Several weeks passed with relative quiet.

Hanzo’s wounds seemed to heal well, considering the state Brigitte had found him in. As grateful as he was to his rescuers, the white-haired wanderer was getting restless, being cooped up in the hut most of the days. There was at least one comfort he could look forward to each day, Brigitte.

The tall blond girl that saved him came by in the evenings to visit when she could. She was even teaching him some of her language.

What surprised him was how much her company meant to him, despite how little they had known each other, and it made him happy. Except the smile that graced his lips fell a little because Hanzo knew he shouldn’t get attached. Either to this place or her, especially her.

“Don't look at me like that. You know I'm correct.” Hanzo said, mumbling, eyes closed during meditation, while the soft sounds of dog-like whimpers echoed beside him. “Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, I am a walking curse. I refuse to make these people suffer for it.”

Hanzo let out a weary sigh when the whimpers turned to whines of worry from his furry companions as they tugged on the sleeves of his robes. They were more stubborn than he wished. Once he was well enough to travel, he would continue on, but he would enjoy the peace until then.

~Unless you created human greed, you are far from cursed.~

~Though he’s stubborn enough to take the blame. ~

~Tsukuyomi.~ One wolf looked over, glaring at the other.

~Fine, fine.~

“Your herbal tea is ready.”

Thrown out of his ‘conversation’, Hanzo looked up to see the familiar face of Angela, the healer, handing over a small cup of tea. By the smell, it was one that they had given him to help with his recovery. The aroma alone made his sensitive nose scrunch up, but he nodded and took it.

“Thank you.” Hanzo said, stuttering the first word as it still felt strange to pronounce for his tongue and then he drank the liquid. At least it tasted better than it smelled.

“The healing process is going very well. If you wish, Brigitte may take you out for some fresh air when she is here. It will do you some good.” Angela said, announcing at a slow pace, seeing how much he could pick up.

Hanzo focused on the dialogue, sure of most of it. “Glad getting better and that sounds...good to get outside.”

Angela smiled, noticing that his language lessons with Brigitte and a little with herself had made him understand well enough. Even if it was still a bit broken. She pointed to the same location where Hanzo’s worst injury had been; she asked. “Any pain?”

“Only sore, but not bad. Little itchy.” 

She knelt down and inspected the wound but what she gathered; it was just the last signs of its healing. “Nothing to worry about. Anything else bothering you?”

Hanzo shook his head no, putting his robe back in place.

“Then I will head off into the village. Brigitte should arrive soon. Stay here until she does.”

He acknowledged her words as best as he could when the woman walked away to the other room to what sounded like her gathering things her things.

Hanzo still wondered why these people were still so willing to accept him being unwatched and alone. Though when he could step outside to the small garden behind the hut, there was always some sort of guard nearby. Especially when Brigitte was near him.

~We wouldn’t have guided you falsely. Just let yourself rest.~

With another sigh, he reached out and pet Amaterasu behind the ear. Hanzo wanted to believe it, but he still felt guilty.

Tsukuyomi lifted his head and sniffed the air. ~We have company.~

-------------- Brigitte was finishing some repairs for the hunter’s armor and creating extra arrows. She was proud of her work, especially the arrows. It looked like the upgrades adjusted well and just needed to be tested. The design inspired by the arrows she had found on Hanzo.

Her fingers absentmindedly ran over the smooth wood and metal, her thoughts drifting off to a certain person. She couldn’t help but blush a little at those thoughts and smile. Though it felt strange for her to be attracted to someone in this way. All Brigitte ever remembered wanting her craft and freedom. 

Maybe things were changing..

She was really acting like some love struck maiden. Either way, Brigitte enjoyed the way her heart fluttered with this new feeling.

Because of the language problem, sadly, it was hard to learn much about Hanzo. Hopefully, with time, that would be different. Albeit, he was making progress with his understanding, faster than she expected.

She cleaned up her workspace and put the new items in a place to be delivered. Brigitte headed out of forge, making her way up to Angela’s hut.

“Oh Brigitte!“

Brigitte glanced up to see an older woman waving her over. “Thyra.“

“You must be hungry after working the forge. Here, I made some extra dried fish and bread.“ Thyra said, offering over a cloth bundle.

“Thank you.“ Brigitte said, taking it. “I’m starving“

“There should be plenty to share with that wolf boy.“ Thyra said, chuckling. “Poor boy is probably lonely being away from home. Though his company must be well if you keep going to visit.“

“Well, I do enjoy it.“

“Ah, you either see it coming or it passes by while your eyes are closed.“ Thyra said, raising an eyebrow before shooing off Brigitte. “You have somewhere to be.“

Brigitte blinked a few times after saying her farewell to the older woman. Wondering what she meant by the comment.

It didn’t take too long to arrive at her destination. Brigitte knocked on the doorpost, waiting for a moment to see if anyone would greet her. “Angela, are you home?”

Who came was not who she expected. The curtain cloth ruffled and moved to the side, revealing the white-haired wanderer. Hanzo met Brigitte’s eyes and replied. “Angela, go out for errand. If you need her.”

Instead of answering, Brigitte just stared and took in his features. Hanzo’s hair tucked up into a partial ponytail with a tuff that laid casually at the corner of his face. Grey eyes stood out against his tan skin, highlighted by the yellow tattoos. She wanted to reach out and push a few strands of loose hair behind his pointed ear but stopped herself. Why did seeing him like this make any difference than the other times?

Hanzo tilted his head like a curious dog, wondering why Brigitte was looking at him so. “Brigitte alright?”

That got her out of her daydream. Highly embarrassed, she waved her hand a little frantically. “I am fine.” 

“If say so. Do you wish to..” Hanzo said, paused, trying to remember the correct words. “Come in? But she says I am allowed to go outside for air with you.” 

Brigitte noticed the change in his tone. It seemed he wanted to get out. She couldn’t blame Hanzo, being cooped up for this long would have driven her mad as well. “We can go for a walk. I even have something for us to eat!”

“Sounds good.” Hanzo said, a small smile forming under his white beard. Though Hanzo’s eyes went a little wide when his hand ended up in hers. Being partially dragged for just a few moments before, Brigitte stopped in her tracks, nearly causing him to crash into her. Some villagers gave a few stares, mainly because they were cautious of seeing Hanzo walking about, but one or two chuckled within earshot at the scene.

Hanzo, to his amazement, felt a little disappointed when her grip on his hand loosened and let go. Although the skin was tough from hard work, it was also warm and comforting. 

“Sorry.” Brigitte said, looking at Hanzo in the corner of her vision. The blush on her freckled cheeks betrayed her thoughts because she reluctantly pulled away but gave him a smile still. “Let’s go!”

After a moment of contemplating what had just happened, he followed the blonde woman along the path around the village.

“I’m not going too fast?“ Brigitte asked.

“No.“

“I figured we could reach the river to eat and rest.“

He nodded and took the time to observe his surroundings. It looked like most of the villages he had passed by in his travels. Except, this time, he actually saw it up close. A few villagers still looked at him with caution, but this he expected. Though the bustling crowds reminded him of time long ago.

-------------- Brigitte stopped by the edge of the river. “Here’s the spot.“

Nodding his head, Hanzo eased himself onto the old tree stump with a small grunt. His legs were far more in pain than he’d like, probably walked too hard after not much movement.

“Are you alright?“ Brigitte asked, seeing the twitch in his face.

“Just tired.“

“We’ll take as long as you need to recover. In the meantime, eat this.“ Brigitte said, sitting on the grass in front of him and opening the bundle she carried to hand him a small bit of bread. Then placed the bundle on the stump as well. “Take what you like.“

Hanzo took the morsel and ate slowly while looking over at the river’s flow. The scents of the surrounding ambience calmed him as he took a deep breath. It felt like an eternity since he allowed himself this.

“If it helps, I can make you a walking stick. Might take some stress off your legs.“ Brigitte said, tearing at a piece of dried fish. “It wouldn’t be any trouble at all.“

“Thank you.“ Hanzo said, turning to face her. “Though, I have a question.“

“What is it?“

“Are you not cautious of me? I am some..“ Hanzo said, hesitating for words again. “Stanger you found half dead.“

“At first, I was, but you were someone that needed help. Though I think the gods led me to you, in the form of wolves.“ Brigitte said, tilting her head. “Which is kind of ironic, considering how I found you. Then spending time together made me realize you have a good heart. Mama always said I was a good judge of person.“

“You are certainly interesting woman.“

“I shall take that as flattery.“ Brigitte said with a laugh.

“I’ve never been good at flattery.“ Hanzo said, joining in her mirth.

“Then I’m honored.“ Brigitte said. “Also, maybe when you are feeling better, I can walk you to the lake. It’s just a few mils down this road.“

Hanzo couldn’t help but feel guilt again, since she always sounded so happy to show or tell him about her home. But he shouldn’t get attached. He had to keep repeating that to himself.

“Of course.“