Kirinmaru slipped into Midoriko's room, intent on leaving her a fresh bouquet while she was attending to the new wave of recruits. She'd loved the violets he'd planted in her private garden, and he wondered if she would understand the meaning behind the lavender, as well.

He lay the blooms on her pillow, hoping that the sweet fragrance would permeate the room before she returned. Admiring his work for a moment, he looked around her room; Midoriko led a simple life, foregoing any frivolous trinkets in place of simple, if not baren, furniture.

If it had been up to him, Kirinmaru would've showered her in riches, though he knew she would accept none of them.

His angel was too stubborn for that.

She was too stubborn to accept gifts of any kind, which was why he was sneaking into her room without permission.

Kirinmaru thumbed a few of the petals, then jerked as the door rattled. No one was supposed to be coming in here; he'd made sure to memorize the schedule—

"Sensei, can you show the new students to their quarters?"

Blood turned to ice in his veins, and he looked around for a place to hide, once again cursing Midoriko's lack of furniture. If the old woman caught him in here, he'd be kicked out for sure.

"That is the job of your assistants," she huffed, and he jumped to the other side of the room as the door began to open. "I don't see why I should—"

"Because I am asking you to," Midoriko replied. "They will benefit from your stern hand when it comes to keeping their belongings tidy."

The old woman let out a sigh, then shuffled away, and Kirinmaru breathed a sigh of relief. As soon as they were gone, he could—

"It is considered blasphemy for a male to enter the room of the head miko," Midoriko mused, closing her door behind her.

Kirinmaru blanched, falling to his knees. "I beg your forgiveness, my lady. I was only trying to brighten your day." Her footsteps were quiet and calm as she crossed the room, her callused fingers brushing his cheek as she bid him to raise his head.

"There are ways of doing that without getting in trouble," she said, offering him an amused smile before tucking some of the lavender behind his ear. A dark blush spread onto his cheeks, especially when her hand lingered on his face.

"I will remember that for the future," he whispered, afraid to breathe.

"See that you do." She leaned forward, kissing him softly before getting to her feet. "I will inform you next time as to when it is safe to enter my room."

He stared at her with wide eyes, the taste of her still on his lips. "Next time?"

She chuckled softly. "Unless you wish to get caught?" Vehemently shaking his head, he rose to his feet. "The flowers are lovely. I like them even more than the last ones."

A smile slowly tugged at his lips, the hope from their last conversation blooming into something much more potent.