Jin's heart was still pounding. Was it just remnants of fear, or something else entirely? She pushed the notion away. It was just a moment, nothing more. There was no time for flustered feelings - especially since Ishawari could never see her in that way. Even if he could, it wasn't the right time.

It would never be the right time.

Jin sighed aloud, also looking toward the sleeping prince. "It's going to be difficult for him either way. I know he'll understand, but it will still hurt him." She wished that wasn't the case, but there was nothing to be done about it. "I'm going to miss it too, for all that's worth. But I think we should start packing tomorrow. Best to get through it. We don't know what the road there will hold, nor the city. Besides increased guards." She frowned and pushed a hand through her curls.

"It shouldn't take us long to pack up. We don't have much. I say we leave the day after tomorrow, if not even sooner. The earlier we leave, the easier it will be to make a clean break." Even if she didn't want a clean break at all, even if the connections she made here were precious to her, the mission came before all else.

"I think I'll get as many supplies from Kana as I can. It will come in handy for the road ahead." Besides the usual healing tinctures and tonics, Kana sold cloth bandages and other healing supplies, even things for women's issues. They would need as much help as possible.

Scrubbing a hand across her face, Jin looked out at the darkened, stormy sky. "I will say, I'm looking forward to understanding the next stanza of this mysterious poem."

“Yeah...” Ishawari sunk into his chair as he recalled the second stanza with a frown. “My concern lies with keeping this ‘Smiling Monk’ happy. In fact, out of the entire poem, that is the only one that isn’t as straight forward as the rest. Though, I reckon it won’t be too much of a problem. It’s not like the Emperor would make it anymore difficult for us to achieve our mission, right?”

With impeccable timing, lightning boomed in the distance. Ishawari refocused on the subject, not allowing any room for doubt to creep into the moment.

“While you gather what you can from Kana, I’ll head into the village to grab whatever food and equipment we might need. The villagers will want to know he’s okay, and it’ll be a perfect opportunity for me to address our departure.”

Ishawari slowly exhaled, nodding with approval. This felt right. They needed to make a move, now, more than ever.

“We should get what rest we can tonight.” He looked to Jin with soft eyes, “Will you be okay?”

Jin flinched visibly as lightning lit the sky for a brief flash. She took a few breaths while her body settled back from the burst of fear.

She stared up at Ishawari, wondering about that gentle look. Did he know he looked like that when he was worried? It made her heart ache. "I will be okay eventually. Talking about it certainly helped ease the burden." She offered him a shy little smile, and patted his shoulder. "Let's rest. Tomorrow is going to be important." She went off to her cot, laying down and staring at the ceiling of the little house she had grown to love.

"Good night, Ishawari."

-
The next day was a soggy one. Cloudy and full of puddles. Jin had luckily managed to get some rest after the storm passed, and was preparing a big breakfast of fresh vegetable soup for everyone in the early hours. On the table was a bit of paper where she’d written a long list of supplies and actions to take before they left for good. The first thing on it was “tell the boy”. Easier said than done, certainly. Maybe she’d have some time to think about what to say before he was awake?

“Good morning Akemi-san!”

Well, there went that plan. “Good morning, Han.” She rubbed the boy’s bald head in an affectionate way. “Did you rest well?”

“Yep!” Without being asked, he started to take down bowls and spoons. “Did you?”

She hated to lie to the boy, but there was no sense in telling him the real story. “I slept well enough.” Jin stared into the steam while she stirred the pot. “Thank you for setting the table. Now, please get yourself ready for school.”

The prince made a face, but didn’t say a word otherwise. “Okay.” And off he went.

Jin sighed. She knew she was stalling, but the words wouldn’t come to her. Sorry, Prince Hotaru, we’re leaving behind your friends who treat you like a normal boy and not a porcelain doll and you’re probably never going to see them again as they are. Yes, that would go over very well.

As she served out soup in generous portions, she let her mind spin about the best way to go about things. But any way she thought about it, it ended with the boy in tears. Maybe there was no way to get around it? Time would tell, and too soon – they had to let him know before school so he could say his good byes.

“What do I say to him...”