[D4 LE] A Visitor (Hideo's Yurt) [Closed]

[Ide Amaya]

She couldn't remember just what it was that had made her so strongly desire to see the Imperial again when she had barely known him an hour. Love at first sight, a voice whispered inside her, and she shushed it. "Quickly indeed, Hideo-San, already I cannot imagine how a day would go by without being able to see you."

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo placed his hand on top of Amaya's. "Then we shall ensure that no matter what time of day, we will see each other at least once. Privately may be a preference, after all I have a condition to keep" he grinned "but I have always started the day counting the minutes until the time of day that I would see you. It made this morning perhaps the least enjoyable day; I didn't know when that would be. Although you seemed to have already planned that, and I have been delightfully surprised."

[Ide Amaya]

She finished her tea and set the cup aside, turning her hand so that she might hold his. "It seems as though these recent days have flown, yet the end of the ma-ai still feels so distant. And I worry, at night when I am trying to sleep, what might happen if another wants you for themselves."

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo looked down at the scars on his hand, the one in Amaya's hand. "I have concerns that the many men gathered here will claim the beautiful charming Amaya for their own. It surprises me that my position does not allow me choose sooner, but if it means I have to push harder, and risk more, to ensure that I can claim you as my bride...I'll have to hope that weasel scratches are the worst that I'll receive."

[Ide Amaya]

She wanted to tell him that no other wanted her hand, but this was a ma-ai, she might be picked by a man she had not even met, if it was deemed that it was the Ide family name they sought. She wanted to tell him that she would flee back to the lands beyond the Empire before she was taken by another as wife. But she did not say this either. And her eyes were misty for deeply she was touched by his words.

In the end, she touched the scratches on the back of his hand, with good treatment they would fade, he would not bear the marks forever, and she said, "will you permit me to attend to these?"

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo heard Amaya's words, but he didn't react to them. He looked up as she spoke, and saw her eyes. He felt his heart sink, and his spare hand reached up to stroke her cheek. "Amaya-chan, what's wrong?" He asked softly.

[Ide Amaya]

"Wrong?" and there was genuine confusion. "In this moment there could not possibly be anything wrong? Why do you ask, Hideo-San?"

[Seppun Hideo]

"Your eyes" Hideo said "I...forgive me, I thought you were looking upset."

[Ide Amaya]

"Watashi no ouji, with your good words you could charm Lady Amaterasu herself down from the sky. But it would appear that you keep those words for me. I am not upset."

[Seppun Hideo]

"My words are for you and you alone" Hideo said with a smile, bringing her hand up and placing a kiss on it gently "my dear Amaya."

[Ide Amaya]

She smiled in return, but, concerned, she touched his cheek, "now will you allow me to bathe and balm your wounds?"

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo laughed.

"Amaya-chan seems to be in a rush to assist me. I am touched to have such a caring woman with me. Hai, no more delays, I understand you are concerned Amaya-chan."

He rose, moving to collect one of his packs and place it down in front of them. He then sat down.

"How would you like me? Most of my wounds are on my body and my legs from the weasels climbing over me."

[Ide Amaya]

"Hideo-San," she had said quite solemnly, like the way a small child will when pretending to be much older so that an adult might take them seriously, "when you bade me enter, you provided me with dry robe and even a towel, before I could even speak. What is it that concerns you?"

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo shook his head.

"Ah...nothing concerns me Amaya-chan, please forgive me if I have worried you. I am ready, what do you need me to do?"

[Ide Amaya]

"Are you comfortable?" she asks simply. She takes the antiseptic balm from the kit and pours a bowl of warm water. Reaching for the tattered remains of his ruined robe, she finds some strips that have not been soiled, and tears them free. These too she places within easy reach.