He nodded ever so subtly.

“Without trying to draw its attention… it is a rather flighty darkness.”

"I can understand the need for subtlety." She sighed and stretched in the water, wiggling her toes beneath, which had stiffened for some reason. "I might be able to help you. Do you expect it to be lurking nearby?"

He nodded, “In the city.”

"Do you know of any particular place in the city they may frequent?"

He shook his head, “Not specifically. They appear to have some connection to the Crane clan… they have been secretly been spreading some form of spiritual malady among some of the followers of Lady Doji…”

"That's rather specific if you think about it."

He thought for a moment and then nodded, “It does narrow it a bit…”

"If the darkness pesters that family, it may linger where they tend to congregate." She shrugged with brows rather than shoulders.

“There are some in the palace… and a few establishments throughout the city if I am not mistaken.” He replied after crossing his arms and placing a hand on his chin.

"There is one run by them. I was invited there in the morning." Her finger tapped her lips, like before. "But I can't remember what it was called. Something with flowers."

“The Camellia House… Yes. I remember I received a similar invitation.” He lowered his toned but sleek arms down into the water again.

“A place to start perhaps.”

She shrugged again, this time with shoulders, then cupped some water and poured it over her face, letting it trickle back down by whatever pathway it chose. "Is this all your life is about, Kakita-san? Hunting that darkness?"

“In this incarnation of myself… it has been my main pursuit, yes.” He replied with a nod.