" Chi-chan there's a letter for you!"

Chitsuki looked up from polishing her sword to find Chizuru bounding towards her. She smiled. Everyday was so fun with Chizuru. It really was like the good old days when they were back in Edo. She closed her eyes for a moment. They used to run around, pick flowers, climb trees, laugh and sing together. Chitsuki was more than used to cooking dinner and bringing some to Chizuru and her father. But, for some reason...she had always felt that Chizuru's father wasn't human. Of course he looked human but something about his smile never looked human. Now her father had left Chizuru by herself and she couldn't forgive him. Chitsuki clenched her fists.

" Hitsuki-chan are you alright? You look upset." said the worried voice of her best friend.

" I'm alright Chizuru-chan, thanks for worrying. And you were talking about a letter?"

Realization hit her eyes and she nodded," Whoops! Yes there's a letter written to you in ….pretty sad handwriting."

She handed over the letter and from then Chitsuki could see why Chizuru called the penmanship " sad". It was decent but even she had a bit of issues reading the sender's name. " Morino Hanabi". That was her aunt's japanese name. She quickly opened up the letter with vigour and zeal.

Dear Chitsuki,

How have you been? We have all be been worried since you have not written until we got your latest letter. I hope you've been faring well even after all the madness that's been going on around you. As for the latest update on what's been going on in London; everything's been fine and getting better. Lucilla has just been fabulous and cooperative with her singing teacher and she sounds wonderful. The church choir will even have her sing two solos when they perform in front of the queen herself. Annita has also been improving even with all the odds against her. All of our sign language has been getting better so we can communicate with her a bit more easily now. She is scheduled to perform in front of majesty with her teacher next week so we are all ecstatic that she may have a guaranteed future as a musician. And finally your cousin Thomas has just graduated from Harvard. We all miss you and wish you well.

Best regards,

Aunt Telul ( Morino Hanabi)

Chitsuki finished the letter with a sigh. She did miss her family in England.

" What's wrong Chi-chan?" asked Chizuru

" Ah it's nothing Chizuru. It's a letter from my Aunt in the West. I was just missing them a bit."

" Then I'll be your family here."

" Huh?"

" I'll be your family here. We'll comfort each other, protect each other, and act as a family."

Chitsuki smiled fondly at Chizuru wide admiration. Her friend always knew what to say and was one of the sweetest people she had ever met.

Chitsuki thought," I'll protect that smile forever...even if I die trying to."