1.5...

"What do you mean you're leaving!?" exclaimed Kairi in shock. She stood and watched Ashitaka silently continue knotting the straps on his breastplate. "Well, if you have to go, at least let me come with–"

"No!" the Samurai of the Wolf said sternly. "I need you to stay and look after the dojo."

"Master, some one else can do that. I am going to come with you," Kairi declared.

"Listen Kairi, I appreciate your concern, but I have to do this alone. Each Samurai must find their own path to honor, you know that. This is mine," Ashitaka said looking deep into Kairi's green eyes.

"And my path to honor is to go with you Master and give you company on your path, not stand here and wait," said Kairi. My path is being at the side of the man I love, Ashitaka, thought the young Samurai of the Owl.

Ashitaka stood for a minute, thinking and continuing to look into her eyes. There was some form of passion burning in her eyes, as if the journey was something that she lived for. As if it was something that she would lay her own life down to protect. "Get your things, we leave in an hour. Also, tell Reece he is in charge, and tell him to have Boxman lead the kata every day."

Sorry for the short one. I decided to split the section here while I try to write the next. Plus, it was getting to be too long of a wait for the next part. At least, I think so.