[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

For once in the Land of Iron the snows had let up. Even Mother Nature herself had to relent every now and then.

Small specks of white powder remained on the sides of the road and atop roofs but the sun was out. Winds had died down and the winter air seemed a bit more mild. For the past few days the young man had been staying in the company of a new acquaintance at a local ryokan. An unexpected acquaintance, but to him, a woman among women. On this morning he had finally managed to drift off to sleep after many hours of lying awake in thought. Recent events had caused him quite a bit of internal turmoil and reckoning with those feelings exhausted him. In the small hours of dawn he finally found his eyes shut. A brief respite from the strife of his own mind.

As he slept he dreamt of nothing as he often did. No nightmares... but no happy fantasies either. Simply blackness. Muramasa made no noise but his face as he'd been told appeared calm when he rested. For once absent a sullen expression or grumpy glare. Peace. Maybe the closest he ever got. For now he remained in sleep's embrace. 

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

The excitement from the evening before had all but consumed the purple-haired woman, to the point where she had fallen asleep, placing her head on Muramasa's shoulder mid-conversation. The whole situation with Noriyaki and the sake drinking had exhausted her and as the sun's rays shone through the window of the hotel room, Shiina would stir from a deep sleep. The sun's rays were unforgiving, casting onto her eyelids so as to force her to wake up. It was probably for the best though, since she had slept for many hours, a feat she hadn't been able to accomplish since the day she was forced to leave her village. And more importantly, she hadn't had any nightmares, or dreams of any kind.

This was quite different, she admitted.

Feeling more rejuvenated than ever, the woman stirred, turning her head towards the window and noticing that Muramasa was fast asleep on the other bed. He had taken her straight to bed, her yukata still very much intact, which meant that at least the man was a gentleman. He hadn't taken advantage of her in the slightest, even when he knew that she would have no ability to refuse. She looked at him with an more appreciative look, getting up from the bed and giving a little stretch. She would move very softly across the room, as though not to disturb him. She knew that he had a rough night, and that hers would pale in comparison if ever they were to tell the tale.

He deserved to sleep.

Walking into the shower room, turned on the water, knowing that a morning soak in the hot springs would be quite welcoming. She made sure that she readied a new set of towels, all the while humming a soft melody. This was all very new to her, the feeling of just being able to be carefree for a moment. Shiina had told him everything about her and now felt like she could trust him a little more, despite knowing very little about him in the process. That was against all her principles, which made her slightly concerned about her future and her relationship with this man.

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Slumber gripped the young man tightly, the first kind of rest he gotten in quite some time.

Time passed and as he lie there the void that he traveled to while asleep slowly began to fill with images. He did not know it yet but he had begun to stir. Flashes of his childhood, his parents, and grandfather were first. Of his four sisters and one brother. His father's death. Vivid landscapes of the places he had traveled as boy. A tall swordswoman— a mentor and his one and only love. A drunken rogue shinobi who was as brilliant as he was foolish. The Land of Earth and the Okada. Taki. Hirohata Jinzashin's corpse. And finally... Ryuujin Shiina.

Eyelids slowly opened to the soft sound of someone humming. He found himself on his back still staring at the ceiling. For a moment he was still. Replaying those same visuals in his mind. Slowly he rose to sit, wincing a bit as he gripped the covers and a burning sensation shot through his right hand. His eyes fell to his cracked knuckles. No more sake or flight-or-fight cocktails to keep it from his mind. So for longer still he sat. Staring.

Rising to his feet eventually he noticed that Shiina was gone. Half expecting her to have run off his muted expression did manage a slight look of surprise upon seeing her in the shower room. "That's a nice tune." He said, his voice groggy but noticeably more controlled than last night. Muramasa ran his fingers over the knuckles on his right hand as he walked over to her. His dark eyes too were less harsh as they rose to meet hers. "Morning." Not a bad one at that. "Sleep alright?" Bags under his eyes revealed he didn't get much himself. As the nearby faucet ran he would glance to it. Warm water seemed almost the most inviting thing to him just then. Almost.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

Shiina had still humming when she heard him get up from the bed. She had wanted him to sleep a little longer, as she had noted how exhausted he looked last night. The woman would smile at him, turning her head just as he walked towards the hot springs room and complimented her on the tune she had been humming. "It's a lullaby from my childhood." That was all she would say as she ran a towel underneath the hot water. Standing after wringing it, she handed it to him for his face before noticing that he hadn't slept very well himself. The bags under his eyes told all of the story. "It was good, uninterrupted and good." Shiina would then proceed to get a body towel for Muramasa before walking out of the room. "You didn't really use the hot springs at all last night. Take some time to soak in it for a bit. I assure you that your body and muscles will thank you."

She had thought about going into the springs with him, as she had done the previous night, but she had a better idea in mind. Ensuring that her attire was well kept and presentable, she would wait until he went into the hot springs before leaving the room, heading straight for the kitchen. The ryokan looked quite different during the day, the warm lights of the paper lanterns hung around the establishment had all be removed and the natural sunlight gave the place a more vibrant feel. The woman nodded to several hostesses as they passed them, exchanging pleasantries. Once she got into the kitchen, she knew she would undoubtfully find the owner there herself, trying to prepare breakfast for all her guests.

"Good morning. If you don't mind, would you mind if I borrowed your kitchen?"

Although taken aback, the woman nodded her head, especially seeing that she was almost finished preparing the meals. Shiina looked around the area, her golden hues rested on eggs, miso paste, rice, dried seaweed, and some chicken meat. Perfect, she thought to herself as she got to work. She had set a time for herself, just enough time for Muramasa to enjoy a bath. She also figured he would want some alone time, after the events of the evening prior. She seasoned the chicken with some mirin (vinegar), soy sauce, dashi (soup stock), sugar and salt before whipping a few eggs into a bowl. The rice was already cooked, which meant that she only had to make what went on top of it and miso soup.

It was not her first time cooking, but she quite enjoyed it. She cooked the chicken thoroughly before adding in some sliced onions and pouring the egg into the pan. She was going to make oyako-don, which was a egg and chicken dish that one would put over a bed of hot rice. It was the perfect balance of hearty and light, something she had loved to eat when she was a child. The seasoning made the egg and chicken a perfect balance of salty with a hint of sweetness. In a mere ten or so minutes she would have finished making two rice bowls and miso soup, placing them on a tray to take back to the room.

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Tired as he was, seeing her smile caused the corner of his own mouth to perk up just a touch.

The woman told him the melody was from her childhood. He too held fond memories of songs past. "It's pleasant. Suits your voice." Was all he said as he accepted the warm towel from her hands and used it to pad his face. Especially under his eyes. "Maybe... you can tell me about it some time?" Either the song or her childhood, he wouldn't mind either. She was interesting and he was curious, after all. Shiina told him that she had a nice rest and he nodded. "Good." His voice began as the towel lowered, his eyes scanning her face. "You looked comfortable after I laid you down." At least one of them got some decent rest. The Ryuujin woman suggested he enjoy the springs and he agreed. Reaching to untie his obi he thought back to his domineering attitude the night before and hesitated for a moment, a tinge of concern welling up in him.

"We... saw a lot of each other last night..." He said, his yukata sliding slowly down his frame. In more ways than just visual as well. He had never acted that animalistic before. Even though they did not lie together perhaps how parts of them had hoped... the change within him was sudden. Was that truly the real Muramasa? Maybe the answer more complicated. "Didn't we?" Realizing that there was little left to hide from her eyes he let his garment fall to the floor and gave her one last look. He'd raise the back of his hand to gently stroke her cheek like he had last night. Then he slowly made his way into the hot springs. Soothing was an understatement as the waters swallowed him up to his shoulders. His skin and muscles would surely thank Shiina. Leaning against one of the walls he let his head rest over the edge and placed the warm towel from before on his brow. Relaxing there he would again drift off into a faint sleep. Likely until the woman returned from her ventures in the kitchen.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

She smiled at him before turning away, reminded that she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Usually alcohol didn't cause her to fall asleep, being very much tolerant to drink. But perhaps all the sake she had drank for the entire night had caught up to her. "Thank you, I apologize for falling asleep like that. I'm usually not a light-weight." He would then suggest that she tell him about her childhood, after hearing her humming. "Of course, but there isn't really much to tell." And she was being quite truthful, for her childhood had been so long ago. She had things that she remembered doing, and although not too proud of them now, given the circumstances, she would rather not dwell deeper.

"We were both put in an unusual predicament last night. We did see a lot of each other." Shiina was unusually distant, not because she minded that they had bathed together. The night before was a blur to her, and the only parts that she remembered were when Muramasa killed a samurai and then she framed another; not exactly the most pleasant of memories. Where he had broken down after having committed murder, she would have done the same, simply for framing someone that was entirely harmless. She had been under the impression that Muramasa had personal problems with the two of them, and had acted solely on that alone, which begged the question if she would ever do that again, or more importantly, for another person.

"We can talk about it on the road, I suppose." If that was what he wanted, she willed herself to entertain, because it wasn't every day that someone as stoic as the man standing before her would show such emotion...such vulnerability.

With that, she left him to be.

And once she had finished the breakfast, she asked two hostesses to bring the trays to their room. With them behind her, she would return, to find Muramasa finished with the hot springs. The two hostesses set down the trays and excused themselves from the room. "I asked for a light breakfast. I'm not sure what you like and don't like to eat, but I thought we should at least have a good one before we left." Of course, she deliberately ommitted the fact that she had made it herself. There was no need to tell someone of things that were unimportant, at least in her eyes. 'It's oyako-don and miso soup. We should eat before the food gets cold."

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

The young man shook his head as she said that she was sorry.

"Nothing to apologize for." He would insist, thinking back on the night's events. So much had happened. Too much. "It was late and... last night was heavy." His eyes drifted downward just for a moment as his mind ran through the details. Once they returned to meet hers they were softer still. "Thank you for your help. I won't forget it." Shiina played a vital part in his ploy, more than she knew. If not for her his ruse could have easily been uncovered. Perhaps even more red would stain his hands. The woman said that she supposed they could talk about it on the road and after a moment more of thought he shook his head a bit. "Only if you want to." It was truly up to her, and her consent was important to him. Though she was a fascinating person he knew too well of unwanted prying.

Feelings he would just as soon not delve into. Dark things lurked there. Perhaps it was best to leave them be for now.

After his nap in the springs he awoke to the sound of rustling coming from the room. Muramasa would exit the water, drying himself and wrapping his body loosely in a fresh yukata as he entered. "This looks... great." He would say, staring at the trays with the closest thing to shock his muted expression could manage. Wonderful smells filled the room. In all the haste of last night he did not get a chance to eat. His eyes moved to her once more and the faint shadow of a smirk grew on his face. "Thank you again." With the exception of seafood he was truly not a picky eater, and so after setting places for them at the small table in the room he would pour Shiina a cup of water before himself and sit down to wait.

Mindful of his manners he made sure not to start until she had. As the first small bite of chicken left his chopsticks his eyes widened just slightly. "Wonderful." He said once he finished swallowing. "Much better than what they usually serve here." His table etiquette was quite good, and though he ate rather slowly it was clear from his body language that he enjoyed it. "Maybe a new cook?" He thought, unaware that the woman had prepared this herself. Regardless he approved.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

The woman nodded her head at his comment of only going down the path of discussing the matters of the night before if she wanted to. He was being a gentleman, and although she had not anticipated him to become totally a different person, she somewhat appreciated the gesture. "Of course, but nothing comes from forcefulness, so we shall let things take their course." And she meant it. Shiina didn't want Muramasa to feel like they had to have a discussion if she was prepared for it and he was not. She smiled at him warmly, the warmest probably she had since they met, an indication that she had meant the words she spoke, contrary of how she had carried herself in the earlier parts of the night prior.

As they sat down to enjoy their food, the woman was secretly glad that he enjoyed it. Although he didn't say much, his expression softened, as did hers when she ate something delectable. She would take a spoonful of the rice with egg and chicken, smiling like she never smiled before in another's presence. She hadn't really cooked much for other people either, so the fact that it had turned out much better than she expected it to was both a surprise and made her proud. At least her mother had taught her well, she thought to herself. "I don't know, maybe." She would say casually as Muramasa mentioned whether there was a new cook in the kitchen, as the quality of the food was much better today than it had been.

She still took the compliment on the inside.

The two would eat silently for quite some time, enjoying their food. She was never one to really talk when it came to eating, preferring to enjoy to the fullest capacity what had been prepared, as a form of respect for those who took the time to prepare it for her. When they were almost finished, the woman would look up at Muramasa, hoping that the meal had helped lift his spirits, knowing that he hadn't slept very well the night before. "I am admittedly a coffee drinker more than tea, but if you would like some tea, I could prepare some for you?" She understood that not everyone enjoyed the bitterness and aftertaste of coffee, so she suggested its milder cousin, tea.

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Listening to her say that nothing came from forcefulness prompted a nod from the young man.

His eyes looked to her. "Agreed." It was something he too believed wholeheartedly. Trying to force things only ever backfired. What was natural would come and what wasn't perhaps wasn't meant to be. As the pair ate he was silent for a remainder of the meal. Quietude was his usual state. A very far cry from the charismatic if a bit pompous 'Masamune Fudo' he had pretended to be for a large portion of the night before.

Shiina would be able to tell that his default expression seemed to be one of sober neutrality. Though he looked calm and slightly aloof, his eyes could not fully hide a melancholy he lived with. Before the day was up perhaps she would know why.

Once they had finished eating he stacked his tableware up neatly. "That was fantastic, thank you Shiina... -san." He added the honorific late, remembering that they had called each other by their names absent any while holding one another in the springs. Always one to defer to people's preferred names he would opt to use whichever she wanted. They were not that familiar with one another and yet she knew more about him than most. It was an odd feeling. As he ruminated on this she offered to get them coffee. His half smirk returned. "Coffee's my favorite." And it really was. Kept him alive most days. "You've already done so much, let me get it." With that he would rise and head for the door, stopping only to ask. "How do you take yours?" After she responded he would exit the room heading towards the kitchen to order.

Approaching the owner who was still preparing breakfast for the other guests he would greet her and ask about the drinks. With a nod she went to brewing the beverages but before she left he asked. "Noriyaki... what of his fate?" His eyes fell to the kitchen where he had last seen the man. With a serious expression on her face the owner told him that he had been taken into the custody of his lord. Commoners were not privy to the dealings of the samurai caste but whispers were abound of seppuku. A final chance to regain his lost honor. Muramasa would simply nod and let her return to her business. "A casualty of war..." The thought stuck in his mind. Maybe the first... but unlikely to be the last.

Several minutes passed and after receiving the beverages he added any finishing touches Shiina desired, himself deciding to drink his black this morning. With that he would head back to the room holding a tray with their cups and a ceramic pot containing the rest of the dark liquid.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

The way he added in the honorifics to the end of her name as he addressed her wouldn't go unnoticed. She nodded her head in response. Despite having called him without any honorifics the night before, that was then and this was now. Until she could understand a little more about him, she was going to allow for the honorifics to continue. They had been in a mental place that wasn't the healthiest then, but they were more composed now, which meant that all would return to normal, or at least she hoped. Shiina put down her spoon and heaved a small sigh. If there was one thing that could all things, she knew that it would be food. The woman smiled as Muramasa told her that he loved coffee, a similarity that was uncommon in these parts. Many preferred green tea, preferred its nature more than their more caffeinated counterpart.

"With just a dash of cream, if you don't mind." As he got up to leave the room, presumably to get the drinks from the kitchen, the young woman would get up from her chair, walking to the window. She stared outside long and hard, her eyes distant and mind distracted. Now that she had some alone time, and that she was more in control of her emotions, Shiina thought long and hard about what had happened the night before. It had all started just as normally and uneventful as any other night. Then the samurai came and went, and everything seemed like a blur from the moment they sat down at their table. She thought about everything she had done and failed to do, in a way betraying her principles for something she wasn't even sure was valid. Of course, she trusted that the hatred Muramasa held towards samurai in general was valid enough, but was it enough to have caused her to do what she had done.

She had indirectly killed a man and possibly his entire family's reputation...

The woman shuddered slightly at the thought, realizing the true terror of what she had done. While she didn't lift a finger, she had done something equally as deadly as killing a man. And for what? She would be lost in thought for the entirety of Muramasa's absence. He would see her standing by the window upon his return, and she wouldn't move even as she heard the door open to reveal the man with a tray of two cups of coffee. She wanted to know some answers, wanted to know if what she had done could be completely justified. Just because she was a nukenin didn't mean she could just go around killing people, directly or otherwise, and if it became to known to her that what she had done the night before was not, she would have to kill the man before her.

And she knew she had the ability to...

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Upon reentering the room he would find Shiina staring out of the window seemingly lost in thought.

Many times he had done the same, so he recognized the look. Wordlessly the young man would take both of their drinks in hand. Approaching the woman he would offer up her cup gently. "Careful, it's hot." His only words. For a while he would join her there, staring out at the surrounding nature in silence. A lot had happened in their short time together. Of course there was much to think about. After some time he would take a sip of his drink, the caffeine a welcome salve for his tired soul.

"It's been so long since I've been back home..." Finally he spoke, eyes still fixed on the horizon. "I wanted to spend more time here... but I decided those flowers shouldn't wait after all." Slowly he would turn his gaze to the Ryuujin woman. Those dark eyes of his still softer. For the time being at least. "If you'd still like to come along I'd welcome the company." And with that, he would flash his faint remnant of a smirk before turning to walk towards the door. "Meet me by the entrance?" He figured it best to offer again rather than assume. Afterwards he would grab his journal before exiting the room to his own rented one. All of his gear and clothing were still there. Warmer attire was needed if they were spending time outside.

Muramasa slowly undressed once he had closed the door to his room. The coffee was helping but he still felt a bit sluggish. Tired... in more ways than just physical. Donning a warm pale green kimono with a darker green haori over top, the young man would put on his warmest pair of socks and a a pair of fur-lined kegutsu over those. He also took the time to wrap some thin bandages around the knuckles on his right hand, tying them off at his palm. Moving to the wall of his room he would collect his wrapped equipment slinging it over his right shoulder. Yoshitake his katana also hung from this same shoulder. He also chose to bring along a weather-worn satchel containing various vials and a mortar and pestle.

With his things collected he would make his way towards the ryokan's communal area, quietly greeting some of the staff as he saw them. After last night perhaps it was for the best to move on. Last thing they needed were retainers showing up with questions. Or worse... someone who knew the Masamune clan. His own mind thought of Shiina and what she must be going through. He knew she would have questions for him. Answers he had... but were they the ones she sought? For someone who knew the consequences of revenge such as her they may be. But only time itself would tell for sure.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

As he approached her, she would turn her head to look at him, accepting his cup of coffee and nodded at his caution towards the hot beverage. Shiina raised the cup in one hand, the saucer firmly held in the other, and took a drink from it. Hot beverages were like hot springs, capable of calming nerves and any emotions that came aling with it. She took one slow sip, appreciating the warmth, and then another, where she appreciated the aromatics. The beans they used today were that that carried a hint of hazelnut and vanilla, a combination creating a harmony like any other. She usually preferred dark roast, its bitterness balancing well with the natural acidity from the coffee, but she was pleasantly surprised by this medium roast. She closed her eyes and took small sips, her smile she had shown towards the food returning. The two of them stood in silence for awhile, and from what she could see, the man stared out the window with the same gaze she did, one that held his deepest thoughts.

"Of course I wouldn't mind." She snapped back into reality at Muramasa's invitation. Right, she had almost forgotten that the woman had promised the night before to partake in some kind of flower picking. She had been exhausted then, not quite registering all that the man had to say. "And of course, I shall meet you at the entrance." Shiina turned and retired to the bathroom, fixing her kimono. Although it was far from the material and fitting as the kimono she wore yesterday, she knew that she would have to make do. This one was that of dark blue and black, with a gold and black obi to tie it together. It was a kimono she received during one of her performances as a geisha, one which she kept to this day. It didn't really matter what she wore, if she had to be horribly truthful. She was still a very pretty woman, one who screamed sophistication, education and elegance with every small movement of her body and bat of her eye.

She had trained herself to get to this point though, as such composure and grace didn't come at birth. In fact, she had been quite the opposite as a child. But time and circumstances brought the best and worst out of everyone, and if there was one thing she was thankful for, it was the fact that she at least was able to adopt a personality contrary to her innate self for the sake of disguise. No person on the outside looking in could see that she was indeed none of those things. She had even adopted a way to speak that fit her narrative as a geisha, her true talents and skills at adaptation at its finest.

Shiina walked downstairs to wait for Muramasa, bowing to the owner of the ryokan. "I apologize for causing you and the staff so much trouble last night..." This was especially true since she had lodged here free of charge. The woman would insist that there was no trouble at all and that she was simply glad that both of them were unharmed. She knew for a fact that she herself wasn't going to visit the ryokan for some time, at least until the incident would be long gone from the memories of all those who had been unfortunate enough to have to take part in. As Muramasa emerged, she appreciated the green kimono he wore, giving him a slight bow while bidding her temporary farewell to the owner.

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Hearing her accept his offer warmed him slightly... as warm as a person like him could get anyway.

Arriving at the entryway it would seem that Shiina beat him there and when he saw her he could feel a small amount of heat on his face. Muramasa had never seen a woman like her before. In fact, he was convinced there weren't any other women like her. She looked stunning in such an elegant garb, making his own look rather plain by comparison. Approaching just in time to hear her apologize to the owner he also turned to the woman and nodded. "Clan Masamune thanks you for your graciousness." He spoke, a closed-eye faux smile spreading across his face. One final appearance from Fudo. Turning towards Shiina once more he would see her bow. His true expression returned and though it was muted it did hold some actual warmth within its depths. "My lady." His greeting, something he'd never say normally... but he figured why not put on a parting performance? With that he bid the ryokan owner farewell and offered the crook of his arm to Shiina to hold on to if she wished. Coyly as they had arrived they would depart. Out into the brisk, winter air.

Sounds of his kegutsu clacking against the dirt road carried as they walked. Mild as the day was it was still winter. His head turned to Shiina. "Are you cold?" A question came, he wanted to be sure she was comfortable. Weather in the Land of Iron could be harsh but he was accustomed to it. Hopefully she would be alright. Soon they would pass the meadow where Jinzashin met his end. Muramasa said nothing. Only giving it a blank stare as they walked by... a flash of his cold self returning for the briefest of moments.

Withdrawing his journal from the satchel he wore with one hand he would flip open to a page containing sketches of local flora. After some pondering he spoke. "First up is aconite." He spoke aloud. "Wolfsbane." Its more common name. As they continued on his eyes wandered the path observantly. "It's a hardy little yellow flower... shouldn't be too hard to find." For a while more there was silence... and then a question came to mind. Propagated by the memory of the Ryuujin woman catching him in the act of poisoning the samurai from last night. "Do you know much about toxins?" He would ask, his dark eyes falling to her. During the course of the night they had revealed much to one another but there was still so much mystery between them both. A feeling he was almost sure she shared. As they walked he would simply stare. Waiting.

[Ryuujin Shiina]

In the city of fools, I was careful and cool but they tore me apart like a hurricane.

TAG - Muramasa Uemon



NOTES -

The last appearance of 'Fudo' was almost too compelling for the woman to ignore. She glanced at Muramasa as he spoke to the ryokan owner. With one final bow, the woman would exit first, giving the man a side eye to the man as he offered for her to exit first, another Fudo gesture. The bitter cold air hit her suddenly, and for a second her body trembled, unaccustomed to the cold. The young woman had just come from the safety and warmth of the hot springs, after all, and she didn't like the cold. As though reading her mind, Muramasa would ask if she was cold, to which she firmly shook her head. If there was one thing that Shiina was, it was defiant and stubborn like that. The woman took his arm, proceeding to walk slowly next to him. She would feel that his coldness had returned, especially when they passed through a meadow.

"Who are we picking these flowers for?" She finally broke the silence, the biting winds tore through her kimono fabric. She realized that she had agreed to pick flowers but had forgotten for who or for what purpose they were picking them for. The two of them would continue to walk in silence, although her mind would be racing with questions. Depending on his answers, she would hope to gage him in some form of conversation, all the while wondering how anyone in the Land of Iron could survive such winters and its harshness. It was true that Kumo had its cold weather times too, but not on the same scale as what she now.

And then the man would pull open his black book, rummaging through the pages until he found the flowers, the ones he had showed her last night. She knew of flowers, at least by name and its basic appearance. But anything other than that was new to her, especially toxins. "I'm guessing, since you seem quite familiar with flowers, that you are in turn familiar with toxins as well?" Her voice would tremble from the cold. "I've always been quite fascinated with poisons. I've only had very limited exposure to them though and admittedly would love to learn more, if given the opportunity."

MADE BY MIZO

[Muramasa Uemon]

Muramasa

Feeling her trembling Muramasa would cease walking for a moment, silently removing his haori to drape around Shiina's shoulders. She did not need to say, and he was used to the air.

Once finished he would let her take his arm once more, continuing their stroll along the road. The Ryuujin woman asked who they were picking flowers for and his eyes lowered for a moment in thought. "Well... I need to refill my stores after last night." His voice was soft, though his natural aloofness seemed to wither some around her. Perhaps due to the events of the previous evening. "But I haven't stepped foot in my homeland for eight years." It had been quite some time indeed. Too long. "Figured since I'm here now... I should go pay respects to my grandfather's grave." As he said this his eyes drifted up so that he was looking forward. Ever forward. "And my father's." Silence followed his last words as his face seemed to grow severe once more.

For a time they walked on, Shiina's warmth at his side a welcome aid against the winds. "Here we are." He said, a bright yellow bud catching his eye growing just in front of a wide tree trunk. He walked them over so that they were shielded against the biting gusts and knelt down. A nod came as she inquired about toxins. "Make all my own." He said, producing a kunai from a hidden holster on his person before placing the blade to the flower's stem. Shiina spoke of wanting to learn and he glanced up at her. "I'll show you." With that, he slashed the stem cleanly. Rising to his feet to present it. "Some call Aconite the 'Queen of Poisons'." He spoke, gingerly holding the plant between his thumb and index finger. "Very deadly, a few teaspoons of tincture can kill within hours. Instantly in large doses." Glancing at her face he tilted his head a bit, holding up the yellow flower for comparison. "Compliments your eyes." Muramasa would conclude, his half-smirk returning as he allowed for her to examine it. Once she had finished he would carefully stow it away in his satchel and offer his arm again. There were other sights left to see.

"Foxglove is next on the list." He would say as they returned to the road. The winds seemed to be getting weaker... but it was still quite brisk. "Normally they appear as purple-pink tubes... but they're dormant in winter so we're looking for an innocuous earthy root." A bit trickier this time. His dark eyes kept a lookout. As they walked a question of his own came to mind. "Why the interest in poison?" He would ask, glancing at the woman again. Perhaps it was simply her pursuit of knowledge. Or maybe there was more to her fascination?