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This straggler did not offer any war from the lean-to to offer him an embrace and a bottle of sake Instead he promptly stretched out on a bench and turned his hood backward to cover his face With his hands stacked atop his chest, he re in some rest

A hter, Mariko’s eyes drifted back toward the first boy The one the elderly man had called Ranmaru A part of her wished todistance But caution commanded that she keep her distance

The boy sat as he stood--straight as an arrow His jaas strong and squared, his lips broad Though he was clean-shaven and save off the distinct feeling of power A checked sort of power, like that of a strong undercurrent One that could drag you beneath its depths in an instant

Ran in hushed tones to the elderly man, who nodded and replied just as furtively Then Ranmaru resumed his place of deference at a rickety low table near the center of the clearing Even while he continued speaking with the e his bench, positioning it with care A care that put to question the unconscious laughter e the bench into a position where he can see anyone or anything atte to approach hily watchful A trait Mariko prized in herself She leaned in, atte to connect the voices present to those in herto prove her suspicions true

The other black-cladRanmaru as their earthenware bottles and cups were filled and refilled at steady intervals Froh he continued drinking and joking alongside everyone else--Ranmaru’s eyes were in constant motion

Eyes that soon fell on her

Mariko was struck by how neat and clean he appeared Howproper Not at all like a h his attention lingered on her for no more than a breath, the faintest of flushes crept up her neck Soon this flush touched the edges of her teers were dangerously clenched around her ser Mixed with that saht back the desire to situate herself in the center of things For it was far safer to remain alert and apart

If Ranmaru was indeed the leader of the Black Clan, this boy was the one responsible for the attack on Mariko’s convoy For the deaths of Chiyo and Nobutada and countless other lives lost in a darkened wood only five days before

She lifted the sake to her lips and squeezed her eyes shut Though she knew for certain she did not appear to be a threat, Mariko could not afford for anyTo study her and find an enemy Or worse, find a prize

Focus on the task at hand But never forget

Now cas to action

Mariko had spent the better part of the last few nights writhing beneath a woolen blanket Plotting through a haze of anger For these past few days, she’d lived the life of a poor vagabond And though it had been strangely peaceful to be beholden to no one save herself, she’d still been acutely aware of her purpose Each night, she’d taken in careful breaths from beneath her blanket--a blanket that had sainst her skin One of many items she’d pilfered from the stable of a comfortable farm in a nearby province

A horse blanket In a horse stable

She’d clist stale bales of hay The only ti hole of the Black Clan hen she’d washed her stolen clothes in a nearby creek, rubbing away the dried blood and musty smell of sweat until her knuckles chafed raw

All her efforts cul was risked for this

Risked on her ability to endear herself to the Black Clan To ply one of its lowliest members with food and drink until she could befriend the poor bastard and er catch One that could provide Mariko the direction she desperately needed to keep her fae irl