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.

4. Chapter 2: Reblossoming

"Who gives a x?! about your first love? Give a big round of applause for your second love.

Because they taught you love still exists after you thought it could never again." Unknown, Second Chance

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.