Dark Edge Village

Mizuki knew she shouldn't be here, but she felt like she had to. She scratches on the post of the tent.

You shouldn't be here.

I know.

The rumors...

Screw the rumors.

You told the others to let the Unicorn know anything.

I will be subtle. She's not a tsukai. I've seen enough of her body to know there are no cut marks.

Well, at least you're not letting this horrible mess go to waste.

Yue had prepared herself for a Scorpion. Said Scorpion was not Mizuki but rather Taira. She let out a sigh and prepared to apologize to the man for her song. However, it seemed that she needed to apologize to someone else. "Mizuki. Konbanwa." She raised her arm to invite her into her yurt but then stopped. "What are you doing here?" she asked, the nervousness obvious in her voice.

"I... I want to talk." Mizuki considers how to bring this up, without betraying her own words earlier. "May I come in? I feel it would be better to talk in private."

"Hai." Yue called for a servant to bring in kumis, if only to further drive that nothing would happen between them. To whom she was giving this message was something even she did not know.

Once inside, she kept a fair distance and asked, "What do you wish to talk about, MIzuki?"

"Your song. I...." Mizuki takes off her mask. "I was honored by it. I want you to know that. But some will see it as insult. They won't see it as your feelings, but a clever way to insult all of the non-Unicorn men at the miai. Because that's Empire you fought for so long to get back to." Mizuki sighs. She takes a drink of the kumis in part to consider how to proceed. It needs to be delicate. In part to give Yue a chance to respond.

The Shinjo took a seat. "I know. I know all of it." She covered her face with her palm and shook her head. "I have caused a mess. It is... difficult for me to not feel Regret." Her bowl was placed next to her for the time being.

"You should not feel regret. The other women would have still sung their songs. They were creating theirs at the same time as you were creating yours. You just went first." Mizuki takes a sip.

"I... I tried to help. I began spreading rumors saying that it was a clever way to avoid proclaiming your suitor. If any of your suitors have given you anything, carry it on your person. You don't have to proclaim the rumor true. Just allow others to believe it so. Letting others believe what you want them to believe.... remember that. That will aid you in Court."

Mizuki looks Yue in the eyes. "I don't say this because of my involvement. I regret many things, but not meeting you. I may not be able to love you like you love me, but you are very dear to me. I am not afraid of any rumors. At least, not these ones."

"That was part of the reason why I did it," Yue admitted. She looked Mizuki in the eyes and her cheeks began to burn red. "But that is not the entire truth. You know the rest of the reasons why I sang that song." She let out a sigh. "The lyrics could have been better."

"I know. I wish I return those feelings. No. I wouldn't want to burden you with that. I want you to know, if I could, I would pick you. It's selfish. Because I can't return your feelings, but I think we would be happy."

You're here to get her to wear the jade. Not.... what are you doing? Confessing your kinda-sorta love?

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't talk about things that can't happen." At least, Mizuki didn't think it could. After this week, and today in particular, she wasn't 100% sure. Well, Yue could probably correct her if she's wrong. "I just want... you to be safe."

"I would choose you too. I suppose that is obvious." Yue took a long drink from her bowl and then sighed. "I wanted my performance to be sincere."

She gave Mizuki a small smile. "You should not worry so much about me. I have only known you for a week." She lowered her eyes. "My emotions have been heightened since the battle with the orochi. Even now I am still shaken."

The Shinjo let out a small laugh. "My sister would be disappointed if she saw me afraid of something. Anything."

"It certainly was sincere." Mizuki takes a sip. "It's only been a week, but" But you've probably showed me more love and care than most have my entire life. Father tried. Sutiechi did. Until I ruined it. "A lot can happen in a week. After all, we're supposed to find our spouses in this time. We are samurai. We live in the moment."

Mizuki takes another sip. "I cannot imagine what fighting the orochi was like or almost getting devoured by it. I think you have a right to be a little shaken." Mizuki ponders how to get this back to her real purpose.

"I have never fallen in love before." Yue shrugged. "I did not think it proper. Before the battle, I merely admired your beauty and resilience." She let out a small chuckle. "Now you mean so much more."

She shook her head. "Fear is unbecoming of a samurai, Mizuki. And I intend on living up to my position."

Mizuki wasn't sure how to handle the first part what Yue said. So, she responded to the second. "I did not say Fear. Fear would keep you from doing your duty. You have proven that is not the case."

"My duty is to find a husband. I could have sang to Taira-dono instead." She shook her head. "I have not seen him yet. I doubt he is happy with me."

"I don't think he was there. He said something about teaching some Unicorn something earlier. At least, I got no reaction from him. Nor did I see him in the stands." Mizuki thinks for a moment. "Yue, how many men seek your hand?"