"It's getting kind of late. Maybe we should all go home?"
"Yeah, are parents are probably worried sick about us."
"This was fun! We should do this again!"
"That sounds good. How about next week?"
"Okay see you all then!"
As the two groups of children each left for their respective homes, the sun was setting on the western horizon. The blazing yellow of earlier was now replaced by softer shades of orange and red. It was as if the sun was telling the children that the time for play had come to an end, it was now time to rest. Two of the children, a boy and a girl, stayed behind.
"Iria, where do you live?"
"Over by the old well. Why do you ask Tetsumi?"
"I was just wondering if you would mind if I accompanied you home."
"I wouldn't mind at all. Are you offering Tetsumi?"
"I think so"
(giggles) "Let's go then."
The children then left the cool waters and breezes of the western sea, heading for the familiar warmth and light of their homes.
"Why is it that I've never seen you before Iria? How long have you lived here?"
"Well, when's the last time you've come looking for me? I've lived here all my life."
"Oh… I'm sorry if I didn't notice you before."
"It's okay Tetsumi. That name, are you Lord Okita's son?"
"Yeah, he's my dad."
"You don't seem to be excited about it."
"What's there to be excited about? He's my father and I'm his son."
"Oh, I see…. I just thought that it would be exciting having someone like him as a father."
"What's would be so exciting about having a Lord for a father?"
"I'm not talking about what he does now, but what he did before, when he was young man."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you've never heard of Okita, the demon slayer?"
"The what-slayer!"
"Yeah. My father and his friends always talk about Lord Okita and his adventures. He's never told you?"
"No. He never mentioned anything about demons."
"Maybe you should ask him."
(A fairly large home can be seen, not far from the path that the two children have been following. Several people can be seen going to and fro. Two can be seen filling buckets with water from an old well. A small boy is running toward the two.)
"Iria! There you are! Come on, Mother's waiting!"
"I have to go. See you next week Tetsumi! Thanks for walking me home!"
"Bye Iria…"
On his way home, young Tetsumi couldn't help but think about what his friend Iria had said.
"Okita, the demon slayer…"
Could Iria be talking about Tetsumi's father? He knew that he was a warrior of some type in his younger days. But a demon slayer? His father didn't seem like the type to go off and kill someone, much less a demon.
(It is early evening. The sun has set and the stars are just beginning to shine. The outline of huge estate can be made out.)
"Mother, I'm home!"
"There you are Tetsumi. You're father and I have been worried. Where have you been?"
"I was just walking someone I met home."
"Was this new friend a girl by chance?"
"Okita! Our son's too young to be thinking about girls!"
"Oh, come now Beniha. Stop treating him like a child."
"He still is a child!"
"Fine, have it your way. Tetsumi, was it a girl?"
"Yes, father. Her name is Iria. She lives by the old well."
"Hmm. Must be Yorihiko's daughter."
"Yorihiko? Isn't he the man who owns most of the northern pastures?"
"The same one. Some say that he got it from Lord Daigo."
(Lord Daigo is the governor of this particular province.)
"Hey Tetsumi. Was this Iria pretty?"
"Why do you care Hitoshi?"
(Hitoshi is Tetsumi's afore mention younger brother.)
Just asking. Sheesh, you don't have to get mad!"
"So what was she like Tetsumi?"
"She is… like a girl."
"Oh, really? There must have been something about her that you liked."
"Can we just forget it, Mother?"
"Alright Tetsumi. Hurry and finish your dinner."
