The Stowaway [complete]

[Kwok Yulin]

Yulin really didn't understand why she had been assigned to such trivial duties such as this, but with a training session in progress, and Rie Chou and Kamlong both needed to oversee it, they were short of hands. Technically, she wasn't really in any position to complain. Considering the other alternative was to stay and supervise bumbling novices on how to handle a sword properly, sifting through the town for any soldiers playing hooky was a great deal more enjoyable.

Being that the generals never often left the campsite, it at least gave her the opportunity to sightsee. She counted the bronze coins in her palm and dropped two of them into the outstretched hand of the eager street vendor, using the other hand to take the leaf-wrapped package of lotus buns. Her sweet tooth was going to have a field trip today. Even before she reached the end of the main street, she had passed a few stalls with spun or sticky, sugary pieces of candy.

Still licking the tips of her fingers, she came to the road that led to port. So far, she hadn't caught anybody skirting their training, but she might as well be thorough. After this, she could head back and collect a second round of treats.

[Koyada Akihito]

During most of the trip Akihito kept in mind to stay under cover, not wanting to be caught just incase the men knew who he was. From there on he could not trust anyone considering his life had been put into danger. He didn't know how many hours, perhaps days he had been stuck on the ship. Off and on he started to doze until the ship came to a complete and distributive stop, alerting him they were finally at port. It took some time to survey the deck of the ship, watching the few of the crew lower the board walks down to the docks.

Finally seeing an opening to sneak off the ship, he went quickly around the miscellaneous cargos to continue down the dock as though he didn't come from the ship. Although when he got around to examining his surroundings he noticed a large difference. No, it was not his home-place. Instead he found himself slowing his steps down to listen to everyone's shouting voices. Chinese. So, he was in China after all. Perhaps he could find someone trust worthy enough to take him to the emperor to finish the negotiation without his body guards. However, everything was foreign to him and he had no idea what or who to ask.

If this port was like Japan there would be a near by town, and that was the direction he was heading. At the moment he wished he was allowed simple clothing for travel because he stuck out compared to everyone else. He had gotten some looks without the bowing heads, it felt nice but instead of kindly stares it was mostly made of scowls and frowns. Akihito ignored them when he got onto the path, looking from left to right to see if he could find someone who looked as though they held information.

[Kwok Yulin]

The port was about as eventful as the town. She couldn't recognize any of their uniforms amongst the people there. The boats at dock were mainly small vessels - fishing ships returning from a morning trip, unhauling nets full of still-writhing fish. Personally, the smell was not at all pleasant. Yulin wrinkled her nose a bit as she walked closer, since it would not exactly be polite to approach while covering her face in disgust. Putrid or not, she did have an image to keep up with the people. After all, she still had her armor on.

There were a few larger vessels - nothing extraordinary, but big enough for her to classify them as trading ships from the now-enemy nation, Japan. Their unnamed cargo was being rolled on to land, in barrels and wooden boxes of various sizes. They were probably the last of the few ships that would be returning from the other nation; the embargo would allow no more. It was here, however, that a flash of red caught her eye. It was not often that commoners, even merchants, wore that color.

"A foreigner?" she mused, changing her direction. She narrowed her eyes when she got closer, recognizing that style of clothes. "A Japanese foreigner." And that made all the difference.

[Koyada Akihito]

Everything about the scenery was different, although he could pick out some similarities. His eyes continued to look over the area but he never allowed them to linger long enough to consider it rude or attract any attention. Not that his attire was doing so anyways. Akihito tried to act at ease with the area, letting his arms rest to his side instead of having them bunched up behind his back to play nervously with his fingers. Until he felt someone watching him ahead.

Letting his eyes drift to Yulin he made eye-contact and then his eyes shifted downward to see that her clothing was unique compared to the rest around them. Perhaps she knew something? Making his way towards the girl, he spoke up softly. "Sumi - " started out that way to say 'excuse me' until he averted his language to Chinese, trying to get used to it. Akihito had been almost fluent in it, however, it was all the more different without his instructor. "Excuse me, miss. I'm in need of assistance, may I take up your time?" each syllable was carefully measured - trying to avoid a misunderstanding.

[Kwok Yulin]

Yulin stopped walking when she saw him approaching, since it did save her effort anyway. She smiled as he approached, finding the stumble over the languages somewhat endearing, but not anywhere close to letting her guard down. "Of course," she said, speaking slowly enough to match his tempo. She didn't like repeating herself. "What do you need?"

[Koyada Akihito]

He understood what she said, finding it easier to go about now that she answered. When she smiled, he smiled back - an appreciative expression present. "I've traveled from Japan to negotiate with Emperor KamYing, however, on my way I suffered a tragic loss of my men due to an inner feud with my country. Do you know of anyone who able to direct me to solving this problem - at least, to return home?" Akihito never had any reason to lie, though he had to take a leap of faith to even get out of the mess.

[Kwok Yulin]

"You...came to negotiate with our emperor..." said Yulin incredulously, shifting eyes from his face to the ship behind him, "on a dingy Chinese merchant ship?" She laid a gentle hand on his upper arm, bent forward and said, "Forgive me but I don't believe you at all."

[Koyada Akihito]

His expression changed slightly, not of disappointment but of wonder. Carefully his eyes glanced down to the hand and then back to the female's face. "If I was in your place I wouldn't believe me either, however, it is true. My men were killed in an assassination attempt leaving me in a situation. I had to do all that I could. The best of it appears to be by a dingy Chinese merchant ship," Akihito's voice was serious, his eyes intense.

[Kwok Yulin]

"Ah, you're very brave, I'll give you that," said Yulin, withdrawing to cross her arms across her chest. "If you are said high and mighty Japanese prince, I assume you know that our nations are about to go to war, which makes you," she punctuated this with a finger pressed into his shoulder, "on enemy territory. Are you really so foolish that you can step foot on shore and expect someone to bring you to our emperor?"

[Koyada Akihito]

He allowed the prodding of the finger, giving barely any movement. Akihito refused to show annoyance or disgust, wanting to stay on good turf. Yulin wasn't so hostile yet but any slip could get him in trouble. "I didn't expect anything, though it never hurts to ask?" he decided to share his views. "I also don't make enemies."

[Kwok Yulin]

"Well isn't that just special," she said, unable to help the mocking tone that slipped into her otherwise civil voice. "You must have an utterly attractive personality then, because your enemies are numerous enough to create a nation. ...But why don't you prove it," she added, eyes turning hard and serious, "prove that you're who you say you are. Earn my belief. Raise your hands over your head."

[Koyada Akihito]

"There is no personal disputes, yet under your eyes I come here as a nation," he watched the girl's face the entire time. Akihito should've been more careful and examined her form for any weapons. If he stayed here, his chances of being killed would be high and if he went back he would run into the same problem. In reality there really was no where to hide. Giving the girl a puzzled look he suddenly raised his hands over his head, "as you wish."

[Kwok Yulin]

"Oh thank you for your cooperation," cooed Yulin, smiling a cat-like grin. Her hands landed suggestively on his sides, and then slid down to the waist. "Thank you," she chirped, extracting both his swords from their sheathes. If he had resisted, she would have thought to resort to grabbing a fishing spear from the nearby boats to defend herself, but this way was certainly easier. "I'll be relieving you of these; you won't be needing them here," she said, weighing them in her hands. She was no expert at blades, but even she could tell their superior quality. These were not only weapons, but pieces of art. At the very least, she could gather this stranger had money, and with wealth came power. If he wasn't the prince, he was still someone of high social standing - and what would such an important person be doing here?

If he was the prince, well, then that was a bigger problem yet.

"You can come with me for now, prince," she said, nodding to the road back to town.

[Koyada Akihito]

Akihito heard the movements of the blades and the weight of them being lifted. He was disarmed by Yulin, although he sought it out for the best. She was right; he wouldn't be needing them - hopefully. Once he configured she was satisfied enough, his arms rested back down to his side. He would listen and abide by her every command. There was still a chance he could be brought to the emperor, otherwise be killed and configure the fact China was Japan's enemy. Nodding his head he went in step with the female, pointed in the direction of the road.

"Koyada Akihito, my name. I am not a Prince here," he said quietly, politely to let Yulin know she had won.

[Kwok Yulin]

"You may not be a prince at all, Ko-ya-da A-ki-hi-to," Yulin replied lightly, pronouncing the syllables of his name with singsong emphasis, while following after the Japanese boy. She stayed behind him the entire time, holding his swords in both hands, occasionally giving him the command to turn a corner or move aside.

The town was, of course, more crowded than the docks, but the commoners cleared a small path for them, eying the foreigner with distaste. The old women hid their hands behind their sleeves and whispered to each other, the men clenched their fists. Yulin sighed quietly when a couple rambunctious boys began to throw rocks. They missed, of course, but nevertheless she stopped and barked out, "Behave yourselves! This is no way for citizens of our nation to act! Hold yourselves with more honor, remember what country you stand for!"

"Ahhh," she whined, once they were out of the gates and heading towards the army. "That was bothersome, I might've overstepped some boundaries there, but oh well."