Heavenfall

"Oh, we have a few. A few."

He chuckled.

"Some of us who were... concerned about the Kami's rule still keep in touch. And I bring those concerns before Shiba, so he at least knows of them."

''All things has it's shadow'' he mused ''It is a good thing the Emperor is willing to listen.''

He took up his spear

''For the meanwhile, care to try my Ryu-Yari?''

"Oh, if you wouldn't mind, I'm quite curious about how it handles."

He'd always had a knack for weapons, and after getting a basic feel for its weight and balance, he got a little distance and put it through its paces.

"Not bad, not bad! Great range of possibilities here..."

''My school is based on the use of the dragon spear and it's mastery in all situation. I balanced the weapon so you could maximize its range but still be able to fight with a short haft.''

He mused for a moment

''I am sure you could manage some of the techniques with your dagger-axe"

"Hmmm..."

He tried a few of his slashing polearm forms with the spear.

"Good potential here, some possibilities... I'll have to get one of these made when we get back."

Wu smirked

''So far these are made for my students...but I could make an exeption and forge you one. That would give you a reason to visit us''

"If nothing else, I need to visit to make Saruko pay for telling tales."

He gave an evil grin.

"Subtlety is not one of her strong suits."

Wu could not help but roll his eyes

''What did she do this time?''

He seemed ready to be exasperated

"Oh, you haven't heard? I'm just an absolute sweetheart and some woman- or man, I think she's not quite aware that I'm not interested in men in that particular way- should give me a go."

He chuckled.

"Not that she exactly signed that particular rumor, but between the conversation we had back in the city and the tenor of the rumor..."

Wu brought his palm to his head

''She...she is fond of rumors and gossips. Please forgive any trouble that might have caused.''

"Eh, it's nicer than most things that get said about me."

He chuckled again.

"But I'll get my revenge. Next time she visits, the kids will have some new nicknames for her."

''Oh?'' the word hinted towards curiosity ''Is there a prank feud I should be wary of?''

"No, no. Not yet. I try not to get into actual prank wars with former Ayakashi, they have a lot more practice than I do."

Besides which, he knew that Han-Han saw all.

"But... gentle correctives? Some needling in return? That, I admit to indulging in..."

''The Ayakashi are fond of pranks...I learned that for myself quickly.'' he had to recall the first few weeks where a half of that tribe suddenly appeared one morning near Lord Togashi's residence.

He could swear he saw a twitch of exasperation in the Kami's otherwise serene expression. Even if you expect something does not mean you are fully ready for it.

"Well, best you get used to it, Saruko's not likely to change in that respect- and in truth, I wouldn't want her to."

In this instance there was the rare case of a mortal man pitying a god.

''Shirayuki is...something allright. Well meaning, in any case.''

"Anyone who could get to Togashi as she did? Not to be underestimated."

The heart as reasons only the heart knows

He sighed

''Where you here to practice'' he asked as a change of subject

"I was. It seems to me that there's likely to be violence ahead of us. Never hurts to be ready for it."

''Allow me, then, the priviledge to spar with you'' he said with a bow