Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in 12152986945475 years. Hope this makes up for it!
After a failed attempt for the Guardians for help, the three samurai secretly boarded a Bandit ship and made their way towards the City. The Capital was also headed in that direction. "We can interfere at the execution and get out of here with Sanai and Lady Honoka's sister." Roji planned. "Sounds good." Kiyoshi agreed before she leapt of the ship and behind several crates. One had been open and was apparently filled with cloaks. Kiyoshi threw some out for herself and her companions. She slid the hood over her head and walked away in the most inconspicuous manner. Roji and Kiku neatly followed. Soon enough they found a crowd gathered around an electronic billboard, stating the execution of a samurai. "How much do you want to bet its Kambei?" Roji muttered. "Let's go." Kiyoshi said.
The three hastily jogged away to the execution site. They could see Kambei shoved down and onto a wooden plank. Kiyoshi suddenly noticed a servant girl. "No... it couldn't be..." Roji was about to step forward when Kambei suddenly freed himself from his imprisonment. He fought of the executioner and all hell broke loose. The older samurai grabbed another girl's hand and the two fled. Kiyoshi shoved through the crowd to catch the servant girl who was falling. She had been pushed off the ledge admist the confusion. The girl looked up to her savior and her eyes widenend. "K-Kiyoshi?" She stuttered as she clenched the cloak of the samurai she had known so well. "It's me, Hana. I've got you." Kiyoshi said comfortingly before sprinting off for escape.
Roji noticed the female samurai holding something close to her body. He noticed the figure of a young girl, but he would ask about it later. "Let's go!" Kiku shouted over the commotion. The samurai nodded in agreement as they escaped from the city. They quickly reunited Lady Honoka and her sister. They planned to return Sanai (which Kambei had managed to get a hold of) as well as themselves and get back to the village. Kiyoshi hummed a soft lullaby to Hana as she carried her. She needed to know what had happened to Michi and their family, but now was too early. She would inquire Hana about it once they reached the village.
The samurais plus Sanai were warmly welcomed to the village. They were given time to rest; Kiyoshi asked for Hana to be looked after for the rest of the day. Rikichi was overjoyed to see his wife again, but he wasn't given the same reaction. In fact Sanai was struck down at the sight of Rikichi. The whole situation was proved a disaster, but at least she was back home now. Rikichi received many words of comfort and was told that his wife would eventually adjust. "Don't blame yourself, Rikichi. Sanai will get used to this, I promise you." Kiyoshi said. Rikichi miserably shrugged his shoulders and walked away to lament on his own. Everyone pitied the poor man.
Kiyoshi took the initiative to find Kyuzo. She found him training alone (as usual) near the hut he had found. She secretly snuck up on him and the two had their own sparring match; exchanging blows and swipes. They traveled away from the hut and fought as they neared a creek. They jumped off tree trunks and swung off tree branches. Kiyoshi took heed of the creek ahead and used it to develop a scheme. She pushed Kyuzo backwards before the two switched spots. This time Kiyoshi's back was to the water. When Kyuzo made the final attack, Kiyoshi stepped out of the way and playfully tripped him into the water. He fell in with a startled yell and Kiyoshi got her laugh.
The blonde samurai resurfaced and shook his head much like a dog would. His once-poofy hair had settled in closer to his face. He raked it back with his fingers before grabbing Kiyoshi. "Don't you d-" She was cut off whenher body hit the water. She sank momentarily, letting the water embrace her. She arose from the water and brushed her hair away. It just barely passed the small of her back. Kiyoshi childishly splashed Kyuzo. "You jerk!" Kyuzo laughed. The sound was a melody to Kiyoshi's ears. "My bad, princess." Kyuzo replied, announciating the "princess". This hightened Kiyoshi's annoyance, but the two splashed around the water like children before Kyuzo grabbed Kiyoshi's wrist and pulled her to him. She looked up into his almost-crimson eyes and her breath caught in her throat. He was beyond handsome up close. He tucked a finger under Kiyoshi's chin and gently pushed up against it until she was gazing directly into his eyes. He bit his lip and snaked an arm around her waist before carefully placing his lips on hers.
Kiyoshi nearly gasped at the sensation, but pulled Kyuzo closer to her and allowed his domination. They remained liplocked until Kyuzo gently pulled away. "I love you." He said quietly. "I love you, too." Kiyoshi replied as she hugged her lover. He was inexplicably warm, and she felt so protected in his embrace.