[Kanji_The_Wanderer]

**Nice one Nard-kun. Your returning post was so elegantly constructed. It is as if you never stopped writing. Good work....

*reads old posts* that was some awesome stuff. I still remember some of my ideas but not too many I'll do my best**

Nozomi hurtled herself up the central staircase leading to a small open walkway. She shouted out to her friend who still remained to be seen. On the side of the porch it was collapsed and rotten. A dim light illuminated a small patch of old wood placed adjacent to a thick mahogany door..

In an almost comical way, the door creaked open and slowly, someone from inside peeked out. A brief pause, then the floor was opened all the way revealing a low centered silhouette. From my position I could see into the shack. A flame flickered at the other end of the room, the light behind completely shrouded the figure's face.

"Aisha! It's been sooo long!" Nozomi flung her arms into the air and she ran over the molded floor.

The figure stepped onto the porch, as she did, the dim light shown her sullen visage. Her gaze drifted from Nozomi and locked on to me. I was still standing on the street, I hadn't approached the stairway yet.

The woman's expression changed. "Why Nozomi, it is so wonderful to see you!" Aisha shuffled out and moved over to her. "And you brought a bodyguard. I was hoping you weren't going to get into a lot of trouble out there." She placed her hand on Nozomi's shoulder, then slowly moved down to her arm and grabbed her hand.

"I never get any visitors here. What made you come back to Shinkirou- oh excuse me, I am being so horribly rude, you can see I am unaccustomed to visitors I lost all my manners. Do come inside." She motioned with her hand for me to enter the building.

Inside the central room was dark and musty. Most of the windows were sealed shut. Little to no light from the outside entered in here.

"Come, come, sit, sit." Aisha removed some cloth from two small moth eaten stools. "Here you are, sit please..." Aisha takes the shawl from her shoulder and places it on the chair. "Now what can I get for you two folk? Would like something hot to drink? Oh! I finished a nice thick soup a little while ago, would either one of you fancy a bowl?"

"SOUP?! Yaay!" Nozomi grinned big with excitement. "I'd SO love to have some! I am SO hungry!" Aisha laughed. "Of course dear, and what about you? um-."

I had been lost in thought for a moment. When I realized I was being address I spoke out "Please forgive me." I stated. "The name's Tatsu." I put out my hand to Aisha.

"What a polite young man! You don't see many these days... Okay, it'll be my pleasure two bowls coming up. Nozomi honey, would you please help me by the stove for a moment?"

" Of course." Nozomi jumped up and followed the elderly woman into a nearby room.

I sat there alone staring at the candle fire dancing calmly on a small table. Handwritten books and scripts were littered about. The walls were stocked full with old texts. Pillows and thick cloths were on the floor and chairs. For a moment I stood up and removed my cloak, placing it down upon my seat.

Soon the two of them came back. "Here ya go Tat!" With two hands Nozomi raised a large wooden bowl before me. I glanced into it. Thick chunks of meat and vegetables swam harmoniously with sliced potatoes. "Thank you." I eagerly put out my hands and took the bowl. At that moment it was like gold. Nothing had more value. My stomach had grown empty, and my appetite demanded to be sated. A crooked metal spoon was given to me. Quickly I began to feast.

We all sat there around the fire in a circle. "So let me ask again" Aisha began first "What brings you back here Nozomi? I am surprised you were able to get into the city. The army never lets that barrier down for any reason."

Nozomi wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "We got into a bit of trouble actually." Nozomi's eyes shifted down. She looked embarrassed. "We didn't know where else to go." She lowered her voice for the next part "The Dragon Army is after us, they tried to kill us, we were in a prison but we got away. We came here because this is the only place in all of Etrirea that the Dragon's can't get to."

I put my hand out in front of Nozomi to cut her off. I shook my head. She told Aisha more than I had liked.

Aisha looked mortified. "Oh no, you poor things, I can't believe you are being chased by the army! I told you to stay away from the Dragons!"

Aisha composed herself. "I am sorry. The two of you must be exhausted from your journey here. Feel free to use my storage room as sleeping quarters for the night."

"Thank you." With the bowl dry, and stomach full I stood up and stretched.

"I also have a small bathing area, help yourself. There should be some drying cloths by the door." Aisha continued to sip at her broth, as Nozomi poured herself a second helping.

I nod a thanks.

In the storage room I removed Sora, my tunic, boots and belt and placed them leaning on a box. Stepping down, the cool wood under my feet was pleasing.

Around the hallway was the bath.

The bath was small. But it would suffice. I stumbled over to a bucket near the fireplace.
I got a hot water going and filled the bath up. Slowly I removed articles of clothing and stepped inside. The heat was extremely comforting. I sat down and extended my limbs, lounging.
I looked back and forth about the area and took notice to a pile of bathing supplies placed just an arm's length away. I grabbed a small face cloth and scrubbed all the dirt and grime from my cheeks. Out of my peripheral vision I could see movement. I glanced over and saw myself. A mirror had been placed on a chair next to the bath. I looked straight into my own eyes. They were red and swollen. My lips curled downward. My eyes looked devoid of life. I was disgusted with how terrible I looked. I turned my shoulder and faced the other way positioning myself to the wall.

I put my head back on the edge of the bath. In no time at all, I had dozed off.