Living in the Moment

[Naraku]

He looks forward and begins walking down the hall with the dog demon as he started to recollect from thought. ”I been curious, I was slight surprised when I heard that it was you hosting such a thing. I never thought you of the lording type. When did the Great Sesshomaru chose to create peace. As I recall you was the one that caused much chaos as you never seem to care about the land.”

Ryuu would continue to walk as he asked and truly did not expect a response. They soon reach the chambers they was getting ready to serve the food, and possibly the tea.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru barely seemed to listen to Ryuu as they walked. It was leisurely and they took their time. It was enough that some of the faster cooking pieces of meat was already prepared for them at the table. Hitoshi had not left his lord's side and he didn't plan to send him away. He still needed those reports after all. He made himself comfortable onto the floor as Fumiko gently poured their tea. She had taken extra care in her hair and makeup even though it was such a light hearted thing. She would not disappoint her lord again.

Pouring his tea first, Sesshoumaru considered Ryuu's words. "I have surpassed my father in power, and I aim to surpass him in many more ways." Yes, he had indeed surpassed the late Inu no Taisho. The blade kept at his hip was proof of that. Fumiko moved to Ryuu's side, gently pouring her tea with an art of many practice.

[Naraku]

Ryuu left such be but could hardly see that Sesshomaru would only do this to surpass his father. His attention fell onto the incoming panda demon. His eyes fell upon her and look her over as she would pour his drink. ”Thank you, M'lady. Why don't you join us. It seems to only be us so there is no need to be running around when you could join us as well.

He softly smirks as he lightly glances back over towards Sesshomaru. “Besides your lord is much to difficult to have conversation with.” He holds his gaze over to Sesshomaru before asking more towards him. ”Unless she is not allowed to join me, Cause I know you are not wishing to hold conversation with an old dragon.”

[Birdie]

Hitoshi took his place at the table, falling into a slightly relaxed state. Here there seemed to be no danger from sudden and fatal sword swings. Nope, the worst thing that could happen would probably be a burnt tongue from tea. He listened to the two lords as the spoke to each other. He had not much to say on the subject. What Sesshomaru did was for his own reasons. Same for Ryuu.

Hitoshi could see Fumiko's elation at being invited to sit with the lords. He could tell she loved the attention. She was a pretty thing to behold, but often time the prettiest flowers hide the sharpest of thorns. He wondered if this was the case with her. He had not much contact with the geisha. Judging simply by her looks, Hitoshi would love to get to know her better. Panda to panda. He smiled at her from across the table as he sipped his tea. He then turned his eyes on the lords. Should he say something? Probably not. He could get into quite a bit of trouble when it came to his mouth. He settled instead on filling it with delectable delicacies.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

When Sesshoumaru did not refuse Ryuu's request to her there was no need to refuse it either. After she finished serving Hitoshi, she made her seat a good beside Ryuu. He was the one that had asked for her, so that is where she would stay. She was doing her best to hide her elation to join them. She had been afraid that her mistake yesterday had ruined everything. She would contain herself and she straightened her back as she tucked her legs beneath her.

Fumiko caught Hitoshi's eye and returned his smile with confidance and a red tinted smirk of her own. She also stayed quiet, feigning modesty and being coy with raising her decorative sleeve to her lips.

"Have you considered a trade for the land?" Sesshoumaru asked, not wanting the conversation to involve his inability to hold a conversation.

[Naraku]

“Hmm, for the land was me asking to be able to watch over them to help maintain the borders until peace was truly proven between us, and that they would help maintain a trade between our two regions. If they promise such, then I will give them a bit of land in good faith.”

He looks forward as the dragon took a sip of the tea that was poured. ”Of course, I have wished a unity of this land. I first thought thought such could only done by forced. But it seems the union of the lords will do nicely, this leaving only the south now.”

The dragon's attention turn back to the panda as he softly spoke. ”Forgive me, I do believe I have failed to gain your name. My name is Ryuukotsusei. What might yours be, Milady?”

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru said nothing more, popping a piece of meat in his mouth as the fox chef brought out more and placed it in the middle of the table in reach of everyone. It had raw fish and lightly seared venison. Fumiko eyed the food lightly before turning bright blue eyes onto the lord she sat nearest to. "I have failed to give it to you, Ryuu-sama." she responded and Sesshoumaru hid a smirk with the rim of his teacup. Ah, that was more like her. This modest appearance was starting to concern him.

"I am Fumiko, and my job is to serve." she bowed her head lightly. It was such a different demeaner than the usual panda that stomped and complained about. But there was a reason her behavior had always been overlooked. She proved herself when it came to their guests who always left with a completely different opinion of her than was true.

[Naraku]

Ryuu softly smirks as he watches the panda as his eyes seem to follow along the flames of her own aura before turning back and lightly bowing to the cook. He did not respond until he was able to get a taste of the meat. ”Lady Fumiko, Why don't you relax and enjoy yourself. You seem to be holding something back. I invited you to join me to be yourself.” He could not tell what it was she was holding back or even hiding but it was slightly distracting his other senses.

He then softly chuckles as he looks back down at his food. ”I would not mind the cook having a break either, but this dragon finds himself enjoying such food.” His red eyes lightly look back towards the panda that had joined him as he looks upon her face to try and gauge her thoughts from his statement and if she was truly enjoying being there next to him before he finished.

”Besides I am sure you can maintain my attention.” He finishes before taking a bit more of the tea to gulp it down in one quick swish.

[Birdie]

Hitoshi was exceedingly bored with these proceedings. It was certainly anticlimactic considering the great amount of excitement in which they had just been involved. He sipped his tea and picked at the food. This tea, he thought, was not quite as good as Brigantia's tea had been. He supposed that it would suffice though, as he could not always be able to have the best things in life. He patted himself on the back at this bit of wisdom he happened upon in spite of his hedonistic nature.

He could not help but roll his eyes at the interaction between the Northern Lord and the panda geisha. She was pretty and flirtatious to be certain and he would very much like to have some of that attention for himself. But watching the great dragon attempt to flirt back was truly a saddening sight. Should it have been in his power, Hitoshi would have been more than happy to share some of his insight when it came to gaining the advances of a woman. His lips curled upward in smile at the thought of teaching someone these skills. Perhaps he could charge for them?

The red panda finally spoke. "Or, alternatively, you could give us a little song or dance. I have heard that you dance remarkably well, my dear. Perhaps when you have finished your conversation with the Great Northern Lord, you might indulge an old youaki?" He gave her one of his most charming smiles and a small wink before turning back to his drink, hoping for a moment when it would be appropriate to speak on something else.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Hiding? How very intuitive. Fumiko avoided eye contact although it made her happy to be invited to join them as a fellow demon and not a servant. But her job was her job and Hitoshi reminded her quickly why she was there. Before the panda could accept the task, she caught the sight of Sesshoumaru who seemed oddly distracted.

"It seems someone has let Lord Ainu out early." Sesshoumaru observed lightly, eyeing the sliding door and waiting for their other guest to join them. He might have been more worried if Ainu's aura was going out of control like it had been. The wolf had been confined for his own safety. He had expected it to take a few more days, but it had only been an hour or two.

It took a few more seconds for the Eastern lord to make his appearance. With unneeded force he slammed the door open. Standing straight and strong his eyes scanned the others and then landed on Ryuu. Slowly and steadily Ainu stomped his way beside Sesshoumaru and plopped down. His head held up high in pride.

Ainu could see Sesshoumaru's questioning look and he snarled. "Yes, I am myself." he explained, scowling at the dragon across the table. There was an awkward silence that Sesshoumaru refused to break and Ainu was trying hard to live through the outburst and breakdown he had experienced.

Deciding that it was up to her, Fumiko bowed. "Allow me to fill this silence." She stood up and went into the corner where the Shamisen was placed. She was not the best of singers but she had very nimble fingers for the particular instrument. Making herself comfortable at the front she played something light and slow. It was just enough to fill the silence but it allowed small talk and Sesshoumaru allowed the music to calm himself.

Golden eyes turned suspiciously onto the Eastern lord at his side. "Who released you?"

Lord Ainu hesitated, before deciding it was best kept to himself and shrugged his shoulders. The glare sent his way wasn't enough to loosen his lips but Sesshoumaru wasn't in the mood to interrogate anyone. The wolf picked up on that and smirked. It was only half hearted, and Sesshoumaru could see that the ordeal had still left a huge impact on Ainu.

[Naraku]

Ryuu watches the panda, though he could sense the approaching wolf. He lightly chuckles as she finally got up and he watches her go to sing on her own. He waited til she was in place before the dragon's eyes fell upon the stomping wolf and could only chuckle at Sesshomaru's question. He looks at Ainu, able to see the fading aura that seem to be wavering with the demon's own. Telling him the half demon from earlier must have been extremely close to rub off like so.

'Sly little thing...' He softly shook his head before he finishes off the food before him. ”Just as good as the night before, I must say. Such makes me long once again for such luxuries.” He did not look as he softly spoke, knowing such would not be healed yet but such had to be move past. ” Do you still wish for the land of your ancestors?”

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The question brought back the boiling rage that Brigantia had put so much effort into taming. His aura spiked and his murderous gaze landed on the dragon and his careless choice in words. "Of course I do you sick twisted bastard!" He snarled, fangs bared as he slammed his fists on the table. "Do you really think I'd let Baku die in vain by not finishing this!? Now get on with it so I don't have to see your fucking face ever again!"

Sesshoumaru's brow rose slightly, the animosity was expected but this was still his dining room. Even Fumiko had stopped playing with the mood shifting into such a serious tone. She frowned, eyeing her lord for instruction. He nodded her dismissal and she gracefully got up and took the instrument with her.

[Naraku]

He lightly held up his hand slightly as if to halt such actions and such words. The dragon only shook his head slight. 'Foolish damn wolf... the villain died for his actions and his cowardly ways and still wish to pretend he a hero.' Ryuu's though came quick but he kept it to himself already feeling the auras of the room waver.

"You are well aware that your lands you to this day, actually belong to my own father, though I did nothing to claim such back from you. Nor will I, As I said before under the conditions met I will gladly give the land. But I will only give such into on who can call himself an ally. I would also like a chance to enter my father's old castle, maybe I can gather a few things if it has not been picked clean just yet."

He reaches down taking another sip of tea. "That is all I ask for the land which would of been much easily set up if one would of came to be before just attacking, then all of this negative feed could of been avoided. Now.. I hope the wolf is done howling at me, as I was enjoying myself watching the lovely lady and you seem to have quiet well ruined that for me. Besides... It seems we have another guest on it's way getting closer."

He stares back now directly at the eastern lord. "I don't think you would like to trouble our half breed dancer any more then you have this day would you?" He spoke matter of factually and sharp. Mainly due to trying to silence this quickly, while he could already see Brigantia's aura as the female approaches the room. His gaze at the wolf was a clear sign that he knew who let the demon out and possibly more though nothing else was said.

[Birdie]

Hitoshi watched Ainu enter the hall with a small smirk. He sat up straighter, all attention behind his tea mug. What happened next was not quite as interesting as he had hoped, but one could not ask for much else. It seemed Ainu was having trouble controlling his anger and Ryuu was egging him on. Hitoshi wondered if the dragon lord did it on purpose or if he was completely clueless as to what his words meant to the wolf. The first would be completely boring. The second would mean that Ryuu was much darker than he pretended to be, and could turn out more interesting events.

Sometime in the middle of the conversation, as things were getting heated, Hitoshi turned his eyes to the entryway to find the little butterfly peeking in to see what caused such great distress. He winked at her and smiled before turning his eyes on the lords.


---

She felt the anger in his aura well up and she became afraid. Brigantia hoped all would be well, but unfortunately the death of a loved one could create much havoc in a person's mind. She thought she would peek in and see if things were okay. She caught Hitoshi's eye and blushed. She had hoped to remain undected. Unfortunately she would not get away so easy. Ryuu sensed her presence and called her out.

Shyly she entered the room, hands clasped in front of her. She bowed deeply to the lords. "Please forgive my intrusion and dress. I had not expected to be presented... I just wished to make sure that everything was alright..." She kept her eyes downcast as she stood there. Would Sesshomaru send her away immediately? She could feel Fumiko glaring at her. Brigantia sent the woman a silent apology for embarrassing her in this way.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Ainu had much to comment in Ryuu's choice of words and he shook with his anger and grief. His mind reeled with insults when the topic of the half breed had been brought up. Imediately the Eastern Lord paused, nostrils quivering and searching for the scent of her. He caught it quickly and turned wide eyes to the girl standing at the door. Quickly he relaxed and Sesshoumaru caught the change in demeanor.

"Yeah, everything's fine." The wolf gave her a lopsided smile and it only made Sesshoumaru even more bothered. Who was he to speak to his servant in such a way? Eyes narrowing at his guests he wanted to finish things even faster now that Brigantia was getting herself involved. Must she be nosy?

Sesshoumaru decided to ignore her presence now that she had received what she had wanted. It was time to wrap things up. "Then everything is decided. This alliance will be possible as long as Lord Ryuu keeps personal comments out." He gave the dragon a warning glare and hoped that he wasn't so naive to his own statements. Ainu stiffened again, remembering what he had been so riled up about. He kept his head lowered slightly in concentration.

"Is that all, Lord Ryuu?" Sesshoumaru hoped that it was. The dragon needed to keep his mouth shut and agree to this thing already. Then he could kick them out of his home and be back to normalcy. Routine.