[D3, LE, Training Grounds] Priorities

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Letters... Right. And... activities, while we're here..." Haru can almost see things starting to click into place behind Mitsuko's tired eyes.

"It... Might be nice, having a certain, um, constancy in life after this week. I don't know where I'll be assigned, what sort of position at all..." The Crab seems to be calming as something resembling order takes hold in her mind.

[Shiba Haru]

"Yes, just because we must all part ways at the end of this doesn't mean we cannot remain in contact and doesn't mean none of us will meet again. Rin and I were talking about how the Topaz Champion has the luxury of choosing their first duty and they often travel a lot. We both spoke of visiting Crab lands and you."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"The... I..." The Crab looks like she may hyperventilate. With great force of will, she centers herself, and then looks at Haru with some more control.

"Ahem. It, uh, would be an honor to get such a visit. Um, from either of you. I don't... My family might actually prefer, um..." She stops herself from completing that thought and just looks down nervously.

[Shiba Haru]

"Mitsuko-san be calm. There is no need for etiquette between us, you can speak you mind. Take your time and tell me whatever it is you are thinking and feeling."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

The Crabs eyes remain downcast and her voice soft, but she sends to find some coherency finally with his patience.

"Surely there is some need, Haru-san, for already in this conversation you've told me much, and I have great respect, admiration, even... But how do I know if that's what I should think to say, or the way I feel about Rin-san, or the way... It is all very confusing. And I've always been a student. Training at the Hida academy is intense, the Kuni family training is intense, especially in my mother's house... When would I have learned how to respond to... personal... feelings..."

[Shiba Haru]

"You don't, this is one of those things that you learn as you go I think. You just have to be true to yourself, that's why I said the things I said about you. I'm sorry if my truth made you feel uncomfortable. But I can tell you that I feel better having said it. It was selfish of me to do, to put my feelings upon you so suddenly but I feel like a weight has been lifted from me. I think you should try it."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Shiba-san, you... I do not think you need apologize to me, for this is very helpful, even if I don't know what to do with it all..."

She looks at Haru again, a little more steadily, and in the flickering light seems to give him a smile.

"You are like your brother and like Rin-san," Mitsuko says warmly. "You are never short of the right words. It is something I... appreciate... in all of you. It's..." She stops to think about what she wants to say. "Unyielding confidence? A form of inner strength, perhaps. But it's... something I should like to learn." And when Mitsuko's eyes find Haru's, they aren't scared or confused anymore.

[Shiba Haru]

"Certainly not unyielding confidence, not in my case.

We all have doubts, insecurities, I can't begin to tell you all of mine. Just telling you was nerve-racking, and these tests and my brother...there is plenty to drive us all mad right now.

This moment, right now, gives me strength.

Much as you feel about me and Jiro and Rin I feel about you so knowing you have doubts means okay that I have mine."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko scoots closer to Haru, looking at him confidently. "I think a wise Phoenix told me that we are exceptional, just for being here. Among how many hundreds in the empire who might gempukku this year, we're already among historic company. So there is no need for doubt or worry - just to make the most that we can of the opportunity."

She gives him a grin. "There's still time to accomplish much, hm?"

[Shiba Haru]

Haru didn't know how to react to her closeness and he fought against his youthful exuberance.

"Plenty of time, you just have to decide what you want to do first and then act. No different than anything else we have been trained for."

He takes a deep breath.

"So do you know what you want to do?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko shakes her head.

"No, not at all," she says with a sigh. "But it'll come, I'm sure." She pauses and gives him an encouraging smile. "Just like it will for you. There's, um..." She hesitates, not wanting to confuse Haru when he's been so supportive. "Just, um, lots of opportunities for you, still, hm?"

[Shiba Haru]

He moves closer and the gap between them vanishes, he does not touch her but is dangerously close.

"I hope there is at least one opportunity left, do you think I should take my own advice?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko gives a confused smile.

"Your own advice? That you..." The Crab seems genuinely to not know what he's implying, but she doesn't shy away from him. Her eyes look curious, as he's already thrown a lot of new information at her to process tonight.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru places his hand gently on Mitsuko's.

"How does that feel to you, wrong or right?"

[Kuni Mitsuko]

"Bleeh... Uh..." Mitsuko just stares at Haru's hand on top of hers. Her mind is blank for a moment, then races with questions. She closes her eyes as she thinks, not ready to meet his eyes and hoping that the move will help her focus.

After what probably feels like an eternity to the Phoenix, Mitsuko starts to speak. It's soft, and she still hasn't opened her eyes.

"It... doesn't feel... wrong..." She explains slowly. "I'm... I don't... know about right..."

Suddenly her eyes flash open. "I, um. I should really think about this. I mean, it... Everything you have said, just tonight, and I... am..." Mitsuko looks at Haru, lips pursed, and silently wills him to understand what she's thinking.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru removes his hand, placing it back on his bokken.

"Of course, understanding yourself is hardest part and I cannot know what is in your mind and heart until you do. But no matter what I hope this is not our last meeting Mistuko-chan."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

There's a small sound of uncertainty as he addresses her so comfortably, and Mitsuko's eyes blink a little too rapidly as she tries to think.

"It, um... I'm sure it won't be, um..." Her voice is soft and uncertain, and she can't make a decision in that moment. "I'm sure we'll, uh, have occasion to talk again," she says, nodding for emphasis.

[Shiba Haru]

"I hope so, in the mean time you should find Rin-san. I don't think you will know anything for sure until you talk to her like we have talked. For what it's worth, I'm not going to say anything about this or my feelings to Rin-san. I don't want to compete for either of your affections, I would rather stay your friend."

[Kuni Mitsuko]

Mitsuko's eyes blink as she tries to process that.

"Ok. That's... Ok."

It's clear the Crab doesn't know what to do at this point.

"Um, thank you, Shib... Har..." She shakes her head to clear it, then looks at him sideways as her head tilts away. "Thank you, Haru-kun," she says with a focused effort. She bites her lip then nods, taking a deep breath like she may rise to depart.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru melted a bit inside when she called him Haru-kun but managed to play it cool. He stood up, slowly, and made his way over to the stand to return his bokken.

"Thank you for showing me more of yourself and sharing this moment with me. I look forward to the next time we can chat, there is still much I wish to ask you about your home. But I have done enough bothering you for one evening. I hope you have a pleasant evening and sweet dreams."