The New Winds

A warm bath is surely a good way to end a hot day: to take the impurities off the body. Kokyou was, of course, thinking on dousing a bucket of fresh water afterwards. Meanwhile, he sang a bit while looking at the ceiling.

"Now, when I was a wee boy 'n so me mother told me."
"Way haul away, we'll haul away Kokyou!"

"That if I didn' kiss the gals me lips would all grow mouldy."
"Way haul away, we'll haul away Kokyou!"

He forgets the rest of the song. Yet, that doesn't turn him down and keeps repeating it.

--
D6, Rooster, Artisan: Singing/Awareness Unskilled + VP for Skill: 3d10o10k2 8

Sakura had come to clean and bathe. There was a few things she expected; water. Soap. Towels. Maybe some other students.

What she didn't expect? Some strange and hard to understand song! She started to worry that some evil spirit had found its way into the baths, and was now doing something bad like...curses! Bad things!

Wait, is that Kokyou-sans voice?

Now Sakura felt silly. She quietly undressed and cleaned before knocking on the door of the bathing area.

"A-ano...Is it ok if I join you?" She didn't open the door, and held the towel to herself.

"Poppet?" He asks, turning his head to the door. "Aye! Slide into these good warm water wit' me 'n let's relax."

Sakura carefully opened the door at that, her body covered by her towel - Kokyou could see she was quite slender, although not as bad as many Doji. She bowed to him.

"Good evening Kokyou-san. I hope you are well? How are the kama?"

She kept her body covered as she slid into the water up to her neck, then hid behind her knees.

Kokyou takes his share of peek from Sakura as she moves into the pool, but just the right amount.

He nods, more in appreciation to her slender form –– quite toned in a few areas, it seemed... hard to tell with all that toweling –– but also about the kama, and says, "They be ready t' be used fer combat. Which I hope 'twon't be necessary too soon, since me diplomatic skills are incredibly good. When monsters dock, though. I'll dispatch 'em like weed troublin' the crops."

"How ye be farin', poppet'?"

"Ah, hai. I wasn't sure if there would be a chance to train with them to get an idea of the weighting. They felt ideal to me, but I'm not an expert with that weapon" Sakura smiled, nodding "I'm well thank you. My own project is nearing completion, and I'm quite excited to finish it! It's looking beautiful already."

"I practice wit' 'em often, in fact. Anythin' comin' from ye best be beautiful poppet. I 'ave no doubt." He smirks, sure about her skills. "Wha' be this project, though?"

Sakura looked confused. She was sure she'd told him.

"The Jade Tanto?"

"Har! I thought that was already done. Does it take it that long? Must be mighty a piece o' art." He says, shrugging.

"About seven days. Gems are very delicate, and you cannot rush the process. Nor can I just be in the forge all day" Sakura explained "but tomorrow morning I'll be putting the finishing touches, and it'll be so beautiful. I really can't wait! I've also got my next project lined up as well."

"On the morrow. How amazin'! That has t' be fate." He opens a grin with fire in this eyes.

Then, he starts to move closer to Sakura. Once near enough for only her to hear, he says. "I would like ye t' skewer me wit' it."

Sakura looked even more confused.

"Ano...you want me to attack you with my Jade Tanto? Why?"

"T' prove that even a charm like yers can nah scuttle me!" He says with a serious tone, adding, "Then I'll show the sensei that even hurt, I am fearless."

To say Sakura didn't understand would be an understatement. She blinked, frowned, and tried to think. Going silent for a while as she tried to work out what he was referring to.

"...Won't I get in trouble with the sensei then for attacking you with a live weapon? I don't want to hurt my friends with my tanto, it's art to be admired not feared. I won't do it Kokyou-san, sorry" she bowed in apology.

"Shiver me timbers. I won't force ye into doing somethin' ye don't wants t'." He waves his hands up to show it is not a big deal, then he smirks to say, "Specially since ye say I be one o' yer boyfriends."

Biting his lip and frowning, the boy comments, "I'll 'ave t' find a way t' get hurt on the morrow, though. Show I am invincible."

"I still don't understand why Kokyou-san needs to be cut though. Is this...a Mantis thing" Sakura asked, peeking up at the boy "ano...I know a little of Jiujutsu, would that do?"

"Aye. I wouldna be against ye using yer hands t' do some damage on this tough body here. Nay." He mentions, shamelessly.

"Ok" Sakura said, the shamelessness entirely going over the girls head "maybe tomorrow I can find time? I haven't sparred since the first day, it's not really something I feel that I need to do, but if Kokyou-san needs to spar for his clan duties I am happy to help a friend! Meet at the dojo?"

"Wherever ye prefer, poppet. If nah on the morrow, the day aft." He says with a wide big smirk creeping up.

"Nono, I'll do it tomorrow" Sakura said with a firm nod "I promised, so I'll do it. Meet at the dojo after first lessons."