Time for some shots peeps
I promise
The morning sun warmly touched the short, brown haired woman as she
stood in front of the house, the street deserted at that time of
morning. Her traveling coat flowed around her gracefully as Nami drew
her sword, moving swiftly through her morning drills, her
concentration utterly focused on what she was doing, her sword a
blur.
As Nami's sword finally returned to it's hilt with a steely hiss a
young woamn's voice softly said, "That was marvelous, chibi samurai."
"Thank you," Nami answered her simply, turning to meet the eyes of
the lanky eldest sister of the Maeda clan. She looked better than
she once did, dressed in simple robes and not as a false ronin, and
her smile was welcoming.
Her expression became serious as she said, "My sister Atsuko... she
is very happy that you've come back here."
"As am I," Nami admitted.
She tilted her head to the side, "But I fear that she might be
heartbroken if you leave her alone once more."
Nami looked up to the sky, the clouds drifting by on a blue
background. "I'm a ronin," she said, "a wandering samurai with no
master and nothing to offer someone like Atsuko."
"Oh, but I think you have something very precious to offer her," Mariko countered her argument firmly.
"Oh?' Nami looked at her in surprise.
"Your heart," she shrugged as she continued, "I think that's all that
Atsuko wants."
Her eyes widened slightly, then she nodded. "Thank you," she said
thoughtfully, "I'll think about what you've said."
The door to the house slid open and Atsuko emerged, the black haired
young woman giving her sister a gently scolding look. "What have
you been up to?" she asked. Ignoring her stammered denials she
smiled at Nami, "Breakfast is ready, are you hungry?"
Nami walked forward, taking the hand that Atsuko extended to her. "Is
that a trick question?" she asked. A pause, "And sake, too?"
"Of course," Atsuko chuckled, tugging Nami inside.
Breakfast was a surprisingly intimate affair, even when the three
sisters joined them at the table and they chatted together happily
as they ate. Mariko,Haruna and Miichan watched with fondness as Atsuko and Nami talked
and ate away, clearly approving of the two of them being together.
Reluctantly they all left to attend to the rive bowl restaurant, Nami
reassuring Atsuko with the promise that she wasn't leaving town
anytime soon.
Surprisingly NAmi was eagerly welcomed as she walked through town,
many people mentioning how they had seen her battles in town. Of
course most of it was from stories that the few real witnesses had
spread, but Nami found it pleasant none the less. Of course the tales
had grown in the telling, with her and Yuko facing off against over
a hundred goons rather than the twenty or so, but Nami didn't mind a
inflated reputation.
"Welcome," the young woman at the bar nodded to Nami, pouring out a
saucer of sake for her with a steady hand.
"Thank you much," Nami tossed it back, sighing happily. They talked
for a bit about the town, then she frowned as Angela passed
on some disturbing news.
"Yes, the Jpervs bandits tried to attack previously," she agreed with a
sigh, "one of the Maeda sisters was hurt helping the few fighters
in town drive them off."
"And the local lord Wisnu hasn't sent any help?" Nami raised her eyebrows
as she finished off another saucer of sake.
"I'm not sure he's had any help to send us," she noted as she poured
more, "he's had problems with other lords to deal with."
Nami frowned, "Atsuko didn't mention it to me."
"Many people in town are aware of her regard to you," the bartender
said diplomatically, "I think she didn't want to pressure you to
stay here."
"Or to see me get into trouble," Nami nodded thoughtfully. She
finished her sake and paid, despite her protests, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Angela nodded as she left.
Nami walked to the edge of town, her thoughts wandering far from the
men and woman who called out greetings to her. The bridge was older,
the wood marked by sword cuts and she could easily imagine the
battle that had been fought here, the town's few defenders versus
bandits.(Man, The Jpervs bandit sure made a lot of ruckus here) she thought. Inexperienced but brave the defenders had won with good
luck as much as skill, and she was certain the next fight would be
far more dangerous.
'So what do I do now?' Nami silently wondered, closing her eyes in
thought. A breeze stirred her hair and a familiar scent made her
open her eyes once more... as a rain of cherry blossoms fell around
her, spinning in the air with a lovely rose color. Catching on in
the palm of her hand Nami gazed at it, murmuring softly, "Acchan."
Mind made up Nami was off, moving with a determined step.
-----
"Thank you for coming," Atsuko bowed to her last customer, then she
and her sisters closed up the small restaurant.
As they walked back to the house her chubbier sister smiled at
her, "I don't think I've seen you this happy in a long time."
Atsuko smiled back at Miichan, the folds of her simple kimono swishing
around her legs. "I think so too," she agreed.
"Do you think that Nami will stay?" the youngest sister asked softly.
With that Atsuko shook her head, a hint of sadness touching her
eyes. "I don't know," she admitted, "but for as long as she's here I
will cherish that time."
"Maybe we can talk her into staying?" Mariko asked,
frowning slightly.
Atsuko smiled gently as she shook her head firmly, "No, please. If
she's going to stay I'd like it to be on her own."
Coming around a corner they saw their home.. then blinked in
surprise. Nami was sitting in front of the house, a group of younger
children gathered around her as the brown haired woman told a
classic fairytale to them. She finished up to the sound of the
children's cheers, then looked up and smiled at Atsuko's approach as
the kids scattered.
"Welcome home," Nami said simply, her eyes only watching Atsuko.
"I'm home," Atsuko agreed, taking Nami's hands in hers.
They talked happily as they prepared dinner, the five of them eating
then the three sisters discretely disappearing to leave the two
women in peace. Nami held Atsuko in the curve of her arm, breathing
in her sweet scent as they sat together quietly, looking up at the
starry sky as crickets chirped in the background.
"I was wondering," Nami said as Atsuko rested her head on Nami's
shoulder, "if there might be room in your house for another?"
Atsuko twisted a bit to look up into Nami's eyes. "I think we could
find room," she smiled, "but... are you sure?"
Nami squeezed Atsuko gently, kissing the top of her head lightly. "I
think this town could use my sword," she said, "and I don't want to
leave you again."
Atsuko shifted until she faced Nami, "And I don't want to lose you,
too."
Seeing the invitation in Atsuko's eyes Nami took the lead this time,
kissing her lingeringly on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere," she
vowed, "I promise."
End