A Poet's Soul

[Yoshida Izanagi]

Poetry was one way a soul was signified. Beautifully curved kanji upon a piece of paper could be one of the strongest symbols of a person's heart. So he believed and his father before him. Haikus went with samurai just as much as a sword. There was always two sides to a blade. One side was sharp and used to cut bad behavior short, while the other was dull and blunt, for helping maintain another's sharpness. Odd analogies that anyone else would find rather odd. It was too bad his brother was not about to help him. The only reason for his sharp weapon, his inspiration, came from the blade of a man now missing. Izanagi would search high and low, scour the globe for him, once Aerugo was in a settled state. Unfortunately, that might not be for a while. It was too soon for Izanagi to look away from his country even a second. Things were growing, the flowers about smelled beautifully, or most of them.

By a particular bush he had to stop and move all the way around. His shirt pulled up and over his nose, it looked obvious, that he disliked the rose plant. Sniffling and sneezing occurred for a couple minutes, The poor bush, he didn't mean to hate it, and instead had disdain for his ridiculous allergies. It wasn't something he could prevent, but it certainly was an irritating experience. Once he was a good distance away, he could breathe again.

Perhaps it was unsafe, walking with a pen and pad in hand, scribbling down some nonsensical poetry into his notebook, then again, it might not be. To each person, they had ways of coping with their stress and this was Izanagi's way. His hand scratched thoughts into a poetic form as his mind worked with tune. Some may have thought him as odd, but truly, he was as sane as most other people. How he wondered how people could judge one another in what was normal and what was not, when each was a mutated branch from the same Roots. Speaking of roots, there was a woman with some similar to his own, that he wished to see. He had gone out of his way to see her, while she still visited. Perhaps she was doing better? He surely hoped so, after all, she seemed pretty down. What did such a young woman have to go through to shine so much pain in her vibrant eyes? Izanagi was fully concerned about a stranger, as odd as that was for a shogun to feel. She was one of his own, and he did not let his own down or suffer as long as he knew of it. So, a day had been arranged when he would pay some time to get and know her a little better. No restraints of people watching or worrying what others thought, an intent one on one conversation.

Being thoughtful, he had invited her somewhere else, as he would never enter a woman's house with just himself. Such an action was scandalous and rude to even think of, so it hadn't even been thought of. The decision had been made, a casual hike would suffice. Hopefully she enjoyed hiking? The weather was grand for it, so to NOT hike seemed like a bad idea all together. Above him, birds chirped, below him squirrels chattered. Nature was peaceful at such a time of day. After a moment, he slipped his pad and pen into his jacket and from his pocket, he pulled his cell phone. Yes, Izanagi had one. NO. He did not know how to use it. He flipped it open and the screen was bright on his eyes. Something about he had one unread message, but despite how much he shouted at it to open the letter, it just blinked the same thing. After a few minutes of distraught woe, he threw it back in his pocket and muttered something under his breath. Technology hated him and he did not like it, either. In silence, he stood and awaited the woman's presence, a thoughtful look glazing his shadowed face.

[Anouk Ueda]

Being home was such an unusual feeling for Anouk. Even though she was only here for the week, it felt so much like it had when she'd first come at the start of high school, uncertain and on her own and yet very restricted. Aerugo had become her home when there was nothing left in Creta but bitter ashes and dark-suited men who either would or could not prove Elastor's innocence, leaving her chained to Edo by godparents that would not refute the matter or let her interfere. Anouk had moved on because she had no other choice, the hole in her soul knitting over slowly only to catch and snag, pulling loose and threaten to unravel at the wrong moment. And now there were so many patches like that, ragged and stitched into place, Anouk holding herself together with safety pins and scraps as she worked to mend herself whole.

Every year since she'd stolen Ryosuke away to Creta, they'd returned to visit family. No matter how tight funds and business were, they came home to see family, and Edo was still home. This was the first time Anouk had come to Edo alone since she was a girl. Without her boys at her side, tugging on her hands or running off ahead to pick weedy flowers, she felt empty. Their noises were missed, and made visiting her godparents difficult; it made facing Ryosuke's parents painful. It had been a year since Ryosuke died, and yet, that hole hadn't quite mended yet and had only started to heal when her children were given back to her that spring. Coming here and been push and pull, testing the threads and pins that held the patchwork of her heart and soul together, testing to see if she could ever go back to the way she was.

Her family didn't know what had happened. They knew that the boys had been kidnapped, but like the police had given up hope of finding them after a few weeks, and when Anouk had vanished, none of them had dared to speculate. Anouk had gone totally off the grid for months, running, hiding, and killing in the cover of darkness and wading waist-deep through blood. Her godparents and in-laws didn't need to know that their Anouk had dove head-first into the fathomless pools of black blood wrought by Hell. She could never return to the way she had been; she knew that, as did Ela, and he'd even pointed that out a few times. And yet... she was mending. Slowly. She'd come home for the week to give a portion of her husband's ashes to his parents, try to make amends, and fight the hardest battle that would ever cross blades with her heart; at the moment, Anouk could only pray that she was winning, and would win.

The proposition had come from both ends of Anouk's remaining family, her god parents' pleas more gentle and backing off quickly, whereas her in-laws were so much more insistent. They wanted the boys. After being kidnapped and held for so many months and their mother not saying how she got them back, after their father dying in front of them, Mariko and Keisuke felt it was best for their grandchildren to come to Aerugo. They were financially stable, and it was a good neighbourhood; they'd get the boys enrolled in the best schools, and they'd be cared for. Anouk could rest, get her life back together. Have time to figure out what she was doing with herself. No matter how they sugar-coated it, it made her sick. Anouk didn't need more time dividing her family after they were all finally starting to heal; she needed Kitaro and Kenta with her, just like she needed Elastor, and the boys needed him, too.

They had come so far since spring, opening up again, healing little by little. Elastor was the only adult male figure in their life now, and even though he was a stranger at first, he'd become someone Anouk knew they wouldn't want to be without. Someone they couldn't be without. The way Kenta would often try to creep into Ela's bed and lap, following his uncle like a little duckling. How Kitaro would watch and emulate the man, and wait for silent cues as to if things were safe or not and looked to him to understand the world around him. And even if he wouldn't say it outright, Anouk knew how much Elastor loved his nephews. He needed them just as much. They were a family, and they'd only heal with each other.

This week was only the second time she'd left the boys out of her sight since they were returned to her, the first being her quick trip back to Vegas to reclaim what was left of their old life, while this one was to help put that life to rest. But today, Anouk needed air, and a little space away from her own well-meaning family. The soldier she'd met the night before had invited her to a hike, and fresh air was always something Anouk would welcome. It was time home, but away from heavy, insensitive questions, and with someone who didn't know and didn't need to know the tattered wounds that made up the woman.

Phone in her pocket and a fresh cigarette in her mouth, Anouk made her way to the path where Yoshida-san had said he'd meet her. Her cigarette was hardly half-done by the time she spotted him. A small smile made its way to her mouth as she gave a wave, approaching. "Yoshida-san," she called warmly. "Good morning!" Nu took a few hurried puffs, not wanting to bother the man with the thing she had the worst relationship with. The heaviness of the trees was refreshing, boring through Nu's soul in small increments and leaving serenity in small budding doses. she took a deep breath and a good look around before letting her eyes resettle on Izanagi, her smile warming a bit more. "It's beautiful here... Thank you for inviting me. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

The changing weather was always an odd thing. His eyes, distant as always, gazed upon the world as if he could see the future, but that was an impossibility. No man could control time, no man was capable of such feats and time bent for no man. At least, that's what he, himself believed. His attention came to a small beast of a squirrel that perked up, looked around then scurried up a nearby tree, followed by its friend. A slight pain sat in his chest. He had missed those days too. The times that he could follow his friends around, the ones that knew him, they were all gone. It was a fresh start for the shogun, but parts of him would never die. He was Yoshida Izanagi, the middle child of three, with a missing brother and a sister he loved dearly. His mother seemed to barely talk to them, since they all broke chains.. well all of them except Izanagi. It seemed he was forever tied down to the military aspect of the world. From the day hew was born, it had been decided. Fighting was in his blood. Silent whispers reached his ears and he hated that which was called destiny. He could change it. Once Aerugo was steady again, perhaps then he TOO could pursue a separate life away from hateful eyes.

The sound of crunching grass grabbed his attention and immediately, Izanagi lifted his head. The black tresses smacked him in the face, startling him a bit, until he pushed them out of the way. He found her there, standing in the distance and approaching. Her auburn hair always reminded him of the autumn days. Her eyes seemed a bit excited and a cigarette was pressed to her lips. He didn't mind. Most people became upset at the sight of them, but a friend from his past was frequently a chain smoker. It seemed the moment Izanagi could breathe again, there was another one pressed to his lips. He had never said anything about it, though. Izanagi allowed the man to puff away, understanding that some things were what people needed.

"Yoshida-san. Good morning!" Her voice reached his ears, and a wave was given. He smiled back, gently, giving a wave in return, but it swept into bow by nature. Izanagi then straightened his back and stared at her hurried breaths, about to say something before she had stopped and and threw it aside. He shut his mouth and then looked at her, softly. She spoke once more, a warmer smile on her face. "It's beautiful here... Thank you for inviting me. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."

Izanagi could feel his ears warm. His eyes closed briefly and he let out a quiet chuckle. A smile crept wider on his lips, but barely felt as small as it was. "Thank you." He stated oddly out of habit. "And there is no need to thank me. It just looked as if you could do with a good walk. I hope it is not too bold for me to say?" Yes, things like that often became too personal. He wondered if he had sounded somehow offensive? He hoped not, but words only fumbled through his head. There was no recovery for it, unless she had voiced her issue with it, IF she had an issue. He was getting ahead of himself, again. "Shall we go, then?"

[Anouk Ueda]

The smell of the forested area tugged at Anouk's soul, misting her with ease that she just didn't have in London. London was beautiful; the city was in a constant state of contrast, grimy yet shining with newness, rotting while other places burst with the purest essences. It was amazing and never slept, and there was always something that would keep Anouk on her toes. It was exciting, but it wasn't the place she ever envisioned raising her boys. Part of Anouk deeply missed the rural suburbs of Vegas. She and Ela hadn't lived near the Strip as kids, and even though there weren't a lot of areas you could really call "woods," there were still places to go outside and play, and back yards; neighbours to go visit and really knew that you didn't have to check their treats at Halloween. London was an entirely different animal, but it left Anouk thankfully that Itos were adaptive, as she'd learned.

But here was different. This was the sort of peace that was plastered all over the tour books and post cards at the traps, travel stations, and hotspots of Aerugo, and the sort of thing Anouk had liked to take Kitaro to see when he was little and visiting here. This was a place that was rife with stories of old battles that captivated the child. And despite not having her beloved boys here in Aerugo with her for the week, Anouk knew it was better for them, and this in and of itself was starting to feel theraputinc for her. Anouk needed a break; she needed to catch her breath. How long had it been since Anouk had done something like this and gone out for a walk with someone, just because? Yoshida-san wasn't a friend of the family, but he had been nice to meet and his company had lightened the mood with her family. Driving him near enough to his home had been nice, and... well? Just spending time with Yoshida-san was refreshing. He wasn't a patron of her bar and didn't know about Anouk and her problems, and had no reason to fear the many bullet-riddled and mutilated skeletons of her closet. He didn't know her well enough to ask heavy questions with uneasy answers, or well enough to be afraid of Anouk and push her away. And for all the nights Anouk couldn't sleep from the screams of the dead and damned, it was a refreshing breath to be with someone else's company and just enjoy the moment.

Anouk smiled, returning the polite bow, despite her demeanor being far less stiff than years of ingrained Aerugese formality would have dictated. Her bartender's easy nature was stronger than formality it would seem, and hopefully her companion wouldn't mind. Izanagi's own smile was small, but seemed sincere as she grew closer, Anouk taking a deep breath and sighing out things that didn't belong on her mind for the moment. "And there is no need to thank me. It just looked as if you could do with a good walk. I hope it is not too bold for me to say?" He really was a gentleman, wasn't he? Nu chuckled faintly, shaking her head. He hardly knew her but was concerned for her well-being, and yet didn't want to push his boundaries... The contrast in types of men that Anouk knew really was staggering sometimes. She loved her patrons, even the bikers that used to haunt her bar in Vegas, rowdy as they got. But there was something about Cretan men that had been lost that Aerugese men still had; a sort of pride and respect that she loved. It might not have been so common with all Aerugese men underneath the skin, but the ones Anouk chose to associate with? Anouk was a pretty tough woman and could handle a lot, but secretly there was no denying that she loved gentlemen.

"Not at all," Anouk replied as her hands slipped into her pockets. "A walk is exactly what I needed, and a walk with company is a rare treat for me." While the night had always been Anouk's time in the past and when she'd slip away from her home and bar to go out for late-night walks to clear her head, she always did so alone so that she could plan and sort through her day. Walks with her family during the daytime were a rarer thing, especially when it got busy, and now that the boys were home again and still adjusting to London and their new life? She'd had to go slowly, and long scenic walks just weren't as regular as they should have been. There were always weights on her heart and mind that detracted from them and made her miss out on the flowers and leaves and beautiful, poetic details that the world provided. There was poetry and art in nature and it vexed Anouk to know that she was hardly an artist of any kind. But she could still appreciate it, provided there was a way to distract her from herself, and a walk in the woods with polite company was already helping.

"Shall we go, then?" Standing now at Izanagi's side, Anouk nodded. She glanced around again before turning her gaze back to him. This place was something new to her, and much of Aerugo had changed in the few years she had been gone. Things had changed everywhere within and around her, even in just the last year. Things still hurt and pulled at healing wounds, but she was learning that eventually things stopped bleeding. They scarred and ached and would never leave you the same, but eventually maybe, they'd mend enough to resume functioning. People helped heal wounds. Ela had healed more of hers than he probably knew of. There were still battles to fight and things tugging at the knitting patches of her soul, but...

"By all means. Lead the way? I actually don't think I've ever been out here, even when I was in school." She took the first few steps with him. "It's funny how when we're young we're in such a hurry to get to bigger things that stuff like this just fall through the cracks... Heh, sorry!" Anouk chuckled faintly, catching herself before her mind ran off with her mouth; another side effect of bartending struck again! "It really is beautiful here, though. I don't get to see anything like this near my bar back in London."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"By all means. Lead the way? I actually don't think I've ever been out here, even when I was in school. It's funny how when we're young we're in such a hurry to get to bigger things that stuff like this just fall through the cracks... Heh, sorry! It really is beautiful here, though. I don't get to see anything like this near my bar back in London." So truly she was quite the observer. Yes, he too could notice how the days of a child were fleeting hurries to grow up. They never slowed down to admire the simple things like small flowers that began to bud or the way dew sat so perfectly on freshly cleaned blades of grass. It always lingered so beautifully, kissed by some sort of goddess every morning. Maybe such as the- AH! That stopped was not allowed any further. This woman was married. No such thoughts could be allowed, he had to keep his mind pure, no matter how distracting her smile looked.

It was beautiful really and he could tell it was rarely worn. And it was almost accidental when he spoke the words out loud. "Your smile is gorgeous, perhaps you should try it on more often. You wear happiness perfectly, as well." His steps paused and he felt his cheeks warm slightly. "A-Ah my apologies, I should not say such things. It is not my place." He gave to her a weak smile, enjoying the mere sight of her being there. It had been so long since he could enjoy himself and speaking his mind happened only when he felt an odd comfort. His eyes ran from right to left, scanning the paths to take. He had an idea, but how would she take it? There was an area he never grew tired of and tourists as well. Often people pushed and shoved during the summertime, but even know, the trees looked gorgeous.

His hand out-stretched to hers. A kind and slight of a smile formed on his lips. His eyes were aglow with an eager and slight playfulness. When had he last been able to enjoy himself like this? "I have somewhere to go in mind, if you should like to join first?" It remained offered, until she should decline or accept his request. The instant her gentle fingers met his, he clasped hands. A second of a beat was missing while his breath stopped in its tracks. Warmth between his own hand and hers was simply a treat he didn't indulge in often. A hand for him to hold.. how strange.

The thought was dismissed as he began in a speedy walk, slowly gaining speed. It was fun to him, ducking around the woods like an animal. It turned into a breath-taking sprint for a minute, until the trees broke from one form to another. The color of powder pink was cascading all around in an almost gentle downpour. A whirlwind of colors spinning around him and as he caught his breath, he looked back at her and let out a soft laugh. Though, short-lived as it was, he smiled sincerely at her. "This. This is something worth fighting for." He stated proudly, looking about. "Something to live to see more of. I adore the blossoms this time of year." He turned his head to the fields once more, blanketed with pink. "This.. is was my favorite childhood place." Suddenly, he paused and bent down. A petal sat soft between his fingers, before placed in her own hand. It was sometimes hard to hold in his enthusiasm when it came to his country.

"Every year they shed beauty for a new beauty next year." He spoke softly. "Trees too have the trials and pains of shedding and being reborn again." His eyes closed and the gentle breeze kissed his face. Times like these were ones most at peace. The world around him was calm, content and not lingering on the bad that had to be endured. Truly what the rule of life was 'Was it worth it'. The sacrifice put out had to be less than the results given. Perhaps saw it as lazy, but the world could not be measured in the amount of lives given. It was measured, instead, in effort.

[Anouk Ueda]

A few feet into the woods' hiking trail and Anouk was beginning to relax wholly, leaving the troubles of her world at the entrance. Let the world wait for a little while; let them wait for her to catch the breath she'd fought and killed to keep. Was this a little bonus to all that she'd gone through in the last year? Some small karmic consolation prize for all the grief, guilt, and rivers of blood that soaked through her soul and left soggy footprints in her shadow? Anouk's breaths were slow and deep, almost meditative in the way her body eagerly yet gently begged to lap up the soothing feel of the woods around them. This was gentle rehabilitation for her soul, and reminded Anouk why she missed her nightly walks.

Anouk's smile was easy here, even if she wasn't even aware that she was doing it. She smiled at home with Ela and the kids for sure, but there was always a tiredness lingering in her eyes that she knew Ela was perfectly aware of, and the reasons for. She smiled and laughed loudly with her patrons, playing with them, flirting, and being "one of the guys" while being a decently-attractive therapist that prescribed beer. "Your smile is gorgeous, perhaps you should try it on more often. You wear happiness perfectly, as well." As often as Anouk's pleasantly-buzzed patrons told, she had learned to just brush it off as part of the job; hearing it from someone who was completely sober and while she was off-duty was a rarity. If you'd pointed out the slight pink flush that dusted her cheeks, she would have huffed and denied it, passing it off as something else entirely. "A-Ah my apologies, I should not say such things. It is not my place."

"It's alright, Yoshida-san," Nu replied gently. "That's actually one of the nicest things I've been told in a long time." She watched as Izanagi looked around the splitting paths in the trail and wondered which he'd take her down. Wasn't this a poetic repainting of life; Robert Frost's poetry came to mind. And yet it was so true. The conventional path led to conventional things, but even it was littered with smaller paths hiding in the brush and unless you were brave or had to, those paths were only taken by the beasts around you. But even though Anouk was a beast and knew it in her soul, for the moment, it didn't matter. Izanagi didn't seem to be looking through her or asking about the stains on her soul to judge her. At the moment, his hand was reaching out and being offered to her.

His own smile was slight, reserved, and almost shy as he held his hand out, waiting patiently to see if Anouk would take it. "I have somewhere to go in mind, if you should like to join first?" So Izanagi knew these paths well and had someplace specific he'd wanted to show Anouk? The thought batted around her mind for only a moment before with a returned smile, she extended her own hand to slip into his. Holding hands was something that could be seen so many ways for being something so simple. Her own sons held her hands often, and even when they weren't anywhere like in a store or crossing the street, they were typically reaching for their mother's hands. That habit had always been there, but after being separated from her for months, it now seemed like a kind of subconscious need, as though holding onto her hands at almost all time would keep that constant feed going to show them that she was still there with them. Ela held her hand when he was young, too, even if he'd deny it outright, or fuss and withdraw his hand as soon as he realized he was doing it.

With a sudden sprint, Anouk was trotting to keep up with him, jumping over small rocks and ducking under thick tree limbs, twisting through the woods and suddenly off any trail followed by visitors. Spontaneously, they were living in the moment entirely free until the forest cleared and burst into a late autumn storm of delicate blooms. Who said global warming didn't have its benefits? Flowering trees sprinkled around them, decorating the field in endless pastel colours, the breath catching in Anouk's throat and emerging as an awe-struck gasp. It was beautiful, and the sincere, exuberant look in Izanagi's smile and eyes were impossible to ignore. She could see passion in his face as he looked to her and then around them to the flowering trees. "This. This is something worth fighting for," he said at last. The enthusiasm and pride were inspiring, and though she'd been weaning herself away from killing, it was nice to know there were soldiers who were fighting for something more. "Something to live to see more of. I adore the blossoms this time of year. This.. is was my favorite childhood place."

The world that stressed her and ate her dreams and disagreed with Anouk's breakfast had ceased to be. Just for here, just for right now, the Cretan bartender was content. "Ohh, Yoshida-san," Anouk breathed, her words almost lost on the slight breeze. "It's incredible! It's like something from a dream." She'd been to several annual festivals in the years she'd lived in Edo with her godparents, but not like this. Not just a whole field, and not just alone with one man who was gently placing a delicate pink petal into her hand.

"Every year they shed beauty for a new beauty next year. Trees too have the trials and pains of shedding and being reborn again." Trees, phoenixes, humans... Guess everything had a restart button at some point or another if you were willing to work at it. Anouk looked for a long moment at the blossom on her hand. When had she restarted? When Ela found her and started tempering her blade softly? When Takatori danced his way into Hell? When King had given her the keys and papers to her bar, or when she'd opened for business? Or was it somewhere between all those moments, so soft that she hadn't noticed that she had even started to turn the wheel of her life? It was one of those moments of awareness that had been taught but never really felt full-circle until just then, lavender eyes misting slightly as memories and feelings surfaced and then vanished below the spray, dissolving back into the calm.

A manicured fingertip delicately brushed the blossom in her hand, Anouk only stealing glances upward to leave most of her focus on the petal and then to the flurry of colours around her. "You're absolutely right... In Buddhism we're taught that all things renew and restart, and that even the most painful of phases are only phases and will pass. All good things in life come through struggle, sacrifice, and dedication, but in the end--" Anouk paused, finally looking back up from the beauty around her to the soldier who'd thought to share it with her. "-the best are always worth the fight in whatever form the fight takes."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"That's actually one of the nicest things I've been told in a long time." She had said that before, hadn't she? His eyes looked distant a moment. Why was a woman of herself never told so more often? People needed to know they were beautiful, that happiness was allowable and yet, it seemed she was not. Izanagi made sure to tell his imouto how beautiful she was every time he say her, but this woman was not his sister. This woman stood tall and strong, she had kids and likely a husband along with. She was something so.. different than he was used to. Most Aerugese women were timid ad shy. They liked to bat around the bush and play coy, often dangling clueless gestures here and there, but here she was, making him at a complete loss of what to say. Then again, Izanagi was never good with his words or people skills anyways. His never-ending thoughts were interrupted thankfully by her voice.

"Ohh, Yoshida-san. It's incredible! It's like something from a dream." He paused, his face holding a slight red. Pride swelled in his chest. Yes, it was beautiful, wasn't it? His country.. what he was striving more of.. it was pure sights for sore eyes. Here, people could rest their weary heads and families could rest, away from war-torn torture. Moments like this, he felt he was doing right. The road ahead was still long and rough, but at least he could bring others to enjoy as much as he did. If he didn't care, he wouldn't have struck when the time came. So many years would have been a waste and well- he honestly didn't want to think about that. That was a future down a darker path that he'd rather let the weeds cover and let vanish.

Like a dream. To him, this was a dream as well. Who knew that one day the young Shogun would be leading a foreigner into the heart of Aerugo. The cherry blossoms were the blood, precious and pumping. Year after year, people pushed and shoved their way to visit and the festivals were gorgeous as well. Maybe he was conceited, but their country was beautiful. It wasn't just his, it was all of Aerugo, past and future. "You're absolutely right... In Buddhism we're taught that all things renew and restart, and that even the most painful of phases are only phases and will pass. All good things in life come through struggle, sacrifice, and dedication, but in the end -the best are always worth the fight in whatever form the fight takes." He couldn't agree more. A silent nod followed her words.

"I find it amusing almost. These trees were planted over decades ago. They still stand and stay resilient. Not just me, not just you, but all generations from that tree it has seen." He motioned to one sitting a bit elderly in the center of a circle of petals. "People carve their hopes and dreams into these trees and I was once told these trees guarded them. Those and each of the souls that wandered beneath them. Perhaps it is silly, but still.." He laughed a bit at how odd he sounded. "Hope comes in the oddest of fashions." Such a strange concept. Izanagi was often lost in thought, but not normally to strangers. Odd as it was, his heart was on his sleeve, nothing to hide despite his expressionless demeanor.

This time Izanagi paused, hesitating on his words. "If we are like these trees, then does that not mean we too are hope? We too should protect the generations we see, young and old? I believe that it is a duty for as, as humans to guide and assist those who live around us, even those we barely know. Each soul has its own story and every soul is unique." He looked distantly a moment, enjoying the breeze. "At times, I can feel as if I can read souls through the eyes of the people I seek to talk to." His hands moved to touch his own eyes, as if symbolic, before looking at her with a gentle smile. "Like when I saw yours, I have to admit my breath was taken away. You are a beautiful and strong woman, Ueda-san. Now.." He turned his body about and looked along the trail. "As I have gotten carried away, again. Shall we continue our hike?"

[Anouk Ueda]

Anything truly worth cherishing is worth fighting to keep, protect, and continue to love. These moments of peace were worth the price to be paid for them, as they would last not just for these stolen moments of life Anouk was sharing with the soldier guiding her, but for future generations. Maybe someday, her own sons would want to come to Aerugo and embrace their blood and heritage that Anouk tried to keep up with on a regular basis. Places like this were worth protecting so that the children of the world could live and grow from these places, and protect them for their own children someday. Blossoms and leaves snowed around them, Anouk breathing int their intoxicating scent deeply. The air was thick with their perfume that she was trying to absorb into her soul. No amount of fragrance would ever truly mask the stench of death from her, but, for a little while, she could pretend and enjoy it.

Like standing in a giftshop snow globe, the world was contained to just this moment and just this place. Izanagi nodded to Anouk's sentiment. "I find it amusing almost. These trees were planted over decades ago. They still stand and stay resilient. Not just me, not just you, but all generations from that tree it has seen." His hand lifted, pointing to ancient carvings scarred into the bark of the trees, some faded through time and some fresher, Hiragana characters and initials, and faded x's and o's. Anouk moved closer to Izanagi to look, almost letting her back touch against his chest. "People carve their hopes and dreams into these trees and I was once told these trees guarded them. Those and each of the souls that wandered beneath them. Perhaps it is silly, but still.. Hope comes in the oddest of fashions."

Anouk let out a small laugh, nodding. He was right again. Hope did come in the oddest forms, as did opportunity, and comfort. A lot of times they came in disguise, or only knocked so softly they could hardly be heard, or just lingered on the corner of your vision in a way that you had to chase them. As she stood close to Izanagi, she could feel that same hope looking at the carvings; she could feel the hope from those couples through the years, and the comfort they gave. Her hand lifted to drop the pink petal in the pocket of the worn leather coat before reaching out to trace the carvings herself. The energy of the tree almost hummed in through her skin on contact. "I wish happiness for each of them," Anouk murmured, fingers tracing the scarred wood. It didn't mater if the couples were young or old, dead, divorced, or still together; they were all worth fighting for, and all deserved all the happiness and hope that the universe could afford to them.

"If we are like these trees, then does that not mean we too are hope? We too should protect the generations we see, young and old? I believe that it is a duty for as, as humans to guide and assist those who live around us, even those we barely know. Each soul has its own story and every soul is unique." It prickled within her, and almost made her lavender eyes sting. Was this what redemption felt like? As a bartender Anouk had learned to appreciate the individuality that every person came with. Sure, a lot of them had more similar stories and problems than they thought, but there was always something unique to be treasured. Every soul had a story, and every story had chapters between starting and ending. The pages of her life were being written and filled, and slowly, they were turning into something new. "At times, I can feel as if I can read souls through the eyes of the people I seek to talk to. Like when I saw yours, I have to admit my breath was taken away. You are a beautiful and strong woman, Ueda-san."

Izanagi's hand moved to gesture to his own eyes for emphasis, yet his smile locked on Anouk and held her there, trapped in the snow globe of flowers and energy. It had been over a year now since Ryosuke had been ripped from her and left her soul to tear itself apart and sink into the darkness, drowning in blood. It had been seven months since she'd gotten her children back and started trying to put life back together as best she could, limping the whole way. Anouk would force up a smile for her children and brother's sakes, but Ela knew that the demons ate her mind and robbed her of sleep; he knew that she was just as much a monster as they were. She was tainted in a way that she felt would never be clean again, and hardly deserved any warming light lest someone else see what she had become underneath the skin. Maybe it was because he didn't really know her, but the sincerity in Izanagi's words... it was heavy yet gentle, and deeply comforting. A soldier knew too well the weight of taking a life, and yet he was still willing to keep fighting in order to ensure happiness for others. They were here right now, and Anouk felt as though she were more of an equal; he saw her as strong and beautiful at the same time, like the trees around them. It moved through her, cold, hot, stinging, and soothing all at once. Finally Izanagi looked away, catching himself. "Now... As I have gotten carried away, again. Shall we continue our hike?"

It may cost her the rest of her trip, and either way she might have regretted it. But even if he wasn't aware of it, Anouk needed to thank this soldier. It had taken the blade of Ela's own sharpness to hone down her own and temper it so that his sister would no longer kill, and now it was taking another blade, fine and strong, to cut carefully at the claws that poisoned Anouk's soul to allow something better to start. Healing. "Wait," she said quietly. Anouk remained close to him still, and waited to catch his attention back to her as her hand came up once more, this time not touching the tree, but Izanagi's face. Her palm cupped his cheek, the ends of her fingertips grazing gently around the skin. A heartbeat and a breath, but no thought; thought would give way to doubt and tell the woman no. A slight push up to match the height as the distance between them closed, warm lips pressing gently against the corner of Izanagi's mouth. It was soft and lingering for a long few seconds before Anouk dropped back down, smiling. Holyshitshejustdidthat. Her head was spinning, mentally smacking herself. But, she was smiling and looking down, even if this might ruin their hike. Her smile stayed plastered there as she brought her hand down from his face, offering it to him this time, if he wanted it.

[Yoshida Izanagi]

She seemed oddly fine with his oddness. Most people though he was outdated, strange and living in a world that no longer existed. Even the way he spoke at times sounded rough and odd all in one. His brow furrowed a moment, barely noticing the call of the woman beside him. He was almost in a trance, still unsure of why he was acting so foolishly. Surely he was looking foolish and yet, there she was, still close enough that he could feel her very aura near his own.

"Wait," her voice called. His attention turned back to see only action. Though a bit startled, he was frozen in place. His eyes caught upon her figure, while she moved even closer to him. The sweet touch of her hand laid upon his cheek, while the young Shogun stood still. He was confused. What was this woman doing? Why did her body inch closer? Part of him wanted to flee; fear of the unknown, fear of such an action in general. It was namely a fear he would like it. This woman- she was-

His mind stopped. The lips of a sweet vixen pressed upon the side of his own and he was gone, at least for the moment. His heart skipped a beat and his whole body was stiff, not fully sure on how to react. The flutter of butterflies in his stomach made him wonder if he was sick. In his mind he could feel his knees collapse. Was this the strength a woman could bear upon a man? Her feminine hands held his heart, if only for a second, yet it was a gesture as causal as his own kiss upon her before. Again, this woman proved to be a mystery to him. She was married- but did not act as such..? Or did she..? The action was one of pure thought, he assumed, and he was simply corrupting it, by thinking too much on the matter.

It was only then he had realized he had been holding his breath and his face was bright red. The sweet moment he felt in his chest, he would have to let go. With a reluctant sigh, his hand held close to his chest. The second was gone, but the moment was still living on with the two of them. It was like a scent almost and would like cling to him, even when he brought her back to wherever it was she was staying. He was unsure and didn't ask for obvious reasons.

He was silent for a few seconds. His mind had to return to him, while he stared at her, not in disbelief or dismay, but in bewilderment. He opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come out. Instead, they got stuck on his tongue and he withdrew whatever it was he had originally began to say. How could he word what his mind was speaking when the words were all so jumbled and a mess. He could barely see clearly. It took clearing his throat, for him to find something to say.

"I am not sure I understand..." He spoke in a whisper, not wishing to destroy the moment and doing his best not to seem as if he had disliked the 'thank you' that he did not know was such. To him, it seemed almost random. It was welcome! Oh how it was enjoyable, but it tore him in two. How could he enjoy such a thing? It didn't make full sense. "Is this a custom of your family?" His cheeks were burning still. He wasn't exactly fully recovered, but he didn't feel like he would collapse anymore. Eyes of gray stared at her gently, not judging, but simply curious by the action.

[Anouk Ueda]

You must remember this: A kiss is still a kiss. A kiss was such a simple gesture and meant so many things, and yet it was a universal gesture that existed in every culture through history in some way or another. Anouk's brother and children were showered with kisses all the time (whether some of them wanted them or not), and her binding affections were never hidden from any of them. Cheeks of her godparents were kissed, and sometimes it was polite to kiss the cheeks of strangers who came in, depending on where they were from. Anouk knew that in Aerugo kisses were not such a common thing, especially not meant as a thank you. But moving words stirred her soul and were actually helping her to feel better, even if Yoshida-san didn't know Anouk well enough to know how sad or troubled she was.

Anouk could feel the heat rising to Izanagi's face, even as she pulled away. Yeah, she'd probably have some explaining to do, and God help her if Ela somehow heard about any of this or just what Ryo's parents were trying to pull. That wouldn't end well at all. Izanagi stared at Anouk in mild confusion, trying to find the equation whose answer resulted in a soft kiss to the Shogun's mouth. Nobody ever seemed to catch on at her bar that pushing up a smile and swallowing down the pain took its toll on the lavender-eyed bartender that they hit on all the time. They came in there to lift their own spirits, and a dampened woman wouldn't help. No, they came to see a pretty smile and the curves that hugged her body under tight jeans and shirts. They cheered when she popped off the caps from their beers using her belt buckle. They came to step away from their own worlds in a haze of beer, and laugh it all off with darts and pool and let their pains be eased by a pretty face.

Nobody during the day ever saw who Anouk was at night. They never saw Anouk sneak off to swallow back the nightmares that still gnawed at her mind as she huffed away at a cigarette on the balcony. Even her boys didn't know that some days she'd just let herself cry int eh shower as quietly as she could just to get it out of her system. Only Ela really knew that she was a broken woman whose soul was limping on as best it could. Anouk was still fighting, and for her family's sake, she wouldn't stop fighting; but she was tired, and even though she was very slowly getting better, there were few moments of genuine comfort.

But even if Izanagi hadn't meant his words to impact the bartender the way they had, they had. She waited as his mouth opened but remained silent for a long moment, his brain seeming to have to reboot itself. Goodness, and that was just a thank you kiss. Maybe he really hadn't been expecting it, or maybe Anouk really just was that far gone that she was losing her touch to read people. God she hoped not, that was most of her job right there. Words found him at last, more or less telling Anouk that he was just as confused as he seemed. "I am not sure I understand... Is this a custom of your family?" Anouk let out a soft, almost embarrassed chuckle, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked down. Her hand lifted to push her bangs back behind her ear/

"No, not of my family," Anouk replied, resisting letting her cheeks grow warmer. When was the last time she'd explained her intentions to anyone? ...When was the last time she'd had intentions? Did she even have any?? "It's just... I wanted to thank you, Yoshida-san. What you said was really very touching." Anouk turned slightly and leaned her back against the carved tree as she let her eyes wander away from the Shogun and drift into the haze of pink and white. "It's hard... to lose someone you care about, and spend your days fighting to set things right. It hurts, and it takes a toll on you... And time just keeps passing by. Like the names carved into this tree, some things carve into your soul to linger on, but life goes on, with or without your say-so." Anouk's fingers moved to trace the scarred bark once more, letting herself glance quickly to Izanagi before darting her eyes away again quickly.

"You hold onto those things that carve into you, for good and bad memories that go with them, and sometimes it just gets to being too heavy all at once and tries to swallow you whole. But sometimes... after enough time's gone by... Sometimes there are moments when you can step away from just that one carving to see the new things growing around it, see the whole tree... And you can see where life is still going on around you and with you." Finally, Anouk smiled again and let it slowly move back to Izanagi's eyes, almost shyly. Even if he wasn't aware of it, Anouk was putting something on her sleeve for him to see. It was something risky, and something rare, especially for a woman who had learned to guard herself so much and so often. "I think finally I can start stepping back. So.... Thank you." Something in the back of her mind began flashing a silent red alert, Anouk inwardly smacking herself. She'd only meant to say it was a thank you and leave it at that, but found that after she opened her mouth there was a little more there than she'd expected. Well, there went that day out, but hopefully if Yoshida-san bolted she could at least follow him back out easily enough. Hnnnnnnn dammit.

[Yoshida Izanagi]

"No, not of my family." Her hand tucked a bang behind her ear, allowing him to see more of that beautiful face that left him at a loss. This woman was an enigma that he was lost in, but he enjoyed it, oddly enough. Or was it strange? What was this- attraction he felt? "It's just... I wanted to thank you, Yoshida-san. What you said was really very touching." Izanagi blinked at her in intrigue. He had said something interesting? He hadn't meant to, but still it was good to know she enjoyed it his ramblings.

"It's hard... to lose someone you care about, and spend your days fighting to set things right. It hurts, and it takes a toll on you... And time just keeps passing by. Like the names carved into this tree, some things carve into your soul to linger on, but life goes on, with or without your say-so." He couldn't agree more. Izanagi too, had lost someone, with no knowledge of where the man was. Was Izaya even alive? Would Izaya ever forgive him for having been such a coward? So many questions that left the shogun in a mist of confusion. He wouldn't touch on the topic though, his company was still speaking and it would be far more rude to interrupt.

"You hold onto those things that carve into you, for good and bad memories that go with them, and sometimes it just gets to being too heavy all at once and tries to swallow you whole. But sometimes... after enough time's gone by... Sometimes there are moments when you can step away from just that one carving to see the new things growing around it, see the whole tree... And you can see where life is still going on around you and with you." She had paused. There again, was that smile that sent his heart aflutter. This gorgeous woman had seen a Hell all her own. Everyone had one and it seemed she was working so hard to get out. Had no one noticed? It confused him slightly, but before he realized it, his body made his way closer to her again.

"I think finally I can start stepping back. So.... Thank you." Those eyes, that face. His heart was racing and he reached out. His hand lightly cupped her chin. To him it was fragile, to be held with caution as if made of precious glass or porcelain. However she was far more beautiful. There was a pull to him, as if the more he stared upon her, the more he felt attracted. Her eyes were magnets and pulling him in. The closer he got, the harder his heart pounded. He could barely breathe within an inch of her own lips, before he very lightly kissed her in turn. "I must thank you as well, then. It is not often, a soldier is seen so kindly by a gorgeous woman." Slowly he stepped back and cleared his throat. That was probably the first time he'd done something like that. Or if he had, it had been so long. His mind was creaking with rust, and slowly comprehension began to slip in. Once again the fog was clearing, as if he had NEEDED to kiss her.

"Maybe one day.." He stopped himself. No, that was too bold of him to say. He stopped and cleared his throat before, looking at the tree. Then he unsheathed his blade. A rare time, when he would show his gleaming sword. The point was towards the trunk. With swift movements and determination, he formed kanji upon a bare spot. Perhaps it was cruelty to the tree, but at that point he did not care. 'アヌーク 上田'. For a brief moment he felt childish, but he didn't mind. It was something he felt was needed. This woman was like a fresh sapling now, growing slowly, healing as it seemed. She needed protection, though not in the physical ways. "There. The names on these trees, it is my duty to protect." His face remained firm, showing seriousness.

Back to her, he turned, pushing the silver into the sheathe with the ease of decades of training. "Even if I should never see them, I shall try my hardest to maintain that which makes them happy." With that, he took her hand and bowed to her. "That is of course, if you do not mind?"

[Anouk Ueda]

The breeze that trickled the scents of fall danced and clung to every breath Nu took in, deep breaths in and out calming and filling her. This was peace, if only just for this moment. This moment was hers, and this soldier's. Even though it was public out here among these trees and the trail they'd abandoned wasn't too far away, the world around was gone for now, leaving them in a snowglobe of leaves and petals, and of warm things. Soft things. Of a broad hand, calloused slightly from years of training and honing his skills with a blade and means to protect that moved up slowly and with an almost timid gentility as it moved under Anouk's chin to lift it slightly. That contact alone was enough to make the woman catch her breath, even if just for a moment.

When was the last time she'd let her guard down like this? Not since before Ryosuke had died, she knew for sure. Almost eight years of marriage had been wonderful, but it was true that after a while you do flirt with each other less, and you do make less effort to do the things that once got your heart racing. There was still passion and depths of love, yes, but excitement had ebbed into a steady pace of contentment and the world had settled into routine patterns. This was something familiar yet wholly new that came with a sudden silence and a sudden heat, hearts leaping in a frantic jolt and pausing as lips came down to meet her own and lingered.

Softness met warmth where speech disappeared into gentle silence and shared breath. Anouk's eyes closed for the moment, , returning the gentle motion and matching Izanagi's softness. She could hear the cracks within herself, and they'd been tempering around the walls she'd built for months. Since Ela found her those walls had been nicked and scratched, little by little to be weathered down in places. Ela had seen her crack and falter a few times that left his sister a sobbing mess, terrified of further loss and pain. This soldier that she barely knew had a blade fine and sharper than hers had ever been and was. so easily, cutting through what she'd tried and fought so hard to build up and hide her soul behind to let in a fresh breath of life and expose something far more fragile than Anouk would ever willingly admit to. She could have lived forever in that brief moment of happiness before Izanagi pulled away.

"I must thank you as well, then," he said, keeping close. "It is not often, a soldier is seen so kindly by a gorgeous woman. Maybe one day..." The breath Anouk let out was soft and slow, verging on a sigh and not asking where that second thought led to. Maybes and ifs weren't something Anouk liked dwelling on anymore; they'd kill anything good if given the chance. But the now was good. The now of the moment was best. Silently she watched as a blade was drawn delicately, carving the characters of her own name into the ancient flesh of the tree. The poor tree, but that gesture... It was said that the blade embodied a soldier's soul, and Izanagi was baring it, if only briefly, to submit her name for protection. "There. The names on these trees, it is my duty to protect."

Anouk looked a moment, watching as her name appeared and was embellished into the bark and let her fingers move to trace her last name as the sword was sheathed. Ueda. Her Ryosuke's family name, and one of the last things of his that she carried still. His sons, his name, and his marks upon her heart and soul. She wondered if she could let herself be marked again as she was doing now. It was frightening and exciting, and leaving her slightly torn between holding to what had held her and loved her for so long and opening up once more to possibility. He turned to Anouk once more. "Even if I should never see them, I shall try my hardest to maintain that which makes them happy." Her hand was taken and held within his as he bowed. "That is of course, if you do not mind?"

Heat returned to her cheeks faintly. Asking the spirits to guard her, but now asking if he himself could extend to include her in those he'd protect as he served this new Shogun and their people. Anouk was quiet for a moment, letting her smile grow with the cracks in her walls. She could feel things within her shifting and start to crumble, and everyone knew that most walls never lasted forever. "Yoshida-san.." Her voice faltered for a moment, the woman still stuck in the loop of her thoughts as her feelings pulled against themselves, like the world resisting the first delicate trills of spring. "I'd be honoured, and nothing would make me happier..." Anouk waited for him to rise back up before stepping close once more, letting her fingers thread through his with a gentle squeeze. Her breath came out just above a whisper, warm against his cheek and ear. "...Izanagi-kun."

[Yoshida Izanagi]

Th-thump, th-thump. His heart was beating so loudly, it felt as if his head might explode. Her fingers moved and intertwined with his, which let their hands be locked. His face turned bright red, despite him demanding his body to calm within the confides of his mind. He truly had no control over the blood rushing around and making him feel almost queasy. Was this the true power of women? Yet, he loved every second of her hand lacing with his. A touch so simple felt so intimate, but again, the only person that Izanagi had really held hands with was his sister. He called her name and he looked at her, still trying to resist the red in his face. Oh how embarrassing that the shogun was so red in the face! So easily frazzled by something as simple as this woman's-- Well actually she wasn't simple, at all. This woman was hard to explain and very complex.

"I'd be honoured, and nothing would make me happier..." He was able to smile, but how he felt like a child again, with giddiness abound in his chest. "...Izanagi-kun." A flicker of excitement shot through his chest at her sweet voice whispering his name. The fresh breath from her mouth lingered on his cheek, reassuring him that this all had happened. Indeed, he had become attracted to a stranger and yet, he didn't mind. This sweet moment was enough to make him feel happy.. something he didn't feel that often. His heart though, he was worried might stop if he didn't calm it down.

He was speechless, wordless before her. Yet, he could give a full smile to him. "Then it is agreed." Of course what exactly had been agreed on was a bit confusing. Had he agreed to protect her.. or something more? Suddenly he felt lost, not only by his own thoughts, but as well by the beautiful moment engulfing her. "Now then, shall we continue our hike?" Lightly he tugged on her hand, motioning they should get moving. "I do not think it would be well of me to send you home once the dark hits," he said. His happiness was almost tangible. Ear to ear, he smiled. This was great.. whatever it was.

[Anouk Ueda]

There was a certain satisfaction that warmed through Anouk’s chest. It was thrilling and electric, and sent warm shivers through her arm. The weight of Izanagi’s hand laced through her own felt… refreshing. Warm. Alive. Her name was left as a mark in the ancient tree, and was apparently leaving a mark on the sweet soldier who wanted to protect her. Anouk knew he couldn’t really. She lived in London, and mercifully her battles were won, or were in the movement of being won. She’d come back to Aerugo to close chapters to her life and lay her pain to rest, and fight one last silent and private battle of wills that Ela couldn’t help her with even if he’d wanted to.
They were pissed as hell at her, and Anouk knew that the tensions with her in-laws wouldn’t make things easy even after she got home. Good intentions paved the road to Hell, but there was no chance Anouk would give up her sons. She’d dove head-first into lakes of blood and sacrificed her soul and any hope of redemption to get them back, and she knew too well that she needed her boys as much as she needed oxygen. And he’d never admit to it, but so did Ela. Nu couldn’t remember seeing him so happy as he was playing cardboard-tube samurai with Taro, or being showered in gleeful squeals and sloppy kisses from Ken.
But for the moment, that battle was won, and Anouk could relax in the here and now, for the first time in along time allowing herself to simply enjoy the sense of living. It was adorable, the way this soldier seemed to nearly trip on his own words, smooth one moment and faltering the next. It almost reminded her of the boys in high school… well, the ones who weren’t terrified of her or rejecting her, anyway. Izanagi seemed genuinely sweet, and that was something she’d forgotten the thrill of; men in London certainly weren’t sweet like this, all attitude and grime with no balls to back it up. And men back in Vegas were just as mouthy but half as educated, sexy cowboy-types who thought they were God’s gift and never realized that they were the gag gift.
This man was real. Izanagi blushed, and seemed excited and shy at the same time, even as he promised to protect her. ”Then it is agreed, he said. Anouk couldn’t help but give a small laugh. That was freaking adorable. She gave another gentle squeeze to his hand. ”Now then, shall we continue our hike? I do not think it would be well of me to send you home once the dark hits.” Anouk gave a small nod, following close behind Izanagi, happy to let her hand remain within his,
”Mm, let’s,” Nu replied, her footsteps quiet on the path. A tiny voice in the back of her head was ringing a bell happily; Izanagi said it wouldn’t be right to send her home after dark. If that didn’t remind her of being a teenager again, nothing would. But that phrase translated through her brain, filtered, and translated again, and came up with only one word in response: SCORE! Her warm smile remained plastered to her face, cheeks warm, hoping she wasn’t totally misinterpreting what Captain Subtext said was an invitation. Besides… what the hell. Technically I am on holiday. ”I’m leaving the day after tomorrow to go home, but I’m not staying too far from here.” She’d spent one night with her in-laws and nearly gone out of her head from tensions. Her aunt and uncle lived on the other side of town, and she needed a day to spend with them, but the hotel she’d decided on was between both families. After all the memories and heartache staying with her in-laws, going back to the people who raised her to go through them all over again… it was too much to do on repeat. Sleeping alone at a hotel would help her keep her sanity and help avoid uncomfortable questions. ”I know how bad the inner-city night traffic gets, too… You’re welcome to join me, Izanagi.”
It was a genuine offer, and made as politely as possible without being too vague, she hoped. Anouk wasn’t really known for her subtlety, but she honestly didn’t want to scare him off by pushing his boundaries too much all at once. But if he wanted to spend the night with her, Anouk knew that’d be the highlight to this whole disaster and give it a silver lining. But why end a perfectly good date just because the sun goes down? Night always was her time, after all, and when Anouk knew she best came alive. ”We could grab some dinner, and make a night of it if you don’t have any other plans for tonight.”

[Yoshida Izanagi]

That presence that lingered around his fingers, squeezed lightly, as if a calling. "Let's," she said, but he wasn't fully able to hear through the heart of his. Such excitement that went wave after wave through his body. He'd never felt this much. In all his years as a soldier, it had been a training of the mind. He wasn't SUPPOSED to feel. That was what killed people in wars, that was what impaired judgement and empowered people to take advantage. To feel was to die, that was why he was so constantly afraid of himself. Darkness often took control when his rage started to stir and bubble. This feeling wasn't the beast inside, though, it was different. Or maybe it was a different branch o it? Perhaps he should be concerned, but for now, it was okay.

As they walked through the brush once more, the crackling of leaves echoed in the air. With ease, Izanagi pushed any daring branches out of the way. ”I’m leaving the day after tomorrow to go home, but I’m not staying too far from here.” His gray eyes found her with ease, to his side. It seemed she had more to say, so he remained silent until he knew she was awaiting a response. ”I know how bad the inner-city night traffic gets, too… You’re welcome to join me, Izanagi.” HE felt his blood ran cold. Join her? What did she mean? It was rude to join a woman alone in her house. Yet.. he felt intrigued by the offer. He wouldn't really..? Would he..?

”We could grab some dinner, and make a night of it if you don’t have any other plans for tonight.” Stay the night? It was strange how the way the topic was brought up before. In his younger days, the thought may have terrified him beyond belief. Such things led to the downfall of a soldier, to leave his heart upon the grasp of a woman. Or at least those were the whispers his father whispered in his ear. He was a fighter, a man of honor and such things had never been an option. In fact, Izanagi had never even considered such a topic before. Mindlessly, he had rejected consort after consort (much to his mother's dismay) with the excuse he didn't want anyone to be paid for caring about him. Then there was this woman.

He probably stared at her for a moment, as his mind wandered, he didn't realize it, of course. t happened so often, most people would be used to the spacey shogun. This was real? His feet stopped moving and his free hand slid up to her cheek, gently cupping it. Intense eyes stared at her a moment, wondering if this was even a good idea. The logical idea was to run, but it wasn't exactly his forte. He was probably reading too far into things anyways. He was her protector, after all, despite the way his body almost ached from the thought. Such a complex array of thoughts that left his mind conflicted.

It seemed sort of sudden even to himself as he closed his eyes, a chuckle released from his lips. This would probably look bad, it didn't hurt to reassure what they were even talking about. When his eyes were open again, he was grinning a bit. "Be careful what you ask, Ueda-san. I might take you up on that offer." He closed his eyes again and heaved a shaky sigh. "Please, do not tempt me with such things, for surely, I am just a man." As he leaned in, his lips hesitated before a kiss. "And I cannot resist you."

[Anouk Ueda]

There was an art to flirting, and some people had it naturally, and some people had to learn it over the years, while some never had a clue even with a manual. Ryosuke's brand of flirting was shy, awkward, and genuinely sweet; he just wore everything on his sleeve and always had a smile under those giant glasses and scruffy hair of his. Between the two of them, Anouk always had been the hunter. She'd been that way all her life. When she saw something she wanted within reason, she set it as a goal, and never took her eyes off the prize. Whether it was her gymnastics, her Kendo competitions, track meets, or even killing a large number of people. Goals and challenges were made to be met, conquered, and reset.

It wasn't that she saw lovers as challenges or conquests, though. She'd never been that sort of woman. But the thrill of the chase and discovering the unknown was unparalleled. Izanagi was in so many ways a mystery, yet there was a balance, like two beasts of similar nature that could balance each other. A dragon and a phoenix that could circle and share. Even if only briefly, there was a connection and Anouk wanted to embrace it, even if only for tonight.

Izanagi paused in their walk, muling over Anouk's invitation. It was sudden, but really, she only had tonight as her own, and if he accepted it would be a little easier to fight the break of dawn. His hand raised and held her cheek quietly as he closed his eyes, Anouk lettnig her head tilt to almost nuzzle his palm in a gesture far sweeter and gentler than most people who knew her ever saw. Anouk remained still as an animal in the forest that was waiting for sudden movement or sound, watching the shogun's face. Finally his eyes opened again as his mouth moved into a soft grin. "Be careful what you ask, Ueda-san. I might take you up on that offer," Izanagi finally said. Anouk's smile broadened, lavender eyes shining in a way that spoke deeply of want.

"Please, do not tempt me with such things, for surely, I am just a man." Just a man. There was no such thing as just an anyone. His hand remained on her cheek as he leaned closer, surrendering as Anouk's free arm made its way back up around his shoulders to rest her fingers in his hair. "And I cannot resist you." Anouk's body rose to meet him as his lips pressed into her own once more, the woman sighing out softly into his mouth. Fingers curled into his hair getnly as slow kisses burned through her that ached with need. A little temptation here and there was good for a person, and Anouk was more than happy to give a guided tour.

[Yoshida Izanagi]

There was something about this woman.. just something that made him ache for more. Such a thing was wrong of him to feel and yet, he found himself enraptured by her touch, her beauty and her mere presence. There was just something about the way her lips pulled him in, and her arms pulled him closer, that led the shogun to surrender. He couldn't fight it and even if he COULD, he wouldn't. There was a fine line between human and divine and by far he was no God. He was just a man.. just a human and though he had fought the mental emphasis on pleasure that many pursued, he, himself was just as subject to temptation as any. Anouk was the manifestation of that.

For a moment, he wondered if she was even real. Never had he felt so much longing. He wanted her in ways that he couldn't truly comprehend. His gray eyes closed, accepting her embrace, accepting her. Such delicate fingers pulled and writhed in his hair, as if choking for more, but without harming anyone. One of his hands slid to her waist, gracing the smooth curves of her body, then pulling them closer. Such a kiss was full of fire and Izanagi was glad to fight the fire with his own.

Once it had broken, he stared into her eyes a moment, a little devil of is own in hiding. After clearing his throat, he returned to his regular collected self, but nothing about the situation was regular. "I suppose it is your turn to lead, Ueda-san." Words were spoken with such a tender tone, as his hand pressed a bang behind her ear. "Lead me into the unknown.. if you shall." That time he spoke with a tad bit of teasing, and in his own little bit of honesty it was a minor-case flirt as well. Surely the unknown was her house or was it something more than that? If he were to be honest with himself, it was obviously both.

[Csilla Angelis]

{BUMP}

[Anouk Ueda]

This little jaunt home was becoming more and more interesting and Anouk didn't regret any of it in the least. Izanagi's presence was firm yet sweet, and strong enough that Anouk could feel herself at ease. It wasn't often she felt Anouk felt relaxed enough around someone to actually want to let her guard down, let alone go where she was more than happy to lead him.She lingered near him, her cheek brushing aginst Izanagi's fingertips as he moved her hair to the side.

Words like honey with a feeling that was electric shivered through the woman's body. I suppose it is your turn to lead, Ueda-san," he said, his tone warm and almost teasing. And yet, Anoukd could hear the subtle tones of want, and smiled. She wondered how long it had been for him; for a soldier, the sheer tenderness and gentility the man exuded was breathtaking. He hadn't mentioned a wife or a family himself, but at the moment, she wondered if it mattered since he hadn't asked about hers. Human coupling was a natural thing, and right now, Anouk would not deny it. "Lead me into the unknown.. if you shall."

Anouk nodded, her own fingers slipping down his body and making their way back to Izanagi's hand. They could always finish their walk later. "Come with me," came the breathy reply as Anouk leaned close, placing the smallest of kisses just below the man's ear. She smiled, giving his hand a gentle tug to lead him down the exit path back to the parking lot. There weren't too many cars there still, and Izanagi didn't make a motion to go to one that may have been his, but then she recalled he hadn't had a car last night, either. "We can take my car," she said, unlocking the hot pink Porsche. "I'm not staying far from here..."

The short ride to the hotel was quiet, feeling building up. Thought wasn't invited. The rest of the day would be theirs until tomorrow. The Porche's purr came to a still as she pulled in front of her hotel's door. There was a short glance at it, then Izanagi, making sure he wasn't changing his mind befor eshe got out, pulling out the card key. With a silent beep the door popped open, Anouk standing in the doorway, alone until she pulled him closer, planting another warm kiss to his mouth. One kiss bled into the next as she surrendered, pulling Izanagi inside and shutting the door and the world behind them.

Exit

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