Yuyama bounced the ball and passed it to Kobako. Kobako then threw it high into the air.
"I got it!" Benimaru cried as he rushed forward. He missed and it bounced on his face and bounced down to the ground. Kobako giggled as her little brother gingerly rubbed his nose and pouted, moaning "My nose hurts!"
Yuyama laughed softly and daintily placed her finger on his hurt nose. She tapped it and said "There. All better." This brought on more giggles from Kobako, who suddenly snorted. Benimaru stared at his sister, before laughing as she blushed in embarrassment. Yuyama shook her head fondly. They were still kids at heart.
"Kakunojo."
Yuyama whirled around. It's the first time he actually said my name!, she realized when she saw who spoke.
"I've decided to pay Master Shouten and Tatewaki-sama a visit. Do you want to come?" Akizuki asked.
Yuyama patted dust off her kimono and replied firmly "Yes."
They were traveling through a path in the woods when there was a "snap" and Yuyama tripped.
"Oh no!" She wailed as she looked down at her feet to see that one of her sandals had broken. Akizuki paused and turned back. He knelt down and looked up at her. "Put your foot here." He said, indicating his knee.
Yuyama was suddenly reminded of the same scene; only it was four years ago when they were traveling together to hunt down the evil Lord's Head. She blushed deeply and hesitated.
Akizuki sighed. It was like before. Almost exactly the same except that it was four years ago. Gently, he took her foot in his hands like it was the most fragile thing in the world, and placed it on his knee and began to tie the broken straw ends.
"Um…sorry about this…" Yuyama stuttered as she stood with one foot on Akizuki's knee.
"It's alright…Okay, I've tied it. It should hold for now. We might need to get you another pair." Akizuki said as he released her foot and stood up.
"It reminded me of…" Yuyama trailed off. Akizuki gazed knowingly at her and smiled, chortling as he reminisced the past. "I remember…"
Yuyama felt heat rising up in her cheeks again and decidedly looked down at her fixed sandal, examining it in newfound interest.
"Alright, let's continue on our way." Akizuki sighed when he sensed her distress, taking her hand.
"Does Master Shouten know we are coming?" Yuyama asked, suddenly thinking of it.
"I wrote them a letter. It should've arrived by now." Came the answer.
It's been so long, Yuyama marveled as they walked, hand in hand.
"I wonder how they are doing." She wondered out loud.
The sky was becoming dark with rainclouds and soon enough, droplets of rain began to fall to the ground.
"We need to hurry up." Akizuki hissed as the drizzle transformed into a downpour.
Pulling a straw hat over her head, Yuyama dashed forward behind Akizuki, heading for shelter. A lonely house stood in the middle of a farming field and Akizuki decided to seek shelter there. He gripped his sakabatou tightly as water splashed across his face and trickled down his neck, sending shivers of cold down his spine.
"Excuse me? Is there anyone home?" Akizuki panted when he reached the door of the cottage.
The pitter-patter sound of the rain hitting the ground was heard. Then, there was a rustle in the cottage and a head appeared at the door.
It was an old lady, with white wispy hair and rosy cheeks. Her face was covered with wrinkles and her skin folded when she spoke.
"Oh my, traipsing youngsters! In the rain! Husband, we have some travelers in the rain! I'm letting them in!"
Graciously, the woman led them inside and they saw an old man with gray hair and a long beard sitting by a fire with a pot of stew over it.
"Hmph…What have we got here? Swords? Are you two samurais? You're not supposed to carry swords anymore…" the old man growled in annoyance.
"We are so sorry for intruding on you. Please treat us well." Yuyama apologized to the old couple, bowing before them.
"Oh no dear, it is fine. Don't mind my husband. He is always grumpy." The old lady laughed. Her husband grunted, as if in affirmative. She poured the two wet travelers some nice warm tea, which Akizuki and Yuyama sipped gladly.
"What is your name?" The old lady asked kindly as she handed them some biscuits and a small bowl of the brewing stew, the waft of its aroma floating in the air.
"My name is Yuyama, obaa-san. This is Akizuki." Yuyama answered.
"I see…must be nice to be young…" The old lady said dreamily, sighing. Her husband shifted and snorted in contempt.
"They're all fools, young people these days." He barked. "Why is that?" Yuyama asked politely. There was a pause. Yuyama panicked, thinking she had said something wrong. The old woman noticed this and she said quickly "Don't worry, Yuyama-chan. You haven't done anything wrong. It's just that…our son died during the war…the last years of the Shogunate…the Bakumatsu…"
The room fell quiet once again, only the sound of the rain was to be heard and the simmering of the stew. "I'm sorry…" Yuyama murmured, breaking the silence. Akizuki pondered thoughtfully as he sipped his soup. What if I had been involved in the battles too? Like those soldiers? Where would I be now? Would I have ever met Chief and the rest of the troupe?
"I am sorry as well for your loss…" Akizuki added after collecting his thoughts. He glanced outside and noted that the rain was beginning to dissipate. Turning to Yuyama, he said "Zachou…the rain is beginning to stop." He still liked to call her that.
Yuyama twisted her head. "You're right." Turning back to her gracious hosts, she said "Once again, we are so sorry for intruding on you. We will not bother you any further. Thank you very much for taking care of us." They bowed again and turned to leave.
"Wait, young man. Tsubaki, get some food for them on their journey." The old man grumbled suddenly. Akizuki faced the old man again as the women left the cottage. The old man spun around with his back facing Akizuki. He sat hunched for some time in silence and Akizuki wondered if there was something wrong. Slowly, he began to realize that the old man was crying.
"Ojii-san! Are you alright?" Akizuki asked, moving to reach the old man.
"YOUNG MAN! Stop right there!" The old man boomed without even turning around to look at Akizuki in the eye. Akizuki immediately ceased moving, shocked and slightly shaken by the sudden increase of volume.
"You have yet to learn of all of life's lessons. I'll tell you this right now. Keep those that you love and are dear to you near you and safe. Keep them safe always. Even if you argue over something, fix it and tell them what you wanted to say before it's too late." The old man choked out, suddenly twisting around and grabbed Akizuki's hand with an iron grip. "Tell them that you just wanted them to be happy…"
The old man began to sob and released his grip. Akizuki staggered back, eyes wide and feeling bewildered.
"I just wanted my son to be happy…"
Akizuki's mind raced with images of Kakunojo and Ryouma-san and Soutetsu.
"Thank you, Ojii-san. I'll keep your words in my heart always."
By this time, the old man had stopped crying and he muttered, "Just leave and go away. Leave me alone and go on your way with your woman." Akizuki blushed slightly, bowed with one last "thank you" and left. It was time to be on their way or they would never be able to reach the Koma Village.
Yuyama rushed forward when he had stepped out of the cottage, eyes filled with worry.
"I heard something. Is everything ok?" She stressed, fingering her straw hat. Akizuki shook his head and replied "It's all fine. Let's continue on our way, shall we?" Yuyama's worry dispersed and she beamed at him warmly. "Alright. Let's move."
I'll definitely protect Kakunojo, no matter what comes our way in our future.
