The wooden phrase of the tavern’s ingress whispered a sound of entrance, and within its awning stood Tasuke with left hand relaxed upon the hilts of his swords as the other straightly pressed the sliding door ajar. Glancing about the interior of dim, friendly light he noticed familiar locals and new faces, but one star shone forth like a blossoming flower. Adorned in a kimono of azure silk and black obi, the youthful girl of hair tied in a stylish tail stepped betwixt the tables with great grace while she tended to the needs of her customers and displayed a femininity to be marveled. The content smile of her lips bled through a formerly fractured complexion, once so wrought in grief of a murdering path that red masked her face as if she were a drinker of effluents. If none other were a symbol that an iris could grin even amidst a shower of death, Chiaki certainly was; it was no surprise why she had received the nickname of Winter Iris, for even through a blinding blizzard she could show the way to purity and peace.

Tasuke stepped in and shut the door behind him with a simple movement of hand, taking his favorite seat at the first table to the left. He took his swords from his sash and into the right hand one after the other, the scarlet katana to be taken first and the green weapon second. Both were lain to his immediate right while he knelt facing the back of the bar, the wall to his back and hands upon his lap. Absently he eyed the many occupants of the establishment, before he once more settled on the persona of Chiaki while she set a bottle of sake upon the slick oak before a most enchanting maiden. Even from where he sat he caught glimpse of her eyes, the very color of rain. It was then that Aki took notice of him, and after leaning to place the bottle atop the table, rose with a leisurely posture with both hands behind her back. She tilted her head to the right in a friendly sort of mannerism, feathers of her black and white hair licked over her flesh and down with the motion. Her smile was familiarly warm, her step possessive of a bounce which he had become accustomed to notice during her life of pacifism. She came and knelt across from him, masking his view of the blue-eyed beauty as she said, “Well, hello there. You sure do like coming here, huh?”

He smiled gingerly with a joy he’d rarely felt. “Where else would I go, Aki? You offer the best sake around.”

She looked to her right, as if moving her dark hues from one worker to the other without a reduction of simper. “Well, Lady Aoi would want me to keep her tavern strong.” She lifted her right hand and nestled her cheek into the palm as she turned to look upon him again, elbow planted on the table for support. “She taught me well enough to keep this place going. I’m just glad people can enjoy coming here.”

Tasuke nodded firmly. “Yes, you do very well. I think this place has many years ahead of it.”

She chuckled warmly. “Yeah, maybe. At least I don’t get bored too often.” She raised her frame and leaned back, hands once more upon her lap. “Well, can I get you something?”

He nodded once more. “Sake. Yukibime.”

Aki gave a firm nod and slid her right foot forth before rising effortlessly to attend to her task, quick to vanish from sight.

With a deep breath Tasuke closed his eyes and exhaled, keeping them shut for a few seconds while he drifted to thought. He pondered whether he wished to simply retire for the night or wander on after his drink, or simply keep Chiaki company. He supposed any of the three were acceptable given the motivation, but it was not long before he awoke to once more look upon the girl far across the room. He wondered then if she were alone, and what she planned to if she were not. The streets of nighttime Edo were wary of he whom carried the sword, but quick to prey upon the weaponless woman whilst the song of lust hummed on.

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Armies lay in waste, their corpses strewn along, an all-too-faint breath of death, a shallow little song.

With my sword I kiss the wicked, and bring them to their knees, with this sword their evil is answered and heaven is well pleased.

Those who spread the tainted seed, who know that they have sinned, will feel the icy steel I swing like a whisper in the wind.