He could feel her drawing closer, her steps cautious yet deliberate. He didn't move away, simply matching her slow pace as the night air carried a cool breeze through the streets.
The silence stretched between them, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air, until she finally spoke.
"How does one train for something like this? And... what exactly is a Kunoichi?"
He considered her question before answering in the simplest way possible.
"A Kunoichi is an assassin, an instrument of death for a chosen target. With your strength, agility, and instincts, with the right training, you will be able to defend yourself against anyone. And no one will ever make you a slave again."
The wind brushed against Laverna's skin as she listened. An assassin? The thought was foreign to her.
Her family had always preferred words over weapons, resolving conflicts through diplomacy rather than bloodshed. The idea seemed almost ridiculous, yet she could not deny the reality of her situation.
She would rather become something new than risk being caged again.
She let out a slow breath, her thoughts shifting as she recalled stories from her childhood, tales of spirits and the astral plane. Her grandmother had spoken of communing with ancestors, of seeking guidance from unseen forces.
She had always thought it was superstition, nothing more than comforting myths. But now, standing here, hearing Shin speak of things that should have been impossible, she wondered if there had been truth to her grandmother's words all along.
Her ears twitched as something flickered at the edge of her vision, a wisp of light dancing in the darkness. Her gaze followed it, transfixed. Why could she see them now?
Had her near-death experience unlocked something within her? Or had it always been there, buried beneath years of captivity and suffering?
The world around her felt different, fuller. The night air was charged with something unseen, something ancient. She could hear faint whispers in the wind, too soft to decipher, but they were there. Watching. Listening.
As they neared the town, Shin broke the silence. "Everything we discussed tonight must remain a secret. And remember, we still need to meet with the Guild Master once we've had some rest."
She nodded, though she still felt the weight of everything he had told her pressing down on her mind. The thought of meeting with another authority figure made her stomach twist, but she pushed it aside.
There were more immediate matters to deal with.
Before they entered the building, Shin paused to scan the room. The other patrons and Hunters were engaged in their own business, paying them little attention.
Then, without warning, he took Laverna's hand, leading her inside. She stiffened at the contact, a sharp hiss escaping her lips, but he didn't let go. To the outside world, they looked like any other couple, but only they knew the truth.
The warmth of his hand against hers sent an unexpected jolt through her. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was unfamiliar. She wasn't used to touch, to physical closeness that wasn't forced upon her. It unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
Once inside their room, she immediately pulled her hand free. Shin locked the door behind them before retrieving a futon, laying it down in the corner where he had slept each night to guard her.
"For your safety and the safety of others, I will sleep on the floor, and you will sleep on the bed. No arguments. Understood?"
Laverna huffed, crossing her arms. "Fine. But stay over there."
She moved toward the bed, but before she could settle in, footsteps approached. A knock echoed through the room.
"Is it okay if I come in? This is important."
Laverna's ears twitched at the voice on the other side of the door. She cast a wary glance toward Shin as he peered through the peephole. After a moment, he nodded and opened the door, revealing Yuri standing there.
Yuri bowed slightly before stepping inside, keeping a careful distance, her posture non-threatening in case Laverna lashed out.
"Hello. My name is Yuri. I am an Agent and Handler of the Hunters Guild. I've been Shin's handler for a while now, and while you were unconscious, I was also your caretaker." She offered a small smile. "Depending on what happens next, I may also become your handler."
Her voice was calm, practiced, but there was genuine warmth in her tone. Laverna could tell when someone was lying, and this woman, for whatever reason, seemed sincere. That didn't mean she trusted her, but it made her pause before reacting.
"Why did you take care of me?" Laverna asked, her tone cautious.
Yuri's smile softened. "Because you needed help. And because Shin asked me to."
Laverna glanced at Shin, but he said nothing, simply watching her, waiting to see how she would respond. She wasn't sure what to make of that.
"What's your name?" Yuri asked gently.
Shin gave Laverna a small nod, silently reassuring her that Yuri was not an enemy. It was safe to speak.
For a moment, Laverna hesitated. Then, finally, she answered.
"Laverna."
Yuri nodded as if committing it to memory. "It's nice to officially meet you, Laverna. I know you've been through a lot, but you're safe here."
Laverna wasn't sure if she believed that, but she didn't argue.
Yuri nodded and smiled. She raised her finger as if telling both of them to wait a moment.
Glancing out the door first, she locked it behind her and took a step forward. Lifting her hands gracefully, she began tracing symbols in the air, her fingers leaving behind faint trails of glowing mana. Her lips moved in a soft, rhythmic chant, each syllable carrying an ancient weight as the energy in the room shifted.
"By the veil of silence and the weight of secrecy, let no ear beyond these walls hear our voices. Let the winds carry nothing, let the walls betray no whispers. I seal this space in quietude."
The spell pulsed outward, forming a shimmering veil that wrapped around the walls, sealing them in an invisible barrier. The air felt heavier for a moment before settling into an unnatural stillness, no sound would escape beyond this room.
Shin sat down, observing her technique closely. As foxes, they could see the flow of mana within a person, and what he saw confirmed what he had suspected: Yuri was a powerful spellcaster.
He watched with interest as the energy enveloped the room, ensuring that no one outside would be able to hear their conversation unless they had the skill to counteract the spell. A small smile tugged at his lips as he took note of her control and precision.
Yuri turned back to them, her expression light but knowing. "Now, we can speak freely," she said with a playful glint in her eye. "And trust me, you're going to want to hear this."