[color=00aeef][h1][center]Kasumi Hishi[/center][/h1][/color]

It was a night just like any other for Kasumi. Having no master to serve meant she had to accept some odd jobs if she wanted to survive. Jobs like espionage, infiltration, escorting someone important or even dealing with some bandits were pretty common and made around half of the money she earned. The other half... Well... The other half came from wealthy artisans or merchants that hired her not because they heard about her, but just due to her pretty body, face and to have a chance to get under her clothes. Those types were usually incredibly easy to seduce and deceive. Beautiful clothes, kimonos, gifts and even money were given to her by them while she simply kept her distance, doing just enough to keep them interested. A discreet smile was usually more than enough to melt their hearts.

Regarding the rest of the jobs she took, most of them could be taken by people who weren't nearly as trained as she was. While most Shinobi or Kunoichi would see those jobs as an offense to their skills, Kasumi had few other options but to accept those. Jobs were rare to come by and even though most of them were a waste of time, one of them could possibly lead her to a new master. Another troubling matter was that it's not that easy to make a name for yourself and be recognized, if you are a ninja. Only very few people knew about how skilled Kasumi was, and amongst them, even fewer knew who she was, or at least who she used to be before the fall of the Tsubaki clan.

After a request to protect a merchant and it's shipment of spices and silk, Kasumi was left near Odikawa. Other than the merchant's attempts to buy her with more money, gifts and after she rejected him, trying to sneak on her in the middle of the night, nothing that bad happened. In fact, nothing happened at all. Kasumi had serious doubts that the merchant in question just hired her to have some 'company' during the trip. At least she was rewarded for all that with a decent amount of money for such an easy job, enough to pay for a good place for her to sleep for some time and even buy some things for her to tend to her hair and skin, a few herbs to make poisons and a couple of new clothes that the merchant gave her.

When she finally arrived on Odikawa she was greeted by the beautiful sight of the city decorated due to the flower festival. Even at night, the atmosphere was certainly different from any other time of the year. As she walked through the city after paying for a room on one of the few inns that still had any space left, she couldn't help but to wonder... Could it be a mere coincidence that from so many other cities she could have gone, she went right to Odikawa and just when the flower festival was happening? The good amount of coins carefully stored in a pouch under her clothes said otherwise. Maybe that was a signal from the heavens... Even a kunoichi had to take a break from time to time. Besides that... She was craving some of the typical dishes from festivals for some time now. With spare money and some very luxurious new clothes, thanks to that pervert merchant, she had no reason to not enjoy the festival for even a bit.

"Good evening, young lady. Enjoying the flower festival?" the vendor asked just as she stopped nearby a small store just on the side of the main road.

[color=00aeef]"Yes, I was on my way to my uncle's mansion and I simply couldn't help but to stop on Odikawa for a bit. It's been so long since I went to a festival..."[/color] Kasumi said, with a kind smile as she passed her hand trough her long, black hair. Impersonating a foolish girl, daughter of some rich merchant or noble wasn't that hard. Most of those types were pretty ignorant about the world and thought that everything was just a sea of roses. The only aspect of her figurine that was a bit off was her hair. Instead of keeping it in a bun, like most noblewomen did, Kasumi preferred to keep it tied in a practical ponytail. Surely it was a bit exotic and it drew some stares as she really stood out from other women, especially due to her delicate face and her unique, penetrating blue eyes, but the carefree smile often was enough to make most overlook those small details.

"Oh, I must say then, young lady, that you came in the perfect moment! The night is still young and there are a lot of things to see around here." the man continued, smiling back to her.

[color=00aeef]"I would like some of those sakuramochi then, please!"[/color] Kasumi said, handing a few coins to the vendor.

After getting them, she resumed walking. She couldn't help but let out a small smile as she bit one of them. She had already dropped her 'carefree rich girl' mask, but she was still a woman. And the sweet taste of those sakuramochi made her remember of when she was just a young apprentice. Her sensei used to buy some of those to her every time that a festival happened since she couldn't go out whenever she liked due to all the secrecy behind the training of an elite ninja squad.

"Kasumi Hishi... You're definitely different from what I've heard...  It was really hard to find you... I was expecting to see a kunoichi, and not an innocent, pretty face... You're definitely hard to track, Kasumi. Congratulations. " A voice interrupted Kasumi coming from an alley just nearby the main street, making her draw the Daikamaitachi, opening it in front of her mouth as other women usually did to hide their expressions from other men when talking to them, especially when flirting.

[color=00aeef]"Kasumi...? I think you're mistaken about who I am..."[/color] Kasumi asked, turning to face the owner of the voice, a very suspicious looking, hooded courier.

Many questions ran through her head on just the few seconds it took for the courier to answer her. Who was him? How did he knew her name? By the way he spoke, he definitely knew who she was...

"Drop the act. I know who you are, Kunoichi. We don't have much time." The courier continued, lifting the hood that hid his face.
"I'm here for business. My name or who I am is not important. What you need to know is who I work for." He completed, extending a scroll. Even partially hidden in the shadows of that dim lit alley, the Shogun Lotus' seal was unmistakable. Even though the Tsubaki had fallen to the Lotus clan, Kasumi held no quarrel against them. While she was indeed born and raised within Tsubaki territory, she never saw the one she worked for personally, so she didn't have that sense of duty and loyalty the samurais and some other ninjas had.

Quickly going in the alley with an agile step, Kasumi sheathed her Tessen. Waiting for the courier's next words.

"Take it and read it. Further information will be given to you if you decide to accept the request." The courier said, handing over the block of gold and the letter. Money was... useful, but what made Kasumi interested wasn't the money itself, but the fact that she was being requested by someone who knew she was. Maybe... Just maybe... he could be her new 'master'...

[color=00aeef]"Location, time and date?"[/color] Kasumi repeated with an expressionless face, looking to the courier. Getting closer to her, the courier whispered her the necessary information, which Kasumi quickly memorized.

[color=00aeef]"I can get ready in just a few minutes if that's your lord's wish. I need only to wear my equipment."[/color] Kasumi said with a discreet nod, telling him she would be there on the said date and time.

As she walked away, she put the last bit of sakuramochi on her mouth, finishing eating it as she went back to the inn she had hidden her ninja clothes and equipment. Wearing it in just a moment, she opened the window, letting the moonlight get in the dark room. The white light of the moon reflected on the metal spikes and bladed edges of her Tessen, making them glow in a beautiful white, contrasting with the deep black color of the silk. Kasumi wasn't going to lie to herself, she was excited. It's been a long time since she had a job worthy of her skills, too long...