Rei and Saya stepped off the gangplank onto the deck of the Soyokaze Maru. " Welcome aboard the Soyokaze Maru! I am Captain Akira Kosu, and I am very pleased to have you aboard" the captain, a muscular sailor, bowing.
" Thank you very much" said Rei, returning the bow.
" One of my sailors will take you to your room" he said.
A sailor dressed in a simple white kimono led the two women half way down the large structure in the middle of the ship and opened the door. The two women entered and saw their cabin was a very spartan affair, two hammocks and bucket to wash in. " Not exactly comfortable" said Rei.
" We'll be fine" said Saya, " at least we have hammocks."
" True" said Rei, " shall we go explore the ship?"
Saya nodded, Rei set down her satchel and the pair left their cabin behind.

It was a fairly standard river boat, shallower hull than the ocean vessels, two big sails sat in the middle of the ship with a large rudder that was manned by two in the rear. It looked sturdy enough to get them all the way up river even if the accommodations weren't exactly luxurious. The sailors were busily moving about the boat preparing to set sail.
Among the sailors were several others dressed in an array of styles and colours. Two men were wearing two swords each, they were samurai, their clothes were made of the finest clothe. Two other men were wearing large golden medallions around their necks signifying they were official couriers, both carrying round cylinders attached to shoulder straps, in those cylinders were messages from one kingdom to another. There was a greasy man who looked like a barrel of wine with stubby arms and legs, his balding head and pock marked face made him look like a fleshy toad but the woman at his side was the picture of grace and beauty, a truly gorgeous woman, what she was doing with the toad exemplified beauty was in the eye of the beholder or in the weight of his purse. There was an ancient man, toothless and wrinkled like an old apple left out too long, but he seemed lively and had a pleasant laugh which he let off frequently as he chatted with the other passengers. The last was a massive man, bigger than anyone else on the ship, his height may have been over six feet, broad shoulders and huge muscular arms. He carried two large machetes, and a long war bow with a quiver of arrows, the sash around his waist was heavily decorated with all manner of trophies, animal claws, and teeth, scalps of hair, and broken bits of metal. He had the look of a savage mercenary.
" All aboard" the first mate shouted as he rang a bell several times as the sailors hurried to untie the boat from its moorings.
The Soyokaze Maru was pushed away from the dock and the ship slowly moved into the water of the Kyokawa River to began its week long journey north. The Kyokawa was a massive river, wide and fast moving. The down river trip took only four days but heading upstream took seven of fighting the rushing waves.

The Soyokaze Maru lazily sailed up the river, the ship plowing through the current on the power of a refreshing wind. The sailing was excellent and Rei and Saya leaned against one of the railings to watch the world slowly float by. They chatted about nothing, Rei did most of the talking, about her travels, her medicine, and anything else. Saya added some to the conversation, not much but Rei expected that from a ninja. Finally as the sun turned the water a rich red colour a bell sounded across the ship signaling it was dinner time.

The main room in the center of the ship was the dining room, a long wooden table sat in the center with threadbare cushions around it. The captain and the other guests sat down to a simple meal of rice, fish, and some fresh fruit. " Welcome to the Soyokaze Maru" said Captain Kosu, " it is tradition aboard my boat for my guests to introduce themselves seeing that we are going to be spending a week together we should know each other."
Captain Kosu motioned to the first samurai, a pompos looking man whose swords no doubt were strictly for show, " I am Kisho Yamada, steward of my lord Togo Kagoshima's estates in Namaguichi" he announced, arrogance dripping from his voice.
" I am Renzo Watanabe" the fat greasy toad said, " I am a merchant from Kyuuto, the ship's hold is carrying my goods. This is my wife, Aki."
Aki gracefully bowed as Renzo ogled Rei. Rei felt extremely uneasy and even unclean just being leered at by this toad, a ship is a very small place she hoped she could stay far away him the rest of the trip. " I am Jizo, courier for Lord Keiyo" said the first courier.
" And I am Jondo" the other said, " courier to Lord of Namaguichi."
Neither of the couriers seemed interested in the others, they would probably make this trip another four times before the end of the year and would travel on four more boats with more strangers. " I'm Gi" said the toothless old man at the far end of the table, " I travel these rivers telling tales."
Rei introduced herself, and then did Saya, Rei's introduction was lively and friendly, Saya was cool and reserved. " My name is Mori Tokakawa" said the young samurai, " this is my bride Shion, we are heading to the hot springs for our honeymoon."
Shion smiled and bowed, for a bride Mori certainly chose a chubby girl. Finally they came to the big scary looking man who was sitting next to Captain Kosu. " My name is Jintiro" he said, his voice rolling like thunder and said no more.
For most of the meal Saya looked over at the man calling himself Jintiro. Rei didn't want to ask, she was starting to feel nosy asking Saya all these questions, she was a ninja after all, they are always wrapped in a cloak of secrets. Rei passed the time chatting with Gi, who was a funny old man with a host of excellent stories.

Dinner came to an end and the two women retired to their cabin. " Please allow me to inspect your injuries" said Rei.
Saya casually disrobed and stood naked before Rei. " You didn't have to take it all off" said Rei.
" I'm not shy" said Saya, wincing a bit as Rei inspected the wound in her side, " if it makes you uncomfortable."
" No, I am a physician" said Rei, she wanted to add that she liked it but didn't dare, " these are binding just fine, in a day or two you will no longer need bandages."
" Thank you" she said.
Their eyes met, a soft lingering feeling seem to hang in the air just daring one of them to make a move but neither dared. " Goodnight Rei" she said climbing into the top hammock.
Rei removed her clothes and slipped into her sleeping kimono, a loose black kimono. She climbed into the hammock and found it was incredibly difficult to get any sleep as the hammock slowly rocked back and forth and Rei's mind was filled to overflowing with thoughts about Saya.

Rei looked at it as her curse, her attraction to women. She never understood why, but she was only attracted to her own sex. She came from a family of four girls, the other three were normal, but Rei was the odd one out. Rei tried to fight it but it was impossible. Rei had few successful relationships, very few women were interested. She knew Saya wasn't, she wished very hard that she was but knew this was her burden to carry alone.

Dawn broke cold and misty, fall was beginning to give way to winter and as they traveled further north the more winter like it became. Rei wrapped herself tight in her white kimono with the black squares and made her way to the main room for breakfast. She found Saya already up and looking as composed as ever sipping at her breakfast tea. " Morning" said Rei.
" Morning" said Saya, she must have slept like the dead to look this rested.
Breakfast looked a lot like dinner, Rei suspected it was probably what was left over. Rei didn't mind, after being in the army and eating that indigestible garbage, even leftovers weren't so bad.
The rest of her day was spent tending the various aches and pains of all those onboard, from the scurvy of the sailors who dined too heavily on fish for their own good, to Shion's bladder infection, a common malady to newlywed when who were engaging in regular intercourse for the first time in their lives. Her medical services netted a good profit, she intended to pay for some of the journey when they reached Namaguichi so she would feel a great deal less like a freeloader.

After dinner Saya returned to the room early, Rei stayed behind very entertained by old man Gi. Finally she felt exhaustion take over and she returned to the cabin.
She should have knocked when she entered Saya was in an embarrassing position in her hammock. Rei knew the loneliness of the road and was no strange to the act either but she knew the embarrassment she'd feel if she had been walked in on. " Sorry" said Rei staring at her feet.
" It's alright" said Saya, " I'm finished."
" You don't need to stop" said Rei, " I can leave."
" No, no it's alright" said Saya, " I won't toss you out over this."
" I understand" said Rei, " I know how lonely travel can be. I could help."
Rei suddenly turned crimson red, she couldn't believe she let that slip. She wanted to turn and run, she wanted to crawl into the cargo hold and die. After the shock of the stupid statement had escaped her lips she started to turn to leave for awhile to wait for the situation to cool down. A hand was gently placed on her shoulder and she turned to see Saya smiling for the first time. It wasn't much of a smile, a sardonic smirk was more like it but Rei felt like she was being wrapped up in that wonderful smile. " I would like you to stay" she said, gently pulling at Rei's kimono sash.
Rei kissed Saya's bee stung lips, she kissed her with all the love she felt bursting from within her. Saya kissed back with equal passion, two wandering souls had finally found kindred in the other.

They formed a bond that night, a bond that would be stronger than tempered steel. They shared their joy of finally finding someone who was like them. Loneliness was washed away and love filled its place. The two women shared their love until dawn's first rays spilled in through the porthole.

They watched dawn rise on the floor, a hammock wouldn't be able to hold them both. They had taken all the bedding from both hammocks and made a very makeshift bed on the floor for them. They skipped breakfast in exchange for a few more hours together. Neither spoke, they didn't have to.

Afternoon was wearing on and the two women finally decided to get dressed. " I wish I knew" said Rei, gently putting her cloth wrap on.
" It doesn't matter" said Saya, her entire personality was warmer and friendly to Rei now, " what matters is we are together."
" May I ask does the Society allow this?" asked Rei.
Saya smiled, " Of course they do, I am a ninja not a priestess" she replied, " I have spent most of my life alone, I find woman are much more fickle than men when it comes to taking someone into their bed. Most find me too ugly on account of my neck."
" May I ask how you got it?" asked Rei, hoping not to spoil the moment.
" I have made only one mistake as a member of the Society" she said, " only one, and it cost me dear, that is why I didn't want you to see my scar before. I didn't want to turn you away."
" What is one little scar?" asked Rei, " you are too beautiful for me to be turned away by one little scar."
Saya kissed Rei again, " You are perfect my dear" said Saya, " our life will be wonderful together."
They exited their cabin and found that since they had been inside snow had fallen and now covered most of the ship with a beautiful blanket of white. They like most of the rest of the passengers enjoyed watching the peaceful flakes gently fall onto the vessel.

Deep in the cargo hold of the ship echoed with the sound of intense passion. Aki arched her back letting off a loud moan of climax as Jintiro greedily bite at her neck. He finished with a loud growl and pushed Aki away from him. " I want to see them" he said.
Aki smiled, she liked Jintiro's indifference she left her kimono wide open enticing him for another round but he wasn't interested now. Aki gently unrolled a bolt of cloth and produced an object wrapped in brown paper. She handed it to Jintiro and let him unwrap it.
Jintiro looked down at the objects and smiled, " They are very fresh" he said, " where did you get them?"
" I am a very talented woman" she said, " there is nothing I can't get."
Jintiro laughed, it sounded like rocks rumbling down a hillside. " This will do it, it certainly will" he said.
He grabbed the back of Aki's hair bun and pulled her head back so he could roughly kiss her. He pulled her kimono off and had her once more on the floor of the cargo hold. Renzo may be the face of the business but it was Aki and her many talents that made their business thrive.

As afternoon began to wane and the sun began to sink towards the cloudy horizon the Soyokaze Maru slowly rounded the bend in the river and all the sailors began to excitedly mutter to each other. In the sheltered bend in the river sat the town of Azarath but the entire town was dark and devoid of even the smallest sign of life. None of the buildings had their lamps lit and the large docks were all empty of even fishing vessels and their fire braziers were unlit and several had been knocked over on the docks. Something wicked had come to Azarath.