4

The next morning my dress was given back to me clean and I was allowed to wear it. I wore my hair back and pinned it up. The front of my hair had a heart shape as the rest was tightly compacted. Ujio left food for me and I ate it alone. He was gone, and it seemed I was not being watched. I guess I was really allowed to explore. Slowly and cautiously, I opened the front door and was met with cool air. It was going to be getting very soon, I could tell. I started to move down the stairs and I was looking around for any men who were staring at me, a sign they would be my escort or something.

But I saw none, so I began to move about the area myself. I just walked slowly and looked around. I felt out of place in this place. Some women were washing clothes in a large wooden tub and as I passed they stared at me. I avoided their gaze and kept walking. There were more men in the field training. I wonder why they did not wish to adapt with the rest of their country. I felt something touch my leg. Surprised, I looked behind me to see a small ball at my heel. I held my dress up as I bent down to pick it up, and I looked up wondering who it belonged to. There were little boys standing a few feet away from me, paralyzed with fear it seemed. I stared back at their bowl cut and choppy hair styles and their strange clothing.

I was sure they were looking at my features as well. I swallowed some and lightly leaned over and they leaned back. I held out the ball to them and one of them, the smallest one of the four moved up to me, eyes wide as he looked at my dress and my face. I smiled warmly and held the ball up to him. Everyone seemed to be watching me now as I did this and he took the ball and stared at it for a moment. He then looked up at me and reached his hand out. I wondered what it was he doing but slowly he pressed his chubby fingers to the buttons on my dress before saying something in his language. I smiled softly and watched the other boys begin to come over me and observe my dress and my hair. I was not sure what to do in this moment. I was used to be staring at by potential buyers and such, but not by children.

I blinked and smiled as they touched my small dangling earrings. Nathan bought the dress and jewelry for me. Suddenly there was a loud snap of a voice, and I lifted my head to see a stout woman coming at me, face round like a pig and cheeks red with anger. I stood up and she was yelling something angry at me. I knew anger in all language so I was not too intimidated. She scooped up one of the kids shielding him from me and I just stared at him. I didn't know what to say so I remained quiet. I blinked swiftly trying to show I did not understand. I then felt a harsh sting in my cheek, and before I knew it, I was on the ground and I groaned touching my cheek. The woman stood over me shouting over me.

In seconds, there was another petite faced woman in front me, but she was not standing over me. Her back was too me, and she was shouting at the other woman who seemed stunned but was still talking. I didn't know what was going on. It happened so fast. Now the other woman was walking away and the woman just stood there waiting for her to be out of eye sight. She then turned and looked at me. I was unsure of what was going to happen, until she took hold of the small boy who took the ball. She motioned her head at me to follow her, and she began to walk away. I stared at her for a moment and then looked around to see everyone continuing to go back to their business as if what just happened did not really change anything. I slowly got to my feet, my cheek throbbing from the clear assault and I followed the woman.

I didn't know who this woman was, but it was instinct now to follow those who command you. I followed her to another home and once inside she just looked at me.

"Grasuh." She said before putting her hand over her own chest. "Taka." I nodded.

"Taka." I replied and she nodded with a polite smile. Suddenly a younger man came in with the same knot as Ujio. He saw me and smiled and said something bowing his head. He pointed at me.

"Grasuh." he said before pointing at himself. "Nobutada." He spoke fast and I was unsure of what he just said, but he repeated himself slower and I nodded.

"Nobu-tada?" I asked and he smiled and nodded. I nodded and he waved me over to a door.

"Come. Please." he said. He slid the door open and I now saw Nathan lying in a bundle of blankets looking pale. My eyes widened and I moved over towards him, holding my dress up so I would not fall over it.

"Oh my god." I replied falling to my knees in front of him. He was not moving and his eyes were closed. His breathing was raspy and whatever wounds he had had been mended. I gently placed my hand over his forehead gently stroking it from side to side. I was sure he was going to be okay. I looked up at the two standing there. "Thank you."

In unison they both bowed gently and slowly. I just smiled and looked back at Nathan. I stayed with him for an hour until his eyes finally began to open. At first they looked around at the ceiling before finally landing on me.

"Grace." he said in an airy tone and I smiled.

"I'm here." I said taking hold of his pale hand. He groaned some squeezing my palm gently and slowly attempting to sit up.

"Are you okay, they didn't hurt you did they?" he asked and I shook my head. He sighed and closed his eyes. "What a predicament we find ourselves in." I gently laughed some a few tears falling from my cheek.

"Yes it would appear we have been captured again." I replied and he looked at me, his eyes red from crying.

"Where are they keeping you?" he asked. I looked up at the door.

"With Ujio, the samurai who put his blade to your throat the other day." I responded. He winced some before looking at something on my face and trying to glare some. He then moved his hand from my own and touched my face.

"He hurt you?" he asked. I was now remembering the woman from before and now I shook my head.

"One of the female natives." I replied. He inhaled.

"Oh…did you hit her back?" he asked and I chuckled some sniffling some and placing my fingers against my nose.

"No. I was not thinking about that at the time." I replied. He chuckled.

"If she does it again, deck her." he said playfully and now both of us were laughing. I could hear how tired he was.

"You need to rest." I replied and he shook his head.

"I can't knowing that I can't protect you." he said. I shook my head soothing him.

"I do not think they are going to kill us. If they wanted to it would have been done." I replied and he grunted some before lying back down on the pillow and slowly I did the same staring at him.

"Just be careful." he said and I nodded.

"Yes sir boss." I whispered and he smiled some and closed his eyes. We talked for a few more minutes before he had fallen asleep again. The woman known as Taka opened the door and I looked up at her and slowly got up. I left the room and looked at her again giving a nod.

"Thank you for letting me see him." I replied unsure if she understood. She just nodded politely, and so I turned and left. I was unsure of what to do now. I didn't want to be around anymore people for I am sure the entire village saw me get smacked, and so to avoid looking at anyone's knowing gazes, I turned and just began to take a stroll on a trail that led into the forest. I just strolled listening to nature.