21

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"Wahhhh~! Miss Nakahara you have to come back soon! I'll miss you so much!" Genji sobs as he clings onto my leg, and I stand there with tears streaming down my own face as I say goodbye to all the villagers.

"I'll miss you too Genji! I'll miss all of you so much!" I say as the Kakushi stands there while glaring at me, as this has been going on for at least 30 minutes now.

"Come visit us soon Miss Nakahara!" The villagers say as I wipe my tears while nodding eagerly.

"Don't be in too much of a hurry," Haganezuka says with his arms crossed while looking to the side. I giggle, nudging his arm slightly while grinning at him.

"Don't miss me too much Mr Haganezuka, ok?" I playfully wink at him, and he scoffs with his arms crossed as I giggle some more.

"Miss Nakahara... it really is time to go now..." The Kakushi urges and I bow apologetically, tightly hugging Genji one last time before putting on the blindfold and being lifted onto the Kakushi's back. As I leave, I can hear the villagers all calling out their goodbyes, and my tears seep throw the blindfold onto the kakushi's shoulder... who isn't very pleased. "Miss Nakahara... are you alright?" They grumble and I sniffle.

"I'm so sorry... I-I will wash these right away for you!" I whimper, hugging them tightly as they cough through my strong embrace.

Haganezuka watches them disappear, far out of sight, and as the other villagers begin to gradually disperse... he remains gazing out into the distance. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the necklace with a grimace on his face. He's so pathetic, he couldn't even give her this small present. Even after everything she did for him.

"What's that?" Haganezuka jumps at the unexpected voice, nearly dropping the necklace if he didn't thankfully catch it. He looks down to his side, seeing Genji looking up at him and he glares at him.

"What do you want?!"

"I asked my question first," Haganezuka scoffs at the kid, ignoring him and walking away. Genji however, just runs to his side and walks next to him. "What is it? Can I see it? Did you make it? Is it for someone?" Haganezuka groans, stopping in his tracks.

"You're just as annoying as her! Leave me alone!" He hisses and Genji tilts his head.

"Oh Oh I know! It was for Miss Nakahara wasn't it!?" He gasps and Haganezuka deadpans.

"Ha?! The hell are you talking about kid?!"

"Show me show me! You must really like her to be making presents for her huh!?"

"Go home!"

-

"Miss Nakahara!" I scream, being tackled to the ground by the resident maid girls. They all engulf me in a massive group hug which I gladly return, and we all flinch hearing a high pitched squeal getting closer and closer.

"Hanako~!" Miko screams, and before I can register the situation she jumps on top of me... practically squashing me.

"M-Miko!" I splutter, feeling her strong arms tighten around my waist making me cough.

"I missed you so much! Don't even leave me for that long again ok?!" She whimpers and I giggle, patting her hair and nodding. "How was it?! How are you!? Tell us everything!" She says finally letting me go, allowing me to breathe properly.

"Of course, but before that..." I reach into my bag as the girls all watch curiously. I then pull out handfuls of little trinkets and jewelry and they all gasp. "I brought back souvenirs!" They all cheer and I laugh, not being able to contain my smile.

We all sit in Miko and I's room, all sitting huddled together with candles lighting up the otherwise dark room. I spent the entire night telling them stories from the swordsmith village, even the story of how I was proposed to for the first time.

"Really!? Did you accept!?" Miko gasps as they all listen with wide eyes.

"Of course not! I didn't know him at all!" They all deflate with disappointment. "Besides, if I got married to him, I wouldn't live here anymore and I wouldn't get to see all you little ones as often!" I say tickling them as they laugh and grin.

"I know why you didn't accept~" Miko winks and I look at her confused. "It's because you've grown quite fond of a certain swordsmith~" I tilt my head and she rolls her eyes. "He's quite hot headed... wears a sunflower haori and a straw hat?" My eyes widen as a slight blush immediately covers my face, and the girls all giggle teasing me.

"You love a swordsmith!?" One says and I quickly shake my head.

"O-Of course not! Mr Haganezuka and I are just friends!" I insist and Miko scoffs.

"You've mentioned him in almost every sentence since you've been back! You so have a crush on him!" She says and I hold my head up proudly.

"I do not! I don't care for finding a husband so I don't love any man!" I try and be as stern as possible, but I notice how Miko has a sly grin on her face the entire time. I mean what I said, I don't love Haganezuka! I think of him as a very good and valued friend! That's it!

"Miss Nakahara, I'm getting sleepy... can you tell us one of your stories?" One of the girls whisper and I smile, nodding my head.

"Of course! Get comfortable girls!" They all giggle, cuddling up together under futons as the youngest lays her head on my lap while nuzzling into my touch. "Once upon a time... many years ago... there was a poor farmer who lived alone in the mountains, and a beautiful koi spirit who lived in the pond near the farmers home..."

I whisper the story, gently stroking the young girls head as the room is silent... a soft snore being heard every now and again. The candlelight flickers slowly and I smile as I come to the end of my story, each one of the girls (including Miko) sound asleep without any movement.

My heart feels warm as I watch them all. The young girls cuddling up to Miko and all of them sharing futons and blankets. The warmth of the small girl in my lap and her soft snores as she clings onto my hand in her sleep. I smile watching them, closing my eyes and letting the warmth comfort me.

"Big sis! C'mon hurry up!" Asahi tugs on my hand as Emi giggles, her legs wrapped around my wait as she holds onto my shoulders.

"Asahi slow down!" I laugh, following after the grinning boy.

"We wanna show you something!" He insists and I give in, following the two up the mountain as we leave footprints in the snow. The warm sun shines through the trees, and Asahi looks back at me with wide excited eyes as he continues to guide me, Emi's laughter right in my ear as she holds her hand out to brush against every frost covered leaf.

"There!" Emi says pointing, and we both come to a stop as we all gasp.

Amongst the snow and trees, is a beautiful white fox and her two babies which run around her and playfully tackles each other. The three of us get down to the ground silently, watching in awe as the foxes take no notice to us and continue to play.

"They're so cute~" Emi whispers and I nod.

"It's like they blend into the snow," Asahi adds.

We continue to watch as the mother affectionately licks and cleans the two smaller ones, watching as the continue to pounce and trot in the thick snow. The sun shines brightly onto their fur, making it glisten as my two siblings watch with sparkling eyes making my heart flutter with happiness.

"Ok you two, we should head back before ma and pa get angry," I whisper and they both pout, but still hold onto my hands as we begin to walk back.

"Do you think that was their mama?" Emi says tugging on my hand.

"I think it was!"

"Maybe it was... their big sister!" Asahi says and Emi looks at him amazed. "Then they would be like us! Besides, big sis is always looking after us... like a mama anyway!" I giggle, ruffling his hair making him giggle.

"Yeah yeah! The bigger fox was big sis, and the two little ones were me and Asahi!" Emi agrees and I just laugh.

"Ok then... Kanako... Aki... and Emiko... how is that?" The two laugh while nodding their heads, holding onto my hands tighter making me grin.

"Hanako?" I flinch, my now glossy eyes shooting open as I see Haku poking his head into the room. I quickly look away, wiping my tears frantically.

"O-Oh Haku... what's up?" I say whispering and he clears his throat.

"Are you able to come outside for a bit?" He whispers and I nod as he closes the door softly to wait outside. I gently move the girl from my lap, tucking them all in before leaving the room to meet Haku who waits patiently outside. "Would you like to have some onigiri with me?" He says holding out the tree, and I nod eagerly as we take a seat on the veranda under the stars.

"It's a bit late for food no?" I say, already beginning to eat.

"I didn't think you'd mind," he says as we both laugh. "How was your trip to the swordsmith village?" He says watching me.

"It was everything I hoped for... and more! Everyone was so welcoming and kind, and I made so many new friends! Like Genji, a little boy who insisted I train him in sword fighting but he is the sweetest kid ever! They also cooked so many delicious meals for me and their onigiri was one of the best I've ever had. And the onsen was soooo relaxing I nearly fell asleep in it!"

Haku listens to all my stories from the village with a smile on his face the entire time.

"There was also Isamu... He was a bit strange but I think he's ultimately a nice person! He proposed to me which actually shocked me a little because I didn't really expect him to-"

"W-what?!" He says and I tilt my head. "Someone made a marriage proposal to you?!" I nod. "What did you say!?"

"Well I declined of course! I thought he wouldn't mind but he got a little angry... That's expected though I mean I felt bad for declining him after all the nice things he said," Haku sits there dumbfounded, shaking his head displeased. "What's wrong?"

"You need to be more careful about these things Hanako, you can't keep giving everyone the benefit of the doubt."

"I don't understand?"

"I mean, what if he hurt you because he was angry. These situations can be dangerous if not handled-"

"Oh don't worry! Mr Haganezuka was there and he helped me out!" His face drops as he hears me say this.

"Your swordsmith was there?"

"Mhm! He accompanied me around the village a lot! In fact I even stayed at his home most nights," he stares at me in utter shock, his jaw on the ground and his face not moving. "Hm... Haku? Are you alright-"

"You stayed at his house!" He yells making me flinch and quickly shush him, remembering it's late and most people will be asleep. "Are you crazy!?" He says a little softer.

"What's wrong with that?"

"He is a man Hanako! Not to mention a jerk! I mean... what if he tried something!?"

"Don't be silly! Mr Haganeuka isn't like that-"

"You don't know that! You don't know what kind of person he is. Just because he's nice to you a few times doesn't mean he wouldn't take his chance if he got it. When will you stop turning your head to these things and actually wake up to reality?" His words are harsh and I blink in shock, and he notices my smile fade. "S-shit I'm sorry Hanako, I didn't mean to raise my voice at you I was just angry..."

"...It's... alright Haku..."

"It's just... I'm a man too Hanako... I know what they think, and I can guarantee you he doesn't see you as just some girl he's friends with ok?" I sit there staring at my lap, his words sinking into my mind. "You... you have rice on your face here..."

His hand reaches out to clean my face, and for a moment I remember the times Haganezuka did the exact same thing. I then hear Haku's words replay in my mind. He's also a guy... who doesn't see me as just some girl who he's friends with?

Without thinking, I move away from him and quickly stand, confusing him.

"I-It's late... I should go sleep..." I mumble and he stands as well.

"Hanako I-"

"Goodnight... Haku..." I whisper before running away, not wanting to be around him anymore.

I make it back to my room, quickly sliding the door closed and placing my hand over my racing heart. I sink to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest as I furrow my eyebrows.

What did Haku mean by all that... Should I really be more cautious around Haganezuka... he doesn't really think like that, does he?