Kazahana Koyuki was drinking.
The moment they boarded the sky carrier, the staff had warned them not to carry flammable or explosive items around inside, lest they cause danger.
Yet she had still hidden away a small bottle of alcohol.
Kazahana Koyuki knew it was wrong and posed a safety hazard, but the thought of returning to her homeland filled her with fear. Only alcohol could make her feel a little better.
This was how she had gotten through all these years.
When she saw Lin Qing, Kazahana Koyuki hid the bottle behind her back and guiltily looked away, unwilling to meet his gaze as she prayed he would leave quickly.
But Lin Qing walked toward her.
"Tsk."
Kazahana Koyuki lowered her head, bracing herself for a scolding.
Then, a cup was suddenly held out before her.
"Pour me a drink."
Kazahana Koyuki looked up at him, then at the cup. "Didn't you say alcohol wasn't allowed?"
Lin Qing nodded.
"That's right. Alcohol isn't allowed on the sky battleship. If a fire breaks out inside, it'd be far too dangerous. So I need to help you finish it quickly. That way, it'll be safe."
"What crooked logic."
Kazahana Koyuki rolled her eyes, but still took the bottle out from behind her back.
After pouring half a cup each for herself and Lin Qing, just as he had said, the bottle was empty.
Lin Qing thanked her. Rather than sitting beside Kazahana Koyuki, he sat on the sofa across from her, quietly watching the stars and clouds streak past the window, taking an occasional sip of wine.
Kazahana Koyuki waited for a while, thinking Lin Qing would say something to her.
When she had first asked Lin Qing to reclaim the Land of Snow, she had done so through Kakashi. Later,