Chapter 35

It Will All Make Sense

"The Winter months are usually slow time for the kendo practices. We do however, instruct the warriors to train their minds in the solitude." Ujio informed his lord Katsumoto, who was casually sipping tea in silence. He looked up at him and nodded slowly.

"That's fine. Everyone needs a time off every now and then...even my most strongest samurai." The leader spoke calmly, a small smile tucking his lips.

Ujio bowed in respect and turned away to leave Katsumoto's presence; he had fulfilled his duty and had nothing more to say.

"Ujio-san," His lord called for him sharply.

"My lord?" The tough warrior froze and turned to Katsumoto questionably.

"Is something bothering you, lately?" He asked softly, Ujio tensed and shook his head at once.

"No, my lord...I'm alright." He lied, trying to sound as normal as possible.

"Interesting..." Katsumoto wondered, obviously not at all convinced with Ujio's response. "Since when do my most trustworthy warriors conceal things from me?"

Ujio winced and bowed his head, ashamed that Katsumoto had caught him in dishonesty.

"You and my young son aren't yourselves lately. Are you two in trouble?" The leader asked, standing up from his seat and moving closer to Ujio.

Ujio became confused. He knew that this vision had indeed played a big role in his strange behaviors for the last few weeks. After all, he couldn't concentrate on anything anymore. His mind seemed to be occupied with this omen! Especially, after the horse from his vision made an unexpected appearance and then, just as unexpectedly disappeared. But what of Nobutada? What did he have to do with all this? Why did Katsumoto mention him at all?

"I'm not sure what your son has to do with this, my lord." The honorable samurai answered calmly.

Katsumoto raised his eyebrows in disbelief, but said no more of Nobutada. He would speak with his son later on that matter. "Alright, then what is it that bothers you?"

Ujio took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Maybe it was time to share his unexplainable vision and feelings with his lord and friend, who with no doubt, would have some kind of answer to this. Yes, at first, Ujio hoped that he would solve this mysterious dream-like omen by himself, however, that was proving to be way difficult than he had imagined.

"A few months ago, I had a vision while I was mediating." Ujio started explaining his situation to Katsumoto, who in turn, listened very attentively. "I saw a magnificent white horse. It seemed troubled and unhappy. For few seconds, it reared and screamed in agony but then...suddenly, the animal found comfort with me and gently rested its head on my shoulder. I looked into the horse's eyes and it looked into mine...then, the magnificent creature disappeared. And I could tell, it was sad to leave me behind, but I wanted it to go and save itself. I can't put it into words how I was feeling. It's too difficult. It was as if...I knew the horse really well and I cared for it deeply."

Katsumoto eyes widened in complete fascination and surprise. He was no stranger when it came to visions and omens. He had yet to understand it for himself. So far he did know however, that the tiger in his own vision symbolized the brave American soldier.

"Tell me, Ujio...did this vision come to you after we captured the westerners or before?"

"After."

Katsumoto thought about this for few minutes and started walking back and forth, trying to comprehend this mysterious omen.

"You believe it has something to do with the foreigners we caught?" Ujio asked, a little dumbfounded that his lord would suggest something like that.

"I am not sure about your vision...but mine had everything to do with them or him, to be precise." Katsumoto stated, shocking Ujio with his revelation. Looks like he wasn't the only one with the mystery to solve.

"You had a vision as well, my lord?"

Since they were both in the same boat, Katsumoto decided to trust his most honorable friend and warrior and told him all about the brave tiger he had seen few months before the battle. And the parallels he had seen between the animal from his vision and fierce American officer. Ujio's eyes opened up in realization. Now it all started to make sense...no one understood why Katsumoto had kept Hirotaro's murderer alive, but this news explained everything!

" My vision is so much more complicated, my lord." Ujio spoke up afterwards. Katsumoto seemed to have it way easier. He had seen the tiger fighting of the group of his samurai warriors, and then Algren too was in the same spot bravely standing up for his life, just like that fierce tiger. The meaning of this omen was another question. But at least, his lord was close to solving the puzzle. He was sure that it had something to do with that American fellow. Ujio however, had yet to understand what that white horse symbolized. Besides, that appearance of the magnificent creature only made things worse. Now he was even more confused and unsure of everything.

"Ujio, do you think that horse we saw couple of weeks ago was the one from your vision?" Katsumoto asked thoughtfully, as he recalled the huge commotion in the training fields that was caused by the appearance of a strange creature.

"At first, I thought so. But in my vision, the animal was relaxed with me. I even touched its nose...in the fields however, that horse almost knocked me down. It simply hated me!"

Katsumoto shook his head. Wow! This was so difficult, no wonder his honorable samurai couldn't concentrate properly on anything anymore.

"The girl...that European." Ujio said quietly. "She was the only one who managed to calm that horse. It was like they had a bond."

"That's very strange, indeed." The samurai leader remarked, still puzzled at everything he had heard.

The two men were silent for a second or two, until Katsumoto took a deep breath and spoke up. "There are many things we might not understand at the moment, but rest assured, it will all make sense when the time is right. Why do you think I kept the American alive? Or even that European girl? I know that sooner or later, I will understand everything clearly. And so will you, Ujio-san." Katsumoto explained calmly and with a small smile, left his friend and warrior to reflect on all this.

Taka had been right when she predicted that Katherine would get better soon and that nothing serious had befallen her. In matter of few days, the fever that took a toll on Katherine had vanished, and her health was slowly improving. She was regaining the strength, but Nathan had insisted that she needed to rest and remain in 'bed'...well, more like on a bamboo mat. Taka took great care of her, and Nobutada never left the house not even to train with the other samurai warriors. Nathan observed this curiously and with new eyes. He wanted to be sure of his speculations.

Katherine opened her eyes the next morning, and was met by Higen and Magojiro's warm and curious glances. They were standing in the doorway that was halfway open, and were whispering something to their mother.

"Kitty, how are you feeling?" Nathan asked, he was sitting right next to her. A huge smile spread across Katherine's face when she met her dear friend's gaze.

"I feel a lot better." She spoke confidently and set up.

"Hey, are you sure?" Nathan questioned as he offered a cup of tea to Katherine. "Let's not be hasty."

"I'm fine." Kitty insisted as Taka entered the chamber, bringing a tray of food as always.

"I brought you a hot soup." She said softly and Katherine thanked her politely.

"Well, eat up Katherine. You need to regain your strength." Nathan sounded like her overly-protective father. He briefly glanced at quiet Taka, who whispered something to Katherine in Japanese and with a quick bow left the room.

"She says that I can get up if I want to." Katherine informed Nathan relieved. "To be honest with you, I am terribly bored. The fresh air will do me some good."

"Now, now. No need to rush into things." Algren continued in a parent-like manner. "One at a time. First eat and then we will talk about going outside."

Katherine couldn't help but laugh at his answer. "My goodness Nathan! You sound like my Governess Lucinda."

"Hey, I promised your father I'd take care of you." He answered, little bit embarrassed that he was being compared to an over-bearing nanny. "I always keep my promises."

"That's what she used to say." Katherine giggled and Nathan rolled his eyes in irritation.

The door slid open, as both of the westerners looked up to meet Nobutada's gaze. He walked in stoically and calmly required after Katherine's health.

"I feel a lot better. Thank you." She replied, grateful that so many people cared about her.

Nobutada nodded in a cool and collected manner and after glancing at Nathan, left the two of them in peace. Katherine stared after him, little bit surprised that Nobutada's usual warm and tender gestures were exchanged with a cold and serious demeanor. She decided to let it go for a while and turned to Nathan, who was watching her intently.

"What?" Katherine asked in alarm.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Katsumoto's son is quite taken with you." He told her in full honesty, causing Katherine to gasp in shock.

"That's an absurd!" She exclaimed in surprise, completely oblivious to that fact.

"Seriously Katherine, it's so obvious."

"He is taken with me? You're insane!"

"I noticed the way he looks at you." Nathan said with a little smirk on his face.

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard you say." Katherine crossed her arms in disbelief. "Why would he fancy me? He is a Japanese Samurai and I am an European daughter of his enemies' translator."

"My thoughts exactly!" Nathan agreed with a nod. "But he really does like you Katherine. I know it."

"You're wrong! So wrong." She shook her head in astonishment.

"Listen, be careful alright? It's not every day a Samurai leader's son falls in love with you. This is rare and strange. And who knows what might happen." Nathan was becoming more and more frustrated.

Katherine listened to him, utterly speechless and in complete puzzlement. "I still...don't believe you." She told him hesitantly.

"That's up to you." Nathan shrugged simply. "But if I were you, I'd keep my distance. Nothing will come out of this. You're both bound to get hurt. So please, promise me that you won't encourage him."

"That will be little difficult for me, considering that fact that he is my protector." She responded forcefully, still shocked at this revelation. The more she thought about it however, the more it was starting to make sense.

"I will ask Katsumoto to switch our guards. You can have 'Bob' and Nobutada will be with me." Nathan spoke up, suddenly struck with an idea.

Katherine sighed uncomfortably. "How can you be so sure of this?"

"I'm not hundred percent sure, but I'm a guy and I know stuff. Alright?"

Katherine raised her eyebrows at him, still not convinced. "How preposterous." She muttered under her breath.

"You care for her, don't you?" Taka neared her nephew, who stood on the porch and looked over the snowy landscapes. He was trying to battle with these unwanted feelings but all in vain.

"I've never felt like this about anyone before. I'm bringing shame to my father's good name." Nobutada admitted, unable to continue lying to his aunt anymore.

"How can you say that? There's no shame in falling in love." Taka spoke softly with a smile.

"I am not in love." Nobutada stated firmly and descended the porch stairs, making his way towards the forest path. He needed to be alone!

Taka shook her head and went inside. It was amusing how her nephew tried to be in denial despite all the feelings he had for that girl.

I want to take a moment and thank those who reviewed and read this story. It means so much to me guys! Your support keeps me going. Also, I do hope I'm not dragging this too slowly. I just want to concentrate on details and make it as realistic as possible. I know that nothing exciting happens in the winter months in the original movie. But I do want to take that as an opportunity for the characters to get to know each other more.