Even after reassuring them that he was relatively certain he knew who the stranger downstairs was, Shirayuki couldn't help feeling that he seemed rather tense as they made their way towards the tap room. Maybe that was why she found herself slipping her hand into his and smiling reassuringly as she met his startled gaze. Slowly, almost cautiously, he returned that smile, gently pressing her hand to concede the point, but she couldn't help noticing that he didn't let go as they made their way downstairs.

"…if you hear anything, please let me know," a voice was saying as they neared the foot of the stairs. Shirayuki watched Zen's face carefully, noting some - some, but not all - of the worry leave his eyes as he recognized the voice.

"Certainly, young man," the innkeeper's wife's voice replied, slightly muffled by the distance.

Shirayuki and Zen stepped into the open side by side just as the tall young man turned away, heading towards the entrance. The young healer felt more than saw her new friend take a deep breath, then call quietly, "Mitsuhide?"

Instantly, the young man stiffened, then spun around, his brown eyes wide in surprise and worry and absolute relief. "Zen-s- Zen!" he cried, hurrying towards them. Shirayuki wondered at the hesitation in his speech, but didn't really have time to think about it before he was before them, leaning down to peer into Zen's face and clasp his shoulders with both hands. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? You had me worried sick!"

"Yeah, I- Agh!" Zen suddenly winced as Mitsuhide's hand squeezed his wound a little too tightly. The older youth immediately recoiled, the worry in his eyes turning to actual fear.

"What happened? What's wrong?!"

"It's nothing, really. Shirayuki already took care of it, so-"

"Shirayuki?" Mitsuhide blinked in surprise, registering the girl for the first time. She smiled, waving shyly up at him. For a moment, he just stared at her, then a smile of his own broke across his face, significantly softening the worry lines and making him look considerably younger. "Thank you for taking care of him, miss," he said quietly, bowing slightly to her.

"Wh-What?" Shirayuki blushed, flustered by the gesture, her hand tugging free of Zen's as she waved both frantically in front of her face. "It was nothing, really! I just did what anyone would do, you know?"

Mitsuhide chuckled at her reaction, then turned to introduce himself more formally to her grandfather. Still flushed and embarrassed, Shirayuki peeked through her fingers, first at them, and then at Zen. The boy's expression still had a hint of amusement at the corners of his mouth, but his eyes were downcast, almost melancholy. "Zen? Is something wrong?" Shirayuki asked softly.

"It's nothing, really," the boy shrugged, although he seemed to be having trouble meeting her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I mean no? It's just… I wasn't planning on saying goodbye to you so soon," Zen mumbled, a spot of color touching his own cheeks, too.

"W-Well, it doesn't have to be a permanent goodbye, right? We can always write to each other."

"I suppose so," Zen agreed slowly, "but…"

"But what?" Shirayuki frowned, her head cocked to one side. When Zen looked back up at her, she was a little startled by the look of determination she saw there. Zen tugged at something on his hand, but before she could notice what it was, he had taken her hand once more and pressed the 'something' into her palm. "Use this to seal your letters. Address them to Zen at Wistal Castle in Clarines. They'll find me then."

"You live at the castle?" Shirayuki blinked in surprise.

"Yeah. My brother works there," Zen explained simply, smiling.

"Zen? We should probably go now," Mitsuhide said quietly, glancing curiously between the two of them.

Shirayuki pulled her closed fist to her chest, smiling. Then, before she could second-guess herself, she quickly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Zen's neck, hugging him tightly. She felt her new friend stiffen in surprise, then he relaxed and reciprocated, his arms slipping around her waist. "Have a safe journey, okay? And be sure to change your bandages as soon as you can tomorrow," Shirayuki added as she pulled away.

"You too. Er, I mean you travel safe too," Zen clarified, blushing slightly, and Shirayuki giggled as she stepped back.

"I'll write soon, okay?" she promised.

"I look forward to it," Zen grinned back, then he turned and followed Mitsuhide out of the inn, glancing over his shoulder one last time before the door closed behind him.

"What's that he gave you, Shirayuki?" her grandfather asked curiously, peering at her hand.

"I don't know," Shirayuki frowned, opening her fist to reveal a ring. It was simple in design: a plain gold band, although admittedly with an unusually wide top that had a strange symbol carved into it. Curious, she examined the carving more closely. It looked almost like a diamond with a stylized flower in the center and wings protruding from either side. Shirayuki heard a sharp intake of breath and glanced up curiously. "Grandfather? What is it?"

Her grandfather's eyes were very wide as he glanced towards her, then smiled, relaxing, although a current of stress still seemed to linger in his eyes. "It's a crest, dear. The symbol of his family. He probably wanted you to use it for your letters so that they don't get mixed up with another Zen's mail."

"Oh," Shirayuki nodded slowly. It made sense, especially considering what Zen had said about her letters finding him.

"It's a very special gift, Shirayuki, so be sure to take good care of it," her grandfather warned her.

Shirayuki nodded thoughtfully, then turned and scampered upstairs. By the time her grandfather caught up to her, she had found what she was looking for: an old necklace chain given to her by her grandmother, a rare and expensive gift that she'd been saving for when she could find an appropriate pendant. Shirayuki slipped the chain through the ring and clasped it around her neck, then turned to her grandfather with a bright smile.

"There! Now it'll never get lost!"