Without a doubt, Harumi would have been an excellent healer had she chosen that path instead of becoming head of her own clan of warriors. He remembered her tending to the small scratches and bruises he had gathered during sparing matches on countless occasions when they were younger, her patience and determination to help him always unwavering. The memory brought a small smile to Kuai Liang's face as he observed the way she expertly treated the burn on his hand. Her grip was firm and steady, her touch as soft as he remembered it. â So far, your advice has never steered me wrong. â He responded with a slightly playful smile of his own. It was true and, aside from Tomas, she was the one person he trusted the most.
He looked up, his expression softening at her reassuring words. Whenever he doubted himself, Harumi was there to restore the faith he had lost in himself, to offer him comfort. â Maybe... but things are different this time. â He spoke, unable to conceal the sadness in his voice. It had been so long since they had last seen each other and a part of him wished their reunion had happened under different âžș under happier âžș circumstances. Regardless, he was so, so glad to see her again.
At her offer to listen, Kuai Liang lowered his gaze slightly, hesitating. He did not want to burden her with the thoughts that plagued his mind, did not want to drag her into this conflict even more than he had done already. But perhaps talking about it would really help when nothing else could calm his anger or ease the pain beneath it. He gently placed his uninjured hand on top of hers, sighing.
â I know what needs to be done next. â He began quietly. â I know Bi-Han needs to be stopped at all cost. I just don't know if I'm strong enough to do it. If I can âžș â If he could kill his own brother in cold blood, should it come down to it. But he did not finish the sentence. Kuai Liang knew his brother would not yield. He knew Bi-Han might give him no other choice and he dreaded the day they would face each other again.
"Then I know my advice is well-heard." Returning the smile, Harumi became aware of this strange . . . crackling in the air between them. And she's noted it a few times, often brushing it away as connections now threaded back together. Especially with his smile, by the gods, she hasn't seen it since they were young. And within the circumstances, it's a breath of air to see him smile. And for as long as he wished for sanctuary, she'd make it part of her duty to make him smile every other day.
At his softened expression, she gave a contrast by lightly hardening her own. She too, above all else, wanted them to meet again under joyous occassion. But it seemed to be one of refuge and revenge. "I wish it wasn't different," she whispered quietly. Yet she'd be lying to herself if she didn't feel some happiness upon seeing him again. With his uninjured hand on top of hers, the warmth bled through her skin, her heartbeat almost skipping at the contact. The act was one of trust, her listening to his words. It would be best for him to have it out instead of festering like some necrotic wound. It's probably been tearing him to pieces inside, the betrayal, the loss of his father, the abandonment of their home.
True to her words, Harumi listened to every single word. Each syllable out of his mouth poured out the anguish, the struggle of what's right to stop this evil that took place in Bi-Han. At his halted sentence, she inhaled deep. Her hand reached out, but soon settled on her lap again. Such thoughts were grave, but so would the outcome Bi-Han would demand of his sibling. His pain was felt, deeply. A small tear fell from her eyes, dotting her eyelashes before splashing on the fabric of her dress. The silence after deafened everything within the room. "I know you don't. No one should even consider--" A pause, using her free hand to brush away the tears.
