[D8EN] Words, Deeds, Thoughts, Feelings

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru's brow furrowed, just a little. "I... do my best to match the expectations that are placed on me." His lips parted, and then pressed together.

And then his lean form relaxed, tangible against her. "But I will say that it is a challenge. Sometimes it seems like too much. I'm not sure." He took a breath. "But I never give up."

After a moment, he leaned his head towards hers; at their similar height, it brought them cheek to cheek until he straightened again. "It sounds as though you know something of pressure?" Hikaru asked gently.

[Togashi Satsuki]

As Hikaru straightened from their brief moment of closeness, Satsuki's form followed after him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Smirking, she settled back too, still holding his hand to keep the link between them.

"Yeah... a little. Never much from my parents though. Or, you know, all parents have some expectations of their children, but I never felt their expectations were overbearing? Rather, they always expected us to be the best we can be, and to always improve ourselves. Which I think is fine." A soft sigh gave pause in her words. "But, I feel expectations from everyone else. Inside the clan, people look to me, expecting a future leader perhaps? That I can be as amazing as my parents, and accomplish all the things that they think I should be able to do."

Satsuki shook her head a bit. "And outside the clan, many expect me to be something I'm not. That I will be as poised as my Crane cousins, or as valiant as my Stag cousins, or... like in court today, it felt like everyone was rushing to proclaim the loudest how they were standing with the Emperor against the darkness? I stood there and after thinking about it, I knew that even if others might've expected me to step forward and give some big speech about how the Dragon would stand beside my uncle, it... wasn't me. Us. Why roar and announce something that is already a known fact?"

[Doji Hikaru]

The kiss on the cheek brought a pleased flush to Hikaru's handsome features; the quick look he shot her was decidedly fond.

He studied her as she spoke, eyes gentle. "I hadn't considered that second one. I see how Lady Doji's children are regarded, so I have some understanding of the first. But they do their best to match expectations, just as I do. Perhaps with them it is like that saying that a fish does not recognize water..."

After a moment, it was his turn to kiss her cheek. "I think that was what first inspired my feelings towards you. You don't go along with expectations. The hug made an impression..." He smiled, "-but you do what you feel is right. Even when surrounded by court politics." He grimaced, but only for a moment; his mood was rather good, after all.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Her free hand brushed some of her hair back in a bashful gesture. "Thank you. I... that means a lot to me, you know. I always want to be truthful to who I am, even if it isn't what others expect, or want of me. Guess you could say that's also one of my weaknesses. Being a bit too honest sometimes."

The kiss on her cheek felt warm for both of them, though Satsuki felt warmer. "... What would you say is your weakness, Hikaru?"

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru was silent a few moments before speaking. "I am not used to thinking of my weaknesses, except in how to overcome them." His lips shifted. "Perhaps that itself is a weakness?"

Smiling gently, he shook his head. "But now. Inflexibility. Rigidity of thought." He turned his head to look at Satsuki. "I think there is another Hikaru who, encountering you in this garden, would not have thought to kiss you, and would not have found the words to say. A Hikaru who would have politely excused himself to bed without saying how he felt." His smile grew a little, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm glad that I was not that Hikaru tonight. But I could have been, perhaps."

[Togashi Satsuki]

"Mm, I believe I've met this Hikaru before yes. He'd make a face like this," she frowned slightly, brows furrowed in pensivene thought, "and say; I must go. In very dramatic tone."

Clearly only teasing him, Satsuki squeezed his hand reassuringly as she laughed softly. "I'm glad I met a different Hikaru this time. That you have more sides to show that I haven't seen yet. I... like that," her smile was gentle.

"But, we probably should think about heading inside, hm? Ko might come looking if we stay here too long, and it would be awkward for you to explain this to her."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru made a face; just a little. "I do not..." He frowned, considering. After a few moments, it became a rueful smile. "Your gift at impersonation is uncanny." He said, tone matching his smile.

His eyes were warm as he met hers. "And I look forward to seeing more sides of Satsuki." His hand came up, helping to brush back her hair, fingers tenderly brushing her cheek as he did so.

Pursing his lips, Hikaru considered for a moment. "Allow me to walk you back. That is something a gentleman can do without raising questions." His expression softened. "We leave tomorrow. Let us try to find one another one more time." He could feel that departure already, a tight feeling in his stomach battling his elation.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Seeing the rueful smile, Satsuki covered her mouth as she giggled softly, clearly amused by the reaction it got from Hikaru. "I'm sure you will see more sides of me. Hopefully good ones too."

Their eyes meeting, her own eyes were adoring, if still a bit shy, but also having that glint of humor to them that she often did. With his hand brushing her face, she squeezed his hand one more time, before slowly letting go. "Yes, I think I would appriciate the escort, Doji Hikaru-san," she said in a playfully formal tone. "The Lady Doji would certainly approve of such kind manners, as do I."

Likewise, she felt a bit of a mixture of emotions, thinking of tomorrow. She'd be heading home in haste, which she didn't mind as she longed to see her family again, but... well, she was already anxious to see him again. "We should say proper goodbyes tomorrow, before we part ways, I think, yeah."

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru's pale eyes seemed to glint in response, and he felt a sudden surge of feeling as he saw the emotions in Satsuki's beautiful eyes. He swallowed, then smiled. "I'm quite sure she would." He paused a moment. "I am not certain she would approve of this... but I think perhaps she might."

And then he leaned forward, for one last kiss of the evening. It was a tender kiss, and lingering, precisely because he knew it would be the last of the evening. Perhaps the last for some time. Perhaps the last ever... but no. Hikaru knew that wouldn't be so.

He pulled back slowly, then rose to his feet. Turning to her, he bowed smoothly. "Togashi-sama." Hikaru said. The still-warm look in his eyes, and the smile on his lips, belied the formality of his tone.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Oh my, Satsuki thought as Hikaru kissed her once more, for the last time that night. And most likely the last time in a long time. Or what would feel like a very long time.

"We'll meet again, in Doji's home, I hope," she murmured as their lips parted.

After he rose to his feet, she did the same, adjusting her cloak to fit better around her. Still it had the warmth of Hikaru there, and his scent still clinging to it too... she hoped it would stay like that for a good while. "Doji-san," she gave him a nod of acknowledgement, her lips shaped into a sly smile even if her voice maintained that expected tone of formality in return.

Following his lead, the two of them eventually made their way out of the garden and back inside. It wouldn't be the last time they would see eachother before leaving the capital, but it was the end of tonight and the emotional moment shared in the darkness of the garden.


/scene