Chapter 2

The man introduced himself as her late mother's older twin brother. It was the first time they met, but she can't doubt the uncanny resemblance she had with her uncle. She also looked like an exact copy of her mother. The man also did. With the way she almost ran into him when she saw him approaching, thinking it was her mother coming back for her. But she had held herself at bay. Because she knew nobody's coming back to her anymore. They were lost to her…forever.

"Come live at my house. You don't have to be alone." The man with the gentlest eyes she ever saw had said. It was brighter than even her mother's.

She did not say anything and just up and came up to him quietly. Why wouldn't she want to leave that place? She can't even bear to look back one last time.

She remembered the joy and the warmth. Such feelings seemed alien to her now, like it belonged in another place and another time. She had the most loving parents in the world. Even if they had next to nothing, they were happy and contented. Her father farmed and occasionally taught her the sword while her mother wove cloths they could peddle. She remembered jumping around excitedly when her mother told her she'd be getting a new sibling soon. Her father told her she'd be a wonderful big sister. They told her she wouldn't be alone.

Then came the nightmare.

Her mother became more and more sickly as she came closer to giving birth. She said she'd be fine, that it was just like this before Miwa was born. Miwa and her father were reassured because of her confidence. She died giving birth to a stillborn baby boy. Her father went insane with grief. A week after her mother's and baby brother's funeral, she woke up to find her father hanging from the beams.

She remembered the times her father carried her on his shoulders while he held her mother's hand as they walked home. And now…she was all alone.

She thought it wasn't entirely hopeless. Her mother had told her how to cook, weave and grow vegetables. Maybe if she put her back to it, she could survive on her own. But the nights continued to grow colder and the nightmares more vivid. She'd dream about her mother carrying her baby brother, walking away beside her father. She'd beg for them to take her with them, to come back, to look at her. She'd scream that she didn't want to be alone. But it was just her screaming herself awake, afraid to go back to sleep.

It was a month of loneliness before her uncle arrived. And when he asked her to live with him, she did not hesitate. Anything but being alone and miserable. She packed up what little clothes she had and her father's sword. It was all that was left. Her mother's jewelry were sold to pay for their debts.

They left her house that afternoon and walked for the next five days until they reached a quiet village at the foot of a mountain. Along the way, he had told her about his job and his life, of her mother when she was young, his students and most importantly, the bushido.

"Can I be a samurai?" was the only thing she asked him along the way.

"As long as you live straight and keep a clean soul, you can be a samurai." He told her and he delighted in the way her eyes sparkled with new life.

Her uncle's house was situated on the mountain side, with a long winding staircase leading to it. It was higher up than any house in the town. It was the first time she saw such a vast view of lands but it still didn't compare to the view she saw when was on her father's shoulders.

"Well, Miwa-chan, it's simple, but this will be your new home." He said to her as they arrived at the top of the stairs.

If this is what he called simple, he must have thought her old house was a squalor, Miwa thought as she stared at the structure in front of her. It was huge. And isn't it a temple?

He was pointing at the structure in front of them, "This is the temple, on the left is the school and on the right is the dojo. Our house is at the back."

She nodded and they made their way to the house. In its doorstep was a kid with silver hair sleeping, hugging a huge sword. When they were close to him, he woke up and yawned.

"Ah, Gintoki-kun, I'd like you to meet Miwa. She'll be living with us from now on," Shouyo pulled her forward gently.

Gintoki eyed her sleepily before nodding at her in acknowledgement, "Sakata Gintoki."

"Igarashi Miwa." She replied meekly.

They had an awkward dinner before she was led to her room. Her uncle told her he'd introduce her to his class tomorrow. For the first time since her mother died, she didn't have a nightmare.

The next day after breakfast, which was strangely the same things they had for dinner, she followed her uncle and Gintoki to the classroom. She could hear the noise emanating from it getting louder and louder as they approached and it made her all the more nervous. She'd never been to school before, and it was just her mother teaching her how to read and write, what if they take her for a fool?

When her uncle slid the door open, the room miraculously became quiet. They entered and Gintoki stalked to the back of the room, sat down and promptly slept. She and her uncle stood in front as all eyes were fixed on them. It was a fairly large class, consisting of boys and girls, each with their individual tables.

"I'd like to introduce the newest member of our class. She'd also be living here starting today. Please be kind to her," Shouyo said. The class erupted in murmurs. She heard them say:

"Oh, it is a girl this time."

"Where do you think sensei got her? Same with Gintoki?"

"Wow…they look alike."

A young boy sitting in front was glaring at her. What's his problem? Miwa thought to herself.

"It must be that, right?" a firm voice emanated from the corner of the room near Gintoki. It was from a boy with long black hair. His arms were crossed in front of him and he had a smile on his face as if he had figured out a mystery.

"Eh? What's that, Zura?" another boy asked.

"It's not Zura, it's Katsura. It's that." He nodded to himself, "Yes. That."

"So what is it?! Tell us, Zura!"

"Yeah, tell us, Zura!"

He opened his eyes and said, "There's no mistake about it. She's sensei's secret love-child." He declared sagely.

"Eh?!" the children, even Shouyo, was shocked.

Then much to his horror, the children started agreeing.

"Yeah, I knew they look so much alike."

"Oh my. Sensei betrayed us."

"Now, children. Where did you learn such a word? I'm sure it's not from me." Shouyo tried to calm them down.

"Sensei, Takasugi-kun has turned white from shock."

"Eh? Takasugi-kun?!" her uncle then turned to the boy who was glaring at Miwa earlier.

"Sensei…sensei has a…love-love-child." The kid was murmuring.

"You've got it wrong, Takasugi-kun. She's not my love-child. She's my niece." Shouyo tried hard to explain. He looked towards Miwa for help but the girl had a look of utter sadness etched on her face.

"To go so far as to deny his own child, I can't believe Otou-san is this irresponsible! Okaa-san was right! You are a good for nothing!" she sniffled.

"Eh?! Miwa-chan?! Eh?!" Shouyo gasped. She just buried him deep.

"Sensei, you made her cry! What can you say for yourself?!"

And the children bullied him well into the afternoon. So much for his excitement in meeting them after being away for some two weeks. But this is a normal occurrence…and he was happy that Miwa was integrating well with the children even if it was to bring him more misery.

Miwa was a bright child. She had already mastered the basics of reading and writing so Shouyo did not have problems tutoring her outside class so she could catch up with the rest. She was a fast-learner and she enjoyed learning History and Arts. But the subject she excelled in the most was Kendo. She devoted most of her free time training.

"I want to be a samurai! I want to be strong!" was always her answer when asked by anyone why a girl would be wielding such a thing like a sword while she could be learning to cook or embroider, like her other female classmates.

People asked Shouyo why he just let Miwa do whatever she likes. But his answers were the same as Miwa's. "She wants to be strong. If that's the way she wants to live her life, then I wouldn't stop her. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be strong."

"I always told people I wanted to be strong. But deep inside, I just don't want to end up alone again. I want to be strong, strong enough to hold on to the people I love."

She would get into fights when she was adamant about something. She had taken to calling him 'Otou-san' outside of class. She always hangs out with Gintoki and Katsuta, both of whom seemed to have taken to watching over her like a hawk without her knowing. They were like siblings.

So what puzzled Miwa was a certain Takasugi Shinsuke's reaction to her. He seemed aloof when it comes to her, ignoring her, and if confrontation is unavoidable, never agrees with her. She has no idea why Takasugi alone can't get along with her. She once thought it was because he wasn't used to interacting with girls but then she learned that Takasugi was the only son in a family with seven children.

She'd often complain about him to Shouyo and Gintoki at dinner, "That Bakasugi! What's his problem with me? Why does he hate me so much?"

But Shouyo would just chuckle and accuse her of getting along so well with Takasugi and Gintoki would just pretend he didn't hear them.

"One day, I had enough of Shinsuke."

"I'm not weak! Shut up, Bakasugi!" she screamed.

"What did you call me, you little runt?!" a vein in Shinsuke's forehead popped.

"Bakasugi!" she repeated, "Because you're an idiot who doesn't know anything!"

Katsura and Gintoki ignored the two of them and just practiced swinging their bamboo swords. All their classmates had already gone home but the four of them always stayed behind long after class is over in order to practice some more.

"I'd rather be an idiot than a weakling like you! Your parents probably-," he didn't finish his sentence because Miwa pounced on him, punching and kicking and scratching. That was when Gintoki and Katsura dropped their swords and pried Miwa off him.

"Don't ever rope my parents into this, you bastard! You don't know them! You don't know anything!" she screeched.

Takasugi winced at the scratches on his face. He turned to glare at Miwa but when he saw that she was crying, his anger died and the insults died on his tongue.

She sniffled, "I'm trying so hard so I wouldn't have to miss them so much. Leave me alone, Bakasugi." She got out of Gintoki and Katsura's hold and ran back to the house.

"After that, I started resenting him for real. I know everytime we saw each other since than that he seemed to be genuinely sorry but I hated him so much. I avoided anything to do with him. Well, you could hand it to Shinsuke, he does try really hard when he's adamant about something. But he was still so childish. He always says the wrong things. I know he doesn't mean it, but man, he could be so infuriating. Like that time during the village festival."

One day, she was walking through the village when she saw one of her girl classmates holding up her new kimono for her father to see. It was silky and beautiful. Miwa looked over her clothes. She looked so impoverished.

"Ara…aren't you turning ten too, Miwa-chan?" the old lady who she was accompanying through a walk in the village said to her. She sometimes teaches Miwa to cook so they wouldn't have to eat Shouyo's cooking everyday. Apparently, for all he's worth, Sensei can only cook katsudon. In return, Miwa accompanies the old woman in her errands.

"I am. But I can't go. I don't have anything to wear for it." Miwa said. The highlight of the festival were that girls ten years old and above were going to dress prettily and dance in the village square to pray for good harvest.

The old woman chuckled, "Why don't you ask Sensei? I'm sure he'd be happy to buy you one."

Miwa averted her gaze, "I can't ask Sensei for that. I've already gotten so much from him. Besides, he's not my real parent. I shouldn't be greedy."

"What a nice child you are! But I think you should rely on Sensei from time to time. I'm sure he's waiting for you to say you want new clothes for the festival."

Miwa smiled, "It's ok. I'm fine. I'm happy enough as it is. I don't have to go."

But her eyes were drawn back to the kimono her classmate was now twirling around in with a broad grin on her face.

"Oh? You want one? That kind of thing doesn't suit you." A familiar voice said behind her.

She turned and saw Takasugi looking at the girl she was staring at. Miwa felt embarrassed and ran away crying.

Later that night at dinnertime, she and Shouyo were waiting for Gintoki to come home so they could eat. He and Miwa were seated at the dinner table when Shouyo suddenly handed her a box. She looked at him, puzzled.

"Open it." He told her, seemingly excited.

Miwa carefully opened the box. Inside was a new kimono. A smile lit her face as she pulled the whole cloth out of the box and held it against her body. It was so soft and shiny, " Shouyo-sensei! It's beautiful!"

Shouyo chuckled, "Gintoki-kun and Katsura-kun helped me pick earlier. I'm glad you like it."

"Sensei…" she was crying and Shouyo was confused. He really had to get the hang of raising a daughter.

So he just settled for a gentle smile which never failed to calm her down, "You don't have to hold yourself back. We're family, Miwa-chan. You're my strong daughter I'm proud of."

Miwa sobbed louder and threw her arms around his neck. He patted her on the head comfortingly.

The door slid open and Gintoki slipped in with a blank look on his face, before he noticed Miwa crying against Shouyo's shoulder, "Why are you crying again?" he asked as he came closer.

"Huh?" Miwa lifted her head. "I'm just happy, thank you, nii-chan."

"We've been waiting for you. What kept you?" Shouyo asked as Miwa and Gintoki settled in their seats.

Gintoki shrugged and reached for his chopsticks, "There was a suspicious person loitering outside the house."

"Oh? Did they say what they want?"

"No. He ran away while we were talking about it."

And they left it at that. The next day, Miwa happily showed off her new kimono to her family.

"You look absolutely cute, Miwa-chan." Shouyo said.

"Really? Nii-chan, how do I look?" she twirled in front of Gintoki and smiled.

"Absolutely cute," he just repeated what Sensei said but the slight tilt in his lips told her he still meant it.

Miwa was happy. When she was walking along with some of her other female classmates to the village square that night after spending the day learning how to do the dance, she met Takasugi.

"Seriously, why do you bother Sensei with such things?" he said after taking a brief look at her.

"Well, all hell broke loose after he said that. I unconsciously pounced on him and started beating him up. Some men had to pry me off him because he was bleeding already. Sensei had to apologize to his parents afterwards. But I wasn't sorry because he ruined my day."

Bansai just absorbed the information. So Shinsuke never really knew how to handle her since way back?

"After that, I can't even begin to count how many times he made me cry from his insensitive comments, how many times I beat him up because he just doesn't know when to shut up. Really, we just can't get along. Our day still came though."

Oh? Did Shinsuke finally tell her? Bansai perked up. It's glaringly obvious.

"Let's see…when did it all start to change…Ah! There was this time when we went to the mountain. You see, Zura's pet ran away."

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Katsura shouted as they walked through bushes and outgrowths. His three friends followed after him, bored out of their minds. Gintoki was almost asleep on his feet. The three of them have no idea what Elizabeth looks like, but if it's Zura's pet, they don't really want to know anyway. He does have an obsession with the weird and exotic.

"Oi, Zura, are you sure your pet did not just run away on purpose? You've been calling since morning," Takasugi asked.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Zura kept on calling.

"Listen to me when I'm talking to you, dammit!"

"Zura, what exactly are we looking for?" Miwa ventured to ask. Maybe if the three of them started helping like they were meant to, they could go home sooner.

"Elizabeth, my pet. She's brown and furry." Katsura answered, "And it's not Zura, it's Katsura."

"Oh , I see. Well, how big is she?"

"Very big. I think he's taller than my father if he stands on his two legs."

"Wow, I've never seen a dog that big before," Miwa mused.

Katsura looked at her as if she's stupid, "It's not a dog, it's a bear." He corrected her, "Oh, Elizabeth."

There was a brief frozen moment before Gintoki and Takasugi kicked him down.

"You were knowingly leading us through a mountain looking for a bear?! Are you trying to get us killed?!" Takasugi yelled.

"But Elizabeth is lost-," Katsura piped up.

"It's not lost! It went back to the wild, you stupid wig!"

Just then, there was a growling noise.

"What was that?" Miwa asked, suddenly vigilant of her surroundings.

The three boys looked around but there was nothing. Then a big brown furry head poked out of the bushes just a few meters away from them. Katsura broke into a grin, "Elizabeth!"

"Run!" Takasugi yelled and the three of them ran, Gintoki dragging Katsura behind them.

But while they were running, Miwa slipped on some moss covered rocks. She accidentally grabbed onto Takasugi and the two continued to slide into a 20 feet deep hole in the ground. Fortunately, there was a thick pile of leaves that cushioned their fall.

Gintoki and Katsura leaned over the edge.

"Miwa!" Gintoki called in a voice with the most emotion they ever got from him that left the three of them surprised. He must be frantic inside even if he doesn't show it.

"I'm fine!" she answered immediately to assuage him. But when she stood up on her own, sle let out a yelp of pain. She touched her right ankle. Takasugi bent over and checked it.

"You must have sprained it when you slipped.' He said with a hint of worry in his voice that had Miwa wondering if he broke his head.

Miwa checked her surroundings. It was possible to climb out but it would need a lot of effort and she can't pressure her foot. She thought about having them pulled up with a rope but it was a pine forest, where would they get vines? Gintoki and Zura had to go down the mountain and get help.

"Gintoki, Zura, go get Sensei. We'll be fine but Miwa needs help as soon as possible!" Takasugi called at the two.

Zura and Gintoki nodded and stood up.

"Oi, Bakasugi!"

"What?!" Takasugi answered back angrily. He almost did not catch the sword Gintoki threw down. The two shared a look and Takasugi nodded.

"Miwa, use the sword to cut down Shinsuke if he does something inappropriate!" Zura said. Miwa smiled.

"What the hell do you think I am?!" Takasugi yelled indignantly.

And they were gone. Takasugi sat down near Miwa. She waited for him to insult her for her stupidity, for making them fall into this hole. But none came, instead he said, "Don't worry. You'll be alright. Does it still hurt?"

"Huh? Eh? It's bearable. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

There was an awkward silence and she yawned, "Sorry."

"Go to sleep. I'd keep watch." He pulled the sword closer, "Go take a rest. Sensei will be here soon."

She thought Takasugi being overly nice to her was a once-in-a-lifetime event so she'd take whatever he offers. She laid on her side and slept close to him.

"It was already dark when we were rescued. Since then, Shinsuke seemed to make an effort to guard himself around me. I mean, it was so obvious in his actions that he's trying to be nice. He was really funny at that time. I think that's when I started to like him. He can be quite charming when he's not being an ass," Miwa said.

There was a knock, and the door slid open and a servant pushed in a tea cart. Miwa thanked him and started making tea for herself and Bansai, "Be grateful. Yoshiwara's finest courtesan is making tea for you, aside from regaling you with her wonderful stories." She handed him his cup.

"I thank you for that." Bansai toasted to her. Miwa giggled and went back to her seat on the window sill.

"Where was I? Well, those were our happy and carefree days. We all got closer as we grew up. Or maybe we just got used to each other, I don't know, but, such moments eventually ended, sooner than I thought."

Bansai quickly learned that when Miwa was about to talk about something that upsets her, she tends to look away and stare at something else. Like what she was doing right now. She was staring at the ocean again.

"It was three years after I moved in with them. Some uniformed men from Edo visited Sensei. He told the four of us to go to the village for a while. He said they were men of the Shogunate and they had some important things to talk about. We felt something was wrong so we just stayed at the bottom of the stairs. And then we saw smoke coming from the house. Gintoki ran the fastest and before I could catch up with him at the top, Shinsuke and Zura pushed me off to the side. And I watched as they beat up Gintoki, how Sensei begged for them to stop and he'd go with them quietly, how helpless I was. All the times I said I want to be strong…they were all lies. Because when it came to that moment, I was just a kid. A helpless kid who can just cry and cry. If Shinsuke and Zura had let me run in there I would have just been a burden to Sensei. So they chose not to let Sensei see me get hurt on top of Gintoki. Because that's the only thing we could do for him."

"And just like that, he was gone."

Review are welcome :)