Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 51: STAR CROSSED

Once, long ago, a little girl was saved by two boys and their bodyguard. She had been just as old as the older boy, which was the thing that brought them together. It started as a friendship, but in only two years it was more than that.

The girl and the boy loved each other. Dearly. Deeply. The way only forbidden lovers could.

It was the summer of 1537. Jinshiro was twenty-two that year.

He returned from battle on that day. As he dismounted his horse, he took in the clean scent of air. He was home.

"Jinshiro!" he yelped as a young woman, the same age as him, jumped on him. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

He laughed. "Get off of me, please." She gave him a smooch on his cheek and got down. He took her hands in his own. "How are you, love?"

"Hungry. I want something sweet."

"Shall we go into town?"

She nodded, smiling.

Jinshiro turned. "Seiya!" the older man turned to him. "Will you take care of my horse?"

Seiya's eyes shifted between them "Go ahead."

The two walked along a road next to the rice paddies. They were looking good. Soon they would be ripe and ready. It was a wonder the rice paddies had gone untouched in this time. It was hard to grow food.

They came to the town near Naguchi Castle around early evening. Jinshiro bought her dango. No matter how closely they were as they strolled along, Ourei always felt there was too much space between them.

"When will you leave again?"

Jinshiro chuckled. "I just returned."

Ourei pouted. "I dislike Naguchi Castle when you are absent." She elbowed him in his side. He moved away from her. "You should just allow me to come with you."

"That," he said, "will never happen."

"Why not?"

"I will not put you in harm's way."

"I will not be in harm's way." She spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "You forget, Jinshiro, I am a Wielder. And I am one of great talent."

"Yes. Yes. How could I forget?" he said jokingly, "You remind me incessantly."

"You never seem to remember it when you go off to war." She took a bite of her dango. She spoke with her mouth still full. "That is why I keep reminding you."

"It is wonderful to have a selective memory, I must say."

"You sly dog." Ourei went for his dango.

Jinshiro laughed as he held his dango above her head. "You have your own."

"Yes, but you must be punished."

Jinshiro was much taller than Ourei. No matter how she may try, she could not reach the dango in his hand.

It was dark out when they ambled back to Naguchi Castle.

"Jinshiro," Ourei said.

"Yes?"

Grinning, she held up her arms like a child reaching for her mother. "Carry me."

"How old are you?" he asked, but still he lifted her into his carry, holding her like a princess.

"Twenty-two," she answered, grinning mischievously. 

"Where is my brother?"