The Two Warriors

Mizuki finished his tale with a gentle exhale of violet smoke, having taken his pipe out in the middle of the story to smoke. He could see the gears once again turning in Evelyn's head before a flash of understanding flickered through her blue orbs, however Michael on the other hand still looked on in disbelief and Mizuki could not for the life of him find a piece of himself to care. The brother did not have the [sight]. It was normal that he would not believe. He could see her take a shaky breath and inhaled a generous amount of Elderviolet into his lungs. The properties calmed the ache in his eye.

"This can't be real." She muttered in disbelief, mirroring what her brother was feeling. "There's too much, too much going on. I-i can't...I can't do this..." tears formed at the corners of her eyes, "I w-want to go h-home..." seeing the state his sister was slowly diving into, Michael quickly got up and sidled to the side of her. His arms wrapped around her, and she immediately turned her head into his shirt, soaking the already dirty fabric. Mizuki watched with a careful eye, signalling to Ryō to come over. The black-haired male didn't even hesitate. He tilted his head in silent acquiescence.

"See about finding some proper clothes for the two of them and bring some sake too." He took a deep breath and exhaled to the side, attempting to prevent the cloud of smoke from snaking into his friend's face. "This will be a long night."

There weren't many shops open at night. Almost none, in fact. However, Ryō was not himself if not resourceful, so he found the next best thing and pottered carefully through the entry of a sake shop which he knew would still be open. There were so many men in attendance with their swords resting neglectfully by their sides. The noise was loud, boisterous and the dark-haired male groaned silently at the assault to his ears. To prevent unwanted attention, Ryō slid perfectly between the shadows and made his way to the back room. It didn't escape his notice that there were two men, hands clenching swords and sake, in the back corner of the room with a patterned symbol stitched to the breasts of their clothes. It was different to the other crest they had been investigating, with a large teardrop center, a diamond on the point and either side of the drop he could see four slits that seemed to illustrate the idea of legs. All of this was encapsulated by a sphere. Ryō felt uneasy looking at it. Mizuki will be interested. He thought grimly and shook his head. For now, he had a job to do and if estimations were correct, then the time it would take to return to camp would reach the peak of sunrise.

"Ah! Kage-sama!" The voice behind him startled Ryō out of his thoughts and caused an embarrassed flush to decorate his obscured cheeks. The voice belonged to a very petite middle-aged woman with a youthful and energetic smile. Ryō bowed in respect and greeting almost immediately.

"Miwa-san I require your assistance." The woman beamed even more and inquired with a softer and much lighter tone than her first words.

"What is it you need? We would rue the day we turn our protector away."

"I need clothes. Male, female. Neither small, and sake. You know the one he likes." Miwa's laugh tinkled in the air, sounding very much like bubbles and bells surrounding the backroom.

"You are most fortunate then! For I have procured the very bottles this morning with a shipment of fabrics." She looked to the side in thought. "I will give you mine and my husband's spares. They were from many moons ago when I was with child and could not fit into anything smaller. I will be back, yes?" Ryō watched as Miwa scurried off to an unknown part of her establishment which he assumed was their master bedroom, since she returned with her hands overflowing with articles of clothing. Instead of piling them into the arms of her surprise guest, she strode through yet another doorway and came back with them in a relatively medium sized bamboo wicker basket. At this, she pushed it into his arms and nodded her head happily.

"Yes, yes! This will do. Please don't worry for the container, I will make another some other time." She didn't even let him say thank you before once again disappearing, this time for the sake bottles. "I need no payment for these, just promise me that you will visit again with that dashingly handsome brother of yours!!" He felt so humbled to be in the presence of this woman and agreed with a glint in his eye.

"Miwa-san I will bring you those flowers you like when I return, with the best company in tow...arigatou." Her eyes seemed to tremble with unshed tears, but Ryō had left before she could utter any words.

It was certainly a bit odd for the patrons of Miwa's little sake shop to see a man with what looked like ninja garb saunter easily from the back area of the building to the exit, arms laden with what looked like women's garments and a bamboo basket strapped to his back. The soft bright colours were a stark contrast to the shadowy appearance the man seemed to favour. It undoubtedly caught the eyes of the very same two men Ryō had noticed before, because they watched him with narrowed eyes and began to slowly make their way to the exit as well. By the time they made it outside, the only sign of movement they could see were the night birds fluttering between the trees.

"Where the hell did he go?!"

"They don' call him the Walking Shadow for nothing, Yamagashi."

"Shut up Touga! Did you see what he was carrying? What would he need those for?!"

"Who knows! Maybe he likes to dress up, disguise himself."

"That's idiotic...we'll have to report this to the Master."

"No' doing it."

"Touga. I dealt with him last time!"

"Don' care. That thing is a nightmare. I'm going back inside to drink."

"Goddamnit fine. I'll pay if you come with me."

"Uuuuuugh...No matter the cost?"

"No matter the cost, yes."

"Can' go wrong with that! Your loss, buddy!"

"I'm starting to regret this already..."