[center][color=f7941d][b][h2]Kitagaki Terumori[/h2][/b][/color]
[h3]Mifu Province[/h3][/center]

Terumori stood in place next to a fabric merchant's stall, eyeing anyone who approached it.  Every so often he would glance at either the position of the sun in the sky or the shadows that it cast, waiting for the day to be over.  The town they were in was a small inland trading stop in the Mifu province, with several roads leading to local fishing villages and one leading further inland, surrounded by a few outlying farms.  

Standing around and minding a market wasn't exactly what he had agreed to do.  When he had taken this job, he had agreed in advance to provide protection for the anticipated duration of the trip, however, because they had managed to arrive at their destination a day ahead of schedule, Terumori found himself ending the last day of his hired service standing around keeping an eye out for thieves.  He didn't expect to run into any trouble- the ashigaru militia patrolling the roads and palisades appeared adequate to keep this little town secure and orderly.  

[color=f7941d][i]The end of this day can't come soon enough...[/i][/color]

Some samurai would consider it demeaning to find take such a position, answering to a mere peddler.  His own brother, in particular, would be deeply ashamed at the notion of deigning taking such a job.  It wasn't so bad when they were on the road, only crossing paths with the occasional traveler, but Terumori found it somewhat embarrassing to be standing around the market for everyone to see, playing security for a lowly (albeit well-off) craftsman.  If he had been wearing his armor, he'd at least be able to take comfort in the fact that nobody would see his full face, but his employer requested that he try to be suitably subtle while he was here.

Besides, he had been paid to protect the man's wares for one more day, and he wasn't going to sully his honor by failing to fulfil his end of the deal.

The day so far had proved to be uneventful.  Locals came and went, a few people came to the stall, watched like a hawk by Terumori, and there was no trouble.  Then, in the late afternoon, just as his agreed-upon service was about to conclude, they were approached by a well-dressed man.

"Shigetane, my friend!" joyously shouted Terumori's employer.  "I didn't think I'd see you here.  What are you still doing here in Mifu?"

"Trying to reverse my misfortune," the stranger replied, speaking much more softly than his friend.  "In my foolishness I have slighted a youkai, and am trying to make amends to it."

"That sounds serious, Shigetane," the merchant replied, noticeably worried.  "What happened?"

"It all started a few days ago," the man began, briefly glancing at Terumori.  "I had just picked up my goods delivered from the ship, and was beginning my usual route to Hakkou.  While I was just outside the village, the wheel of my cart broke, spilling my goods into the road.  Just then a terrific wind blew, sending some...very important sale records flying.  I managed to recover them, but in my anger and frustration, I cursed the name of a local Tengu.  He evidently heard me because whenever I try to pass through this area I am constantly assailed by gale winds.  Every time I try to leave town, my cart is blown over!"

"Yes, I've heard of this Tengu," the merchant remarked.  "The locals claim he is easily offended, but not unreasonable.  He has a shrine in the hills for those who wish to pay their respect.  I would suggest you make amends quickly."

"That is what I am working on," this Shigetane fellow replied, reaching into his kimono and pulling out a pouch.  "At the advice of the local farmers, I have obtained rice cakes and fish, to make an offering at the Tengu's shrine.  I need to make the offering while they are still fresh, but unfortunately the path to the shrine isn't safe.  The farmers tell me that a large, aggressive boar has moved into that area, occasionally coming down to feed on the rice crops.  He hasn't hurt anyone yet, but he aggressively chases away anyone unlucky enough to be in the paddies when he's hungry, and the militia refuse to tangle with him."

"That is a dilemma, but I think I have a solution," the merchant spoke, gesturing at Terumori.  "This is Terumori, a young ronin whom I hired a few days ago to protect my merchandise, and his service to me is at its end.  I recommend you hire him to escort you to the shrine."

Shigetane walked over to Terumori, carefully and silently scrutinizing the samurai.  His face suggested he was unimpressed.

"I don't know anything about him, but if you trust him, then so will I," Shigetane spoke to the merchant.  He then turned back to Terumori. 
 "My job for you is simple.  I need you to escort me to the Tengu's shrine and do not allow any harm to come to me.  Once the offering has been made and we have returned here, you will be paid.  Do you agree to this?"

Terumori, having said nothing for almost the entire day, gave his reply.

[color=f7941d]"Yes, I agree.  I can leave when you're ready."[/color]