Page 24 of Behind the Mask

"On the contrary," Lord Daichi said."You should never have been in danger.We have had the full of the tale, and I cannot excuse that our very best was fooled and overtaken by a lowly pirate."

Minoru shook his head."If that is the tale you have heard, then with all due respect, Lord Daichi, you have not heard the full of the tale, or even the proper one."

"Oh?"Lord Daichi asked."What tale should I have heard?"

"An attack against me, Kasumi would have noted.He sensed no threat to my person, an accurate reading of the situation.Kasumi's nature is a kind and devoted one, as well as fierce and strong.This is why he is the best of protectors.He was fooled not because he failed to notice a threat to me, but because he took no notice of a threat to himself.It is not in Kasumi's nature to care about himself, and so he was blind to that threat.Find you, Lord Daichi, a flaw in this reasoning?"

There was a brief pause, then Lord Daichi conceded the point with a grunt."I see no flaw deserving of punishment, but that is not the end of the tale."

"No, it is not.Shall we sit and enjoy a cup of tea before I continue the tale you should have heard?"

"I would appreciate that," Lord Daichi said."We thank you for your consideration and hospitality."

"A trifling thing, tea, for such honored guests," Minoru replied lightly.

The group of four men fell silent as Minoru prepared the tea himself and brought it to the small table in the front sitting room of his apartments.Kasumi stood between the two large windows overlooking the street below, able to observe the room in its entirety.No one looked at him, which suited him just fine.

"Now, by your leave, continue your tale," Lord Daichi said."I am most eager to hear it."

"The pirate you speak of was not one cast so easily aside, even by your very best.Recall you the paramour of our honored Princess from six years ago?"

The men all shared looks of mingled annoyance and amusement."Yes," Lord Daichi replied."That infuriating man from the high north.Aggravating race, that one.Wild, all of them."

Minoru chuckled."Quite so.I believe our pirate was of that race.He had the look of them, and that wild edge.Kasumi learned he was an orphan, so it is very likely he is from the high north originally, or his parents were.That combined with spending his life at sea, which is no easy life at all…it is entirely within reason that he be a match for our Kasumi."He chuckled again."Not that you will ever hear Kasumi admit it."

Kasumi kept still, refusing to acknowledge that little comment in any way.

The men all laughed briefly, chatting for a moment before Minoru recalled them to the matter at hand and laid out the story in full.When he finished the telling some two hours later, the men all sat quietly around the table, their tea long forgotten.

Lord Daichi finally looked up, face implacable as he regarded Kasumi.He turned to look at the men who had accompanied him, then Minoru.At last he nodded."Very well.Though I feel he must still be punished for the mistakes made, I cannot in good conscience or fairness say that he failed in his duty.The recovery of your Master, Kasumi, was well-handled.I think I am sorry I did not meet this pirate of yours."

Of his.Ha.Whatever that meant.

"By your courtesy, Lord Minoru?"Lord Daichi asked.

"Of course," Minoru replied with a smile.He turned to Kasumi."If you will please, my protector, remove your mask."

Kasumi pulled his mask off, hooking it to his left upper arm.

Lord Daichi stood and crossed over to him."Kasumi, it is good to see you alive and well.Your mother has missed you, and admonished me not to be too harsh before I had heard the full of it.I am glad I tend to do what she tells me."

Mouth twitching, Kasumi did not resist the embrace he was given, but returned it."Father.Mother is well then, I take it?"

"Well and ruling the clan more than I," Lord Daichi said dryly."I think your brother will never have to worry about taking over leadership—your mother will never give it up, I vow it."

Kasumi laughed.

"Come and sit, Kasumi.Lord Minoru, since we are not exacting the full punishment such a situation would normally require, I do not see why we cannot consider your proposition."

Minoru smiled.Kasumi glared at him, knowing that look all too well.He bit back an urge to demand to know what he was up tonow,since his father would not be amused to hear him so casually address his master.

"Then let me send a note to the man who has made the request, and when he arrives we will discuss the matter properly."

"Of course," Lord Daichi said."This is wonderful tea, what kind is it?I shall have to make certain we take quantities of it home, and I must find some trinket for my wife or I declare she will string me up…"

Kasumi restored his mask and sat in silence as Minoru penned a note and sent it off with a servant, and everyone chattered amicably.What was going on and why did he know nothing about it?

Why was he not happier about being let off so lightly?His father had come all this way to administer the judgment himself, even, and still Kasumi could feel nothing but the same tight, heavy misery that had plagued him for the past four months…ever since Luther had so abruptly vanished shortly after their arrival.

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