With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 4: Meeting Miss Kamisato

Upon walking inside the Teahouse both Aether and Paimon were greeted by a small dog sitting on an counter top. The dog was dressed in some silk half-robe and and white head band.

It was apparent that Thoma wasn't here as he would have came at the sound of Paimon's voice.

However the dog "began talking" and freaked Paimon out. 

Of course Aether played along with it, but knew the dog had the exact same voice as Thoma.

So it was no surprise to him when the real Thoma revealed himself. The man who had plenty of time on his hand decided to trick Paimon and he almost landed himself a nasty nick name from Paimon.

To be fair it wouldn't have taken The traveling pair as long if they didn't deliver the love letter, but that would have been wrong of them to do after the young lady granted them passage outside of Ritou.

Besides the letter was a good thing.

"I'm sorry to leave you on Ritou like that, but it was crucial, a test."

Paimon's voice raised by several octaves.

"I knew this was another test!" She crossed her arms and began to pout.

Thoma scratch the back of his head.

"Indeed, but it was very important that I did so. It helped me in determining whether or not to bring you before Miss Kamisato, and whether you had the courage to face the lightning alongside us."

"Hmph!" Paimon turned her head away

"Don't think Paimon's gonna forgive you just because you're all serious now!"

Of course, but if it was food that Thoma offered...

Aether found room to restate Thoma's own words as a question.

"The courage to face the lightning...?"

He has suspected it has to do with rebellion. Before Aether could say more Thoma chimed in.

"Just let me say this, you've often found yourself skirting 'the rules' from the very beginning haven't you?" 

It was something that Aether could not simply deny, especially since Thoma seen it first hand.

He nodded his head in agreement with Thoma.

"Naturally, this is due to your unwavering resolute determination."

Thoma let out a deep painful sigh.

"... A long time ago we had a friend who was much the same... but when the lightning stuck..." 

Aether instinctively finished the sentence.

"You mean Kazuha's friend, the one who died in a duel before the throne..."

Aether knew this well. Kazuha's story was etched into Aether's mind. His goal is to find his sister through the Shogun, but he wouldn't forget the hardships the Shogun made her people endure.

"So you have heard his story then Traveler... his light burns all the more brightly..."

Aether at this point has became more enveloped in the story. His thought process was to let the event unfold and see where the winds of Inazuma will take him.

If this Miss Kamisato wants to meet him, than meeting him she shall.

"So will we be allowed to meet the Shirasagi Himegimi?"

Paimon trusted Aether's judgement and decided it would be best for Aether to handle all the formalities.

Unless there was food in the mix of course.