Hana had retired for the night, but was unable to sleep. She sat on her bed with her back against the headframe. Rain poured down heavily, which was common this time of year in Kirigakure. Whether or not she made the right decision was yet to be known, but it was too late to go back now. She needed to do this.
Leaving her house she walked through the rain barefoot in nothing but her bedtime kimono, the brisk storm wind beating against her body. Ascending a set of stone steps she entered a shrine which was common among Kaguya estates where they honored their ancestors of the past. Taking a stick incense she brought it to a sconce which was lit with a steady flame causing the end to burn and release wisps of sandalwood smoke. Standing before the stone tablets of her ancestors she wove the stick in the air leaving a trail of its presence around her before setting it in a thurible. Clasping her hands together she prayed in silence, nodding her head down and closing both eyes while doing so. A minute passed, giving what she would presume is her final prayer in this sacred place before turning her back and hurrying to her home, a crash of thunder echoing out throughout the dreary night.
Within her room she kneeled down on a pillow taking a steel tanto she once wielded, grasping its black lacquered scabbard once again bringing back memories of being a lesser ranking official. Dropping the scabbard at her side she reached up with her free hand grabbing a heavy lock of white hair. Long hair was a tradition for Kaguya females, being a representation of one's femininity. It was a social norm she followed as it was something she embraced in her clan, but that was long gone. Drawing the tanto against her hair she severed the bond she had with her former life letting the strands of silky white hair fall freely to the flooring around her. She felt lighter. Newer. A feeling of rejuvenation which made her believe she was doing what was right.
Standing up she approached her wardrobe pulling it open to reveal her armor, her clothing, and her weaponry. She assembled them to her body like she knew how, removing her kimono to make room for her boots, pants, and shirt built thick like a gambeson. Next came her plated armor, weaponry, and cloak. Within her cloak she stashed all of her valuables. The scrolls she took and her ryo filling the several pockets she had. Finally she grabbed Kubikiribōchō, fastening it to a baldric she wore over her cloak and letting the signature cleaver be the relish to her rogue appearance.
After leaving her room she was back outside with a much more comfortable attire and headed straight to her stables where she found her horse, which has almost never been used to ride, now being ready to serve its purpose. She needed to conserve energy for whatever troubles she may encounter. Taking the horse by its leader she led it out into the streets, mounting it, and then taking off into the night as nothing but the clacking of the horse's hooves on the cobblestone floors echoed throughout the dead of the night.
[Exit]
