Destiny's Entwined

11

The next few weeks flew by as you spent the early evenings sitting and talking to Kenoko then summer came with a bang literally, waking up to a huge boom and flashes of light you wince and groan.

Wearing old clothes and your oil cloth cape you go outside and place all empty barrels out to collect the water, then checking your fields and the animals, giving them a pat leaving you look up at the clouds when a flash of light struck you see something moving in the clouds.

Stopping and staring blankly then shaking your head and averting your eyes, you go in the back of your home, shaking the oil cloth and leaving it by the door, coming in and stoking the fires "I have a hunch this could last all day, so we will stay in and stay dry" hearing a response from both you settle by the fire.

Hearing a knock at the door you go to open it puzzled and see Kenoko, moving and allowing him inside "would you like to come in?" he smiles and bows then you see a young girl behind him and bow to her.

She giggles and walks in, going directly to wolf and cuddling up to him, placing the kettle on the fire and warming some soup you made earlier, sitting back by the fire and handing out cups and bowls "I apologise, I wasn't expecting guests".

Waving you off the girl says "I would like to introduce myself I am Zashi, I live in the shrine" you smile back and bow "a pleasure to finally see and meet you in person" she giggles Kenoko says "this storm heralds the official arrival of summer, we will be having a festival in the village tomorrow and would like to officially invite you to join".

Looking at them both you grin "I would be delighted to come, if your sure it will be okay with he others?" they laugh "they have no problems with you coming. We will have a few outsiders come so Kenoko will be your escorts for safety" looking at him "if that's okay with you?".

Zashi laughs "he volunteered for this" you flush a little as she laughed "do I need to bring or give anything?" she twists her lips "if you have more cheese or your preserves we would gladly accept" confused but nodding you go down the cellar and collect all but one cheese and a few pots of jam and pickles.

Bringing them up and handing them over "this is all I have spare at the moment. Will this be enough" they look at the amount of things you brought up and smile wide "this is excellent. Thank you, but you won't go without?" smiling at Zashi "I kept a few for me, I get bored so I go foraging and make preserves in my spare time".

She smiles wide "thank you so much, this will be great for the festival" happy you refill the tea for them and hesitantly ask "um, who is in the storm?" they both look at you and laugh "saw them did you?" asks Kenoko you nod wide eyed, he gently smiles "that's the summer spirit, they like to be a bit flashy. So the large storm".

Sighing in relief "I have to admit I was a bit shocked and stunned when I saw them moving about in the storm" they both snicker and pat your back, you go and bring some biscuits you had made to the table saying "I like to stay busy" they take a biscuit each as Zashi asks "are you lonely?".

Pausing you say "I am but I am not. I am used to having company around or being able to visit, but I don't want to go back to that kind of society it was quite insular" they look at you and nod "besides I always preferred the countryside and working for my food" Kenoko says "you were a soldier were you not?".

Smiling "I was, am technically still a member of the military, I am General Shino I earned my title, rank and home in the war. It was all for my family I was happy to be a farmer, but I went to war from the age of 12 and worked my way up" he stiffened and says "I kind of understand but why are you here? Is this going to cause problems for you? Will you be called up?".

Placing a hand on his shoulder "I am technically a runaway, if his majesty really needs me I will go he is my friend first. I had to leave my mother arranged a marriage for me as if I was a woman and I decided I didn't risk my life to become a concubine, so I left" he nods then grimaced as you chuckle.

Zashi asks "so you wish to marry a woman?" smirking "not particularly, I prefer men. The person I was to marry wasn't my type and I wouldn't of been allowed a lover" they both go "ah, so she arrange you to marry the emperor?" you nod "and him being a good friend accepted thinking it's what I wanted. I knew he would call it off, but I can't trust my mother. So leaving".

They nod and pat your back in sympathy, having spent a good few hours siting and chatting they get up to leave you bow saying "thank you for visiting. I really enjoyed your company, feel free to come again" they bow back leaving and saying over their shoulders "we will be back, we enjoyed today also".

Seeing them down the path and watching as the rain avoided them completely you smile "that would be quite handy" huffing a laugh you go back in and clean up from your visitors, sitting back down and smiling happy with the company you had today.

As the two got out of your sight Zashi says "so we now know why they ended up here" Kenoko nods "and he prefers men, so maybe I have a shot?" she giggles and reaching the shrine places the preserves and cheese ready for tomorrow.