Thread: A Ronin's Path (LadyYuna & Silverknight's 1x1)

'Niken Okami' Aiko While Masanori was away, Aiko took the time to think over her decision carefully. She wouldn't be able to alter her choice once her feet began to head towards Kyoto, after all. All she'd said had indeed been true. There were many anxieties about revisiting Kyoto so soon. There were also tons of possible things that could occur to them while heading there including ambushes, hostage situations, tons of 'what-ifs' that would require fighting, killing, or - in the worst case scenario - both. It'd at least be in self-defense. But that didn't mean Aiko would like going back to the old days, to when she was known as 'Niken Okami' Aiko. However, this group was all but forcing her to. While the current government was no doubt incompetent to many degrees, it didn't excuse the fact that other people had decided to self-assign the duty of bringing chaos and unnecessary violence back into this world. And if that coup was successful .. there was no telling what exactly would happen. For all Aiko could guess, another war similar to the one she'd finished fighting in recently could repeat. Or, gods forbid, it could be even worse with more bloodshed, more casualties, more innocent civilians caught in the unfair mess. The thoughts made her grip her lower lip with her teeth and sheath with her right hand. If that reaction hadn't spelled it out, then Aiko wasn't sure what could do so to say that she, once again, was needed. And although she hadn't seen Masanori in action, she wouldn't doubt his own background. He had mentioned a true name, the Shinsengumi. And if he really was - used to be - a part of that group, he was like herself. At a first glance, neither Aiko nor Masanori looked like much. But once the need to pull their blades out arose, it would be clear they were both deadly in their own aspects. At least that was what her instincts and logic were suggesting. Moments before Masanori walked back into the room, Aiko finally nodded to herself. A new sense of resolve entered her hazel eyes. She still didn't like going back to who she used to be. But she was ready to head back to Kyoto, to risk any and everything to ensure none of the future generations had to endure what she had. It had been a good part of what had made her grow up and give up her childhood. The other factor, the 'family' who raised her, was the other. However, the existence of the Kirigawa clan was something that could be dealt with easier than those who were as skilled as herself and Masanori in sword-wielding. But ... she did want to know if that would be another factor or not. Knowing them, they hid away like the fucking cowards they are .. The thought made her inwardly scoff. Even still, Aiko knew it was likely what had happened. They'd always been cowards, only resorting to abuse when they knew they could win. So of course, it'd been easy with her. She'd been a child, teenager at the oldest for years while she'd been amongst them. And for a good majority, she'd been untrained in any combat. Now .. things were different. If they dared wanted to try that again, they'd see how miserably it'd go for them this time. The sounds of Masanori's footsteps snapped Aiko away from her thoughts. It hadn't been until silence lingered between them that she felt and realized just how quickly her heart was beating in her chest. An odd mix of an adrenaline rush and fear were seeming to form. Neither, though, would allow themselves to show in Aiko's eyes. All that was seen was the calm and collected side of her. Very well. I suppose I'm as ready as I will ever be. And with her words and own footsteps, Aiko began to walk alongside Masanori. Slowly, but steadily, they were on their way to Kyoto. His guess on her funds were .. somewhat accurate. She didn't have much, maybe enough to buy a few meals. But not much more. Still, she had her two blades. And with enough jobs, perhaps something along the lines of temporarily being a bounty hunter while getting to Kyoto, she could easily make up for what she lacked.