A month later…
"Honestly, Chief, you should rest." Kakashi advised with a frowning face.
Beads of sweat clung to Yuyama 's forehead as she panted tiredly from a tiring practice with her sword. She shook her head at Kakashi, taking deep breaths before she could answer.
"No, I'm fine…Really…I'm fine."
Zagashira arrived on the scene as well and he said sternly "Chief, you should really rest. Every day you get up at sunrise to practice sword, then you rehearse our play, practice more sword, rehearse some more; you haven't been getting enough sleep. We, the Kakunojo Yuyama Troupe are worried about you."
Yuyama retorted that she didn't just practice sword or rehearse their play all the time. Kakashi and Zagashira sighed. There was no changing the Chief's mind. Would they have to force her to stop?
I'd rather not go there, Zagashira thought as he rubbed his temple.
Shiranui was busy watching over the kids as Zagashira and Kakashi attempted to talk some sense into the Chief. Benimaru glanced nervously at Kobako and she timidly nodded. They both turned their heads to Shiranui and asked quietly "Is the Chief all right?"
"Eh? Oh, yeah. Well, she's been exhorting too much of her strength. She's not resting enough. Why don't you two try to convince Zachou?" Shiranui reported. It was a great idea as they walked over to the arguing trio.
Shiranui couldn't hear what they were talking about until he was about two yards away.
"Look, practicing and rehearsing makes me feel better and gives me something to do. I don't understand why you are so upset about it." Yuyama said angrily through gritted teeth. Kobako and Benimaru immediately jumped in.
With huge, wide eyes, and clinging to the Chief, they stared up at Yuyama with their puppy-dog eyes, forcing the Yuyama to bend to their will as they asked innocently "Zachou, will you be alright?"
Her head was throbbing and her whole body ached as she forced out a hoarse whisper, "Yes. Yes."
Her head was swimming and becoming unfocused, she stumbled and teetered. Then, her eyes were closing and suddenly felt herself falling…falling…into the black void…
Yuyama collapsed and Kakashi had lunged forward to catch her fall. Carefully, he picked her up as the kids looked on, scared and bewildered. The Chief had collapsed. They had never seen the Chief so sick. Always it was just a small flu or cold, not this. Zagashira followed after Kakashi as they went back into the house to put Yuyama to bed. Shiranui watched worriedly after them, holding the kids close to him.
What was Zachou thinking? He thought and gently pushed the kids back to the house as well.
Note from the Writer: Sorry that the recent chapters have been really short. I've been thinking of adding something with a dance later in the story...not going to say anything more...but be prepared! Thank you for being patient with me! ~ Suzume Suzuki