"Ugh... Why do I have to be on Sheep Duty?" Mekara complained as he leaned on his Shepherd's Stick as if his legs were getting tired."C'mon Mekara Herding Sheep is an honest Job. Plus if you can't handle these Sheep then how can you handle your own family when your time starts?" A young man with Short and spiky black hair, and blue eyes said as he slapped Mekara's Back making him stand up."Ow! You meathead! Seriously, what would you know about that anyway, Batu?" Mekara asked in an annoyed tone and looked as he fixed himself and stood up."Clearly you haven't been paying attention in those marriage and relationship classes. Being with the woman you love and making her happy and providing for her is essential. Plus when our time comes we have to teach our own kids and protect them... Just like herding sheep." Batu said with a smile as Mekara simply responded with a groan."Ugh... You sound like an old man..." Mekara groaned."You know if you don't want to lose Hisuinome to one of us it's best you listen Mekara." Another young man with soft black hair that covered his ears and blue eyes said as Mekara glared at him directly with his brown eyes."Oh Shut up Atlan. I know you like Hisuinome as well but there's no way in hell she'll end up with you." Mekara retorted, looking at him and pointing his staff at him."You're right Mekara because unlike you two. I'm the real man compared to the both of you." Batu said, irritating the two boys."Oh Shut it Meathead!" Mekara said as the three boys comically growled at each other."Oi! Why don't the three of you brats Shut up and watch the sheep!" An Older and shorter man shouted at them as he spat on the ground looking at the youngsters in annoyance."There you see you got old man Arban Upset at us. He's Growing more Wrinkles because of you two!." Batu Said with a Sly look as Arban looked back at them and with a snarl spat on the ground before overlooking the Flock of Sheep."Ugh... Fine back to... Herding Sheep... Seriously, why couldn't I just hunt... stinking old man never lets me hunt." Mekara complained going back to his spot and lazily moved a sheep back into the flock."Well... You can't shoot a bow." Atlan said."And you've broken multiple spears trying to use them like a sword." Batu said."Ugh... But using a sword would be so much better. I could fight armies with a sword!" Mekara said with confidence mimcing swordplay."You don't know how to use a sword. None of us do... Well, except Takara. I was thinking about tak-" Batu said before he felt a pebble hit his chest looking at Mekara as his eyes glared at Batu."Don't even think about it. We're better off waiting for an actual swordmaster to train us... Do you really want to learn something from a Bastard Child?" Mekara asked his stare is cold, lifeless as his brown colored eyes sank into Batu making the more bulker man slightly nervous."Dude Mekara... It's like you turn into someone completely different when Takara is mentioned. Look I know everyone in the village hates him but... He did step up to fight in the war. Maybe he-""SHUT UP! HE'S A COWARD! NO WAY HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE IT BACK ALIVE!" Mekara yelled out, surprising the two boys, making them slightly nervous."How about... We dropped this conversation... Hm? Is that Hisuinome?" Atlan asked, looking at the distance to the Main Yurt used by the Farmer and Butcher. They see The beautiful young woman that they are all captivated with walking to the Yurt."That is her... I want to say hello but we need to Shepherd the Sheep." Batu said as Atlan nodded."Yea Any good woman would hate to see a man leave... his position..." Atlan said as he and Batu noticed Mekara's Stick in the ground with No Mekara standing there."Dang it..."
"Hey, leave it alone. At the rate he's going he'll only lose more of her respect." Atlan said as he and Batu stayed at their post.
While the Two talked and watched over the Sheep; Mekara on the other hand crawled and used the sheep as cover from the other shepherds just to go to the farmer's Yurt and talk to Hisuinome. He has done this plenty of times before and it has always frustrated the other Shepherds. So the moment they saw Mekara away from his post they immediately looked around their area and in-between sheep. Mekara is a slippery young man who can easily disappear in the long grass and in-between the sheep that normally stood at four feet tall in height and weighed more than Four hundred pounds. So for a Young Man who's Five foot and Six inches tall can easily hide underneath a few sheep as he crawls on the ground.As the search for Mekara continued in the field, Hisuinome had made it into the Yurt where she saw a man no older than Fifty still standing strong on his feet while he was carving a lamb carcass cleaning it up."Hi Karr good afternoon!" Hisuinome in a cheerful tone said as the butcher smiled at her positive nature."Is it afternoon already? Man how time flies huh Hisuinome? How can I help you?" Karr asks, looking at the young Woman."I agree hehe. Well we're running out of lamb in my household. I was wondering if we can have another lamb. Oh wait, those soldiers ate a hefty amount of food to keep themselves going... If I remember how much my dad had eaten I think Takara would need three times more food than him... Actually, can I get two full lambs?" Hisuinome asked as Karr nodded in response."Sure thing. We have a lot of Lamb in thanks to those soldiers being here this past week. I'll get you a basket for your meat." He smiled as Hisuinome returned the smile in kind."Thank you Karr." She smiled as she waited for the Butcher to get her lamb."This'll be a nice way to thank Takara for his hard work. I hope he likes it." Hisuinome thought to herself, putting a hand to her cheek, staring off into space and smiling.For a Brief moment she imagined what Takara's face would look like, other than his famous stoic face she had only known for the brief time they've known each other. In her brief moment of silence she tried to imagine what a smile would look like on Takara's face. Would his smile be big, small, show teeth, or be closed?These Thoughts dwelled in her head for a short moment before they were suddenly cut off. She felt a hand touch her shoulder taking her out of her daydream and being met with a familiar face."Hey Hisuinome! How are you?" He said with a glow on his face, and his brown eyes sparkling at her."Oh hey Mekara... Hey wait a minute aren't you supposed to be working?" Hisuinome asked sternly, crossing her arms."Oh they gave me a break! And I saw you coming here so I thought I'd say hi and-""Excuse me brat?!" Karr yelled out seeing Mekara and hearing the blatant lie."Eck!""Eck huh?" Hisuinome said, looking at Mekara with a deadpan and disappointed look at the young man.
"The only time we break you lot is when we exchange Shepherd's Staff! Let me guess you sneaked in here to escape work didn't you?!" Karr said, walking up to Mekara in a frustrated tone as Hisuinome shook her head and stepped to the Side."U-umm... N-no... Help me Hisuinome...""Oh ho ho, Not a chance mister! No Slacking off today!" Hisuinome gave a cheeky smile, succumbing Mekara to his fate."Whyyyyy!?" Mekara whined as he got dragged away by Karr."Hah... That boy..." Hisuinome groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose."I would like to blame you for him dodging his work. However he's always been like that even before you came to the village." Karr said, looking at Hisuinome."Is that so? Good to know it's not entirely my fault." She said, giving a small shrug."It's not your fault. At the end of the Day Mekara is eighteen years old and makes his own choices. Not your fault he chooses the wrong choices and goes about what he wants to do." Karr said, bringing a basket out from the back as he started wrapping the Lamb for Hisuinome."My Father always said to make sure that whoever I choose can provide for me and be a man of integrity... Mekara still has a long way to go." Hisuinome said with a sigh afterwards."Wait so you know about his feelings towards you?""Of course; He makes it very obvious. He has never told me his feelings but when he does I'm going to decline him if he doesn't get his act together." Hisuinome said with a sure tone as she walked up to Karr as he finished filling the basket."Good. He needs to man up either way. So if you're not interested in Mekara, what about Batu and Atlan? They're the same age as Mekara but more reliable.""Yeah they are but they have their own issues that won't work with me... Batu for example is Strong however He's not much of a thinker, He's good with children but can get too carried away like a child. Then there's Atlan. He's smart but he can't hunt, nor can he do a lot of physical labor... That and he's such a pessimist as well... I guess in the long run I wouldn't be opposed to them... However, I'd rather see them grow up more before making that change." She smiles softly and shares that with the older man."I agree. Plus they'll need your Mother's blessing before anything else." Karr said, handing her the bucket."Heh good luck with that. Thank you Uncle Karr!" Hisuinome said with a sweet smile carrying the basket away."No worries Hisuinome. Have a nice day!" Karr said waving Hisuinome goodbye as she made her way home with an excited smile on her face.The young woman with a stride in her step, walked home and enjoyed the gentle breeze of the valley. Along the way she sees Takara in the distance carrying a Yurt beam, surprising her as she had thought the process would have taken longer for Takara. Then again she didn't know the entire process of getting a replacement beam. Letting her curiosity take over she walks up to him."Hey, isn't that heavy Takara?" Hisuinome asked, surprising the young man."N-no... carrying these isn't a problem." Takara said with his famous Stoic expression."Oh ok. You sure made these fast." Hisuinome said, looking at the beams he held over his shoulder."I actually have Several dozen Premade. They're sitting inside the Lumber house where they can stay dry for a time.""Seriously? Then why would the chief rather use a Carpenter from the nearest town than you?" Hisuinome asked as Takara looked down before looking at her."Jochi doesn't trust my work... I partly don't blame him though..." He said, surprising the young woman."How come?""Experience... Compared to the Carpenter in the next town he has a few dozen years more experience than me. That and other reasons on why he doesn't trust me." Takara said as Hisuinome had an idea as to why that was."Well that's a shame... Still I'm glad you're here-" Hisuinome said, causing Takara to look at her in awe just by those four words."Because without you... The good you've done for me and my family wouldn't have happened. So thank you." She smiles once again catching Takara off guard as he almost dropped one of the beams."Woah you ok?""Y-yea... I'm fine. Sorry about that." He said setting the beams down and opening the Yurt door for Hisuinome to walk in with her basket."It's fine. Thank you! What a gentleman." Hisuinome said with a smile as she thought about his actions."Welcome back you two!" Nomin said with a sweet smile looking at the two young adults."I got the lamb mom... Oh Takara do you want us to move out of the Yurt for you really quick?" Hisuinome asked as Takara simply shook his head."No need, it'll be a quick fix." He said, grabbing three poles of a stand and looking at the rotten beam."Oh? Is there anything you need from us then?" Nomin smiled, holding her cheek with a smile."No need to worry." Takara said as he got to work lifting the Crown and Rafters with the poles so he can remove the rotten beam without the Yurt falling on them. He then proceeded to grab his tools andstarted removing the rotten beam.
Seeing how experienced Takara is at this, Nomin turns around and gestures to Hisuinome to help prepare the food. As Hisuinome started cutting up the Lamb she would occasionally glance over at Takara seeing how he easily removed the beam and took it out of their home. When he entered back in he brought in the new beam and carefully installed it in their home making sure it was secured and the foundation was not ruined as a result. Even after installing the beam and making sure it was even with the other beam of the Yurt he took a few minutes to secure it making sure it'll last another ten to twelve years."Wow, he's really good at that.""Mr. Nice Man that was really Fast!" Kouki said out loud giving Takara a small jolt as he didn't realize he had an audience which was the entire family watching him while Hisuinome and Nomin prepared the food.
"Oh... Thank you." He said with a nod as the little boy smiled and watched him pick up his tools and the poles."Wow, that is a very nice job Takara. Thank you so much." Nomin said to the young man as he nodded."It's not a problem... I'm... Glad I could help. And thank you, for the compliment." Takara said, still with a stoic face."Hey Takara, what're you doing for Dinner?" Hisuinome asked sweetly, wiping her hands with a rag."Hm?... Oh hm I was going to hunt a boar." Takara said with a slight shrug."Are you sure? That could take you hours." Hisuinome stated as Nomin held her cheek as she crossed her arms."She does have a point, Takara. Would you like to join us for dinner tonight? We're going to have Lamb Tsuivan." Nomin said with a smile as Takara's eyes sparkled for a second before clearing his throat."O-oh but... I don't want to intrude... But Thank you for the off- Eh?" Takara said before looking down at his leg seeing Kouki hug his leg."Pleassseeee Mr. Nice Man... Can you eat with us?" Kouki asked with a begging and teary look on his face."Umm... I-""Please please please please!" Kouki said, making Takara a bit nervous while Hisuinome and Nomin Giggled.
"Hehe, He's not gonna stop til you say yes." Hisuinome said with a sweet smile."Their smile... Hm... O-Ok... I can join y'all for dinner." Takara said with a soft yet stoic look on his face."Yay!" Kouki jumped off in celebration with an incredibly bright look on his face."Hehe. We'll be sure to make it extra delicious then!" Nomin smiled as she went to the stove."Oh Hisuinome Since Takara's clothes are still here, can you help him take it to his Yurt?" Nomin said as Hisuinome nodded.as"Sure thing Mom.""Oh I can take my-""Non-negotiable Soldier boy. Besides, don't you need to carry that stuff outside well?" Hisuinome asked with a smile and tilted her head as she leaned towards him, however not invading his personal space."Hrmm..." Takara grunted a bit looking to the side with a slightly embarrassed look on his face."I'll take that as a yes!" Hisuinome smiled, walking to his laundry basket and picking it up."I guess there's no negotiating... S-sure... Thank you." He said with a nod following her and picking up the beams and his tools."It's really not a problem Takara. Honestly I'm more than happy to do this much." Hisuinome said with a smile catching the young man off guard."R-really?" He asked with a shocked look."Yes I do... I..." Hisuinome paused when she took a good look at Takara. She saw in his eyes they glimmered almost as if tears were being blocked from coming out while she saw his throat gulp two times as if he had something he wanted to let out but couldn't."You... You've never had anyone else be kind to you have you?" Hisuinome asked with a soft tone as Takara eyes widened, and his face lost composure for a second before regaining that stoic soldier look she's used to seeing as he looked to the side."I... I mean I'm still not used to getting any... Here... I have experienced kindness from... Others before... But in here it's... A different story." Takara said as they kept walking forward to his Yurt."I see... Y-you know... Don't take this the wrong way but... Why even stay here? Don't take this the wrong way because I'm incredibly grateful you are still here. However I wouldn't blame you for leaving because of the way this village treats you. So why stay?" She asked him with an earnest look on her face as Takara saw the look on her face."Well... It had crossed my mind... However my Grandma loved this place and I truly do want to protect it... But you are right... How could I protect a place that doesn't even want me here? Well, if it were a fairy tale I probably would've left... However the story isn't over yet, Garuk-Nai are still around and this place doesn't have any protectors from Bandits and Raiders... From what I learn from the Book and my time as a Soldier... It takes a bigger man to continue fighting despite the adversity. Especially when it comes to protecting innocent people... Despite how they treat and view me... They are good people and they still deserve someone who can stand and fight for them. And if that's what it takes for them to see me for who I really am... Then so be it." Takara said setting the rotten wood and his tools down at the side of his Yurt while Hisuinome set the basket in front of the Yurt as she looked at him with a sparkle in her eye. Ironically this made she scared Takara cause he thought she was crying."U-u-uh S-Sorry hm I-""No no... It's fine... Honestly that's... Really Sweet." Hisuinome said with a smile moving her bang to show both her eyes as she looked at him.This gesture had calmed Takara down as he lost himself for a few seconds with how she looked at him before she suddenly blushed and nervously chuckled in embarrassment."That was so Cheesy! Ehehehe... S-Sorry I uh... Well that was sweet r-really, It uh.... Makes me appreciate having you here more!" She said fiddling with her hands, blinking several times as she looked to the side embarrassed."O-oh... T-Thank you... I made her uncomfortable what is wrong with me?!" He replied rubbing the back of his head with a slight blush as he also looked to the side."I-Its no problem hehe... Well Hm... See you tonight?" She asked with her hands behind her back, leaning toward him, with her head tilted cutely all while blushing from embarrassment."Yeah... I don't want to be rude after-""Good! I'll see you there soldier boy!" She said bopping his nose as she quickly turn to walk back home."O-Ok.""Oh one last thing!" She runs up behind him and gives him a hug"W-wait! Why-""I felt like you needed one... Just know you're Appreciated." She said tightening the hug for a second before she let go and walked away not seeing his reaction as his face was Bright Red.The Night would soon come as Takara joined Nomin, Hisuinome, and Kouki for dinner as they ate Lamb Tsuivan. While feeling out of place Takara try to put in all the effort to be respectful and polite as he could. This wouldn't get pass the women as they encouraged him to be more opened and eat as much as he could.For the Young Man however, he would still keep trying to be as polite as he could because he truly felt something he didn't think would come.Nomin the elegant woman who's smile eased his stress as her mature and gentle mannerisms cause him to feel at home.Kouki the little curious boy who wouldn't leave his side gave his heart a new found spark for young children as Kouki's happiness soften Takara almost making a smile on his face had he not kept his composure much to Hisuinome's dismay as she kept waiting for that chance to view his smile though it never came.And for Hisuinome... He had found out She had cooked the majority of the dinner tonight. The Tsuivan was incredibly delicious that it had made Takara break a single tear as he truly enjoyed the food. Her outgoing nature, her kindness, and her need to involve him in the conversation touched his heart. And confused him as he hadn't felt anything of this nature before. And While Nomin's smile calmed his social anxiety... Hisuinome's smile was different... He continued to want to see it but didn't know how... And luckily the entire night he was able to see her smile.As he went to his Yurt after dinner he looked up at the stars then back to the village."I... I want to protect their smiles..."