"Alright, we better go then." Leaving the ramen shop she heads into the trees, a bit away from the town, then jumps up into them and leads Akira back to her village. The sun is not yet at its peak when they arrive there, the ninjas standing guard looking at her a bit in surprise, obviously not having expected her to come back. Going over to one of them she issues a command, "Tell my father that if he wants to hear what I have to say then to get everyone gathered in the center of the village, I'll at the raise used for making announcements." Nodding nervously he does as she asks. Looking over her shoulder she smiles nervously at Akira, taking a deep breath and heading to the center of the village. Luckily the village is small enough so that even Akira will be able to hear her from the raise.

Akira follows her and is relieved when they reach her village more or less on time. He nods and gives her an encouraging smile. "Do your best, Yusa," he says as he watches her go in.

As promised, he stays at the gate, watching the raise curiously as the villagers slowly start making their way there. He waits patiently for everyone to come, wondering what Yusa will say to them. He is somewhat glad that the village is a small one. If Yusa is loud enough, he will be able to hear what she has to say.

Once almost everyone had gathered and her father finally comes to stand among them she takes a deep breath before addressing everyone.

"Some of you might have heard how I've left the clan and you're probably wandering what I'm doing back here. Even more so after the deal my father has made with some of the men here in the village. But enough is enough, I don't care about becoming the head of the clean and I don't have any plans on causing any trouble either. Most of you think that I'm probably just some cold hearted assassin that did the elders' and my father's bidding. You both right and wrong about that. Yes I did their bidding, but only because I knew how to do nothing else. I had spent so much of my life killing and training in ways to kill them that I didn't know how to act around others, not even my own family." Tears begin to form in her eyes and she has to wipe them away so she can continue looking at the crowd before her.

"But to be completely honest, I have always been jealous of my sisters, being allowed to choose their life, being able to fall in love and have children of their own. I felt like an outcast in my own family, and I felt like my father never even cared whether or not I wanted to lead a different life, just the life he thought my mother would have wanted of me. But after meeting Akira I realized their was more out there that I could do, I just had to be the one to take the steps to achieve them. So I'm leaving the village and I don't know if I will or will not return, it all depends on how I feel during my travels. But I'm tired of doing nothing but killing my whole life, I'm going to do something different with it now."

Akira looks up as everyone finally gathers, including Yusa's father. He is able to hear what Yusa is saying and his mind wanders back to the time when he himself had done this.

"All of you know about me, about how my father adopted and took care of me when I had nothing. For that, I am and will always be grateful. But I have decided that, honorable as it may be, the ninja way of life does not suit me. Thus, with my father's permission, I am leaving the clan.....

His attention is brought back as he listens to the end of Yusa's speech. She is not mincing words the way he had done. That is her personality, he supposes.

While everyone is murmuring and talking about what she's just said, Yusa ducks down into the crowd, making her way through them. As she breaks away from the crowd she sees her two sisters, standing there as if waiting there for her. They both rush over and hug her tightly, "We're so sorry, we never realized you felt so lonely. You just always did what father told you to and you always shied away from people. Whatever happens to you, we wish for your happiness." Giving her a gentle squeeze they let her go, letting her return to Akria. Just as she gets there though her father approaches them.

"Huh, never would have thought you'd have the guts to say that in front of everyone, and you've caused quite a stir while you were at it."

Akira smiles as he watches Yusa with her sisters, who are hugging her. Good, at least they understand her well. He gives her a wide grin as she approaches him and is about to tell her that she did a good job, when her father approaches them.

"Really?" he says, when the old man says he didn't expect her to speak. "I would have thought it was to be expected. She's your daughter after all." He smiles at Yusa for a bit, before turning his attention to her father. "I have done what you have asked me to do. I brought her here and she spoke her mind in front of everyone. I hope you will keep up your end of the deal. It would mean a lot to Yusa and me." He looks at the other man, trying to show the respect that is due to an elder but at the same time making it clear that he will not be trifled with.

"I keep my word, boy. But I can't guarantee some of the boys won't get their own idea of things. Seems some of them have had a liking for Yusa for a while and only didn't go after her because of me. So I'm washing my hands of this, if you get into any trouble its on you two now." Him and Yusa turn away from one another at the same time, her father heading back further into the village.

"Let's get out of here, he's making my skin crawl and I'd rather leave while there's still some confusion anyways. It will keep the guys busy."

Akira looks at the man and nods. "Fair enough," he says and the other man walks away. His attention turns to Yusa. "That's true," he says to her. "Let's leave. Maybe we can go back to the village we were in last and head south from there?"

As they walk away, Akira turns back to look at the village one more time. The crowd is still there, as though expecting some explanation about what they had just heard. He chuckles and turns to Yusa. "Seems like your little speech has left the people dumbfounded," he says.

"Yeah, let's. And this time let's not go to that merchant, he doesn't seem too keen on us coming back. I'm ready for a nice, long soak in the baths. We can stay at the inn there, at this point I don't care if they recognize me." She looks back to where Akira had indicated and laughed softly, "Well, it was bound to happen. My sisters are probably not going to explain anything, not after they realized how I felt. They had tried in the past to get me to hang out with them and father got angry with them, but I never spoke up either. I guess I was just so used to my life that I didn't see a need to change it until now...Anyways, I'll race you back to the village, loser gets to pay for dinner!" Jumping up into the trees she takes off, very much like a bird freed from its cage.

Akira smiles at Yusa. She seems quite cheerful all of a sudden. Well, it isn't like he doesn't understand. He remembers how free he had felt when he'd left. It wouldn't be going too far to say that Yusa felt exactly the same way.

His expression changes to one of surprise, followed by one of excited happiness as he follows after her. He soon catches up with her. "Don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're a lady!" he half yells at her as he goes. The two of them race through the trees, neither one having the upper hand on the other for more than two or three minutes.

In the end, however, Akira slows himself down subtly and allows Yusa to win. As they reach the end, he lets out an exhausted sigh. "Whoo! That was fun," he says to her. "You might have won this time, but don't get too confident. I won't let you win the next time." He says this with an almost childish happiness. Being set free was one thing, but having a partner with you to share your freedom with makes him feel a different kind of happiness.

Too busy enjoying herself, she doesn't see Akira purposely slow down. Smiling she pants a bit as she looks over at him. "I'll have to keep that in mind, we can't go slacking off, now can we?" Giggling she leads them to the inn, smiling as she goes up to the hostess.


"A room for two please, Akira do you want a meal with that? Or did you want to go out and eat somewhere? Oh! And baths for two."

"Just so you know after a certain time its a mixed bath, so if you don't want to be in the mixed one be sure to go at the posted times outside the baths."

Akira is quick to make his decision. He suggests that they take their meals at the inn itself. Better to try different kinds of food rather than eat ramen everyday. He finds himself hoping that the inn serves Takoyaki.

"I'll keep that in mind," he says to Yusa. "Thanks for telling me. Why don't you go ahead to our room and unpack your things? I'll join you in a while, there are some things I have to do."

"Alright, a room for two with baths and a meal." The host leads Yusa to their room, bowing in thanks to the host. Closing the door behind her, Yusa sets their stuff down and begins unpacking her own, not sure what Akira wants done with his belongings. Taking some of her gear she stealthily sets up some alarm systems to warn her if someone intrudes into their room.

"Well, today has a been a long day, the women's bath is still open so I'll get a bath before dinner." Changing into her robes she heads out to the baths, not even thinking about it she strips like normal when she hears the women behind her gasp.

"Miss! Who's been mistreating you so much?" Caught off guard Yusa is confused, looking down at her body and seeing the scars from her missions and training.

"Mistreating me? Oh, these are just from errands I've done and part of the upbringing I've had. It's not anything to worry about." She laughs a bit nervously, hoping that the women don't question her any more.

Akira reaches an isolated place somewhere in the woods, next to a stream. He washes his clothes in the water. He did not want to get it done at the inn, for some reason. Or maybe he just needs a distraction.

He immerses himself in the washing, forgetting about everything else. He has a tendency to lose himself in whatever he is doing, giving it all his attention. It is probably why he was one of the best ninjas in his clan.

After he is done with the washing, he checks the water, but it is far too cold to have a bath in. He goes back to the inn, only to see that he can only go to the mixed bath now. He sighs and decides to wait for the crowd to thin a little at least. He briefly wonders what Yusa might be doing.

Yusa, finishing her bath before supper is ready, decides to have a look around the inn to get an idea of the layout in case something happens. She notices Akira waiting out of the baths after making a full circle around the inn, Looking at the sign she sees that it says its now the mixed baths that are open.

"If you're waiting a bit we can see if supper is ready ad just have dinner first. Oh, and don't get too close to the largest rock in the pools, that's the hottest spot."

Akira looks up as he hears Yusa's voice coming from his side and nods. "Dinner sounds good," he says and smiles at her. "And thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind when I get in there." He frowns in the direction of the baths. "Doesn't look like that'll be happening anytime soon, though. It's a mad rush in there. And I get uncomfortable bathing in the middle of too many people."

He walked with her, not sure where they were going. "Are they going to give us our meal in our room or is there a dining room of some sort? I haven't been to an inn like this before, actually." It was true. Most of his missions had involved no more than three steps: go, kill, return. There had never been time for anything else.

"Well, when I went by our room there wasn't anyone there nor any food. And when I checked the dinning area they seem to have separate tables for group and such. So we'll probably have our own place to sit and eat at by the looks of it. I've never actually stayed at an inn either to be honest, it was always camping in the woods." She leads him back in the direction of the dinning area since she's already memorized the floor plan of the inn.

Akira allows himself to be led by Yusa into the dining hall. He looks at her briefly before looking back at the ground and following her silently. He silently cursews himself for entertaining such thoughts. He has only just met this woman and yet...

It has to pass soon, he thinks. Otherwise travelling with her could be a big problem. He has never felt like this around any woman before and he has no idea what he might do.

"This seems like a nice spot," he says, pointing to a small table next to a window.

"Yes, not crowded or anything so it will be easier to avoid people trying to sit with us." Taking a seat she looks around, taking in the details of the room around her. Looking back at Akira as they wait her mind wonders a bit. She realizes that she finds Akira very interesting, having a good appearance, is a strong ninja like herself, but also kind. He's the kind of guys her sisters would have easily fallen in love with, thinking he'd make a good father. As soon as that thought crosses her mind, she pales slightly, then gets a slight blush. She tries not to draw attention to herself as the servers come up with their food.

"Thank you very much." bowing slightly in thanks.

Akira too bows in thanks to the servers as they come with the meals. He looks at the tempura-soba in front of him. He picks up the chopsticks and starts eating, his mind constantly thinking about Yusa. He finds it tough to eat, because of his own thoughts that are bothering him.

"Would you like some sake, sir?" a server comes over and asks. Akira nods and allows the man to pour him some of the drink. Soon, though, Akira asks the man to leave the bottle on their table and pours himself more and more sake, until he is a little drunk.

Yusa picks at her food, not because she doesn't like it, but the realization of her thoughts in regards to Akira. When the server comes over she's tempted to have some sake herself but thinks better of it. Though as the night goes on she sees Akira becoming less and less sober. Sighing she reaches for the bottle, "I think you've had enough, if you drink anymore I'll probably have to carry you back to the baths and wash you myself. Then take you back to the room." She blushes a bit at the thought, but if this continued it would result in that.

Finally drunk, Akira's head begins to spin as a few laughs escape him from time to time. As Yusa reaches for his bottle, he pulls his hand back, almost as though he were a child trying to keep his mother from taking away a favorite toy.

"I would like that," he says and laughs, and then frowns and tilts his head to the side, in a childlike manner. "Now, why on earth did I say that?" He looks at Yusa for a brief moment and laughs again.

Sighing, Yusa accepts that she's going to have to take him into the mixed bath and wash him up. Summoning the server she thanks them for their service, then turns to Akira.

"Alright, we're going to go take a bath now, I'm going to help you walk there so you don't hurt yourself." Cautiously she reaches out and wraps her arm around his back to help hold him up as they walk towards the baths. She does get some strange looks for helping him that way since women don't normally hold men up like that. When they reach the baths it seems empty so she helps Akira inside and starts to undress him.

"I don't know what's up with you today, you didn't seem the type to drink much. Did what happen at my village really bother you that much?"

Despite being drunk, Akira goes obediently with Yusa to the baths, though not before he has made sure that all eyes are on them, with his antics. Of course, he is completely oblivious to the stares, so he is completely unbothered.

At the baths, he goes silent and stares off into space as Yusa begins to undress him. He looks up at her question. "No," he says. "Itsoo." The alcohol has made his speech slurry.

"Itsoo? You're slurring a bit there. Its oo...do you mean its you?" Once she finishes undressing him she starts to undress herself. "I'm actually a little surprised that you let yourself get lost in your drink. From what I've learned of you over the past few days its not a habit you have. Normally you're pretty level headed, even though both of us are not used to being outside of our clans."

Folding both of their robes neatly she sets them in a cubby, then grabs towels for each of them along with soap for him.

Akira is able to process Yusa's words, but only barely. He listens to what she says, but only half of it reaches him.

"Itsoo," he says again. "You... lost... my drink..." He is unable to form proper sentences anymore. He meant to say that he lost himself in the sake because of her. Or rather his feelings for her. He feels like it is wrong to have such thoughts because he has only just met her. But he cannot possibly form such long sentences at this point, to explain to her. He just sits there in silence, stealing a few glances at Yusa from time to time.

Trying to not show that's this conversation is making her sad, Yusa puts all the stuff into one of the buckets and carries it under one arm while she helps Akira up and leads him to the baths.

"Sorry that my family problems have upset you like this, unfortunately it seemed unavoidable with how things were going." After easing him into the water she sets the bucket down and takes out the soap and towels, setting them to the side. She gets in the water with Akira, using the bucket to scoop up some water and carefully wets his hair with the water.

"I'm just glad that you're letting me travel with you, besides what's happened because of my father I've been having a lot of fun."

Akira looks at her, looking confused as Yusa eases him into the water. What is she talking about? Her family problems don't bother him in the least. At least, not anymore, it's ancient history now. He can't help but think about how beautiful she is, as she wets his long hair using the bucket.

Then he frowns a little as she seems a little sad, and his thoughts run mile-a-minute, with the alcohol stooping his brain from repressing them.

Why is she sad? Where did the smile go? He wants to see her happy and smiling. Ah, never mind, he'll just put one on her face, then she'll look pretty again. He reaches out to her face and pulls the ends of her lips upwards, in a lopsided smile. He seems satisfied with it, however.

"There, pretty," he says, grinning.

She stares at him for a moment, then cracks up laughing, "Well, you sure are interesting when you're drunk, that's for sure. Now let me wash your hair for you." Smiling softly while laughing to herself about his antics. She putting some shampoo in her hands and starts lathering it into this head.

"You know, what with all my family trouble and all, it's got me wondering about your family."

Akira smiles widely when she sees that she's laughing. He's happy to see her like that. He lets her lather the shampoo onto his hair. At her question, he tilts his head to the side.

After thinking for a moment, he finally says, "My family is big. Very big." He is starting to feel a little sleepy, but is kept awake by Yusa scrubbing his hair.

"Well, if you mean your clan, then yes, that would be big. But I mean like parents and stuff. You've mentioned them in passing before, but you don't really talk about them. Now close your eyes and tilt your head forward, I need to rinse your hair." She fills the bucket with she dumps water on his head to rinse out the shampoo.

Akira is silent for a moment as he obeys Yusa and tilts his head. His attitude takes a complete turn. "I don't remember," he says, slowly. "Hiroki and Sayuri Koga took care of me when he found me at the age of eight." His eyes get a distant look as he remembers that fateful day. "My parents."

Now that he has started, he can't stop. He continues to talk about his parents. "My father found me on the streets. I had tried to steal from him on that day. I was not always a thief. Street life forces you to do things. His... men... would have killed me if it weren't for him. He saw potential in me." He falls silent again.

"My mother couldn't bear him any children of his own. Still, she treated me like her own son. She gave me the love that a mother would have given her real son." His speech slows even more. "I... owe them... so much..."

She listens to him as she continues to rinse his hair, when she's down she gently wraps her arms around him, "I'm glad they loved you so much, they probably wanted you to be happy no matter what. Have you thought of possibly visiting them in the future? To tell them stories of the places you've been and the things that you've seen? I think that would probably make them really happy finding out about all the things you've experienced."

"Yes. I will see them. My father said that I was welcome at all times." Akira tells her as he feels her hands around him, making him blush a little. He continues to talk, pouring his heart out to her, even though he has only just met her.

"The Koga elders were nice too. My grandmother, especially." He laughs as he thinks about Hiroki Koga's mother. "She would laugh so much if she could see me right now." He put on a face, imitating his grandmother. "Ha ha, look at you! The great Akira Koga, smiter of the devil himself, goes weak in front of a woman!"

He laughed out loud, still imitating his grandmother. He had no idea that his sentence was a dead give-away. He was too busy laughing to notice.

Smiling, she enjoys hearing about his family, but stiffens a bit when he imitates his grandmother, her mind running a million miles a minute. Going weak in front of a woman? He hasn't done so in front of women that I've seen. Unless... Letting go she nervously moves so that she's in front of Akira, facing him.

"Akira, you weren't drinking because you were worried about me, were you? Do you..." she tries to say like while blushing, and can't get the word out for some reason, it just feels like her throat keeps closing up on her for some reason. She's never experienced this before and doesn't know what to do.

Akira's laughs slowly die down as the sleepiness from earlier makes its presence felt. He yawns widely and looks at Yusa, who is now in front of him. She has gone beet red for some reason, but Akira likes it. He smiles sleepily at her. She doesn't complete her question, making Akira wonder what she's talking about, but the sleepiness is getting to him.

"I'm sleepy," he says to her, finally. "Can we go to bed?" His face resembles that of an innocent child.

Still red from embarrassment she sighs and shakes her head, "Alright, let me help you out so you can get some sleep." Helping him keep his balance while he gets out she's having a hard time looking at him without blushing. Using the towels she dries them both off and gets their robes on, helping him back to their room.

Upon entering she realizes that neither futon is set up for them to sleep, not having anticipated Akira drinking like he did. Sighing she sets him against the wall, "I have to get the beds set up, but as soon as I'm done we can go to sleep." Without even waiting for him to respond she moves the stuff in the room out of the way so she can get the first futon laid out, laying it neatly on the one side of the screen.

Akira holds on to Yusa as she guides him into their room, enjoying the fact that they are so close to each other. He would never have allowed such thoughts to come to him if he weren't drunk. Even if they did, he would have pushed them out.

Once inside the room, he waits as she spreads the futons out so that they can go to sleep. He immediately goes to lie down, unable to handle the sleepiness. Once Yusa is done ans she lies down on the bed herself, he puts his arm around her, holding her close, and slowly drifts off to sleep in that position.

Yusa senses Akira coming over to the futon, but is surprised when he pulls her down with him to sleep, latching onto her. She tries to wiggle out of his reach so she can make her own bed, but can't get out without waking Akira up. Eventually she gives up and just falls asleep next to him, snuggling closer to him in her sleep.

The next morning, Akira wakes up sleepily, initially unable to see anything clearly. He freezes and goes red when his vision clears up and he sees the position he's in. And it all comes back to him in a flash. The drinking. The going crazy. The baths...

Even so, he can't resist watching Yusa's sleeping figure for a while. Then, after a few minutes, he carefully gets up, taking great care not to wake her up.

He sits up and thinks for a moment.

I went too far yesterday. This has to stop. I might have to ask her to go her own way. But how can I do that?

His face is a little grim as he thinks. Finally, he just decides to act as though nothing happened. He could easily pretend as though he doesn't remember what happened last night.