"Hah... Is it finished yet?" Takara asked the Captain as he watched the unit walk towards him, Most of them covered in Black Blood."Just about. Are you ok to walk?" The Captain asked sitting on the Barli next to Takara."Yea, I'll be fine... Especially once we find that nest..." Takara grunted as he stood up and held his left arm."You don't have to worry about that." The Captain said putting a hand on Takara's shoulder."But- A herd can easily-""I know Takara. But you need to rest, much like the rest of us." The Captain stated as everyone started piling Garuk-Nai bodies into piles."I understand... Can I help with this?" Takara asked as the Captain shook his head."No go rest up you did enough and a good job today." The Captain says, while Takara nodded and started walking back towards the village.Takara walked through the Terra Thicket taking deep breaths showing his exhaustion. He held his head up trying not to fall asleep as the fight had taken a lot out of him. Especially after he fought the Barli. It came as a surprise to even him when he took out that monstrosity. The fact he did so was very impressive; considering he is a young human man."I guess that Girl and her brother made it back safely... That's good... Less for me to worry about..." Takara thought as he walked forward.As he walked deep in his thoughts he didn't hear the thuds in the high trees above him as someone was following him. In the trees above was the Woman he had saved earlier. She leaped from tree to tree to keep a distance from him and yet to keep an eye on him. She witnessed the end of his fight with the Garuk-Nai and the Barli. She never witnessed anyone do anything similar to the feat Takara did, so naturally she was curious and she had wanted to make sure he was ok as well."That man is named Takara... Stay Away from him!" Is what's echoed in her head from her friend."Sorry Mekara... But he saved me and Kouki... My Dad would hate it if I didn't thank him." The Woman thought to herself as she went on ahead to cut Takara off or at least appear in front of him."Ok just stay here and then-" The woman thought to herself before she heard a sudden snap as the branch she was on looked like it would break up."Uh oh... Ah! Phew..." The Branch has fallen however she managed to get on another one quickly sitting on it."Are you Ok?" Takara had asked looking up at the woman causing her to jolt with shock as she looked down to see the young man looking up at her."O-oh I'm fine... Actually..." She says while jumping down to face him. It was here Takara was able to see a familiar Green Deel dress and Emerald green eyes of the woman along with her Raven Black hair."Hey you're the-""M-my Name is Hisuinome!... Heh... I hm... I wanted to thank you for saving my life and more importantly the life of my little brother." Hisuinome said placing a hand on her heart showing her sincerity."Hm... No need for thanks... I was... Merely doing what anyone else should.... And... My name's Takara..." Takara said holding his arm and looking to the side."Oh really? And yea I knew your name Takara... I haven't been in this village long but you're... I wanna say famous... Heh..." Hisuinome said with a slightly embarrassed smile, wishing not to be awkward."I guess... And you sure you're ok? You must be hurt from that attack...""Oh yea but I'm far better than how you look... You must be really hurt fighting that nest... If you'd like I can help tend-""I... Can manage... I'm sorry for interrupting but... There's no need to force yourself to thank me. I'll be fine..." Takara held his head down and to the side after he pretty much dismissed her."I-I see..." Hisuinome says with a bit of a concerning tone as she studied Takara's actions and his defensive behavior."Y-yea... If it's ok I'm heading back to my Yurt..." Takara said walking past Hisuinome with his head down."That's fine... If it's ok can I walk with you?" Hisuinome asked with her hands behind her back as she stepped softly right next to him.For Takara he kept quiet and looked at Hisuinome who gave him a smile as they both stopped in this small moment before Takara looked ahead."Ok..." Takara said walking ahead as Hisuinome hummed a small unnoticeable giggle.The walk they had was an uneventful yet peaceful walk as the wind blew and the crunch of dirt and leaves sounded underneath them. They both remained silent for the walk and kept to their own personal space. Takara still held his left arm as he walked keeping a straight face as he looked forward. Hisuinome on the other hand kept glancing at Takara as her mind spurred with questions."Why do they all dislike you? Just what exactly is your story? What exactly happened for you to just isolate yourself?" She questioned in her head as she glanced at him from time to time as they walked.It wasn't long til the two made it out of the forest where the soldiers saw them and rushed to Takara to do a medical check on him."Hisuinome you're ok!" Mekara said out loud going to hug Hisuinome but failed to do so Hisuinome's Mother Nomin bumped him out of the way."Hisuinome just what on Conterra were you thinking?!" She asked Hisuinome giving her a deadly mother's glare."S-sorry Mom... Hm Hey Takara..." Hisuinome said turning her attention to Takara who sat on the floor giving another soldier his arm. He looked up at Hisuinome once she called out to him."Thank you Once again." She said giving him a light bow and then a small smile as she turned back to her mother."Hm..." Takara grunted as he looked to the side to avoid eye contact."Wait is he the one who saved you?" Nomin asked with her son in her arms as Hisuinome nodded yes to her."I see... Takara I won't interrupt you from the soldiers... But you have my thanks... Please come to me later once we're all done." Nomin said in a polite time as Takara looked at her with a slightly surprised face and he nodded to her."Yes Ma'am." Takara said with a soft tone."Thank you young man. Come on you two..." Nomin said as Hisuinome left with her."Tch... Don't think I'll thank you Takara... This never would've happened if you had just stayed away..." Mekara stated before he left."It does appear that way doesn't it..." Takara said quietly."Ignore him Takara. It would've happened either way." One of the Soldiers said to Takara nodded in understanding.
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After they left the fields Hisuinome and her Family reached their yurt where Hisuinome held her head ready to get in trouble with her mother."M-mom... I'm sor-""Quiet!... Oh my baby... I'm so happy you're alive..." Nomin ordered soon pulling Hisuinome into a tight hug as she began to cry into Hisuinome's shoulder."It was... Scary... But I'm Ok Mom... I'm Ok..." Hisuinome said tightly embracing her mother as she started to cry into her shoulder as well."Mommy... Hisui... Please don't cry..." Kouki said hugging both their legs."It's Hisuinome Kouki...""Of course Stinky... We'll stop heh..." The two said kneeling down to the little boy's level and hugging him as well.
"Hah... Mom... I'm sure Takara isn't what everyone says he is." Hisuinome said as she stood up with her mother."I don't really know much about why they hate him... But I'm inclined to agree. He saved you and Kouki after all. So is he the reason you went back into the forest?" Nomin asked as Hisuinome nodded with a guilty look on her face."Yes Ma'am... I wanted to make sure he was ok... I couldn't live with myself if someone else sacrificed themselves... For us..." Hisuinome said looking at her brother as he tilted his head and looked at her slightly confused."Hah... I'm not mad at you for that cause frankly I'm more happy that you're alive... Hisuinome you're a brave girl to make sure Takara is ok. But my brave child you have to be smart about certain things. Takara Is a Soldier, and he and the other Soldiers and Knights can fight what they're trained to do... And believe me I know your full reason why you did what you did. But he left to protect us and Takara being a soldier will lay his life down to protect an innocent person. So please from the bottom of my heart. Don't do anything reckless ok?" Nomin asked Hisuinome gently placing her hands on Hisuinome's cheeks."Yes Ma'am... I understand... I'm so sorry to have worried you." Hisuinome expressed as she leaned into her mother's hands."Good... We'll need to fix your dress... Luckily you have others that are identical. Get cleaned up for tonight after all it is the Knights and Soldier's last day here.""Oh that's right... Wait does that mean it's Takara's Last day here too?" Hisuinome asked looking at her mother."No I believe Takara's here to stay. Why do you ask?""I wanted to make him something sweet... As a show of thanks. He didn't want me to express my thanks earlier so I wanted to express it another way he probably won't refuse... I hope..." Hisuinome said crossing her arms and putting a finger on her cheek thinking."You he refused your thanks? Well considering how everyone else views It's not impossible to imagine how reserve he can be. Hmmm What're you thinking about making him?""Hm... Boortsog. I think they'll be nice no?" Hisuinome smiled looking at her Mom."Yea It'll be a nice treat for him. I can help you get started. I'm also making dumplings for tonight." Nomin said washing her hands."Oooo tasty. I'm sure they'll like those." Hisuinome said cleaning her hands as well."Ok let's get started. Kouki can you bring that roller please?""Ok Mom!"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soon Dusk fell over the Valley of Sheep Aria Village. The sky's color was a beautiful lavender color that danced with orange and the black night skies. The stars spanned across the black night like dazzling lights. In the Village everyone has gathered in the center where all the soldiers have gathered in a farewell to the Villagers. The majority of the Villagers were serving and handing food out to everyone that sat in the center. One of them included Takara as he sat next to the Village's chief Jochi and his Captain."I can't thank you enough Captain for you and your men! And to swiftly deal with the monsters is quite impressive." Jochi said giving his praises to the Captain. Takara remained silent as he watched the villagers hand the Soldiers plates with food,"You should really be thanking Takara here. He is a very well capable soldier... And the perfect Guardian for your Village here." The Captain stated as Takara looked at him a bit surprised."If it is possible... Can you give us someone else to help protect the Village? As you can see we only have a handful of capable men to help protect the Village... And with all due Respect we won't rely on a cursed disowned child." Jochi said as Takara held his head down."Quite a rude statement regarding a member of your village and the one who saved one of your women." The Captain said gesturing to the girl named Hisuinome who was on the opposite side of the Table serving a few soldiers their plates."A good deed can never outweigh generations of bad deeds.""But those Sins have nothing to do with me..." Takara spoke up as the Chief frowned at him."Quiet Boy! The only reason why you're even allowed here is because I'm respecting your Grandmother's last wishes. Now mind your manners." Jochi said glaring at Takara as a few villagers and soldiers looked at their directions."That's rude to the Man who saved your Village Chief... Speaking of which where is his food?" The Captain asked the Chief."You are our guest and the Capable Men of the Village must eat after our Guest. That includes Takara. It is simply our way." Jochi said as the Chief looked around and saw several of the capable men Jochi gestured to some of the men that were helping the women serve the Soldiers."Yea... It's fine Captain... I'll be good no worries." Takara said with his head down."Understood.... Listen Chief despite how you view Takara he'll be your best bet against any threat that comes to your village. It's my recommendation that you have whoever you can learn how to fight from Takara. He has good training and was even Declared an Honorary Hero by the Heroes of Conterra." The Captain advised as Jochi nodded."I'll take it into consideration." Jochi said as he started to eat his food.While the three continued their conversation towards one end on the opposite side Hisuinome, Mekara, and Nomin were just about done serving the Soldiers and Knights with the other Villagers."That should be everyone! Hey is it ok if I sit with you thr-""Wait Takara hasn't gotten anything." Hisuinome said as she looked over at his direction and saw no food in front of him while she held a small basket."Oh I guess he's not hungry. Here Hisuinome I-""Oh Thank you Mekara! Hang on I'll be right back Mom." Hisuinome said with a smile as she took the plate Mekara was gonna give her to where the Chief was sitting with Takara and the Captain."O-oh... Ok." Mekara said as Nomin gave him a sympathetic pat on his shoulder."Just get another plate for her, c'mon we all worked hard today." Nomin said with a smile as she watched Hisuinome gracefully walk over to Takara, Jochi, and the Captain."Excuse me. Hear you go Takara." Hisuinome said with a small bow and smile as she hands Takara a plate of food."Hisuinome what're you doing? Get that plate-""Oh I'm sorry Chief but we've finished handing out the food and... I'm not very hungry so I wanted to give Takara my food." Hisuinome said with a smile as she looked at Takara who was too surprised to say anything as he looked at her."Hey Takara you ok?" The Captain asked elbowing him slightly."O-oh y-yea.... Hm... Thank you for the food." Takara said bowing to Hisuinome."Hehe no... Thank you Takara." Hisuinome replied with a cheerful smile as she put the small basket next to him before leaving."Tch stubborn girl..." Jochi muttered under his breath."No she's not a girl. That's a Polite young woman. She's shown more respect than anyone else in this village." The Captain said with a smile as Takara opened the basket Hisuinome left him."Boortsog..." Takara says quietly with a slight blush and smile on his face."What is that?" The Captain asked Takara."It just so happens to be my favorite dessert... My Grandma used to make them all the time." Takara said, closing the basket as he started eating his food in front of him."Anyways... Chief Jochi, I really advise you must set up defenses or have whatever men you have must train with Takara.""But we won't need to if the Kingdom is willing-""You don't understand. The Soldiers and Knights here are only here in respect to our fallen brothers. O can.. Onur king needs all available hands in his army. Takara has lived out his term and already gone above and beyond. If we're to have a detachment of soldiers here then you'll be waiting Six months for them to arrive at most." The Captain said ending the discussion as the Chief had nothing else to say."Just so you know. No one will want to learn from him." Jochi stated, Takara looked at him then to his Captain."It's ok Captain. I can Manage things here." Takara said with a determined look."Very well..." The Captain nodded not saying anything else as they all ate their food.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Did you give it to him?" Nomin asked Hisuinome as her Daughter came and sat with them to eat."Yup! Oh you guys got me another plate?" Hisuinome asked as she sat down next to her family with Mekara across from them."Y-yea... Well Your mom did as they wouldn't let me grab a third plate." Mekara said with a troubled look."I see thank you all." Hisuinome said moving her Right bang behind her ear to eat."Hmm..." Mekara nodded slowly eating his food."Hm? Meki what's Wong?" Kouki asked looking up at the Young Man."Mekara, Kouki... And it's nothing..." Mekara said as Hisuinome tilted her head."You sure Mekara?" Hisuinome asked him as he nodded and glanced towards Takara."Yea... I'm fine...""Hey how was Farm duty?" Hisuinome asked him."Oh hm...""You skipped it didn't you?" Hisuinome said giving him a deadpan look."Maybe I had other matters to attend to.""Uh huh... Right... You know I overheard that Takara is going to teach people how to fight. Maybe you should -""There's nothing to learn from him... Look it's better to keep away from him..." He stated interrupting Hisuinome."And Why is that?! What exactly did he do?""Listen... Please trust me on this..." Mekara begged looking at Hisuinome."Then tell me the reason." Hisuinome said giving him a glare."It starts with his mother... Kotonoha."