Hey everyone,

I'm so sorry for the late upload. I wish I were most disciplined with the updates for The Minstrel as I was with My Father, but I promise to reflect on my ways and improve. :P All things aside, I hope you'll enjoy this latest installment. And don't forget to review.

Second Movement, Part 6

Itachi,

We've finally started to move out of the Fire Country. After weeks and weeks of staying here, I'm so glad to go. It seems like this year we've lost quite a few merchants to the thriving industry of the Leaf Village. Some people in the tribe are worried we won't be earning enough income to support the caravan. I've been warned, but I don't really care. I believe I can survive anywhere.

Autumn is coming soon in a few weeks time. I do hope it arrives early this year. I love the smell of moss, anemones, chrysanthemum, and honey. Most years, during the fall, we travel quickly through the luscious forests bordering Konhagakure. Many people dislike the hiking, but I absolutely cannot find a reason not to like it. The entire forest is painted with the palette of red and yellow. I wish you could be here with me so we can see it together. Imagine the fun we would have, racing through a tumble of leaves. Of course you would win all the time.

Mayuri

From what I remember, fall in Konoha was indeed very beautiful. But somehow I cannot remember it being as wonderful as you've described it. If we were to have races, I promise you let you win some.

You'd let me win some? How cocky you sound.

Lately, we're closing in on the River Country. I'm going to miss the forests of the Country of Fire, the one good thing it possess. After nearly eighteen years (twelve, minus the six years I had forgotten before I was adopted), this last week was the most horrid. We were attacked by raiders in the night. Our guards were quick to defend us and we suffered no casualties, but many of our possessions were either stolen or damaged. My trunk of instruments was badly damaged it's beyond repair. Don't get me started on the treasures inside. A thief actually thought there was gold and other invaluable (in their opinion anyways) rubies and sapphires inside my trunk and smashed his hammer on the lock shattering the wood outside and chipping a most precious koto. Luckily, for him ninjas from Konoha assisted us and chased them away, but if I ever see him again, I promise, he won't see sunlight the next day.

Mayuri

I'm very sorry your koto was damaged. I'm sure it's very important to you.

We're nearing the Wind Country now and the days have become short and chilly. The country of Wind, is only second to the places I dislike the most. It's far too dry and windy here for any good at all. Sand doesn't mix well with my instruments either. The only good is that there are many people who appreciate good music there, it makes up for the dryness my skin is forced to suffer.

Have you ever been to Sunagakure? What was your first experience like? I would like to know more about you. Indulge me while I sit in an hourglass village, almost covered in sand from head-to-toe.

I have been to the Wind Country once, on a mission, but never into Sunagakure. My stay wasn't very long, only a few days and I was busy keeping my eye on the target I didn't really notice the environment around me.

Hahaha. I've never heard of person that doesn't remember a thing when they go to a foreign land. Even as a nomad I love seeing new places. I'm always dreaming of settling down somewhere in a cozy house with friends just next door.

Winter is coming up and I can't say Christmas in this sandy pot is all that great. Only a few lights are put up, not must cheer since the weather is bi-polar here. Hot and dry one day, windy and cold the next. Besides people that love music, there's only one other pleasure in Suna and that is all the sukiyaki they eat. The homes that house us are always warm and comforting to be in.

Mayuri,

I haven't been welcomed into a house in too long a time, I can't quite say for sure I remember was it feels like. I often dream of a nice cozy home, though I know it's impossible for me to ever have.

That's not true. As long as you are alive, I believe you can accomplish that dream. You are strong, powerful, and wise, I'm sure you'll find a way to make that dream come true. You can count on me to be praying for you happiness.

There's currently a sandstorm that has been brewing about for the past week. The local residents say it's too dangerous to be walking around outside. If you aren't blown away by the wind, you are most definitely beat up by the bellowing sand.

Being cooped in a mud house can be trying at times. I'm staying with a family, as they were the last people I visited before the storm started. I've left all but my kokyu at the inn where I should have stayed in. Oh, how I wish I had someone new to play for. They family I stay with have many children, but they grow bored quickly and I feel as if I shouldn't be making more distractions than the chaos then ensues in this house. I wonder if there's a way for you to hear me play. I've played a few tunes to Kurochi, but it doesn't seem like the system works this way.

Mayuri

Mayuri finished signing her name and folded up the thin parchment and fed it to Kurochi. The loyal black crow, bestowed to Mayuri by Itachi, swallowed the note as it is the way he conveys her messages. As means of delivering Itachi's short memos to her, he has an opposite way of regurgitating his letter up. Of course, at first it disgusted Mayuri and her friend Lupa, but soon they became accustomed to it.

Closing his small black beak, Kurochi flapped to Mayuri's shoulder, his favorite perch, and sat down with his head high and poised like a gallant hawk despite his small stature.

"Thanks," Mayuri said and scratch at Kurochi's next and chin intimately.

For the past week, the minute bird was Mayuri's only loyal friend. Of course there were times when she saw Kurochi completely bored out of his mind, and there was no problem with him going off to a corner to sleep, but he stayed awake, entertaining Mayuri and the children of the house.

Kurochi fluffed his feathers shly, and pecked Mayuri's cheek with a kiss.

"Aw, what a sweet you are," Mayuri doted and nudged her nose at the bird and he chirped happily.

Mayuri got up from the side of her bed and walked over to the kokyu case. It's been a couple of days since she's last played it and it needed to be aired. She had just started to rub down the thin strings with resin when one of the kids came into her room without knocking.

"Dinner's almost ready, Shinpi," he announced while his brother and sister giggled behind him, surely playing a game or sharing a joke.

"I'll be right now after I finish rubbing this down," she answered, showing the children.

The two little ones stuck their head through the door beneath their elder sibling.

"That's a nice smell, miss," the little girl, Suki said.

"Thank you. It's called resin, made from the sap of a certain tree. It helps my instrument sound better."

"Can we see?" Suki asked.

Mayuri waved a hand at them, motioning them to come over. The three children quickly circled around Mayuri, impatient for something entertaining.

"See, you just rub it down like this and the strings will feel nice and waxy so it resonates with a clear sound." Mayuri showed them her usual way of cleaning and let the kids each have a hand at it.

Soon stories were being shared between Mayuri's and the children's adventures. They had their little giggles and crazed laughs until their mother tapped the door with her knuckles.

A smile shone across her face to see her children get along well with their guest and that Mayuri hasn't suffocated in their house yet. "Dinner's piping hot and waiting for you, little ones. Come eat."

"Yes, mommy," the three said in unison and all ran past the door and stomped down the stairs.

"Sorry for troubling you," she apologized to her guest.

Mayuri shook her hand. "Oh no, the children were fun to be with. When I was a kid, I didn't really have any friends. It's good that they get along together."

"Well, they can be a little over bearing sometimes," their mother said wiping away a faux sweat drop to emphasize all the trouble they are. "How are your parents?"

Dropping her head, Mayuri replied, "I don't have any parents, I'm an orphan."

"Oh my, I'm sorry," she said, immediately her hand flew up to her mouth.

"It's alright. I wasn't completely alone. The nomads had an old minstrel; he took me in and taught me his trade. He said I had great talent that would only be wasted if he didn't train me."

"No wonder. You're music is so beautiful. I feel like we're keeping your prisoner in a house without people that appreciate music," she said as they walked down the narrow staircase.

"Please don't worry. I don't feel suffocated here at all. In fact the family is so warm I feel as if I'm part of your family, if you don't mind me saying. It's a very nice feeling. I hope that I'll be able to experience my own someday."

"Aw," their mother said, and put a hand on Mayuri's shoulder. "I'm sure you will, and in no time either. A pretty girl like you ought to be snatched up right away and married off. Has there been any 'flies' buzzing around?"

Mayuri shrugged, embarrassed. "I'll have to be the disappointment and say that there hasn't been anybody chasing me. Never once since I can remember did a boy chase after me with ardent feelings."

"That can't be!" she exclaimed. "It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever."

Mayuri laughed at her shock. "Well, if you don't believe my word, feel free to come with me when the storm's let up and see for yourself exactly just how popular I am."

Just as they rounded the corner to the dining area, Kurochi chirped quietly at Mayuri's neck. He was getting another message and it probably wasn't the best for the family to see his regurgitate a piece of paper before dinner so Mayuri excused herself and told everyone she might be a bit late and to start without her.

She hurried into her room just as Kurochi lifted his small furry head and out came a piece of rolled paper and a small package.

"What is this?" Mayuri wondered out loud and picked up the paper to read.

Play for me.

That was all that was on the note. Mayuri picked up the package to find that he had sent over a small audio recorder. Without a second thought, she reached for her kokyu and deep down in her heart she was so happy she had rubbed it down before.

Without really understanding how the little recording device worked, she set it down on the floor in front of her and pressed the button that was engraved "REC."

"Here goes nothing," Mayuri whispered and bent the bow down toward the silky strings. A crisp clean note sounded and a melody followed suit as she improvised four and a half minutes of beautiful music, weaving in her mind and soul in the skill and art.

After she finished, Mayuri hit the "REC" button again and the screen blinked "SAVED." She didn't write a letter, there wasn't a need for words. Her face became intensely red as she handed the audio recorder to Kurochi.

In hesitantly, Kurochi snatched up the little device and swallowed it whole as usual.

Mayuri sighed out of relief that the machine was gone, out of her sight, but the mad blush on her face didn't fade. Her heart pounded in her ears, which felt as if she were on fire. Dazed and almost crazed, Mayuri lasted through the sleepless night. Finally, she fell asleep in the early morning, just before the sun came up, as the storm outside blew away.

Kurochi, rather annoyed from being rudely woken up, delivered Itachi's message at the head of Mayuri's bed. He watched her, as she slept, finally, so peacefully and decided it would be better for her to find the surprise when she wakes up, and went back to his little perch to sleep.

The memo rolled opened as a nice breeze blew in.

It is beautiful.