Outing

There were two boys in the street hiding within the shelter of the barrels' shade in the alley. Two men ran past them, screaming to each other.

"You buffoon! Why didn't you see those brats?"

"Shut yer trap! They couldn't have gotten away with our things!"

The men's voice grew farther and farther away until the oldest boy confirmed that they were gone."

"Nii-chan, are they gone," asked a boy of nine.

"Yeah!" replied a boy of eleven.

They took out the loot they stole and were excited at the prospect of readily brought foods.

~WWW~

"Nii-chan, I'm hungry." cried the nine year old boy.

The big brother looked at his younger brother and then the weather. It was pouring hard and the weather was freezing cold. All the shops has closed, leaving any possibilities of stealing foods in the open impossible. They already ate all the foods they brought with the stolen loot so it won't be easy again.

"J-just wait tom-morrow. W-we'll have food by then."

The younger brother whimpered.

Ten minutes has passed when the eleven year old boy smelt food somewhere. He looked for the direction where it came from. The smell was around the alley they were in. The big brother woke his younger brother up to obtain the food. They waited until the footstep was near enough for them to jumped.

What the boys didn't expect was to fall to the ground by a man and behind them was the most beautiful woman they have ever seen.

W~W~W

Chirp. Chirp.

I woken to the sound of morning chirps but I didn't open my eyes. A memory that I dreamed of and it involved the change for my brother and I. That woman...I wonder how is she? She's probably a hag by now. Is she still bringing new villagers to that growing village? I opened my eyes and looked toward my paintings and drawing I have set up.

One drawing was two boys from his dream in the street.

Many drawings were a picture of plants.

One drawing was a place near a river.

Many drawings were a picture of the sky.

A painting of a small cottage.

Five paintings of two boys growing and working.

And his most precious... a painting of a family.

I have stayed here long enough. I need to continue to travel to make to the village as soon as possible. I have wasted a lot of time waiting to see that beautiful woman again and seeing the boy worker fume at me. I gotten up and began preparing.

U*U*U

I was pacing around the room and fretting about what to do. My decision was to go out with Naoshi-san but that was all I could think of. This will be my first time to go on an outing and with a female also. Naoshi-san had convinced Lady Chouko to let us have the rest of the day off, continuing the day with our enjoyment.

I went inside my wardrobe to take out my favorite set of male clothes. It was a blue kimono pattern with the circular luck symbols. I want to look presentable enough for Naoshi-san to think of me as handsome.I hope that I will have fun with her.

U~U~U

When I went out of Yasumi, I noticed that fool leaving his room with his belongings. He was probably leaving to go back to where he came from. Annoyance filled me at what had happened these past few days. Good riddance! I went out to a restaurant nearby where I had agreed to meet Naoshi-san.

Naoshi-san was wearing a colorful kimono that fit her personality; bright and happy. I could hear her humming a tune.I waved to let her know I arrived.

"Haru-kun!"

"Did you wait long?"

"Of course not, but how nice of you to ask."

She grabbed my arms and we began walking.

"You look handsome in that kimono," Naoshi-san stated.

I was surprised and thought that it was a good compliment.

"T-thank you. You look beautiful yourself. Your kimono fit you." I returned the compliment.

She smiled, then laughed brightly.

"Yup, it does doesn't it? I have always wanted to dress freely in my own style instead always allowing other to choose what I wear."

I was confused by her words. Dress freely? I wonder if her family were strict to always dictate how she dress. I thought it was almost sad that she had no choice for what she want. I look around and saw what I believed would make Naoshi-san happy.

"Naoshi-san..." I called.

She looked up at me with excited eyes. "Yes?"

"Let us go in there." I pointed to a store.

She followed where I was pointing and stared at it for a moment before looking excited. Naoshi-san began pulling me toward the clothing store I laughed at how she is acting. I slowly hope that both of us will have a fun day.

U*U*U

"Let's see... red or yellow...blue or pink...hrrmmmmmm"

Naoshi-san was excitedly choosing which sash color would be good with the kimono she has chosen. I was having fun seeing her choose and having an outing with Naoshi-san.

"Haru-kun! Which one do you think will fit me?"

"Which one...?"

I imagined the colors that would be nice on her. The weather in Chitaka has been good lately and the plants were in beautiful. I looked at the color of her kimono and decided on a color.

"This one would suit you. Your fair complexion would be perfect with this white blue one. Also with the golden color, it will compliment each other and your happiness."

Her face became thoughtful and her eyes were bright with joy.

"That would work! Especially when the village has such a fine weather," she waved to the owner and pointed to the items, "We'll take this!"

After we finished purchasing, Naoshi-san and I went to look around at what other items each store has. There was a store that sold umbrellas and bamboo papers. There was a small store that had cute little trinkets, some that rang when the wind blew. There was a district that bid us to try their foods. There was a place where we saw children play with laughter. And there was an earring that caught my attention.

"Oh! You have good eyes, sir! This earring has a rare black opal that is one of its kind." the store owner said.

The earring that I was looking at had a smooth, circular stone that was connected to two strands of smaller stones which was braided . They were so dark in color that they reflect the light, revealing spiral patterns..

"What are these smaller stone, Jii-san?" Naoshi-san asked.

"I wouldn't know. The person who sold it to me didn't tell me anything except for the black opal."

"How much is it?" I asked.

"It's a little expensive you know," he warned.

U~U~U

"Why did you want to buy this piece of jewelry, Haru-kun? There's only one to wear."

"I...thought it'll be a good present for a friend."

"Ooohh, is this for a fair lady?" she asked gleefully.

I flushed at her guess.

"It is for a male friend," I said hotly.

"I see...do I know him?"

"No...he's someone you haven't seen."

She stayed quiet for awhile.

"I'm glad you have someone to think of, Haru-kun," she said quietly.

We didn't say anything else and headed by to the inn. I clutched the earring, thinking if only I could give this jewel for him.

U*U*U

A/N: It look like Haru's thorn is pulled out so he can now relax...or can he? =3 They'll soon meet each other again thanks to Naoshi. Come and Have Fun ^^