5) Leaving the Snow-Cloaked Forest

*Next Day, early morning*

*Whoosh... Whoosh... BOOM... swish-bang*

"Ah~?Ah?! What's going on? Where-ah... yesterday..." Mio, who was awoken by loud sounds seemed puzzled as to where she was, until she saw Isshin practicing with a sword, creating gusts of wind with every slash, each one, looking the exact same as the previous.

'How is he able to create such strong winds just by swinging a sword? Perhaps he's a pirate? No, pirates can't be this kind, especially to someone like me... so he must be one of those Marines, the Defenders of Justice, the Slayers of Evil.' she thought of this while staring at Isshin with sparkling eyes, imagining him as a hero in shining armour, cape flapping, as he rescued her from certain death.

"You're awake. Eat up, then we're leaving." he spoke pointing to some roasted meat nearby, along with some fruits, before returning to his training.

"Leave? Where to" Mio asked, curious as to where they're next destination was to be.

"To human civilization. We need to get some new clothes, stock up on supplies, and gain some knowledge of where we are."

"N-n-no!"

"Hm?"

"I-I don't want to go back to that place!" she spoke aloud at first, her voice softening with each word, until her last word was as loud as a whisper, although, Isshin, with his superior senses, could hear perfectly.

"Is this something relating to your past? Don't worry. Whatever used to threaten you, no longer matters, because I am here." he replied, his gaze sharpening before mellowing out, sensing that he startled her.

"Okay then..." she said, with a resigned look on her face.

"Cheer up, little one, once we get there, I'll buy some pretty clothes to wear."

"Umm..Do you even have any money?"

"Kuhum! Don't worry about that." he coughed into his fist, just remembering that he was no longer the ruler of a Kingdom.

'I need to obtain some money, and fast.' he made a mental note.

"Excuse me, but do you have any water?" Mio asked, thirsty from not having drunk any water for quite sometime.

"Here" he threw over the Healing Gourd, which she caught with both hands, before opening it and drinking a little, before her eyes lit up, and proceeded to drink more.

"Kuhaha! Drink slowly, or you're going to choke, little one."

...

*Sometime later*

"It is time to leave. Let us go, little one." Isshin declared, done with his training as Mio, who was watching from nearby, stood up and ran over to him, her head barely reaching upto his waist as she looked up at him, hesitation visible in her eyes.

"What is it?"

"Can... can I hold your hand?" she asked, looking at him with her large, beautiful eyes.

"Kuhahaha! You need not ask for such things little one!" he laughed, amused at the trivial, yet precious request.

"Anyway, how far off is the nearest human settlement, little one?"

"It is about 50km, I think." Mio replied, pointing towards the north.

"Then let us leave."

...

"Mr.Isshin."

"Hm?"

"Could you tell me about yourself?" she asked shyly.

"Kuhaha! This old man's story is nothing interesting, little one."

"Why do you call yourself an old man? You look only to be a couple of years older than me, ah, I didn't mean to pry into your own matters, I'm sorry! Please don't leave me..."

"Kuhahaha! It is just a habit. And I will not leave you behind."

"P-pinky Promise?"

"Kuhaha! Pinky Promise. Now, wipe away those tears, little one." he promised, kneeling down to her height, patting her head.

"You pinky promised! Now you can't go back!" Mio cheerfully exclaimed, throwing her hands up in joy.

"Kuhahahaha! Now, shall we?" he held out hand to her.

"Umu!" she held his finger as she nodded her head, wiping away her tears, but failing miserably, only for Isshin to wipe her tears with the sleeve of his Kataginu.

'She reminds me of Emma... Pitiful child. It seems she was abandoned before by someone precious to her, and now fears being alone... this wound to her heart will take time to heal...'

...

*Some more time later*

Isshin carries Mio on his back, whose feet got tired from walking for so long. They had nearly reached their destination. The snow-white trees eventually gave way to a cliff, overlooking a village, with a path winding down the side of the cliff.

"The village is in trouble."

The serene scenery was broken by the black smoke wafting into the sky, from fires that burnt the village, people's cries of pain and fear resounding for miles.

...

A/N: Bonus Chapter! I barely had the time to write out this chapter. Again, if there are issues that you see regarding any part of the story, please feel free to inform me about it, and I'll try to improve on it.

And as usual, Give me your Powerstones, and add the fanfic to your collections!