It always seemed that she was travelling, not that Rui minded. It was easier, less claustrophobic to be out on the roads between countries and villages than in Kiri itself. Besides the shadows made her ideal for spying and gathering intel, very few places were without enough of them for her to hide in.

But alas even the best of long-term missions must eventually come to an end and Rui would have to make the long trip back home. Back to the secrets and lies that so many of her fellow shinobi lived and breathed when she preferred the quiet moments of the world beyond the water country islands. Places where she could be anyone she wanted and not wear her tough boy mask like a shield.

One day she imagined it would be a better option to just never return from whatever long mission she's given. Still she moves quietly along the road preferring to walk than use the travel seals until she was closer to home. Her hands held loosely at her sides visibly weaponless, though the abundance of shadows cast by the trees made that about as much of an issue as a seal or scroll.

Pushing her hair back behind her hair, Rui keeps walking, the shadows whispering information of what lurked beyond the edges of the trees lining either side of the road. A split second warning system against any fool that dared to attack the Shadow Empress.