"Traditional sword-makers are very particular about where their swords go to. The tourists get the shadow swords while people who know and respect the swords get the perfect ones."

Give his culture some credit. Swords were serious business, especially for those people who come from families who made swords for generations. Some of them still use the tools their forefathers used after all. But sword talk was over and Shou was busy with chopsticks and udon, spending a few quiet moments sampling the flavors and sighing to himself. Food was one of his biggest regrets concerning his change in lifestyle. He always was a bit of a night owl, and he really didn't sleep much, but he loved food, and he couldn't really eat like he use to.

"If I did that, you wouldn't have any for the rest of the night," he said, looking up at Hajime.