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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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[His statement is met with a sharp nod.]

Then do so.

[Kimigiku may be carefully holding on to Sen, but that doesn't seem to slow her down in the slightest - she'll follow Kaoru without hesitation because hesitation could prove fatal. However, she doesn't make conversation as he's leading her to the nearest exit. For one thing, their voices could be used to track them; for another, she already plans to leave him behind, and she doesn't want to grow attached enough to him to feel guilt for doing so.

It's probably a small blessing that Sen isn't conscious to pitch a fit that he's going to be ditched. She knows the princess can be rather stubborn (the fact that she's gone so far as to infiltrate the Nagumo compound only proves it), and she won't be able to disobey if she's given the order to take him. As long as she doesn't wake to give the order, it's just fine.

...it's only a temporary blessing. As they near the exit, the guards near them, and between the shouts and the inevitable jostling as Kimigiku begins to run, Sen stirs, flinching in pain.]

—Kimigiku? [She has the presence of mind to recognize whose arms she is in, at least, but she doesn't have the strength to turn her head, and so she can't seek out her roommate of half a day.] Kaoru! Where is—?

[She is hushed by Kimigiku clapping a hand over her mouth, eyes narrowing as the guards get closer. One of them has a bow and looses an arrow, which is narrowly dodged; it sticks in the trunk of a tree. Her bodyguard hisses in displeasure and tenses her knees as if to put on a burst of speed and leave all of them - Kaoru and Nagumo guards alike - behind, but Sen manages to bring her hand to Kimigiku's wrist and wrenches her hand away.]

Don't— [She wants to say "Don't leave him," but there isn't enough time. The guards are getting closer, some of them even speeding up and coming within grabbing reach of Kaoru, and she lets out a choked gasp.] Look out!

[Ah.

Hopeful as Kaoru might be despite himself, he's also observant - terribly observant, which will be weaponized at some point in the future but is, for now, nothing more than a hindrance when he would really rather just be able to live in some semblance of blissful oblivion. He notices the way she tenses her knees, and before that had been all too aware of her silence as they fled. They're all marks that he'd like desperately to ignore, but that his pessimistic nature won't allow him to.

She has no intention of bringing him along.

Sen, too - hearing her wake up and seeing her struggle like that... She's still asking for him even at a time like this? The grossly selfish, sick part of himself feels a horrible twist of satisfaction at that. If Sen still cares this much, he matters. One bodyguard's desire to leave him behind can't possibly trump the approval of someone who promised to be his friend.

But that part is still small, even if it's growing, and it's a voice largely drowned out by bigger concerns. For example, the guard that's close enough to touch him.

...Well. Forcing himself into Kimigiku's care at this point might just get them all killed in the end. (A very, very tiny part of himself hopes that maybe, if Sen does escape successfully and survives this ordeal, she'll still come back for him later anyway.)

It's with that in mind that he suddenly stops mid-dash and pivots on his heel, swinging his opposite leg around in a fearsome kick that packs enough strength to send the guard it connects with flying into a couple of his companions. They all go tumbling to the ground, and naturally this has the majority of their attention on him, though a small subset still focuses on Sen and Kimigiku with cries of don't let them escape! Kaoru cries out, too, forceful and hoping he doesn't sound as terrified as he feels.]

Go—!

[His wrist is grabbed soon after, but he's hoping even that small delay will be enough for Kimigiku to take advantage of.]

[Sen doesn't like this at all.

Her goal here was to get Kaoru out. Being poisoned hadn't been a part of her plan, but if she's going to make it out of here alive, she wants to save him, too. She opens her mouth to protest as he yells for them to go and his arm is grabbed, but Kimigiku does her job too quickly and grabs her around the waist to tug her back, one hand going up to cover her mouth again. Accidental or not, she doesn't know, but it keeps her from calling out to him.

She shouldn't struggle. She knows that. Kimigiku is only doing what she must to ensure her safe return to Yase - it's what's necessary - but she doesn't feel that she's able to just say "I wanted to save him, but I messed up" and go. She can't, won't, accept that.

Her hands come up to claw at Kimigiku's hand over her mouth; her bodyguard doesn't seem to be at all phased by it. She's already taking advantage of the distraction Kaoru has offered and is starting to pull her away. But her hand slips, just once - ]

Kimi—

[Kimigiku shakes her head, desperate to pull her away before she can finish her sentence.]

Save him!

[But Sen manages to get her mouth free.]

That is an order—!

[The bodyguard curses under her breath, but she doesn't have much choice other than to obey. She sets Sen down carefully and then darts forward in a flurry of motion, taking hold of the wrist of the man who has Kaoru's wrist and twisting it sharply; she's experienced in forcing people to let go, apparently, because the man lets go despite himself. A moment later she's gathered Kaoru up and is darting back to Sen's side, but only to put him down.

She fixes him with a glare.

"Show her the way out," Kimigiku says, and Sen opens her mouth to say something but is cut off. "I am holding you personally responsible for the princess' safety. I will hold off these men."

And then she turns back to keep the guards occupied.

Sen doesn't look so concerned about Kimigiku's safety - she knows she can get out of it - but she's still weak and shaky. She holds a hand out to Kaoru.]

...please... come with me. [All the way back to Yase, is what she means.] I'll run as fast as I'm able. Kimigiku will catch up with us and see us safely home...

[It may not actually turn out that way but hot damn am I tired of trying to play Kimigiku when I have no handle on her voice so she's going to be otherwise occupied for a little bit while these two try and escape! I've already thought of like three different ways to make the inevitable failure really painful.]

[WELL THAT sure all passes by in a blur of confusion, and Kaoru's left stumbling and glancing around wildly as he's gathered up and set by Sen's side. That... that sure hadn't been what he had been expecting to happen at all.

She's really going all out for him, isn't she? Sen - if this works, he's going to be in her debt for the rest of his life, and he knows it. But his selfish heart beats a little faster, feels a little less heavy, now that he's not in such dire circumstances anymore. All he has to do is make sure that they both make it out. He knows his way around the compound. He can do this.

Kimigiku gets one curt not before she flees again, and then Kaoru's attention turns toward Sen's hand and its shaking.]

—I can carry you. [Adrenaline is fueling him right now, so he knows that he'll be able to.]

So let's go! The way out— if we just keep going this way-

[His gaze drifts in the direction of the forest, which he knows personally will come to an end eventually, and with it, so will the property of the Nagumo clan. They can still be pursued even outside of the border, of course, but it would become much more difficult for them, especially since the surrounding wooded areas eventually trail into cities. Recapture would be impossible there.

He holds his arms out, reaching for Sen without waiting for the okay. They're running on low time, here. If she protests immediately, he'll let her run on her own, but otherwise he'll scoop her up bridal style and take off.]

[She'd said "I'll run as fast as I'm able," but it would be a lie to say that she isn't worried that her legs will give out. When Kaoru says that he'll carry her and reaches out for her, it's a blessed relief. She would feel guilt over making him carry her except for the fact that time is very clearly of the essence and they don't have time to argue - and so she nods and allows him to sweep her up into his arms.

This apparently isn't the first time Sen has been carried. Admittedly, usually it's Kimigiku doing the carrying, and Kaoru is actually her size so it's a little bit awkward, but she still seems to know how best to wrap her arms around him to help steady herself and lessen the burden on his arms, and she gets settled in relatively easily as they run.]

...thank you.

[Her voice is quiet, but with the way he's carrying her, it'll be easy enough for him to hear. She sounds truly grateful - like he's doing her a favor by coming along, which is a little odd considering Kimigiku had been about to leave him behind until she'd spoken up, but there you go.

There are loud sounds behind them, but many of them seem to be men crying out as Kimigiku slaps them down. Notably, there aren't any loud footsteps in pursuit, and they're able to make their way to the wooded areas near the end of the property.

Even though Kaoru is the one running, Sen is in a cold sweat. That's probably the poison's fault, but she's making a valiant effort to not complain. The sweat and the way she's still trembling are the only real outward signs, since she's flat-out refused to cry or yell.]

I'm very glad that you're coming with us...

[It's almost enough to make him stumble a little, hearing something like that. She's thanking him? For what? He's done nothing for her with the exception of making things more difficult. What would have been a simple rescue mission had almost been thrown beyond repair because of his carelessness, and now the reminder of her dire situation is all the more tangible with her in his arms like this.

It combats the feeling of selfish glee, at least, offsetting it with a deep sense of guilt.]

You— please don't thank me...

[He doesn't even feel like he can accept "I'm glad you're coming with us" in good conscience, honestly. Even though he hadn't exactly forced himself along, it feels like he's intruded - like he's continuing to cause problems just by being here.

So he'll try his best to avoid giving Sen or Kimigiku something to regret. It's difficult to run quickly and traverse the woods in a kimono, but Kaoru's had unfortunate experience with just that and knows his way around the paths well. He darts through efficiently, leaving barely a swirl of leaves in his wake.]

[She wants to say something in response to that - the desire to do so is written all over her face - but whether it's because of the pain, his insistence, or some combination of the two, she does not. Instead, she merely presses her lips together into a thin line and closes her eyes as Kaoru picks up speed. They'll have a lot to talk over once they arrive in Yase, but for now, she needs to stay still and refrain from doing anything that could break his concentration and make this task any more difficult for him than it already is.

Unfortunately, it seems like there is a member of the Nagumo clan who has taken it upon himself to make this incredibly difficult. Kaoru may have far more experience running through the woods than he ought to, but the clan has just as much experience chasing him, and though Kimigiku is keeping the others who were in direct pursuit busy, this man is standing at the wooded area's edge, ready and waiting. When Kaoru comes into view, he pulls back on a bowstring and releases the arrow.

The twang of the string makes Sen sit up with a start, and it grazes her cheek before going sailing over Kaoru's shoulder. It isn't the fact that it's hit at all that makes her furrow her brow in concern and bring a few fingers up to her cheek; it's that there is no telltale orange glow, and that the blood continues to drip long after it should have healed over.

Her stomach churns, and she channels her terror into a deep scowl as she addresses the man.]

Have you nothing better to do with your time than this? [She doesn't sound as vehement as she normally would; she's too weakened for that. And yet, there is still a certain amount of disdain in her voice.] Accept that you have lost and release Kaoru into Yase's care.

[The man just laughs. It's a cruel, mocking sound, and Sen flinches because his voice truly does grate on her nerves.]

Now that your servant has arrived, you're free to go, Princess. [He sneers.] But he stays. Maybe you can fight his way free, but if you take the time to do so, you'll perish before you can return home. [Then he turns his attention to Kaoru.] Give it up and go back to your room, brat. You aren't so valuable to Yase that they'll risk their princess's life for yours.

[Sen narrows her eyes and tightens her fists into the fabric of Kaoru's kimono.]

Quiet, you—!

[The comment makes his stomach feel like it's sinking a little, because that speaks to the fear that he had already been harboring anyway. His life is worthless, especially compared to someone like the princess of Yase herself. With an entire village to lead and so many demons who look up to her as a focal point of their culture and society, he couldn't expect anything different - never really had, despite his hope for Sen to keep her word.

He also, despite his frantic searching and rapid thinking, notices the fact that her wound doesn't start to seal over immediately. It's something that he registers as a bit of an afterthought since his concentration is mainly on the man standing before them, but it does factor into his decision nonetheless.

For now, he stands his ground, crouched and clearly ready to duck and run at a moment's notice. They're really running out of time, if that injury's delayed response is anything to go by.]

I'm not going to leave her out here and go back. Who's to say you won't kill her as soon as I put her down?

[NOT FALLIN FOR YOUR SHIT, ARROW GUY.]

You will let Sen pass.

You will let us both pass!

[Is Sen's quick follow-up to Kaoru's demand, which the Nagumo clan member in front of them doesn't seem too bothered by. As far as he's concerned she can shout until she's blue in the face (or, you know, dead) and it won't really matter - because if she wastes her time shouting, she'll die, and they'll take Kaoru back. If she gives Kaoru up and returns to Yase, they'll take Kaoru back and he may not trust her anymore even if she survives.

Either way, Kaoru is still theirs. That's the reason for the smugness in his expression, and Sen notices it and is rather offended by it.]

Do you think this is funny? You must—

[She's cut off by a violent cough, though; she turns her head so that she doesn't cough on Kaoru's kimono, which is good, because a moment or two later the ground is splattered with blood. She brings a hand up to her mouth in shock and tries to muffle the coughing.

The man rolls his eyes.]

You're running out of time. Tell you what, brat - you walk to me. I'll take your arm and you'll set her down, and you and I will walk back to the compound together while she waits for her bodyguard.

[Sen shakes her head, but can't protest above her coughing. The "No" is plain to see in her eyes, though.]

[That's— a lot of blood. It's not as though she's hemorrhaging, but it's enough to cause Kaoru's heartbeat to quicken in his chest, his lips pursing out of reflex to keep himself quiet.

They don't have the time for hesitation, though. He has to set himself aside again if that's what it takes to ensure Sen's safety, even if that selfish part of him reels at the thought. What has being selfless ever done for you? Nothing - and really, there's a part of him that undeniably does this in the hopes that helping Sen out now will earn him a return favor later. But he's trying - he's trying - to be a good person.

He levels the man an even stare, still not budging from the spot.]

How will I know that someone else won't come along after and do her harm?

[Bartering is about as much as he can do here, unless he tries to make it past this man, which he's also considering. He's keeping a keen ear out toward the surrounding area, and trying his best to feel for any nearby presences.]

You'll just have to trust me, won't ya.

[There isn't anything at all reassuring about the way he says that, and he's smirking, which really doesn't help matters either. Sen certainly doesn't trust him; though she can't catch her breath enough to speak, she shakes her head again and tugs lightly on Kaoru's kimono again in a desperate attempt to get him to turn this offer down. It's just one man - surely, if they try hard enough, they can overcome a single man and find their way to safety. They're so close...

She doesn't want to give up. She wants to see Kaoru safely out of here, right here and right now. She didn't come all this way just to return to Yase without him.]

Tick-tock, tick-tock! [Calls the man, and he repositions the bow to take aim directly at Sen.] You'll either return to your rightful place or you'll both die right here. What will it be?

[Kaoru also doesn't trust him, which is a problem here, because there aren't really a whole lot of options left.]

—I'll set her down. Don't harm her.

[He squares his shoulders and avoids the attempt that Sen is making at trying to get him to turn the offer down, because he doesn't have any other choice.

That is, he doesn't have any choice but to disarm this man by pretending to go along with what he wants. Kaoru doesn't want to risk Sen being shot in a frantic escape attempt, especially since a bow and arrow would definitely have the field advantage in this situation. Instead, he'll approach, slow and careful and not giving any outward signs that he'll be trying to pull any last minute moves.

He even starts to set Sen down on the ground, but he's well prepared in the case of any sneak attacks from the distance or closer range attacks from the one visible enemy they're facing off against. It'll be a bad move on the man's part if he actually does try to get close enough to grab Kaoru's arm, because Kaoru will be making a grab for the bow first, reaching out to snap the tightened string.]

[If only she had the strength to put up more of a fight. Sen isn't sure at what point so much of her strength left her, but even something as simple as protesting or clinging even tighter to Kaoru to keep him from putting her down feels like an impossible task, and she finds that it's actually rather terrifying to feel so utterly helpless. It isn't a feeling she likes at all.

The man, on the other hand, doesn't have a single problem with this arrangement. He is confident in his plan and confident in his belief that Kaoru will go along with it and won't find back - and so, when he reaches for Kaoru's arm, he's caught by surprise when he grabs for the bow more quickly than he can react to and snaps the string. There is an instant where he stares at it dumbly, but then in the next instant he's readjusting his hold on the arrow and thrusting it downards -

Not into Kaoru's flesh, but right through Sen's hand. She lets out a sharp cry and jerks back.]

You'll pay for that! [His leg sweeps out at Kaoru for a harsh kick. Luckily for Kaoru and Sen, though, Kaoru won't be fighting alone for too long - Sen's shout has sent Kimigiku running. She'll be along shortly, if the rustling of the leaves and her footsteps are any indication.]

[When he realizes a split second too late that the man is retaliating by harming Sen further, the same twisting, curdling rage that had driven him to bashing a servant's skull against the wall over and over and over comes flooding back. He's no stranger to it; but the past day or two have been the first times that he's actually acted on it.

And act is exactly what he does. He can't risk him injuring Sen further, and he can't allow himself to become a useless asset in this fight. His movements are whipquick, dodging out of the way of the kick but still staying in close enough range to be able to reach out and touch that man. If he could just restrain him—

His hand darts out, reaching for his collar in an attempt to pull him off of his balance. If successful, he'll raise his opposite leg with the intent of ramming his knee into the man's gut with merciless strength.]

[The Nagumo clan is rather used to the Kaoru who keeps his head down for fear of another beating; they clearly aren't sure what to make of him when he actually is willing to fight back. It had taken multiple people to restrain him when he had grabbed hold of the servant to bash in his skull, but there aren't multiple people here now - there is just this one man, who is in fact caught by surprise when Kaoru dodges his kick and then pulls him off-balance in a matter of moments. He lets out an undignified yelp followed by a crushing wheeze as Kaoru's knee connects with his gut.

Sen, too, is shocked. Her eyes are wide as she watches Kaoru fight back against his would-be captor, and she isn't sure whether to be terrified or pleased or both. He's very strong, she can see that much; if he could freely harness that strength the clan really wouldn't be able to treat him the way they do. And yet... it's uncontrolled and frightening, and she tries to speak up to calm him once the man's body goes limp but finds that she simply doesn't have the words.

She doesn't need them, though; Kimigiku appears out of the trees a moment later, crossing the distance between them in the blink of an eye and scooping Sen back into her arms. She surveys the scene with a bit of disdain.]

The others are on their way here. Milady, we must leave now. [She sees the still-unhealed scrape on Sen's cheek and the arrowhead wound in her hand, and scowls. These are both wounds she'll be holding Kaoru responsible for, though she's aware Sen would tell her it wasn't his fault.] You mustn't argue. Yase cannot lose you.

[She doesn't speak a word to Kaoru - she leaps up to put some distance between them while he is preoccupied with the man who had been trying to stop him. Sen, on the other hand, lets out another cry and reaches for him, still unwilling to leave him behind but starting to understand that "You must save him" is one order that Kimigiku is actually going to disobey.

The tears she's taken such pains to leave unshed stream down her cheeks, unbidden.]

Kaoru!

[...but unless he hurries to catch up with them, Kimigiku will be carrying her away at top speed, all the way back to Yase.]

[Likewise, it turns out that Sen doesn't really need to say anything at all to bring Kaoru's uncontrolled anger into check. Kimigiku's appearance is enough to curb it at least a little, and the fact that she's not sparing him even a glance is more than enough to tell him what he needs to know.

This is as far as he goes, then.

The ebb and flow of his anger is unpredictable even now, but he deflates quickly this time, carelessly dropping the unconscious man off to the side. He doesn't even bother trying to catch up; either because he knows he wouldn't be able to, because he doesn't want to deal with the scorn from Kimigiku, because he doesn't want to put Sen's life in further danger for his own selfish whims, because "Yase cannot lose you" only applies to her - for any number of reasons. Maybe for all of them. He makes a pained expression when Sen calls out to him, but his feet stay planted.

It's pretty unsurprising, he thinks, that his first friendship would end up like this.

A few seconds pass by after they vanish into the forest, but Kaoru won't stand there like a sitting duck, either. Leaving the man behind, he turns and starts to head back toward the compound that he can only hope will remain a temporary prison.]

[Years pass, and Sen does not return for Kaoru.

The announcement of her death, however, never comes - much to the surprise of the higher-up members of the Nagumo clan, who has assumed she would have succumbed before an antidote could be administered. Rumors do reach the compound that the Princess of Yase has taken ill and slipped into some kind of an unnatural slumber, and perhaps those rumors even trickle down to Kaoru as he suffers mistreatment at his adoptive family's hands. Word that Sen has fully recovered comes shortly before Kaoru slaughters them all, and though a member of a lesser branch of the family who had escaped the slaughter by being away on business appeals to Yase for reprisal, no action is taken. Kaoru becomes the head of the Nagumo clan.

...the branch member never returns from Yase.

As time passes, Sen does not seek out an audience with Kaoru, though his becoming head of the clan would certainly give her an excuse to either visit or invite him to her domain. The truth is, she doesn't know how to face him. She truly feels as though she has utterly failed him - though it isn't something she discusses even with Kimigiku. She dodges the topic in the same way that she dodges one of her chief duties: by busying herself with politics. Her travels to Kyoto bring her into contact with Chizuru and into closer contact with Kazama, much to her displeasure.

That, too, is a duty she can only dodge for so long. When Kazama becomes a little too insistent in regards to Chizuru, she steps in and makes a deal that she truly dreads holding up her end of the bargain for. It is a relief that they both have affairs to put in order before doing so, and after sending Chizuru and Heisuke on their way and parting ways with Kazama, Sen and Kimigiku continue on their way. Both the princess and her bodyguard look rather unsettled.

Kimigiku, of course, thinks that Kazama simply isn't good enough; Sen, on the other hand, dreads doing this at all.

"My lady," Kimigiku begins, but Sen just cuts her off with a weary sigh.]

Please, not now. [When she starts to question her, she shakes her head.] I don't wish to discuss it. ...besides, there is someone else here. [She's felt Kaoru's presence nearby; she turns to look in his direction, though she can't see him just yet, and tilts her head to one side.] Why don't you come out and say hello?

[Part of her wonders how much he heard; the rest of her is too unsettled to care.]

[Kaoru does have a habit of keeping an ear to the ground, and thus stays relatively on top of things as they progress even though he has to fight his way into a position of power. At least by the time he manages to do that, he's become a weapon in his own right.

But being named head of the clan does come with its share of responsibilities, and Kaoru has grown into a shrewd and capable leader; ruthless, but someone who can accomplish things that no one else can because of his penchant for viewing people as disposable pieces on a board. He keeps an eye out for Chizuru using the information that Sen had given him so long ago, but doesn't ever do anything with it. She doesn't remember him, and that's a bridge that hurts too much to cross, so he leaves it behind to tend to clan matters. He pushes the Nagumo name forward in the sphere of politics even without a hefty number behind it, masquerading beneath pretenses of surviving a massacre. He spearheads dangerous forays into research on ochimizu, wields the shield and sword of any respectable warlord even though he still can't bring himself to cut his hair or wear men's clothing.

It's not the life that he had once hoped for, but it's the one that he was thrust into, and he's made the most of it.

So it's a little surprising to him, too, when he senses Sen's presence nearby. Keeping an eye on Chizuru didn't mean obsessively following her every move ~~because this isn't Okita route~~, but when Kazama got involved, he did step up his watchfulness a little, spending more time in Kyoto than he'd really like. He avoids her for similar reasons - because he doesn't know what he'd say. He doesn't even know how he feels. Memories of those days have faded, taking a back seat to things deemed more important (or at the very least, less traumatic.) He has become a person who discards the things that aren't necessary, and while that works well enough, it leaves him a little bereft when things are suddenly thrust into his lap to deal with. "Unprepared" is a good place to start.]

Oh, my— [Not quite as good, but still a place to start. Kaoru steps his way out of the alley that he had been passing through, all elegance and grace and none of the fumbling that had cursed him in his younger days. Years have been added to his face, but his smile is lovely and his features are soft, though there's a sharpness to his stare now like a beast of prey.]

I hope that you can excuse my manners... If I had known the Princess of Yase was passing through, I would have cleared the path.

[Sen smiles politely at that, and waves one hand dismissively.]

Such a thing is unnecessary... if I had wanted it to be known that I was passing through, I would have sent Kimigiku on ahead.

[Poor manners can be excused in this case, apparently? Kimigiku doesn't seem to think so - she's eyeing Kaoru suspiciously, rather distrustful of his alleyrat ways, but outwardly Sen doesn't seem all too bothered. Inwardly, though, she can't help but feel a little off-balance. The exchange with Kazama had been enough turmoil for one day and she still isn't certain how she ought to be acting around Kaoru after all this time.

She supposes she should take her cue from him.]

Likewise, had I known that the head of the Nagumo clan would be here, I would have prepared a more suitable greeting... what brings you to the area? Have the humans and their war caught your attention as well?

[TIT FOR TAT a Kaoru never forgets a slight, even if he didn't mind it at the time. Years and years later, Kaoru doesn't give Kimigiku even the smallest sliver of his attention. He's well-aware of her presence, of course, but clearly doesn't feel threatened by it since his demeanor is about as relaxed as he ever gets. ...Which, granted, is never fully relaxed, but that just comes with the Nagumo territory.

He folds his hands together and smiles a little more widely.]

It's impossible to ignore something so attention-grabbing, isn't it? Though I wouldn't mind doing just that, if I could. [Meddling in human affairs still isn't his style, and even though the Nagumo name is tied intricately with politics, he'd have no problem severing ties without any notice.]

Still, if even the important Kazama and Amagiri clans have been drawn in, it's not a matter that can be set aside easily.

[As composed as Sen would like to be, she can't quite help the slight grimace that passes over her expression when Kaoru says "Kazama." The deal she'd made was entirely necessary to keep Chizuru safe - she'll certainly follow through, and even if she could, she wouldn't go back and change anything so that she herself would be free of his attentions at Chizuru's expense - but just hearing the man's name, even in a passing reference to his clan, leaves a sour taste in her mouth.

But the moment passes, and she nods slowly.]

It's a shame that humans can't manage their own affairs. [GOD, HUMANS. Always demanding their attention.] But this sort of thing will come to an end soon. It always does.

[She smiles lightly.]

Do you plan to return to Tosa immediately, once circumstances allow it?

If it could come to a permanent end, I would be glad for it.

[CASUALLY HINTS AT GENOCIDAL TENDENCIES.

Kaoru also noticed that sour look - who wouldn't? - but doesn't say anything about it just yet. His feelings regarding Sen are complex and he's still not entirely sure where he stands with her, but Kazama is a punishment he'd rather not see inflicted on anyone.

Better Sen than Chizuru, though, as far as he's concerned.]

I do, yes. There is still much to manage. Does the Princess plan on lingering in Kyoto?

Is that so..?

[Well, she can't say she's opposed to an end to wars and humans trying to get demons involved in their problems, but she's not about to condone any genocidal tendencies. It's a good thing Kaoru is a top tier shithead and is good at acting polite, or else she would probably be having Words with him right now. Instead, their conversation remains neutral enough.]

Mm, not for very long. I was planning on leaving Kimigiku here to see to things in my stead. [This is news to Kimigiku, apparently, because she looks mutinous and opens her mouth to protest but Sen predicts it and holds up a hand to silence her... though she doesn't spare her a glance, either. She's holding this conversation with Kaoru, after all.] There are a few things I'll need to see to before I leave [like making sure that Kazama actually is leaving Chizuru alone and not just playing them both, and trying to convince Sannan to cut the shit with the ochimizu but we both know that's going to end horribly] but once that is finished, I have some affairs I need to put in order in Yase.

[IT IS INDEED SO says Kaoru's silence, but he'll wisely continue to be a top tier shithead and keep his polite act up, so it's a message that remains unsaid.

There are more important things to deal with right now, anyway!! Like, for one, the fact that Kimigiku can now be laughed at for being ditched haha nerd. (Internal laughter only, of course...) A feigned look of curiosity follows, and Kaoru's head cants neatly to the side. The ornaments decorating it chime together in a soft, pleasant way.]

Is that so? You do seem busy... I don't suppose you have time to do a little catching up before you leave to tend to the rest of your business here? I'm a little short on time myself, but it has been quite a while since we last spoke.

[IT'S A TRAP.]

[In spite of Sen's earlier signal to her to stand down, Kimigiku simply can't stay silent at that - she steps in between the two of them and glares at Kaoru with a similar amount of disdain as she usually holds for Kazama. Perhaps Kaoru hadn't been personally responsible for the peril she had been in years earlier, but he had been indirectly responsible; she's never really forgiven him for that.]

If you are astute enough to notice that milady is busy, then you should know that to ask such a thing is—

[Sen puts her hand on Kimigiku's shoulder and shakes her head.]

...Kimigiku, please. I would very much like an opportunity to speak with Nagumo-san. [The expression on the bodyguard's face practically screams "this is a bad idea," but Sen just smiles and gestures for her to go on ahead.] Please go on ahead and secure our lodgings for the night. I will come and find you later.

[Trap or no, she... doesn't think anything too dastardly will happen. What's he going to do, poison her?? Been there, done that. Kimigiku frowns, but goes on ahead after shooting Kaoru a deeply suspicious look because she's been ordered ~~and I'm tired of attempting to play her~~. Sen turns her attention to Kaoru with a small smile.]

It's been far too long. ...but this is hardly a place for a conversation. Is there anywhere you would prefer to go?