Okay! I'm finally done with the second chapter! Sorry it took so long!!! I just sorta forgot about it cuz I started working on my Fruits Basket fanfics and yeah… so anyways, I had a hard time coming up with this chapter, cuz I didn't want to spoil too much of the main storyline, you know? So yeah… this chapter may move kinda slow, but whatever… it is needed for the story!
Chapter 2
"Katsu!" Komachi squealed as she leaped up to hug their guest. She jumped up and wrapped her thin arms around his neck, nearly pulling him down.
"Komachi!" Kirara scolded. "Don't be so rude!"
The young samurai pushed the little arms away from his neck. "It's alright, Lady Kirara. I don't mind," he said, leaning down to pat the girl's head.
"Young samurai. You have returned," Kirara and Komachi's grandmother said.
Katsushiro looked at the old woman. She hadn't changed at all in the past 2 years, except for a few new wrinkles here and there.
"Yes, I have. And for a very important reason as well," Katsushiro answered.
Komachi
giggled. Her head was filled with little ideas of why he had
returned, all having to do with his feelings for her sister that she
knew he had.
"Did you come here to ask for sister's hand,
Katsu?" she giggled.
His face was turning red. "No, that is not the reason I am here," he answered, an annoyed and embarrassed tone in his voice.
"Komachi," Kirara scolded. "Go on, Katsushiro. Tell us, why are you here?"
Katsushiro seated himself on the floor, Kirara and Komachi following suit.
"I am here because I was hired to protect the daughter of the head of the city of Wakano," he began. "And for some strange reason, they requested that I bring along the villagers and the samurai involved in the war."
There was a period of silence. Then, Komachi chimed in.
"So, you mean they asked you to bring sister and Rikuchi and me? We have to go with you?" She sounded excited, like she was hoping that was what was going on.
Katsushiro nodded. "Yes, that is precisely what they asked me."
"But, why would they need us, the villagers? We have almost no knowledge of fighting and defense. Why would they need us?" Kirara questioned. She wasn't exactly keen on this idea. It sounded a bit suspicious to her.
"Perhaps the head of the city wants to meet he heroes of the war. Did you think of that?" the old grandmother suggested.
Kirara thought for a second. Perhaps that was it. I mean, they were practically all legends now, right? Most people dream of meeting great war heroes.
"Yes, that must be what it is," she responded. "Very well then. Katsushiro, when do we leave?"
He was silent for a moment. "We leave first thing tomorrow," he finally answered.
"Alright," Kirara said as she pulled herself back on her feet. "If you would excuse me, I must go speak with Rikuchi about this. I'm not quite sure that he will be willing to come…"
Katsushiro got a puzzled look on his face. "And why not?"
"Oh! We never told you, did we? He and Sanae had their first child this afternoon!" she giggled her response.
A smile came over Katsushito's face. "Well, tell him congratulations for me," he said.
Kirara bowed.
"I will," she said happily. Then, she was gone. She returned about a half hour later.
"It is just as I suspected," she said. "He said that he would be honored to come, but he wishes to stay here with his child. But he told me to send you the highest of his respect."
Katsushiro bowed his head. "I completely understand his position and I agree to allow him to stay here," he said.
Komachi giggled. "So it's just gonna be me, sister, and you, Katsu. Just like old times huh?" Then, she lowered her face and a few tears began to form in her eyes. "If only Kiku were still here…" A few tears began to stream down her face as she remembered her robotic best friend.
"Oh, Komachi. I'm so sorry…" her sister tried to comfort her. She wrapped her arms around the young girl in a hug, allowing her to cry on her shoulder.
"Lady Kirara," Katsushiro said after Komachi had finally gone to bed.
"Yes, Katsushiro? What is it?" Kirara answered, trying to wipe away the tears that began to form in her eyes during her sister's breakdown.
"I would like to go pay my respects to the fallen samurai and I was wondering if you would accompany me?" he replied in his usual polite tone.
Kirara smiled. "Of course," she said.
It was silent as the two prayed to the fallen heroes. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the evening crickets and the slight breeze in the surrounding trees. Finally, they finished their prayers.
"They truly are honorable men," Katsushiro said quietly.
"Yes, they sure are," Kirara agreed. "They defended this village until the very end, even when it resorted to putting their own lives at stake for us."
Katsushiro bowed his head. "Yes, the way a true samurai should die, in the line of defense."
Kirara nodded. Although she didn't exactly agree with that point of view, she thought it would be best to just go along with it.
"Well, I suppose that we better head back now," Katsushiro said, turning to go back. "We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."
Kirara nodded and then followed him back down the path. A long journey that I'm sure will be quite interesting, she couldn't help telling herself.