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The warrior noticed the arrow first and his hand clasped the hilt of his blade, knowing full well that it was too late. At this short distance even an arrow fired poorly would find a mark. But this girl, her stance sure, arm straight. This girl would be able to teach Musashi a few things, he was sure. But the action made him feel safer. Even wrongly, it was a boon to his confidence as an eternity passed as he awaited the blow to his chest. A few heartbeats passed and it seemed like the end of his day trip had already come to pass, should he be sent away.
Beside the assailant, an older woman stood, examining him. She stood tall, almost regal in surroundings so raw and wild. The blue fabric adorning her body, a stark contrast to the greens and browns of the surrounding foliage. She wasn't hiding. A trait of the experienced and dangerous. Musashi was wary. And about to demand some kind of explanation, Dangerous? Unwelcome? Strangers? Before she turned and headed deeper into the forest. The younger woman, Hesitating for only a couple breaths before relaxing the draw on her bow. Turning to follow but not stowing the arrow. Perhaps the forest was dangerous, more so than he had been told.
Musashi paced after them, keeping close enough to both of them that he would not loose the way, nor close enough that he was particularly part of the group. But he felt eye's on the back of his neck.
Pushing their way into the clearing, the warrior, Jasmine and Siela broke through into the wide clearing. The circle of trees marking the outline told of deeper forests still, parting above them to reveal the clean blue sky dotted with only a couple of small white clouds. The day, it seemed, was rather perfect. Cosmetically. The quick tone in Jasmine's told a different story.
"I am Mitsuru-san. What do you mean this forest is dangerous?"
"I've already said, the inhabitants can be unhelpful to anyone wandering in."Musashi examined both of them. Serious eyes returned the action. So they were right. And his hakama would do little to stop an arrow to the chest. But he had gotten this far. The clearing, as pleasant as it was, was only the entrance to the deeper reaches of the forest. It was clear they were going to be travelling towards it's heart. It didn't take the honour driven warrior any time to decide-
"Then allow me to travel with you. You will need additional protection."
The request was unusual. Jasmine wasn't sure how to respond. She was not looking forward to wasting time in escorting the st- To escorting Mitsuru-San back to the edge of the forest. And it would be safer for them to travel as a group.