Uzuki Towa returned to the main shrine the evening after a harried Koga arrived with her three escortees. But Arisa knew it wouldn't be until the next morning at earliest that she could expect to see her mother. The Nightingale's missions were typically followed up with lengthy debriefings by the ruling council, and there was no reason to believe that this time wouldn't be any different.

Arisa had grown familiar with this arrangement, even though there was still a part of her that bitterly resented it. But now that frustration seemed an insignificant thing indeed, compared to the dread prospect of the council meeting she was expected to attend tomorrow. She had been stubborn enough to hide her misgivings from the rest during the day-long journey to the shrine, but she had never been able to stop thinking about it.

On one hand, she was absolutely terrified – from what she remembered, everyone on that council had been so grim and unaccommodating. Well, maybe Kurowashi-sensei (now technically he wasn't her teacher, but who could blame her? That was what Shiori and Suzume called him!) was a bit more approachable; at least by now she'd seen him laugh a few times whenever she'd gone to Koga-nee's to play with Shiori. But everyone else had either left a neutral or distinctly negative impression. Shiori's father, Isseki Yanjirō, made a point of talking down to "brats" and wore a frown on his face wherever he went. Kushihashi Shichizaemon spoke so crudely and with such a booming loud voice that he outright frightened her. And then Uncle was just... Uncle.

On top of that, Arisa couldn't deny the fact that she was annoyed over the summons, either. Maybe it was petulant of her, but who could really blame her? It was unfair – criminally unfair! – that she had to listen to Uncle's orders and go through all this stress and anxiety...and for what, exactly? It wasn't even as if she were planning on becoming a yōgari, so why was she expected to do the exact sort of things Mother always had to do? Sitting in on boring meetings, dealing with the elders... What, would they be asking her to go on full-fledged missions next?

Suzume and Koga-nee could lecture her about responsibility and loyalty and how we're all living under Amenoka-ji's protection and yada yada until the sun went down... but Arisa didn't care about any of that. If she could have her way, her abysmal progress in Hokyū's calligraphy lessons would have been the most of her worries.

Besides, how was it reasonable for the elders to have any sort of expectations in a child like her? Sure, she was Kyōki-sensitive, but wasn't that the case for pretty much everyone else here? Like Koga-nee had said, Arisa was untrained – more likely to accidentally kill herself than an opponent if given a dagger! – not to mention a complete wreck when it came to dealing with yōkai. Even the nice friendly ones like Iroha had her freezing up. Wasn't Shiori always calling her a crybaby for that?

In the end, stewing away with these feelings left Arisa in no state to be able to fall asleep that night. But it wasn't until shortly after midnight that she finally mustered the courage to slip out from beneath her covers and creep out from her room.

The halls were a regular maze. A nightmare to traverse in the pitch black. Several times she nearly tripped; once she froze and thought about bailing upon hearing footsteps creak overhead as Hokyū made his nightly rounds upstairs. Eventually, though, she found herself at Mother's door – scared, shivering, but triumphant.

The little room was empty, but someone had left a lamp running on the desk and unrolled the futon so that it was ready for immediate use. Arisa practically dove beneath the covers and huddled up the best she could, cocooning herself in the thick blankets.

It was hard to tell how long she waited there before she heard footsteps approach the door.

Mother knew she was there even before she entered the room – Arisa could tell by the little breath she gave out as she stepped in and slid the door shut behind her. The why she knew, though the how was a bit more fuzzy. Suzume had tried explaining it to her a couple times before, this strange thing called Haki that was as inherent as Kyōki was to various life forms. The sort of thing that was 'hard to understand until you awaken it yourself!' That was what she always said (though Arisa had no intention to!).

While Arisa herself didn't understand Haki in that way, she was more than familiar with constantly being subjected to it. Having a tried-and-true expert in Observation for a parent pretty much guaranteed that, whether she liked it or not. Indeed, there was little use in trying to hide anything from Mother. As an unintended consequence, that also meant that Arisa never had to bother to explain herself out loud, unless Mother was making a specific point in having her do it.

For whatever reason, tonight was not one of those times because Mother only smiled a little and said: "What are you doing up so late?"

Arisa mustered a small shrug, because it felt a bit embarrassing having to admit that she was too anxious to sleep on her own when she was almost nine years old already. But that didn't stop the relief from reaching her face when Mother seemed to relent to the arrangement without so much another word. It wasn't until the lamp had been turned down completely and the covers wrapped securely around them both that Arisa dared to nestle closer. Mother wrapped one arm around her, drawing her into a loose embrace. A comfortable silence settled as they lay together in the darkness.

Mother remained completely relaxed, the sound of her even breathing soothing Arisa's nerves. Her eyes had slid shut, though it was clear that she was still wide awake.

"I... don't have to say anything tomorrow, right?" Arisa eventually whispered into Mother's kimono.

"What, the meeting?" Towa's grey eyes flickered open, her chest sinking gradually as she eased out another knowing breath. "You don't need to worry about that."

"Are you sure?"

"Whatever happens, I'll take care of it." Mother's lips tilted ever so slightly in reassurance. "Now go to sleep."

"Okay..." Arisa hesitated. "But um, did Uncle... Did he tell you why...?"

"No. Just that he'd explain tomorrow."

"Oh."

A small rustle sounded as Mother shifted slightly beneath the covers. It was too dark to make out her face, but Arisa could easily picture her expression. The unrelenting steadiness of it.

"Remember the gestures Hokyū-dono taught you," Mother began, something like distance veiling her tone. "Even the small things. Where to sit, when to bow, when to speak... If it worries you so much, dwell on these things and nothing more.

"Then eventually everything else will start to fall away."

──────────────────

The scent of tobacco smoke sat heavy in the air, clashing starkly with the sickly sweet aroma emanating from the gurgling oden pot. Sitting at a street vendor's stall with the cool night air at her back, Arisa found herself staring somewhat vacantly into her glass.

All the surrounding noises – the murmur of nearby customers, the occasional shout of a wandering drunk – were familiar to her, capable of seamlessly transporting her back to her student days. It felt all too strange, being back here now. She used to be a regular here, making a habit of stopping by with Taishi or Riyu whenever they'd completed a mission or survived a particularly hard day of training...

Arisa narrowed her eyes in thought, a brief pang of nostalgia registering. When was the last time she'd been here, exactly? It had to have been shortly before Taishi left for Tenkū-jō.

Years then. Her eyes flickered over the cramped, rickety wooden interior of the stall. Yet so little has changed.

The same dirty street corner, the same stern-faced proprietor, the same low quality food and sake... Maybe even the same customers, too. There was almost a comfort to the perceived timelessness of this place. Perhaps that was precisely what drove her here to begin with.

Her gaze flickered over to her companion at her elbow.

Not that you would ever know though.

The surgeon's profile was cut out starkly against the light of the cheap lamp hanging overhead. He had barely touched his portion of oden, though she was hardly to talk with her own slender appetite. At the very least, it seemed that his spirits had improved to the point where he was no longer openly scowling at any random stranger who bothered to look in his direction – if that could even be considered a consolation, Arisa reflected glumly. His reticence made it abundantly clear that he was still very much preoccupied with what had gone down earlier in the afternoon.

Arisa let out a small sigh and leaned her face into her free hand. She hid a wince as the patron sitting next to her blew out a lungful of smoke. The smell of cigarettes only reminded her of Jasha, which only served to dampen her mood even further.

It's just too much, she thought tiredly. Too much going on at once.

So do I even bother with this...?

Law's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"Owner-ya." He nodded at the vendor, partially raising his glass. "Refill."

"Yessir!" The proprietor wiped his hands on his apron. "Warm or chilled?"

"Chilled."

"Coming right up."

Arisa waited until the proprietor brought out a new glass.

"Listen," she began. "About Dr. Yotsuji..."

Law cut an unreadable glance her way. His expression had grown closed off.

"What about Yotsuji-ya."

"...I don't know what he's heard for him to be acting this way. But you need to understand that he isn't trying to be malicious."

"When did I ever say that I cared about his intentions?"

"I'm only saying that from his point of view, he's just doing what he can to protect his patient." Arisa let out an annoyed huff. "That's his duty as a doctor."

A sardonic smile tilted the surgeon's lips – just for a fleeting second before he tilted his glass back to drink.

"Hm. Well, if he's taking his duty so seriously, then he shouldn't have been swayed so easily by his students."

"Maybe he has his reasons for being so careful."

Law scoffed and turned back to his oden.

"I don't care what he claims," he muttered beneath his breath, taking up his chopsticks. "He doesn't know a thing about me or my crew."

"That's not what I was trying to say..." Arisa murmured softly, more to herself.

"Then what?"

Her posture went rigid and her expression faltered a little under Law's probing gaze. She drew out an exasperated sigh and shifted her attention down to her bowl as well, absently prodding at its contents with her chopsticks.

"Dr. Yotsuji owes much of his early success to the Hachinobe family," Arisa said slowly. "Mototatsu-sama's parents were the ones who provided funding for his education when he was still a student."

"So what?"

"I'm sure that explains much of why he is so protective of Tatsusada-sama. And why he's so skeptical of you..." Arisa trailed off and turned to him. "What I mean to say is that he isn't a bad man. So please, don't hold that against him -..."

"You keep saying that. As if any of it even matters in the grand scheme of things." Law eyed her critically over the rim of his glass. "What, is that what you anticipate they'll say when everything plays out to its logical conclusion? 'It's a tragedy – but at least his doctor was a good man who did the best he could?'"

"That isn't –"

"I despise excuses like that. A doctor's intentions, prestige, decency, even... All of that means nothing to a dead patient." The glass came up again. "Owner-ya. Another chilled sake."

"Yessir."

The vendor leaned over the counter with the bottle in hand, and Arisa fell silent again. The patron with the cigarette eventually stood and began rummaging through his wallet. She waited until he had paid and gone, leaving them both the only customers left at the stall.

"...can I ask you something?"

The vendor had turned back around to tend to the pot. The surgeon's gunmetal gaze flickered over to meet hers.

"What made you decide to become a doctor?"

The question was innocuous, but Law visibly stiffened nonetheless. For a couple beats the only sound that registered was the quiet simmer of the gas burner and the arrhythmic bubbling of the broth.

"Again with the intentions," Law muttered morosely. "Does there really need to be a reason for everything?"

Arisa glanced over to him with idle curiosity.

"No. But I just couldn't help but assume..." she trailed off, struggling to articulate herself, before looking away with a half-hearted chuckle. "You're the last person I'd imagine who'd make such a major decision without one."

Law shrugged and idly began dissecting a piece of daikon with his chopsticks.

"So it really is something you just... sort of fell into?"

He eventually let out a sigh, barely audible, and closed his eyes briefly

"There wasn't much else I could see myself doing. That's all there is to it."

"Not much else, huh," Arisa repeated, sounding puzzled. "Is that also why you set out to sea?"

"That's a separate matter."

She raised her eyebrows, taken aback by the sudden gravity in his voice. Her mind flickered back to their first encounter. Everything leading up to it.

...could it have something to do with Joker?

Throughout all their past conversations, Trafalgar Law had never disclosed his reasons for going after the broker. Arisa had never raised the matter; no, it wasn't even until now that she'd ever even considered the prospect, simply for the fact that it felt unnecessary to speculate over something so obvious. Joker's influence over the criminal underworld was deep-rooted and far-reaching. That alone ensured that any average rookie with a sliver of ambition had more than enough reason to want to take down a figure of that caliber.

In that way, Arisa had always assumed Law was no different. Now, his guarded expression had given her pause.

She was almost tempted to voice her speculation aloud, but Law beat her to the chase.

"You answer one of my questions now."

...I mean, I guess it's only fair.

Arisa glanced over to him and nodded morosely, raising her glass up to her lips.

"Are Himuro-ya and Weasel-ya telling the truth when they talk about how bad your Observation is?"

She froze, nearly choking on her water.

"...really now?"

This is just bullying at this point!

Law merely blinked in response to her glare.

"I'm genuinely curious."

Arisa squinted at him critically for a moment, before drawing out a sigh of resignation and setting her cup down.

"They're only partially joking," she grumbled. "Well, maybe Himuro's being serious – I wouldn't be surprised. His Observation is so advanced that I probably come off as blind as a bat in comparison."

She half expected him to sneer at that, but the surgeon looked genuinely interested.

"How good is yours?"

"Maybe around average...?" Arisa immediately cringed and let out another defeated sigh. "No, probably a little below average. Riyu always boasts about how easy it is to sneak up on me."

"Hmm."

"...why do you ask? Are you interested in Haki?"

He fell silent for a moment, a reluctant look crossing his face.

"We'll all have to learn it to some capacity if we're to stand a chance at surviving the New World."

Which was entirely fair. Arisa leaned her chin into her hand and thought for a moment.

"Well, if I were to describe it... It's a mixture of things, I guess. Some of it can be visual, but a lot of it is more... intrinsic, I guess."

"Intrinsic?"

"Yes." She hesitated. "The best way I can describe it is that everything becomes more... amplified when you use it. More vivid and distinct... yet simultaneously contained. It's a state of conscious attunement. Becoming aware of all the finer intricacies in your surroundings and the way that they interact. Things as simple as a pebble shifting or a raindrop falling. A whisper or a heartbeat. Pay enough attention to this world... and eventually you can trick your mind into believing that it's all an extension of yourself. Internalizing your perceptions into something that can be controlled. Discerned."

Arisa cut herself off mid-ramble, sweatdropping slightly at her own words. What was all this blather that she was spewing, anyways? She was no expert in Kenbunshoku. Someone like Himuro or Taishi would be infinitely better suited to handle queries like this...

But Law nodded, apparently wholly ignorant to her lack of confidence. He seemed to be on the verge of lapsing into another one of his thinking spells again.

"Tell me what you see when you use it."

She glanced at him, startled.

"What do you mean... for something specific?"

"Anything. I want to know what it's like."

Arisa felt a flicker of bewilderment, this time at his open curiosity. Here was a side to him she hadn't seen yet.

"For me... I see colors, mainly. Colors, vague shapes..." She hesitated and closed her eyes for a beat. "Individual auras are like fire."

Fire. Inwardly, she couldn't help but smile a little. Yes, that was very apt. Just vague little snatches of flame here and there. Auras of different colors and intensities floating about in the dark, bright and wavering like candlelight...

On a mere whim, she found herself concentrating on the presence at her side.

Cobalt blue. Subdued but steady. Even back when she'd first encountered him, she had found it fitting in a strangely indescribable way...

"There's a balancing element to consider as well," Arisa muttered, opening her eyes. "It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're still inexperienced."

"Too many distractions?"

"Yes. But there are ways to deal with it. Just like..."

Arisa trailed off there, allowing for another brief silence to settle. When she spoke up again, it was as if the following words were addressed more to herself.

"Just like with most other things."

──────────────────

"You may look up," Uzuki Misokatsu said, sitting down at his usual place at the head of the councilroom.

Arisa clenched her fists against the tatami matting, praying that her trembling wasn't outwardly visible as she slowly raised her head to take in her audience. Uncle was unreadable as usual; she had to fight the urge to squirm beneath that calculating gray gaze which seemed to render her as helpless as a dissected insect under a microscope. At least Kurowashi-sensei and Shichizaemon-dono seemed to be in good humor by the way they smiled slightly over to her as if to give reassurance. Yanjirō-dono wasn't even looking at her, but maybe that was for the better.

There was also another man she didn't recognize who sat in between Kurowashi-sensei and Uncle. He was tall, pale, and thin – almost willowy in build – wearing a dark purple kimono decorated with elaborate patterns in gold thread. Most likely a visitor, and a wealthy one at that. Arisa found herself staring at him for a beat, before realizing with a rush of horror that everyone was waiting on her to give her greeting.

"Good morning, Uncle," she managed to get out, bowing her head again.

Misokatsu gave a rigid nod.

"I see that Koga was able to get the three of you here without incident," he said, tapping his fan against his knee.

"Three...? Oh! Yes, you mean Suzume and Shiorin –" In a brief moment of panic, Arisa hadn't realized she'd rambled her thoughts aloud. She quickly stopped herself and ducked her chin, wanting to slap herself. "S-sorry!"

Kushihashi Shichizaemon let out one of his absurdly loud laughs, making her flinch.

"Hah! Do you remember if Towa-chan was this absentminded, my lord?"

"Now that's enough, Shichizaemon-dono!" Kurowashi-sensei admonished before Arisa could stammer out another apology. He turned to her with a kind smile. "So Koga brought you over from Benigoi Village, huh? Did you get a chance to see Yoshimitsu before you left?"

"Y-yes sir." Arisa nodded frantically, grateful for an opportunity at redemption. "At breakfast."

"Hmm. Hopefully he's been keeping himself busy in my absence."

"He is, sir!" Arisa flushed as she began to stumble over her words. "I-I mean... I don't know exactly... but surely he must, to be able to eat so much rice in one sitting!"

Oh... She sweatdropped. I shouldn't have said that either... Right?

Horrified by the slip-up, Arisa faltered and started to apologize again, but the collective chuckle that broke out over her audience left her feeling even more confused. Even the strange man was smiling a little now. Was he laughing at her? Did that mean she did something wrong?

"Looks like you've raised a regular glutton, Yoshikazu!" Shichizaemon guffawed. "What about sake then? Does Yoshimitsu drink too much sake for your liking, little lady?"

"N-no sake!" Arisa squeaked out, fighting to keep a straight face.

"None? Really now? Not a single drop?" The old man shot a mischievous look over to the stone-faced Isseki patriarch as Arisa shook her head stubbornly. "You see that, Yanjirō-dono? Clever girl! She clearly knows when not to snitch!"

Yanjirō only let out an unenthused snort, not bothering to spare a glance in her general direction.

"Well I'm grateful for the report, Arisa-dono," Kurowashi-sensei broke in, sounding amused. "Now why don't you go sit with your mother for the time being? I'm sure your uncle will address you shortly."

Uncle assented with a slight nod. Arisa hurriedly bowed and complied with a relieved smile, already feeling ten times lighter. Now that introductions were out of the way, the hardest part was over, she told herself. Surely Mother would be able to handle the rest like she had promised!

All that was left was for her to wait for the adults to finish talking. And wait she did for who knows how long, making herself as quiet and unnoticeable as she could as Shichizaemon took the floor to bring up something about Mochitsuki Village's infrastructure. It was all too easy for Arisa to tune out, and eventually her thoughts wandered over to what she could do after Uncle dismissed the council, when she'd be free to go find her friends again. Tatsuhito and Suzume would probably still be busy with training, but surely Shiori's morning lessons would have ended by then.

It had rained a little in the morning, so maybe the two of them could go looking for frogs to prank Koga-nee with. Sure, Arisa had her own lessons in the afternoon with Hokyū... but today's subject was literature, which was such a slog. Besides, she'd suffered enough having to sit through all of this boring talk. Wasn't that a good enough reason to skive for the rest of the day?

A light poke from her right sent Arisa hurtling back to the present. Startled, she lifted her chin to behold Mother's stern grey gaze. She said nothing, but only raised her eyebrows and gave her head a barely noticeable shake. Arisa's first impression was that Mother might have sensed her intentions with her Observation, but one swift glance upwards confirmed that she was more likely just reminding her to pay attention.

Misokatsu folded his fan and cleared his throat as Isseki Yanjirō – the last elder to make his petitions – returned silently to his original seat.

Arisa perked up, sitting up a bit straighter in anticipation for him to end the meeting.

"Before we finish, I have an announcement to make."

His audience immediately straightened to attention with the exception of the one child present, whose shoulders had immediately slumped in disappointment.

"Most of you already know of the ongoing talks with Fūgetsu Chazuke," Uncle continued, tapping his fan against his open palm. He looked around at his retainers, before nodding over at the strange man in the purple kimono. "Of course, Tenkū-jō has been handling most of the negotiations. Uzuki Hiyamugi was gracious enough to send one of his advisors here to give us a comprehensive report of the progress that has been made."

Oh... that.

Arisa quelled a sigh of annoyance and looked down, already on the verge of tuning out again.

The man rose accordingly and came forward to take a seat before the lord of the shrine.

"Indeed. It is a pleasure to make everyone's acquaintance." The katana at the man's side rustled against the stiff, expensive fabric of his outer garment as he knelt to give a low bow. "My name is Azami Kakiage, and I am proud to be of service to Hiyamugi-sama."

Mother visibly stiffened at the name, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Arisa blinked in confusion as Uncle's piercing gaze swept over to her for a split second, the fan stilled in his grip. In that moment he almost appeared agitated, but the expression was fleeting enough for her to question herself.

Uncle cleared his throat again and nodded to the guest as if to give permission for him to go on. Kakiage smiled and obliged.

"I would first like to express my gratitude, Misokatsu-sama, for Amenoka-ji's assistance in petitioning the Osoegawa Uzuki to join in this effort. With their cooperation, we are confident that we will be able to fulfill the Fūgetsu's demands. Chazuke-dono also seemed to be satisfied that the proposed yearly aid is more than enough to solidify support amongst his retainers."

Isseki Yanjirō frowned and looked away.

"So the alliance is all but guaranteed then?" Shichizaemon whistled in appreciation. "Phew! I never thought I'd live to see the day!"

"Much of it is thanks to you, Misokatsu-sama." Kakiage bowed to Uncle again. "Hiyamugi-sama never would have been able to get through to the Osoegawa Uzuki alone."

"Indeed. It is admirable." Kurowashi-sensei smiled and bowed as well, with Shichizaemon enthusiastically mirroring the motion. "We congratulate you, my lord."

"So when will all of this be finalized?" Mother spoke up rather suddenly, the sharpness in her voice startling Arisa. She raised her chin to lock eyes with Azami Kakiage. "I can't imagine that either side would accept a marriage alliance, given the distance separating us."

"Yes, we've discussed this back home, and Hiyamugi-sama came to the same conclusion." For the first time, Kakiage's face darkened with doubt. He glanced back over to Uncle. "As it stands right now, both sides have agreed to a hostage exchange."

"Both sides...?" Isseki Yanjirō repeated sharply. "Shouldn't it be just the Fūgetsu? They're the ones coming under our care!"

Kakiage shook his head.

"Chazuke-dono was adamant that we also send someone. Otherwise, it would give the appearance of a one-sided arrangement."

"One-sided!" Even the good-natured Shichizaemon looked offended.

"The Fūgetsu retainers are notoriously very proud," Uncle explained. "Should they perceive that we are not treating them as their equals, they will assume the worst and become susceptible to... rash decisions, let's say. Anago could very well use that to his own advantage."

Kakiage nodded.

"Think of it as a symbolic gesture of goodwill. It will discourage those wary of Chazuke-dono's position from defecting to his son's side."

"And that explanation was perfectly reasonable to Hiyamugi?" Yanjirō snapped, ever the skeptic. He shook his head. "How can he not see that they're grasping for any opportunity to gain more leverage over us? They aren't in the position to be making any further demands!"

"Fūgetsu Chazuke is only taking the necessary precautions to ensure that no more of his people's Seastone goes to any unworthy outsiders," Kakiage answered firmly, maintaining that terse, diplomatic smile of his. "In fact, he has already offered to send one of his own children as a hostage as a demonstration of his sincerity!"

"Which one?" Yanjirō folded his arms, still looking unconvinced.

"Shina-sama, his eldest. She was recently married to one of his retainers and is said to be with child."

Mother narrowed her eyes, considering for a moment, before shaking her head.

"...that may only add more fuel to the fire, I'm afraid," she said. "Shina-sama is Fūgetsu Anago's only full sister. They were said to be very close growing up."

"Rest assured, her and her husband's loyalty lie solely with her father." Kakiage answered steadily. "Shina-sama has already indicated that she is willing to accept this duty. We should consider ourselves fortunate. This only means that we will have additional leverage over Anago and his supporters."

"Chazuke-dono as well," Uncle noted. "Remember that she is pregnant with his grandchild."

Kakiage nodded emphatically.

Arisa looked over to Mother, fighting the urge to fidget. The Nightingale's lips were pressed into a thin line, tilted into the slightest of frowns as she scrutinized her uncle.

"If Hiyamugi-sama is willing to abide by those terms," she began slowly, voice brimming with suspicion, "then it is only fair that Tenkū-jō sends a hostage to represent the Uzuki clan. Has your lord picked someone already?"

Kakiage's smile didn't falter as he turned to face the Nightingale.

"Getting right to the heart of the matter, are we now, Uguisu-dono?" He nodded over to Uncle. "Misokatsu-sama, if you could care to explain to everybody."

Uncle reached into a hidden compartment in his outer garment, retracting a folded slip of rice paper with a quiet rustle. Arisa squirmed, craning her neck to see better as he began to unfold it, only to be thwarted by the sudden painful, vice-like grip which had suddenly materialized over her arm. She pouted and angled her face upwards, just on the verge of whispering a protest, only for it to die at the back of her throat when she caught the strange look on Mother's face.

"What is that?" Mother was staring directly at Uncle as she uttered those words, her voice coming out harsh and unnatural.

For the first time, a discernible emotion flickered across the shrine elder's weathered features. Pain.

"Towa-"

"What is it."

Arisa swallowed hard, an icy chill shimmying down her spine. Had Mother released her arm, she would have physically shriveled back from the quiet anger simmering behind that voice.

Uncle sighed and handed the paper over to Kurowashi-sensei, who immediately began to peruse its contents.

"This is a joint decree from the elders at Osoegawa and Tenkū-jō regarding the selection of the hostage. We have no choice but to abide by it." Uncle hesitated and shared another look with Azami Kakiage.

"This is...!" Kurowashi-sensei looked up from the page, horrified.

Arisa froze, her heart plummeting when Uncle's eyes came to rest on her.

"Murasaki Arisa." His voice was not unkind. "You are to be sent to the West Blue as the Fūgetsu's hostage."

...what?

It took a couple seconds for his words to sink in, as disorienting as they were. Arisa felt her hands fall uselessly to her lap, the color draining from her face.

Why? That was the only word that could register in her stunned state. Why this, now? Why me?

No... I don't want to go!

The Fūgetsu clan remnant... They're so far away! I know that; Hokyū-dono showed me on the map just last week during geography lessons! Didn't he also mention how different it was in the Four Blues compared to the Grand Line?

I don't want to go there alone!

And just when I was starting to get used to this place...

She thought of Shiori and Suzume then, and immediately wanted to burst into tears. It had been hard enough to say goodbye to Teru and Misa when Mother took her away from Valeris Island. To have to go through that again, to have her whole world ripped away and be forced to start all over again...!

Arisa clamped down viciously on her lower lip to keep it from trembling. How was any of this supposed to be fair?

Why did the elders at Osoegawa and Tenkū-jō have to be so cruel?

And why wasn't anyone here saying anything? Did they just not care enough to defend her?

Did Mother not care? Even when she promised that Arisa didn't have to worry last night...?

Don't cry, Arisa ordered herself. She balled her hands up into fists, blinking rapidly as she directed her gaze to the floor. Whatever happens, don't you dare start crying now!

Crying is weak. Crying is pathetic...

"No..." Mother's voice sounded oddly strangled. She shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"Uguisu-dono," Kakiage started to admonish.

"My daughter is a civilian – not to mention a mere child!" Mother snapped, raising her voice. "How can you allow this?!"

"It's unfortunate, yes." Kakiage's voice remained frightfully serene. "But you see, it's part of the terms. Chazuke-dono specifically requested that Murasaki Arisa be sent."

"Of course Chazuke-dono did!" Shichizaemon growled. "Tch, that sly scoundrel! So he intends on trying to rope the Amatsuki into this as well, huh?"

"Then it doesn't surprise me that the Osoegawa never bothered to object," Yanjirō spoke up with a contemptuous sneer. Arisa shrank back as he leveled his cynical gaze over his audience. "They would leap for even the remotest opportunity to inconvenience the Amatsuki."

...the Amatsuki? Arisa's mind raced amidst her panic. Were the Osoegawa Uzuki really going to toss her aside over their distrust of Father?

"What about Hiyamugi, then? He didn't care enough to negotiate?" Mother retorted. "Does he not have a heart?"

Kakiage straightened his posture ever so slightly, a malicious glint coming over his eyes.

"Again, it's unfortunate," he repeated. "But it would do you good to have some self-awareness, Towa-san. You only have yourself to blame for this predicament. If only you hadn't left my cousin at the altar for a government dog – and a married one at that –"

"What insolence!" Kurowashi-sensei broke out, starting to bolt up to his feet.

Mother's eyes blazed, and for a moment Arisa was legitimately terrified for the messenger's safety.

Uncle snapped his fan shut, halting Kurowashi-sensei with but a single sharp glance.

"Kakiage-dono!" he said, raising his voice. "I won't tolerate such crude insinuations in the presence of a child!"

Azami Kakiage smiled and bowed.

"Of course, of course. My apologies, Misokatsu-sama -"

"How can you not see this for what it is, Uncle?" Mother broke in, turning desperately to the shrine elder. "This is... This is nothing more than a petty attempt at revenge!"

"But if both factions are pushing this..." Yanjirō shook his head and swore beneath his breath. "I'm sorry, but I fail to see how there's anything we can do."

"I don't care what they say. I won't allow it!" Mother snapped back. "I brought her here precisely because I wanted to protect her from this sort of situation with the Amatsuki!"

"But Towa-chan -"

"Don't you dare try to silence me, Shichizaemon-dono! This is my daughter we're talking about! Are you as heartless as the rest of them? Do you really expect me to just give her up?!"

"Get ahold of yourself, Towa!" The fan came down to rap sharply against the floor. Arisa flinched and shrank back behind Mother as the elder silenced the council with a piercing stare. "By putting on such a pitiable display, you'll only make things harder for Arisa!"

Mother cut off short, her face suddenly contorting with emotion.

Seeing her like that, Arisa wished to cry once more.

"Yanjirō-dono is right. You know that yourself! If Hiyamugi and the elders at Osoegawa decreed that we be the ones to send the hostage, then we have no choice." Uncle's voice softened as he turned his attention to Arisa. "I apologize if we frightened you, Arisa. But it will only be for a little while, at least until Chazuke-dono and his son are able to reach a satisfactory reconciliation. Rest assured you won't be in any danger. We will be working here nonstop to ensure that Hiyamugi honors his commitment."

"I... B-but...!"

Arisa swallowed back the lump in her throat, her voice quivering violently as she attempted to collect herself.

Don't cry. Whatever you do, don't cry!

"I'm sorry, Uncle... But I... I don't want to go!" The words finally tore free, frantic and strangled-sounding. Caught up in her outburst, Arisa scrambled forwards past Mother and bowed her head low. "Please... Please don't send me away!"

Against her best efforts, an audible sob broke past her lips.
"I'll do anything!" she blurted. "I p-promise I won't be a nuisance -! So please, if only you'd let me stay..!"

She was so distraught that she failed to notice the commotion from outside until the door was yanked wide open with an energetic rattle, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"Suzume-dono, wait –!" Hokyū's angered voice rang out past the threshold, but his call went unheeded as Suzume came barreling past the threshold.

Uncle's eyes widened as she scrambled down to her knees a few paces away from Azami Kakiage and bowed her head low to the ground.

"Please forgive me for listening... I couldn't help myself!" she cried out.

"....who is this brat?" Kakiage asked suspiciously, turning to glare at her.

"S-Suzume?" Arisa choked out. "What are you...?"

Suzume ignored her and lifted her chin, her face resolute.

"Please let Arisa stay, my lord!" she declared. "I will go in her place as the hostage!"

Translation(s):

Kakiage (かき揚げ):  Japanese vegetable fritters.

Shirobana (白花): "white flower"

Other notes:

Recap in case it wasn't clear: Arisa's father is a prominent Amatsuki retainer. Thus through the Fūgetsu's POV, having Arisa as a hostage could potentially give them leverage over the Amatsuki clan remnant in addition to the Uzuki.

In Ch. 3, Arisa mentions that the Osoegawa Uzuki have had "adversarial relations" with the Amatsuki for historical reasons that have not been disclosed yet. At this point they would rather have their sister factions cut all ties with them, hence their lack of resistance towards the prospect of sending Arisa out as a hostage.

Then more recently in Ch. 19, Himuro recounts that Towa/Nightingale rejected an arranged marriage deal with a Tenkū-jō retainer and instead pursued an affair with Arisa's father. The Tenkū-jō Uzuki hold a grudge against her for this, and are also willing to sacrifice Arisa to punish her mother.

So yeah. Lots of drama; Everybody Sucks. :/

Thanks for reading & see you next chapter.

-shiba