Turning back to him she raises a brow, "After the lien of work I've done do you honestly think I can stay in one place without feeling like a caged tiger? I'd rather wonder around instead of staying in one spot. That is at least until I get tired of that anyways." Coming back towards him she sets her stuff on the floor before facing him but not looking at him.

"Would it be alright if I used the baths first however?" She blushes a bit since she was still wearing her clothes from yesterday. She didn't bother getting clean, she just grabbed her stuff and left. Not to mention there were some spots of blood from when she injured Akira on them. And people seeing that would not be a good idea.

Akira is startled a bit when she comes back and puts her stuff down on the ground. "Of course," he says when she asks if she can use the baths. She has to or else she'll scare the townspeople. Especially with the dried blood on her clothes. "I've got some clothes in my bag if you'd like. They might be a little big but you might want to use them for the time being."

He shivers at the idea of traveling with a strange woman. It's ironic. He, who has felled famous assassins with one blow is shivering at the idea of spending time with a woman. He hides a smile as he thinks of this.

They'll do better than what I've got for the time being. Until I can trade in some of the fancier clothing that I have. To think that they were used for assassinations as well, by pretending to be a wealthy women when I wasn't." Shaking her head at the folly of men she takes the clothes Akira offers her and stealthily makes her way to the baths. There she cleans herself as quickly and as quietly as possible so as not to draw attention to herself. Returning quickly she bundles her old clothes up and sticks them in her bag.

"When we get to a town I'll see about having some of the clothing tailored into something else. Like turning the shirt into a shawl or something. At least this way they won't got to waste. I have some money of my own so I can help with expenses. Well, I'm ready to go when you are, but I think it would be best to meet up again at the edge of the Eastern part of the village. I think the people here would question as to why I was leaving your room with you otherwise."

Akira smiles as she accepts the clothes and disappears with them to the baths. He sighs and sets about packing his bag. He thinks about what she said. She dressed up as a wealthy woman on her previous missions, huh? Interesting, he thinks. Well, she won't have to do that anymore.

He smiles as she returns. "As you say," he says and nods in agreement. "Why don't we meet up there in, say, an hour? I have some last-minute work to finish."

"I'll keep my eyes peeled for you then. And just be on the look out for ninjas from my clan, they might try to force me to come back...and they might challenge me to a duel." Sighing she shakes her head, quickly leaving and leaping up into the trees. Heading to that end of the village she makes herself a hiding spot over looking to road so she can see when Akira leaves the village. She knows that there are several males in the village that were always reluctant to fight her, but if her father promises to make them the clan leaders if they force her to marry them or something, she might have to at least severally injure them if not kill them. Yusa only hopes that after a while they would just leave her alone.

Akira takes her leave and sets out, after thanking the headman, who seems visibly surprised at the sight of him. Nevertheless, he ensures that his granddaughter gives him some food for his journey. He walks around town, simply for the pleasure of wandering, when he spots a little store in the corner. Walking into it, he finds all kinds of clothes for women. His mind immediately thinks of Yusa. He calls on the shopkeeper and looks at the clothes. He walks out of the store with three new dresses for Yusa. Now she won't have to tailor anything, he thinks. He walks to the end of the village to the East end, where he was supposed to meet Yusa.

From her spot in the tree, Yusa sees Akira begin making her way towards him, but there's something more pressing going on.

"Yusa, we're here to take you home, and the man who can successfully do so will be your husband. That's what the chieftain has promised the men of the clan." Sighing she looks up to the three ninjas in the trees above her.

"I'm like to see you boys try, I'm fed up of being a ninja and just want to be left alone." Before she's even finished talking she's jumping away from them and further down the road. She throws some stars at them and leaps down to the road. The three of them surround her, but she seems more focused on the one who had spoken. Drawing her blade she makes a dash for him, ducking as he grabs for her. Swinging up her blade he smiles as he dodges it, but that grin quickly turns to shock when he realizes that she got him with one of her poisoned needles.

"Now, if you don't want him to die I suggest taking him back to the village. That's a poison unique to my family." The other two ninja look nervously at her and how her face is completely blank, and decide its better to return to the village empty handed and with them all alive.

Akira reaches the agreed meeting place on time, to see two men carrying a third one, walk away from Yusa. He walks up to her, brushing his long hair back with his fingers. He prods a thumb in their direction. "Was that... your handiwork?" he asks, his tone jovial. "Poor souls..." He looks in their direction briefly before turning back to her.

"So, I was in town, and I bought these for you," he says, showing her what he bought. "I hope you like them. I just thought they'd be enough to get you started, before you go to buy any more." He looks at her, hoping she'll accept.

"You could say that's my handiwork, it also helps that my reputation is not all that great either. And those poor souls wouldn't be in that condition if they didn't try to force me back." Shaking her head she turns to Akira, when she looks at what he had bought for her she slightly looks away, her face turning a few more shades of pink.

"Um...thanks, you didn't have to do that you know. Do you want me to change into them now or do you just want me to wait until we reach where we're going to rest for the night?" She's really happy that Akira thought of her, though she's a bit too embarrassed to tell him that.

Akira smiles as he notices her face going red. She looks really pretty when she does that, he thinks. Then he catches himself and wonders why he even thought that way. "Please, it was my pleasure," he says, smiling. "And you can wear them whenever you wish. Nobody's forcing you to do anything."

"So, we should be on our way," he says. "If we have any hopes of reaching the next town by nightfall, we have to get going now." He looks at her. "Are you ready to leave?"

Taking the clothes from him she quickly goes into the bushes to change, soon coming back out with his clothes neatly folded to be tucked away.

"I figured it would be better if you had your own clothes back since it would be awkward going into the next town wearing men's clothing instead of women's clothing. That would probably draw a lot of attention we don't need." Adjusting her pack she nods in sanctification. "Ready to leave when you are. So the next town is Northeast of here, part of the path will be rocky and steep so you're going to want to watch your step. Since I've been there before do you want me to lead?"

Akira scans the landscape as Yusa goes into the bushes to change. Nothing in sight, except for brown earth and a few trees and bushes. As she comes out, he smiles and freezes for a moment. The surprise on his face is subtle. But the difference in how she looks is somewhat... surprising.

He nods as she says she can lead the way to the next town. "Please, feel free," he says. It means that he won't have to keep asking for directions like he had to, to get to this town.

Yusa does notice Akira's slight freeze, and gets embarrassed that her appearance can change so much.

Since she's traveled the many times its easy for her to lead Akira to the next town, and no one attacks them along the way either. Just as the sun is setting they reach the town, Yusa moving a bit closer to Akira.

"Let's not go to the big inn here, I've had an assignment there before so its best to avoid that one. There's a merchant in this town that will house people for a slightly cheaper rate, though we'll probably have to share a room."

Akira follows Yusa as she leads them to the next town. She seems to know what she's doing, he thinks. He's still in a bit of a shock about how she looks. As night falls, Akira can't help but notice that the distance between them has decreased.

Akira nods. "Sharing a room is fine with me," he says, although he's not sure. He has shared a room before, just not with a woman. There's no choice, he tells himself before he lets her lead the way to the merchant's house.

"Alright this way then." Yusa doesn't want to say anything to Akira, but she's noticed how his expression is while he looks at her, which is not something she's used to. She doesn't mind it, just there's never been a guy to look at her that way.

Reaching the merchant's home she walks in and knocks on the counter to get the owner's attention. "Be right there!" A robust man comes out, smiling at the two of them. "What can I do for you sir?" The owner completely ignores Yusa and addresses Akira instead of her. Yusa makes no indication that this bothers her, but gives him a look saying she'll explain later.

Seeing Yusa's look, Akira hesitates a bit before beginning to speak to the house owner. "Umm, we were looking for a room to stay in, for the night, and were told that you could rent us a room," he says, regaining his polite and calm manner. The merchant smiles at him and leads them into a small but neat room. Akira thanks the man and shuts the door.

He takes out his bag and looks at how much money he has left and notices he's running out. He turns to Yusa. "I'm just going to go hunting for a bit, because I'm running low on money. Will you stay here?" he asks.

She follows the merchant and Akira to the room, putting to pack on the floor in the corner opposite the door. When Akira says something about hunting and wanting her to stay there she looks up and raises a brow at him.

"I'm assuming you mean a different kind of hunting than what I had done the other day. That's fine, I'll just get situated here with the room." With that she begins unpacking her things, which mostly consists of basic ninja weapons, gear to maintain the weapons, some travel food and the clothes that Akira had gotten her. While he's gone she arranges the room so that there's a nearly invisible string going across the window, so unless you looked really hard for it you wouldn't see it. But she also places one along the windowpane on the outside where they can't be seen and so if someone touches them the closet door will slide open, making a wood on wood scrapping sound.

Satisfied she changes into her sleeping clothes and lays out a futon for herself and Akria. The merchant won't make them a meal like the actual inn would, so she's wonder if Akira wants to look for food with her when he gets back.

Akira nods at her and leaves, taking two knives with him. Outside, he goes around looking for a butcher. Spotting one after walking around for a while he walks in and asks the butcher what he'll give for a fairly large animal. Once they agree on a price, he walks out and goes to look for a wild boar, or a similar beast. Hunting takes his mind off his life. He completely loses himself in the task at hand. Once he's caught and killed a couple of boars, he walks back to the butcher's, carrying them over his shoulder. Pleased with the kill, the butcher pays him a little more than the agreed price. Smiling, Akira thanks him and leaves.

Back at the merchant's house, Akira is about to go upstairs when the merchant stops him for a little chat. Akira humors him, but grows a little weary when the merchant begins to ask questions like how long he's been married to Yusa. Finally done with the conversation, he goes upstairs and walks in. "I was able to get some more money," he tells Yusa, happy with what he's made.

She knows Akria is back because she can hear the merchant talking with him so she's not surprised when he returns. While he's talking she quickly changes back into her regular clothes, thoughts of a quick nap gone now. When he returns she's a bit caught off guard by his smile, but for some reason she likes it.

"That's good, we can probably get some decent food then. There should at least be a place to get ramen or something to eat for travelers. If I remember correctly there might be one on the other side of the town near the river. Does that sound good for you? I really don't care what we eat as long as it doesn't taste awful."

Akira smiles at her as she suggests they go and get some ramen. He considers the option. "Let me go and ask the merchant, I'm sure he'll tell us," he says and goes downstairs to ask the man. The merchant seems happy to help, as he gives Akira the directions to what he thinks is the best ramen spot in town.

Thanking him, Akira goes back upstairs to Yusa. "The merchant said that there is a good place not far from here," he says. "We can go there if you want. It's been quite a while since I ate some good ramen."

Nodding Yusa waits for Akira to come back, listening to teh talking going on down stairs but not paying attention to what's being said. When Akria returns she nods, a faint smile on her lips. She's never really gone out to eat, just mostly ate at travel locations on the go or ate whatever her sisters made her. And when that wasn't possible she would catch fish or hunt for food.

"This will be interesting, I've only ever had ramen made by my sisters, never really had a chance to have ramen from somewhere else."

Akira smiled at Yusa. "Shall we go, then?" he gestures towards the door as they begin to leave. As they are walking. Akira finds himself wondering about her life, before now. He does know that he was trained like him, to be the ultimate weapon. He knows that she didn't like it, took inspiration from him, and left. He tilts his head toward her.

"I was wondering, didn't you learn to cook for yourself?" he asks. Dumb question, he thinks, almost immediately. But he can't help himself. He wants to know about her and he has to start somewhere. He looks forward and continues to walk.

Yusa sighs a bit at the question, not really having thought he'd ask but decides to answer him anyways, "No, nothing except for when I was out in the wilderness, which was usually just roasting fish or game over a fire. Since I was the oldest and my mother never bore a son, my father trained me to be a killer as soon as I was old enough. My sisters were only a few years younger than me, and so they received some training as well. But as they got older they were more interested in flirting with guys while I was forbidden from interacting with anyone outside of my family unless it was for a mission or something. My mother also died not long after having my youngest sister, she had always been in poor health and having children just made things worse for her." She shrugs, not having really known her mother because of how young she was, but had seen some drawings of her.

Immediately regretting asking the question, Akira simply nods his head. "I'm sorry," he says, earnestly. He walks the rest of the way in silence. Finally reaching the ramen shop, Akira is greeted by a wonderful aroma, which immediately reminds him of his mother. Well, she wasn't his mother, actually, but she had brought him up.

He turns to Yusa and motions towards the counter. "Please sit down," he says, a little awkwardly. Why is it so hard to act normally, he wonders. He knows the answer. He's never interacted with a woman for more than five minutes before. He sits down and asks for two bowls of ramen, one for each.

Seems her telling him a bit about her past makes things a bit awkward between them. She doesn't know what to say or do for the rest of the walk until they reach the shop. She quickly takes a look around the shop, taking in everything that she sees. Having never been to a shop before she was curious about everything in it. Taking note where the kitchen is and where the staff went to get their stocks from the back.

Taking a seat opposite from Akira, she continues to take everything in, studying the layout of the shop, where everyone is sitting and vaguely listening to what everyone is saying. When the server comes back with the food she blushes in embarrassment and says her thanks before eating the ramen. Her eyes going a bit wide in surprise, "This tastes good, just as good as my sisters' ramen."

Akira is happy to know she likes the ramen. "I'm glad you like it," he says, before trying the ramen himself. It is really delicious, he thinks. Soon, he forgets where he is and gobbles up the ramen, relishing it like anything. It has been too long since he had ramen like this.

When he's done, he tells Yusa that he's going to pay and gets up. He thanks the man who made the ramen, pays and goes back to Yusa.

She can't help but giggle some when she hears Akira slurping, her sisters had never made ramen often and she usually didn't eat with them. Though she soon realizes its not something you can eat without slurping, and decides to just enjoy the food instead. When Akira says something about going to pay she just finishes up her ramen and waits for him to get back.

"Was there anything else you wanted to do, like get supplies for the road? We can also ask what the next town is east of here. I have a feeling it will probably be a few days away but it would be best to make sure we've got the direction and everything set."

Akira thinks about her question. She's right, he thinks. He has to pack some things for the trip. He's never had to think about that because he's only just started this lifestyle. He nods at her.

"We could start off with getting some water, I suppose," he says. "But it can wait. Let's just head back to our room at the merchants' place for now. We can think about getting supplies in the morning."

"That's best, don't want someone trying to swipe the stuff from us before we leave since we probably won't be able to buy everything today." Getting up when Akira does she follows along behind him. She walks for a bit without saying anything, then decides to explain the situation about how the merchant ignored her.

"Remember when I signaled for you not to say anything to the merchant when he ignored me? Apparently his wife left him for a traveling merchant when he came through one day. I overheard that while I was taking care of a job at the inn by one of the maids that work there. So he's had a very bad opinion of women in general since."

Several eyes turn to watch them, mostly because of how they look together, Yusa herself being slightly taller than normal and men watching her because of that, while women watch Akira because of his handsome appearance.

Akira listens in interest as Yusa explained the story with the merchant. He shook his head. No wonder, he thinks. Still, he feels it isn't enough to make such a generalization. One woman is just a speck compared to the rest of the world.

Akira looks around him, slightly uncomfortable at the looks the two of them are getting. He can imagine why Yusa is getting stared at. She's taller than most men, and quite beautiful. But why him? Instinctively, he moves a little closer to Yusa, suddenly feeling a little protective of her. He's too preoccupied by the stares to question his own actions.

Yusa doesn't like the looks of the men at her, nor the women towards Akira, but she knows Akira is not stupid and wouldn't do things to draw women to him. Otherwise he would have tried to seduce her when they first met face to face, but that wasn't the case. Though him moving closer to her did surprise her, she'd not used to others looking out for her since most of her missions she was sent out on her own to do.

They finally make it back to the merchant's home, who was getting ready to close up his shop, motioning for them to hurry along. Yusa picks up her pace a bit so as not to keep the merchant waiting and bows to him before heading up towards the room.

"That was delicious, I wonder if they might have meals for breakfast that people can order before leaving the town. Or in our case before doing some shopping."

Akira looks at her. "I'm sure they do," he says. Most ramen shops served at breakfast time, he was sure.

"Well, let's write down a list of things to get tomorrow before we leave," he says and takes out some paper and starts to write. Water and food are primary, he thinks, writing them down. That would be taken care of. He then adds "medicine" to the list.

"Is there anything you'd like to add?" he asks, showing her the list, wondering if there was anything he missed.

Taking the list she reads it over, "We'll needs things to cook with, like a simple pot and chopsticks since I didn't bring any with me. We'll also want to get some whetstones for sharpening our tools, and string for when we go fishing."

Walking into the room while reading the list she gets grazed by a kuni flying by her and making a thunking sound as it gets stuck in the wood. Ducking to the side she creeps up along the walls, avoiding the light and making herself an easier target for whoever threw the kuni. Her eyes begin loosing focus and she curses under her breath, making her way the best she can to the corner where her bag is, away from the open window. Finding the medicine she's looking for she fumbles with the container, trying to get it open so that she can take the medicine that was the antidote. She hears other kuni thunking into the wood as the ninja attacking her tries to get her and Akira with them.

Akira's eyes widen in shock as he notices the wound on Yusa. "Yusa!" he yells as he rushes forward to get her away from the window. He sets her down on the floor, letting her lean against the wall and goes over to the window, bolting it shut fast enough to stop any of the kunai from hitting him.

He rushes back to Yusa, who is fumbling with a medicine container. Gently, he takes it from her hands and begins putting the medicine on her. She seems to be in pain, as her eyes are losing their focus. Akira curses inwardly, but puts up a calm front for Yusa. He glances at the closed window, before turning back to Yusa.

"Are you alright, Yusa?" he asks, his face full of concern.

"I'm fine, its just the poison that Hiro uses, so its probably him out there. It's not one that will kill me, but it's one that's really nasty when trying to fight someone. It basically paralyzes a person and the only reason why I realized what it was is because of having trouble seeing. One of the flows in the poison he uses. My father really doesn't want me to leave, and not he's waving me like a steak in front of the men of the clan. It's quite pathetic of him really. The one time I actually want to do something for myself and all he cares about is the clan having a powerful assassin as the leader." She tries to look at Akria but can't keep her head up, still suffering from the affects of the poison. There's a tinkling before the shutters are broken open and a smoke bomb thrown into the room.

The merchant can be heard quickly running up the stairs and opens the door only to see smoke in the room.

"What the hell is going on here!?"

Akira listens to her story, a grim expression on his face. Something would have to be done about this. They couldn't possibly live like this, having to worry about someone or the other from Yusa's clan following them.

Suddenly, the window bursts open, followed by a smoke bomb thrown into the room. To make matters worse, the merchant comes bursting into the room, at the noise. Akira takes a cloth and ties it around Yusa's face, so she won't breath too much of the smoke.

"Sir, you need to leave the room for now, please let me take care of this!" He tries to shoo the man away, while a few kunai are being thrown at him through the window again. He manages to lock the merchant out without getting hit by any of the kunai.

Akira bolts for his bag and unsheathes his katana. He hides by the window, waiting for the hostile ninja to enter. He is poised, ready to attack.

The ninja quickly tumbles in, having a kunai in hand to deflect blade attacks at him. He's quick enough and strong enough to dodge and deflect the attacks, but not enough to strike back at Akira. Though he does jump back and away a few times to catch his breath in order to study Akira's actions and to catch his breath.

Recovering some of her strength Yusa grabs some needles and applies a paralysis toxin onto them, then waits for her chance. During one of the times that the ninja jumps back she throws the needles at him, pricking him slightly. Surprised, he looks over at Yusa and lunges towards her.

Akira is surprised at the speed that the man before him possesses. Most people would buckle at his strength. But he does not seem to have enough skill to actually land a blow.

He is surprised to see a few needles flying at the other man and pricking him. Yusa has recovered enough to throw some needles, it seems. The other man tries to lunge at Yusa, but Akira is too quick for him. Plus, he is weakened by the toxin from Yusa's needle. He throws himself in front of the man, making him some kind of wall between the man and Yusa. The man staggers and falls on his back. Akira points the katana at the man's neck.

"It is not my intention to kill you," he says, eying the man coldly. "I will let you go now, but if you turn out to be a threat to my life or Yusa's in future, I will not hesitate to kill you."

He retracts his sword, allowing the man to get up. His eyes are dead serious as he watches the other, to see what he will do.

The ninja sits there for a moment, glaring angrily at Akira, then looks over to Yusa, "And here I thought I could become the head if I took you home. Too bad this guy had to interfere with clan affairs. All you're worth to your father is your combat abilities, so you're nothing more than another weapon to him."

Yusa looks away from him, hiding her face from both of them as she cries, angry that he pointed out what she'd always suspected and just now had confirmed about her father. Quickly pulling out a kunai from a strap under her sleeve, she rushes forward and stabs the ninja in the shoulder, a look of sheer fury on her face.

"You'll never have me, Hiro. I'd rather die than be with the likes of you. And you can tell my father that anymore of our clan sent after me I will kill them. I'm taking control of my own life and tied of being the clan head's 'pet' ninja." Twisting the blade a bit as she pulls it back out, fear can be seen in the ninja's eyes. He hadn't expected her to do that. She turns her back to him, "I suggest you leave now before I change my mind."

Akira shakes his head in disgust as the other male says his piece about Yusa, causing her to cry. Once again, he is reminded of the reason he stopped being a ninja. They are a cruel bunch and he just doesn't fit in with a crowd like that. Neither does he want to.

Then Yusa suddenly strikes, leaving Akira shocked, but then it subsides. The man had it coming, after insulting her like that. But it is not the way to deal with things. He will have to talk to her about that. And there is something else he will have to do after that. Best to do it when she's sleeping. He wonders whether she will be able to, though, after what just happened.