Onsen

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Sanada asked for both of her names, and her eyes widened. He wanted to know? Not only her true name, but her alias? There seemed little other reason for him to desire to know, after all of his kindness shown thus far, than because he intended on keeping her secret, well, a secret. Katsumi stating her real name was more out of respect, and the other, which for some would have been unnecessary at this point, was so that he knew what she normally went by. The archer was utterly astounded.

"My birth name is... Shinomori Katsumi. For the last year, I have gone as Saito Hiroshi," said she, bowing her head in the slightest, out of respect.

He tried to get up, but struggled, and Kat leaned forward, shaking her head. "You must lay down longer and rest some more, Sanada-san."

The warrior went on to answer her unspoken question, and her gaze switched over to his. Her lips were set in a straight line and the girl slowly blinked, pondering over his words.

"I have not known someone like that... you. Where kindness comes so easily, or at all. I... do not find you strange, Sanada-san. It... is simply hard to adjust to."

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Katsumi, you said? Even your name is exquisite. Thank you for telling me, Shinomori-san."

Struggling to sit up, eventually he managed to, breathing in heavily. With the blanket no longer covering his upper body, Katsumi would be able to clearly make out the long scar that ran from the top of his shoulder to his collar bone, as he would look over at Katsumi and see her lean forward towards him and shake her head, giving her a kind, appreciative smile in response.

"I appreciate your concern Shinomori-san, but I will be alright. Truly? That breaks my heart to hear. And if it you can never adjust to it, I will never stop showing kindness to you."

Although he was not aware of it, his uninjured hand, the one keeping him upright, was resting near Katsumi's, just barely touching hers.

"What about your injuries Shinomori-san? I noticed the bruises on your shoulder and body... May I?"

If she allowed him to, he would lean forward and reach up to rub the bruise on her shoulder with his good hand, to try and get the swelling down.

[Shinomori Katsumi]

The woman blushed again. She was glad he didn't call her by her first name like Haji. Katsumi felt as though that would have been... weird. It was because it was so endearing and with anyone other than Haji, at least now as Katsumi was becoming used to it, would have embarrassed her immensely.

She caught sight of the scar and stayed silent. The archer had lots of her own scars, and many memories behind them. She wouldn't want someone prying into her past, and so she didn't say a word. If he wanted to tell her, he would do so. Her eyes evaded from the scar and dropped to her lap.

Katsumi kept blushing and her hand nervously tugged at the black kimono. "As of late, it is as though the world I know is turning inside-out..."

He mentioned always being nice to her, and that... well, she simply didn't know how to respond to that. To be kind all of the time... was it natural? Would be he forcing it? Her brows furrowed in confusion and she peered up at him, murmuring, "If it is a chore then only do it when you like..."

Haha! I foiled your plan! At feeling the brush, Katsumi's hand instinctively moved to her lap, embracing her other hand. She wouldn't move away when he went forward, but the merc looked over at him before her gaze moved to the side.

"You... You don't really need to, Sanada-san. I'll be fine. I already... took care of the worst of the wou- Ah!"

She winced when he rubbed her shoulder, and bit her bottom lip, going quiet. As he rubbed the badly bruised part of body, a sigh released from her lips. Kat's lids drooped and she explained that particular injury, "It became dislocated earlier from a fight, but I put it back into place. It will be okay in a couple of days. But... thank you, Sanada-san," at the end, Katsumi peered up at him and bowed her head shortly.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"When one has spent their entire life living only one way, inevitably anything that deviates from what they consider normal would turn their entire world upside down. And it would never be a chore, Shinomori-san. I cannot stop being kind just as the sun cannot stop from rising. It is simply how I am."

But I never had a plan o.o Shifting his hand slightly away before leaning forward, continuing to smile kindly but slightly sheepish from his hand brushing against hers, he would reach out and rub her shoulder firmly but with surprising gentleness. Ignoring her wincing, though he continued to focus on rubbing her shoulder, to bring down the swelling and reduce the amount of time the bruise would remain, he had paid attention to her explanation, as evident by the slightly upset look on his face.

"Better? And you need not thank me Shinomori-san... But you are welcome."

Returning her bow with one of his own, though the worst of her injuries had been tended to, he would still continue to regard her with concern.

"What of your other bruises? Would you permit me to tend them as well? Or would you rather tend to those yourself?

[Shinomori Katsumi]

She watched him as he spoke, her expression impassive as it usually was. Upon finishing, her gaze fell from his and she murmured, more to herself than to him, "It seems escape and further isolation has brought clarity, has allowed me to see some of the light in the world. I... had been in the darkness for so long..."

A sigh fell from her lips and she brushed back her hair, which was now down and resting in waves against her back. The massaging wasn't pleasant, as there was pain, but it wasn't anything she hadn't felt before. Katsumi had experienced far more pain, and so she sat in place quietly as he did his work and spoke. She simply nodded in response.

Her hands clasped one another. "My... My rib shouldn't be touched for a while. The rest aren't too bad. They can be left alone. I appreciate the offer though."

[Sanada Yukimura]

Katsumi's words bringing a small sad smile to Yukimura's face, he would look off to the side briefly while continuing to rub her shoulder, finishing a few minutes later. Nodding his head slightly, he would pull back away from her, leaning back once more on his uninjured arm.

"Would you like to head out and meet my sister-in-law now? Don't worry about me, I feel much better now."

[Shinomori Katsumi]

She had remained silent as he rubbed her shoulder, never one to talk all that much. Eventually, Sanada finished and moved away, and Katsumi blinked and turned around so that she faced him. He made an offer and then commented on his current status, and her brows raised.

"Are... Are you sure, Sanada-san? You could always rest longer. And..." Katsumi bit down on her bottom lip. Her gaze kept moving from his to the side as she continued speaking, "I... I really wouldn't want to be a burden, and... and I have to be back at the camp in a day..."

Meeting another female archer though... it sounded absolutely incredible, and Katsumi shifted in her seated position, containing her desire and excitement about the matter.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"I am absolutely sure, Shinomori-san. And you would never be a burden to me, I will personally make sure you are back at your camp the day after tomorrow."

Giving her a comfortingly reassuring smile, using his uninjured arm for support, he would struggle to climb to his feet, leaning forward slightly towards Katsumi as he ended up in a crouching position, his other arm keeping the blanket in place, before straightening up, holding the blanket with his uninjured hand. He would then hand the blanket to Katsumi before wading back into the hot spring, to retrieve his spear.

After grabbing it with his uninjured hand, he would then walk back over to the edge of the hot spring and place it on top of the rock border before once more climbing out. Picking his spear up, he'd then head over to where his clothes and armor rested. It wasn't until he got his hakama and shirt on with no trouble that he realized... with one hand out of commission, getting on his armor would be the hard part.

"... Shinomori-san, I apologize for troubling you, but could you honor this unworthy samurai with your assistance in getting my armor on?"

[Shinomori Katsumi]

It was a relief to know he was feeling better, and, while there was no smile on her face, Katsumi's expression seemed satisfied. She opened her eyes and looked up at Sanada. If he really insisted, how could she say no? Katsumi desperately wished to meet another female archer, and one who was accepted, and, to be honest, she was taking a liking to this man. Katsumi was starting to see him as (dare she say it?) a friend.

"Alright. Thank you, Sanada-san."

Eventually, the man was able to get up on his own two feet, and she got up as he did. Handing her the blanket, Katsumi accepted it and respectively averted her eyes from his bare form. As he grabbed his weapon and put on clothes, Katsumi began to pack up her things. When she was done, the archer swiveled around and say that Yukimura was having some difficult. When he made the inquiry, with little hesitation the woman agreed with a nod.

"Of course."

She headed over to the warrior and would assist him with putting on his armor, having used to help change and take care of her father when he was far too intoxicated to function with even the basics.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Simply bowing his head respectfully in return, he would then go and retrieve his spear, laying it out to dry as he pulled his clothing on afterwards. Giving Katsumi a grateful smile, he would stand still as she assisted him with putting his armor on, making minor adjustments to the armors position afterwards with his good hand. Once it was comfortably positioned, picking his spear up, he would leave his headband off, as Ina had taken up residence in Tokugawa Ieyasu's territory, her father, Honda Tadakatsu, one of his loyal retainers.

Giving her a slight nod of his head, he would then lead the way out of the hot spring area and to the border of Lord Takeda-sama's territory and Tokugawa-san's territory. Without his headband, he was less recognized to be part of the Sanada clan, and would enter into the territory much easier. Entering into one of the towns located on the outlying area of the territory, he would make his way through the bustling street, soon enough reaching Ina's home. Knocking on the door, he would wait for a moment, the sounds of footsteps slowly growing louder and coming towards them, followed by the shoji door opening, as a young woman stood before them in the doorway.

"Yes...? Oh, otouto-kun! What brings you here? Nobuyuki didn't tell me you were coming. Oh, and who is your friend?"

[Shinomori Katsumi]

Soon enough, the two were off, and Katsumi would have remained quiet much of the time. When they eventually made it to the town, her eyes looked about curiously, taking in the sight. New places fascinated her and quenched her curiosity while simultaneously causing her to crave more knowledge.

The two walked up to a nice home, much larger than anyplace Katsumi had ever been, and her small form was behind Sanada's as he knocked on the door. Despite sort of hiding behind Yukimura, the woman caught sight of Katsumi and the girl mustered up the courage to fully step into view. She was still dressed as a man, but her face was soft and Katsumi only stood at four-feet-ten-inches. Katsumi often caused people to raise their brows.

Seeing this other apparently extraordinary archer caused Katsumi to grows immensely nervous, eyes widening a little and throat clenching up, making it so that she couldn't utter a word. Her dainty hands nervously tugged at the sleeves of the black kimono, and Katsumi looked up expectantly at Yukimura, as she bit down on her bottom lip.

Was he going to give her real name? Should she be herself? Was she supposed to keep up her appearance here? She didn't see why he wouldn't considering the circumstances, but it created anxiety nevertheless, and Katsumi shifted in slight discomfort. There was much for her to process, and the teenage archer's head was swimming.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Hello nee-chan. I came to visit you, that's why nii-san didn't say anything. And,"

He would gesture to Katsumi, who was hidden behind him,

"I wanted her to meet you. Shinomori-san, this is Ina, my sister-in-law. Nee-chan, this is Shinomori Katsumi, she is an archer just like you are, and I told her about your excellent skills in archery."

"You wanted her to meet me? Ohhh, I see, an archer you say? It's quite an honor to meet you Shinomori-san. There is no need to be so nervous here, everyone is very friendly and kind, and will welcome you with open arms."

Bowing to Katsumi, she would straighten up soon after, her arms casually clasped across her chest.

"My little brother-in-law praises me more than I am worth. My skills are not that impressive, but I can show you what I know, if you wish, Shinomori-san."

[Shinomori Katsumi]

[[OoC: Ah shit. I forgot again. Sorry for the wait! Dx -bows repeatedly-]]

It was an honor for her? Katsumi wasn't even known, but apparently Ina was. She was supposedly a renowned fighter, and if the petite woman was more knowledgeable she probably would have known of her. If anyone was honored, it was Katsumi, and she was!

"It... It is an honour for me, Ina-senpai!" she exclaimed, finally gathering the courage to speak up. Her small hands tugged at the hem of her black kimono, and her dark gaze kept moving up to Ina's and falling away. "I... I haven't met many other archers, and... and never a woman who was one."

Ina really would be willing to show Katsumi what she knew? What she could do? Inner-Katsumi was jumping up and down, and the girl's heart was racing. "I... I would very much like to s-shoot with you, Ina-senpai."

It was like a dream come true, and one she never knew she could have before. And already so soon it was turning into reality. Katsumi was bubbling up with excitement and happiness, and, even with her face remaining rather impassive, with a hint of nervousness, her eyes were glimmering.

[Sanada Yukimura]

"Now now, there is no need for such honorifics. I am hardly worthy to be called senpai. Truly? It is true not many females are archers, but to have not met any other archers is quite surprising. And that pleases me to hear. I will meet you both behind my home, there is an archery range I had set up for my training."

Both Yukimura and Ina smiling at the glimmer visible in Katsumi's eyes, while Ina headed back into her home to collect her bow and quiver of arrows, Yukimura would motion with his head for her to follow him, as he would turn and head down a path along the side of Ina's home, which would lead them to the back. Stepping aside after, allowing Katsumi to take in the view, a large, grassy area with rolling hills in the background would greet them, a a row of small and large circle targets and a couple straw dummies already set up.

"Do you like it, Shinomori-san?"

A voice would speak up from behind them, as Yukimura would turn and see Ina standing behind them, bow and arrows in hand.

"I set everything up myself. Shall we begin?"

[Shinomori Katsumi]

The girl shifted, nibbling on her bottom lip. "A... Alright. And... well, I have, but... there are few who are true archers, it seems."

Ina left and Katsumi followed after Yukimura, thanking him softly for leading her and for the opportunity. Behind the home was even more beautiful, with rolling green hills, and her dark eyes lit up at seeing all of the targets. It was absolutely fantastic!

The other woman came up from behind, and Katsumi swiveled around, nodding as much enthusiasm as she was capable of (which was considerably less than most, but there was that constant glimmer in her eyes.) She said in response to both questions, taking her bow in her hands, "Yes, Ina-san!"

[Sanada Yukimura]

Giving Katsumi a kind smile, he needed no thanks, but the appreciation was there. Stepping back to watch from the sidelines as Ina would step forward, with her bow in one hand, she would draw three arrows from the quiver on her back before closing her eyes. After a few moments of silence, her eyes would snap open, as she would quickly raise her bow up and in one fluid motion, would nock and fire the arrows in rapid succession, each arrow hitting the bullseye of each target, or if not the the bullseye, at least fairly close to it.

She'd then quickly swivel to the right and drawing three more arrows, would fire each off at one of the straw dummies, hitting what would be vital points on a human body. She'd then finish off by quickly turning to the last remaining circle target and taking aim, would fire off a rapid multi-shot of arrows, each arrow landing close to or on the bullseye. Breathing in heavily from the demonstration, clapping would be heard coming from behind both her and Katsumi, as she would turn to see Yukimura applauding her demonstration.

"Impressive as always nee-san. Well Shinomori-san, what did you think?"

[Shinomori Katsumi]

(Crap. Super late. Totally forgot to reply. Sorry! >.<)

Katsumi watched in awe as watching the other archer, mouth hanging open a little. There was wonder and excitement within her brown hues. Her eyes had little trouble keeping track, trained to do such. But this woman was fast... and good. Really good.

At hearing Yukimura clapping, Kat glanced over at him. After he spoke, her gaze switched between him and his sister-in-law, nodding enthusiastically, that glimmer within her eyes. While she wasn't smiling, there was a clear beam within her hues.

"Admirable... quite admirable," replied the petite archer. Turning to Ina, Kat bowed her head. "It was an honour to watch, Ina-san. Thank you very much."

[Sanada Yukimura]

Bowing her head humbly, more out of embarrassment than anything else, nonetheless, Ina appreciated and was grateful for the compliments from Katsumi. His arms casually folded across his chest, Yukimura would smile warmly at Katsumi, seeing the clear beam in her eyes despite no smile visible on her face, as Ina would return Katsumi's bow with one of her own.

"Would you like to try the archery range out for yourself, Shinomori-san? I would be most honored to see your skills and see how mine stack up against yours."

[Shinomori Katsumi]

At the offer, Kat's eyes widened. After seeing such a display, how was she to go right after? It made the archer nervous, and she gulped. Yes, Katsumi was a skilled archer, but to come across another female with the same skills and who was absolutely incredible... the teenager was afraid she would pale in comparison. She was suddenly nervous about one of the few things she had confidence in.

"W... Well, I...." she trailed off, avoiding her gaze. Katsumi's small hands gripped at her bow and she swallowed roughly. As nervous as Kat was, it was be disrespectful to say no. "I... I s-suppose so..."

She bowed her head, tentatively thanking Ina. Stepping forward closer to the range, Katsumi inhaled deeply lifted up her left hand with the bow, removing five arrows. Her hand was a little shaky, but the young woman focused on her breathing to steady herself. Readying a shot, Katsumi's expression changed, growing quite serious, and she suddenly fired and fired quickly again, shooting the next target. In the heat of the moment like this, she did better, pushing aside her worries and acting almost mechanically, naturally for her.

Just focus on the targets and taking down the enemies.

Slightly turning her foot, the archer fired at a closer target and then another two further away. Removing three more arrows, Katsumi hit three targets further back in a row.

Lowering her bow, she saw that she hit mostly bulls-eyes, with two slightly off but still hitting the marks, and there was only one narrow miss. At the miss, the woman internally chastised herself. That would have earned seven lashes in the past for that one alone, forgetting the other non-perfect hits.

Despite actually doing pretty well, it was never good enough in the girl's eyes because of her upbringing, and Katsumi sighed heavily. "I think... I was nervous..."

She would murmur an apology and scratch at her head, staring intently at that single narrow miss.

[Sanada Yukimura]

Before Katsumi began, she would feel a comforting hand on her shoulder, as Ina would give her a comforting smile, her expression conveying that Katsumi should relax and that she would do just fine. As soon as Katsumi's display finished, she would hear the sound of applauding, but it was coming not from Yukimura, but from Ina, who had been watching in awe at her skills, her eyes wide with amazement.

"You were nervous? I didn't think so, that was amazing Shinomori-san! Don't apologize, to be so skilled at such a young age, when I was sixteen, I missed each target at least five times! To miss only once, you truly are skilled in archery. I truly am honored to see such amazing skills from you."