Sunshine

Out with it

I spent the next few weeks helping Kito and his grandparents with the farm until Kito was healed. I also gave his grandparents money that I had saved and told them to go buy more animals. It was for the good of the village.

When they asked what had attacked the animal, I told them not to worry. That I had taken care of it and that if anything like it happened again, come find me. They didn't want to take my money, but I told them that it would be a better favor to still be able to provide for the village. Once I said that; they accepted the money, but they said that I could always get milk from them for free. The grandfather left with Kito to get more animals. I left the other kids around the village to watch over the fields and farms.

Master Ren slowly recovered. He didn't wake or move for a long time, but his wound was healing. I took it as a good sign. We fed him the medicine every few days, hoping to wash his system out. I had hope but I was so worried.

I sat on the porch looking at his pipe, which he usually smoked from. I packed it full of tobacco like I had seen him do a thousand times. I lit it and took a drag from it. The flavor was a bit harsh at first, but after a few drags, the flavor became smoother. It helped to relax my nerves. I see why he did it. I coughed a little. Well, I had never smoked before.

"Hmm... I have been a bad influence." A weak voice said from behind me.

I turned around sharply, seeing Master Ren awake. He wasn't sitting up; he just had his head turned to me watching me smoke.

I got up and went over to him. "Master Ren! You're finally awake!" I was so relieved.

He smiled up at me weakly. "I thought I was going to die. I realized I was poisoned too late. I was trying to get to my study... was it you that caught me? I only remember seeing you run toward me." He slowly sat up and took the pipe from my hands. He took a long draw from it and blew out the smoke. He sighed, then looked at me tired.

I nodded, hugging him a little too roughly before quickly pulling away. "I will tell Gina you're awake!" I got up and hopped over him, rushing from the room. I found Gina in the back storage room, sorting through the jars. She looked solemn. 

"Gina! He is awake!" I told her and pulled her from the room.

She gasped but let me drag her to him. She looked at him and sighed as I let her go. She walked over to his side. "Master Ren..." She said his voice with such love.

"I'll go make some tea." I bowed, then bounded off. I pulled the things from their place's quickly, starting to boil water and setting the tray up. I packed tea into the pot and then went to get some ginger to help with any soreness. I poured the water over the leaves, making sure it wasn't boiling hot. (ruins some teas)

I carried the tray back to the room.

"That is troubling." Master Ren was speaking but as I entered the room, he silenced.

I placed the tray next to them and then sat next to him across from Gina. Gina nodded to me, "Thank you, Lady Mori. I shall go start on making dinner. Since Master Ren is awake. He needs food." She poured him a cup of tea before getting up and leaving.

Master Ren blinked, looking between the two of us. "Lady?" He mumbled it. He looked at me and smiled. "Well... looks like someone earned some respect." He teased me.

I shook my head but looked at him with admiration. I could grill him once he was better. I was glad he was okay. "Yes, well... at time's you must step up." I said it carefully. I played with the edge of his futon, feeling flustered. I was glad he was awake, but I realized how much he meant to me.

He looked at me carefully and sipped his tea. "Hmm. I suppose I should get better soon so you can interrogate me." He said it chuckled but then he coughed.