CHAPTER 10- ANOTHER NEWCOMER
"Our fears are coming true." One rebel muttered. "The people are becoming restless."
The room full of rebels noisily agreed.
"Two of our men were killed today in the market." Another brought up. "They ganged up on them with knives."
"It's all thanks to that man with the bokken." A third accused.
"Something has to be done." The first rebel said. "We're going to need some back up."
..........
The moon eventually gave way to the sun. The morning rays drifted down over the village and into the woods. They brightened up the Hanahara household and fell upon the two figures who lay on the futon.
Satomi sighed contently, her head resting against Soujiro's bare chest. She could feel him breathing softly and slowly beside her. It had been a glorious night with him. Never before did someone make her feel so warm and safe. She wished the night would never end.
Soujiro stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes. Satomi greeted him with a soft smile. "Morning, Soujiro. Sleep well?"
He blushed and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. "I sure did. Futons are so comfortable!"
Satomi laughed and untangled herself from his strong arms. Reaching over, she found her kimono and slipped it on while he too got dressed.
"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!" Satomi exclaimed. "What say we wake Eisuke and go down to the restaurant for breakfast?"
"Sure, it's a lot safer now, isn't it?"
They left the room as if nothing had happened. Another day had come, but now they could truly face it together.
Eisuke ran along happily on the way into the village, swatting at the air with a stick he had found. "Soujiro-sama! I can't wait for that sparring session!"
Soujiro chuckled. "After breakfast, I shall work on that sword for you."
Satomi was giddy with delight. Ever since that first kiss and during that entire night, she had been imagining their future together. She dreamed of a beautiful wedding, a brand new house on a mountain, and children, their children, playing in fields of flowers. Of course life couldn't always be that perfect, but with Soujiro by her side it would be close enough. And perhaps they would adopt little Eisuke soon.
They made it into town. All was quiet and peaceful. The villagers were out and about now, rather than cowering in their homes. They welcomed Soujiro and the others with wide smiles and friendly greetings.
The restaurant came into view. Once they reached it, Soujiro held the door for them. "After you!"
"Thank you, Soujiro. Come Eisuke, let's find a---
She was cut off when her eyes fell upon a man with long red hair.
"Our fears are coming true." One rebel muttered. "The people are becoming restless."
The room full of rebels noisily agreed.
"Two of our men were killed today in the market." Another brought up. "They ganged up on them with knives."
"It's all thanks to that man with the bokken." A third accused.
"Something has to be done." The first rebel said. "We're going to need some back up."
..........
The moon eventually gave way to the sun. The morning rays drifted down over the village and into the woods. They brightened up the Hanahara household and fell upon the two figures who lay on the futon.
Satomi sighed contently, her head resting against Soujiro's bare chest. She could feel him breathing softly and slowly beside her. It had been a glorious night with him. Never before did someone make her feel so warm and safe. She wished the night would never end.
Soujiro stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes. Satomi greeted him with a soft smile. "Morning, Soujiro. Sleep well?"
He blushed and gave her a quick peck on the forehead. "I sure did. Futons are so comfortable!"
Satomi laughed and untangled herself from his strong arms. Reaching over, she found her kimono and slipped it on while he too got dressed.
"I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!" Satomi exclaimed. "What say we wake Eisuke and go down to the restaurant for breakfast?"
"Sure, it's a lot safer now, isn't it?"
They left the room as if nothing had happened. Another day had come, but now they could truly face it together.
Eisuke ran along happily on the way into the village, swatting at the air with a stick he had found. "Soujiro-sama! I can't wait for that sparring session!"
Soujiro chuckled. "After breakfast, I shall work on that sword for you."
Satomi was giddy with delight. Ever since that first kiss and during that entire night, she had been imagining their future together. She dreamed of a beautiful wedding, a brand new house on a mountain, and children, their children, playing in fields of flowers. Of course life couldn't always be that perfect, but with Soujiro by her side it would be close enough. And perhaps they would adopt little Eisuke soon.
They made it into town. All was quiet and peaceful. The villagers were out and about now, rather than cowering in their homes. They welcomed Soujiro and the others with wide smiles and friendly greetings.
The restaurant came into view. Once they reached it, Soujiro held the door for them. "After you!"
"Thank you, Soujiro. Come Eisuke, let's find a---
She was cut off when her eyes fell upon a man with long red hair.