Scorpion Tail by Moonlight [Haruka-Senshi]

[Bayushi Haruka]

As per the request written on the note that was delivered to her, Haruka came out to the side garden way that featured the stone that was described in the letter. The tender moonlight gently piercing the parting clouds as it lit up the leaves with its pale glow.

Haruka's kimono showed its hidden beauty as the light lit the silvery strands came aglow and seemed to nearly light up her highlights. She looked around curiously as she said she would be met, but in truth the note did not fully specify who.

[Bayushi Senshi]

A voice came from the rock, soft and timid, "You came Haruka sama, this is good. My master will be most pleased." From behind the stone walked a man in simple brown robes, he had his hood up, and only his face was visible. He leaned his head back a tad to show his eyes. They were a deep brown. He then bowed low, from the waist. Without rising he added, "My master, Bayushi Senshi sama, has been seeking respite from court and wishes to return to more simple matters. Your performance in the hunt and in the presence of the champions impressed him, and he would ask of you a favor."

He then looked up from his bowed position slightly, "Would you do him the honor of accompanying him on a hunt? He suggested that this time the field and game will be your choice. There is no where the champion cannot arrange to go.

[Bayushi Haruka]

She jumped slightly startled at the mention of her name in such high standing, for no one had ever greeted her in such a way.

"I would be most honored to hunt alongside your master... but I am curious, how does your master expect us to hunt at night?"

She seemed relatively pleasently surprised, but glanced to see if she was being watched.

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Great huntress, Senshi sama is presently indisposed with matters that he can only temporarily avoid. He humbly requests that you avail yourself to a hunt in one weeks time. He will be able to set aside several days then. But only if Haruka-sama desires. This one is but a messenger, and can only relay his masters wishes." He bowed again then, to help cover the fact that his skin had gone red from his humilition to be discussing this in private.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka seemed to raise her hand to passify him and calm him in a soothing guesture.

"Messenger, you may inform your master that certainly I would be most happy to meet with him for a hunt. You needn't feel ashamed for doing your duty on his behalf, for it would be far more worrying for him to meet me alone as you have.

You may pass along my appreciation in his consideration."

She bowed lightly to allow the messenger on his way.

[Bayushi Senshi]

He smiled then, genuinely, "My master will be most pleased! I will inform him right away!" He turned to leave, then as if remembering turned back, "Oh, where would you care to hunt? And how would be the most appropriate and... clandestine means for him to meet you?"

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka seemed to smile as she thought, her face being traced by the moonlight painting a silky grin.

"If your master fancies a challenge I would recommend him bringing his best steed to Lookout Mountain where we'll hunt the birds of the area, their plumage this time of year would be quite the trophy for any hunter if he fancies it."

[Bayushi Senshi]

"He'll look forward to it I'm sure. Thank you Haruka sama." He bows then. Yet, as he bows it seemed clear that he favored his left arm, and then a simple lock of bright colored hair slipped from behind the hood. The courier lowered his head further and did not rise, as he awaited a return bow.

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka felt her heart skip a beat as she clearly realized just who stood before her. She bowed deeply as her hair slid forward, covering her slightly quivering lower lip.

"Senshi-sama... I... You didn't need to call me... sama..."

Haruka flushed as red as the scorpion color even in the dim light. She was happy to see him on his own but somewhat astonished he'd hidden his identity... and feared even though he was a wondrous deceiver that she might have offended him in his disguise..

[Bayushi Senshi]

Senshi didn't move, the atmosphere was tense a moment as he thought. Then with a puff of air he blew the offending strand of blonde hair out of his face, where it simply fell back in place. "Well, allow me the opportunity to apologize for putting you in this awkward of a position. Its, ah, an act of a constrained man to escape the bonds of duty, and I wished for you to have the opportunity to see me, uh, well without the mask on. Oh." He turned then and raised his cowl back in place, then turned back with his arms out to either side as if in show.
"The reason I say that is because I will have to join you in the hunt as a person other than myself. Rather the travel will be done in disguise. I know, not the most honorable of options, but its the only way I can get around with any brevity. But on the hunt, alone, I will be myself..." He cocked his head, confused for a moment, "Sorry, I don't tend to talk this much. Um, I hope you are not offended."

[Bayushi Haruka]

As he spoke she started to understand more of the situation as his lips spelled it out. She paused momentarily as Haruka soaked the words in.

She smiled a bit more, easing instantly as she fully realized.
"Senshi-sama... I am honored beyond what I could have ever hoped for."

She put her hand gently over her lips to keep her chuckle quiet in the frosty night air. Haruka's eyes flashed a little as she looked right at him, her deep hazel eyes finally revealing themselves with some reflected moonlight.

"I understand your desire to throw aside some of these burdening customs to move much more freely, and truly I do not envy your position in having to deal with such formalities..."

She lowered her hand as she gently took a step around him as she seemed to look him over. Not having been able to admire him in full view since they had met, she seemed much more curious and inquisitive when she wasn't terrified of displeasing someone.

"I will not speak of this if you won't Senshi-sama. I understand why you needed to do this, and I will not hold it against you. You of all people deserve the freedom to enjoy the land you've fought so long and hard for.."

[Bayushi Senshi]

"Thank you. As I am sure you have no doubt heard Tomatsu say once or twice, we champions love to not have to assume the mantel of warrior hero and leader. One reason we are such good friends is that we've never been anything but equals." He noticed her appraising gaze, and wondered for an instant if he had just become prey. Then another troubling thought, a steed. He shook off such thoughts, and allowed her to look, realizing that it was far simpler for him to relax if she was less formal. He tried to stand at his fullest height, adopting a proud posture, unmoving. He did in fact aim to impress, but for once it was nice to feel as if his looks were not a tool, but a grace.

When she came into view, he locked his gaze into hers, and tried to remind himself that he should have regulated his sake drinking earlier, as his blood began to rush. His instincts reacting to his subtle disadvantage. He suppressed the feeling in favor of just letting the moment last as long as it could, he hadn't been this free in a long while.

Senshi realized then that he was speechless, but he didn't care.

[Bayushi Haruka]

The quiet did ring true to Haruka as her smile persisted.

"Oh my Senshi-sama, You seem to be a bit quieter than usual. You seemed to be the type to just speak long into the day and night, but here you are standing in the moonlight...

Although I must say you are quite noble just being who you are champion in all ways as I see."

She gently walked over to sit herself down near a stone lantern on one of the sitting stones as she rested her hands gently on her lap.

"I would actually desire to hear what you have to say Senshi-sama, considering you've probably made your servants quite worried with your disappearance from their view. Surely you've got more to say than just asking me to hunt some birds on the edge of unicorn lands...

I mean, is there anything else you wanted to speak about that perhaps you couldn't before?"

Haruka brushed the hair from her face gently as she straightened the flower in her hair.

[Bayushi Senshi]

"There is much that I would like to say, Haruka san. But, I feel that some of it may best be reserved for later." He turned to face away from her, then adjusted his robe slightly so his left arm was within his robe, like it had been most of the day. Favored so it wouldn't see much use. He winced as he re-tightened his robe, a sharp intake of air was heard. But he turned back, his eyes betraying a grin.
"I can say however, that I am a very lucky man to have the company of one such as yourself this lovely evening. And frankly, let the servants worry, they won't be expecting me for at least a half hour."

He stepped toward her, "There will be plenty time for us to talk of what is on my mind, but here I am at a rare opportunity to hear what you have to say in a candid manner. Would you please indulge me by telling me what is on your mind? I would wish for nothing else then to hear you speak."

[Bayushi Haruka]

Haruka blinked a bit, as it seemed somewhat strange for anyone to want to hear what she had to say. But she indulged his curiosity.

"Actually Senshi-sama, I worry of your arm. I noticed your injury and your lack of use and well... such pain you must go through.."
Her gaze lowered somewhat in a sort of reverence.

"You joke about it with your friend Tomatsu-sama, but I worry that you don't take better care of yourself. I mean..." Stumbling over her thoughts briefly, "I don't see yourself as a man who leans on others because of something like this, you don't wish to be treated any less of a man. But do you at least seek some medicine for your arm?"

Her eyes seemed to tense a bit with a sense of grief as Senshi could see the concern etched into her face. It was likely she hadn't seen many who would bear an injury so openly or without some sort of assistance at the very least.