Chapter 6 t.i.t for Tat 2-3

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Chapter2 t.i.t for Tat 2-3 After moving to the outer court for two weeks, Sakura still wasn’t sure if it was good news for her. Madam Ooi made Setuna return the dragon horn rock to her, so she played with it whenever Harun.o.bu wasn’t around, but the rock was still a rock and showed nothing. Supposedly j.a.pan had a lot of earthquakes, so maybe the rock would only work during those times, but she’s been in this era a while now and earthquakes haven’t happened. She kneeled in Harun.o.bu’s room, half-heartedly arranging some flowers. She knew something about the craft, but somehow nothing worked with this bouquet. She couldn’t help but think of something Madam Ooi said to her two weeks ago.  “Sakura, Harun.o.bu is the way he is because he’s too lonely. If possible, I hope you could get through to him, maybe he’ll talk to you.” Every time she remembered what the madam said, she’d feel soft in her heart, even if Harun.o.bu always teased her. She really started to believe the saying that ”women are made of water, and human hearts are made of flesh.” Oh well, as long as Harun.o.bu didn’t violate her boundary, and since she hasn’t found a way to go back to her own time, surviving in this world was her priority. n.o.butora has been quiet lately; according to Itagaki, the senior lord hasn’t been feeling well, so she didn’t have to worry about him yet.  “How do you know the art of tea from the Ming Dynasty? You’re so young... Did your parents do business in China?” Sakura had just finished making a pot of tea in the tea room when Itagaki pa.s.sed by and complimented her skills. She acted shy at his words and nodded. History books said Itagaki was on Madam Ooi’s side and he was Harun.o.bu’s teacher, so having a good relations.h.i.+p with him might help protect her. She offered him a cup of tea. He accepted with a smile and sipped with enjoyment. She followed Itagaki out of the room into the yard, while holding the platter of tea, and noticed Harun.o.bu was watching a dance with great interest. A group of servants and other people were also watching and clapping. Having majored in j.a.panese, Sakura knew some j.a.panese history, but she has never loved their fine arts, such as their dance, which was performed at a snail’s pace and made her sleepy.  “How can you fall asleep watching this brilliant dance?” Harun.o.bu lightly poked her arm with his fan. Sakura rolled her eyes. ”What’s the appeal of this dance? The song just makes you sadder and sadder. If I watched anymore, I’d be crying too.”  “Hey, how can you not like this sakura dance? Your name is Sakura.” Is he serious? Sakura’s eyes almost bulged out of her head. Seeing everyone around them, she kept her voice low, “do you really want to insult my taste? I’ll prove to you today what’s a real sakura dance, hah!”  “Itagaki, Sakura said she wants to dance, have the musician prepare now.” Harun.o.bu didn’t back down from her challenge. Itagaki came forward, shooting Sakura a look of resignation. “You can have the musician play whatever you need. I’ve never seen anyone as stubborn as you. Do a good job. Good luck.”  “Thank you sir.  I just need to borrow a taiko drum.” Sakura walked to the drummer and whispered into his ear. “This rhythm... would it be too simple with this one instrument?” The drummer looked bewildered at her direction.  “I can dance and I can sing. Just play the drum like I told you, it’ll be fine.” There was no time to change or put on makeup. Sakura made do on the spot: tying her hair into a high chignon, rolling up her sleeves and her skirt to her thighs, making the audience gasp. Harun.o.bu was also stunned, he looked at the servants; everyone looked at Sakura lasciviously and was practically drooling. Only the drummer was calm, seeing Sakura was ready to dance, he started hitting the drum. Sakura smiled seductively and ran to the cherry blossom tree, grabbing two thin branches. She opened her legs slightly, rolled her waist to the beat of the drum, and shook her hips quickly. As the audience screamed, the drumming stopped, and she began singing.