Contrary to what you may think, being on the road is not fun. Especially in hot, humid weather. It creates the perfect environment for mosquitos and pretty much any other bugs that want to eat you alive, and it has been worse since I entered the land of water.

There's also the matter of people you have to deal with. It's always one of three things too. It's either people who are lost, traveling merchants, or highwaymen. The thing is, neither the merchants nor the highwaymen use original tactics in what they're doing. They just do whatever they think will work to get your money.

However, it's not all bad since I pretty much grew up in the woods. I know pretty much everything I need to be able to survive out here. I know how to build a shelter, build a fire, and hunt, so I do fairly well on my own. Eventually, I got a definite unexpected change of pace.

I was resting up by a tree one afternoon when someone approached me.

"Excuse me sir." I spoke before I looked up.

"Lost, merchant, or highwaymen." I was tired, I didn't care, but from his shoes I assumed merchant.

"I'm sorry, what are you talking about?" I looked up and stared him dead in the eyes this time. He was an elderly man in probably his early to mid 60s so that rule out bandit. He also had very fine clothes so that meant wealth. All of his clothes were silk and his pants were white and his shirt was purple with a gold trim. Also, fucking slippers. This led led me to believe merchant. How hilariously wrong I was

"Do you need directions, are you trying to sell me something, or are you wanting to rob me?" Whatever it was, I just wanted him to leave.

"Why would you assume any of that?" It's my mind that's why

"Because that's all the people I've run into these past few days; robbers, merchants, and people with no sense of direction." This time someone else spoke. A feminine voice at that.

"I think you will find that we are much more refined than those mongrels." She seems a bit rude. Also, a little interesting that she's in some kind of fancy carriage. Not to mention five ninjas guarding it.

"In fact I'm highly insulted you would think that of someone of such high stature as me. Guards!" oops.

Immediately, two ninjas came at me. I dodged them easily and went into the trees.

"That's not nice. Don't be so mean to the people. The only mongrels were the merchants. Even the bandits had better manners. Besides, I only assumed it of the old guy over there." She didn't like that very much.

"All of you, get him." Then, the other three ninjas who were lounging around came for me too. Luckily, I had gotten better at fighting because of the bandits. I fought the ninjas for a while until I came out victorious.

"You know, all of this could have been avoided if you hadn't been such a bitch." She definitely didn't like that.

"I'm a bitch? You just insulted me and entourage and attacked my guards." definitely pissed her off.

"One, are you referring to the old guy and the guards in 'entourage' or just the old guy? Two, It's 'my entourage and I' not the other way around." Grammar always pisses people off.

"I have a name you know. And it's not 'old guy'"

"And I'll ask you name in a minute old guy but for now let the bitch speak." I'm just making loads of friends right now.

"If you do not silence yourself then I will come out and destroy you." I have a hard time believing that.

"I don't believe you can to be honest." What could she possibly do to beat me?

"Fine then. You will pay for your insolence."I considered a sarcastic retort but held back out of sheer repetition. She says something I retort and the cycle goes on. After a bit, she stepped out of the carriage and I was surprisingly, well surprised.

"Behold, my true form. I am the offspring of the two tails and I have enough power to destroy you." I was definitely surprised, but hysterical. I was laughing so goddamn hard I couldn't see straight.

"May I ask what is so funny?" I don't think she's used to this response.

"You'll get the joke in a second just give me a second. Whew. Ok I'm good."

"Good. Now tell us what's so funny." Bitchy and impatient. Also, as much as I hate to admit it, beautiful. She was a cat girl with red flaming fur around her ears and on her tail. She also wore a very elegant blue dress.

"Right well this is what's so funny." Then, I turned into my true form. And she was very confused.

"I don't understand. I thought I was the only demi-bijuu, Kashiki." So that's the old man's name.

"We thought you were."

"Well you were wrong. She's not the only half-breed out there." That made the girl a little upset. Also I just notice that her ears go down when she's upset.

"The proper term is demi-bijuu." looks like half-breed is a trigger word.

"You can say whatever you want but it's the same thing."

"No it's not so stop saying it is." I'm guessing sensitive area so I'll leave it alone

"Ugh, fine, I don't care say demi-bijuu if you want but let's get to the fight." Like clockwork she gets confused.

"What?"

"You wanted to fight remember?"

"No."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because you're probably just as powerful as me."

"And with better technique too." Had to have that little jab to her ego.

"Why do you have to be so mean?"

"What!? You attacked me and you're calling me mean."

"You were insulting me and Kashiki."

"Firstly, that wasn't meant as an insult and secondly, I was talking to him, not you. Which reminds me, what were you going to ask me before chaos ensued?" Neko cat girl wasn't happy about getting ignored but Kashiki was able to answer.

"Well, our driver was unwell and couldn't drive any further. So I drove here and when I saw you I was going to ask if you could drive us to our destination. We would have paid you too."

"Is that offer still open?"

"You're joking right?"

"I'm serious as the grave. I need money." That couldn't be truer. Once I reach the village hidden in the rain I'll need it.

"Fine, I need you to take us to the village hidden in the rain." Nice, someone who can pay me and get me there. Hopefully

"Do you know the way?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I've been looking for it for a couple of days but I wasn't given any directions so I've been a little lost."

"Alright, I'll give you a map. I'm guessing you can find your way from that." That works.

"I can work with a map."

"Alright then, you are our new driver."

"Alright let's get moving but first. What's your name girl."

"My name is Matabishi. What's yours?"

"Kasama."

"Alright, now that everyone knows each other let's go."

"Wait."

"What is it Kasama?"

"We forgot the guards." We then crammed myself, five unconscious ninjas, and an unconscious former driver into the drivers area. That was a pain in the ass but we did it and we were on our way to the village hidden in the rain.