I was awoken suddenly in the dark by my door sliding open. "And just what are you doing?" Osagawa said in a dangerous tone.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoMAgFKCN6
"O-Osagawa-san?" I asked, not understanding as I sat in my bed.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHYWMnXETa
"Stay where you are Kohaku-san."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNceC6IE3cK
"I don't understand."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0of9RUuiEM
"So? It's Mizushima-san isn't it? Just what were you doing coming into a lady's room in the middle of the night?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxT6psj5yP
~Someone was trying to come into my room?~ I felt a little defenseless without my swords in the dark...651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerpEaPryca
"P-Please let me go." A foreign voice to me said.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQBVpsgxmf
"I don't think so. Kohaku-san." I jumped when a sword landed on my bed covers. Osagawa's sword. "Hold onto that for me. I'm taking this guy to Captain Shimizu." The man whimpered. I nodded though I didn't know if Osagawa could make me out. I held Osagawa's sword close as my door was slid back shut. I felt much more secure with a sword in my hands. I was confident I could protect myself. I sat, leaning the sword against my shoulder, and waited. I might have drifted off waiting there, but came awake when Osagawa called my name softly. I stumbled to the door and opened it. He smiled softly at me and laid a hand on my head. "You okay?" I nodded. "Good." I held his sword out to him a little grudgingly. I had missed holding a real sword in my hands. He studied me as he removed his hand from my hair and reclaimed his sword. "Try to get some more sleep. I won't let anything happen to you." I smiled before closing the door. I had some trouble settling down, but once I did, I was able to get some sleep before dawn...
""Kohaku-san...Kohaku-san..." Someone was calling me and I stirred. There was a hand against my cheek and I turned toward it only for it to be taken away. "Kohaku-san."
"Osa...gawa?" I groggily blinked m6 eyes open.
"I know you didn't get much sleep last night, bit I thought you wouldn't want to miss breakfast." I wanted to get up, but my eyelids kept falling shut. I grumbled and rolled over. "I see." I heard my door shit and fell back into slumber.
I gradually woke to a commotion outside, hearing people running past. I quickly changed into a kimono with a yellow and red obi and did up my hair in a bun, using a hairpin of white flowers. Trying to wake up fully, I stuck my head out my door. Osagawa was sitting on the porch right outside as people rushed past. "What's going on?" I whispered to him.
"Good morning." He waved at the commotion like it was nothing. "Everyone's in a tizzy because someone vandalized out walls last night."
"Vandalized how?" I asked, kneeling next to him.
"Just painted things like 'go away' and such."
"I see."
He eyed me. "Are you hungry?"
"Not really, I can wait for lunch. Sorry I didn't wake up this morning."
He shrugged. "You were tired." I looked down at my hands in my lap. "Kohaku-san, can you read?" I looked up at his sudden question and nodded. He stood and helped me up as well. "I might have something to help you pass the time between meals." He took me by the hand and led me to his room, dropping my hand at the threshold.
"Um, sorry for the intrusion." I said a little nervously as I entered his room. There was a desk and shelf, surprisingly filled with books and scrolls. He retrieved a book and came back to me as I looked around the room.
"Here." He handed me the book. "Reading might pass the time faster."
My cheeks heated, "Th-Thank you." He smiled before leading me back to my room. The book did make time fly. It was quite interesting about mythology and the different gods. Before I knew it, Osagawa was picking me up for lunch. I talked animatedly about the book with Ren and even Hayashi overheard and joined in the conversation.
After lunch, I went back to the book, but was surprised by a voice at my door. "Oh Kohaku-chan." Said a sing-song voice. I was on guard as I went to my door and slowly opened it to see the Captain that called me and Ren out to spar. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Care for some exercise my lady?"
I smiled. "Can I?"
He smiled back, "Spar with me." I shut the door and quickly changed into my male kimono even though it was hotter than my other male cloths. My others needed washing. I was going to have to do that soon. I took out my hairpin before quickly rejoining the Captain outside. We attracted quite a crowd as we squared off. The Captain attacked quickly, but I was getting used to this caliber of attacks and was ready for him, immediately counterattacking, much to the Captain's glee. We exchanged blows for a long time. Sweat got in my eyes and I missed a blow. He stopped right before my throat. I was breathing heavily, but was satisfied with the fight even though I lost. "Your swordmanship is sharp. What you lack is endurance, but that'll improve if you keep having bouts like this one." It was a surprise the Captain gave me helpful advice. "I would also suggest picking up running, but, alas, that is impossible in your situation." I frowned. He was right, I couldn't rightly go for a run in the countryside when I was practically confined to a room. The Captain shrugged. "Don't worry too much about it Kohaku-chan. I'll keep you and your brother in shape. You two entertain me."
I smiled and bowed to him. "Thank you for taking time out of your day to spar with me. I had fun."
Ren came over to me as the Captain left. "Looks like some people here have accepted you." He commented.
I smiled and wiped the sweat from my brow. "It's...a new experience to still be able to fight and not have to hide my gender."
"Hmm." I couldn't stay and visit with Ren for long before I had to leave to change and get ready for dinner. After which I was tired enough to sleep well.
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