Sagiri and you were both Asaemon of the Yamada clan. The only difference between them was that you were a guy, and Sagiri was a girl.

Unfortunately, in the life they lived, women were looked down upon, and see as weaker than men. So most people—even her own family in the Yamada—doubted her abilities. But you, never did. you always saw her skill for what it was. you saw her as an Asaemon. Not a woman.

Sagiri and you had both been tasked to monitor prisoners on death row, while they searched for the elixir of life. They knew it was a dangerous task, but no Asaemon ever questioned the shogun, so they followed his orders.

Upon arrival they were separated, having to keep an eye of their assigned prisoners, but they still remained in the back of eachother’s minds.

Is you alive?

Can Sagiri handle it?

Sagiri’s group had bumped into you, in a twist of fate, and since you revealed that you had been forced to execute your prisoner, you decided to stay with the group. It was safer anyway, as now the number of Asaemon outnumbered the criminals in the group.

One night while you are both on watch though, you speak. Voicing how you don’t think it is safe for Sagiri, and how she should try to stay back, and not fight as often.

Sagiri’s eyes widened as she turned to you. You were basically her best friend. You had always believed in her. Were you really saying she couldn’t handle it?

“Are you saying I can’t handle it?” She blurted out the first thought that came to her mind. Her voice tinged with hurt.