Heavenfall

Her nefarious nightmares did not cede these last days. So, Kinsen arranged to sleep earlier than usual the other evening with plans to wake up early. After all, there was no time to waste. The danger involving her husband's mission to go deep gave no chance for mistakes. Kinsen makes sure the Stag would be proud of their honorable traditions, and of their founder's unwavering commitment to grow the Clan.

Kinsen raises up from their intimacy, gets dressed with a robe, and gathers whatever was left of the food ad drinks of previous days to prepare a potent and rather meaty prep up meal for Hantei ––– and whomever would join them this morning at the common are of the Kami's Tent.

Dawei, coming off of watch, finds himself drawn to the smells of cooking. Entering to check on things--he can hardly be faulted for seeing to his lord's safety, can he?--he sees Kinsen at work and bows.

"Smells good," he says.

"Oh!" Kinsen smiles at the arrival, inviting him with a bow, "Good morning, Dawei-sensei. Please, get some warm tea while I prepare the rest."

She lifts herself and gets a bowl in hand to start mixing the tea for him.

"That'll be lovely, thank you," Dawei replies as he settles himself comfortably.

I can hope I will be enough today, he thinks.

"Is our lord awake?"

"I tried to get him to rest a bit. But he's always up and bright." Kinsen chuckles happily, pouring the tea over and offering it to Dawei with both hands.

"He should be preparing for the day. Not sure if he wants to fast."

"Thank you" comes the reply as Dawei accepts the tea. After a drink, he says "I've known many who did not eat before exertions. For me, a light meal has been helpful more often than not; too much slows body and mind, but none does, as well."

He takes another pull of tea. "Time enough not to eat when there's nothing to eat."

"An empty sack won't stand still." She says, then gets pensive, adding, "I believe it was Shinsei-sensei that said that the other day. It could have been the Seppun quartermaster back at Otosan Uchi, though, Can't recall."

"The Little Teacher has been saying quite a bit. One wonders what he said to your Crane counterpart to provoke such a reaction as he did."

He takes another pull of tea.

Kinsen gets get to the firem kneeling down and shaking her head to comment, "I don't understand why people are calling him Little Teacher. He's as buff as a bull."

Looking up to the skies, the smiles flat, as if acting apologetically, and gets her eyes back to the pot. "Crane counterpart... You mean Nanzi-sama –– what about it?"

"It's to avoid the tongue-twister, at least on my part. But as to Nanzi--the reaction seemed rancorous, and put me in mind of others I have seen who grew angry to mask fear."

He sips at the tea.

"I am certain that is not what the cause was, but it was reminiscent of it."

Kinsen tilts her head. "Why would Nanzi-sama be angry like that?"

She shrugs. "Forgive me, Dawei-sensei. I am unaware of why he would be displeased with Shinsei-sensei."

"Nor yet I."

He drinks of his tea again.

"It is of little moment, though. Much is against what must come today."

"You're right." She gets some of the grains and vegetables she just prepared into a bowl and serves Dawei. "I have to talk with Reiko-sama, as well. She might be carrying a dangerous grudge that might need to be set aside for all of us to succeed. I hope that she listens."

Dawei takes the bowl with a murmur of thanks.

"Listening has been in short supply on this expedition, or shorter than might be hoped."

After a bite taken, chewed, and swallowed, he adds "Although there has also been a great deal of unity of purpose, which is more helpful."

"Actions more than words." Kinsen takes a bowl for herself, since no one came, and kneels besides Dawei to eat. Before she gives a short prayer, she frowns pensive once more. "Was this Shinsei-sensei, or Akodo-kami-sama. Damn this land, I can't recall things no more."

"Could be both. Could've been Akagi, too.

"Wise people sound the same; every fool sounds a different note."

"Who?" Kinsen asks mockingly and giggles a bit more, poking Dawei at his shoulder gently.

"I like having you around Dawei-sensei. If I weren't married, I would definitely be swooned by your devotion and charming attitude. But then, my heart would be broken. I don't think I am your type, right?"

"No, Lady Hantei, you are not. And not because of any fault in you. I simply prefer to have a man beside me in bed, which I think you can understand well."

He eats more. And he is not blushing, oddly, the comment about his preference being offered plainly.

She wrinkles her nose, proud of his attitude. "Well. We think alike."

Looking up, she corrects herself, being incapable of lying. "Well... most of the times."

"We come from different places. Of course we disagree on some points."

Another bite.