"The times change around us. My troupe has settled far and wide, too large now to travel as we did I'm afraid."

His voice was light, even if it did secretly pain him to admit the fact out loud, but it was for the greater good for now and Houou reminded himself, once again, that it would not be forever.

"Some are settled in Uzushio as we speak and that is my destination. After all..someone must keep to the road and collect the strays and it requires a certain knack."

Akio was unchanged besides a few more braids and the odd line to his face here and there and it was good to see; the man continued to be an asset to the clan and maintained his honorary Maniwa status even with time and distance between them all still.