Chapter 25

Unfamiliar Feelings

Katherine stood on the porch for couple of more minutes. She longingly gazed at the sky that for now was covered with dark clouds. Rain continued to fall rapidly, it was getting quite chilly and Katherine could no longer resist the warmth of the house and decided to go inside. Her head was pounding...so many things had happened to her. If wasn't easy to just up and forget where she belonged. How could she get used to this place? It was so different, so odd, and unpleasant. She had absolutely no desire to stay in this unusual village. Katherine couldn't help but wonder how long she'd be able to last with the samurai. It didn't matter how politely they treated her. She just wanted to go home! She had a strong desire to embrace her father and hear him say that everything was going to be alright.

Maybe that's why she had crossed the line with Nathan the other day. Maybe, she just felt lonely and wanted someone to comfort her. As Katherine was still in her thoughts, she entered the house only to find Algren wondering around. He was patiently waiting for her. So much for trying to avoid him!

"Katherine, I-ah...I'd like to talk about what happened yesterday." He said, and slowly approached her. Algren knew that he was being little too quick with all this, but now was the perfect time to solve everything. No one was there except for them. Taka and the children were still in the kitchen fussing around breakfast and Nobutada...well, who knows were he was. And it's not like Algren cared about the young samurai's whereabouts. The important thing was that they were alone and could talk about the incident that occurred last night.

"Alright, let's talk." Katherine nodded, and nervously glanced around the area. The two of them calmly made their way towards the window and Algren took a deep breath. Honestly, he didn't know where to begin. "I'm sorry about what happened." He started, as Katherine shyly looked down the floor, not wanting to lock eyes with him. "I let my emotions get in the way." He continued gently, and Katherine slowly gazed up and met his gaze.

"Your emotions?" She asked surprised.

"You are beautiful..." The American officer admitted with a sigh. He thought he could handle this 'talk' at first, but now he wasn't so sure. The truth was, Nathan really liked her, he believed he might even have feelings for her. However, this was not possible. "I think any man who will have the honor to marry you, will be the luckiest guy..."

Katherine was confused. Where was he going with this? "Nathan, are you confessing your love?" She asked bluntly. Katherine had no time for games, she needed to know what was going on between them or else, things would get very awkward and that's the last thing she needed especially, when the two where in captivity.

"That's the thing...I, uh I don't know." He sighed in frustration. "What I do know is that I can't take advantage of you like that. It's all my fault. You were vulnerable and-"

"Wait, stop!" Katherine exclaimed firmly and crossed her arms. "This wasn't your fault entirely...I mean, I too happen to have these feelings." She admitted timidly.

"No, you can't." Algren stated firmly. "You're bright, beautiful, and young. You don't want someone like me." He said with a disappointed tone in his voice.

"How do you know what I want?" Katherine raised her eyebrows. "You don't know me."

"And you don't know me. If we had finished what we started last night, we would both regret it forever."

"You would regret it?" Katherine was little bit offended with his words.

"Katherine, I know you don't realize this now...but I don't deserve you. I'm nothing but a drunkard...you don't want me. We just got caught up in the moment." Algren explained calmly, as he uncomfortably twitched his jaw. He was actually quite fascinated with this girl however, at the same time, he knew that this was temporary. The two of them were lonely...that's all.

"I couldn't take advantage of you like that." Nathan continued responsibly, and Katherine suddenly had an urge to kiss him again. She didn't care what anyone said, it felt right to her. She needed someone to comfort her, to make her worries go away...at least for a little bit. She went up and gently brushed her lips on his.

"Katherine, no." Algren turned around, only to meet Taka's eyes. She was standing across hall and looked quite surprised with what she had seen few seconds ago. Both of the westerners froze upon noticing the gentle woman.

"Come with me, Kitty." She spoke softly after few minutes of silence. Katherine cleared her throat, uncomfortably glanced at Algren, and then reluctantly followed the Japanese woman quietly. With no doubt, she had seen the affectionate display of her western 'guests'. But as always, Taka acted like nothing had happened at all. Katherine wasn't surprised. Algren had murdered her husband, and she had been keeping it for so long. Taka was probably used to it by now. Katherine couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She disliked these people, but no matter how much she tried, she just couldn't bring herself to despise Taka. She was just way too gentle and kind. Even though, Katherine convinced herself that Taka probably wanted to silently avenge her husband, she still couldn't help but admire how graceful and nobel this woman was.

Taka led her to one of the chambers, and Katherine started to assume that the room might've belonged to Taka herself. Once inside, the Japanese woman presented fresh clothes before her and forced a small smile on her thin lips. "You'll dress in this." She spoke up and showed Katherine the simple dark blue kimono that she was supposed to wear.

"Alright, but I think I'll need your help with it." She replied casually and Taka nodded at her knowingly. Katherine reached out to unbutton her dress, and slowly she slipped out of it. Her corset and underclothes were always the tricky part, Taka already knew that and she aided her with taking them off.

"You love him?" She finally asked, and Katherine stared at her in astonishment. Taka had never ever been a curious or a gossip-loving woman. If anything, she preferred not to interfere with other people's business. But somehow, her foreign 'guests' got the best of her. She couldn't take it any longer and at last blurted out the question.

"We're...I-uh." Katherine paused unsurely. She wasn't ready to answer that question because she herself had no idea what she was feeling. Taka continued helping her, as Katherine slowly put on a white cotten top and skirt...it was apparently the undergarment of a kimono. "He is my friend." She managed to respond to Taka.

Taka didn't say anything, as she gently placed and adjusted a white collar around Katherine's neck.

"I guess, I love him." Katherine admitted to her. "He is the only one I've got in this...place."

Taka didn't need her explanations anymore. She understood what the girl meant. "Don't be afraid, no one will hurt you. My brother made sure of it."

Katherine met the kind woman's honest eyes. "I know about your husband," She paused, trying to remember the name. "Hirotaro...I'm sorry."

Taka's eyes started to fill up with tears, clearly she was still in so much pain. "It's not your doing. You're just a translator." She managed in a choky voice.

Katherine wanted to say more to her, but it was too soon. Besides, she was probably bringing sad memories for her. So she decided to keep silent for now. Once Taka was finished helping Katherine with the traditional attire, the two women calmly walked back to where Algren was. Katherine had her hair pulled up in a bun and her dress was surprisingly comfortable and warm. Anything was better than her overbearing corset.

Nobutada had been outside all morning. He was practicing and perfecting his mounted archery since the early dawn. The pouring rain did not scare him or any other samurai warriors. Training was training! And he would get it done! Besides, Nobutada needed the distraction badly. Lately, all he could think about was that...girl. He was so ashamed of how weak he had become, but he couldn't control his feelings. It was sickening! If his father knew, he would probably be so disappointed in him. This was ridiculous! Why was this girl in his mind? Even when he closed his eyes to meditate, she would appear before him with her sparkling eyes. Quite frankly, Nobutada was so annoyed with himself. And it wasn't like he could suddenly forget her. She was in his care! In some ways,...she belonged to him.

Nobutada became so angry whenever he remembered Kitty's words. She regarded him as her sworn enemy, she feared him, and probably hated him. This should not have bothered him at all. And yet, it did! It did! And this drove him crazy!

He finally returned back to Taka's house, all soaked and wet from staying in the rain for so long. With a deep breath he entered, hoping that somehow he would manage to control his unfamiliar and unusual feelings he was having. Nobutada had come just in time for breakfast. Taka greeted him sweetly, and in her usual calm and balanced voice told him to dry himself.

Katherine and Algren were kneeling down at the small wooden table, waiting for their breakfast together with Higen and Magojiro.

Both Higen and Algren were awfully quiet. Little Magojiro playfully kept talking to Katherine and asking her all sorts of questions; about birds, animals, different seasons, and most importantly, about her. He marvelled at Katherine's sea colored eyes. The small boy had never seem anything like that before. Even Higen gazed at her curiously. Katherine calmly replied to the boys' questions while Algren felt uncomfortable. He was out of place. He didn't understand anything they were saying and whenever he looked at Taka, guilt was eating him alive. It was unbelievable!

Soon afterwards, Taka re-entered and came back with Nobutada who locked eyes with Katherine. He stared at her attire in disbelief. Wait, wasn't she the one who threw those clothes away and acted all immature about it? How did Taka manage to convince her? Although, she did look good in it. But Nobutada still preferred her western dress that she used to wear.

It's been a while since Katherine had last seen Katsumoto's son. After their last conversation, he seemed more distant and cold towards her. She could no longer see warmth in his eyes...in reality, they were still there. It's just Nobutada tried hard to conceal his emotions especially after the 'enemy' remark. Without further chats, they set down at the table and ate in silence. Occasionally, Magojiro would try to open his mouth and bubble again, but Taka managed to quiet his son.

"When will you make him take that bath we discussed earlier?" Taka asked her nephew regarding Algren, once the breakfast was over. She was washing the dishes.

"Soon. I promise."

The rain had seized to fall at last, and now Algren was the one standing on the porch, breathing the fresh air. He had a strong urge to write something in his own journals...but he had lost them in the battle apparently. Few minutes later, Katherine appeared again. She glanced at the silent samurai who stood close by, keeping a sharp eye on the American captive.

"Nathan," she called.

"Yes?"

"It's not up to you to tell me who I should love." Katherine announced confidently. "What happened between us...was unexpected. But I-"

"You don't love me, Katherine." Algren interrupted. He was experienced in such things and knew that Katherine was young and infatuated. She was most definitely not in love. "You just want someone to comfort you. Don't mistaken that for love."

Katherine stared at Nathan quietly. She was not sure about her feelings and nothing was certain, but one thing was clear; she wanted to feel safe and loved again.

"Maybe, you're right." Katherine admitted softly. "I could use a hug." She sighed and Nathan walked up to her and the two embraced. It was obvious, the two of them needed this tranquility more than ever.

This time, it was Nobutada who arrived on the scene. He cleared his throat in irritation and the two westerners broke off their fond embrace. "Take him to the springs. He needs to bathe." He ordered the silent samurai, who was charged to guard the American. The elder man bowed in respect and motioned Algren to go with him.

Algren glanced at Katherine questionably.

"It's alright, they're taking you to bathe." Katherine interpreted Nobutada's words to him.

"I don't feel comfortable leaving you here." Algren spoke up and gazed at Katsumoto's son in suspicion.

"Nathan, I'll be fine." Katherine told him firmly and pushed Algren to go. "Go take a bath! You stink!" She exclaimed in a playful manner, and Algren had no other choice but to give in. He finally left with the silent samurai, and the sun slowly started to peak as the clouds cleared up at last.

"You do not wonder around unless escorted." Nobutada spoke up, once the two were left alone and Katherine stared at him intently. She knew that he was referring to her outburst the other day, when she ran off all alone and attempted to kill herself.

"I know, it won't happen again." Katherine replied obediently.

"Ujio didn't hurt you...did he?" Nobutada asked, and then mentally kicked himself for showing how much he cared.

Katherine met his gaze in surprise. She couldn't believe that he would care about such things. But then again, it was his job. He was appointed to guard her and keep her safe. "No, he...he was kind to me." Katherine answered, as she remembered how differently the tough samurai had spoken to her that rainy evening. He had made her realize how important it was to never give up.

Nobutada raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. Since when was Ujio kind to the western captives? Did he miss anything?