Kichirou, Road to Village with Ichiko

"Familiar?" Ichiko echoed, "I fear I am not. I merely travel where gods demand and protect the people of the world from oni, yomi and other threats and to aid local kai."

The blond woman paused, dwelled on that thought and then her crimson painted lips formed a smile. Yes, definitely ronin. A samurai would know the lands he travelled. Such a shame for a boy so young. He would spend the rest of his life trading his skills in combat for little more than rice. Very few samurai lords or daimyos would hear the reasons for a ronin's exile, let alone accept a ronin into service.

"As you could imagine, being sent to hunt such beings or aid local spirits does make one wary. When the heavens keep sending you towards things they would like purified. It makes for an interesting life. Perhaps, with fortune, we shall cross a tea house and we may ask."