"So what's the damage?" Tsuruga curtly asked the elder Uesagi when he approached the trail boss who was stiffly sitting by the campfire and sipping from a tin cup of coffee. Exhausted cowboys were scattered around the camp sleeping while others where plodding through chores with the promise of sleep still a few hours away when they would swap with their companions. As boss, Ren was resisting the urge to sleep. Truth be told though, his current emotional state helped stave the desire to rest better than the coffee.
Before he answered, Ryuutaro grabbed the pot of coffee from its position over the campfire and slopped some inside one of the waiting cups. He took a long drag of the black eye-opener but didn't succeed in swallowing. The dark drink immediately spewed from his mouth like an arching fountain.
"Good God, man! How that hell do you screw up coffee?" the Dancing Blade rancher demanded as he poured the offensive and possibly toxic liquid onto the fire. "It's just beans and water for Heaven's sake."
Although normally the first to agree to any teasing about his abysmal abilities with anything culinary, Ren didn't even smile let alone reply to the gibe. The clearly disgruntled younger man just stared grumpily at his companion. The older man sighed and tossed the cup towards the chuck wagon. He lowered himself to the trampled grass and rolled his neck before answering the original question.
"Coops dead. Took three shots in the chest. We confirmed the loss of only three steer to stray fire. Lost three horses."
A gun shot sounded near the edge of camp where Hikaru and Shinichi were working on one of the injured horsed.
"Make that four horses," Ryuutaro changed with a grimace. "We've got three more unable to sustain riders for a while including Takarada's white, Majestic."
Ren nodded in understanding.
They continued their discussion with details about injuries. Yuusei was now awake and coherent. Unfortunately, he was experiencing dizzy spells every time he moved too much or too quickly. Ren had countered that all three Ishibashis had hard heads so he was sure that Yuusei would be back to normal in no time. Ryuutaro had agreed then explained that Hio had little more than a scratch on his shoulder. The most concerning injuries ended up being the cook and Kijima. Hidehito took a bullet in the shoulder. Lory was able to dig out the bullet but his right arm was useless until the muscle healed. He had also lost a decent amount of blood. As they talked, Ren glanced over his shoulder once more towards the direction where Lory and Deche had disappeared upstream with the injured cook. He sighed in frustration again before turning back to his seated companion.
"Sorry about Cooper," the younger man stated. Uesagi nodded back. Cooper had been one of his full time ranch hands. His wife had died years ago but his 16 year old son, Little Coop, would most likely stay on at the Dancing Blade ranch even with his dad being gone. He was a hard-working kid who had handled the ramuda the last two years on their drive. The only reason the youth hadn't accompanied them this year for his first time as a full-fledged puncher was due to a vile case of poison oak that he picked up at the beginning of the round up.
Uesagi had two of his regular hands digging a grave for Cooper since they were not in a position to transport the body for a number of days. The older rancher tightened his jaw and shook his head at the dishonorable waste of life.
"For what it's worth, we gained six horses from the rustlers but only two of them are really worth a second glance. The other four are little better then hog fodder. Hio has them tethered with the ramuda currently but we might just want to strip them and let them run."
The Dancing Blade rancher went on to explain that they gathered the bodies and left all seven of them at the back of the herd after having stripped the corpses of weapons. They had placed the weapons and ammunition in a scavenged box in the chuck wagon. They would inform the authorities of the bodies when they hit Dodge City unless Ren decided they needed to send a messenger ahead. After discussing the workload, Ren decided it would just be best to move on the drive and inform the marshal's office when they arrived at the cattle yards. No one on the drive was going to feel real concerned about leaving the bodies to the scavengers especially with Coop's death fresh on their minds.
Ren asked the other rancher if he thought Hio was up to working a couple shifts on the drive line. The youngster's father grinned as he admitted that even if he wasn't up to it that there was no way he would admit it. The kid would be foaming at the mouth in excitement at the prospect of wrangling instead of caring for the extra mounts even if it was only for a couple days. Hio was always interested in proving he was just as good as a grown man.
Ren stood. He glanced one more time to where Lory had escaped before leaving the fire in search of his injured workers. After a quick discussion with Yuusei, the dark-haired Ishibashi found himself assigned to driving the chuck wagon. When Ren found Kijima to check on his abilities, he found the cowboy sound asleep propped up on his saddle which was sitting on the ground. Someone had thrown a dusty horse blanket over the injured man to help keep him warm. His Stetson was tipped down over his face to keep the morning sun from his eyes but Ren could hear his steady breathing therefore he wasn't too worried about his condition just yet. Time would be the factor in whether or not the injury became any worse.
As it stood though, Ren was pretty sure Hidehito would not be riding into Dodge City on the cattle line. If he could stay on his horse, Ren figured he could put the injured cowboy in charge of the extra mounts along with Deche who had proved last night that he could sit atop a horse again but that his mobility and strength was still too lacking for wrangling cattle yet. If he couldn't stay on his horse, he would still be forced to ride in the chuck wagon.
Hikaru approached the trail boss as he meandered back towards the campfire. The normally playful but currently serious Ishibashi inquired about where he could find Takarada. The young man wanted to give the older cowboy an update on the health of his favorite horse. His inquiry forced Ren to once more glance towards the stream. This time, he was rewarded for his efforts because Deche came into view from behind the scruffy bushes that lined the winding water source. In his arms, he carried a pile of wet clothes as well as the cook's travel bag. The Indian was also dressed in his spare set of pants and a clean shirt. Behind him, Lory appeared. He was still carrying the cook wrapped in the blanket.
Her eyes were closed but a distinct frown lined her lips and creased her eyes in what Ren assumed was pain. Ren's chest suddenly felt tight as he realized that he did not like the expression marring the young cook's face.
Lory transported the cook directly towards Ren and Hikaru. He stopped directly in front of the pair and stared intently at Ren for a moment. Ren just returned the gaze with a blank expression. He knew from experience that nothing he said would make a difference to the older cowpuncher and he wasn't about to jump all over him about lying in such a public manner. After all, he didn't think the cook wanted everyone to know she was a female.
Lory shifted the slight form in his arms and nudged the back of Kyoko's head with his shoulder. She lifted her head slightly from its resting place on his upper chest and lower shoulder. Her golden eyes opened and both Ren and Hikaru took a deep breath at the transformation in her expression. Gone was the slightly arrogant and smirking boy. In his place was a rather fragile appearing young woman. Her hair was slightly damp and her face was free of any signs of dirt. Deche and Lory had obviously helped her bath in the stream. This thought bothered Ren immensely but he shoved the un-welcomed image away.
"I think introductions are in order," Takarada stated with a smirk on his face. "Ren, Hikaru, I would like you to meet Miss Kyoko Mogami."
Hikaru's jaw fell open and he stumbled back a step at the confirmed revelation. His eyes jumped frantically from one delicate feature on the cook's face to the next.
"How'd we miss that?" he muttered as a faint blush raised on his cheeks as he suddenly realized that he was staring at one of the cutest young women he had ever met. The blush bloomed deeper when he thought back over his and his cousins' behavior since they met the cook. Nervously, he stammered, "Well, now I know why you didn't want to bath with us, huh?"
Until that moment, Kyoko had been searching for any type of emotion in the trail boss' blank expression. Lory's chest shook slightly as he chuckled at the oldest Ishibashis comment and Kyoko offered her surrogate big brother an apologetic smile. Hikaru immediately smiled warmly in return. Despite the obvious affection of Kyoko's return expression, a shiver of chilling dread skittered up Hikaru's spine. His eyes shifted towards the trail boss. Unconsciously, the young cowboy took a step back and the smile drained from his face.
"Um... I think I will go check on... uh, yeah, on the horses again," he stuttered as he continued to back away from the frightening glare that seemed to be piercing his very soul.
Lory shifted which drew the death glare from the retreating Ishibashi's back to the cook and her current cowboy turned personal porter.
Kyoko squeaked and scrunched her eyes shut tight at the force of the negative emotion condensed into that one expression. She attempted to make herself as small as possible while still in Lory's arms. For a fleeting moment, she was almost successful in her interpretation of a small, furry rodent hiding from a fierce and deadly predator.
Lory's own expression tightened.
"Perhaps you should hear the whole story before you make any rash judgments," he cautioned.
Not sure if he could reply without growling in frustration, Ren nodded. Lory then turned and carried the cook to the chuck wagon where Deche had set up her bedroll inside the back. He had also moved around as many supplies and boxes as he could so that there was a bit more space in the back of the covered wagon. The Indian had even condensed what little food remained into two boxes and broke the other ones into pieces and tossed them on the campfire. Some of the larger pots and kettles, he had strapped to the outside of the wagon thereby freeing more space in the interior.
Lory slid Kyoko onto her bedroll which Deche had placed over his own and also Lory's roll in hopes of giving her more of a cushion against the floorboards of the wagon. A soft moan escaped the cook's lips when she was shifted onto the make-shift bed. Takarada helped her maneuver into a more comfortable position before turning to his younger friend. Gently, Lory placed his hand on Ren's shoulder as he whispered a word of advice as well as a firm order.
"Listen calmly, my friend. She had her reasons. Give her a chance then forgive her and let her sleep. She is going to need it."
Ren nodded curtly one time which satisfied his companion. With a final worried glance at the wounded cook, Lory departed with a promise to get the drive moving. In the quiet after his departure, Ren sat on the edge of the chuck wagon. His eyes trailed over the pale and waning complexion of the teen cook.
"I'm sorry I lied," Kyoko murmured as she struggled to sit up.
Reflexively, Ren reached forward and assisted her to an upright position. When he withdrew his hand, he stared at it for a moment as if contemplating the momentary contact with her soft, warm body.
The blanket in which she was wrapped fell open to reveal that the young cook was dressed in a simple nightshirt. Her legs and feet were bare but it still covered her well because the sleeping shirt obviously belonged to someone significantly larger than her petite body. For a moment, Ren wondered whose shirt it was. It appeared way too large for either Deche or Lory. He suspected it would have fit his large frame well. An angry fist seemed to clench in Ren's stomach for a moment and the trail boss was momentarily confused at the jealous feeling that washed over him. Gathering his iron will, Tsuruga crushed the unwanted emotion and instead focused on the apology. He prodded the cook to explain why she was masquerading as a young male.
Kyoko nervously clenched her hands on the blanket. Because of her broken rib, she cringed when she took a deep breath in hopes of calming her nerves. She resisted the urge to whimper but instead focused on convincing the trail boss that what she did was not out of malice. Kyoko truly had a good reason for her deceit. Her voice shook with a combination of pain and fear.
Quietly, Ren listened as Kyoko explained all about who Fuwa Sho was and why she found herself alone and unprotected in the middle of Texas and so very far from her home in Philadelphia. Although his heart contracted at the woe-begotten tale, Ren refused to allow his emotions to show on his face. Instead, he remained attentive but offered no sympathy or anger. Kyoko finished her explanation with another apology. Silence fell between them.
"So why didn't you tell me this to begin with?" Ren asked softly. Being who he was, he would have offered to help.
Kyoko lifted her expressive eyes to reveal sorrow but no shame.
"I did not know you then. I needed help and I needed money. You offered me both."
"But you could have told me. I still would have helped you."
"How was I to know that?" countered Kyoko with a perplexed expression. "When you first offered me the job, I barely knew you. All I knew was your name and the fact that you should never be allowed near a stove. That really isn't enough to inspire trust."
Ren conceded her point but then asked why she didn't tell him once they knew one another better. Ren reminded her that she shared her secret with Deche and Lory so why wouldn't she tell him. Although he would never admit it, the fact that she did not trust him enough to tell him truly bothered the trail boss. It was quite a blow to his ego that she was willing to share with Lory and his silent companion over him. It was then that Kyoko admitted the she did not originally reveal herself to the others. They discovered it on their own. It was only after she was caught that she explained her situation to Mr. Takarada.
Ren rolled his eyes. He still did not understand why she did not tell him once Lory knew.
Kyoko nervously fidgeted with her fingers before finally admitting that she didn't want Mr. Tsuruga to be disappointed in her.
"I couldn't change the circumstances," she explained. "I needed to protect myself in the beginning but then I did not want you to be disappointed in me."
Kyoko glance up at the blank-faced trail boss.
"I really didn't want to lose the respect and friendship that we had built and I worried that you would despise me for my masquerade."
"I would never have despised you, Miss Mogami. You are a hard worker and you proved yourself equal to the task of keeping pace with the rest of us on the drive. It does not matter that you are a female."
Inwardly, Ren felt like sighing as he added in his own thoughts that it would have made his life easier to know though. It would have relieved a lot of his personal stress over the past couple weeks. He would never admit this aloud though.
Ren watched Kyoko's eyelids slide shut and her fight to force them open as he explained his acceptance of her explanation and apology. When she thanked him for his understanding, Ren smiled softly. Unable to stop himself, he reached forward and ran his hand along her cheek and into her soft hair. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into his touch and her eyes slid shut again.
This time, Ren resisted the urge to lean forward and join his lips to the teen's soft ones.
"Get some rest, Miss Mogami," Ren stated with a gravelly voice that sent a slight shiver across Kyoko's skin.
Gently, Ren assisted the cook to resume her position on her make-shift bed. With a final glance at the exhausted and injured cook, Ren scooted off the back of the chuck wagon. He then closed back of the wagon. Turning his attention to the camp, the trail boss found his target. Purposefully, he strode across the grass as he barked orders to everyone still in camp that it was time to get moving.
"Takarada" Ren growled.
Lory met Ren's blazing gaze with his own expression of barely concealed glee. For a moment, Tsuruga fought the physical desire to clout his employee and friend in the jaw. Instead of striking him, the trail boss snapped his displeasure with words.
"You should have told me, old man," he scolded in a voice that clearly showed how disgusted and frustrated he felt over the perceived betrayal.
Like an unrepentant child, Takarada smirked tauntingly and then chuckled.
"I told you Kuon was an interesting kid. It is your fault that you didn't take the time to find out just why."
"You should have told me anyway," groused Ren as his anger slowly dissipated leaving behind only the frustration.
"What did it hurt, Ren?" Lory countered.
Ren groaned.
"It would have helped to know she was a girl before I kissed her, damn it all," he muttered murderously before turning on his booted heels and stalking off to his horse.
For a moment, Lory just stared in shock at the retreating back of his uncommonly uptight and controlled friend. Unable to resist, the old cowboy burst into boisterous laughter. As if to hold in the obnoxious sound, Takarada covered his mouth with both hands but the sound could not be contained. Tears of mirth fell from his eyes as the echoes of his glee followed the mortified Ren all the way back to the cattle line.