"It depends. Some die, some grow old. In my case I was just fed up with what was going on and wanted nothing more to do with it. After the Bakumatsu—a war in my world," he added, realizing she probably wouldn't know what that was, "the need for samurai has dwindled."

At her second comment, though, he gave a small "Hah!" before grinning. "Fortunately I only have one person who bothers me and he's more than enough. However, I have my own reasons for throwing some support for this war, if not to quicken my own return home. But who knows, I may change my mind."

He then glanced at her. "And you?"