"Right." Kenzo said, sighing. "We'd better keep moving, then." He took the lead, turning right to try and go around the boiling mud.

It would be a long march...

[Do you have the next time slot free?]

Kenzo sighed, looking up at the sky. "I'd promised Gusai-sama that I'd accompany him on his voyage later today. I don't know that I can go much farther."

"I will continue on," Akarei responded, "I do not want to delay this trip any longer."

Akarei's answer surprised her, and Utsusemi looked between the shugenja and her yojimbo.

She was hesitant to continue on without Kenzo, seeing as he was the more experienced of the three of them... then again, she did feel that she agreed with Akarei: they already came this far. A little further wouldn't hurt.

"I understand you must honour your word, Kenzo-san, but I feel I must agree with Yogo-san and continue on a little bit further. We know the way back, so we should be fine..." Utsusemi looked to Akarei. "As long as we don't try anything too foolhardy, I will accompany you further."

The redhead's eyes widened behind her mask. She turned back to the path to conceal her embarrassingly flushed cheeks. "I do not intend on attempting anything foolish," she declared, "I am certain of the path back as well. It would be no trouble for me to continue on this journey alone."

"Very well, but I won't let you go alone, Yogo-san," Utsusemi said with a firm nod, before looking back to Kenzo. "Be safe then, Kenzo-san."

Kenzo looked at them, struggling to maintain his neutral expression. His discomfort was clear. He so much wanted to stay with them. And yet, he felt compelled to keep his word to Gusai-sama.

Finally he nodded. "Very well." He said. "Look out for each other. And please, be careful." He tilted his head inquisitively. "Do you have everything you need? I have extra food and water."

Once they'd taken what they wanted, he would leave, giving a last glance over his shoulder as he did.

/exit, unless messed with

/Scene, LA Here!