|
Post by Asai Yuuto on Sept 10, 2006 15:04:16 GMT -5
Still so polite. I wouldn't mind if he always meant it this sincerely.
Gesturing with a broad sweep of his hand, Yuuto called back, "To your heart's content!"
Yuuto really settled in for the long haul then. He slipped the geta off his feet and stretched his body along the cold floor. Chiba was beginning to show signs that fall would soon be ending, and the haori was doing little to keep the cool morning air out. Nevertheless, Yuuto pulled it tighter against his body and found a comfortable position, grateful for the respite from his duties.
Orie's form was graceful in its movement. Fluid and easy, the bow seemed to be nothing more than an extension of his arms. It took Yuuto's mind to a time when he would practice calligraphy in the gardens- the curving lines superimposing over Orie's limbs. It was hypnotizing, and soon Yuuto was completely unaware of his surroundings- sound asleep.
|
|
|
Post by Orie Hidehira on Sept 10, 2006 15:19:45 GMT -5
As soon as the words reached him, or perhaps a second before they even finished, Orie had bowed in thanks, and turned to face the nearest target, judging the distance with his eyes and the wind by the bite it had on his skin. He slipped his hand into the archery glove and drew an arrow. The rigidness and tension seemed to slide out of him, as he drew his arm back behind his ear - for a moment, perfectly still.
This was familiar territory. He may have been thrown into a war he didn't completely understand yet, fighting for and with strangers, followed his general to a town he had never visited, but this was and would always be something understandable, a foothold whenever the world seem to shake beneath him. His breathing relaxed as he concentrated on the cloth-covered bulls-eye and let arrows fly.
After the release, he let his arms down, standing rooted to the dirt, as if entranced, as it made its path between the currents of air and found its mark. When he had exhausted his arrows, he went to retrieve them, pulling them gently out of the canvas, before moving on to the more difficult endeavors. By the time he was finished, the sun had already gone past its peak. It was well into the afternoon.
He ran back and was quite surprised to find Asai still there. He would've thought the man had better things to do, but then again he did seem quite lost to the world, blanketed in his own haori and breathing quiet and slow. This...is awkward, he thought, shuffling from one foot to the other and wondering exactly how to wake his superior. He almost entertained the option of poking him with the end of his bow, cruelly, just for all the times he had been irritated at things the general said.
Finally, he dropped to his knees beside the man and very gently laid a hand on his shoulder. "Asai-sama," he said softly, "Asai-sama?"
|
|
|
Post by Asai Yuuto on Sept 10, 2006 15:36:40 GMT -5
Someone was touching him, and it wasn't at all safe that it was the first sensation he was aware of. Before the General's eyes could even crack open, his hand had darted out, clasping onto a wrist with an immovable grip. But as his lashes began to part, Yuuto's brain caught up with his reflexes, and his hold on Orie's arm loosened before he even came into focus.
"Hidehira," he said a little gruffly, everything a bit fuzzy around the edges. His neck wound was throbbing painfully, whereas it had only been a dull reminder earlier.
Coming fully awake, he released the boy and cleared his throat. "Ah, Orie-kun. I apologize." The way Orie was squatted down, his slight frame rising above the ledge of the alcove, Yuuto was easily reminded that even if Orie was no longer a child, he was still young yet.
"Enjoyed yourself, I hope?"
|
|
|
Post by Orie Hidehira on Sept 10, 2006 15:46:02 GMT -5
"Sorry for taking so long, I lost track of the time," Orie murmured, cradling one wrist with the other hand. It hadn't hurt, but the sudden aggressive movement had come as a shock. "Asai-sama, you could've returned to the house. I could've found my way back alone."
|
|
|
Post by Asai Yuuto on Sept 10, 2006 15:57:32 GMT -5
A slight smile softened Yuuto's features. "It's alright. I enjoyed it, too." If he were honest with himself, it wasn't just because he needed the rest. Watching Orie shoot had been relaxing, and more than a little reminiscent of his time with Sensei at the kyuudo school.
"Besides, the only thing awaiting me at the household is more work."
With a stretch and popping of joints, Yuuto sat up and slipped back into his geta. He pressed his palm over the cloth wrapped around his neck, and could only frown when his fingers came back a little sticky. The dressing probably needed to be changed, but nothing a little sake wouldn't cure.
|
|
|
Post by Orie Hidehira on Sept 10, 2006 16:01:57 GMT -5
Orie looked on as he made to leave, and only after the man had already taken a few steps did the young man spring to his feet, hurrying to catch up. "Perhaps you should drop by and have your wounds rechecked first," he said offhandedly, casting furtive glances at what he could see of the general's neck past the man's hair. He hadn't let the slight red tint marking Asai's fingers escape his notice. "Before you get started on that work, I mean."
He supposed he was lucky, in a way, that Asai had forgotten the other part of their promise - the one Orie was supposed to fulfill.
|
|
|
Post by Asai Yuuto on Sept 10, 2006 16:53:35 GMT -5
"I'll look after it myself, but your concern is..." Yuuto paused, glancing down at Orie as he quickened to match the General's long-legged pace. "...welcome."
They rounded the bend, and the training grounds seemed to be blessedly empty for lunchtime. However, that meant that he was far behind on his duties. There were stables to be repaired before he could even consider food.
Yuuto turned swiftly, stopping Orie in his tracks by grasping his shoulders lightly. "You're free to use the range whenever you like, Orie-kun. Consider it an extended invitation."
|
|
|
Post by Orie Hidehira on Sept 10, 2006 16:57:15 GMT -5
His eyes flickered to the hands on his shoulders. The General really liked to touch people, he noticed. "Thank you," he said with a nod. He would've bowed, too, except the grip he was in made that rather difficult.
|
|
|
Post by Asai Yuuto on Sept 10, 2006 17:28:53 GMT -5
"If you're hungry, you'd better hurry back to my home before there's nothing left but tea."
Yuuto's grin was far too knowing. He released Orie's shoulders and turned on his heels, veering off the path that would take Orie back through the temple grounds.
"We shall also consider that an extended invitation!" he called back.
|
|
|
Post by Orie Hidehira on Sept 10, 2006 17:32:48 GMT -5
Orie couldn't help the blush that crept up his neck. He didn't know he was so easily read, and he had been hoping that the general had forgotten about the tea too. Although the act of allowing him to use the target range was a kind gesture, Orie couldn't help but feel unbalanced when the general was around - as if the man was constantly testing him. It made him even more tense than usual, until he unconsciously carried himself once again like an unapproachable child.
What a tiring person he thought, already weary, as he headed back towards the household. No wonder he and Grandfather were such good friends.
|
|