It was almost daybreak when Ryō returned to camp with his arms laden. The two strangers and their fox cub were sleeping next to each other, and the Sōhei were distributed around the area removing wards. His brother, Mizuki, had placed himself back against the tree from before and looked to be in deep thought. There was also a troubled air that seeped from his form, and Ryō imagined he knew what the man was thinking. He approached at a gentle pace, depositing the basket beside his friend so he could wave not one, but two bottles of Mizuki's favourite sake in his face.
Whatever trance he had been in was broken the moment they passed by his visible eye, and a small smile quirked the edges of his mouth.
"What bothers you, friend?" The quiet murmur was only enough for Mizuki's superior hearing, and his smile dropped. His only good eye flickered to their new additions and Ryō felt himself tense up.
"We have to take them." The black-haired man frowned deeply.
"You don't mean…?"
"Yes. Kai is adamant they not leave our side," Mizuki sighed deeply, worry etched over his features. He shifted to stand and all but his back creaked in response. He heard Ryō mutter a quiet 'Jiichan' under his breath and smacked the side of his head with the folded fan he'd stashed in his clothes. "Mouth," the grey-streaked male only smirked. "I am remiss to agree…They are strangers. Rin would be trouble with any other than myself. If it is known she can [see]…" a growl threaded the back of his throat." I am afraid of her survival, yet ignoring all before…you know I am oath bound." Ryō's face turned grim in understanding as Mizuki gathered his possessions. "I will not break my family's promise for this."
"Then we must wake them, for I saw something troubling at Miwa-san's." A flash of concern brushed across the soft features of Mizuki's face as he took a hold of Ryō's arm and all but dragged him away from prying ears. The younger male continued as if nothing had happened but lowered his voice to a whisper. "We have more than his forces to deal with now, for a new piece has entered the game under the guise of a spider. The crest is very much worrisome, and I fear they could have been part of the assault against the Sōhei." A dark brow raised above golden light.
"Are you certain?" Ryō nodded slowly, leaning closer so that none of the monks in the area even got wind of his next words.
"I could smell something most foul from their clothes…their aura's [reeked]." Mizuki pulled back sharply, eye flickering wildly over the others face. He clenched his fist and drew in a breath. Ryō, as well known, was not just any human. He could smell evil, ascertain aura's and use the shadows to his advantage as if it was part of his being. There were many powerful monks and physicians across the lands, however Ryō was something far more than that. This news worried Mizuki far more than it should, but their lives were precarious at best and as much as he tried, he couldn't stop change once it came knocking.
"It is unwise to linger any further, you are right. Wake them immediately and I'll notify the Sōhei. From this moment onward we must part ways." Ryō had left just as the older male finished and he watched absentmindedly as Evelyn and Michael were nudged awake. His gaze favoured the way Evelyn's leg moved, noting with some satisfaction that the treatment given by the robed men had left only a burning red scar in place. It was jagged and ugly, but it seemed the woman didn't care very much and exclaimed in a loud "Ah!" her surprise of movement when she attempted to kick her brother in the shin. Michael on the other hand, seemed mildly put off by the speed of healing, and instead opted to gather their measly belongings and change clothes in a quiet and less lively mood. Their original attire was somewhat shredded, and both knew they had to wear something more suitable to the period they had found themselves in. Mizuki looked away, lone golden orb flickering in thought again as he gazed deeply into the trees beyond their camp.
What surprises would await them on their journey? Knowing the truths of the world, Mizuki was worried for their new additions. They had yet to see true horror and from the looks of it, from whence they came, not many were privy to that side of the world.
Time passed by in a relative blur for Evelyn as she watched herbs and poultices be shoved into her brother's arms, and confusion spread across his face at their explanations of each little item. She felt a warmth settle around her shoulders and peeked an eye at her furry little friend, happy she was able to save such a loving creature. Said creature had also created a rather strong bond with her and had yet to even leave her side for one moment. If it wasn't in her arms, or curled around her legs, then it would be curled around her shoulders close and draped rather close to her heart. The robed men that had healed her were finishing their explanations, when one of them broke apart from the group and made his way directly to the brunette woman. He stopped in front of her and bowed deeply, causing Evelyn to respond in kind with some modicum of embarrassment. Nestled between his hands lay a beautiful circlet if corded coloured rope and dangling from the middle was a finely carved block of wood in the shape of a small talisman. It was no longer than half of her little finger and thickness half the size of her nail on the very same finger. She looked on in confusion, because the block of wood was as blank as paper. The man smiled softly before speaking in a calm and watery tone. Evelyn felt like she could listen forever.
"Your friend, it is a gift." The little fox cub perked its head up and stretched out its paw towards the older man, who only petted its head in response. "When a name is given, you must inscribe it here," he pointed towards a spot on the blank piece of wood. "Let Mizuki place it. He is most suited." More confusion crossed the pale woman's face, but this time the monk only gave her a concealing smile. Her fingers twitched as she reached out and delicately plucked the band from his fingers, muttering a quiet thank you before the strange monk joined the rest of his brethren.
"I see Kai has given you something…" The rough voice of her saviour almost made her jump out of her skin. He apologised with a chuckle. "Keep it safe. He does not give unwarranted or freely." The white-haired male passed a smile and gathered the small bag of her belongings within his long fingers. Evelyn went to protest, but the look he shot her from just that one eye was enough to silence her, and he left to speak with the man named Ryō.
Said male was stocking up on rations. The meat from the night before that hadn't been eaten were instead salted and packed between large bamboo leaves to help preserve them for a few more days. His attention only drifted when his friend began to loom over him like a second shadow. He grunted.
"The clothes fit perfectly, Ryō. Arigatou." Mizuki clamped a hand down on the tuft of silver-streaked black hair that peaked out on his head and ruffled his metaphorical feathers.
"However, we must discuss one last item," this perked his head up, because the tone in which Mizuki was using never usually meant well. "they will gather attention easily even if they are dressed like us. It is pertinent that we find a cover for them as soon as possible. Foreigners are far and few in between, much like a rare gem hidden in the Earth." Ryō hummed in though and replied easily.
"I had forgotten…since most of what we deal in would constitute as the same." He collected the salted meats together and slung them over his shoulder like a roped bag. "I will think. Before we reach our next destination, I will give you my thoughts…I hope."
"Appreciated…" Mizuki turned to leave, but stopped short and tilted his head, an odd look flashing over his normally peaceful face. Ryō paused at this, almost certain that the emotion displayed had been impish. "Would you…keep your eye out for them?" He was right, that had been impish! The face Ryō pulled made Mizuki laugh. He didn't need to read minds to understand that deadpan expression. "Right. Never mind." Both shared a secretive smile, even though Ryō's was more of a crinkle at the corners of his eyes.
"Come aniki, let us not linger and keep them waiting…or do you wish for me to call you jiichan?" A low grumble followed as Ryō ducked to avoid yet another folded fan that had attempted to hit him around the back of the head. He chuckled deeply and pottered off to the group of robed men and two siblings sharing joy with each other. There was a warm feeling as he saw this, a feeling that told him that they almost looked as if they'd known each other for years.
[Jiichan – Grandfather]