after a brutal quest {{char}} and their party finally settled down in a tavern. the air was thick with roasting meat and, woodsmoke, and stale ale. Lantern light flickered against the wall scarred by decades of rowdy patrons. guest eased into the cracked leather booth, armor battered dust still clinging to their cloak. their shoulder dropped for the first time in days. Satsuki slammed her gauntleted palm on the table mugs clattering. Satsuki: i was starting to think that dragon would never stop moving. i wanted to-- rumi gently cut in smoothing her robes her green eyes full of worry Rumi: -kill it before it killed you? Satsuki scoffed crossing her arms. but didn't argue. Rumi slid a warm mug toward {{user}} fingers trembling slightly across from them Rukia stood still, half cloaked in shadow. her gaze scanning the room

Satsuki chuckled, running her fingers through her black hair before taking the mug Rumi offered. "I suppose you're right, Kaito. But after all that... I just feel like we need a break." She took a long drink of ale, eyes flickering over to Rukia as she spoke. The assassin woman seemed tense, even for her usual self. Satsuki couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her head.

Rukia's eyes narrowed as she watched the patrons, her hands twitching slightly where they rested on her hips. "I don't like it here," she muttered under her breath. "Too... open." She glanced at Satsuki and Rumi before looking back to Kaito, a small smile playing on her lips. "But I trust you, Kaito."

"We should probably get some rest soon," Satsuki suggested, nodding towards the innkeeper as he waved over their way. "

"Very well," Rukia agreed, her expression unreadable as she pushed herself away from the table and stood up gracefully. Satsuki rose soon after, throwing a few coins at their empty mugs before leading the group out of the tavern and into the night. The assassin walked beside Kaito, her body tense with readiness, while Rumi trailed behind them, her eyes darting nervously from side to side as she surveyed their surroundings.

"Are you sure we can't just rest here?"

Satsuki shot Rumi a reassuring smile as they continued down the darkened street. "We'll find somewhere safe and comfortable, don't worry." The elf didn't seem convinced, but she nodded nonetheless. "You know," Satsuki began conversationally, casting a sidelong glance at Rukia as they walked, "I never did ask how you two ended up joining our little group."

Rumi perked up at this, her ears twitching. "Oh, do tell!"

Rukia let out a small sigh before speaking up, "I've been traveling on my own for quite some time now, searching for someone...or something." She paused, her gaze drifting off into the distance as if remembering an old memory. "When I heard about this village being terrorized by that dragon, I figured it was worth checking out. As for Satsuki..." she glanced at the warrior woman beside them, "...she found me passed out in an alleyway one night and decided to take pity on me."

Rukia smirked at Satsuki's indignant expression before shrugging. "I wasn't going to argue with someone who looked like they could probably beat me up." She chuckled lightly and glanced back at Rumi. "And as for her," she nodded toward the elf, "I met her while we were both searching for supplies in a nearby town. She seemed...different from most of the others there. I figured she might be useful to have around."

Satsuki took the coin pouch with a nod, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied it for a moment before stuffing it into her own belt. "Very well," she agreed reluctantly. "But don't take too long, Kaito." Rukia smiled and inclined her head in agreement before they turned to go towards the inn, leaving Kaito with Rumi at his side. The elf looked up at him with big, trusting eyes as they walked, a small blush dusting her cheeks. "

Rumi's blush deepened at the compliment, her cheeks flushing brightly as she ducked her head shyly. "Thank you, Kaito," she said softly. "It was my honor to fight alongside such brave and skilled warriors." She squeezed his hand reassuringly before pausing, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But don't worry, I won't let you get hurt again."

Rumi smiled sweetly at the mention of Satsuki and nodded in agreement. "Yes, let's make sure they are well taken care of," she said as they approached the inn where their companions had already gone to arrange rooms. As they stepped inside, the warmth and noise enveloped them like a comforting blanket, making it easy for Rumi to forget the dangers that lurked just beyond these walls. She couldn't help but feel grateful to Kaito for bringing her into this group;

Rumi smiled softly at the sound of his yawn and gently took his hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Come on," she said warmly, leading him over to where Satsuki and Rukia were arguing with an innkeeper about room availability. "Let's find some rooms for the night." As they joined the others, Rumi couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her; for now, at least, they were safe and together.

Satsuki glanced over her shoulder at Kaito as he approached, irritation flashing briefly across her features before she schooled it into a neutral expression. "We were just trying to figure out which rooms would be best for us," she explained curtly. Rukia shot the warrior woman a look from the corner of her eye before turning back to the innkeeper, her tone remaining cool and collected as she continued negotiating.

Rumi smiled at Kaito, trying to diffuse the tension in the air. "

Satsuki rolled her eyes and let out a sigh before responding, "There's plenty of rooms, but Rukia here seems to think we should have our own." She gestured towards the assassin woman, who arched an eyebrow at Satsuki in challenge. The warrior woman ignored it, instead turning her attention back to Kaito with a small smile. "I'm sure we can all share one room just fine," she said reassuringly.

Satsuki glanced at Rumi, who looked uncharacteristically nervous. "Well, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..." she began hesitantly before trailing off, her gaze shifting back to Kaito. He seemed genuinely concerned about their comfort, and perhaps that was enough for her to put aside her earlier annoyance. Rukia remained silent but nodded slightly in agreement.

"Very well," Satsuki said at last, offering a small smile. "We'll share a room with you."

The innkeeper led them to a small but cozy-looking room at the end of the hallway. It had two large beds, a small table between them, and a window that looked out over the village square. "This should suit you fine, sir," he said with a bow before departing to attend to another customer.

Rumi glanced around nervously before speaking up, her voice quiet and shy. "It's very nice... thank you."

Rukia glanced at Rumi out of the corner of her eye before turning back to Kaito with a small smile. "Thank you, Kaito." She looked genuinely grateful for his words, and there was an almost shy quality to her expression that made it hard for Satsuki not to feel a little guilty about being annoyed with the assassin earlier. The warrior woman cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "Well, let's get settled in before we all pass out from exhaustion."