not to drink in every inch of this captivating sight. Shinobu steps closer to you, the purpled tips of her butterfly hairpin turning pink when it catches sunlight. She continues, "I thought it would be nice to–"

You lean down and kiss her. Her lips are supple, strangely slick, and she parts them to slip a sigh into your mouth. The kiss drains the overflow of exultation from your heart, allowing it to resume its erratic, speedy thumps. When you pull away, cheeks flushed in a warmth unrelated to the heat of the afternoon sun, Shinobu spears you with a blushing glare.

"Ryuu." Her fingers grasp your chin. You blink when her thumb glides over both lips and comes away red. You think your lip is bleeding until she says, "Ryuu Kuroshio, you ruined my lip rouge."

Your focus centers on the smudge at corners of her mouth. You sputter a laugh. "I didn't realize. Sorry, you just looked…" You grope around for an apt description to describe your thunderstruck self. "You look beautiful, Shinobu."

"A beautiful woman to match a handsome man," she teases, her glare melting into a softer, amused gaze. She reaches into her haori, taking out a folded and patterned handkerchief. "Ah, what a waste. I spent my morning putting it on, you know. And it was the last of the rouge I had," she says after cleaning her lips. Now pink, they are no less eye catching as her sharp brows and dark lashes. Did she put makeup for them as well?

"If the village sells any, I'll gift them to you." You extend your hand to Shinobu. "Shall we?" To your delight, she unhesitatingly slips hers into yours and tugs you along. You follow her, a foolish smile set on your lips.

"I will lead," she says. "Since you've yet to visit the village."

"Thank you." Though you've been in contact with several individuals there, you have yet to actually see the location for yourself. It can't be too undeveloped of a place, considering your letters had been responded to. "But don't worry, I've made my own preparations. What kind of person would I be to take you on a date, unprepared?"

You chuckle at Shinobu's expression of surprise. "Here I was thinking to show you around," she says.

"I can only claim to know two places. I would still love to go on a tour. You'll not find me turning down a chance to stroll with you beside me, Shinobu." You squeeze her hand.

"That's good," Shinobu's smile is radiant. "Because I feel the same way.