3rd person pov:
Once at the port of Kobe. Both find an inn for the night. Once all of their things have been moved into the room. The nameless man begins to start the fire for a bath.
"I'll go last. The warmth will help you heal faster."
Kei:"Are you sure?"
"Warm water hurts. So I'm alright with going next."
Keigo begins to strip once the water is up to temperature.
Kei:"I'll be out in a few minutes. While I'm gone. Think of a name. That way, it'll be easier to communicate."
Blue eyes look him up and down as keigo walks outside. Scars, bruises, and other wounds decorate his flesh.
"You've been through a lot in this past year."
Kei:"Hm? You say something?"
"It's nothing."
After keigo is in the bath. The bandages come off. Burns, scars, and fresh cuts line his body.
^One day soon. I'll make that basterd pay.^"What about Dabi?"
Kei:"Creamasion? Sounds like you're insulting yourself."
"It's clever when you think about what others think of me just on looks."
Kei:"If that's what you really want. I won't argue."
Keigo steps out and drys off with a cloth provided by the inn. Then he goes into the room and passes Dabi. This is the first time keigo has seen, and the sight makes Keigo's smile fade from his lips.
Kei:"Hey dabi, if you tell me who did it. I'll kill them on your behalf."
Dabi's eyes widen, and when he turns around. Keigo has gone back to the room.
When dabi returns to the room. He sees keigo asleep in the corner of the room. Giving him the futon.
Once keigo hears Dabi's breath slow. He opens an eye and goes back to the baths. That's when he sees something black that has dripped onto the stone.
With a sniff and rub between his fingers.
Kei:"Ink?"^He must dye his hair to stay hidden. Which means whoever hurt him. They are of high rank.^
Keigo sneaks back into the room and sits back in the corner. This time, sleeping light in case of an attack.
The next day starts, and dabi wakes up to keigo outside training. He rubs the sleep out of his eyes and sits up. When he looks out the open doors. He sees the bright sun shine on Keigo's body. Yet it has no scars. So dabi shakes his head and looks again. That's when he sees a more muscular body covered in wounds. So he looks down and smirks.
Dabi:"It really is you."
After keigo finishes. He eats a piece of the fruit that is provided by the inn.
Kei:"Eat up. You'll need the energy because we're heading out today."
Dabi:"Where are we going?"
Kai:"My next clue is in shibata. Another general is there that has answers."
Dabi:"What's his name?"
Kei:"He's an old friend. His name is Hizashi Yamada. Most call him mic as a nickname. With any luck. He'll tell me where I can find Oboro Shirakumo at."
Dabi:"Wait, are you after who I think you are? That's suicide!"
Kei:"I have to. It's the only way I can bring justice to those who killed my master."
With a light and playful bonk on the head. Dabi smiles and pulls Keigo close.
Dabi:"Lead the way."
As both travel north. Midnight has faught off many assassins, and lost many workers. Now she stands alone. Before morning comes. She is captured.
Elsewhere, jiro's father rests in his bed. Only to wake when he sees light outside his window. When he looks outside. Denki's body lays by the burning field. Then a arrow covered in flames hits his house. When he runs out. Samurai grab him and arrest him.
By morning, toga has arrived in kyoto to tell enji what has happened.
Natsuo is awake to hear her message. So he takes it to deliver it to his father. Only to take a peek inside.
Natsu:"He escaped?"
He reads more, and eyes light up with joy. He then hides the parchment.
Natsu:^Thank goodness I found this first. I'd better warn them, but how?^
Natsuo hears footsteps approaching. So he moves aside to let them pass.
Natsu:"Welcome back sensei. How was your traval?"
Aiz:"Not good. Looks like the ronin is just like his father."
Natsu:"What happened?"
Aiz:"People have been convinced that shogunate is abusing his power. So they are siding with takami. We've captured some of his supporters that have helped him gain power."
Natsu:^Not good. They're getting closer to you. Please be safe.^
Natsuo leaves the castle and heads north in hopes of finding his old friend before it's too late. Using his informates to track keigo down.
Two days pass and keigo arrives in a small village. One that he knows all too well. Houses are in shambles and children beg for food.
Kei:"hand me three to get food."
Dabi:"We can't carry that much- I see what you're doing. Be careful."
Kei:"I will don't worry."
He walks up to a shop that's selling baked goods and meat. Setting three gold on the wooden counter.
Kei:"How much will this get me?"
Ururaka:"Our entire supply worth for a years worth of food."
Kei:"consider this enough to feed everyone."
Urur:"Who are you?"
Keigo lifts his hat and she begins to cry.
Urur:"It's been so long since you've returned. How is your master?"
Keigo's smile fades as he lowers his hat.
Urur:"I see, well at least you're alright. Come eat and I'll go get your mother-"
Kei:"We won't be here long. So we'll take the food to go."
As keigo walks away. Ururaka pouts. So dabi walks up to her.
Dabi:"What happened?"
Urur:"I don't blame him for still being upset. After all, it was his mother's idea to sell him to the shogunate in good faith. How was she supposed to know that her husband would run away. Leaving little keigo to take his punishment. If she were to see how strong he's become. I'm sure it would lift her spirits."
Dabi:"How is she?"
Urur:"Not great. The doctors say this might be the last time she sees the cherry blossoms bloom."
Dabi grabs the food ururaka made them and runs to his side.
Kei:"Thanks for getting the food."
Dabi:"So if you want. We can take a look around. This is your home village right?"
Kei:"My home burned down a year ago. This place means nothing to me."
They continue to walk up a hill until they reach a field of flowers.
Dabi:"Let's rest here for a bit. It's a beautiful view point after all."
Dabi pluvks a flower and puts it on Keigo's hat. That's when both lock eyes and smile. Only to look away when an old lady yells at them.
"Get off my flowers! Don't you know how important these are to me!?"
As she goes to hit Dabi with the cane. Keiho catches it.
"How dare you. He's killed one of my babies! Oh I see. You're to blame. He hadn't have picked it if it wasn't for you!"
Kei:"That's enough. Don't you think you've hurt me enough mom?"
Dabi's eyes widen as the matted hair moves out of the way of seeing her face. Now old and sickly. She squint to see under the hat. That's when she recognizes him.
"Keigo?"
Kei:"Let's get going. We can rest somewhere else."
Keigo picks the flower off his hat and drops in.
Seeing this causes her to drop to her knees and cry.
"I........ I planted these for you! I never forgot what your favorite flower was. So I wanted to give you something beautiful to come back to! All this time.... YOU WERE NEVER OUT OF MY MIND!!"
keigo trembles and lowers his head before running away. As dabi is about to give chase. He hears a thump behind him. That's when he sees Keigo's mom collapsed on the ground. So he rushes to her side.
When keigo stops. He looks back and sees dabi helping her inside. Causing him to grit his teeth and continue to run.