Chapter 28

I wondered into the fenced grassland behind the wooden building I called my home and tossed bird feed to the ground, I reached into a small woven sack and threw handfuls to the chickens. The birds pecked at the ground eagerly. I sighed, taking a seat on the edge of the porch that wrapped around the house, I placed the bag of chicken feed beside me and rubbed a hand across my stomach. The baby would be here soon, and I was scared. I sat and looked out upon the field of wildflowers; the buds had just started to show their heads above the tall grass. The men had only been gone just over a day, but I already felt sick to my stomach with worry.

I thought about Ujio and whether he would return from Tokyo, if he did would he already be a father by time of his return? I did not want to go through the trauma of child birth alone, but I knew it was samurai custom to wait with the men until a child's first cry. I thought about what would happen if I did not survive the labour, would Ujio be able to handle rearing a child on his own? I then worried he may still die in battle, and leave our child alone to their god parents, never knowing who either of us were. Light footsteps on wood pulled me from my thoughts. I sniffled and wiped a stray tear from my cheeks before I turned my head to look at my visitor.

"Are you okay Arabella-san?" Taka asked softly as she padded along the porch. I smiled with a sniffle and nodded my head. She carried a basket covered with cloth in her hand delicately. "You do not seem it, tell me what is wrong," Taka set down the basket and lowered herself to the floor, kneeling next to me, she placed a warm hand on my shoulder.

"I just have too much time to think," I sniffled, "My mind is plagued with worry,"

"What do you worry for? Your childbirth, Ujio?" She asked, delicately squeezing my shoulder supportively. I raised my hand up and laid it over hers.

"Both," I whispered. A light breeze tousled my locks as we both stared over the field towards the mountains.

"Whatever happens, I will be there for you," Taka said reassuringly. I nodded my head, a smile spreading across my face.

"And I you." I croaked, my voice breaking. "Do you think the men will come back?" I asked curiously.

"I hope so, my brother and my nephew are among them, I wish to see them return, they are strong, Ujio too, they will return,"

"Do you think Algren will return?" I asked softly. "You care for him so deeply, and I know he cares for you, and your children,"

"I do not know," Taka whispered sadly.

The basket Taka left me contained dumplings and some other necessity items, I was grateful for her thoughtfulness and generosity, I knew I would it would take a lot for me to return the kindness she had shown me, I hoped one day I would be able to. I fed on dumplings and rice that night, it filled my belly so much I practically had to crawl to bed. Days went by where all I did was feed my new chicken friends, sleep, eat and sleep some more. I spent much of my time in thought, alone in my eerie, empty home. I hoped the baby would come soon just to provide some company. I had never been so alone with my thoughts for such a long time, it made me miss the hustle and bustle of the city, the distraction that came with living a busy lifestyle. I did wish to impose myself on Taka in this time, she had much more to worry about losing than I, I felt shame for leaning on her so much.

I stood on the back porch, scattering chicken feed to the ground when I noticed women of the village gathering on the main dirt track that led out of the village and down the mountain pass. A lump formed in my throat. Dropping the chicken feed to the floor I quickly slipped on my sandals and waddled as fast as I could up to the main village.

Beads of sweat had begun to form on my forehead as I reached the group of women, Taka stood with them. My eyes darted to where the group stared down the hill. A band of horses rode towards us up the hill, winding through the fields, I spotted Katsumoto's white steed leading the men home. I held my breath and searched the group for the black horse my husband rode. The men approached, cantering up the road, the only sound was the beating of hooves on the dirt track and the panting of the horses. Katsumoto pulled his horse to a halt before us, followed closely by Ujio who rode up to his Lords side. I noticed Algren riding not far behind, I was glad to see him return to the village and not to his native home.

I sighed reluctantly as I stepped towards my husband, releasing the breath I had been holding inside of me, I closed my eyes briefly and gave my thanks to the heavens for returning my beloved. Katsumoto hopped down off his horse in silence, and embraced his sister tightly. Ujio locked eyes with me and without hesitation dismounted his horse and swiftly took me into his arms.

"I am returned," He said softly into my hair, he sounded sad, hurt. That's when I heard an almighty gasp, I spun my head around to see Taka in a state of shock, her hand over her mouth she dipped her head. Katsumoto held her close as he whispered something into her ear. I looked to Ujio for answers, but his sad eyes were stuck firmly on his friend.

"What happened in Tokyo?" I whispered to him.

"Omura has poisoned the Emperor," Ujio spoke through gritted teeth. "Nobutada, he gave his life to save his father," It was as if someone had knocked the wind out of me, I looked around in disbelief for the cheery young man, I could not believe he was lost. But alas Ujio was speaking truth, Nobutada did not ride amongst the men, and by the way a tear slipped down Katsumoto's cheek as he held his sister, I knew Nobutada was no longer with us. I covered my mouth and leaned into my husband's chest, counting my blessings his heart was still beating against my ear. Katsumoto broke off the embrace and stepped away from his sister as more villagers gathered around.

"The imperial army is coming," He announced, shouting for all to hear. I shook my head no; I did not want to hear it. "We must prepare for a great battle," Ujio stood tall and cheered with the rest of the men as they hyped up and rallied their support.

Ujio held me close as we lay to sleep that night, he nuzzled into my blond curls and took in my scent, his hand rested gently on the side of my bump, his thumb caressing me softly.

"When will the battle happen?" I asked, my voice broken and croaky. Ujio sighed, his breath tickling my neck.

"Soon, maybe one week, maybe two or three." He answered honestly, I guess it takes a while to move an army across mountains. I did not ask any further questions, I had all my answers, we had discussed this upcoming battle so many times, yet I still felt blindsided by it all. I rest my hand over his and did my best to sleep that night.

By morning Ujio had already gone, the dip in the mattress where he once lay was cold, his blanket tossed aside. As I sat up, I noticed a bowl by the door, I crawled over to it groggily, a small smile played on my face as I looked down at the token, he had left for me. A bowl of fruit, just like old times.

The weeks went by much quicker than I wanted, like a blink of an eye what where potentially my last days with husband where passing by me at great speed. I wished I could just make everything stop and freeze. Ujio was closed off in the day, he had no time to worry about a wife, war was on our doorstep. At night we made the most of our time together and cuddled until we fell asleep in each other's arms. As June approached the Imperial army had moved into the valley, the sea of tents could be seen from the village, a constant reminder that time was running out. My own clock was ticking down, the doctor said I was ready to drop any hour, any day. I did everything I could think of to hurry up and evict the child inside of me so that he could meet his father, but this child was stubborn and was not ready to leave just yet.

In the village men and women bustled through the village streets, men sharpened weapons by the side of the road, women carried bales of hay, children ran through the streets with baskets of supplies. As I left the doctors home, I headed towards the training fields, where the village and samurai from across the land had come together to prepare for the battle.

Men on horseback trampled across the fields as I approached Algren speaking with a young man. Farmers built structures out of bamboo and mixed what looked like oil or tar in large cauldrons. I waited patiently to the side whilst the American finished his conversation with the young farmer and sent him on his way. I looked around taking in the busy commotion that had engulfed the once sleepy village.

"Mr Algren," I addressed the American, stepping up to him nervously.

"Miss Richards, should you not be at home? I imagine that baby will be coming any day now," The American scolded, Katsumoto and Ujio had made it clear to me before that I was to remain home and rest, I could not lend a helping hand like the other women.

"I was just on my way home," I assured him, "I just wanted to ask something of you," Nathan looked at me with confusion, an extra request at this hour was probably the last thing he needed.

"What is it?" he questioned.

"Ujio would be greatly displeased if he knew I was asking this of you, but please watch his back on the battlefield,"

"I will," Algren agreed nodding his head, he recognized the pain in my eyes. The pain of someone knowing they're about to lose someone so dear to them.

"He doesn't like to show it, but he respects you, as a man and a warrior,"

"And I him," Algren nodded, I knew he would do his best, but battle is chaotic and unpredictable, I hoped I would see both men at the end of it. I turned to head back towards the house, my feet growing swollen in the heat of the glaring sun. But as I began to take my leave I turned back to the American and informed him of one other thing.

"She loves you,"

Writer - Sorry it's a little slow, the battle is coming very soon, I will be doing the true ending *the sad one* first, followed by the ending I wish they could have. Thank you for reading