Yasu left the slave owner and his guards without giving them any answers.  The brawny slave walked silently behind Yasu, protecting him as they walk out of the slave market. 

Suddenly a little boy follows and runs after Yasu.  Yasu had forgotten to pay the little boy for his earrend.  It was only when they stopped next to the medical hall that Yasu saw the little boy.  He motioned for the little boy to come closer. When the boy was close, Yasu bent down to speak to him. 

"Sorry.  It was my fault for forgetting my promise to you.  Good thing you remembered and followed me. Here, 10 silver coins for your job well done.  And for forgetting about our deal, take another 5 silvers. Protect your earnings." 

Yasu watched as the young boy quickly ran off.  He disappeared into the crowded marketplace without looking back. 

Yasu handed the reins over to the brawny man. 

"Wait for me here." Yasu order before entering the medical hall.  After buying the necessary ingredients, he leaves the medical hall to see that the slave he just bought was standing exactly where he was left. 

"Follow me."  Yasu ordered as he went from store to store, buying what he needed.  Then they checked into an inn. 

Yasu and the brawny man placed all of the things he bought on the table. 

"What's your name?" 

The man had not looked up at Yasu since they left the slave market.  

"You have a name?  What did your parents call you?" 

"I'm an orphan, with an unlucky name.  Master can name me what you desire."

"Then I'll name you Gin.  Meaning silver. Because I bought you for 5 silver coins."  Yasu said as he sat down. "Technically, I spent 500 gold and 21silver coins to obtain you."

(A/N: in Japanese: 銀, pronounced Gin, means silver)

"This slave Gin, greets Master."  Gin said as he bowed. 

"The proprietor has prepared a bath.  Go take a bath and clean yourself well."  Yasu told Gin.

Gin's fist squeezed quickly, but he didn't say a thing.  He turns around and enters the bath without a complaint. 

After washing and soaking in the bathtub, Gin comes back with only a towel around his waist.  The dirty rags that he wore is folded neatly in his hand.   

"Put the rags on the table and go lay down on the bed."  Yasu ordered Gin without looking up from the supplies he bought. 

Gin clenches his teeth, but does what he's told.  His stiff body lays down as his eyes glues itself onto the ceiling, waiting for his new Master to ravage his body. 

At first he had thought that his new Master was an honest man, when he spoke to the young boy. But know Gin knew that his new Master was nothing by a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Gin prepared himself for the pain and assault. However it never came. 

Instead, his Master came to his side and began sticking him with acupuncture needles. 

"What...what are you doing?"  Gin asked as he looked at his Master's concentrated eyes. 

"Isolating your poison and suppressing your pain sensors."

"W...why?"

"Curing you of your poison."  Yasu told him as stood back up to go back to the table.  Yasu began grinding the dried medicinal herbs together in the mortar and pestle.  He added hot water and mixed it together. After it cools Yasu began making small rounded pills from the mixture. 

"You...you're going to cure me?"  Gin couldn't believe his eyes. His Master kept telling everyone that there would be no one who would save their poisoned slave.  That he was a dead man walking. That he was only worth 5 silver. Why would his Master spend money on medicine for him?  

Yasu placed the first pill inside of Gin's mouth and fed him some medicinal tea. 

"I have suppressed your pain sensors as much as I can, however, you'll still feel some discomfort and pain.  Please bare with it. Once the poison is treated, it will be worth it in the end." Yasu told him. "Sleep. I will come back later." 

Yasu left the room, before locking the door.  Gin could only lay still with disbelief. Was he dreaming or was this reality?   He had thought that his Master was a wolf in sheep's clothing, however it turned out to be false.  His new Master was a saint. Truly a saint. 

When Yasu came back, he help feed Gin some rich chicken porridge, before feeding him another pill.  As Gin rested on the bed, Yasu stayed by the table and sewed quietly, checking on Gin every four hours and feeding him another dose of the pill he made to cure Gin. 

Yasu went out to get food for Gin and came back to take care of Gin when his body was fighting with the poison.  Gin was in and out of consciousness, his body was reacting to the poison and the cure that was given to him. He could only do as he was told, as food and medicine entered his mouth.  When he needed to use the bathroom, Yasu helped him without complaint or distain. 

After four days of his treatment, he woke up to Yasu wiping his body down with warm water.

"Master."  Gin croaked out. 

"Everything is well."  Yasu told him ask he kept wiping him down with the medicated water.  "The poison has been treated well and your body is free of poison. Rest for now, you need your strength.  I'll be here if you need anything." 

Gin fell back asleep with Yasu's comforting words.  The next time he opened his eyes, he saw his Master sewing quietly by the window.  The sunlight shined brightly onto his pearlescent skin. The air of a calm, noble, beauty was enchanting to Gin.  Who is his new Master? He wanted to know more about him. 

"Awake?"  Yasu asked as he looks over at Gin. 

"Mhmm."  Gin hummed in agreement. 

"Hungry?" 

"Mhmm." 

Yasu put down his work and went to the table.  He uncovered the warm meal that was delivered and brought it over to Gin.  Gin sat up and noticed that the acupuncture needles were gone and he was covered in a blanket. 

"Eat.  I'll call the proprietor to draw you a bath.  Go take a bath and change into a new set of clothes."  Yasu told him as he handed the warm bowl of chicken porridge with medicinal herbs.  Gin watched Yasu as Yasu went back to the window and began embroidering. The quiet atmosphere was comforting to him.  However he was wary that it was all an illusion. His new Master would change and begin mistreating him. It happened in the past, it can happen again. 

Yasu ate his porridge slowly watching his new Master with a veiled expression.  His long yet masuline hands were soft and elegant as it pulled silk threads in and out of the silk screen.  Gin watched Yasu as if he was hypnotized. 

"That bath water will be cold if you don't go now."  Yasu told Gin. 

Gin's face lit up pink with embarrassment. His Master caught him staring at him.  Gin placed the empty bowl to the side and saw a set of black clothing folded neatly beside him.  Without a word Gin grabs the new clothes and enters the bathing room. 

After washing up, he sits in the bathtub for a long time, trying to find out what kind of a man is his new Master.  Was he a Doctor? An embroiderer? A noble? Then why did he carry swords? His aura is of a martial fighter. He was a contradiction.  Gin couldn't figure him out. 

By the time Gin enters the room he shared with his Master, all of the things his Master bought was neatly packed away. 

"Ready?  Let's go."  Yasu said as he walks out of the room. 

Gin follows Yasu as they made their way to the weapons store, inside they look around. 

"Which of these weapons do you want?"  Yasu asked him. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Which of these weapons are you proficient in and want for yourself."  Yasu repeated. 

Gin's eyes widen in surprise before looking around for a dagger and a halberd.  The halberd had a large axe at the end and was well balanced. Yasu didn't give Gin any time to ask how much the weapons cost and bought it right away with a bow and arrows for himself. 

Yasu then went to buy a horse for Gin, the brown steed had hints of red in his coat and was strong.  Afterwards they rode out of town, leaving behind their first memories of each other. 

After five miles, Yasu turns towards Gin and reaches into his sleeve.  Pulling out a piece of paper and he handed it to Gin. Gin accepts the paper and opens it up.  Upon reading the contents Gin was even more silent than before. He was in disbelief. 

Suddenly a dark object headed towards his head.  Gin quickly caught the black object and felt how heavy the bag of money is.

"What's the meaning of this?"  Gin asked as he held the paper and the bag of coins in his hands. 

"Exactly what that paper represents.  You're a free man." Yasu told him. 

"I don't understand, Master." 

"I'm not your Master and you're no longer a slave. You're free to do what you wish."  Yasu told him. 

Gin couldn't believe his ears nor his eyes.  His suddenly became lost in his thoughts and his horse slowed down to a stop. 

A free man?  No longer a slave?  How can this be? His Master bought him, a poisoned man to cure him, take care of him, then let him leave.  Just like that? Without asking for anything back? There was no free meal in this life. No giving and selfless person, such as his Master.  This must be a trick!?! 

Was his Master testing him and his loyalty?  It must be! How can someone just let their slave go, arming them with weapons, a horse and giving them money.   It just didn't make any sense. 

Not only that, but Gin didn't feel right about his Master being so giving towards him without asking for anything in return.  His Master saved his life, how can he not repay his Master? 

Seeing how Gin was left behind, Gin quickly caught up to Yasu. 

"Master."  Gin shouted. 

"I'm not your Master."  Yasu reminded him. 

"Then what should I call you?" 

Yasu hesitated.  His first name 'Yasu' was common, but his last name 'Mori' was well known throughout the land. 

"Yasu." 

"Master Yasu." 

"Just call me Yasu.  I'm not your Master or anyone's Master." 

"Yasu."  Gin called out.  "I don't know how to thank you for your generosity." 

"A simple 'thank you' is enough." 

"But, how can I pay you back?" 

"Did I ask for a payment?" 

"No, but I can't live well knowing that you've saved my life and asked for nothing in return.  That is why I've decided to follow you wherever you go and be loyal to you and only you." 

"I don't need you following me."  Yasu denied him. He didn't want to drag an innocent man into his revenge plans. 

"Well, seeing how I'm a free man, I'll just ride on this road, beside you."  Gin said as he looked at Yasu. Because Yasu had a beard, Gin couldn't tell if Yasu was as young as his skin and eyes looked, or older by a few years. 

"Do what you want then."  Yasu said. If Gin wanted to follow him into hell, then it was Gin's decision.  Yasu had already set Gin free and gave him enough money, weapons to protect himself and a horse to travel. 

They traveled on the main road, in silence.  They were alert  to their surroundings for are many thieves hiding by the road. Ready to rob and kill the many travelers and merchants. 

Although Gin asked about Yasu's past, Yasu did not share it with Gin.  Instead it was Gin who shared his past with Yasu. 

"I grew up in an orphanage and joined the army when I was 14 years old.  The orphanage wasn't a good place to be raised in, but I survived and left when things got really bad.  At least in the army there was hot food, a bed, clothes on my back. Not only that, but I was paid yearly for my services. 

"Everything was going well until five years ago.  Suddenly there was an invasion and I was dispatched to the front lines.  In my platoon, I was considered the best. With me leading the front lines we did broke through their defense. However, in time my strength left me and I received many wounds.  I remember falling to the ground, tired, bleeding and unwilling to accept that I was dying. 

"The darkness surrounded me and when I woke up again, I was traveling in a cart with other slaves.  My armor and sword was gone and my clothes were dirty. Luckily there was a doctor in the cart who saved my life.  When I told the slavers that I was a free man and a soldier for the country, they didn't believe me, but instead added more chains to my wrist.  We were chained to one another, gathering more slaves as we traveled and being sold to the highest bidder.

"I had two Masters before you.  The first wanted me to be his bodyguard. He was kind at first, yet it wasn't until later that I found out that he was a cruel man who liked to rape young boys.  I killed him and ran away. My luck was bad and I was caught again. My second Master is someone you met already.  He is the owner from the slave market, where you bought me." 

"It was he who poisoned you?"  Yasu asked. 

"How did you know?"  Gin asked with a surprised expression.  "He was the one who poisoned me. He...." 

Gin stopped what he began to say.  The wounds were still too raw for him.  He still has nightmares about it. 

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."  Yasu told him. 

"It's not that I don't want to...." 

"I understand.  Just tell me what you can and when you're ready to tell me the rest, you can tell me your story then." 

Gin felt a rush of emotions.  Gratefulness. Kindness. Sorrow.  Forgiveness. The stone stuck in his heart was slowly being dislodged by the gentle and kind Yasu. 

"He did things to me... and when I didn't agree to his wishes, he poisoned me.  He threatened me that he would sell me without a cure, that I'll die without him.  He was trying to force me to accept his demand. That's why I was there at the slaver's market at the auction stage." 

Yasu pulled the reins that he was holding and stopped his horse.  Yasu turned towards Gin and his gaze was steady and cold. 

"Do you want to kill him?"  Yasu asked. 

"Seriously?"  Gin asked Yasu with a sense of surprise and doubt. 

"Mhmm.  If you want to kill him, I'll help you."  Yasu told him. 

"But you're a doctor, you're only supposed to heal the sick." 

"I never said I was a doctor."  Yasu told him. 

"Then what are you?" Gin asked. 

"Nobody."  Yasu told him.  "Just a man who wants to help another man take revenge for the evil things that has been done to you." 

Seeing the indecisive nature of Gin, Yasu spoke.

"If you want revenge, we can turn back and I'll help you.  If you want to move on with your life, we can continue on this road."  Yasu offered to him. 

Gin thought long and hard. In the end he made his decision.  

"Truthfully, I've never killed anyone in cold blood before.  I don't know if I have the ability to do it when the time comes.  I want to move on with my life. Let's continue on this road and should I meet him in the future, I'll take it as a sign from God that I'm meant to kill him."

"Very well."  Yasu said as they continued on the road towards the capital.  Five days later, that sign from God came straight to them.