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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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[Hearing her say that aloud just makes him bow his head, feeling weaker and more powerless than he has in a long time. He hates the fact that he's the one leading her away from the relative comforts of the main compound, and he's well aware that they've done this on purpose. They may not have evidence that he's been helping Sen out, but this is more than enough to tell him that they have their suspicions.

It's not enough to deter him, though. If he lets that happen, Sen will have no one in the coming days to turn to, and Kaoru understands exactly how crushingly lonely such a situation can be. He wouldn't want to wish it on anyone else - or that's what he tells himself over and over, at least.

At the question, he does risk another glance over, and his attention then shifts to their surroundings. After a few seconds, he shakes his head.]

I don't think they are...

[There's a little wariness present in his voice. As kind as he's come to view Sen, most people in her situation would undoubtedly take this opportunity to leave. That's what he believes, at least; his own safety is surely not worth the potential cost of freedom when it's right in front of her. It isn't worth anything at all.]

[It would be a lie to say Sen doesn't at least contemplate making a break for it right here and now. The thing is, she contemplates making a break for it along with Kaoru - but somehow she doubts that they'll manage to outrun the Nagumo family while they're dressed up as they are. They might have a short time before their escape is noticed, but not long enough for them to get somewhere that could be considered safe.

Running, then, is an idea that she dismisses almost as soon as it occurs to her. It will be fine, because this is only temporary. Once Kimigiku learns where she's gone, she will come for her.

Her hand slips into the space between her obi and her kimono and she studies Kaoru for a moment or two.]

Do you think they would search you upon your return? I may not have another opportunity to give this to you...

[She pulls her hand up just enough to show a silk bag - the same type and pattern as the one she had given to him when they'd met, that had been lost in the commotion of the clan figuring out who she was.]

[His eyes follow her hands as they move, and when she pulls the bag out a little, his lips purse. Whatever's in that bag must be important, and he wouldn't want to risk its loss...]

...They might, but I can show you a safe space to leave it. I can come back for it when I bring you your meal.

[Which should be easier to deliver now, at the very least.

He'll turn his attention back ahead after that though, and she may be able to make out an area that looks like a clearing up ahead. There's a little grassy knoll, and the entire area has almost a quaint look to it.]

Mm.

[That seems an acceptable compromise - but she worries a little over the prospect of his bringing her a meal. It's fine so long as the family allows it, but if he has to sneak around to do it, and if he is caught and gets in trouble for it... she truly doesn't wish to be the reason for any more of his suffering.

That is part of the reason for her slight hesitation.]

...the contents could land you in quite a bit of trouble should they be found in your possession at any point before they are used. I'll leave them where you tell me to, but please only take them if you're certain you won't suffer for it.

[That's her major concern, really. She is quiet as they continue on their way, and when the clearing starts to come into view, she can't help but lean forward a little to get a better look. It's sort of funny in a horrible way - this sort of scenery would normally be so relaxing, but the quaint serenity of the knoll is so at odds with what she knows she's walking into that it leaves her all the more unsettled.]

Are we almost there..?

Thank you for your kindness...

[For not only bringing him a gift, but being concerned enough about his well-being to basically say "it's okay if you don't take it if it isn't safe". It just seems like such a phenomenal amount of effort and good intentions that he can hardly believe it's genuine, even now. He can only offer up a pale thank you in return, because everything else falls flat in his mind.]

Ah— we're here already. It's there- [Kaoru makes a vague gesture toward the knoll like that's supposed to make any sense at all...

But the closer they walk, the clearer it'll become that the knoll itself seems to have some sort of doorway in it. It's hard to pick out at a distance, but by the time Kaoru comes to a stop and reaches out toward the grass, the outline can be seen a little better. Think little house on the prairie hillside-style cottages, except the quaintness of it pretty much ends at the door.

He'll pull up a knotted rope that was hidden among the flowers, which opens into a hollowed-out area. There's a low foyer in the interior and two doors. Kaoru sets the lantern down on the floor and the space is so small that it's pretty much all illuminated by the firelight, and he shifts to open up one of the doorways. The room that it reveals has a hole-y straw mat on the ground and a very thin and small futon rolled up in the corner. There is no other furniture or windows, and the walls and ceiling are comprised of extremely compact dirt. It isn't obvious right away, but if she pulls out the futon later, she'll find a dirty old toy top with the paint all flaked off, and a browned, brittle flower crown that looks several years old.]

This is where you'll be staying.

[The apology is definitely heavy in his voice, but the way that he keeps his gaze fixed on the floor is a little too intense for just regret. He'll gesture toward the second door after that.]

You could leave anything you'd like over there. That door leads to a tunnel that exits in the main house, but not everyone knows where to find it. It's close to my room, so I can come and go more easily...

Please, don't thank me until I've actually done something to help you.

[Because this entire trip has been one fiasco after another as far as Sen is concerned; she hasn't been able to do anything she's set out to try and help Kaoru with. If anything, she has only made things more difficult for him.]

...that pouch contains a very potent drug. The entire contents will kill a man, even a demon; spread it out among many, however, and it will weaken them considerably and leave them much more susceptible to death by other means. I had hoped that they would allow you to keep the first pouch so that if they saw this, they would think it was harmless and it wouldn't arouse suspicion...

[So, you know, if he wanted to go on a murderspree a couple years down the line, that would totally make it easier.

She peers in after him as he opens up the hidden area. It isn't going to be impossible to find - particularly if Kimigiku does search the compound first, and happens to speak with Kaoru... but if she is found by one of the family members there, rescuing her from here will be considerably more difficult. Sen has to remain optimistic, though - she must believe Kimigiku will come for her. This stay is going to be unbearable otherwise.

The packed-dirt walls and ceilings get a wary glance, and inwardly, she hopes that there won't be any earthquakes. She doesn't particularly relish the idea of being buried alive.]

It's... [Awful. What the fuck would possess the clan to even make a place like this?] Cozy. [She tries to smile, but it really doesn't come out right.] ...I'll be okay, so please don't make the trip out here unless you're absolutely certain you won't be punished for it.

You've already done so much for me, though. I truly am grateful.

[This he says with a little more insistence, gaze rising to lock onto her closely. But it doesn't last long before explains the contents of the pouch, dissolving away into raw shock instead. This bag... This bag might really contain the key to his exit, if what she's saying is true. It might also get him killed if it's discovered, true enough, but that's such a minor concern in the face of actual potential freedom that he can hardly bring himself to care.]

You— ...You would do something like this for me?

[His voice is hushed in awe, and reasonably so since this is kind of a Huge Deal, being given the go-ahead by the Princess of Yase herself. He wouldn't even care if she was just using him as a tool to destroy the Nagumo from within, honestly; regardless of her reasons, she's giving him an out.

As she starts to look around the place, he starts to try collecting himself. It'll be a while before he can successfully use something like that, so he can't get ahead of himself. That's what causes sloppy mistakes.]

Oh— I'll be fine as well, so please don't worry. You'll need to keep up your strength, so the least that I can do is ensure that you get a few meals.

Edited 2015-01-09 23:43 (UTC)

[Sen's first instinct is to shake her head, but perhaps this is something she and Kaoru will simply have to agree to disagree on... at least until a few years down the line, when he's been so soured by his experiences that he is every bit as depreciating about her efforts as she is.

When she feels his eyes on her, though, she raises her head to meet his gaze and offers him a fleeting smile.]

...what this clan has done to you is unforgivable. If I can, in some small way, contribute to setting things right... then I wish to do so.

[He has her backing, at least. And as long as she has some say in the matter should it come to an all-out slaughter, Kaoru certainly won't be punished for any actions he takes. He can't be punished without implicating Sen as well, now; even if it's out of her hands, anyone else who would make such a decision likely would not want to condemn her as well. It's the best protection she can offer him at present.

It's not like she can protect him much from the current dangers, anyway. Especially since he insists on putting himself in greater danger by helping her out. She sighs lightly.]

Very well... but, please be sure to take the opportunity to eat as well, when you are bringing food to me.

[She's seen those skinny wrists of his, however brief a glance it was. She truly doubts the clan is allowing him to eat as much as he needs.]

[AGREE TO DISAGREE and then their agreement will be just as tragic, wow. This is the demon life...

But Kaoru absolutely understands how important it is to have her backing here, since it's essentially a get out of jail free card. Not that the Nagumo have good relations with other demon clans to begin with, but this secures his ticket out of any possible retribution. He may even be able to continue functioning in public, which he had never before considered in his fleeting day-dreams of breaking free.

Her last statement has Kaoru's brows arching upward a little, though. All of these small shows of concern are so foreign to him that it's obvious he doesn't know how to handle any of it, as much as he'd like to (and as well as he'll be able to fake it in the future.) It's true that he isn't given as much food as the main clan members. On the other hand...]

I will when I'm able, as I always have, so please don't worry over that either. [He just doesn't enjoy eating. The days when he had favorite foods or people to share them with are fast-fading, and he has bigger concerns than re-learning how to like his meals.]

Then...

[Her voice trails off, and she casts a wary glance around the underground room. With nothing left for her to ask of him and nothing left for him to explain to her, the family members are surely expecting Kaoru back soon with the news that Sen has been properly secured. A small knot of anxiety tightens in her stomach, but there isn't much she can do about that; escaping now would only serve to land him in very hot water.

Although she is loathe to be left alone here, what else can she do?]

You had best return to them for now. [She smiles again, her fingers nervously twisting into the fabric of her kimono. Her expression stays pleasant enough, because she's putting on a brave face, but she really doesn't want him to go.] I'll be right here... until Kimigiku comes for me, I'll make no effort to escape. [So he doesn't have to worry about the clan getting pissed about her running away on his watch.] ...thank you, for the lengths you have gone to in order to help me while I am here.

[It isn't easy to detect the brave face that she's putting on, but Kaoru already has ample experience with masks and masking things even now. It's difficult to see her in this situation, but he knows that it's even more difficult to be in this situation. Once the door is closed, if there isn't any lantern left behind, there's nothing but darkness, stale air, and the oppressive feeling of being constricted and compacted smaller and smaller even though the space isn't as minute as it could be.

So he pauses for a second, and then smiles.]

You've gone to even greater lengths for me, so it's only right to return the favor. [He's massively in debt already. The kindness that she's shown him... He's fairly certain he'll never be able to pay it back.

He does what he can in small steps instead, hoping that they'll be enough.]

I'll be back in a few hours, then. Please take care not to let the lantern burn out... [And then Kaoru fishes into the space between his own obi and kimono, pulling out several more lengths of wicks. It's not something that he was supposed to bring along, but he couldn't stand the idea of someone being sealed up in this old darkness. He'll leave those on the floor next to the lantern and then head toward the door that leads back to the outside of the knoll. He gives her one last glance before stepping out to shut it behind himself.

He's also disobeying orders by not actually locking her in that other room, but like hell he'd do that, either.]

Mm, I'll be careful of the lantern. Thank you.

[She watches as he sets the wicks down and makes his way to the door. It takes a considerable amount of effort not to plead for him to stay - much more than Sen is really expecting, even knowing that she doesn't wish to be left behind in this room. It comes as something of a surprise, but at least it isn't so overwhelming that she actually begs him. Even if she holds Kaoru in a higher regard than she does the rest of the clan, she doesn't particularly want him to see her beg, either.

Once he shuts the door behind him, she bows her head and holds her breath for a few long moments. One, two, three... then she exhales, before repeating the process a few times to calm herself. It's alright. It's just fine. He is going to return, there will be food, and then she'll have more time to herself.

It isn't a bad thing, she tells herself. Hasn't she often wished she had a little more time to herself? She can take this chance to think without any interruptions.

For now, while she still has some light, she sets to unfolding the futon. It's then that she comes across the old top and flower crown; they get a puzzled stare, but despite her curiosity, she can recognize that picking them up to examine them too closely could result in damage - or at least could result in the crown crumbling away. She doesn't want that, so she gingerly sets it out of the way before laying out the futon.

She considers it, and comes to the conclusion that the clan members won't come here immediately. So she really does have a few hours, and in that case, maybe she can catch up on some of the sleep she didn't get the night before. With a sigh, she crawls under the dusty covers and lays down for a fitful rest, sleeping lightly and sitting up with a start if there are any sudden noises at any point.]

[She'll find her stay over the next few hours very quiet, save the occasional sound of woodland critters skittering around overhead. The lantern really is the only source of lighting down here, but luckily Kaoru isn't going to be an accidental murderer and left it in an area where there's plenty of draft. Not enough to burn out the flame, but enough to ensure that her air doesn't burn out, either.

It's actually a little longer than Kaoru estimated by the time she may hear a soft knock on the door - not the one leading outside, but the one across the "hall" that Kaoru had said lead to the compound. That alone is probably enough for her to be able to tell that it's him, but he announces himself soon enough anyway before opening the door.]

Princess Sen? I've brought you some food.

[He's changed his clothing, but that's outwardly the only thing that seems amiss. In his hands is a bigger cloth bag than he had left behind the first time, though the food within is essentially the same. It's just portioned a little more heftily.

The way he carries himself this time seems to be a little wary, that said. He's a little lighter on his feet than usual.]

[The woodland creatures that this Kaoru did not befriend because he isn't a Disney Princess (yet)...

When that knock comes, Sen's gaze snaps to the door and she eyes it warily. Logically, yes, she knows it is most likely Kaoru - but it isn't until he speaks that some of the tension goes out of her shoulders. As he enters the room with his bag of food, she rises to her feet and bows to him in gratitude. It strikes her, not for the first time, how lucky she's been - as awful as this clan is, he is at least being very kind to her.

As she straightens up, she shoots the bag a quizzical glance.]

Ah... [Well, there are a few possibilities here. Maybe they're going to eat together? That's a little less likely than what she's thinking, though - ] Will it be difficult for you to come again...? It looks as though you've brought more than last time.

[Is he trying to help her stockpile...]

[That's just met with a baffled look, because Kaoru is pretty dead-set on visiting her as often as possible come hell or high water. No one should be left alone in a place like this for too long.]

It shouldn't be more difficult... I just thought that you might want a little more to eat, since I was able to have more time to pack this bag.

["A LITTLE MORE" it really does look like he's trying to help her stockpile. But the confusion seems genuine, so rather than trying to be sneaky and help her build up her food stash, it just appears that he has no idea what a normal portion is and has decided to go with what he knows best: grab as much as you can when you can and eat until you can't eat anymore.

But from what she's said, it seems like this is too much. He looks down at the bag, brow furrowed.]

Should I bring less next time?

Oh, no -

[She shakes her head. If it's just that he brought bigger portions, that's fine; she had been worried, but... in a situation like this, it's to be expected.]

I only thought that perhaps you were bringing more because you weren't sure when you would have the chance to come again... [She's not going to turn down more food. She does worry that if he grabs this much on more than one occasion, the kitchen staff will notice and start asking questions, but she trusts his judgment on this. (Maybe she shouldn't.)]

Bring however much you feel is correct. ...I really do appreciate it.

[SHE REALLY SHOULDN'T but he sure is glad that she does. He's taking a lot of risks for her, but nothing's blown up in his face too badly yet, so maybe he's getting a little too bold... But if it's for her comfort, he well thinks it's worth it.]

Ah... All right. [He seems put at ease by her reassurances, at least! As long as he didn't massively flub anything up by bringing too much food, somehow... He'd be the kind of person who would have a weird problem like that, okay.]

I was hoping that I'd be able to stay while you ate, too. Is that okay? Most of the family went in to town for a while, so I have a few hours to spare.

I am in no way opposed to your company.

[In other words, yes, please stay. Sen knows that she will have ample time to get used to sitting in this strange underground room all by herself as the days go on, but if she can put off getting used to it for just a little longer, she would like to. More than that, she would like the chance to sit an talk with Kaoru - their first conversation, after all, had been very rudely cut short by the demons calling themselves his relatives.

She gestures to what little space there is for the two of them to settle down, and sets the package of food in between them.]

Have you eaten already? If you're hungry, we could share...

[Kaoru seems pretty pleased to hear that, and he is! Mostly because he hasn't taken a meal in the company of someone he actually enjoys in a long, long time. He hadn't actually expected to be eating though, and seems a little surprised by the offer. Maybe he really did bring too much food and this is just her way of trying to politely pawn some of it off...]

Ah... Well, if you don't mind sharing, I can take a little. I'm not very hungry, though.

[Which is pretty par for the course. Kaoru's appetite is low most of the time, but when it's high he sure can cram in a metric asston of food.

EITHER WAY scooting in closer now!!]

I apologize, but I wasn't able to bring any dishes or utensils.

I don't mind at all.

[On the one hand, maybe she should be hoarding the food. The package he's brought her is certainly more than she was expecting, but even though he seems relatively confident that he'll be able to come visit again, if the family members return and are in foul moods, she wouldn't put it past them to keep the two of them as separated as they possibly can.

On the other, the more she treats this like a vacation rather than an imprisonment, the easier it will be to keep her spirits up until Kimigiku arrives.]

Oh, don't worry about that. Maybe it will be a little messy, but the food will still taste just as good, won't it?

[That earns her a pale smile, which seems to be about the best Kaoru can manage barring very few circumstances. It seems genuinely happy despite what it lacks, even then.]

Thank you.

[And kneeling! I FORGOT WHO HAS THE FOOD but if it's him, he'll start to unpack it and if it isn't, he'll wait patiently. Glancing over toward the lamp either way, and after a pause, he'll add:]

I can bring you more wicks the next time I come, too. This should be enough to get you through the night, at least.

[SEN HAD IT BEFORE BUT SHE PUT IT DOWN IN BETWEEN THEM... so it's fair game. Let's say Sen is unpacking it since technically this is her prison right now, which makes Kaoru her guest. She has to take care of her guest, after all!!]

Mm... I was thinking I might let the wick burn out and try to get some sleep, once you've gone. Should any of those men come to check on me before you return, I doubt they would be very pleased to see the lantern burning.

[Considering comfort doesn't seem to be much of a priority for them.]

I would certainly be glad to have them for when you're sure the family members are not within the compound, however. So, thank you.

[WHAT THE HELL SEN you can bet Kaoru's hands are just sort of uselessly fluttering in the air between them while she does that then, because he's already eating her food and HELPING TO KEEP HER JAILED THROUGH INACTIOn the least he can do is serve a meal.]

Oh— [...Well, she isn't wrong about that. His lips purse briefly and he glances back to the lamp. He won't take it away, but he is worried that someone else might, if they catch her with more wicks than she should have.]

...I'll try to set up some sort of alarm so that you can tell when someone is approaching from the outside. That way, you can put out the fire and hide anything that you need to hide.

[HE WILL BE USEFUL!!!

At the thanks, he just blinks in his owlish way before giving a hesitant nod. He doesn't have to say anything for it to be obvious that he isn't comfortable accepting that sort of sentiment here.]

[No... not allowed... Sen can serve her own meals!! It's not like she has many opportunities to do that back home this is a blessing in disguise. A REALLY CONVINCING DISGUISE BECAUSE THIS SITUATION IS SO SHITTY, but there you go. There you go...

Her gaze wanders to the lantern as his does, but hers lingers on it even after he looks back from it. An alarm... even aside from using it to cover up the fact that she may have a fire burning, it has other uses, too. If she knows someone is approaching, she can mentally prepare herself for whatever might come. That, to her, is a more precious gift than being able to keep a light.

After a moment, she nods.]

If you wouldn't mind doing so, I would greatly appreciate that.

[She smiles faintly, then once the food is set up between them for easy access, picks up a small helping of vegetables with one hand before gesturing to the remaining food with the other.]

Go on, help yourself! Food tastes better when you eat it with a friend.

[THIS DISGUISE IS LIKE A CINDERELLA MIRACLE IN THAT CASE...

But Kaoru at least seems assuaged by the fact that she'll accept his help on the making weird home-alone style alarms front. He can't even ensure that they'll be foolproof, but they will work, at the very least. That's... that's gotta count for something.....]

I don't mind at all. I'll set it up when I'm on my way out.

[And then she's gesturing toward the food and he's midway to reaching out, but what she says next catches him by surprise so greatly that his hand freezes.]

—Friend? [He has yet to escalate to the "what is friend can I eat it" stage of his life, thankfully, but it does seem like a foreign concept to him nonetheless.]