Tourniquet {Kat&Shou}

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Most of Katsumi's injuries were healed. Her hands were still bandaged, and the cracked ribs and fractured wrists would take some time, but Katsumi was regaining more strength each and everyday. Finally able to walk in the town was a big accomplishment, and Katsumi thoroughly enjoyed being able to wander. But Haji was in a constant worry, unsurprisingly (and she did not blame him, as she would be the same), and, as much as she loved spending time with him, it was relaxing to sit on the beach by herself.

Her normally pulled back hair was down, brown wisps waving with the wind. Katsumi's charcoal hakama were rolled up to above her knees, and her dainty feet every so often were kissed by the cool ocean. She still wore her wrap, almost always masquerading as a man (and doing so now), but her men's black kimono hung loosely and the sleeves were pushed up.

She was normally such a busy body, but after the deep cuts from the katana in her hands, Katsumi was unable to keep herself at work. And this left her able to thoroughly enjoy her surroundings. For the first time, she was really able to admire the ocean, and her dark hues gazed out at the horizon, catching sight of the occasional fish jumping out of the water.

The sun was warm and Katsumi yawned, feeling like a cat ready to nap under those golden rays. Bladed bow beside her, more so out of comfort in her current state than anything, the petite archer leaned back and rested on the beach. Taking a hat she had bought at the nearby town, she placed it on her head, the visor acting as a shield against the sun, and the young woman closed her eyes.

Normally she wasn't so carefree and was always serious and on edge, but healing from those injuries after the torture and beating from the thugs, and spending time with her Haji left her feeling relaxed at times, and now was one of those times...

[Yamabara Shou]

Another day work done and dusted, and only the trip home lay ahead of him. However it wasn't often that he found himself in a coastal town. One of the main advantage of his work however was travelling and with that came the ability to take in sights of beauty that monumentally would allow him to forget, the chaos in the land. It wasn't long before found himself at the only sight of the town that he didn't normally get to see. Yellow white sand and deep blue sea in contrast with the light blue sky above. It was the same a beauty of movement that features such as waterfalls had, nor could he get down and drink the water ahead. But the slow crawl of waves back forth over then sand he had to admit was a calming one. 

Temporarily at peace memories of home flicked back to him, his old home before tragedy. With the sudden completion of thought he shook his from side to side clearing the images away. Looking round for something to distract him from the memory. It was then that he realised that he wasn't the only taking in the sight and sound of the beach today. It was only as he walked past along the beach and saw the person laying the beach closer up that he recognised him. 

"Saito-san this is unexpected crossing of paths." 

Looking over the smaller man, it didn't take much to notice bandage wrapped hand. Not a injury he had notice when they had met, probably a more recent one. Momentarily he wondered if he had treated himself, though the fact it was his hands made the seem unlikely. "Sorry to see you worse for wear though." Shou said turning his gaze back out onto the ocean. "It's peaceful here, isn't it? Wish I got to see more of the coast but my trips don't normally take me this far from home." 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

The girl's eyes fluttered open at hearing someone approach, and her hand instinctively slid over to her bow. She wasn't too sure how she would fare fighting now, but, if need be, Katsumi would without hesitation.

But a voice called out with familiarity, using her alias. She turned her head and blinked. "Yamabara-san? It... It is."

Forcing herself up to properly conduct herself, Katsumi covered her slender legs and arms, and tightened the kimono around her form. It was far too loose, and she didn't want the man figuring out her real gender. He would have noticed the numerous bruises and faint cuts on her body before she hurriedly covered herself.

"Oh, it's..." Katsumi halted. No, it wasn't alright. After being brutalized, it had damaged not only her but Haji. What those thugs did was unforgivable and her gaze cast down to her lap, a glimmer of sorrow within those brown hues, "the wounds are healing."

At least the physical wounds were healing. After releasing her rage, after some time, Katsumi was able to settle herself. What was done had been done, and she had suffered beatings like that before. But Haji... he killed those men, and it simply wasn't in his nature. Katsumi was far more worried for him than herself, and the girl bit down on her bottom lip.

Eyes away from his, she nodded to show her appreciation. "Thank you for your concern, Yamabara-san."

She glanced up at the sea and Katsumi's hand ran through her brown hair. "Yes, it is. I... never really noticed it before until I was forced to... well... stop."

Katsumi looked over at the man. "Where do you normally go, Yamabara-san?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou hadn't been paying to much attention when Saito had rearranged his clothes, and when he looked back once again he assumed Saito had done so in order to cover his wound to some extent out of some sort of pride or desire not to appear less hurt then he was, and he had no reason to suspect otherwise. "You don't have to thank me Saito-san. From what i've seen you're deserving of the concern." Shou explained, though he couldn't help wondering to himself how the wounds had occurred, but didn't know Saito well enough to pry. 

"I try and stop and admire the beauty of thing in the world where I can. Never know when war may pick up to the stage where stop to do so will mean death pretty much anywhere." Shou told him, a random fancy of what swimming in the ocean would be like, before dismissing the idea. 

"Normally I'm just making trips to towns and villages around Kofu, the occasional trip to the border of the Takeda/Uesugi territories." Maybe he shouldn't of told Saito, because he was a mercenary and could one day down the line, be hired by the Uesugi. Lucky that he had his own routes for travelling between places rather the most direct route most of the time to avoid notice. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

She didn't know Shou too much, and yet he seemed nice enough. The man appeared to be genuinely concerned, and Katsumi was glad she was finally meeting more and more of these people, despite having a hard time at getting used to it.

The archer nodded in response. It was true. She had simply been so busy that she hadn't really thought about it until now. Perhaps Katsumi could begin sparring the time to observe nature and places simply for its beauty, not for her typical reasons, such as finding escapes, because she didn't know what things were, or due to paranoia.

She nodded. "Ah, I see. I... wander, I suppose."

[Yamabara Shou]

He wasn't that surprised by the comment, the image of a wandering swordsman or archer was one of the images that came to mind when thinking of mercenary. It must be a nice level of freedom to have. HE travelled but to where he was told and ordered to go in order to deliver things. He had to fit in his pleasurable pursuit and training around that which was expected of him. But as a mercenary the only thing that was expect of Saito was to complete a job paid for.  After that he was free to go where he wanted once more. 

"Well it sounds nice. Maybe after things calm in the worlds, I'll have the chance to do so myself." Shou replied looking down at the sands. 'Maybe i'll visit a few more coastal towns.' He thought with a smile. "or maybe I'll finally stop running around everywhere and stay somewhere, never know what the future may bring." He added aloud, thinking to himself that it was the less likely of the ideas. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Her lips pressed in a straight line. Would the world ever really calm down? She knew Haji hoped for peace, fought for it, and yet with her experience in life she did not believe such a thing. This wasn't Haji, and so there wasn't nearly the amount of concern about crushing any potential dreams. This man wasn't fighting for peace, at least as far as she knew, and Katsumi was simply curious.

"Do you... really believe it will?"

Katsumi closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, then taking in the scent of the salty air. "Well, hopefully whatever will bring you the most joy you shall be able to do."

[Yamabara Shou]

Did he really think peace would come, one day it had to. He just hoped he was alive to see it. "The wars has to end one day, or their won't be anyone left to fight it, the way things are going." Shou said quite pessimistically, eventually people had to stop fighting, a never ending conflict was a depressing thought to have otherwise. "Well I wish you the same. I'd wish the same to anyone who's dreams could become true with the end of this chaos." He said looking up at the sky, before sitting down on the sand at last.

He might as well rest his feet for awhile before he had to leave.  Just like men, couldn't fight for ever he couldn't keep moving forever without a break. That would be one way for the war to end, when everyone was just too damn tired to fight any more.  Looking out at the ocean and wondering what the world beyond the land he knew where like. He didn't have hopes of it though, it had been people beyond the lands that had brought firearms. No place that had brought such a thing could be a peace. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Fair enough. It was a rather bleak way to look at things, but it was practical, and, as a person leaning towards such, she couldn't help but agree.

"True."

Her eyes fluttered open once more and the brown hues took in the beauty of the sea. Shou spoke and she listened, staring forward. Haji had talked about ending the conflict so that they could be together, and yet look at all of the people who were together now. While peace sounded fine and all, she had already achieved happiness by finding Haji and being with him. She didn't need peace for that, because she already had it.

"Thank you, Yamabara-san," she said while glancing over at him before staring out at the sea again. A soft, warm sigh escaped her lips. At one point, she didn't think happiness could come, but now that it had, the dream for such came and it was already granted. "I think... dreams can be achieved no matter the time, and, with that, happiness. One shouldn't have to be set on having a world that likely cannot exist. Peace of not, joy is very well possible. At least... that's what I think."

After meeting people who cared, Katsumi finally started opening up more and giving out her opinions, and even felt... alright about doing such.

[Yamabara Shou]

Maybe Saito was right about, being able to find joy even amongst the chaos and by his tone and word, Shou wondered if the smaller man was speaking from experience rather then whimsical longing like his own words. "Well I look forward to the day I find it." Shou stated simply, 'If only I knew what would bring that.' he added mentally.

"Though I'll still keeping hoping for peace, if not for me, then for those who are suffering. Wish I could do more then I do to make that a reality" Shou reassuring himself as he spoke, by placing a hand to one of the hidden blades at his waist. Maybe he could do more then carrying messages but then he be as much part of the chaos as others, even if he was working to end it. He wondered how Lord Shingen felt, did he to hate that bringing peace came with the cost of war. 

Looking up at the sky memories stirred once more, and rather then shake the thought away he closed his eyes and laid back on the sand. "So how long are you planning to stay in these parts, before moving on again Saito-san?" Shou asked curious.

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Katsumi nodded and her hand rose up, brushing some of her loose hair behind her ear. Pushing up the brim of her hat, the archer's dark eyes gazed up at the sky.

"I never really believed in such a thing as happiness and contentment, but... I do now."

As time passed and she associated with more people, and spent more time with Haji, Katsumi began to admit more, to express her thoughts and feelings, and she was even getting better at it and feeling more and more comfortable.

He wished for peace, and she didn't blame him. Families were constantly torn apart and there was hunger and strife. Death was an everyday occurrence, and even for the mercenary she could see that such a thing was a hardship. While she was used to it and made money off of killing and the war, Katsumi didn't enjoy it by any stretch. It was simply a means to an end, and so she murmured shortly, "Yes."

With Shou laying down, Katsumi decided to do the same again and pulled the rim of her hat so it shielded her eyes from the sun. He asked her how long she planned to stay, and the woman pursed her lips before answering, "Until I heal enough to travel again," and Haji was ready.

Turning her head a little, she then quirked her brows and inquired softly, "And yourself, Yamabara-san? Will you... be able to stay here and enjoy yourself some?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Saito's wounds must have been worse the Shou had though, if they were impending his ability to travel. Though it could have been that the smaller man was just more cautious then some when it came to injuries, but you could never tell what people hid, in order to appear stronger. Shou put up walls of pessimism, that he only occasionally broke down. He wished the chaos to end, but didn't see how they could. 

"I always take my time to admire a pretty sight. Only peace left in the world sometimes. Though I'm glad to hear that you managed to find some happiness in all this." 

The smell of the sea and sound of the waves, were not something he normally got to enjoy though. "I could almost go to sleep here, but that's probably not for the best." Shou forced himself to sit up again, before the temptation of the idea, took route and he drift off to sleep. "I'll stay as long as I think I can get away with, but I can't put off my duties too long every time I see you. My lateness on occasion wouldn't go unnoticed forever." Shou said answering Saito's question with a laugh. It was strange that recently on his travels, he keep meeting mercenaries that he got on with. It made him glad, that he wouldn't likely be on the battlefield, he'd hate to have to fight those he knew. Maybe a little bit because of his own safety. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

"From here on out, I'll have to do the same," commented the woman. Inhaling slowly, she said on the release, "I'm sure you will as well."

Perhaps that was rather optimistic of her to say such, and Katsumi never before leaned that way, but Haji was rubbing off on her, and it actually felt... nice to give someone hope, if even a glimmer. It also was likely due to the fact that it was so relaxing laying here in the sun, hearing the waves of the ocean. Despite her injuries and all of the earlier drama, Katsumi felt rather content. Now if only her Haji would feel the same...

Shou sat up, not wishing to fall asleep, but Katsumi continued laying down. She really was small, form dainty and petite (which could only be hidden so much from the loose men's clothing), and her features were rather pretty, cheeks kissed by the sun from today. Brown locks wisped around her face, waved out on the sand and cascading over her slender shoulders.

Her eyelids felt heavy and so she closed them, breathing in the salty air. A few moments passed after his words and Katsumi parted her lips, responding with that false tenor, "Ah, fair enough, Yamabara-san. Hopefully.... you can enjoy yourself for a day or two before leaving again."

Thoughts of Haji didn't leave her mind and she bit down on her bottom lip. She had never discussed him or her love-life before, or even love, with anyone else, and yet there was so much she was clueless about. This was her first love, both romantic and platonic, and... well, Shou seemed nice. She was learning to trust, little by little, and Katsumi figured it wouldn't hurt to at least talk about the matter a tiny bit. She could simply be vague and discuss the general subject.

Turning her gaze to the man, she asked hesitantly, "Yamabara-san... have... have you ever... harbored feelings for anyone before? Where... you always feel happy around that person and.... want them to be safe and happy too...? Where... you would do anything for them and always feel so... aflutter?"

A blush coloured her cheeks and she raised her hand, covering her head more with the hat to try and hide her face. The girl murmured quietly, "I... I dunno how to really describe it. S-Sorry..."

[Yamabara Shou]

A day or two in the coastal town didn't sound like a bad idea, but it would be better if he leaned more towards a shorter stay. Out so far he wouldn't know if he was needed back home in order to set out on yet another message delivery. Though there were other men like him, it wasn't like had to deal with every message or package. Maybe he would take a day in the town, and use it for a mix of relaxing and some training. Swimming was indeed a good form of exercises.

It was then that Saito's voice and word seemed to change in tone. He was stumbling over his words more then Shou had heard the man do so up to now. Listening to what was being said he didn't know how to answer, scratching his chin while he tried to think of how to answer. There were those he respected. Those he was loyal to, men like Matsudaira Kazuko who he owed his current lifestyle to, and in return worked as hard s he could in gratitude to the man. He would always would wish he was safe and happy.  However that wasn't what Saito was asking, and he knew it. 

"No...No I haven't." Shou eventually replied, his voice quiet, it's tone a ambivalent mix of loneliness and relief. "The idea actually scares me, that i couldn't keep someone I felt that way for happy or safe. But that's not the sort of thing you wanna be hearing I'm sure." Shou explained before making the excuse up to stop himself from voicing more of his fears. "Though if you have met a girl that makes you feel that way, in your travels. I'm happy for you, though it does make me wonder why your out here by yourself. If you want them to be safe, keep them that way. You are a pretty good shot with that bow after all." Shou stated his thoughts, wishing Saito the best in the endeavour in his thoughts. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

So Shou was in a similar boat to what Katsumi had been in before meeting Haji. The archer released a sigh and listened carefully to him. While perhaps he didn't have the experience and exact advice she had desired, Katsumi was still interested in what Shou had to say. As he spoke, Katsumi felt a little guilty, another emotion she was not too used to. At least not in a conventional sense. Shou didn't know the truth about her and, after meeting so many who were accepting of her, Katsumi wondered if she should be honest for a change.

Releasing a sigh, Katsumi began slowly after he finished talking, "I... should probably admit something since... well... we have known each other for some time, but... but you need to promise you won't tell anyone."

At the end, Katsumi peered up from under the brim of her hat at Shou, looking at him expectantly. After moments passed, the archer sighed heavily and removed her hat, admitting with difficulty, "My name... it isn't Saito Hiroshi. It's Katsumi. Shinomori Katsumi. I'm... a woman."

Gaze moving away from his, the lids of her eyes drooped. "Since I've been on my own, I've hidden who and what I am in fear because of our world and my own experiences."

Looking down at her injured hands, Katsumi bit down on her bottom lip. "As for... why I'm injured and down here..."

Another heave and the woman closed her eyes, explaining, "Long story short, I... I was really badly hurt by a group of thugs and it got someone I really care about that way in the middle of it. He was hurt too and... to save me... he had to go against ideals really important to him. He has so much guilt and... I just... I don't really know what to do, Yamabara-san. He is adamant on always protecting me and getting stronger, especially after what had happened. But... he's so broken right now. Far more than I am on the outside. My wounds... they'll heal. But... I'm more... I'm more concerned for him."

Her eyes fluttered open again and her arm rose up, rubbing her forehead and resting over it. "I guess I just... now that I can walk around, I just... really needed to be on my own... to relax and just... think... about all of it. About... what to do to make things right again."

Katsumi felt entirely embarrassed by her sudden pouring of emotions and thoughts, and a blush heated up her cheeks. Not only had she been honest, which was rare indeed when regarding her identity, but Kat also opened up and expressed her feelings. She wasn't really used to that, and wasn't sure how to handle it after having done so. Honestly, Kat just sort of felt like a lost fool right then.

"I... don't really know why I am telling you all of this, but... I felt I needed to say it, I suppose. I... apologize for burdening you."

[Yamabara Shou]

"Certainly." Shou would say when asked to keep was about to be said secret, and waited for what it was. His mouth dropped, not expecting the revelation. Though it made some sense. He had assumed that he...no she was just young, and that's why she was so small. They something had forced her to have to rely on herself and driven her to her travels in order to earn a living. But being a women she could be older then he though and still much smaller then him. 

He didn't blame her though, for keeping it hidden, being a women travelling along in these time, even if if she could look out for herself would have been harder for her if she openly did so. There were bad people in the world, evil men who didn't respect women and treated them as something to be used and thrown away. Forcing his mouth closed, Shou listened as she continued. Telling him what had led her to being injured.

Shou put two and two together. Her previous comments about caring for someone, making more sense as she revealed something about a man, who had apparently done something against his nature in order to protect her.  She wanted to know how to put thing right. Shou didn't have a clue what to say, he didn't know this man, nor the what had transpired exactly and therefore any input he gave would be missing some of the facts. 

"Sometimes just having someone to talk to is useful, in order to get things off your chest. Thank you for telling me though." Shou said nodding, it showed some amount of trust in him. "and don't apologise. A burden of a friend is one I'm always willing to carry." Shou told her. 'Carrying things is what I do.' He thought to himself, making light of it in his mind a little to add a little humour to his shock but smart enough not to say it out loud.

He felt like he should reveal something more about himself in return, but he didn't really have any secrets, and his own losses were far enough in the past that bringing them up would feel wrong. Like he was trying to out do her's. "If you ever need to talk, Saito-san, i'll listen. Do i still call you Saito-san, in private like this?" Shou offered then asked looking around as no one was close enough to over hear and make this conversation a public one. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Shou's expression wasn't surprising in the least. She was just relieved that he didn't make a big deal about it or that things turned for the worst. No. Shou seemed like a good man, and she just... needed someone to talk to. Sure, she could always talk to Haji, but... you couldn't say everything to just one person, especially when a lot of worry was about that one individual.

"I... have never really had anyone to... to talk to. There's... well, now there is Haji-kun, but... it seems... different... This as compared to that... So... no, thank you."

At Shou saying friend, Kat blinked and turned to look at him. Her brows hues were slightly wider and she paused. "F... Friend...?"

For someone to actually say that... to call her a friend... it meant a lot and tears welled in her eyes. Katsumi wiped pathetically at her eyes with those bandaged hands, and, with a struggled swallow, nodded her head.

"O-Okay, Y-Yamabara-san," she said with a sniffle. "And... you can... you can call me by my real name like this. P... Please."

[Yamabara Shou]

From the way she reacted, it rose more question in his mind about her passed. She had no one to talk to until this guy, she had fallen for. Like she hadn't had a friend before, from the way she had cut in out as she spoke  "Well Shinomori-san. I'm glad you feel as if you can open up." Shou said, from what he had seen. Her early maturity, her apparent lack of friend in the past. Shou was getting the vibe that he life growing up had not been a good one. Add in apparent recent events of getting hurt and emotional confusion, and Shou was surprised she was able to.

"Though it may take me some getting use to using the name." Shou admitted, he really hadn't expected her revelation. "You know what. Seeing as we're friend call me Shou. Yamabara-san sound so formal." He told her, she had shown him trust he wasn't use to out side of those in the Takeda, it was a small concestion but a meaningful one in his own mind. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

She felt warmer inside having someone else that she felt she could talk to, especially about this. For there to be words from him to actually help confirm it. Truly, it meant a lot to Kat.

It was no surprise about getting used to her name, and Katsumi nodded in understanding. He mentioned calling him by his first name, and there was a small blush that coloured her cheeks. Another nod, there was a small smile glimmering within her brown hues.

"A-Alright, Shou-san. S... Same for me~"

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou grinned he hadn't expected the offer of calling him by his first name to make her blush, maybe having pretended to be a man so much she was just glad to not have to around someone other then the man she mentioned. However she did so and even offered for him to do the same. He had to roll the conversation over in his head again. Picking out what her first name was, as he had only really caught the family name not expecting to be using the other. 

"Gladly Katsumi-san" He said wondering when the last time he actually used someone first name was. Not for a long time it felt, he didn't even call any of the men in Koboyashi's unit, nor the captain himself by there first name. He probably should try and rectify that, if he ever ended up on the front with them being so formal with them would seem odd. "Good to have a friend, I'm sure fate will have our paths cross again. It already has twice now." Shou would point out. He was even miles from home, again and they had managed to bump into each other. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

The woman couldn't help but agree, and nodded her head, before relaxing and laying on the sand more comfortably.

"Mm. I suppose... it very well could."

Turning her head, she stared at the sea and was silent for several moments. It was such a beautiful blue, and she began to ponder about life at sea. The ocean was so pretty she noticed now that Katsumi had been forced to rest and really take a good look at and appreciate her surroundings. She had always been observant, but never really viewed things for an aesthetic purpose.

Inhaling, making sure to not do so too deeply because of her healing rip, Katsumi said, "I wonder... what life on the sea is like, Shou-san. I never really noticed before but... it's... really... pretty, I think."

She glanced over at him. "What do you think? Would... you ever go on... a ship? If... the opportunity arose, that is?"

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou noticed as Katsumi started to look out at the sea, once more. Much like he had been doing earlier. Before asking if he every would go out to sea. It was a good question. Shou wanted one day to settle down, but only if he felt times were peaceful enough that it would work. However he also loved travelling, seeing new places and going where every the wind, and his messages, would take him. He couldn't think of a better example then that.

However there were other factors that came in to it. What was the destination, what was the reason. He had been on a ship before just on trip down coast. It cut off time in travel between certain places. Shou knew or at least though that She meant place beyond the land that both of them knew. "It be interesting. However I know people out there would not understand me. I'd have to know how to talk to them. Maybe if one day I learned, I's go out there and see. I wouldn't want to travel over the sea only to starve in a distance land." Shou explained. 

Maybe he was putting to much though in to the problems of the idea, rather then just the dream of seeing what it was like. However thinking hypothetical, were just that hypothetical. If someone truly asked him right now, had a ship and said come with me. Maybe he actually go, he didn't know what he would decide. Maybe beyond the sea there was a land of the peace he desired and but he just didn't know about it. "You make it sound like you would?" Shou said the question only in his tone. 

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Katsumi listened in silence at Shou's response, staring at him for a little bit before looking back up at the sky. The hat helped shield her eyes, for the archer couldn't afford for them to be damaged, after all. Pursing her lips, Kat nodded and murmured, Ah, I see."

He asked the same of her and Katsumi blinked. Did she? Would she even do it? Kat nibbled on her bottom lip, contemplating quietly for several moments before giving a slow response, "Hm... I only really... started pondering over it... now, actually. So... I'm not sure. Maybe... if Haji-kun would go."

She would end that with a nod and flutter her eyes closed, listening to the breeze and the sound of the ocean. It was soothing, and before Katsumi only really relaxed if Haji made her.

"But... I'm not sure where I would go. I haven't even seen all of our homeland yet..."

[Yamabara Shou]

Well at least Katsumi had a better reason holding her back from the idea then Shou did. Not wanting to leave firstly because of love, and secondary to a desire to see all of Japan before even considering the outside world. He couldn't help wonder what this Haji person was like. "Well a lucky man, to have you loyalty." Shou mused aloud, scratching his chin.

Though she was right about not having seen all of there homeland. They both travel, and neither of them had. He because there were some place his trips just didn't take him. And he assumed that for her it was because some place just weren't profitable enough in order to sustainer her lifestyle if she did travel to them.  It made him wonder if someone could be paid not to do something that meant they travelled, but actually just be paid to travel there land for the sake of seeing it all. 

"I wouldn't mind seeing it all myself. Though I doubt I will before I finally have to settle down." Shou said not actually seeing a future where he got that chance. He expected that for him settled down, would mean to rest, the permanent style. It was a nice thought though.

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Katsumi sighed at Shou's words and shook her head, eyelids drooping as she thought of her past. "Mm... I'd say... I'm much luckier. Before him... I never knew happiness. Physically I was alive, but... inside I was... dead. Everyday... it was all about survival. That's it."

Despite all of the sadness and her lament, Haji was her light at the end of the tunnel. She finally reached it, blind to it before, and now Katsumi could be happy. Katsumi loved him so much for that, and was eternally grateful. "So... I couldn't be more grateful for him and... and for everything he's done for me."

Her eyes smiled as she thought of Haji, lids fluttering closed as her bandaged hands moved to her chest, resting over her heart. She remained silent for a minute, thinking of him, and it warmed her. Releasing a slow sigh, Kat opened her eyes and glanced over at Shou. It was so nice to be able to talk to him like this, and she was appreciative of him as well. Maybe... they could meet, perhaps?

Kat's voice was soft as she slowly inquired, "If you have the time, I... well... I'd like to introduce you."

She looked upwards, up at the sky and inhaled deeply. Kat eventually admitted after Shou finished, "It... is hard for me to imagine settling down."

Again, Katsumi sighed again at thinking of Haji, although this time for an entirely different reason. He was just... so sweet and optimistic. Hopeful for things that would never come, and for things that... well, Katsumi wasn't so sure she really wanted.

"I'm not sure... if I really could settle down. Even though... I'm sure Haji-kun would want us to...."

{So sorry this took so long. Been rough for a while. -sigh-}