The Hidden Rose

Welcoming A Guest To The Family

Yui's POV

I came back to the village, the sun was starting to rise, and people were starting to wake up. Some came out, and had prepared their stands to sell to the other people. Riku was sitting on the back of my horse, I was lucky to bring him even from the Colonel refusing me to leave with him. I then hear a grumble noise coming from Riku, I turn my head and Riku turned away from embarrassment. There was a house that had a lot of food, but I felt sorry for him. I saw a bread stand, I got off my horse, and I walk to the baker. 

"Hello Queen Yui, is there something you like?" the baker man smiles at me.

"I'll would like four of your warm croissants please." I smile back at him. The baker took a small brown shopping bag and he put four croissants in. The baker hands me the bag, "Here," I took out some money, and handed it to the baker. 

"Queen Yui, it's for free." the baker said.

"Either way please take it, for you and your family." I smile at him.

"Thank you Queen Yui, I wish you a very good day." the baker says, taking the money and does a low bow to me.

"I wish you the same." I said, getting back on my horse and with Riku. I handed him the bag of croissants. He takes one bread out, and starts eating it. "There's food in the house, and water."

"Your people they seem nice. Why didn't you take it for free?" Riku asks, eating another croissant.

"Well the people here also need money, in case they ran out food, or they need money to make food. Years ago, my father built his own village, but then my grandfather and his sons came to take me and my brother away. My mother ran away with us, while my father stayed with an army to fight my grandfather and his army. Some of his people died, and some ran away. The ones who escaped came here, and built mostly everything. The people were lost without their king, but my brother Yukio grew and protected the village. Until I came and it was my turn to take care of the village my father built." I explain, riding my horse.

"May I ask why weren't you here with your brother." Riku asks.

"When my mother was running away with us, she thought it was best that Yukio and I were separated, cause she knew that if we stayed with her my grandfather would easily find her. So my mother took my brother to my father's cousins, and my mother tried taking me to my father's aunts, but then my uncle found her. He sent wolves to chase her, she was running away with me in her arms. She tried crossing the bridge, but the wolves caught up to her. She was stuck in the middle of the bridge, wolves were fighting my mom, and my mom was pushed, and by accident my mother dropped me in the river." I said, stopping my horse.

"Must have been a tough childhood." Riku says getting off my horse.

I got off my horse, and let her take water, "not really, someone actually found me in the river, and took me, raised me as his daughter. At first I didn't had no clue that he wasn't my biological father. But then he died in a "accident", then my father in law took me in as his daughter, and had me live with one of wives, and his six sons. Once I grew older, my brother took me to the village, and 7 years ago I married my husband, who was first my brother when I was still young." I explain.

"Oh...wow that is one good origin story." Riku says, munching his bread. 

"MOMMY!" Riku and I turn our heads to see little Azumi running towards us. I kneel down, and held out my hands for Azumi to come hug me. Azumi ran inside my embrace. "I missed you Mommy, Daddy said you were at work, but I went to your office and weren't there."

"Well Mommy had to pick up a call, and they had me to travel in another town." I said, lifting her up from the ground. Ayato was walking to us, and he hugs me, along with Azumi.

"I missed you in bed." Ayato says to me.

"I wanted to stay longer, but you know I have to work." I said.

"Mommy who is that?" Azumi looks at Riku, and stares at his black clawed arms. 

"This is a friend of Mommy introduce yourself." I said, putting her down on the ground.

Azumi stepped closer to Riku, and Riku wasn't moving an inch. Azumi wasn't frightened at his arms, nor him. "Hi mister, my name is Azumi Nishimura Sakamaki." Azumi smiles at him.

"Hi Azumi, my name is Riku." Riku kneels down to Azumi. "Your're pretty Azumi, tell me how old are you?" He asks.

"I'm seven years old." She says.

"I had two sisters, and they were your age. They would laugh and have fun all the time?" Riku says smiling at her.

"Where are they?" Azumi asks.

Riku eyes looked down on the floor, "They died, but I know if they met you, they would have loved you." Riku says looking back at Azumi, and smiles at her again.

Azumi smiles, and in my surprise she hugs Riku. "Thank you Big Brother." Azumi says.

"Riku," I said. Riku looks up at me. "I would like to welcome you to the family, I hope you enjoy your stay." I smile at him.

"Part of the family?" Riku says standing up. 

"Yes, Riku there are more people like you, who have special abilities. I brought you here because I understand your pain, and what you have been through. Trust me, and I wanted to save you from that lonely place." I said. "Will you stay?" I ask holding out a hand for him to shake. Riku looks at my hand, and then he meets my eyes. Riku takes my hand, and shakes it.

"Thank you Queen Yui for showing me mercy, and helping me get out from a position that I was stuck in. I wish to fight along side you." Riku smiles at me.