“I do hope no one enters the room and realize what she has done to it.” She shrugged. Even as she sat down across the two men, he handed her the map, in which she looked at it from a fair distance. Before moving closer and closer, clear that she had no idea how did anyone read this.

“How do you see this? My apologies Shin-san, it is like someone had left a child with ink.” The man’s eye twitched, even as she looked at Kazuho. “And passed it to his friend who decided to make sense of the doodles.”

“Because we were discussing just where it is.” As he took out another copy of the map, fresh from any of the ink that had covered the previous. She nodded and looked at it, getting a better view of the city. Even as the other had been because both Shinrou and Kazuho had spent years away, so there was the possibility of it having left was certain. Or something more while they were here.

They needed to plan their moves carefully. Too blatant and they’ll attract the wrong sort of attention, too restricted and they’ll head nowhere. It needed to be considered with all the factors especially if they did not want others to become aware; one where he needed to exercise discretion. Even as he picked it up, knowing just where to go first. Finding a place to stay was the most important thing of all. But they also needed to know who they should look up first.

“And the first person we should meet is Ayakazu.” He pointed to the district of the Geisha, even as they traveled to different locations they always needed a home. And also a place where men could enter without any fear, or without any worries at all.

“A Geisha, are you certain that’s a good idea?” Masami looked at Shinrou.

“Geishas can become privy powerful secrets. That’s because they often entertain powerful men, mainly because of their talents. And many of them can get quite close to them and thus know a lot of information that few others can. Many Geishas tend to be spies, either for the Shogunate or other factions.” It was a smart move, but wouldn’t it serve as a reason to go to her. She could still do the same to them as well.

“I know that she won’t betray me. So far, she has not.” Even as they had fallen out of contact for years. Not at any given point, hopefully so. He had known just where the woman was from, and perhaps their relationship had been much more than what was known on the surface. Even as Shinrou had not spoken of how he had met her. Masami gave a nod, knowing that it was important. Even as Kazuho noted it down, in a fast almost quick manner.

“We should ask her about the Sasaki clan, and their movements.” It was something which he had to keep an eye out. “And how the situations is here politically since we don’t know what is going on here. It has been years since we stepped into this place.”

“I do know a few people, but it might be difficult for me. And Yuki will be better for it.” It was likely something about the higher class, even as he never did ask where did Masami come from. Or even what she had known.

“But first of all, we need a place to stay.” He sighed, even as he had gotten a great idea.

“How about you get the horse back to the trader? It’s already in the mid-afternoon and I’m sure you’ll get lost.” He was right, even as Kazuho realized that this was simply what he had needed to do. He could ask him, it was not too much and he was sure that he must have found somewhere if he had brought his horse. That was a sign of long traveling—it was practical to find a place to stay while he sold his goods.

In which he had gotten up, just as he ran out to take the horse hung on the outside. It was a good choice since it was better than paying a visit to Ayakazu first. She was difficult to see and could suggest a deeper relationship than before especially if they were staying at an inn as compared to a house.

It was a fast trip to see the same trader again, he knew where to go roughly. But the docks were rather prominent, thus it was easy for him to figure it out from looking around the streets. The trader gave a wave when he saw him, even as Kazuho brought him over.

“Thank you.” He held the snout of the horse. Kazuho knew it was time to ask the question.

“Where do you stay while you’re here?”

He took a moment to think. “There’s a district for traders to stay in. Although it’s mostly shared, where a landlord buys it and rents it to us. Here’s the address.” And was better than inns at all points. He nodded. Thanking him for the information even as he took his horses and left. At least they would know where to go next.

The address was in the district where merchants mostly made their homes and bought properties. The best place for something like this.

He had come back to the inn. Using the same route he had done so before, it was easy enough. And it was early evening when he had arrived in his room. As they were eating dinner. With a bowl set aside for him.

“I found us a place.” Sitting down, while taking up the chopsticks to start eating. “I asked the trader for some information.”

“That lucky?” Which was to his benefit too. Even as the man had ripped him off in some form, but it had not been too much.

“So, we have to move again? I just finished decorating.” Just as Masami was struggling to keep herself from bursting out in laughter. He had no wish to see the place.

“Either way we need to make a decision, what should we go as?” A family was out of the question. None of them looked alike. Kazuho had a prominent nose while Shinrou and Masami had flat ones. Yuki had large eyes, something that none of them could compare. And her red hair. Shinrou was lean and broad-shouldered while Kazuho was lithe and gave others the impression of a scholar.

“A group of traders?” The only thing that was necessary for them was to find something to sell while they were here. Or at least look as though they were doing it. And it was a profession which women could enter without any strange looks. Many women often worked as weavers or artisans.

“It’s easy to. I can make a couple of things if you get me cloth, and perhaps metal.” Although Yuki was the tough one as she fit neither.

“And I can explain with ease why I’m carrying a ridiculous amount of money.”

“You mean the amount of money that screams ‘rob me’?” To anyone who could tell how much he was bringing.

“It’s a risk I have to take. I can’t afford to go broke. You may never know when you need it.” Shinrou rolled his own eyes at that.

“When are we looking at the houses?” Masami asked. Even as she continued their meal. “Do you even know where it is?”

“I took the address from him.” He took out the piece of paper from his sleeves.

“When are you bringing me to see the sights of the city?” As hunting for houses could mean that since they would be walking all over the city

“Tomorrow.” It was something they all agreed upon as they continued with their meal.