Chapter 8
"Gai, I'm good. I'm not hurt at all. I'm fine. Miss Luka is fine and most importantly, the mother and the baby are also fine." Joe noticed dimly that there were eyebags underneath the princess' eyes which entirely refutes her being fine but he chose to keep it to himself instead as Ahim tried to calm her very anxious and very teary bodyguard.
But apparently it was to no avail since not only it stopped the man from tearing up, it made him wailed instead as he wrapped his arms around his princess. Ahim simply smiled as she let out an exasperated sigh.
Luka who came out of nowhere smacked Gai in the head. "Oi. She said she's fine you idiot. There's no need to wail like that. Jeez. You're even worse than Doc." Gai wailed louder to which Luka simply rolled her eyes. Joe also took note that Luka too has accepted the liberty offered by changing her garments into a light yellow yukata. The same goes for Ahim with the pale pink yukata.
"I'm sorry that we were too occupied just now. But, as a form of gratitude we would be happy if you would accept to dine with us for the night." Nishihori Sakura as she had introduced herself after the whole birth fiasco called out to the group.
"Food you say?" Marvelous perked up instantly at the mention of a meal. A free one no less. Without waiting for anyone, he trudged into the dining hall with zero care in the world. If Sakura was irked by the lack of manners in him, she certainly didn't show it. Only Ahim had the decency to apologize on Marvelous's behalf to which Sakura gave her a slight smile.
When they got into the dining hall, Marvelous was already gorging on the food while their hosts sat in their respective seats. Nishihori Sakura took hers right next to Akashi Satoru who was simply smiling in amusement in their direction. Joe scanned the faces present. The husband and wife pair – Natsuki and Masumi were absent and so is Mogami Souta. There was another man in silver that Joe had seen in passing but never gotten the chance to be introduced.
After everyone took their seat and they were offered to dig in, the hall remained quiet for a while aside from the sounds of chopsticks and the occasional quips from Marvelous who shamelessly ask for seconds. And thirds. It was when everyone were finally done that the conversation finally started.
"I'm Takaoka Eiji by the way. You can think of me as the freeloader here." The man in the silver yukata finally introduced himself in which he received a sharp smack by Sakura. So Eiji too is part of whatever this place is.
"We have to extend our thanks to the two ladies that really helped us. Natsuki and Masumi can't be here right now but they send their regards." Akashi started. "The midwife was supposed to be around by apparently she had gone over to the other village just a day before so you certainly had come at the right time." he motioned to the two ladies.
"The sun will set in a few short hours so if you would not mind, I would like to offer your group some rooms of our humble abode to spend the night."
Humble abode my foot. If this freaking mansion is humble then our camp is nothing but a trash site. Luka rolled her eyes. Joe saw the motion from the corners of his eyes and just before Luka herself manage to spur a single word, Ahim beat her to it. Thankfully. Humility and politeness was never one of Luka's strong suits.
"On behalf of my friends, we graciously thank you for the kind offer." Gracious is not a word that any one of their ragtag group would ever use. But leave it up to the princess who is very well-versed in court politics to take the reign in such conversation. "However, we have to politely decline your offer. We already have suitable lodgings for the night. Thank you kindly for the garments and the meal but it is best if we take our leave. We should not be imposing on you any longer."
"Are you certain about that?" the sudden question was propped by Mogami Souta who slide the paper doors open before taking his seat next so Sakura. It did not go unnoticed to Joe that he also gave a quick nod with Sakura beforehand.
Akashi Satoru grinned good-naturedly. "You have to pardon Souta, he was out on a personal chore that Sakura assigned." To which Marvelous smirked in response.
"I am pretty sure that snooping around for our identities is not really the response that I had in mind for paying us back for the help." Suddenly the carefree mood inside the hall turned chilly.
"Snooping is a bit brash. Take it as… things we do to protect our people." It is almost unbelievable of how brazen this man's answers could be. "I don't to insult you and we are truly thankful that you have helped Natsuki today. We would have either or both of them today if it wasn't for your help. We originally wanted to repay your kindness as is but…" his eyes looked in Sakura's direction.
So she was the one who gave the order. Akashi Satoru might be the head but she is the brains.
"You said that you were passing travelers and I would have personally left it at that regardless of how suspicious it was but when I had Souta and Eiji to come and get the rest of you here… the reports that I have received from both of them were a little bit suspicious at the very least. So I had Souta to go for a quick stroll a few miles from the path you came from."
Ahim's eyes sharpened as if she had an inkling on what news she would hear.
"Apparently there were some soldiers from Shion who were trying to track some individual who is on the run." Souta finishes.
Luka picked a mitarashi dango off the toothpick and with her mouth still chewing she asked "So, are you turning us over to them?" She asked the question leisurely but her left hand was discreetly gripping her small knife. Joe too eyed his sword that was set on the floor right next too him. Ahim kept a polite smile but her grip had tighten, leaving crescent-shaped scars on her hands. Doc was already looking around nervously and Gai was discreetly looking for the best possible exit that would allow him to save his princess and bolt out of the space at the speed of light.
Only Marvelous seemed unfazed by how tense the situation at hand was as he kept gobbling down his and everyone's snacks that he can reach for.
Sakura smiled in response. "Gosh no. Any individual being hunted by Shion soldiers are welcomed to seek refuge with us any day." At those words, their shoulders that were tensed finally dropped in place relaxing a bit. Joe's sudden itch to reach for his sword was also gone.
"We don't exactly know what your identities are but if you all are on the run from Shion, please do accept our offer. We would do everything in our power to keep you safe for at least a night or two."
"What do you hope to gain from this may I ask?" asked Ahim. "Because I would like to alert you beforehand, we can offer nothing in return."
"Nothing." Sakura answered without much rise. "If a tyrant like Muzan is seeking for someone, it is in everyone's best interest that he may never find them."
"So, nothing to gain." Sakura nodded at Luka's puzzled expression.
But it was Joe who voiced out the concern that everyone on the room had in mind. "But much to lose."
Eiji's bellowed laughter was the one who ceased the tense situation. "You are much alike Sakura nee-san that I can't seem to hold it together anymore."
"Now that you mentioned it, yes, they do. That rigid posture they have and the overly scary polite tone." Marvelous added to which received glares from both Ahim and Sakura whilst Akashi snickered in response.
Choosing to ignore the idiots altogether, Nishihori Sakura continued. This time addressing Ahim in particular. "Allow us to give you a hand. You can't carry on with your journey this late. Plus, you can't go back to your previous camp."
"We were lucky to have cleared the space in time. And thanks to Eiji, the soldiers should be off your tracks for at the very least a day or two." Souta said. "He's an excellent tracker and the best at diverting tracks. The people from Shion should be well over a day's journey away before they realized they were sidetracked."
Joe nodded at the explanation. He may have not witnessed their skills but from how these people worked without much trouble, he himself had to admit they are certainly good at this. Which raises the question. "Why are you helping us then?"
"Well, we owed you. Plus, messing with Shion is fun." was the simple response that Akashi gave and regardless of how inadequately reasoned it is. They were being offered a hand. It is rude to reject it. Plus, from the looks of how Marvelous is downing the liquor, doesn't look like they are going anywhere anytime soon.
"It's just a little spike of fever. It is perfectly common in newborn babies. But I'll keep watch during the night just in case." Ahim said as she laid the baby down right next to the mother who sighed in relief.
"See Masumi, there was nothing to worry about. Stop being a worrywart. She's okay." Natsuki said pointedly to her husband who had been pacing back and forth nonstop a few moments ago whilst Ahim was checking up on the baby.
"I can't help that I worry okay? I know nothing about babies. We both know nothing about babies. There are a lot of what ifs when it comes to a newborn! I don't want to risk anything!" the new father fussed in response to his wife's jests. To which he received a pinch on his right cheek.
"Natsuki understands that Masumi is worried. But, we have been through this already Masumi. Natsuki is the chaotic and reckless one between us. Masumi is the calm and rational one. Remember?"
Ahim noticed from their first talk after the birth that Natsuki is sort of the sweet one of the group. A bit too trusting and can easily charm anyone with her carefree smile and warm tone. Whilst her husband, Inoue Masumi was distant from Ahim and her companions, prefer to keep quiet and simply stick to his wife's side instead of trying to make an effort to mingle. Apparently, his wife is the only one that can turn him into a frantic mess as well as the one that is able to calm him down.
Feeling that she is intruding the tender and intimate moment between husband and wife, Ahim conspicuously exited the room and plan to go to the kitchen to ask for a bowl of cold water and a small piece of cloth. She needs it if the baby's fever spikes higher throughout the night in which she doubts. Ahim have seen and assisted with a lot of birth during her training and it is very unlikely that a very healthy baby just like Natsuki and Masumi's would get worse over the course of their first night. Most probably after a feeding, the temperature would slowly cool down but it is always better to be safe than sorry after all. She'll just stay up through the night to make sure.
"You really need to rest." the sound of the familiar voice startled her a little. Ahim turned to glare at the swordsman who was leaning at the threshold.
"And you really need to stop sneaking up on people like that Joe-san." holding the bowl of water and the small piece of cloth draped on her left arm, the princess proceeded to make her way to Natsuki's chambers. She'll probably just stand guard outside of the door in order not to interrupt the small family. Yet, still be close enough in case of any emergencies.
Joe wordlessly picked the bowl out of Ahim's hands and ignored her little protests. "You have been abandoning your much needed rest princess."
"I had plenty of rest-"
"I know about you midnight dalliance to practice the sword. Despite Luka's, Gai's and my warnings, you still refuse to listen."
"Those are different than this." Ahim muttered.
"But they lead to the same thing. You ignoring everyone's advice. By the time that we actually get to Ikigai, you'd be half dead due to exhaustion. It wouldn't do any of us good if that happens." Joe said bluntly.
"That was never my intention."
"Then it would do you good to heed to people's advice. You need to take better care of yourself at times instead of focusing on saving others."
"Is it wrong to want to do my best?"
"It is if it's at the expense of bending yourself backwards."
When the two finally reached Natsuki and Masumi's chambers, Ahim wordlessly sat at the patio facing the courtyard. This will be the place that she'd stay guard for tonight. Joe said nothing either as he placed the bowl of water close to the door before he leaned on one of the beams. Sounds of crickets filled the space as both of them stared at the crescent moon and stars.
"This… is easier for me. Keeping my hands and head busy." Instead of mulling over whether my brothers are still alive or not.
The unspoken words were clear as day to Joe. "You're much suited as a healer instead of a fighter." was what he said instead.
A small smile of gratitude graced her face. "You're not the first one to say that." A pause. "I do have a gift when it comes to healing." A prideful tone filled her voice when she said that. There was maybe something else underlying behind those words but Joe chose not to pry. For now.
"Herbs especially healing ones speaks to me. There is always something unexpected when it comes to apocathery and the medical arts." She sounded and seems at peace when she talks about medicine. The sparkle in her eyes were mesmerizing as she lists all of the herbs that she had encountered throughout their journey and even when he knows that she knows he doesn't have the slightest interest about it, she continued to talk about it because she knew that he would listen.
So he did.
"One day, you'll be able to go back to it."
Ahim smiled wistfully. "Maybe."
She droned about herbs longer, Joe eventually took a seat next to her and as the hours passes by, only the songs of crickets and her chatter filled the space. Joe noticed when the chatter got quieter and quieter and when she drawled on her words and her small yawns yet he still didn't say anything until eventually her chatter died off and Joe looked over to see that she has already fallen asleep. Her head peacefully leaning onto the beam that separated the two of them.
Joe is sure that her yukata offers much needed warmth that she needs since the night was not as chilly but that didn't stop him from draping his blue jacket onto her torso. When she snuggled and buried her face into the clothing, he can't help but grin a little.
A/N:
DAMN IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE MY LAST UPDATE!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??? 2 YEARS AND I FINALLY PICK MY SHIT BACK TOGETHER AND START WRITING AGAIN! I AM SORRY FOR THOSE WHO HAD BEEN WAITING! I CAN'T PROMISE THAT THE UPDATES WILL BE FAST BUT I'LL TRY MY BEST AND I AM GOING TO TRY TO FINISH THIS FIC EVENTUALLY!