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

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo shrugs. "Between a Matsu and a Crane, a conversation is progress. I do not think she would slam the gates in my face. She is too courteous for such a thing. And I suspect, over time, we might understand each other to a certain extent." Her face becomes serious. "But, the struggles between our clans are too old and too entrenched for one such conversation to wash them away. There are some who would disparage me among my clan even for the little conversation we had." She looks at him, smiling a bit. "Your charms are many Akil-san, but they cannot sweep away 800 years of history and bloodshed." She teases gently.

[Shinjo Akil]

"So what you are saying is," he said after a moment of consideration, "i have to figure out a way for there to be 800 of me, one for each year of history."

[Matsu Kogo]

She laughs. "It would certainly make some things easier, but I suspect other things would be harder." She smiles. "I would certainly not mind however. There could be some entertaining possibilities."

[Shinjo Akil]

"That sounds dangerous," he smirked. "What sort of possibilities are you thinking of?"

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo smiles. "Possibilities that would have your Doji-san wishing to smack me with her fan. So I shall keep them behind my own teeth, where she cannot find them." You are a temptation Akil-san. I am not sure if you know it or not.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Who knows what the future holds?" He shrugged gently, his smile never leaving. "And with that in mind, I intend to enjoy this evening that I am blessed to spend with you. If nothing else, I will be glad for a lovely evening with a cherished friend."

[Matsu Kogo]

She looks at his smile and then shakes her head, laughing a little. "Your words are like honey, Akil-san." And I fear, I am a silly honey bee. "What has this Matsu done to earn such a title, as cherished friend?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"A lot, if one is being honest," he nodded. "But to explain it best likely requires me to say words that you won't want to hear."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo looks to the side, her cheeks beginning to flame. "Akil-san assumes much. Just because one is honor bound to refuse such words, does not mean one does not wish to hear them." She looks at him, her gaze intent. "I would listen, as I did to your flute, whether what you say is sweet or...troubled by circumstance."

[Shinjo Akil]

His eyes closed as she spoke. The words hurt in a way, but he couldn't leave them unsaid now. "Kogo, I..." A breath, and he spoke again. "I love you, as much as I love Fukawa."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo....was not expecting that. At all. Some honeyed words or phrases, something about her lips perhaps or a flirtation. But this honest declaration? "I....I do not know what to say." She looks at him, her eyes flaring. "Are you sure?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am certain," he nodded, more confident now. "There is no room in a samurai's heart for doubt."

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo looks at her feet, stopping her movement for a moment. It is as if her mind has frozen for a brief second, unable to process this possibility. It never occurred to me...I thought...It was over. "Why?" She asks simply, looking at him.

Noburu walks back closer, looking slightly peeved.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Because you are amazing?" He answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

[Matsu Kogo]

Kogo didn't understand this any better than the previous words. Possibly less. "I....I broke my word to you. I yelled at you. I threw a poorly made fan in your face and offered it to you like a weapon. I have shamed myself in front of you, time and again. Why....would you care for one such as me?"