Asai Kohana
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Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 4, 2006 7:29:12 GMT -5
"Brothers and anything else I might need," Kohana helpfully supplied. Her smile, while faint, spoke volumes of her feelings.
The huge breath Kohana sucked in did little to strengthen her resolve, but the frail fighter was determined to push forward. It would be a hard subject to discuss with any stranger, but Orie's personality put her at ease enough that she could at least make an attempt to dive into personal waters.
"The Asai are my surrogate family; the only one I've ever really known. Yuu-niisan gave me a life, taught me everything I know, and all I want is to give him something in return."
Struggling to quell the surge of unwanted insecurities and familiar fears her words wrought, Kohana began to pace slowly. There was no need for the anxieties; the Asai cousins would never abandon her as her real parents had. Still, even years later she found it difficult to ever feel completely secure.
"But I'm still so young, and there's little I can do besides remain at his side. He only asks for my happiness, but why should it be at the cost of his own?"
Growing up in Chiba had been lonely for Kohana. Being raised within a clan of samurai did nothing to steer her toward the "proper lady" path. Since in constant care of the Asai cousins, Kohana had inevitably taken interest in the way of Bushido.The girls saw her as a ruffian, and the boys found her an oddity. She spent the majority of her childhood shunned and withdrawn from the village, always clutching onto the arm of some Asai clan member.
Yet Yuuto had never given up hope. He put forth every effort to give her a proper upbringing, and when no one else gave her attention, Kohana would be surprised to find their leader seeking her out. She was a smart child, and as such, it didn't take the tomboy long to deduce that Yuuto's duties hadn't been "rescheduled." That in reality, Yuuto had gone as far as canceling his important plans to ensure Kohana was never alone.
However, as time passed Kohana became more aware of Yuuto's own loneliness. He was a great leader with numerous followers, but also a simple man with few actual friends. He stood alone before a country, always giving and never taking.
"So you see, if you're troubled, can't you work it out? As Asai-sama, he is loved and adored. But as Yuu-niisan... he's so alone."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 4, 2006 13:12:06 GMT -5
Orie avoided her gaze, eyes sliding to the side and the scanning the area full of wayward arrows. He had just met the girl, and he was glad that at least she wasn't uncomfortable around him, as people tended to be given his personality, but this seemed a little too private, a little too personal to share with just a new recruit.
It wasn't that the news was shocking. He knew, and had known, that despite the man's....various eccentricities, that he was a kind ruler. He glanced at Kohana as she spoke, found her so adoring and enthusiastic when she spoke. It was to be expected, he supposed, if he considered what the general had done for her. The corner of his mouth lifted - it was almost like propaganda, this entire town.
"We're...not fighting," he told her finally. They were certainly at odds, but he was pretty sure that things were as smooth as they could be between them - which was as flat as a very uneven rock, but at least they could work together in battle. And that was all that mattered. "I am not fighting with Asai-sama."
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Asai Kohana
New Member
Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 4, 2006 13:37:55 GMT -5
If it wasn't a disagreement among the clan causing the rift, there was very little else that Kohana could imagine. Perhaps Yuuto really was reaching the end of his rope. If it was everything, and nothing in particular, Kohana was truly helpless to put the general back at ease.
"I see." Her voice became hollow again, and her lashes fanned low with heavy lids.
Orie wasn't the cause. At least not directly, as she remembered Yuuto's warning that although he liked the archer, the feeling was entirely one-sided. It seemed Orie's likeness to Sensei ended with the family resemblance.
"It was presumptuous of me to assume you were close to Asai-sama," she admitted. Her words felt a little hollow, as she realized with a pang that Orie was likely to become another one of Asai-sama's followers, and less likely Yuu-niisan's friend. Even worse, Yuuto already seemed ready to form an attachment to the archer, a feeling that would only make him feel even more alone in the end.
"Yuu-niisan has just been... out of sorts lately, but I'm sure it's nothing," she assured. "Please forget the terribly embarrassing things I've said."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 4, 2006 13:47:08 GMT -5
Orie turned to her when she spoke again, the words contrasting sharply to their earlier counterparts, as if the life had been sucked out of her. He had found her a relatively subdued girl at the get-go, but whatever he had (or more importantly, hadn't) done was obviously a reason for some sort of distress, because she had withdrawn and become even more unlively.
"I'm...sorry?" he tried, for some reason feeling apologetic, though he didn't know exactly why. He wanted to reach out and lift her head - she seemed so downcast and defeated this way, but it was not his place. "If you'd like," he offered, bending sideways a little as to gauge her reaction, "I can...go ask him what is wrong?"
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Asai Kohana
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Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 4, 2006 13:57:23 GMT -5
Not wanting to involve an unwilling participant, Kohana stayed off his offer with a raise of her palms.
"No, no, Orie-san," she reassured, her pale cheeks flushing a light pink. "That's very kind, but I can't trouble Orie-san with such matters. You needn't worry; Asai-sama would never disrupt his responsibilities."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 4, 2006 14:02:20 GMT -5
"I know that," he responded, looking to the left. "But if you think I can help, then I wouldn't mind..." He cut himself short, frowning and abashed at his own rudeness. Who do you think you are? Remember that you are here only to carry out your duty and perform as necessary. What makes you think you have any say in matters like this? "Sorry, Kohana-san," he corrected himself, bowing and sidestepping her to retrieve the shafts that had missed. "I will take my leave and not bother you any further then."
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Asai Kohana
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Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 4, 2006 14:34:13 GMT -5
"Orie-san," she breathed his name, grasping onto a passing sleeve, but just barely tugging before she ashamedly realized her actions. With a gasp, Kohana took a step back and stared at the ground between their feet.
"My brother is under the impression that you don't like him, and while your feelings toward Yuu-niisan certainly aren't any of my business, will the way you think of him affect your impression of me?"
Her expression remained neutral, but the cracking of her soft voice belied her awkwardness.
"I w-would like us to be friends, Orie-san. I like you." She dared to raise her chin then, eyes darting between Orie's face and a point over his shoulder. "And not because Yuu-niisan does."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 4, 2006 14:45:07 GMT -5
Orie blinked at her, and her honest admittance. "I wouldn't hold a grudge against you just because I didn't like Asai-sama," he replied briskly, looking at his feet and flushing lightly despite himself. He wasn't quite sure how to deal with such unguarded a personality, he was used to people not meaning what they said, relying on subtle observations to draw what conclusions he could. People tended not to say what they meant to him. The Asai clan were definitely odd in that respect.
"Anyway, you shouldn't worry about me. I'm pretty sure that Asai-sama must hold some sort of disdain against me for that stunt I pulled with the prince, considering how he goes out of his way to..." Now, this just sounded like complaining, so he bit his tongue again and restarted. "Regardless, I am willing to accept the consequences for what I've done. I will certainly not cause any trouble anymore, if that is what you're getting at."
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Asai Kohana
New Member
Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 4, 2006 15:07:23 GMT -5
As was her habit, Kohana clasped onto Orie's sleeve, making him focus attention on her face.
"Yuu-niisan is difficult, I know," she allowed herself a tiny smile. "But he's also an honest man. I believe him when he says he cares for you, Orie-san, but what you choose to believe or feel is your prerogative.
I won't ask, or even expect, you to become his friend. I only hope that even as a mere bodyguard, you don't make light of our leader's affections."
Her eyes focused back over Orie's shoulder for a long moment, and with a small inclination of her head, Kohana let the material of his haori slip through slender fingers.
"I would like to hear this story concerning Koyada-sama sometime, but not today I think," she explained, already having concern for Orie's comfort as a familiar figure progressed through the temple grounds and closer to their location.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 4, 2006 15:18:15 GMT -5
"It's a bad story, and not one I would rather tell," Orie muttered, tinge darkening and spreading down his neck, though this time because of embarrassment. It would be useless to tell her that normally, Orie didn't take light of anything; she seemed rather set on her view of things. "But, I will do as you ask, Kohana-san," he bowed again. He knew he should've have, but he heard the request like an order.
He turned around to finish what he had started, and visibly jumped when he spotted another person. "A-Asai-sama, what are you doing here?" What are you talking about? This is HIS land! He blinked, frowning, before bowing and lowering his eyes. "I mean, good afternoon, Asai-sama."
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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 7:50:09 GMT -5
It had been the last place Yuuto could think to check, since Kohana had never expressed any interest in archery before, but once he came upon the two of them in close conversation, Yuuto realized with some amusement that he really should've known better. It wasn't the target range Kohana was interested in.
Weaving through the temple gardens, Yuuto could only hope Kohana wasn't troubling Orie with... personal matters. Yuuto was no fool; it was obvious that both Kohana and Yuudai were concerned for their leader. He just needed privacy to sort himself out again before their next confrontation with the Shogun. And, if he were to be totally honest with himself, Yuuto had wanted a little more time to selfishly monopolize Orie. The general had intended to introduce Kohana to their newest recruit, but at his own pace.
As he neared their location, Yuuto realized his first instincts hadn't been far off. They did appear to be getting on well, and Kohana seemed really comfortable around the young man. And, he thought a bit sourly, they looked really good standing there together- Orie for once showing genuine interest while Kohana more relaxed than around previous strangers.
The wind swept their words away before he could make coherent sentences from mere syllables, and right as Yuuto was going to interrupt, Orie pivoted directly into his path.
"Good afternoon," Yuuto replied automatically, only allowing his eyes to linger on the curve of Orie's own for a moment, before smiling down at Kohana.
"Your calligraphy tutor is minus one pupil. Should I go back and inform him the lesson is canceled?" He teased.
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Asai Kohana
New Member
Total Penis Envy [Japan]
Posts: 31
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Post by Asai Kohana on Nov 5, 2006 8:02:52 GMT -5
The high color on Kohana's cheeks was the only indication that Yuuto's words had any impact. Sidestepping around Orie, Kohana came to the general's side quickly. Yuuto dutifully bent down so that she could briefly hug him around the neck.
"I lost track of the time," she admitted faintly. Turning to give both men a small bow, she informed them, "I'll see you at dinner," before rushing off down a garden path that would lead her back into the heart of the temple.
While she ran, Kohana thought of how proud Yuudai would be of her. She had actually made a new friend, and without any help from Yuuto, for once.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 13:48:02 GMT -5
Orie watched her go, not quite knowing exactly what to think of the newly self-introduced member of the Asai Clan. It wouldn't be such a stretch to trust her, perhaps, unless she was really the most devious of them all, and an extraordinary actor at that. He doubted it though, her almost childlike earnestness seemed too difficult to imitate.
"I didn't know you had a sister," he said, when she had faded from view. He glanced up to the side, studying the general's profile for a moment, and found it lacking of any secrets. "Kohana-san said you were troubled lately, Asai-sama."
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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 14:30:40 GMT -5
"You never asked," he answered, but the tone ensured a mere reminder, not cruel chastising. Yuuto wasn't trying to push guilt upon his younger comrade; they just both knew Orie hadn't shown the least bit of interest in the general's personal life.
Which was why Orie's question left him momentarily stunned.
"Orie-kun," Yuuto crossed his arms, looking away from Kohana's retreating form to tilt his long body to the side, chin angled toward Orie's face. He attempted a smile and hoped it resembled something of his usual cheer.
"Hana-chan is just a bit overly sensitive toward me, you see. You shouldn't pay attention to any strange things she might have told you."
Especially concerning you, he thought, unsure why that prospect alone made his stomach somersault.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 14:34:47 GMT -5
His face fell back into its habitual scowl. "She just seemed worried, and even if she's sensitive, I don't think Kohana-san was lying, so I figured I might as well just ask. Forgive me if I was prying, then." With a huff, he moved forward to clean up the grounds, wondering why he even bothered.
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