[color=39b54a]"I think I'll remain here in Ru, if you're offering it. I'd rather make sure I'm not missing anything before I leave,"[/color] Tetsuya responded, smiling slightly, [color=39b54a]"And besides... I'm really not sure where I'm going next anyways, so I'd just be wandering until I decided that too."[/color] Aside from Shima the young Neko had really not traveled much at all in his life. The trip from his home to Shima itself had all been on one road, avoiding most major areas in case of fighting which meant he'd experienced very little of other clans. All he had to go on now was the general direction, as for the actual location of other towns he had no idea. Pretty damn embarrassing if he had to be honest, he'd not admitted to Lord Shima that he was clueless when given the job either, a fact he was now regretting. A guide might have been really nice for this, or even just someone with more idea of where to go.

Tetsuya hadn't even been paying Eri any mind for a moment, a bit surprised then when she stepped up behind him. When he felt her beginning to rub his ear he had to bite back a happy sigh, his cheeks lighting up again as he squirmed slightly. Darn it, why were people always touching his ears? They weren't playthings! The sensation was awfully nice and he almost felt like nuzzling his head into the princess' hand, but instead he took a small step away, giving her a nervous smile as he turned to face Eri.

[color=39b54a]"That would be very nice of you, thank you. Lord Shima is in your debt,"[/color] Tetsuya said, bowing yet again for the millionth time today. At this rate his back was probably going to go out, but this was how you showed gratitude to nobility, wasn't it? He'd seen plenty of people do it towards Lord Shima so that must be the case. Come to think of it though should they be accepting Eri's offer? Having the Naji involved would give them far more resources, but at the same time it meant outsiders would become involved. Tetsuya couldn't say if this was a good idea or not, yet could he really deny a princess when he was just a lowly guard? [color=39b54a]"Could you just... Please try to keep it secret? It would not only shame Lord Shima if word got out, but people might use it as a chance to do harm. I can't allow Shima or my Lord to be placed in danger because of this, I hope you understand."[/color]