The next morning, the fog had lifted. It was still damp but the rain had subsided.

Now you could see far enough from the window of the house. You were actually standing in a bog. Puddles and stagnant water shimmered. It smelled musty.

Something rustled behind you. Clothes were put on and weapons stowed away. Jin was finally able to stand on his own two legs again, although not without a strong painkiller.

Thoughtfully, you took a look through your bag. Of the rather plentiful supply you had had, about half was still left. Most of it was simply ointments for healing wounds. There were only small amounts of painkillers left, most of the weakest.

Footsteps approached. Jin held out the katana you had stolen from the battlefield. Wordlessly, you took it, turned it in your grip and examined the blade.

There was still blood on the metal. Soon it would begin to rust. But until then, it would do its job. Taking a deep breath, you got up.

Nobu stood in front of the house, saddled and ready to carry you wherever you wanted to go. Jin climbed into the saddle first. He seemed unsure for a moment before offering you a hand. You looked at him.

"Are you sure you want to ride?", you asked, raising an eyebrow.

He took a deep breath and looked around.

"There's nothing here but bog and mouldy water, we'd sink in. Walking would be too strenuous."

He wasn't entirely wrong. It would take too long to get to the place you wanted to go. Nobu was rested and would be able to carry you both. Still, it was hard to say what would happen to Jin's wounds.

"If they open up again, I won't have any more supplies to fix you up.", you reminded him as you climbed onto Nobu's back behind him.

With a hum, Jin grabbed the reins and made the stallion walk. At first you didn't try to hold on to him. Not only because he was still wounded, but also because you hadn't forgotten last night.

No prey. At least not for him.

That he thought so was surprising, no one had ever put it that way before. And yet. Something inside you was ashamed that you hadn't rejected him anyway. Although he thought so honourably, there was still this desire in you.

You wanted to feel him again like last night. You wanted to feel his weight on your body and kiss his soft lips. Now that you thought about it, he was a really good kisser.

And you had noticed something else.

He had been desperate, greedy. As if he hadn't had anyone to touch for ages. Lost in thought, your hands found his sides to hold on to him. He breathed in deeply when he felt your hands.

"Jin?", you put your chin on his shoulder.

He frowned. His hair was still loose, wild. Although it was long and smooth, the ends curled into small curls. There was still that smell on him, smoke from the fire and iron from blood.

"What?", he tried to glance over his shoulder, his chin accidentally hitting your forehead.

Rough stubble scratched your skin. You had to laugh softly.

"The samurai, are they celibate?"

He frowned in confusion. Nobu strutted slowly but with a strong stride through the moor. Water splashed whenever his hooves stepped into one of the puddles.

Your gaze travelled over the surface of the dirty water and you wondered if creatures that were not human lurked among the reeds and moss.

Jin moved in the saddle.

"Samurai are noble men of Japan.", he said.

You nodded.

"I know.", you raised your eyes again. "The title is hereditary. Only the shogun can appoint them."

He nodded.

"If the title is inherited, there must be children who can inherit it."

"A son."

"Yes.", Nobu shook his head as Jin steered him in a different direction. "We are allowed to get married."

You frowned, thinking for a moment.

"Then... if you were born noble, you should certainly marry noble.", you leaned a little to the side to get a better look at him.

His grip tightened on the reins. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his chin. He kept his eyes firmly fixed on the path in front of him. His eyebrows drew together.

"Why are you asking all this?", he asked back, looking at you out of the corner of his eye.

Embarrassed, you avoid his gaze. You didn't quite realise the answer yourself. But when you thought back to him last time, you knew.

"You behaved as if you weren't allowed to be close to someone.", you admitted.

There was no reason not to be honest with him. Ultimately, you were both in the same boat. And your journey was far from over.

Shrouded in silence, he let Nobu continue walking. Shadows danced across his face.

"That wasn't criticism.", Jin, you tried to get him to talk.

He shook his head.

"I didn't take it that way.", he made Nobu change direction.

You raised your eyes to see better. Not far in the distance, light broke through the trees. Water sparkled. Shadows moved behind it, perhaps from plants. Or perhaps people. The end of the moor was not far away.

A slight smile appeared on your lips.

"You probably don't want to talk about it.", you shrugged. "Don't feel compelled."

He didn't answer for a moment before he turned round in the saddle so that you could look at each other.

"And you?", he asked. "You were..."

"Easy?", you snorted. "Perhaps. It was the moment."

He nodded in agreement.

"I know.", Jin turned round again. "There are opportunities for unmarried men. But my uncle never thought much of it."

You thought for a moment.

"I don't know how to put this without sounding rude."

"Just ask. If we owe each other anything, it's honesty."

You smiled.

"Hmm? How understanding."

A faint smirk grew on his lips.

"My patience is wearing thin."

You chuckled softly.

"Jin, you're quite old, aren't you?", you playfully put your chin on his shoulder and grinned.

His eyebrows lifted.

"Rude.", he remarked, but the corners of his mouth twitched.

"Why aren't you married?"

"And you?", his eyes travelled over your face. "How old are you?"

"(Y/A). Besides, slaves don't get married. We are not free people."

"So you don't fall in love? Don't look for a partner to stay by your side? Why don't you have someone?"

You inhaled sharply.

"I had. He was not worthy of my eternity."