Still don't own, so still no suing. ;p

I try not to use too much Japanese in my stories, but I felt that putting some of the terms into this one gives it more of a rustic feel.

Chapter notes/new terms:

-dono: Polite way of addressing someone of royal or official status

Yojimbo: Samurai bodyguard

Chapter 2

When Takaya had first seen Ren Mihashi, he thought that it was just another son of a merchant, perhaps one that made outfits. The boy didn't carry any of the confidence that one would think the son of a lord should have.

Takaya certainly hadn't expected the boy to be anyone famous, let alone the son of Reiichi Mihashi, the land owner of their area. Oh, he had heard that the man had a son, but like most in the lower two classes, he never saw the boy. The shoen, himself, rarely went into the merchant area, and only did under disguise. Thus, Takaya had only glimpsed the man once or twice.

Now, as he stood before the black haired shoen, who was decked out in noble clothing that was seated on a horse, Takaya felt both afraid and awed at the same time.

Of course, he knew his manners, and bowed immediately when he came upon the man and the yojimbo that guarded him on foot.

Reiichi raised an eyebrow, particularly at his son. "Who is this, Ren?"

At that, Ren paused a moment. Then, the shrugged sheepishly. "I…I'm not sure. But, he…saved me. When…when I got lost, um…some thieves…tried to k-kill and r-rob me, and he saved me!"

Takaya pushed down the heat that had spread to his cheeks when Reiichi turned a smile in his direction. Rather, he kept his head bowed humbly, and his mouth shut. He might have looked composed in the eyes of Reiichi, Ren, and the yojimbo, but inside, he was squirming with anxiety.

"Saved my son, eh? What's your name?" Reiichi finally spoke.

Since he had been granted permission to speak, and also had been asked a question, the teen obliged by giving an answer. "Takaya, sir."

"Good, solid name…and your surname?"

Takaya's head shot up in surprise. Finally, he managed the two syllable word, "Abe."

"Abe Takaya…" Reiichi seemed to approve.

Takaya shifted nervously at the use of his surname. After all, it wasn't common for people to use the surnames of those that weren't nobles.

Reiichi seemed to understand by Takaya's body language. "Oh, don't worry. Since you saved my son's life, you and the rest of your family are free to use your surname."

Takaya felt a tear come to his eye as he was honestly touched, but he pushed it away by blinking and bowed at the waist. "Thank you very much, sir!"

Reiichi waved it off. "Not a problem. So, just how did you save my son?"

Takaya straightened back up. "I…didn't know it was him, sir. I just saw someone that appeared to be my age being harassed by a couple thieves, and didn't wish him harm."

Ren picked up the story, since Takaya left out just about all the details. "It…it was amazing, otou…otou-sama!" He seemed to correct himself on what to call his father since they were in public.

Reiichi quirked a brow in anticipation.

Ren gleefully gave it. "He…he came in…his family…they make katanas, and he came in with one…and s-stopped the thieves! H-he fought them when they were about to h-hurt me!"

Takaya tried not to twitch at the teen's disjointed way of talking. Perhaps the kid was bullied at one point or another? Maybe some of the samurai looked down on him for his exotic appearance or something, so he didn't have confidence? Whatever the reason, it was just slightly annoying.

Perhaps he managed to keep quiet since Ren was singing praises about him as the teen recounted what had happened, and how Takaya had managed to disarm and down his opponents without shedding blood.

At the end of the story, Reiichi turned to Takaya. "It seems as if you managed to get an injury out of the scuffle, however."

Takaya started, then glanced at his shoulder. Honestly, it had stopped bleeding a while ago, and while he was slightly abashed to stand in the presence of Mihashi-sama while dirty from not just the fight, but the guards pushing him to the ground, he was also shell shocked at the entire proceeding.

That, and how Ren looked at him as if he were some sort of hero.

It was somewhat cute…but more disturbing than cute.

Takaya immediately flushed the idea, and wondered if he had taken a knock to the head to think of something or someone as 'cute'. His little brother was 'cute', but…Shun was family! It was different!

…right?

Finally, Takaya managed to get his mouth working again. "It's nothing serious, sir."

Reiichi seemed to contemplate something as Ren gave his father a pleading look.

Takaya didn't know what was going on in the silent conversation, and though he didn't regret saving the other teen, he wished it had just been a commoner. He felt as if things were moving so quickly that he couldn't get a handle on them.

"That settles it, then." Reiichi came to a conclusion. "You can come back to the manor with us. We'll get you fixed up, and you can start training to be a samurai. I'll grant your family a higher stipend, and use of the surname, as well."

Takaya nearly passed out from shock, and just about mimicked Ren's way of speech as he attempted to say something, even to thank the man. He couldn't decline, since this was the order of a noble, and honestly, it would be best for his family.

He just didn't rightly know what to say.

"Besides…Ren seems to have taken a liking to you. That's good. Some of the other yojimbo tend to give him a slightly harder time, which is why I almost constantly need new guards. They can't have anything against him. My wife, too…one would think they're foreigners! Imagine…foreigners! In Japan! Hardly an ounce of sense, that. Even the Mongols couldn't get in; we're not about to let anyone else in. I digress. Point is, there really isn't anyone his age he can hang around, so it might be beneficial to Ren, as well, for you to join."

Takaya could only nod dumbly. When he finally got his mouth working again, he managed to stammer out a 'thank you'.

Reiichi didn't seem to mind the teen's sudden inability to speak; he could tell that Takaya was on overload.

Ren cheered and jumped up and down happily. "You get to come live with us, Takaya!" He knew he could call Takaya by his surname, but it felt more like they were friends by calling him by his given name. Besides, he figured that's what Takaya was used to, and might not respond right away to being called 'Abe'.

"Y-yea…" Takaya managed a weak smile at the other teen. How the hell did I end up in this situation? Just this morning, I was pulling Shun away from the noble district, and setting up shop like normal…and now, I'm to be, from the sounds of it, a personal bodyguard for the son of the most prestigious noble in the area? If that cut on my shoulder didn't hurt from time to time, I'd think I was dreaming.

As Ren got onto the horse behind his father, Takaya paled.

Shun! Kaasan and tousan, too…they'll be better off, but does this mean I won't get to see them anymore? I…couldn't even say anything to them. Shun…he must have assumed the worst; he sees me carted off by the heir to the Mihashi family, and I don't return…

"Are you alright?" Reiichi noticed the teen's pallor, and wondered if the cut was deeper than it looked. Perhaps the teen had taken a knock to the head during the fight, or when the guards muscled him to the ground?

Takaya looked up, his eyes reflecting the inner turmoil and fear that he didn't dare express aloud. "I…I'm alright, sir…"

Reiichi looked as if he didn't believe him, and Ren was all but panicking that there might be something wrong, but the noble just let it drop. Or perhaps…

"I'll contact your family to let them know. I'm not as cold hearted as some nobles are; I'm not going to bar you from ever seeing them again. For now, you'll have to stay with us as you receive your training. I'll send your family notice of this so they do not worry."

Takaya was, once again, struck speechless as he stood in awe. Finally, he bowed; not only in respect and gratitude, but to hide the tears that managed to escape from his eyes.

Shun wouldn't have to go on believing that he had been killed…

Takaya was relieved beyond words. Once again, he could only stammer out a soft 'thank you'.

The Mihashi mansion was large, as per usual for mansions that belonged to the noble class. Takaya had only ever seen it from a distance, but up close, it was both awe inspiring and intimidating.

It wasn't quite castle-sized, but it was still gigantic. There were two almost distinct sections; one was smaller and had two stories, while the other was larger and was three stories. Takaya guessed that the smaller one was the section that housed the servants and bodyguards.

I'm going to be required to live here for now on. I'm going to be required to serve Mihashi-dono and his son as a bodyguard; a samurai. This is…intense.

To put it mildly, at least.

Takaya hadn't paid much attention to the father-son conversation that had occurred on the way there, as he had been trying to figure out how this drastic change in his life had really occurred after his arm was bandaged and they had gone on their merry way.

There was even a small stable off to one side, Takaya noted, as he saw one of the samurai lead the horse off in that direction while Reiichi and Ren now stood on the ground. There was a small river that ran along the other side of the mansion, and the rest was surrounded by grass and dirt.

Ren was nearly bursting with excitement, and even Reiichi sported a giant grin.

"We'll have to get you a schedule to be trained up. From the description Ren gave me, you already know a little swordsmanship," Reiichi stated.

Takaya nearly panicked, since commoners weren't supposed to have that sort of knowledge. "It's only because I had to test the durability of my father's blades…!"

Reiichi chuckled. "No need to get defensive. You're not in trouble for your knowledge. In fact, if it weren't for your knowledge, I'd be mourning my son right now."

Ren had paled a bit at that, but quickly recovered, since he, himself, had admitted how close to demise he had come.

"I have a couple senior guards that I trust who can train you, I just need to speak with them. While I do, Ren can give you a small tour…"

Ren cheered.

"…of the stead. I'll be assigning you as Ren's personal bodyguard, on his request."

This time, Ren flushed a bit and played with his fingers nervously.

Takaya glanced from father to son, then back at the man before he managed to nod and bow.

"Well, I'll let Ren get on with giving you a tour of the barracks and mansion, then we'll all meet back when he's finished, and I should have a schedule and trainer for you by then," Reiichi finished. "Ren, you know where to meet up."

"Y-yes!" Ren nodded eagerly.

Reiichi ruffled his son's hair, then flashed Takaya a friendly smile before he strode off, flanked by two guards.

Ren turned to Takaya and indicated for them to head inside as well, while the final guard followed them.

Takaya glanced at the man with the swords a moment, then back at Ren.

"H-he'll go back to the barracks w-with us. Otou-sama trusts me with you…and…I trust you…so…I'll be giving the rest of the tour solo."

"Ah…okay, Mihashi-dono." Takaya managed to get out.

Ren pouted a moment, then declared, "Call me 'Ren'!"

Takaya blinked, startled, and even Ren appeared slightly abashed by his proclamation.

The guard merely blinked, then shook his head as if in exasperation.

"Um…okay…Ren-dono…"

Ren sighed in disappointment, but figured it was better than being called by his surname, at least. It made it feel like they were more of friends than just lord and vassal. He longed for a friend, since he didn't have any siblings, and didn't know anyone else his age since he never met the families of the guards, and hadn't met another noble family that had a kid his age.

Plus, something had drawn him to Takaya almost instantly. It had been a bit of hero-worship at first, and maybe, there was still some remaining since the other teen had saved his life. However, there was something more that lurked under the surface, and if he were to find out what exactly that 'something' was, he would have to start by making friends with Takaya.

TO BE CONTINUED…