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Chapter 4: Genuine Gratitude
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"Renkotsu? Are you out here?"

The metal reverberations gave the voice away immediately and I sat up in the hot spring to look around for him.

"Ginkotsu?"

I could hear him approaching from my left and turned around to look up at him.

"What is it?"

I figured that it might be that we were to head out for a mission or that he needed some repairs to his metal joints so he could go about his day with ease. But instead, he just sat down on a large rock nearby.

"Gesh. I just wanted to talk, that's all."

My expression must have looked intimidating rather than confused, because he started to get back up.

"But if I'm bothering you..."

"No, it's all right," I replied, "Just let me get dressed so we can go back inside."

"Gesh, okay Renkotsu."

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We made our way back down to the yashiki we'd taken over recently to find that most of the others had stirred awake by this point. Mukotsu was seated out on the front porch stirring some new brew. A flock of birds fleeing a nearby patch of trees made it safe to guess that Kyoukotsu was out looking for breakfast. And Suikotsu, Bankotsu and Jakotsu sat involved in a lively conversation on the other end of the porch.

"Ah- Renkotsu, there you are," Bankotsu spoke up on noticing our approach, "I made sure the others left some breakfast for you guys."

He gestured inside and I nodded my acknowledgement.

"No assignments today?"

Bankotsu shook his head, "Nah. There's supposed to be a daimyou on the west side of the area getting in touch with us soon so don't get too comfortable here."

Nodding again at that, I walked past the others and pushed open the screens. I could hear Ginkotsu following me, and decided to make one quick detour before getting our breakfast.

"Gesh-shi?" He questioned, seeing me turn the opposite way.

"Go on. I'm just getting some parchment."

Ginkotsu seemed to understand what I was up to right away. The revelation of our chance meeting that was unknown to both of us up until this point was something we both still needed to discuss. I'd remembered what I could of the story and now hoped that Ginkotsu could provide me with the other half.

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Ginjirou was scared. He'd already lost his Father, and even though he knew his Mother was suffering without food- he didn't want her to die. Most of all, Ginjirou didn't want to be left alone. That was what he was scared of the most.

They'd been walking for days, seeking out anyone who would help them or shelter them. But those with big enough hearts to care often were just as poor as they were- leaving them with still very little money or food. Anyone who had the extra food and money was too cold hearted to help out the woman and her child. Some even spat in their faces- saying that the Mother's less-than-favorable working standards and her deformed child were to blame.

But Ginjirou hadn't given up hope; he was determined to all he could to help his Mother. So, when he'd spotted the temple off in the distance- he decided to go there and ask for help. Surely, he reasoned, the devout monks would take pity on their current situation.

"Hang in there, Okaa-san," He'd say to her as they walked; finally reaching the bottom steps of the temple.

But his Mother could not walk any further. Weakened by improper eating and drinking habits, she'd collapsed.

Luckily for them, a young monk was out sweeping the grounds at that very moment and caught sight of them below. He'd made his way over and listened to Ginjirou tell him what had happened. Although the monk seemed hesitant- it wasn't long before he was racing back up the stairs to get help.

At first, Ginjirou wasn't sure if he was coming back. It seemed like a long time had pasted and a loud explosion had sounded from the temple above. But, much to his surprise, the young monk came hurrying down the stairs with a bundle in his robes.

"You came back," He said, his visible eye lighting up with awe.

The young monk unwrapped the front of his robes- a flask of water, a two loaves of bread, and a bag of coins falling to the ground.

"Here. I hope it's enough."

The boy looked at all things laid before him then back to the monk. Then, in an effort to express his gratitude, Ginjirou hugged him.

"Thank you, it's more than enough," The rough voice murmured into the other boy's ear.

Pulling away and turning back to his Mother, the boy quickly gave her some water. The monk looked on, his eyes wide with shock. Little did Ginjirou know, Renichi had never received that kind of gratitude and was quite baffled due to the sudden hug from the other boy.

"Okaa-san!"

"Ginjirou," She said weakly.

"Hush okaa-san, just drink and eat. This kind monk helped us. He must have heard my prayers, okaa-san."

The woman smiled, nodding as she bit into the piece of bread.

Noticing the young monk beginning to drift away, Ginjirou called out to him as he picked up the second loaf of bread.

"You've got to eat too, right?"

Renichi turned, his eyes still holding that same perplexed look.

"Here- I'll share with you. This was your meal, wasn't it?"

Slowly, Renichi drifted back over to where the mother and son sat. And after a moment's hesitation, he sat down beside the other boy and took the chunk of bread he was offering.

"...Thanks," He said quietly.

Ginjirou just smiled, "It's the least I can do."

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"You've got to eat too, right?" Ginkotsu said again and I realized it was no longer the story I was writing but just a quaint twist of fate instead.

Looking up from the parchment to my companion, I quirked an eyebrow.

"Here," He said handing over a bowl of rice. I knew if his metal jaw would have allowed it, he would have been smiling.

I felt a smile tugging at my lips as well and opted not to withhold it. Taking the bowl from him, I bowed my head slightly in gratitude.

"Thanks," I said; the sentiment the same as that day years ago.

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