So, this was how things were going to be.<br/><br/>She looked ahead into the night, knowing that this would be her last time in a place like this. She had noticed the subtle differences in the paths, seeing how it from worn to clearly visible. It was strange how one side of a forest could be different than another, but that was the funny thing about forests. Then again a forest could be a personâ€™s worst nightmare, luckily for her, she had always enjoyed the wonders and surprises that forests had. Nothing was more terrifying than the village she had lived in all her life or maybe she was wrong. Perhaps what was outside of the village would be far worse, she had no idea. She would simply just have to see for herself. She gulped a bit, trying to somehow make her throat not so dry. Not like that was helping, but it had been worth a shot.<br/><br/>The scent of another hit her senses and she stilled briefly, before relaxing. Of course her father would send someone after her. There was no doubt about it. The villagers simply could not understand why he decided to keep her around. Though was it really necessary from them to know? As the Daimyo of the province, the villagers never hesitated to answer his requests. They never once questioned a man with a higher status than them; they were such obedient servants to him. It was sad that she would have to agree that she was like that too. But that was simply how things worked in the quaint, little village she had lived in. Whatever was asked of her, she would do out of fear of punishment. She wondered if she could ever become something better than that, but that was a wish for another day. They had to continue to move.<br/><br/>Taking another deep breath, she composed herself, realizing that it was foolish of her to have this moment. It was making them waste time, something she had learned never to do. Butâ€¦this man was a patient one. Although there was a sense of great urgency to continue on, he allowed her a break to compose herself. Something that would have gotten her in trouble before, but that was the pastâ€¦wasnâ€™t it? She had no need to fear of being harmed by another right? Oh, it would have been wonderful if she could truly feel that way, but it was hard to not think such thoughts. Especially since those thoughts shrouded her mind frequently for the past twenty-one years. She was still a bit reluctant to give him all of her trust, but he had brought her this far without harming her. Perhaps she should be further inclined to appreciate all the effort he took to come and save her. It was the least she could do. As well as offer a little more trust to him, but she was still reluctant, out of habit.<br/><br/>â€œWe shall proceed now,â€ she stated gently as she tucked her hair behind her ear.<br/><br/>It was easy to guess that they would be leaving the forest soon; therefore she had to keep herself calm at all possible times. She did not know what to expect when she reached the new village. She obediently followed behind the male, wondering what his plans were. Would she even be permitted to know of these things? Women were not allowed to know what men were thinking and it wasnâ€™t proper to ask for such thoughts. Let alone she was an Oni woman, therefore she had no right for any knowledge of any kind. Though the male before her was different from the ones she had encountered before, she could say that she felt safe with him, but she didnâ€™t.<br/><br/>She had never known what safe was.<br/><br/>â€œWhat is it likeâ€¦outside of my village,â€ she called out to him. She knew not of the changing world outside of the forest, nor would she probably understand how everything could be soâ€¦different. She could hear things in the distance. Sounds that she had no idea how they came to be. She was frightened yet so very intrigued. She highly doubted that her fatherâ€™s men would understand it either, then again he probably knew more about the world than she did. She was sure of it. It was unsettling to think about, but she had wanted this. She had dreamt of it, it was now that she actually followed through with it. She would obtain freedom through the other and she would find a way to repay him, in some form or another.<br/><br/>â€œI am burdening you with many questions, but I feel it necessary to ask. Where are you taking me?â€ She was a bit hesitant to speak more, feeling as if she was being too bold with her words. â€œWill you permit me to know of the name I shall call you? I fear that if I call you something else, you will be most unsatisfied.â€<br/><br/>She stepped over a root sticking out from the ground, she was sure she would have more questions to ask him, she only hoped he would reply. Then again, he would probably abandon her as soon as they got far enough from the village. She would be left to her own devices, trying to figure out how to survive in the New World, as she had so named it. A frown touched her lips as she thought about it, doubt filling her mind. This was a mistakeâ€¦wasnâ€™t it? She should have listened. She should have stayed. She would have never felt so conflicted if she had stayed in the village. What were a few more years of abuse and torture? Surely, it would be better than to be stuck in a foreign place.<br/><br/>Maybe she should turn back? Her fatherâ€™s men were waiting and planning on ways to take her back anyway. Would it not be easier than to just give up and surrender herself to them? The male was wasting his time with all of this chivalry. If he were to disappearâ€¦she would simply head back to that forsaken place and eventually dying by the hands of her beloved father. Such a morbid and depressing mind she had but it simply could not be helped. If she could only allow herself to be brave, rather than conflicted with so many emotions, then this would not have been so bad. And yet it was.<br/><br/>â€œWhen we arrive to our destinationâ€¦â€ she paused trying to find the correct words to place. â€œYou will be leaving, is that not correct?â€ She did not want to be left in the hands of a person she did not know. She had already decided to risk her life and follow her savior. She could not even begin to think of what kind of person had wanted to rescue her though the results were not pleasant. If she put all her trust into the other then it would be rather difficult to depart from him. Not saying that she would be romantically attached, she would merely not want to have the only feeling of safety she had so brutally taking away from her.<br/><br/>She was unable to socialize like a normal person; it was not in her blood. It was quite the feat that she had conquered in order to talk to the male. Then again she owed him as much as companionship on this journey that they were embarking upon. Then again, she was sure that he could do all of this in silence. Perhaps she was the one would needed a friend of some sort, after all she never had the opportunity to make one and it may as well be her last. She feared things would still not be easy for her once she began her new life.