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In answer, Ōkaht

A tacit threat For her benefit or for that of Ranmaru, Mariko could not be certain Nor did she care For it pleased her, too, to rankle the Wolf

Ranrin widened "While in Hanaht, Lord Lackbeard?--teach you how to enjoy such things"

At the flagrance of his words, the blood began to drain down Mariko’s neck "I--don’t think that’s necessary" Her eyes flitted around the tent; her skin now cast a sickly pallor "As I said before, I am fully aware of what happens in Hanami, and--"

"When you’re about to lie, don’t look to the skies first," Ōkaods won’t help you"

"In the future, I’ll be sure to heed your advice," she retorted quickly Curtly Her gaze locked on the scar slicing through his lips "But I was busya promise to remedy their past mistake"

His brows raised in question

"This tiue instead of siasped as the words fell from her mouth

These were the words of a different person

Wild Dangerous Without fear

Perhaps Sanada Takeo had far more nerve than Hattori Mariko Perhaps Takeo didn’t h the beat of Mariko’s heart raced through her veins, she kept her expression fixed Un his jaitched Whether it was frouess

A spell of tense silence passed Then Ranhter Different from any she’d heard pass his lips before Even Haruki and Ren seemed startled by its sound When Mariko’s tormentor made to shove her as punishment for her insult, she shifted beyond his reach Ren pressed forward, intent on teaching her a lesson His persistence forced Mariko to step in the space occupied by either Ranht, she shifted to the left

Beside her sandaled foot, a copper coin winked into view

A harrowing beat passed before Ōkami bent to retrieve it He did not ainst hie He returned the coin to her, all while standing close enough that she smelled the wood s froan to fore to cower, grateful for the shadows that concealed the color in her cheeks

Was it froer unleash Ōkary with her? Or amused? Why was it so hard for her to read this accursed boy?

"So now you’ve becoaze filled with an uncanny light "Fashion your throwing star Take your winnings to Inako But don’t feel fortunate when you do The streets of the i than I"

--

The leader of the Black Clan waited until Ren, Haruki, and Sanada Takeo were far beyond earshot He glanced at his best friend His closest confidant since the darkest of times

"What do you think of our newest recruit?" Ranmaru asked

Ōkami scowled in the direction of the tent entrance before replying "He’squite smart And equally odd"

"Oddly sender concern I don’t trust him"