Chapter 156: Sleep

"What's this?"

Gengyo asked suspiciously, as Momochi handed him a cup filled with a liquid that gave off the scent of various herbs.

"A tea lovingly brewed."

Came the old man's response, as he wore his usual smile.

"And why should I trust that? It seems rather odd to give one a cup of tea this close to bedtime. I'd rather not have my sleep interrupted by the needs of nature."

"Interrupted, is it?"

He responded still pushing him the tea. There was something about his knowing smile that made Gengyo distrustful, as he took the tea with both hands, taking care not to let the boiling water spill on his skin.

"Yours doesn't smell like mine…"

Gengyo noted, as he stood next to Kitajo, and could not detect the same aromatic herbal smell coming from the lad's steaming cup.

"That is because you do not have the same tea, of course."