Reflection (Open)

[Morei Hideyasu]

"Odawara Castle..."

- Hideyasu stood before it. A castle surrounded by cliffs, the sturdiest walls in of Japan, and traps and defenses aplenty. No one could get inside if they weren't a member of the Hojo. Hideyasu held such exclusive access, being a captain of the ninja unit, but right now, that wasn't what was troubling him.

- He looked down to his sword, thinking about what Takehiro had said. Hideyasu could leave this life of an assassin behind if he wanted to? Takehiro would take him in and even defend him from Fuma Kotaro? He knew Takehiro was strong, but was he that strong? A lot of thoughts ran through the white haired man's mind at this time. With a sigh, he turned and began to walk in the opposite direction of Odawara. Maybe something would happen that would get his mind off of these troubles.

[Miyamoto Kenji]

It was disappointing that Odawara Castle was not open to visitors, as Kenji found out during his previous visit to Sagami. He wondered if that would ever change, for from the distance he viewed it, Odawara seemed as closed off and impregnable as ever. No, he decided not to take a closer look, sitting down by the road as the occasional traveler or patrol passed along. For the moment, he'd take a break from his trek and take in the sounds and sights.

From the direction of Odawara, he saw a slender, athletic-looking man with curiously white hair and uncommon blue eyes. He seemed to be explicitly walking away from the mighty castle behind him, which made Kenji wonder: What was his purpose in the lands of the Hojo if he did not look like he wished to be in them at all?

"What the hell, I could use some conversation, and maybe he could as well," thought the shugyosha.

So he waved at the oncoming stranger, calling out, "Excuse me, you over there!" Should the man look over in Kenji's direction, he would continue, "Yes, you! Do you have a few minutes?"

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Hideyasu stopped as he heard a voice calling out towards him, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a stranger in the distance. What was someone doing by Odawara Castle so casually? It was... suspicious, to say the least. At least to the Hojo assassin.

"What do you want?"

- Hideyasu spoke after walking a little bit closer so there would be no need to raise their voices. His voice would not betray his caution, and his hands were ready to draw his blade just in case this man held some darker purpose... though he looked friendly enough.

[Miyamoto Kenji]

At a glance, the man seemed to keep his voice in check, yet seemed at least mildly suspicious, as if he expected Kenji to have an ulterior motive in his calling him over. That made some sense, he surmised, though it ultimately didn't bother the merc.

"Forgive me, but I couldn't help noticing your uncomfortable expression. Is something the matter?"

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Concern? From a stranger? Hideyasu didn't think it possible to show any kind of care to somebody that you didn't even know, so the man was rather confused by this. Regardless, he felt that the stranger was trying to stick his nose in business that wasn't his own.

"It doesn't concern you."

- He kept his eye on the stranger to be safe. Was he a random passerby, or someone trying to spy on the Hojo? If it were the latter, Hideyasu felt he'd have no choice but to cut the man down. But he didn't feel like getting his hands dirty today.

[Miyamoto Kenji]

Kenji chuckled, nodding at the stranger's response. "Of course it doesn't. Still, if something is the matter, you should consider either committing to solving the problem as soon as possible, or else learning how to better conceal your discomfort." He paused, adjusting his sitting posture for comfort.

"My name is Miyamoto Kenji," he started again, "I'm passing through Sagami, but I thought to take a rest and enjoy the atmosphere for a while. What about you?"

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Solving the problem as soon as possible... if only it were that simple. For a man like Hideyasu, the problem involved his own life. He was destined to either be a killer, or to be killed. With a man like Kotaro on the Hojo side, it was unwise to oppose them. Yet, this life of an assassin, he wasn't sure if it was what he wanted.

"Hmph... Morei Hideyasu."

- He decided to lower his guard, maybe this man wasn't so bad after all... He sighed, taking his gaze off of the man.

"I suppose I'm doing the same. Only, Sagami is my home."

- His home away from home, anyway. Hideyasu was born in Owari, but hadn't been there in fifteen years.

[Miyamoto Kenji]

"Your home? I see... It sounds as if you'd rather leave Sagami," observed Kenji as the conversation continued. "In any case, it's nice to meet you, Morei-san. You're welcome to sit with me, unless you'd rather continue standing."

Regardless of the man's choice, he waited for him to choose and adjust himself, then picked up the chat. "Let's say I'm right about you wanting to get out. There's plenty of interesting provinces you could try visiting, or you could even wander around and see what the country has to offer."

[Morei Hideyasu]

"... Hmph..."

- Hideyasu took note of what the man said, but chose not to respond to that specifically. After a while, he figured it couldn't hurt, and sat a small distance away from Kenji. He wasn't looking at him now, and his katana was resting up on his shoulder. The assassin wasn't sure what to say, never having really conversed with anyone outside of battle.

"My job takes me to many places... but always amongst the shadows."

- As was the life of a ninja.

[Miyamoto Kenji]

At the notion of the man being amongst the shadows, Kenji grinned to himself. Hideyasu's trade was plain as day now, though he would not voice it out of politeness. Suppose an enemy of the Hojo was passing the road as well and overheard? They'd know the identity of one of their ninja. Instead, he simply nodded, commenting, "I understand. Then perhaps, you have an idea of where you'd go?"

[Morei Hideyasu]

- While Hideyasu had revealed himself out loud somewhat, he hadn't sensed anyone else around. He did not take this man as an enemy, but nonetheless, he kept his guard up.

"... There is no escape from Sagami."

- By that, he meant that it wasn't possible for one of the Hojo, especially a ninja captain, to just leave. The Fuma would hunt them down and slaughter them, and there was no escape.

"You would do well to stay far away from Odawara."

[Miyamoto Kenji]

Hideyasu's warning concerned Kenji. Not because it sounded like a threat, because it didn't, but coupled with his statement immediately prior, it distinctly came off as a remark of regret. Something had happened that made him lament and dislike the idea of being in Sagami, and made him feel as if there was no way out. Perhaps he was of the Hojo clan? It was possible, and the Hojo were known to have certain shinobi within their employ...

Kenji shook his head, folding his hands in his lap. "You sound like a man who has given up on hope. I think that you should reconsider that position." He offered Hideyasu a friendly smile before continuing. "If you give up, you can never hope to change your station in life. You'll simply stagnate and be unable to progress, and that's the best case scenario. If you try, however, you may yet find there's something else you can do, some place you can go, or some person you can be with."

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Hideyasu did not acknowledge Kenji's smile. There was an evident sadness in his eyes, but the rest of his face did not show this. The man was still, even his breathing was quiet, as he listened to Kenji speak.

"Miyamoto-san... you seem wise beyond your years."

- Or at least, he assumed Kenji was young. Regardless, he did have a lot of thinking to do. A person that he could be with... he had recently found out that his brother, Haji, was alive, and he hadn't seen him in fifteen years. Feeling unfit to approach him, Hideyasu often watched over him from the shadows whenever the two came close in proximity.

"But this is the only life I have ever known. To turn my back on it now... would seem dishonorable."

[Miyamoto Kenji]

"I am hardly a wise man, Morei-san, but all the same, thank you for saying so," Kenji would respond to his compliment about being wise, chuckling in good nature. He then waited for the shinobi to continue.

When he did, the shugyosha paused, stroking his chin as he heard Hideyasu mention dishonor. True, in this period of the warring states, many held fast to the precepts of honor. It was, in some cases, the lifeblood of the country, and the most socially-acceptable thing to do at any given time was almost always related to honor. Even Kenji's performance throughout daily life was often based on what would be honorable. However, he knew from experience that there were times when doing the honorable thing was not the best route; when he wanted, needed to do the right thing, honor took a backseat.

"Morei-san... Sometimes, we cannot adhere to the tenets of honor, in order to find ourselves in life," he began, fully turning in his sitting position to face Hideyasu, whether or not he returned the gesture. "I respect honor, and I respect those who are honorable, and even I cannot say that honor is always what's right. It can segregate us from what truly matters: our pasts, friends, family, sometimes even the lives of those less fortunate than we. Perhaps this is the only life you've ever known, and I do not fault you for your career choice, but if you feel this is no longer a life you want, then it's time to turn away and pursue what you desire most."

Another pause, not out of contemplation, but to allow his words to sink in. Whatever his conflict, Kenji truly hoped Hideyasu would make up his mind and make the choice that he believes is right.

[Morei Hideyasu]

"Honor is... not always right?"

- Hideyasu would ponder on that for a moment, wondering if Kenji spoke the truth. But then, what honor was there in living in the shadows and slaying any who ventured too close? The Hojo had lost their way after they annihilated the entire Yoritomo clan off of the face of the earth, and Hideyasu was one of the main forces that drove them to their extinction. His hands were stained, not that he enjoyed it at all.

"Perhaps you're right, Miyamoto-san..." Hideyasu looked up at Odawara Castle. "But the time is not yet right. I can't leave here as it is."

[Miyamoto Kenji]

It seemed as if Hideyasu was gradually yielding. Kenji simply nodded in return, looking up at Odawara Castle as well. "If you say it's not the right time, I'll believe you. When that time comes, however, you should be ready to act swiftly and decisively," he recommended, then turned his gaze back to the shinobi. "I don't know what I can do, but I'm more than willing to help you leave. That is entirely up to you, however."

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Hideyasu looked to the ground, closing his eyes. Kenji's help meant a lot, and yet, he wasn't sure what the man could do, if anything at all. If he got anywhere close to Odawara, Kotaro may slay him where he stood. It was dangerous territory, and Kenji was not safe here.

"Thank you, Miyamoto-san... perhaps we should distance ourselves from Odawara for the time being?"

[Miyamoto Kenji]

Kenji chuckled at the notion, scratching his neck as he made to stand. "I believe you're onto something, Morei-san. This is not the best conversation to have in the shadow of Odawara, is it?" He understood, at least on a base level, that what he discussed with Hideyasu was tantamount to helping a vassal desert his post, or at least offering to help. Rising to his feet, he nodded to Hideyasu, requesting, "Lead the way."

[Morei Hideyasu]

"That it is not."

- Hideyasu gave a small smile towards the man. He did not know what it was about Kenji, but he had a cheerful personality that seemed rather contagious. The assassin did not know when the last time he really smiled was.

- He began to walk down the road away from Odawara, assuming Kenji would follow.

"What brings you to Sagami anyway?"

[Miyamoto Kenji]

Kenji would indeed follow, saying nothing about the fortunate smile that his acquaintance bore, instead clasping his hands behind his back and walking along with Hideyasu. "As I said, I'm just passing through. I'm heading west at the moment to visit provinces that I haven't seen for a while." This much was true, though Kenji did refrain from being entirely honest. The other part of his trek through the country was to attend a certain battle in the making, on behalf of his patron's lord.

He was still puzzled as to why only one man was being sent instead of a battalion... But that was beside the point.

[Morei Hideyasu]

"I see. Hopefully your travels lead you to places better than this."

- Hideyasu continued to walk, not facing Kenji at the moment. Little did he know that Kenji and himself would both take part in the same upcoming battle, though Hideyasu's reasons for fighting would be quite different.

"To travel as you please... it sounds quite nice."

[Miyamoto Kenji]

"I rarely want for interesting sights, that's for sure. Every town and territory usually has something happening within," cited Kenji as the two walked along. "Funnily enough, I should be head of my family right now, but I left that duty to my mother until I felt myself ready. That conveniently gives me the ability to continue travelling like this."

He paused in speech, looking to the sky. With how things were changing in the land, even in this already chaotic era, would he be able to continue wandering, travelling, and working like he did for much longer? A great battle was to take place, and after it resolved, regardless of the result, who's to say more such battles would not occur? Lives will be changed soon enough... Much as the shugyosha wished to continue his way of life forever, he did not know if he'd be able to.

[Morei Hideyasu]

- Hideyasu stopped as Kenji did, looking back at him before looking skyward as well. He too knew that a lot would be changing in this land very soon, and that maybe even honor and allegiances would soon mean very little. Who knew what politics would come into play, or what schemes people would concoct? As much as the assassin wanted very little of it... he had his role to play, just as everyone else did.

"I'm envious of your ability to travel so freely. To take in the sights around us... it's not what I was raised to do."