Fusako had agreed to meet her 'date' here after dark but before sleep. Evening baths were always the best after a long day of hard work, and she had no doubt she wasn't the only one who had. After undressing and washing herself clean with great care, she finally slipped into the hot water to relax and wait.

Ichika took her time with the soaps, the massage washer, all of it. Just like the last time she'd stepped into the pool area already feeling very relaxed thanks to the scents, and the pressure of the water. With a content little smile she gave a little wave toward Fusako when she walked into view and quickly walk-hopped over.

Slipping down into the water near the woman she glanced over, "Good evening, Asahina-sama," she said with a warm smile. "I hope the Miai has been treating you well thus far?"

Fusako gave a polite smile of her own in return. She had been leaned back with her arms on the edge of the spring, but as Ichika entered, she sat forward, water up to her chin. "Mmm, I have nothing to complain about at the very least dear, even if I've yet to show myself well in any of the little contests. So kind of you to be concerned, but I believe I have myself well in hand. I believe, Ichika-san, that I am much more interested in hearing how YOU have been faring."

The Asahina had a curious yet mischievous look on her face as she looked to Ichika, awaiting her answer.

Ichika, without thinking, slipped down into the water a little bit more at the question. An awkward chuckle came out before words, "W-well, Asahina-sama, I've.." she glanced away, furrowing her brows. Then down at the water. "I.. I suppose I'm not sure, Asahina-sama," she looked forward, but kept her head was held low.

"I have.. potential, I think, but I'm not certain if I messed it up. Quite a few Samurai have expressed an interest in me, I think. Well.." she fiddled with her index finger under the warm waters. "at least one of them has quite openly admitted it, Asahina-sama. They're... highly placed," she said sheepishly.

"Ah, I am hardly surprised. Before I ask details, I would know if you're interested in turn. And no polite deference please, an honest opinion." As at dinner, Fusako was a perfect mix of casual bluntness, her eyes never leaving Ichika.

"I don't know," she said, letting it out like a confession her shoulders fell with the admittance of it. Exhaling as the words left her mouth. Pushing herself back up, so she was sitting more proper again. "I mean, we only really just met Asahina-sama. I'm.. I don't really know much about him to say that I know if I like him or anything, I mean.." she shook her head.

"We only met the one night, and I don't know how- how sincere his interest was. Only that he admitted he was interested in me and that it was good to chat. He asked me a question that was," she raised her hand from the water, rocked it back and forth, "different, like he was really testing me on if I would be a good match. I'm still.. stunned by it, really," she said with a half-awkward chuckle that gave way to more spilling, "I really didn't think anyone would be interested in me let alone someone as important as he is."

A hand came out of the water and waved away the comment. Without the fancy dress on, it was clear Fusako's arms had a fit strength to them. "Please, no sliding into that personal pit of self doubt. I agree that one night can hardly be a decisive thing, so I understand the uncertainty, but you really must find more confidence in your own worth. You are a lovely young Doji woman, and you should start believing so."

"Now then, who was this suitor and what was his uncouth question?"

"Mmm," she vocalized on the first, glancing down. Then, with the question, she looked back up, "I-it wasn't that uncouth of a question, Asahina-sama. I mean, there was the-" she bit her lip. "The one in question," she said, softly at first but gaining that little strength back, "was Daigotsu Shokomaru-sama, Asahina-sama," she said, an awkward little chuckle.

"So many blasted Spider," she murmured quietly as she reached back behind her to her densai, which she'd left at the bath's edge. She thought she'd likely need it.

"Hmmmm...," Fusako scrolled through her list in silence a moment. "Ah, the commander. Important indeed. Likely would just have you tend his estates."

She set the densai aside once more. "Now, what was the question Daigotsu-sama asked you? No more dancing around it."

"I-" she looked down, fiddling with her finger again. "Well, Daigotsu-sama asked me if there was anything I hated, Asahina-sama."

She raised a brow. "How very Spider. And your answer?"

"I was honest, Asahina-sama," she said sheepishly. Retreating a little into the water. "Told him how I hated.." she chuckled, very awkwardly, "concepts. Like.. suffering, and cruelty."

"Are we certain I'm not the Doji and you the Asahina?" she commented wryly. "Such dislikes might make for a hard time with a military partner, not unless you can ignore the cruelties of war. Did he say anything to your answer?"

"Just that he seemed to appreciate it, Asahina-sama. Well.." she chuckled, awkwardly but there was a rising confidence to it. "He didn't say it, or anything, but he made it apparent enough in his reaction, but.." she looked up, furrowing a brow, "I am still a Doji, Asahina-sama."

"Even though I don't like cruelty, or suffering- I'm still a Samurai, and I understand that there is a necessity sometimes which cannot otherwise be avoided. Still.. I will hope that they can be avoided where they can, and if I can strive to do what I can to maybe cause a little less, yea?"

"That might come up nearly any match you make here, hai. It's a bushi miai after all, or at least it was preferred to be. It'd quite cut down on potential if that were a deal breaker." After a moment's seriousness, that coy, mischievous look of hers returned and she leaned close. "I wonder, what would you do to try to lessen the strife, hmm? With your partner I mean of course."

"I-" she furrowed her brow, fiddled with her index finger. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean, Asahina-sama."

"Ah, well, I didn't think I was being too obtuse. You said you would strive to do what you can to cause less strife, hai? I am merely curious what that might entail, that's all." She smiled warmly, if not a touch broadly, reaching out to mischievously let an index finger poke at one of Ichika's knees under the water.

"I-" she paused glancing down at her instinctively moving knee. Seeing that it was Fusako prodding it. Looking back up she furrowed her brows, "Uh.. I suppose I would just try to do what I can, over the course of my duties, Asahina-sama?" she asked, tilting her head. "Maybe.. try to argue for a better path to something? Help where I can?" she suggested, the quirk of a held-back awkward chuckle at her lips.

Fusako gave a slight tisk before shaking her head. All the same, she had that same slightly mischievous smile. "Dealing with it as it comes, hm? I suppose that's all that can be asked. Especially if it's a partnership with someone like Daigotsu-sama, it will be an uphill battle indeed, but I believe you have the will to overcome it."

She gave a slight sigh and tiled her head. "My my, I really DO wish the clan could keep you dear, you really are quite adorable. So much conviction, yet so much hesitancy and doubt! I really could just eat you right up you know."

Ichika nodded at the first, a small smile. With the rest, she raised her head and raised her brow, "I-uh.. thank you, Asahina-sama," she said with a wary chuckle, dipping her head.