Blackfeather Woods 負けるが勝ち

@Kaede @Shinjou @Lorroakan

masa does not speak as they pass beneath branches doused in shadow. only the sound of their footfalls through frost-laced underbrush fills the quiet, and once or twice, a crow’s caw cracks through the distance.
eventually, they reach the edge of the glade. there, in a pocket of stillness, wait his charges.
shinjou hirohiko. head held high as he steps close, long legs coiling. his gaze flicks first to the samurai, then to the boy with him. lorroakan.
the reaper halts a pace ahead of kaede. this is lady kaede of tamayo. she is of our people. you will give her your ear.

they range in age.

young. older. none elder.

lady kaede bows to each as masa makes his introductions. the son of hikone maintains his confidence.

only for a moment does she raise her gaze to meet that of the others.

she is soft textures wrapped in femininity. she is cool eyes lurking in eternity.

lady kaede is patient.

the skittish boy is never far. either lingering with shifty, clumsy footsteps behind masa or shinjou. as timid as ever, and perhaps feeling even more useless compared to the two samurai who reluctantly let him follow in their shadows. 

it wasn't a choice, and it wasn't as if he didn't wish to better himself. but he wasn't carved out of steel like they were. he was not meant for that life, no matter how badly he craved it. strength had never been his strong-suit; there was no use in pretending that it was. 

what he provided in return, though, was subservience. perhaps the budding knowledge of healing, though he hardly had the skills to consider himself such. and so, when masa brought the woman into the mix, he would bow to her, too. 

a lady. one of importance. he does not know more than her name; but it does not matter. he bows regardless, a friendly but nervous twitch to his tail. "lady kaede," he parrots. he doesn't meet her gaze, but he smiles regardless. "a pleasure."

Awaiting his lord’s return and having ventured on a reconnaissance through the surrounding lands, Shinjou had made his way back to the spot where he had been left, still accompanied by that lanky fellow, Lorroakan. He now found himself feeling less like a samurai and more like a reluctant babysitter. With a long and exaggerated sigh meant to convey his growing irritation, he settled down a short distance away, passing the young man without a word, idly gnawing on a femur he had picked up during his excursion.

But at last, relief came—Masa-dono had returned, bearing most excellent news. A lady. A true lady, this time. It was about time! Shinjou straightened at once to pay his respects to his lord, then turned his gaze toward the newcomer, introduced as a lady rather than a courtesan. At this revelation, his ears drooped ever so slightly, momentarily weighed down by the burden of disappointment.

Lady Kaeda. He bowed deeply, his nose mere inches from the ground, a show of deference befitting one of noble station. I am Shinjou Hirohiko of Kodaina Tochi. It is an honor to have you among us, he declared before rising once more.

they do not burden him with unsatisfactory introductions. there is a harsh noise made in response; a grunt, or a scoff—it is hard to be certain.
eyes raise to probe both men first; then, sweep swift to the lady, where he offers the firm dip of his own head. dark crown lowering.
you will be treated with honor among us, kaede-sama. you have my word, which is my bond. and nothing in the man's persona is to say otherwise. masa then sweeps forwards, cutting gaze over shinjou, jerking head to beckon him away.
leaving kaede and lorroakan to be alone amongst themselves briefly. lending his head low, voice hushed. we move again soon. too much time has been spent here. is it paranoia that claims the samurai's mind?

He had withdrawn alongside his lord, ears keenly pricked as he listened to his assessment of the situation. He was already eager to move—not such a foolish notion, after all. Better to remain in motion when one sought to erase one’s tracks. But what was there to flee from here?

I have sensed no pack in these lands, nor any sign of threat, Shinjou declared, bolstered by his patrols and reconnaissance forays. Had danger lurked nearby, Lorroakan—that lanky kid—would surely have been devoured by now. And yet, was Shinjou perhaps too sure of himself?

Where are we heading, like this, with all these people? he asked, intrigued. Not that he would complain about the presence of the striking young woman, but she had not entirely dulled his sense of reason. Two warriors, and two… burdens. Civilians. And given the pace at which Masa-dono seemed to collect strays from the roadside, there would likely be more before long.

kaede's presence is one of brief disturb. she is unable to hide the compelling color of her eyes, but she veils the intention of her gaze behind ceramic serenity.

"shinjou hirohiko. the pleasure is mine. lorroakan, perhaps we will be companions." she thinks the boy will not understand her, and lifts her eyes only when the samurai and his warrior move away.

lady kaede contorts herself into this new role. she offers lorroakan a small smile, one more open than any she had given masa-sama or shinjou. 

but there would be no more words. she does not know any tongue but her own, and she is not certain that the pretty young man wants to speak with her.

someone need ta teach this boy Japanese ;;

lorroakan, ever the expressive, could not hide the glee that ruffled his withers at the lady's gentle smile. nor could he hide the admiration as he gazed into those eyes of purple; they were enchanting. a pretty lady to join their travels! his tail sways, his eyes wrinkling at the corners for only a moment or two.

he doesn't understand her—doesn't understand anyone, really, unless masa speaks in common tongue. the language barrier he hadn't anticipated...well, perhaps he could convince one of the samurai or lady kaede to teach him. 

and yet, he find himself speaking to her regardless. hoping she could understand him. hoping he isn't making a bigger fool out of himself. "if you need anything, please let me know, my lady."

his eyes sweep the horizon once, then return to the younger man. a subtle flick of his ear betrays the thought behind his silence. shinjou speaks with confidence—but masa has walked too many fields left red by certainty.
good. a fast reply.
we go onwards. to the sanctuary moonglow. masa lets tourmaline gaze seek what he might have missed. to deliver my word, then cut the tie.
his gaze flickers past shinjou, where kaede and lorroakan linger still.

He had inclined his head in assent. Yet one question continued to gnaw at him:
And then, Masa-dono? Do you intend to seek another contract along the road? Though inquisitive, he had still cast a glance over his shoulder, his eyes resting upon the fair young woman and the group’s burden.

What do you mean to do with those two, Masa-dono? He had entrusted his blade to Masa, yet found it difficult to grasp the path they were now treading. A samurai would not, by nature, voice so many doubts — his loyalty to his lord should have sufficed. But in truth, Shinjou knew too little of Masa, and less still of his true purpose.

her face is arranged to be appealing. she knows nothing of what the young man says, and masa has taken shinjou away, ahead of herself and this boy.

but he too enjoys the look of her. this is curious. he is no warrior. 

do they escort a prince?

her bow now is for lorroakan. even if kaede does not understand, she will recognize that he has spoken.

after all, he is one of them.