Shedding her towel, Hoshi sank down into the heated soaking pool and settled into a seiza. She let out a soft breath of relief when its heated comforts sank in for her. This is very good... Her eyes closed for a moment as she tuned everything out from around her, all aches and gaijin madness aside. It didn’t last long when her eyes opened again and she knew this bath wouldn’t either. Best to enjoy whatever is given to me for now...

Zenko seems to have had a similar idea. After all, he would likely be one of those at the forefront of the battle, and it was best to go into battle clean body and soul against this kind of foe.

Anything less was inviting disaster.

He gave a light nod to Hoshi, before entering the bath silently.

Hoshi glanced up to the approaching Usagi for a moment before averting her eyes just slightly elsewhere. She did greet him with a bow as best she could from her position. "Good evening Usagi-san. It seems that I wasn't able to catch you unaware this time. That's fine, I can do without the song." The trace of a smirk went to her lips.

Zenko nods. "Let me know if you change your mind, Bayushi-sama. I know one about two rice grains boiling away." he gives a thin smile and wave to the waters they bathe in.

He laughs a bit at that, leaning back in the water.

He shakes his head, then dipping down in the water with closed eyes.

A second or three later he re-emerges forehead first, water rippling down the sides of his face. "A dare? You do not seem to know the courage of a Hare, when the stakes are so high." He gives a wink.

With that he begins the tune, a rough one likely from some backwoods samurai or monk rather than any respectable court in the Empire: still he sings it passably well.

"Pot's boiling water,
for the fire does not waver;
in goes two rice grains.
One for you and one for I,
Watch them dance upon the waves.
A last meal before
we are to sate war's hunger;
How like us they dance
Within watery valleys,
Upon a bursting hilltop.
Fall and dip and stand,
gliding fore and dashing there
I see your sword's grace
Your sure and deadly footsteps,
That guard my grain's every move.

How few this army,
one am I and one are you,
Two boiling rice grains:
Serene meal for two soldiers
Caught within war's boiling grasp."

Hoshi went quiet when Zenko obliged to her suggestion and went with the rhythm of the lyrics with a few nods of her head. At the conclusion of his performance, she congratulated his efforts with a polite clap.

"And...It looks like I have indeed underestimated the courage of Hare samurai. There are little bounds you are shy of. That was well done Usagi-san, thank you for that." She quietly chuckled behind a hand. "Its lyrics...seem far different than what you've told me of your background, did you pick it up from someone else by chance?""

He nods at that. "Hai, my parents. Although I don't think my father ever knew I heard him sing it."

He closes his eyes, smiling lightly at the memory. "From the time when they wore no mons, during Ozaki-dono's Hunt." There's a distinct way he says the word "Hunt" that seems to capture the first letter as a capital.

"I think sometimes that he wrote it, and the event he memorializes in it is why he sought to serve Inari-kami."

There was a lift of her brows at the song's origins. "So I see. There is far more to the story than of soldiers and their meal. I think you honour the actions of your kin well by learning it. You should share it more often, as it is an important part of your Clan's history." She bowed again as best she could from her spot. "I have to thank you again after learning of its context."

He shakes his head. "More my family's history in this song, than my clan's. They met just after their gempukku, but did not meet again for a number of years after that battle."

Opening his eyes he chuckles a little. "I did get to hear of the Battle of the Empty Stomach a number of times growing up though. Particularly when we were being served some vegetable that none of us kids enjoyed."

Hoshi narrowed one eye with an incredulous look. "You were given a song when you didn't like your vegetables. I didn't know that you were so spoiled with such a performance. As children, we were only given more vegetables the more we complained."

He shakes his head, "No, not a song, just the story of how difficult it is to fight after three days on a handful of rice."

He chuckles. "More vegetables though?" he shudders. "Perhaps we were spoiled."

After a pause, Hoshi asked carefully. "...Do Hare typically disfavour vegetables?"

He looks to Hoshi... "Are you about to ask if we eat carrots?" his tone is one of mock seriousness, a jovial look upon his face.

Hoshi placed a hand to her lips briefly and shook her head once she lowered it again. "Iie Usagi-san, nothing of the sort. I hope you don't think I'm that predictable but it would be surprising to hear if that's something many have asked you before...I mean vegetables in general really. I doubt they're an issue now."

He nods. "Hai, hai. Forgive my levity. No, there's no particular disfavoring of vegetables. There was just frequent repetition of cucumbers for a couple of years."

Zenko winks. "When I'm back on the ship, I'm the Cook's assistant, it seems. So at least, I'll have forewarning."

"Infiltrating the kitchen to incite the beginnings of the cucumber embargo? One step ahead already, you're good." She gave a few nods with an obvious feigned expression of admiration before stifling a giggle.

"Oh, I've also got permission to make one traditional Hare meal during the journey, to share with the crew." He smiles a bit. "Should prove interesting, I expect."