To end a painful evening (D5 LE Closed - Amaya's)

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo nodded, pouring a large cup of sake and putting it down in front of Amaya. He then wrapped his arms back round her, and remained quiet as he listened.

[Ide Amaya]

She raises the sake cup to her lips and drinks, steadily, until cup is empty once more. She sniffs and blinks harshly as the alcohol hits her.

"You say that my role is to wage battle with words. This Onyx Champion comes to pit his filthy words against us, and I am the coward who stepped back and let another take my place." Bitterly, "my honour is only saved that my cousin has the status to demand to take my place."

[Seppun Hideo]

Oh....

Hideo closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he opened his eyes. He refilled the cup before speaking.

"You are not a coward Amaya. Not at all. Your superior took your place, and neither of you should be going. I know you are not a coward Amaya."

[Ide Amaya]

She lifts the refilled cup to her lips before remembering her manners and offering it to the Imperial instead.

"I'll never be like her. I hope it can be enough."

[Seppun Hideo]

"Let me get your cup Amaya-chan" Hideo said quietly, going to where Amaya had said the cup was, bringing it over and filling it before he sat down next to Amaya.

"You are a brilliant woman. You're kind, courteous, and in your own lovely way you can be strong. You might not have the physical strength of a Moto, or the spiritual blessings of the Iuchi, but you have the beauty and grace to be the face of a clan."

[Ide Amaya]

She drains the sake cup and fancies for a moment that she can taste his lips upon it. She seems about to speak, to protest perhaps, but she reconsiders. After a time she sighs, "as much as I adore your generous words, I seem to have no patience tonight. Tell me instead that you love me."

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo downed his cup, putting it down and turning to look the girl deeply in the eyes. He leant in to kiss her gently, before saying "I love you, Ide Amaya. My wonderful, brilliant, beautiful Amaya."

[Ide Amaya]

Setting aside the sake cup, she placed a hand on the back of his neck and pulled him close for another kiss.

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo allows himself to be pulled in, slipping his arms round her and running his fingers through her hair as he kisses her deeply. The taste of peach sake on her lips was already quite strong.

[Ide Amaya]

The kiss ends, but instead of drawing away, she touches her forehead to his, eyes closed. Her delicate fingers push into his hair and her breath shivers from her, though now for a very different reason.

[Seppun Hideo]

Hideo stroked Amaya's face gently with his thumb, his eyes opening and looking at her closed ones, while the arm around her waist pulled her closer to him. He placed another kiss on her lips. He could feel something was different about this, the air was different around her and he felt both curious what was different and concerned about her.

"Amaya-chan?" he said quietly.

[Ide Amaya]

She opened her eyes, "yes, Hideo-San?"

[Seppun Hideo]

He looked her deeply in the eyes, and stopped himself asking her what's wrong. He knew what was wrong. Instead, he smiled at her softly, and said "I love you."

[Ide Amaya]

She finally allows herself to smile, but it is brief. "I did not know Chi-Pu well. I was unaware she had grown so close to Kaiu-Sama." She draws back so she can study his face, "I lost a brother, and at the time I thought nothing would hurt so deeply as that. But I cannot imagine if I lost you."

[Seppun Hideo]

"This miai has allowed many to become close, and Chi-Pu was well liked even among those who didn't know her well. I only met her once, and her company was certainly enjoyable"" Hideo commented, although he looked sad as she spoke of her brother. "I..I will ensure that you don't lose me Amaya. I don't wish to cause you any suffering."