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Her eyes widened at Nanami's words. How could the world be capable of possessing such kindhearted people? It kind of bothered Okata that this girl was so compassionate, and she felt sorry for Nanami. It was the ways of children, in her mind, and children were corrupted. Their innocence towards the world and people snatched from them. Evidently Nanami lived a sheltered life, and it would be a sad day when the real world and its cruelties fell upon her.

Would she be able to handle it and innovate, or drown like Okata's older sister did?

Okata did not have a response and remained silent, light blue eyes searching for a good clearing. After some time with limping, her gaze rested on an area closer to the vegetation that was far from the water. It shouldn't flood. And it was on a hill, so rainfall wouldn't be a problem either. Her hand pointed in that direction.

"Nanami-san, what about there?"

She smiled as he took up her offer. Okata had appearances to keep and the more people on her side, the better. As for the money, it really wasn't a big deal for her to spend this. Not only was she the spy and concubine of quite wealthy Lord Mori, but she also made her own money from the brothel and other men. It had been some time since she was short on money.

When names were given, Okata gave a bow and said her primary false name, "Masaki Amaya."

Upon standing tall once more, she smiled. "I am pleased to hear that, Fujishima-san."

She turned to face Ryu and arched her brows. "Oh? A blacksmith? And from Totomi? That is certainly a good ride from here."

Okata closed her eyes and smiled, hands slipping within the sleeves of her kimono. "But yes. Chugoku is quite prosperous, and there are numerous merchants and merchandise here. One can find just about whatever they desire here~"

Yes. Including top-notch whores, or courtesans. Aki province was the perfect place to go for her and start up her own business. For the money... and eventually coming into contact with Lord Mori. Her life changed because of her decision, and for the better.

"Trouble can come from anywhere," remarked the woman, herself included. If you were a target and being investigated, and there was something on you that greatly displeased her lord... well, things wouldn't work out so well for you. Her light blue eyes fluttered open, and she continued to smile. "Anyone can attract it, I find. And as for accompanying us, why of course."

Entertaining one man. Two men. Either was worked, although she was more of a one-on-one woman. Oh well. She wasn't required to spy on either of the men and so there wasn't anything to worry about. After asking the other merchant to have the theif arrested, Okata began to walk in a different direction, motioning for the men to follow her.

"There is an excellent restaurant serving dishes unique to Aki. They have some of the best fish in the country here~"

Okata smiled softly at the girl. Her tears were drying up. That was a good sign. Hopefully soon she would get it together enough to go search for supplies with Okata. It would be best to at least find fresh water and make a shelter before nightfall. Oh, how she dreaded nightfall.

"Amaya," she gave her main false name. Her hand gentle pat Nanami's back and she bowed her head a little. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I simply wish it was under different circumstances."

Tilting her head, she tentatively inquired, voice soft and tone sensitive, "I do not wish to rush you, Nanami-san, but... it would be best to find water and make shelter before the sun sets. Food too, if we can find any before the morrow."

Okata lifted her hands and caught the bag, opening it and making sure everything was there. It was.

"Thank you."

The woman was so used to people checking her out that she didn't particularly notice. Well, that wasn't really the case. It was simply that she didn't care. It bothered her not in the least, and, in fact, it was a good thing that she was noticed. Her appearance and sensuality were her hooks after all.

The merchant began to try to describe the situation to the concubine in a fluster, resulting in her brows arching upwards. She may have been a whore to everyone's eyes (with an exceptional few knowing her ties to Lord Mori), but she was the whore, the top courtesan. Okata had immense affluence, and people wanted in one way or another, whether sexually, financially, or both.

The short boy began to speak, and her light blue gaze moved to him. As Okata listened, the woman realized how idiotic all of this was and, quite frankly, she didn't care. Okata had plenty to do. She just wanted to get her things and go back to her Lord, but... she also had an appearance to keep. Unlike Motonari, her image was that of a caring, generous woman who readily listened to the troubles of others.

What a pain in the ass.

She nodded, listening to his words and pretending to care, a soft, sweet smile on her lips and within her eyes. As he went on, she reacted accordingly, glancing over at the merchant, who visibly tensed, and then back to Ryu.

"Hmm... how troubling indeed."

If it weren't for her immense amount of restraint, Okata would have laughed. 'You ought to have someone who is not as abusive in words and deeds as him, seeing you are a fine lady.' How absurdly humorous, considering who she was the concubine of. He was not cruel or harsh with her, but so many feared Lord Mori, thinking he was an abusive, brutal prick, and, in certain regards and towards some people, he was. This merchant couldn't even measure in comparison.

Inhaling deeply, her chest rising, Okata exhaled, releasing a sigh. The man's worry seemed to skyrocket. Stepping forward, the concubine moved close to the merchant, not quite touching him, but coming so very close. She slipped the bag into his hand.

"Please give me my order and whatever they desired to purchase, and then let's forget this ever happened, hm?" Okata tilted her head and smiled, the lids of her eyes drooping. She bat her eyes slowly. "An apology isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Okata was victorious, and the man would quietly apologize and bow. Her smile grew larger, satisfied. So few men seemed to be able to resist her womanly charms and (ass)ets. Upon being given her order, she held the wrapped, rich garments against her bosom, and she would bow her head and thank the merchant. The man offered to have someone carry the clothes to her business and she chuckled, shaking her head.

"Oh, that isn't necessary, Kaname-san. The distance isn't far." She turned towards the other two and arched her brows. Okata mostly looked at Shige, as he was the one who directly helped her. "To further show my appreciation, please... allow me to take you to lunch."

The sun's rays in a sense dried up her threatening tears, and Okata after a few minutes calmed herself down. She still didn't know what to do but while the sun was up and shining brightly upon her, Okata could feel safe, at the very least.

Looking downwards and out in the sea, the woman's brows furrowed. Were those.... bodies? Her eyes widened at seeing numerous corpses floating out, and there were fins. Sharks. Okata was thankful she was here on the island and not out there.

But she noticed movement and saw someone swimming towards the island. So... there was a survivor. Okata wasn't sure whether that would be good or bad for her, and so she stayed in place and would watch the person. As the individual came closer, Okata realized it was another woman, and that was a little relieving. Men were much more likely to be violent than women. But still. It wasn't like Okata was a trusting individual.

Even so, Okata would need help surviving. She had survived out on the streets, but there was no one here to steal from or seduce for lodging and food. This was raw, and it was something Okata was unfamiliar with. She would need help, and maybe... just maybe this other woman could help her. They could help each other.

Struggling to walk towards the other person who was now on land, it took some time because of her wounds and the distance. Eventually Okata neared and she called out, still some distance away, "So... you survived the storm too."

She looked out to the sea and the dead bodies floating. Okata wasn't necessarily the most compassionate person, but she still had a heart. And the previous night had been absolutely horrifying. "It was awful... frightening. But... it is good to see at least someone else made it and washed ashore. It would be dreadful to be all alone."

Okata nodded when the man spoke, and waved over one of her fellow whores. Whispering in her ear, she asked for water and tea, and the girl went scurrying off. She turned to Sagi and smiled again. "Many a men after such deeds often drink something stronger."

It reminded her of Lord Mori, and she assumed this man did not like to cloud his judgement with alcohol. She was actually glad he didn't want to drink then, because when men drank alcohol they acted like that Ju pig, at least that was her experience. And it was common in brothels.

Bringing him over to a booth, she knelt on the cushions on the floor and folded her hands on her lap. Okata blinked at the man's words and proceeded to shrug her exposed shoulder.

"Here, and many a places. I've run into it all over, I am afraid," answered the concubine. The girl came back with their drinks and set them on the low table, and Okata nodded in appreciation. When reaching out for her tea and picking up the cup, she winced slightly. Her arm hurt from how she was handled earlier and Okata closed her eyes, sighing. She set her hands back on her lap, releasing the cup and setting it back down beforehand. "But if it weren't for lust, I would be out of business. Hazard of the job."

Sure thing! What're you interested in? :3

Since I already have two other Numa Castle threads and this bitch would never go in a dungeon, I unfortunately cannot join in that. Buuuut you can probably find a group who will. But I know the staff definitely appreciates when people hold off on dungeons and do social threads first. ^^;

Okata would lead him to the stables and watch with the utmost fascination. The woman didn't particularly enjoy seeing the man suffer like this. She was not a psychopath or sadistic. But it did feel justified. The man was a fool, and foolishness must be met with swift death, or inevitably would be. There was no room for it. Before even Lord Mori told her that, Okata knew it to be true.

She closed her eyes as the stranger worked on killing the man. "Mm. There is no room for idiocy and naivety."

She opened her eyes and watched the rest. It truly was a spectacular display, and Okata wondered who this man served, if anyone. There was power there, without any doubt. He could either prove to be friend or foe, and Okata was uncertain as to which. It was too early in the game to know what his agenda was, and likely she wouldn't pry. She was not ordered to do so, and he probably would be of no concern to Lord Mori. But at the very least, Okata would make her lordship aware of this powerful man, just in case it proved to be useful in the future, near or far.

After the man was finished off and not even a single trace was left of him or what had happened, her light blue gaze moved to the stranger. Her placed a large coin purse in her hand and she blinked. Looking up at him, a smile graced her lips.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all. In fact, you saved me from quite a bit. So please," said the woman, bowing her head, "allow me to at least offer you food and drink, and lodging if you are weary from travel. Masaki Amaya is in your debt."

Amaya was. But not Okata. The latter woman was intrigued with this man and didn't want him to leave so soon. Sure, she was appreciative and part of it was simple gratitude, but if she could even learn who he served... well, that would be quite sublime.

"Allow me to pay it off, sir," said the woman with a pleasant smile, lids drooping in the slightest as her blue gaze moved up to his.

Oh, this was fascinating indeed. The pig was forced to his knees, and suddenly the other man's hand began to glow. She wasn't sure what exactly was happening, but with Ju's response, it almost seemed as though he were dying.

Lovely.

After how Ju had acted, Okata was already liking this other man. He was taking care of what was becoming a problem for her. It was not something she expected, but nevertheless it pleased her and she was appreciative.

He inquired about her well-being, and Okata blinked, looking up at the man. Her ruby lips parted a little in surprise, before she closed her eyes and shook her head. "It is nothing especially new for me. I shall be fine in given time, sir. But thank you."

Rubbing her aching arm, Okata looked down at the man, staring at him for a few moments, before glancing back up at the stranger. The pig was fated to die and, while she would not stain her hands with his blood herself, the concubine tilted her head and motioned towards a back door.

"We have stables in the back."

Why not aid him in the removal of the pest?

"Archery? Excuse me, but are you joking, Mori-sama?" asked the woman, taken aback by her lord's request.

His expression was unreadable and entirely serious, per usual. "You know I do not joke, Okata-san. There is no time for it."

"Then what in hell are you going on about me training in archery?! I am a whore. A spy. I'm not a fighter. You know that!" exclaimed Okata. She was getting flustered. "I never will be!"

Motonari closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. "If you are to serve me, you must also train the physical body. You are strong of mind and in the art of deception, but weak and slow. If you were gathering information and were caught before you could slip away or kill the enemy before he grew suspicious, what would you do? What if the man was much stronger than you or there were multiple men?"

Upon opening his brown eyes, they bore straight into Okata, and he said coolly, "If you cannot defend yourself in such circumstances and are killed so easily, then you are no use to me."

Okata's eyes widened and the woman felt a sharp pang in her heart. Despite her training and great control over her emotions, tears welled up within the woman's light blue hues. His words hurt more than any blade possibly could, and she swallowed roughly. Lord Mori was her light. He was her sun, her salvation, her love, her everything. A small whimper sounded from her, unable to help herself, and Okata said quietly, the tone of her sultry voice clearly hurt, "I am skilled in everything I have ever needed to be, physically and mentally..."

While his expression still remained impassive, it was not harsh or cruel, as it could be with those who angered him. He wasn't even annoyed. It was a softer impassiveness. Okata couldn't ever entirely read him, but she could tell those subtle differences, where others could not. Motonari stood up from his seat and walked towards his concubine. Standing next to her, he stopped and Lord Mori replied, "And now I am asking for more. Demanding it."

Okata's brows furrowed and she turned away, still hurt by what he said, even if she knew it to be true. Yes, she was offended, and yet the woman could not argue against his words. His wisdom would always surpass hers, and no matter what Okata would always love him and remain true, and do as he asked. Biting down on her ruby lip, Okata inhaled sharply and folded her arms over her bosom.

"... Fine."

~*~

Over the next couple of weeks, Lord Mori trained Okata with the bow. She struggled immensely, as the woman was weak and not used to holding weapons such as this. It required a good deal of strength for her to pull back the string, and she was pitiful at aiming. Okata felt terribly ashamed of her performances before Lord Mori, constantly embarrassed with how slowly she felt she was learning. It was to the point where she could not even look her lord in the eye, despite the fact that she was a complete beginner.

Despite the learning curve, Okata did improve as time passed, and by the end of the second week of intensive training, she was decent enough to where she took down most of her targets.

Now it was time for her to prove herself to Lord Mori, and to hopefully be able to look into the face of light once more.

"I hope I live up to your expectations, Mori-sama," said the woman with a low bow, loose strands of black locks cascading before her pleasant face.

Standing up tall, the concubine stepped forward in the field, bow in hand. The targets were about one-hundred feet away, and as Okata glanced backwards to look at her lord, she gulped. It was nerve-wracking having Motonari standing behind her, scrutinizing her every move. If she failed or disappointed him, she would kill herself on the spot.

Taking careful aim, Okata made her first target perfectly, right in the center of the head of the dummy, and she sighed in relief. She aimed again and fired, making that one as well. Her shaking arms and hands began to steady as her confidence grew with each successive hit. The sweat on her brow began to dissipate, and it became easier to breath. Her heart was also starting to unclench. It wasn't until the seventh strike that she missed, aiming a little too high. The arrow narrowly missed the top of the target, and Okata glanced back worriedly at Lord Mori. She was allowed one mess up, right?!

Looking back, Okata bit down on her bottom lip and forced herself to focus on her breathing. She could do this. She had to, and the concubine slowed her pace, making sure to carefully aim before firing. Fortunately, the woman made the rest of the shots easily (with one hitting the shoulder and not the head), albeit nervously.

"Good," said her lordship, and Okata couldn't have been more relieved in her life to hear that simple word. Lord Mori wasn't one to compliment or encourage much of anyone, so this was good. This was excellent! It meant she was doing a good job. Thank the gods!

The next trial involved dogs, and Okata was pretty sure some of them were puppies (heh, puppy punting), and he ordered her to shoot them in the legs, mentioning that she had ten shots to make and that she needed to make eight of them. Moving targets. Oh joy...

Hands and arms shaky again, Okata aimed and fired at one of the canines, and narrowly missed, as the dog went scampering off. She cursed herself and aimed again, firing and hitting a hind quarter. It whimpered and whined, and Okata had a feeling that her lordship found some amusement in the cries of the mangy dog, even if he didn't show it. There was this smug impassiveness emanating from him, she was sure...

There was a puppy bouncing about and the woman fired and hit her target. Unlike the dog, she was pretty sure she killed the tiny thing. Fortunately, she didn't really care. Motonari really had rubbed off on her.

Another dog went down. And another. On the ninth shot, she missed again, hitting the dog in the belly, but she fired again, and hit the canine in the leg while it was down just in case her lordship wouldn't be pleased with the belly shot.

Releasing a sigh, Okata wiped her brow and turned to Motonari. She succeeded, and was happy to have lived up to his expectations. That still didn't deter her annoyance for having to do all of this in the first place, even if she understood the practicality of it, and, when she moved towards Lord Mori, the concubine somewhat shoved the bow and arrows in his hands.

"I feel gross. I want to take a bath and cool down, Mori-sama," declared the woman, pouting her lips. She glanced away from him, arms crossing over her chest, although from the corner of her eye, Okata saw that there was the smallest, tiniest glimmer of amusement in his brown eyes.

"Of course."

Damn him with how even when she was supposed to be irritated with him that her heart fluttered! Instead of being an ass and further pissing her off, which was what she wanted, he was being kind of... pleasant. And it was annoying that he wasn't annoyed with her being annoyed at him!!! It was like he was playing her even then, and had yet again the advantage as he always did. Lord Mori was the only person she felt out of control around emotionally, especially over the last year, and it was both frustrating and invigorating.

Now hopes of Motonari joining her during her bath flooded her mind, and Okata internally groaned at herself, grumbling incoherently as she sulked away.