Private Tales Flowers are the Stars of the Earth

[Hanae]

Ryo’s eyebrows narrowed down low on his face, staring Hiei down as much as he could. Well, he’d give him points for not flinching away, but that smile was creepy so minus a hundred points.

“Matsuri doesn’t care about stupid flowers,” Ryosuke said, as if that was all the truth he needed to throw Hiei around and away from the porch. A gasp from Hanae could be heard, a hand going up to cover her mouth. In a grandiose show, the man removed his sword, raising it up high for all to see.

He knelt down, gently placing his sword on the ground.

“Since you don’t have a weapon and I’m not a cheater, we’ll do this the old fashioned way!” He dropped to a low, wide stance, arms out and angled towards Hiei. “SO COME AT ME!” He roared. Another peep of surprised came from Hanae.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

A look like curdled milk twisted the corners of Hiei's lips. His eyes shrouded by a sinister shadow. "All bark and no bite," he said, with a tired huff, and a flip of his hair, one hand raised to comb back the rogue strands of hair that always seemed to frame the left side of his face. His feet subtly shift beneath him, his posture angled, to present is right side towards the man, his right foot, just a bit before him as his pants pulled taught against his long legs.

"Don't know what to do without that stick of yours?" he smirked, lift his chin in challenge, his eyes measured the space between them. A few quick strides, he was probably fast. "Your lady never show you how to use your hands?" Hiei smacked the side of his face with clear loud slaps. "Right here big boy, first one's free," he hissed, cold as ice, and he grinned all the wilder.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

It was Ginrou's turn to gasp as some truly crude things left the mouth of the flower seller's assistant. Gravel crunched as Hiei shifted his feet in a very certain spot, angling towards Ryo in a way that was not crude at all. And then the aim of the dirty comment became clear.

Now, that was interesting. Gin's head tilted to the side, and his long hair swished behind him, as he fell into an introspective frown. Then he gave a light laugh.

"I wouldn't worry, Miss Hanae," he said with a downward glance to the woman beside him. What strange company she kept. "Your business partner has already won."

 

[Hanae]

“Has he?!” Hanae wanted to rush out there and stop the fight. Get both of the men far away from each other and make them cool down. The yelling man was so much bigger than Hiei, and while Hanae had been taught that skill over size mattered, it didn’t seem as if this man was lacking any skill either!

The wide stance! The wide arms! The thumbs that weren’t wrapped around fingers!

Hiei had no idea, did he? The man wasn’t going to punch him, on the contrary he was planning to kick him!

To keep her from shouting out and warning Hiei, to keep herself from running, she held her hands up in silent prayer. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped her hands hard. Now look at Hiei, thinking he was a fighter just because she had commented that he was a few days ago! Clearly he was just a dancer and that was why he had such a lean build, she just didn’t recognize it sooner!

“I should stop it, but I don’t want another broken nose.”

Surprisingly to the two flower peddlers, Ryosuke was quiet, breathing in deeply as Hiei taunted him. For all his shouting and clear brazenness, it seemed even he couldn’t disrespect the rules of a clean fight. This was a clean fight after all, he had challenged the man fair and square. Even brought him more out into the open so he wouldn’t fall back on the porch— Ryo had even removed his sword!

Because the truth was, FIGHTING WAS THE BEST! And fighting Matsuri was the bestest best there was!

Ryosuke moved forward, dropped down and performed a low spinning kick. Halfway through the spin, he would then switch which foot he was putting weight on, letting the other foot shoot in a upward diagonal towards Hiei, aiming for his kneecap.

Hiei Hanae

 

[Hiei]

Hiei grinned.

Fair fighting, fool.

A low kick, met by a back step heel raise, the kick scraped under as Hiei's feet landed again. A second came quick, but he had shift his weight back with a quick stance change, the tiger fist fighter slammed his shin against Hiei's own riased leg. The blow hurt, but it wasn't clean. A red pain.

And now Ryosuke was in close. His low stance, against Hiei's tall stance. At the edge of the tiger's kicking range, but Hiei's legs weren't so easily taken down.

His stance planted on the ground, snapped high kick to the tiger's head, he stepped in, line of attack sharp, efficient. His punches came fast and tight fisted, struck at the Tiger's nose with the first right handed jab, felt the claw grip rake up, try to wrap around his wrist which he twist away. Hiei's left hand came behind it as they shift back and forth, feet snapping between each other's stance, shins cracked against each other with hard thwaks as they moved up and back. Hiei twist into a punch. He hit something hard, stomped on the tiger's toe as he pushed back to put distance between them, felt a sharp hit crack against his ribs and strong fingers rake against his arm, shred the sleeve of his robe.

"Temple trained, are we?" he said with a smirk as his lungs steadied their breath.

Bastard actually kicked pretty hard. No matter. Hiei ripped the tattered sleeve off, and brought his hands together in a fluid twist and turn of his wrists. Fingers bunched tight as he stood high again, light on his feet with wrists twisted with strength. Only for a moment of show before he wrapped his fist, boxer tight.

Tradition dictated the crane stand and wait. Counter with dance of motion. Hiei darted forward. Longer limbed, he snapped a kick to try and crack against the inside of the tiger's lead leg, and start their brutal dance all over again.

Hanae Ginrou

 

[Hanae]

The men were a series of quick limbs and powerful force. There was intention behind each movement and they seemed rather matched. Hanae couldn’t discern who seemed the better fighter— their techniques were each so different yet effective.

To Ryosuke’s benefit, he’s face was stoic. He was temple-trained, obviously, he was a Komabami after all. Why was this man acting like it was a surprise? Ryosuke didn’t move as Hiei wrapped his hand with his torn sleeve. That had been accident. Ryosuke would apologize for it later, after all, that was against the rules.

But so was stomping on his toe!

Ryosuke moved, his feet moving extensively yet purposefully, angling his body as he needed to dodge the kick, a open-palm shooting out to hit the center of Hiei’s chest.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Low kick dodged, Hiei's foot planted, saw the palm thrust forward, light on his feet he spun round the blow, arms wide crane wings, quick as he tried to get in behind the tiger's back. He stayed close, a spinning hammer fist from his left hand, a quick jab from his leading right, and he kicked again, aiming for the torso, a thrust kick that would push the tiger back if it landed.

Hiei was having the time of his life. And it showed in how his cold blue eyes seemed to shine, and his thin lips pressed into cruel smile. Never mind that his side was bruised. Or that the big tiger may have cracked a rib. Hiei loved a good scrap.

Hanae Ginrou

 

[Ginrou]

This was very bad. Ginrou should not have been enjoying such a brash display - unprovoked as it all was. But what a kick! He had been a fool to underestimate Ryo - he realized that now. Hiei recovered quickly, long limbs twisting round fast to compensate for his opponent's strength. It was not a clear outcome. The two men did not quit, trading blows at alarming speed, each one's movements shifting to respond to the others.

No, this was still a purposeless fight, and they were ruining the garden. And each other! The damage that the two were taking was starting to be noticed. If not by the two fighters, then by Gin. Something twisted in Gin's gut as he caught sight of a flashing grin. Excitement soured, and he scowled.

"I've seen enough," he said. Pushing off the frame of the door, he went back inside. Got his shoes, slipped them on, and then stepped past Hanae onto the porch. Paused there for a moment, looking back to her. Should he apologize to the flower seller? But what for - her assistant had taken up the challenge, after all.

"There's only one person who can stop Ryosuke when he gets like this." That's the only way of an explanation Gin could think of, as he stepped off the porch. He turned his back to the two fighters, and long strides took him down an auxiliary path, towards the main complex.

Hanae Hiei

 

[Hanae]

The open-palm strike didn’t hit, but that hadn’t been the intention. Ryosuke was not the smartest man, nor was he the most clever of fighters. He had brawn and he had diligence, and with those two things combined, he believed he would always believe. So when Hiei countered, Ryosuke moved to counter his counter— although he had to take the jab to catch the foot of Hiei’s kick.

If his goal was to get space, then Ryosuke would make sure he would get any. Holding onto the foot, Ryo moved quickly to then trip Hiei, moving in and using quick footwork to make the man unbalanced in hopes that he would fall right on his butt.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Hie's foot struck forward. He felt the wall of muscle and bone catch beneath the pad of his foot, and the hard bone of his heel. But the bastard, absorbed the blow. Hiei grit his teeth, his planted leg already bending to try and snap up with a twisting kick that would ring the brawny bastard's bell.

But he was off. This rabid tiger's tempo too wild to catch. This time.

He was bulled forward, his balance shifted. The world seemed to topple over and he slammed hard onto his ass. It was a hard thud against the gravel and the dirt. A cloud billowed out from under him. Hiei was dazed. Hurt. But he knew how to fight hurt. He expected a rush, a follow up. His leg cocked and ready to kick out as he winced and tried to make his eyes focus on the grinning bastard.

"Why the fuck are you just standing there?" he growled.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

"RYOOSUUKE!" Matsuri called the man's name out like a battle cry, as she came crashing down from the eaves of the porch. How had she even gotten up there? Taking several short steps to slow her momentum, she landed lightly in a flutter of green and gold robes. The tassles on the pommel of her sword jingled.

On the other side of the building, a couple of roof tiles slid off and clattered to the ground.

Ginrou walked back down the garden path like a respectable person. He stopped in front of Hiei, as the dust settled. "I'm sorry about all that," he said softly to the other man. Bending down, he offered his hand to help Hiei up. "Are you okay?"

Behind them, Matsuri faced off against her rival.

"Come back for another beating, have you? You're never winning, Ryo! Not when my ancestors are smiling down on me!!" Matsuri pointed a finger high up in the air, likely summoning the grace of said ancestors, and then struck a strong pose.

Then her eyes drifted downwards to Hiei on the ground. "Oh, there's new people," she said, her form slumping slightly. She didn't seem to remember the flower seller, or her assistant, from earlier that morning. "Are you Gin's friends, or something?"

Hanae Hiei

 

[Hanae]

Ryosuke looked down at Hiei, no longer in a fighting stand and instead standing straight and lax.

“Because I won?” Ryosuke said, only then realizing that he needed to fix his robes about. Of course, he had no time to do anything else because a loud and awesome roar of his name could be heard from above. Immediately his face opened up into one of awe and joy, his eyes sparkling at the sight of his greatest rival!

When things quieted down, or at least got as quiet as they would be with Ryosuke and Matsuri around, Hanae finally felt the courage to go to Hiei’s side.

“Your clothes,” she said fretfully, her hands reaching out but not quite going to touch Hiei. Then looking at Matsuri, Hanae responded with a frown. “We’re just dropping off a flower order.” Her dark eyes somehow got darker.

“You keep talkin’ ‘bout flowers.” Ryosuke complained. “Who cares about some plants?” He went over to pick up his sword, fastening it around his waist. He still had to spar with Matsuri after all, and he had won that right fair and square!

“You’re not the type to understand.” Hanae said as she went to pick up the torn sleeve of Hiei’s robe. Her lips pursed as she felt along the frayed seam. Luckily, it was a fairly clean tear, she could at least mend it for him since he had to go through the whole ordeal. “All you think about is fighting and harassing others.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Ryosuke grinned, not looking insulted at the slightest. “Life’s too short to not be having fun. You’re just mad I won and he lost. He’s not fit to be Matsuri’s husband— he’s not even fit to be her second or third or fourth lover!” Hanae flushed, gripping the blue sleeve tightly in her small hands. As of that moment, she no longer blamed Hiei for fighting the man.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Hiei growled, wanted to do nothing more than get up and try to smash the bastards face in, but his ribs hurt something fierce, and his breath was ragged.

He knew how to hide it though. There was no way in hell he was going to let this smug pampered idiot get any sense of satisfaction from -

Their patron offered to help him up. Hiei huffed away most of his frustrations and accepted the hand that had been offered. On his feet, he looked away in shame as Hanae tended to his torn robe. When Ryosuke went on again about some utter foolishness.

"You want to go for round two, tough guy?" he managed through clenched teeth, his eyes sharp. Never mind that even the act of breathing had his frame twinging in on itself with each rise and fall. "Just sitting there, yapping," he growled and his hands were balled into fists once more.

He should've just kicked him right in the nuts when he had a chance. He wouldn't show the little temple fighter the same mercy next time around.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

Ginrou heaved the other man up to standing with a hand. He was reluctant to let go, feeling the shake there in Hiei's muscles, but he seemed too wound up to accept any more help than that. So Gin stood aside as Hanae approached them. She was clutching a piece of blue cloth, and expressed worry about the tear.

"He can borrow one of my robes," Gin reassured her. Then looked to Hiei. "You shouldn't walk home like that." The two of them probably shouldn't walk home at all, actually. Not with it getting so dark.

Behind them, Ryo was still being loud, and rude. The man seemed hellbent on making a bad host out of Ginrou. To her credit, Matsuri was incredulous. She put her hands on her hips, and tilted her head at Ryo's last comment.

"What the hell are you going on about? There's no way I'd go for a leggy guy like that." Matsuri huffed a hot breath of air out her nose and stuck her chin up in the air. "I already told you Ryo, nobody who's taller than me is gonna be my husband!" She reached forward with splayed fingers. Her other hand moved to the hilt of her sword, though her pose didn't look like she was going to draw it anytime soon. Ryo was still grabbing his own weapon off the ground, after all. "I'll break the curse on my family, and marry a real manlet!"

His attention turning to his sister for a moment, Ginrou blinked, a look of confusion on his face. That's right, he remembered. Matsuri had been denied training to be a pegasus maiden because of her height. Was she worried about her kids? He hadn't ever known his sister to think that far ahead into the future.

Hiei Hanae

 

[Hanae]

“Hiei,” Hanae whispered loudly, “stop.” And then in a much softer, begging tone: “Please, stop.”

Ryo, no longer interested in Hiei since beating him or Hanae since Matsuri was speaking, nodded his head.

“Yeah, but then you’re gonna have to spend a fortune on ladders and stools.” Ryosuke said, but then paused, looking very much in thought. He even crossed his arms over his chest and cradled his chin one hand, closing eyes as if he was thinking very, very hard. “That’s why I wanna marry someone tall with big thigh muscles, like Lennifer Jawrence, that one actress from the West in Alliria. When she came here to perform the Golden Linings Bookplay I was smitten a woman like her could be so big! It was the first time—

Hanae sighed deeply, burying her face into the torn sleeve. She felt the conversation was going to turn inappropriate and if it were, she didn’t want to hear such a thing. She started mumbling flower names into the fabric, starting from A and making it to the C’s.

“‘Course, you’re tall and strong enough, Matsuri. That’s why you’re my rival.” Oh. Perhaps it wasn’t going to be dirty after all? Maybe her mind was sullied from spending so much time with Hiei and his friends and that under the table business they did?

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Ginrou offered him clothing. "I don't need your pity-" he hissed. Hiei hated that tall, brash, self assured-

stop. Please, stop.

His eyes snapped to her. Saw the imploring look on his face. He huffed. Snapped his eyes away from the scene entirely. His eyes strained some, and his breathing came harsher.

It was harder to pretend like he wasn't hurting without the anger there to distract him.

"We should go," he said with a croak. A small shift in his movement sent a streak of red through him that near dropped him to his knees. His eyes started to water, but he sucked breath in through his teeth. Seemed to will the tears from falling. He, slowly, made his way to the cover of the guest house. "Maybe some tea-" another pain, a bend toward his injured right as he winced. He fell to his knee again. Breathed heavy.

Gods fucking damn it. He punched the dirt. Punched it again. The pain from his knuckles took away some of sting from his ribs. He punched the floor harder still.

He hated nobles.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

It was Matsuri's turn to level a finger, and this one was pointed right at Ryosuke as he rambled on about big thighs and illustrious women.

"Ryo... that's absolutely no way to talk about a lady," Her face stern and her voice steady, it almost seemed like Matsuri might have some shred of propriety left in her. But then she drew her blade. Stance wide, lips ascowl, she held the sword behind her with one hand. The flat of her other palm faced Ryo. She'd skipped the part where she was supposed to bow to her opponent.

"Don't you dare compare me to some Western entertainer! I could defeat a lady like that blindfolded!" Matsuri stuttered as her thoughts caught up to her movements. The ornaments at the end of her pommel tinkled together as she bounced animatedly at her own words. "And-and with a wooden practice sword--!"

---

Before Hiei could ram his fist into the ground another time, Ginrou caught his wrist and stopped the movement. His usually warm eyes darkened with some heat as his brows knit together. But instead of a tugging grip, Gin leaned further down and wrapped his other arm around Hiei's waist. "You're not going anywhere in that condition," he said with a heave, pulling the other man up to standing. "Now, stop complaining, all you're doing is making Miss Hanae worry."

If Hiei didn't struggle, Gin would walk him back to the guest house, and deposit him on the porch, somewhat roughly.

Regardless, the pad of familiar footsteps came rushing from around the house. Jia Xin, the young letai from earlier, hurried across the wooden floor of the porch and skidded to a stop. He place a tea table down, and a few cushions to go with it. Puffing from the exertion, he wordlessly gave Gin and Hanae a little bow, each in turn. Turning tail and padding away just as abruptly, Jia Xin was off again, presumably to collect the tea itself.

Hanae Hiei

 

[Hanae]

Matsuri’s and Ryo’s bickering faded into the background, the clash and whistle of steel could be heard when they decided to stop their shouting for a second or two, but Hanae hardly heard any of it. Her dark eyes were on Hiei as he punched the ground, not once, not twice but again and again until Ginrou stopped him.

There was a mixture of horror and sympathy in her eyes. She understood that Hiei was probably hurting, and sometimes when one’s body hurt it felt good to hurt things. But that was a frightening thing, wasn’t it? Hurting things because of the hurt being felt. Even if the thing one chose to hurt were themselves.

“Let’s take a moment to breathe, Hiei.” Hanae would say after minutes had passed and she could look at Hiei like she normally would. She watched the letai work and put together everything they needed for tea, but now Hanae wasn’t sure she could swallow a single thing. Her stomach was a pit, a empty pit that wanted to stay that way. She looked down at her hands.

“Thank you, for your hospitality.” This was for Ginrou as she tried to mask her realization.

They had been shaking the entire time. Was it from fear or her overwhelming sense of guilt and regret? These last few days had been awful. Hanae placed a hand over her chest, right above her heart as if she could soothe it. She was awful, too.

Kneeling down next to Hiei, ignoring the cushions, she gestured for him to stay still.

“Just tell me where it hurts,” Hanae said, beginning to use her small, nimble fingers to poke and prod at various places alongside his arms, trying to discern if anything was broken.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Picked up and tossed like a butchered bird, laid against the wooden floor of the porch. Hiei's eyes strained wide as his bones jostled and shook. The break of his rib stabbed at his breath as white heat sprouted, forked, and spread to red and purple ache.

He braced himself up as the cat boy prepared the tea.

Hanae said something, across the way. Breathe. He managed to hear.

Pain in his hand dulled the pain in his side. Both spots felt red. Warm and slow. Purple, dull and deep. And yellow, sharp and stinging. Only when he stretched, just a little to the- came the flash of white. It caused his breath to hitch. Get caught in his throat.

Just tell me where it hurts,

She came to his side, tested and prodded his arms. He grit his teeth. Kept his breath shallow. They had been invited to tea. Ginrou, their actual client, had made it clear what he wanted.

Damn it. All he had to do was keep it together. "It's alright," he said with a rasp in his throat. Worked himself upright with careful, finger movements. "The tea will likely help," he said as he made for the cushions.

Breathe. He just needed to breathe. He had danced through worse, he remembered.

He waited for Hanae to take her place before he took his, his knees folded under him. His knuckles and thumbs pressed flat against the cool wood. He bowed his head, ever just to invite her.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

"Yes, I think we could all use a moment," he agreed with Hanae as she came over to inspect the injured Hiei.

Gin took a seat opposite to Hiei, his robes spreading out neatly around him. He leaned back as the young attendant came padding up once more, and deposited a tray onto the table. On the tray was stacked three cups, a squat little gaiwan and all the other things needed for tea. The porcelain was simple, clean white with thin lines of gold around the rims.

Lifting the lid of a wooden container, Gin peeked inside. The dark, curling leaves of a red tea greeted him, with a bouquet that was clean and savory, dried in the summer sun. Whatever annoyance that had compelled Gin before melted away at the smell of it. Speaking of bouquets...

Hazel brown eyes looked to Hanae. Maybe a compliment would smooth over all the prior excitement they had just experienced. "I saw you accommodated my indecision." Only half paying attention to the tea, Gin's hands moved on their own. Three generous scoops of tea went into the gaiwan. He lifted the kettle, and poured hot water into the vessel. "With the flowers, I mean. The yellow peonies stand out. It's clear you care for your craft."

One of his big hands was enough to grasp the gaiwan, which he did with delicate motions. A finger settled on the lid, tilting it slightly. With a fluid twist of his wrist, Ginrou poured out the water onto the garden plants below. Just a rinse, to relax the leaves. Setting the vessel back down, more water went in to brew the tea properly.

Gin filled Hanae's cup first, then Hiei's, and then his own. He would not touch his tea until the other two had tasted theirs.

Hiei Hanae

 

[Hanae]

Hanae continued to frown at Hiei. What was going on? The impression that the Morikamis had on them was already sullied by his fighting. Once again, Hiei had taken her business as if it was his, liking pulling up a flower from it’s roots. A part of her wanted to ignore this feeling, to instead smile and pretend like nothing was wrong. Another part of her wanted to just ignore Hiei for as long as they were here and even on the trip back.

She couldn’t make things awkward for Ginrou.

“Okay.” Hanae said. “We’ll have some tea. Maybe you can see Kishi later?” She smiled. She sat down, following protocol. Her posture was perfect, she had been well trained in manners. Her dark eyes looked to Gin as he poured the tea, and she continued that soft, demure smile.

“Thousand-petal crown peonies are beautiful, aren’t they?” Hanae said, staring at her cup of tea. She needed to drink from it. She picked up the teacup, doing her best to steady her hands and not splash the tea around. She took a sip, lowering her dark gaze. “They weren’t on my cart, but I hope they can be something special for Lady Morikami. They’re not blue, but once she looks at the petals, I am sure she’ll be delighted.”

“Come this way, we’ll set you up in one of the guest rooms. The Lady will be pleased to see you’re back in Sonshan. She’s missed your performances.” The voice of the gatekeeper could be heard, just down the ways. “Of course, she’ll be happy to see her investment in you hasn’t gone to waste. You look well.”

“Lady Morikami will forever have all my gratitude for her kind donation. I wouldn’t have been allowed to leave. Without her, I’d still be working for Madame…” the gatekeeper was seen first as the two women and two helpers crested around the corner. Shortly behind the mean-eyed gate-keeper was Hinoka, dressed in her nicest clothes.

The buttons and ties on the front and lack of a under-robe told very clear what may be expected of the young musician. No sword or visible weapons on her, Hinoka was even without her hat. Her gaze glanced over Ginrou and Hanae, not even registering them. If it had only been them, she would’ve kept walking. But Hinoka saw Hiei. She stopped walking, staring at her melancholy crane.

“Hiei.” She breathed out.

“Yes, your partner is here, I’m assuming he’ll be joining you later for the Lady’s entertainment?”

“What?” Hanae spoke up, looking at Hinoka to Hiei. “No, he’s just helping me deliver flowers, he isn’t….” She trailed off, thinking of yesterday. “Everyone has the wrong idea,” she whispered, “he’s not here for marriage or entertainment.” It was a mistake to bring Hiei on a business call with her. More and more, that was becoming clear. Hiei was bad for her business, even her reputation. She was certain she’d never do a order for the Morikami household again.

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

He nod to Hanae's suggestion, for that was all he could do without letting his face twist in ugly hurt. Breathe. He reminded himself. Just keep breathing. He settled next to her, but with enough distance as was proper for business associates.

The smell of dried tea filled the air. Delicate and herbal. It helped ground him.

The sound of the tea pouring. One cup. Two. Three. Hiei opened his eyes and did not meet Ginrou's, gaze cast down in humility and shame. He bowed, though he felt the fibers of his flesh twist and pull across fractured rib.

He took the cup. Retreated to his tall straight posture. Hid the shake in his right hand. Though the surface of his tea did tremble. He took a sip.

They spoke of the flowers. As the tea brewed. He kept his eyes closed. It didn't hurt so bad if he focused on other things. The rustle of the leaves. The chirp of the crickets.

Lady Morikami will forever have...

Hiei's body tensed. His hand shook and the tea near spilled over the lip of his delicate cup. He smoothed out the wrinkles of pain and upset. No. Not-

Hiei.

His eyes did not open. He bowed his head to Hinoka, and held it there, longer than he had intended. The break, the swelling. The flare of white eased to blue and bled to red. Pounded with each beat of his heart.

"I am not here as part of the entertainment," he stated clearly. Kept his eyes low, his head bent. Hot tea still in his hand. His voice cold and distant as steam swirled and wafted up and about his bowed face like a veil. "I am here to assist in fulfilling Master Ginrou's order, as made to the business, Pocketful of Petals," he sucked in his breath.

His right hand was trembling, and he kept his bleeding left hidden neath the cup.

Hinoka always did like when he worked through the pain.

Ginrou Hanae

 

[Ginrou]

Two newcomers came up the garden path, and it was impossible not to overhear their conversation.

Gin, who was still in the middle of arranging the second brew (formal tea was a long affair), stopped his work abruptly. He could only stare as everything got, worse.

The little piece of the picture that Ginrou had been missing this whole time finally clicked into place. The reason why his sister and Suyuna had been so brusque with the florists, the reason why the two looked so nervous the moment they stepped through the gates. Did everyone except for him already know?

His vision shifted and his head spun. He gripped the edge of the short table with one hand to steady himself. He didn't know what he was supposed to in a situation like this. If his father were still alive... no, this had nothing to do with his father. It never had, and Gin knew that.

He should have figured it out sooner, really.

Tears began to well at the corner of his eyes, but Ginrou knew how to keep them from falling. He didn't blink, kept his breath shallow as he set down the tea pot. The pads of his fingers lingered there, feeling the heat of the water burn through the thin porcelain. It wasn't quite enough to settle him.

Everyone has the wrong idea, came Hanae's voice. Clear and striking enough to reach Gin, though she whispered it.

The porcelain shifted and clinked as Ginrou loosened his grasp on the table's edge. With a quiet sigh, his breath returned to normal. "I don't have any reason not to believe you," he spoke low to the flower seller. Though the reassurance may have been for himself, just as much.

Gin stood up. He stepped just far enough down the garden path so that his bulk would hide Hiei and Hanae from the two women's view. "Suyuna, I think you must be mistaking this man for someone else," he said with an odd smile. Of course, it wasn't a mistake. The other woman had said Hiei's name, after all. But he didn't let up. "These two are here at my request. So please, if there's any way I can clear up this misunderstanding..."

Ginrou was broad. If either of the two woman wanted to approach the guest house, they'd have to find a way around him.

Hanae Hiei

 

[Hanae]

Hanae remained quiet. Thousands of questions were going through her mind, none with any answers to them. So many questions and none of them would be appropriate for her to ask Hiei about. She dipped her head low, wishing she could just disappear. She set her teacup down, unable to taste the tea, unable to smell the slight floral notes. She could care less whether this was used in ceremonies or just over-dried and out of season leaves.

Despite the thoughts she had about Hiei moments before, she understood this wasn’t his fault. They would discuss this at a later time. There was no point in doing it now. What Hiei needed right now was support.

Hanae’s hand, with the small tea table hiding the movement, went to Hiei’s. Her hand was warm and clammy from her nerves, but her left hand touched the back of Hiei’s right. Boldly, she grasped his hand. She didn’t look at Hiei, instead staring down at her tea.

“Well, Master,” Suyuna dipped her head down for him, but her tone of voice was mixed. There was the professionalism one expected, but also a layer of condescending virtue-shaming. “I can assure you, I am not. When your mother arrives, would you want her to confirm although she has been traveling? If it’s to clear my name as a liar, I’m sure she’d be willing to do such a thing for a long-time employee as faithful as me, but….”

“Hiei.” Hinoka ignored Ginrou’s words, ignored Suyuna’s words, and especially ignored Hanae’s words. “You got another job or something? Migi said you, well, that you got tied up in something.” Hinoka did her best to try and peer behind Ginrou’s broad frame but no matter how she tilted herself or her head, she couldn’t get to see Hiei’s face. “Hiei, come on, look at me. You’re not still mad at me for this morning, are you?”

“Morning?” Hanae questioned, glancing to Hiei.

“Hinoka,” Suyuna interjected, “we should get going.” There was a pause as the gatekeeper looked at Ginrou. “Your mother should arrive soon. I’ll be sure to meet her at the gate.”

Hiei Ginrou

 

[Hiei]

Come the warm touch of a small and delicate hand, Hiei's face flushed red. He took in a breath, and straightened up again. Hanae's support easing some of the strain of keeping himself lifted. He brought the tea to his lips, with Hanae's help, and drained the cup. The wet red across his left knuckles glistened, sticky, in the low-light of late evening sky and lantern flame.

Finished. His eyes came open. He let the empty cup down upon the table. To drink a single cup of tea was as politeness dictated. An acceptance of the graciousness and generosity of the host.

"Thank you," he said, as he looked to Hanae, and let his hands rest at his side.

Ginrou was caught in a web. A noble, yes. But a son all the same.

Hinoka tried to grab his attention. He looked down at his knees. Felt his breath ragged and shallow.

Morning?

"Personal business," he cut. "I can explain another time," he said more softly.

With a grunt, and a sharp breath, he worked himself up off the ground, went to grab the empty flower basket. Slipped it onto his back through pained breaths and made to leave. "I'll leave this at your house, Hanae," he said with a bow. He moved to Suyuna, Ginrou, and Hinoka. A smile, clean and clear and cold spread across his lips. Even his eyes seemed to crinkle with it. Crack at the corners. "I apologize, Master Ginrou, it is as Lady Suyuna, and Lady Hinoka say," he bowed to them, and rose.

The warmth of the tea helped ease some of the pain. But only some.

"I am the man named Hiei, there is no need to trouble the High Lady Morikami for such a frivelous matter," he said, but did not look to Suyuna. She could likely cut him down if she wanted. What good would the sympathies of a young scion do against a trusted member of the house guard in such a matter as this.

He, after all, had been fighting on house grounds.

He rose up, and looked to Hinoka. No joy in his eyes. "I am not here to dance tonight," his eyes looked to Suyuna, and he bowed his head again. "Please, if you would excuse me, I would like to be on my way, it is a long walk back to the blue district,"

He had danced through worse. And he could dance through this.

Hanae Ginrou