The bar was dark and dank but all that seemed to be lifted as Rin looked into Alric's eyes. She disregarded any feelings and convinced herself it was all due to her intoxicated state. She finished the rest of her drink and stood up, fixing her kimono and silently waved the man as she walked out. He was somewhat startled by her hurry and quickly followed her.

"Need some company?" Alric asked so simply and so purely it almost hurt.

Rin found difficulty comprehending this. She wasn't good socializing with people. But he looked so happy and anxious, waiting for an answer from her. She smiled and nodded. For some reason she was having a good day, a day that she appreciated. A day actually lived. They wandered around the town aimlessly. Rin looked over and saw the man's own katana. She had sensed his strength and began over thinking everything. Suddenly wondering what he wanted from her. Money? Sex? A fight? Her death? She kept a closer eye on him.

It was darker now. The sun had gone down and the air was crisp and fresh. The slight breeze was cooling and relieving. Rin stopped and stood still, enjoying the air. She was one to enjoy the cooler moments. She closed her eyes and tilted her head towards the sky. Her hair was lifted gently in the wind, almost billowing and some falling into her face. She smiled feeling the gentle caress of her soft, silky hair. She suddenly smelled the scent of a flower. She couldn't identify it fully, due to the wind carrying the scent. But it was a flower. Her expression hardened, looking disgruntled. She quickly opened her eyes expecting to see the man she seeked. Her prey. But in front of her face was a rose, one of so vibrant coloring, newly blossomed and aromatic. It was what she smelled. But it was beautiful. The sentiment took control over the disappointment.

"It's for you," Alric smiled as she lightly nudged it into her hand.

Rin looked down at the flower, her eyes watered. This man was so sweet, so loving. She held back tears. After awhile of looking it over, Alric gingerly snatched it out of her hand and placed the flower in Rin's hair.

"You make the flower happy," he said "It's only complimented by your beauty."

Rin blinked, shocked to the core. Never had she heard such beautiful words said to her. His tone was meaningful and honest. She felt her heart rate rise, suddenly feeling anxious. She needed to leave. Alric saw the worry on her face and leaned closer to wrap his arms around her and held her there. His touch absorbed any anxiety she felt. She felt comfortable. Warm.

Rin suddenly felt another presence and pulled away swiftly to determine it. A man stood against a fence nearby laughing. His laugh was more a cold harsh cackle.

"Touching moment!" The man smirked, "Too bad I'll have to end it for the girl!"

Rin's face darkened and her hand rested on the hilt of her sword. She remembered this man. He was a simple henchman but a strong one by comparison to others. He was a slave to the man he seeked, the man with the scent of lilacs.

"Master Haku knows you're looking for him. I'm here to test you to see if you're worth his time." The man grinned a horrible grin, one that man her skin crawl in repulsion.

Rin and the opposition drew their weapons. Rin held forward her katana. It collected the night of the evening. The metal shimmering in its own brilliance. Her sword that had slain so many still had the appearance of new metal for being excellently cared for. Her enemy's sword was more warn but still sharpened to its peak. Rin bowed her head slightly her face being hidden by her hair that grouped in front of it. The man was a bit worried, for she was well-known for this. She felt facial expressions could easily be read and could determine your next move. She knew this well for she could read moves through people's faces. The man ran at her full speed, sword drawn, yelling loudly to release the pent-up frustration.

She stood still, the wind picking up as she stayed in a fighting stance, her hair blowing out of her face enough to one of her eyes darken to deeper crimson than even blood and glowed from the amount of power. It streamed through her body and focused to her hands to manipulate the katana. Her stance loosened as he approached but her grip on the hilt tightened. Her aura radiated to a visible extent. Her sword was put out to face the man, he jumped swiftly out of its path, smirking cockily knowing she wouldn't fast enough to change its trajectory now. He was wrong.

Suddenly he felt his side being penetrated by the stinging cold metal of the blade. It cut through his flesh. He could feel massive amounts of blood loss and it spilled from the new wound and pooled on the ground. Time slowed, he became more desperate for breath as the katana continued cutting through him. A loud snap came through the night as the bones of his ribs broke. Still the blade continued, massacring organs, the flesh being cut clean. He felt the pressure as it cut through him entirely and no longer felt the pain. Blood poured from his mouth as the remains of his body fell to the ground. Making another splatter noise as it landed in the pools of crimson fluid. His eyes were wide in terror. All vital signs had stopped and he lived no longer.

Rin walked to the body and ripped off a piece of clean cloth and wiped down the sword, the blood tainted metal soon shimmered just as it had earlier. She sheathed the sword and through the bloody cloth over the man's grotesque face. She turned to Alric. His jaw was wide for he was shocked and almost appeared scared. The thoughts racing through his head were uncontrollable; this young girl had so easily killed this man so brutally right in front of him. He never would've thought it from looking at her. Then he smiled and applauded.

"Excellent kill."

Rin was surprised by this compliment. He walked over to her and took her hand, she looked up at him and he looked at her. Blood was splattered on her face and droplets stained her kimono. Yet her eyes suddenly looked so pure and innocent. He pet her, running his fingers gently through her hair.

"I think we should be partners," He smiled cheerfully, "No one likes to travel alone."

"Alright." Was all she could muster as she now gained a partner on her journey. All she knew was know people would come after him as well. She would accept the offer for the time being. He wouldn't truly be her partner until he proved it to him. Which he intended to.