Kurama's Spring Flower

Chapter Ninety Six

Akina's POV

The Puppet Master walks ahead of me, guiding me to where they wish to speak to me on my own. We go up some flights of stairs, before we go down another corridor and reach a VIP room. The Puppet Master looks at me over their shoulder, "It will only be the two of us in here, and not to worry it is very secure." I nod before they then open their door and make a gesture for me to walk in first. I take a step in and immediately notice the luxury red cushioned sofas, near the large window that grants a view to the ring, along with cables, chains and string acting as streamers lining the walls. "Sit, Akina. You'll find the sofa's comfortable." The Puppet Master says as they close the door to the room, before they then make their way over to one of the two sofas. I make my way to the opposite sofa and slowly sit down. "Forgive me for being cautious. As you have invited me here and made deadly opponents for me to fight, I cannot help but be apprehensive of your hospitality whilst we are alone." I tell her with a calm tone and stare at her as I make myself comfortable, once realizing there is nothing harmful on the sofa I am sat on.  The Puppet Master giggles at my words before saying, "I would be offended if you weren't."

I hear something jingle and clank, making my head snap up to see a chain lowering a dark oak coffee table from the ceiling and towards the space between our two sofas. Once it sits perfectly in place, the chain retracts back into the ceiling, allowing me to see a steaming porcelain white tea pot with green flowers and foliage painted onto it along with tea cups and saucers with the same design sat beside the teapot. "As we are having a discussion, I thought it fit for us to have tea. I didn't include music as I thought the battle is the perfect background noise." The Puppet Master says with a casual tone as they move to grab the teapot and gently pour out some tea into both tea cups. I take a sniff of the air before I respond, "Lavender tea? How generous of you." The Puppet Master hands me a cup and saucer, which I hold carefully, whilst they also take hold of theirs and start to sip it. "I don't get the luxury of enjoying tea nowadays. I always have one of my minions or slaves around, so I never drink it unless I am truly alone." The Puppet Master lets slip casually, confusing me as to why they are sharing this with me. I nod my head before saying, "I must confess I don't drink tea regularly as I once did. So it has also been a while for myself." The Puppet Master nods before saying, "Conflict gets in the way of enjoying minor things." I couldn't help but chuckle at this, leading to the Puppet Master joining in.

'Strange. We are laughing like old friends and not like we are enemies on opposing sides.', I couldn't help but thing to myself, but know that Goro could hear it as he wishes to know if I am in danger or not. I take a sip of the tea before I stare at the Puppet Master and say, "Sadly because of the conflicts, I know this isn't just a moment to enjoy tea. Why do you wish to speak with me?" The Puppet Master releases a sigh before taking another sip of tea and then putting down their saucer and cup. "As you have been made aware of Chiharu and how much of a monstrous bitch she has been, I needed to meet with you to inform you that I am also against her." I stare at her with slightly wide eyes as I acknowledge her words. "Chiharu was once my master. She crafted me out of wood, spells and other pieces like bone, flesh and souls. She saw that their was an ability that very few can master and wanted to master it to impress the one person she ever looked up to." I tilt my head at the Puppet Masters words, before whispering out, "Her father?"