For Honor We Fall

Part 2

The first rays of the rising sun were just kissing the horizon when Hanami met the handsome man in the black kimono. They had decided to stay in Akatoki for one more night before beginning the trek to the daimyo's residence. The cold air blew lightly around them, as silent as the morning. At this hour, even the merchants were still curled up in bed. The man smiled, no doubt glad to see that she had not changed her mind. Hanami found herself smiling back, brushing her long brown hair over her shoulder and tying it into a low bun as the man spoke. "Good morning. I hope you slept well?"

She eyed the man before nodding, following him along a deserted alleyway. They had a long way to go before reaching their destinaiton, and neither of them wanted to get caught on the road after night fell. As they neared the west gate of the city, they approached a pair of men clothed in extravagant black silk kimonos. Scaled plates guarded their arms and slim, slightly curved blades swung lightly at their side. The grey-eyed man nodded to the pair and they fell into step behind them, walking in perfect unison as they scanned their surroundings periodically. Hanami eyed them curiously. Their feet fell silent, geta leaving barely a trace in the dirt underfoot. The mens' haori swayed lightly as they walked in perfectly choreographed silence. Hanami trailed her dark eyes down their arms, to their long, slim fingers firmly gripped around the hilt of their blades. They looked so very official, she mused, turning back to face the path ahead. She had rarely crossed paths with a samurai, so it was always a treat to see one up close. And to think that they were protecting her, of all people?

"A little extra protection." The handsome man explained, leading the way down the narrow roadway. The sun was at their back, pushing them toward their destination one step at a time. "There is no telling what lays on the path between us and the daimyo." Hanami nodded. It made sense that the daimyo would want to protect his potential royal babysitter. She stayed silent for a while, watching the world pass her by as they walked. The birds circled far overhead, chasing one another through the low-lying clouds. Cicadas chirped pleasantly at anyone who passed, announcing to the world that it was time to wake up. And it was as if the world obliged, shivering awake one blade of grass at a time. The rice paddy fields in the distance were already occupied, early-rising farmers keen on getting on with their day.

"It never occurred to me." Hanami turned her attention back to her strange companion as he spoke. "We have not been formally introduced." He was right, she realized. She had never told this man her name. She was following a complete stranger into a foreign land, with only his word guiding her to what may lay ahead. He chuckled and shook his head, stopping to face the young woman beside him. He bowed slightly, inclining his head. "My name is Hayate Yamato."

Hanami bowed back, folding her hands over one another and inclining her head as well. She felt to very formal. "Well met, Yamato-san. My name is Hanami Saiko." The pair straightened and smiled at one another.

"Well met." Hayate muttered back, motioning to the road before continuing on with the journey. A comfortable silence fell over them as the sun rose higher in the mid-morning sky. The breeze blew at them a warmth that kissed their faces. It wasn't long before the little group was passing by more and more travelers. A small girl walked opposite them, prancing along behind her parents, no doubt on their way to sell their wares in Akatoki before making their way to the Capital. With each traveler that passed them by, Hanami felt more at peace. Perhaps this was a turning point in her life? Perhaps she wouldn't let her father down. She gazed up into the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of her father's spirit, but she knew that was not possible. So, instead, she watched the clouds drift lazily by, counting each one as they walked.

Mid-afternoon came and the group paused, just long enough to fight off the hunger gnawing at their bellies. As they settled onto the grass, dividing up dried bits of meat and berries, Hanami watched the travelers meandering past. She had been like them but a few days ago, unsure of where they were heading until they arrived. She smiled, catching Hayate's attention, who tilted his head and watched her silently for a moment before speaking.

"Saiko-san. I never thanked you for accepting our proposal." He offered her another piece of dried meat, having had his fill. Hanami shifted uncomfortably, not used to the formality that was being directed at her. She shook her head and set the meat aside, stomach churning with nerves.

"Please, call me Hanami. There's no need to be so formal, Yamato-san." The grey-eyed man chuckled and shook his head, as if entertained by the idea. The two samurai watched the exchange with interest as well, their curiosity peaked. For this girl - even though she was common - to be requesting a mere steward to address her informally was interesting, to say the least. Even samurai knew the importance of the formality directed at them. "Besides, it is not my place to deny the daimyo's proposal. If the person he chose to track down a candidate deems me worthy, then who am I to say no?"

"Ah, Saiko-san, you certainly are an interesting woman." Hayate pushed himself up gracefully, brushing off his black kimono and folding his arms behind him as he trekked back toward the road. Hanami scrambled to her feet as well, not as gracefully as her companion. The samurai shared a look as if to say 'what have we gotten ourselves into' before standing as well. They took their place behind their two younger companions, falling back into their choreographed march. "Anyone else would be thrilled to serve the daimyo, and yet you make it sound as if it were but a chore."

Hanami's face burned scarlet as she sputtered, trying to object. The small smirk on the man's face made it clear he was only joking, but Hanami was too caught up in trying to regain her composure to notice. After a moment more of awkward sputtering, she cleared her throat, folding her hands in front of her properly as she walked. "Oh, but I am thrilled. I meant no offence, Yamato-san. To serve my daimyo would be an honour. I only meant that I trust your judgement in choosing me as your candidate. I aim to please."

The man chuckled, not able to help the twinkle in his eye. "I merely jest." He turned his smirk at Hanami's still fairly flushed face. His smile widened. "It is obvious to me that Saiko-san will be a perfect fit for this job. I'm sure the daimyo would agree as well."

Hanami's heart skipped a beat. Of course the daimyo would have to deem her worthy as well. Her stomach twisted into a quivering ball of nerves. What if he didn't see in her what Hayate did? What if she couldn't prove to him that she was indeed the kind of person he needed protecting his son? Her face fell and she gazed at the ground as the silence fell around them once more. She was suddenly unsure of herself. She was confident in her abilities, of course, but the constant 'what-ifs' kept creeping into her mind, taunting her and trying to convince her that she couldn't do it.

'You can't even hold a hostess job.'

'You're useless... Why even try?'

'This is why father left you.'

She felt the all-too-familiar prick of tears creeping up on her. Shaking her head, she glanced back up the the path ahead, trying desperately to reassure herself. Everything would be fine. It had to be. This was her chance to make her father proud, to show him that she had finally become the woman he had always wanted her to be.

'I'm already proud of you.'

Hanami stumbled a bit as the warm breeze tickled her skin, drying the tears before they threatened to spill over onto her flushed cheeks. A small smile crept onto her face as she held her father's image in her head. He was smiling up at her from a small mound of roughly patched cotton pillows. He coughed and smiled once more, placing his calloused hand on her cheek. The look in his eye told her all she needed to know.

'You're my beautiful flower, my little Hanami. Go and blossom like I always knew you would.' His hand fell away as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, smile never fading from his face. The grief had long since passed, leaving Hanami with mixed feelings of relief and longing. She knew that she could do this. She knew she had the strength inside her to do what needed to be done.

She was her father's daughter, after all.