Baiken's Wish

Walking Home

Your stir in your sleep. The warm sunlight pushes past your eyelids waking you up. You slowly turn around and put your arms up letting out a yawn as you stretch wide. When you finally open your eyes you see Baiken already up having her sleeping bag folded and the fire put out. She sits meditating with her side facing you. Her right sleeve sways gently, once again reminding you that this woman, powerful as she was, was missing a limb as well as an eye.

(y/n): Good morning. *You say slowly* You sure do get up early huh?

(Baiken): Yes. Are you ready to leave?

She ignores your "Good morning". She's much more interested in going to the village. The crows are restless this morning and caw up a storm. A few songbirds sing through the racket adding a melody to the cacophony of crows. You sit admiring the slow pace of nature.

(Baiken): Are you ready? *Baiken says gritting her teeth*

(y/n): Yeah sure. Don't be in a rush Baiken. This is the last pleasant bit of nature we might see for a while.

You fold up your sleeping bag and turn both bags back into pieces of folded paper. Baiken watches in amazement.

(y/n): I'm gonna leave the campfire. It can be used again like this but I cant really turn this back into paper. After a chemical change occurs to an object it can't turn back into paper.

Baiken nods and stands up ready to leave.

(y/n): Would you like a coat Baiken? *You note the goosebumps on her chest. Who knows why she would dress like this when the weather is turning. Maybe she doesn't have other clothes?*
Baiken picks up her bag and slings it over her shoulder. Unsatisfied with her answer, you pull out an origami cloak. It's the color of snow with a cerulean trim. The underside is made of a thick wool which is both functionally warm and soft. The cloak is rather heavy, certainly made for the harsher seasons throughout the year. Once it fully unfolds out of it's paper form, you hold it at the top and drape it over Baiken's shoulder. She turns to look at you. Her expression is a motley of anger, confusion, and gratuity. Baiken slowly lowers her bag to the ground and you continue to adorn her with the beautiful cloak. You wrap the collar around her neck and button the front. It's a bit difficult to work when she has her large distractions on display but you button it quickly and move on. You hold up the side and help her find the hole for the small sleeve so that she can still use her arm comfortably. You look at Baiken's face again and it no longer has her usual scornful expression. You swear you could see a faint red blush in her cheeks but you decide not to tease her. You pick up the rough rope of her sling bag to which Baiken quickly snatches it out of your hand.

You step back alarmed at her speed. Baiken turns her back to you.

(Baiken): Please point the way.

You smile softly and begin walking.

(y/n): This way.

You two begin walking under the trees along the path. They display their bright and colorful foliage proudly as they prepare for their winter dormancy. Everything, even nature itself, gets just a bit quieter and slower during the winter months. You recall this path is usually littered with flowers throughout the spring and summer. The cicadas would sing alongside the numerous different species birds that enjoyed the countryside. As you walk you turn back to look at the samurai. Her back is hunched and she looks at the ground while following you.

*She must be carrying quite a load. That bag wasn't exactly light. I want to ask her if I could fold it up for her so she doesn't have to carry it but I doubt she'll let me touch it again. Maybe I'll just ask her?*

(y/n): Baiken. If your bag is heavy I can fold it up into paper for you. You won't have to-

(Baiken): No.

(y/n): Are you cert-

(Baiken): It's fine.

You continue to walk in silence.

The dead leaves crumple under your feet as you keep walking.

*Crrnnch. Snap snap Crunch Snap-*

The sound of two people walking through dead leaves turns into the sound of one person walking.

You stop and look behind you. Baiken has stopped. She is looking behind her. Head panning from side to side it appears that she is scanning her surroundings.

(y/n): Something wrong? Baiken?

After a brief pause she answers.

(Baiken): Something's following us.

She continues scanning with her hand on her sword hilt.

You dig in your pocket for some paper. You fold the paper into a bird and infuse it with ki. A sort of repetitive motion you have ingrained in your muscles. You recall the countless times you folded a paper bird to scout for you during the attack of the gears. Each time you hoped it would come back without finding anything. Especially now in a time of relative peace you hoped it would find nothing.

You hold your hand up motioning Baiken to wait. The paper bird flutters and flies past a tree.

Past another...

Past a third...

It turns around . The enchanted bird glows gently and you know it has found something. Your heart sinks and you prepare for a fight pulling out more enchanted paper. Your recon paper bird dives into the bush and as it does a young red fox jumps out and eeks before scampering away.
Baiken watches it run. You relax your shoulders and sigh.

(y/n): You reckon it's a spy too? *you decide to try to lighten the mood with a joke*

Baiken just glares at you and mutters under her breath. You decide it's best to just walk in silence.  The remainder of the walk is uneventful.  It's only around 45 minutes later that you begin to see the brightly painted, white, wooden gates of your village.  Over the top you see the faint blue color of the sky dome that prevents unwanted aerial assailants. It seems as quiet as usual this time of year.

(Baiken): Is that it? Up ahead?

(y/n): Yeah, that's right. I can't wait to enjoy a hot breakfast at home. Do you know what you want to do when you get there?

Baiken is quiet. She looks down and keep walking. You try to meet her eyes but her bangs conveniently shield them from view.

(y/n): Maybe I'll give you a tour, if you don't mind.

Baiken still doesn't respond.

(y/n): Well I'm not hearing a no. Come on!

You pick up the pace excited to show Baiken around.