Finding Home
A Samurai Rabbit Fan Story

She had never had an identity all her own. It had been taken away from her when she was very young. For most of her life, all she knew was the cold, unforgiving world of the Neko Ninja clan. But now, like a withered seedling placed in the sun, she found herself growing in all directions. It was strange having friends. It was strange having a place she felt she could belong to willingly. Sometimes it felt uncomfortable. But deep down, Chizu knew that it was good.

Right now, the team was enjoying a day trip to Yuichi's grandmother's house in the lush countryside that surrounded Neo Edo. Laughter floated through the trees and reached her ears as she leaned against a tree trunk. Kitsune was telling a story about Gen's mishap at the last noodle shop they'd visited. She smiled at the sound of Yuichi giggling. He had an infectious laugh that always made her feel warm inside. She would never tell him, but he had been one of the first people she'd ever met that had given her hope that there was a life outside of the fear and control she'd always known. He was around her age, but instead of stifled, stiff, and serious, he glowed with joy and kindness. She knew it was largely due to the loving home he'd been raised in, but she also knew it was due to his close relationship with the Creator of all things. She was still learning to trust this Being so far beyond her comprehension, and sometimes she envied how openly and effortlessly Yuichi trusted Him.

Her tail twitched restlessly. Why am I nervous? Her anxiety would act up at random times. It usually happened when she allowed herself to relax. It was almost predatory the way it would pounce when she felt at her happiest. She was sure it had to do with her upbringing, where she never felt safe and always felt watched. But things were different now. She wasn't so worried about herself anymore.
However…now she had others to worry about. She still didn't like how much she cared about them. It was a welcome burden, but a burden nonetheless.

"You're hiding away again."

Chizu yelped and jumped a full foot away from her resting place. Yuichi's aunt had snuck up on her for what must have been the third time. Somehow, she was softer-footed then most of Chizu's ninja sisters.

"Stop doing that!" Chizu snapped, hairs bristling along her neck. The elderly rabbit smiled, seemingly unaffected by the cat's harshness. She had adjusted to Chizu's aggression even faster than her nephew had.

"Why don't you spend more time with them, not just near them? They value your company."

She smiled in the direction of the trio gathered in a nearby clearing, dappled by the light streaming through the surrounding trees.

Chizu sighed. "I'm not like them. They're all…silly, and fun, and carefree. I feel like I hold them back sometimes. I like sitting back and watching them…be happy. Then I feel happy."

"I promise you, they don't feel that way about you at all. The Maker made us all different, and that's alright, Chizu." The rabbit's eyes drifted to a butterfly, pink as a sunset cloud, that fluttered past them and towards the direction of her farm. "The same God who made butterflies and flowers made fangstalkers and riverwhips. All of them have their own strengths and weaknesses."

Chizu snorted. "What strength does a butterfly have?"

"It can float."

XXX

"You wanna see something cool?" Yuichi leapt to his feet, immediately followed by his tokage Spot. He grabbed a small treat out of his bag and dangled it from his hand. "Ready, Spot?"

The bright green tokage wriggled excitedly and squeaked in response. His tail whipped around like a dog's.

"Okay!" The rabbit tossed the treat high in the air. In a flash, the little tokage ran up his upstretched arm, onto his shoulders, and launched himself off his upward facing palm with wild abandon. He snatched up the treat and completed two summersaults through the air before landing back on the ground.

Kitsune clapped while Gen pretended to be unimpressed.

Chizu patted Spot's head. "You'll do anything for a treat, won't you, little guy?" He nuzzled her paw affectionately.

Gen lumbered to his feet. "Oh yeah? Watch my new trick." The rhino pulled out a new replacement horn from his tool bag and attached it to his prosthetic plate with a twist. "Stand back, everyone."

Kitsune eyed him somewhat warily. "What's it gonna do, blow up?"

"Shhh!" He lowered his head and carefully pointed the fake horn towards a tree trunk, then tapped its side. Immediately the metal splintered and launched itself at the tree. In seconds the bark was embedded with tiny spikes.

"Whoa, cool trick, Gen! Almost as cool as ours," Yuichi said, grinning. Spot was now curled around his neck, licking the side of his face. "Hey, cut it out, Spot!" the rabbit said, giggling as the creature licked harder.

"Fellow warriors! Hana and I have made a humble meal for your fine bellies," Yuichi's aunt called. "She has been working on it all day, and it's looking delicious!"

Chizu's nose instinctively twitched and her mouth watered. Ghenzi, that rabbit could cook! And now, so could her adopted daughter Hana.

Kitsune and Gen wasted no time making their way towards the farm, but Yuichi hadn't yet moved. Chizu faltered, concerned by his hesitation. "Is…something wrong?"

At his bright gaze she knew immediately she was incorrect. "I've been meaning to ask you, Chizu…"

Her heartbeat quickened. What is happening to me? Just, stop it.

"My sensei Karasu-Tengu says for my next lesson, I need to learn from the techniques of those around me. She said everybody has their own "rhythm" and that I should learn to dance to each one, whatever that means. And, the first person I thought about was you, since you're so good at sneaking around. Could you teach me how to be more stealthy?"

She blinked, fighting the smile that wanted to spread across her face. It felt good to be appreciated, especially by someone she so deeply respected.

"I could…try. Though most of my "techniques" are learned through years and years of arduous training from my ninja clan. It might take you a while."

He bounced on his feet. "Arigato! Thank you so much! I'm already pretty good at sneaking around, it shouldn't be too hard to train me."

She smirked. Only Yuichi could say something like that and still sound humble.

Kitsune's scratchy voice broke the peaceful moment. "Are you two coming or not? Auntie's starting to think you died or something."

Yuichi scrambled happily after her. "Don't call her Auntie, it's weird."

"She's like an auntie to me, so it's not weird."

"Do you want me to start calling you Sister?"

"No, now that's weird!"

Chizu rolled her eyes good-naturedly as she trailed after her bickering friends. She paused a moment behind them as they entered the house, staring up at the smoke floating from the chimney. Everything was peaceful…too peaceful.

It's just your anxiety being stupid again. Ignore it. She was still learning to replace the shadows in her mind. Izumo, the Shibu inu pastor at Yuichi's Neo Edo church, had taught her to focus on thankfulness when she felt the negativity creep in. She took a deep breath. "Thank you, Creator, for everything you have given me. Thank you for this beautiful day, and my wonderful, kind friends, and freedom from my old clan. And thank you for giving me hope." Her hand brushed the wooden door. "Please let me be a blessing to my new friends, and not a burden. Please…whatever happens…" Her jaw clenched slightly. "Please let things work out all right. Even if it has to get dark before the sunrise."

"Chizu, come on!" Kitsune called from inside the house. "Auntie won't let us eat until you get in here, and I'm hungry!"

"Coming!" Chizu shouted. As soon as she opened the door, delicious smells greeted her nose and made her forget everything else. It was dinnertime!