Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 82: Fury trouble leads to relationship trouble

August 1869

{It had taken a full month, but my bullet hole wound had finally healed. Heisuke was so happy that I had recovered that we spent the day drinking and enjoying food that he had lovingly prepared. After that, things seemed to go back to normal. I guess my life isn't very "normal", but at the very least, there hadn't been any more attempts on my life.}

Heisuke was napping outside on the veranda, a content smile on his face. I, myself was sleeping until a few minutes ago. A smile soon made its way onto my face as I watched him while he slept. Normally, he wakes up before me so I don't get to see him like this too often. I never knew he looked so cute in his sleep, especially when he mumbles in his sleep. I covered my mouth to muffle the giggle I let out. Don't want to accidentally wake him up. As I watched him, I suddenly felt the urge to paint. I turned around and saw my paper pad, which caused me to remember that that was what I was doing before I fell asleep. I reached out and grabbed the pad, brush and ink before getting to work. I intently admired my lover as my brush moved along the page.

An hour later, I had finished my base sketch of Heisuke and he still slept soundly. I think Heisuke's trying to break his all time napping record. I giggled quietly at my thoughts. Just then, my stomach rumbled. "I'm so happy he didn't hear that..." I sighed. Well, I think it's about time I make us some lunch! I got up and carefully crept away from Heisuke, in order to not wake him. Of course, I would eventually wake him, but I thought I'd let him enjoy a few more minutes of sleep while I prepared lunch.

A few minutes later

Lunch was ready and I was about to wake Heisuke when there was a knock at the door. Who could that be? I went to the door and opened it to see someone I hadn't expected to see ever again. "Kinu-chan...!? What are you doing here?!"
"Kon'nichiwa Chiyeko, I'm sure this must come to you as shock" She chuckled softly after bowing.
"I'm glad to see you again actually, because now I can thank you for helping rescue me!"
"Please, you needn't trouble yourself with that. I didn't do much"
"Don't be modest! If you didn't find minna then I wouldn't be here right now. Arigato gozimasu Kinu-chan!" I bowed deeply to display my gratitude to her.
"Well, I'm glad I was able to help you. It would have been a shame if my brother had gotten his way"
"Tell me about it...Anyway! I'm sure you came for a reason so why don't we discuss it over lunch and tea?"
"Oh, I couldn't possibly take up more of your time then I need to"
"Please, it would be my pleasure to have you share a meal with me. Plus, it's the very least I can do seeing as you're the reason I'm still alive and all! Come on, I won't take iie for an answer!"
"Okay okay" She giggled. "That would be lovely, arigato"
"You're welcome! Come on in" I stepped aside and let her in before shutting the door behind her. I showed her to the common room and had her make herself at home while I brought in the lunch and tea. We casually conversed over steaming bowls of ramen and I quite enjoyed hearing what Kinu had been up to now that she was free from her brother. It was comforting to know that the woman who helped save me was living a good life.

We were now sipping our tea as Kinu-chan's face changed. "Something up, Kinu-chan? Does the tea taste strange?"
"Oh iie, iie. The green tea is lovely Chiyeko! It's just...I'd like to move on to the main reason for my visit here today"
"By all means" I gestured for her to continue.
"It's about your adoptive parents..."
"Nani...!?" My hand froze in the process of bringing the tea cup to my mouth.
"I know you know that my brother killed them mercilessly in cold blood, but what you don't know is that I buried them"
"Y-You...helped him...?"
"Iie! I certainly did not! He brought them to the castle dead and wanted me to dispose of their bodies meaning he didn't want them found. I told him I'd take care of it and went to bury them. I couldn't just heartlessly dump two complete innocents so I made sure that they had nice graves"
"So you...you know where they're buried?"
"Hai. And I'd like to take you to them, only if you're ready of course"
"I...I..." I don't know. Am I ready? I never did get to say goodbye, but am I really ready to do so...? My vision was blurry and I quickly realised that I was crying. "G-Gomen..."
"You don't have to apologise for this Chiyeko, you've done nothing wrong!" Kinu-chan sat down by me and brought me into a hug. While I cried, I heard footsteps approaching and we both looked up to see a confused Heisuke. Though, his confusion turned to worry when he saw the tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Daijōbu?! What happened?!" He immediately began to fret over me and Kinu-chan released me allowing him to take over. He swiftly sat down to bring me into an embrace, rubbing soothing circles on my back as he did so. My lover's presence reassured me greatly and I found myself slowly able to calm down until the tears finally stopped.