As dawn broke, casting a pale glow over the land, Akiko and Takeshi finally stumbled upon an old, abandoned house at the edge of the forest. Its wooden walls leaned with age, and broken windows let in the cool morning breeze. Weary and hungry, they exchanged a quick look and decided to rest inside before continuing their journey.
Akiko pushed open the creaking door, revealing a dark, dusty room with a few scattered remnants of a life long forgotten—an overturned stool, a broken table, and tattered wall scrolls hanging askew. They moved in cautiously, taking in their surroundings before settling on the floor.
For a while, they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Takeshi's eyes traveled over Akiko, noticing how exhausted she looked. Dirt and sweat clung to her skin, her hair matted from days of fighting and running, and her clothes were worn and torn. A faint, earthy smell filled the air—an unavoidable reality of their days spent in hiding, with no rivers or baths to cleanse them.
Akiko noticed him watching her, a small, embarrassed smile flickering across her face. "I must look awful," she said, pulling a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Takeshi gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "We both do. We've been through a lot."
She sighed, looking down. "I don't even remember the last time we rested properly or had a real meal. It's like we're living in the wild."
A shy chuckle escaped her lips, but it faded as she wrapped her arms around her knees, lowering her voice. "I didn't expect any of this. I knew Kaito was ruthless, but… this is beyond what I imagined."
They lapsed into silence again, letting the quiet of the empty house surround them. After a moment, Akiko's stomach rumbled softly, reminding them of the hunger gnawing at them. They would need to find food soon, but in their weakened state, even getting up felt like a monumental task.
Akiko went to the yard and defecated in the yard
Once she was done, she returned to sit by him, her face flushed with embarrassment. Takeshi, sensing her discomfort, tried to lighten the mood.
"This place may not be perfect," he said, giving her a small smile, "but at least it's a roof over our heads for now."
Akiko managed a tired smile in return. "I suppose we'll have to make do."
They sat for a few more minutes, breathing in the quiet, before Takeshi stood, his resolve returning. "We'll need to find some food. There might be a village nearby where we can restock, maybe even clean up."
Akiko nodded, hope flickering in her tired eyes. Together, they braced themselves to step back out into the wilderness, determined to find what they needed to continue their journey. With Takeshi leading the way, Akiko followed close behind, their bond and shared purpose giving them strength as they ventured onward into the unknown.