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A short chain connects your wrist to Yuki's as you travel the palace grounds. You were in the heart of the enemies lands all along, killing your dreams of perhaps incapacitating your chaperone and escaping. He never collected a sword either, so if you were to take him out, you would need to drag his body with you. Never mind the considerable damage sitting for ten days has done to your ability to walk and run properly. Even the setting sun assaults your ill prepared eyes. The craftsmanship and artistry in the palace's gardens and walkways are lost on you, as you struggle to pay more attention to the guards and retainers that stalk every which way. For Yuki's part, he says very little apart from guiding you to where you need to go.
Soon enough, you make your way down the tiers of the palace until you reach what you can only describe as a cross between a temple and a sawmill. Just down the way of the large door you are about to pass through, you can see two monks working together to build a coffin. One of many that they had already put together.
In one of the smaller rooms you are led to the body; it is covered with a thin cloth. There is a small fuss as Yuki has a conversation with a monk that keeps waving his finger in your face. Eventually, he is convinced to leave and the two of you are given the room.
You hold your breath as Yuki pulls back the cloth, then breath a sigh of relief when the maiden turn out to be someone else. At first you don't know the women at all, and decide to just put on a small show for Yuki. But soon enough, the women <span class="mu-s">does</span> starts to seem familiar somehow, but you can't place exactly how. Like a face from a dream. Out of what feels like instinct, you take her hand in your own and slowly bring it up to your face. As soon as her fingers touch your cheek you instantly remember this women! She is simply missing the white and red makeup of a geisha.
This is a working girl, she solicited you after you left a sake den. A serving of sake for only two mon! Cheapest you have seen in a long time, and you made the most of it. After they kicked you out for breaking plates, you wandered the streets and she approached you to come with her to another place. But you can't remember where. The memory fades as quickly as it came. Yuki is eagerly hanging on your every word, and makes mental notes. Riding the epiphany, you didn't stop to realize that you have just given away all this information for free.
"This is better then I hoped, we have a lead. We just need to retrace your steps and this drinking establishment is the place to start. I will have to submit another request to the Daimyo, to take you off palace grounds, but that shouldn't take to long" He seems exited at the prospect of the hunt.
