The next part is ready. Chibi Pyro Duo made several good points, one of which is that Keiko is never physically described. I've been debating how to fit this in to a later chapter and my conclusion is that I can't. It'll sound awkward and strange if I put it in now. So chapter 2 has been edited to contain a physical description of Keiko. Thanks for the advise. I'll shut up now. Enjoy!

What possessed me to volunteer to make dinner? All that working in the barn must have fried my brain. Tamiko was more than happy to cook, but no. I had to tell her I would take care of it. Hiroshi volunteered to help, but I asked how hard can it be? Crap, do I smell smoke? Please don't be smoke. Please don't be smoke. I know what convinced me to try. Everything has been going so well. I've been living here now almost three weeks. So far the guards in the village still seem to be operating under the look but don't tell theory of searching, and as a result my identity is still a secret. Thanks to the masterful teaching of Hiroshi, I've learned how to do a lot around the farm and no longer feel like I'm a huge burden on Hiroshi and Tamiko anymore. The only place I really haven't been pulling my weight is in the kitchen, so I decide to change that and now I think there is a decent chance I'm going to end up burning down the house. Get a grip! Okay I definitely smell smoke. Must be coming from the oven so let's open it up.

I open up the oven and sure enough, smoke comes pouring out. Crap! I pull the tray out and to my dismay the meat I was cooking is burnt beyond all recognition. This was not bright of me.

"You okay in there, Keiko-chan?" Tamiko asks. "I smell smoke."

I look at her and smile weakly. "Dinner appears to be a bit burned," I confess. I don't even want to look at her. She is an amazing cook and she is two years younger than I am. I should be able to do this.

Tamiko looks at the shriveled up pieces of meat and goes to the fridge. "Let's make a nice salad and some sandwiches. I've been dying for a turkey sandwich all day anyway." We get to work, but I can't bring myself to talk. I feel like such a failure. "I still remember when I learned to cook. I screwed everything up so badly," Tamiko says, breaking the silence. "Would you believe I actually set the counter by the stove on fire?" I look up. "I'm not even sure how I managed that. But I wanted to learn so I tried again. I started small with salads and soups, and then I worked my way up to the bigger stuff. You shouldn't let one bad experience discourage you."

I look at Tamiko with a new appreciation. "You are a very smart girl, Tamiko-chan," I say to her. I decide to take her advise and make soup tomorrow.

She smiles, looking pleased by the praise. "Not really, just stubborn. I'll get Hiroshi, so he can help." She runs out and returns a couple seconds later dragging Hiroshi behind her, and it isn't long before we're eating.

The rest of the night is a blur. I'm still adjusting to this new lifestyle and I am completely exhausted, but it's a good exhaustion. Tamiko wants to watch a movie and soon after it starts, sleep overtakes me.

I wake up suddenly confused. I'm in my bed, but I was just on the couch wasn't I? A memory floods through me or is it a memory? The feel of strong arms carrying me and a contentment I've never known settles over me. I hear Hiroshi saying softly, "Good night Keiko-chan." Did that really happen or do I just want to hold him so badly that I've started dreaming about him? My feelings for Hiroshi grow every day and it scares me some. At first it was mostly a physical attraction and there is still a physical element to this, but now I'm mostly attracted to the man he is. He's strong, warm, kind, and intelligent. Do I dare use the word love to describe this feeling? That's a loaded word. Better to leave it alone for now.

What time is it? I glance at the clock which is blinking two-thirty in the morning. I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep, but my thoughts refuse to be quiet enough for me to sleep. I get up and head down to the kitchen to get some warm milk. That usually knocks me out.

To my surprise there is a light on in the kitchen already. Hiroshi is sitting at the kitchen table bent over some paperwork on the table. I quietly turn to leave so I won't disturb him. I'm not sure I'm ready to face him now. I still need to make peace with my own feelings. In my confusion I might blurt out something that could hurt our friendship and that would kill me.

"Keiko-san?" he says, sounding surprised to see me.

Damn too late. I turn to face Hiroshi. He looks tired and stressed. This is a side of Hiroshi I've never seen. It's gone now that he knows I'm here. "Hello Hiroshi-san. I'm sorry to bother you. I couldn't sleep and..."

He holds up a finger and say, "It's fine. Come sit down." Hiroshi collects the papers and moves them out of the way. "Can I get you something?"

"I can get it. Thank you," I say softly. I go to the fridge and get the milk. Nodding at the papers, I say, "Do you mind me asking what that is all about and why you're still up?"

He smiles tiredly. "Just some bills and stuff. I have to deal with the stuff at some point."

I look over at him and I see strength I've never known. He had so much responsibility thrust on him suddenly when he wasn't much older than I am. He picked up after his parents' death and took up the burden of running a home and raising his sister. Tonight I can see the pain in his eyes that he hides from the world. I can't bear to see him hurt and I won't let him carry this burden on his own. I sit down beside him. "Let's get to work."

"What?" Hiroshi asks in surprise.

"I want to help. What can I do?" I say firmly.

My heart skips a beat as he smiles at me. "You already have," he whispers. He pushes on before I can speak. "Please don't say anything. If I don't tell you this now, it'll never get said. I'm happy I met you and even happier that you're still here. I love Tamiko, but I've always been conscious that something was missing. It's not missing anymore, Keiko-chan. I think..." his voice trails off. He avoids my eyes.

I touch his face lightly and turn his face back to me. "Hiroshi-kun, I love you. I've been debating whether or not to tell you. I'm glad this is out in the open."

He leans forward and kisses me gently. His strong arms pull me close and I rest my head on his chest. If only this moment could last forever.