Return of the Cricket Girl

by Sassyfeatherfrost

Samurai Jack or Gonkuro has returned back home genuinely missing his vanished bride, Ashi. However, he encounters potential second love through an old childhood friend. But, however, he still has feelings for Ashi.

3. Chapter 1: Zen Warrior

"But like the sun at close of day,

And as behind a cloud the moon,

So passed my gentle love away,

An autumn leaf ta'en all too soon."

- Hitomaro, On the Death of the Poet's Mistress

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.