There was a bittersweet feeling within her as she awoke that morning. It was still dark in the maze as the sun was barely cresting over the horizon. If one were to look up, they would see a gentle twinkle of stars among the hazy orange and pink sunrise. After today, this would be her last Tojo-Kai sunrise. Tenshi would pack her few belongings before setting out. In case things went poorly, she rather be prepared. Once finished, she tucked gear away and turned to watch the bamboo. The rhythmic knocking of the stalks was something she had grown accustomed to and she wondered now if she would miss it. How the salty ocean breeze that ruffled her fur and caused the leaves to flutter. The twinkle of the paper lanterns and the scores in the bamboo that led the way. Like most who lived her, she no longer needed the markers to navigate. Every turn and twist was simple to her. Somehow she had grown to call this place home. Holding back the wave of emotions that swirled in her chest, she slowly meandered through the bamboo. There was no rush, no hurry. Vidarr would wait for her. That much she was certain of. Especially now as the raid had been successful, Tenshi worried that Hanzo would not want her to leave. She had done well against the Pirates. Better than Hanzo himself. It made a twinge of a smile appear on her lips as she thought of it. A season or so ago, she might have used it as a way to flirt with him. Now, she merely wanted him to remember her as someone who was worthy. The balmy autumn air pressed against her as she finally made it to a secluded part of the maze. While she trusted everyone here, she wanted this conversation to be private. Pulling out the necessary supplies, Tenshi started a fire with some dry tinder and placed the tea kettle over it. As it warmed, she filled it with water and the perfect tea mixture that Hanzo preferred - she hadn’t forgotten the other times they had shared tea together. Settling back upon her haunches, Tenshi called for Hanzo for the last time within the bamboo.

Hattori, as always, came when called. Though he was unlikely to admit it aloud, he did enjoy having tea with Tenshi, she was better at making a good brew than he could ever be and she had quickly narrowed in on his preferences. It felt safe to assume this was what she required, there was no real sense of concern or urgency in his tone, just a polite request Hattori would heed. He moved through the bamboo with ease as all Tojo-kai wolves did, swiftly arriving on the scene as Tenshi placed the kettle over the fire to heat the water. And yet as he looked upon her, as he settled on the rounded tatami cushion he noted there was something etched across her features. An emotion he was having trouble recognising.

"Is something the matter?" He asked, his voice a little louder than the crackling fire wood, all gathered from the Oaks of course.

It was of no surprise to her that Hanzo came when called. He was not one to disappoint, even if in his own peculiar way. She would look at him as he approached and offered a sentimental smile. Though it wavered, she felt the smile was still genuine. Her afternoon teas with Hanzo were always pleasant and she enjoyed his company. Tenshi wasn’t one for much conversation either and didn’t mind being the one who typically spoke the most. So when he questioned what was wrong, Tenshi had to swallow. Dammit, this was going to be harder than she imagined. Staying silent for now, she was thankful when the kettle began to whistle. Embracing his body heat as they sat beside each other, she poured them their respective cups of tea before extinguishing the fire until the kettle could be kept warm from the small coals. Still, no words left her as she sipped from her cup. Inhaling deeply, she stared at the bamboo. “I have been offered to leave and move to the mountains in northern Boreas,” her voice is quiet and careful, the words slowly leaving her lips as she fought to hold herself together. Taking another sip so she had something to focus on, Tenshi continued to stare at the bamboo and not at Hanzo. “It is Vidarr Trygg who has extended the offer and I told him I would need to talk to you first,” Tenshi finally turned her chin so that both of her steel blue eyes could look upon his typically stoic expression.

Hattori did not mind the silence, he considered time spent with a pack mate in silence was did not go to waste. But in this instance he noticed Tenshi was struggling to verbalise her thoughts, that he had been right in assuming something was in fact wrong. After all, why would it bother her so? The Kaicho did not push or force her to speak, only listened as she pressed through her uncertainty with a voice that was soft as mountain lichen, barely clinging on. He knew her kind, that she held the mountain rises in her heart and that she always would. It was in her DNA as much as Hattori's own culture and identity was. She wanted to return to what was natural to her, with Vidarr Trygg.

Her desires were understandable, but Hattori felt annoyance stir all the same. The mountains could not be brought to Tojo so she wished to leave, but Hattori could not say he appreciated the man poaching his kin like this. Vikings were known to have a habit of taking what did not belong to him, and whilst Hattori certainly did not see Tenshi as a thing, he was offended all the same.

And to think they had understood one another, once.

"I understand. I will not keep you here against your will." Hs said, ears flicking and his tone a little colder than usual, eyes a little narrower. "I would like to speak to Vidarr first."

Tenshi was slightly taken aback by Hattori’s cold resolve. Was he surprised that she wish to leave for the mountains? Out of everyone in the bamboo, she believed he would be the one to understand why she would want to go home. And while she felt important here, she also didn’t feel complete. There was something more for her out there and staying secluded within the bamboo was not the answer.

Her body would visibly tense as he spoke. “I understand,” her voice is also tense as she shifts her gaze back to the bamboo. At one time, she had thought that they could have been something, but she was quick to realize that was not true. There as no room for a non-koi like her in his heart. Unlike others, Tenshi had not been hurt by it, but it had given her more reason to want to leave. Sleeping alone at night was not her favorite.

“Would you like me to send my bird for him?” Tenshi asks as she lifts a brow, curious what his next move would be.

Hattori would not take out his feelings on Tenshi, for all the kindness she had shown him she deserved this, but he would speak with the northerner and whether things would be smoothed out was yet to be seen. He nodded at her suggestion, thinking it would be wise to sort this out as soon as possible. The Viking could come to him, not the other way around, it was only reasonable, no? His gaze flickered back to Tenshi and he noted the tautness of her shoulders, the pinch of her brow. He was not the one to raise his voice in anger, or any real explosive show of emotion and that rule applied even now.

"Have him come here, you may leave after we speak."