She looked at his scars and admired them, knowing the pain behind each mark. Yet her gaze lingered not just with understanding but with a desire that bloomed against her will.
Shin was a warrior and had fought to be where he was in this moment, drinking a glass of fruity wine with her. She looked at the crest on his hand, knowing it was what bound them together, and took another sip, ignoring the bubbles of anger threatening to rise.
She didn't want to be mad at him. He had done his best with the information he had at the time.
What kind of horror had she looked like when he found her? What had guided his gut to bring her back?
She had been taken by death and returned to the warmth of her family. Would she rather be with them? Definitely, but there had to be a reason beyond her knowing for her return.
She could only hope that with time, the truth would become evident. Looking back at the moon, she admired its beauty.
She loved the moon. Something was calming and euphoric about it.
"We deserve to enjoy the night." With that, she downed her wine and held out her glass for him to refill.
Moving over, she looked at the meat and cheese platter left for them and smiled, picking up a piece of cheese and examining it. A hint of unease touched her gut.
What if someone was trying to poison them? Her instincts said otherwise, so she popped the cheese into her mouth with a piece of meat.
The flavors, mixed with the wine, were delicious. She purred softly, taking another piece and holding it out to him.
"Oh my gosh, have you tried this? It's... delicious."
Tasting the food, he detected no sign of poison, which reassured him that the Imperial Crown did trust them—for now. They would have to keep it that way until it was time to reveal who they truly were.
He didn't know what the future held, but for now, they should enjoy the night. As she munched, she felt loose, most likely the effects of the wine, her cheeks reddening and her freckles standing out.
"I feel so light." She laughed softly, moving back to the balcony and leaning on the railing, her eyes scanning the forest while the soft sound of chewing filled the air.
Her ears shifted, listening intently to the forest. "When I woke up from death, it felt like something was different."
She took another drink, feeling the wine's calming effect deepen. He refilled her glass without hesitation, letting her enjoy the food and drink.
Then, when she mentioned her abilities, he nodded, taking a mental note about her powers unlocking through the bond. "It's not unusual. It's normal for us to see the unseen, to detect what even creatures with enhanced senses can't."
He took a sip of his drink and continued. "Your near-death experience might have jump-started your awakening at an alarming rate. Seeing how you are now, your awakening might come sooner than expected."
He nodded, thinking she might soon need to undergo the awakening trials that every Kitsune must face. "I could hear and see better, and there were strange orbs—some whispering, others crying. I only see a few around the castle. It's weird."
She took another sip, her blush still warm on her cheeks. When she mentioned the orbs, he responded calmly.
"The orbs you speak of are the souls of the departed. If left unchecked, they might evolve into something sinister—an Azakashi, or Revenant in the common tongue."
He sipped his wine just as the clouds passed over the moon, casting a darker hue across the land. He sighed, took a deep breath, and continued.
"Azakashi feed on negative energy. Once they start wreaking havoc, they move from place to place, seeking those who wronged them."
He looked at the moon and raised his glass. "I know what we'll do tomorrow. We'll approach those orbs, speak to them, and see what's going on. It will be part of our investigation."
He watched her quietly, noting how the fizzy berry flavor made her drink more. Her expression brightened, her tail swishing with joy as she enjoyed each sip.
Finding her little movements cute, he felt warm after a few sips himself and removed his robe, hanging it over a veranda chair as the cold wind blew. He downed his glass and poured another round, the fruity wine filling it to the brim.
The scars on his chest and back resembled claw marks, though many were from assassins and warriors who had failed to take his life. Each had met their end by his katana.
Shin smiled as she looked at him, then turned to gaze at the horizon, the moon shining more brightly than ever. When she handed him her empty glass, he refilled it to the brim.
She tasted more food and wine, the flavors dancing across her tongue. He was happy to see her enjoying herself.
Still, he offered a warning. "Easy on the alcohol, Laverna. I know it's your first time, but drink in moderation."
She downed her drink again after nibbling at the snacks. Through the Eyes of Truth, he saw how her body was slowly recovering.
He smiled, watching her grow more relaxed and free as the evening unfolded. They sat in silence for a while, finishing a bottle of wine before he opened another.
He chuckled when she said she felt light. "I'm telling you now, go slow with the drinks."
Turning to look at him, she felt a blush creep across her face. "What are you looking at?"
She giggled softly and turned back toward the night sky, raising the glass to her lips. When the clouds passed and the moonlight returned, he looked at her again.
The moonlight accented her skin and blush, and her beauty shone in the dark. He didn't realize he was staring.
Her question snapped him back to reality. He blushed, the Crest on his hand glowing faintly.
The Crest whispered silently to both of them, stirring their instincts. He cleared his throat.
"Well, um... I was looking at your face. It's... red."
Feeling awkward, he added, "And you're beautiful."
His face flushed deeply as he looked away and took another sip. From her angle, she could see he was blushing—not from the wine.
The Crest told her his feelings. She could feel what he felt: a little awkward, a little brave.
Some walls still needed crossing, but deep down, the bond was speaking loud and clear. He liked her.