Could I Stay By Your Side?

The Hunter corps is a corporation of humans who want to take over the population of demons and yokai. This group believes that the demons and yokai invaded and that humans once ruled the world. One individual, a girl who was forced into the society, an orphan in fact. Her name was Kirishige Tsuru, Kiri to some people, she was a minor hunter, skilled with a bow and arrow. She hated the corps, she knew it was wrong to capture and kill innocent people, no matter what they are. And she often wanted to know what was outside of wall Moonrose

After a while in the springs, Tadashi took Tsukiyomi back to the main bath house after drying off. "This place is an inn so we can stay the night." said Tadashi as he handed Tsukiyomi a folded robe. He slips it on as the two walk up a staircase to the second story of the inn. From a small place, it had quite a bit of rooms, small rooms with a single futon and some furniture. The two enter a room at the far end of the hallway. In the middle of the floor lay a futon, a desk in the corner of the room, an empty bookshelf, and a table and two chairs.

Tadashi took a seat at the table, turning on an oil lamp. Tsukiyomi flops down on the futon. Before he turned over though he noticed Tadashi was writing in the small journal again. Tadashi glanced up and back at Tsukiyomi who quickly turned over.

Tsukiyomi laid in the dark for a while until the lamp turned off. Tadashi shut his journal and came over to lay on the futon. It was an awkward silence between the two. "Sorry, for keeping you up." said Tadashi, shuffling around. Tsukiyomi turned back over to face Tadashi. "You didn't. I won't fall asleep right away."

"You seemed curious about my writing." Tadashi mentioned. Tsukiyomi crossed his arms. "It doesn't matter. It's your private stuff anyway. Also…uh, thanks for today..Tadashi."

Tadashi chuckled, "My hope was that this would be enough to convince you that you should be taken care of and protected. You would not be able to do everything on your own. Plus, you need to take care of yourself and stay safe." Tsukiyomi sat up and stared at Tadashi in the darkness. "Wait, so this was your plan?! You sound like a parent…although, I..wouldn't know what that sounds like anyway."

Tadashi smiled and said, "That is exactly my point. You are too young to be on your own."

At this point, Tsukiyomi was getting himself into an argument, one he wasn't going to win. But he kept on bickering anyway. "So what? Are you gonna somehow magically take me in and adopt me or something?"

"No," Tadashi said, "and I don't want you to think of me or see me as a parent. Maybe more of a friend or an apprentice." Tsukiyomi started to laugh.

"Apprentice?" he said, talking in between laughter, "I mean, I get that you're a 'super trained' guy who can fight with his sword but I am not that important."

Although, the word 'Apprentice' stuck with Tsukiyomi. It for some reason seemed familiar to him. "Alright, well, what happens if you get jumped or attacked again?" Tadashi asked, Tsukiyomi crossed his arms with a 'hmph!'

"I'll fight 'em off with my dagger!" Tsukiyomi said confidently, Tadashi shook his head.

"A dagger is not a good fighting weapon in a situation such as that. So, no, that wouldn't help you at all. What if you don't have any money?" Tadashi asked again. Tsukiyomi responded with the simple wording of, "Pickpocket, simple!"

Tadashi sighed, "At least you're honest about that. You can't steal for the rest of your life. And what about shelter, cleanliness, food, do you have any of those?" and all Tsukiyomi could think was 'God dammit, this guy is good'. Tadashi continued, "You're struggling on your own. Let me be by your side. I'll help you. What is your dream or what is your aspiration in life?"

Tsukiyomi was stunned with the last question. His 'Aspiration'? He didn't have one. "Well, no one has ever asked me that before. You can't really have a dream in Whither, anywhere at all, really. There is no point looking forward to the future if you're trapped in the middle of walls upon walls, upon walls, upon walls." Tsukiyomi laid back down, thinking that Tadashi couldn't think of anything else to ask but he was corrected. "What about outside?"

Tsukiyomi sat back up. "Outside?! Are you crazy?! No one goes outside the walls. And anyone who has gone out, never returns." Although he said it was crazy, he had always wanted to leave. But no one ever said it was impossible. Tsukiyomi decided to ask Tadashi a question. "You believe in the wall leaders and the Divinian religion thing and the legend of Rose and all that crazy shit, don't you? If so, shouldn't you know what's on the other side of Moonrose?" he asked, laying back down for the second time.

"I do not. Do you?" Tadashi said, throwing the question back at Tsukiyomi who stuttered on his words. "N-No..I don't. But if no one has ever returned then how do you know that you will? Plus, no one knows what's out there. Probably something deadly. All I know is that I haven't seen a dragon or serpent since the day I saw the sky."

Tadashi sighed and turned over. "Maybe if more people went out together, they would come back safe. Anyway, I've made up my mind and have decided to accompany you from now on."

"Hey, now, that isn't fair! I never agreed! I'm fifteen and I don't need a babysitter! You can't play lifeguard for the rest of my life or yours!" Tsukiyomi turned over and squeezed his eyes shut. But he thought that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have someone to accompany him.

Tadashi's entry, day 78 of traveling

Location: Morphine, Tao Li Hot Spring Inn

This is the second day of meeting Tsukiyomi. He had shared his past and was very emotional when telling it. He hides his feelings very well. He acts tough and thinks he can be alright on his own. But just listening about his past, it seems he needs someone to be by his side. Someone to look after him and fight for him. He should be aware that a simple dagger cannot be a battle weapon. His self defense methods are very weak. I don't mean to judge. I've taken the time to help him though. Scars tell many stories. His scars tell many more. Tsukiyomi has very long hair. When I was washing it, I was surprised at how clean it had been considering I don't know where he has been. I hope he can accept my offer of accompanying him. If not, then I might have to be persuasive on it. I've noticed, Tsukiyomi is very stubborn and I feel he still somewhat doesn't trust me. But I want him to trust me. I look forward to traveling and teaching him more. I asked him about his dream. He didn't tell me much but I assume it would be to travel outside Wall Moon Rose. For someone who is younger, seems to get in trouble a lot, travels and thrives alone, seems to be in danger 24-7, and doesn't take care of himself, although he is pretty intelligent. I hope I can earn his trust. If I succeed with that, I will teach him the things I learned from my father. Educational, academic, physical, and mental skills should be enough for him to help himself. Success is my goal.