<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/1/13/Keitaro.jpg)</div>Keitaro had gathered a small armful of firewood and brought it back to the camp for Shiori to work with, and was out looking for more, when Maseko began her prayer. He stopped and bowed his head respectfully, listening to her words.<br/><br/>At first, it seemed like the usual prayers he was accustomed to, and he listened to the familiar words as duty required him to, but not thinking about them much. The story of the Tournament of the Kami was well-known to him, and he was always filled with pride at the part when Akodo proved himself to be the greatest warrior of all the Kami beside Hantei.<br/><br/>This time, though, it seemed different. He saw the wind and rain whip up around Maseko, and while he could not sense the movement of the kami, he could see the effect she was having on the world around her. He thought he felt a faint stirring within his Void as the prayer went on, but it may have been his imagination.<br/><br/>His pride in being of the blood of Akodo and Matsu rose within him as it always did, but tempered by the sadness of no longer being a Lion. He still benefitted from the teachings that his ancestors had passed down to him, and of course he was still a loyal servant of the Emperor who was the legitimate inheritor of Hantei's authority, but a part of his connection to the Founding Kami was gone forever. He felt a tear forming at the corner of his eye, and brushed it away hurriedly.<br/><br/>At the conclusion of the prayer, Keitaro knelt and closed his eyes, listening to Maseko's final words, and feeling the purification of his soul as she dictated it. When he opened his eyes, the sky was clear, the wind was calm, and the rain had ceased to fall. He took in a deep breath, letting it fill his soul, and exhaled slowly.<br/><br/>After sitting in brief meditation for a minute or two, he stood and made his way back to the camp, with another armful of firewood, which he left beside the firepit for Shiori. He bowed to his fellow bushi, then went to meet Maseko.<br/><br/>Keitaro bowed deeply before Maseko, offering her the greatest possible respect. "Maseko-san, your skill and devotion are both irreproachable. I thank you for such an honourable and pious display, and for the aid you have bestowed upon us all. My heart is lighter knowing that we have you as our intermediary with the kami."<br/><br/>When he straightened, his eyes quickly ran over her soaked outfit, the way that her hair was plastered against her neck, and the dimples her nipples caused in her jacket. He swallowed hard, and though he tried to keep his gaze under control, it was obvious that he noticed her arousal. "Maseko-san," he began, and cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Are you... well? You look... exhausted. Communing with the kami must have taken its toll on you."<br/><br/>He looked at the ground and shuffled his feet, then forced himself to look at Maseko's eyes. "I know what will restore your chi. A tea ceremony! I'll get started right away."