It had been Two days since Chojuro ran away from Mei and during that time he had been with the seven swordsmen. Chojuro was told many things that even surprised him and he was happy to hear.
This time Chojuro was in the shack that was there and the swordsmen were doing an errand but they didn't want Chojuro to be a target so they had him to stay there. Chojuro didn't mind he trusted them enough to sleep near them so it didn't bother him to be left alone.
He got hungry and went outside to look for something to eat. As he was was outside he saw a river and looked in to see fish swimming around. He giggled then went into the water. During his time with the seven swordsmen he was taught how to catch and cook a fish. He was happy for that now because wasn't using so much energy just to catch a fish.
As he was trying to get a fish he caught one and was holding it by its tail then he looked up to see birds flying by. Chojuro got out of the water and started a fire. As he was doing that he cooked the fish. As the fish was cooking Chojuro smiled at the smell of his meal cooking but then he stopped to look at the water at a reflection that was looking at him. He looked over his shoulder to see Mei standing there.
Chojuro without second thoughts ran but Mei grabbed his arm.
"Let go of me!"
Mei had him close her and he kept squirming trying to break free.
"Chojuro just let me talk."
"By talking you mean killing me!"
"That's not what I meant. Just listen to me."
"No!"
Mei held him down and Chojuro began to cry. Mei looked away then looked at Chojuro who wasn't looking at her.
"Will you listen to me now?"
"Only if you get off."
Mei knew it was dumb but she got off and Chojuro went to his fish and started eating. Mei sat down but not next to him then she looked at the ground.
"I'm sorry for everything. I shouldn't have harmed you or even yelled at you. I was wrong to treat you like that."
"What made you change like that?"
"Like what?"
"Coming to look for me?"
"I got some sensed knocked into me twice."
"How?"
Mei looked at him.
"You launched a tree branch in my face and headbutted me."
Chojuro looked down.
"Oh."
"I deserved it though, so it's fine."
Mei looked at him with softness in her eyes.
"Chojuro?"
"Yes?"
"Please come back to the village with me?"
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why should I? How can I trust you not to kill me?"
"Chojuro I can't bring myself to hurt you."
Mei came closer to him and hugged him. Chojuro began to squirm again.
"Let me go!"
"Why are you acting like this?"
"You're the same person that killed my family!"
Mei was struck then she looked at him.
"Chojuro, I..."
"Let me go!"
"Chojuro wait, I don't want to hurt you. I want to help you."
Chojuro broke free from her and began to run away.
"You say you want to help me but you're only hurting me! I hate you!"
After hearing him yell that to her Mei stood up. She was in complete shock then fell to her knees as something began to haunt her.
"Help... that's the word people say when they're in trouble. No one came to them. I remember why I became the way I did. It was because I was helping a butterfly. It was coming out of the shell it was in but I felt bad for it so I helped it out but it died when it was free. I was afraid of what would happen so I changed my ways and became a heartless person."
Mei stood up and went after Chojuro.
"Chojuro, believe it or not you taught me something that no one could teach me. You taught me that there's a difference between helping and guiding. For that, I love you and I want you to be my son."
Mei went after him then soon saw that he was trapped under a rock. He had passed out and Mei came to him and checked to see if he was alright. She smiled when she felt him move but he didn't wake up. Mei picked him up and carried him back home to the Mist village.
When they got home Mei took Chojuro to her room laying him on the bed then she laid next to him. She looked at him and smiled then caressed his cheek.
"No matter what I will protect you, Chojuro."
She leaned closer and kissed his forehead and hugged him to her.
"Sleep well, my son."