They would have to start their journey on foot. The sun was hot, unrelenting truly and it would take the better part of the day for the to reach the small desert town sixty kilometers north. The town was not particularly old, it had sprung up a few years ago after the Diamond Maelstrom abated. The outpost was easy to find if they did not lose their way, the town was located between a pair of massive rocky plateaus that could be seen from miles away. The town serves mostly as an outpost for merchant travelers that braved the dunes in search of fortune. The general stone sold basic provisions with a steep mark-up and the stables where they housed livestock as well as beasts of burden. She had come here several times before, sometimes she did odd jobs for them and sometimes she sought their wares because they were outside of the direct eye of the Dimayo and his Soverign forces because it was such a small and overlooked town.
The journey there might have been awkward, they had nothing in common besides their alleged love for Kazuki. If given silence Michi would not remain silent, it was her duty as an Oracle to edify if she was not learning herself. She would discuss the flora and the fauna of Wind Country. It would be exceedingly dull to listen to but there were some interesting tidbits mentioned here and there. How Sunan Crows were a good source of meat, however they were scavengers and carried a number of diseases. The risk of Legionnaire Tick infestations and why caverns with their abundant population of spiders and scorpions, most of which are exceedingly poisonous, could be considered perilous. There were other creatures as well, larger creatures more of legend and mystery. She would recite a few fables she had memorized, some of them children's tales. Most would have decided that Kazuki's life or love was not worth the lecture but one can assume that Natsuru was truly a dedicated young woman.
She would point out the city, they were off by a kilometer and would have to redirect slightly. It would be the evening by the time they arrived, if time was not of the essence she would have considered resting her head in town where it was safest but Kazuki was already a day ahead of them. She knew exactly what she wanted, a team of Sandrunners and a covered wagon. That was not her original plan but she needed to adapt considering the fact that there was an additional traveler and her concern regarding his intact nature persisted.
"Hello, Rancher Toyokazu Shiro, I am looking to make a purchase. Four Sand runners in good health, sure-footed and full feathered." The term full-feathered was used to designate cart Sandrunners from riding Sandrunners. Riding Sandrunners often lost the feathers on their back, at least partially due to the saddles. She would pull out a pair of stones from her bag, she only intended to use one but she was buying more than she had originally planned. She did not have yen, she had no benefactor or employer but she found other means to get by. The gems were large, semi-precious artifacts but they were much more than that. She would tap the first and it would release a warm glow. It was carmot, a very large piece of it, about the size of her first. That alone would have more than paid for the birds but she needed something else from him. She would roll the second stone-like hunk of carmot towards the rancher and it would spark to life. Arching currents of electricity would shake the small globe before it would cease after several seconds. "For bridles and a covered wagon slightly longer than her," she would point to Natsuru as she said that. Fuu was the shortest one there but their heights were similar. She was not concerned about them resting but she was concerned that they would have to carry Kazuki's unconscious body back to the village.
"Is this one of those no questions asked sorta payments?" the Rancher asked knowing that the payment did not line up with the request.
"A payment for haste" Michi commented. "If someone wants to find me, they will." She replied dryly. "I would like to reach my targets destination before he does to prevent catastrophe, but if he has already been through here and if he has already taken a riding runner I will require the means to transport his injured remains after I recover him." This would have been the first time she mentioned anything specific regarding her task beyond the fact that it involved Kazuki. She felt that he was in extreme danger. That his freedom, autonomy and life were in peril in such a way that it was deemed worthwhile for her to traverse the desert and seek him in another country. "Has a one Sennin Senju Kazuki been through here?" She would ask, the rancher would deny ever seeing a Sennin. "In fact I have another I would be willing to part with if there is a space for him upon our return to treat his injuries away from..." she cut herself short. She did not feel that Sunagakure was safe either, but it was safer than where he was going. She had heard about the scuffle at the gates between him and an unknown female, it was suspicious. "Those that might take advantage of him in a crippled condition," she explained. The statement was purposefully misleading, she wanted to know if the Sovcerign had started to get a grip on this village. A payment for a secret always meant that the secret would be shared, she had no intention of returning and she was careful to phrase her offer for the payment would be granted upon their return if certain conditions were met because she could not lie but she could mislead. She was fine eating crow but if Natsuru desired better provisions, this was her oppertunity to do so. Meanwhile the oracle would prepare the team of Sandrunners. They were beautiful creatures even if they could be capricious. She would place her bag in the wagon, they would be traveling through the night. She hoped that would help her catch him before he reached the village. Fire Country was a large place and the terrain was unfamiliar, but with an assumed destination in mind she was confident she would find him on the roads. He was foolish enough to believe that he had nothing to hide but in this case the roads would be more perilous for him than they were for her.
If and when Natsuru was ready to continue on, unless she had a specific question she would continue on with her ramblings, this time geography.
[Leaving Country Unless Natsuru Stops her]
S Rank - 1 Hour
Awaiting Natsuru's post as we are traveling together.
