He smiled at the question she posed.  Of course, to anyone who had not travelled the same path as he, his motives would seem strange, his headlong descent into chaos seemingly a futile attempt at petty revenge.  But it was much more than that.<br/><br/>"My lady, I do not expect you to understand.  I am samurai.  Our duty is our reason for being.  Without it we are nothing.  I do not do the bidding of my master on this journey, the duty I have sworn to keep is mine own, and nought but my death will prevent me from paying back the debt I owe, no matter the odds."<br/><br/>He reached to the heat of the pot, pouring himself some of the dark coloured liquid, his senses filled with its aroma, as well as the sweet blossom that seemed to float in the air whenever she appeared.  Bringing the cup to his lips with both hands, he drank of the scalding fluid, warmth and flavour flooding his mouth and throat.  The tea lifted him, permeating his core, and he turned back to the vision laid before him, smiling gently to himself at the soft noises escaping her throat as she ate from the tray of food she had provided.<br/><br/>"And you are mistaken if you feel you are intruding, your company is a most......pleasant distraction.  I do not remember a time when I have been the guest of a host more gracious or hospitable as you, or one so beautiful, if you'll excuse my bluntness," this last part said with a slight bow.  He did not wish to offend the woman, but seemed happy to share this moment with her.  Female company of any kind was rare, and his instinct told him that this was an experience unlikely to happen to him again.