Jin was just outside the village outskirts, plucking wild onion from the ground, when Okita came running down the path. She smiled and straightened up.

“Back so soon, Miss Okita? Forgot something?”

“No!” Okita was panting with exertion. “There’s a commotion in the middle of the village!” Then she said something that made Jin’s stomach drop to her knees.

“Someone has your son!”

[i]Prince Hotaru.[/i]

Jin’s face went wan as she went from humble herb picker to trained bodyguard in an instant. She dropped the onions, picked up her kimono to the knees and started running, full tilt, toward the village square.

It took too long, far too long, to get there. But things were still active when she arrived. There was a very large brute, there was Ishawari in the middle of the circle. And crying out was dear Hotaru. Jin felt herself going into a red eyed rage. How dare this – this – [b]ruffian [/b]lay his hands on the Prince of their nation?! Beyond that, how could he so casually threaten a helpless child? She slowly dropped into deep breathing, calming herself slowly and taking stock of the situation. Obviously Ishawari couldn’t get near enough to their attacker to pull Hotaru away. He’d need some kind of opening. A distraction, perhaps. 

A distraction that she could readily provide.

She stepped forward out of the crowd, eyes cold as ice as she stared upward at the man. Oh, her fingers itched for steel, but she would have to do this the hard way. 

“I’ll thank you to put down my son.” Even she was surprised to hear her voice come out without the slightest hint of fear. “Han, are you alright?” 

The man turned, and she got a good view of him then. Weaponless but solid bulk, muscle under fat, Hotaru in a vice grip. The boy himself was still struggling, quite hopelessly, but she admired the fighter in him all the same.

“Get this big jerk off me, Akemi-san!” 

Jin only nodded in response, keeping her eyes fixed on her opponent. She kept walking slowly, starting to circle the man with dutiful steps. 

The man laughed rudely, staring down, way down at tiny Jin. “What exactly do you plan to do about it? Are you going to pay me my money?” 

“You’ll be very lucky if you leave this encounter with breath in your lungs.” There was something deadly in her voice, and while she heard the distant murmurs of the crowd, she paid them no mind. She simply kept circling, watching the man shift and keep up with her.

“Hmph. You’re a brave little bitch, I’ll give you that.” 

Jin smiled like an animal baring teeth. “I’m far more than that.” She shifted her weight subtly, preparing for attack. Because she’d turned them just enough for Ishawari to be directly at the man’s back, out of his sight, and open for surprise attack. She couldn't meet his eyes, but knew the time was now. If he could hit the man, she could grab Hotaru, and it could be ended.