I hold no claim to any of the original characters!

Chapter Three

The Beginning Step

"Are you still in pain?"

Natsumi gave the woman beside her a glance from the corner of her eye. It had been over a week since Keiko left her here with the Masamune Clan and she had just been helped with a bath by the elder woman who was currently rewrapping the wounds on her skin. She had taken a gander at the cuts and slashes but couldn't look at them any longer. She had turned her head as she tried to thrust that horrid night from her mind.

"The battle happened only a little over a week ago. I am sure that the wounds will be there for a while now so of course they will hurt," The look on the elder woman's face told Natsumi that her voice had been harsh and so she gave a sigh. "But with your help I am sure that they will heal fast. I thank you. I do not know too much of healing; that had always been my sister's department."

The elder gave a smile. "Then leave it to me, dearie. I shall make sure that no infection takes place and that not a single scar will be left on this perfect skin of yours!"

Natsumi gave a small chuckle. "If a scar is left, it will not bother me. If any, it would just be a reminder." ~A reminder how much of a fool I was~

The elder was silent for a moment, shaking her head. "I cannot believe that you were attacked like this. Some men just have no class."

"No," Natsumi narrowed her eyes as she stood up. "Some of them don't."

"May I ask where your escort was?"

Natsumi looked at her. "Escort?"

"Yes. Don't you have brothers or a father or an entourage to take you places safely? If they had been with you, I doubt this would have happened. Oh...don't tell me that they were all killed during the battle!"

"No, no need to fear the death of my brother," She closed her eyes as she pulled a clean robe back on. "I don't have one." ~Not anymore~

"Oh, forgive me," The elder bowed to her but she waved a hand as she turned to face her.

"Don't worry about it. And don't bother with bowing to me."

"Ah…but my Lady, your movements and way of speech proves that Lord Masamune was correct. You are of noble birth. It would be improper of me to anything but treat you with respect."

Natsumi stayed silent for a moment before giving a silent sigh. "Even if I was of noble birth, it no longer matters. I would rather you just treat me like a normal woman. Normal, like you would the other women in this village." ~Normal…like I've always wanted.~

The elder woman gave a chuckle. "Well, I can promise that I shall but I'm afraid that word of you has spread quite quickly and so the others won't be so willing to please you."

She blinked. "Oh?"

"Well," The elder now looked a little worried. "You see, since Lord Masamune saved you from near death, they…oh, how do I put this?"

"Since you were found in the middle of a field of dead warriors and a blade, the other villagers are rather cautious of you being here and just want me to toss you out and make you leave." Natsumi gave a slight jump at the man's voice and turned to see that Date was standing there in the doorway. She felt thankful that she had pulled the robe on. "Some of them believe you to be a spy from another clan or a fugitive on the run from them." He gave a smirk. "I told them to stop being idiots and get back to work." He glanced at the elder woman. "How are they?"

"They're on the way to healing," She answered with a bowed head. "But I'm afraid that it will be quite a while before they are all completely gone. You took quite a beating, my dear," The elder placed a hand on her shoulder. "It is astounding that you are even still alive."

"Thank you for your help, elder." Natsumi paused for a moment and hid a face of dislike as she turned to give Masamune a short bow. "And you as well. If you were not willing to help, then I would have been lost."

"Don't force yourself, tiger," Date chuckled. "I don't like receiving bows or respect from those that don't truly show it."

Natsumi gave a smirk and straightened up. "So, you are smart. I had been sure that it was only when Kojuro was around."

The elder watched, shocked to silence at the manner of speech passing between the two before her. Both of their eyes seemed to flare at the thought of the small challenge the other was giving in their speech. She had never seen Masamune do that; but then again he was their leader. No one here in the village would dare to even speak to him this way.

"N-now, now," the elder placed a hand on Natsumi's back and began to lead her from the room. "Why don't we go and get you some fresh air before putting you back to bed? If you stay in bed all day, then you'll lose use of your legs. I can show you around the village."

"Not too far, elder," Masamune called after her. "I don't want her to collapse and have to rescue her again."

"Oh, believe me," She growled at him. "That mistake won't happen again."

Whipping around, Natsumi followed the elder off into the hall, leaving Masamune in the doorway. He watched after them for a moment, a grin stretched across his face as her words replayed in his mind.

"Even if I was of noble birth, it no longer matters."

~So, I was right,~ He told himself. ~Now I just have to find the Nakura Clan…if there even is one. I doubt that there is, though. All that leaves is what is she's hiding; and why she's hiding it.~

~Lonesome stranger

With a crowd around you

I see who you are~

Natsumi took in a deep breath of the fresh air. It calmed her, cooling her anger and removing that distaste that she felt in the back of her throat. The air was cool, proving that winter was not too far off and the villagers were rushing around, getting ready for the snow. As the elder led her around a small area she received stares from everyone. Even some greetings. Natsumi rather they didn't but with her being new face under the most strangest of circumstances she understood why and so she just grinned and took it.

The elder explained to her everything that the villagers were doing. She didn't need to, since she had seen her own people work for the winter, she would even help, but the old woman's kind voice was pleasing to hear. It drew her attention away from the thoughts and words in her head.

"Grandmother! Grandmother, over here!"

Natsumi turned her head to see a young girl calling from a group of children, waving wildly at the elder woman.

"Ah, my granddaughter, Rika." The elder smiled as the young child headed over to them, the others continuing with the ballgame they were playing.

"You'll be home in time for dinner, won't you?" The child asked.

"Of course I will be," She smiled. "Try not to come home too dirty again, Rika. You know your mother dislikes that you play in the dirt with the boys."

Rika flushed and hung her head. "Yes, grandmother," Lifting her head, she took a better look at Natsumi. "Is it true what the other villagers are saying?"

Natsumi raised a brow. "And just what is it that they're saying?"

"Rika," the elder began in a warning voice but Natsumi had lifted a hand to silence her.

"That you're an assassin that had been caught and wounded on one of your missions. There are others even saying that you killed a royal family member and are on the run from the royal guard."

Natsumi gave a chuckle. "Such wild imaginations that you children have."

"But…is it true? Are you some type of assassin?"

She gave a grin and leaned down to level her face with the child. "Who knows?" She teased. "But there is one thing that I can assure you of."

"Oh?" The child looked eager. "And what is that?"

"I'm not going to cause problems or worry here in your village, so be sure to tell the others that."

Rika gave a huge grin and nodded her head quickly. "Of course, of course!"

"Go back to your friends," The young woman shoed the child away and watched them for a moment before turning back to the elder. "I think I'd like to get back to the manor, now."

"Of course," the elder began to escort her back to Masamune's home. "Don't worry, My Lady. The stories about you will fade away soon."

"They don't bother me," Natsumi shook her head. "Let their minds wander. It's rather entertaining to hear what they think about me." She gave a small chuckle. ~On the run from the royal family, huh?~ "Elder, I know that I don't have the right to ask you for a favor after all that you've done for me, but do you think you could find me a flute?"

"A flute?" The elder glanced up at her. "Do you play, my Lady?"

She nodded. "Since I was a child. I had my flute with me but it seems that I lost it in the field," She closed her eyes for a moment. "If you can't then don't worry about it. It was just a thought."

"I shall see if we have one. I would love to hear you play. I'm sure it sounds wonderful."

"I am not the best," Natsumi told her. "But it is something that I love doing. It reminds me of my mother." She then gave a frown. She shouldn't be talking about her feelings to these people. It could turn out to be bad.

"I'll see what I can find." The elder assured her.

"Ahh, there you are," the duo turned to see that Kojuro was waiting for them on the steps of the manor. "I was about to go looking for you."

"For me?" Natsumi asked, curling her hair behind her ears.

"Yes. Lord Date wanted me to offer you an invitation to join us for dinner tonight, instead of taking it in your room again."

Natsumi gave a frown as she thought over the words. She had kept to her room as much as she could these last few days. She didn't like the thought of sharing a meal with the man in the eye patch.

"I appreciate the offer, Katakura, but I'm afraid I must decline."

"No need to apologize," Kojuro told her. "I understand. I'll have the meal sent to your room."

"Thank you," Natsumi then turned to the elder. "Thank you, as well. It was nice to come out into the open again. I should be able to do it more often."

"Of course, My Lady. I'll do everything I can to find a flute for you."

"Please, don't force yourself," She stepped up the steps. "If there's one, there's one. If not, I'm sure I'll find one eventually."

As she moved down the hall, Natsumi bit her bottom lip. It was rude to refuse the invitation of the man that had saved her life and given her a place to live while she healed. Was she being a fool? It was hard for her to answer the question. She was trying to shove all thoughts of her previous life behind her but the longer she stayed in her room, brooding over it the longer she was stuck with those feelings, wasn't she? What was the beginning step she needed to take? Where could she start?"

~Lonesome stranger

With a crowd around you

I see who you are~

"Not coming, huh?"

"Can you blame her?"

Date glanced at Kojuro. "What do you mean?"

"This woman should have died. Her wounds were brutal. She went through something horrid and we only saw the end results. I can understand why she wouldn't be trusting of anyone, even us."

"I guess," Date sighed, closing his eye. "And I guess I can understand why she's not eager to answer questions either. It is apparent that she is of noble birth from her actions but it's rare that a noble woman would know anything of battle. Her knowledge of battle is the only reason that she is still alive. It makes me interested even more."

"Don't push her, Date," Kojuro told him. "Your search for answers may lead you to one brick wall after another."

"Please, I'm not an idiot, Kojuro."

"I didn't say that you were," The other man replied.

"I know you didn't." Date gave a frown "My answers will come; eventually. I'll have all winter to get them."

Kojuro nodded in agreement and went to reply when the door slid open. He turned and looked surprised. "Lady Nakura?"

"Just Natsumi, please." The woman looked a little nervous, the look on her face telling the two men that she was double-thinking her reason for coming here to them. "I…thought about your offer and rethought my answer. If it is still available, I would…like to…join the two of you for dinner."

Date looked surprised before his grin spread across his face. "Of course," Motioning for her to sit across from him she took it, creating a triangle between the three of them as he ordered another meal to be brought in for her. "I'm glad to see that you changed your mind."

"Yes, well," Whatever she had been going to say was paused and she glanced away.

Kojuro gave a small smile. "How did you like the village?"

Date watched as the woman slowly began to answer Kojuro's questions about the village and the people. As a small smile spread across her lips, he gave a silent sigh of relief. With her beginning to talk to them, maybe he would get his answers faster than he thought.

Please Review!