[color=indianred]”Okay. At least let me pay for food then,”[/color] Masako said, averting her eyes as the woman redressed. It wasn’t polite to stare, especially when people might have scars that they wished to hide. [color=indianred]”The Northern Kingdom—what is it like? Have you ever been there? I just know that if you want to escape from the South, you’d head North,”[/color] Masako said, frowning. Her eyes widened when she realized she may have said too much. 

[color=indianred]”I’m just curious, that’s all,”[/color] she said, giving Akane an awkward grin. [color=indianred]”Haven’t been out much at all. Just around the—”[/color]Akane looked down at her garbs—[color=indianred]”estate and whatnot. But I’m done with that now, and I’m looking for somewhere to settle down.”[/color]

Masako looked around at the forest, frowning when she realized she didn’t know the way back to town. She had been too excited, too caught up in the fact that Akane had agreed to come with her to pay much attention to her surroundings. Thus, the girl waited patiently for the ronin to finish up so they could hit the road—in the right direction

Akane turned around, atlhough still only half dressed, with a notable frown occupying her features. [color=slateblue]"Look, your business only belongs to you, but I don't appreciate being lied to all the time, at least not when its obvious."[/color] The ronin sighed, an edge of annoyance present in her voice. [color=slateblue]"If you don't want to tell me something I don't mind that, I would rather you just say as much... really though I want to stress that you're no good at lying."[/color] 

Masako was silent for a moment, eyes wide at the ronin's accusation. While it was on the most part true, Masako had considered their conversations to be relatively truthful, at least compared to the double-edged blades and poisoned words she'd often heard exchanged between nobles. However, it was true that Masako wasn't good at lying. As a wholly honest person at heart, her mother had often advised her to "keep her mouth shut unless specifically instructed to otherwise." 

[color=indianred]”Sorry,”[/color] Masako said, dropping her eyes to the floor. [color=indianred]”I will keep that in mind.”[/color]

Akane rubbed a hand through her midnight hair and once again sighed, somewhat feeling a little guilty herself, even then she truly meant it. [color=slateblue]"Good, again you really don't need to tell me everything, whatever is going on with you I don't want to know."[/color] The ronin quickly tied up her kimono, long as the boy learned something that's all she wanted.

[color=slateblue]"Anyway, let's get down to business. I didn't realize you wanted to go [i]that[/i] far north since the situation up there is... dangerous."[/color] Akane explained. [color=slateblue]"Hashimoto territory isn't all that nice of a place, or so I hear. Not to mention you'll have to pass through a huge no-man's-land that's just infested with bandits and sickness. Honestly no matter what you're running from I say its best to stay in Shinma controlled land, at least you'll be relatively safer here."[/color]

The woman could only wonder about the deepening mystery about Saku. Who the hell would want to venture off into the north, not young servant boys that's for sure.

Masako swallowed. She'd almost forgotten about the horror stories about the vast land that stretched between the Southern country of Shinma and the Northern country of Hashimoto. Many a tale spoke of the horrors that befell those who dared to venture out of the Shinma boundaries, but Masako knew that she could not remain in Shinma. Here, she would always be hunted, and she would be forced to hide herself away as if she didn't exist. No, Masako would rather brave the terrifying no man's land than subject herself to a life of shadows and secrecy. 

And, despite all the rumours of the warlord of Hashimoto, Masako had yet to hear of the atrocities he has committed. There were no stories of his mercilessness like there had been of a Daimyo in eastern Shima, nor were there tales regaling his warmongering ways like how the current Shogun did when he was younger. Rather, it just seemed like an accepted fact that the Hashimoto was worse than Shinma, and it took only one whispered conversation she'd overheard from a trader to plant doubt into Masako's mind

[i]"If I could go back to the North, I would," a peddling merchant had muttered after Masako's father had turned him out for the night, refusing his paintings on the basis that they were not "grand" enough for the Takeya name. "Hashimoto would never condone such rude treatment in his country."[/i]

The merchant had been old beyond his years, and indeed it did not seem like he could make a journey over the war-ravaged middle lands. Nevertheless, his words had struck a cord within Masako, and they'd stayed with her.

[color=indianred]”Have you ever heard anything bad about Hashimoto?”[/color] Masako asked the ronin, looking up at her. [color=indianred]”Anything concrete, other than that they have less fertile lands and less hands for their army.”[/color]

Akane shrugged [color=slateblue]"Don't know, from what I figure when a warlord comes marching through its not going be a good time for whoever lives there, but no I've heard nothing that can be more than just a rumor... but..."[/color] The black haired woman trailed off, then inhaled deeply. [color=slateblue]"Well, nothing but this one story, it tells of some kind of paradise right on the most northen tip of Yokohama. Perfect lush, green fields of an oasis in what's otherwise a frozen wasteland. Magical water that supposed to heal old age, any kind of sickness, and even to bring back the dead. What's more all who find this place are granted eternal sanctuary by the Gods themselves, divine protection where ever you go. Its also been said that the reason why the warlord of Hashimoto has even gone to war is to take this paradise for himself, that he needs to build resources and manpower."[/color]

The ronin sighed and dismissibly waved a hand. [color=slateblue]"I would never stake my life trying to find this, 'paradise' since it really sounds too good to be true, but I know plenty of folk have ran off to discover it."[/color] 

[color=indianred]”I've never heard of the 'paradise' you spoke of, but I have reasons for wanting to leave Shinma,”[/color] Masako said, frowning. [color=indianred]”I'd prefer not to speak of them, but I also can't ask you to risk your life and accompany me through the ravages.”[/color] Masako paused, eyes dropping to the ground. [color=indianred]”However, I'd like to make the selfish request that you accompany me to the Shinma borders. There, soldiers gather for war, and I will try to find the greatest among their ranks to help me cross to Hashimoto.”[/color]

[color=slateblue]"Its a bad idea through and through going to Hashimoto, but I can do that, no further than the border."[/color] Akane simply responded. [color=slateblue]"I just don't know what it is you'll find out there..."[/color] 

Masako gave the ronin a wry smile. [color=indianred]”To be honest, I don't either. A warground, perhaps, or a barren land of death. Nevertheless,”[/color] Masako said, stretching her limbs to prepare for the start of their trek that morning, [color=indianred]”I hope I survive it.”[/color]

With a small, humorless smile, Masako took to the road. Akane followed suit, her face unreadable.