After a somewhat long trip the forces of Edward had arrived at Kyoto. Night had fallen as they got to the entrance. "Okay people, let's make camp out near here." Edward said to his troops.
As his small force began to make their camp Tetsuya just found himself standing in the middle of it all, he was absentmindedly rubbing his headband with one hand. As he did so he found a hand poking his back. He turned to meet Lei, who greeted him with a bow and said "Would you assist me in preparing the tents for the night?"
Tetsuya nodded and picked up the ropes needed "So this is it huh" he said.
"What do you mean?" Lei said as he started to hammer in some ropes.
"You're resigning yourself to the very thing that goes against you, monks avoid battle." Tetsuya said as he handed Lei the ropes.
The monk sighed and said "But I just can't stand idly by while others suffer, if I act to save the life of another then I know the gods will forgive me for joining in battle."
"As you wish Lei-san, at any rate I'm glad to have you with us. Those moves I saw you do were quite impressive.
"Thank you Tetsuya-kun, I can tell you must be a skilled warrior from the way you carry yourself. How were you trained if I may enquire?" the monk asked.
"I was trained by Heishiro Mitsurugi, one of the best warriors in the land." Tetsuya smiled as he said it.
"Really? I was trained in a temple in China, what sort of training methods did you do?"
"Sensei made me carry iron weights on my shoulders and I'd run up a hill, in winter he'd have me climbing up bare trees. What about you Lei-san?"
"They make me do handstands on top of poles taller than me, it gave me balance and a lesson on how to be humble I must admit." Lei laughed as he said that.
The two had finished the tent, Tetsuya couldn't help but feel like he was bonding with another person here.
Just then he saw Saya, walking off alone to lean on a tree. Lei sighed and said "I'd recommend going to see her, she seems to be responding to you."
Tetsuya sighed "I'm not too sure if I'll be good enough, but I've never walked away from something before."
"Good luck Tetsuya-san, may the gods watch over you." The monk said.
Tetsuya bowed to Lei and went towards Saya, the circus girl had her back to him. "Saya-chan…." Tetsuya said to her to get her attention.
Saya turned to look at him, she then looked away and flatly said "Get away from me."
Tetsuya sighed again, she wasn't being cooperative here with him. He could see where she was coming from, having her hometown burned before her very eyes. However sitting and moping would do nothing, taking action would. And so Tetsuya would be pragmatic here.
"I know what happened to you has affected you."
"No shit."
"However you can't live like this."
"And why the fuck not?"
Tetsuya would take a couple of steps forward and say "Because the one who did this is still out there."
Saya's mouth went agape for a little, it then went back to normal and she said "What are you implying?"
"I'm implying that you have a goal, my goal is to become a highly skilled warrior and become an equal to my sensei in a duel of honor. "
The 17 year old went on with "Your goal is Von Blade, I can see that. You're wanting revenge."
"Wouldn't you? Don't you have anything to care about besides your sword?"
"I do. Mitsurugi-sensei."
"You care for him don't you."
"I do. He's not my actual Father but he's the closest I've ever had." Tetsuya said as he looked down.
"But you're going to fight him one day?"
"Yes."
"You'd kill the only parent figure you've had?"
"….." Tetsuya was silent, he didn't know what to say there.
But eventually he did say "I don't know…."
"Then until you do don't talk about revenge." Saya said as she walked towards him.
She then stopped and said "But still…..Thanks, you know for checking on me. See you later…Handsome."
Saya would walk past him, her hand brushing his as she moved away. A light blush tinted the cheeks of the 17 year old as he stood looking into the distance, he then sighed and kicked a nearby branch before saying to himself "Sensei….You couldn't have prepared me for something like this could you?"
Tetsuya retired shortly after, he had the feeling it was going to be a hard day tomorrow.
The early morning dew graced the soundings of the camp as the people prepared for the tasks of today. Edward was directing his troops to commence packing up, as Tetsuya began to fold his tent James greeted him with a pat on the shoulder "Hey Tetsuya-kun."
"Morning James-san, has Edward-san discussed the plan for today?"
"Yeah, he's going to meet the lord of Kyoto to discuss the threat of Von Blade."
"He'll have a hard time….." Tetsuya though, he was worried that the opinion of the lord would be low towards that of a gaijin foreigner. The young man knew Edward has a good man but the daimyo didn't know that.
James seemed to be able to sense Tetsuya's worry and said "Hey no need to be down pal, we'll be fine."
"Very well James-san, I trust you're still willing to go against your former employer?"
The bounty hunter nodded and said "You bet, money is important and all that. But a guy like that…Can't let him walk around you know what I mean?"
Tetsuya nodded "I guess so, let us go James-san."
Saya meanwhile was hiding by herself once again, she wanted to be alone at this point. More than understandable, the destruction of a home town would make anyone closed off. "That monster…..I'm going to make him pay…" Saya vowed to herself , digging her hand into her ring blade. Without her gloves on a small cut formed in the palm of her hand, blood lightly seeping out of it.
The girl winced and carried her weapon onto her shoulder, intent on following the group in their journey.
