Ryu laid awake the night, listening to the cricket song pierce through the summer silence. His mind was racing with questions , most of which wouldn't usually concern him.
What was his father thinking when he agreed to the marriage arrangement with Ayane? Did his feelings on the matter change when he welcomed the exiled daughter of the Mugen-Tenshin into his home? What did his father think about Kasumi?
How did he feel about her himself?
He thought back to the moment in the hall . He was surprised that he found himself being so emotional at that exact moment, and it was frustrating that he couldn't understand it. A knot formed in his chest when he recalled the feeling of her lips against the skin of his cheek. He knew a lot of women , but he found himself thinking differently of Kasumi. True, she was strong, but also vulnerable. Without even realizing it , he found himself thinking of how beautiful she was at every given moment.
He rose from his futon , feeling restless. He decided to go for a walk in the garden , hoping to distract himself somehow.
Kasumi was also awake , though she wasn't worried about Ayane, or Hayate, but she found herself running through the hallway scenario in her head. Her cheeks flared when she recalled Ryu touching them . She wanted more than anything to feel that sensation again. Even the thought of him just looking at her sent an eruption of butterflies in her stomach. She tried to coax herself to sleep, but every time she tried Ryu's face came into view. Eventually she just sat up , for awhile she did nothing but sit in the darkness, afraid of making noise and waking up Leifang in the next room. With a sigh , and a little bit of courage, she finally moved to the door that slid open to the courtyard. Quietly, she slipped out of her room and walked on the long stones, admiring the flowers and fireflies in the full moonlight.
She was hit with a sudden wave of emotion when she looked up and saw Ryu standing on the stones in front of her.
"H-hey." She greeted meekly. Ryu gave a curt nod and a gentle smile.
"You couldn't sleep either?"
She shook her head, and turned her attention to a cluster of Hydrangeas, their pale blue color almost glowing in the moonlight.
"No...I just have a lot on my mind I guess. " She wanted to think of something to get a conversation going, anything to prolong the moment despite how nervous she was suddenly being alone with him . She was trying to keep herself composed, but a large of her just wanted to wrap herself up in his arms again, like that night at the festival . She wanted to just tell him everything about how she felt, how she had somehow found herself falling in love with him. She didn't' think about Hayate or the arrangement with Ayane. There , in that garden , he was the only person in the world. But he was so stoic , that she felt almost certain that her feelings would be unrequited.
"I wish- things didn't have to be this way." She started. Her voice was barely above a whisper. Ryu looked down at her , a bit confused.
"What do you mean?"
She gripped the hem of her coat tightly in nervousness.
"I'm so tired of being afraid all the time. Of everything it seems." A small silence elapsed and Kasumi was afraid he wouldn't say anything but what he did say frightened her even more.
"Kasumi. Look at me."
She almost didn't- but how could she resist? Those green eyes of his were so alluring. When her eyes met his, he was closer. She felt his arms wrap around her shoulders and gently pull her close. She gave in and even felt herself practically fall into him, wrapping her arms beneath his tightly.
"You don't have to be afraid. You aren't going to face any of this alone anymore. "
She didn't say anything- but he felt her fingertips tense against his back. "If you want her to hear you, you're going to have to speak louder" He thought to himself. He pulled away from her and tilted her head back, his hand entangling itself in her hair. Without saying anything he swiftly brought his lips to hers. She was surprised by the sudden kiss , but welcomed it. She pressed herself deeper into their embrace , tightening her grasp around him. She wouldn't let him pull away. When their lips parted for a shallow breath , she joined them together almost immediately. Much to her relief, he didn't push away.
Overwhelming emotion swelled in the intangible form of heat on her skin. With even the slightest movement she felt like she was on fire. The sensation fro Ryu was no different. With every breath he inhaled, he caught the feint sweet scent of flowers in her hair. He was hardly aware of it, but he had set to carefully exploring the curve of her body , resting his hands behind her hips and still pulling her closer as each kiss increased in intensity. She was so passionate and he knew eventually he would drown in it. Willingly.
After what seemed like an eternity he forced himself to stop. Both to catch his breath and to prevent things from going further than they should have , especially in the open view of the garden,
Kasumi stared at his green eyes, and put her hand to his cheek. She didn't want to stop. She wanted him so badly, and in turn , she wanted to give herself to him. Her eyes darted down out of nerves but she looked back up to him .
" I- don't want to be alone tonight." She whispered. Ryu placed his hand over hers. Seeing him stare at her so intensely kept the fire burning inside of her and she had to fight the urge to pick up where they had so abruptly left off.
"You won't be."
Through a paper screen door barely slid ajar , Ayane watched the two walk back in the direction Kasumi came from. She didn't know what to feel . Her cheeks burned from witnessing such intimacy- but she also felt a pang of guilt, and simmering anger which was somewhat always there anyway.
"So what happens to them if you do marry him?"
She turned to Leifang, who sat across from her , her eyes still gazing out at the garden. Ayane wasn't expecting an intervention form her of all people. Her eyes rose to Jan lee , who stood behind Leifang , with his arms crossed in front of him. He looked like he was standing watch over Leifang - must have been one of the stances he took as a bouncer.
"That's Hayate's decision. With a marriage to the heir of the dragon clan , the Hajinmon sect will finally be on equal tier with the main house." She said looking away from both of them , at the same cluster of flowers that Kasumi had been staring at.
"The world of you shinobi is so screwed up." Jan lee suddenly said. Ayane turned sharply towards him - both insulted and ready to protest his words but she couldn't find any. A part of her knew he was right.
"You make yourself emotionless tools then are completely dumbstruck when the human parts of you surface. Admit it- you don't want to go through with it."
He was so quick to the point. Neither Ayane nor Lei fang could deny that they liked that about Jan lee.
"I just- I greatly respect Ryu...but Kasumi...she..." Words were failing her again.
"What would your clan do if the arrangement was called off because of those two?" Leifang asked. Ayane sighed, trying to regain her shinobi composure.
"I'm not sure. Again , that's Hayate's decision. But with everything that's happened , a good few of villagers are ready to welcome Kasumi back...others...well they would only be willing to do so if she were to distinguish herself in front of them. To see her publicly acknowledge her crimes against the clan."
Leifang rolled her eyes.
"Well - whether that's something she wants to go back is up to her." Jan lee said as he turned to leave.
"I suggest you think about what YOU want Ayane." He said sliding the door open , leaving Leifang alone with her.
Leifang got up to leave as well , but looked at Ayane.
"I know you don't have those sort of feelings for Ryu- but he obviously has them for Kasumi . ...is that such a wrong thing?"
With that said, Ayane was soon left in the silence with her thought. She had never seen Kasumi like that. It had been so long since any semblance of joy was on her sister's face. And for as long as she knew Ryu- she had never ever seen him fall for anyone before. Ayane could feel herself get a little jealous , and a little sad.