Aozora Campsite (Outside of Itami-cho)

Jou watched the large man walk off. He seemed like a decent sort. Good that he had a sense of honor and a sense of humor. Better that he hadn't pressed the conversation. Perhaps at a later time Jou would track him down for a drink. After all you weren't really comrades in arms until you had shared sake together. Well it wouldn't be sake, it would be these lands fruity counter part. He shook his head, what was he doing arguing semantics with himself. He was grinning as he turned to face Kasumi. His grin turned to a look of surprise as she takes off into the woods.

Jou stares at Kasumi's retreating back for a moment. It takes him a second to recover and when he does he curses, taking off in a sprint. Kami he hoped she didn't take this game too seriously. The nimble kunochi was faster than him and better at acrobatics. He could keep her in sight with difficulty, catching her though always meant cheating in the past. Well hope for the best plan for the worst. Jou begins to gather up energy for a little illusion work. Whatever it takes to get the long dreamed of prize.

Dimitri walked off into the woods by himself. Planning on a little unorthodox exercises. These would take place with him in his complete wolf form, free running through the woods as his Azure Black wolf, armor and weapon stowed away in some thorn bushes so no one would steal them. This training was to try and control the beast within while also allowing it to roam, giving directions and maintaining ones sense of self. Should anyone find him like this, they would bear witness to a very large wolf, standing at 4'5" while on all fours. Fur of a complete black and red eyes gleaming. Possibly mistaken as a demon creature due to the eye color alone.

As the sun begins to set over the horizon, Dimitri returns to his hidden possessions and reverts back to his human form. Sometimes his training to control his full bestial form can be taxing and take most of a day. He begins to put all of his items back on and make sure they weren't too dirty before heading back to the camp. The sky has a red hue to it, such sunsets were quite pleasing to him, as they were rumored to predict a good battle ahead, though that is just a thought that comforted Dimitri.

He returns to the camp close to the hour of the wolf (dusk) and finds nothing of suspicious note. Dimitri also noticed that Jou and Kasumi were not around, whether that meant they were still training or conducting other activities, he could only smirk at what he thought. As for now, all Dimitri coudl truly think about was to get a good meal and a good sleep.

Jou flips to his feet. He takes a moment to admire Kasumi as she dresses, before he grabs his own clothes. He dresses and thinks about her proposition. Neither of them really slept at night. Still while they were in camp during the day... He grins at her and nods his ascent.

"I am sure we can get ourselves a tent. Maybe even some pillows."

Jou gives a mock sigh and cracks his back.

"The ground is rather hard."

2 days later Ram Jam returns with more conscripts and some horses. "Yo! I'm back."

Ram reports to Shintaro, "I've recruited some more men, I figured we may have a fight soon, so more troops will be better."

"I love you Kasumi."

He says the words back to her. He had returned the kiss with adore. It felt incredibly good to say that aloud. Hand in hand they walk back to the campsite. He pauses at the perimeter just out of sight. He gives her one more lingering kiss. Then he pulls up his face mask. The sun had set it was time to work. That was what shinobi did, they worked at night. The only difference now was he looked forward to more pleasant days.

As the days pass, Dimitri spent them mostly in the same manner. Training with some of the better soldiers, chatting with a few to integrate into the units of Aozora, and spending most of his time in the wooded areas with his personal training. When the call came to pack up and get into marching order, he couldn't be happier. Marching orders meant they were heading out to the south, and that meant they would be close to some action.

Dimitri couldn't wipe the smile on his face, hidden by the helmet when he got into his position for the march. He wanted to get to their destination as quickly as possible, for he desired to spill some bandit blood and make his keep. He will earn his money and whatever else he can acquire to achieve his goals.