2

By now it was just I and Ujio walking through this ancient looking village. People stared at me pointing and whispering. I can imagine maybe they have never seen someone like me. I did not think of that though. I continued to look back searching for Nathan. His body was growing smaller and smaller in my eyes.

"Nathan!" I cried out to him. Ujio said something sharp and yanked me for giving me a sharp and cold glare. I stared at him with weak eyes before looking down and remaining quiet. I look around at my surroundings once more looking at the small kids in dresses, strange dresses. They ran around and pointed at me before touching their own faces and speaking in their native tongue. I finally looked forward to see a large square home. I have seen these homes as drawings in books. It looked so real. It was real, but even better. I watched as some men in dresses came through the sliding door and nodded at Ujio and walked on. He nodded back and now I was led up the small stairs and he slid the doors opened and pulled me inside.

I looked over my shoulder again hoping to see Nathan before the door slid shut. I now looked around this strange home of squares and dim light. There appeared to be many other rooms in this place. I now felt my wrists separating and I looked at the rough samurai man to see him staring at me now. His eyes seemed dark with intent and I just stood there in a trance of my own as we observed each other. His posture was so straight and powerful, it was as if he was not afraid of anything. I guess after he killed many of those soldiers, I could see why. He said something once more before motioning his head at me and turning from me and walking from me, his armor making noises as he moved. I knew that meant to follow him. My feet wouldn't move though. I didn't want to go anywhere with him. I was filthy and tired and scared and hungry and I just wanted Nathan.

He stopped in front of a door and looked over at me before barking at what I assumed was an order, and opened the door. I jumped a bit out of shock and slowly moved toward him. He watched my every move and when I was close enough, his hand lashed out at my forearm and he grabbed me and pulled me inside. I stumbled over my dress and fell onto my knees. I heard the door immediately closing and I looked back to see the man was gone. I slowly looked down at the ground before easing my way on to the floor and just remaining there. What was going to happen to me? What would happen to Nathan? My fear killed any appetite that was starting to form, and I just sat in this perfectly square room lost in my thoughts. I have never seen a civilization that didn't use guns or who lived like this for that matter.

I looked around for a moment to see a square window. I heard distant noise coming from outside and slowly I stood up and moved over toward it. I could see more of these people working and moving about in fields. I saw a man banging a large hammer onto red hot steal. I saw women carrying jugs of something and also making clothes.

I don't know how long I was looking out this window at this curious place, but the door thing slid open and I jumped and looked back to see Ujio now in a more casual attire. To me it was just a blue and black dress. His hair was pulled back and in some type of knot hairstyle. He had something in his hands, but I could not make it out. At his side I noticed a sheathed sword. I just stared at it for a moment wondering what he would do with it. He grunted and motioned for me to follow him once more. I was mildly reluctant, but I cautiously did so. He led me to the back of his… home until we were now outside and now all I saw were trees, beautiful and tall. Ujio walked onto a trail that moved into the forest and fear struck me yet again.

So this was his plan? To take me out into the forest and kill me and probably burry my body. He motioned at me to follow him before moving calmly into the forest. Maybe I could make a run for it? But where would I go, I had no idea where Nathan was. He'd probably catch me anyways. I followed him into the forest in silence. His arms, I could tell, were crossed and he was just silent through the entire walk. The silence made me even more nervous, because he killed very swiftly and quickly. If he wanted to slice me in half he could in one quick movement. I would not see it coming. I began to hear water running and now my mind was drawn to it.

The rough samurai stopped and turned to me moving to the side and revealing a large spring. My eyes connected with the water and it looked very beautiful and peaceful. Ujio said something to me, and I looked at him wondering what it was he was saying. He then motioned at my chest and then the water and I could only imagine he wanted me to get in. Is this where I was going to bathe? I looked at him before gently pressing my hands to the buttons on dress and he nodded. I swallowed some with nervousness. Was he going to watch me? He said something angrily again I tensed and leaned back some. He merely pointed to the water, his eyes filled with annoyance and then he took a few steps away from me and then just stared at me with his arms crossed, the item in his arms still locked in them.

So I had to undress in front of him? It was one thing to be undressed in front of a white man, but him? I was filled with emotions and once more he snapped at me I guess wanting me to hurry up. I turned from him now, not wanting to face him when I did this. I unbuttoned my dress and slowly began to slide it down. There was no sound except the sound of the birds above me. I removed my boots and my undergarments to the point I was completely naked. My heart was beating so fast, and I just closed my eyes wishing I wasn't seen. I slowly looked over my shoulder and saw Ujio's eyes looking back up at me. I could not believe my captor was staring at my bottom. I turned back around hiding my embarrassment and just took hold of my long braid and began to slowly unbraid it. Once everything was bare, I just moved over to this water and slowly bent over to place my hands in it.

I have never seen such a thing and I couldn't help but feel curious of this water. It was delightful and soothing. I swallowed some now noticing I had just bent over in front of my captor. I slowly turned and looked at Ujio to see him staring right at me. My heart tightened in my chest and I turned back around and just got in the water. I felt immediate warmth wash over my body as I dip inside the water. There was an edge inside it that I could sit on and I felt, for a moment anyways, at peace. The grime and muck washed away and I inhaled some at the soothing feeling. It felt so very good. I dipped my entire body in the water now, and felt everything was over me.

In seconds, I lifted my body up and I gasped softly wiping my face and then my hair. I blinked a bit and slowly glanced at Ujio who just watched me in awe. I could imagine being in this mountain he doesn't come across anyone who looks like me. I stared at him for a moment wondering what I was supposed to do with him watching me. So I took the time to just wash myself down. I hear Ujio say something, and I look at him watching him move over to me holding out now the object in his hand. It was a white robe. I guess I needed to put that on. It seemed I couldn't avoid him seeing me naked, but being seen naked was expected of me in America anyways. I stood from the water and watched as his eyes explored my body almost immediately. It only took a few seconds before he looked away, yet kept the robe open. I stepped out of the water and placed my arms inside. He wrapped it around my right shoulder then took the left side under my arm before tying it together. His hands never really touched my skin. He placed some weird flat shoe in front of me, and I slipped them. He motioned for me to start walking again, this time in front of him. So I did. I squeezed my hair out and began to walk.

When we returned to the village, I noticed a blanket and pillow in the room I was staying. I was left alone once more then he returned with some white rice and meat and water. I was going to thank him, but he hurried from the room. I wouldn't be surprised if he was repulsed by me. My people weren't beautiful, some say, as white women were. But this world and its people were a whole new battle field. After maybe an hour or so, he came back with some black robes and he put them down in front of me. He pointed at them and then at me. I assumed he wanted me to get dressed in them. This dress was strange to me, how was I supposed to wear it. He was at the door sliding it open, before I lifted my head at him and spoke.

"I do not know how to put this on." I said my voice filled with weakness and he just stopped and looked over his shoulder at me and I just stared at it for a moment then up at him. He seemed to be thinking hard about something and I was not sure if he understood me, but I got my answer when he stayed in the room and slid the door shut again.