Taking a breath, Ariel wonder if she was still dreaming,
"Once when we are at the shops, you can have anything you want!" he giggled.
"Hmm?" she said, reaching out to rub the sleep out of her eyes. the morning was cold. Ariel wanted to be summer all year around. she loved japan in the hot summer afternoons. she would work until the heat got too much, then, she would go down to a small creek near the house. Soujiro would know where she was at.
Nothing remained the same. Time does change everything. The snows were growing thick. the days were growing shorter and the nights had grown dark.
"aren't you going to get out of bed?" he asked with a sly grin.
"Maybe…yet, I want to stay here for a while longer," she breathed. She glanced at her husband. She had called Soujiro in private her husband.
"she is a little creature!" he smiled.
"Am I not!" she breathed, letting her ribs fill up with air.
"You are too…you're my little bird. The idea of you having a day that is for your birth still seems a strange to me!" he said as he reached out to rub her back.
"And what if I need a day off for a day for your birthday…you don't have a birthday?"
"In a way…yes. We don't normally celebrate on the day we are born, instead we have it on the new year."
"That's new too for me…" she said as stretched, feeling his hand on her one shoulder blade. She told him she was going to get up in a minute. She liked to her the peaceful quiet in early morning. He listened to her as she got out of bed. He had stopped his gentle rubbing. she said, "I was getting use to that!"
He giggled a little when he said, 'you were?"
"I want to stay in bed. After all it's my birthday," she said before leaning over towards Soujuro's shoulder.
"and what else?"
"It snows on my birthday. I want it see at least one clear day!" she yawned.
"You are not happy when it snows?" he asked, feeling her warmth. He could nearly inhale her scent. She had been using some perfume she had traded in some fish for a small bottle of lilies. She was happy to be pretty for him.
"And what else?" she breathed slowly.
"You love the summer…when it's all green!" he teased.
"I can't help that! "she said. She turend to face him. His lovely brown eyes were trying to figure out why he was asking silly quesitons. Maybe the fact was it happen to be a good day for Ariel.
Soujiro wished he could stay with her for the rest of the day. Yet, he was getting stronger. There was a day he had to go back to work. "And what about the winter…somedays it gets very cold here!"
"I will learn to live it…not necessary like it, but learn to live with it!" she said.
"Ah!" he smiled. He knew Ariel all too well by this time. She was still a shy creature who did not want to be around too many people. He tried to accommodate her.
"And what are you thinking about my husband?" she asked with a shy grin. She placed her head on his chest.
"Nothing still nothing…I have so many wonderful things for you?" he said.
"I better get started for my day…is long!" she sighed. She felt his heart beating in her ear. She felt like she was free for a long time. she said, "What do you have planned?"
"Oh…there is many wonderful things for you!" he smiled. He leaned forwards to kiss the top of her head.
The snow was coming down with swift wind. Ariel was wrapped up in a warm fur piece she had received from Yumi for her birthday a couple of days earlier. She was surprised to see Miss Yumi to be concerned for her. Yumi was more concerned for Shishio and Soujiro. Shishio was a life mate for Miss Yumi. Soujiro was like a kid brother to her. It was long time where Miss Yumi was going to break down and let Ariel in her life.
Ariel looked around the road as she and Soujiro walked over to the shoulder. She sensed the cold air as she breathed. She felt like a princess in a day. She said, "I wish the time I have here with you is not wasted!"
"No…it's not!" Soujiro smiled. He reached out to take her hand into his.
"Thank you!" she smiled shyly.
The sunset was starting to peek out of the clouds. Ariel was surprised to see the water had not completely frozen over. There was still a little bit warmth in the world. The snow had been covering the area for a while. Ariel wondered if it was going to stop. she asked soujrio if they were going to see Master Shishio or not. he told her, he was going to the day after her birthday.
"So, there is nothing to do for today?" she asked.
"No..." he shook his head with a grin. he held out a hand to catch a few snowflakes on his opened palm. he quickly moved his hand towards Ariel to let her see the flakes. She was still a child bride with a shy heart. He said, "I wish these snowflakes were jewels. They can be your birthday gift from me!"
"And if they weren't I will still treasure them!" she said. She glanced at the flakes, with a curious grin.
They were heading for the village. It was still early morning. Some of the shop keepers were prepare for the day.
She noticed how shy soujrio could be at times. he did not have any sort of real wealth, the did it matter? she did not think about her surroundings that she was ibn as being horrible. he was very gentle to her, she did not to leave.
"And what are you going to buy first?" he teased.
"What?" she asked. She did want to have soujrio happiness as her first goal. She looked at him as they entered in the outskirts of town.
"A book…a piece of fabric or a jewel?" he smiled.
She had a feeling he real knew all too well. There was something about her simplest in buying the smallest of treasure for herself
"Well?" he touched her hand.
"I'm not sure…I do have a little money tucked away. It's not whole lot, but it's something!" she nodded.
There was a leaf, which held on from the autumn on a courtyard tree near the gate. It seemed like it was going not let go, but the wind had other idea. The steam of the leave was very bitter. The wind began to blow a little harder as the tree in a grove.
"He was thinking about?" she thought to herself.
"And are you thinking about?" he asked with a grin.
"It's really something silly…" she blushed, placing a hand up her lips. She tried to stifle a small grin.
"You are thinking about it?" he asked.
"I do want a little book or a piece of jade…that's all!" she smiled. She glanced at the ground with shy expression on her face.
"Oh?" he said.
"What do you have planned for me?" she asked.
"Ah?" he smiled as he took her by the hand. The wind was starting to pick up and the snow was a little slick. He took Ariel by the hand as quickly as he could. He hoped that she was not going to fall. "Be careful…little bird!" he said with a caution look in his eyes.
"Am I going to fall?" she thought to herself. She knew it was a little icy, but she hoped she was not going to be a burden to Soujiro.
Soujiro was thinking about what he wanted to give her for a gift. He saved a few coins for himself. He could be very quiet about is gift. He had surprised her in the past. She was very pleased with his thoughtfulness. She was also happy about leaving the US and learning a new culture from the eyes of a native. She had grown to love Soujiro, as a young girl should. They were nearly seventeen tougher and acted like a much devoted couple.
"I'm not going to let you get hurt!" he said with a smile. He wrapped his arm around hers as they walked to the gate. "There is nothing worse than a twisted ankle during the winter."
She felt a little embarrassed as she said, "I'm not going to fall. I'm a big girl…"
"No…" he teased. He glanced up the gate. The arch was snow covered. He had wondered if there was chance of spring coming early. "You are my beautiful bird!"
"You are too sweet!" she giggled a little.
The two exchanged smiles as they started on their jounery of finding out what Areil would lijke on her birthday.
Areil ahd stopped at a few shiops to look at a few things. She had an idea where she wnasted to have a book. She was learjnign on how to read Kanjin from Soujiro. She had been very fast on learning Soiujiro's language.
Soujiro noticed a book sellers which was opened at one of the streets where Ariel would shop at. It was something totatoly different as he told Areal where he was going. She was rather excited about being in a book shop. She knew there were a few shops where foreigners would shop. She did not feel so out of place as she entered into one of the shops.
"What are you going to look for in that bookshop?" Soujiro asked.
"I'm not sure…I might be interested in a book that you might be instructional too!" she smiled shyly.
At first Soujiro was not so thrilled by reading during the winter of a snappy love story. He was a guy and had lived a very dangerous life. He was rather be a story maker than reading about it.
"There are tons of books I have a yen for…I always wanted to read the Three Musketeers!" she sighed.
"What is that?" he asked.
"it's a story about four guys who fight for what's right…it's set in France!"
Soujiro smiled as his little bird chattered about the book and how the heroes were like himself. She was not wanting too much in the way of things that she could live out, yet she wanted to have a good birthday. Areal noticed a book of woodblock cuts. It was nothing usually about the book. She was drawn to it because of the size. It was not big, but rather small. The picture on the front cover of flowers were most extincting. Aral did like books with delicate artwork on their covers.
"What are you looking at?" Soujiro noticing her attention being drawn away from the rest of the shelf.
"Oh, it's this book…I never seen something like this before!" she blushed quietly. She reached over to take the book in hand.
The shopkeeper heard the two talking over the book. He walked over to the area where Soujiro and Ariel were. He said, "That's a find…a real love bit of art work!"
Aral noticed how thin the shopkeeper was. She smiled as she said, "It's nice…I have an aunt who loves rare books!"
Soujiro watched with a careful eye Areal as she glanced at the book. She opened it carefully and noticed it was all in kanji. She knew some of the words and was still learning from the help Soujiro had given through her stay. She carefully flipped through the book as a gnelte run through.
Sourjio had to smile at his curous little wife-chiold. She was not all that diffacult to get along with by Sojuro's vewipoitn. "She loves to read….in fact I'm teaching her Kanji as she teaches me English!" he said ot the bookseller.
"Oh? She is a forgeiner, but she holds herself like shge is one of us!" the bookseller siaid with a msile.
Did not take long for Ariel to act almost Japanese. She acted very quiet and shy like most girls she had met. She learned fast on how to keep a house and be a good wife. Even despite what Master Shishio thought of her, Soujiro loved her. On closing the book, she blushed. She asked Soujiro if she cuold talk to him outside for just a few mimutes. She lowered her gazed to the ground. She said in a loud whispered, "You found me out…today is my birthday!"
"Yes?" he asked.
"Yes!" she said very quietly. Then, he palced a hand on her shoulder. "You can have anything for your birthday. The book is included in that anything." He smiled which please her, when he asked, "When was the last time you had a good birthday?"
She thought about herself. She was very shy about tlhinking about herself. She was hoping also that Soujiro was not pulling her leg.
"Then, we got to a nice teahouse and have a good meal. Them, what else dod you wnt ot do?" he asked.
"It's O.K?" she aksed, nodding her head very slowly.
"Yes….I like I asked, when was the last time you had a good birthday?" he smiled.
When was the last time she had a good, a memorable birthday. She wished to have at least a half way decent birthday with her aunt, the eon whom she was living at the time. She never got her wish. Her aunt had taken her down to a local lounge. She watched as her aunt had gotten drunk. She had tried to eat a greasy so-called birthday meal. He never even got a doll when she was a small kid. She hoped tosh time around, she would get something special. She was controlling herself with the ever thought of owning a book.
"There is a sweet shop that you will like!" Soujiro replied with a raised eyebrow.
"And the book?" she added.
"you will get it…my little bird is very impatentint!" he smiled..
She did not speak, but her eyes sang out the words of gratitude. He noticed a small smile forming on her lips.
"For yourself, little bird!" He smiled. Then, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
When the two came up to the counter, he asked for the book. the shop owner was
surprised to see Ariel and Soujiro buying something together.
hoped that someone would come along and give them both a good surprise. She knew Soujiro wanted to have a pleasant surprise for himself. He had been able to get around a little bit better than before.
The day was spent very quietly. It was her liking as the two stopped at a shine and a local library. There were changes in Edo which was turning itself in a more modern city. There was talk about streets of Edo were going to have electrical lights. It was a frighting thing to have, in the local's view point
Ariel and Soujiro had stopped a local tea house to read a paper which was hung at a wall near the tea shop. Soujiro quickly translated the story about the local government thinking the near possible future. she was going to be happy with the mere simple gifts as she looked around. She did want no problems on her birthday.
It snowed lightly. The cold was made it hard to keep warm for Aral. She had been in LA for sometime and her blood was thin. Soujiro told her that they were going back when in a few hours after going to a tea house to get warm. She could not say no to the offer. The two quickly found a tea house before the weather grew cold. They had entered a local tea house. The scent of tea and sweet buns was far too inventing to change their minds. The hostess had seated them at a small table near the back. Soujiro asked Ariel if she wanted to have a surprise now as they waited for their teas or would she like to have it now before the tea was serviced. She had grown curious as she sat there. She asked, "What it was?"
"Oh…you will find out!" Soujiro said as he pulled out a small nearly wrapped packet from his jacket pocket. He placed it on the table. It was rather a small, pretty blue packet tied with a darker blue string.
Ariel carefully picked up it and turned it over in her huaband. She asked, "what is it?"
"Open it and see!" he smiled. He glanced at her face. She was flood of curisuosty. "it's something that I saw. I hope you like it!"
Areil took the string and pulled out at it. The knot on the string became undione very quickly as she carefully moved her hands to get at the cloth. Then she carefully unwrapped the paper to relieve a small hair clip with jade button. She asked, "Is that for me?"
"Yes…you look good in green. There is a fire with a coolness in your eyes. When I noticed this piece in a shop…I found you a good gift, eh?"
"it's very nice. Was it very expensive?" she asked, turning over the clip.
"I got that a while ago. I was going to give you that on new years eve!" he smiled shyly. He had a very shy undertone in his personalty.
"Yet, my birthday is the closest to the new years?" she smiled. She held the clip up to the light. There was no sparkle in the jade, but a strange and haunting glow. It was like she was the one who glowed through the piece of jade.
"For yourself, little bird!" He smiled. Then, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you..I want be the best for you...you never harmed me in any way. In fact I feel like I belong here." She blushed as she nodded her head slightly, as she whispered,"Even despite me being foreigner."
After the tea, Soujiro asked Ariel about going home and he would cook a meal. She was a little surprised to hear Soujiro could cook. He had wanted to preparing her a meal . He had helped out in the kitchen at Lord Shishio's house. He knew how to cook rice. He was going to make some misao soup and rice. It was a yer plain meal, but Aral need a delicate meal.
"What else you going to fix?" she teased. She knew Soujiro was able to fight, but he wanted to learn about to be a better husband including cooking.
"I'm not relay sure about the rest...I'll just have to wing it for you!"
She greened, "That's all right. Above all you are the best gift to have. You know what I like and you have been some special for all it's worth!"
"I can understand what you are thinking of…" he grimed at her. He was going to make her life easier. She was under his ruling, but he was fair, kind and just to her. It twas like they were cut from the came cloth.
"And what does my sensei would like to do on his birthday?" she asked. She was going to learn about all how the Japanese celebrate their birthdays all on the same day.
At first, Soujiro was surprised to be even asked that question. He always did not feel the need to be celebrating his birthday. He said, "I will tell you that when the new years comes..." He smiled and held out his hand, 'Let's go little bird. I want to go home before the weather really start to get bad!"
The night was cold, the supper was good. It was like nothing Ariel would have in a long while. Soujiro turned out to be a very good cook. He turned fish and vegetables from a rather bland mix into a sweet and savory mix. He had special care as he made Ariel'ss dinner into a cozy experience. She felt like she was in heaven for the past few months. She enjoyed herself despite the hardships she had to face.
"And what else does my little bird want?" Soujiro asked. The two were sitting with their backs to the wall at their house.
"Nothing really…you have given too much, but I love ever minute. I just wish here was more to the day that could have been spent just sitting here!" she sighed as she snuggled up to him. She had brought out a blanket as they decided to watch the snow as it fell that night. She had draped it over him before climbing underneath the blanket herself.
"You are spoiled and don't you think twice!" he teased.
"and else do you want to let me see?" she asked.
"Maybe next year I will get you a western cake?" he aasked. He wanted to know about little more about Ariel's homeland. There was hint of curiosity he had harbored a little of protectiveness towards his little bird. He knew she was different.
"Oh?" she perked up. She had not eaten a western style cake in a while. She loved Chocolate fudge and wanted Soujiro to have a taste. There was no way of doing anything with making a cake in the confines of late 19th certainty and no means of making a long trip to America for a slice of cake,.
"I would like to have some Manju, " she smuiled a ltutle.
"Oh…I have some money for the next time we go and I'll get you some!" he sighed.
Then snow turend into a sluight rain. It fell down softly onto the roof. Areil foight off sleep. She enjoyed the wamrth of her husbnad. He was like agnel who came into her life as if were a drema. She placed her head on his shoulder. She could sense his breathing slwoly as she tried to coubt the tiems of the wind as it blew acorss the roof. She felt happy for the for time in years. She heard Soujiro askign her, "Are you alseep…little bird?"
she clsoed her eyes wne the sleep took over, "Almost!" she wondered if she was going to wake to a horrible dream.
Soujiro turned to glance at her. he could tell her mind was on other things. she was a sad, strange little bird who he had pledged his true feelings for "I hope you have a good sleep!" he whispered as he pulled at her close. She did not resin as he folded his arms about her waist. Her breathing was slowing down a little as she drifted off.
Soujiro was going to protect his little creature with everything he owned.
Weeks had past and spring seemed like a tabor that was a struggle to catch. In secret, Soujiro and Ariel had celebrated Christmas in their own way. New years was going to be a treat for the two.
Shishio had checked up on his star assassin. He knew Soujiro had been fully healed. He took a carriage over to Soiujiro's house. When he get there, he could see Soujiro in his guard's uniform. He did not leave the carriage, instead he instructed the driver to get a hold of Soujiro before leaving for his second job. It had snowed slwply once agason. The crisp noise of feet walking across the snow made Soujiro stand up a little straighter and take notice.
"Who is there?" he thought. He had been inside f the house as he would check Ariel's location. She had been busy with cleaning a separate room. He felt a little bit of relief as he heard her footsteps as she walked on the floor.
The noise of the passenger leaving the carriage made him stop and turned towards the main doorway. Soujiro slid opened the door just a hair to see who was condign. He took notice of a strange hooded figure. He wondered as he watched the fixture giving orders to the driver. Then, he nearly stopped breathing Miss Yumi claimed out of the carriage. He had to give himself some thought, it was Master Shishio who was going to visit him.
The door was quickly, quietly closed shut. He gasped slightly, "Miss Yumi and Master are here?"
Areal was a little puzzled as she stared at the closed door. She had followed him at a quiet pace. She did not speak.
"Look…what is that Soujiro needed," Miss Yumi asked. She and Shishio were starting to walk up towards the house.
"Nothing…I just wanted to check up him!" Shishio said. He noticed the house. It was still needing work, but Soujiro was able to get out of bed for his spying mission. He wondered if he was going to see Areil. He had grown to find Areil no longer a threat to the Juppongatana. He wondered if Ariel was protecting Soujiro with her own life.
"Master…." Soujiro said as he opened the door. Then, he gave a slight bow to Shishio and Yumi.
"Soujiro…." Shishio said with no emotions in voice. All was in his eyes was a cold stare.
"Hiya…kiddo!" Yumi smiled. She noticed a small figure peering out of the doorway. She glanced at Shishio before turning back to say, "Miss Aral!"
Ariel nodded as she opened the door. Ariel stepped onto the porch. She said, "Hello…sir…ma'am!"
"Miss Bishop!" Shishio nodded slightly. He noticed her for just a minute, before turning his attentions back to Soujiro. He climbed the step slowly. He told Soujiro to give a full report once they were all in the house. "Soujiro…if you like, you and Miss Bishop could go and have a day at the play house…as a treat!"
"Yes…master…" Soujiro said with a small grin. He knew he had been a good contributor to Master Shishio's effects.
Hashish glanced at Aral as she stood next to Soujiro. He did not smile at her, but said with a soften hint in his voice, "Wouldn't you agree…Miss Bishop?"
"Yes!" she nodded slowly.
"Oh…" Soujiro asked, he had a smile on his lips. Small and faint was his heart.
"There are wonders that even you would stop and see!" Shishio said.
Soujiro was quick as he opened the door to let his Master in. he said, "What else chi there for me to do!'
"We will talk about what we are looking?"
"There are wolves in the fields…you should be careful!"
"Yes…Ariel, please let us have some tea!" Soujiro said, as he pointed with a free hand the opened door.
"Yes…I have some sweet rice cakes with a little mochi. I got some the other day!" she said with a bow.
"Ah…you have a humble wife!" Shishio said with a very slight smile. He also knew she was not going to let Soujiro be all that foolish. It was a mere mistake of events which landed Soujiro in the state he was in,
"Master?" Soujiro asked. He was going to bow a little as Shishio was entering into the living area of the house. Soujiro had a strange, evil present toying with his mind. it was not causing to make him evil, instead it was more like warning. he feared it as he tried to be a good host, he told Ariel he would check on trees in the back before entering the house. She would have to be the best hostess to Shishio and Yumi.
the day had more surprise in store, but Soujiro did not suspect couple of wolves were searching where the Taken had set up residence. He excused himself for just a minute. He left the house by the front. Soujiro walked around to the back the house. everything seemed normal. He had been on his toes ever since his recovery. He went back. Soujiro had a strange, evil present toying with his mind. it was not causing to make him evil, instead it was more like warning. He feared it as he tried to be a good host, he told Ariel he would check on trees in the back before entering the house. Two wolves were the in guise traveling merchants. They noticed the carriage on the grounds surrounding the house. With a quick retooling in their thinking, they decided to leave before even on drop of blood was shed. They had recognized it as part of the Juppongatana private collection.
Soujiro walked around to the back the house. everything seemed normal. He thought to himself something was not right, but he would not let it stand in his way of being good host. he rounded the corner to see a few footprints in the soggy mud. It had been wet for a few days and he knew there were two legged rats trying to sniff out a golden treasure..
He wondered as he walked back to the front of the house, was he being spied on. He felt like he was being sorted out, but by whom. He had to ask Ariel when they were alone if she had seen anyone. She told him no. there was just her and no one else. She was just hoping Soujiro was not losing his mind from the recovery.
"She worries about you!" Shishio asked, he watched as Ariel left the room.
"Yes…" he smiled. "She is a good wife!"
"And about you?" Shishio1 carefully steered the heated words. He viewed with Yumi the nonchalant mood which Soujiro was famous for, darkened into a slight tint of rage. He wanted to get back at the ninjas who attacked him severely.
"I'm just happy to alive. I got nearly killed and she was not the cause of it. The ninja that I was fighting was the very best. Even Zanboto and the Battōsai hadtheir had full beyond measure," he flet angry as his words were like that of a dagger.
"I heard!" Shishio had been cool in his thinking. There was more to this than he could even think of.
"Miss Areil was indeed risking her own life, but she was far inexperienced to help. I tried to help, I was too slow."
Shihsio wantedd to laugh at his student. Was Soujiro slowing down? That was far from a joke, but Shishio was a little twisted. He knew there was a real reaosn between the two. Soujro asekd Areil when she had entered the room,," Areil…are you slowing me down?"
She shook her head before gnelty putting the tray down onto the floor. T here was tea serivce for four people. Areil asked a couple of waiternesss at a lical tea hosue on how to malke the presenfect tea. she asked, "What do you like..."
there was a plate of sweet rice cookies and a few candies on the tray. she had set up the tray very plainly, but with grace she had offered her best.
She excuased herself for a minute. She knew Soujiro was back in the hosue. She went to the kichen. She noticed Soujiro's face. She wodnered if he was tired. he wanted to be sure, Ariel was safe. he made his way to the kitchen. he noticed her getting the tea ready. she had heard him entering the kitchen. he had watched her as she made the tea. he asked, "Where is Master Shishio?"
Aral smiled as she busied herself with preparing of making the tea tray up. "I showed him the front room. He and Miss Yumi are there. I had made sure they were comfortable and used the good mats! You have forgotten already?"
"How smart you are!" he walked over to her. Then, he smiled as a chuckle came to his lips, "Sorry…I have did it…"
"You need a long rest and I midnight going to take you on a trip if you don't stop with all the bouncing around!" she smiled. Her smile was blushing pink which made Soujiro stop in his tracks. He realized how sweet she was,.
"She's so prefect!" he thought
"Soujiro?" Shishio's voice had called out.
"Yes…coming!" Soujiro said as he turned on his heels. Then, he said as he glanced at her, "Please…come in as soon as possible. Master would like to talk to us as a couple…"
"Oh?" she asked. She was surrpseird to hear the idea of being Soujiro's wife being spoken of such a way. She had hoped for a chance to called his wife. They were still so young, but they seemd to be strong as shtey strike out on their own.