I do not own samurai 7. I only own Midori.
Story start
The next day I was up and out of there before anyone was awake yet. I felt so happy going to see Ukyo again. I still had the dress and hair clip hidden in my cloak. I would have left it at Masamune's but I knew someone would find it. I arrived at Ayamaro's and I saw Hyogo leaving with some nobuseri with him. I was confused and I was a little angry at the appearance of the machine samurai. "Where are you going Hyogo?" I asked happily to hide my true feelings. "I have to go deal with a little pest control," Hyogo said smirking. I smiled and nodded as I walked on ahead into Ayamaro's home. "Well that crosses Hyogo out of helping Kanan village. Hopefully I can talk to Kyuzo today," I thought as I walked to Ayamaro's room. Kyuzo was the only one in there when I entered. "Hello Kyuzo where is Ayamaro?" I asked with a smile. "The warehouse," he answered simply and I nodded even though I really didn't have a clue what he meant.
"Kyuzo did you by chance happen to meet a Shimada Kambei one day?" I asked offhandedly. Kyuzo glared at the name and he nodded. "How do you know Kambei?" he asked me as he walked towards me. "I just heard some people in town mention his name. Have you heard about the village wanting to hire samurai and fight the nobuseri? What do you think of all that?" I asked as I sat down on one of Ayamaro's pillow. Kyuzo gave me a suspicious glare and he quickly drew one of his swords. "Are you with them? Are you here to try and get me to join the other samurai to help that village?" he asked as he placed the sword's blade close to my neck. I quickly flipped away from the sword and said, "If I was with them what does it matter? You do not have to help them if you do not wish, but I know that they really need skilled samurai." Kyuzo glared and he sheathed his sword. "I do not care," he said and I sighed. "Well like I said before if you want to help them then the offer still stands, but if you do not want to then you do not have to," I said and turned away from him.
I could feel him trying to bore a hole through me with his stare, but I just shrugged and left Ayamaro's room. "Nothing to do right now," I thought as I started whistling. I was tired of being cooped inside the house so I went into the courtyard. "I should probably go talk to Ukyo, but I'm comfy right now," I thought with a chuckle as I stared up at the clouds from my spot on the courtyard floor. I got bored and started to sing a song that my master had taught me. I was so into my singing that I did not notice Hyogo's return or Ukyo's spying on me. Hyogo just went back into the house and I felt a small presence behind me. I finished my song and turned around and saw Ukyo there. I smiled and he held his arms out for a hug. I laughed as I jumped into his arms. I thought that he would not be able to catch me, but I was surprised as I was being held in his arms and my legs were wrapped around his waste. "Hello Midori. You sing beautifully," Ukyo said as he kissed me lightly on the lips. I blushed and pulled my face away from his. "Thank you. So did you miss me?" I asked with a chuckle. Ukyo set me down on my own feet and he said, "Of course I missed you." I smiled and busted out laughing when he did a big puppy dog pout.
Ukyo glared and said, "Why are you laughing?" I tried to catch my breath as I said, "It's because you look so cute." Ukyo was quiet for a moment before he laughed too. "Yeah I guess I am," he said as he poked his chest out. I laughed and poked his chest and he deflated. "You are going to get it for that," he said and he started chasing me around. I was much quicker than Ukyo, but I decided to slow down a lot and let him come close to catching me a few times. "You need to work out more," I said innocently as I ran around a few guards to escape. Ukyo was huffing and puffing by now and it worried me that he was already tired. Ukyo quit running after me and he said, "You win. I can't keep up with you." I stopped running and walked back to where he was. "Are you alright Ukyo?" I asked as I placed my hand on his shoulder. Ukyo took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "I'll be fine," he said as he smiled up at me. "Well how about we go and get something nice and cold to drink?" I asked as I helped him stand back up straight from his hunched over position. Ukyo nodded and laced his fingers with mine.
We walked to the kitchen and servants quickly stopped what they were doing and asked what we would like. "Some ice water please," I said sweetly and they quickly gave us two ice waters. I took a large gulp of the refreshing water and Ukyo took a more decent sip. I shrugged and quickly finished my water. Ukyo however took his time and we decided to walk around the place as he finished his drink. "You didn't get rid of them?" Ayamaro's voice said as Ukyo and I passed his room. I stopped for a moment and listened intently. "I'm sorry sir," Hyogo said and Ayamaro sighed. "Don't worry about it right now. We will stop them," Ayamaro said. I frowned and Ukyo gave me a suspicious glance. "Is everything alright Midori?" Ukyo asked as he squeezed my hand a little. I nodded with a fake smile and we started walking away from Ayamaro's room. "I hope that everyone was alright against Hyogo and those machines," I thought worried. Ukyo and I spent the rest of the day talking. It felt like nothing could ruin my day, and I hoped nothing would.
I let out a little yawn as it was now time for me to leave Ayamaro's house, and I was a little tired. Ukyo and I were standing in the courtyard and he had a sad smile on his face. I pouted and said, "I'll be back tomorrow so there is no need for you to pout." Ukyo's sad expression lightened a little and he pulled me into a hug. I returned the hug as a small tinge of pink adorned my cheeks. "I love his hugs," I thought peacefully as I enjoyed being in his arms. Ukyo pulled back a little from the hug, but still kept me in his arms. He lowered his face close to mine and he placed a kiss on my lips. This kiss was not as light as the others, and I was ecstatic. I kissed him back with all of the care that he was giving me, and I blushed when I felt his tongue lick my bottom lip. I shyly opened my mouth and our tongues met each others. "I've never been kissed this way, but it's very nice," I thought in bliss as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the deep kiss. Ukyo and I pulled away from each other when the need for air came to our senses. Ukyo and I were almost gasping for air. Once we regained our normal breathing pattern, Ukyo smiled down at me and said, "I think you've captured my heart Midori. Until tomorrow my love." With that said he bowed and I left with a large smile and blush on my face.
I ran all the way to the hotel and I did a few flips from all the excitement running through my body. When I got back to Masamune's home, Heihachi was outside. Heihachi gave me a strange yet curious look when I skipped over to him. "Hello Heihachi how has your day been?" I asked genuinely curious but also hoping to hear how everyone way. Heihachi smiled and explained to me in detail the events of the day. When it was time for Hyogo's attack to be described I held my breath. I sighed in relief when Heihachi told me that no one had been harmed, even though Kirara and Katsushiro had almost fallen. "Are they alright?" I asked with a small concerned expression. Heihachi nodded and I sighed in relief. Katsushiro had been a good kid so far, and I had to care for my sister even though she was a pest. I thanked Heihachi for telling me what all had happened and I stepped inside Masamune's home. Kambei and Gorobei were talking about the day's attack. "Always worrying, strategizing, or plotting," I thought with a shake of my head. "Kirara I heard that you and Katsushiro had a close call today. I'm glad that you two are alright," I said with a genuine smile on my face.
Katsushiro smiled back kindly and Kirara just seemed shocked. Her mouth was hanging open like a fish out of water. I smiled gently and pushed her chin back up. "Don't be so surprised that I actually care about you Kirara. I know you may not like what I am, but I still care for you, even though you make it hard for me to care sometimes," I said with a laugh. Kirara looked away from me for a moment before she faced me again and bowed her head. "I'm so sorry of how I've been treating you Midori. I should respect you for all that you have done for me and the village so far. I don't exactly know what you are doing while we are in the city, but I will trust you," she said and I smiled. "Thank you Kirara," I said and Komachi all of a sudden latched onto my waist. "I trust you too big sister Midori," Komachi said and I laughed as I hugged her back. "Thank you to you too Komachi," I said and we both laughed, even Kirara laughed a little. "Midori come here for a moment," Kambei ordered from his little corner. I sighed and let go of Komachi before walking over to Kambei and Gorobei. "Yes Kambei what is it?" I asked even though I knew that he was going to inquire about what all had happened at Ayamaro's.
"Nothing important happened while I was at Ayamaro's if that is what you are wishing to know. I talked to Kyuzo today about joining us, but he refused. I know Hyogo does not want to join because he is too keen on trying to hurt you then help you. Now if that is all you wanted to know then I'm going to go and eat some millet with Rikichi," I said as I gazed into Kambei's eyes. I quickly spun around to walk away from them, but Gorobei wrapped his arms around my waist and stopped me from leaving. "Wait now girl. That is what we wanted to know, but there is also something else. How are you and the young magistrate's son?" Gorobei said slyly. I tried to pull away from his grasp but it was useless. I sighed and Gorobei pulled me down to sit next to him. I glared at him and he just laughed. "That is none of your business," I said heatedly. Gorobei and Kambei looked interested at my heated response. Heihachi decided to pop in at this moment and he did a little wolf whistle. "So who is this lucky guy?" Heihachi asked with a smug grin. I groaned and buried my head in my hands. "Guys stop," I whined but they just laughed. "Midori you really should not get mixed up with him," Kambei said. I glared and quickly escaped their little circle. I sat next to Rikichi and gratefully took a bowl of millet from him. While I ate I kept sending glares at the giggling Gorobei and Heihachi. I was very tempted many times that night to draw my sword and knock some sense into Heihachi and Gorobei, but alas I did not.
