Heavenfall

Umeno smirked a bit. "You... may ask, yes." That was all she said for a long moment, going about her brunch. Finally however, she decided she should add to her words a little.

"He traveled through Kuwagaya lands and I followed him. That's really the be all of it. Kind of a boring story, I know."

"No grand story of him rescuing you? Or you rescuing him? No stealing his boots in the night? Or anything else?"

There was another long pause as Umeno ate. Finally, she shook her head. "I... suppose in a way you could say he saved my life, but I don't think it's as grand as all that." A small smirk touched the girl's lips. "Besides, no way anyone could steal that man's boots, or anything else, even in the middle of the night. Sense's like a hawk."

"Huh. Is he coming on this little trip?"

Umeno shook her head. "No, he's not. Not really a warrior sort, and he knows his siblings would do better. Sent me though, for what it's worth."

There was a touch of bitter humor to her words, but it was a sort of humor all the same.

"So, what you're saying is, he knows the limits of his skills, didn't make any promises about coming, like I did, and sent his best representative?"

"Yes, yes, and dunno." She gave a shrug, then turned the conversation around. "What sort of promise did y' make?"

"That I would support Reiko on her quest to free the tortured and bound god. Which is what I'm doing."

Umeno frowned a touch in thoughtfulness for a moment. "I take it she's another of the Isawa? Well, I don't know about promises like that, I try to avoid them, but if you're both keen on this business, far be it from me to stop you. Seems to be more than a few around here that are more than ready to become heroes to rescue this 'lost brother'."

"She was Isawa at the time. Not any longer. She says now she is betrothed to the captured god. And at the time I was remembering when I had been caught in a mine collapse, and she described his circumstances such that I felt sympathy, or empathy for him. So made the promise. But I also have a wife and 3 children to go back home to. No heroics for me!"

Umeno gave a grunt. "Good. I like to know that at least one of my traveling companions has some common sense and self preservation in them."

"Still... all of this talk of a chained Heaven Being, married over long distances, guided by his siblings to go rescue him... and from what?" The girl shook her head firmly. "I'm certain you understand it more than I do Kyosei, but as far as I'm concerned, this is all some mystical fool's errand. U think my lord Bayushi would appreciate his brother back, but that he doesn't believe it'll be just a walk down the road either. If it weren't for the compassion of the Emperor and Shinjo, I'm certain he'd approach this with far more caution... as would I."

"Caution is always good. How would you go about seeing to making this expedition more careful? How can you see that we maximize it's chances?"

"Well, for starters, what do we even know about who has this Celestial brother captured," she said with a furrowed brow. "You said he's chained up, but what can chain up one of the Kami? If it's a group, they must be a strong group, one that would take more people and supplies to deal with. If it was a single being instead, I'm not certain what a rag tag group of glory seekers is supposed to do against them. I may be a lot more muscle than brains, but even I know the benefits of reconnaissance and planning."

"So, you think we need to send out scouts, then? I am not one leading here, but I would hope that those leaders have done so. And I have already met a non-Human, who lived near to where the god is fallen, and suffered from that fall, and the monsters ever since. And I think it is those demons that . . . being, that what did he call himself, that nezumi... that are keeping the god captive."

She shook her head. "You think, they might have... those aren't definitive answers Kyosei, and you know it." She chewed on a new edamame before continuing. "All things considered, I'm certain that the Kami know a bit more about the situation than we do, but that doesn't mean I feel any better not knowing myself. I like knowing what I'm getting into, and so far... I don't, supposition aside."

"You're right, I don't know. Only hope. I know Reiko, and she has been planning for this for the past 5 years. So, I can only hope her preparations were sufficient."

"I'm certain she'll be fine with that much preparation. It's just the same for the Kami I bet. Call me selfish, but it's myself I'm concerned about though. I've had maybe five days, not five years."

"That's certainly a fair way to think. What preparations have you accomplished, then?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Other than taking my usual traveling gear with me? Nothing. I can certainly help prepare supplies later for others, but as far as I know, I have all I need. All the more reason I wish to know the full situation of the journey."

"Have you enough food then? How do you know how much might be needed for yourself? Have you scouted the route yourself already? Spoken to others from that area? I ask to see if I might learn from you."