𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜;; 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐮

𝟏

When Sayuri traveled away from Konohasakuyama, she always traveled light. There were only a few things she took with her, and they were all essentials.

One was her bag. It held various medicines that were commonly used, along with a handwritten notebook in case she forgot any of the plants needed to make the less common medicines. She kept a set of acupuncture needles inside, protected by a case, as well as a change of clothes. Finally, there was a refillable pouch for water and a small sachet which carried not perfume, but money (not that she had any). Outside of the bag was her wakizashi-style sword, which she secured in her obi, both for easy access and so she didn't have to carry it in her hands. Finally, she carried an umbrella to protect her from both rain and shine; the cooler she stayed, the less rest and water she'd require, and she'd reach her destination faster.

Or she would've, if a group of bandits hadn't captured her.

With her hands and feet bound, she could only watch as the bandits went through her belongings. Unfortunately, they quickly grew frustrated; it took them a while to root out all of the worthless items and find her money. And then they realized that Sayuri was broke, which, to say the least, irritated them greatly.

One of the bandits kicked her stomach. "Who travels around with no money!? You wasted our time, bitch!"

Sayuri ducked her head in shame. "I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?"

The man grabbed her chin and forcefully maneuvered her neck so she was looking at him. He grinned, revealing chipped and yellowing teeth, and his foul breath wafted towards her as he said, "Hmm, you have a pretty face. You can make it up to us by fetching a good price, eh?"

"...Oh."

After being kidnapped off the road, Sayuri was taken to a makeshift camp set up by the bandits, surrounded by a forest. Aside from the man who'd taken her, there were another three who remained at the campsite. The only commonality was all of them styled their hair in a chonmage. One tended to a fire, cooking something; the other two were sharpening their swords. Sayuri, due to having her hands and legs bound, was unable to walk, so the man who kidnapped her also had to carry her. But when they arrived at the campsite, she was thrown onto the ground next to the cooking man. Said man raised an eyebrow. He had a deep scar diagonal over his lips, and it twisted when he spoke. "Who's this?"

"Some girl I found." Sayuri's kidnapper sighed, sitting down next to her.

"Hello," she greeted.

One of the other men looked up from his sword to peer at Sayuri. "What's with her eye color?"

"Don't know, don't care," her kidnapper snapped before smirking. "But I'm sure someone's going to pay well for her."

"I would." The final man licked his lips, and Sayuri shrank back. "If I don't damage the goods too much, it should be fine, right?"