A Hard Day's Vending(Closed, Kitana)

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

"Knives, pickaxes, hoes for sale! Good quality, good price! Get your implements here! Very cheap and durable implements and knives for sale!~"

A red-haired youth was all smiles while he was vending his goods in an alleyway of the marketplace. After the chaos that ensued there, now it was again bustling with shoppers as it was a fine day, and the whole of Totomi was under a versatile leader that was feared all around the place. Notwithstanding the sight of two demons in the marketplace, it was said that the current Daimyo was a demon. Now there are three creatures to be feared by bandits in this place: a demon protector of the people, a demon militia commander, and the Daimyo that was also a daimyo of demons; and they all protect the people here.

But it had seemed that no one was moving towards the stall of the youth for some time. Partly because the implements he was selling were almost out of stock, and partly because it was noon right now and most of the shoppers were dining in some restaurant eating their lunch. Seeing that was the case, while he was calling out prospective customers, he was eating some rice balls that he had bought from a nearby stall. This gonna be a good day for him.

[Kitana]

[OOC: Check here for necklace, belt charm and beaded bracelet]

.::Rumors had a tendency of fluttering on the winds spreading near and far. Problem with rumors scattering so far was that they rarely stayed the same. They sometimes got twisted if not even mangled down the spoken word trail. Though this one seemed to be more of a fresh enough one that it hadn't gotten so twisted. Alas this was not what brought her to this place. She was merely traveling about again with her horse Kage, and her Peregrine falcon Horus perched on Kage's saddle. Yes Kage was a white horse named shadow, he choose it. She went through names and he seemed to like it. Was she really going to argue with a horse? Actually she has but that's for another day. Kage strolled beside her like the loyal companion he was without the need for her to hold his reigns. Her attire was more relaxed in the traditional kimono and hakama though in all black. A unique necklace could easily be spotted on the outside, something certainly possibly not found in Japan. A charm dangled off her belt and a beaded bracelet hid beneath the sleeve of the kimono. All the hustle and bustle reminded her of how lively her village was when she was younger. Good times though smeared with a horrible memory::.

.::Through the marketplace she roamed finding her way through the alleyways. She always went through the backstreets as honestly there was some interesting things there in her opinion. Those that didn't get the shine they just might deserve and just as she figured she came across a young boy selling metal goods. She found herself halted before him looking down at what he had but then straight to him. Her loose hair blew a little in a passing breeze as her blue hues just looked at the boy before her. Horus hopped on her shoulder letting out a small chittering like noise as he tilted his head looking at the boy as well::.

~He's so tiny. Does his parents feed him enough?~

.::Kitana deep inside seemed to be immediately entering a mama bear mentality with this one. Kids did that to her::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The red-haired youth was still eating the rice ball that he had in his hand, when he saw a shadow crossing his sight. It had seemed that the shadow was from the front of the table where the implements that he vended were resting on, and when he craned his neck upwards, he saw a woman standing at his front. She seemed to stare at him, and then a bird, which looked like a falcon of some sort, landed on her shoulder, also intent on looking at him. For someone to have a great control over this bird-of-prey, this woman might be someone who was skilled in animals. Maybe she was also a skilled warrior, but the youth shrugged the thought. Maybe she came here for some metal implements that she could use on a journey, and that's where he would come in.

He showed his sweetest smile at the woman, and said, "May I show you something, miss? This shop is selling the finest implements and tools in Totomi, you may take a look at my wares if there's something you fancy. They are made from the finest metal, and crafted by the most famous blacksmith of Totomi!" Which refers to himself, but he did not acknowledge himself at the front of the woman yet. "If there's something you want, and it's not displayed, just tell me straight away. I have lots of stock here!" He then points at the number of crates behind him.

[Kitana]

.::Indeed she was pretty good with animals. It came naturally to her for some odd reason. Though Horus was not trained by her but her mentor Hayato. Seemed like Horus had taking a strong liking to her that he wanted to stay with her when she left. That smile of his she had to admit could possibly bring light to a dim day. She remembered coming home to such a smile once upon a time. It was things like this that were placed within in silent anger and despair. She secretly hated the reminder but she couldn't stop a child from it's gleeful smile. He wasn't as young as her son that was quite obvious, and as he spoke it made her wonder his age. Still he was so small. Her left hand clad with a archer's bracer came up to Horus who climb on and she placed him back on Kage's saddle without taking her eyes off the little red head before her::.

~Such enthusiasm.~

.::Admittedly he certainly had the salesmanship down. Though there was an up and down side for the kid to be doing the selling. As easy it is for a child to pull in a crowd, they also aren't taken so seriously. Kitana however wasn't so focused on what he was selling though she did need some things after all she had lost. She spent more time training and taking jobs than actually fully restocking herself. But still she wondered how well the lad as eating. Looking at to youth her rich smooth tone finally addressed his words::.

"Hm, greatest blacksmith huh? Tell me does he sell enough through you for you both to eat well?"

.::Little did she know he was the blacksmith. But it might've been a little obvious that she was interested in him eating well. Speaking of eating Kage by now would've snuck over and attempted to eat the rice ball within the boys hand. If he noticed Kage and moved Kage would pretend to be disappointed if not well there's lunch::.

"Kage!"

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The youth intently watched as the woman's left hand caught up with the falcon and made him perch on the saddle of the white horse she had ridden on. She really had a great control over the falcon, and maybe that falcon may had been in her possession for a long time for the falcon to obey the woman every step of the way. He thought that she was a very awesome woman to have such talent.

When the woman spoke, it was in a very smooth tone that complemented her form. But the contents almost caught him off-guard. Honestly he had to make up something so that he could answer the woman fully without lying too much.

"Well..." he started, "we sell enough to feed two, no, three people. On top of that, the blacksmith was a member of the militia and received a small stipend daily for guarding the marketplace, and so he could live it off while I could depend on the revenue to feed myself." Those are all half-truths, as he sold enough to feed himself and keep some savings, he was a leader of the militia and he received an excellent amount of stipend, and lastly it was craziness to just live off that high amount of stipend.

He then noticed the horse of the woman move towards him, presumably eying the rice ball that he was holding. But he did not turn around, and just let the horse grab the rice ball by its teeth and eat it.

"Eeeeeh?!" He let out a small scream as he saw the horse eat his rice ball, but just laughed softly as he took another rice ball from a dish. "You're reminding me of Kuroneko!" he said at the horse.

[Kitana]

.::Kage paid little mind to the boy's shriek nor did he budge at Kitana's emphasis on his name as it wasn't a shout but more of a scolding. He stared at his rider and let out a huff before walking behind her and settling himself patiently. The brunette shook her head cause Kage was something else. He was a horse with such a personality you'd think he was human. Horus even seemed to give him a scolding with a screech but still Kage just lifted his head and scoffed. A comical pair they were on occassions. Turning back to the boy she perked a brow::.

~Kuroneko?~

"He has a mind of his own, that one."

.::His words played back as if she mentally pressed rewind to catch up in the moment. Though she had asked and he answered there was a part of her that gave him a little 'hmm' look. Children had such a tendency of lying, of dressing it up to seem more heartbreaking than it probably actually was. She was a child once. She had done it a few times. Even now she did it as a form of deception. Children might tug at her heart didn't mean she trusted every word they said either, but she often played along or looked into it. Arms folded casually over her chest while her weight seemed to shift to her right::.

"Is that so? So he was a member; meaning no longer; and somehow managed to save enough to live solely on the stipend's he got then that he just makes all this for you to merely feed yourself? Did I get all that right, hm?"

.::Her voice clearly held a small hint of playfully not fully believing all his words. Presenting an inkling that she felt something clearly sounded a bit off to her, but she wasn't opposed to keep listening as her blue hues continued to stare. Some found them haunting and/or alluring she usually shrugged off the notions::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The youth was subtly surprised at the insight of the woman. Although she merely rephrased his words, seemingly to understand his "situation", she gave an inkling that she was doubtful about him. Maybe she had saw through his half-truths? But the youth shrugged off those thoughts. That's because those half-truths that he said would really lead to the real truth if she sought enough.

"Yes, you got them all right," he said, now somewhat showing some loneliness, which was his true feeling about his situation. Somewhat the wound in his heart had been re-opened, but he could now bear with it. Who was he to rearrange the past?

"Because he wanted me to become an independent and responsible man."

This was the truth he had spoken. Given the current climate and his situation, that was he aimed to be, a man responsible to himself and independent in all matters of life.

"Our parents were blacksmiths in a village near this province, and they were killed in a violent explosion in the village smithy 2 years ago. We had no other relatives to take care of us, and so, despite his young age, the blacksmith took care of me, and picked up pieces to build a smithy while doing some odd jobs as a member of the militia of Totomi. He had instructed me to be careful in money matters and to pitch up sales talks, and then he assigned me here to sell his wares while he was making more of them. I definitely knew that he was teaching me to become independent of myself, when in some case he passes away due to these chaotic times."

[Kitana]

.::His sudden change didn't go unnoticed by the perceptive woman. Kitana was always making sure she was paying attention to all around her including the words people spoke. How they spoke them. What was said and wasn't. It was a force of habit. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. Her chin lifted a little not in a smug manner but more of intrigue. The more the young boy spoke the more Kitana honestly felt for him. Sounded like he had a sibling to take care which only added to the whole scenario. Yet despite it all the tone of his words seemed to run so much more deeper. Yes the story seemed like a hard tell but she couldn't help but read more into it. The implication of sadness within led her to believe there was more to it. There was something he wasn't saying. A hidden truth between::.

~I know of the lost of a parent. The lost of family. Those you love.~

.::For a moment she thought back on her son, Keisuke. She often wondered what he would grow up to be like. What kind of man would he shape into. This boy before her with his sense of independence and responsibility she could see as a good example of qualities that she would've wanted to make sure Keisuke had. Kitana would not lose her composure. She became very good at keeping herself calm and not allowing things to make her falter. Playing around with his words. Picking and deciphering. She landed on a conclusion::.

"Chaotic times indeed. Though even peace there's always a lurking shadow somewhere isn't there."

.::She paused on her words letting it pass on the breeze before she shifted her weight again, going back into a standing straight up stance::.

"Admitting your story holds a tragedy, but there's a strength there too. How proud your 'sibling' and 'mentor' must be at the blacksmith you've become."

.::A part of her was playing a guessing game to see if he'll bite, the other was pretty sure she was right. Though the sibling part she wasn't sure of::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

"This woman is really amazing," the youth thought. He had been uttering half-truths most of the time but it seemed that the woman was seeing through them. Should he say the whole truth, or should he keep on uttering half-truths? He thought for a short time before he spoke.

"But if I could be considered a blacksmith, I would really make a bad one," he said, deciding on the latter choice. He wanted to know how long would he last uttering half-truths. "The blacksmith told me about the quality of good metal in comparison with bad metal, and good craftsmanship as against a bad craftsmanship, but this doesn't seem to mean anything when I watched the blacksmith make his crafts. I know for sure that these metalcrafts are of a good quality and good craftsmanship, and I could prove them as against other crafts, but it would be a different story in the smithy."

At that point a man walked by the shop, and seeing the wares on the table, he quickly inquired, "Do you have some butchers' knives here?" he inquired. The youth then said to the woman, "Wait a minute here," then attended to the man, showing again his smile. "We have butchers' knives here..." He then noticed a butchers' knife in the hands of the man. He might have bought it from another metalcraft shop recently, seeing it was new. But seeing the knife seemed to interest him. "Just wait for a minute here, I'll get my stock first." He then moved towards the crates, took the top one, and opened it. The contents seemed to make the youth's face sour for a bit, as he lowered the crate, and went for another crate. The contents seemed to be a set of armor that when worn, would give its wearers a demonic appearance. And the youth did not seem to look at the crate intently, as the crate bore a piece of paper that read, "20 strings of bronze" (less than a yen). The youth then opened a second crate, and seeing the contents, bore it to the table. The contents of the crate are many sorts of butchers' knives.

"Here, I have plenty of them," the youth said, wiping off his face with a cloth. "How many do you need?"

"I need this", the man said, pointing at a broad-bladed knife in the crate, "and this," then pointing at a thinner, longer one. The youth then looked again at the knife on his hands as he picked up the man's order.

"Seems like you came to me because some metalcrafts vendor did not have what you need, right?" he said, taking out a knife that in all aspects seemed to be the same as the man's knife. "Well then you might need to change your supplier, since he did not have what you need at all times. Our shop has everything that a man needs in metalcrafts, at a cheaper cost, and with a great quality!" The youth then gave the knife he was holding to the man. "Well then, give me the knife you're holding, I have a demonstration for you."

The man gave the knife to the youth, whence the youth said, "Position that knife I gave you on the table with its blade upwards." The man did the same thing. The youth then held the knife upwards as if he was chopping something, and then the youth then swung the knife downwards, meaning to chop the knife on the table. But what happened is that the knife the youth was holding was the one which was cleaved instead of the knife on the table which seemed to be unscathed. The man was surprised at the display, while the youth just said, "I'll just take the knife that I broke, and that knife I gave you is now yours to keep. While the other two you ordered costs 3 strings of bronze apiece, which would bring your bill to 6 strings of bronze." The man seemed surprised that he had a good bargain, saying, "I customarily bought these knives for 4 strings of bronze each, and these knives with excellent quality costs just 3? I'll take these!" He then paid the necessary price, got the knives, and then left the shop, still very happy. 

[Kitana]

.::Kitana wasn't always a cold or cynical woman. As expressed around children her demeanor can be quite different if not even a little positive when speaking to them. Anyone else she would seem to be a bit more negative and bitter of the world. She found it full lies and deceit but it was the world she lived in. Sure there was some kind of light as the balance of Yin and Yang would not exist. If smallest speck was gone the world would be in utter darkness wouldn't it. Yet Kitana still found it hard to truly see the light in all its glory since what happened a year ago. Her world faded into a grey area, just borderline between the two. Arms remained folded over her chest as he continued to speak a speech to her::.

~He's a talkative one.~

.::The youth brought a smirk to her face as she found it amusing how much he just spit out his mouth. Did he even breathe when he was talking? Though the more he spoke and the more words he used only fueled all the suspicions and thoughts on the matter. The excessive amount of explanation made it seem like he was trying to cover the truth. Hide it behind misdirection. A good tactic actually when used absolutely right. When a man came inquiring about some knives Kitana silently stepped back towards Kage and Horus and just listened at the boy go about his salesmanship. Horus hopped back onto her right shoulder as Kage came a little more onto her left::.

"What do you think boys?"

.::Kage huffed and turned his head, while Horus cocked his head to the side staring at the boy admist his work before giving Kitana's face a little nudge::.

"Heh Kage you don't seem to care huh.. You think his truth is hidden behind all the showmanship too huh Horus? You're insight is always most useful."

.::She spoke quietly to the two making a joke to Horus who rubbed against her cheek again. Kage huffed again and nudged her with his body. She looked back at him with a face and mushed his head a little which lead to him letting out a neigh in response. Kitana made a mental note at the crate he didn't bother checking with the tagging on top, curiosity made her want to inquire but not right now. As he finished and the man went off so happily she watched his departure then looked back at the young boy, giving him a small slow clap as she walked up to the booth again looking at the remaining knives::.

"Not bad. The truth has certainly been poured into these crafts no? The determination of perfecting such an art and obtaining responsibility in life. If so, then one should take true responsibility for such work. Why not visibly be proud of it? You know you talk a little too much. Too many words to hide such simplicity. Not to mention for someone you supposedly have such admiration and respect for you never once refer to him by name."

.::She gave him a smirk and a wink. Surprisingly in truth as he must've caught her in the best mood possible. Well it helped his appearance was child like. Picking up a knife she inspected it, feeling out the levelness of it. She was no smith but that was one thing she learned was about leveling, balance. The knife in particular wouldn't serve her for her jobs so she thrilled it with ease and placed it back::.

"Would the smith like to eat? I believe something more than rice balls might serve well no?"

.::Yup good mood indeed. She was being exceptionally nice to the young boy. She saw no reason to be cruel anyways::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The youth moved again towards the woman to continue their spiel, but it seemed that the woman had seen through his half-truths. Seeing there would be no place for him to utter even more half truths, he just smiled. As he twirled the broken knife on his hand, he said, his smile still not fading, "Well, you've caught me. Indeed the blacksmith that I told you was my mentor, and I, are one and the same. As for the other things, I am sure that you would know when you inquire other people in this marketplace about the name Ichimura Ryunosuke, right? But don't worry, I am not a bad person, and I stopped being a member of the militia for no evil reason."

When the woman asked the youth if he would have something to eat other than the rice balls that he had, the youth named Ichimura Ryunosuke replied, "Actually it was the time to close the shop for some time, since I would need to re-stock my wares. Since it is indeed lunch time I would need something to really fill my stomach. These rice balls really only served as distractions." He then started to pick up the remaining metalcrafts on the table, waiting for the woman to respond with a treat. Anyways when she does not, he will offer the woman a treat. This had been a really good day vending his goods; he made a good profit and acquired something that would lessen his cost of production.

[Kitana]

[OCC: She'll inquire about the contents of the box probably while they eat. ^_~]

.::This was certainly a rare occasion, a rare treat. She's smiled and even gave a wink. She was more courteous and positive. Easy going rather than more cynical and cold. She had her ways about her. This moment however did not mean that she had dropped her guard in any fashion. No, her guard was very much up as always. Yet he gave no reason for her to be any other way. But she was going a little out of her way or norm offering to feed him. He was tiny though and just felt the need to make sure he was well fed. Seems that mothering nature was still within her soul somewhere. Ichimura Ryunosuke. She placed the name into her memory bank. Seemed like he wouldn't mind her poking around to find more about him. The notion certainly gave her more room to question his true age. Kids were smart but then again to learn such a craft and be that good at it he must be in possibly his later teens. His childlike appearance was a deception, a rather good one at that. She made an offer and she was a woman of her word. Her smooth, always seemingly calm tone escaped her lips again as she adjusted the unique pendant dangling from her neck::.

"Save your funds. Just pick a place. I offered after all."

.::She turned and walked to the edge of the alley and waited for him to finish and join her and her companions before allowing him to lead to a place to eat::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke did not expect that he would be offered for a treat by the woman. Most commonly he was the one offering treats when some celebration was in place, and since he had a very good conversation with the woman on this good day in the shop, his pocket still bulging, he would offer the woman a treat. But since that was the case, he had no choice but to agree. He would not a turn down a free meal anyways.

"This woman is very amazing," he muttered as he packed up all of the crates on a cart, and secured them with rope. After some time, all of the crates were already on the cart, and he pulled it over as he moved towards the woman.

Ryunosuke then said, "I know of such place, just near this shop, and I frequent that place whenever I'm finished selling my wares. Quite a shabby one, but the owner's a good friend of mine, and he cooks really good." He then pulled his cart, leading the way, until they came to a crossroad, at the front of a seemingly shabby tavern, as warned by Ryunosuke. A man, somewhat in his thirties, seeing him, walked out of the tavern to meet him.

"I thought you would not come into this place again, Ichimura-kun," the man said, seemingly glad to see Ryunosuke again. Ryunosuke just scratched the back of his head while issuing his reply. "Why shouldn't I, Saito-san? Don't you say you are experimenting again on my dish?"

"Well, about that..." The man addressed as Saito muttered, but said again, "That's not it! I mean, about your current position..."

"Well, that does not change anything," Ryunosuke replied, adding, "I still patrol and keep guard over anything near me while I am vending my goods. Much as you do while cooking soba. Speaking of which, do you have Shinano soba on hand right now?"

Saito crossed his arms, saying, "Of course the finest soba in the land. I still have lots, you're not my only costumer anyway."

Ryunosuke then said, smiling, "Well, prepare one for me, served cold. The customary amount. And you could ask the woman over there what does she want." He then glanced at the woman behind him. Saito seemed to be attracted to the woman, but was somewhat shy as he crouched behind the back of Ryunosuke, whispering, "Is that the one you're referring to? Man, she's my type of woman." At this Ryunosuke backed away from Saito, saying, "No she's not, I have met her just recently..." At this Ryunosuke remembered something, and he stared at Saito, smiling. He then said, "You do not commonly approach women, much that you remain unmarried at that age. You fancy her, right?" At this Saito blushed, and he exclaimed, "That's not it! I'm..." At that point he finally gave up arguing, and moved towards the woman shyly, and said, "What would you order?" His voice was somewhat shaky.

[Kitana]

.::She continued to face Kage and Horus as Ryunosuke begun to explain his choosing. He couldn't see her smirk but he could see the subtle shake of her head::.

~Certainly is a talker. Spills information a little easily there~

.::Not that the information was massively important but if he was ever a target of hers she already knew a place he frequented without even having to try. She also now knew that the owner was a good friend of his. Another potential target to draw him into some trap or even drive him into a blind anger that would cause him to make fatal mistakes. With a little tap on Kage's side she walked a little behind the boy and his cart until they finally stopped. He wasn't kidding it was a shabby little place but Kitana may to some have a regal like appearance in her face and walked with a tall stature she liked the little places. Besides if the food was good she couldn't care less about the outer appearance. Blue hues watched as the name approached the boy picking up on his name before Kage gave her a nudge in her back. With a comical frown and turned halfway to face Kage, still leaving more than her back in plain view::.

"You are a pushy one today mister. I'm not going to forget to feed you give me more credit, when have I ever?"

.::Quietly he neighed knowing she spoke the truth. She was going to say something to Horus after tucking some of her hair behind her right ear but Horus wasn't on the saddle. Where was Horus? He probably flew off earlier to find himself something to eat. Just as the foreign looking beauty turned back around she was greeted with the one called Saito. She really had nothing in mind as she wasn't so picky::.

"Whatever he's having is fine. If you happen to have some fruit for my horse that would suit as well."

.::Meanwhile Horus had reemerged upon the head of Saito. He was peering over to look at him in the face from an upside down perspective twitching his head left and right with a small screech. Kitana only merely shook her head::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Saito seemed that he was still very shy when he was at the front of the woman. He said, "...The same order as Ichimura-kun, and some fruit for the horse right? I'll get on to it." But before he went back to the tavern he felt something was perched on his head. He rolled his eyes upwards, and he saw the falcon looking at his face, twitching its head left and right and then screeched. Saito was surprised at the sight of the bird, but then laughed and said, "You also want some food, eh? I think I had a lot of meat shavings prepared for some meals, I'll get some for you, just you wait!" Saito returned to his high spirits as he went in the tavern.

Ryunosuke scratched his head while looking at Saito, and, turning at the woman, said, "I might need to apologize if Saito-san had offended you in any way. It's rare to see him like that in front of a woman, very rare indeed. Well then, shall we go inside?" If the woman agreed, Ryunosuke would lead her into the tavern, and at the table just near the entrance, which looked as if it had been there for years, the same as the other tables and furniture in the tavern. The ambiance was not that imposing, but the tavern could attract costumers enough, as seen by the tavern being half-full at the time Ryunosuke went in. By the orders of the costumers it could be suggested that they came here for the soba that Saito was cooking, but other dishes were present. When they reached the table, Ryunosuke would wait for the woman to be seated before he would sit down.

[Kitana]

.::Horus cocked his head at the mans words as his face seemed to light up at the thought of food. Indeed Horus was Hayato's bird. The similarities were uncanny but expected considering he raised him. The falcon fluttered off Saito's head and back to Kage's saddle to be greeted by a small rub underneath his chin. At Ryunosuke's words her brow arched in wonderment to why would he think Saito had offended her. If shyness was offensive then this world is certainly doomed to more chaos to such trivial things. Motioning for her companions to remain in place, she addressed the misconception and followed after him::.

"I'm not so easily offended. With that being said there was nothing he had done that that assumption could even come to light."

.::Some said Kitana had a way of speaking sometimes that came off in a elegant manner coupled with the tone of her voice. Sometimes she spoke in riddles, other times was very straight forward maybe even cold. Her mother was certainly the influence of her elegance. The grace she walked with. Entering she looked about making mental notes of everything and everyone. It was a force of habit that would never die out. Once they reached their table he politely allowed her to sit first, and she did with a simple nod::.

"His Soba seems most popular hm?"

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke replied, "Though his dishes are really good, his soba tastes excellent, and so a lot flocked in this tavern for the soba that he cooks. Except for outlaws, I think." He then looked towards the kitchen of the tavern, and then back at the woman. "He is unmarried and didn't have much interest on women until you came into the picture, and so I asked you to pardon him if he did something wrong. Sometimes love does something uncontrolled, but it is a great feeling. But it seems that he did not offend you in some way, so I am pleased."

After some time, the waiter arrived with their order, and placed large plates of soba on the table, together with their dipping bowls. It had seemed that the plate and the dipping bowl was larger than those which were on the other tables, and the contents are greater, too. After the waiter had left the table to serve on other tables, Ryunosuke said, "Itadakimasu!" before dipping his soba in the bowl and eating it with a slurp.

[Kitana]

.::Kitana's eyes roamed aimlessly about the room still as the childlike smith spoke good words about his friend. Her left hand still dawning the archer's brace began slightly rubbing the beads of the bracelet on her right. Her mental attention was almost swiftly brought back at his mention of Saito fancying her so suddenly. On the outside her eyes slowly shifted towards the youth almost taking a brief moment to narrow and roll her eyes at the notion of love. Love was a concept she thought she understood. Thought she had but it had turned into the greatest pain she ever felt. The kind of love he spoke of was not so great to her any longer. She had grown quite bitter to that concept::.

.::It left such a horrid taste in her mouth. For him to even imply that this man who only merely just seen her would consider the thought of loving her did nothing but annoy her. Stirred a silent hatred within that she had to take a moment to quiet down once more. As it would've been very easy for her treat the poor man highly different than before. She didn't even notice the food before them until Ryunosuke shouted and dug in with a slurp. Looking down at her own she followed suit though was a bit more polite about it. Her words however::.

"It's impossible to love someone you've just seen. It's a foolish notion."

.::She spoke not looking at the him continuing to eat her portions graciously::.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

When the woman said something about the foolishness of love at first sight, Ryunosuke pondered for some time while finishing his meal, which ended only a couple of minutes after the woman stopped speaking. He then replied, "I had also believed in what you said, that love at first sight is too foolish, and true love is cultivated after months, or even years, of companionship. But this notion had evaded me once or twice as I see something like that, which I have seen too many times as a member of the militia. I could say that I agree with what you have said, but that one sometimes comes too naturally."

After he swirled the remaining dipping sauce in some of the water used for cooking the noodles and drank it, he said, "Being also a traveler I had seen too many things while I am skirting the lands looking for suitable ore. Even when a reign of terror was stopped in one land, another seems to pop up in another land. And too much of the soul of the land seems to be involved in these. As the arsenal of man increases, so might be the power of man's soul."

[Kitana]

.::She duly noted the finishing of his meal in such a hasty manner. He reminded her of her mentor in a small sense. Though by appearance one wouldn't expect such a man to devour food he loved the way he did sometimes. Hell thinking about Hayato he didn't appear to be the infamous assassin that he indeed was. He seemed so humble if not even a bit regal in his appearance and mannerism in most cases. She shook off the thought as she hadn't spoken to him in about a year since she left the former great Sagara clan's crippled village. The fallout between mentor and student was not a particular nice one. Though she blamed herself in the end for not being there she couldn't help but still harbor something against him. But the hatred for Saburo would outweigh that any day. Her drifting thoughts floated back into reality as the young boy spoke. Blue hues slowly turned towards him taking in each word he spoke. On the inside a fire felt like it was burning within the pits of her being. Such a strong burning sensation steadily building into a flaming rage. But this boy did not deserve that rage. There was only one person that did. But his words about love, true love, merely annoyed her. The notion of love had been beyond lost on her for the past year. Watching couples only made her sneer inside for reasons of forcing her to remember the love she once had. Once felt. Or rather she thought she had known it. It was the biggest deceit in her life and it stole so much from her very soul. She'd been trying to fight against the darkness growing within since that time. Only the memories of her mother, Seika and most importantly her late son kept a constant source of light. Small but enough to keep her from being engulfed::.

"Heh, true love."

.::Her own meal was only half done as she politely pushed her share over to the boy. Giving a small wave of her hand as a gesture for him to help himself. She wasn't particularly starving and maybe somewhere along the lines she might've lost her appetite at the thoughts she was starting to have. She glanced off again about the room, once looking towards the door partially wondering if Kage and Horus had gotten their food::.

"I've heard that term thrown out through my travels. True love. Yet they seem to have one love after another. Doesn't exactly seem so true does it when one can easily seemingly find another to use the same word..."

.::It seemed as though she wanted to possible say more. There was something she was just holding back as she fiddled with the tiger eye beaded bracelet upon her right wrist, while still looking off::.

"The shadows are ever constant. There is no way to completely get rid of them. They are part of the balance. Easiest way to deal? Embrace the shadows. Make it your ally."

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

"Yeah, too many of that sort of individuals that it would be hard to judge whether they're feeling is true love or not. But surely when their end is near they would realize if their choice was a success or a failure." Ryunosuke then noticed that Kitana, finishing just half of her plate, offered the remaining to him. With a "thank you," he accepted the plate and the dipping bowl, and started eating. It would only be after he had eaten would he continue his words: "That goes on for the rest of life as well. Either a man goes to the grave self-fulfilled, or he goes to the grave regretful that his job in this world is still unfinished. Sometimes a twisted fellow would get advantage of this by inducing the spirits of the dead to roam into the world. They would feel happy at first, but I bet that after some time they would beg to be sent back to the grave. Just like those who ambition to live a long life, but finding out that it was not worth it seeing their beloved die before their very eyes."

From the corner of his eye he saw from the outside that the horse and the falcon was being cared for by... Saito? He really was serious in sucking up on the woman. Well, Ryunosuke hoped that he would come back in time to fill the orders of humans.

He again got some of the water used to cook noodles, and while swirling it with the remaining dipping sauce, he pondered on the woman's words. "Embrace the shadows. Make it your ally." There's no use in trying to evade something that would always be there. He then said, after a sip from the swirled solution, "Balance, you have suggested. That might work, I think. Sometimes you have to make something against your conscience, but is the right thing for the whole. I'll keep that notion with me."