/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45430107
When Hana came too, she was leaning over the table in the living area of the dojo, there was a thin blanket on her back and Kasen was humming a strange tune while having her eyes fixed on a small book. What was she… when did she…? Hana felt like she was missing something, she was walking down the halls… then… then she… It was a bit foggy, but she started feeling… tired, yeah that must have been it, she was feeling tired so she returned to the living room and… Kasen was taking forever so she closed her eyes for a second and…

Her recollection was cut short as Kasen’s voice sang out into her ears, “Ah, finally awake? You’ve been out for about half an hour now”

Hana raised her head and scrubbed her eyes, to wipe the sleep from them. She was a little embarrassed, and as she muttered, “Sorry, didn’t know I was so tired…” that inconsistency in her memory faded like a nightmare.

Kasen giggled a little, “think nothing of it, I suppose I did take a while getting freshened up after all.”

Now that she mentioned it, Kasen did indeed look much better. Her hair was as proper as Hana remembered it being, her dress and tabard were different now as well. Her dress was a light and simple piece colored a darker red that seemed easy to move in, her tabard hung over it adding a nice accent to it just as her flower and ever-present hair buns did.

Hana yawned, stretching her back and legs before folding up the cover into a neat square and placing it at her side on the tatami mat. Kasen placed a marker in the book before setting it down on the table in front of her, the mood seemed to shift somewhat as Kasen’s smile returned to a neutral expression. Hana knew why, or at least thought she did, after all she came here on business and not for pleasure.

Kasen’s eye was discerning now, she looked at Hana not like a friend, but as someone who’s interests she couldn’t quite feel at ease about. Hana didn’t blame her; Yukari’s interests were convoluted at the best of times and Hana rallied herself as she sat up properly. Kasen’s voice wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t friendly either, “Now, it’s about time we got to business, isn’t it?”

Nodding at her words Hana got the last of the slouch out and tried her best to dispel the last bit of sleep from her mind. Her own voice was lacking any joy in it as she used her business voice to respond, “Yes, its about time. We’ve spent enough time on pleasantries.”

There was no sound but the sound of the wind chimes until Kasen spoke again, “Yukari-san has sent you here for some purpose. It’s concerning how she already knew the path to my senkai after I changed it, but not an issue at the time.”

Kasen locked eyes with Hana, as if to read something on her face, but Hana gave no ground. She was used to such things, and not finding what she needed out in the open Kasen let her question flow, “For what business has Yukari-san sent you for, it could be considered an insult for a sister sage to not take her business up with her peer directly.”

This time Hana knew what to say, “Yukari-san of course expresses her gratitude at seeing me, and her own regret for not being able to see you herself, but I assure that it was a task she could only entrust me too”

Narrowing her eyes Kasen let her words lash out like a thorn, “It is quite a statement to say that Yukari-san needed you to do something that she could not” She leaned forward as if trying to push Hana back, “I will ask again, for what purpose”

There was a pressure in the air that made Hana want to flee, even if it was Kasen… or maybe because it was Kasen giving that pressure, but she couldn’t back out now. With gravity in her voice Hana mustered up all her courage, “I am here too… Cheer you up!”

Like a gust of wind, the pressure exited the room as Kasen blinked thrice at Hana before she chuckled, that chuckle turned into a laugh, and that laugh was long lasting and hearty. By the time Kasen had recovered Hana was red in the face and fidgeting slightly, was it really that ridiculous?

Kasen did a through job of washing you and rinsing you after, you figured she had experience bathing her animals after all but didn't inquire upon it. You weren't still either, continuing to wash your body with a more relaxed pace with the sound of Kasen's humming filling the room and soothing you to such an extent that you could swear it was a hermit art... or at least some ingrained response from her doing the same while tending to you over the weeks of you being injured. You couldn't help but speak up in this near dazed state and gave your earnest opinion, "While we were training I couldn't help but think you were amazing, my muscles are crying out but you don't even seem fazed. I'd be jealous if I didn't admire you so much.". There was a pause in her humming as if she was thinking something over and you felt the heat of the water on your back that rinsed off the suds from your back and hair.
You heard a small sigh before she asked you to wash her own back and as if it was no more then her asking you pass the tea you complied and got started yourself, seeing exposed back or the curves of her body didn't fill you with lust but at this moment was something more pure. It was as you poured some water on her back to wet it before getting your washcloth lathered that she spoke up, "Strength is something important yes... As is the arts of a hermit. However to any hermit worth her salt what is really important is the ability to resist desire and the attachments they bring.". As if to punctuate her thoughts she lathered up her cloth again as she began to wash herself before she continued in an even voice as if a teacher explaining something to a good pupil. "I see those qualities in you, and I have for almost as long as I've gotten to know you... I've never witnessed you willingly fall for desire beyond taking your station as a husband.".
The bare oni continued as hints of mutual admiration seeped into her voice, "I was a bit envious honestly, you were so easily able to resist the temptations of others, the desire to flee or abandon your life here for what you could have..." she sighed, and a bit of the lecturer in her crept up to the surface, "Honestly what were you thinking in not coming to me first, you would make a great hermit!". She sighed before she continued, "When you decided to come back I was worried but I knew I couldn't stop you, I thought I had you all figured out so despite my words back then I didn't try to convince you otherwise and thought you'd succeed your task as a matter of course...". The atmosphere was getting heavy as you rinsed her back off for her, washing all the suds from her back down onto the slightly slopped floor and to the drain. Before you could speak she continued as she shampooed her hair, causing you to realize that she still wore those odd bandages on her arm that seemed to not get wet in the slightest.
"I know now that even you had your limits like I do and everyone else does... I know you still struggle with your reality, you must think that theres no one that would be willing to take your burden and share it, that you're alone with no one to confide in... but thats not true in the slightest!", Kasen poured the water from the basin on her head and let the suds rinse off her body before turning to you, exposing herself fully to you. Despite the banquet displayed before you without reservation and your own similarly exposed state you didn't feel the temptation of flesh in this moment, instead you felt something more akin to a closeness that went beyond friends or even lovers as if you could trust her entirely with your being.
Kasen's face with slightly flushed as her hesitation departed her and she decided on what to say next, "I would happily share that burden with you no matter the outcome!", she leaned as if to bridge the already short distance between you. Your eyes met hers as she continued without waiting for your response, "Its fine no matter what comes of your vows and duty, you don't have to face this alone and i'll always be here, so... I hope to never see you driven to that pit of despair again...". You felt guilt flare up in your chest and the ghost of the raw emotions from that night on the veranda as she spoke this time with her eyes watering slightly, "I won't let you go to that place again, that is a promise I'll make as a hermit!". Kasen wrapped her arms around you in a slightly awkward hug and you returned it gratefully wrapping your arms around her body with only the affection filled words, "I understand..." escaping your lips directly into her ear.
The two of you stayed in the bath for a while yet, relaxing in the hot water, the mood was happier soon after and you chatted about this and that without a care as old friends before the heat caused you to get out lest you overcook and soon you both dressed before going your separate ways to attend your respective duties of the day.
For the first time a long while you felt something like joy.

Out H-town, showing surround by sound
Yesterday y'all got mad when I shown nothing but round
I'm talking shit they didn't like, riding marble white
I might just break 'em off, when I come dripped out like Ike
I'm talking shoes by Huarache, shirts by Versace
Hoes they gone watch me, but they all wanna jock me
As I slow the beat down, see the diamond face crown