Amiko Kobayashi (hotlittlehands) wrote,
@ 2011-12-13 17:37:00

AU: A Real Lady
Many called Clan Yashida's holdings a corporate empire with multiple security contracts with the Japanese government. Others called it the closest contemporary Japan could get to a shogunate. Everyone, however, knew about the young daimyo's... fixations. Living fairly austerely for one so wealthy, Amiko Kobayashi used her financial savvy to direct all clan resources to two things. The first was the protection and well being of people throughout the clan. The second was the devastation of every Hand operation they could track down.

Some months ago, she had interfered in an incident in the middle of the street out of concern for the safety of the arresting officers.

It had proven quite lucky, although at times she felt like a dirty old woman for enjoying the view.
Tonight, Amiko asked Hajime to see her in her office.

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	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 03:21 am UTC (link)
	She makes a polite and proper exit, returns to her austere little suite, and, telling herself how idiotic it is, cries. The next morning, preparations will proceed perfectly for the job. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2011-12-15 03:34 am UTC (link)

He tries to sleep. Despite usually being very direct and ordered, things in their place, its actually difficult tonight. He ends up spending a lot of it in meditation instead - somewhere between anticipating the day, and being pretty sure he's missing something where Amiko is concerned.

700 years among the masters hasn't necessarily helped all his people skills. As for preparations, he goes through morning exercises and prayer, then selects the secondary weapons he may need, survival gear, and other typical necessities.

"Ready."

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	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 03:46 am UTC (link)
	"Excellent. So is everyone else." She seals an envelope, addresses it to a younger distant cousin, "Just in case," and places it somewhere reasonably prominent. She picks up her own things as they head for their transportation. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 03:53 am UTC (link)
	He settles in, the two of them, as mission leader and her personal guard, being given some space and privacy, ostensibly to review the mission. He reads the notes, taking a while to memorize it, then glances her way. "Forgive me if I am talking out of place and turn... but... may I ask you a personal question, Amiko-sama?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 03:55 am UTC (link)
	She takes a slight breath. "Yes. You may." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 04:16 am UTC (link)
	"I believe I am missing something. Is there something troubling you?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hotlittlehands
2011-12-15 04:23 am UTC (link)

"I...must admit, I'm surprised part of it isn't obvious. I did my best to get the information about your father's killer sooner, because I wanted your family to have just as mine has had, without ever thinking about any ...issues of shame." She just paused for a moment. "Different ways of dealing with it in this century aside, I could never think of you as dishonored, Hajime."

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get_medieval
2011-12-15 04:51 am UTC (link)

He sighs. "And I appreciate that. Being dishonored does not give me any cause to further my family's shame, but my father failed in his duties. He not only lost his life... but the amulet, and failed his lord. His spirit and all of my family's have been unable to move on for seven centuries, awaiting vengeance, and then a cleansing of our record. Good works do not balance the celestial account."

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	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:01 am UTC (link)
	"My Lady-Mother took a slightly different view, but I'm not trying to impose that on you. I'm not trying to make it harder on you by ordering you to wait. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.." A pause. A breath. "I will make sure your family's failure is expunged if you give me a little time. I just... can't lose you anytime soon." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 05:05 am UTC (link)
	He nods. "My life is not my own, Amiko-sama. I live and die at your command, and as such, it is not my life to take. I would not do so without your permission, of course. You need not worry about that. As long as I can serve, I will not begrudge you your due, you need not worry about hurting me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:10 am UTC (link)
	Her face goes a little blank as she nods. "Of course I trust you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 05:18 am UTC (link)
	A small sigh. "I am sorry I am not expressing myself well... your expression... is the one you use when still distressed, and are trying to hide it. It is alright, Amiko-sama." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:24 am UTC (link)
	"Ah. I am losing my poker face. An unfortunate thing for the Lord of Clan Yashida. And my brother would never let me hear the end of it, were I to tell him. Which I won't, because it is entirely my own fault. And certainly not yours." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 05:30 am UTC (link)
	"Your brother will never hear of it. It is a good one, I am just growing very accustomed to you." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:35 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you. And... likewise." She swallows. "In all honesty, I have become.... very, very fond of you, Hajime." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 05:44 am UTC (link)
	"I... am not certain what to say." he replies honestly, trying to judge her tone. "But I have always been very fond of you as well, Amiko-sama. Since I got to know you better after my arrival." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:53 am UTC (link)
	"..As your lord, as a friend, or as a woman?" she asks quietly. "You can see now, perhaps, why I was trying to hide my own shame in this particular matter," she adds, looking back on her paperwork though they are still a long way and she has it memorized already. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 05:55 am UTC (link)
	He considers that carefully. "I have your permission to answer honestly? There... is no shame for your part, in any case." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:56 am UTC (link)
	"Of course you may." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2011-12-15 06:08 am UTC (link)

He nods. "Admiring your skill as a co-worker, appreciating that you consider me a friend, however awkward it is at times, I am sure. And while I have been trying very hard to steel myself against improper thoughts, I have not had much chance to think of anyone as a woman since... near the time the Yashida honor sword was forged. So... yes, I apologize, but I have looked on you as a woman before. I will try to stop, if it makes you uncomfortable."

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	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 06:18 am UTC (link)
	"It is not that it makes me uncomfortable, Hajime. You hid it very well. It's that I am not any better at steeling myself against improper thoughts." She grimaces. "I am falling in love with you, and, like a fool, I am saying it when we will soon have a job to do." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

get_medieval
2011-12-15 10:22 am UTC (link)

He considers that for a moment, understanding slowly lighting on his face. "I... had not realized." He takes a deep breath.

"The job has been there, this job, this goal, no matter what else has happened. Everything else has existed alongside it so far... and whatever else happens, it does not change this job. If I admit that, when I allow myself to consider it... I love you too... that does not change what must be done... only that we must address this as well first, so we are not distracted. It obviously has been weighing on you."

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	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 05:59 pm UTC (link)
	She blinks. "...You don't have to." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	get_medieval 2011-12-15 06:06 pm UTC (link)
	"Yes, I do. Now that it has been said, it cannot be unsaid. So best we address it... one way or another." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hotlittlehands 2011-12-15 06:14 pm UTC (link)
	"...What do you want, Hajime?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)