Day Three

No new information. Nayun kept strong, not letting a simple few days of no leads turn her away from her path. It was Dawn, with the winter chilling prompting her discomfort, who spoke out in objection to continuing this journey.

"Nayun.. Can we take a break?" Dawn said.

The roads were hardly in use. With the drop in temperature and winter in full effect, many decided to keep themselves warm and wait out father winters icy breeze.

Nayun and Dawn had not been without protection. Cloaks made from Adennian wolves, granted to them before their trip to Settesh, found themselves useful once more. Except there would be no howling or fun from within the safe confines of the caravan. It was only them, Dawn sixteeen - and Nayun seventeen, on the road together.

Their ages meant little. Not only in Adenna, but RhyDin as well, thirteen could be seen as an adult in some cultures. If you're old enough to swing a sword and die for your people, you were old enough in many aspects. Nayun was a woman.. while Dawn, she was still a girl; having not taken part in her coming of age ceremony yet like the black haired girl had done in the year prier.

"We've only been walking for an hour.. there is no reason to stop." Nayun continued to move, but found herself stilled by Dawn's meek words.

".. I need to go to the bathroom."

Understandable. Nayun thought nothing more. They had kept themselves off the road, but not far from it; this left the black haired girl only needing to step some yards away so that she could peek past winter-dead trees.. There was no sign of anyone, and she could hear nothing of the sort as well, she looked to Dawn and gave a raise of her arm, as if saying it was okay for her to do what she must.

While Dawn moved to hide herself, Nayun stood guard with right hand pressed calm to her blade. Danger lurked in every shadow.. Bandits, wild animals. Winter might be the season of death, but Nayun did not wish it to be her or her wards own.

.. and then, there was a scream.

Nayun sprung into action. There was no delay. Thumb pressed to the guard of her katana, letting the softest clicks be heard as an inch of it pushed free from saya; her hand would do the rest after that. Adennian steel stroking across the air as she came on the scene.

Her wild mind, with thoughts of Dawn in danger, was put at ease at the sight.

Dawn was fine - somewhat angered, by the expression on her face, but fine enough.

Sitting on top of her had been a pure white fox, it's fur looking much akin to the snow that surrounded them. Its three tails wagging about happily whilst it licked warm tongue across the grumbling Dawn's face.

As Dawn pushed the fox away. She sat up, then caught sight Nayun looking down at her.

".. Fix yourself." Nayun said. Taking in the scene of Dawn in a most.. awkward, sort of situation. Dawn's cheeks grew heavily flushed out of embarrassment, but Nayun seemed to care none for it.

Her attention was now on the kitsune. The sounds of Dawn shuffling about to fix her attire meeting her ear from the right, but she did not pay her any mind.

"Master!" There was a sudden explosion of smoke, no longer was the creature a fox -- no, it was now a white haired woman, pale in skin and dressed in nothing but a red kimono.

"Yun." Nayun replied, watching as the now human-formed Kitsune took a knee before her.

"My report, Master. Mount Yasou. A merchant says he sold watermelon to a woman fitting Aya Hayashibara's description. The merchant says she spoke of heading to Mount Yasou." The kitsune kept to bent knee with her head bowed.

"Is that so.." Nayun remarked. Her katana slid back into saya. "Then we go to Mount Yasou."

".. That's five days away." Dawn protested and huffed. Appearing to have fixed herself enough, though a small flush was still found on her cheeks.

"Then we best start walking now." Nayun said no other words to the two. Turning her back to them and starting to walk once more.

Yun looked up, then over to Dawn. A smile offered to the blondes way, but Dawn wouldn't return it; she only shook her head and followed along in silence.. but, she did let loose a small peep of a yelp when the now-fox Yun jumped up to park herself on her shoulder.

"I believe if we continue like this. We will make it in four." Nayun said.. and Dawn? Dawn only sighed.

When Nayun awoke; the feeling of cold, wet ground hadn't been her resting place. No - the warmth of a fire had graced her blanket covered form, and the murmurs of nearby voices found her ears. One of these voices she knew well, it was Dawn.

Her slanted eyes squeezed closed, then opened. Pupils trying their best to adjust to the candle light that lit the chamber.

"She's awake..!" Dawn's voice came, and soon enough the vision of her fell in front of Nayun's confused eyes. Her body was then overtaken with the feeling of the other girls arms wrapping tightly about her in a hug. Nayun tensed, her fingers curling to squeeze tightly at Dawn's shoulders. Dawn retreated back from this reaction and gave an apologetic look.

"Sorry.. but.. You had me so worried." Dawn drew her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled against it gently.

"Us as well. I would ask why the Baron of Dragon's Gate attacked two monks of Mount Yasuo.. but your friend has already explained the misunderstanding to us." It was one of the monks. Nayun remembered him -- how could she not? He was the one who gracefully deflected her slash, and then set his fist firmly against her to expel all air from her lungs.

She still ached from that blow..

Nayun furrowed her brows and scanned the room. A sparse environment. Candle light.. Books, but nothing outlandish or extravagant.

In all honesty. She enjoyed the look.

Her red eyes looked to the monk. ".. I'm looking for Aya Hayashibara."

"Ah. Another subject your friend has told me of." A pleased expression gracing the mans face as he said this. ".. You seek a fight with her, is that true?"

Nayun glanced to Dawn, who returned the look with pursed lips. Nayun could tell she wasn't thrilled about this; but she ignored her.

"Yes." Nayun said with a look back to the Monk. "Aya Hayashibara is strong. I must face her in bladed combat."

"You must? Or you want?" The monk questioned.

"I must." Nayun replied. "A warrior must know her limits and strive to break them."