Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Yoshiko sat on a bench on the top level of the wall. She has proven herself to be part of the clan and not corrupted by the dark. The young woman smiled at the dark sky. Storms of the horizon brewed but the sun would shine at some point. She took out a small drum and spoke to it. "Neh, you wouldn't believe what I did yesterday. I killed a commander, Shiruka chan. I made new friends but you should have expected that." The Hida chuckled.

"That you did Yoshiko-san." Yoshi slings a leg over the bench. "Killed it dead, and made friends. You saved a bunch of those friends while you did" His voice is soft.

He sits for a moment in silence with her. "I was worried for you on the march. I'm glad to see you, well, do more than hold it together That kind of thing is what they make songs about"

"I don't want songs nor stories about this." She nodded. "I don't know why you were worried since I am a dutifull samurai. I showed my colors when the true time came. Bandits are one thing but the Shadolands scum is another."

"I didn't fear for your duty. I feared what it might do to you." Yoshi reaches around and after a moment of hesitation pats his comrade lightly on the shoulder "You're holding up well though"

"But if you'd prefer the song to help with a betrothal, I am sure they could be steered to mention how good you looked doing it" His tone is light, the edges of his lips curling with mischief.

"Did I?" She shook her head. "I wonder how fancy will I look in a wedding kimono? The tailor probably will have a lot of work to do." She looked at Yoshi and placed her hand on top of his and moved it to her lap. "You did good work as well. The troops were inspired and we won this fight." The Hida smiled.

"Well, you have a lot to inspire the tailor." Yoshi offers a wry smile, his eyes looking back down for a moment to see where Yoshiko has taken his hand.

"I didn't break, and I learned enough to not get them all kill. I didn't think it would be enough but it's, well, it's something." He pauses. "I wasn't sure, but I'm planning to sign on for another tour and try to get a gunso spot in the 4th. The plan was to get out of Otosan Uchi for a while, pick up a bit of rank and some favors and go back. But now" I look to Yoshiko's eyes. "I've found a few things worth sticking around for. To make sure they get on alright before it's my time"

He looks back down to his hand and hers over it. "Though if you keep my hand there, it's not going to want to leave"

"That sounds like a plan. I on the..." She looked at their hands together and smiled. "I was planning on going back to Otosan Ushi. Things will be getting rough." The Hida looked at Yoshi. "I don't want it to leave." Her cheeks tinted by the blush and the moon. "I must confess that I have lost my daisho... thus I am not a proper samurai." Yoshiko chuckled.

"Ha!" Yoshi laughs and shakes his head. "It's funny. I was meaning to go back to Otosan Uchi first thing before I agreed to stay on. And now, another reason to come back"

Yoshi looks into her eyes for a moment, his other hand reaching to brush her cheek. "Well, I've never had a daisho. I guess that means until we get ourselves them we aren't proper then. I can deal with not being proper"

Her hand reached his cheek, and smiled. "Let's go back together, Yoshi san." Yoshiko pressed her lip upon his, closing her eyes and forgetting about the world.