That night, Saizo and I quickly packed up a handful of things for the each of us to carry one small bag. He took less than I, and I remember thinking to myself how petty I must look to him taking things I could probably do without. We set up our futons and stuffed pillows underneath to give the appearance of us still being there and not long after we said our goodbyes, Kuma emerged from the hall, which Saizo found humorous as she startled me. He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and in a flash he was gone. Kuma gripped my hand, and we just kept running.

Despite how perilous the journey was, Kuma and I arrived in my hometown the following night, just before sun had set over the trees. I remembered looking behind me and recalling to myself how long it had been since I saw that orange and pink swirl through the mountain. Ironically, my grandfather was in the bath when we finally reached my former home. He didn't know I was on my way, as it was so last minute. He surely would be surprised. The two of us said our goodbyes inside my old bedroom because Kuma needed to check my room for me, just ninja protocol. She needed to leave to hurry to the others.

Alone in my room, I observed that grandpa had left it exactly as I had left it. Even my old kimono was draped over the screen that I had changed out of the day that I had left. I had departed in such a hurry, I didn't even realize I had left the room in a distressed state. It felt so strange, like stepping into the past. Yet; So much had happened in those few two years. I had once walked these same floorboards with absolutely no idea what my future held. Even my daydreams weren't as elaborate and action-packed as it turned out to be. Who would have even considered a klutzy girl like me to be a princess of all ninja.

My routine was so dull back then. I would have never thought that the first ninja I had ever seen in my life, tending to the kittens outside, would one day become my husband. Saizo Kirigakure, one of the most famous ninja of my generation! I was so proud to belong to him everyday. He was so popular at home, I wonder how people outside his village like here would think of him.

Oh, those kittens must be so big now! I thought. I decided to go outside with a small handful of fish I had cut up quickly in the kitchen. Calling out to them, one cat ran up to me, followed by a band of three tiny babies who seemed as though they were struggling to catch up with their tiny little paws. I held out my hand to the mother and pet her with my other. Her little ones sniffed and one of them attempted to eat one, pulling it off my hand, but after a couple licks it lost interest and wandered away.

"I remember you little orange kitty." I cooed. "I see you have a little family now."

The mommy cat gave a soft "mew" as if thanking me and laid down next to me. Her kittens began to nurse and I continued petting her.

"I will be a mommy soon too! But my baby won't quite look like yours."

After several minutes, someone called out to me from the deck. I knew that voice.

"Grandfather!" I shouted while throwing my arms around him.

"It's so great to see you! This is so unexpected!" He smiled as I withdrew from his embrace. Time had not been kind to him, he now held a wooden stick by his side. His eyes showed his age far more than the last I had seen him, and his posture was shaky.

"I know, I'm sorry to intrude on you." I sighed.

He shook his head.

"You could never. This is always your home, even though you have moved on."

"Saizo is on a very dangerous mission, my life was in danger at home. I needed to be relocated quickly, we had no time to plan any further than that." I explained as we

retired to the main hall to sit and formally talk.

"That's a shame. I was hoping to finally meet him as your husband and not as your escort. He really did steal you away, didn't he? Sneaky ninja." Joked grandpa, laughing to himself as he struggled to pour us a cup of tea.

"I couldn't have asked for a better husband." I beamed.

Grandpa smiled, but suddenly dropped the pot of tea he was holding in his hand. I hurried to grab a cloth and clean it up.

"Thank you my dear, I've been having a lot of trouble lately with these crab hands" He quipped, mocking himself while mimicking a crab with his hands.

"Oh, Grandpa, you are always playing around. I'm worried about you."

"Me? Don't be silly. I've been doing fine." He assured me, lifting his cup to his lips. "You have enough to worry about with the baby and all."

I blushed at his comment. I had almost forgotten I had sent him a letter about my pregnancy. It was hard not to notice my protruding belly.

"You know they say he is a very cold-hearted man. " Sighed grandpa.

"He's really not!" I exclaim. "He's gentle and loving and he says such sweet things."

"That'd good to hear. When I overheard some people in the village talking about him I grew quite concerned, but I know how hard headed you are so I never said anything."

"What did you hear?" I inquired.

"Just stories. They say he's hard on his trainees, and don't talk much but when he does he can be quite mean. They said that he is a great ninja though, and that he can easily disguise himself as anyone and anything."

"It is true grandpa, but deep down he is a big baby." I laugh, with him soon joining me.

"So how long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure." I begin. "He didn't even tell me why I had to leave, only that we were in danger. I'm sure I will hear from him soon with more information."

"Well it's as I said. You are welcome to stay as long as you want. I missed having you around." Grandpa said, using his cane to try and lift himself off the floor. I hurried to his side and helped him up.

"I am going to my room for now. I'll see you in the morning. "

Going separate ways I walked the dim, silent hall with a heavy heart. What if this was the last time I saw my beloved Saizo again? I hardly had a chance to give him a proper farewell. I kept dwelling on that look he gave me right before he left. That same longing expression he wore most nights, only this time he seemed more sad. Almost like he knew it would be a while before he saw me.

"Good-night Saizo." I breathed, rolling onto my side and trying not to weep.

Unbeknownst to me; across the mountains in a damp cave, Saizo was looking out at the moon and whispered the same thing to me.

(Go to chapter 12)