After he treated my wounds, (I have no memory as to why I have them) he lead me to the house, and cooked a meal, and we both ate in silence. Due to the incident, he cancel all plans he made with The Little Ones and ordered me to stay home and rest for today.
That night, he spent the night at my house, making an excuse that his grandfather and him had a fight, and have no desire to speak for each other for a while. I understand that very well, knowing him and the Village Chief don't get along because of the past.
Today, in the afternoon, it is like a day used to get away from all of that. I and The Little Ones go for a stroll in the Market, talking about random things about what they saw and about people who they spent time with or heard about.
"Aki boasted about the special concoction she made yesterday. She named it, "Blissful Paradise Of The Years To Come."
"That is toooo long.."
"Toko, you know how she is when it comes to wine."
"Perhaps the wine is so strong, you might pass out with one sip."
"I think my head it'll hurt..."
"What do you think, Taro?"
....
"Taro?"
....
"....Taro...?"
"Taro are you listening?"
"Uuh?"
It.... sounds like he is in deep thought. I "look" at him with concern. Does yesterday's incident still bothering him?
"I---I'm fine."
"No you're not."
"...You look pale..."
"Did you have a stomach problem, or something?"
I feel great frustration rising in Taro in a flash.
"I'M FINE!"
I and The Little Ones flinched.
Taro..
Fuyumi broke into tears and hide behind me.
"What is your deal, Taro?"
"What is wrong?"
Seeing his mistake, I hear his footsteps backing away.
" I'll be right back....I just need time to cool off..."
He then ran away, leaving us with worry and concern. I furrow my eyes, and rub Fuyumi's head, comforting her. She sink deep into my side, crying more.
" What is his deal?"
"I don't know."
The two, Toko and Orenji look at me.
"You did not have anything to do with this do you?"
"Did you and Taro fight or something?"
I raise my hand and touched the bandage on my neck. It still stung.
"Wait, so you guys did fight?"
"Why?"
"..... don't know..... can't remember....If it was a fight....or not.."
"Huh?"
"You fainted?"
"....hmm..?"
These scars.... did I claw myself.., or is it Taro? What made him upset that cause him to cry like that? As if someone very important to him was deeply hurt or near death, someone that had suffered an unimaginable fate, and can't take it back?
Did I try to hurt him when I was unconscious?
Not only that....
I touched my nose where "it" landed. I am trying to understand and remember. It was very soft. Warm as a summer fruit picked from a tree. When I thought about that, that..... affection.
Is that....really how Taro felt about me? But why? The more I think on it...it seems there is more than he is letting on. What is he trying to hide from me? The past perhaps? Do we know each other then? I...I don't understand! What ever it is...it must be very troublesome.
*gasp*
"Ku---Kuro's face is red!!"
*giggles*
*Face getting hotter*
Darn...
I cover my face with my hand and walk onwards. Not going anywhere in particular.
I and The Little Ones came to the Plaza. The Plaza is a large area near the entrance. It is a place where visitors, tourists and travellers spend their time, talking amongst each other. Based on what The Little Ones say about it, it is very popular with those type of people, for it is one of the backbones of this village money wise. There are taverns, inns, bathhouses and a pavilion where music is playing for the afternoon and evening. The Little Ones, especially for Toko and Fuyumi, who is children of a tavern owner and singer, love this place for it's outside news, for they never step out of the village, not even once. There is this place that they love to go. It's a place where Aki sells her wine and also lives and makes it. It is by the river. As we approach, I can already hear laughter. Even though the The Little Ones like this place for it's incredible roudy environment, I personally think it is not a place for young ones to hang out in. As for me....it is too loud.
Orenji bust open the door, and storm in.
"Akiiiiiii!!!! Goat Milk and Plum Delight please!!!!"
"Waffles!"
"Creamy Soup for me..."
"Sure, coming right up!"
Fuyumi, most of the time, and always, leads me to the table that they always sit, which is a none crowded place, a place where Aki made for children such as them. We sit on the cushions. They then talk about many things as they wait for their order.
I listen, enjoying this moment, trying to ignore the worry in my heart.
"Hey, have you heard what happen at the Capital? The Queen..."
..Hm?
The Queen? Guuwanochi has a Queen?
I shift my ears to the source of the sound. It is coming from a secluded place behind me.
"Yeah, she did not come out at the Honoring Ceremony."
"Did you know why?"
"No, why?"
"Well, *leans forward* it is because her husband caught a disease that have him bedridden for two weeks!"
"Noo....that can't be right...I heard that the Royals never gets sick. Heck, there are rumors going around that they don't age, at all!"
"Yea. How can he get sick?"
"Is it a curse?"
"I don't know. But, because of this disease, the city is closed off. We can't see the boss for a while. We might as well stay here."
"Darn...I was going to get my salary for food. How am I going to eat and pay the rent?!"
"Told you not to slack off."
"You reap what you sow."
"Darn it..."
I shift back to the table. The Little Ones had just received their orders and start eating.
"Fluff... Fluffiness Of Pure Love...*drools tremendously*"
"Eeeewwww!"
"You're making me lose my lunch Toko..."
*Giggles, clearly not paying attention*
"You need to control yourself more Tavern Boy."
".... find something else to get addicted to..."
"Yeah, like Sour Soup."
"...Or Anmitsu..."
"Haaaaaaa~... Fluff Haven...here I come....*dripping droll getting more apparent*"
"Aaaaaa!"
"Not again..."
"Toko! Don't go to the light! Bring your soul back!"
"He really need to find something else to droll about besides fluffy pancakes....like peaches and plums...their fluffy...and more tastier..."
*Dripping became louder.*
I sigh.
"Toookoooo!"
"...He died..."
Aki and the girls try "bringing his soul back." But to no avail. This is when I step in, for the first time. There is only one way to do this and I know it is going to work.
"Aki..got something hot?"
"Huh?"
It took her seconds to understand what I mean.
She giggles.
"Sure thing."
She left and came back with a bowl called Pyro Supreme. She put one spoon in his mouth.
Wait for it....wait for it... there it is.
"Waaaaaaa! My mouth is on fire! Milk, Milk, Miiiiiiilllllllk!"
"Welcome to Hell, Toko..."
"Accept your sentence."
I can only stifle a laugh.