A wandering Matsu, I (D9, EE, Expecting)

[Matsu Kogo]

Her eyes half closed, absorbing the sound of the music and locking it away with the other memories. A smile crested on her face as she looked down at the ground. Her feet seemed to move a bit faster, moving to the rhythms. Finally, she looked up from the ground with a smile on her face to see his eyes on her. She blushed and looked down again.

It is as if my On has never existed at times when he is around. It just cracks at the slightest pressure. Is this what love feels like? I wish I knew.

[Shinjo Akil]

Once the flute left his lips, he looked to her again, his head canting. "I feel as if it had been forever since the last time I had done something that made you smile."

[Matsu Kogo]

Her blush increases. "It has not been so long Akil-san. The days just feel long these days. Waiting is hard, I suspect." She looks at him and the blush fades a tinch. "I am glad. I am glad to know this. It makes...it makes the last few days a little easier."

[Shinjo Akil]

His head canted. "I... admit I expected more anger out of the matter. I have no idea what to say now."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles. "And in this, you echo the words of many a Matsu. 'How can you stand such things? Where is your anger, Kogo-san? Does it not make your blood boil?'" She smiles. "I am not like many of my kin. My fire....is channeled in other directions. I have seen the damage anger can do. It is not something I invite. " She looks at him, her eyes fond. "This...It is something to take with me now, as I go to do my duty. To know I am loved...it is more than I had thought possible. I hoped. I hoped a great deal. But I did not expect it. "

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am glad I could send that with you, at least," Akil smiled brightly. "You deserve happiness, Kogo-san. That is something I am certain of."

[Matsu Kogo]

She smiles back, though the red still stains her cheeks. "To look on you in this moment, with a smile on your face...That is happiness for me. In this moment, it is...sufficient."

[Shinjo Akil]

"And to see you with a smile fills me with just as much happiness," he offered in return.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo looks down, the blush returning to her cheeks. She seems not to know what do with her hands, so she folds them in front of her. Then behind her. Then in front of her again. Then she takes a deep breath. "Is that what love is then? Being happy when someone you love smiles?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"I think so. It definitely matches with how I feel," he nodded.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo thinks it over, pondering it. "And what of when they are sad? What does one feel then?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Sorrow for their sadness, I think." His brow furrowed in thought.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo looks serious for a brief moment, pondering over his words. In love with a man not my husband. Mother would spit me on a stake...Or would she... "I see..." She looks at him, noticing his brow furrowed.

I would kiss that away. If he was mine. But he's not. And that is how it is. Hopefully Doji-san cares half as much for him as he does for her.

"And Doji-san...Does she feel the same way as you do?"

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded. "She told me as much, yes. She and I have... Not had any physical contact, as much because of rumors as anything." He smiled a bit embarrassed, "I, um... Suspect she is as impatient about that matter as I am feeling."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo felt the words slide swiftly like a dagger to the heart. Her On came over her face again. "I see...I am glad for you Akil-san. I would not wish you to be...without love." She looks at him, her eyes focused a bit far away. Then her eyes focus back in for a split second. Does that mean....