Return of the Cricket Girl's Playlist
(Here is the long playlist for the piece if you're willing to listen to it. Hope you be alright with it regardless of its length. It not just consists of music that inspired or add to certain scenes in the story but also musical pieces that are supposedly featured in the story.)
1. Samurai - Michael Cretu
2. Sakura- Traditional Japanese musical piece
3. Another Loss - Decoded Feedback
4. Adventure of A Lifetime - Coldplay
5. Something - The Beatles
6. Return of the Shogun- Glen Keiles
7. Sea of Tranquility - Relaxing Orient
8. Home - Tiffany
9. Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore - REO Speed Wagon
10. I'm Getting Use to You –Selena
11. Puppy Love- Myra
12. Can You Feel the love tonight- Elton John
13. Something about the Way you Love Tonight- Elton John
14. My Woman from Tokyo- Deep Purple
15. I'm Glad- Jennifer Lopez
16. This could be the one- Bad Company
17. Lotus Blossom- Hideo Osaka Ensemble
18. Rokudan No Shirabe- YatshashiKengyo
19. Samurai Jack Theme Song- Will.
20. Deha-Kyoto Nohgakukai
21. The One - Jennifer Lopez
22. Happy Together- The Turtles
23. The First Cut is the Deepest- Cat Stevens
24. The One You Really Love - Magnetic Fields
25. Listen to Your Heart- D.H.T.
26. I Will Always Love You- Dolly Parton
27. Time of Your Life (Good Riddance) - Green Day
28. Father and Son- Cat Stevens
29. The Show Must Go On- Queen
30. Prelude in E-Minor (op.28 no.4)- Frederic Chopin
31. Sukiyaki (Ue o MuiteArukou)- Kiyu Sakamoto
32. Missing You - Diana Ross
33. When Will I See You Again? - The Three Degrees
34. Lover Come Back To Me - The Peanuts
35. Toryanse - Traditional Japanese children's song
36. Kagome Kagome - Traditional Japanese children's song
37. Oni-Mo-Naku (even a demon cries) - Wadaiko Matsuriza
38. The Wandering Song - Majorie Fair
39. Kibo (original samurai jack song)- Jayhan
40. My Heart Will Go On- Celine Dion
41. The Star Festival (Tanabatasama)- Kan'ichi Shimofusa
42. One More Chance- Michael Jackson
43. I Want You Back- Jackson 5
44. Girl is Mine - Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
45. Bushido -Derek & Brandon Fiechter
46. A Few Coins - Journey
47. Dark Temple - Derek & Brandon Fiechter
48. Kabuki Gomen-Jyo - Wadaiko Matsuriza
49. Moon- Daniel May
50. Dark Japanese Music- Thunder and Rain -The Fiechters
51. Yamato Nadeshiko- Riyu Kosaka
52. Ghosts- Japan
53. Epic Japanese music - Onna-Bugesiha -Derek & Brandon Fiechter
54. Love Will Save the Day - Whitney Houston
55. Epic Japanese Music - Samurai Prince- Derek & Brandon Fiechter
56. Strike (epic taiko ensemble)- Andies De Haan
57. Vision of Love - Mariah Carey
58. Beautiful Japanese Music - Healing Waters - Derek Fiechter
59. Everlasting Love- Carl Carlton
60. You Got It All- The Jets
61. Love Me Tender- Elvis Presley
62. My Man - Yoko Ono
63. The Search Is Over- Survivor
64. Valleri- The Monkees
65. I Wish You Love- Rachel Yamagata
66. Butterfly - Kaela Kimura
67. Always - Atlantic Starr
(Even though Samurai Jack and his parents aren't named in the canon, I decided to give them names in this fan fiction because they be realistically called in their homeland by their real names.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai jack; Genndy Tartakovshy and Cartoon Network owned him.
Prologue
A time long ago Aku ravaged my beloved homeland after awakening from his years of tight bondage inflicted by my father. Such sorrowful distress and angst Aku's evil deed has inflicted upon me. For the space of many years, I traveled around the world to train with teachers to get ready for the last battle against Aku. However, before I could strike the final blow in that battle against Aku, I had the great misfortune of being sent to the far future where Aku had fulfilled his evil goal of taking over the world and much of the universe. So I spent many struggling and frustrating endless years trying to find a way back in time. Though on the way, I was able to make friends; help out others; experienced some odd side trips; was often hunted down by bounty hunters, Aku's minions, and Aku himself; and became a shining beacon of hope and inspiration for many under Aku's tyranny. I often felt homesick and nostalgic for my homeland from the past. I was very eager and anxious to try to find a way back home to set things right, including preventing Aku's future tyranny from ever coming to pass. Until one tragic day, when I thought I finally founded my way back, Aku, unfortunately, took me from the time portal by which he shortly destroyed and then founded out was the last of the time portals that could bring me back in time. I next lost my sword because of my mindless and unintentional angst slaughter of innocents.
I became a hopeless and aimless adjusted wanderer for many years. How I changed very much during that time, especially with my life outlook and my appearance. I technically continued on my quest but didn't achieve anything beyond continuing to help others and defending myself against bounty hunters and Aku's minions. As time passed by, I continued to become more cynical and wary about overcoming Aku and even felt more reluctance in helping others out. I was at the bleakest point of my life, including being followed by a ghostly nightmarish omen figure. I was also tormented by guilt hallucinations and my inner self at times. Nonetheless, I was still determined to survive and had a hint of hope within me, regardless of how hopeless it was. Until one unlucky day, I happened to had been ambushed by the daughters of Aku. My equipment, gear, and clothing were in ruins and I had a fierce struggle against them, including nearly being killed. Eventually, after being inspired by some words from my father I was able to defeat them. I, with regret at first, kept one of the daughters of Aku alive. Turns out it was a wonderful benefit after all to keep her; I was able to convince her of the errors of her evil ways she had been brought up with. Her name, by the way, was Ashi and with her help was saved from committing seppuku, got my mojo back, got my precious katana back, my original appearance was restored upon me, and was finally able to go back in time to defeat Aku. I at long last return home and fulfilled my almost hopeless goal of defeating Aku after an eternity. I happened to fall in love with Ashi during our time together and we felt like loving soulmates. A pinnacle of joy and luck I felt in reuniting with my homeland and family after what felt like a great eternity of separation. I also happened to start being called by my real name again, which I wasn't called for ages.
I felt a great outlook when I and Ashi tried to wed on that fateful day. I had the shocking misfortunate of seeing Ashi disappeared from existence; therefore, sealing away the prospect of marrying her. That sent off another bleak period of my life; in fact, that day became one of the saddest days of my life. Come to think of it, her disappearance from existence was bounded to happen. I might have been blinded by infatuation, but I know it was more than that. I felt such a reasonable living bound with Ashi, regardless of my apparent blindness in that regard. Regardless of her being a literal daughter of Aku, I gratefully own my life and accomplishment of my mission to her. Sometime after the disastrous wedding, while I was resting beneath a familiar pretty tree in my mournful state, I was uplifted by a ladybug landing on my finger. As it flew away from me and got up to observed shining light that was pouring out in shades upon my spot, I felt a glimmer of hope. I could sense there probably is prosperity in the future in spite of my loss. Yet, regardless of seeing the good worthwhile price of Ashi's heroism, I just could not overcome the significant emotional scar of her disappearance. How can I again feel such romantic joy and emotion from loving my dear soulmate, Ashi? In hindsight, her disappearance was logically bounded to happen but I still feel like I could not love again or at least not love again anytime soon. Unlike a regular woman's death, I know I wouldn't be seeing her in the afterlife due to her ceasing from existence because of undoing Aku's future, which adds to my heartfelt grief. What a distinctive, lovely, tough, and nice woman Ashi was and how could I meet a unique woman like her? What a depressed and dreary state I been as a result of her permanent disappearance. Yet, I want to feel such love again and perhaps the red string of fate has something else for me. Who knows? But will I be able to completely move on with my life and have my complete and satisfactory happy ending?
Return of the Cricket Girl
A young pretty Japanese woman in an orange kimono and a golden hair ornament was in a clearing of a hayfield where she was sitting down and just created a straw hat from some of the hay itself. She sighed as she tries on her newly made hat and nostalgically reflected on being back in a well-liked childhood spot of hers she hadn't been to for a long time. She thought what a very grateful relief it was that all those long often unpleasant weary years of dreadful refuge and bondage are finally over. In great contrast, everything was back to a happy normal state, including being in this familiar hayfield in her childhood attire. She could now see a good and hopeful future ahead of her and reinforcing how the bleakest of days, it seems, lasted for only a part of her life. She smiled while still sitting down, feeling completed with the hat she worn. Shortly therefore, she decided to practice her koto playing as she happened to have a portable koto instrument beside her. Her koto instrument was also another symbol of blissful productive times being ahead of her, as she had started to practice koto playing along with other arts before the start of the dark times. She some time ago restarted her practice after things became normal again. She could see herself as being a good talented koto player. She thus started playing her koto instrument by playing a traditional instrumental melody she had been practicing. Though the musical piece was more suited to a field of spring cherry blossoms, it still felt like a beautiful charming piece to play regardless of where you are. While playing the piece, she thought she supposedly heard someone speaking and walking nearby but continued to play, as she wasn't bothered by the intruding sound otherwise. She inferred the person walking was probably harmless. However, it started to remain her of a particular childhood memory being out in this hayfield. Nonetheless, she eventually heard the moment approaching her.
The crown prince was strolling through the familiar hayfield with a weary attitude. He had his hair loose, being in a bereavement state as he still hadn't completely recovered from the grievous loss of his beloved bride all those long weeks or months ago (he didn't keep track of time well for the time being due to his hard hit grief). He been mostly since his loss traveling the country in a very lonesome state, having to cope with her astonishing disappearance from existence. He knows his parents are really concerned and worried about him, but how can he exactly get over it? How his grief over her had ravaged him and how she was his pure lovely sunshine during some of his darkest times, including without her interference he probably wouldn't had completed his frustrating dead-end mission to defeat Aku. Come to think about it, she was a savior-like figure or co-savior figure, which included how she was the one that helped regain back his confidence and rediscover his purpose. There probably wouldn't be such a significant figure like she was in his life, even if there is another girl in his life. How could anyone be as good or impacting like she was? He will never forget her as he can and she will always be a part of his life, especially with the goodness and love she gave him. She is often in his mind and misses her with deep sincerity, yet she is she deep within his heart. He can still feel her positive influence and will always love her. Even if she had unfortunately vanished from existence, she will always have a place in his heart, dreams, and memories. In fact, how could she love again, especially with the significant heartache he faced over her cessation of existence?
Meanwhile, roaming through this eerily familiar hayfield and seeing the beauty of the sunshine on the hay uplifted his spirits in the aftermath of his beloved's shocking unexpected departing at his wedding. It gave him a weary smile and his surroundings help him think of a haiku that reminded of where he was. He recalled the haiku out loud, "First day of spring- I keep thinking about the end of autumn." Shortly therefore he heard a familiar instrumental piece being played nearby and this attracted his attention. He still continued to walk on but was entertained by the charming yet haunting and fast-paced music.
Eventually, he thought about the mysterious source of the music along with remaining him of one of his favorite childhood memories that supposedly took place in the hayfield; maybe it was from that same girl or whatever. He then thought of what could have happen to that girl. Maybe he can try to see who it was, including wondering if it was the hayfield girl, and decided to go towards the direction of the place where the music was coming from. Turns out he indeed, to his own reminiscing surprise, saw what strongly resembles an adult version of that long ago hayfield girl, only that she had a straw hat on. He happened to startled her and they both awkwardly look at each other for some time, including trying to recognize each other. As they were doing that, they were each brought in full remembrance of a treasured mutual distance childhood memory of theirs. The woman had concerned eyes while the intruder nervously grimaced with curious eyes. Beholding the jumpy unkempt yet eerily familiar stranger sight of a noble white clad young man made her wonder if he could really be the long-awaited wishful return of that mysterious, hazy, and cute similarly clad young hayfield boy from her distance childhood.
Gasping a bit, she curiously yet sheepishly asked the intrusive stranger in her noble voice, "Are you the same boy I tried to chase a cricket and played with in this field all those long years ago?" What is your name by the way?"
The stranger smiled, thinking back on that old almost forgotten yet beloved childhood memory of his. Though he thought what a unique opportunity to try to meet this field girl from his own distance childhood and try to get to know her more at this second encounter.
He next bowed respectfully before responding, "Yes, I was that little mysterious boy you encountered all those years ago who now grown up and I by the way is Crown Prince Gonkuro, the one that recently defeated Aku and unfortunately lost his bride and since then mostly drifted around aimlessly. I in turn wonder who are you?... Anyway, what a really fun time I had with you that really long ago day." I also wonder how you had been doing lately and I would like to know some things about you? Also have you kept that origami cricket I gave you?"
Feeling some astonishing excitement as demonstrated by her amazed eyes, the now grown hayfield girl stood up and respectfully bowed back in return before getting something from her kimono, which turns out to been the origami cricket he gave her. That shows she still had it all this time though it looked worn out and a bit bend.
Gonkuro smiled as she continued on, "My name is Yuka of the noble Satoaki clan and how good to be confirmed that you turn out to have been the crown prince after all, like I have been suspecting. I also glad that the origami cricket you gave me all those years ago was able to be personally preserved and had help me treasure our last meeting together and even had me at times wondering about you and whatever happened to you. It also was a remainder and preserver of my peaceful life before Aku ravaged this land. It additionally served as a reminder of how I and my family were able to endured and survived through his long terrorizing reign."
Gonkuro next asked Yuka, "So what happen to you and your family when Aku came to take over?"
Yuka signed before replying, "I along with some other refugee were able to escape from being enslaved by Aku. But unfortunately, most of my other family members aside from me and my younger brother happened to been enslaved by Aku. As I, my baby brother, and others hit in areas where Aku and his minions wouldn't find us and eventually were able to find a ship that took us in. We were eventually dropped off somewhere in the Ryuku kingdom where we were permitted to live in a distinctive area that was set up as a makeshift refuge settlement for us with the consent of the country's monarchy. There we managed to survive regardless of the hard struggle it was trying to thrive in a foreign land. Much of this time I felt a firm nostalgia and concern for my homeland and the people, especially my family, that I left back home. That longing especially was symbolized largely by the origami cricket you gave me. Then one day the ship that drop us off came again only to break some joyous news that Aku has been defeated and therefore we can all go back home to rebuild our lives and be reunited with our families again. How so grateful and happy I and others, including my younger brother, felt that we finally were able to go home, be reunited with our beloved families & friends again, and reconstruct ourselves to our previous livelihood. It furthered turn out, adding to our glad joy, that our family survived Aku's enslavement. Though, there wasn't without any bitter mess as plenty of my surviving family members had received some harsh wounds and emotional scars from their enslavement along with learning how my betrothed or fiancée unfortunately perished to my sorrowful dismay. Reconstructing our lives and estate hadn't been very easy for us but been fine otherwise. But most of all, my father still hadn't functionally recovered from the wounds of his stubborn enslavement and is bedridden. His grievous situation has made me greatly concern about him and if there is any hope of him recovering. In fact, that particular concern has made me want to inquire you because of your high position if there might be any place where I can try to heal my father? Would your father know any, maybe any shrine or onsen? The physicians we hired to help out my father tried their best and help relief him to some extent, but they didn't manage to recover him to complete health."
Prince Gonkuro's reacted with surprise eyes and a near grasp. Such a big request she made that made him think through.
The crown prince eventually replied, "I honestly don't know how my parents and me for that matter will know how to help with your family problem exactly but perhaps we can try to search around and inquire. Maybe there's an onsen we can find."
There was some silence between them, with a ladybug flying between them at this time, which briefly landed on Yuka.
Gonkuro indeed felt some reluctant in helping her out but was willing to help due to being a nice, honorable, and bushido abiding gentleman who had seen the righteous impact he had on others, especially during his long sojourn in the future.
After some solemn silence, Yuka politely then spoke: "Maybe we can go to the Izumotasoha to seek a blessing from the benevolent kami there."
This gave Gonkuro some extra thought before responding, "Yes, we can go to that shrine as I can see a benefit in us both using it….but I wonder if it still is around or not?"
He asked in concern because of some rumors he heard that Aku had destroyed sacred shrines in other places.
She responded in turn, "In fact, it luckily hadn't been destroyed and I heard it lately been commonly used, especially in the aftermath of Aku's unrighteous dominion."
Gonkuro sighed as he replied, "We can see when we get there, as I kind of know how to get there, especially how I actually went there with my parents a few times a long time ago." After some pause Gonuko said, "So do you want to go then?"
Yuka gladly nodded as she next picked up her portable koto instrument and followed the crown prince to his white horse nearby to ride on it together. This, especially to Gonkuro himself, felt it was all kind of oddly rushed up with not much time to get to know each other in that hayfield; however, they had the journey to get to know each other.
· * *
During the journey, Yuka softly played her koto to Gonkuro's delight.
The playing happened to catch a wandering stranger's attention as a nearby man happens to say, "Nice koto playing."
This comment in turn made Gonkuro stopped his horse to see who said it. It turned out to have been a peculiar looking young man with some loose hair locks in front, a bandana, a parasol, a medallion, a scabbard, and had some distinctive tattoos.
"Who are you?" Asked Yuka.
The stranger stopped as he replied, "I am a medicine man."
Yuka than firmly inquired, "Can you be of any assistant to us?"
As I desperately need my father to be cured of a dead-end illness that seemingly paralyzed and plaguing him."
The stranger responded, "Depends, but I mostly do medical exorcists."
Yuka continued, "But do you know any onsens we can try to take my father to?"
The stranger shortly replied, "I heard a rumor about there being an onsen somewhere that is a miraculous elixir of some kind but I don't know exactly where it might be."
Yuka and Gonkuro both nodded but before they could inquire further the stranger then said, "Unfortunately, I not available at this time as I was in fact walking to an appointment I have. Anyway, your father's case doesn't sound clear enough for my type to get into."
The medicine man next politely went off as Yuka and Gonkuro continued on their journey a bit longer before Gonkuro initiated a conversation, "So please tell me more about yourself."
Yuka with a polite and gentle demeanor responded, "Well, I am the second to youngest child in my family with an older sister and brother. I have a younger brother who wants to become a monk. I am also twenty-five years old and I guess you are that age as well."
Gonkuro replied, "Yes but because of my struggle with Aku I feel much older in a hard to explain sense. Go on."
Yuka softly signed as she continued, "I have an interest in other areas of the arts like calligraphy and poetry. I additionally practice other instruments like the flute and have an interest in practicing the shamisen."
She paused as Gonkuro said, "That is nice though I do have some training in the arts including calligraphy, but hadn't as much time perhaps as I should to practice the arts of our culture due to having to fled my country at the young age of eight. However, over my travels I had in the next seventeen years I got to experience different cultures, including observing their arts. Though I…"
Just then Yuka interrupted as she happened to point out something to the right that Gonkuro hadn't noticed.
Yuka said, "I think I see something hidden over there."
Gonkuro then stopped his noble steed and tried to look carefully in the forested path ahead of him before noticing to his right what was a thick covering of vines, which could imply an entrance of some kind. After giving some thought, the crown prince went forward on his horse towards the vine covering and opened it up. Gonkuro studiously stared ahead before deciding to move on through the entrance. They went steadily uphill, as they hope to get the best of his curiosity and reassurance.
Both Gonkuro and Yuka had a nervous curiosity about the place as they trend through on the path. On the way, they happened to observed a few kamihinger Buddhist statues on the road's side. After some while, they finally were able to arrived at the final destination which turn out to be a medium-sized Shinto shrine. They stood there for a time taking in the shrine in front of them, including smelling a faint tint of incense nearby and wondering whether they actually hit a rightful spot to begin with. Then a priest came out of the shrine and upon noticing them, seemed to react a bit surprised before politely bowing down as Gonkuro decided to finally put up his hair in a topknot again.
Next, he and Yuka got off their horse as they then respectfully bowed towards the priest before Gonkuro firmly inquired: "Greetings, I am Crown Prince, the same man who recently got to defeat Aku. I am here because this maiden besides me is trying to find a way to cure her father of a disabling illness that especially left him crippled and bedridden. Would you know such a place that can cure him, like an onsen?" By the way, what is this place?"
The priest, feeling a bit struck by what he said, shortly replied, "This is a special shrine or a bendensha dedicated to Ichiklishima-hine-no or otherwise known as Benzaiten. Its proper name is actually the Izumi-Wa shrine, which in turn is a reference to a hidden nearby onsen which help provides the purification water for this shrine. The onsen has a really unique and mysterious mystical healing properties and taste, which we attributed to the blessing of Benzaiten and what potential esoteric power it has. Drinking the water for me even has given me a peace of mind. The water can perhaps help the lady's father…..but on the condition that you're quiet about bringing him her to be healed. I had healed people before with the onsen water. As the onsen is technically a semi-secret or that there is not supposed to be much fuss about it. Ok?...By the way, it is really good to see you Denka and how grateful I am for your courageous heroism in defeating Aku and glad in your continued acts of heroism like helping out this young fair lady."
Both Gonuko and Yuka nodded in agreement as the priest continued, "Would you like to be shown the onsen? I can have a miko escort you to it."
The priest then called out a miko to escort them to another vine covered entrance down a path. However, before going with the miko, Gonkuro and Yuka had to do a temizuya purification ritual before pressing on. They all eventually arrived at what appears to be a large-medium sized clear spring with a mostly rocky surrounding. Both Gonkuro and Yuka took in the spring before them. What a pretty and clear serene place it looked. It made them subtly smile.
They shortly therefore turn to the miko with Gonkuro saying, "Thank you for your service. We hopefully will come back soon."
The miko respectfully bowed in response.
The miko smiled as Gonkuro and Yuka walked back to the shrine where the priest asked them, "Will you be willing to send a prayer request to Benzaiten herself?"
Gonkuro and Yuka stood there in thought before they both replied, "Yes."
So, they bought emas and wrote down their health wish before giving them to the priest to hang them up.
Right before they departed the priest inquired, "Is the maiden with your paramour?"
The crown prince solemnly response, "No."
Shortly thereafter Gonkuro and Yuka finally departed.
As Gonkuro and Yuka were some distance away from the shrine, Gonkuro slowed down as he inquired of Yuka, "I would like to know where your home is located so we can travel to it if you would like to inform your family about the healing onsen. In speaking of which, when I was at the onsen I got a firm otherworldly feeling that the onsen does have special healing properties."
Yuka nicely sighed and replied, "Well, my home is certainly a distance away but if we start at the field which we last were then I think I able to track from there."
Gonkuro next asked, "Is your home somewhere near the hayfield?"
Yuka replied, "Not exactly right near the hayfield but the hayfield is a pinpoint towards the place."
The crown prince then steadied his horse at a quicker pace as they tried to ride back to the hayfield from which they recently rediscovered each other.
Yuka next made an encouraging remark to Gonkuro, "Gonkuro Denka, I think what a wonderful hero you had been to me and others, including how helping you been on this quest to revive my dear father. A phenomenal young samurai prince you are with a still marvelous, promising future ahead of you I see. Especially how challenging and stupendous it might had been in trying to defeat Aku, yet you were able to finally defeat him. Because you were able to defeat him then you can face off any challenge including a lesser challenge like this one. I think we can do it."
What she said really impressed Gonkuro and even really uplifted him. He smiled as a result. What unexpected yet amazing motivational words she said. Her words really kept him inspired to firmly go on in his mission as well as boost up his self-confidence. It made him more alive and motivated again as he rode with fervent confidence to trace back to her home. Anyway, in the short span of time they been together, he thought a bit about what a decent, dutiful, and gentle person she seems to be. Yuka in turn thought about how she could finally fully see her now grown brief childhood playmate when Gonkuro tidied up his hair in a top knot. Also, as she admitted to him, she observed his great upright greatness and valiant bushido generosity. She felt she perhaps could have a thing for him.
They were able to arrive at the hayfield where Gonkuro stopped and asked Yuka for directions. She gave the desired directions before going on in following her instructions. What sense of direction he started to oddly feel from her as they journeyed firmly together. He further sense Yuka's suppose gripping determination. Eventually, they arrived at a manor gate, at some point in the evening, where Gonkuro stopped and Yuka went to the gate itself. Gonkuro suspected he might had heard some construction in the distance as Yuka opened the gate for them. He passed through the gate as Yuka next closed the gate and went on back of his horse as she continued to tell him where to go.
Before they went on Gonkuro curiously asked her, "What is that mysterious sound of construction nearby?"
Yuka soberly responded, "Our estate, as I probably inferred to you beforehand, was seriously damaged by the conquest of Aku over our land. Since me and my family returned and reclaimed it, we had to have a lot of reconstruction restoration and repair done on our house. I and my family tried to help out as well and though there is still plenty to work on, our family estate reconstruction is nearly finished. Maybe you could help out if you are willing."
Gonkuro thought for a moment before replying, "Perhaps but I think more important duties for me might come in the way,…. anyway I noticed your family crest on your estate's gate. I especially take note of how I see a peculiar flower graced on your family crest."
Yuka graciously responded, "The nadeshiko is the symbolic flower in our mon. According to family legend, our clan's founder had a fondness for nadeshikos and so choose it as part of our family mon and thought it will be a good grace upon our family. Now off we go."
Gonkuro continued riding on for a time before a young dignified woman in an orchid colored kimono happen to be passing by before Yuka seem to turn and notice her. Yuka ordered Gonkuro as he then stopped his horse and they both turn to face the passerby; the passerby in response turn to face them. Yuka and the passerby instantly seemed happy to see each other with the passerby surprise at the sight of the man accompanying her. Yuka got off the horse as she politely bowed down before the passerby bowed in return.
Yuka then said to the passerby, "Konnichiuro Keiko, I happen to found the great crown prince that will resolve our father's dire health and how we should tell our family in particular, father and mother, about it."
The crown prince next got off his horse and respectfully bow down towards the passerby as Yuka introduced her to him, "This is my older sister Keiko and Keiko this is Crown Prince Gonkuro, the one who defeated Aku."
Keiko in response bowed toward the crown prince as she then said, "Ok, but may I escort his denka's horse to the horse stall?"
Yuka and Gonkuro both nodded as they followed Keiko who took the crown prince's horse to a horse stall elsewhere on the property. Gonkuro looked sideways and noticed how interesting the estate looked.
He even remarked, "How nice this estate looks."
"Thank you." Replied both Yuka and Keiko simultaneously.
When they all arrived in the horse stall and as Keiko was putting away Gonkuro's horse in a stall, she turned and asked Gonkuro, "Should I feed your horse?" Gonkuro nodded yes as he replied, "Yes, as he hadn't eaten in a long time."
"Alright then." Keiko replied as she next filled in and gave his horse two buckets- one for food and one for water.
The horse than started to vividly consumed the water bucket. Gonkuro next went up to his horse and gently pet his precious horse's head in comfort and sweetly consoled his horse with the action touching Yuka and Keiko.
Keiko next turned to Gonkuro and Yuka as she then said, "Mother is still here tending besides Father in their bedroom but our dear older brother,Hiro, is traveling to the Yakushi-ji temple to try to ask Yasushhi's favor in healing our father. But you, Yuka, had suggested that the Crown Prince has found a way to help out our beloved father?"
Yuka responded, "Yes, we both together; but can we talk about it around our parents, Ok?"
Keiko in understanding nodded as she firmly responded, "Yes, and by the way dinner is soon and so we can talk about it at dinner time then. It is also evening tide and maybe our special guest can stay overnight?"
Gonkuro nodded yes as Keiko responded, "Fine."
So, they went into the manor itself where they eventually arrived through a movable silkscreen into the master bedroom, which was wide spaced and had sparse furnishing. Near the center of the room Gonkuro saw the pitiful sight of a frail sickly older bearded man lying on a futon being covered from the neck down by a blanket. The sight empathically remained Gonkuro of when he beholds the pitiful sight of his enslaved, frail, and aged father. He couldn't help but have a sympathetic frown and feel for the bedridden man and his family. He also noticed an older matronly woman with a concerned sorrowful face watching over the bedridden man. She looked healthy and kemp wearing a gray kimono in contrast to the unkempt nearly naked bedridden man. The two other people in the room had frowning faces and the overall atmosphere seemed solemn. Right after they entered the gray clad older woman and even the bedridden man turned to face the mostly familiar approaching visitors. Yuka went up to them, bowed to them in a dignified matter, and in a friendly business like demeanor explained, "While I was in the hayfield some distance from here, this familiar stranger, who turn out to be the framed and heroic Crown Prince Gonkuro Denka, came by and he happen to take up my offer of helping our on trying to find a cure for father's paralyzing illness and we were able to find one. What great generous help he has been to me and even to our people. Turns out there's a secret sacred spring in a hidden shrine that we sure will be able to restore father to full health. We hope to accompany father there as soon as possible, but preferably as early as tomorrow. The prince by the way is the dignified white clad man behind me."
Her parents turn to face the pointed out man behind her and were surprised to see him yet felt some respectful acceptance of him.
Her mother got up and bowed towards him before responding in a mature, dignified matter, "Yes, and how glad I am of you to have found him and have him help you out successfully. How I am proud of his amazing heroic sacrifice in defeating the vilest Aku and therefore freeing us from his awful tyranny. What a most great and righteous man to have cross in your path. Not to forget to mention you just brought me in remembrance of Yuka's long ago recollections of playing with a generous white clad boy in a hayfield. It eerily sounds like he might as well be the return of that kind boy but is now a grown man."
Gonkuro next replied, "Thank you very much for your noble compliment my lady. Yes, I am a simple helpful man who paid a great yet worthwhile price in defeating Aku and even had to tremendously struggle to finally defeat Aku. What a difficult challenge it had been. How I am most grateful I at last was able to defeat him and thereby saving not just our homeland but the whole world and even universe as well. How you all should be eternally grateful and appreciative of what I have done. I would not have finished my mission without Ashi. What great help she had been to me and to the world, including towards you and how you should thank her too."
He then sighed and as he was talking, he gradually took on a more serious look.
Everyone else stood in thoughtful dignified silence for a long minute before the family matriarch broke the silence, "I appreciate your response and what a humbling man of honor you seem to be. I would like to carry my husband to the spring tomorrow, as I would like to get through this tribulation over with as I can. I know I could trust your honorable claim on a healing spring. If the healing effort is successful then I think we probably should find a way to generously reward you for all your kind effort. She paused for a moment as she gave a solemn smile as everybody else in the room, including Gonkuro himself, smiled. She continued, "So we may continue our conversation during dinner. As our dinnertime has actually started and we having it in here. I choose to have dinner served here since I don't want my dear husband to be left out."
Shortly thereafter their dishes were served and they were served a delicious chicken dish called oyako donburi along with tea.
Upon being informed that it was a chicken dish, Gonkuro cringed a little with Yuka asking him, "What's wrong? Do you have something against this dish?"
Gonkuro sheepishly answered, "NO, but the thought of eating chicken brought me back to an almost forgotten strange and embarrassing long ago memory from my wanderings in which I awkwardly became a fighting chicken for a time and had something against eating chicken for a period of time afterwards,…. But that is long past and I am fine with eating chicken, but occasionally I do get remained of whenever I have the opportunity to eat chicken or see a chicken I get remotely reminded of that weird and struggling period of my life."
All the other people in the room were looking at him with puzzled looks at what he just said. Keiko inquired, "You turned into a chicken?!"
Gonkuro nodded and replied, "Yes, but I long over it now and also glad that my long tortuous struggle with defeating Aku and going back home is over as well."
He next began to contently eat his food before Keiko furthered inquired, "That makes me wonder if there are any stories you like to share of your adventures with us so we can get to know you better and be entertained?"
Gonkuro chuckled as he replied, "Well, there are so many adventures to tell as I felt like I had sixty-seven years' worth of stories to share!"
There was a surprise grasp from his audience at what he just said.
Then Yuka's mother with curious concern asked him, "What do you actually mean? It really doesn't look like you lived that long yet."
Gonkuro thoughtfully sighed as he took a bite and responded, "It's hard to explained, especially honestly after seventeen years of traveling the world being trained and prepared to defeat the evil Aku I was unexpectedly thrown into the future by him where I spent a really long tormenting fifty years struggling to go back to the past before finally succeeding thanks to my dear Ashi. I hadn't aged due to a suppose side effect of Aku's time traveling spell. Though, however, I probably feel somewhat older in a sense on the inside as a result of spending many years in the future.
There was a reaction of bewilderment as Gonkuro and some of the others drink their tea and ate a bit before Yuka's father with his older soft weary voice said, "That is very empathetically understandable Denka, especially how I think me and my family members felt how tormenting and nightmarishly long it been for us being separated and enslaved. It felt like a painful eternity with nearly no happy ending in sight. Even though it was actually seventeen years, nonetheless it honestly, at least to me, felt like one-hundred years or perhaps sixty-seven years like it been for you. But like you, especially thanks to you, I was able to reunite with my family and start the process of rebuilding my life again. I now just have to go to this alleged healing spring to be healed of my physical ordeal."
Near the end of his talking, Yuka's father smiled widely. Everybody else smiled as well.
Yuka then said, "I can understand also as it felt like fifty years to me, being unfortunately separated from my family; though my ordeal was not as painful as theirs was."
There was some silence and consuming of dinner before Gonkuro broke the silence, "Maybe perhaps I can tell a tale or two of my adventures."
There was a nod on from Yuka and Keiko as Gonkuro began his tale-telling. He managed to tell a couple of his adventures as they ate their dinner. The stories he told were about his time when he learned to jump really high and his confrontation with three blind archers. His audience was amused yet bewilder and impressed at times by his narrations. During the dinner's course, Gonkuro noticed the affectionate sight of Yuka's mother feeding her husband his dinner like a concerned nursemaid. That action seems heartwarming to see for Gonkuro.
Keiko remarked, "So you were in the future? It sounds like it was probably intimidating for you." Gonkuro replied, "Yes, it was an intimidating and anarchic time for me."
The Satoaki matriarch politely remarked, Glad that future never came to pass." Gonkuro nodded in agreement. The Eventually the dinner warns down, Gonkuro finished his tale-telling, and they were finally finished with dinner.
Yuka's father once again spoke, "What good yet peculiar stories you told tonight. How your stories furthered my impression of a selfless, brave, and heroic man you surely are. I know the skills you took to heart and the positive legacy you have left behind. You will leave a lasting benefit and demonstrate great leaps not yet foreseen. Also, neat to learn how you can jump really high into the air itself. Maybe you try to demonstrate it for us."
Gonkuro humbly smile as Yuka's mother next nicely exclaimed, "But now it is time for bed, especially as we should have a good night's rest for tomorrow's journey to the hidden healing spring. Maybe he can demonstrate it for us tomorrow."
Gonkuro went up and pleasantly bowed before saying, "Thank you all for your hospitality and encouraging compliments. I do hope the journey will be successful."
After he was escorted to his room by Yuka and got ready for bed, Gonkuro was, at last, on his guestroom futon, starting to get his rest for the night. He observing the sparse furnishing in the guestroom had shown that their residence still needed plenty of more renovation. He laid there reflecting on the day's events and somewhat on how his life luckily went through so far, including still being grateful for Yuka and her family's nice, generous hospitality. As Gonkuro pondered, he thought what an intriguing, unique, yet delicate meeting his memorable one-time childhood playmate. He could even recall thinking about their encounter in the hayfield during one of his sojourns in the future when he happened to roam around the ruins of his homeland. Thinking about it now, how in pleasant stark contrast he luckily was able to prevent that dreadful yonder future from ever happening. He felt grateful, looking back how that never ending miserly, tense nightmare being stuck in the future for what seems like an eternity now seems like a passed distance small moment, just an episode in his otherwise promising life; especially realizing after having his sword restored to him that happy promising times can follow tense, cynical, hopeless, and dead-end times like he experienced. Thinking more about Yuka, he softly thought about her that really draws him, like nobody else, expect perhaps Ashi. He even thought that Yuka was technically prettier looking then Ashi was. Yuka's demeanor, smile, style, hospitality, movement, and her knowing encouragement all seem to strangely woo him to a pleasant degree. There was something about her, like he simply thought before, of a sweet and nice enchantment about her. Of course, he really needs to get to know her more but the bit he got to know about her so far seems charming and good. Yet, he still needs to develop his feelings towards her and he has his doubts about whether its ongoing true love or not. He especially had yet to fully recover from Ashi's loss and still really wanted her. In fact, the wish he made at the shrine was requesting Ashi back. Though Yuka seems like a really good, kind, and dutiful person herself. He certainly wouldn't leave her now, including how he needed to help her out. Gonkuro wondered if his feelings would develop very far or not. He would have to wait and see more about her. He didn't even exactly know how his present feelings for Yuka came this way. But there was something about her that perhaps made him quickly think like that. He was all thinking about this in a mild, mellow, and affectionate matter before he eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, after breakfast, Gonkuro, Yuka, and Yuka's family effectively with a positive firm demeanor got ready to go to the supposed healing spring to try to cure Yuka's father of his paralysis. During the process, Gonkuro happened to had been given a kantana so he can be protected on his journey. They eventually left with most everyone in a carriage compartment but with Yuka's father being transported on a kago. He was mostly covered with a blanket. So, they steadily and urgently went their way. Gonkuro gave instructions to the carriage driver on how to go there, and the carriage driver steadfastly followed the given instructions. They went on in a confident fervent matter as they went across the countryside into the forest. They all, especially Gonkuro and Yuka's family, felt a spirit of embarking, sure, and determined optimism. They felt reassured that their quest will be a success. Processing a sober attitude, they for much of the time were quiet as their carriage rode on.
But Gonkuro eventually broke the silence as he nicely remarked on Yuka's mother, "What an impressively devoted mother and wife you really are."
Yuka's mother politely nodded as she sheepishly, with sober overtones, replied, "Yes, how it seems my dear husband's crippling illness has indeed brought us closer together than we have been before, in a sense. How the benefit of trying times like this can strengthen a couple's bond."
There was some whispered conversation between Keiko and her mother. Gonkuro got to observed Yuka read a mysterious hand scroll, which gave him a good impression of her. He was about to inquire her of the literary material before the carriage stopped.
The carriage driver asked loud enough that Gonkuro could hear: "Is this it? I think I can see a canopy of leafy times nearby I think."
This managed to alert Gonkuro and he went out to examine whether he really arrived at the right place or not. Turns out they were in the right sport after all. After telling the driver he was right, he next told the carriage passengers and the accompanying Kago bearers that they finally arrived at their destination and how they should follow him through the nearby leafy vine covering. The carriage passengers came out of the carriage and the kago carriers followed him through the delicate leafy canopy in a daunting business-like yet timid matter. Most of the people in the traveling company along seemed surprised yet curious about the shadowy woodland pathway they were in. They interchangeably saw a mini buddha statue or a kami house on occasion. Finally, they arrived at the torii entrance with the shrine's priest happened to be outside and noticed them.
Looking timid yet accepting of them, he went forward towards them, bowed, and asked, "What can I be of service to you?"
After they all bowed towards the priest, Gonkuro went forward and seriously replied, "We're finally here with Yuka's father, Hideki Satoaki, the head of the Satoaki clan, to be cured in the shrine's hidden onsen of his paralysis illness he has been suffering for quite a while."
The priest respectfully bowed again and politely replied, "So it may be and may this shrine's miko be your escort. But first, you have to purify yourselves."
So, the visitors, including Hideki Satoaki, participated in purification entrance rituals. Observing how the group struggled to accommodate the ritual to the disabled patriarch made him made Gonkuro have more sympathy, including being more dire in having the patriarch cured. The priest then offered the opportunity for the group to give prayers, offerings, and wishes to Benzaiten. Some of the people, including Yuka and her mother, went and wrote prayers and wishes to the enshrined deity. The priest next called the miko which respectfully bowed towards them and guided them towards the onsen.
The group vigorously followed the miko down towards the spring before undauntedly arriving at the onsen itself. The sight of it awed the visitors. The ascetic and flow of the water implied an otherworldly and supposed mystical quality to it. A serene even uncanny calmness seems to descended upon them.
Then one of the kago carriers inquired, "So how do we cure our master with this onsen water?"
The miko replied, "You put him in the front shallow part of the onsen where he would have a less chance of drowning."
The kago carriers put down their kago and along with help from Gonkuro carried the uncovered body of the crippled family patriarch towards the front shallow part of the onsen and unrolled the blanket that was covering him. Yuka's father was virtually naked saved it were a fundoshi. Seeing the further sight of his disheveled hair and even scars made Gonkuro had more pity towards him. They gently put him in the water and backed up a bit from him as they and all the other visitors intently and eagerly watched for a miraculous result to happen. They waited for a few minutes before something miraculous actually happened. To their astonishment, they behold some ethereal sparkling water gradually coming up to the emaciated patriarch's body. Eventually, a bundle of water covered him to their further astonishment. It seems the ethereal bits of water seem to mystically go all around him almost with a moving glow. The sight moved the audience. At last, the water covered body roused up to face them. How very amazed they were at beholding the sight of the risen Satoaki clan patriarch, with it being like observing a resurrected loved one in front of you. He now had regained his tidy, kempt, and dignified patriarchal appearance with his splendid orange-yellow kimono (with his clan mon on it). He also wore his geta, and eboshi hat. His facial hair was reduced to a mustache and goatee. He had his hair up and was scarless. He appeared older but he seems to process a fairly healthy and youthful vigor about him. He happily smiled softly as his family members, who were feeling an emotional air of enthusiasm, ran up to him and excitedly hugged him. They were very grateful how back to normal and healthy he was. Gonkuro gladly smiled for their long-desired goal being accomplished and how it's another example of how he really helped others over the course of his life. The kago carriers behind him smiled but not as much as Gonkuro himself. He could further tell how much they really love their patriarch.
Witnessing their sweet satisfying reunion sentimentally remained him of his childhood being with his family and the happy tranquil security of it. Those delightful memories will always have a place in his heart and now knowing he had reclaimed his childhood home and family made him feel further glad, especially he now had it all back and earned his long-awaited reward. He felt gladder of how he helped Yuka gained her childhood back, in a way, like he personally did. The sight brought him sweetly back to some recent months ago when he finally went back home to his beloved homeland and family that were mostly cherished memories for him for much of his life. He recalled that some time after he got back home, he reunited with his parents one day when he and Ashi went back to his hometown and to their surprise saw his parents in front of them. They were rugged but were smiling and silently glad to see their beloved son again. Gonkuro suddenly felt sentimental and felt like his child self again as he euphorically went and hugged his parents for the first time in such a long time. His pleasant childhood memories came back to him. How the opportunity to be with his parents in person instead of in memories was now once again a reality. The memory of that reunion became one of his happiest memories. Thinking back on that event made Gonkuro think Yuka was probably experiencing similar thoughts. Witnessing this event also reminded him of how Yuka was just once a really sweet memory for him yet was back in his life as well. How because of his selfless righteousness heroism, she got her family, himself, and even his own family back in their lives. He was looking forward to develop more of his relationship with Yuka and going on with his overdue life back home. He continued to gleefully watched the sweet family reunion and most of them, including Gonkuro, were choked full of emotion. How adoring and sweet Yuka looked as she embraced her father.
The patriarch shortly turned to face Gonkuro. Hideki Satoaki gratefully bowed towards him as he courteously said, "I am very gratefully honored by your devoted selfless act of steadfast heroism and how indebted I feel towards you. In speaking of which, what can I offer to you as a reward for your courageous kindness?"
Gonkuro pondered a bit before replying back, "No thank you, I don't really want any reward in return to be honest. My only request that I just want like you and your family to be happy and prosper. Like I had told a friend of mine beforehand, friends pay no debts."
The patriarch smiled and responded, "So it may be, and how I appreciate your humility and honesty; what a gracious man you apparently are as well."
Yuka also said with a cheerful courteous attitude, "I agree very much as well and what a refined, dutiful, and promising man you most certainly are and may you continue to bless the lives of others."
Gonkuro smiled widely and happily before humbly thanking them for their comments. Shortly thereof, the company eagerly went back to the main shrine area where they happened to see the priest standing there greeting them and seemingly impressed to see the previously bedridden and unkempt Satoaki family patriarch now looking distinguishingly well dressed and in a normal healthful walking state.
The restored patriarch bowed towards the priest with the priest bowing in return as the Satoaki patriarch courteously said, "I really appreciate this uncommon shrine and its apparent genuine miraculous powers of its accompanying onsen. I felt the presence of Benzaiten it seems. I hope this spring will help heal more people like me. As I, as a matter of fact, was healed in a most unique and complicated matter, but included being mystically covered and renewed by the onsen's water. I also like to inquire about the background of this shrine."
There was a long pause before the priest responded, "A long time ago, a samurai ancestor of mine happen to one day fell in the onsen. He happened to had been wounded from an ambush raid while he was traveling. But the onsen to his mysterious surprise healed him of his wounds and he saw a vision of Benzaiten. He claimed Benzaiten told him how the onsen came to be. The onsen was created by Benzaiten with help from her tamed dragon husband as a way to provide special healing to others. They created the onsen to honor and spread the wonderful healing personality and power of Benzaiten, including how that attribute of hers influenced her husband to become tamed. Feeling blessed and also wonderful from being healed, my samurai ancestor requested he would like to spread the wonder of this onsen by dedicating a shrine nearby to her and to help others receive similar miraculous healing blessings like he received. Benzaiten willingly approved of his request but on the condition that he's hush about it, selecting only some trustworthy clients and their requests, like yours for instance. So ever since then, it had been in my family for at least several generations. By the way, I humbly appreciate your gratitude and feedback. You can make a wish or prayer request for Benzaiten if you like. Especially in this case I will allow you to purchase an ema board for free instead of paying for it as usual."
The patriarch gave some thought before responding, "Perhaps I can…. but I also like to get an inside glance of the shrine as I have a curiosity about it."
The priest gave a nice welcoming nod as the Satoaki patriarch got a free ema board and wrote a request on it before going inside the shrine itself. The patriarch also got the blanket he was covered in and proclaimed it an offering to Benzaiten. The priest right then told the others that they could go inside out of curiosity as well, if they like.
Gonkuro then asked the priest, "In speaking of curiosity, I wonder how this shrine and even its inhabitants like you survived Aku's wrath?"
There was a moment of sober silence before the priest replied, "Well, we were fortunately lucky to be spared Aku's wrath, yet I unfortunately heard of some other shrines not being so lucky; it seems the divine blessing and protection of Benzaiten seemed to have graced upon this shrine and its inhabitants. In fact, I didn't know about there being such a wrath of Aku until some weary refugees arrived here telling me about it, which included the sad background story of why they were here. I allowed them to stay here for the time being. And the miko that guided you was among those refugees and the only one now left here. The rest of the refugees eventually left when Aku was defeated thanks to you."
Gonkuro smiled before the rest of the company remarked how they like the Satoaki family patriarch was welcomed to give free requests to Benzaiten. Gonkuro was among those that gave a request again as they went into the shrine for their own curiosity. The shrine's overall interior was interesting. It certainly had some décor in it yet it had a firm simplicity to it. It was medium-sized and one of the walls had a mural telling about the shrine's background story which already been told to them. Though there was an additional detail referencing the generosity of the shrine, including to refugees. At the shrine's rearback was the off-limits statute of Benzaiten, with requests towards her being hanged in front of it. The statute was a peculiar sight as it seems like an atypical depiction of the goddess herself, with her being shown as a beautifully well-dressed and matronly woman in an ocean blue kimono with ocean waved patterns. There were a couple of snakes printed on her kimono's front. She also happens to be holding a musical instrument, in particular a flute. The miko there explained how the statute was inspired by how the shrine's founder saw Benzaitan in a vision. The Satoaki patriarch put the blanket somewhere in front of the shrine's statute.
The patriarch asked the miko the shrine's name and she replied, "Izumi-Wa shrine"
Gonkuro was intrigued by the shrine's interior. He next glanced at pleasant Yuka, having some honest served feelings for her. He had been struggling a bit with his feelings for her, with him preferring being platonic but it seems his urge towards her has grown stronger. Especially how she was a beloved one time childhood friend, and how she really helped him out lately in his life. They in a certain sense felt a strengthening bond as a result of this small quest and how he kept her in his mind and sight. She even inspired some flutter of subtle emotions within him over time. What direction, renewed zeal, and confidence she seems to fuel in him. Yet, he felt like he couldn't hold his feelings towards her very well anymore. He tried to hold her hand and tried to get into her more, including what distinctive security he supposedly felt around her; Most especially after the impressions, emotions, and experiences he had with her in just over a day, including that long ago day in the hayfield. He attempted to show affection towards Yuka. She subtly noticed and was about to respond before she, Gonkuro, and all the others heard some shouting outside. Gonkuro and most of the group instantly went outside to see what all the commotion is.
Turns out to their shock they saw a couple of basket covered bandits in front of the shrine's torii entrance with the shrine's priest being quite chilled and shocked at their sight. The bandits seemed kind of surprised at seeing them but otherwise retained their composition.
Gonkuro, with a serious face, went up to them and suspiciously asked, "What is your business here?"
The bandits laughed before one of them responded back, "Well, we happen to pass a parked carriage and we happened to interrogate the timid carriage driver and he reluctantly admitted we were some place nearby. Turns out, we discovered the passage to this place and it looks like we have found plenty of potential booty here it appears, including a samurai to try to eliminate.
The innocent bystanders looked further shocked as Gonkuro cringed, severed his eyes, took out the kantana he had, and threatfully shown it to the bandits before exclaiming, "If you come any further, may you face the wrath of the son of righteousness! Especially how I defeated Aku and I certainly can finish off much simpler men like you two."
The bandits in response backed off in surprise but they regained their composure before the one on the right took out his kantana with the partner on the left following suit.
The bandit on the right next fiercely said to Gonkuro, "May you meet you doom baka samurai! As your words I think wouldn't be effective against us, especially how Aku is a dead and different case."
Gonkuro momentarily raised his face in a severe matter before trending on the bandits, with the bandit on the right swift his kantana in defense against Gonkuro's. The bystanders apprehensively watched as Gonkuro continued his dicey sword fight against the bandits. But then, to most everyone's surprise, Yuka swiftly stepped in and did a karate move towards one of the bandits. This especially startled the bandit that was still fighting and it amazed Gokuro.
She was in a fighting position when she seriously said to the bandits, "You can never be a match for the samurai or my kin for that matter, especially with my interference."
The bandit that was still up frailly chuckled as Yuka next kicked the bandit, swiftly took his kantana, kicked him sideways, and hit him with his kantana, thus giving him a flesh wound. Right then, the knocked-out bandit regained consciousness and seeing the bewildering sight of his partner in crime being wounded and being terrified in response, decided to ran away. The remaining wounded bandit seemed still determined to fight before Gonkuro positioned his sword in a threatening way towards him and with Yuka kicking him. The wounded bandit as a response then decided to scurry away like the other bandit did.
Gonkuro turned to face the relaxed Yuka and as he did that, including being impressed by her martial arts demonstration, he thought how it probably time to affectionately demonstrated his love towards her. What appreciation he had for her help in defeating the bandits along with the other help and guidance she had given him and the charm she had shown. He felt like expressing those reserved feelings he had towards her and at the moment it overshadowed the mission he just accomplished. He now saw her as a potential spiritual successor to Ashi. So, he right then decided to drop his kantana and ran towards Yuka as he instantly embraced her. Yuka looked a little startled but then seems fine with what he was doing. Yuka upon being physically embraced by Gonkuro felt like he sank into her heart and she felt brighten up. How she felt like she not just really getting into him but surely wanted to be around him from now on. He perhaps, after all, is the man for her after all this time, especially after she observed the noble and virtuous traits he demonstrated in the time they so far spent together. Also, how it be a unique and privileged opportunity to date a prince. She beforehand started to have some interest in him, but it wasn't very strong, especially how reserved and polite she could be with a sad romantic reluctance.
Gonkuro told Yuka, "I gratefully appreciate your astonishing help dear Yuka. What a wonderful and stunning young woman you are."
Yuka nervously but amiably and widely smiled as she responded, "Thank you very much my dear handsome shining prince."
Thus, they pleasantly kissed each other. The onlookers reacted with bewilderment yet with some positivity in witnessing the kissing. How happily uplifted and somewhat flurried they felt in their kiss.
Sometime afterwards the whole group arrived back where they first entered. They were able to find everything intact, including even the carriage driver, though he looked really nervous and wearisome.
He especially looked sheepish when the Sato clan patriarch came face-to-face with him from a near distance with a no nonsense yet understanding attitude as he asked the carriage driver, "What happened?
After some moments of hesitation, the carriage driver replied, "Sometime after you got here, those bandits to my shock happened to pass by and rudely inquired of me about there being passengers and I was in chilling silence and I fearfully nodded no. They further inquired where you and the others were but I didn't respond, but they were able to figure it out by one of them noticing the leafy canvas being an entrance and went in out of curiosity. I swear I didn't initiate their threat upon you and I thought I was only doing my best at the time. I also didn't get to know their motives aside from supposedly wanting to apparently rob us."
There was a moment of silence before the patriarch replied, "Well, I understand and it is alright. We were protected from the bandits thanks to prince Gonkuro and my dear daughter Yuka, who happened to fall in love as a result. You still in my service and hope we will not run into those or any kind of bandits or danger again."
The driver gratefully faced Gonkuro and told him, "Thank you very much for helping out and defending us from danger."
Gonkuro generously smiled and replied, "I am grateful too for how you were able to not put us in danger to the best of your ability."
Yuka gave Gonkuro a darling smile as he lovingly smiled and gazed in return. What a thing that was sprouting between each other.
Gonkuro and the Satoaki clan got into the carriage and took off. The empty handed kago bearers followed suit though Gonkuro was offered to ride in it but politely declined. The passengers were in enjoyable company with each other, being in a livelier sociable mood than on the way to the place itself.
The patriarch's wife smiley asked her husband, "So how are you feeling?"
He jovially responded, "Very good, in fact, feeling much good and healthier than I ever felt in a long time, all thanks to your great determination my sweet dear…. And how are you feeling in turn?"
She responded with a chuckling tone, "I am feeling fine dear Hideki."
His daughter, Keiko, who was seated next to him on the right, then asked him, "Are you in the mood for a joke or two?"
Her father pleasantly thought about it before responding, "How does every Japanese joke start? By looking over your shoulder."
The made everybody laughed as he told a few more jokes. Then the patriarch turned towards Gonkuro and asked if he is willing to share a funny story. Gonkuro thought a bit before finally deciding to tell the nearly forgotten personal story of when he happened to be naked one day and had to chase through a bizarre and mysterious underground city try to find his gi and kantana back. He had some struggling misadventures on the way before he eventually founded the one who stole his clothes, which in turn acted generous towards. His story made his fellow carriage passengers laugh out loud yet created a sense of great awkwardness, especially how odd his adventure indeed sounded. Gonkuro ended it by admitting how indeed strange that adventure was, including being one of the weirdest and most embarrassing episodes of his life. He even forgot about it until now.
However, Yuka nicely remarked, "But the benefit of the episode is that Gonkuro got to show an act of kind generosity when he or anybody else in the same situation could have acted less kind then that."
Gonkuro faced her with a kind smile as he nicely replied, "What a goodhearted woman to realize my kindhearted side likes that."
The rest of the passengers nodded in agreement. Yuka's father next inquired about the time when Gonkuro supposedly turned into a chicken and if he's willing to tell the story like he had implied like the previous story he told, it was another nearly forgotten peculiar life episode of his. After going through some weary thought, he decided to tell the story but downplayed some elements they may not understand. During the story itself, he thought how glad that he's now past being in Aku's dystopian and sometimes unpleasant rusty future. His audience response was of a subtle awkward silence but could tell they were amused by the story.
Gonkuro turned sideways towards Yuka and noticed her still holding that handscroll of Japanese poetry and it made him ask her, "Interesting handscroll you have. I wonder what's in it? Maybe you can read parts of it to us if you think it's suitable to do so."
Yuka amiably replied, "It's a scroll of Japanese poetry and yes I think it be suitably entertaining to read if you like, parents?"
Her parents pleasantly nodded as she went on to read her first bit of poetry… "Where inspiring the sweetest flowers…."
The carriage passengers had a fine time together hearing some poetry from Yuka and socializing with each other. When they arrived out of their carriage when they got home, the house staff and construction workers were there to observe and were impressed how cured and vigor their master was. They also had their eyes on the noble white clad samurai that accompanied with their serving family. They especially felt gratitude for his support in curing their master and previous heroism in defeating Aku. They respectfully bowed down towards the arrivers.
Then the Satoaki clan patriarch reverently addressed, "Good I am finally able to function again, including being your beloved functional head of household again. The trip went well yet I not at liberty to discuss where I got cured, but to say it was through a miraculous matter in a peculiar onsen. How grateful I am for Prince Gonkuro's help and what gracious honor he has brought upon us as a result. What a terrific man he certainly is."
Gonkuro looked a bit nervous and humbly replied, "It was fine. I am glad he was able to be cured. But I don't like to be so showered with flattery about it."
The people around him were stunned, including the patriarch himself.
Regardless, the patriarch continued, "So household business will continue as usual, especially how dinnertime is approaching and how we should prepare for it. Not to forget to mention how I am proud of your dedication and hard work you had provided for me and my family."
His staff bowed before going back to their duties as the rest of the carriage passengers went on.
They eventually gathered in a different room for dinner as the patriarch was no longer bedridden. They ate miso soup with accompanying bowl of rice and cup of tea. Gonkuro happened to affectionately sat next to Yuka and a sure hint it was of something stirring between them, with them side glancing at each other at times. During dinner, the patriarch and his family happily recalled found memories with each other, including with Gonkuro joining in. He especially recalled when he and his family went out and feed fishes in a pond, with Hideki recalling doing the same thing with his family at one time and how fun it was doing it.
Yuka next cuddly said, "Yes, what fun it was for me too, including I remembered at one time in an odd clumsy matter excessively throw some fish food and I noticed how one of the fish vomited before being chasten by my mother how I feed too much to the fishes."
The dining party chuckled.
Her mother remarked, "Yes, I do remember that incident dear."
Gonkuro said, "I don't recall having an incident like that myself."Gonkuro went on to tell a found childhood memory which just popped into his mind and thought it be interesting enough to recall. The story being about him witnessing a ronin carrying a child with him and leaving the child with Gonkuro as he fought off some bandits on a bridge while child Gonkuro himself was individually feeding fishes at the capital's river. His audience seems intrigued by his story, with the patriarch remarking on how the vagabond samurai described in the story sounds like a long ago storied ronin who was partially famed for carrying his young child with him as he roamed around, but he couldn't recall his name. Gonkuro responded how he really didn't know about the supposed ronin he saw but that particular incident that day is what partially inspired him to become the noble fighting samurai he is today. The patriarch shortly therefore announced that he's going to plan for a significant welcome back party where he would like Gonkuro to demonstrate his good jumping skills and even have his parents invited.
Gonkuro chuckled as the patriarch then revealed, "Did you know, Gonkuro, that I was friends with your father since childhood?"
Gonkuro seems surprised but accepts the patriarch's claim, including inviting his beloved parents as he hadn't seen them for a while and even how he technically hadn't seen them for most of his life. Shortly therefore, dinner was finished and Gonkuro excused himself to hang out with Yuka in her apartment before going to bed. Her parents nodded with approval, being one of the indications they had hinted thus far at pleasingly approved her blossoming relationship with Prince Gonkuro.
So Gonkuro and Yuka were walking together in the evening as they traveled to their destination to a different part of the estate.
On the way, Yuka playfully suggested to Gonkuro, "I thinking maybe we can sometime after spending time in my apartment go hang out at a neat nearby garden located elsewhere on this estate?"
Gonkuro, in a matter of fact manner, responded, "That is fine."
With that, he noticed how Yuka seems to be in a different and much brighter, playful, and cheerier upbeat demeanor like she perhaps had regained more of her inner child. That added a likable reason to hang out with her. When they arrived at her apartment, they stood still and glanced around before they went to sit across each other with a koto instrument in between them. Gonkuro thought her apartment looked fine, including seeing examples of her artwork, like a hanged picture of a mysterious well-dressed older boy, along with some sparse furnishings.
The portrait was still on his mind when Yuka happily initiated conversation by randomly asking, "So what dream did you have last night? I last night wearily dreamt of my childhood past, but with sad undertones to it. Though near the end I think I might have dreamt you too."
Gonkuro proceeded to asked with concern, "How was I in your dream? By the way, who is that a portrait of that is hanging behind you?"
He gave a brief pause after looking at the mysterious portrait before responding, "Yes, I did oddly dream last night as well, especially how I dreamed I was a duck still trying to find a way to the past or something along those lines."
There was an awkward moment that caused some chuckling laughter before Yuka managed to turn back to glance at the portrait and responded back, "I think you were a dignified armored clad samurai nobly standing out some distance in a heroic stance."
Gonkuro grimaced as Yuka again glanced back at the portrait and continued, "The portrait itself is a self-made portrait made in memory of my former beloved, Aoki, who I was previously betrothed to years ago but sadly perished in Aku's enslavement."
Gonkuro sympathetically frown as Yuka, with sorrowful undertones, continued, "Once a long time ago my parents thought of arranging a marriage to a child of one of their best friends so to perhaps solidify their friendship bond with them; they decided to have me engaged to one of their elder sons and have us marry when we came of age. As a result, they arranged a meeting or two with him. Turns out, I got to like him and I seemed to develop a small crush on him. It seems we were going to be good matches for each other and even informally with each other promised to eventually follow through on our marriage when we were mature enough. Over the next few years, we sometimes met, got together, and played with each other, among other things. He was three years older than me but it was like nearly a match made in heaven and he technically was my male best friend. Until that unfair horrid day when Aku and his dreadful minions ravaged our estate on that unexpected last visit where we had the great misfortune of being enslaved by Aku. I heard later on that within several years of Aoki's enslavement, he died out of fatigue, unjust beatings, and of famish. I didn't know about this until I had the luck of seeing his parents again with them sadly telling me his demise and holding his urn that hold his ashes. They told me he was cremated like the rest of the departed slaves and they beg to keep his remains in an urn and they reluctantly let them. They let me keep his urn because of their understanding how I miss him. I to this day keep his urn as one of my prized possessions which I keep it in a box that serves as a holder for other things of mine."
She then glanced back near the portrait and Gonkuro followed her gaze. On the right of the portrait was a square box like compartment that seems to serve as a holder or table that had some stuff on it like a bonsai and few other things with a cloth covering the box.
She continued as she turned to face him again, "What sorrow I felt and how I think nobody else really understand the depth of my maturing love for him and how it was unjustly cut off short like that for me. I cried often even though I know my tears couldn't bring him back, with hearing your loss further adding to it. I felt like I would not want to marry as I had sworn with him to marry and how I even felt committed to see him again when I eventually depart for the next life. Though unfortunately, some saw my grieving for him as sappy, including his younger brother, Bunka, who attempted to woo me and still perhaps wants to woo me. I was fortunately able to cut him off. It wasn't until some days before I met you once again that I woke up and finally came completely to the closure of Aoki's death. Then you came into my life, and along with part of last night's dream and some of my personal experience with you, so far seems to indicate how you are my next true love."
She next, with her bittersweet look, smiled as Gonkuro smiled back in return but then sadly frown again being empathetically reminded of the demise of Ashi.
Yuka frown sympathetically with him and decided to change the subject as she could said, "Well, let us try out this koto of mine, especially how we came here in the first place to demonstrate my koto playing skills and to help you learn how to play it as well, if you're willing."
That slightly lifted up Gonkuro's mood with Yuka smiling as she next went on to start playing her precious koto instrument. Gonkuro was uplifted and impressed by her demonstration.
She asked, "So, have you been taught any musical instrumental skills?"
Gonkuro replied, "Well, when I did not really have any musical instrumental training aside from being taught a bit to play the shamisen. However, I do recall one time after I helped saved a tribe from extinction that one of the tribe's chief musicians tried to teach me a little about this musical instrument with me as generosity for saving his tribe. I think the instrument was a pipe or flute of some kind. I even got to play in their celebration band that commemorated me defending their tribe."
Yuka smiled as she next asked Gonkuro, "So are you willing now my prince to learn some koto playing tonight?"
Gonkuro thoughtfully hesitated a bit before Yuka encouragingly said, "I understand how it been said how it takes a lifetime to master a koto but you can start even if you will never get to master it. It is a good worthwhile try and practice makes you better."
After some more thought, Gonkuro acceptably nodded as he, like Yuka, took out some nail extensions from a pill box and started learning the basics of koto playing with Yuka.
After a while, Gonkuro and Yuka eventually went out together to a nearby garden. How good they felt together, especially after doing their koto practice together. What a refining experience it was in playing the koto then what Gonkuro thought it might be. He still had much to learn to be the best yet a good lesson he had. An interesting sight the garden was, with intriguing flora, calm pretty stream with colorful fishes roaming around, and some pebble floors. A lovely relaxed stroll they had through it and a sure feeling of charming serenity filled the atmosphere as the day was waning down. What affection, harmonious bonding, and hope they both felt. For Gonkuro, it felt like a good satisfying breather. In the midst of their walking, Gonkuro decided to sit down on one of the gravel grounds sitting lotus style with Yuka following suit. Gonkuro sighed and felt cut off as he sat still and stared ahead in a concentrated meditative way. He also felt a mild breeze. He decided to do this partially because how he felt a sense of a greater yet feel good awareness and connection with nature. It helped him feel more pleasantly aspiring and he felt a higher consciousness or along those lines as he also felt he was connecting with Yuka. He can feel the growing soft love with Yuka even into their easing stroll through the garden. He had a raising sense of gladness within him, especially feeling good that things have turned out good for him so far. He caught a glance of Yuka who was sitting down on the right of him. She looked back with a small loving smile. Looking at her at that moment in the darkening evening twilight was something, but to say it gave him a positive reassurance, an air of nice peculiarity, and being stricken by her loveliness. It wasn't exactly east to describe it in words and he felt a bond with her, almost like the red string of fate or something. He felt like a part of him could possibly absorb into her and could be trusted like a friend, especially with the uplifting gladness she had done to him so far. The nobleness he saw in her he felt like he could indeed trust her to be part of his life. Based on his experience with her, she could be a good assurance to him. Gonkuro smiled wide and Yuka smiled wider in return. They could try to look into each other's world yet Yuka decided to look forward like he did and he decided to meditatively look forward and closed his eyes. An arising contentment they felt in each other and how they would like to get to know each other more. Eventually, though as to honor his own word, he decided to part ways with her for the night and went to bed.
While in bed prior to actually going to sleep, he thought what an eventful accomplishing glad day it was and the blossoming relationship he had been having with Yuka, including the speed it had been going. He also admits to himself how he technically still hadn't gone over Ashi's permanent disappearance and what he had for her. Thinking about it, it might as well be awkward and odd how he got into a relationship with Yuka, especially that fast. Yet, he still is opened to keep pressing on in this growing relationship with her, as he felt a glimmer of hope and how he could see this as befriending a onetime childhood playmate of his. Some of the aspects of Yuka he had so far observed in her makes him still think she was worthwhile getting into, including still thinking of her as a valid potential spiritual successor to Ashi. Yet, most of him can't really quite get over Ashi as his beloved and deeply missed departed love of his life that he can't grip for anymore. Though he's open to perhaps give another try, even if feeling some reluctance deep within not to try anybody else out in memory of his sure love he had for the irreplaceable Ashi, even if it in a contradictory matter, feels like fate is trying to tug a hint of a supposed red string seemingly towards Yuka.
At some point in the evening way over in the emperor's palace in the capital, the luckily restored Emperor and his Empress were soberly and lonesomely drinking their evening tea across from each other on the dining table. This was remotely reminisced, in the back of their minds, of that tragic and long ago day when Aku returned, attacked, ruined, and enslaved the Japanese people, including the Emperor himself. Yet, reflecting how things were happily and safely back to normal with them being back together again, that long horrific episode of miserable enslavement and separation seems rather contently far off and distance. They were very grateful, proud, and even just appreciative of their dutiful and chivalrous only son in fulfilling his great duty in finally defeating Aku and saving them along with his whole nation. Though, especially what their son told them after he arrived back, they understand he had a tremendous struggle and painful hardship he had to struggle to face Aku and was, to their odd understanding, sent to the future. They felt indebted and very happy in finally reuniting with their son and how emotional it was on that day when they saw each other again and their son on the same day. What an emotional and euphoric day it was and had become one of their most cherished memories. The Empress that day happened to return back from her self-imposed isolation, especially after receiving a dream some time beforehand signifying it was now okay to return back home. What a sight it was in the Empress beholding her son on his noble steed riding with a mysterious young woman and with following formerly enslaved people to return back to the capital to purposely rebuilt. What was especially impressive was how once they emotionally hugged each other in reuniting again as a family, their son then took his kantana and throw it across as a symbolic gesture of how he finally, at long last, had accomplished his mission, has reunited with them, and therefore the magical kantana would not be of use anymore, especially anytime soon. They eventually put the kantana back in its glass display case in the palace. The mysterious young woman riding with him turned out to had been a peculiar young lady he brought back home from the future named Ashi. It was interesting, different, and nice getting to know her. Though, however, it was very awkwardly peculiar to discover how she met her son and how she was a daughter of Aku, the monarchy's archenemy. But how astonishing and tragic her disappearing on that day which was supposed to be her merry wedding day with her son. What a strong of dismay and shock that unexpected sight still echoed on them, including how it turned out all to have been a waste. Shortly after the wedding's demise, their son went on a self-imposed wanderless journey to help ease his mourning and hadn't been back since and even hadn't communicated back. At the time of his departure, they were occupied by the whole mess that just occurred but were okay with him roaming away yet were concerned about him. By now, however, they were greatly concerned about his whereabouts and not returning home, though he was a strong able-bodied adult that made them very alright with him deciding to leave like that. Possibly, perhaps, they could send out a rescue cavalry to try to find him but they had other worries to occupy their minds before that would occur. They had duties and activities to occupy their time like with the Emperor fulfilling his regal duties and the Empress with her ladies-in-waiting strolling through gardens feeling some mixed feelings. They also had one of the Empress's ladies-in-waiting, Takako, sitting beside the Empress for comfort and who was becoming her favorite lady-in-waiting but was also favored by the Emperor, including how she faithfully served the Emperor in his enslavement where she often served him water and consoled him. As a result, she was rewarded as becoming one of the Empress's ladies-in-waiting. In sharp contrast to her previous ragged and disheveled appearance, she looked quite different as a respectful, clean-cut, well-dressed, and dressed in a purple kimono, and with a tidy bun updo. She happened to had been one of the bridesmaids who attended Ashi and was in dismaying shock at Ashi's disappearance. Though she more effectively cooled down about it in contrast to the Empress.
As they were sipping their tea, the Emperor and the Empress lonesomely glanced at each other and happened to then feel and look uplifted by each other's glance. They felt an enforcement of their sure, dear love and bond they had over the years. How glad, in the back of their minds, of gratitude for their son recently reunited them after many years of separation. They had hope for the future as well, including for their precious son.
Being in a slightly uplifted mood, the Emperor asked, "So how was your day, Mashiko?"
The Empress sedately replied, "It was fine and I got to, with some of my ladies-in-waiting, go to a restored Zen temple where I hang out at a tea house and meditated a bit. It helped calmed my troubles away so to say."
The Emperor smiled a bit and responded, "That sounds good."
Then, before anybody else could talk more, to their surprise another lady-in-waiting came in and courteously announced how she gotten another an invitation for them to some event. Looking surprised, the Emperor politely accepted the invitation and read it. The Empress and her favorite lady-in-waiting looked concerned yet curious about it.
Upon reading it, The Emperor seemed to exhibit a mixed of surprise and relief as he next turned towards his dear Empress and her accompanying lady-in-waiting with a similar look as he told them as he shown them the invitation, "We have been invited to a banquet of my old friend, Hideki, commemorating his grand return after a long time in ill health. Our son is going to be there as well! So, it seems our son is fine after all, and gives us a place to find him."
The Empress serenely rejoiced as she calmly replied, "Good that our son is still around and seems to be doing alright. I really hope to see him again. How are you as well?"
The Emperor smiled and probably felt rejoicing within as well. The Empress's favorite lady-in-waiting smiled too. They felt happy relief and gladness at knowing that their beloved dutiful son is still alive and supposedly well. They were eager to see him again, including how they, other than his reappearance months ago in their land to rescue it, they hadn't got connected to him for many years and how they really would continue to reconnect their dear relationship with him. The Empress's favorite lady-in-waiting had an interest in getting to know their son, the beloved and respected crown prince or the heroic savior figure of her people.
So, the following week and a half for Gonkuro and Yuka was happily good together. They hanged out, had some fun, helped prepared for the banquet, and got to know each other better. Gonkuro, for that matter, got to know her family more too, including demonstrating his high jumping skill to them. The demonstration awed, impressed, and surprised them. The patriarch was especially impressed enough to request him to do it again at the banquet and Gonkuro agreed. During this time, the Sato family household was a kind, gracious host to him and though he wasn't at home he almost felt right at home. He got to notice more of Yuka's virtuous attribute and what a neat, bright, fun, sophisticated, polite, and good-natured person she was. He realized how she was interestingly more than the pretty, cute, and charming young girl he originally met. She brightened him up. She helped reenergized and boosted his morale. She helped him see things and helped him enjoy life again. What a good, gracious, and kindhearted companion she was. They roamed around her estate's premise and the surrounding area. It felt good along with giving them some insightful admiration for the places they roamed through. It planted a desire in Gonkuro to try to see wisdom in nature, especially through meditation. The roaming also revealed a playful side to her as she at times would, in a child-like matter, tried to run like she would like to be chased. She would wondrously gaze around as she tried to hide in places trying to initiate hide and seek. This made Gonkuro smiled and liking it, including helped bring out his happy inner child which had technically had been suppressed for so many years. She was helping to bring on more of his inner lighthearted goodness. They sometimes would picnic out with bento. They often chattered with each other, especially to get to know each other. They played shogi with each other. Such fun they had together playing it and were decent playing it. They got to read the literature she kept. At one lovely point they made some poetry with each other. They sometimes would feed the fishes in the nearby ponds. They practiced together more on the koto.
One time, they went to a nearby city for a couple of (non-consecutive) days where they had some adventurous fun exploring it. They visited the local scene like an outdoor market, a sumo wrestling match, a bathhouse, a geisha house, a Zen temple, a chashitsu, a kabuki play, etc. At times, especially in the town itself, people would often suspect and even be found of having their beloved and celebrated valiant Crown Prince amongst them. Gonkuro felt somewhat annoyed being bothered yet felt good at being respected by more courteous bystanders, including being bowed at. Gonkuro also noticed the semi-familiar sight of kids trying to imitate and play him, showing him how like in the alternate Aku future he was in, he was becoming quite an imitated celebrity that was especially venerated by the local children. He and Yuka got to play with children a bit, with the children being enthusiastic for the opportunity to play with their celebrated hero yet amazed at him supposedly having another beloved. Gonkuro sufficiently explained to them how he happened to find another love in his life. His explanation, in turn, impressed the kids. At one point, Yuka witnessed a child crying because its treat fell down and she gave him her treat instead. Gonkuro smiled and that action shown to him how good she seems to be towards children.
Gonkuro and Yuka one time went on a neat and adventurous horseback ride. At another time, Yuka and Gonkuro strolled under some cherry trees. Gonkuro observed Yuka's generosity through distributing to the poor by a service outing with Gonkuro and treated the household staff with helpful kindness. One day, Yuka's older brother, Hiro, returned home with his attendees. Gonkuro expressed a remote curious interest in him. Turns out, Yuka's elder brother had a prissy demeanor about him and predominately used a fan. He particularly noticed the peculiar sight of Gonkuro who was with his waiting family who were there to greet him home.
He really caught his sight enough to inquire of Gonkuro once he got off his horse with his family greeting him, "Who are you fair stranger? Perhaps you are the much celebrated high prince of this land and who vanquished the savage Aku?"
Gonkuro soberly responded, "Yes, I am Crown Prince Gonkuro, the fair prince of this land who defeated Aku but with great almost endless struggle and I hope you appreciate the significant sacrifice it was."
Yuka's elder brother stood there in a sober silence before replying back in a sharp yet polite matter, "Yes, I honestly do respectfully appreciate the hard sacrifice you made in defeating Aku very much. In speaking of which, that makes me wonder if you are here to help my family out?"
Gonkuro replied, "Yes, and I was here by the request of your younger sister,Yuka, to try to solve your father's health and turns out we were able to restore his health."
Gonkuro's response surprised Yuka's elder brother who shortly at the dinner table was explained by Yuka how their father was restored. Hiro was really impressed by the story.
He went on to tell the dining party, "Coincidently, that on that same day I happened to been at the Yasushi temple where I gave a prayer for my dear father's health. I think that Yasushi Nyorai probably helped out as well, but who really knows? Though, however, also on that day in the temple I had a very uplifting, happy, and satisfactory feeling. It was probably related to the miracle that happened with my father around that same time."
Hiro also got to learn about Yuka being in love with Prince Gonkuro and seems to act kind of suspicious and surprised with embarrassed undertones, yet seems to be okay with it otherwise. Hiro to Gonkuro, at least, unlike the rest of his family he so far met, didn't seem to be as down to earth and friendly yet was a good, polite, and refined gentleman who dutifully cares for his family very much. Gonkuro got to also meet Yuka's younger brother, Hiroshi, as well, just prior to the banquet. Though he was dressed as a novice monk but in contrast to his elder brother was friendlier, earthy, and light-hearted, even reminding Gonkuro of the jolly Buddha.
Yuka had such a found innovating time with Gonkuro. How it was a wonderous time getting to know more about a long-lost childhood friend. When she first met him, both for the first time recently and years ago, she wasn't really expecting love from him but now felt quite happy being with him. What gratitude she felt in having the opportunity to love him and to return back her love and affection towards him. What particular and nice masculine affection and aura he gave out towards her. How she was really fixed on him. What a righteous, noble, good-natured, nice, wise, clever, and chivalrous man he apparently was. She also noticed his tendency to be quiet and stoic but that didn't bother her and it further shown his good politeness. She was really glad to have him, especially a good, notable, respectful, and responsible man like him, as a lover. He made her feel happy, comfortable, and worthwhile, including almost giving an extra meaning in her life. How she was thankfully in love again and what a sure interest she has for him. Her newfound relationship with him has effectively, at least, mostly helped her overcome her doomed relationship with her beloved childhood friend. She also liked his willingness to give, have fun, help out, and being kind to children. Hanging out with him seems to open up a side to her, including how it unleashed her natural happy child-like side that had been suppressed for so long, especially during her dreaded exile. Gonkuro even took note of her renewed child-like playfulness. She happened to see him as an inspiration as well, especially with his noble virtues she had observed in him. She really liked how he would help around her household when help was needed, amused by his telling of when he helped took care of a baby one time (which further contributed to her him being good with children and a potential good father to her future children), among some other stories he told, demonstrated impressive origami skills when they were making some origami for fun, dazzled how he managed to overcome a trickery of a vagabond, being delighted in painting with her, how playful he was when they were out catching fireflies with each one evening, and how it seems they both mutually became more motivational people as a significant result of their fellowship with each other. She felt not just a growing bond between them but also a growing trust and confidence with each other, along with a maturing innate love they were feeling for each other. They both were looking forward to the upcoming banquet and getting reacquired with some surviving family and friends. However, throughout their dating them so far had, Gonkuro sometimes, deep inside him, still felt firsthand attachment and longing for his beloved Ashi and founded it hard to completely overcome, regardless. He felt a hint of shallowness in his courting relationship with Yuka. He doesn't even know how he will fare if he and Yuka developed more of their relationship, especially how strong his sorrowful love he felt towards Ashi, even if she had reasonably disappeared from him forever. Well, who knows until that situation actually happens with Yuka, especially when you could only tell when it actually happens. However, he saw Ashi as his one and beloved with the attachment he had for her. Yuka, in turn, regardless of missing her late fiancé, seems to be finer about dating and moving on with Prince Gonkuro yet still, deep in a part of her heart, still had a thing for her late fiancé.
The day of the banquet arrived and on that morning prior to the first guest arriving, Gonkuro decide to, peacefully with a smile, venture to the courtyard by himself to try to feed the fishes in the garden lake before he officially started the day. A darling sunrise he observed as part of a beginning of a happy day he and some others were eager for. Looking at the lake and the surrounding garden made him feel good and relaxed, including being a good happy remainder of how he's back home. He decided to just sit lotus style as he contently reflected and further relaxed. He sighed and for part of the time got to look down at his reflection on the pond. However, after a while as he stared at his reflection, he began to feel something wrong, regardless. Though one of the things he reflected upon was what happiness he had been feeling with Yuka during the week and half he courted her, and how he effectively seemed to be moving on in his life in a positive way. Yet, he still felt a stumbling block in the way. He felt he could brush it away for now yet can't unfortunately completely get away from it any time soon.
He sighed as his lake reflection of his clean-cut kempt self turned to his previous unkempt bearded worn-out self as it wearily and cautiously said, "Be careful and prudence. Though it seems Yuka might be your one in place of Ashi, it still good to not solely risk an impulsive chance in furthering your relationship with Yuka. How especially you had so valued Ashi as being your distinctive love of your life; who you felt indebted towards and who also you still technically feel strongly attached to even many weeks after her demise. Remember how dreadful and tragic that day was for you and see if you have even overcome that day of sad misfortune or not? Think about it."
Gonkuro adhered to his inner self's advice and soberly reflected on it. It is true he wasn't really expecting to get into another woman this soon, especially because of his still firm attachment to Ashi, but there was something justifiably intriguing about Yuka that made her worth courting, including how he had known her before Ashi. He came to believe that it's truthful and wise to think about his relationship with Yuka, including how deep inside he still felt Ashi as his kindred soul. Maybe, regardless of his growing infatuating relationship with Yuka, maybe she isn't really for him but perhaps she really is his true love. The latter he felt in a way yet it can be still open to interpretation. He indeed needs to think about it, including how he felt he could not love again, especially anytime soon. He felt timidity as well about expressing his romantic feelings to Yuka, especially about her being his supposedly true lasting lover. Though, however, he got an inner risky feeling that such a chance of a critical development in his relationship with her might come to pass. What would he risk at such an upcoming opportunity? After some while of meditating upon this, he could hear the familiar nice, gracious voice of Yuka calling near behind him beckoning him to come to breakfast. At that moment, not just his weary thought of his relationship with Yuka stopped for now, but upon hearing her kind voice adds a reason why he would like to still be with her. How possible she really was his other, even more satisfactory, kindred soul after all, regardless of the vigilance cons he otherwise felt.
Sometime after breakfast, the pre-banquet officially started though some guests, including the performers hired or the banquet came prior and during breakfast. During their breakfast the Satoaki patriarch strongly suggested to Gonkuro about him changing into a few different outfits as well tell stories of his adventures at the banquet. Gonkuro felt somewhat surprised and curious by his request, especially with the outfit one. The patriarch went on to explain how he wanted him to wear a simple pair of pants, as he and the male guests were planning to do some falconry before really beginning the banquet itself. Also, he wants him to wear something different for the actual banquet due to wanting see him wear a blue kimono from the usually monotonic sight of his white kimono, though he can still wear his actual kimono prior to the actual falconry trip. After giving some struggling thought, Gonkuro decided to thorough agree with the Satoaki Patriarch's request.
At first, he was a greeter and semi-host, welcoming the guests along with Yuka and Keiko. It was kind of interesting getting to know some of the friends and relatives of the Satoaki clan. In the midst of his hosting duty, he, to his happy surprise, saw what looked apparently like his parents with a couple of ladies-in-waiting accompanying his mother. He decided to go up to them. He parents then spotted him and were gratefully amazed to see him.
After bowing in formal greeting, Gonkuro asked his parents with concern, "Why are you here father and mother?
His father replied, "We're here because Hideki Satoaki was a childhood friend of mine and we still technically remain friends since then. I glad he is still around and is willing to see him again after such a long time. I am along with your mother is very glad to see you, especially as we had been very concerned about you as well. How do you fare my beloved son?" It seems you were living with Hideki for some time."
Gonkuro seemed surprised at what his father said, especially the part about how he had personally known Hideki Sato.
Gonkuro personally replied, "To make a long story short, I happened to come across Hideki's daughter in the same hayfield we once played as children. After meeting her again, she requested that I try to find a way to cure her father's paralyzing illness and we eventually founded a way to cure it. Partially as a result, I loved to stay with him for some time and in the midst of all this I happened to fall in love and court with his helpful daughter, Yuka."
His parents were astonished with his wondering father inquired, "Really good and proud of you for you that you were able to further helped others out, especially a friend of mine. Also, glad to hear how you founded love again and I hope the prospect might work out."
There was some pause before Gonkuro asked, "So how you and mother had been since I went away, aside from missing me?"
His father responded, "Well, we been doing alright and been trying to attend to our duties though things can't completely be the same without you there."
His son reacted a little wan and sighed before responding in an understanding matter, "Yes father, I understand you and mother's lonesomeness because of my absence, though I am determined to soon return back home with both of you."
Right then, before anything else can be said between them, Hideki happened to be passing by, saw his old friend, and went towards him. They gladly mutually greeted each other as old friends. With his father's attention now being with Hideiki, he turned to his mother and they looked at each other with mutual affection.
His mother touched his cheek and smiled as she said to him, "I am quite proud of you son for your greatness and noble bravery. I am glad for how you seem to still endure through that noble spirit of yours. I hope you will still keep on and not falter as how essential it is to continue on with your compassionate generosity and courageous endeavoring spirit, regardless of how heartbroken your life has been."
Her remarks thoughtfully impressed him and though he still looked cheerily appreciate he then also looked slightly wan.
He replied, "Thank you mother for your encouraging counsel. What a great influence you really had been to me along with father in my life, including in my wanderings to attempt to defeat Aku. How I still glad to have a relationship with you and father again, especially thanks to Ashi."
Gonkuro paused a bit as his mother got to shed a tear of appreciation before continuing on, "Also, what a beautiful wonderful heart you have mother. Not to forget to mention what an overall beautiful person you are as well."
His mother shed more tears as she and her dear son embraced each other.
She then softly said, "Thank you very much my dear beloved son. What a great man you have grown up to be, including how worthwhile I feel in bringing up such a son and having my good influence have an impact on you after all. I appreciated Ashi's help on your quest, regardless of how it being ironic how she happened to be the daughter of the evil Aku who enslaved and wreck our people, including your father."
Gonkuro looked a bit wanner then he was, before his mother apologetically said, "Sorry, but it still unsettles me finding out how she was the dreadful Aku's daughter. That fact also obviously unsettles your father slightly more."
After a short pause, she continued, "Also very glad to hear how you had supposedly found another love and I am looking forward to getting to know her. I even wonder how she is?"
Gonkuro responded, "Well, she's Yuka, Hideki Sato's daughter and her name is Yuka. I first met her while I was chasing a cricket in a hayfield in my childhood. A terrific, talented, refined, and sweet good woman she is. It will be good for you and father to meet her. A really nice encounter I think that will be. I lately have been feeling a firm and growing bond with her."
His mother warmly smiled with Gonkuro glad to know, especially through her smile, how she was happy for him in finding new happiness and moving on, especially with Yuka.
Though come to think of it, regardless of his apparent romance with Yuka, he deep inside thought its more of an infatuation in a sense. He wasn't so sure about progressing significantly forward in his relationship with Yuka yet. But he indeed had loving feelings for her yet he didn't feel secure about it becoming truly stronger and firmer. The root of it is that he still had issues overcoming his beloved Ashi's sudden demise. He felt he wasn't really honestly ready to move on to another relationship from Ashi. However, it made him feel good knowing that he supposedly was moving on with Yuka as well as genuinely had somewhat recovered from the astonishing tragic loss of Ashi. Next, Gonkuro glanced at his mother's ladies-in-waiting and had a curiosity about them. He then inquired who they were, and his mother introduced her accompanying ladies-in-waiting as Takako and Masa. The ladies-in-waiting greeted their Crown Prince and how they seemed glad and eager to see him as well, with him smiling in return.
Shortly thereafter, Hideki graciously introduced himself to the Empress and inquired, "Are you Masahi's consort?"
The Empress politely replied, "Yes I am indeed his consort and you happened to be my husband's childhood friend? As I apparently never got to really know you. I also just knew that our son is staying with you and courting your daughter."
Hideki responded, "Yes, he had been dating one of my daughters as of late, but also has been a beneficial assert to my household during his stay."
This made Gonkuro's parents smiled and proudly looked at their son for him being such a good assert to someone else and their son sheepishly smiled in return.
Some time afterwards, after more greetings and socializing, Hideki announced today's plan, including how, before anything else, the Crown Prince, the banquet's special guest alongside his parents, was going to demonstrate his high jumping skill he had learned over his travels. The guests seemed impressed at their crown prince doing such a skill. By the way, a lot of the guests, upon learning that the crown prince of their land along with his parents were there, they seemed fairly interested in seeing and mingling with them, but especially with the crown prince; Gonkuro, however, happened to be a bit annoyed by it. Gonkuro demonstrated his high jumping skill outside with him only wearing his loincloth (as he thought it be more appropriate to do so) and happened to land on a distance roof nearby. His act dumbfounded his audience, including his parents. His bare stiff muffin look made some ladies fan over him. Afterwards, his parents approached him and remarked at how they were amazed by his performance.
His father being bewildered, said, "What an amazing feat, my son."
His mother likewise said, "What a remarkably talent you had developed."
The crown prince bowed to his parents before responding back, "Thanks and I learned it after spending time with some apes a long time ago. Perhaps I can tell you the full story later on."
Shortly afterwards, Hideki announced how the man were going to go out doing some falconry while the women, children, and men who didn't want to come can continue on socializing with each other and so forth. So, most of the men that included Gonkuro, the Emperor, Hideki's sons, and some older male juveniles went out with Hideki to do some falconry in their flat helmets and flexible kimonos. What fun and bonding they had while doing falconry, including further pleasant bonding it was for Gonkuro with his beloved father. What the thrill of the hunt they had and some neat tricks they did with the falcons they had. One time, on their outing, a falcon mysteriously didn't happen to come by as it should. The Emperor happened to request his son to tried to see about what supposedly happened to the falcon, which was his falcon he had. Thus Gonkuro, in an innovating matter and in loyalty to his father, traveled towards the direction where the falcon disappeared and eventually discovered a deep section of the woods where he saw his father's poor falcon being miserably tangled in some tree vines and branches. Being empathetically concerned for the bird, he compassionately got to gently unwrapped the falcon from its tight trap with him jumping to some extent to attempt to reach him. The falcon in response to be being liberated from his entrapment, looked quite happy and relieved for what Gonkuro did, regardless of the struggle it was in doing so. So Gonkuro went back to his group with the falcon and what praiseworthy appreciation his falconry group expressed, including from his father. Gonkuro, in a humble and polite matter, seemed alright yet receptive to their appreciation.
Eventually, the group was back at Hideki's estate and the banquet feast commemorated shortly thereafter. Gonkuro changed in to a blue kimono and sat next to his parents on the left of his father. While Yuka and her family sat at a different part of the main banquet feast table along with her family. Yuka dressed differently as well, as she happened to be dressed up in a refined cream-colored kimono with a yellow floral patterned to it. What delicious and uncommon food they served there and they had sake as a drink. They had some geishas with their maikos to entertain, including with some dancing and a geisha singing while playing an instrument (another geisha was playing a musical instrument alongside her). Some of the geishas played games, flatter, and make conversation with some of the banquet guest, including playing a game with Yuka to her amusement. Gonkuro was amused by the geishas' entertainment. At one point, a geisha tried to flirt with him, including praising him for his great heroism against Aku, among other things to flatter his ego. The flirting made him feel uncomfortable and he blushed.
Gonkuro responded, "Well thanks for your flattering praise and what a good banquet this is, including how you and your fellow geishas are brightening up the banquet with their merry performance."
The geisha politely thanked him before throwing out an innuendo at him, which included remarking what a handsome man comparable to Price Genji he is. Gonkuro blushed once again before he politely thanked her. Then a proclamation was made by Hideki about how his daughter was now going to perform a notable musical instrumental piece on the koto. So, Yuka went and sat beside her koto instrument and started to play her instrument. She did an impressive piece, which gave out a soothing and sly moderate to fast paced feeling. Her performance overall stunned her audience and shown how talented she certainly was, especially at playing the koto. After that, the geishas continued to entertain for some time, including Gonkuro talking with and playing a game with his flirting geisha, before Hideki further announced how Crown Prince Gonkuro and even he are going to relate some stories before concluding the night with a Noh play. He next told the audience how the celebration will continue tomorrow with visiting and a tea party. Gonkuro know he had agreed to, at least, tell a few of his adventures, including his final battle with Aku, to the guests, though he felt a bit nervous relating to them some stories. He gave some thought and eventually decided to go ahead and tell his eager audience his intended stories, starting with how his happy childhood before he witnesses the sorrowful chaos of Aku's destruction on his homeland and luckily escaped to travel around the world to prepare to come back to defeat Aku. He related a neat first time fighting experience in Africa. He went to tell of liberating his people and fighting Aku before being unexpectedly sent back in time to the future where Aku had successfully took over the world. His audience were stunned, especially how being sent to a dark yet hard to explained advance future where he was strangely stuck in it for fifty years before he had a lucky chance to return back to this time thanks to Ashi's help. He went on to explained how he had so many adventures during those fifty years that he thinks he should just explain a few to them. He recapped his adventures with talking dogs, Spartans, Da Samurai, the woolies, raising a baby, more about his experience learning to jump high with some apes, fighting a ninja, getting some new sandals from a futuristic Japanese family, and saving a Japanese family from a haunted house. His audience marveled at all the stories he told.
After telling the last of those stories, the geisha that was flattering him asked, "Did the people in Aku's future know that you were the Crown Prince of Japan?"
Gonkuro replied, "No, I didn't happen to reveal my true name due in large part how I was in a strange alien future land and therefore felt a need to be called by something different. I called myself Samurai Jack. Even when I once again began to be called by my proper name sometime after I came back to my own time, I felt jarring being called by my proper name as it was called by my alias for a very long time."
The geisha responded, "What a peculiar name Jack sounds."
Gonkuro replied, "Yes, but that was a name that was technically handpicked for me over there."
There was a short pause before someone else asked Gonkuro if he would like to talk more of his adventures, but Gonkuro declined. He especially excused himself that he wasn't in the mood to do anymore tonight.
The geisha remarked before Gonkuro can go back, "How remarkable your feats were and how it shows your valiant selfless goodness, especially for your land."
Gonkuro softly smiled at her remark.
Hideki's wife asked, "So there are Japanese people like us in the future? If so, how are their state?"
Gonkuro went on to explained, "Yes, from what I obviously encountered. I got to see how there were a remnant of our people that lived in Aku's future and they were able to still keep the old ways."
Hideki's wife replied, "Good for them but glad we never got that especially thanks to you."
Gonkuro smiled and humbly replied, "Thanks."
For a time, Hideki spoke, including praising Gonkuro, telling how his own life been lately, his enslavement, and how he got healed again (though he just mentioned being healed at a spring instead of an onsen being attached to a hidden shrine). He inquired how his fellow guests are faring, including how they fared during Aku's tyranny over the land. Some of the audience responded, along with telling how they were (including during Aku's tyranny) and how they were glad how Aku's future along with being glad for Prince Gonkuro's for preventing that future from ever happening. Some short stories were told how they were victims of Aku's rampart and were enslaved, though some were able to fortunately escape like with Yuka's surrogate parents who happened to have been guests there. Gonkuro noticed how kempt and well-dressed they were in sharp contrast to the supposed unkempt and poor look they had when they were refugees. Gonkuro felt bittersweet yet interested in hearing their stories. He felt sad for what happened to them yet also felt very glad how it was now all over, especially thanks to him and even Ashi. There was one unique case of one of Hideki's friends that was luckily spared completely in an odd way, but his life certainly wasn't the same. The Emperor, the Empress, and the ladies-in-waiting related their experiences to an extent. Hidieki admitted how he and the Emperor were childhood friends at one point and basically told a favorite memory of him and the Emperor which happened to be an embarrassing yet fun and funny story of a fishing trip they had together. Some of his other guests told of found memories of Hideki and his family.
Gonkuro asked the geisha besides him, "So, how were you affected by Aku's tyranny?"
She replied, "I was very little whenever Aku ravaged over Japan and I seemingly lived a normal childhood as Aku didn't enslaved everyone but tried to make everyone be loyal or work for him in some way. My parents, in fact, co-worked with Aku's minions as they saw it as a sparing beneficial job, regardless of the shame certainly associated with it. I became a maiko as Aku's reign still saw the benefit of geishas in entertaining Aku's minions and loyal subjects. I became one largely as a pleasurable upward escape from my lowly damp stigmatized life."
Gonkuro founded it interesting to hear he story and asked, "What became of your parents?"
She replied, "They unfortunately in a lowly even burakumin position due to the shame associated with what they had done."
Gonkuro sympathetically responded, "I am sorry for that happening to them."
After a while, the banquet moved on to the Noh play, which was being set up during their dinner storytelling. The Noh play itself was good and fine, being basically able to amused the audience. Gonkuro admired it and he got to see a couple of Noh play before in his childhood. He remembered watching Noh beforehand were jarring to watch though not as much this time.
Right after the banquet and the Noh play were over, Gonkuro was up and pacing abroad as Yuka came up to him and asked him to stroll outside for some time before going to bed for the night. Gonkuro pleasantly agreed to Yuka's request and so went outside to the nearby garden along, embracing the nice nighttime air and breeze. They enjoyed strolling together in the garden once again and one point lay down and gazed at the pretty and pleasurable stars.
Yuka asked, with child-like curiosity, to Gonkuro, "Are there any stars left in Aku's future?"
Gonkuro replied, "Yes, they certainly do still exist but only that strange beings from the stars actually live on earth and in speaking of which, I one time went out of earth's atmosphere once and even one time helped the prince and princess of another planet."
Yuka looked awed by what he said and asked, "So are they like us? How is it like being out of the earth's atmosphere?" Gonkuro went on to recap part of his adventure with the space bound escaping scientists and told her how all those space beings came in different strange shapes and sizes."
Gonkuro recapped more of his experience saving the alien prince and princess. Yuka seemed amused, interested, yet dumbfounded in response.
Yuka said, "I like stargazing and had learned about some astronomy on the ship I took refugeed on. Do you really astronomy?"
Gonkuro replied, "I do like astronomy and I learned it on my travels to defeat Aku. Stargazing had generally helped me on my travels as well."
Yuka then said, "What fun it was in learning stargazing and I really like doing it at times."
She next said, "We should try to look for some constellations and try to name them and figure them out." So, for a time did that and were able to figure out some constellations. They both had some fun with doing it.
After a while, they stopped as Yuka looked at Gonkuro in a warm loving matter. Gonkuro smiled with appreciation. To his surprised, she rolled over and lovingly embraced him with a hug. Gonkuro snuggled into her as she snuggled back in return and closed their eyes. Shortly thereafter, it almost felt like a shared universe of a happy loving aura.
Yuka then confessed, "You know what Gonkuro, I really want to tell you how I really love and care about you and how it really seems you are the right man for me. I really feel right around you. How you take me away in your distinctive affection. How I really see being the right woman for you; the one who can really can know, feel contentment, and security from, can have confidence in, can listen to, and can feel secure in affection from. How you are beloved and trusted by my family and what a good influence you certainly have been for my own good. Glad how we founded each other on that day and I wish you prosperity, regardless. I am eager to do what you what. What a joy you have been to me and what happiness we had together and how I have been impressed by you. I glad most of all for your kind, noble, and good generous heart."
Yuka smiled as Gonkuro brightly smiled in return. He especially felt good of Yuka's flattering appreciation of him. He also felt glad and worthwhile of meeting Yuka again that day in the hayfield as well. Indeed, what pleasure she was to be around with and how she had been on his mind lately. He could imagine them being rightfully together forever or for the rest of their lives. What lifelong adventure and even pleasurable joy they could have together as a married couple. What happiness they indeed felt together and they could almost feel a fateful oneness with each other. He could certainly see her as his wonderful, sweet, and bright reassuring marital companion or someone who he would wonderfully share the rest of his life with as his one and only. What terrific and virtuous qualities he sees in her that could qualify as his consort and potential mother of his future children. How he felt some content determination to try to get on with her and perhaps sacrifice if necessary. He felt content, bubbly, and upward infatuation for her, especially at that moment. A great permanent abundant they could have with each other. How they lately had spent a lot of uplifting and fun living times together.
But right then, he suddenly had a significant downward trapping, and skittish conscious anti-love (and anti-commitment for that matter) realization come over him. He holds his affection from her that moment and wanly lifted the upper part of his body up.
Yuka got half way up as well, with a fairly concerned look and inquired of him, "What Is wrong my dear Gonkuro?"
Gonkuro stared at her in a hesitated yet firm matter before replying back, "Well, I do sincerely love you Yuka yet I feel like I cannot have confidence following my heart to you because I still feel partial to Ashi and how I consider her my whole heart's desire and I feel like I not at liberty to really be with you because of that. Yet I feel conflicted about it. Maybe perhaps you are my consolation and assurance for losing my dear Ashi and I can move on however hard it might be. I have a firm desire to want to love you and move on. Yet, I still feel Ashi being first in my life, being my kindred spirit, and thus she will always be one of the most memorable and essential people in my life. But I will admit what a wonderful woman you are. What a good nice family you have and what cherished times we had together getting to know each other. Yet I know you or anyone else will not fully make up for my beloved and uncommon Ashi. I might try to move on with you, yet I envision it will not work very well for the both of us. I just feel like Ashi is really my one and only, regardless. However, I also feel a bond with you and I think I will let you decide whether to further our relationship with each other."
Yuka looked sad and somewhat hurt but had understanding undertones. She glanced into his weary gazeless eyes and could figure out how he was sincere in expressing his greater love for Ashi. She can tell he was elsewhere in his mind through his semi-dazed eyes. She also had an intuitive feeling about it. She thought about that, especially at this point Gonkuro would not effectively give his full heart and affection to her, as he obviously still had a beloved commitment to the late Ashi. He gave a loving smile as Yuka thought some more. She knows how he had genuinely fallen in love first with another woman and how he had fallen down the deep end from the demise of his hopeful love. She thought about the worthwhileness of their relationship with it going to be soon swept away if she so chooses to abolished it. She had some complicated feelings for him, wanting to leave her and how much she had enjoyed her bright, optimistic relationship with him. She may not now see what will eventually happen for him and her, yet at least she can actually do is to listen to her heart's intuition to know what to response to him. What precious memories they had created with each other and that probably will do.
She finally politely said, with bittersweet feelings, "So my Crown Prince Gonkuro, I do and always will love you and even doubt if anybody else will be a best match for me, yet I understand how you actually have somebody else in mind. So, if we should stay together then I be a nuisance in your way. So, I am allowing you to go on from me. However, you will always be preciously in my heart, including the cheery memories we made together. I do wish you continual prosperity and happiness. Though, I think I will not find another one like you for me again and perhaps will never marry. I will always be with you in spirit and in your heart. I will think of you often and that the memory of me will brighten your mind. Maybe we continue as good friends or something else good might happen."
She then wearily smiled as Gonkuro continued to smile but with more sad overtones. He actually shed some tears and courteously replied back, "So it may be, my fair kind courteous lady that we depart from each other and go our separate ways. I will always love you as well, and I know you will surely have a place in my heart. I also do wish you happiness, luck, prosperity, and even safety in your dear future. I hope you will make the best out of your life. Maybe you will find another man worthwhile for you, as we certainly may never predict what the future will hold for us. But may our hearts guide us and led us to make the best out of our life situation. I think, however, our happy experiences together were still worthwhile and we both have beautiful treasured memories in our hearts. Perhaps we amiably see each other again but meanwhile for now, farewell then my other beloved."
They both had a last, even caring and bittersweet, glance with each to her before Gonkuro wearily got up to go. Right after he started to restlessly walk away, he decided to let his hair loose from its tidy topknot as it waved a bit in the night breeze. Yuka continued to sit down and watched him walk away. She watched with some mixed feelings, including the beginning feelings of missing him. She admired the back of his handsome loose dark hair. She hoped she will personally have a happy fulfilling future ahead of her, yet sadly felt less hopeful about it. She also wondered how her family and friends will react to their situation.
Gonkuro's parents and the ladies-in-waitings were relaxing in their guest room, which happened to be besides his own. A good and eventful day they had, including finally seeing their dear son and prince for the first time in a long while. They just gotten ready for bed and his parents happened to been making small talk with each other as they then heard the door of their son's fellow guestroom slide open. They looked at the direction of the sound to try to see his silhouette from their sliding door. They did catch a different glance of him by seeing a hint of loose hair and a lonesome figure. They felt a bit suspicious and proceeded to open the sliding door with curious concern to see about their dear son. It turns out his hair loose and was lonesomely, still in his blue kimono, with closed eyes sitting down supposedly meditating.
His concerned father asked him, "What is wrong my dear son?"
His son, in his sad self-absorb world, didn't response instantly but took a solid minute to reply in which he opened his eyes, faced his father, and nervously responded, "I just broke up with Yuka because I still have some firm feelings towards Ashi and how I can't get over her astonishing demise on that fateful day. I feel like I don't know what I want to do with my future now, other then be single for the rest of my life in memory of my beloved Ashi and go on as the heir, leader, and protector of this beloved land of mine. I don't exactly feel like roaming around alone again neither do I strictly feel a desire to still stay here, regardless of the promising next day of this banquet."
He had on a stronger doleful weary countenance. Gonkuro's father looked really worried for him while his mother also looked worried for him.
After some thought and sighing, his father decided to reply back to him, "Well, it feels like another shocking surprise at hearing about your break-up, yet I do understand and respect your own choice, as it is your own choice. I honestly want you to settle down and get married though I understand it is not easy for you at this point in your life to do so. However, I ask you to rethink cautiously on your desires to see if you really want them. So, try to take your life situation slowly. There is much I think you have to go through in life, even after your many trials in your struggle to defeat Aku. Though the trial you are facing I think would not even hold a candle in trying to defeat Aku. I think about the good things you surely have and regained in comparison. You still have a lot ahead for you. Remember, I do understand how I once was young like you with plenty of challenges, especially with having to defeat Aku. However, I know I had overcome Aku just like you had overcome him and I can foresee you someday will effectively overcome this loss. Just like whenever a lotus blossom is soiled in mud yet rises up to become a beautiful flower. I and your mother prefer you won't wander off as we were especially concerned about you. Yet, you are an adult some so make up your own mind my beloved Gonkuro."
Gonkuro sat still as he reflected on his father's advice for some time as the Emperor sat there in anticipation of an answer from his son.
Finally, Gonkuro turned to face his father and replied, "What really good wise advice you gave, father, which I took to heart. What a sagacious and kind man you are, father. I know what I am facing is really hard, including being hard to ignore it, though it mostly consists of things I could not control. I also think I should try to ignore it and agree to go back with you and not go off wandering like I had been especially how I already had enough of doing that. I don't know about staying here another day, but perhaps I can do so but in a quiet subtle matter. I agree how I should go on with my life and hope for the best. How I been trying to get out my grief yet tried to reserve it."
Gonkuro wearily smiled as his father and his mother affectionately smiled in return. His mother got to get closer to her son and affectionately twirl one of his loose hair locks. He further smiled at this unusual occurrence of his mother yet understood how his mother loves him very much and therefore felt very concerned about him like his father was.
His father eventually responded back, "Good for you my son. Maybe you can stay here with us as long as you like and then come back home."
Gonkuro nodded in sympathetic agreement.
Gonkuro ultimately decided to stay over for the banquet's second day dressed as his white clad tidy self, but was in a much quiet mood and stayed close to his parents for most of the time including staying a distance from Yuka. He was able to still enjoy himself but wasn't as enthusiastic as he was. Gonkuro and Yuka heard some possible gossip that expressed concerned about him and Yuka not being close together anymore, though they weren't really affected by it. Yuka's family, especially her parents, did not know at this time of their daughter breaking up with Yuka though they did notice how he was acting reserved and distance from Yuka. During this time, Gonkuro got to further know some of Yuka's family and family friends, including her surrogate family. How interesting it was to get to know them, including how they were faring much better. He also enjoyed watching some of the children play as well. He got to help entertain and play with the, including telling them stories. The tea party was fine and what delicious pastries and other finger food they served. Yuka played some light music there. However, during this time Gonkuro started to look wearier. His parents took note of his downtrodden look and took it as a sign how he didn't want to spend anymore time and how he wasn't willing to still pretend to be fine. The Emperor shortly therefore told Hidieki how they felt a desire to leave soon and Hidieki was alright with it including being satisfied with the socialization they had in the banquet.
The Satoaki clan later on inquired Yuka of Gonkuro's distance attitude that day. She revealed how she broke-up with him that previous evening on amiable terms due to him still being attached to his late previous beloved and not being able to get over his previous beloved's demise. Her family seemed rather a little surprised mixed with some dismay yet her father with skittish undertones told her it was alright is he did not go on with him. Yuka, however, sensed his personal disappointment at her not blossoming her relationship forward with Prince Gonkuro. Yuka herself started to feel some lonely longing and concern for her beloved prince. Her beloved prince himself, especially as he was riding in the carriage returning back home with his parents, for that matter felt lowly, especially as expressed in his eyes, along with the glad feeling of being able to return back home with his parents to normalcy. He deep inside wondered if there is any good hope for his future, especially in a happy sense. Though he fortunately still has his parents, and smiled at them as they smiled back. They quietly rode on back home not withstanding some small talk they did on the way. He also happened to bring a rice bag that had the things he got while spending time on Yuka's family estate, including the banquet clothes and things he made with Yuka. One of his mother's ladies-in-waiting, Takako, happen to been riding his horse behind the carriage, as he preferred to being the longing company of his parents in their carriage instead of lonesomely riding his horse behind in their carriage. Though he was weary of a woman doing it for him, his father informed him how Takako is tough and has a wakizaski with her for protection. This apparently amazed Gonkuro, including expanding his view about Takako and even his mother's ladies-in-waitings for that matter.
· * *
Thus, Crown Prince Gonkuro returned back to his regular royal life in the capital with his parents. He felt good and happy being backed home and things becoming more normal again. Yet, he also felt a sense of dissatisfaction, unfulfillment, and emptiness within him. He felt an incomplete loneliness within him and still felt some unhealed heartache over Ashi's loss. Nonetheless, he was determined to try to boldly go on with grit, regardless of his inner wan demeanor and unhappy weariness that still seemed to dwell within him. Though he kind of felt less meaning in his life because of not having a significant other to be his potential Empress consort but still has a degree of hope and would let things to be as they were. How he's now in another chapter of his life and how he should deal with it anyway. He had a desire to want to break free of his inner frustrations but know he had to really go on. What a noble, exemplary, strong-willed, and promising young man he was. Therefore, what meaning and such will he had to go on as the regal, elevated, gallant, renowned, country loving, and modest Crown Prince of Japan. How important it was to be and act on his essential stately duties and keep up with a firm, sobercountenance and attitude, regardless of life's unlikable woeful disappointments. He knows that life sadly doesn't end up as a bright fairy tale, especially with a happy fairy tale ending. He was willing to valiantly go on with his life with action. He, for the time being, went on with his royal duties and leisurely private, palatial yet reserved life. Though he would look at and solemnly think about the things he made and did with Yuka, as he kept them in his living quarters as his personal possessions. But, he mostly longed for Ashi, rather than for Yuka. He would often like to sit besides his bedroom window and reflectively see the stars and the moon feeling mixed feelings. He would also write down his memoirs about his time traveling throughout the world training to defeat Aku to when he finally defeated Aku and attempted to marry his dear Ashi. He felt good at writing it as well as think it be good for his people and their future prosperity. He wrote in a diary as well. He also took the opportunity to exercise his creative skills, especially with painting. He especially attempted to paint a picture of Ashi but felt sadden at it and it wasn't completed. He would escape into literature and attempted to learn things, like calligraphy, to make up for lost learning time. A lot of the time, he was alone and felt lowly, as he didn't attempt to really seek out friends at this time, whether old or new. However, he did regularly socialize with his parents including going on walks and even going to places like to a chashitsu with his mother and her ladies-in-waitings. He also prayed at temples and shrines along with attend public events with his parents. He tried to get to know Takako and she seemed to become a comfort and reassurance to him as they socialized together. What a somewhat interesting person she seemed to be and kind of came close to another significant other of his since Yuka, in a certain sense. She was loosely a female friend of his. What an aura of somber and miserly loneliness he felt under a princely mask. He privately, when not doing his princely duties, had his hair loose in bereaved memory of Ashi. One day, he thought while randomly passing by, saw a woman passerby that resembled Ashi and tried to get a closer glance but decided not to pursue the matter any further, including how the woman surely wasn't Ashi.
Ashi would often occur a spot in his dreams, including whenever he dreamt of memories they made together. At times, he had some women wanting to be admirers of him but willingly refused their attention. His parents even suggested to him to try to find another potential wife through matchmaking or arranged marriage. Gonkuro politely declined their concerned offer. He would like to go on individual walks of reflection both day and night. He sometimes liked to go to Zen (and general) gardens and sit down to soundly meditate. He occasionally somewhat played with the local children and donates alms (which shown the subtle influence of Yuka). He sometimes drank some sake to feel better. He took a particular liking in strolling alone at nights, which reminisce of when he would stroll lonesomely through the countryside when he was traveling in bereavement. He felt some bittersweet anxiety looking up to try to conceal himself and observed the beauty of the stars and the moon as he thought about the good days with Ashi and even Yuka. He also got remained of his loneliness he felt when he was traveling in Aku's future trying to find a way back home. Though he was glad he was past the great loneliness he faced during that time, he technically had really never overcome that great sad loneliness in a sense and doesn't know how he would overcome it now, unfortunately. As he strolled on with the nightly breeze blowing his loose hair away with a brief stop, he imagined the desirable hard to reach satisfying happiness he wanted to complete and fulfill. Yet, he sadly couldn't reach that aspired dream state he wanted to accomplished as he wished. But in a paradox matter, for the time being felt fine and desired to be single, probably for the rest of his life, unless good fortune and chance would come along. How he sentimentally longed for and missed his dear, yet now ungraspable Ashi.
Yuka, after her fateful break up with Gonkuro, felt downtrodden and sadly lonesome. She often would think of him and now she was wearing a white kimono in reminisce of him. She hadn't made complete sense of her break-up and even wondered what he was exactly going through in his mind. She in her loneliness often got reminded of him as she goes around her household, including her bedroom. How she missed the joy of being with him and the things they did together. How she had enjoyed him and his smile. What such promise they felt together and a surprised significant grief their break-up caused as a result of it being broken. How she wanted to be a regular part of his life, even if she didn't know his own plans. What a bright and positive significant influence he had been to her, and what hope had had been until it was blown away. How she would like to see him again and why would this, thinking insightfully about it, had to happen? Though she does surely understand how much he still had to cope with his previous romantic loss. Will she be with her darling Gonkuro again? How long does she have to suffer waiting for him again and not feel bad about it anymore? She hoped to bond with him again, even if it was on the set condition of remaining as friends. Is it really the end of their relationship period or what? Was it really even a true romance to begin with? She still had something for her lost love, including how she at times after her break-up would get out Aoki's urn jar and look at it for sentimental value. But she really likes Gonkuro and wants to develop something for him. She even thought maybe perhaps she could give the urn back to Aoki's parents, but the remaining attachment and love she still had for him is a barrier in doing so. Since the break-up, she technically continued her daily routine, including the exercising of her creative talents like kato playing but in a more solitary subtle matter. From the hint of it, it seems her fellow family members and the household staff as well seemed more sympathetically restrained as a result. Her parents even offered an arrange marriage for her but she politely declined, demonstrating no interest in getting married or moving on anytime soon. Deep inside, she certainly wanted Gonkuro to return. She longed for a gap to fill her heart from the loss of Aoki and how Gonkuro was able to fill in that gap. She was eager for him to come back and what found memories they had with each other. How Gonkuro had become an essential part of her. How she vividly spent time with him like they became a crucial part of each other and how quite lonely she felt in contrast. She was anxiously waiting for her brand-new old flame to come back! She would even at times sing about him when she would in solitude play her koto and other instruments. Her environment in contrast to when she first met him, at least from her point of view, feel more somber and blander, especially after he went away. How positively far she has gone in her life then unfortunately torn zigzag after a short pleasant season.
A group of village children were playing a game of toryanse (or which they were singing a song with that title as they played a London bridge like game) and were enjoying it. They were playing in an opened field near their (still reconstructing) village. Then they decided to quite their game and played something else, especially how the leading boy player proclaimed how he was bored and felt like wanting to do something else. The leading girl player agreed along with some others and so decided to play kagome kagome and sing its accompanying song (in which they knew the lyrics to it better in comparison to the previous game they were playing). Meanwhile, as the children were joyfully playing their game, some mysterious yet glancing and menacing cat eyes peeked from the nearby woods at them from a near distance. At the same time, the village woodcutter was approaching the village with his workload. He stood still for some moments in the woods. He next decided to continue on, regardless of the mysterious movements continuing on a bit more. At the end of a round of kagome, one of the children happened to turn back and noticed the staring shadowy cat's eyes. The child felt scared as a result. Another child on the circle's center, who just uncovered her face, notice how one of her playmates seemed scared and still. The playmate asked him what's wrong before noticing the same. Another one of the children turned and noticed the same thing. An air of apprehension was now active. The children felt a subtle dominant threat nearby and decided to try to swiftly run back to their village to try to informed their parents and elders. The mysterious creature slyly came out and it turned out to be a black cat like creature. Right afterwards, a couple of bandits came out alongside the cat. They stood there in a sly subtle matter for a few minutes with a gripping look before deciding to charge down at the village at a fast yet brutal pace.
When the woodcutter was in view of his village, he was astonished at seeing it being ambushed by bandits. Feeling very chickened out by the sight, he decided to try to turn back and ran away. Unfortunately, however, a bandit suddenly stood in his way and pointed a sharp-edged stick at him. The poor woodcutter felt nearly frighten to death. The hostile bandit asked the woodcutter, in a speedy spitting matter, if he was a villager. The woodcutter at first did not answer, feeling frighten like he was encountering a murderous monster like Aku or an oni. The bandit seemed very anxious to want to get on with a reply, as the woodcutter was developing an angry look.
Fully armored Samurai Jack was firmly riding his motorcycle aimlessly on the raw plain with the brightness of the sun behind him. He long been a man of his own affairs yet he felt a great burden upon him, but is strong enough for him to face. He feels a will to survive alongside it. How this dilemma had kept him from any good self-reflection. He feels downtrodden yet impressed by the beauty of the landscape. He tried to mentally shove away his burden but it kept going back to him. How the burden had really fallen intricately upon him, and therefore wondered what to do. How tense and badly pressured he felt in an exhausting way. Such emotional drain he felt and could almost feel like he could falter away, but will manage. He felt tied to himself and how he and the burden will effectively survive. He thinks that he's flying the burden away in this direction and how he traveled on. He happened to eventually spot a nearby oasis and instantly drove to it. How he subtly could feel the increase hint of the pressure. He stopped his motorcycle, got off, took off his helmet (with its accompanied oni mask) to reveal his loose long hair and bearded self. Regardless of the significant burden he seemingly carried, he thought about what he was content with, like with having his precious kantana with him in it designed sport in his motorcycle. He took a deep relaxing breath and stood there in meditative silence for a bit. He then walked towards the oasis's pond and kneeled down to stare at his reflection while taking a sip and putting some water on himself. Afterwards, he stared at his reflection and smiled a little before an odd, eerie occurrence then happened. He suddenly saw his reflection turned into the black neck down pageboy hair image of his lost Ashi. How thrown back, scared, surprised, yet very happy at seeing her again, including the burden for the time being happily lifted. He smiled in a wider and content matter as he glanced at her and with her smiling back. However, what next took place would unsettle Samurai Jack.
She began speaking in a down voice, "Jack, I know we both love each other and will always love each other still, but you need to know it is really time to courageously move on and get over the great burden of my loss. You will always own my heart but Yuka's heart is what is really meant for you I would like you to really continue to serve as a noble beacon of bright light you are. You can't always be in this pitiful state which cannot help matters. How you will always be a triumphant hero over the forces of evil. You have already accomplished the heinous task of saving the world from Aku and how you will have more heroic tasks to accomplish in your life to come. But you unfortunately had fear understandably overcame you as a result of the notable despair over my loss. Yet see, my dear Samurai."
Jack reacted with astonishment and attempted to defend against what she said before witnessing the further odd occurrence of Ashi's image turning into Yuka and an interesting yet great vision occurred to him. To sum it up, it was of an alternate reality where Yuka married one of her suitors and never returning back to live in her beloved homeland again. Her and her husband unfortunately became enslaved by Aku when he eventually conquered the Pyukyu Islands. After ending up on brutal enslavement, Yuka and her husband after a while died from exhaustion and harsh treatment. However, a child of theirs managed to survive to adulthood and raised a family of its own. However, the child continued to be enslaved along its family and was enslaved for at least a couple of more generations. Then he saw many generations passed of Yuka's child's lineage until it stopped at a vicious woman in striking dreaded grab who turned out to mothered Ashi and her sisters in her dreadful Aku cult. This really shocked Jack to know that Yuka was apparently an ancestor of Ashi in the now alternate Aku infested future! Jack just founded it hard to grasp to behold this astonishing fact that was pushed in front of him right then and how it shook him to the core! He felt both loving loyalty to Ashi and Yuka but how can he can come to grip with this? He especially still felt a bound with Ashi. Then behind the image of Ashi in the pond, he saw images of the allies and people he had saved over the years manifested and cheering on along with her. Jack felt even more dumbfounded as a result of seeing this further manifestation. Strangely next, it began to rain which helped continued to fuel his bewilderment.
Yuka then said straight to him, "How I love you so very much and is counting on you along with others to re blaze your ennobling endeavors that are within you still."
Next, he sensed a significant bright light manifested near behind him on his right and looked back to see it. He did indeed see a portal of bright white light a short distance away from him. Yet, as he turned away and reflected with closed eyes on what was happening to him, he wondered how he overall would come to grip with all of this? After all, he was surely past his momentous trial of trying to defeat Aku and being stuck in the past. Thinking about that, why not get past the inevitable disappearance of Ashi and get on with his current life he wanted for so long? He knows he will, of course, always love Ashi, with her having a spot in his heart. Yet, he got the feeling how it is surely justified to go on from Ashi. He could go on with Ashi as a motivator in his courageous life. After all, it looks like there is probably a woman more suitable for him and it was probably Yuka. Regardless, he at the moment still hadn't completely gone over Ashi but was now was assured of having a happy desire to ride into that mysterious portal entrance of light. The rain oddly seems to be helping him feel happy acceptance of this matter. Also, what Ashi and Yuka been telling him had touched his heart even into his subconscious it seems. Thus, he swiftly put his masked helmet on, went back on his motorcycle, and rode right into the portal that seems to be a relief and positive escape, as the images in the pond watched him on. After entering the portal, he felt triumphantly how his fully armored and disheveled futuristic self transformed into his clean-cut and noble traditionalistic white kimono clad self. He now felt renewed determined confidence, riding on a noble white stead traveling on a brisk steady pace. Then it all went blank.
Prince Gonkuro suddenly woke up from his night sleep and deeply sighed. He thought of what just happened from the restless dream. He glanced around his bedroom, including at the Tale of Prince Genji hand scroll besides his bed that he was reading at bedtime. A good, somewhat relatable, yet bittersweet literary work it was and had some other handscrolls on a shelf for his own personal reading elsewhere in his bedroom. He also happened to glanced at the window and saw it still was night outside, probably getting close to dawn. He turned sideways a bit, sighed again, and with his eyes closed thought more of the dream he just had. How odd, different, and realistic that dream was, including being his now discontinued unkempt rogue self in it (but, however, he lately was sleeping with his hair loose). The dream itself left a lasting touching mark on his heart and mind. The dream probably was an important message of some kind. He thought it more deeply, especially the messages the dream supposedly was trying to send. At last, he came to the thought agreeing how he should try to happily move on from Ashi and how he should let it be. Similar to how he felt in the dream itself, he knows how there was more thanAshi in his life and how destined her disappearance from existence was. So, he finally, in his own way, now mostly accepted Ashi's sad but meant fate of disappearing apart from him forever. But he will always miss and cherish her. He probably will never completely overcome it. She will always have a place and reminiscence in his heart and memories. Anyway, she will satisfyingly live on in his dreams as well. His dream reassured him that she probably moved on as , how he still felt the romantic touch of his relationship with Ashi and the true assured love they felt together. He knows now how he will surely move forward in his life with Ashi living on in spirit in him. Anyway, since Ashi made possible the spring of his past to bloom within and had she really loved him and wanted him to be happy. How she saved a whole lot of people and other things from Aku's wrathful carnage. He especially recalled that bitter yet hopeful day with the ladybug and being besides a tree whose species was mostly gone away through Aku's wrath. So then how he should be a happy, regular man and moved forward in his life. Anyway, regardless of the shame it is to think about it otherwise, as how illogical it be to marry your nefarious enemy's daughter and have his blood in your family's veins from then on. By the way, how she really belonged to the now non-existent world of Aku. But what an impact they made in their limited time they had with each other.
He felt more renewed and purposeful now. A challenge it was in getting over Ashi's demise but glad to overcome the lowliness he felt with it. Anyway, this ordeal really can't hold a candle to the other ordeals he faced. But now Ashi really supposedly wanted him to continue to be the righteous and determined hero he is. He sighed but was more positive this time. Perhaps, he could try to find love again, especially Yuka, at the upcoming Tanabata festival. It felt coincidental but probably again wasn't, especially the dream and its message came close to the date and how he partially was brought up in his culture that some if not most things are meant to be. He deep inside certainly still loved and have an interest in Yuka and how is now opened to renewing his relationship with her. Regardless, he also felt the possibility he might not reconciled with her again and find another to be his true love, but who knows? He side-glanced in the direction of his still dark window and next decided to go back to sleep. How he knows she will certainly move completely onward to his best, everything considered.
The day of Tanabata arrived and it was a long, fun, yet was mostly lonesome and unsatisfying day, in a sense, for Gonkuro. Gonkuro, his parents, and some of the accompanying ladies-in-waitings played a significance part at the local Tanabata festival where the Emperor and Gonkuro gave speeches and the common people had the privilege of meeting, complimenting, bowing, and getting autographs from him. The royal family participated in a parade that was held some time afterwards. Eventually, the royal family and their attendants were able to freely participate in the festival's events themselves, including being able to make paper wishes and sticked them on bamboo trees. At one point, Gonkuro requested to his parents to roam alone on his own, especially for a time. His parents were fine with his request though hinted at being reluctant to accept it. Prince Gonkuro roamed around and had fun on his own for a time. However, he just went to a couple of places- a kimono selling vendor and tried to throw rings over some sake bottles. At the former he purchased a polka dotted teal colored yukata and quickly changed into it. At the latter, he won top prize and was awarded a hachimaki. However, he got to witness a traditional dance which amused him. He felt uplifted by the persisting sound of drums from some distance away. Gonkuro wearily smiled as he felt the presence of rushing bamboo leaves with papered wishes and the elaborate sight of the complex and pretty night sky, including being remained of his time he was in outer space and encountering beings from the stars. Sometimes, some admirers attempted to woo him including a maiko from a distance but tried to avoid it. Through it all, he inside felt a longing and patience desire to want to reunite with his beloved Yuka. He thought of the myth of the weaver girl and the cowherd and how it mirrored his romantic life. Like the supposed annual reunion the weaver girl and the cowherd are having right now, he hoped to unlike them find a lasting love, especially tonight. He even wouldn't eat yet, regardless of some hunger spasms. He didn't eat because he hadn't satisfyingly found her yet. He tried to look for the stars that represented the weaver girl and the cowherd. He was happily entertained by the fireworks that at times sparkled in the sky. He also was wondrously amused by the sight of hanged colorful paper decorations that were like balls with paper tails.
After a seemingly long while roaming around the festival, he to his pleasant surprise thought he finally saw what looks like Yuka but only was dressed differently (as she was dressed in a blue colored yukata with a red cherry blossom imprint). However, he unfortunately noticed that she was with a different man, along with being part of a general group that conspicuously was her family and a different kind of family. It looked like she might have founded another man and witnessing it stirred up some insightful feelings in Gonkuro. He felt more strongly how he surely loves Yuka after all, and how he would certainly want to try to romance her again. What regret he felt at letting her go (but still understood the justification of leaving her at the time) and how he wanted to get out of his entrapping single situation he was in. He would like Yuka to know how he really is the rightful man for her and how it be sorrowfully restless to continue without her. Hope he will be able to effectively reconcile with her and try to how her know how they indeed are soulmates for each other. Yuka then glanced at Gonkuro and was surprised at seeing him. Gonkuro gave a welcoming smile back with Yuka shortly deciding to approach him and tried to inquire of him. Unfortunately, her beau grabbed her back and he intimated Gonkuro instead, as the group he was a part of watched. The beau happened to be wearing a dark blue yukata and had his hair up in an uptight ponytail. He was most probably Yuka's wooing suitor that she had mentioned beforehand and therefore finally had the chance to finally meet him. The suitor had an arrogant yet protective demeanor about him. He seems to be frostier than Hiro was. As he confronted Gonkuro, he suspiciously inquired who he was that brought attention to Yuka.
Gonkuro, with a serious demeanor, replied, "I was Yuka's beau before you and had come to the realization how I really love Yuka and how she is actually special to me."
The beau sighed before replying back, "I don't understand, as you are really wasting your time, especially how you have dumped Yuka and why would you want her again for? I think I am a better lover. Thus, I am really hers then. I have shown more love to her then you ever did."
Gonkuro looked meaner as he firmly replied back, "I really genuinely lover her as my heart's desire and is concerned for her. I sincerely hope to reconcile with her and expressed my honest repented love for her. Even though only one can unfortunately have her, I hope you will understand how I am her true love of her life. How she really admires me and I genuinely had a recent dream that confirmed how she is indeed the true love of my life." With a mutually even meaner demeanor, the beau replied, "Maybe perhaps you could but I know from Yuka how I am her sincere heart's desire. I still think you are honestly still wasting your time trying to reconcile with her, and I do not think you are being truthful."
There was some silence between the two and Gonkuro was thinking what he wanted to do next as he sighed. He was confused about this love barrier situation, including how he wish it could be peacefully resolved to his own end. He was especially convinced that he knows that he was after all indeed Yuka's ultimate soulmate. Yuka, who was witnessing all of this from a short distance, along with the group she was with, felt embarrassed and bewildered by her current beau arguing with her ex. Additionally, Yuka felt great disappointment. However, she felt that out of the two who her heart's desire sincerely is.
Then her current beau challenged Gonkuro, "So you can have Yuka again as long as you adhere to a challenge I propose to you- which is you go to a supposedly ransacked town called Sippo elsewhere in the land, where allegedly some recently organized criminals, some of which originally worked for Aku, are stationed and seemed to be part of a greater conspiracy to ransack and maybe take over the whole country."
Gonkuro looked a bit puzzled at what he just said before Yuka's father went up to Gonkuro and explained more clearly what Yuka's current beau was trying to tell him. Gonkuro felt more puzzled.
Yuka's father explained, "There has been strong hearsay about how some supposedly organized group of bandits had raided and took over a certain area of the country and possibly want to spread out. Coincidently, that town happened to have some treasure from my family stored in a temple there. I, come to think about it, agree with Buka that trying to stop those bandits and see how my family treasure is doing is an adequate challenge for you to have my daughter back as her suitor. I also like you to try to check the treasure as well and bring it back if the situation is convenient. By the way, did you know about the rumors beforehand, especially considering how you're the prince of the land?"
Gonkuro replied, "I vaguely heard of such a thing but it seems hearsay enough for me and especially my father to not really take it seriously at this point."
Yuka's father then whispered to him, "I honestly prefer you over Bunka and I like to have your sure worthiness approved through this challenge which I really think you will succeed."
Gonkuro softly remarked, "So that is Yuka's current suitor's name."
Yuka's father nodded yes before continuing, "First, we have to have you father's approval."
Just then, Gonkuro's father's voice asked in a puzzled tone, "What is this?"
Gonkuro and Yuka's father turned sideways to see Gonkuro's perplexed parents approached them.
Gonkuro himself was seemingly sheepish before he explained to his parents, "I was given a challenge by Yuka's current suitor that's approved by Yuka's father. I have to go up to Sippo to investigate an alleged bandit raid and check on some Satoaki clan treasure that's stored in a temple there. Do you know of hearsay about bandit raids around Sippo? I think we should try to think more about responding to those rumors."
His parents were surprised with the Emperor replying, "I vaguely heard about those rumors but to me it rather sounded like hearsay and something that Sippo's prefecture government should take care of. However, you make me come to realized how I should had considered it seriously, especially as it does sound like the issue was more serious then I assumed. I will let you be the one to investigate, my son. It will further show your valiant courage and this forthcoming challenge I think doesn't hold a candle to your ordeal in defeating Aku."
Gonkuro's mother nodded in agreement. Next, the Emperor managed to convince Yuka's father and the other people in his group to have him, his wife, and his son joined them and have his son still have fun with them. Yuka's father and Bunka (though the latter with reluctance) agreed and so Gonkuro and his parents continued on in the fun along with Yuka and her group. Gonkuro spent more fun time with Yuka, even if it wasn't solely with her. They got to do some pleasurable things like eat yummy vendor food and some gold fishing. Gonkuro agreed with adhering to the challenge even if it was still an unlikable barrier to court with Yuka again instead of just doing group dating with her. He was courageously willing to risk himself to selflessly defeat the alleged growing sly criminal group that was organized around Sippo. He saw it as one righteous way to further prove to his father, Yuka, Bunka, Hiroshi, and others what a very upright, worthy, and selfless hero he indeed was.
So, within the next couple of days, Gonkuro got ready and eventually went on his quest to Sippo to largely investigate some alleged happenings there. He got to be allowed to use his father's sword as he and his father thought it could come in handy in such a situation like this, especially no telling what kind of people the alleged wrongdoers could be (including how some of them supposedly formerly worked for Aku). He got advice from a local cartographer on how to go there. Gonkuro with brave determination went off, but was able to give his farewell to some people like his parents and Yuka (though the latter he actually did when she and her family left home from the Tanabata festival as he planned to arrive back to her home whenever he would arrive back to his parents after completing his mission). On through the countryside, hills, and mountains he firmly rode on his stallion in the spirit of bushido. He carried some limited items like some food and medicine. He wore his white kimono, geta, straw hat, and father's kantana. Gonkuro thought of wearing full armor but otherwise thought he would blend in less suspiciously if he just wore his regular civilian clothes. Anyway, wearing basically the same outfit and weapon when he was in Aku's alternate future suited him fine. He not just felt the spirit of determination but also felt the spirit of the samurai and felt Ashi in spirit with him as well. He could feel Ashi's loving courage within him as he rode on to his task.
Eventually, he was able to successfully arrive at his destination after a few days of traveling. He stopped his horse and viewed the village from a distance. How scenic it looked yet in some sense felt apprehensive suspicion. Upon more careful exanimation, he noticed how devoid of people it looked. Before going any further, however, he decided to eat since he felt he was on an empty stomach. After a while, especially after he ate and tied his horse to a tree, he managed to go down directly into the village and strolled through it at a gradual pace. He analytically and suspiciously gazed around. Indeed, it mostly looked empty and somewhat ruined. He did see any human remains though he possibly saw minimal animal remains. However, He eventually thought he saw something. As he tried to get a closer look, it then went out of his sight and so tried to follow the direction it supposedly went. He, after going through a couple of streets and an alley, at last arrived at a Buddhist temple. The structure looked abandoned and felt an eerie apprehensive feeling about it, including how it looked vandalized to some extent (including a couple of sad looking guardian statues had a kind of odd mantra marking on them). Thus, the lone samurai paced towards the Buddhist temple and looked sideways. He felt further feelings of strange unease as he paced onward towards the building. Perhaps the temple has some answers to the chilling rumors he was sent to investigate, along with it being the probable place to find Yuka's family treasure. He finally got to go up the quiet steps of the temple and entered in. Right before entering in, he noticed how there seemed to be an odd, enigmatic emblem with accompanying words below it. The emblem looked like a two-tailed dark cat laying his paws on a skull with the words saying, "I came, I saw, I conquer! Beware of the great upcoming power and sure rule of the mighty Nekomata!" Reading that chilled Gonkuro, especially how he grown up hearing about Nekomatas, which were mischievous two-tailed cat yoka creatures that liked to dwell in mountainous areas. He especially heard a legend of a nekomata who one time tried to harm a member of the royal family. Though this particular nekomata was eventually defeated in the story itself, the nekomata in the story still chillingly touched him to this day. Nonetheless, he was alright with the emblem and its warning, especially how it possibly be figurative, and he entered in with a courageous attitude.
Inside, it was dark and worn out. It unsettled him but was still determined. He paced a bit more before finally stopping and analyzing his shadowy surroundings. He could see the buddha statue at the other side of the place. He just thought he glanced at what appeared to be a chest like thing. Perhaps that's the family treasure he was meant to try to find and so next decided to swiftly paced towards it. But before he could reach it, he thought he heard a sneaky, impending noise. He slowed down still and curiously glanced back. Turns out, to his surprise, was a basket head goon approaching him with his sword out to harm the samurai. Chillingly, he also thought he sensed more goons in and around the place. Indeed, he was unfortunately right, as he got to see semi-silhouettes of more goon like figures approaching him from different angles. He looked more severed as he could feel the raising tension within him and slyly stood there for several more seconds as he swiftly then started to fight back. He swiftly slew the one from behind him. He simultaneously kicked another one that was coming on a counterclockwise direction and firmly slew him along with a companion on the right of him. He next slew some more approaching goons behind him. Then for some seconds he stood still and sighed before continuing on, especially noticing the scary sight of some goons going down towards him by ropes. He even thought how he could get through this dilemma of being surrounded by hostile goons. He fought them like a dance with a swift speed and heard rowdy shouting from them at times. What an atmosphere of intensity it was, including fighting and slaying a small goon group counterclockwise. At one point, he thought things slowed down and it looked safe to continue approaching the treasure container. Right before he finally could touch the treasure, to his odd surprise thought he heard more approaching nearby. It turned out, to his astonishing dread saw a mischievous black cat wobbling his two tails along with a few of the goons pacing besides it. What great dismay and puzzlement mixed with dread he felt. For a few long seconds, he stood there in confused stillness before deciding to try to strike the scary cat and its accompanying goons in such a personally perplexing state. He thought he swiftly slew one of the accompanying goons but was overwhelmingly beaten and strangled to unconsciousness by the wrath of the nekomata's two tails. He thought he saw some of the goons dressed as Aku's minions and others were dressed in a rather flamboyant style. He also briefly got the impression that, at least, some of the nekomata's accompanying goons had an eerie air about them.
Meanwhile, the Satoaki family and Gonkuro's parents continued their daily lives all the while waiting for him. They felt fine though only after a few days. They started to be concerned about him still being gone. Yuka felt lonesome as she thoughtfully sometimes gazed out, wondering with mixed feelings about Gonkuro and if she should continue a relationship with him. Yet, as she would gaze out with the nightly breeze on her, felt a tint of mysterious longing for him. Of course, she courted Bunka to an extent and had some pleasure courting him, but it felt hollow in comparison to her previous courting with Gonkuro. One night, she had a down point in her relationship with Bunka prior to bedtime when they were having a conversation with each other, which involved reading some poetry they made for each other.
Bunka asked Yuka, "Do you surely love me enough, Yuka?"
Yuka was mute and Bunka grew wearily suspicious and hinted at wanting a reply.
However, she responded with a lowly sigh and eerily replied, "When the cherry blossoms bloom again then we be able to gaze upon their great beauty."
Bunka sighed and thought about his relationship with Yuka. Shortly thereafter, he decided to leave her for the night as Yuka, before going to bed, decided to gaze upon the night sky with its accompanying moon, in a thoughtful relaxing matter. She partially thought about her uncertain future and destiny, especially being more thoughtful then she had been during her recent nighttime gazing. She, as she gazed upon the moon, thought of Gonkuro and hoped for his safety and his accomplishment of his task. She softly smiled and then thought how she be willing to reconcile with Gonkuro, including how there wasn't much to forgive. Thinking about it, perhaps Gonkuro is indeed the one for her after all not Bunka. Even her father implied that he rather preferred Gonkuro over Bunka and being alright with ditching a marital alliance with that family friend of his (as he now probably thought it be okay to just be friends with them). Yuka sighed again and took all her thoughts to her heart and next decided to now go to bed. She remembered a proverb about wishing for good luck by sleeping and waiting. But she couldn't help think about a contrasting proverb that said, 'to wait for luck is the same as waiting for death.' Who knows what will happen but she still hoped for the best, including for Gonkuro. She also hopes she will have tranquil dreams tonight as well. She peacefully, in a soft lax sense, went to bed with the nightly breeze smoothly touching her for the last time tonight from the cool night.
Yuka dreamt a dream filled with weary ominous suspense. It felt mostly vague but moved with a vivid energy and seemed to be told like a consistent vision. She overall saw a mysterious, pretentious, yet malevolence presence eventually encompassing Japan, though not as bad as Aku. She saw Gonkuro being imprisoned and being harshly interrogated somewhere in Sippo. She saw him eventually being consumed by darkness with Yuka wanting to turn away. What dramatic longing to really wanting to make things right she felt; nonetheless, she also felt a still, startled, static, and puzzled aura she founded difficult to overcome.
Benzaiten's silhouette appeared on the moon sagaciously telling her, "Crown Prince Gonkuro Denka needs to be urgently saved or else Japan will eventually be consumed by the upcoming spreading criminal darkness from have the greatness, even of the sun, to save your dear prince. I will, if you will adhere to my counsel, effectively guide you."
Yuka listened with distressing surprise. Yuka cluelessly replied, "Why should I attempt to rescue him in such a high risky situation and how can I therefore really help him out?"
Benzaiten was silence and Yuka felt pitiful yet a contrasting sympathetic determined desire to want to follow Benzaiten's counsel. She thus far witnessed a firm justification in adhering wise Benzaiten's counsel and how she even plead for help. She felt like she was in a dire situation. She felt a paralyzed move on in her direful yet tense and loose foreshadowing dreadful circumstances. She even was determined against all odds to climb a mountain with doomful thundering overhead. Finally, she almost in a victorious yet weary matter seemingly almost reached her security destination at the mountain's top. Unfortunately, before finally realizing her desired goal, she happened to distractedly look back and saw the foreboding sight of Gonkuro as a ghostly yurei, which means he had his long hair unkempt and loose, had on his white robe, had a hitaikakushi on top of his head's front, the bottom of his body being invisible, and had a woeful, staring, and semi-gaunt complexion (though he still had retained his handsome features). For some moments they stared at each other as the thunder blank around them.
The yurei then aguishly, in pitiful concern, asked Yuka, "I wonder if I ever can escape this persistent despairI am in? How come you could not rescue me?"
Yuka as a response dolefully looked down before an awfully loud boom of thunder then sounded as yurei Gonkuro's eyes turned menacing.
Yuka restlessly awoke from her sleep and sat silently half-way up as she glanced around a bit. It looked like it was the crack of dawn and for some time she sat up there and pondered. She felt like she could had yelled no or informed her how she loved him and is willing. She honestly still loved him, of course, but did not have sure confidence in him anymore. She still had mix feelings for him. However, she gave some more thought on it, especially in an in-depth introspective matter, including thinking about the sorrows she lately had been experiencing. This further led her to examine how honestly empty she had been. How she lately felt dreamless and come to think about it, how she actually did indeed lose her true dream and she, deep inside, had a desire to want to get it back. She further thought how she surely loved the crown prince enough to want to save him and how she felt passionless being at home. However, she obviously knows that it was a man's job to save someone, not a woman's. In speaking of home, she felt a firm willingness to follow her dear prince from now on, regardless. How sincere she felt about that. She felt she purposely belonged to him and how she needs to act upon it to experience the reality of her love for him, regardless of the overall perturbing perilous situation.
She thought upon Benzaitan telling her that she had the greatness of the sun and the positive symbolic meanings associated with the sun. She thought of the sun goddess, Amaterasu, eventually going out of a cave to end an era of darkness and inflicted justice upon her brother, Susanoo, who led her to hide in the cave in the first place. Not to forget to mention how Gonkuro is technically a descendent of her and therefore how special enough to try to respectfully rescue him. All those thoughts and more gave her motivation to desire to save the crown prince. How she should escape her dreary house to fulfill her sincere dream for her true beloved. How she should struggle to fulfill her heart's dire dream and desire and attempt to reach high for him. Anyway, she saw how her life is really in her own hands, especially to make it the way she really wanted it to be. Anyhow, she's an adult and she think she might find renewed meaning being with him. She glanced once again at the rising dawn and how she would try to make it her own desired day. She also thought of her thoughts relating to Benzaiten saying she has the greatness of the sun and perhaps she will do an important honor to the sun goddess in rescuing and beneficially court her descendant, Gonkuro. She also thought how she'II need to soon get ready and ride to Sippo to ruthlessly help out her beloved. How she is going to see her sincere sunshine of her life and be herself. She with steadfast, heartfelt, urgent, and powerful passion go to seek out what she thinks will turn out to be her true life dream after all-to be her soulmate's abiding wholehearted confidante. After all, he had truthfully taken her heart away. An epiphany she felt, especially what such love and direction she genuinely felt and really realized for him, more than ever before.
Gonkuro happened to be imprisoned in a hidden dark storage room in a building somewhere in the village itself. He was bounded up tightly and was suffering quietly in dark isolation. He had his robe largely teared; his straw hat was virtually destroyed; his hair was disheveled and loose; and felt a mixture of fear, low self-confidence, weariness, a bit of paranoia, and a dreadful sadness overcome him. He surely felt trapped with strong regret as he felt like he was in a bad fall that is never going to stop. He especially felt regret at not completing his mission, which he thought was going to succeed, and respectfully get Yuka back. He felt ghostly in an entrapping way. He also felt trance-like, especially in addition to being interrogated and taunted by the goons and the Nekomata. It seems they were trying in disorienting ways to try to make him one of them. So far, their effort hadn't really succeeded though it felt like it might eventually succeed. He pondered, in his solitary confinement, how he's affected by his seeming failure and tormented thoughts about his previous guilty life failures, including even longing after his dear Ashi. How things really ain't simple anymore but anyway, they hadn't in a long time.
He founded himself nervous, alone, and felt blown away by the goons. He somewhat was pained & wounded from the inflicted torture they did to him. Regardless, he felt a certain degree of hope within him. This ordeal, especially in comparison to his own long intense struggle with Aku, seemed like a lesser struggle. He felt hopeless enough to call upon his ancestors, which he did at one point. However, he felt quite dazed and forlorn thanks to the goons and their evil two tailed cat helper. Gonkuro often had a vicious cat-like being interrogated him, interchangeably with a harsh looking fully armored samurai warrior. The strange interrogator seemed to nefariously manipulate him by playing on his need for extra power, need for further prestige after his defeat of Aku, and the supposed submissive yet oppressed power he had under his uppity Emperor who was his father, his guilt, etc. Gonkuro managed to resist its temptations to the unexpected dissatisfaction of his interrogator. For that matter, though he revealed little information to the goons, he otherwise withstood their questioning and imposed affliction as well. Nonetheless, Gonkuro had nightmares about being furthered interrogated by the demonic shapeshifter in places where he was tempted by inner Jack (which he could tell was just a complete hallucination). He thought he even could somewhat see Ashi in his dreams. At one point, Gonkuro bravely inquired about them, their motives, and origins. Their explanation was that they happened to been some recently freed slaves and aides of Aku who happened to encounter a nekomata who promised great things to their desirable advantage and to gained better glory, including the possible chance of taking over Japan! They since then had employed the demon cat as a helper and had enslaved some people since then, along with plundering and taking advantage of others to their own benefit. What angst he felt at their mindsets yet he felt he, in a great entrapping pressuring sense, he can't do anything about it. How he felt stuck and secluded within, along with a firm paralyzing feeling. He even oddly felt the, long since disregarded, ghastly samurai omen would approach him again.
In the midst of all this entrapping pessimism, he witnessed the sudden surprising burst of someone into his prison quarters after swiftly slaying the guards outside. It turned out to be a lightly armored onna-begeisha with a tiara like headband, a couple of kantanas, and an oni mask.
Gonkuro asked, "Who are you? Are you Yuka or someone I know?"
The intruder took off its mask. It turned out the intruder was indeed Yuka, for he saw the sweet pretty face of smiling Yuka. He reacted with a mix of astonishment and happy relief. He felt grateful for finally being able to be liberated and for that matter in seeing Yuka again.
As Yuka approached him and released him from his bands, Gonkuro inquired of her, "What happen and how did you get here Yuka?"
Yuka quickly replied, "I will explain later. Now you get back into shape with this potion I have for you, which I got from the healing spring we went to at an earlier time."
Yuka showed him a potion which Gonkuro gladly accepted. How content, refreshing, and relieving it felt in drinking it. Right after drinking it, he felt wholly renewed, vigorous, and energetic enough again in a revitalizing way. Yuka kissed him before she gave him his father's sword. Both were then firmly ready to get out and do some essential fighting business together. What appreciation Gonkuro felt as he glanced at Yuka's quaint face as it helped renewed and reassured their bond. How it seems their love for each other really vibrated back and proved an urgent solution of delivery after all.
Yuka was riding in a firm and fast-paced devotion mode as she traveled onto Gonkuro's destination of disappearance. On the way, she decided to stop by the Izumi-Washrine where her father was healed and with the consent of the shrine's priest got a bottle of the shrine's healing water along with a couple of amulets. She went through a purification ceremony as well. She also gave an offering and an ema at the shrine. The shrine's priest gave her some words of advice before she left, especially to work hard in her devotion to Gonkuro. She also got to wish luck from a dosojin, on the way, as well. She wanted to go to the shrine because she had an intuitive prompting inspired by her vision. After what seemed to be nearly non-stopped several hours, she finally arrived at her supposed destination from a distance. She only vaguely knows where it was but was seemingly guided by the blessing of Benzaiten. She felt glad she made it and sighed in relief. Her journey felt long yet it effectively passed by speedily, probably because of her determined love for Gonkuro. From her distance, she thought she could spot some sentries. She ate an onigiri rice ball, which was among the food given to her by the shrine's priest. From her view point upon closer observation, she thought she could see some nervous people roaming around and laboring, perhaps they were slaves. In the midst of her observation, to her own fright, saw a basket head bandit approach her. She swiftly decided to go off her horse, take off her kantana, and stood in a respectful yet courageous position of willing defense against the bandit.
However, to her surprise, the bandit just stood there without retaliation for some moments before inquiring, "Who goes there?"
Yuka calmly responded back, "I am Yuka of the Satoaki clan. I am here to reclaim the captured crown prince and the enslaved villagers of this land."
There were some weary moments of silence before any of them responded.
To her astonishment, the bandit lightheartedly responded, "Well, saving help has finally arrived then."
She felt perplexed as the bandit dumbfoundedly took his basket headgear off.
Turns out, he was a rugged handsome yet nice looking man and Yuka asked in confusion, "What is this?"
The stranger bowed and Yuka in curious perplexity bowed back.
The stranger bandit sentinel then politely explained, "I technically part of this mixed bandit ronin group because I happened to been a woodcutter who one day was going back to my village from doing my day's work and happened to unfortunately see, to my own shock, my village being ambushed before I encountered one of them in my way. In response, I got to remarkably kill him off and took his clothes as a disguise. So, I went to nervously joined the ambushing company and after a while they started to question who I was due to my different personality. They eventually discovered who I was and it nearly cost my life and they gave me a hard time. Luckily, I was spared because I convinced them how I was brave in defeating one of their members and managed to blend in. So, I was still allowed to be part of them as long as I kept to the rules and so I reluctantly did. I, after all, mainly blended in for my safety and curiosity. It was hard seeing how they treat the villagers as slaves, including how they made them work at a nearby mine that was mined during Aku's dreadful reign. They also took some willing villagers as trainees for their group. Yet, other villagers were very reluctant against them and even a couple got killed. For the other rebels, they tortured, imprisoned, and brainwashed them. I been hoping during those last few weeks or so and I felt grateful for being mainly assigned a sentinel job instead of an intimidating job against my people. I honestly think this group of bandits, which called themselves the Ninkyo, is a peculiar yet hideous lot to be with. Therefore, I am willing to take on this opportunity to try to fight them off with you."
Yuka smiled before she soberly asked, "How this Ninkyo group came to be? Is there anything we need to worry about? What is your name anyway?"
The welcoming stranger replied, "From what I been told, the Ninkyo were a group of some mischievous, scavenging released slaves who very much were former bandits themselves. Others were ronin and former ninjas. The leader, Oda, especially was an apparently miserable, miserly, and ambitious vagabond who one day happened to come across an impish nekomata, who had shapeshifted into a pretty woman to try to lure Oda off his turf. As the nekomata, after a failed attempted to lure him off, launched at and tried to attack Oda. Oda himself screamed back in terror how he would like to be spared.
This startled the Nekomata who transformed back into the pretty woman and asked a curious yet simple riddle, "What is swift, mischievous, and heroic?"
Oda responded, "A Kantana."
The nekomata reacted with surprise and decided to let go of Oda. The cat next faced and asked if he would like a favor or wish due to successfully passing its riddle. Supposedly, Oda grinned and replied how he would like to sabotage Japan in some way, like a n'er-do-well's dream. However, that seemingly perked up the nekomata. The nekomata replied it can help him do that. That perked up Oda and came to a deal to help recruit people willing to join in his cause and to conquer, with intimidation, parts of Japan for his own gain. The nekomata also has the ability to manipulate people to its own will. So, they went to recruit others to their own cause and formed the Ninkyo. The nekomata can also turned into a demonic and fierce armored masked samurai warrior along with its pretty woman form on the side. Allegedly, Oda has a relationship with the nekomata in its pretty woman form. So far, this is their first and only successful capture of a settlement. They are determined to soon conquer another village and so on. How insatiable, hungry, wicked, and especially mad Oda and his Nekomata, which name is Neko by the way. What mean bosses they can be. How thus I be to help defeat them and even the whole of Ninkyo at the risk of my life for my people! I also, of course, be quite willing to rescue the poor captured crown prince of the land!"
There was a pause and reassurance of each other through their body language before the good stranger further said, "Anyway, I am Daisuke, which coincidently means great help. My parents named me so as they hoped I be a good help to them and responsibly take over my father's woodcutter occupation. I feel like fulfilling part of my filial piety by helping you tonight. They both confidently smiled and nodded towards each other.
Daisuke asked, "Are you a woman underneath that mask?"
Yuka replied, "Yes."
Daisuke remarked, "I am okay with you being a woman and is opened to the interesting and different concept of a woman warrior. How did your familyreact to this by the way?"
Yuka replied, "Thank you, and I just sneaked out of the place before they woke up and so I do not yet know their reaction. I went as I was called by Benzaiten in a recent dream to rescue my crown prince."
Daisuke nodded in anticipation. They shortly went down to the captured village to fulfill their goal of sabotaging and defeating the enemies that held the village and rescuing the crown prince.
As they approached the village, there were some Ninkyo sentinels who noticed their approaching dauntlessness and went to take defense against them. The mysterious and masked onna-bugeisha intruder swiftly, with graceful demeanor, slew off the sentinels one by one along with her traitor Ninkyo bandit companion. They hastily made it further into the village where they were guarding a closed door to something in a building. She had some skirmish with the ruffians but eventually she abruptly defeated them. Her companion had some success though he at one point received a cut at a cheek but nonetheless kept going. Daisuke led Yuka to where the kantana was supposedly stored in, which was a closely guarded house. Yuka, with some of Daisuke's help, managed to boldly get through into the place and get the important item. Finally, they made it to the posting guards at a sealed door. Yuka fiercely stood and gazed at them for some long moments with the bandit sentinels gazing back in return. Then with Daisuke's assistant, she firmly fought them in a demanding and struggling matter. A firm urge of hopeful love helped her agilely fight off the bad sentinels successfully to the last second. How her noble love for Gonkuro had been the hopeful, motivating, and constant north star for her in overcoming. Finally, she defeated the goon guards and with great relief opened the door, founded her beloved prince, revealed to him who she was, released him, kissed him, made him drink the potion, gave him his magical kantana, replied to Gonkuro's question, and introduced him to Daisuke. The trio proceeded to finish their mission. Daisuke remarked to Yuka how intrigued he is with what Yuka really looks like before she put back her mask on.
She chuckled and replied, "Thanks."
Gonkuro chuckled as well. The firm love, faith, and hope of Yuka and Gonkuro seemed to help overcome their hazardous situation thus far.
Once they were out, they noticed some weary yet wondering enslaved villagers looking at them throughout the village.
Yuka stood out to address, "We are your liberators and are here to defeat the bad men that held you captive. I urge you to stay indoors until the coast is clear about your full liberation. However, if any of you willing to fight along with us, then it is fine and certainly welcomed."
There was a long moment of silence before most of the villagers, saved it be a relatively few that stayed and joined, went indoors.
Just then, one of the villagers that stayed to volunteer shouted, "There are approaching bandits from the shadows."
The trio liberators turned back and noticed a bunch of good approaching from behind them. So, they along with the volunteers picked up weapons from the fallen goons and started fighting the goons. As they fought off the goons, Gonkuro shown renewed courageous confidence and determined intensity of heroic proportions in bravely fighting off the savaged goons. Gonkuro felt extra inspired and motivated by his prolong love for his people (including the villagers) and Yuka. He especially realized the significant life saving value of love in overthrowing savaging evil and how it helped him before in defeating evil. How love could help him be sustained through life's dangers, disappointments, and frustrations. They swiftly melee the goons with fierce martial arts that included kicking from time to time. Yuka and Gonkuro felt like they were fighting as a united yin and yang couple. A couple of their fellow fighters on their side, including Daisuke, got wounded. Gonkuro tried very hard to fight off the goons that wounded them. Finally, after fighting off goons for a while, with the goons being greatly reduced, the heroic warriors sighed before they got a cautious feeling of an approaching menace. They turned to see the fierce approaching sight of Oda and a tigerish scary looking full armored masked samurai besides him.
Gonkuro, Yuka, their assistants, and even the remaining goon stood in relative grave silence as they fearfully awaited what the Ninkyo leaders were going to do to them. The Ninkyo leaders suddenly stopped and gazed towards the heroes in anger as the dark clad samurai said in a fierce and angst patriarchal tone to Gonkuro and Yuka, "What a failure you been for each other, what a loose relatable love you have for each other! Did you know of your loyal lost lovers and how they were your true lovers?!" This startled Gonkuro and Yuka to their hearts. It put Gonkuro in a wan introspective mood, remaining him once again of the painful loss of Ashi and how technically she still was his true love; not withstanding how his relationship with Yuka until today was in an estranged hiatus. This made him sink into a depression merged with confusing mixed feelings. After what felt like a long time (actually about ten minutes), as Gonkuro turned to face the dark samurai and was going to say something to it, the menacing entity surprisingly and promptly went to try to fiercely strike Gonkuro, withstanding Gonkuro's astonishment. Gonkuro firmly defended himself back with the tough strike of his special kantana. A hard fight between Gonkuro and the dark samurai began. A great shock the dark samurai's abrupt strike was. That strike shown what an inhumane scum the dark samurai really is. This furthered Gonkuro and his assistants' hearts against the dark samurai and Oda. After being affected by the manipulating and coldhearted striking words of the dark samurai, Gonkuro finally decided to overcome the negative effects of the dark samurai's words, realizing no doubt how Yuka was actually meant for him over Ashi. The power of true love seemed to have an overcoming effect upon him and observed how it serves an essential purpose, including how it in turn helped saved the world. He felt the sustaining and triumphant truth of love burned within him, in contrast to the great greed and selfish malevolence of Oda and his dastardly gang. Yuka was somewhat and similarly affected by the dark samurai's words, yet just like Gonkuro especially overcame it knowing how he was her true love over Aoi.
Gonkuro and the dark samurai fought in a firm, relentless, and struggling fast-paced aggressive matter. Throughout the fighting ordeal, Gonkuro had the firm righteous zeal, renewed heroism, and love within him. Yuka, feeling very concerned for him, decided to try to help him off at one point by harshly swooping her kantana at the left leg of the dark samurai. She succeeded, including how the amputated leg turned into a cat leg as it fell off. The dark samurai then fell down to their satisfaction. Unfortunately, Oda tried to assault and she attempted to fight back but Oda succeeded in grievously wounding her unconsciously. For Gonkuro, triumphant turned to outrage as he swiftly fought Oda. Eventually, Oda triumphantly managed to strategically kick Gonkuro and wounded him as Gonkuro painfully fell to Oda's advantage. The final blow was about to be struck- Oda with a mischievous smile turned to face in front of Gonkuro and was preparing to take the final killing blow on Gonkuro. A pinnacle of misfortune and failure poor Gonkuro was feeling as his victorious enemy was about to deal the final blow on him. However, just then, it fortunately looked like Oda was murdered in the back, telling by Oda's apparent painful face and the sound of a slice of sword stabbing into Oda's back. Next, Gonkuro heard the sword back swift up, went out, and gruesomely chop his head off. What happened next remained a bit of a blur for Gonkuro, but apparently observed how the rescuer was Daisuke(who was wearing an amulet) who somehow managed to still fight despite his supposedly wounded state. Daisuke took Gonkuro's special kantana and went to destroy the wounded dark samurai with the kantana itself before Gonkuro faded out entirely.
Gonkuro woke up in a tatami room laying comfortably on his stomach with acupunctures and even bandages on him. He turned sideways and saw Yuka on the right of him, seeing how she was mostly stripped off. She was awaked but looked really tired, bored, and out of focus. On his other side, he noticed an older and gentle man in a dark blue kimono who politely bowed to him. He obviously seemed to be the physician who was treating him.
Gonkuro asked, "What had happened since I slipped into unconsciousness? How the village been doing? Anymore bandits intruded upon the village?"
The physician replied, "Daisuke, right after he finished defeating the Ninkyo's leaders faced the remaining bandits and shouted out to them how they were going to be killed off if they don't pick his side, especially how their gang organization is no longer technically around because of the murder of their heads. To Daisuke's surprise, all of the Ninkyo bandits timidly left and he stood there for a while to see if any were coming back. None came back and he checked the surrounding area for them. They all mysteriously were not there. Daisuke commenced to send messages of liberation which we all gladly received. Though there was not without any bitterness to it, as we solemnly proceed to dispose the dead, including holding a respectful memorial service for them, as the Ninkyo didn't respect the dead they killed off. However, we with the dead of the Ninkyo, including their leaders, we disposed their cremated remains in a river instead of being buried with dignity. You and the warrior lady had been unconscious for a few days. I observed how you dazed off and on in an unfocused matter. Glad to finally see you awake and basically alright… the village had been fine and especially in good recovering spirits otherwise. Daisuke been a leading figure in the recovery and some of the village kimono makers decided to create a couple of new kimonos for you and the lady to wear. Not to forget to mention that one of the warriors was treated as well and is doing okay. In addition, Daisuke often comes in here and even waits nearby being concern for your recovery. In fact, I think he right now is waiting outside for you two."
Just then, a tatami door to the side slide open and there revealed what was Daisuke but dressed in a dignified kimono and with a clean-cut look. He looked quite satisfied, with a smile, in seeing both of his newfound friends awake and was holding a couple of kimonos along with a couple of hachimaki bands on top. Gonkuro's and Yuka's kantanas were on top of the pile as well.
He was smiling at them as he went in, bowed, and stood in front of Gonkuro and Yuka as he gladly said to them, "Good to see both of you awake at least. How me and the whole village wish to extend sure gratitude for your great heroic deeds in saving our village from the fierce clutches of greedy evil doers. Hope your father, the Emperor, will try to help prevent any of this from happening again by sending in more soldiers to monitor this part of the land, along with perhaps other areas of the country as well. Would you care to stay longer? The village is willing to honor you and is willing to hold a celebration in your honor."
The samurai prince thought about Daiskue's words, including his offer, as he replied, "I am grateful for your help and for the kimono makers who made us clothes. I am also grateful for the physician and the villagers who were willing to help me and Yuka accomplish the task of saving your village. However, I prefer to go home as I can and not stay for a celebration in my honor. But I be willing to express my gratitude towards the village."
There was a short pause before Daisuke with a smirking grimace, replied, "Well, that is fine, the village is willing to celebrate me if they want to do so."
Gonkuro then remarked, "I anyway think it was you who finally defeated them technically, come to think of it."
Daisuke responded, "You're right, Gonkuro Denka."
So Gonkuro and Yuka drank a bitter herb drink remedy before having their acupunctures removed and got dressed in their new dignified attire. Additionally, Gonkuro got a new hairpin and put his hair back in a topknot. He was given a purple kimono with his royal mon while Yuka was given a red kimono with a tidal wave pattern on it. They were given some food to eat before Gonkuro and Yuka departed outside to expressed their gratitude and respect towards the villagers before embarking back home on their horses. An emotional farewell it was as they paid their mutual respects and good-byes. It seems Gonkuro and Yuka felt some bond making with those villagers but the villagers especially felt some attachment and a debt towards them. As they rode away, Gonkuro and Yuka secretly corresponded to go to the healing shrine that healed Yuka's father to tried to fully heal and rejuvenate themselves. They were mostly healed enough to go back home but they needed some more genuine healing. Yuka especially felt quite weary and Gonkuro had to help prod her horse along. One time, Gonkuro felt Yuka trying to touch him. He looked sideways and saw her look affectionately back at him. He smiled backin return. They show their mutual appreciation for their mutual help they did. Gonkuro especially felt he founded a destination of love as Yuka rescued him from his dark alienation. What gratitude he felt in Yuka's valiant service to him. Yuka felt similar and this help mended their broken love for each other. They had hope for a rekindling of love, especially their own for each other. Not just how this was a fulfillment of rescuing heaven sent hope but of that hope for that rekindling. This hope also helped fulfilled and realized a long desired vision of theirs.
Gonkuro and Yuka reverently arrived at theIzumi-Washrine where they bowed towards the shrine's priest and maiko. They told them of their successful task at virtually destroying the Ninkyo and saving a village from their clutches with the saving help of someone in the village.
The priest and miko politely congratulated them with the priest going up to Gonkuro and sagely said, "An assertive and valiantly courageous prince you are. You have endured so much and I could foresee you continuing to endure in your life to come. But do not fear, as you had endured the unendurable by defeating Aku, you will overcome. In governing let us govern with true sincerity. Sincerity is the binding bridge and a key. Do not forget your obligations to your ancestors and do not be sluggish in your work."
Gonkuro replied, "Thank you, kenjougo."
Gonkuro was impressed by the priest's advice. Yuka also felt subtly impressed with the last piece of advice apparently was also given to her at her last visit to the shrine. Gonkuro and Yuka went on to do a purification ceremony, said some prayers at the shrine, gave some offerings to the shrine, ate some food provided by the miko, and went into the sacred foundation in their underwear to be bathed in its relaxing healing water. A surge of pleasant tranquility sworn over them in the onsen. Gonkuro and Yuka also felt a surge of their remerging and affectionate grateful love towards each other that included nearly touching each other on the cheek. Gonkuro thought he briefly glanced the statute of Benzaiten winking at him as they visited inside the shrine for a short it really possibly his imagination? Eventually, he and Gonkuro said their good-byes to the priest and miko and went back down towards home. They briefly looked back at the ebbing tori gate entrance, knowing this probably was the last time they were going to visit this particular shrine in a long time. Overall, their shrine visit was good, peaceful, accomplishing, refreshing, gratifying, sober, and laidback. They felt completely functional, rejuvenated, and normal again. Yet on the continuing journey home, shortly after arriving from the shrine, Gonkuro thought of something, He, especially inspired by his mutual rekindling of affection with Yuka, decided he's going to take a course of action towards her before their journey's end.
After a while, they happened to pass by a hayfield and Gonkuro decided to suddenly stop both of them. Gonkuro decided it was time.
Yuka reacted with a startled look and asked, "What is happening?"
Gonkuro turned to her and replied, "I just like to make a confession to you in that hayfield over there."
Yuka briefly continued to look startled but decided to submit to Gonkuro's desire and so they safely tied their horses and go into the midst of the hayfield.
Yuka felt awkwardly curious as they eventually stopped and tuned to face each other as Gonkuro began confessing, "I knew we went astray and there was some hurt and I come to ask you for your forgiveness and reconciliation. As I do really love you dear Yuka and Irealized the sure love we once had flourished with each other again. I sincerely promised I will love you with a candid eternal love. I have come to an epiphany that you are indeed my true soulmate. How I foresee us as being part of an exemplary,true, enduring, and immovable love. How I therefore need you in my life. I so swear my dear lady, including my fidelity to you."
A few minutes passed as the words sank into Yuka, who had a shy thoughtful look. She seemed impressed by what he confessed. During this time, she looked at him. As she looked at him, it bought an epiphany which involved sensing a feeling of security and clarity about him. How he seemed to disperse her life's messy clouds that had so engaged deep within her. She could sense he is really the best. How he apparently be the right man that her first love wasn't. How she appreciates his help in his life. After all, he really much more to her then her first love and seems to be her true love and confidante.
Pleasant and smoothing butterflies she felt within as she smiled and politely replied to Gonkuro, "Yes my dear love."
They pleasantly stared at each other in the face before Gonkuro awkwardly said to Yuka, "Love me cherished beloved, as you are the fulfillment of my life. Take me to your heart where we belong and how I will be your fulfillment and helpmate from now on. I will always love you and please tell me you love me. Love me sincerely my cherry blossom and I know we will never part. So, embraced me in sincere affection my fair one, my one long awaiting kindred soul."
Gonkuro widen his happy smile as Yuka widen her smile lusciously. She lovingly embraced her fellow kindred soul. They embraced each other in a strong and tight yet sweet lovey-dovey matter. She felt she actually loved him the best and is her best.
As Yuka hugged him, she thought how he was the finest in the world. She thought what a great shining and larger than life man he is. What a good, caring, supporting, even understanding husband she envisioned he will be. A heroic and sensible man she also sensed him being.
She felt bubbly enthusiasm for him as she next pleasantly responded to Gonkuro, "Yes, I earnestly love you dear prince. I am grateful for you as well."
What infatuation they felt for each other as they back a bit away from each other but still hold their hands together. Thy happily and lovingly looked each other in the face. With her enthusiastic love for him, a part of her deep inside felt surprise or making sense of being in love with this past playmate and her nation's crown prince. Gonkuro felt somewhat similar feelings, yet he felt confidence they will overcome their insecure feelings. Anyway, she was originally a memorable one time friend. After all those years of, in comparison, living through never-ending bleakness with an insecure, struggling hope of his long journey towards defeating Aku along with another recent defeat. How he was living a princely warrior's dutiful dream including coming back home. Now looking into Yuka's eyes, he could see eternity and how he finally met his one and how all along she was really his heart's desire. He also felt how she was with him all along in a sense. How she had been waiting for him all his life, perhaps his life's journey partially been leading up to her. He was beforehand just taking on the world with a momentary love before really finding his true mate. He thought back on his previous yet failed miserable close attempts at love and how sure luck mercifully struck on him in finally finding a satisfactory and sincere love for him. Now they finally holding hands and looking at each other, he felt it is finally completed and over, his long bittersweet life story and tumulus struggle felt full circle. He felt one with Yuka, including filling a fullness of joy. He wondered a bit whether it last forever and fall apart? He felt somewhat bewildered and concerned for the future, though he felt confidence in it. They being in each other's embrace, Gonkuro hoped for his Yuka to show him more interest and know more of the valiant man he really is.
As Gonkuro touched Yuka's right hand, he thought she whispered to him, "Finally, we are together as we should be. Our great hassle we wrangled for years is now over."
That must made Gonkuro smile wider as his genuine love was right before his weary adoring eyes. They stood longer in their intermingled fate, knowing at last they truly founded each other and founded closure. At that passionate moment, they felt they, at least, had finally overcome the world they so struggled to long overcome. They were eager to effectively move forward, forgive the past,settle down, and be completely stable once again which they long desired. They then embraced a long kiss with each other.
Shorty therefore, they thought they heard a remotely familiar sound near them and they turned around to see what it supposedly was. It turned out to be a cricket and how the sight brought back distance memories. This inspired them to try to gleefully chase after the cricket to their own amusement. How carefree and energetic they felt as they sought to relive their fun first encounter from all those years ago. What a breather it felt. Gonkuro could not help really think what an enchanting and cool bosom lover she is and how he couldn't really love without her. Thinking back, how a former friendly one-shot playmate of his unexpectedly, after all those years, how interesting she turned out to be his true life soulmate. Thinking back on the comparison of her current adult and child self, what an amazingly beautiful and delicate mature cherry blossom she had so bloomed into. How worthwhile it is to have met her again and be with her. What anxious near euphoric happiness they felt in trying to chase down the cricket. What carefree, joy, child-like, and spunky vitality they felt in their attempt. What a most pleasant escaping memory they created against all those bad bleak memories that aroused from the last cricket chase attempt. They were both glad they both returned and now felt a pleasing sunset of conclusion only after an eon of hard and unsatisfactory bittersweet struggle and bleak tunnel light. They felt they were truly back to their beloved homey childhood paradise, never again to suffer very badly like they did.
Gonkuro and Yuka eventually arrived back at Gonkuro's palace home where they were cheerfully greeted by the Emperor and the Empress, who felt very happy that they returned in two pieces. They were, however, surprised at seeing Yuka with Gonkuro informing them, "Me and Yuka finally decided to be engaged to each other, as we discovered how we are meant for each other." His parents smiled at the good news. Gonkuro went on to explained, with some input from Yuka, his mission, rescue, and accomplishment. Gonkuro went on to advice his father about the need for a necessary increase of military protection up there due to the possibility of a resurgence or even other future threats. The Emperor solemnly agreed with his son's request and inquired more into the situation. Upon hearing some of the things that happened up there, the Emperor sadly cringed and felt sympathetic as he was eager to adhere to his beloved son's request. The Emperor and the Empress also praised their son's story of his mission and that he's still worthy of honor and even celebration because of how he led the liberation and defeat of the bad guys there, even if he didn't do the final strike. Also, they think Daisuke deserves great honor for dealing the final defeat.
Gonkuro smiled and said to them, "Thank you, I am humbled by it."
Sometime afterwards, Gonkuro and Yuka took a must needed long rest before eventually setting out to visit Yuka's family home. Yuka felt some uncertain worry about how her family was going to react, considering she mysteriously disappeared without their consent.
After they arrived at her home, her family, to Yuka's relief, acted rather more concerned and comforted then stern and punishing. Yuka and Gonkuro effectively explained what happen to them, which further consoled them, which included feeling rejoice for the area which they liberated now being safe and having the Emperor sent further protection up there. Gonkuro, with some clarification from Yuka, told the good reassuring news that he and Yuka decided to reconcile in their love for each other and eventually get married. They affectionately embraced each other during the explanation. Yuka's family felt awkward yet delighted at them going back together again, almost like making up for an embarrassing missed important appointment. Yuka and to some extent, Gonkuro felt surprise at how her family accepted them getting back together, including how the bargain with Gonkuro didn't worked out as it did. They seemed fine with it otherwise.
Yuka's father asked, "What about the stored family treasure?"
Gonkuro replied, "After we recovered, we got to see the supposed treasure chest and saw it still was full of treasure. Daisuke claimed the chest was luckily still mostly, with only a couple of the chest's items stolen by the goons but luckily was restored back to its container. I prudently decided it's fine the way it is being there. Alright with that?"
The Satoaki patriarch replied, "Fine." Yuka shortly asked her father, "Where is Bunka?"
Her father respectfully pointed out Bunka, who happened to be hidden in the shadowy background. Yuka and Gonkuro managed out of bravery and curiosity privately inquired Buka pertaining to their newfound love for each other over Bunka. Bunka was polite, with standoffish overtones, towards them.
Yuka first explained to Bunka,"Bunka, I hope you accept the way it is that I finally founded the love and prince of my life. I swear I did sense he really is my soulmate. Remember, he helped healed my father and saved our country as well as even the world and the universe. He also helped me and saved some villagers up north from a lesser but still dreadful evil. He even help healed me afterwards. Are you alright Bunka?"
Gonkuro next asked, "Agree?"
There was some calm silence as Bunka seemed to be pondering what Yuka and Gonkuro said, as he carefully watched the subtle happy affection his ex-girlfriend had for Gonkuro.
Bunka sighed, lowered his head, and finally firmly replied, "That is alright dear Yuka. I did wish you love from me but I thought how I think it is best you to go on with Gonkuro. I now know we never be together but I sincerely wish you happiness and safety in your future endeavors. I always wish you love. I, however, do hope we still be acquainted together. I really do wish you good tranquility, pretty Yuka."
There was some uneasy silence before Yuka replied, "I accept what you said, good Bunka. Thanks for your kind and selfless accepting attitude. I in turn wish you great satisfying happiness in your life from now on. I wish you love as well. Yes, we can still be together as good friends. You and your family can even attend my and Gonkuro's wedding if you like."
Bunka turned to Gonkuro and said, "I am grateful for your sure courageous heroism in defending our country from Aku and from recent danger. I most appreciate it, including in how you luckily freed me and others."
Gonkuro smiled gratefully at Bunka's comment. There was a few more moments of staring silence before Yuka and Gonkuro mutually said good-bye as Bunka went away from them and went on mysteriously out of their sight. Both Yuka and Gonkuro felt an increase of satisfaction knowing their love is surely in the way to being secure. They, sometime afterwards, further secured their love together by arranging yuino (the traditional Japanese engagement ceremony) with him and Yuka's family before heading into their wedding plans. In the meantime, Gonkuro and Yuka got more acquittanced with each other as well as having Gonkuro being more acquittanced with Yuka's family.
The wonderful and long sought great day of the wedding at last arrived. It was an exulting, consoling, and celebratory day. The day was a memorable and vivid day that lingered as one of the most cherished events in living Japanese memory. The Japanese people rejoiced as their beloved crown prince finally founded new love and a potential future empress consort, yet are curious about her and if she will live up to their expectations like they did with their crown prince's previous bride. The wedding guests that hadn't met the new brides had similar feelings, especially the ones that were the crown prince's mentors he previously invited. They were willing to come, regardless of their previous misfortunate in witnessing Ashi's disappearance and felt some suspension about going to another wedding of his this soon. The same mentors that came previously came, and they hoped that it be really satisfactory and worthwhile in coming. Bunka, along with some of his family and friends, attended. Daisuke along with some representatives from Sippo affably attended. The priest and miko from the Izumi-Wa shrine also were in attendance. A bell once again sounded overhead to alert of the special day. The bride got ready by some of the same handmaidens as before (including Takako), except one of them was her older sister (who happened to also been her escort along with their mother). The Empress was also there to help escort her and the Emperor watched near Gonkuro like beforehand. The bride and groom, especially the bride, felt how it was the most wonderful day of their life. The bride also felt the most beautiful on this day. As the bride was escorted to her wedding and with her groom eagerly watching and waiting for her, they similarly thought of the little things they really like about each other and their love. They now felt their relationship had efficaciously developed over time regardless of the odds. A kind and sweet prince he was and how the prince can count on her or her being her lifelong soulmate. They were looking forward to their future good times and how secure they felt together without any denial. When the bride finally reached the groom to begin the wedding ceremony, the groom felt a heighten glad exulted feeling of her arriving there with him, as he finally got to have a bride with him that will not unfortunately disappear. So, the wedding ceremony began, with the bride and groom taking their place as the audience eagerly watched on. The bride and groom were ritually purified with prayers then being offered for their well-being, including that this marriage would help further rejuvenate Japan. A couple of mikos gave them three cups to drink, three sips from each one before the bridegroom read his words of commitment, which involved promises of fidelity, peace, generosity, love, cooperation, and happiness for each other. A sacred dance performed by the mikos before a tamagushi was offered as bowls of sake were then being ritually offered for everyone willing to drink. The bride and groom finally got to passionately kiss each other. Now they were going into their new promised life of joy and sanguine perpetual love that was meant to be, as the audience smiled for their newfound marital love. A very treasured moment it was and a pure treasured day it was as well. How this shows that when the darkest hour is just before the dawn, it is indeed just before the lasting blissful day that is the present. Overall, come to think of it, how one like Crown Prince Gonkuro or Samurai Jack could not essentially reach their meant happily ever after without assistant, even as he moved graciously onward into his new, assured, promising, content, steadier, and settled life. They both felt they finally met their match and earned their good happy ending.
The End.
