A few days passed. Kyuuzou continued to train the farmers in archery, Kanbei oversaw the whole insanity, Heihachi creating technical marvels, Katsushiro on look out, Gorobei out helping to train the farmers in other defensive arts, and Kikuchyo...who cared where the mechanical mayhem was. Kyuuzou watched, without appearing to, Kanbei's healing process; as for himself, he always recovered quickly from any wound, no matter how serious.

He heard the attack coming long before he could see anything and set everything into motion, letting the farmers and Kanbei take over from there. He had no need to aid what they were training them to do. The Nobuseri arrived--and the farmers set to work. He waited, and watched, until they started to run out of arrows and courage. Then he jumped into the fray, efficiently finishing off any opponent to pass within reach of his swords. The battle ended more quickly than he thought it would, and he was able to stop after barely exerting himself. He sheathed his swords and turned to find his way back to the village, having been separated from everyone else. As he walked, he dropped into a defensive stance, having heard someone. When Kanbei appeared, a wry smile faintly on his lips, Kyuuzou put his swords away, hiding his irritation.

"The farmers did well, don't you think?"

"Yes."

A silence fell between them,a waiting silence that made Kyuuzou uneasy. He started to walk past Kanbei.

This time, Kanbei grabbed Kyuuzou's arm,and Kyuuzou looked back, hiding his confusion and annoyance.

"I never answered your question from earlier."

Kyuuzou frowned almost imperceptibly. What question?

He started to turn, but was stopped by Kanbei bringing Kyuuzou roughly to him and kissing him, startling Kyuuzou for the first time in a long time. When Kanbei drew away, he was pleased by how he had caught Kyuuzou off guard. He backed away from the still-recovering warrior and began to walk away, but suddenly found himself pushed roughly against a tree, the kiss a challenge, and a sort of claim. Kyuuzou drew away, a soft, malign smile on his lips. "It appears that we have another duel to settle."

Kanbei replied with a similar smile and the two walked back to the village, a new understanding and quieter challenge between them.

Shichijirou noticed the moment that the two men came back into the village. He knew that no one else could read Kanbei well enough to notice the subtle change in how he acted towards Kyuuzou, wouldn't notice the difference in posture, the slight inflection in Kanbei's eyes that showed that he was pursuing the other...and that Kyuuzou was apparently returning the favor. He sighed dramatically and leaned against a nearby wall. He remembered that experience. Granted, they had both been much younger...but that was irrelevant. He was glad that Kanbei would have another chance at happiness, he deserved it. He had found his, after all. This would also be fun to watch, since both of them were so awkward and withdrawn with how they felt. Especially Kyuuzou. Perhaps he would get better at reading the silent blonde. He walked over to Kanbei and placed a hand on his shoulder, making Kanbei look back...and Kanbei became immediately distrustful of the look in Shichijirou's eyes.

"I don't think he'll be as gentle as I was. You'll have your hands full."

Kanbei gave him a hard look, then sighed and gave a slight, wry smile.

"Of course you would have noticed."

"When I have spent as much time with you as I have, I would hope I'd be able to read you easily. No one else can, so I feel it's a worth while skill."

Kanbei shook his head and said dryly, "I know you're going to enjoy this far too much."

"Grant an old man some amusement."

"You're not that old."

"Neither are you. Especially if you're pursuing a younger man."

Kanbei twitched slightly and brushed Shichijirou's hand off his shoulder. Shichijirou laughed and grinned. "Relax. I won't say anything. I'll just quietly watch and laugh where you can't hear me."

Kanbei gave his old friend a half-hearted glare, even though he was straining to keep a smile from his face. "Very well. Remember that."

"I will, I will. Now, we have to clean up this village. They did well, but there's still some damage."

Kanbei nodded and immediately fell into the leader-role he was so used to, walking off with his usual calm, controlled air.

Only Shichijirou saw Kyuuzou watch Kanbei walk away.