Sora stared at the inebriated Samurai as he stumbled his way over to Kohei's horse. What did he say his name was? Kamoji? Sounded correct enough, but it didn't matter. Sora hadn't the slightest intention of getting to know this man any better. So he moved his gaze from the Ember wielder and over to his belongings packed on the behind of his horse. There was but one thing that he could rely on giving him joy, and that was his books. He skimmed his fingers along the leather brims and pondered over which he would read that night.

Mahiro leaned against his horse as he waited for the caravan to get moving. He watched Sora obsess over his books in the cold. He didn't understand how he could find happiness in nothing but words. But to be perfectly honest, Mahiro didn't know how to read and had no desire to learn. So he didn't really have more than opinions on the subject of books.

Mahiro moved his attention from Sora to Yasuo and Kenshi. They walked into the tavern to pay off that drunken fool's tab, but he bet that they would take their opportunity and stay for longer than that. But he didn't care. All he wanted was a warm bed and something to eat, or, that was all he could reasonably say he wanted. And he thought soon enough he would get exactly that as he noticed the caravan slowly move forward.

Lee walked alongside the red-kimono clad samurai. He was worried the man would tip over and fall off the animal, but he seemed able to keep a small bit of balance while giving directions to Kohei.

But although he was watching out for the Samurai, he didn't necessarily want to. He thought it was unfair for the drunken man to have an Ember rather than him. Lee only had one ambition and one goal, and that was to have an Ember and alongside it the approval of Lady Amaterasu, to know he was living life correctly. That he wasn't a mistake.

But no, instead this man would get one.

He tried to shake off the feeling of disgrace as they all got closer to the large hotel, but it still lingered. Lee had felt like dead weight ever since his nineteenth birthday. He missed back when he always smiled and could laugh when he did something clumsily, but now it all made him feel like even more of a failure. Like he was nothing but a nuasance to everyone else. And Mahiro seemed to think the same. But at least Sora and Kenshi had some amount of fondness towards him. And although Sora had a hard time showing his emotions, Lee looked forward to speaking to him about the book he had been lent.

And Sora felt as excited as he subconsciously allowed himself to be.

But Sora's attention went from the next book he would recommend to Lee to the tall hotel. He was surprised at its sheer verticality and size. He would have expected buildings like those in large cities and capitals, but not some small farming town. The only explanation Sora could think of was that the village must had been a hotspot at one point in its life. Or possibly still was, with large platoons of soldiers like the one he was apart of?

But his inspection would have to be put on hold, it was time to unpack.

And as everyone gathered the belongings they would need for the night, Mahiro had conceived a semi-malicious plot.

Kenshi would always speak of 'what atrocities the Doctor has committed', hell, he even formed whatever group they were in just because of the Doctor. But personally, Mahiro hadn't seen the Doctor do anything especially 'evil', and it looked as though the drunken bastard was bleeding and bruised all over, it seemed like the perfect chance to investigate this old man for himself.

Mahiro would grab his luggage later, he didn't have much to take into the hotel anyways.

But as he walked towards the front with a sinister grin across his face, he felt a hand grab his shoulder. Mahiro immediately swung around only to be greeted with Sora's blank face.

Sora questioned him as he tightened the luggage he had tied to his back. "What are you doing?"

Mahiro had a few options: He would either lie to Sora and try to go on his own, but Sora was the inquiring type, he would be too curious to take a simple lie. He could just tell him the truth, but that would also lead to an unwanted companion. Fine, he would just take the simplest route. "I'm going to take the drunken samurai to our Doctor..." He knew Sora would only keep questioning and pestering him unless he saw it with his own eyes.

Sora spoke curiously. "That's strange, I don't see you as the type of person to help on his own accord... Is it because you want to meet the Doctor? If so, I'm curious as well, ask him a few questions for me. First, ask-"

But before he could recite his list, Mahiro interrupted. "Would you like to come?"

Sora's head tilted in surprise. "That's out of character, but I suppose I will..."

Mahiro nodded his head impatiently. "Then let's go. And stay as silent as you are in my memory, alright?" Sora didn't respond, but Mahiro took that as a yes. They both started moving down the crowd of tightly gathered Samurai and made their way to Kamoji.

Sora thought as they moved ever closer, that Mahiro reminded him of his father somewhat. It was strange to think of someone only a few years older than him as having the same personality as his father, but it was true... It stressed him somewhat, being around Mahiro. Sora had... Not the best relationship with his father, especially after his mother had gone.

But Sora shook his head. That didn't matter, Mahiro wasn't his father and he was no longer a child. He just had to think of the present.

And presently they were trying to steal the drunkard away from Lee, who was understandably confused.

Lee spoke curiously as they helped the Samurai off his horse. "Uhhh. What are you two doing??"

Mahiro opened his mouth to talk, but Sora interrupted. Everyone knew that Mahiro had some sort of disgust towards the boy. But Sora had gotten to know and to like Lee more than anyone else in camp. And Lee would constantly tell Sora about how Mahiro would make hateful comments towards him or around him. So Sora would give Lee a chance to change that. "We're going to take our companion Kamoji to the Doctor, would you wish to join us?"

Mahiro instantly glared at Sora, obviously unhappy, but said nothing.

They walked with Kamoji into the building, who contested. "Where're you guys taking me?"

Mahiro simply stated. "We're taking you to a Doctor." Which made the Samurai tilt his head, thinking whether or not he would let them take him or cause a ruckus. But he eventually decided just to follow.

As they walked Kamoji reached into his coat and pulled a small container from it, obviously filled with more alcohol. He took a hearty swig and kept going.

Lee shook his head as they started walking towards the counter.

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Sora spoke to the lady at the desk. "We're with the company of Samurai that just came in. Do you know which room an elderly gentleman was stationed?"

The girl at the front desk smiled. "I'll check right away, sir." She flipped through the large book full of names and rooms, eventually finding the right set of names. "It looks like Doctor... Um... Just Doctor, was put in room 259. Will that be all?"

Just Doctor? Sora thought. Kenshi was at least right about him being as secretive as possible.

Since Sora seemed busy thinking of whatever was on his mind, Mahiro spoke for him. "Yes, that'll be all... Thanks."

Kamoji loudly interrupted. "Also send some booze to my room! I practically live here, so you should remember which." He thought for a moment. "Wait, which room is mine?"

The girl sighed. "It's room 300, Kamoji." He silently nodded and whispered 'oh, right...' under his breath.

So the four started making their way to the stairs. It had taken them a while to move Kamoji from his horse over to the front desk, which meant that everyone was most likely already unpacked.

Kamoji tried to take his container of alcohol from his jacket once again, Lee gave a small swat to his hand, but he still took the metal canister out and drank from it.

They walked up the set of stairs and started down the hallway. They all collectively basked in the warmth and comfort of the building. The entire caravan of Samurai had only camped since they formed, so it was pleasant for everyone to sleep inside a building.

Sora counted the sliding paper doors. "250, 251, 252, 253... 259."

Mahiro gave a quick knock to the wooden frame and slid open the door, hastily pushing Kamoji inside.

The Doctor looked up from the piece of paper he was writing on to Kamoji.

Mahiro spoke. "He's injured. Fix him."

The Doctor didn't like being told what to do, and he knew these were Kenshi and Yasuo's friends, so he declined. "He looks perfectly functioning. Don't waste my time."

Mahiro was more than frustrated at those words, and he would have his way. Would the old man cave if he threatened him? Only one way to find out. "If-"

But before Mahiro could start, Sora interrupted. "He wields an Ember."

The Doctor's eyes brightened. He had wanted to inspect someone with such supernatural powers. "Well, why didn't you say so! He can sit on my sleeping mat." The old man quickly grabbed Kamoji's arm and sat him down on the plush mat. "So, what can you do with your power?"

Kamoji answered gleefully. "I can turn plants into metal!"

The Doctor frowned. "You do... What?"

"Only small ones. It's pretty cool, I can show you if you want!"

The old man kept trying to speak to Kamoji, but to nearly no avail. "Yes, but what use does it have!?"

Kamoji looked to the floor in thought. "Huh. I don't... Know..." The Doctor sighed and stood up, beginning to collect a few things from his bag.

Mahiro was disappointed at the interaction between the old man and the drunken fool. He had expected some sort of conflict by then.

Lee was just tired. Tired of seeing the drunken Samurai's face and tired of hearing his voice.

The Doctor walked back to Kamoji, bottle and instruments in hand. "Alright. I need to take some of your blood to make sure... You didn't get an infection."

Kamoji just nodded as he stared blankly into the distance.

Sora's mind was still on his father. He tried to think of what was at hand, but it lingered in his mind. He tried to silence it. Sure, his father wasn't the best. Not the best when it came to punishment. But it taught him the world was tough, tougher than a switch. He learned that books were more comforting than a mothers touch and that a blank face saved him from trouble. And he learned that you couldn't depend on others, because people change in unexpected ways. So overall, it was a learning experience. Sora was fine. He just had to let it go from his mind. And that he did.

The large jar filled almost to the brim with blood before Kamoji thought to speak. "Isn't that a bit much?"

The Doctor quickly put a bandage to Kamoji's arm and sealed the jar for later inspection. "No, no. That is precisely the amount I want." And since he had collected all he needed from the Samurai, he could move to the other three. Kenshi had been a thorn in his side since he got there, and the Doctor could see that he was trusting of these people. But not enough to tell them of his secrets. But the Doctor knew, and the Doctor knew this was his best opportunity to put some disruption into their dynamic. "So, you three. You're all Kenshi's companions, correct?"

Lee answered. "yes."

"Then you've surely heard all about him, right?"

Sora interjected. "He's a private person. As most of us are."

But Mahiro kept the old man going. "Why do you ask?"

He grinned, knowing at least one of them was caught. "Well I know something I'm sure you'd all like to know. And I'd love to tell all of you."

Sora questioned. "And what would you want in return?"

The Doctor smiled. Two caught. "Oh, I don't want anything, really. I just want all of you to be sure you want to know."

Lee spoke. "Tell us."

And then all three were caught. "Your friend Kenshi likes speaking so high and mighty, as if above the shogunate and..." He gestured to Kamoji. "These types."

Mahiro crossed his arms. "What about it."

"Have you heard the story of the first person to ever hold an Ember? The one who worked so closely with the Shogun?"

Sora raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

"Well, Kenshi was that person! The one you all hold so dearly worked closely with the Shogun and spent his early years looking down on people like you all!"

Lee was surprised at the notion but was too young to even know what living at that time was like. But what he did know was that Kenshi was a good friend. He shook his head at the Doctor's remark.

Mahiro commented on it. "So that's why he acts all above everyone else..." But he remembered that only a few days ago Kenshi saved him and others from being robbed. So even though he was unhappy at the news, he tolerated it.

And Sora always had his suspicions. The timeline made sense, and Kenshi always looked like how the texts described him. So he was more filled with the satisfaction of being correct than shock.

Mahiro uncrossed his arms and paced. He didn't like the old man, and he almost didn't believe him. Kenshi was right about him being no good.

The Doctor was confused at their reactions. He expected more... Surprise. Maybe revealing this when everyone was tired and road-worn wasn't the best idea. "That is all I have to say. Leave me."

But while they all thought and spoke, Kamoji stewed and started to unexpectedly yell. "You left me with a damn hole in my arm! I thought you were supposed to make me better!?"

The Doctor shook his head. "You'll be fine. Now, I said leave."

Sora was ready to leave. He knew the Doctor wouldn't be revealing any more dark secrets than the one he had already suspected. So he spoke. "Let us leave. We have another long ride tomorrow."

Kamoji instantly turned his anger from the Doctor to Sora, searching for another fight. "I'm not leaving without being better! I think you just took me here to... I dunno. But I'm not leaving until I'm better!"

The Doctor had medicine in his bag that would put a horse comatose and had planned to give it to the Samurai when he started yelling. But now that he had moved his anger to the blank-faced one, he saw it as an opportunity to see what he would do in this situation.

Sora looked over to the Doctor, who just shrugged. So he decided to just make the drunk man leave himself. Sora grabbed the man by the arm and tried to pull him to his feet, but that only infuriated him.

Kamoji squirmed out of Sora's grip and jumped to his feet, standing like he was about to fight. "Ye know what? I'm tired of you people pushing me around." He started waddling closer to Sora, obviously about to swing.

Sora wasn't surprised at this. Violent drunks weren't new to him. But as Sora got ready to defend himself from the man, something unexpected happened.

Lee had been increasingly mad throughout the entire conversation with the drunk Samurai. And the man preparing to attack his friend was enough excuse. Lee quickly grabbed a bottle of medicine that was sitting atop the Doctor's desk and struck Kamoji over the head with it, shattering the glass and causing the Samurai to fall limp to the ground.

Sora was extremely surprised that Lee would involve himself in a fight that wasn't his just to protect him.

Mahiro was surprised that Lee was capable of taking action instead of cowering.

Luckily, they remembered the room Kamoji said he was in. After quickly hauling the limp body down the hall, they spent the rest of the night comfortably.

Lee sat in Sora and Mahiro's room, in the spot where Kenshi would have been if he hadn't disappeared. He talked with Sora about the book he had lent him. Mahiro listened, but he wouldn't admit to that.

---

I held onto my aching head as Lee, Sora, and reluctantly, Mahiro told me of their story. I spoke confusedly. "So you're telling me you willingly met the Doctor and then assaulted a high ranking Samurai?"

Sora adjusted his seat as Kohei sounded the horn to get moving. Lee answered as we stood from our resting spot under a tree. "Yeah. Pretty much."

I brushed off my slightly snowy Kimono as we started our way back to our horses. "Well, that was interesting, for sure. And as much as I'd like to tell you of Yasuo and I's... Mix up. We've got to get riding again. Next stop is the last Yokai sighting."