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Nagumo clan estate.
Tosa, Japan, June of Bunkyū 1.

["I come as a messenger of the Princess of Yase. My mistress wishes for me to see the face of the child under your care with my own eyes."

Technically, it isn't a lie. She does wish to see the ward of the Nagumo clan, and she is acting as a messenger - on her own behalf, perhaps, but on the behalf of the Princess of Yase nonetheless.

Sen is well aware that after so many attempts have gone horribly awry - her messengers being turned away or being entertained within the house but never actually being allowed to see Kaoru for themselves - that this isn't going to be easy. She is prepared to be stubborn with the men who have received her, and so she does. It's a fact that the servants have orders to placate her and send her on her way, but that is something she won't allow.

She had arrived the day before, just after noon. Now it is noon again, and she still isn't gone. Currently she is kneeling on a cushion in the room for receiving visitors, and she thinks that perhaps she has finally succeeded - a servant is dispatched to go and fetch Kaoru. She would prefer a private conversation, but that same servant will most likely be instructed to monitor them as they speak.

That's fine. Now that she's here, she's sure she can figure out a way. Things have been quiet enough lately that she has a little more freedom to act on her own (and she is acting on her own - for once, Kimigiku has no idea where she's gone, though she's left instructions with a child in the village to tell her that she saw the princess going to Tosa if she hasn't returned within two weeks), and she is sure she's up to the task of bringing Yukimura Kaoru home.

She looks up when she hears the sound of a sliding door, and smiles.]

Ah... are you Kaoru-san?

[She swears to god if they've brought some random girl to try and trick her, the Nagumo clan will become very well acquainted with just how much damage Yase can do when she's been offended.]

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[Kaoru may not often have good luck, but his luck holds this time; the people he's eavesdropping on are so engrossed in their discussion that the chiming of his hair ornaments goes unnoticed. Either that or they want him to hear what they have to say next -

"If it is her, she won't be leaving here."

Well, that's ominous as all hell.

They don't bother with pursuing him, either, so maybe he really did just get lucky enough for them not to notice the noise. Either he'll pass the servant who's walking away or he won't (if the servant went in the opposite direction when he left), but Sen hears the sound of that servant leaving and her curiosity overcomes her. She gets up, walks daintily to the door, and slides it open just enough to peek outside.

Not here... how strange. She does see Kaoru coming down the hall, though, and she leans out just enough to smile and give him a little wave.

The next thing she knows, she's being forcibly dragged back into the room and she lets out a muffled yelp of surprise.

Even if Kaoru hurries down the hall, he won't be able to make it inside. By the time he reaches the entrance, there will already be someone on the other side holding the sliding door shut with a firm demonic strength. Though he won't be able to see what's going on, he'll certainly be able to hear - and boy, does Sen sound offended.]

Unhand me at once! How dare you manhandle a guest so? My lady will hear of this!

[A sneering laugh, followed by:

"Undoubtedly, 'your lady' already knows... isn't that right, Princess of Yase?"

Sen's blood runs cold.

And now Kaoru will hear footsteps coming behind him. It doesn't sound like just one servant, either; if he turns to look, there will be at least three. They all seem intent on keeping him from interfering, too.]

[KAORU DOES INDEED PASS THE SERVANT and the servant is one of the closest people to him when Sen gets nabbed, which sure isn't a coincidence. The hand that had been rising up in a wave - one filled with nervous tension, because yep, that statement back then sure had been ominous - is snatched up by the wrist before he understands what's happening. Sen disappears behind the shoji screens and then there's Sen's voice - someone else's voice, an unpleasant voice, a voice he dislikes saying such strange things, but...

Oh.

If he looks at it like that, it does make sense, doesn't it? But he doesn't even have time to be mortified over the fact that he had been talking to the Princess of Yase the entire time, that he had been trying to relay messages to her through... herself.

He doesn't have time for it because he's only been here for half of the years that he'll eventually end up trapped, but he already knows the ins and outs of this clan. He understands exactly why they're so disdainful of his body, why they force him into pretty kimonos and brush his hair until it's soft. It's something that he wouldn't - couldn't - wish on anyone else. Especially not someone who risked her life to extend an olive branch, because surely Sen of all people would understand what it meant to enter this compound unguarded.

Kaoru has been trained over the years by way of habit to keep his head low when the family starts acting up. It's better for someone else to be the target of their ire; that's the lesson that he's begun to learn. But now... turning his back on the woman who had tried to extend a hand to him touches at the gentleness he's beginning to shed, and he finds his body moving before his mind has a say.

He may be small and somewhat weak as far as demons go, but he's still quite fast. Pivoting on his heel, he reels his fist back and whops the servant straight in the jaw in a very unladylike-manner, dashing off toward the shoji as soon as he's freed. He can hear the sound of footsteps behind him rushing to catch up, but it only fuels his desperation so that he all but bowls through the doors once he reaches them. His fingers scramble desperately for the seam, to try prying the wood apart, but whoever is holding it on the other side is much too strong and he's reduced to slamming his hands against it. He succeeds in puncturing the paper, but his grasping hand is easily avoided and only there for a few seconds before vanishing as he's roughly pulled away by the waist. The servants are enough to act as a barrier he can't get around, though he's striking out at them wildly and with perhaps a little too much anger than what would be required for the situation.]

Princess— Princess Sen!! [In his panic, his voice loses its grace and softness.] I'm so sorry - I'm sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen—!

[Because she came all this way to speak to him, so he must be the one at fault.

Before he can say anything else, new sets of footsteps are joining the first and Kaoru's mouth goes dry before he even turns to look. Of course a ruckus like this would be enough to draw them out - those people - those awful people that he hates—

And his conscious thought ends there, briefly, because he doesn't even manage to turn all the way before a fist solidly connects with his stomach. The hit is hard enough to send him into the next wall over with a short scream, and he drops to the floor, arms wrapping instinctively around his middle.

Shut up, you miserable brat! And you two - don't stand around so uselessly!

There's the clan head himself, though he doesn't spare much time for either Kaoru or Sen, barking out precise orders instead.

You - take this useless kid back to the room. We have a more important guest to attend to.

There's an unpleasant wheezing noise and a wet-sounding cough. Kaoru can't speak up well just yet, but still struggles.]

Wait— You can't - that's— [YOU GUYS CAN'T JUST KIDNAP A PRINCESS WHAT THE HECK except that's apparently exactly what they plan on doing... Beyond her own struggle, Sen might hear as someone beyond the door strikes Kaoru again, as he hits the floor, and then silence with the exception of the soft sound of cloth dragging against wood that grows quieter and quieter as its source moves away.]

[She can hear a scuffle from outside - and that worries her more than her own situation, because she knows Kaoru was right there. She has her suspicions about the Nagumo clan and the way they treat him, and if those suspicions are correct, then it can only be a bad thing if he's trying to help her.

She wants to yell, "Don't." She wants to tell him to stay where he is, to take care and get himself to safety, but he's already at the shoji screen. She can see the frame rattle as he tries to force it open and she hears the ripping of paper as he punctures it, sees his hand, and then it's gone as he's pulled away. She can hear him fighting the servants who are restraining them and she can hear him call out to her.

He knows who she is; he must have overheard. But - to apologize...]

It's not your fault! It isn't your fault at all!

[Because who knows what this clan has done to him to make him believe he needs to apologize, and who knows what else they'll do to him once this is all over.

Then there's a thud and a scream, and that voice, and Sen's panic at her own situation - she's restrained as well, her arms caught firmly behind her back in a grip much too strong for her to break - pales in comparison to what must be happening to Kaoru outside.]

You! [Her voice is sharp as she addresses the clan head.] Don't you dare lay a finger on Kaoru—

[Only there's another thud and then the dragging of cloth. She struggles. Where are they taking him? What is "the room"? His room? He's in trouble now and this situation has been brought about because she came to visit under a pretense and it was discovered, and now he is going to suffer for it.

It isn't his fault, it's hers.]

Nagumo! [He doesn't deserve the honor of using his full name; she spits the surname out like it's a curse.] You won't get away with this. When Yase hears of this, they'll have me and that child out of here quickly, and you and your clan will be punished for your cruelty!

[There aren't many who can stoke Sen's ire the way this situation has, but the Nagumo clan head has shot right up to the top of her shit list.

Before she can make any other threats (or promises, really; this is no idle threat to her), she feels a sharp blow at the back of her head. She sags and only doesn't hit the ground because of the firm hold of the person restraining her, and her vision blurs into darkness.

That probably could have gone a little more smoothly.

When she wakes, it will be many hours later. She can't see outside because she is in a small, windowless room, but she can hear the chirping of cicadas and there is a slight evening chill that permeates the walls. Feeling groggy and a little sore, the first thing she does is take stock of her surroundings.]

[The room that she's in, windowless as it is, still seems to be guarded. Footsteps pass by outside frequently on the side of the room that seems less drafty; the side that's either facing or part of the rest of the house. The door here is much heftier than any within the main house as well, ensuring that it would be quite hard to break through indeed, even for someone with demonic strength. No hands sticking through shoji screens here... It probably says a lot that they have a room like this at all, but Sen may not be surprised at this point.

Hushed voices speak from the outside of the room, but it's difficult to tell what they're saying. They also seem congregated solely on one side of the room, presumably because unlike others that have two doors, this one only has one. Just one entrance and exit to watch certainly makes things easier on them.

The interior itself doesn't seem to have anything interesting in it. A low-lying table with nothing inside, no decorations on the walls or floors, a dusty old futon rolled up and stowed away near the farthest corner. The room in general gives off an air of disuse in a way, but at the same time, there isn't enough dust in other areas to imply that it hasn't been used in a long time.

It's gonna be a lITTLE BORING FOR HER, probably, but after about twenty minutes that will change when the smallest tapping sound comes from the side of her room that's presumably facing the outdoors. She may even mistake it for a bird or some sort of small animal at first, but after a pause, the tapping starts up again, rhythmic. Then:]

...Princess?

[The voice is small - very, very small - but unmistakeably Kaoru's. The din on the other side of the wall doesn't grow any quieter, so it's clear that no one has either spotted or heard him just yet.]

[Sen has a few different ideas as to why this room exists, and she doesn't like a single one of them. It is no secret in demonic society that the Nagumo clan is more than a little twisted and has been for generations - so really, she can't say she's surprised. She ignores the pounding in her head and looks toward the lone door.

So this is it, then. She really has made a spectacular mess of things... It will be a few weeks before she can return to Yase. The princess has no doubt at all in Kimigiku's willingness and ability to come and save her, though she really isn't looking forward to the inevitable lecture.

She has nothing she wishes to say to whoever the voices beyond the door belong to. In fact, she would greatly prefer it if they didn't realize that she's woken up at all, so she stays quiet as she shifts herself into a kneeling position at the side of the low table and tries to think of what she can do to occupy herself in the days until Kimigiku arrives. Since she's in the middle of the lion's den, she might as well try and get some useful information, but she just has to figure out how...

That gentle tapping draws her out of her thoughts, and her brow furrows as she looks in the direction of the sound. Her imagination, perhaps? But there it is again, and this time it's accompanied by a voice -

Kaoru.

She glances warily at the door, but they don't seem to have noticed, so she carefully and quietly makes her way to the outer wall. When she calls back to him, her voice is also low, and it's accompanied by a light tapping of her knuckles on wood.]

Please... Just "Sen" is fine.

[She doesn't want him calling her "Princess" when she's the reason he's been injured.]

First of all - [She can't ask him if he's okay. He's clearly not, after what they did to him.] Are you sure speaking with me is... safe? I don't wish to cause more trouble for you than I already have.

[There's a pause before he speaks again, either because he's carefully weighing his words or because he really needs to be on the lookout for anyone wandering too close - or maybe a little of both. He's also a little hesitant when she asks him to leave off the more respectful term of address, since it doesn't seem right to him. If it wasn't for his inability to do anything for himself, she wouldn't even be here. This friendship is certainly something that he doesn't deserve.

His palms rest flat against the wood after that, and though he's already close to the ground, he eases himself down until his knees are resting against the dirt. He knows he needs to be ready to run at a moment's notice, but he also gets tired easily. Malnutrition, blood loss and a very admirable shining punch to someone's face during an adrenaline rush can take a lot out of a person.]

Please... don't worry about something like that.

[His punishment may be harsher later, when there isn't an outside witness around, but for the time being it's been very manageable. He isn't concerned about being caught.]

Though it means little, I wished to apologize again. Even now, I can't do anything for you...

[If he was strong, then perhaps he'd be able to break his way in through the outside and set her free, but he can't. If he was smart, maybe he could devise a way of contacting Yase without getting caught. If he was brave, he'd be able to stand toe to toe against the Nagumo clan head without shirking away and covering his face. Maybe that enviable version of himself would even best that man.

But he can't do any of that, because he isn't any of that. All he can do is sit in the dirt and whisper apologies for things he can't fix.]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[If anyone's going to apologize, she wants it to be the clan head. She wants to drag an apology out of him for the way she's been treated in the short time she has been here and the way Kaoru has been treated in the years that he's been here. Of course... the chances of that happening are slim to none, and she doesn't want an apology from someone that he has convinced to be a willing scapegoat.

She won't ever accept that Kaoru is in even the smallest way responsible for what has happened here.]

I ought to be the one apologizing to you. [She sighs, frustrated.] I came here in the hopes of making things better for you, but in the end I only made them worse.

[The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry and all, and this was hardly one of the "best-laid plans" - Sen has, perhaps, taken more risks than she ought to have, because she's always felt badly about the Yukimura tragedy and Yase's inability to stop it from happening. After learning that one of the survivors was in the hands of the Nagumo clan, she simply couldn't leave the situation alone... though she was advised to.]

I hope you can forgive me...

[In the same way that Kaoru didn't know exactly how to deal with the gift that Sen had given earlier, he doesn't know how to handle an apology, either. It's been years and years since he's heard a genuine one, an apology with actual meaning behind it instead of mockery, and he doesn't know how to take it at all. He's trying not to stay silent for too long to keep Sen from worrying, but it lasts for a while this time - at least half a minute - as Kaoru tries to fight back the strange tightness of his throat that prevents him from speaking.

When he does, there's a gentle waver to his voice that she might have difficulty picking up on if only for the low volume he continues to speak at. Denial is at the tip of his tongue, or perhaps the less offensive "I don't understand"...

In the end, the topic is simply too uncomfortable for him to face down for any solid chunk of time. His fingers knit anxiously into his kimono again and he shakes his head even though it can't be seen.]

Asking for forgiveness is not necessary at all, I promise you that. You risked yourself for a person like me, and now... Now you've been given misfortune for your troubles.

[The days when Kaoru cries are dwindling, but not yet buried. She may hear a pitiful little sniffle before he continues.]

I went back to see if I could fetch your bag, too, but it was already gone...

[The first gift he'd been given in years and he couldn't even protect it.

Still, a part of him wonders if it's better this way. Sen seems like such a kind and warm person, going out of her way for a problem that had nothing to do with her, but he can't shake the consuming fear that if he did still have the bag, she would demand it back. No one wants a troublesome friend. If he does find it again, he thinks he may simply forget to tell her.]

I've been given misfortune for my own mistakes. [The correction is gentle.] I always knew it would end badly if they discovered I had lied to them... and I underestimated how quickly that discovery would come.

[And didn't bother bringing her bodyguard with her. And didn't even tell her bodyguard she was coming... well, maybe she will just be very careful not to mention that part to Kaoru yet, because how is he supposed to have faith in a rescue from someone who's managed to get themselves locked up during the rescue attempt? She does, after all, intend to take him with her once Kimigiku come to spring her loose.]

But it was necessary, I think. It was a gamble that allowed me to meet you... I don't regret it.

[Her hand comes to dip into her obi and her fingers brush against soft silk. They haven't discovered that, at least - a small blessing. Sen will have to do her best to ensure they don't discover it at all while she's here. More importantly for right now, though, she wants to banish that waver from Kaoru's voice.]

It's alright. I... brought two. [Her voice is still low, and she glances briefly toward the door again.] Once I'm free of here, I'll give you the second one.

Two?

[Beneath the waver, there's something almost incredulous in Kaoru's tone. Not only had she bothered to get him anything at all, but as far as he can tell, she had anticipated that something might happen and had brought a second bag along just in case. It seems like so much effort for a person to go through for his sake that he thinks for a moment this might all be some bizarrely elaborate ploy. He doesn't know what the ploy would be for, exactly, but this kindness makes no sense otherwise. Not unless she was expecting something out of it.

His fingers twist further into the fabric, manifesting the anxiety that he tries keeping out of his voice. People find that sort of thing annoying, too. He doesn't want to accidentally chase her off by appearing too pathetic.]

I'm not certain that I could accept it in good conscience. You've already done so much for me...

[It means a lot, and it's also something that Kaoru's been looking for for a long time, but now that he actually has it... it's kind of scary.

He thinks it is, at least. It's so far out of his comfort zone that it really does dance the line between discomfort and fear.]

...the contents are a little different, but the outside is the same.

[She's not sure how feasible using what she has to give him in the second one is going to be, without the first bag to cover his tracks, but she wants to at least make it available to him should he need it. Going into detail about what's in the second one would be a very bad idea, though, considering that there may be people listening in.]

But I can't -

[She hears a scraping noise from the other side of the door, and falls silent. A beat passes, and then another; voices pick up a conversation from outside again, and she sighs.]

It may not be as useful without the first one. So I won't force you to take it, if you'd rather not have it. [She is quiet for another few moments, straining to make out what is being said on the other side of the door, but she gives it up soon enough.] ...thank you for coming to check on me. And for trying to help me before... I truly appreciate it.

Useful?

[It's spoken in a curious way, but the curiosity itself is very pale and quiet, like Kaoru doesn't intend to actually ask for an answer. If it really is something that's useful, it would be a poor idea to talk about it around the rest of the clan - they're absolutely on the same page thought-wise there.

He's distracted soon enough by the thanks, at least, even though it sends him right back into a mildly tailspin. Why is she being so nice? Giving so much? It's something he truly can't understand.]

It was only right... You wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for me. [So it's his duty, then, to make sure that the situation doesn't worsen any further.

...The hard part is going to be figuring out how to avoid that.]

But... even though I haven't been able to help you yet, I hope that you'll believe me when I say that I wish I could. I'll try my best.

Mm, useful.

[But that's all she'll say on the matter because there are rude jerks right outside her door... She sincerely hopes that she has kept her voice low enough that they haven't realized she's regained consciousness yet. She thinks she must have, because surely they would be fetching someone to question her if they knew she was awake.

...she isn't particularly looking forward to telling them why she lied about who she is, though she would very much like to hear what their justification for keeping someone they've already acknowledged as the Princess of Yase locked up like this is. She is looking forward to seeing the looks on their faces once her clan figures out where she is and Kimigiku comes to get her, though.]

I do believe you. [He's the only member of this household she'll believe in, to be perfectly honest. Those who are Nagumo by blood are untrustworthy snakes, but she believes Kaoru is different from them.] But please... don't put yourself at risk. I don't want you harmed for my sake.

[But this Kaoru still has some of that reckless Yukimura in him, doesn't he...]

[There's another little snuffle at that, and the sound of softly rustling fabric that can barely be heard through the thick wall.]

I'll be fine. They're being generous because you're here.

[Which sure says a lot if this is Nagumo generosity... But he doesn't seem to understand how horrible that sounds, since there's nothing in his voice that reflects he's disturbed by it. In fact, he sounds a little spirited, since them going easy on him means that he'll have more of an opportunity to do something and not get himself megamurdered in the process.

He raises his hands again after that, uncurling his fingers and patting his palms against the wall. He's not really sure what the gesture is for; reassurance, maybe? For her or for himself - that, he doesn't know.]

...Please hold out a little longer. I'll try to work quickly. [A beat, and then:] Are you hungry?

Edited 2015-01-01 13:26 (UTC)

[It's probably fortunate that Kaoru can't see her face right now. It flits between surprised to enraged and then finally rests on unsettled; this is generosity? How spirited he sounds is greatly disturbing to her, because she can tell by the way he speaks that he really does see this as them being generous. It isn't lip service meant to reassure her.

She's going to make them pay, somehow. One way or another... they can't be allowed to get away with this.]

Is that so...

[Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, then. Two weeks before the child she left a message with in Yase brings her whereabouts to light, and then time to travel... she isn't afraid of what might happen to her, mostly because she knows she can handle herself. But that does mean Kaoru may have a few weeks without them breathing down his neck.]

Take your time and be careful. I'm not afraid of this clan, Kaoru-san. [She does her best to sound cheerfully optimistic - she doesn't want to worry him or make him feel as though he has to hurry anything to help her out.] Ah... I am a little hungry, but there are people on the other side of the door. It wouldn't be easy to bring anything here, I think...

[Not to mention, once she decides she's up to dealing with them she can just demand food... since she's a princess and all...]

[There's just a soft, affirmative hum on his side of the wall at that, since he figures he might as well attempt to reassure her if it's at all possible. He'll be fine, even if he doesn't have the ability to be fearless in the face of this clan like she is. There's something in him that stirs, jealous, at that. He'd give a lot to be able to say the same thing and to mean it like she does.

But he tries not to let that bitterness rise up too high, reminding himself that it's a good thing she's not afraid. This experience would be so much worse for her if she was.]

Mm... Still, it's always better to work quickly.

[A YUKIMURA, INDEED. Bowling fullspeed ahead into danger or at least vague discomfort...

That said, this is something he can do, so he seems to perk up a little.]

If you're hungry, please leave it to me. I don't have to sneak it through.

Edited 2015-01-01 13:48 (UTC)

[God. In a few years, once Chizuru steps in and rescues her from ronin when she really doesn't need rescuing, Sen is going to look back on this moment and think to herself that in spite of all their differences in the present day, the twins really were cut from the same cloth.

For now, though - she's grateful. Surprised, and worried, but... grateful. Most people take her reassurances that she's just fine and she can handle it at face value. Kimigiku doesn't always, but only because she's been with her for so long that she knows her better than mot. But Kaoru... maybe it's because he know firsthand what sort of treatment the Nagumo clan can dish out, or maybe he's just kind. But he isn't letting her brush this all off as "just fine," and he's doing his best to help her.

That sort of kindness is something to be treasured.]

I'll leave it to you, then. You have my gratitude.

[He knows the ins and outs of this clan better than she does. She just hopes that he doesn't wind up in trouble by associating with her, since she's already sort of in the doghouse, as it is.]

[TREASURE IT WELL SEN..... She's probably the last person who will see it from him, wow.

But the shuffling sound of him pushing himself up and away from the ground follows that, and then a quiet:]

Please wait, then.

[AND OFF HE GOES. After so many years in the clan, he at least knows how to get into the kitchen as secretly as possible. Of course, entrances and exits can only take a person so far if the kitchen is occupied - which it thankfully isn't for now. No surprise, really; Kaoru imagines that most of the clan members are gathered around the room that Sen has been put in either out of curiosity or because they're assigned guards. The clan head is surely off somewhere else, too self-determindly important to waste time on this just yet. Where that is, Kaoru has no idea, but he certainly doesn't plan on finding out.

He moves light and quick like a thief, movements practiced through years of having to steal an extra handful of rice just to get by another day. A scoop of rice from the pot, one of the wrapped mackerel broiling over the fire, some vegetables... It's not much, but it'll have to do. It's wrapped up in some nondescript cloth, which Kaoru carries with him back to the outer wall. He'll tap on it again, a little more hurried this time.]

Princess Sen? The food will be outside your door below the second floorboard. Please move quickly when the time comes. [He doesn't really wait for her to reply before setting off again. He has to move carefully now.

Knowing the best hiding places in the house has been a necessity for quite some time but it's aiding him greatly, since he knows exactly which spot of the porch he needs to scoot under in order to reach that loose floorboard. It's somewhat slow-going since he has to be careful not to get dirt on his kimono, and he pauses in quiet trepidation every time the floor creaks over his head. He can hear the voices more clearly now, speaking in excited and concerned tones about their newest esteemed guest, how dangerous it is to be holding on to her, but how rewarding it may be if they can get away with it. He holds his breath, crouching down and hanging the cloth from the underside of that board by a loose strip. He hopes it's wrapped well enough to keep things from spilling when she moves it.

Then he's carefully moving himself out again, easing backwards from the porch, creeping his way around the perimeter of the in-court garden until he reaches his familiar room. He hoists himself back in, checks himself quickly for dirt, takes a deep breath, and:]

Hyaaaaaa—!!

[The din outside of Sen's room stops immediately, and she'll probably be able to hear muffled voices escalating to shouts - what the hell was that? or do you think he's seen an intruder? or it's way too soon!

Then comes what Kaoru had been banking on - the go look immediately! and the sound of many footsteps thundering away. If Sen peeks out, the few remaining men who have been left behind to guard her are staring down the hall toward the retreating backs of the rest. With luck, she'll have enough time to lift the board and grab the bag beneath it. KAORU'S SURE MAKING A LONG-LASTING RUCKUS, AT LEAST, with some very convincingly distressed-sounding shrieks. His acting career started early...]

[Oh, dear. Just the way he says that - "Please move quickly" - makes her more than certain that he is going to do something incredibly reckless. As concerned as she is, she is also very curious to see what he has in mind.

As he moves under the floor to get the bundle of food in place, Sen moves carefully to the door. She will remain kneeling there as he scoots around and hooks the cloth package to the underside of the floorboards, makes his way back to his room, and shouts. The ensuing commotion doesn't make her bat an eyelash, though she would certainly be much more worried that something had happened to him if he hadn't basically already made it clear he was going to cause a distraction of some kind.

As the hurried footsteps and voices fade out of her hearing, she silently opens the door and leans out so that she can loosen the floorboard and retrieve the bag of food. She glances briefly at the men at the end of the hall, grateful for the fact that they're watching their comrades go, and retreats back into the room before closing the door behind her.

She isn't sure how much time she has. Possibly not much - definitely not enough to eat the food - because such a commotion isn't something she can sleep through, and they will probably find it suspicious if it doesn't rouse her. Not to mention, once they ascertain that whatever "intruder" Kaoru has spotted is no longer in that area, they will most likely come here to be sure that someone from Yase hasn't spirited her away. She simply doesn't have time to scarf down the whole thing.

She closes her eyes briefly, whispers a "Thank you," since she can hardly shout it out to Kaoru with the guards about, and stows the bag of food under the dusty futon in the corner. With this room as bare as it is, she doesn't have many options.

Moments later, she returns to the door and cracks it open just a bit. Perhaps taunting the guards isn't the best idea, but she has to admit that if she didn't know Kaoru was planning a distraction she would do exactly what she's about to do right now, and she doesn't want to arouse suspicion by not doing it.]

My, my. [She makes her voice just loud enough for the guards at the end of the hall to hear.] Were your clan's defenses breached already? How unfortunate.

[Demons are shitheads, even when they're princesses.]

[ALL DEMONS HAVE THE SHITHEAD GENE... It's just an inescapable facet of being a demon, apparently - not that any of them seem to mind.

Except when that shitheadedness is directed against them!! Like it is right now! Rude as hell, Sen! The straggling guard shitheads seem offended, at least... One of them turns around to face her, pointing with GREAT VIGOR like that's somehow going to make him more intimidating.]

Shut your mouth! Even Yase can't lift a finger against us. You're all big talk sittin' so comfy up with the government, but you can't do anything when it comes to what's important!

[Apparently no one's ever taught these rudies how to interact with royalty...

But the sound of many footsteps can be heard on the outside of the room after that, where Kaoru had been before. Cries of keep looking! and nothing over hear! volley back and forward across the courtyard. The sound of Kaoru's voice can also be heard after a short time, high-pitched with something close to fear. All things considered, he's pretty good at faking it even now, with half as much experience under his belt as he'll eventually end up with. Someone who's paying close enough attention would probably be able to tell that it sounds a little too forced, a little too extravagant by way of reaction, but luckily everyone's too busy running around like headless chickens to pay heed.]

There were at least two! One came from the Eastern wall and I saw another heading for the roof top—!

[Apparently he's being herded around along with the frantic household members, since his voice fades away soon after as the footsteps grow more distant.]

[Sen glances briefly at the guard's pointed finger and has to bring a hand up to her mouth to muffle a laugh. Honestly, what is that meant to do? She isn't intimidated by him at all, which is probably rather annoying for him - that he can't even intimidate a captive. Ah, well.]

You'd be surprised. As I recall, I had no trouble entering here under false pretenses myself. [Yeah... seriously... they kept her waiting for an entire twenty-four hours and no one thought to do an identity check before letting her meet with Kaoru? Seriously? Sure, she was found out right away, but if a visitor had been in Yase for that long Sen would have had their entire life's story in a neat and tidy report before ever seeing their face. She's not impressed.] Subterfuge isn't even a talent of mine, but sneaking into places is a talent of my agents. I wonder how your employer will react when you all wake up one morning and I'm gone?

[She's enjoying this a little too much, really. But Kaoru's going through such trouble to keep the guards outside distracted, and she doesn't want to leave anyone thinking that it might have been a lie from the beginning. If the guards are convinced she's got people from Yase coming from her, they won't make the connection between the commotion and the person who raised the alarm.]

Did you really think I would come to this place without telling my bodyguards? I'm sure they've already gotten tired of waiting for me to return.

[That's sort of exactly what she did... but y'know...

Out with the household members running around like morons, of course there isn't any actual intruder... but, by coincidence, there does just so happen to be a cat that's on the loose. Said cat is currently hiding under the porch, but it seems to have a few pieces of paper in its mouth that it's hoarding and bringing back to its den. Sure enough, from another part of the compound comes a shout -

"Someone has been in the records room!"

Well, that's a convenient coincidence. Roll with it, Kaoru.]

[WELL THAT'S definitely a surprise... It's a good thing everyone else is so focused on finding these nonexistent intruders that they aren't really paying him much attention, because he's yet to master the art of maintaining a pokerface in any given situation and is left visibly startled by that sudden declaration. Is someone here? Had Sen been able to rifle through the records beforehand...?

That'd be a difficult feat, because as lax as the security had been, Sen certainly hadn't been without guard during her 24 hour wait. If she had tried to nose around, the entire compound would have been made aware of it quickly.]

Oh—! [There's Kaoru again, making a little noise of surprise as he's grabbed by the wrist and tugged over in the direction of the records room. AT LEAST HE'S GETTING HIS EXERCISE TONIGHT...

As for Sen and her unimpressive guards, they sure do seem to be riled by what she says. Not a one of them seems to even remotely suspect Kaoru, but that's also likely because Kaoru's never had the guts to do anything like this before for fear of retribution. He knows the punishment will be heavy if he is caught, but as far as he's concerned, being able to make it up to Sen even a small fraction is worth it.]

Then we'll just have to wipe 'em out! Doesn't matter how good they are at sneaking around if they bleed the same as anyone. Hey - maybe the boss would even use you as bait! String y'up in the courtyard by the ankles and kill anyone who tries to make a move!

[Taunting the prisoner without actually trying to get her back into the room GOOD WORK TEAM...

But even though the servants can be woefully inadequate by way of threat, apparently, it's equally clear that something about the clan proper functions well enough to keep them afloat amid all of the murky political and criminal waters they traverse. Whether it's care or proficiency in all the wrong areas, they're still around for a reason.]

[Sen is a shithead of many talents who just wanted to get some light reading done while she waited...

Okay, no. When Kaoru and his retinue make it to the records room, they'll find that it's actually in a rather severe state of disarray, which it definitely was not earlier or else someone would have raised the alarm much sooner. Papers are strewn about haphazardly; some are ripped, while others are intact. There are shards of a shattered vase on the ground, intermixed with water and now-crushed flowers.

(There is also a mouse under the floorboards, squeaking in terror even though the cat that had been chasing it is long gone.)

Meanwhile, Sen merely rolls her eyes at the guards, utterly unimpressed.]

Quite frankly, no one who works for me would be incompetent enough to fall for such an obvious trap.

[She isn't unaware that although she may not have had a hard time pulling the wool over their eyes temporarily, the Nagumo clan is more capable than she is giving them credit for. Still, she has a little too much pride to let them reduce her to a trembling captive. That is a sight she won't allow anyone to see, now or ever.

Her expression hardens.]

And might I remind you... I was subdued because I was taken by surprise. [Dishonorable tactics!!] There are no entrances behind me in this room. Just as you will see if I make a run for it... I will see if you try to take me anywhere I do not wish to go. [And then, her voice is like ice - ] Feel free to attempt it, if you wish to experience the power of the bloodline of Suzuka Gozen firsthand. I have my doubts that you, personally, will live to regret it.

[The clan in general might be able to overpower her, but they can't all fit into this small room. With the door as a stopgap, she is certain she could defend herself quite well before becoming exhausted.]

[WHAT A RUDE HOME INVADER, causing this much trouble, gosh!! But of course this is much more than Kaoru had initially bargained for, and he can feel himself seizing up in mild panic as soon as he lays eyes on the room. There's a fear present that they'll figure out he had raised the alarm intentionally, and then this horrible mess would be pinned on him too, even though his hands are clean of it.

Luckily, they don't seem to be thinking of that just yet. One of the men turns around, already having Kaoru's wrist locked in hand, and begins to stride out of the room. It's clear with the way he barks orders that he's a member of the family rather than the servants, and likely high ranking.

We're locking this place down! I'm taking the brat back.

"The brat" in this case is Kaoru, apparently, and the two of them will eventually come up the hallway that Sen and the servants are having their dingus stand-off in. Very one-sided, considering she's exuding all the air of a royal family member who is not to be trifled with, whereas the servants just have their loudness and bluster. The one trying to stand Sen down is in the middle of sputtering a retort when he's shoved aside by the man guiding - or tugging, rather - Kaoru through.

He doesn't have any grandstanding to do, and there's the difference between the house members and those who serve them. Cold efficiency - taunting only when it can be backed up. Rather than waste any words trying to argue with her or defend the Nagumo defenses, he stops in front of the door, roughly moving Kaoru out of the way before addressing the servants.]

Let's keep humoring our guest down to a minimum.

[With little more warning than that, the man strikes out with sudden and vicious accuracy, attempting to kick Sen back into the room so the door can be shut again. Regardless of whether or not it actually lands, Kaoru will be slapping his free hand over his mouth to muffle the distressed noise of surprise that automatically follows.]

[They're so panicked, but in a few hours the stray cat is probably going to wander into the kitchen mewling for milk, and it'll have one of the papers with it and they'll feel dumb as hell for overreacting...

For now, though, the entire household is a rather tense place to be. The guards lose basically all of their bravado when the family member towing Kaoru along appears on the scene and reprimands them; Sen, on the other hand, already has her attention on him from the time he comes into view. The more she learns of this family, the better.

...watching him gives her the advantage of seeing his muscles tense just milliseconds before he moves, and she jumps back as he strikes out with the kick. She can tell from the strike that he is strong. He's fast, too; she avoids the worst of it, but he still lands a glancing blow, and she puts one hand over her stomach as she glares up at him from the tatami mats.

She's inside the room now, though. That will make closing the door incredibly easy.]

Your treatment of guests is abhorrent. [After the comment about not humoring guests, she doesn't expect a response, but she also doesn't intend to let that go unaddressed.] I sincerely hope you don't expect to get anything from me during my stay here, because after that, I certainly won't give it.