The boat ride to Land of Water's main island had been unpleasant to say the least. With choppy water and a cold rain after the half-way point, and a crowded boat with over fifty people, ninja and civilians, crowded under the deck, Jessica had become very agitated very fast. Leo started to fuss shortly after that with Miso joining into the whining after a few minutes. The glares Jessica received for having a crying child were unpleasant, but that did not stop her from swearing and glaring right back. Thankfully the agitated woman found that her swearing made Leo happy and stopped his fussing as he tried to mimic her.

After arriving to shore and leaving the ship Jessica, who was now more than a little green in the face, quickly walked to the closes tea-shop. Getting a table and looking over the boarding schedules for the boats she could not find one for the island Nadeshiko Village was located on.

Flagging down the waitress Jessica asked, "Where is the boat leaving for Nadeshiko Village?"

This caused the waitress to pale a little as she stuttered out a reply. "The village has little contact with anyone outside of it, you will be lucky to find anyone willing to sail there, no matter the pay."

Sadly for Jessica and Leo this was true, and everywhere they turned people either avoided the topic or outright refused to talk about it. Soon the brunette became frustrated and was entertaining thoughts of giving up and going to Bear Country when a man waved her over.

"You have been asking about sailing the Nadishiko Village?" the old hunched man asked a now wary Jessica.

"And if I have?" was her suspicious reply.

"My son can take you to the island, but no farther."

"What is the price old man?"

"5000 Ryo"

For Jessica that had been the best news all day, and for a small price, nothing compared to her earlier ride, she took it in a heartbeat. Later that day Jessica met with the old man's son at the dock. After a small greeting he indicated for her to follow but once they got to the boat Jessica could not hold back her grimace.

"It looks more like a dingy than a boat." She scowled at the man, who was nervously looking around at her tone. For the poor man it was easy to assume who she was; a kunochi from Nadeshiko village who 'disposed' of her husband after having a child and was going back to her village to teach the next generation of she-devils.

Nadeshiko Village is a relatively small ninja village that produced amazon like kunochi in abundance, woman who were more powerful than many of the celebrated 'geniuses' or 'gods' of the larger shinobi nations. The village had a tradition, because of how powerful the women were they had to leave their village to find a suitable husband, a man who could defeat them in battle, no easy task.

This was not true for Jessica, but the man who had been brutally beaten once by one of the strong women he had attempted to court was now cautious of all females. This was how Jessica was able to bully the man so easily, and why once they reached the island that held the village, which they reached in almost two hours of furious rowing after the engine gave-out, the man didn't bother waiting for his pay, instead rowing away as fast as possible.

Walking in the general direction Jessica assumed the village was in, carrying a sleepy toddler on her back and a puppy on her front, it took her three hours of slow walking to reach the looming gate.

The young woman could not help but whistle at the looming shape. "Damn Big Gates that is what those are." She then turned to her bundle sitting in his sling and asked the stirring toddler, "You think this will be a good place?" The toddler just smiled at her a mumbled out a small 'fuck' before falling back to sleep.

"I will take that as confirmation then."

Jessica just hoped her papers held up, she had paid good money to get them for her and Leo, but the hush money or 'Tax' had been what truly killed her purse. Knocking on the imposing gate Jessica then began the waiting game, hoping a village guard would be there shortly.

The Great Gate's peep-hole opened after a few minutes and a lilting voice called out in question.

"Who goes there?"

"A traveler wishing to find a home." Was Jessica's more rough reply

"From where do you hail?"

"Everywhere and nowhere, for I travel and could not stay where I was with this child" The brunette gestured to Leo who was now alertly starting at the eyes in the peep-hole.

The young woman behind the door closed the peep-hole and then swiftly opened the large gate doors as if they were nothing.

"Follow me to the Hanakage's office" The young black haired woman said as she started to walk along the large dirt road.

Walking through the large military village Jessica kept her eyes open and took in everything she saw. The most obvious thing about the village was the frankly scary population distribution, for every six women there was one man. Jessica also noticed how some men held very submissive and frightened postures, while all the women stood tall and proud, not one seemed uncomfortable in their village or body. Oh yeah, she could get use to this.

Hopefully things will start moving now. No promises though.