Mayukawa Village

As the March begun, Setoku only offered Anzen the slightest tap on the shoulder for confidence. With the tap though, the thread of the ribbon she had given him would also come to rest upon her shoulder.

"We March into death, Anzen-sense. I know you will feel an urge to help - But do not. That's what I'm for."

At that Setoku directed his horse from her, and fell back behind her, opting to come up on Takahashi's other flank.

"Shall we pause here and await word, Takahashi-dono? Or would you rather have me break off alone and search like the scouting party?"

It was a question that made the most sense, really. All groups should move in two, with two the three men going solo to spread out as a sort of back up system.

"I would rather not guide her through the carnage. He whim to help may be counter productive to our overall goals."

(Shinamori Setoku Anzen Hizashi: A path to the mayukawa village)


Takahashi watched with intrest the small exchange between Anzen and Setoku... Shaking his head listening to The mans words. We march into death... there were so many ways to paint that... Takahashi relaxed in his saddle... until Setoku requested to speak with him.

He considered the mans words..

" The scouts were instructed to ride a head of us by and hour, and report every hour... They will be returning , and we will be advancing... Word will reach us soon enough. But if you're content to abandon Anzen-sama so quickly... I shall not stop you, as I did say you may choose your seat." Takahashi's tone was level, but there was a tad of an edge in that last sentence. " You know well as I do exactly how she will react.." He said in a much lower tone...
" She must face this head on... or not at all. You do her no favors by attempting to shield her Shinamori-san." There was an edge there...

" We all must face it..." He said mournfully gazing down the path a head of them... He was clearly remembering something..

When Setoku rode away from her, Anzen lowered her eyes to her hands in thought. Alone with the strange sensations and thoughts that plagued her normally​ cheerful personality, Anzen finally flexed one of her has that had begun to ache.

Once satisfied her fingers had regained their flexibility, she reached into her obi, checking the position, and honestly to see if it had been lost, of her treasured length of bamboo.

It would be then that Setoku reappeared at her side. Taking a deep breath, his sincere advice helped her to show the softest of smiles. It was something in the way he spoke, his attempt to comfort her, and when he hand laid on hers, he would feel her own relax finally. It would be then that Anzen finally spoke, her voice barely shaking and mostly masking that the new and current reality that bothered her.

"I will be strong for you all. Please forgive me for worrying you. I've seen my fair share of wounds and illnesses, but the idea that someone innocent or pure could be killed for stupid reasons.. it makes my blood boil. I fear seeing a small child that had been harmed.."

"I would also like to thank the two of you for wanting to protect me. It's deeply appreciated.. I just ask that the two of you return home with me alive. Think we can do that?" Her golden eyes turned to look at him, full of determination.

"It is not the blood shed that bothers me.. it's the unnecessary loss of life. I am here not only for my uncle, but to prevent your lives from being lost as well. No matter how much this may upset me, I will taske care of you all." Anzen's eyes glanced down to their intertwined fingers before turning her gaze back to the path ahead.

"I am ready." The girl said no more, letting the resolve in her voice speak for itself. Taking a deep breath, she used her free hand to pull her bamboo closer to the front of her obi for easier access.

(Shinamori Setoku Anzen Hizashi: Open road to Mayikawa)


Takahashi sat on his horse, eyes scanning a head of him... He watched his men match, it wasn't a gloomy match
in fact some sang, some joked. He did mind. Keeping moral up was an important task, and while this was no march to war, or a campaign across the nation... it was still a possibility of death.

He had been listening to Anzen-sama and Setoku-san's conversation... and while he disapproved of their...or rather Setoku's advances... he felt it was probably for the better at the current moment.

" Anzen-sama... I know you fairly well. I trust in your strength though you may not see it. I have watched your strength." He said , eyes searching for shadows within shadows.

"What happens , happens, The northern sailors have a saying; If it was meant to be , it shall." He repeated the norse quote. "And I have found that comforting and true." He said.

As they rode, two of the scouts came down the column. It was Aso Uchiyoshi and Mogami Suenori.

The two scouts came to Takahashi, and gave a full report of the Bandit bodies they had found at Mayukawa. They gave the notes over to Takahashi, who inturn thanked them both, and ordered them to rest before returning out.

" What do you make of this Setoku-san... " Takahashi asked , handing the note over to him with a grim expression.

At Setoku's multitude of questions, Anzen merely nodded her head slightly. She looked away sadly, her chest feeling tight and her breathing somewhat shallow. "Do you have the bamboo I gave you..?" It was the only question she was able to get out, suddenly noticing the chill on her hand, before Takahashi's voice commanded her attention.

Anzen was able to give him a small, grateful smile while once again nodding. He had taught her many things in times past and she shouldn't let her spirit be darkened lest she forget his wise teachings.

It would be then that the conversation of the three would be interrupted. After glancing between the two males while they discussed the findings of the scouts, Anzen quietly pulled at the bamboo tucked in her obi and began drawing a couple of small kanji on her hand. She listened intently to what they were saying in case they asked something of her, but the girl's eyes stayed locked on her hand and the characters she continued to create. Anzen really wanted this to work but only time would tell..

( Shinamori Setoku Anzen Hizashi Evil Monsters and Hordes : Mayukawa Village proper)


" Kento Ashimura," Takahashi began, he managed to fill the name with regret and anger, " Was once one of Genji-dono's loyal samurai. However, he disgraced himself by selling himself to the highest bidder. He lost Favor and is too be considered a criminal. He has been attempting to gather forces to his banner and challenge Genji-dono.

He is fairly skilled in the sword, yet his mind lacks... He is very nearsighted with his goals and tends not to see the larger picture. Likely he sent his men for supplies once he figured out you need supplies for a group to stay together, and they got carried away." Takahashi explained. " His morals are questionable at best.. " He went on.

" We will arrive at the village shortly... Brace yourselves... I fear it will be far more grim that we guessed at first.."

As they rode, other scouts came to report; some found trails of a few dozen men, Some found bodies corpse of naked women with their heads removed and otherwise mutilated... this in particular brought anger into Takahashi's words... He nearly sends half his forces to track those responsible down and bring them to him... alive. Others brought word of the village its self, but nothing could prepare the group for the bloodshed that awaited them.

Before Anzen-sama's entourage made it to the village... the sickly sweet smell of burning wood mingled with the putrid odor of burnt flesh and hair--It was a grim omen of exactly what they would find.

Half of the village was burnt to the ground. Those that could still stand were digging through the ruins of still smoldering wreckage, clutching chard corpses wailing in sorrow... A child lay crumpled in front of his burnt home screaming for his mother and sister. An old woman had several wounded children around her, herself bleeding from a head wound, tears running down her soot covered face as she forced a strong expression for the children.

Bodies... there were bodies everywhere. The smoke and burning only covered so much of the order death brought upon the land... Crows circled, waiting for loved ones left unguarded...

Takahashi gripped his reigns tight... his teeth clenched as he began ordering his archers and footmen into defensive positions around the village, and the cavalry to assemble in the center of town. Once there he started ordering units to shifts helping the wounded and defending the hamlet from possible counter attack. He had the scout groups circle the town with orders to capture anyone who came near this village and warn of any hostile forces.

Anzen had waived away Setoku's own bamboo, wanting him to put it to the best use that he can should someone need healing and she herself was out of reach. Deciding to burden him no more, Anzen had attempted to keep herself occupied drawing a half-dozen small kanji on her right had as they approached the village but it was soon no where near enough to keep her from falling into a saddened state.

The girl had listened with interest with what Takahasi had to say until entered the village.

There was so much more than she had been prepared to see, smell, and feel. Despite having dealt with injuries of all sorts and having smelt burning flesh before, this was much worse. Bamboo never leaving her hand, she brought the voluminous sleeve up to cover her mouth and nose - unshead tears, whether from emotional pain or the sting of the smoke in the air - glistened on her lashes as she looked around.

It took all the girl had not to bolt to all those people and children who needed help, her hands clenched tight enough for the knuckles to be white. Turning to Takahashi after he had given orders to his men, she posed her own question. "Shigetani-san.. is it possible to round up all the injured so that I may treat them? Do you know the extent of the herbal supply Genji-dono should have sent with us?"

Speaking rapidly, as to not let the anger and sorrow in her voice be too easily noticed, she inquired something of Setoku as well. "Setoku-kun.. Are you to help me with the injured or remain with the other samurai?" At this, she left the questions to hang until they had all been answered.

Setoku again let his eyes trace the carnage around him. Then the Calvary unit, slowly, he dismounted his horse. Taking care of the injured, burying the dead - These were things that needed to happen. But as did hunting down the ones who caused this. But clearly, that was not happening just yet.

"I am unsure, Anzen-sensei, but judging from Takahashi-dono's reaction, I assume I am at your disposal."

Setoku was frowning at the girls reaction, while she had the chops for treating, her mind didn't seem to want to handle the rest. He walked up to her horse, and offered his hand. What better time to learn then now, he assumed.