Dark Moon & Midnight Shadows
ch 8
A soft breeze blew as Kasura stood in the backyard of the Yagyu manor. Kasura moved a strand of hair that got blown into her face, and then she started her training. As Kasura was going through her kata, someone upstairs was starting to finally get up. With the window open, Shu could hear that someone was outside. He then went over to see who could it be at this hour. Shu leaned against the windowsill as he watched Kasura perform her kata. He watched her movements as they flowed into each other. He then decided to go out back and get a front row seat. Shu quickly as he could, without trying to wake up Shin, got ready and then ran down the stairs and out the back door. When he got there, he just stood, watching her, and then he decided to try and get a little closer yet. So he walked over to a nearby tree and then he got a glimpse of her eyes, Kasura's blue-gray eyes. Shu never saw eyes like hers before. There was something about them that were so mysterious, and yet warm and caring at the same time. Just then, towards close to the end of her kata, Kasura did a three hundred and sixty degree turn high in the air. And then as she was about to come down into a back stance, but in the process of her landing she fell back into Shu.
"Hey, are you alright?" Shu asked as he held onto her.
"Ah yea, I'm ok. Thanks for breaking my fall." Kasura replied as she looked up towards him.
"No problem." Shu said as he kept his hold.
"I'm not sure what happened, I usually land that jump." Kasura replied as she started to get up.
"Maybe because you're not use to training outside." Shu suggested as she was now standing.
"Could be." Kasura replied as she slowly lifted her head and then she and Shu were now face to face.
Shu and Kasura just stood there, trying to figure out what to say next. "So, um, what were you doing just now?" Shu asked.
"I was doing a kata called Empi. It's translation means to show "the flight of a swallow" because of the up and down movements. I guess that I've still got a long ways to go." Kasura replied with a slight blush.
"Oh I don't know, you looked pretty graceful to me." Shu said as he kept his gaze with hers.
"What did you just say?" Kasura asked in surprise.
"Oh man, I don't believe I just said that! What was I thinking?" Shu thought as he turned around.
"Shu? Shu, what's wrong?" Kasura asked as she laid her hand onto his shoulder.
"I..I think that I better go." Shu replied as he started to leave.
"Shu wait, don't go." Kasura pleaded as he continued to walk towards the manor.
"You want me to stay?" Shu asked as he stopped and looked slightly back.
"Yes, I want you to stay." Kasura replied.
"Why? I mean, with what I said just now..?" Shu asked as he turned completely around and faced her.
"Was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me." Kasura replied with a small smile as she walked up to him.
"So you're not mad about what I said?" Shu asked in slight confusion.
"No, why should I be?" Kasura asked back with a small laugh.
"Because, I just said the first thing that came along." Shu replied with a slight frown.
"So, what's wrong with that?" Kasura asked as they were now looking into each others eyes.
"Nothing, I guess. But..." Shu replied as he was trying to figure out how to explain the reason of what he said.
"But nothing Shu, you were just saying what you honestly thought. And I appreciate that, if you don't mind, I would like to tell you what I feel as well without being too forward, but I'll understand if you don't want me to." Kasura said as she waited for his response.
Just as Shu was going to respond, "hey Shu, breakfast is ready. Oh hi Kasura, I didn't know that you were out here. Well, like I said before breakfast is ready," Shin said and then he became curious, "am I interrupting something?"
"That's ok Shin," Kasura replied and then she looked back towards Shu. "We'll talk about this later, ok."
"Nice timing Shin." Shu said in slight annoyance as they watched Kasura go inside.
"I did interrupt something. I'm sorry Shu." Shin replied apologetically.
"Yea, it's ok." Shu said as he went inside.
"Hey Shin! You better get in here quick, or you won't get any breakfast!" Ryo yelled out to him from the doorway.
"Ok Ryo!" Shin yelled back as he was heading back towards the manor. Just then Shin got an idea, and a smirk came a cross his face as he picked up his pace and finally made it inside.
A few hours later...
"Shin, what are you doing?" Touma asked as he gave Shin a confused look.
"I have to go to town, there are some things that I need to pick up." Shin replied as he grabbed for his keys.
"Oh." Touma said as he went over to the couch and picked up his book that he was reading.
"Hey, Shu, Kasura, are you two coming or what? I'm ready to go." Shin called as he was standing by the door.
"Yea, yea, we're coming Shin!" Shu called back as he and Kasura headed to the door where Shin was waiting.
"Wait a second, since Shin is going to town, why are you two going?" Seji asked as the three looked back towards them.
"I asked them to. Why, did you guys want to come?" Shin asked back. Touma and Seji looked towards each other and then back towards the three at the door.
"That's ok Shin, have fun." Seji replied with a smirk as he caught Shin's wink. Shu and Kasura gave Seji and Touma quizzical looks, and then looked over at Shin who quickly shrugged his shoulders and started out the door. Shu and Kasura shook their heads and then followed Shin outside. Just as the door shut, Touma and Seji broke out laughing. Ryo and Nasuti walked in and saw them holding their sides from laughing so hard. So they shook their heads and just kept on walking.
A few hours in town...
"Where's Shin? I thought that we were suppose to meet us here by now?" Kasura asked as she looked at her watch.
"Not sure, but I'm sure that he's fine. Since we're here, want to go for a walk over there?" Shu asked back as he motioned to the park across the street.
"I'm not sure, what if.." Kasura replied hesitantly.
"Come on, I know that when Shin is ready, he'll find us, so what do you say?" Shu asked as he looked towards her as he started to make puppy dog eyes.
"Oh no you're not, oh no, not the puppy dog eyes. Man, I hate it when people do that." Kasura replied with a groan.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Shu asked as he looked towards her with a slight frown.
"I mean, when people do that look, I have a hard time saying no." Kasura replied with a small smile.
"Is that all? Well then, I guess that means we're going?" Shu asked as he put his arm out in a gentlemen manner.
"Yea, I guess so." Kasura replied as she put her arm through his, and then they started to walk over to the park. As they entered the park, on the left were a couple of bridges, one high and one low. Bonsai type trees were sky high, the leaves had mixtures of red, and green. A couple of Chinese lion statues were at the base of the low bridge. While on the right, there's a small stream that ran along from the entrance all the way back to a waterfall that was flowing from a cliff. On either side of the small stream, were small bushes with a myriad color of flowers. As they were walking, Shu couldn't help but notice Kasura's shock of how the park looked.
"What do you think? Pretty impressive, huh?" Shu asked with slight mischief.
"Impressive isn't the word, more like breathtaking," Kasura replied, "you know what?"
"What?" Shu asked.
"I'm beginning to suspect that Shin left us here on purpose." Kasura replied with a small smile.
"Oh really? And would that be so bad if he did?" Shu asked as they stopped in front of the high bridge.
"No, I guess not." Kasura replied as she shook her head.
Shu then suddenly got an idea, "close your eyes."
"What?" Kasura asked with slight confusion.
"Close your eyes, or don't you trust me?" Shu asked back with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Of course I trust you, otherwise I wouldn't be here with you now would I?" Kasura replied as she gave him a suspicious look.
"So then, are you going to close your eyes or not?" Shu asked again. Kasura stared at him with a slight frown, and then she sighed and finally closed her eyes. Shu gave a smile and then started to look around the grounds, until he finally found what he was looking for. Shu then knelt down and plucked a flower from the ground and stood back up. He quickly looked to see if anyone was around. He gave a silent cheer because as far as he could tell, it was only the two of them. If he would have looked around a little more carefully, he would have seen a glimpse of Shin with a grin as he watched them from above.
"Shu, what are you doing?" Kasura asked as she was about to open her eyes.
"Ah, keep your eyes closed until I tell you, ok." Shu replied as he stopped her eyes from opening. Kasura nodded, "ok, open your eyes."
Kasura opened her eyes and she saw what had to be the most beautiful flower that she's ever seen. "Shu..." Kasura started to say.
"I'm not too good with words, so bear with me, and please don't say anything until I'm finished, ok." Shu replied. Kasura gave a quick nod, "ok, here it goes. I know that we've just met, but for some reason I'm not sure why, but I feel some kind of connection between us. I know, it sounds kinda weird, but that's how I feel. There I've said it. Now, what do you have to say?"
Kasura looked at Shu with a slight frown of confusion, and then the frown started to go away and it was replaced with a smile that made Shu relax and smile back. "You want to know what I have to say? Then you've better pay close attention." Kasura replied as she got closer to him and started to kiss.
Then when she pulled away, she waited to see how Shu would respond, "hmm, I'm not sure if I caught that. Would you mind repeating it again?" Shu asked with a mischievous grin.
"Shu!" Kasura replied with a laugh and then they found themselves kissing each other a bit longer this time. Then as they broke apart Shu put the flower in Kasura's hair, they then started to walk back to the park entrance. As they walked Shu gave a quick glance back towards the upper bridge, gave Shin a wink, and then turned his head back towards the entrance. Shin grinned and then started to make his way back to his car. He wanted to get there before them. Shin made it to his car before they did by two minutes.
"There you two are, I was looking everywhere for you." Shin said as they met up with him by his car.
"Shu was showing me around the park." Kasura replied.
"I can see that he did." Shin said as he pointed to the flower that's in her hair.
"Ah.." Kasura replied as she started to blush.
"Hey Shin, did you get everything that you needed?" Shu asked as he decided to change the subject.
"Yea Shu, are you two ready to go back home?" Shin asked back as he opened his door.
"Ready when you are." Kasura replied as she got into Shin's car. Just before Shu and Shin got inside, Shu mouthed thanks, and then Shin mouthed don't mention it, and then they both got in and took off for home.
"Looks like Kongo and the gaijin have feelings towards each other, interesting." the source mused as he watched them go.
"So what? When will I have the chance to get the gaijin back for scorching my hand?" Mei asked in annoyance.
"Just wait, you'll get your chance, Mei." the source replied.
"What did you mean by it's interesting that Kongo and the gaijin have feelings towards each other? I don't see what you find so interesting about that?" Tahi asked with slight confusion.
"You'll see in due time, you'll see. Knowing this bit of information will provide to be quite useful, yes, quite useful indeed." the source replied as the three vanished.
ch 8
A soft breeze blew as Kasura stood in the backyard of the Yagyu manor. Kasura moved a strand of hair that got blown into her face, and then she started her training. As Kasura was going through her kata, someone upstairs was starting to finally get up. With the window open, Shu could hear that someone was outside. He then went over to see who could it be at this hour. Shu leaned against the windowsill as he watched Kasura perform her kata. He watched her movements as they flowed into each other. He then decided to go out back and get a front row seat. Shu quickly as he could, without trying to wake up Shin, got ready and then ran down the stairs and out the back door. When he got there, he just stood, watching her, and then he decided to try and get a little closer yet. So he walked over to a nearby tree and then he got a glimpse of her eyes, Kasura's blue-gray eyes. Shu never saw eyes like hers before. There was something about them that were so mysterious, and yet warm and caring at the same time. Just then, towards close to the end of her kata, Kasura did a three hundred and sixty degree turn high in the air. And then as she was about to come down into a back stance, but in the process of her landing she fell back into Shu.
"Hey, are you alright?" Shu asked as he held onto her.
"Ah yea, I'm ok. Thanks for breaking my fall." Kasura replied as she looked up towards him.
"No problem." Shu said as he kept his hold.
"I'm not sure what happened, I usually land that jump." Kasura replied as she started to get up.
"Maybe because you're not use to training outside." Shu suggested as she was now standing.
"Could be." Kasura replied as she slowly lifted her head and then she and Shu were now face to face.
Shu and Kasura just stood there, trying to figure out what to say next. "So, um, what were you doing just now?" Shu asked.
"I was doing a kata called Empi. It's translation means to show "the flight of a swallow" because of the up and down movements. I guess that I've still got a long ways to go." Kasura replied with a slight blush.
"Oh I don't know, you looked pretty graceful to me." Shu said as he kept his gaze with hers.
"What did you just say?" Kasura asked in surprise.
"Oh man, I don't believe I just said that! What was I thinking?" Shu thought as he turned around.
"Shu? Shu, what's wrong?" Kasura asked as she laid her hand onto his shoulder.
"I..I think that I better go." Shu replied as he started to leave.
"Shu wait, don't go." Kasura pleaded as he continued to walk towards the manor.
"You want me to stay?" Shu asked as he stopped and looked slightly back.
"Yes, I want you to stay." Kasura replied.
"Why? I mean, with what I said just now..?" Shu asked as he turned completely around and faced her.
"Was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me." Kasura replied with a small smile as she walked up to him.
"So you're not mad about what I said?" Shu asked in slight confusion.
"No, why should I be?" Kasura asked back with a small laugh.
"Because, I just said the first thing that came along." Shu replied with a slight frown.
"So, what's wrong with that?" Kasura asked as they were now looking into each others eyes.
"Nothing, I guess. But..." Shu replied as he was trying to figure out how to explain the reason of what he said.
"But nothing Shu, you were just saying what you honestly thought. And I appreciate that, if you don't mind, I would like to tell you what I feel as well without being too forward, but I'll understand if you don't want me to." Kasura said as she waited for his response.
Just as Shu was going to respond, "hey Shu, breakfast is ready. Oh hi Kasura, I didn't know that you were out here. Well, like I said before breakfast is ready," Shin said and then he became curious, "am I interrupting something?"
"That's ok Shin," Kasura replied and then she looked back towards Shu. "We'll talk about this later, ok."
"Nice timing Shin." Shu said in slight annoyance as they watched Kasura go inside.
"I did interrupt something. I'm sorry Shu." Shin replied apologetically.
"Yea, it's ok." Shu said as he went inside.
"Hey Shin! You better get in here quick, or you won't get any breakfast!" Ryo yelled out to him from the doorway.
"Ok Ryo!" Shin yelled back as he was heading back towards the manor. Just then Shin got an idea, and a smirk came a cross his face as he picked up his pace and finally made it inside.
A few hours later...
"Shin, what are you doing?" Touma asked as he gave Shin a confused look.
"I have to go to town, there are some things that I need to pick up." Shin replied as he grabbed for his keys.
"Oh." Touma said as he went over to the couch and picked up his book that he was reading.
"Hey, Shu, Kasura, are you two coming or what? I'm ready to go." Shin called as he was standing by the door.
"Yea, yea, we're coming Shin!" Shu called back as he and Kasura headed to the door where Shin was waiting.
"Wait a second, since Shin is going to town, why are you two going?" Seji asked as the three looked back towards them.
"I asked them to. Why, did you guys want to come?" Shin asked back. Touma and Seji looked towards each other and then back towards the three at the door.
"That's ok Shin, have fun." Seji replied with a smirk as he caught Shin's wink. Shu and Kasura gave Seji and Touma quizzical looks, and then looked over at Shin who quickly shrugged his shoulders and started out the door. Shu and Kasura shook their heads and then followed Shin outside. Just as the door shut, Touma and Seji broke out laughing. Ryo and Nasuti walked in and saw them holding their sides from laughing so hard. So they shook their heads and just kept on walking.
A few hours in town...
"Where's Shin? I thought that we were suppose to meet us here by now?" Kasura asked as she looked at her watch.
"Not sure, but I'm sure that he's fine. Since we're here, want to go for a walk over there?" Shu asked back as he motioned to the park across the street.
"I'm not sure, what if.." Kasura replied hesitantly.
"Come on, I know that when Shin is ready, he'll find us, so what do you say?" Shu asked as he looked towards her as he started to make puppy dog eyes.
"Oh no you're not, oh no, not the puppy dog eyes. Man, I hate it when people do that." Kasura replied with a groan.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Shu asked as he looked towards her with a slight frown.
"I mean, when people do that look, I have a hard time saying no." Kasura replied with a small smile.
"Is that all? Well then, I guess that means we're going?" Shu asked as he put his arm out in a gentlemen manner.
"Yea, I guess so." Kasura replied as she put her arm through his, and then they started to walk over to the park. As they entered the park, on the left were a couple of bridges, one high and one low. Bonsai type trees were sky high, the leaves had mixtures of red, and green. A couple of Chinese lion statues were at the base of the low bridge. While on the right, there's a small stream that ran along from the entrance all the way back to a waterfall that was flowing from a cliff. On either side of the small stream, were small bushes with a myriad color of flowers. As they were walking, Shu couldn't help but notice Kasura's shock of how the park looked.
"What do you think? Pretty impressive, huh?" Shu asked with slight mischief.
"Impressive isn't the word, more like breathtaking," Kasura replied, "you know what?"
"What?" Shu asked.
"I'm beginning to suspect that Shin left us here on purpose." Kasura replied with a small smile.
"Oh really? And would that be so bad if he did?" Shu asked as they stopped in front of the high bridge.
"No, I guess not." Kasura replied as she shook her head.
Shu then suddenly got an idea, "close your eyes."
"What?" Kasura asked with slight confusion.
"Close your eyes, or don't you trust me?" Shu asked back with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Of course I trust you, otherwise I wouldn't be here with you now would I?" Kasura replied as she gave him a suspicious look.
"So then, are you going to close your eyes or not?" Shu asked again. Kasura stared at him with a slight frown, and then she sighed and finally closed her eyes. Shu gave a smile and then started to look around the grounds, until he finally found what he was looking for. Shu then knelt down and plucked a flower from the ground and stood back up. He quickly looked to see if anyone was around. He gave a silent cheer because as far as he could tell, it was only the two of them. If he would have looked around a little more carefully, he would have seen a glimpse of Shin with a grin as he watched them from above.
"Shu, what are you doing?" Kasura asked as she was about to open her eyes.
"Ah, keep your eyes closed until I tell you, ok." Shu replied as he stopped her eyes from opening. Kasura nodded, "ok, open your eyes."
Kasura opened her eyes and she saw what had to be the most beautiful flower that she's ever seen. "Shu..." Kasura started to say.
"I'm not too good with words, so bear with me, and please don't say anything until I'm finished, ok." Shu replied. Kasura gave a quick nod, "ok, here it goes. I know that we've just met, but for some reason I'm not sure why, but I feel some kind of connection between us. I know, it sounds kinda weird, but that's how I feel. There I've said it. Now, what do you have to say?"
Kasura looked at Shu with a slight frown of confusion, and then the frown started to go away and it was replaced with a smile that made Shu relax and smile back. "You want to know what I have to say? Then you've better pay close attention." Kasura replied as she got closer to him and started to kiss.
Then when she pulled away, she waited to see how Shu would respond, "hmm, I'm not sure if I caught that. Would you mind repeating it again?" Shu asked with a mischievous grin.
"Shu!" Kasura replied with a laugh and then they found themselves kissing each other a bit longer this time. Then as they broke apart Shu put the flower in Kasura's hair, they then started to walk back to the park entrance. As they walked Shu gave a quick glance back towards the upper bridge, gave Shin a wink, and then turned his head back towards the entrance. Shin grinned and then started to make his way back to his car. He wanted to get there before them. Shin made it to his car before they did by two minutes.
"There you two are, I was looking everywhere for you." Shin said as they met up with him by his car.
"Shu was showing me around the park." Kasura replied.
"I can see that he did." Shin said as he pointed to the flower that's in her hair.
"Ah.." Kasura replied as she started to blush.
"Hey Shin, did you get everything that you needed?" Shu asked as he decided to change the subject.
"Yea Shu, are you two ready to go back home?" Shin asked back as he opened his door.
"Ready when you are." Kasura replied as she got into Shin's car. Just before Shu and Shin got inside, Shu mouthed thanks, and then Shin mouthed don't mention it, and then they both got in and took off for home.
"Looks like Kongo and the gaijin have feelings towards each other, interesting." the source mused as he watched them go.
"So what? When will I have the chance to get the gaijin back for scorching my hand?" Mei asked in annoyance.
"Just wait, you'll get your chance, Mei." the source replied.
"What did you mean by it's interesting that Kongo and the gaijin have feelings towards each other? I don't see what you find so interesting about that?" Tahi asked with slight confusion.
"You'll see in due time, you'll see. Knowing this bit of information will provide to be quite useful, yes, quite useful indeed." the source replied as the three vanished.