"I have very fine taste," Asuma murmured, craning his head around and trying to follow Natsumi as she prowled behind him. "If you're going to check me out, you could at least take your mask off first. Flash those pretty eyes."

A quick breath against ceramic; gasp or a hidden laugh, it was impossible to tell. He watched her circling back around to face him, flicking his eyes down to track the fluid hip-swing of a woman who might be just a little bit flattered...

And who definitely wasn't thinking about court anymore. Gods, but she asked a lot of questions. (Which was technically the mark of a good ninja, but it got damn annoying after a while.) If she hadn't figured out who he was yet, he didn't plan to give her the tools to do it. It was nice, finally, to enjoy a bit of anonymity.

Nicer still not to think too hard about court and finery and ten bodies cooling their heels six feet under.

"If I've passed milady's inspection?" He dropped a teasing bow, tossed the fake money-sack over his shoulder, and picked up the trail again.