Something to answer for? (Day 6 LM, Fukawa's Yurt)

[Doji Fukawa]

That did draw a tear from her eye.

"I....

cannot accept this gift, because tradition demands that you offer it a third time, which you can't if I accept it now." she offers, as another clue-by-four refusal.

[Shinjo Akil]

He smiled at her as she spoke. Did I... Did I make her lose face? "That is indeed true. And please know that it is in the greatest sincerity that I offer this a third time, Fukawa-san."

[Doji Fukawa]

"Then it is with the greatest happiness I accept your offering, Akil-san." she said taking the fan and securing it to her obi.


"That is.....a huge relief Akil-san. I was...so worried. First to know that some other woman might leave the miai with you, and then all those rumors about your clan....I am so sorry for any doubt I had of you, Akil-san." she practically gushed.

[Shinjo Akil]

He nodded a bit as he listened to her, shaking his head. "Yes... it seems that my clanmates have been rather... active. I had determined well before this miai that I would not be... offering that much of me... to anyone before I was married." He wasn't sure how else he could say it tactfully.

[Doji Fukawa]

That was more than he needed to say in her mind.

"I wish I could show you how much means to me right now, Akil-san....but it seems we will need to wait 5 days." she suggested.

[Shinjo Akil]

"Well," he considered, "I suppose I at least could give you permission to speak to me more informally than we already speak to each other... at least in private."

[Doji Fukawa]

"You would be my A-kun?" she asks, somewhat delighted at the idea.

[Shinjo Akil]

"If you would be my Fu-chan, yes," he nodded and smiled.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa smiled for the first time during the miai.

"Very well, A-kun." she says. "But only in private. We have to be respectful of those whose futures are still uncertain after all."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Of course, Fu-chan," his smile brightened to say it definitively. "Maintaining propriety is important, of course." He leaned back, just enjoying the opportunity to gaze upon her smiling face.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa nods.

"You've understood that from before we met." she said.

She took a few moments looking at her A-kun.


"I can't wait to show you the lands of the Crane." she said, honestly.

[Shinjo Akil]

"I figured it might be important if the Ide told me about it," he grinned, nodding his head. "I cannot wait to see them, truly. If they are half as beautiful as you, they will be a wonder indeed."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa smiles.

"I may have to petition my lord to provide me with a horse, so we can ride together." she says. "I would not wish to burnden yours by having us ride double."

[Shinjo Akil]

"I am sure that can be arranged," he nodded. "Oh! I have, um..." he blushed a bit, "a rather serious question."

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa's eyebrows went up at that.

"Well, this seems like a day of serious business, A-kun." she offered. "What would you like to know?"