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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 14:58:40 GMT -5
His concern was for Kohana, Yuuto realized, and the lack of surprise at that thought was expected.
Walking across the range, Yuuto silently helped Orie gather his remaining arrows and realigned targets that had turned or tilted. The two men didn't touch, or even speak, and that in itself made Yuuto think he was discrediting his own everything-is-fine declaration. He supposed the return message he had received from the Shogun was weighing on him a little heavily.
Finished, and with no more arrows to collect, Yuuto returned them to Orie as a peace-offering.
"Will you walk me to the main house?" He raised his palms before Orie could even frown. "I'll be good. Even quiet."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 15:06:04 GMT -5
Orie narrowed one eye, inspecting him after the question was asked, even as he brushed the dirt off the arrows and dropped them into the quiver, twisting it around until it rested against the curve of his back again. There really was something wrong with the guy, if he made an offer like that, and there wasn't a need for good eyesight to notice that.
He came to stand in front of the man, face skeptical. "Is there something wrong, Asai-sama?"
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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 15:21:09 GMT -5
"I'm just a little tired," he finally admitted. Of everything, would have been apropos, but he certainly couldn't tell Orie that. Actually, he was giving serious consideration to skipping dinner altogether, in favor of sleep. If Yuuto couldn't fix the problems that were mentally exhausting him, he could at least doctor the physical.
With a sweep of his arm, Yuuto invited Orie to take their leave, before falling into step beside the younger man.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 15:24:33 GMT -5
It was no wonder Kohana was worried, then. The man dismissed his own problems without even a second thought. The general didn't seem to want to expound on the vague cure-all answer, though, so Orie didn't press. "Well," he said, "if there's anything I can do, please say so." He figured he should at least offer as much as that, since Asai's well-being was partly his responsibility.
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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 16:54:39 GMT -5
"Thank you," he nodded, smiling, but unwilling to further the subject.
They eventually made their way through the temple grounds, and from there it was a short distance to the Asai household gates. The trek was, as Yuuto promised, quiet and event-free. He filed away the serenity of the moment to look back on when things got hard, or if anything should ever happen to Orie during...
No, he wouldn't even consider such a thing.
Unsure if Orie planned on returning to the household, or venturing out into the market square, Yuuto paused at the gate entrance.
"I've received a letter from Shogun Akiyama. There will be a gathering tonight to discuss the matter in the main hall. You'll have a chance to meet the rest of my clan, and some members of the other clans that are residing here."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 17:01:20 GMT -5
While Orie should've found the silence a rare and welcome occasion considering the company, it only raised suspicions during their short walk. It seemed unnatural, and made it only more obvious that there was something of importance weighing on Asai's mind. He seemed set on tackling it himself though, and if anyone was to force their assistance, it was definitely not going to be him.
"Understood," he nodded, with a bow. "If that will be all, I'll return to my room."
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Post by Asai Yuuto on Nov 5, 2006 17:11:17 GMT -5
"Ah, Orie-kun," he interjected, "I'm afraid I won't be at dinner tonight. If my cousin doesn't attend, I would consider it a personal favor for you to keep Kohana company."
Then, to avoid the feel of Match Maker his request invoked, he added, "She'll worry." If Yuudai wasn't around to distract her, Orie seemed the likely substitute.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Nov 5, 2006 17:18:05 GMT -5
Orie didn't respond immediately, instead quietly staring at Asai's face. He gave up after a few seconds - reading a stranger was difficult. "Understood," he said lowly, lowing his eyes and turning. I'm not a babysitter, he thought sourly, making a face since the general couldn't see it. And Kohana-san certainly doesn't need one anyway. We're all old enough to take care of ourselves.
He supposed he should be at least grateful that the general had seemed to finally grow tired of ruffling his feathers.
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