Hey guys thank you for all of the wonderful positive feedback for the first chapter, this one is a little bit longer. Happy reading!
I do not own Mai Hime etc...
The Legend of the Princess and the Ice Samurai
Chapter 2
The journey back was quiet, only the sound of the mule hoofs hit against the dust road, and the wheels creaking with their weight. Mai sat quiet, thinking of her luck. The two travellers met back in a sticky situation with a gang of men but Mikoto saved her, and ever since they travelled together. Mai looked over to Natsuki trying to figure her out. Why would this woman after pursuing Mikoto, who stole from her, then allow her and Mikoto to live with her? It made absolute, no sense. She sighed, which caught Natsukis attention as she grumbled "It's not too far just over this hill." Like she said over the hill, the trio was met by some small fields and a small hut. The surrounding land was beautiful, one could see the mountains that's scenery was to perfection it looked like a painting.
Jumping off the cart, Natsuki untied the mule and led it to a small enclosure patting it, as it drank it's water. Mai grabbed her backpack and Mikotos hers alongside her sword which never left her side. Walking towards the small house, it seemed almost welcoming in its own way. Only there was two rooms, and it was in quite a mess. Embarrassingly Natsuki rubbed the back of her neck saying, "gomennasi about the mess."
Mai smiled, and said "I'll happily help, in return for our stay." She then began packing away old cooking pans and picking up worn clothes, as Mikoto with sword in hand, curiously walked around the house. It was simple and just perfect for one person. Natsuki said "it's not much now, but I was thinking of extending it anyway, and now I have a reason to." Mikoto nodded saying, "I'm handy for hard labour, before I met Mai me and my grandfather worked at our blacksmith."
Natsuki looked surprised. Her brow creasing at this interesting skill, which would seem helpful if she needed it in the future. Mai nodded saying she was good at cooking, and sowing. Both necessarily as good. Skills which would benefit Natsuki in the future. Coughing slightly Natsuki said, "You both can stay, and I will extend this house. But all I ask in return is that you both contribute with your skills. If its cooking, or maintaining the farm." Mai and Mikoto looked at one another, to then nod in acceptance.
The days continued almost in a ritual, Mai cooked the meal, Natsuki sometimes fished and went to market once a week to sell their goods. Whilst Mikoto learned how to plough a field, and maintain the vegetables. But on the third day as they sat around the small table, with crossed legs, Mai with some courage asked, "Natsuki why is it that you live alone?" Natsuki quiet, eating a bowl of rice with chopsticks, just chewed thinking of a appropriate answer before finally replying. "My family was killed." Mai sadly, put a reassuring hand on Natsuki arm, which she shook off, allowing Mai to retreat her arm. Sympathetically Mai just said, "I'm sorry you had to experience that. Although I myself lost my family, my parents drowned and my brother had a weak heart." I always believed god protected me for a purpose and now I know why. I think he wants me to protect you Natsuki."
Natsuki huffed angrily before barking, "I'm not important, I'm just a peasant farmer, nothing more." Mikoto shook her head as she looked at her sword stroking the case saying, "I saw you today with fierce eyes, and steady determination. That, was bravery of a warrior."
Silence filled the room as they continued to eat, the awkwardness of the unfamiliar attitudes of the trio. But soon they would become friends, and then somewhat a family who protected one another.
Two weeks passed since they met, and Natsuki taught Mikoto how to plough a field. With the plough Natsuki pulled, satisfied the tool worked into the ground dragging up its content. As Mikoto behind, planted and scattered seeds, annoyed that the nearby birds dived and successfully ate the scattered seeds. Mikoto's failed attempts were meaningless as she waved her arms, and threw rocks at the birds. The scene made Mai watch intensely and she began to laugh at them. "Baka's both of you." She quietly stated to herself.
Looking over at a very old shirt she poked it. Grabbing it, she felt the material. Before the sun faded on that day, she stuffed it full of straw, and sown the sides to then make a head from some old material doing the same, and placing thick sticks into its arms. The orange horizon began to set behind the mountains, and Mai looked pleased of her handy work. Taking it over to Natsuki and Mikoto, she smiled towards Natsuki. Mikoto grinned placing a hand on Mai's shoulder, before pinning it to the plank of wood, where it should have originally been to scare away the birds.
Returning to the house, all exhausted from a hard day of labour. Natsuki then went into her room, undressing before going over to a nearby sink basin, washing the grime off of her face and hands. Enjoying the sensation of fresh water, cleaning her face. She then opened her eyes to stare back as sad green, staring into a small mirror. She turned away, wiping down her face. In her undergarments, she made her way over to the wardrobe every once in a while she opened it, to sit and admire thinking of her father, and of her family's loss.
Tonight she would do the same, to mourn her losses. Sitting on the futon that lay on the floor, she stared at the open hand carved wardrobe. A figure stood there, or the armour of one, as it starred back at her. It was made of leather and metal fragment scales. The mask gazed fiercely, and it somewhat looked as if it was growling in its appearance towards her. The snarl like expression reminded her of a wolf, as the face had a long snout and whiskers, alongside it's jagged sharp teeth. The colour was of a very deep cobalt blue, almost black as the night sky.
She heard a quiet murmur of her guests in the next room, where she briefly glanced at a sword. Before jumping up and slamming the wardrobe shut, Mai opened the door saying, "Natsuki do you want..." Before fading out as she stood starring curiously at Natsuki, who faced the wardrobe in her undergarments. Neither spoke for a few seconds. Before Natsuki barker, "get out, you're not allowed in here!"
Mai nodded mumbling, "gomenasai" before exiting to a confused looking Mikoto, who shrugged as Mai shut the door. In the next room Natsuki sat on the floor hugging her body, she then began to cry. The shame of crying made her feel worthless and weak. But her nose sniffled, and her eyes grew puffy and red, whilst her body felt heavy as she sank into a deep slumber from exhaustion.
Awakening the next day the sun circled the room, becoming a nuisance to Natsuki as it shone upon her face. Stretching and groaning at the early wake, as she forgot to shut the curtains the birds sang joyous outside in the early rise. Mist formed on the mountains and the nearby fields. She changed into some worn trousers and a white sleeved top. Creeping out, and cringing at the creaking door, she tiptoed over the sleeping Mai, where Mikoto slept upon her, in the living space. But before she reached the door, Mikoto opened her eyes and quietly said, "Natsuki sama where are you going?"
Natsuki cringed at her new name, Mikoto obviously respected her. Sighing she indicated a gesture for Mikoto to follow her. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, they walked. Mikoto was anxious yet excited to the new day. She was sure she was about to learn new skills and experience new adventures. The birds sang around them, occasionally flying overhead as Natsuki said "today I think we'll fish..."
Pausing, she smiled towards the younger girl before continuing, "have you fished before?" Mikoto shook her head with a coherent noise of no. Natsuki nodded saying, "baka it's easy, I'll show you."
After a long walk through the fields the sun fully rose above the mountains, and in time they reached the canal, which was covered in reeds and green algae. It was as green as the grass, and it could confuse any living thing to be of a solid, but yet, it sat upon the water daring for someone to walk upon it.
To Mikoto's dismay there was a small boat tied against a tree with a bamboo rod. Natsuki steadily boarded it, encouraging Mikoto to follow. Both aboard, Mikoto let out a small yelp as the boat jerked as Natsuki untied it, gently pushing it away from the edge. Manoeuvring the boat with her big oar whilst standing, they continued down the canal. Mikoto felt alive and just free. The wind gently blew in her hair, and she watched while herons flew through the reeds.
She allowed her hand to graze upon the algae's surface, enjoying the sensation of it running over her hand. They soon came to a steady slow stop. As Natsuki let go of the oar, and instead handed over a fishing rod that sat on the bottom of the boat. Natsuki then began for the next hour demonstrating how the fishing rod worked, swooping and releasing it back into the water. For bait, Natsuki already prepared a box of maggots. Mikoto's face turned almost green as Natsuki grabbed a slimy, wriggling orange maggot, before she placed it in her mouth, to then place it on the sharp hook. Laughing as Mikoto's looked as if she was ready to be sick, Nastuki said. "Baka...it just warms him up so he can wriggle more."
After laughing, they both sat in silence enjoying the peaceful sound of the environment that welcomed them. Mikoto curiously looked over to Natsuki admiring her, for her bravery, her skills and her beauty. She wanted to be like her, and she was just content here she felt she belonged to a family with Mai and Natsuki. Her thoughts were interrupted when her line snagged, causing ripples onto the water. Gasping she squeaked, "Nastuki sama quick, quick!" Natsuki looked, to then grin as she helped Mikoto reel it in slowly, but to her dismay and growling, because the reel started to pull back. They both tried with all their strength to pull back. But suddenly before they knew it, they were being pulled, disturbing the algae and nearby birds as they flew into flight panicking at the scene. Mikoto closed her eyes not letting go, whilst Natsuki grunted too stubborn to let go.
Mikoto first was scared, but somehow she felt safe with Natsuki. The chase soon came to a sudden stop when the large fish suddenly turned, causing the boat to jerk and capsize. Panicking they both shrieked as they fell into the algae infested water. The coldness succumbed them, and darkness surrounded their bodies. Natsuki burst out of the water first, gasping for air as she paddled and bounced above the water. She smiled looking for Mikoto, but the young girl was nowhere to be seen. Panicking Natsuki began to swim to the capsized boat, and she dived under the water trying to locate where the girl was.
Mikoto on the other hand, could feel herself sinking further in the abyss like water, where the light faded and the water consumed her body. She could feel her heart beating fast, trying to circulate the last of the oxygen she savoured, as she began to drown. She thought of her past, her family, her grandfather in the workshop. Her, sword fighting with him, meeting Mai, and then Natsuki Sama. She felt content, happy, and she was ready to allow the water to fill her lungs. But then, as if the gods decided to save her, a soft hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the light, towards life. Bursting out of the water she was dragged to the banking, where a faint sound of her name "Mikoto...Mikoto." Was called until she fell unconscious.
For what Mikoto saw was not that of heaven. But of her past, her memories with her grandfather.
"Ojiisan look." The blacksmith covered in soot and sweat, felt the sweat pour off of his wrinkled brow as he grinned. The young fifteen year old, held a sword bigger than her within her hands. The days sun gleamed bouncing off of the metals reflection, as if it was magical. She looked at herself within it, holding it within both hands admiring her craftsmanship. Feeling the sharp edges and the smooth metal. She knew it was ready to cut down any enemy, or that of any sword which she crossed paths with. There was a symbolic crest symbol imprinted upon it, into the steel. It had a red and white shape deign and the handle was of red, with two tassels hung off it. This symbolic sign will be remembered in years to come. But this memory she cherished of her grandfather, as he patted her head with affection saying, "well done my magomusume, you have made me proud."
The sudden shock of someone hitting her chest, felt as if she was being stabbed. The light was all she saw first, as she spluttered and coughed the remaining water from within, onto the grass. Weakened, confused and now exhausted, she lay there on the grass. Remembering her, and that of her Ojiisan. But Natsuki leaned over her, her face was worried and perplexed as she hurriedly with eagerness said, "Mikoto, Mikoto can you breath, are you ok?" Mikoto just looked at her, feeling relieved. But she thanked her Ojiisan for sending this woman to her, to be her saviour. She whispered with all her energy, "arigato" before passing out.
Natsuki gently wrapped her arms around her, feeling the drenched clothes of the girl, and hugged her close to her chest. The girl shivered, and unintentionally snuggled into the embrace. Natsuki looked bewildered at the sleeping girl, before scooping her arms under the girls legs around her ripped soaked trousers. She picked her up whispering, "baka I thought I lost you then." As she continued to walk on foot back to her hut south of the river. Seeing that her boat was face down in the algae canal, she would retrieve it tomorrow. But for now, she had to get Mikoto home as it was already noon and it was a long trek. She smiled slightly, thinking of her hut as a home now, with a family, although she would never say that aloud.
A few hours passed as three figures all stood gazing at the beautiful glistening stars, in different parts of the city. The first was Mai waiting outside of the hut, worrying about her two companions who were very late, as she feared the worst, so she said a small pray to herself. Praying for their safe return, she then opened her eyes to see a shooting star fly past. It was only briefly, and momentarily would not have been seen if she blinked a second too late. But she smiled feeling reassured, as if the shooting star was a message. She then turned continuing to smile as she returned back to the cosy cottage, where the fire burnt in the centre, warmly welcoming for their safe return.
The second was Shizuru, the princess sat alone in her room in her nightgown gazing at the stars though her opened window. Sighing as she thought of that occurrence in the yard earlier that day. She even questioned the guards who just fell to their knees, dropping their weapons and noses pressed into the ground in front of her feet, both saying in perfect sequence. " Gomenasai Shizuru Hime please forgive our failure." She smiled amused to herself, thinking of how they both reacted.
But as a respected princess she excused them, but questioned that of the girl. To her surprise she discovered there were two in the grounds, and a rumour circulated the city of their dispute. Many were that the emerald eyed girl killed the thief, another that she chopped off the thief's hands. Whilst the last said they now shared accommodation. Her face scowled at that remark, huffing she gazed at the moon and smirked as a shooting star flew by. She closed her eyes whispering, "ara I'm sure I will see you again, my emerald eyed beauty." She then turned to look at the door as it creaked revealing a figure saying, "Sorry Shizuru Hime, but it's time for me to..."
Shizuru interrupted the girl who has been part of the Viola's household for years, as Shizuru turned to the mirror, and from the shadows a girl walked over with a horses tail hair brush, where the handle was made of carved wood, of a snake. The kimono was a mint green which matched her unusual shade of green hair that hung unevenly of the sides of her face. Her hands gently caressed the chestnut locks of her beloved sama. Then she began brushing her hair, smiling feeling content. As her heart flittered as Shizuru said warmly, "arigato, Tomoe."
The last figure was that of Natsuki, now quite tired carrying the unconscious girl Mikoto, in her arms. The moonlight lit her path in the dark and she sighed. For what reason she did not know, mostly due to the fact of her dramatic day. But tomorrow would be one she would remember and cherish always, as that was the day she and the princess met. Stopping and gazing at the stars she felt something, as if someone called her. Then in that very moment she saw a red shooting star, and she thought of the red eyed servant girl in the palace, and she smiled. She neared the hut, feeling happy as she saw candles burning within and smoke from the chimney form the cooking pot, within. The door was already open and standing there was Mia, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed with a questioning frown as she said, "Natsuki chan what happened?" Natsuki growled saying, "don't call me Chan, it's just Natsuki! And Mikoto fell into the canal." She looked down guiltily.
Mai rushed over and put a hand on the younger girls forehead caringly pushing Natsuki and guiding her nearby the fire. She said worryingly, "Natsuki Chan, her clothes are soaking and now to mention it, so are yours!" Natsuki placed Mikoto on the floor and sat exhausted. She cricked her neck as she moved it back and forth feeling the strain on her arms and back. She then clicked her fingers individually as she watched Mai undress the girl. She blushed before turning her head, huffing she stared out of the open front door at the darkness when she heard Mai say quietly, "arigato Natsuki for everything, it means allot...to both of us." Comfortable silence filled the room, so then Natsuki looked over as Mai hung Mikoto wet clothes on a line by the fire to dry. Mai wrapped Mikoto's unconscious naked form in a warm blanket before kissing her forehead. Natsuki smiled gently, but not so that Mai would have noticed. She then said towards the caring girl. "Do you love her?" Mai looked up perplexed, before looking back at the girl before answering, "Like a sister."
She stood up and walked over to Natsuki and said in a demanding voice controlled voice. "Take off your clothes." Natsuki wide eyed started moving backwards pushing herself, saying embarrassingly red faced, "Uh, um threes no need what I meant was with you and Mikoto...I... I don't see you in that way, and she's too young for me but if you do. Then that great..." Mai looked at her confused, and her yes seemed fierce until she burst out laughing saying, "baka, I meant cause your clothes are wet, I don't want you to get ill."
Nastuki looked up embarrassed ad confused and her face was now red as a tomato. Mai looked mischievously at the poor embarrassed girl and she leaned down as she grabbed the top button of Natsukis shirt, undoing it. Natsuki stuttered to Mai what's wha...are you doing?"
Mai just excitedly replied, "undressing you of course." Smiling evilly as she tried to undo the second button Natsuki then grabbed her wrists and twisted them so Mai fell on the floor, with a leaning Natsuki above. Both panting with the sudden burst of ad reline from the excitement.
Nastukis hair fell forward almost creating a curtain for both of them. Mai's chest raised up and down as Natsukis hands were either side of her head on the wooden planked floor. Natsuki leg was betweens Mai, almost pinning her, and both sets of eyes emerald and amethyst just stared at one another perplexed, and both excited for some unknown reason. The moment was interrupted as a quiet voice said whilst coughing, "Mai, Natsuki sama?" Natsuki quickly fell back saying as she rubbed the back of her neck "Mikoto are you ok?" Mai looked as Natsuki, blushing slightly then rushed over to Mikoto hugging her small frame saying, "it's ok, were both here for you." Natsuki felt confused, she left the friendly scene and walked into her room, undressing leaving a trail of her clothes behind her, as she climbed into her futon exhausted, thinking of tomorrow about buying wood at the market, and totally confused at what just happened. She turned over putting her face into her pillow thinking, 'this is going to be a long night.'
Authors note
Well that was the end for chapter 2. I think the song, "A dream worth keeping" fits well with this chapter as it inspired me. I wanted to focus on Natsuki's and Mai's relationship in this chapter, or more of Natsuki and her confused feelings towards Mai. Please don't stone me ShizNat fans, I promise it will eventually lead to that.
Japanese Terms
Magomusume-grandaughter
Ojiisan-grandfather
As for Tomoe, I know we all think of her being evil but I want her to be a part of this story. As for the same for Mikoto, who is going to become of great importance in the future alongside allot of other characters!
The next chapter will hopefully be updated next week, and I'm going to concentrate on Shizuru's life. Fell free to tell me what you think so far of this story.
J