We were finally in Kogakyo and I was so thankful we had arrived safely and without problems. Other than the fiasco at the rest house the night before. Since we were in another crowded city, I gripped tightly to Kyuzo's sleeve, finally beginning to become comfortable with physical contact again. I had been to Kogakyo once before as a small child, but it had changed drastically in the time I had been away. As we weaved our way through the overly-crowded streets a voice rang out above all the others.

"Kyuzo! Kyuzo is that you?"

We turned to see a rather portly man running toward us. He had blonde hair and a thin matching mustache and beard.

"Kyuzo! Is it really you? It's me, Ayamaro!" The man stopped in front of us gasping for air. Kyuzo just stared at him. The man continued.

"I heard you died in the battle for Kanna Village over three years ago. How is it you are standing before me?"

I intervened.

"I'm sorry, but you'll have to forgive my husband…He doesn't talk much." I looked up at Kyuzo and he raised an eyebrow at me. I clasped his arm a little tighter and tilted my head to speak to Ayamaro.

"Oh! Kyuzo! I had no idea you were married!"

"It's only been two years." I smiled at the lie that came out so easily.

"When Shichiroji returned to Firefly House he told us everything that happened. He said…He said you were dead!"

"I'm sorry, but you must have your facts confused," I said. "Kyuzo-san is very much alive." I forced myself not to cringe at the last part. "May I ask who you are?"

"Forgive me. My name is Ayamaro, I was the magistrate of Kogakyo and Kyuzo was my bodyguard for a time."

"Oh! Yes! I have heard some things about you. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but I am afraid we are in somewhat of a hurry at the moment. Honey, shall we?" I tugged on Kyuzo's coat sleeve and dragged him away.

"Please stop by Firefly House if you're in the area!"

Once we were a good distance away from the ex-magistrate, I looked at Kyuzo curiously.

"So…Do you mind telling me how I have two dead husbands now?" He remained solemn. "You're really one of the seven samurai that helped save Kanna?" Sill, he said nothing. I gave up and we continued walking. After a brief moment of silence, I noticed I was still holding onto his arm. I wondered if the people passing actually thought I was this man's wife. If they were then at least our story was working.

I tried to make light of things by teasing him a little.

"So Kyuzo-chan~~ If it is alright with you I would like to check out the Firefly House. It sounds interesting." He only nodded and I squirmed a little with excitement. We passed a few shops and at one of them something caught my eye. I pulled Kyuzo over to the quaint little shop and he stood beside me like a stone. I pointed down at the black gloves that lie on the counter and asked the merchant how much they were. He gave me a price and I grimaced a little. It was a little more than I had hoped to spend.

"May I see them?" I asked.

"For the lovely lady, yes," he replied. I picked up the gloves and turned them over in my hands feeling the fabric that I was unfamiliar with.

"They're lovely," I complimented. "However, I unfortunately won't be able to get them today."

A bare hand laid some money on the counter. I followed the arm up to the owner's face and it was Kyuzo who had put the money up.

"Kyuzo-s..chan…This isn't necessary."

The merchant disagreed.

"If the gentleman wishes to pay for them, it would be rude not to accept."

"Thank you, Kyuzo-chan!" I exclaimed. He just looked at me with an expression I had never seen before…The faintest smile formed on his lips. The merchant gathered the money and I placed the gloves over my hands.

"Young lady, those gloves are designed especially for the use of samurai. They are light weight and have grips sewn in on the palm side. Are you sure you still want these? It is not too late to change your mind," the merchant asked eying me.

"Oh absolutely. I'm not a samurai, but I just love how they look and feel." These would be perfect for my training. The merchant thanked us before we walked away.

"Thank you so much for your generosity," I said thanking Kyuzo again.

"Thanks for getting me away from Ayamaro."

"Are we going to Firefly House now?" He nodded in response to my question. "Should we continue with the story of being husband and wife?" He nodded again. "Will you explain to me the conversation with Ayamaro?" Thrice, he nodded. I smiled, content that now he at least acknowledged me when I spoke. I latched on to his arm and admired my gloves as we walked.

We came to the edge of the city and approached the checkpoint. We passed through and walked into a different town. It was getting late in the day and the sun was setting as we came to a beautiful, tall building. Kyuzo and I entered and a beautiful young woman welcomed us.

"My name is Yukino and I am co-owner with my husband, Shichiroji, here at Firefly House. Welcome. How long will you be staying?"

I looked at Kyuzo and then back at the woman.

"We're unsure at the moment, but we know for sure that we will be staying for the evening," I replied.

"I understand," Yukino said smiling. We paid for our room as a tall man approached. Yuniko turned and smiled at him. "Roji, these are our new guests…Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't catch your names."

Shichiroji stared at Kyuzo in disbelief.

"I am Amaya and this is my husband, K…"

"Kyuzo?" Shichiroji interrupted. Yukino spoke up then as well.

"Honey…This is the same Kyuzo you fought beside in Kanna?" she asked, sharing her husband's disbelief.

"Kyuzo…I don't understand. I watched you die."

"I'm right here," Kyuzo stated. The other man still stared in disbelief, but then shook his head.

"Yukino, could you have their dinner brought out to the private dining room please?"

"Of course. I will inform the kitchen staff."

"Right this way please," Shichiroji said guiding us into a room just off the main entrance.

I had a feeling some of my answers would be answered by the man I just met, rather than the man I had been traveling with.