Wolf and Keeper

Chapter 25: Secrets Among Shadows

"So, where are you from?"

"Wales. There's a peninsula in the south called Gwyr..."

"Wait, what?" Maru watched in interest at Naoyuki squinted, "Are you fucking with me? What was that?"

"Uh... Gwyr."

"No. No, I heard you... But what the fuck was that?"

"Oh! Oh, it's Welsh."

"You have your own language? Are you- do you just speak English or-?"

"Well, people from Wales also speak Welsh as our local language, but we also speak English-"

"What the fuck?"

"What's wrong?" Maru looked between the two.

"I... You know what? Don't worry about it," Naoyuki squinted as Avery looked around almost nervously. "You're not shitting me?"

"No!"

"Alright..."

Shoda bumped Maru's shoulder with a shake of her head, "Those two get along way too well."

"Yeah..." Maru shook his head before he followed Shoda back to their little campfire they had constructed just off of one of the roads. They were closing in on the border of Mikawa, and the road had progressively been getting more and more treacherous. It was about what he had expected, if he was being honest. "Any important tips?"

"Not many. Just that there has been unrest in Mino and Owari. Unsurprising, but still something we need to be conscious of. We don't want to wind up getting attacked by surprise," she sat down with him beside their campfire and turned a half burnt twig in her hands. "When we get to Owari, I might need to leave," she turned her eyes from the twig to him as she spoke. "It should be temporary, but there are some things I need to take care of."

"Things?"

"Just trust me this time, alright?" She gave him one of her motherly smiles, and he was inclined to accept it.

They got moving not long later, and Maru took point with Naoyuki, who strolled along like they weren't getting ready to march straight into a potential warzone. "Marching straight into hell..." Naoyuki hummed a little tune far more cheery than its lyrics as he walked, kicking a small rock with his foot from time to time.

"How did you wind up with the Saika-ikki?" Maru asked as they walked, finding himself growing more and more curious about their new addition. He hadn't gotten a chance to pepper him with many questions since they decided to leave on their new joint adventure.

Naoyuki glanced over at him with a small smirk and a snort, "Getting personal now, eh? Want to know my favorite food and where I like to bathe?"

"Just curious."

"You first. How did you wind up as a Sayonakidori?"

"My parents were killed. The Sect took me in."

"Not with a sword like that," Naoyuki nodded his head at Maru's blade and raised his eyebrows. "Who raised you? I can guess who dragged you off the streets."

Maru hesitated. There was only one answer he could possibly give to that question, but the shame still gnawed away at him like it always had. "Lord Atsumori of Michizane," he flinched at his stiff response, but Naoyuki just watched him. "He took me in and taught me how to use a sword. He was... the closest thing to a father I had in a long time. What about you? I doubt the Saika-ikki taught you... whatever it is that Avery speaks."

"English," Naoyuki corrected, "and you're right. Magoichi isn't known for his linguistical abilities."

"Care to elaborate?"