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The castle of the Hikiji was alive with activity. Only a few short days remained before Yasuhira set out on his momentous undertaking to the Geishu and there was still so much to do. Many thought things wouldn't be ready in time, but Yasuhira was confident that Kenichi could master everything in time. Kenichi himself wasn't so sure, as he wasn't used to such responsibility before. And the young Lord had to give him words of encouragement every now and then, for which Yasuhira didn't mind to do. Akako was making herself mad trying to get his personal household together, even though it wasn't necessary; his needs had always been very simple. But she had formed a loathing toward Riku regardless of well the girl performed, and always found fault with her. But Riku bore every harsh word and recrimination with great poise and restraint. It was Yasuhira who put an end to it.
"Akako, my dove," The girl rushed toward her master, "Please, there is no need to be so hard on Riku."
The girl was about to speak, but held back.
"She is doing a fine job. You know me well enough not be so exacting. Is that not so?"
"Yes, my Lord."
He touched her shoulder, "Then be more accommodating, I beg of you. The journey to the Geishu is long enough, I don't need all that emotional tension on top of everything else."
She bowed.
He smiled, "Where is Naka?"
"In the ante-room, you sent for him this morning?"
He tapped his forehead with his fingertips, "Gods, where is my brain today?"
He walked away without dismissing Akako, but she wasn't so obtuse as not to gather that their talk was complete and returned to her labours. And she was good as her word and ceased in being a taskmaster to Riku, who couldn't believe the sudden change, but didn't question it one iota.
Naka had been waiting a fair bit, but knew his master well enough that the delay wasn't intentional. And he also knew that the moment Yasu arrived he would beg him for his forgiveness. He should have laid a wager on it.
"Please, forgive my tardiness, Naka. My mind is over the mountain these days."
Easy money, "Of course, my Lord."
"How fairs the security arrangements?"
He took a breath, "Considering your reluctance to use a full retinue of armed samurai to accompany you, I feel it is a good as it can be, my Lord."
That was a deftly handled critique of Yasuhira's orders, without being overly insubordinate. Yasuhira smiled.
"Well I don't want to make it seem I'm frightened of the Geishu, or that I believe in some sort of treachery."
"Of course, Tono."
"And the retainers we do have are all Neko, correct?"
"Yes, and we have a squadron of more Ninja in hiding all along the route."
