THE WALK HOME
Honda soon decided he should make his way back to the fortress. He was walking through a canyon, minding his own business when two bandits ambushed him. His head still drooped in deep contemplation he withdrew his sword and made a few swipes lazily in the air and both the bandits fell. He put his sword away and continued to walk through the canyon, as if nothing had happened. Not even a fight could stir his heart anymore. He walked on and then froze, looked to the skies and called out "TETSU-KO", and out of nowhere a falcon came over one of the cliff faces and flew down to perch on his arm. He smiled, "Do you feel like hunting Tetsu-ko?" and the bird kawed to him. Finally they made it out of the canyon and Honda spotted a rabbit in the distance. "Mmmmm, lunch. Tetsu-ko, go!"
"Are you going to the festivities tonight Honda san?" Tomoe seemed to sneak up from behind him, but Honda knew he had been followed. "I hear that Yoshino Tayu will be making an appearance on stage. She is one of your favourite dancers isn't she?"
"I may go, would you care to join me for lunch?" The falcon had now returned to its perch on Honda's shoulder and had dropped a freshly killed rabbit at his feet.
"Oh! Ah! Umm, no thanks. I... ah... had a large breakfast." She walked along side him to the fortress. "The three dragon creatures, they will be fighting at the festival, and there may be a fighting tournament for you to show off your skills. The food will be delicious as always and if you want a rest, the geisha house is never too far away. Really, Honda san, you must come."
"Alright then!" They walked in through the main gates to the fortress. "But I must eat now. My stomach is longing to be filled with this delight." and he held up the rabbit's limp body. "Tetsu-ko agrees with me. We havent had a good meal together in a long time. I'm sure she has as many tales to tell as I have." With that, Honda walked off, leaving Tomoe in the main courtyard, surrounded by stages and stalls being prepared for that night. All the best entertainers and crafts and skilled fighters would be here tonight to honour the memory of Musashi.
Tomoe walked over to the famous Yoshino and watched her practice her routine on the stage that had been constructed for her and her understudies.
"Oh Tomoe san, I didn't notice you." Yoshino said as she bowed to the female warrior. "How may I help you?"
"Honda san has been low in spirits lately. I think he is questioning his place in this big mystery that seems to be going on. You are his favourite entertainer. Can you try to lighten him up tonight?" She replied and spoke up again before Yoshino could answer, "Thank you."
Yoshino shook her head and sighed deeply. "As you wish." She stood silently for a moment and just as Tomoe was about to walk away "...Tomoe san? I heard today that Musashi san had been spotted in the hills to the northeast near the cave that the Tamamayu Book was found. Do you believe it?"
"Don't believe everything you hear Yoshino san. It can get you in trouble if these words are hushed to the wrong people. But my answer is yes. Musashi is a survivor, and his body is still not found. He is alive somewhere."

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