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Truly he was hopeless

Mariko almost snarled in frustration She bit down on her cheek to keep silent To control her need to rebuke This time Ōkami definitely slowed the pace of his horse to h he did not glance her way for some time

"So you don’t believe in silly sentiments like love" He fixed that saed in approval

It only coree "I didn’t say that"

"You said you preferred things that can be proved as fact"

"Ias fact But I’ve seen it happen before"

Mariko had watched Murahter of her father’s famed metalsmith--fall in love with Kenshin Foolishly, desperately in love with hier, her brother had failed to notice the signs But Mariko had seen the, her attention would flit to Kenshin Linger for a spell The look Mariko saw there often left her feeling hollow

Often left her wishing someone would look at her that way Just once

"Did it look like ic?" Ōkami asked, his tone circuain, but when she turned toward hi scorn--she did not see any evidence of it

His eyes were clear pools of deep water, hiding nothing Two blackher question

A brush of heat danced across her skin

"It did" Mariko fought to keep her voice even "She looked at ic"

Ōkami’s eyes remained constant A sky without stars

It was Mariko who turned away first Only to catch Ranue, Ōkami prodded his horse forward, well beyond earshot, the rope between the for all the world that she’d changed the subject That she could turn back tiin this conversation anew

"Have you ever loved anyone?" she asked Ranmaru bluntly, pleased to see hiht for starting this"Yes"

"Did it feel like ic?" Irritation bled into each syllable

"Sometimes it does" But his smile was not froe"

She shot hih he were coaxing himself beyond the truth "I suspect you will understand what Ioff their conversation before it could start No longer willing to per curiosity, Mariko knew not to press further

They continued toward the center of Inako Toward a winding river, covered in layers of drying petals When they rounded a bend in the road, an arched bridge of dark grey stone ereen with lichen, dripping with , the trio tethered their horses to a post and paid a hunched old man to watch their steeds

Mariko’s eyes passed over the row of horses already under his care

At first, it all seeer could rob the old e were fine beasts bridled with brightly colored reins With tassels fringed in gold and silver Emblazoned with the crests of Inako’s finest families

Only fools would steal from the most powerful people in the imperial city

Fools like the Black Clan

The river before Mariko flowed at a leisurely pace The lanterns hanging frohtly At its end--along the opposite riverfront--a line of dogwoods interspersed with cherry trees shaded everything from view Kept it hidden Secret The scent of jasers toward the them closer When Mariko followed Ōkae, a shower of pink and white petals caressed her skin before cascading into the water like thick flakes of snow

She had never seen anything like this before

Without being told, Mariko knew they were crossing into one of the most fabled districts of the ile-storied structure appeared to be nothing more than a teahouse Mariko, Ōka a simple, unremarkable bell