I awoke just as the sun was rising the next morning and hurriedly gathered the few things I would be able to take with me. I couldn't believe I was abandoning my home and leaving behind many of my material possessions to travel with a man that I barely knew. However, the longer I packed, the more I thought about my decision. I would finally have the opportunity to learn how to use weapons just like I had wanted to for years and I was getting the opportunity to see the world outside of just the city and my home. I collected two spare yukata, plus the one I was already wearing made three changes of clothes. The bag of money I had hidden in a secret hole in the wall fit snuggly inside the sleeve of my clothing. Quickly I collected my katana as well as Tetsuya's old wakizashi, the honor weapon he had carried since he was thirteen.

Shuffling sounded from the sitting room, stating that Kyuzo was awake as well. Once I was sure I had gathered all he would allow me bring along I left my bedroom, sliding the door closed behind me gently.

"I have decided to join you. It is an honor to be learning from a man of your caliber," I said bowing before him.

He smirked at me and I glared at him.

"We leave now," Kyuzo said and I laughed with a bit of happiness.

"Should I call you sensei?" I teased as we walked into the cool morning light.

"No."

I made a face at him behind his back as we began walking away from my home. I was covering the bit of sadness I felt for leaving with childish antics. I was somehow able to keep pace with his long strides despite my short legs being a usual hindrance to me. We walked for a short bit in silence before I began pestering him with questions about where we were heading.

"First we go to the city," he stated. I nodded in understanding.

"And then where?"

"On to Kogakyo."

"So what are you recruiting samurai for?"

"I'm not."

I stopped in my tracks.

"What? You lied to me?" I asked slightly irritated by this fact. He didn't answer, just continued walking. I sprinted to catch up with him and grabbed his arm once I reached where he was. This time he did stop.

"Answer me, Kyuzo-san."

"Do you really…want the truth?"

"Of course I do!"

"I wished to challenge him."

"You would have lost," I stated, glaring at him. For the first time I saw Kyuzo's expression change. He stared at me wide-eyed.

"You never saw Tetsuya-san fight, did you? You just heard the stories from the war, right? When word around the city claimed he was home, men were at the house everyday to challenge him. Hundreds in the time span of one month. He killed them all! He never lost and he wouldn't have lost to you."

"You hold great respect for a dead man."

I snapped my mouth closed and frowned before letting go of his arm. He began walking again and I followed, paying close attention not to walk too close. The rest of the walk to the city was very quiet.

We arrived at the city in just a little over two hours. The streets were already full of people, entertainment, and merchants alike. I had to cling to Kyuzo's sleeve just to keep up, still being careful to keep my distance as I was still angry with him. He stopped and purchased a few containers of water at one of the shops before moving on. Once we made it out of the city I let go of his sleeve and folded my arms over my chest.

"How long will it take to get to Kogakyo?"

"One day's walk. There is a rest house about halfway through."

"I would like to stop there, if it's okay with you oh great and mighty samurai," I said making another face at his back as I had earlier that morning.

"That's why I mentioned it."

We walked for about four more hours in utter silence and I was struggling to keep up. I was out of breath and my legs ached. Kyuzo was a few paces from me and as I was gasping for air he stopped and turned to face me.

"You need rest," he stated blandly. I wanted to be stubborn, but my feet were screaming for a break.

"You're right," I said panting. Spotting a rock formation up ahead I pointed. "We can rest there."

When we arrived at the jagged rocks I took a seat on one that had a smooth base. My lower body and my back thanked me as my muscles relaxed. Kyuzo extended one of the water containers he had purchased earlier and I took it without argument. He took a seat a few feet away and drank from one of the other containers. Once I caught my breath I decided I would talk to him again.

"Kyuzo-san I'm sorry about being rude earlier. I was just upset that you lied to me."

He leaned against the rocks and I just looked at him with an ashamed look on my face.

"How long until we reach the rest house?" I asked curiously.

"Another four hours."

I sighed and took another drink of the water. He allowed me a ten minute rest before telling me we needed to move on. I pouted, but stood up anyway. My legs burned in pain, but I figured they would get used to the walking again soon enough.

When we finally got to the tiny rest house I was almost sure I would die, I was so exhausted. I dragged myself through the entrance and watched as Kyuzo approached the counter where a short, elderly woman stood. How could he not be on the verge of fainting? I managed to stand beside him at the counter and smile as the woman asked us how many nights we would be staying.

"One," I got out somehow. She told us the price and we each paid our own share for the stay.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour and your room is straight back through there," the owner said, pointing at a door behind us. "You will find a secluded open air bath out the back door if you would like to freshen up."

"Thank you," I told her. I struggled to make it to the door of the room. Kyuzo had arrived in it before me and stood frozen at the entrance, blocking my path. I squeezed between him and the door frame and realized why he had stopped. We faced quite an interesting situation. There was only one futon spread on the floor. I furrowed my brow. Just great.

"I'll ask for another futon at dinner….Right now I just want a bath," I said stepping over to take a robe from the hook that hung on the wall. I put my bag of items on the futon and laid my weapons beside it.

"I'll see you at dinner, Kyuzo-san." And with that I slid out the back door. The bath was surrounded by a wooden fence and steam rested on the surface of the unbroken water. I undressed, quickly folded my clothes neatly and placed them on the ground along with the robe I grabbed earlier. Slowly, I submerged myself in the hot water and breathed a sigh of content. It was extremely relaxing to both my aching muscles and my mind. Holding my breath, I sunk down into the water attempting to wash my thoughts away.