[IC] [Closed] The Tale of Yokohama

[Typical]

Masako’s tongue was parched and rough when she finally decided it was alright to stop for a rest. Having spent the previous night on foot at a unwaveringly brisk pace, the girl was drained. Spotting a roadside tavern, Masako decided to allow herself to indulge for a day—she’d just run away, for god’s sake!

Masako pushed open the doors to the dimly lit main room, eyes flicking from tavern-goer to tavern-goer as she stepped into the building. No one in the crowd looked up when the sheltered girl entered, and she figured that servants must be a common sight around this part. Little to her knowledge, however, the people in the bar had all reserved an eye for the girl-donned-male servant when she’d entered, appraising the value of the loot. Being the sheltered girl she was, Masako couldn’t have known about the danger of entering a building full of vagabonds alone—especially when she appeared to be a relatively young boy.

”Could I get a cup of water and a room?” Masako asked, sitting down at a empty chair by the bar. ”Please,” she added for good measure. The bartender gave the girl a snaggle-toothed grin, looking the young boy up and down. Seeing as the young servant was venturing to these parts, he was probably unfamiliar with the area and had come from afar, which would then mean that he had a larger-than-normal amount of coin on him. Meaning that he was an easy target for his usual clients.

“Sure thing, boy. Cup of water coming right up,” the grizzled man said, turning to retrieve a cup from the sink “Rooms are in the back. Head down when you’re done.” We’ll be done with you before that though, the man thought, chuckling to himself as a group of men stood up from their seats and walked over to the young servant.

---

@Damiann47

[Typical]

[Damiann47]

In the far corner sat a lone figure distant from the other patrons, and perhaps for good reason. Akane never had been the most approachable person on the planet, her unfriendly demeanor certainly didn't help, and then there was the piece of deadly metal strapped onto her left. It was common sense really, if someone were bold enough to openly carry a sword there was a good chance they'll be more than happy to make use of it, and somehow it seemed this went double for a swordswoman rare as they might be.

At the moment Akane was perfectly content with her sake since after all why else would you visit a tavern of all places? She downed another cup of the intoxicating fluid, feeling the sting as it passed down her throat, but a sensation she was used to honestly. All seemed peaceful, and that despite the number of less savory characters present there hasn't been a fight or anything of the sort; as for Akane it was fair to say she didn't have a problem with the odd moment of serenity.

Then came walking in a newcomer who imminently became the focus of all eyes in the room, even if no one actually looked up there was no doubt that they were already watching. The female ronin sighed when she realized who accidentally wandered in, a very "simple" looking servant boy. From the way he carried himself it was obvious he didn't know he was about to enter into a classic den of evil. Right away the servant approached the bar, that was definitely his second mistake, and his third was ordering something, although from where Akane watched she couldn't make out the what.

It was when a group of thugs arose from their seats that the boy's unfortunate fate was sealed. Do I feel like saving a life tonight... Akane asked herself as she poured another cup of alcohol. She could take on any of these brutes, the potential fight would be the easy part, but it'll also mean an unavoidable end to her night of drinking. Better pay me back for this, boy. Was her final thought on the matter, her right hand clenched and readying for combat, waiting for the time right moment to intervene.

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

Masako looked up from her cup of water in surprise when someone sat down next to her, and her eyes widened in surprise when she discovered that it was a group of men rather than just one that had gathered around her. “So what brings you to this part of town, Boy-ya?” the man who had sat down asked. Masako immediately pegged him as the leader of the group, and the thought that someone like that had sat down to talk to her caused her voice to tremble a little as she answered.

”I—I’m on the road to Shikagawa,” Masako said, naming a city a day or two down the road. She remembered the name of the city from her father’s travels, but apart from the geological location she didn’t know much else about the city. If questioned, she’d have nothing to say in return, and that scared her. The man next to her cocked his head in amusement, revealing a long, brown scar on the side of his neck that was smooth with age.

“Funny, shouldn’t you have taken another route? You’re going awfully far from the main route to Shikagawa,” the scarred man said, examining his fingernails as the other men chuckled. Suddenly, it dawned on Masako that she was surrounded. I’m going to die here? she thought, eyes catching on a glint of metal at one of the men’s waist. A dagger. Then so be it, Masako thought, eyes hardening. But I didn’t run this far to go down without a fight.

Masako clenched the ceramic cup in her hands a little tighter. If she hit one of the men with the cup and shattered it, she could use a shard to stab at least one more before they were upon her. She took a deep breath just as someone cleared their throat behind the crowd of men.

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

It seemed the thugs were preparing to close in on the poor boy as they surrounded him, Akane had to wonder if the servant was even aware of his predicament. At this point it was only a matter of time until they simply beat the kid senseless for all his coin, so unless she wanted her altruistic intentions go to waste the ronin had to act. Silently she rose from her table, however almost right away she could feel the mood of the room sour, the other uninvolved patrons eying her up. Undoubtedly they were dreading that she'll ruin their night by turning the tavern into a battlefield, personally Akane shared their sentiment but her mind's been made up.

"...You’re going awfully far from the main route to Shikagawa,”

Akane made out the tail end of their conversation, she had no idea what they were talking about but that probably wasn't too important not when considering the risks involved. *Ahem* She cleared her throat which earned a collection of glares thrown her way.

"Say, maybe its time to leave the kid be? You all had your fun with him, but I recommend you cut some slack, he's pretty scared shitless as is." Akane addressed the group in a causal tone as if she didn't just threaten them. Purposefully she swayed to right for no other reason than to show off the blade by her side, perhaps making the prospect of a brawl even less appealing, and with some luck the head man here wasn't bullheaded enough to throw his life away.

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

“Mind your own business, woman,” the scarred man said scathingly, standing up. Masako glanced nervously to the woman who had interrupted, taking in her intimidating demeanor and the sword at her side. Was she a samurai?

The bartender didn’t bother looking up from his work, and neither did any of the other tavern-goers. It was custom to turn a blind eye to the things one saw in their travels, and only rarely did any debacles escalate too much indoors. People usually had the decency to take their business outside the tavern in exchange for a constant, quiet relationship with the tavern owners—people who were usually connected to those higher up both in and out of the law.

The leader of the pack seemed to be more offended about the fact that he had been challenged by a woman than that he had been caught bullying some boy. When the woman didn’t back down immediately, he stood, towering over her with a demeaning grin. “Of course, if you wanted something else… “

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

Akane simply nodded, and inhaled deeply while staring right back at the man, well it wasn't like she didn't try the peaceful option.

*CRACK*

Now free from its place at her waist, a black scabbard smashed right into the side of the brute's head, frankly it was unclear if the ear shattering crack came from the contact itself, or if that was his skull caving in. Without so much as a groan the "leader" fell face first to the floor, perhaps he was still alive however the building pool of blood said otherwise. Not a single soul moved, no one but Akane who drew her blade, gripping the lethal instrument in her right hand then allowed the bloodied scabbard to fall to the floor. The silence within the tavern was almost deafening, and for all their bravado it seemed not even her opposition could force themselves to act.

That is until one particular fool broke the calm as he came charging right at her with a hatchet in hand, yelling obscenities of all kinds. Wildly he swung with reckless abandon but found himself unable to connect with the ronin as she kept sidestepping out of harm's way. This struggle continued for another few seconds until Akane caught the berserker with a single slice to the abdomen, gutting the man with that one clean cut.

Akane's minor victory was cut short as she came under assault from three more as they barreled towards her at once, wielding all sorts of improvised weaponry from crude clubs to makeshift shivs. The first was skewed through the chest where his own momentum did all the work, effortlessly Akane pulled her sword from the now lifeless corpse as it slumped onto the floor. The second, the one with the club, actually came close to landing a blow until the piece of wood was parried away by a proper weapon, taking advantage of the opportunity Akane grabbed the man's scraggly hair and threw him to the floor. The petty criminal lied on his back, groaning in pain but was abruptly silenced as Akane, in a streak of brutality, violently smashed his face in with her sandaled foot; a mixture of teeth, gums, and blood exploded on contact painting the wooden surface beneath and well... everywhere else.

When Akane turned to handle her final opponent it became apparent that he, and his remaining comrades had lost their appetite for vengeance. Their faces pure white with terror, "Y-y-uuuo MONSTER!" Someone barely managed to shriek, "Go-goddamn this! RUN!" Panicked another. The group scrambled over each other, soundly routed from the tavern, it was also at this point Akane came to realize they were alone. She didn't notice while in the heat of the moment, but everyone else must've fled once the fighting actually began. All who remained was herself, the boy, and the owner.

Akane pulled a small pouch from her kimono which now was stained with suspicious spots of crimson, and tossed it to the owner. "For the drinks... and the mess." She breathed heavily, her heart still pounding in her chest. After she recovered her scabbard, and returned the sword to its place she was about ready to leave, staying was anything but an option. Akane stopped to look over the servant, and sighed. "Sticking around is a bad idea, you better get out as well."

---

Welp forgot to mention you this time.

[Typical]

Masako watched in frozen awe as the woman cut down enemy after enemy, face composed throughout. As a daughter of a daimyo, Masako had been spared many of the horrors of life, but death had not been one of them. At the tender age of seven she’d had her eyes opened to the bright, dark red of blood welling forth from a samurai when she’d snuck out to watch the Seppuku of one of her father’s samurai, not yet having known what the word meant.

Although she hadn’t understood just what had happened back then, she knew enough to figure that someone had just died, while perhaps not peacefully, honorably. And this clash of swords was by no means honorable.

At the woman’s words, Masako blinked in surprise as her brain took a moment to process the words. When she did, however, Masako almost tripped over in shock and fear of--of what?

Righting her stance, the girl nodded vigorously and turned to the door to find everyone in the bar looking at the two women standing astride the bloody mess of the floor. Masako hesitated before looking back at her mysterious savior. Perhaps...

The look on the servant boy's face told the tavern owner what was going to happen next, and he almost crowed in amusement. So the boy was one of those, huh? The ones who thought they were entitled and rich enough to pick up bodyguards with the change in their pockets. Well, he'd seen how such exchanges went before, and he didn't want any more blood dirtying up his bar today.

"I suggest finding another tavern for the night," the man said as he used a rag to clean off Masako's cup, his tone not leaving room for protest. Masako's eyes widened, and she quickly followed the woman out of the tavern.

”Wait!” Masako called to the tall woman, jogging to catch up to her brisk pace. ”I have a request! I'll give you all my gold if you accompany me as a guard to the northern kingdom!”

---

@damiann47

[Damiann47]

Akane took her leave without another word, her business there was done and honestly it would be preferable to get some distance from her latest bloodbath. The ronin kept a good pace already thinking over what she'll do next, perhaps find a good place to camp for the night. It was then a certain kid called to her, it was also at this point Akane noticed just how... feminine he sounded, yet she quickly dismissed the thought thinking it was probably nothing, perhaps he simply hasn't hit purity... odd as that might be for a boy of his apparent age.

"... Uh... what?" Akane frowned, did she hear this boy correctly? "For a servant you have some unexpected coin, or are you stealing from your lord?" She sighed and massaged her temples, who the hell was this kid? "Look, dirty money or not its best you forget about a ronin like me. Don't know what kind of impression my display left on you, but I'm the farthest thing from a 'hero' as you can get, believe me."

Akane's paused, her expression notably softened and again she sighed. "But... I guess I also chased you out of the only tavern for miles around, so the least I can do is offer you a warm fire but nothing more. Come" She turned back to continue forwards and waved for the kid to follow. Maybe she'll regret taking on an extra body like this, it usually never ends well, but for whatever reason she was in particularly altruistic mood.

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

Masako couldn’t help a grin when the ronin agreed to take her in for the night, and she followed enthusiastically, mind whirling in an attempt to try to find something to start the conversation with. Indeed the woman had brought up a good point—how would she justify her money? Perhaps she could tell the truth, but that would have to come much, much later. As ignorant as she was of the world in general, even the highest ranked nobles couldn’t escape the web of deceit that seemed to crop up wherever greed and desire existed. Indeed, even the shogun had to put up with such mundane things as they would easily bring about his downfall should he not watch his tongue and use his ear.

”Where are you going, by chance?” Masako asked, remembering to deepen her voice this time. Silently giving thanks to the gods that the ronin hadn’t realized her slip up. ”Perhaps we may be heading the same way? If so, I can give you the gold as a exchange fee as you are escorting me,” she continued, looking around with a wry smile. ”There doesn’t seem to be a better person for this request right now, and I’ll most likely be spending another few days in the county.”

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

Akane just couldn't pin this kid down, he seemed way too eager for someone who just witnessed the death of four men, and even then was more than happy to accompany the woman who was responsible for those deaths. Honestly Akane was a little afraid of him in a way, no one should be this calm especially not a young boy.

"Nowhere." Akane shrugged. "Suppose going north isn't a bad general direction if that's what you're asking, but no I don't have a specific goal in mind."

Akane glanced back to the boy, noticing his smile. "Something's been bugging me... I've known professional soldiers who crack after their first touch with death, but you... well, just how the hell are you so calm?" She decided to finally ask, if nothing else she wanted to make sure the boy in her company wasn't some kind of psychopath, for obvious reasons she definitely wouldn't want to deal with such a character.

Masako blinked, pausing as she processed the ronin's words. ”This isn't my first time seeing death,” she said slowly, thinking through her words carefully. Indeed, why hadn't she been afraid of the ronin when she'd just see the woman kill so many men? ”And the way you killed them,” Masako continued, looking up at the woman, ”it wasn't cruel. You were honorable and fair, and they had their chance to back off and keep their lives. The fact they didn't is their fault, not yours.”

The ronin came close to laughing that she actually covered her mouth to stop the outburst, but then shook her head. "There's hardly anything honorable about killing, kid, its a damn grim, and horrible business at its core." Akane stopped in place to stare down the boy. "There's not mistake that what I'm saying is hypocritical as all hell, and there's no argument against that, just..." She paused, honestly unsure how she should continue, but also considering why tell some random kid all this? If he was someone who's unnaturally comfortable with death, then that's his problem.

"Never mind. Let's just keep going." Akane turned her attention back to the road, they still needed to find a place to settle down.

Masako fell quiet at the ronin's words, unsure of how to feel. Was her indifference to death unnatural? But Seppuku was considered honorable, and her father and brothers had always watched the slow process with emotionless faces. Setting the issue aside, Masako looked around for a good campsite, realizing that she hadn't a single clue as to what she was looking for. A sheltered patch of dirt or grass? Somewhere surrounded by bushes or rocks? A ditch or cave?

”How about over there?” Masako said at last, pointing towards a clear patch of dirt beside a fallen tree. The not-yet-hollow log seemed like a good seat or backrest for a weary traveler.

Akane examined the area the servant pointed at, and immediately shook her head. "Sleeping right next to a road is the best way to get mugged, but I guess now's a good enough time to find a good place. Try to find somewhere that's concealed, thick undergrowth, a cave, or some outcropping, anything to keep us out of direct line of sight."

After trekking through the wilderness and gaining some distance from the road, Akane stopped. "Here." They had come across a decent sized cave, after a quick look around the ronin concluded there was nothing nasty living inside. She nodded over to her companion. "I'll start by finding some tinder and get a fire going, you should go find some wood. Just sticks would do, just make sure they're dry and stay away from green wood, that stuff won't light well."

”Okay,” Masako said, following the ronin as the woman scanned the floor for kindling. Where can I find sticks? the girl thought, looking around the barren forest floor. Summer was just around the corner, and the trees were finally starting to finish budding and transition completely to photosynthesizing energy with their leaves. This, however, also meant that they hadn't started shedding leaves and branches for winter.

Stooping down, Masako scanned the ground for anything that even slightly resembled a stick, but to little success. There were a few dried twigs scattered here and there, but hardly big enough for a fire. Perhaps a bush? Masako thought, approaching a withered shrub towards the side of the cave. Bending the shrub's branches, Masako found that the bush still had a few years of life left in its gnarled branches. But branches that fall off, Masako realized, squatting down to peer under the bush. There were all sorts of dried fauna beneath the leafy shrub, and Masako quickly seized a few medium-sized branches that seemed presentable enough.

”Ronin-san!” Masako called, waving the sticks she'd found in the air for the woman to see. ”Are these sticks good?”

Akane looked over to the kid, carrying a bundle of dry twigs and undergrowth in her hands. Ronin-san... huh... The ronin approached the servant to examine the wood he found, then nodded. "Yeah, these will do but you need to gather some more, we want to keep the fire going all night preferably. A good armful should be enough. In the meanwhile I'll try to get this tinder going."

The next ten minutes were spent with Masako carrying small armfuls of leaves and sticks towards the makeshift fireplace inside the cave. By the fifteen minute mark, the odd pair managed to get a healthy fire going inside the hollow brown-and-gray face of stone.

”Do we just sleep on the floor?” Masako asked, examining the dusty stone under her sandals. Having never spent a day without a tatami mat and a cotton blanket, she found it hard to believe that one could fall asleep on such a uncomfortable-looking flat surface.

Akane raised an eyebrow. "Well yeah, not like we got mats to sleep on." With a groan the woman sat down, located near the mouth of the cave, and with her back right against the stone wall. She then untied the sword from her waist to lay down beside herself, on the left side of course.

Masako hesitated, looking at the floor with a dubious expression. However, a glance towards the now-resting ronin reminded Masako of how tired she was, and she quickly laid down as well. The fire crackled quietly between the two women, and Masako braved the nagging question on her mind. ”My name is Saku,” she started hesitantly, eyes trained on the stone ceiling. ”Can I ask what yours is?”

In response Akane tilted her head, "I don't believe that's your name, but you got your reasons I guess, so... Saku then?" She placed a hand onto her chest. "Well call me Akane, just Akane. Its probably good to get some kind of name so I don't have to keep calling you kid all the time."

”Akane,” Masako repeated, tracing the characters of the name in her mind. ”What a pretty name.”

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

Masako woke up when a chilly breeze that so often graced the spring mornings of the country blew into the cave. Stretching and letting a shiver wash through her body, the girl looked across the now-cold fireplace to the empty cave floor on the other side. Akane! Masako realized with wide eyes, shooting to her feet but almost tripping in the process, her toes cold from mere socks and sandals. Looking around with wide eyes, Masako surmised that her rescuer must have taken off in the early morning, eager to ditch the clueless baggage.

Masako tensed. Her hand shot to her robes, relaxing when she felt the familiar bag of gold there. At least the ronin had been a decent person, even if she did leave. That Masako was sure off. Having spent years surrounded by lies in the Daimyo courts, the girl had developed and innate sense for the quality of a person. This allowed her to easily gauge someone’s personality, faint emotions, and veracity as well as respond in kind. But the skill had only found her the right person, not made them stay. Sighing, the girl straightened and dusted herself off before exiting the cave.

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

Of course the ronin hadn't exactly abandoned the boy, rather she got up a fair bit earlier and instead of lounging about she decided to step out to get some fresh air. When Saku, who's name truthfully was probably made up, exited the cave he'll encounter her just outside. The first notable thing about Akane on this morning was her clothing, or well retaliative lack of, although that's not to say she was completely in the buff. Cloth wrapping around her chest, and a simple pair of pants kept her decent; while then her kimono, socks, and sandals were piled in a neat stack close to the cave entrance.

Akane was in the middle of what appeared to be a series of exercises as she slashed and stabbed at empty air with her sword. Saku's presence was still unknown to the woman as she continued to practice by displaying a wide variety of techniques, her skin slick and shining with to sweat. It was perhaps five minutes until she finally noticed the boy standing around, and once she did then stopped to wave at the kid. "Hey!" She called out, her breaths somewhat rough from her recent burst of activity. "You were sleeping in so I decided to get a bit of practice in, would much rather spar instead honestly, but eh there's still something to gain from poking at the air I guess."

The ronin sheathed her blade then started to walk up towards Saku, "Well, you got your promised night by a fire, but I figured it would be rude to suddenly disappear, still I would like to remind you that I haven't agreed to anything more." Akane sighed, laying a hand on her hip. "That said, also have to admit that I'm convinced you'll end up dead before long, making my effort from last night be for nothing... you're going north, right?"

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

The sight of Akane practicing her swordsmanship greeted Masako when she emerged from the cave, and the girl fell into an awed silence as she watched the ronin. Each cut was executed smoothly and with purpose, the air parting demurely for the blade’s arc. Masako lost track of time until Akane looked up and waved at him, sounding winded but still confident. ”You should have woken me,” Masako said, eyes dropping to the floor as she trailed off. Somehow she still managed to be the pampered girl she always was, and that needed to change. Akane interrupted her thoughts by continuing her spiel, and Masako’s brain seized on the important details gleefully.

”Thank you!” she told the woman honestly, a grin on her face as she bowed a few times. ”Accompanying me is enough for now,” Masako said, reaching for her pouch of coin, ”but I can’t let you do that for free. Take this as the fee. If you’re not willing to, at least take some,” Masako said, remembering how Akane had reacted to her previous offer. ”This gold is for my travels, and it’s only fair if I split it with the person accompanying me.”

The ronin’s last question caused Masako to pause. ”I am, for now,” Masako admitted, offering an awkward smile. ”I’m actually not sure where to go. To tell the truth, I’m looking to leave the state, so North seemed like the best option.”

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

True enough, over the night Akane thought about what she should do about Saku, and honestly she couldn't just leave the kid alone with a clear conscious. He was just... odd, so naive yet completely indifferent to death itself, not exactly what you expect some an everyday servant boy. This wasn't part of her plans, and she seriously didn't want to take on an extra body... at the very least Akane had to hope she didn't just make a very, very stupid decision.

"Your coin belongs to you, I'm not someone who takes jobs like this, and I don't live off of handouts." Akane refused the money, "Nor do I consider us to be permanent partners either, so it would not make sense to combine our money." The ronin explained in a matter of fact way, when material wealth is added into any situation it always complicates matters, and besides she still didn't want to deal with potentially dirty money; the boy standing before her was still a mostly unknown stranger, she couldn't forget that.

Akane pushed past Saku to retrieve her kimono and to start redressing. "Well north is a good enough direction as any I suppose."

---

@Dusksong

[Typical]

[Typical]

”Okay. At least let me pay for food then,” Masako said, averting her eyes as the woman redressed. It wasn’t polite to stare, especially when people might have scars that they wished to hide. ”The Northern Kingdom—what is it like? Have you ever been there? I just know that if you want to escape from the South, you’d head North,” Masako said, frowning. Her eyes widened when she realized she may have said too much.

”I’m just curious, that’s all,” she said, giving Akane an awkward grin. ”Haven’t been out much at all. Just around the—”Akane looked down at her garbs—”estate and whatnot. But I’m done with that now, and I’m looking for somewhere to settle down.”

Masako looked around at the forest, frowning when she realized she didn’t know the way back to town. She had been too excited, too caught up in the fact that Akane had agreed to come with her to pay much attention to her surroundings. Thus, the girl waited patiently for the ronin to finish up so they could hit the road—in the right direction

Akane turned around, atlhough still only half dressed, with a notable frown occupying her features. "Look, your business only belongs to you, but I don't appreciate being lied to all the time, at least not when its obvious." The ronin sighed, an edge of annoyance present in her voice. "If you don't want to tell me something I don't mind that, I would rather you just say as much... really though I want to stress that you're no good at lying."

Masako was silent for a moment, eyes wide at the ronin's accusation. While it was on the most part true, Masako had considered their conversations to be relatively truthful, at least compared to the double-edged blades and poisoned words she'd often heard exchanged between nobles. However, it was true that Masako wasn't good at lying. As a wholly honest person at heart, her mother had often advised her to "keep her mouth shut unless specifically instructed to otherwise."

”Sorry,” Masako said, dropping her eyes to the floor. ”I will keep that in mind.”

Akane rubbed a hand through her midnight hair and once again sighed, somewhat feeling a little guilty herself, even then she truly meant it. "Good, again you really don't need to tell me everything, whatever is going on with you I don't want to know." The ronin quickly tied up her kimono, long as the boy learned something that's all she wanted.

"Anyway, let's get down to business. I didn't realize you wanted to go that far north since the situation up there is... dangerous." Akane explained. "Hashimoto territory isn't all that nice of a place, or so I hear. Not to mention you'll have to pass through a huge no-man's-land that's just infested with bandits and sickness. Honestly no matter what you're running from I say its best to stay in Shinma controlled land, at least you'll be relatively safer here."

The woman could only wonder about the deepening mystery about Saku. Who the hell would want to venture off into the north, not young servant boys that's for sure.

Masako swallowed. She'd almost forgotten about the horror stories about the vast land that stretched between the Southern country of Shinma and the Northern country of Hashimoto. Many a tale spoke of the horrors that befell those who dared to venture out of the Shinma boundaries, but Masako knew that she could not remain in Shinma. Here, she would always be hunted, and she would be forced to hide herself away as if she didn't exist. No, Masako would rather brave the terrifying no man's land than subject herself to a life of shadows and secrecy.

And, despite all the rumours of the warlord of Hashimoto, Masako had yet to hear of the atrocities he has committed. There were no stories of his mercilessness like there had been of a Daimyo in eastern Shima, nor were there tales regaling his warmongering ways like how the current Shogun did when he was younger. Rather, it just seemed like an accepted fact that the Hashimoto was worse than Shinma, and it took only one whispered conversation she'd overheard from a trader to plant doubt into Masako's mind

"If I could go back to the North, I would," a peddling merchant had muttered after Masako's father had turned him out for the night, refusing his paintings on the basis that they were not "grand" enough for the Takeya name. "Hashimoto would never condone such rude treatment in his country."

The merchant had been old beyond his years, and indeed it did not seem like he could make a journey over the war-ravaged middle lands. Nevertheless, his words had struck a cord within Masako, and they'd stayed with her.

”Have you ever heard anything bad about Hashimoto?” Masako asked the ronin, looking up at her. ”Anything concrete, other than that they have less fertile lands and less hands for their army.”

Akane shrugged "Don't know, from what I figure when a warlord comes marching through its not going be a good time for whoever lives there, but no I've heard nothing that can be more than just a rumor... but..." The black haired woman trailed off, then inhaled deeply. "Well, nothing but this one story, it tells of some kind of paradise right on the most northen tip of Yokohama. Perfect lush, green fields of an oasis in what's otherwise a frozen wasteland. Magical water that supposed to heal old age, any kind of sickness, and even to bring back the dead. What's more all who find this place are granted eternal sanctuary by the Gods themselves, divine protection where ever you go. Its also been said that the reason why the warlord of Hashimoto has even gone to war is to take this paradise for himself, that he needs to build resources and manpower."

The ronin sighed and dismissibly waved a hand. "I would never stake my life trying to find this, 'paradise' since it really sounds too good to be true, but I know plenty of folk have ran off to discover it."

”I've never heard of the 'paradise' you spoke of, but I have reasons for wanting to leave Shinma,” Masako said, frowning. ”I'd prefer not to speak of them, but I also can't ask you to risk your life and accompany me through the ravages.” Masako paused, eyes dropping to the ground. ”However, I'd like to make the selfish request that you accompany me to the Shinma borders. There, soldiers gather for war, and I will try to find the greatest among their ranks to help me cross to Hashimoto.”

"Its a bad idea through and through going to Hashimoto, but I can do that, no further than the border." Akane simply responded. "I just don't know what it is you'll find out there..."

Masako gave the ronin a wry smile. ”To be honest, I don't either. A warground, perhaps, or a barren land of death. Nevertheless,” Masako said, stretching her limbs to prepare for the start of their trek that morning, ”I hope I survive it.”

With a small, humorless smile, Masako took to the road. Akane followed suit, her face unreadable.

[Typical]

The village was bustling with life when Masako and Akane arrived, but not because of the usual trade or celebrations common to Masako’s home city. Rather, mothers and children were cheering by the roadside as men handed out spears and swords and any sort of sharp metal they could find, parading their weapons around the village and shouting “hunt! Hunt! Hunt!”

”Excuse me,” Masako said, flagging down a passing woman who was holding a dirt-caked shovel in one hand and a metal rake in the other, ”would you mind telling me what is happening right now? My—” Masako glanced at Akane, “—friend and I happened to be passing through when we heard the ruckus, and we were wondering what was going on.”

“Well there ain’t much to say,” the woman said, setting the farm tools down and letting the metal ends sink into the clumpy dirt below. “The men are organizing a hunt for the silver wolf that’s been roaming the mountains recently. Yesterday it killed another kid—its second—and that’s the end of the line. The village held an impromptu vote and unanimously decided to get rid of it.”

Masako’s eyes grew wide at the news. Yes she’d heard of wild animals killing villagers, but she’d never bought into it much. It’d always seemed unlikely to her that the animal that once wore the graceful pelts that adorned her father’s study could be capable of such violence, but then again she’d never seen a real wolf in action.

“Who’re you?” a man demanded, spotting the odd pair lingering on the outskirts of the parade. “Anka, who are these two?”

“They’re travelers, Obutsu,” the woman—Anka—said, looking at Masako again. “Bad timing to come for a visit, but perhaps your friend could help with the hunt?” Anka asked, looking to the sheathed katana at Akane’s side before sliding her hands up to meet the ronin’s sharp gaze. “Nice eyes, this one. Should be good with the sword.”

”Akane?” Masako asked, looking to the ronin at her side. There had been no talk of what the woman would and wouldn’t do when escorting Masako to the border, and Masako wasn’t sure herself what she wanted to do.

---

@Damiann47

[Damiann47]

"Hmm?" Akane looked back at Saku, and then the woman who was apparently named Anka. Were they asking her if she would take part in their hunt? That seemed worrying, mostly that they were willing to take in a stranger, much less a ronin of all people. "I have to say no, we're simply passing through and I would rather not get involved."

Still as Akane examined it the scene around it, she had to admit they were really mobilizing for something big, a lot more than just an everyday hunt for a silver colored wolf. "Although you are putting some real effort into this hunt, is the beast that dangerous?" She question, yet still preferring to keep out of this business. Fighting men was simple, it didn't take much to get in someone's head to predict what they'll do, but a beast was a different story.

Akane also had to wonder what Saku would want to do, even though their partnership was anything but permanent they should still agree on what to do as a pair. Honestly she had a feeling that they boy would want to help the village out, not without uncertainty just it felt like something the kid would do. Haven't voiced your thoughts yet." She looked down at her companion.

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@Dusksong

[Typical]

Masako frowned when Akane said she didn’t want to get involved. Two children had been killed and Akane wanted to just walk away?

“We haven’t had a wolf around here in ten years,” Anka said, lifting the pair of tools again with a grunt. “Thought they were extinct, but guess not.”

“This one’s got guts, coming back and eating humans,” Obutsu said, pounding his chest, “but with ol’ Obutsu here in the hunt, no one has anything to be afraid of.”

“Why don’t you go make yourself useful and take these tools to Jozuki?” Anka said, sighing and handing the tools to a grumbling Obutsu. She clapped her hands together before turning back to Akane and Masako. “Obutsu’s an airhead, but he means well. Hope you two have a safe journey then, if you’re not stopping. If you are, we could always use the spare hands.”

Masako waited until Anka left to speak. ”Akane, do you really think we shouldn’t lend a hand?” she asked, eyes wide as she looked at the ronin. ”Who knows how many people might die, or whether they’d even find the wolf.” Masako pursed her lips in thought, frowning. While Akane definitely had the skills to take the animal on, battle always meant the risk of injury, and Masako couldn’t ask that of another person.

”Maybe we should keep moving,” Masako said, more to herself than to the ronin next to her. ”After all, we’re wasting daylight if we stay.”

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@Damiann47