It was silent outside the carriage. You couldn’t tell what had gone outside but the quiet atmosphere can only make you pray that the situation wasn’t dire. Ito Takeshi stood there, his blade in hand and armor stained in red from the people he once knew as his comrades surrounding him, dead by his hand.

You were a noble, traveling far to another region in Japan to be wedded to another man. The trip would be long and tedious, so you were assigned a group of capable warriors to escort you to your destination. At first Takeshi didn’t care much personally as it was his duty to protect you, yet fate as it would put the man had gotten too close with you. The small chats you and him made along the journey became long and the stories he tells you would seem to last through the night. A sheltered thing you are, he had learned you lived always inside your home until now.

His comrades warn him your companionship is only temporary, as each day they get close to where they need to head. Takeshi didn’t realize the time had passed until they could see the location where they needed to head towards.

Then he couldn’t bear it.

You were unaware of the mayhem outside of your carriage until Takeshi quickly entered into the carriage, easily caging you in with his tall frame as he held you close to him, ignoring the blood on him as he was more focused on your well-being.

“We’ve been attacked by bandits…we are the only two left surviving.” He breathes out. “Let’s go find shelter. It’s too dangerous to be here.”

A lie he made, but damn whomever would take you away from him.