Blackfeather Woods 緑

to hear that this woman was protected by masa did surprise him. he did not often encounter samurai willing to weaken their position by keeping women around - but then, he considered, this could have been for the boy's sake.

she looked too well cared for to be a peasant and lacked the desperation that might lead a woman to sell herself; so then he wondered about their arrangement.

masa had the composition of a true samurai. his sense of honor would prevent such attachments. kikyo knew the teachings of bushido well, but could not say the same of himself.

what brought you here to live among them? a betrothal? it wasn't out of the realm of possibility; neither was it important except to feed kikyo's curiosity.