Chapter 34

Love Sick

Katherine watched the delicate snow flakes fall gently on the ground from her small window. It was a mesmerizing sight, indeed. Everything outside was covered in white blankets of snow and she couldn't help but think that all of the seasons were magical in its own unique way. She sighed softly and wondered how long exactly would it take Nathan to come back. He had been with Katsumoto almost all day. It was already evening and the night had approached the Samurai village.

Katherine glanced down at her journal with a small smile tucking her lips. She had written so much in it that it was already becoming difficult for her to think of anything to write. The shoji screen door opened, and Katherine looked up only to see little Magojiro entering with a big grin on his chubby face.

"Kitty-san, will you tell me a story?" He asked quietly and turned his head to Taka, who was standing behind him in a motherly manner.

"Higen, it's time for you to sleep." The calm mother informed her little son.

"I want to hear a story, first." Higen insisted with pleading eyes, and Katherine couldn't say no to him at all. Besides, it was all her fault that the boy started asking for bad-time stories so frequently. Every night, she would go to him and narrate all sorts of tales and stories from books and from her own childhood days. Magojiro simply adored her artistic way of describing characters and coming up with plotlines. Even older Higen would often sit close to them and listen to Katherine.

"If you're alright with it...then I won't object." Taka told the western woman softly and bowed her head slightly.

"No, not at all. It's my pleasure." Katherine beamed brightly and Magojiro grinned in triumph.

Taka was puzzled with her children. They were not only warming up, but they were seriously falling in love with the two gaijin 'guests'. It was so unexpected and unusual for her. But then again, it weren't only her sons, she had noticed the way her nephew gazed at Kitty. He was with no doubt taken with her. It was so obvious and yet so unbelievable. A Samurai in love with a foreign woman? This was unheard of! Taka slowly walked back towards the small kitchen area, and gazed out of the window herself. Things had changed so much...it was ridiculous how Nobutada had become so intrigued with the girl and he wouldn't dare to admit it. At the same time, there was this small tiny part of her that actually liked the American officer. It drew Taka crazy! He was a good man...but that didn't mean anything! He was still her enemy...or was he? No, he was anything but an enemy to her. He was so sweet, kind, caring and different from what she imagined. No! No way! Wait a second...she had gone too far! Her thoughts were incredibly dishonorable! She was bringing shame to her deceased husband! Taka took a deep breath and after gathering all the strength she had, she decided to stop thinking about all this for now...or even better...she would stop thinking about this forever!

When Katherine finished narrating all kinds of stories to little Magojiro, she looked down only to see that the boy had fallen asleep in her arms. She gently and quietly took the sweet toddler in his own chamber where Taka had been waiting for them. With a soft and grateful smile, Taka nodded and grasped the boy from her arms. Katherine left without another word, she was still planning on waiting for Nathan, who was absent since the early morning.

Katherine set down in the living-room area on the small mat and sighed. Things had been so peaceful and quiet here for almost an entire month now. She couldn't believe herself...never in her life did she imagine this! Her world had changed so much. It was so confusing to her. Why was she okay with all this? Since when did Katherine feel secure among these uncivilized barbarians?

She was in her thoughts when Higen appeared in the room. The boy had a gentle smile on his face. "Higen, why are you awake?" Katherine asked him softly. "It's little late."

"I know, I was just finishing my studies." Higen replied in a respectable tone and took a sit next to her.

Katherine eyed the boy with much curiosity. "You know Higen, you're very smart and mature for your age."

"Thank you very much, Kitty-san." Higen responded with a shy smile.

Katherine beamed at him and paused. She didn't know how to carry on the conversation. By no means did she wish to appear over-bearing. Maybe she could ask him questions or something. When Katherine was still thinking about this, she noticed how her eyes swelled and teared up for a little bit. Her head was hurting as well. Although, the headache had started in the morning...now it seemed like it was getting worse.

"How many languages can you speak?" Higen asked her, before she could open her mouth.

"Six." Katherine answered simply. "English, Japanese, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian."

Higen's mouth formed into a shape of 'O' with shock and surprise. Katherine couldn't help but giggle at his reaction.

"You must be really smart." Higen announced, he was really impressed.

"No, I'm just lucky." Katherine said in a dry manner. "My father can speak almost over ten languages. He was the one who taught me."

"You must be happy to have a father like that." Higen sighed, his voice sounded a little sad.

Katherine understood this entirely. The poor boy was missing his own father. It was just so heartbreaking to see him like this. And this pain was caused by the pride and prejudice of grown-up men who disgustingly volunteered to go to the battle and kill! She didn't care what their motives and reasons were. The fact was a fact. All killing was a filthy business! Simply horrible!

"Yes, my father is a wonderful man." Katherine spoke in a tender tone. "I'm sure your father was a worthy man too." She turned to Higen, hoping to boost his spirits. The boy's eyes brightened immediately.

"He always told me how honorable it was to fight in the battle."

Katherine forced a small smile on her face, as Higen continued. "To him, dying in battle was glorious. He was a very brave samurai."

Katherine thought about his words deeply. It was hard for her to comprehend the way these people taught their children from the early age to never fear death, and if anything, accept it with honor and glory.

"He was never afraid." Higen stated firmly. "I want to be like him."

The conversation between the two was interrupted, when Nobutada decided to enter the house. He had been listening to them for a while, until the cold winter air stung him and he could no longer stay out. Nobutada was actually touched at how sweetly and honestly Higen conversed with the western girl. Upon seeing the respected leader's son, both the young boy and Katherine stood up. Higen bowed at him in respect, and after that turned and nodded at Katherine. "It was nice speaking to you, Kitty-san."

"Pleasure was all mine." Katherine responded gently and Higen walked towards his own room.

"You seem flushed. Are you tired?" Nobutada asked, upon noticing that Katherine looked a little weak. The girl stared at him in surprise. He was so attentive to her, it was too much to ask for.

"I'm alright." Katherine waved her hand carelessly.

Nobutada however, was not at all convinced but decided to drop the subject for a while.

"I couldn't help but overhear the conversation between you and Higen." Nobutada started softly, "You miss your father?"

Katherine gazed at his caring eyes for a second or two. He was looking at her so warmly, so intently. It puzzled her. Why? Why was he so kind to her?

"Yes, very much." She admitted quietly, and Nobutada couldn't help but blame himself for it. After all, he was the one who had noticed her in the battlefield. He was the one who discovered and brought this calamity on her head! He wished that somehow she would warm up to this place, to the atmosphere, the people, and warm up to him eventually.

But there was no denying that she wanted to be with her father...someone she loved and deeply cared about. She had joined the battle and almost sacrificed herself for him.

"If it were up to me..." Nobutada started in a gentle manner, walking up close to Katherine. "...I'd take you to him in a heartbeat."

"Why?" Katherine was shocked, she couldn't understand why this young samurai was so unbelievably kind to her. It was as if she meant something to him. "Why are you so nice to me?" She asked, and tears started to leak her eyes very slowly. Her head was hurting now more than ever.

Nobutada gazed at her intently. His eyes were gentle, so full with warmth and tenderness. He didn't know the answer himself. He tried to figure it out many times, but there was always something that held him back. No! It couldn't be ...love. It was out of the question!

"And please don't say that it's because of your father." Katherine threw in, no longer waiting for his response. "I don't believe it for a second. You're way too kind. Unnecessarily kind." As she was speaking, her vision started become all blurry. She wasn't feeling too well that particular day. Nevertheless, Katherine stared at the young man in determination. She needed an answer!

"If it displeases you so much, then I won't anymore." Nobutada answered simply, trying to retain himself and stay solemn.

"No, I just...want to know the reason."

If only he could know the answer. Before Nobutada could say anything at all, he noticed how unwell Katherine was beginning to look. Her eyes were watery, her usually pink lips looked pale, and overall, she seemed weak. Suddenly, she stumbled, almost falling on the floor. Nobutada quickly grabbed her close, trying to keep her balanced.

"I'll be fine. My head ... ah just hurts." Katherine mumbled, attempting to sound normal. However, it was all in vain. She was sick. She couldn't hold herself anymore, the headache was too violent, her eyes were too blurry. Just like that, Katherine sunk to her knees and immediately, Nobutada picked her up, carrying her in the chamber.

Nathan Algren entered on the scene and without any questions, rushed towards Katherine in panic. He had been engrossed in deep conversations with Katsumoto all day long. The last thing he was hoping to see right now was this! Poor Kitty wasn't looking well at all. Nobutada gently laid her on the bamboo mat and placed his hand on her heated forehead. He was starting to become very worried.

"She's burning up!" Nathan exclaimed in realization. "She's caught a fever."

Nobutada looked at him knowingly and went out to call for Taka. Nathan stayed in the room with Katherine and brushed her stray curl aside from her face. She had her eyes closed and breathed heavily.

Few minutes later, Taka came in calmly, she was carrying a bucket of water. Slowly and gently, she placed the cool towels over Katherine's heated forehead and glanced at Nathan.

"Is she alright? What's wrong with her?" Nobutada asked his aunt frantically, and Taka could help but smile at how adorable he was right now. It was becoming way too obvious that her nephew cared a great deal about this girl.

"She has a fever. It's nothing serious." Taka said in a collected manner, and Nathan tried his best to grasp all the words he could. He wanted to be sure that Katherine was alright. "She will be back to normal in few days " Taka assured the overly-worried and anxious men.

"If it's nothing serious, then why does she look so weak?" Nobutada insisted with concern, he went up and seated himself close to her. Gently and timidly, he took Katherine's hand in his and squeezed it tight in a comforting way. Nathan couldn't help but notice that little detail, and he was greatly taken aback by the young samurai's gesture. He glanced at Taka, who smiled at him weakly and nodded. She was trying to make him understand that Katherine would be alright, and Nathan picked that up fairly quickly. After all, it was winter and Katherine probably just caught a cold, and he was hoping that her high fever would go away quickly. However, he couldn't help but wonder that his friend wasn't the only one who was sick. Was it possible for Nobutada to catch the sickness of love? And if it was, how on earth didn't he figure that out sooner? And did Katherine even know about this?