Chapter 17: Shizuka

After waking up the next morning, the groups once again set out to the capital city.

After another 4 hours of running, they finally came across a large wall with samurai guarding the entrance.

"HALT!!" yelled one of the samurai to the them.

"Name, Purpose, and Identification." the other samurai asked them as Madara walked forward and gave the papers that have their identities on them before saying

"We are here to escort Lord Naito to the Land of Lightning."

The two samurai then gave Madara a paper before allowing them entrance, and Adrian was shocked by the look of the city.

Many unique colors and designs lined the stores and homes, with many of it being so unique that he had to doubt the level of his Clan Compund.

"That was my reaction too." said Izuna with a smile as he saw Adrian's shocked look.

They then went to the home of the Lord they were supposed to be escorting. After another identification check, they were allowed entrance into the home as they waited for the Lord to appear.

After waiting for 15 minutes, an obese man holding a fan came down the stairs and was followed by a figure being carried in a palanquin.

"It seems the Uchiha and Hagorormo Clan like to leave their clients waiting, perhaps I should have gone to the Senjus." the man spoke to himself, although it was loud enough for everyone in the home to be able to hear it.

They could only grit their teeth in silence as to not offend the noble, however Madara then spoke to him to get everyone's mind of the topic.

"Lord Naito, may we learn the purpose of your visit to the Land of Lightning?"

Naito then seemed to think about it for a moment before he said

"I don't see why not. I'm taking my daughter to the son of the Land of Lightning's Daimyo for him to take her as a bride." the man spoke with pride. While many of the younger members of the expedition didn't understand, the older members and those with high knowledge pitied the girl's fate.

The group then watched as the samurai helped the Lord get into his carriage, while the girl followed behind in the palanquin.

The two groups set off, leaving the Capital and heading towards the Land of Lightning.

They traveled at a constant speed until the sun began to set, with them making their way to the border of the Land of Fire.

They were forced to make camp for the night at that location, with the noble instructing the samurai to prepare his food as soon as they stopped.

Everyone then settled as they prepared to eat while Adrian ate with Izuna.

However, Adrian noticed that not a single samurai had taken the girl anything to eat, so he tried to erase his presence as much as he could before grabbing a plate of the food and bringing it to her.

Izuna simply spared a glance before returning to his food.

He then arrived near the palanquin before saying "Are you hungry?" which seemed to catch the girl by surprise.

She then seemed conflicted, but Adrian heard a soft voice that said "Yes."

He then gave her the plate through the curtain so she could eat the food. He simply stood shocked as she gave the plate back in about 2 minutes and said "Thank you."

He started to think that the girl was not as nible as she seemed but before he could say anything, he saw a samurai start walking toward them.

"I have to leave now, I'll see you later." Adrian said.

However before he could go far, he heard her say softly "What's your name ?"

He responded "Adrian, what's yours?"

All he heard while leaving was a single word "Shizuka."