Mei and Cui Xinya landed quickly in front of a small shop located in the farthest corner of the district. It had a sign with faded paint and the whole atmosphere surrounding the little shop was quite depressing. Mei couldn't fathom how her Master, who she felt was quite more interested in higher quality places, would take her to such a rundown place.

The shop door creaked open slowly revealing a dimly lit room that had the morning light become broken up by the dust covered windows. The shelves were full of weapons, armor, and various exotic items. Mei was surprised by how nice they all were and felt slightly guilty that she had judged it so swiftly. On the racks were furs that she was quite familiar with; they were the same furs her father used to sell to Mr. Itakura when he came to their small village.

"Mr. Itakura!" Miss Xinya called out "It is me Cui Xinya!" Her voice called out to the seemingly empty space.

Mei's eyes widened at hearing the words come out of her master's mouth "Master did you say Mr. Itakura?"

Her heart started to thump loudly. It had been years since she last spoke to him and she was quite excited to see his kindly old man face again. Even her own mother she had not seen in almost a year since the last Lunar New Year festival she had not been this excited.

Cui Xinya looked at her student puzzled by her excited expression "Yes, Seito, why do you ask?"

"Well look who entered my shop. I didn't think I'd see you again after you left Naebashi all those years ago." the familiar gruff voice caused Mei to perk up immediately. Mei turned around to see the familiar old man who she knew as a young girl. Her eyes watered lightly as a flood of memories came into her head again.

"Mr. Itakura, you know my disciple?" Cui Xinya said, interrupting Mei's fond memories.

"Why yes, I knew this girl as a child, her father and I had a good business relationship for many years. I keep in contact with her mother on occasion to see if she needs anything now and then. She was a good girl back in the North. It has been far too long since I’ve seen her."

Cui Xinya was pleasantly surprised by the development. "That is good to hear, Mr. Itakura we are here to get Seito here, a weapon that suits her well. Knowing her will be of great help to us."

Mr. Itakura's smile widened even more. "Oh really? So you’ve finally made it to the inner court of the academy have you?" He walked behind his counter and pulled out several small wooden chairs "Please both of you have a seat!" He called back as he shuffled out from behind his counter.

They both sat down while Mr. Itakura pursued his collection of weapons.

"What style of combat can I expect from my young Mei, Miss Xinya?" he spoke, inspecting a long sword.

Cui Xinya spoke before Mei could say a word "speed and agility."

Deadpan Itakura tossed aside the long sword he was looking at moving onto another section of weapons. Scanning the shelving he looked up and down. "I believe I have just the weapons for her. I have been waiting to give this to yourself Miss Xinya next time you came in, but I think it will suit little Mei just fine if you don't mind."

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Cui Xinya nodded, she had no need for a new weapons; she had plenty as of now and had little use for them as of now. "It is fine."

After taking two weapons from a glass encased cabinet Mr. Itakura brought them over and handed them to Mei who quickly took them to look more closely. The blades were twins both crafted identically. The hilts were red and black finely carved hardwood; the blades themselves resembled miniature katanas; both the blade portion of the daggers no longer than a couple inches past her forearms. Along the hilt they both had strange characters on them that Mei was unfamiliar with.

"The first one's name is calamity and the second is shadow. Those are called Tantos and normally come in pairs. There is something strange about these weapons. They give off an odd feeling, something I haven’t felt in many years, but what I do know is they are extremely old and the markings are not of Kuroian design." Mr. Itakura said "They should prove their worth to you for many years to come. Their names have greatness attached to them so do not disrespect your weapon."

Mei looked up from the beautiful daggers feeling the carved wood hilts against his fingertips; she couldn’t help, but have an immediate attachment to them as she admired the intricate design. "Thank you very much Mr. Itakura! But I do have one question."

"Please ask me anything!" he smiled

"How is my mother? I have yet to hear from her for at least a year. She hasn't contacted me. I am worried for her."

Mr. Itakura's smile faded, replaced with a frown "I have bad news on that front. Mei unfortunately your mother left Ei'en and stopped coming to my shop nearly a year ago to go live with her uncle in the city of Sinsan on the eastern sea of the empire. If she is sending you letters it would take a very long time before they reach you as the city is a long ways away. I thought you would've known, but it appears her last letter never made it to you before she left."

Mei frowned; she had suspected that her mother wouldn't want to stay with her if there was no hope of return from her father living in the city where even her own daughter she didn't have access to was probably too much for her to handle alone. Mei didn’t blame her mother. In her heart there were many moments she wanted to run away from the city and forget all about all of this.

"I know you won't have anyone to visit during your time out of the academy so please do not hesitate to visit. You are like family to me, little Mei. I will also send any letters you write to your mother as soon as possible. So please don’t hesitate to send me any packages or gifts for her. I plan on going to Sinsan in one months’ time."

"Thank you for putting her concerns to rest Mr. Itakura. How much do we owe you for the weapons?"

"They are in the house thinking of it as payment for all the years this little girl kept me company and brought me much joy so do not refuse please."

“Then we will not refuse your generosity. It was an honor, Mr. Itakura as always.” Cui Xinya bowed more than customary for a commoner who did not cultivate. Cultivators no matter how strong were many times higher on the social ladder than commoners even respected one’s like Mr. Itakura.

Cui Xinya understood nodding, standing up and starting to walk towards the shop's exit. "Come Seito Mei, it is time we start your weapons training, beyond the basics they gave you in the outer court. I think it is vitally important that you understand that in your age group you will have many challenging opponents in the academy."

"Yes, Miss Xinya!" Mei called back before bowing lowly to Mr. Itakura "Thank you for your kindness to my family Mr. Itakura."

“Anytime little Mei! Please come visit this old man again!” he said fondly before they left.

As Mei and Cui Xinya left the shop Itakura stood there watching in the direction they had left. The poor girl could never get a break in this life he thought, shaking his head.