Courtyards and Walkways

What was with these humans? They were so apologetic all the time. Making excuses for themselves and thinking themselves important. She needed to stay with them however if she was meant to find her home again. "It is very important to get it back, Kojuro." Obviously, she wouldn't add an honorific either as she felt like adding anything to one's name was a weird custom. She also still struggled with the syllables of his name. "The item that they took from me is an ocarina made of marmer. They probably thought of it as something valuable as there is a stone imbued into it. Every centaur receives one when they come of age and need to take care of it with their life. The stone has magical properties that will show one to way to what it most desires. For a centaur, the thing we most desire is always our tribe, so that is where it will lead us. My people are always on the move, so losing track of them is very easy, this is my only means to find them. But of course, you could imagine what one might do with it if it ended up in wrong hands. Some people have very disturbing desires.

It was then that they were interrupted by the carrier of the message. Great, another person that looks unfit for their armor. Was Rena her first thought. She would stay quiet though and try to follow the conversation that took place, though the accents made it harder to do so.

"Well I am stuck with Wuppo until I get my item back either way, so I guess I will help you destroy those bandits for you." She smiled slightly and padded the axe that was on her hip. She would then trot alongside the horses that everyone was on. It wouldn't take long for anyone to see that Rena's body was more powerful than any horse they could ever train.

<Exit to Shimokawa>

It was a rare day on which Kojuro had no special duties to perform, or anything he had been asked to do by Lord Genji. Recently, he had been busy with many tasks, Hizashi clan affairs and personal training. He had made sure to clear out some time for himself, so that he could take Nakatani to see some of the most beautiful scenery in Kiyonai. They hadn't been able to spend much time together, and he was looking forward to it.

While Nakatani waited, a young maid approached her, apologising that she had been unable to find Nakatani in her room. She explained that she had some special clothing that Nakatani would need to wear, and taking Nakatani back to her room, the maid would help her into hakama, worn over her kimono, and she would be wearing a narrow obi, a lot more like a man's. The maid would accompany her back to the courtyard and leave her with a bow. It was still early but now approaching the time that Kojuro had asked her to meet.

Soon enough the sound of hooves on the stones of the courtyard could be heard, and Kojuro appeared from the direction of the stables, leading a beautiful dapple grey horse with a dark mane and tail, already saddled and ready for riding. He was wearing a mid blue kimono with a subtle pale blue wave pattern in thin lines and pale grey riding hakama. Seeing Nakatani, a smile spread across his face, in delight at seeing her already waiting for him, and there was a mischievous spark in his copper colour eyes, since he hadn't revealed to her yet what exactly they would be doing.

His smile only seemed to grow wider, seeing Nakatani's reaction to the horse. He had no idea how she would feel about going riding, since he was fairly sure she wouldn't have had much chance to do so before. "Her name is 'Gin'," he said, introducing the animal. He laughed as Nakatani patted the horse's nose, and Gin sniffed in the scent of her new friend, calmly letting Nakatani pet her. "I hope you don't mind that I brought a friend?" Kojuro asked Nakatani under the pretence that it was a serious question. Nakatani didn't seem to mind at all, which was definitely a relief. "Have you ridden before?" he asked. "I thought if you hadn't, it would be better that you ride on Gin with me." He mounted the horse, and held out his hand to help Nakatani up to mount in front of him.

Gin was not a warhorse, but a riding horse and so was both well-behaved and highly responsive, without much in the way of aggression. "Don't worry," he said quietly, very close to her ear, "I won't let you fall." He could see the blush creeping up her face from her collar, once again enjoying the effect that his presence seemed to have on her. Of course, they were very close, his arms were around her as he held onto the reins. He felt her back press against him and smelled the scent of lotus blossom on her hair. Under any other circumstances it would be unacceptable to be so close to each other in public, which was precisely why he had chosen this particular activity for them. He let Gin take them from the courtyard, through the gates of the mansion, but instead of taking the road down to Kiyonai city, he took the horse on the narrower and stonier path that gradually wound up the mountainside, further into the hills behind the house. It was not an easy path to ride, but Kojuro was used to it, and so was Gin, and they had little trouble as they headed away from civilisation into the hills.

The darkest before the dawn. A perfect time for the Dragon Heads to poke right out and try to snatch her up in vicious jaws if they were around. But this was as her uncle said - a time to heal. She had to overcome her anxiety of the shade that had once been her most powerful ally.

She stepped out into the cool, night air, easing the door shut behind her with care to keep the hems of her kimono from getting caught. It was odd wearing something with a bit more elegance than the usual plain ones she had taken to outside her shinobi uniform. A lovely white silk, woven sheen flowers that only illuminated when tilted in the light. A transparent veil that settled loosely over her dark hair when it was pulled back tightly upon her head. Even matching gata sandals.

It really felt weird. But she came to terms with it, chalking it up to having to hold some visual display for her staying in Genji's manor.

Ketsueki took up a leisurely walk along the paths, trying to stop herself from letting her eyes dart all over the place. She had to try and trust her senses, on what she could pick up around her. Things were so different now. It was almost like the place was alien rather than a home. Was it even a home at one point? She was always second guessing so much. It was nerve-wracking, despite the calm demeanor she tried to keep on her face.

The noises by her little stalker weren't making this any easier. She was trying to keep from whipping around with a weapon, or just jerk in response. Her nerves were becoming more rattled. The faint chime on the wind, something like the pretty glass wind chimes her mother had, was creating a strange disturbance - especially since she couldn't spot any in the trees or hanging from the roof edges of the estate.

The third chime did it - the woman turns sharp on her heel with eyes darting around for the source of the sound. Was this a trick of the Dragon Heads? Messing with her head?

Nothing was there... at least, not in plain sight. She swallowed hard as she felt her heart hammering almost painfully in her chest. What was going on?

... ... and what was that in the shrubs? Whatever it was, it was bright. Yellow? It wasn't part of that brush, and it was... yes, it was staring. Beady, glass-orb eyes that were dark but reflective. Her hand made a subtle gesture to find a small, throwing kunai in her sleeve and bring it to her palm.

She took a breath to try and steady her nerves and her hand, and took just a step forward towards the hidden fox. "... come on out."

The moment she saw the tiny fox come out of the brush, she felt the bile rise in her throat - and she dropped the weapon to let it clatter on the ground. It was a tiny, tiny thing that probably wasn't big enough to even hunt anything yet and she had been prepared to attack it. Her expression fell and she was careful not to be too hasty in tugging up her sleeves a little further on both wrists - showing nothing in her hands for the moment.

Granted, the animal seemed unafraid of her as most wild animals would be. It should have fled like a normal fox... but it laid there, like a puppy that was afraid. She couldn't think of speaking out to it again - it wouldn't understand, right? Instead she remained very still, with exposed hands carefully folded at her lap.

Ketsueki forgot something about foxes... they were quick little devils. She flinched and jerked out of the way when it made the zip by to snatch her weapon and take it away. At least she was well prepared and that wasn't her only weapon, but she had no desire to pull another one. It was just a baby fox.

By the time the little creature returned, the woman had stooped down to kneel and settle back on her heels, watching it carefully. When it got close she kept perfectly still, and something of a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was so adorable, but there was still a pressing concern: it was just too small.

"Where is your mother?" she mutters, not really to be answered but more to herself than anything.