18

The ride was long and quiet and I actually could not remember the beauty the mountains preserved. The first time I was filled with fear as I was forced to ride through them. Now my horse was trotting behind Nathan and as samurai passed me, they nodded with respect. I just nodded back and continued on. After lord knows how long, we finally stopped to rest and water the horses. I was sitting beside my horse running my fingers over its soft mane as its head was down. I could see its throat swallowing the water slowly and calmly.

"Grasuh." I heard Katsumoto call. I looked up from my crouch to see him approaching me. I stood up and bowed my head.

"Katsumoto." I replied and he smiled gently and stood before me with a gentle smile as he looked out into the forest. He seemed so entranced by the silent woods, which honestly scared me. Quiet forests meant anything could happen. "You are… alright?" I looked at him and he met my eyes with calmness and I shook my head with mild uncertainty.

"I am." I replied and he nodded holding his arms together causing his sleeves to meet together.

"Ah this is good." he replied and I nodded and quietly looked out at the forest as well, a light breeze hitting our backs. Now it felt mildly awkward.

"Are you alright?" I asked and he chuckled.

"I am quite happy. Happy to know two of my two new good friends will be back where they belong." he said and I just looked down thinking of us soon separating.

"And what will happen to you and your people once we return?" I asked and he just gave a deep stare to the forest as if the conversation had grown serious.

"There is a great chance for war if the emperor wishes it." he said and I just nodded thinking back on his young face. I parted my lips some in looked down for a second.

"I spoke to him once." I replied and Katsumoto looked at me with a pleasant smile.

"And what did you think of my student?" he asked and I just smiled a bit surprised to know the emperor learned under this great leader.

"Well communication was a bit fierce, but we managed to have a nice talk. He had so many thoughts about me that apparently, I had proved to be a rarity to him. He wanted to know so much about what I was before I was freed by Nathan. I had disproven many rumors about my people." I said and he nodded smiling warmly.

"Yes you have." he replied and I smiled and we both bowed at each other before turning and moving back to our horses. As I attempted to mount my horse, Ujio moved beside me with firm eyes and bowed to me before extending his hand to me. He was in guard mode, and I smiled my thanks and took his hand and helped me get back on my horse.

"Thank you, samurai." I said and this seemed to make his eyes brighten some as he looked up at me. He nodded once and moved back to mount and ride by his leader. I joined the group and we continued our ride. I rode by Nathan and he smiled at me.

"You okay?" he asked and I nodded.

"I will be." I replied and we rode on. When night came we made a fire, and I lied down on a small cot of blankets and I was allowed to rest. A few of the men kept watch, Ujio being one of them. Katsumoto, Nobutada and Nathan talked a bit further from the fire. I wondered for a bit what they spoke about, but I didn't think too into it. Soon the fire's warmth made me drowsy and eventually put me to sleep. I was shrouded darkness for a while, and when I felt suddenly constricted around my stomach, I gasped and opened my eyes a bit. The fire was out and I was surrounded by darkness. I turned my head to see who was pressed up beside me, until I smelled Ujio's scent, and immediately my body calmed. I felt his face pressed into my hair as he silently nudged me. I leaned back against him and smiled very gently before letting sleep take me again.

The next morning, Nathan awoke me, and gave me some rice and fish and we journeyed on. Now the men were chatting amongst themselves for a bit, but soon I saw tall Japanese shops in the distance, and I knew now it was even more real. Our separation was today. I would no longer be seen as an equal to the people below us. I would be seen as a creature- inferior to all the Japanese citizens. I would have no say and no rights among the people. If I am separated from Nathan at anytime, I could be kidnapped and sold back into slavery and I looked at Nathan and he looked at me seeing the fear in my eyes and he nodded softly.

"Everything will be fine." he assured me. I nodded.

Ujio's POV

I wish I had more time with Grace. I wish I could have held her longer last night or even speak with her on this long journey back to this forbidden and lost world. But I had to protect my lord as he was to meet with the emperor. I wanted to ask her to just come back with me to the mountains. I saw the look of fear in her eyes as she stared down into the world she saw as dark and horrible.

I wanted to shield her from it all. I wanted to make babies with her and see our kids become strong warriors. But now it all seemed to be over and for once, I am hurt to see this outsider leave. I looked ahead however, and decided to keep focus on getting my lord in and out of this retched place.

Grace's Pov

As we began to enter the village, our horses rode closer together as Katsumoto led us. We were immediately seen and now everyone began to run and point and shout at our arrival. I had never seen such a sight. Things looked so much different since we were last here. There were more shops and more people now wearing different kimonos showing status and class. But everyone did part for us as we calmly rode. Nathan was looking up at a high building and I looked up as well to see the balcony where Omura and his scar-faced body good stood staring down at us. I looked away wishing I did not notice them. I did notice some people bowing toward us and I just wondered why they were bowing?

All this time Katsumoto was fighting to preserve the history and culture of his people and when these people bowed, I knew they were also his people who had forgotten where they had come from. Maybe they could not look their culture in the face. Katsumoto raised his hand and as he did, Ujio threw Nathan his hand gun and Nathan caught it with ease. I began to pass Ujio now, and I slowed my horse some and looked at him with soft eyes as if saying goodbye. Ujio stared back with a brave and fierce gaze before nodding his head at me. I returned the nod and Nathan moved off his horse and I managed to get down off mine, knowing I couldn't keep it. I took the reins and moved in front of the beautiful creature and over to Ujio and raised my hand toward him to take the horse. Ujio reached out and I expected him to be somewhat professional and firm like when I first met him.

But instead his hands wrapped around mine for a minute, his thumb grazing my fingers for a few seconds before I let him take the reins completely. My heart wanted to tear itself from my chest, but Nathan took my other hand and I looked at him. I knew they had to leave. I just backed away slowly looking back at Ujio feeling my eyes water some. The samurai began to ride on and I watched them go, knowing Ujio would look back for a final glance. He couldn't it wasn't in him, and I would not be upset that he didn't.