Yoshino closes the last book just as there's a knocking on the front door.
Well, she assumes it's coming from the front door as she can't imagine anyone would be knocking inside the tower—aside from the dragon, but they spend most of their time sleeping in the sun and trying to trade with the local villages for books—so it must come from the front door.
The front door that's largely locked because, unsurprisingly, villagers don't tend to appreciate when dragons come knocking whether or not it's only for trades. With a sigh that could be described as dramatic, Yoshino rises onto her feet and steps into a nearby shadow.
She pops out by the front door, easily detaching from the shadow caused by the grotesque statue that's been here longer than she has.
Yoshino opens the door with a tug. The squeal of the hinges makes her wince. She should really oil them.
"Hello?" She asks, staring out at the person standing before her. "What do you want?"
She might be a little bit more brusque then needed but, really, it's barely noon and Yoshino would like another hour to sit with the feeling of having finished another book. She narrows her eyes at the person standing before her, finally taking them in.
They're clad in armour of the shining metallic variety and there's a sword secured to their waist. A well-known crest is stamped onto their chest piece and Yoshino would bet that their shield, hanging on their back, has the same crest. It's one she knows—that of the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha Clan who are well known for causing problems and leaving behind fires wherever they go. Crossing her arms, Yoshino's frown grows fiercer as she impatiently wants for an answer.
"Well," the knight says, "I was asked to inquire about the dragon around these parts."
Yoshino finds herself surprised by the knight's voice—it's soft, melodic. Not the kind of voice knights usually have, as far as Yoshino is aware. More to the point, the knight is inquiring about the dragon, not deciding brashly to fight it and that the dragon is causing issues.
"And you came here?" Yoshino demands, praying to the goddess that there's no dragon currently up on the roof of the tower.
The knight hums, settling their weight a bit more into their heels. "There is a dragon on the roof," they say. "And the villagers pointed me in this direction. They also mentioned that the dragon had a prisoner of some kind, though from the looks of it this doesn't quite seem true?" The knight raises a fine black eyebrow and Yoshino finds herself caught staring.
Which, well, in her defence the knight is very beautiful. And, look, usually Yoshino keeps such descriptions for golden gilded book covers and the gorgeous artwork within them. However, considering the individual in front of her, she can't really be blamed for losing track of her thoughts in the face of such beauty.
"Yes," Yoshino says, a bit too late, and the knight's gaze sharpens, black eyes flashing red. Mentally shaking herself, Yoshino takes control of her thoughts and firmly tells herself to not let them wander. "I mean, I'm perfectly okay here and the dragon is a fine gentlebeing."
The knight smiles and it steals Yoshino's breathe away like a good plot twist does. "In that case, I very much doubt my services are needed here." They bow. "I'm Uchiha Mikoto, she/her, by the way. May I ask after your name?"
"Nara Yoshino, she/her." Yoshino doesn't quite curtsey or bow, but, well, the thought is certainly there. A strange one considering that usually Yoshino can't at all be bothered with manners and politeness, but she wants to impress this knight, impress Mikoto.
Yoshino considers Mikoto for a second, thinking about the dragon and their hoard of books and their failed attempts to engage in trading with the nearby villages. She can't blame the villagers for their reactions, as most people—when approached by an overgrown fire-breathing lizard that can fly—don't try to hold a conversation first and foremost.
"I don't need any help," Yoshino says, flicking her fingers at the shadows that stretch towards her. "But the dragon here might have need of your services. They're trying to trade for books, but unfortunately it's not going too well for them."
An expression shifts across Mikoto's face. It slides from a fairly placid expression to something calculating and sharp, before fading. Not quick enough to avoid detection, and Yoshino finds her own curiosity piqued.
"I can't say I'm much use in negotiations such as these," Mikoto says. "But I can easily call someone else to help. How's the dragon with children? I have a nephew in his older teens who's desperate to prove himself and, while strong, has a tendency towards trying to talk things out."
"Well," Yoshino says, a smile pulling at her lips, "you may have reason to be worried over a possible adoption, but other than that, the dragon won't mind in the slightest."
Mikoto laughs and it sounds like music. "That'd probably be good for my nephew," she says, voice barely more than a whisper like it's some great conspiracy. Her blood-red lips smile and-
Oh.
Yoshino swallows. It's been a few years since she's felt attraction as immediate as this, something so poignant it has her losing her thoughts. She wants to take Mikoto's hand and pull her inside, find out what Mikoto's favourite colour is, learn what Mikoto looks like in something other than armour.
But she barely knows Mikoto. For all she knows, Mikoto might have better things to do, more important places to be.
"I…" Mikoto trails off, shoulders shifting in what could be a tell that she's uncomfortable. She straightens, becomes taller, and Yoshino has to tilt her head just a bit to meet Mikoto's gaze. "I was wondering whether you'd be interested in going for a meal in a nearby village?"
"I'd love to," Yoshino says sincerely. Then, pausing, she considers the library here, the dragon's hoard that she's painstakingly made her way through. There are no more new books for her to read and, until the dragon's made some new trades, she's going to be out of reading material and, well, perhaps it's time for her to move on.
Daringly, she adds, "I don't suppose you'd mind travelling a bit further on too? The roads here are dangerous." As is Yoshino, with her magic and mastery over the shadows, but Mikoto doesn't need to know that just yet.
Mikoto's smile is like sunlight breaking through the clouds. "I'd love to."
And just like that, Yoshino has a date.
This was inspired by the ANBU fic because my brain went Yoshino/Mikoto and that was that. Apparently it's time I joined rare pair hell? Despite the fact I'm not even into romance most of the time?
