Chapter Text
Kagemaru sat in the Okiya gardens, watching the han-gyoku as they practicd their dances. Some had better from than others, though he in particular kept an eye an Namika, his friend Kitiara’s apprentice. Quiet, yet going through the motions diligently.
With a slight smile, Kagemaru went back to tuning his shamisen. He had a performance tonight after all. After being certain the strings were properly taught, he started plucking, getting lost in the flow of the music, and the gentle yet sorrowful sounds wafted in the air.
He wasn’t sure how long it was, but eventually someone sat next to him. Kagemaru lifted his eyes to see Kitiara, in her own kimono and looking mischievous. She looked at him.
“Were you even looking at the han-gyoku trying to dance to that?” Kitiara said with a smirk on his face. Kagemaru glanced at the yard. The olders ones were successfully moving, but the younger ones? In various levels of frustration. He laughed.
“Y’all will learn someday.” He called out to the girls. There was some huffing, and little Aiya, a Mujina snarled at him. He smiled. “Now, now, can’t snarl at everyone as tempting as it is. We’re Geisha, so got to be elegant. We are our art.”
Kitiara hid a smile behind her sleeve, before speaking to the girls. “Yuzuru has a point.” She gestured at the sky. “However the sun keeps moving. Go check with your sisters to see what needs to be done before the evening.”
“Right!” The girls said, and went off to find their mentors, aside from Namika. She went farther into the gardens, which meant she already knew Kitiara’s intent. Kagemaru heaved a sigh, and looked right at her. “What?” He asked.
Kitiara’s expression shifted, briefly eyeing the shamisen, then looking back at him. “You did something.”
Kagemaru scoffed. “I’m always getting up to shit. Or are you forgetting who I am Kiti-chan?”
Kitiara rolled her eyes. “As if you would let me forget. No. This is something else.”
Kagemaru looked back at the Shamisent, mindlessly plucking at it. “I’ve become more powerful. That’s it.”
There was quiet for a moment. “You contracted with the first onmyoji you found, didn’t you?” She finally said.
Kagemaru shrugged. It wasn’t that big of a deal. “So? We have similar goals. We help each other with the goals. That’s it.”
“Kagemaru. You know there’s more to it than that.” Kitiara sighed. “It’s a bond.”
Kagemaru looked up at her before she went on. “I know what it is. I’m not an idiot. And I know what I have to do to make it stronger. But I’m just not interested.” He shook his head. “I’m not gonna get closer to a human, even if they are an onmyoji. Besides.” He looked Kitiara right in the eyes. “The government’s killin’ them just like they’re killin’ us. If I just let this one pass me by? There’s no guarantee I’ll find another one.”
Kitiara put a hand on his. “Just don’t do anything reckless.” She smiled mischieviously, then gestured at Namika who was checking up on the Tsubaki plant she sprang from. “After all, Namika is looking forward to playing shamisen with you.”
“Then tell ‘er to keep practicin’.” Kagemaru said with a chuckle. Though the child was at least improving steadily. Soon she'll be able to play with him. And maybe, not have to hide what she really is.