Kyoko was at the Koi Pond, peacefully watching the Koi swim around in the water. Koi was one of the many things that was a deep part of Japanese culture, Kyoko's culture. The sight of the fish swimming in the water was very beautiful. As a hunter Kyoko worked very hard hunting for food for the pack. She put others before herself always. It was just part of who she was. As Kyoko enjoyed the view of the koi swimming in the pond, she silently wished the Koi to bless the pack with good fortune. She also hoped for something else, true love. Kyoko wasn't dainty in the least, she was a strong female with great natural agility and strength. But, Kyoko was also a beautiful and elegant wolf with mystical dark purple eyes. Her preference would be for someone to accept her for who she was, along with the fact that they were Japanese. She looked at the fish, enjoying the peaceful silence that came with the scene.

Haruto

There was something comforting about the koi pond. Haruto had always admired the quiet elegance of its inhabitants and the way they moved beneath the water's surface with effortless grace. Even on the busiest of days he found that a few moments spent beside its banks could restore a measure of tranquility to an otherwise restless mind.

And today, he was not the only one seeking its company. His silver blue gaze settled upon the unfamiliar woman standing near the water's edge. Rather than interrupt her contemplation, he approached at a leisurely pace allowing the soft sound of his footsteps to announce his presence.

A beautiful sight, isn't it? he hummed, his attention drifting toward the colorful fish. I have always found it remarkable how something so simple can bring such peace. he settled a respectful distance away observing a brilliant koi as it disappeared beneath the reflection of an overhanging branch.

---

Kyoko

Kyoko smelled the male first before he spoke. She turned her head in his direction and her dark purple eyes sparkled with interest and attraction. This male certainly caught her attention, and she felt as if her heart was beating twice as fast now. She quickly turned her head back towards the koi swimming, feeling warmth creep slowly in her chest. Smiling, she spoke to the male, kind and respectful and warm. Her Japanese accent was entirely clear. "Oh, yes. I always feel peaceful when I look at koi in the water." Suddenly remembering her manners, Kyoko introduced herself. "Konnichiwa. I am Kyoko Mori, one of the hunters of the Fujiwara Dynasty. May I ask who you are?" Kyoko was doing very well hiding the fact that she was into this male wolf. Her dark purple eyes were still trained on the koi in the pond, watching them go where they pleased in the water.

(Konnichiwa means "Hello" in Japanese)

Haruto

The familiar cadence of her accent brought a warmth to Haruto's expression. There was something comforting about hearing the language of his homeland spoken so naturally, especially when accompanied by such gracious manners. He inclined his head in a respectful bow, his eyes bright Konnichiwa, Mori-san. I am Haruto Fujiwara cousin to the Empress and Rekishiya of our family. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Though imperial blood ran through his veins Haruto had never considered his lineage reason to place himself above others. If anything he believed it afforded him a greater obligation to treat those around him with kindness and consideration.

A hunter? His ears tipped forward Then I owe you my gratitude. It is no small responsibility, ensuring that our people are well fed. there was no empty flattery in his words, only sincere appreciation for work that was so often taken for granted.

He settled comfortably upon his haunches careful to leave her plenty of room. Tell me, Mori-san do you often come here after your hunts? he inquired gently. I imagine someone who spends so much of her time caring for others deserves a little peace of her own,

---

Kyoko

The male revealed himself to be the blood relative of the great empress Izumi Fujiwara. Not only that he was a historian in the pack! His name was Haruto Fujiwara. Kyoko needed to use her absolute best manners when speaking to a wolf of such high prestige. Though, it was comforting seeing how kind and polite he was despite his high rank and royal blood. It put the huntress at ease, making her feel more relaxed. She acknowledged the handsome wolf who made her heart race with the upmost kindness and respect. "It is a great honor to be in your presence, Fujiwara-san." Kyoko's heart swelled when Haruto verbally appreciated her hard work as a hunter. It wasn't easy to feed the whole pack, but it was a role she was very proud of. "Thank you Fujiwara-san. It's a lot of work to keep everyone fed, but it is also very rewarding knowing that I am responsible for feeding everyone. It gives me a sense of purpose." Kyoko glanced at Haruto, the male she now had a crush on, and turned her gaze back to the koi swimming in the water. Haruto asked her if she came here after her hunts, and she answered happily. "Yes. Sometimes, when I have free time, I come here to look at the koi swim here. I do like a little peace every now and then, but, my duties as a hunter will always come first. The pack is my priority." Kyoko wanted to tell Haruto that he was a very handsome wolf, but could only glance at him again with a look that could only be described as attraction and interest.

Haruto

The formality of her greeting earned a gentle smile, he inclined his head in acknowledgment. The honor is mine, Mori-san. Though I hope my family name needn't make our conversation quite so formal, he assured her with a soft chuckle. He understood the respect afforded to his bloodline, but had never particularly enjoyed the distance it sometimes created between himself and others. Haruto-san will do perfectly well, if you are comfortable with it.

He listened attentively as she spoke of her duties, there was a sincerity in the way she described her work and a pride that seemed to come from knowing she had contributed something meaningful. There is a great deal of honor in finding purpose through service to others, he agreed. Though I do hope you remember that your own happiness is worth tending to as well

A gentle breeze stirred the surrounding foliage, carrying the faint scent of damp earth across the pond. Haruto watched as a pair of koi disturbed the water's surface sending ripples outward until their reflections became little more than shifting colors. When his attention returned to Kyoko, he happened to catch another of her lingering glances. He offered a warm smile, though he made no assumptions about what might have caused it.

I must confess, I understand the temptation to place duty above all else, he admitted, There is always another record to preserve, or some forgotten piece of our family's history demanding my attention. his eyes brightened with quiet amusement.

---

Kyoko

All of the leftover tension that was inside of Kyoko instantly melted away when Haruto said she didn't have to be so formal with him. The sound of his chuckle lit up an invisible spark in Kyoko's heart. She was perfectly comfortable with addressing the her superior as Haruto-san. He may have been Kyoko's superior, but he came off as kind, gentle, and very well mannered. It wasn't just his appearance that was attractive, but the way he carried himself. He had high standing in the Fujiwara dynasty, but he was modest and treated her as an equal. Kyoko responded with joy at being allowed to address Haruto by his first name. "Of course, Haruto-san is fine. I'm perfectly comfortable with it. You can call me Kyoko-san, if you like." She seemed it was only right that if she could call Haruto by his first name, then he could call her by her first name.

Haruto agreed with Kyoko regarding having purpose through serving the pack. But at the same time, he mentioned that her happiness was important as well. She looked at the koi as she spoke. "I know my own happiness is something to keep in mind. But I also find joy into helping and serving the Dynasty in any way I can as a hunter. But I will admit that my favorite activity is having a nice time in the hot springs to put myself at ease." Ah yes, nothing beat a good time in the hot springs. But something she would also admit, was that Haruto had become one of the things that made her happy. Very happy. She stared at her reflection in the water, her mystical dark purple eyes staring right back at her.

Haruto understood her feelings of putting her duties before everything else, and it was nice to know someone understood her strong determination to carry out her responsibilities. Kyoko wondered how busy Haruto must have been keeping track of so much history. She spoke happily as her eyes were trained on the koi in front of her. "You must have a lot to do as a historian Haruto-san. But I'm sure a handsome wolf such as yourself can easily keep up with all of it." Kyoko had just called Haruto handsome, and she silently hoped she hadn't pushed through a unspoken barrier. But she couldn't help but state the obvious.

Haruto

Kyoko-san it is, then he agreed with a warm smile. It pleased him that she had accepted his invitation to dispense with some of the formalities. There was something rather exhausting about being treated as though his family name made him fundamentally different from anyone else.

Her mention of the hot springs earned an interested hum. Ah, an excellent choice. I can think of few better ways to recover from a long day he glanced toward the pond, watching as a large koi disturbed the surface with a lazy flick of its tail. Though I must confess, I have a habit of convincing myself there is always one more thing that needs doing

He was about to elaborate when her next words caught him by surprise.

Handsome?

Haruto blinked his ears tipping backward as he turned to regard her. For someone who spent much of his time studying the words of others, he found himself suddenly and rather embarrassingly short of his own. Oh! Well, I... a sheepish chuckle escaped him, his gaze wandering toward the water. That is very kind of you to say...thank you

He cleared his throat, attempting to recover some of his usual composure. Though I fear it has very little to do with keeping several generations of family records in order. there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

You mentioned the hot springs, he continued, eager to return to conversational ground. Do you visit them often? I have been meaning to make time for a visit myself,

---

Kyoko