Kakita let out a long cool breath of air out of his lungs... filling the air with mist.

He waited quietly in the garden... having left a note for the woman of shadows...

He heard snow crunching under someone's feet, and when his eyes follow, he sees Shosuro dressed in an elegant, mostly black outfit with a red shawl over it. She gave him a small smile when he saw her. A brief bow, then she looked up at the sky. "The stars are finally out. It seems right."

He smiled and nodded as he pulled to her side, "For the first time in a long time..."

She stepped close until she was nearly against his side, only a couple of inches separate. She was a bit warm, 3ven with the layers. "Yes... Have you considered your future from here? Though I suppose you still have hunting to do."

He stood silent for a few moments as he walked slowly, "Now that the threat has been exposed... It may be easier to look for where my sister has gone."

He stepped ever so slightly towards the warmth, nearly brushing her arm. "Or perhaps now she would come back on her own... I have no way of knowing as of yet..."

"... I might be able to help, if I know more about what sort of person to look for," she replied. A moment of silence passes before she closes the distance just a little, taking his hand.

He paused for a moment as he felt her hand encompass his own… after a second his fingers tightened around her hand as well.

“You’ve already helped me so much…”

She looked down from the sky and into his eyes. "... I like you. So I want to help."

He looked back into her dark eyes, holding the gaze for precious moments.

“I have done nothing to deserve the affection of such a beautiful woman… I have done nothing but ask from you…”

He rubbed his thumb along the backside of her hand gently, “And yet…?”

She squeezed his hand gently in response to the brush of his thumb. "I appreciate how dedicated you are... Like we spoke of when we met, we are both blades. I... feel like I can understand you a little, and maybe you can understand me a little. That's rare."

She paused for another long moment before adding, "I don't want to lose it."

He nodded, "It is rare indeed... And should be cherished."

His breathing increasing in pace ever so slightly, "I can offer you that... understanding and affection... for as long as you require it of me."

His hand reached up to gently brush some of her hair from her face, "I can think of nothing I would rather do..."

She turned to face him fully, her hand still in his, expression serious. "That's a very open-ended thing to say, Kakita-san. That might be a long time..."

He nodded and paused for a moment, "But when you think of it... Life is not ever that long. And what greater joy is there in life than to dedicate oneself to that which their soul feels to be right?"

He lowered his hand and took her other hand... holding both her hands from underneath. "I am a simple man... and I own the words I speak."

"That's true." She nodded, clearly satisfied with his answer. Squeezing his hands, she leaned up and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Then I will gladly accept your understanding and affection, and offer mine in return."

He smiled as the resonant warmth of her kiss still lingered on his cool cheek.

"Almost as good as cutting a demon... Well... perhaps better, because it didn't almost cost me my arm." He smiled affectionately.

He then took one of her hands and pulled gently, "Come... let's walk together."

After they had walked a few steps he asked, "So tell me more of your family... your role as their head."

"... Many of my family are artists. Mainly actors, but our gardens have been getting some talk lately, too. We support my father's family a great deal in court. As you know, I am something of a blade... some of them have followed in those steps as well," she said. "I chose some people who were very capable in that regard... or had a burning desire that would lead them to becoming very capable."

"I do some administrative tasks for my lands, and as you have seen, I do some seeking out of things that might be a problem for the Clan. I often serve as a bodyguard for my father. While he is much superior to me, two sets of eyes and two blades are better than one."

He smiled softly as he rejoined holding hands with her as they walked, “That’s a lot… And you have capable people beneath you who are able to watch over things were you needed elsewhere?”

She nodded a little bit. "I consider those who join my family carefully. There are a few I trust to run things in my absence. We will be aiding the Dragon in creating a monastery as well, soon."

"I would like to know more about you, too."

“I’m an open scroll.” He said warmly.

“I was born the son of the last chief of the Kakita… raised to fight in the style of the Crane. Left home to combat a troll in the mountains and trained by Kenku spirits to fight the darkness.” He paused.

“I accomplished my duty… and now have been commissioned with another by the Lady Rei. I am to start a house within the Bat and train warriors to fight the darkness as I have…”

He then added with a smile, “I also like dancing and some nice fresh fish… not enough fish in the mountains.”