Standing at the entrance to the garden Ichika looked into the gate from just outside. Looking toward the majestic foliage in the darkening sky of sunset. Holding her purse down in front of herself, her hands clutching it as she shifted it over and over in her hands. "I want to remember these colors when I go.." she said to herself, quietly, as she stood alone.

And eventually there was someone else to share that thought with, if it were on her mind perhaps ten minutes later. Shokomaru, clad in his black spider yukata, carrying his daisho arrived up the way, one hand resting in the opening, the other carrying a small sack. He had a cigarette in his mouth as he walked, sunglasses on his face.

When he saw her, he made his way over after a wave, and put the smoke out in his ashtray before reaching her.

"Doji-san, good evening. I see our sense of style remains the same", he grinned. "Classy as always."

Hearing him approach she more appropriately turned toward him. Returning the wave when he delivered it and waiting till he arrived. Lowering herself into a bow, "Good evening Daigotsu-sama," she said, raising with a light smile. "It's comfortable, to slip into the clothing we're most used to, yea?"

"Maybe, so", he returned the bow. "I can't argue with a pretty lady showing up to meet me in her kimono, besides." He knew how much of a pain it was, hearing his mother, his sister, and Tama-gunso complain about it.

"Though I was commenting that we're both looking good, proper enough for a garden walk anyway, eh?"

He took off his sunglasses and slipped them into his obi. Then held up the sack he carried. "I brought refreshments, in case you were hungry."

"Mmm," she vocalized with a nod, smiling. "Refreshments, well dressed," she giggled into a sleeve, "I think we are quite prepared for our walk in the garden Daigotsu-sama."

"Let's get started, then", and he lead the way in. "I have some of those UV shades, have you tried them yet?"

"Nope!" she said, shaking her head. Glancing ahead toward the garden, "All the other times I've been here I've just stayed out by the lighter sides. Nearer the entrance," she said, looking back with a smile.

"Probably can't find someone to get a pair now but.. I'll have to come earlier sometime."

"We can share mine, it's a treat to see the invisible spectrum in the deeper parts." He stepped a little closer to her and offered his arm. "Let me show you, there's a ground water pond and a bench we can take a break on."

"That's certainly workable for tonight Daigotsu-sama," she said with a little smile, glancing forward. Putting her hands into her sleeves, a soft awkward chuckle. "I'll let you lead then, Daigotsu-sama?"

He rolled his eyes, but didn't seem offended. Not really. Maybe it was a bigger deal to her than it was to him. He lead the way in, walking down the path.

"You know, growing up I was always told not to worry about certain things", he told her as they started walking beneath the first large mushrooms, moss on the ground giving off a feint glow as the sun had all but vanished. "They were other people's worries, and that I should focus on doing what seems important to me." He swung the sack he carried a little, a somewhat carefree motion. "Though I admit, I hate that. Yet still I've lived it regardless", he chuckled. "It's my job, I guess? Though it's often made me blind to other people's situations."

He wondered if she could see what he meant, but either way it was something he felt he should share.

"You were granted a lot of faith from those who raised you, Daigotsu-sama," she commented, glancing down a little as they walked. Furrowing her brow she touched upon a thought. "Can I say something, Daigotsu-sama?" she asked, looking back up with a raised brow.

"If you can't this would be a pointless date, I think", he wagered with a wry smile. "Please go ahead."

"Even now, while we're alone you are very careful but.." she glances up, a soft small smile, "but you hesitate. You obscure details about yourself, your intentions, what you want to protect yourself but in a way that at times hides what you're really trying to say. While I can say I think I have a good idea of what you were trying to say, Daigotsu-sama," she said, looking forward again as they walk. "I can not be certain it is what you say, as it's only my interpretation."

"I mean," she said, a soft pause, "you might see a benefit in that at times but at a time like this I think it separates you more than you'd otherwise prefer, hmm?" she asked, looking back up to him.

He thought a bit, deliberation marking his face.

"Doji-san, are you saying you want to know more about me, or are you simply advising me to not make such a maze out of the way I talk?"

He looked down at her, also smiling.

Ichika looked up to him, furrowed her brows. As she thought she linked her hands together a little more and brushed the side of her hand with a thumb. "We are walking out here together, Daigotsu-sama," she said, a small half-chuckle.

"If I did not wish to know more about you, or you kept talking in a maze, well.. it would be pretty difficult to continue, yea?" she looked up with a soft smile.

He kept walking. "Even I know, that much", he scratched the back of his head. "I had a rough morning, you'll see why in the nakodo reports tomorrow." He cleared his throat. "So, sorry."

"But anyway, uh... what would you like to know, Doji-san?"

"Sorry?" she asked, raising a brow as she tilted her head a little. A little smirk, "Kinda timely to ask that, yea? What happened this morning, Daigotsu-sama?"

"I didn't leave after getting what I came for, so our host decided to call me some colorful things. It was my fault, though. I had an idea of who I was dealing with and decided to continue the chat anyway", he admitted. "Could have been a lot worse, I suppose, I have no regrets."

He walked on. Thoughtful. "And my meetimg before this one was a bit rough in it's own way."

"I would like to hear more, Daigotsu-sama. What caused the situation to develop like it did, do you think? If you didn't mind going into it?" she asked, walking alongside him.

"Well, the truth is it happened because I'm a Spider", he answered. "I asked for permission to go on a hunt, that was granted. The old bastard is probably hoping I get eaten by something, so it is what it is. After that he whined about courtiers and his difficulties with the colony. I gave him a suggestion, he hinted that I should shut up and I didn't because he was still whining. Honestly the guy needs to learn to relax."

He chuckled. "I don't have slugged him, but I'm his guest so I bowed like a good boy and left." A shrug. "My fault."