YORI
A horse screamed in the distance. That would be the Kain cavalry, led by Kan. Yori shuddered and bit her lip, focusing on the task in front of her. They needed more bandages, slings for broken bones, clean clothes, etc. She wasn't the best with stitching, but now was the opportunity to get such things done; before the body count rose significantly. Right now, the cavalry would be harrying the gate and reinforcing the troops on foot. If they could kill enough of Shizuka's men, they could break through. But, until then, they were forced to wait things out.
A wave of nausea gave the auburn-haired girl pause, and she unconsciously touched a hand to her stomach. Was she doing the right thing, staying here? Although she was in the medical tents, she was still putting her baby's life at risk to some extent, after all. Should she have gone back to the fort when she'd first known? But, neither was she the type of person to sit around and do nothing. If she could help, she would. This seemed like the best compromise.
Folding up her newest sling and placing it into the pile, Yori wondered if perhaps she should have told Hanabusa about the baby by now. Yet, she hadn't wanted to worry him further. One look at his pinched brow and all thought of doing so died out instantly. How would he battle if he was worried about her and an unborn child? No, when the battle was over they could properly celebrate such news...or so she hoped. There was, of course, the possibility that they would lose. And then, even if they did win, there would be so much to do…
She shook her head and mentally chastised herself for such thoughts. Really, now was not the time for idle worrying! If she was going to worry about anything, it should be the inevitable, daunting shift in her life with the arrival of this baby…
No! No more worrying!
But...did she want it to be a boy or a girl..? Honestly, she wasn't sure. A firstborn male child would certainly make things easier in terms of the political landscape...and in fact if they were able to eventually have two sons, it would be ideal. One would inherit the Indigo Mountains and the other the Virid Wood, granted that they were able to win it back from the Toumas and Souens. But, having a daughter would be so lovely…
"Lady Sayori?" a timid question broke through her haze of thought.
"Yes?" she asked, looking up to see one of the doctors; she couldn't remember the woman's name.
"There's a group of village women here...they're asking for the lord or lady in charge. That is you."
This was true. Hanabusa had put her in charge of the reserve troops as well as the medical staff. So she put down her sewing and stood with a decisive nod. "Take me to them."
As the healer showed her out of the tent, a group of six armed men took place around her. Her husband was taking no chances with her safety, then. A faint smile touched across her lips. Even now he was taking care of her. She would take care of him, too, by dealing with such matters like these villagers in the best way that she could
Outside, a group of what appeared to be Dawn Plains women were waiting. Yori noted that many of them were carrying baskets and satchels. Frowning, she stopped a few feet away and asked, "I am the Lady here. What is it that you require?" She did not give her name, suspecting a trap.
Immediately, the women curtsied, and one of those in the front said, "My Lady… We came to show our support for the princess and her troops. We brought supplies… We can't spare much food, I'm afraid, but we have clean linens, bandages…"
The women opened their baskets and satchels, revealing the aforementioned items. Yori felt a sudden rush of gratitude. As villagers, it was doubtful they had much to spare. Yet, here they were, giving their aid…
Quickly, she stepped forward and told them, "Thank you. Truly. We are in your debt." It was possible this was still a trap, but…
As she moved closer, a voice in the middle of the group gasped and asked, "Y-Yori?"
That voice. Yori froze. It was...so familiar. And yet new, aged. Could it be..? She didn't dare to hope. The last time she'd heard that voice seemed to be from a dream. She could scarcely believe it real anymore.
A figure broke out of the group, pushing her way through. For a moment, Yori thought she was seeing a ghost. The chestnut hair, braided in that familiar way over one shoulder, the flashing grey eyes, the haughty turn of her nose and the angular set of her chin…
Her breath was frozen in her lungs, yet still she managed to voice, "Stepmother?"
Was it just her, or was the ground unsteady beneath her feet? It seemed so, and in spite of it she surged forward and threw her arms around the woman she had thought dead, tears streaming down her face. No, Lady Jiyuna was not her mother, but she was the only mother Yori truly knew. Jiyuna had tended her scrapes and bruises, consoled her when she'd cried, tended her when she was sick...
"Oh, Yori, I thought you were dead," Jiyuna cried, clutching her stepdaughter close. Yori felt the woman's chest heave with emotion against her own.
"I thought you were, as well!" she sniffed, scarcely believing that her entire family was not dead. One of them was here, in her arms…
"Let me take a look at you," Jiyuna insisted , pulling back and cupping Yori's face in her hands. "You're more beautiful than ever. And a great lady..!"
"Yes, I…" She flushed. "You missed my wedding…" If only she had known Jiyuna was alive… There was so much that they might have lived together, celebrated together...
"Your… I'm so happy for you!" Her stepmother swept her up into another embrace. Then, separating once more, "To who?"
She hesitated. Technically, the two had met, but it was a long time ago now. Certainly, it seemed like another lifetime entirely. "I'm not sure if you'll remember him. Lord Hanabusa Aidou. He is one of Yuki's Bloodguards."
Jiyuna's jaw dropped. "That handsome young thing?"
"Stepmother!" Yori hissed.
"Oh, Yori, please. Even I was envious that he had eyes for you." She laughed and attempted to wipe away her tears with the back of her hand.
"Y-you noticed that?" Her blush deepened. She could still remember that as a source of irritation...
"Well, I could hardly blame him!" Another laugh. "I am truly so happy for you."
"We'll get the Wood back, together. Until then, please come stay with us. We can be together again, finally. How did you escape?"
"I ran. Our people hid me for a while, but it wasn't safe. Everyone knew my face… So I finally left the Wood and came here. If I had known you were alive, I would have gone to the Indigo Mountains and sent you a letter straightaway."
"And…" Yori braced herself to ask the question about her siblings. Was it possible that they, too, had survived?
Before she could ask, Jiyuna was already shaking her head. "I know what you would ask," she told the Aidou noble in a low voice. "But I...I saw their bodies myself…" Her stepmother's shoulders shook, voice catching, and Yori pulled her in close again.
"It's just us, then," Yori murmured.
"Yes."
"Well…" Yori hesitated, then whispered, "It's still a secret. Not even Hanabusa knows yet, but… We won't be alone for long…"
Her stepmother jolted, eyes widening. "Yori, you don't mean..?!"
"Shh!" the archer quickly shushed her. "I told you it's a secret! But yes, I'm...I'm with child."
Jiyuna's hands fluttered about wildly. "I don't know how to react in public right now! Congratulations! I want to be happy, but would that give it away? I swear, I won't betray your trust!"
Yori giggled to see her stepmother so flustered. "We can celebrate after the battle."
"I would love that. I could use some cheer. This is fantastic news."
At this moment, one of the guards interrupted to say, "Lady Sayori, more wounded are coming."
"Thank you," Yori told him. Then, to her stepmother, she said, "We'll talk more later!" Gesturing to the women Jiyuna had arrived with, she added, "Come, let's get the supplies in order!"
Walking back inside the largest of the medical tents, Yori was joyful to do so arm-in-arm with her stepmother. Even during such uncertain and dangerous times, she had found a spark of joy...
AN: Sorry! This will be the last uneventful chapter in a while...(probably).
Thank you guys for the reviews and letting me know you're still reading. Unfortunately, since there are so few of you, I have decided to give priority to other things. That said, I plan to upload weekly-ish (I already have several chapters written) and I will be sure to dedicate time to working on the fic, so it will definitely be finished and the updates should be regular (or fairly regular, anyway).
A huge THANK YOU to those who have stuck by this fic. I have learned a lot of things from experimenting with it, and it has certainly taken me outside of my comfort zone in terms of writing. This is the first time I've attempted anything remotely like this, so hopefully I can improve in the future. Practice makes perfect! Again, thank you guys for your support. It is literally the only thing that has kept me returning to finish this fic.
THANK YOU!
