The whole walk to the old man's home was most to say awkward. Tsumi had kept her distance far away from the group. However, Kirara had tried to talk to her a few times, she simply continued walking, wringing her shawls through her fingers nervously. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk...but she didn't exactly know...how? She knew that if she spoke to these people the way she spoke to others, they would have no issue killing her on the spot.

As they came to his home, she entered the way she did at Ayamaro's palace. Tsumi entered the room, and automatically strode to the left. Like she had been instructed for years, she unstrapped the sword at her waist and carried it in her left-a sign of loyalty. As she came to a corner, she placed the weapon straight down, the group. She silently and gracefully dropped to her knees, placing her fisted hands in her lap.

"You are part of Ayamaro's group. Why are you helping these samurai?" The old man asked as he polished Kambei's sword. Tsumi stared down at the floor below, and recited the words that had been burned into her very skull. 'I am less.' Slowly, she shook her head, thinking back to life with Ukyo. The way she'd had to bow to everyone, even children that walked by.

"I'm hadn't agreed to help them. Ayamaro will come back for me, for his own personal reasons. I only came today to help the girl." Feeling very out of place against the wall. It was true. She had no intention whatsoever of helping their cause. It was just, that was true enough, but she had a contract with Ayamaro, and breaking tha tcontract would mean he would pursue her until she, herself, died. "Let's just hope..." '...that they don't send him.' She finished her sentence mentally.

"Oh? What business do you have with the mikumari?" Tsumi lifted her head at the voice, coming face to face with the 'leader' of the group. Kambei, they called him. Slowly, she turned away from the flame, and leaned face forward into a corner, darkening her sight.

"None. However, I advise you all to be on your guard. Ayamaro isn't one to give up, as you've seen." Gently, she closed her eyes, hoping to get a small dozing. As she closed her eyes, she opened her mind at the same time. The view of the city appeared in her third eye and instantly she searched for a familiar face. Crowds of people popped up just as quickly, and finally she saw Ayamaro and Ukyo arguing. Unconciously, she bit her lip.

Before she could even say anything, Tsumi was on her feet, making her way out of the room. 'I know that aura anywhere. Anywhere.' Stepping out of the hideout, she walked up the stairs, and found Kambei along with Katsuhiro and Kirara and a familiar face. Each stopped and found a slight smile on her face, but at the same time her expression was horrified.

"Tsumi." A deep rumble erupted from the newcomer. Frowning, she felt like shrinking, still, she took a step forward.

"Kyuzo." She continued walking until she was next to Kambei and Katsuhiro. She eyed the blonde standing about four yards away. He was dressed in blood robes-each a different shade of scarlet. "Katsuhiro, Kirara. Go back, this isn't your everyday samurai." Kambei raised an eyebrow, and stared down at her. The question was unsaid and she nodded. "I know him. And he's good, as you can already tell. Be careful." Silently thanking them, she closed the distance between Kyuzo and herself. As his eyes caught hers, she could already tell she was in a large amount of trouble. Nodding, she sat herself on the ground next to him, while Kambei stepped forward, before rotating to his left. Kyuzo went to his right. Each stayed equal distance from each other, and just as they finished a full circle, they launched at each other, without another word.

Their swords met in a fiery dance, each meeting the other halfway perfectly. Tsumi raised an eyebrow impressed . Kicking away , they both crouched, and launched again. As they fought Kambei pulled up an offer, but it was indeed denied, and they continued on, putting their environment to good use. Smoke overgrew the battle area, but each stood in perfect harmony in perfect stance. As they stood, Tsumi caught Kambei's heavy breathing and frowned. 'Ying and Yang.'

"I'm sorry, but I will have to give in right here. I have made a promise and must keep it. I will battle you after I have defeated the Nobuseri, unless...you would strike me while my back was turned." Kambei spoke nonchalantly as if the battle had never taken place. Tsumi shook her head, and watched the two warriors intensely. 'I've found a samurai...worth his title.' Silence over took the field, but was overturned by Kikucho. Tsumi lost her smile as Kiku's sword was flung to the side, and Kambei had slashed Kyuzo's sword to the ground. Soon enough, Kikucho landed with his posterior in the air. Tsumi spared a chuckle, but returned her eyes to Kyuzo who sheathed his own sword.

"Another time." The blonde turned and walked towards her, disapproval written across his face. Unable to meet his eyes, she looked down. Ever since she'd come to Ayamaro, Kyuzo was her teacher and idol. he held discipline far beyond her own, and skills she could only hope of gaining. Everything she knew had been taught by the swordsman, and she lived on her abilities. Of all the things she'd done, it was only now that she'd began to feel his disappointment in her. He was one of the few people that made her feel comfortable, and one of the few that made the awkward atmosphere go away.

"We should get going..." She whispered. Kyuzo nodded, and continued up the stairs. Without a second glance behind, she followed him.

As they arrived at the palace, Tsumi frowned, stopping at the gate. Kyuzo stopped as well, and turned, keeping his eye on her. Sighing, she shook her head and entered the palace.

"Lord Ayamaro calls you to him. Immediately. Come." Kyuzo turned the hall, as did she. Stopping at a rice paper door, they both lowered into a crouching position and set their swords down, before going inside. Crawling through the tiny hole, Tsumi stayed on her knees, bowing her head.

"Lord Ayamaro." Her voice rang in unison with Kyuzo's and Tsumi furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, turning her head to look toward Kyuzo. They only addressed him when about tu be punished. What had Kyuzo done to go against his orders? Frowning, Tsumi felt herself bury in more guilt. Not only had she gotten herself in trouble, but she had gotten her own master in an unfavorable situation, and she knew she would pay for it.

"Tsumi I shall address you first. By helping a farm peasant, you have cost me five of my own samurai. By staying, and failing to capture the girl under young master Ukyo's request, you have disgraced the Ayamaro family name-"

"I apologize." Tsumi answered quietly, pressing her forehead against the floor. Ayamaro stared distastefully at her, before continuing on.

"Kyuzo, by going against my order and following after Tsumi as an act of lessening her consequence, you have shown disobedience. By battling with the samurai and also returning without the girl, you have shown failure."

"I apologize."

"I'm sure you both are sorry for your actions now, but I will not have this happen again. As you are under my command, I will not allow any room for disobedience or treason. You, Kyuzo, I understand your attachment to this girl, as she is your student, but her consequences are of my dealing not yours. If I so choose to put her to death, it my decision alone, and you will not interfere. As punishment, Tsumi, you will be whipped at the knees, then subjected to kneel in salt for an hour, with arms spread wide in a straight line. If, by chance, your arms lower, that will be a strike to the back. As for your consequence, Kyuzo, you will be the one to strike her." He finished his small speech, and gestured for us to leave the room. With one last bow, they left.

As they walked into the halls, Tsumi bowed toward Kyuzo, remorse shown on her face. It was a silent apology understood between both of them. He set a hand on her shoulder, and continued to walk on. To move on, they had to get through the punishment, an hour of it.