This is... Kyō!

Enju couldn't believe her eyes, she had finally arrived in Kyō, Fushimi. The Main Street was lively and glamorous. There were small shops over here and there, items that she had never seen before, the number of people walking in the Main Street of Kyō was definitely more than the number of people she saw in the Kōga village. It was incomparable.

She couldn't believe she had finally come to the famous city that she had been yearning to visit for years.

She gulped nervously, a small action to reveal her inner excitement. Her eyes were like stars, they were sparkling at the sight of the entire Kyō. Her lips curved upwards and shivered lightly at the sight due to her nervousness of visiting here the first time. It resembled a pout. Although she didn't say anything, happiness was filled all over her face.

...And Chōjirō didn't fail to notice that.

Although he was leading them forward as their leader, his head would turn around occasionally at a small degree, just a little. His long side bangs blocked one of his eyes as he tried to look at his cousin without gaining anyone's attention. It was a subtle action.

He kept his lips shut while the corner of his eye was observing how gleeful she was. Her eyes were smiling at the new environment.

What is this? Why am I doing this...

His heart suddenly beat bizarrely at the sight of her smile, though his whole facial expression remained stoic and emotionless. He couldn't get his head around it, what it was that made him feel weird.

He frowned at the thought of what it could be that he was feeling, revealing a slightly troubled expression. But knowing he was not getting it anywhere, he decided to clear his head and focus on his current mission instead.

Kyara and Ennosuke were also really elated to visit here, as it was also their first time to see the huge shops.

"Wow! Look at those huge shops! I wonder what they sell here."

Ennosuke exclaimed.

"It seems like they have many cool items that is in the trend now. Maybe we should go in and take a look?"

Kyara smiled excitedly, but before they could go in, their teacher turned towards them and frowned, crossing his arms.

"Stop it, the two of you. I did tell you to act like a traveller, but you'll stand out too much if you get too excited."

"Sorry sorry~! It's my first time at the capital, so I can't help it!"

Ennosuke smiled sheepishly at him while making a prayer pose.

"That's why I say he is a country bumpkin."

Kyara said.

"What, you're acting as if you aren't excited visiting Kyō."

"I was just trying to act like a traveller! I didn't behave as excited as you did."

"Good grief. Looks like Kyō is a bit too exciting for you."

Chōjirō sighed and told them to keep down their voices.

"That's great Enju-sama, you finally get to see Kyō now."

Gekkamaru smiled, obviously feeling happy, just because his Enju-sama was happy. Enju smiled back at him and nodded her head.

Right. Gekkamaru is here for her, a person who she can always share her happiness with.

After that thought came to his mind, he turned his head forward swiftly again, leading all of them to their destination.

...

Ishida Mitsunari's estate.

They walked into the Residential district along a narrow road. It was quiet, definitely not a boisterous street.

"Is Ishida Mitsunari's estate really here? In this... area?"

Ennosuke wondered as he looked at Chōjirō.

"I need to take you all here first before going to Ishida Mitsunari's estate. Anyway, we've arrived already. Come in."

It was a small house, shabby from the outside to the inside.

"This is...?"

Enju asked.

"This will be our hideout in this mission, it is one of the many hideouts for Kōga. From the appearance, it might look like just an ordinary old house, but it actually holds weapons, equipment and explosives. It also contains necessary supplies. It is a safe place for discussing missions."

Chōjirō explained.

"So this will be our headquarters for this mission."

Gekkamaru said.

"Yes, that's right. Although we're yet to be filled in on the details of what we're supposed to do. I'll head over to Ishida-dono's residence now and ask what he wants us to do."

"We don't need to go with you?"

Ennosuke stretched his arms a bit while asking.

"You guys rest here."

"We're all right, Chounii. We are not tired at all."

Kyara smiled as she said.

"Yea, we're well trained. The long trip was nothing to us!"

Ennosuke agreed.

"If you have the time to rest, remember to rest as much as you can. This is also one of the significant rules when accomplishing a mission. You must rest and be prepared for anything to come."

"Understood. We'll rest~"

Kuroyuki said as he turned to Enju, wanted to spend more time with her.

"Niisama, be careful."

"...Enju, you will come with me too. Since this is a rare opportunity, I want to introduce you to Ishida-dono. You will rest after we've met him."

"Oh, okay!"

"If that's the case, then I will accompany Enju-sama too."

Said Gekkamaru.

"Gekka-nii~ don't forget that Chounii will go with her! She would definitely be fine even without your company."

Kuroyuki said with humour.

"Yes Gekkamaru, I'll be alright. It's just a greeting. Niisama will be here as well, so please don't worry about me."

"...Alright. If Enju-sama says so."

"Relax bro! You'll see her again very soon!"

Ennosuke put his arm around his shoulder as he said.

"We should go."

"Yes, niisama!"

...

Enju looked around the Main Street of Kyō gleefully. She had never seen so many people before.

Due to the massive amount of people walking around the area, the street was really crowded. Since he was walking in front of her with a certain distance, she thought she needed to stay close to him, or else she might have got lost. Therefore, she tried to walk as close as possible to him.

While walking behind Chōjirō, Enju's eyes observed the back of her teacher. When she thought about it, he was always so much taller than her. He was always looking forward, serious and stoic. He never showed her any weaknesses.

To her, he was always unreachable.

The purple fabric was waving a little at his back. Maybe it was because of the wind, she thought. But it wasn't really strong and didn't have much of a force, just light wind.

"Aa..."

Somehow, she thought it was her kite.

...

When she was smaller, she used to play a lot with Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki. One day, they were flying kites. Gekkamaru and Kuroyuki sat beside her while observing the direction where their kites were flying to.

Enju looked at her kite with an incomprehensible expression, as if she was thinking about something deep. Her kite was flying towards the clouds, a place where she couldn't even see due to the mist blocking its original appearance.

"Enju-sama?"

Gekkamaru asked as he took a peek at her face.

"Where is it going to...?"

She murmured softly, talking to herself.

"What's wrong Enju?"

Kuroyuki glanced at her face and patted her shoulder with one of his hands, the other one holding his kite.

"Aa... no. It's just..."

"..."

"..."

The two of them waited for her to continue.

"I wonder, will I be able to get my kite back? It's... hard to see where it is."

She eventually said.

"Of course Enju-sama. You can always pull the strings towards yourself. Here. Then you can pull your kite back to you."

"But, what if there is strong wind suddenly? Will the kite fly away due to the heavy wind? It will be hard to come back even if I pull it back then...?"

She frowned at her kite and pulled the strings back towards her because she worried she wouldn't be able to get it back, and that it would be gone, forever.

...

She wanted to grab it back. She didn't want it to just leave her and disappear. So she reached out her hand and tried to catch it.

"...Wait."

Dancing softly along the wind, the purple fabric went pass her hands softly and she grabbed it gently, like a kite she was trying to catch after it flew away from her hands, towards the distant vast sky. As if it was hers all along, from the very beginning.

"Oh... don't go away."

She grabbed it more tightly as those words came out from her mouth.

The kite was still moving forward, but she felt it was moving slower than before. Shortly, it gradually stopped moving. Then, she finally caught her kite.

She smiled at the fabric.

"I got it back... it didn't go away."

She said softly.

"..."

She touched it gently with her fingertips, like it was something she treasured a lot.

"Enju."

"Yes...?"

Her eyes looked up slowly just to see it was her cousin.

Confused, her big blue eyes blinked at his emotionless emerald ones.

"Enju, keep a hold of yourself."

A familiar soothing voice.

...?

Chōjirō's gaze lowered to her hand silently.

Enju followed his gaze and looked down. Her right hand was clutching the sleeves of his purple kimono.

"!"

Realisation hit her and she hastily let go of the sleeves of his kimono.

"I'm sorry niisama. I... don't know what came over me. I am really sorry!"

Enju hung her head as she apologised.

What was I doing?! This was such an embarrassment. I am not a child anymore.

But why did I think about flying kites with Kuroyuki and Gekkamaru just now? Why did I... grab niisama's clothes?

Instead of getting angry, he looked her Enju calmly.

"I understand it might be nervous to carry out a mission as it is your first time. But remember you always need to concentrate on your missions."

He said plainly.

"Y-yes, I understood."

After he turned around, Enju looked at her own hand.

I think I know why I did that now. It must be because... it was always my habit of clutching his sleeves since childhood. After training, he would always come to bring me home. I would then grab his sleeves while we were walking and returning our way home together.

I can't do that again. I really need to get a hold of myself, I can't always stay as a child.

"Since it's your first time to carry out a mission, now might be a good opportunity for you to learn and experience. You should start by getting yourself familiar with this place. Let me see... hm, we will go to Ishida Mitsunari's estate separately. I want you to find your destination on your own, by your own method. I will wait for you there. Any questions?"

Enju's blue eyes was looking up at his emotionless green ones the whole time. She thought about it for a second and nodded her head.

Alone...

Observing Enju's expression, she looked a little worried.

"Ishida-dono's estate is in Bukemachi. Try to make your way there by yourself. This is a good place to start with practicing your future missions."

"Understood. I will make sure to find Ishida-dono's estate and meet you there, in Bukemachi."

Although she did feel a little bit worried and nervous, she didn't want her teacher to feel disappointed in her. She wanted to show him she could do this much, that she was capable even on her own. After all, it was all his help that she was able to be on her first mission.

Without niisama's recommendation, I'm sure father wouldn't even think of choosing me as one of the shinobis to carry out such an important mission.

Chōjirō widened his eyes at her reply. His expression softened just a little, with a certain degree of satisfaction.

"I thought you would be worried and panicked after seeing how your mind was thinking about other things just now. But I see, you must be trying to improve yourself. You've really grown up, Enju. I'm proud of you."

Niisama's voice always makes me feel less helpless. I feel secure...

"Now I think it was really a right choice to recommend you to Kandō-sama. After all, you are behaving so well as a shinobi who carries out a mission the first time."

"Thank you very much. I am really happy when you say that."

She smiled at him with appreciation.

"It's good to know you're pleased, but just keep in mind not to be careless, and always focus around your surroundings, the people walk around you, the atmosphere, and everything that I've taught you in our training sessions."

"Yes, I will be more careful."

"See you there later then. Good luck."

"See you soon, niisama."

Niisama just disappeared into the crowd... Hm, I wonder where I should start first. I need to find where Bukemachi is.

Enju looked around, there were so many people that she started to get pushed. She knew she couldn't just stand there, she needed to accomplish the test her teacher told her to do.

Though, I don't even know where exactly I am... I only know I'm in the Main Street of Kyō now. Maybe I can ask someone for directions? It shouldn't be difficult, I just need to be careful and pay attention not to reveal the fact that I am a shinobi when having conversations with people.

As she was studying the different faces of people, she saw a girl older than her who was wearing a dark purple kimono with a yellow obi. From her appearance and clothes, she thought she was a local, so she walked towards her and was about to ask her for directions.

But then, a man just bumped into the girl.

Enju saw something just fell out from the girl's kimono pocket as the man apologised to her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't looking. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, I'm fine. It's not a big problem. I didn't hurt anywhere."

The girl smiled as to show the man that she did not mind.

The man then walked away.

...The man.

Enju observed the man, he grabbed the item which belonged to the girl as it fell out off her pocket.

Did the man... just steal her wallet?

She knew she needed to head to Bukemachi and meet her teacher soon, but she just could not simply let this man go.

Enju walked into the crowd and tried to walk near to the man, slowly. She walked pass him first, acting like a normal traveller. Then, in a swift motion, she walked to him again from the opposite direction.

"..."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I stepped something and I didn't watch my way."

"Tch. Watch your way with your eyes girl. Hm, you must have come from the countryside. That's why I hate country girls, they are always slow and careless."

"I'm really sorry."

...Who would have thought these kind of actions were done in broad daylight. But this is Kyō, the big city. I should assume there are people of this kind as well.

Successfully, Enju had taken back the girl's wallet and ran towards her direction.

"Excuse me, Miss!"

"?"

"I believe you just dropped your wallet."

Enju said as she lent her the item from her hand.

"Oh...! This is indeed my wallet, thank you so much! Where did you find it?"

"I just saw you dropped it when you walked by. That was why I picked it up and ran after you. I'm glad you got it back."

"Thank you very much! This is really important, I wouldn't know what to do if I lost it!"

"You're welcome."

Enju smiled at the girl politely.

"Oh, right!"

"Y-yes?"

"I... I think you're not from here? You must be a traveller. If you need help from anything, I will gladly tell you."

It was a right assumption that the girl was a local. Enju heard her clearly, she had a Kansai dialect.

"I... have something that I would like to ask indeed... Actually, I have no idea where Bukemachi is. But I want to visit there, do you know the directions...?"

"Bukemachi... Yes. You just need to walk straight here from the Main Street, then turn right. You'll see a road full of Samurai estates, then you'll know you've arrived there."

"Thank you so much Miss! I shall get going then."

Enju thanked her.

"Oh, w-wait!"

"?"

"I just wonder... if I see you again, I want to invite you to my house and thank you properly. I'm interested to know the people from other prefectures. Can... we be friends?"

Enju looked up and met her emerald eyes. She just realised they were green. Her gaze looking at her... she thought her eyes looked familiar with a person she knew. Her hair was tied into a bun with some really extraordinary hairpins. She looked shy, but still, she just bravely asked her whether they could be friends. When she focused on her profile clearly, she was actually a beautiful woman.

Enju felt a little bit embarrassed somehow to see such a beautiful girl.

I know I need to be careful. But she doesn't look like a bad person. And... I would like to be friends with her.

"You can call me... Kotomi."

Enju answered with hesitation, as she did not want to reveal her real name with "strangers" after all. That was why she made up a name on the spot. But still, she wanted to make friends with people who came from a different place than her.

"Kotomi-chan then! It's nice to meet you! I am Shigure."

Shigure said innocently. Even though she was elder than Enju, she was just like she had the same age as her, from her personality, actions and attitude.

"Shigure-san... what a nice name! I'm happy to meet you too! If I see you around here again, I will make sure to say hi."

Enju felt happy. After all, it was her first time to meet a friend outside her village.

"Let's shake hands!"

Shigure smiled at her brightly. So bright, maybe a bit off. That it did not look natural, she thought. But Enju shrugged it off and went ahead to shake her hand. Her instincts told her she was not a bad person. The opposite indeed, she looked kind, friendly, and beautiful.

She met her very first friend outside the village and she felt very elated. She hoped she could meet her again, but at the same time, she knew as a shinobi, she should stay cool and cut off as many ties of her emotions, like her strong and beautiful niisama, who she always admired.

! I really need to get going soon! Niisama must be waiting for me for such a long time!!!

"Sorry Shigure-san, I really have to go now. I wish I could see you somewhere around here again!"

"Sorry for keeping you long! And thank you so much! I hope to see you soon too, Kotomi-chan!"

Shigure smiled at her happily as she waved at her.

"It's my new friend... Kotomi-chan. Hehe. My... friend. She looks adorable."

Shigure talked to herself with a super happy smile on her face and turned her back, disappeared into the crowd.

...

While Enju was heading to Bukemachi with high speed, she smiled happily.

I finally met a new friend!! I helped someone out! That was the first time I ever pickpocketed a person. I was so nervous, but I'm glad I helped Shigure-san.

Though someone stopped her in the middle of the Main Road.

"Excuse me for a bit, ojyou-chan."

Due to the sudden greeting, Enju felt nervous and stopped in her tracks.

"Y-yes? Who are you?"

Seeing that she stiffened, the man giggled lightly.

"No need to look so frightened. My name's Gorō. Just a friendly person who enjoys travelling around."

Who would call himself a friendly person?

"You enjoy travelling around...?"

"Yes, I like doing whatever I like to do without restrictions. I enjoy freedom. I'm just wondering where you're going, ojyou-chan."

"Huh?"

Enju was dumbfounded by his so friendly greeting. From the looks of it, he looked just about Chōjirō's age.

"Want to join me for some fun?"

"F-fun?"

What kind of fun? He looks... suspicious.

"Well, I wasn't born here, nor I was from this city. But since I always travel, I know the directions quite well and thought you might want me to take you to look around this famous city."

"No thank you, but I appreciate your thought."

Since I already got the directions from Shigure-san, I do not need to spend time chatting with this suspicious man. Or else, niisama would really be mad at me this time.

"Well, I always hang out around here. So if you see me on the street, don't hesitate to ask me anything you don't know. You just don't seem to be from here after all."

"Thank you Gorō-san, but-"

I really have to go.

But before she could said that, he cut her sentence off.

"Just so you know, I'm nothing like the person you just bumped into on purpose. I hope you would not think of me like that, at the very least."

He smiled sheepishly.

"Oh?! You saw?"

"Of course, there are many people like that here. Ojyou-chan, you are really something though. I am amazed to see a girl like you. You took that item back from the man in a flash. It's just not a common sight to see a girl around your age could do something as amazing as that."

This man, he is so observant. Would he already know that I'm a shinobi? I need to find some way to hide that from him...!

"Where did you learn to do that?"

Oh... he's asking more questions. Great...

"M-my cousin taught me."

"Your cousin? That's indeed a so not very ordinary cousin then. Does he do pickpocketing as a living?"

"Of course not! H-he, that's just a hobby of his."

Niisama taught me that because I needed to learn how to skilfully steal any important information, in case my future missions require that skill.

"A hobby... like, doing street magic, or the same sort of stuff?"

"Y-yes. Just like that."

"That sounds really interesting. And you used that skill you learn from him to help a girl out too. That's really something. I would like to meet him if I had a chance in the future."

"Thank you... but it's really not something big... I'm sorry Gorō-san, but I am really in a hurry! Goodbye!"

"Oh-"

"..."

Enju left him already.

"That's a really interesting ojyouchan haha. I'm glad I met her today."

Gorō smiled at the back of her figure with a huge, friendly smile.