00041

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Sasuke watched them walk away with his lips drawn back in a furious grimace, his hand tight around the wood of the door. Seemed to notice only after a few seconds of Toshinaka, still standing against the wall, staring at nothing and with a proper unexpressive face.
- Come in - Sasuke ordered him, barely controlling the tone of voice.
Toshinaka obeyed, bowing respectfully. In the room, there was enough confusion to suggest that Sasuke had pulled on someone everything you need to write, and the maid was trying to restore order as quickly as possible, without putting further test her already irritated master.
- Bring some cha, - Sasuke ordered her sharply. - Send someone else to put order here. You are always too slow and increasingly unnecessary.
Toshinaka watched her going away, almost with tears in her eyes.
He tightened his lips, but said nothing. He had no right to say anything, actually. He didn'te ven know the reason for that unexpected attitude. His uncle sat on a pillow next to the window, then suddenly sighed wearily, rubbing his eyes with his wrinkled fingers.
- Some samurai died, - he said suddenly, in a neutral tone. - The news came to me just now. Ambush. I was waiting them here at court, actually. They were the original group of my escort, were to take up service soon. I should have been with them - grumbled at the end. He spoke jerkily, unwillingly, as if addressing himself. - I had given orders that were sent back, but have been slow in delivering the message. Two stupid. I willdegrade them anyway. I lost ten faithful vassals in a stupid and useless way.
- Bandits? - Toshinaka asked, politely.
- Maybe.