After careful consideration, I have come to two conclusions about the nature of my existence: 1. There is a god. 2. He laughs uncontrollably.
"No!"
Turquoise eyes met dark ones with identical determination. "Yes."
"No." I repeated again.
"Yes."
You reap what you sow. When Azami was a child, Kaede had always complained that she was too quiet and lonely, so out of spite, she had sworn that if she ever had friends she would be most impassive. Looking back it probably wasn't the smartest move.
"It'll only be a few nights and you get to keep most of the money, I need a cover to go and you're really good at playing cards." Hotaru spoke deliberately as she braided her blonde hair without averting her light eyes on my dark ones.
"Why don't you tell Hiro or Saya anyway, they know how to play any card game too, ask them." I said sitting on my sleeping bag.
As we were given free time to help Souma's team prepare. We agreed that we have to use as much time as possible. So it was better to prepare some tents in order to rest in the training camp when we finished practicing.
Almost as if we were back at the academy.
Only in the open air.
"Hiro is male, they'll think we're together, which is not convenient for what I'm planning and you know very well that Saya is not going to part with her precious scrolls, I mean look at her!". I point to her left.
I followed my gaze to where she was pointing and sure enough Saya was in an immense reading at the tables we had set up at the side of the training ground. Sota was next to her consulting her information.
They both decided to research thoroughly on the ninja clans of Sunagakure and the other villages that were likely to show up for the exams. They also included everything about the nobility of the Wind country.
They were clear about who to impress.
Chise would join them when she was not training to absorb as much information as possible as did Souma and Kenno.
It is better to be as prepared as possible and for Getsugakure, acquire all the advantages to put on a good show for the guests.
Hotaru made a mocking gesture to the two readers and looked at me again with expectant eyes.
I held her gaze impassively. I had previously restricted myself from going to the gambling houses of Getsugakure. For it simply wasn't proper, for a thirteen-year-old girl fresh out of the academy to be interested in gambling at cards.
But now with sixteen years of age just turned sixteen, I could tell that there wouldn't be that much of a problem.
If only Hotaru wasn't so damn pushy.
"Look Zami, that house in the Kyoto district... I guess it costs money, and since we're not doing missions now, you could use the money" She smiled a little with her painted lips "You're from a clan founder, easily recognized at a glance by those pretty silver locks on your forehead, they'll let us in without asking too many questions, and you know very well how to keep your cool in any situation, so you're my ideal companion"
I narrowed my eyes at his argument and then smiled a serpentine smile. "So you only need my Mochizuki locks and my amazing gambling skills. Hotaru... I thought our friendship was worth more than that." I finished by resting my hand on my chest dramatically.
She matched my smile and reached out to take my hand as she looked intensely into my eyes. "You know it's not that Zami, I just want my amazing mate and her beautiful gifts that come with her, believe me I will make it up to you when you need it." She finished with a purr in her soft voice.
I swallowed saliva as I felt my face heat up intensely. I really hope my dark complexion covers it up. But when I noticed Hotaru's smile increased, I failed in a divine way.
Alright bitch, I'll let you win this one.
I sighed as my face calmed down "Alright fucking freeloader, I'll go with you, but only because I can use the money!". I said to make a point.
Hotaru smiled radiantly at me and gave me a big kiss on the cheek, which I'm sure left me marked with lipstick. "Thank you Zami, I promise you won't regret it."
Hotaru got up from the floor and stretched her arms up, which made her shirt ride up showing her toned abdomen.
I averted my gaze to the other side of the clearing, where Hiro and the other boys were practicing their Kata stances with only their pants on.
I looked away again.
Shit... it's puberty, it's hitting me again for the second time.
Hoturu said goodbye and said something about taking a dip in the lake that was a few meters away from the training camp.
I lay down on the hard ground of the clearing, as I seriously considered making a career change, maybe it wasn't too late to join the music academy?
I sigh as I watch the sun rise over the forest, illuminating the trees with bright gold and deepening the shadows behind into inky black.
Ehh...
At what point did the night pass so quickly?
I lazily get back up from my sleeping bag. I reach for my Naginata that was stored in its case next to me. I take it out of there and start to carefully give it its morning maintenance. Then it was the same to my sword.
They were gifts from Tomeo sensei. They deserve the care I am giving them.
Maybe in the afternoon I'll take a nap. I thought as I got up and went to get something for breakfast at the table crowded with food set under the shade of the trees.
Who the fuck, this is great, if my cousins could see me right now, they wouldn't stop laughing at me. Which was good.
Hello, I'm leaving this random chapter that came to me while I was doing my homework. Which now that I think about it was not a good idea hahahaha. The rest of the chapter will be available soon.
It starts the stage where Azami is more aware of the people around him. I think I made Azami's sexual orientation clear in some chapter, but in case you don't remember, she is Bisexual.
Keep in mind that this is a big group of guys who are in their teens and the time when hormones start to flutter is beginning. Beyond all the familiarity that these kids share.