Four days later she woke up. She as in the soldier. Ryuu and his family found out her name; it was Kiyoshi Yanaihara.

Kiyoshi groggily opened her eyes and blinked a few times to clear her vision. She felt a dull throbbing sensation in her back as she began to look around. "Where am I? The last thing I remember was… falling from the sky…" She thought as she attempted to rise from her bed. She was wearing a rather beautiful crimson and violet yukata when she looked down at her clothing. Her hair had been braided and tied with a flower at the end. She felt a whole lot cleaner too… it was weird.

She sat up carefully right when a little girl with ebony hair and azure eyes opened the door. The girl gasped and suddenly rushed away. Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow and stared at the open door until a woman came into view. She looked about middle-aged and shared the same eyes as her daughter. Her auburn hair was combed back into a ponytail.

"Ms. Yanaihara! Thank goodness you have awoken. My name is Mari Kato. My son saved you four days ago when my daughter spotted your unconscious body floating in the river near our village. How are you feeling?" Mari knelt by Kiyoshi with Hana at her side. "I am doing fine, thank you. I just feel slightly exhausted, despite being asleep for… four days, you said?" Kiyoshi replied as she ran a hand over her tired eyes. "Hana dear, please bring our guest her breakfast and tea." Mari ordered. Hana nodded immediately and ran off.

Kiyoshi looked to Mari, bowed slightly, and began to speak. "Thank you for everything, Mrs. Kato. I owe my life to you, your family, and your generous hospitality. But may I ask how you know my name?"

"Forgive our nosiness, but my husband and I found your name stitched onto your battle uniform."

"Oh no, it's fine. You had a right to know who I was anyway."

"Thank you. I need to tell you something, Ms. Yanaihara. The war ended."

"It ended…?"

"Yes, I'm afraid. It ended a day after your arrival to our village."

"…but that is a good thing… no more blood will be shed and no more innocent lives are to be taken."

"Forgive my bluntness, but are you a samurai?"

"Yes. Why do you ask, ma'am?"

"My son… Michi… wishes dearly to become a samurai."

"Have you asked him why?"

"Yes. He said that he wanted to protect the village if need be. He claimed he wanted to protect the ones he loved."

"He does have the correct mindset… how old is he?"

"Fifteen. What I am trying to say is… will you be his mentor?"

"His mentor…?"

"Yes. I apologize if it is too much to ask from you, especially during this state you are in."

"…I shall give it some thought. Allow me to meet Michi and I shall see if his intentions of becoming a samurai are true."

Mari's eyes shone and she bowed deeply. "I thank you, Ms. Yanaihara." Kiyoshi smiled and said, "Please, Kiyoshi is fine."

"Michi, dear, come here!" Mari called as she and Kiyoshi strolled through the village. The healer stated that Kiyoshi should get plenty of physical therapy to strengthen her healing process. Few days passed until this moment, and the soldier was feeling much, much better.

"Yes, Mother?" Michi said once he reached the two women. "I have told Ms. Yanaihara of your samurai intentions."

"Why?"

"She said if you are qualified for the samurai standards, she will teach you."

Michi was silent as he looked to the female warrior. Mixed feelings ran through his brain as he thought. He turned and left without another word except, "Thank you." But he didn't look thankful enough. "Please forgive him, Kiyoshi. He-" Kiyoshi gently put a hand up to silence Mari. "I understand he does not want me as his teacher because he believes I am weak. Men always have these assumptions about women." Kiyoshi quietly finished. "It was like that during the war. The women were always looked down upon. But when we put our skills to battle, we proved them wrong. In order to catch Michi's attention, I must use my skills in front of him."

Mari thought for a while and nodded. "What if he still refuses?" She asked. "I will not force him if he does not take this opportunity. It is his decision." Kiyoshi looked back to the forest and politely excused herself to go train for awhile. Once she was alone, only the calm sound of the forest could be heard. She took a deep, steady breath before breaking out into practice. She reviewed all of the sword techniques and combinations she learned years ago. Her sword whipped through the air as she twisted, turned, and leapt into the air. After an hour or so of practice, Kiyoshi sheathed her sword and removed her long sleeved jacket to reveal a sleeveless tank top. "Michi, I know you're here." She said without having to look at the village boy's direction.

He gasped. "How did she know I was here? Maybe I've underestimated her and her skill..." He thought as he gave away his hiding spot. "I apologize, Ms. Kiyoshi." He said quietly as he bowed slightly. "Do you want to become a samurai or not?"

"Pardon?"

"You heard me, boy. Don't try to pretend."

"...yes, I do."

"Why?"

"To defend the ones I care about and protect the village. Didn't my mother tell you?"

"Watch your tongue. Yes your mother did tell me, but I needed you to say it."

"I see... I'm sorry."

"Apologies are not needed, but you must learn respect. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Wonderful. Now, go fetch your sword."

Michi looked at Kiyoshi with shining eyes. "Yes ma'am!" He said excitedly before running off. Kiyoshi took her hair out of its braid and let it rest against her body. She placed the flowered bow and sword on the jacket she placed on the ground as she waited. "Well, first I have to test his strength, speed of reaction, and overall technique." She thought to herself as she slipped on her fingerless leather gloves. Michi ran into view panting heavily. "Place your sword against the tree. You must learn that in order to weild a weapon of any sort, you must have strength. If you are faced with the fate of losing your weapon, you must learn how to defend yourself. Now, let me test your fighting skills." Kiyoshi began. Michi looked at her with a confused expression but did what he was told. He was tall for a boy of fifteen, standing at about five feet and ten inches. Kiyoshi was a mere five feet and seven inches which was tall for a woman, but then again Michi was exceedingly tall for his age.

Kiyoshi put her fists up, one near her cheek and the other in front of her at eye level. She began to slightly bounce on her toes as Michi assumed his fighting stance. She smirked openly before suddenly running towards Michi. Before he had time to react, she had jumped and kicked him in the chest and he landed on his back. He lay there dumfounded. "That was far too easy, Michi. You have a lot to learn." Kiyoshi said as she crossed her arms and stood over him. The village boy laughed nervously and got to his feet. Indeed, he had much to learn.