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When Ayaka was sent to meet a representative of the Tenryou Commission, she didn't expect to be sitting opposite the imposing figure of Inazuma's war-torn general.
The general wore a dark but crisp kimono, hakama and haori set, very plain except for the Tenryou and Kujou embroidery on her haori, her mask always adorning her head. That mask was unnerving for many, but for the young Kamisato the fact that the tengu warrior never seemed to be without it was endearing. Herself, she wore a very proper kimono, all in shades of blues with red and gold accents. It was always important to leave a lasting impression when meeting with others of the tri commission. It was strange to her however that it wasn't the commission heads, and it was only the two of them rather than all 3.
The young Kamisato sat proper, hiding her face behind her fan, watching the general with soft, adoring eyes. The young tengu was looking everywhere but Ayaka's face, mostly to her hands that balled in her lap. Ayaka was sure the tengu's cheeks and ears had already been dusted a light pink since the moment she entered the room and gold eyes laid upon her visage.
Sara spoke first, "Ah, good evening Miss Kamisato." Her hands stayed in her lap, fidgeting with the edge of her haori.
"Good evening General Kujou," She gave a smile, though with her fan unfolded it could only be seen in her eyes, "I suppose you are the Tenryou Commission representative I was sent to meet?"
"Yes. I was spoken to by Kamaji, we are to wait for an unrelated party who has the information for this meeting." Ayaka nods in response and the room falls silent. The tengu clears her throat, "Would you like some tea? I had them brew a relaxing herbal blend that-"
Ayaka folds her fan, placing it in her lap,"Please, that sounds wonderful General." Sara, though deflating slightly, sits up pouring the steaming brew into her cup. Politely spinning it and taking a sip, she hums, "So what was it about this tea you were going to tell me about?" She questions.
For the next several minutes the typically stoic general lights up, telling her all about the tea blend she chose, the reasonings and medical uses for the relaxing properties. It's not until a throat clearing in the room, breaking Sara from her focus and noticing her thumb caressing the back of the Kamisato girl's hand. Her eyes widened, face flushing and instinctually pulling the callused hand back.
The sultry yet familiar voice of Lady Guuji speaks, "I hope I didn't disturb anything, girls. Though, I am sure the commission heads will be glad to hear you are getting along."
"Not at all Lady Guuji." Ayaka smiles genuinely, bowing her head politely, "What do we owe the pleasure?"
"Just paying back a favor for Commissioner Kamisato," she states slowly, sitting on the chair in the corner. She swings one supple leg over the other laying an elbow on the arm with a flick of the wrist, "To repair relations between the Tenryou and Yashiro commissions, Commissioners Kamisato and Kujou have set forth a betrothal. Congratulations girls, your wedding is next month."
"E-excuse me?" Ayaka stutters, brows furrowing in both confusion and concern, "But why us? I-I mean wouldn't it make more sense that they would want to pair us with the opposite sex as to allow for continuation of the bloodlines?"
Miko gives a mischievous laugh, "Oh you sweet young thing, tengu have a way aro-"
"MIKO!" The tengu's voice cracks, a birdlike squawk, her wings blasting out of her back in alarm as she stands to her feet, "I do think that is enough!" Face flushed all the way to the tips of her ears. Closing her golden eyes for a moment she takes a breath, exhaling before she speaks again. When she opens her eyes the kitsune's violet eyes are glowing in delight, if she were to look carefully the kitsune's pupils would be thin slits, "If that is all, please take your leave so we can speak about this arrangement in private."
Ayaka feels the pressure in the room change, not just through the tension between the women before her. But by the unrestrained yokai energy changing every sound and feeling in the room. It made the hair on the back of the Kamisato's neck stand on end.
"Ah, I suppose I can let your brothers fill in the minor details and I can go home early to my dear Shogun. Here's a list of all the things necessary to be done before your big day." Pulling out two neatly folded documents from her sleeve, each labeled neatly by first name, she stands and pushes them into Sara's chest, "I'll be expecting you two in a couple of weeks. Oh and girls? The public announcement is tomorrow." A flick of a wrist and a swing of the hips, the door slides shut behind her.
The pair sit motionless for what seems like hours, staring at the door. Sara is the first to do anything, "Damn that kitsune…" she sighs, kneeling at the table again, "I am sure we can void the betrothal if we speak to the comm-...our brothers."
"No! Ah. No, it would be for the best for Inazuma as a whole if we went ahead with it, besides it would be an honor to be wed to Inazuma's greatest general. To rebuild relations between the commissions of course." The young woman brushes the fabric of her kimono, "Does not mean that Ayato will not get an earful when I get home. What about yourself, general Kujou?" She bows her head respectfully.
"No need for formalities at this point, miss- er Ayaka." Running fingers through obsidian hair that faded at the tips, Sara is finally able to get a good look into Ayaka's eyes, strong and decisive, ones that while had not seen the horrors of war, were not outside conflict. She lets off a long breath, "It is proven if only by this conversation alone, that you are much more accustomed to peaceful diplomacy. I would be honored to take you as my wife, Kamisato Ayaka." Her smile is small, soft and genuine, as if something foreign on her lips. She reaches forward, hand scarred and thick with callus, grasping Ayaka's. The delicate, soft hand in hers felt as if it was easily shattered in comparison. She lifts it to her lips and gently kisses it which causes Ayaka to blush and cover her face with her fan much to Sara's amusement.
The general continues speaking, she feels comfortable around the young woman, comfortable and safe. "Though we are to be wed in a month, I pledge from this day forth that I will do everything within my power to protect you," she brings her forever grounded wing, the one that keeps her from ever returning to the sky forward and plucks a single feather, slipping it in the chest of her kimono. "My wings can no longer take to the sky Miss Kamisato, but when I command them to take me home, they will return to you."
A twinkling of a tear in Ayaka's eye does not go unnoticed, but she mentions not. Instead the heiress answers in sincerity, "I cherished every moment I have had with you in the past, and I will continue to for every moment of the rest of our lives. If I could not feel the electro energy passing from the pads of your fingers, I would question if I was dreaming."
"If it is a dream, then let us not wake until the Almighty Shogun no longer watches over Inazuma."