[IC] For Love And Country: The Road To Marriage!

[xRobynx]

Sayuri watched as the elder samurai quickly lost his cool. His words were harsh and his actions quickly escalated to potential violence. As he approached her, his spear gripped tightly in her hand she took two steps back, as she did she grasped an arrow and nocked it. Just before she was about to to pull it back and fire he stopped his advance only a few meters from her. She too remained still, watching him intently. Her greatest advantage was distance, she'd never win if they got too close. She tensed as she waited.

Several seconds went by where neither moved before Tetsuo lowered his weapon and dropped to his knees before the Princess asking for forgiveness. She lowered her bow and returned the arrow to the quiver.

It appears I have shown my age. Too many years spent on the bloodied fields of battle have dulled my senses and turned my will to iron," he turned to Sayuri, "i aplogise for my outburst. They were hasty words."

“Our quarrels mean nothing right now,” she replied with a small smile tugging at her lips, “We have a duty first. We can settle matters later.”

"I stand at the groups command; where you think we should go, I will follow and where you think we should fight, I will stand my ground honourably."

She too nodded, “Likewise.”

[Midori]

Azumi stroked the horses mane as she listened to the indecisive group go back and forth at each other. Finally she decided to speak in a soft and almost whispered tone.

"you all seem to forget that the Mori patrol most of the western seas and even pirates steer clear of them. Traveling by sea was never a viable option to begin with. We'll take the forested mountain paths until we reach the north end of the range then cut east through a small village into the Buzen Province and continue north along the coast until we reach the long-bridge into Choshu. The Mori Navy may be a force to be reckoned with but their armies are mostly ashigaru and lightly trained so getting past them will be less risky than any other path. There is no safe path to travel so I will be relying on you, not if but when, trouble finds us. This is simply the way it must be."

She allowed that to set in their minds for a moment. Finally, moments later, she leaned forward to speak once more as if the horse could not here clearly. "Let's go girl." The horse gave a brief snort before starting a walk along the road carrying the young Matotsuru along with her. She knew the others had no choice but to follow. A small smile escaped briefly as she laughed at the unlikely group of escorts she had acquired. She hoped no one had caught a glimpse of that.

[Marcus XVI]

"Very well! We shall do as you say, Ito-Hime." Toshiro bowed his head and smiled while he stealthily spat on the ground and controlled his own temper quite amiably. "We'd better be on our way before the wordplay and insults turn in to a real fight." He added as he straightened up to follow after the princess. The Shimazu shook his head slightly and supressed a little chuckle as he wondered who'd be the first one in the group to really lose their temper and do something foolish?

In Toshiro's mind the group still looked very odd - a monk, armed to the teeth, an old man, also armed to the teeth, a young man... Not quite so, but still armed, two women - one of which carried a weapon... Surely there would be no questions asked if they'd stumble upon some people... A little smirk replaced the half smile as Toshiro adjusted his hat slightly. "At the very least this trip will be a memorable one - one I will gladly tell my future grandchildren about."