Taisho invokes the blessings of the kami for the
yojimbo for the day's travel. When he reaches Haruto, a gentle breeze rustles the leaves of a gingko tree by the inn. Leaves fall to the ground and both he and the shugenja feel the presence of the divine harmony of nature and the world.
Hiroshi ties his folding o-yoroi and its various separate pieces into a bundle and, with Haruto's permission, adds it to the burdens hanging from the shugenja's horse's back. The party sets off down the highway to the capital. The highway continues to follow a northwest to southeast valley bound by steep, pine- and maple-forested mountains to either side. In most places now-dry rice fields lie between the roadstead and the mountains. But in many places where the valley is more narrow, the highway is simply a wide path through thick woods. At such places both the
yojimbo and the kuge are more alert for bandits, brigands, or other concealed dangers.
In the late afternoon at one such place, the travelers encounter a beautiful girl of around 18 years old. From her clothing and hairstyle, she appears to be heimin, perhaps the daughter of a merchant or successful artisan. From her happy demeanor, she seems exceptionally full of health and good spirits.
She is sitting on a rock at the side of the road. One of her straw sandals is off, and it appears that she is working at re-attaching a strap. When she sees the party and the magnificently dresses kuge on horseback, she stands, raises her hands to her cheeks, and her mouth becomes an O. She quickly sinks to the ground and bows deeply to the kuge and the rest of the party. When she raises her head, she says in honorific-level Nipponese,
Good afternoon, o-kuge-sama, samurai-sama, min-na["everyone"]-sam. I am called Shino. Hokuto-cho is my place of origin. My father became no longer existing in this world last week, then my mother also, four days ago. I am going to Kofu to look for employment. If it will not inconvenience o-kuge-sama or anyone, I would like to ask to follow along behind your party. Because I fear there may be dangers on the highway.
The kuge looks left, right and left at girl's ears. The
yojimbo do too. Upraised, high on top, earlobes attached and not free and fat. A sign of a life of shortage and not wealth. But that is from the lore of China, neither Shinto or Buddhist. The kuge sniffs and looks at the two samurai bushi, indicating that it doesn't matter to him one way or another. Ito nods his approval; Omi simply grunts. Akemi looks the girl up and down appraisingly. She speaks up.
I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune, Shino-san. Don't you have even an aunt or uncle who can care for you? Do you have relatives in Kofu to welcome you?
No,miss-sama, the girl answers.
I am all alone. That's why I must go to Kofu to find work. I'm sorry to delay you, o-kuge-sama. I'll quickly repair my sandal and hurry behind you. The girl does just that. With a few deft motions she re-attaches the strap, puts the sandal on her foot, goes to the back of the party. Along the way, she smiles cheerful and utterly lovely smiles at Kentaro, Taisho and Haruto, meeting their eyes with a greeting. Perhaps the young men, each according to his own nature and experience, think different things.
"Does she like me? Am I her type, and she naturally finds me attractive? A beautiful girl like that? It seems too good to be true. But the old songs and tales tell of such things. Love at first sight. Born for each other. Buddhism's meeting of great friend souls again in next lives."
"Perhaps the girl out on her own is looking for a husband, a roof, and a livelihood? That would be understandable for a girl in such a situation."
"Is she a runaway oiran courtesan, like Akemi was?" And then, "If so, is she actually ninja, like Akemi was?"
The kuge urges Omi's horse on and the travelers proceed down the highway, expecting to arrive at Kofu in the next couple of hours.
Haruto doesn't know Akemi's story, so he wouldn't have the thought about ninja in disguise.
Did Haruto consent for his horse to carry Hiroshi's armor? If not, we can retcon and have Hiroshi buy a chest and hire a porter.
Actions?