The group continued exploring the bustling city, enjoying the sights and sounds, when, after about half an hour, they noticed a group of armored samurai guards scanning the area.
The guards locked eyes on them, and without hesitation, they rushed over, the leader drawing his sword as they approached.
"Step away from them!" the guard barked, his tone commanding.
Kenshin raised his hands in mock surrender, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "At ease, soldier. We're not going to do anything to your little… escaped princesses." His teasing tone made Amaya roll her eyes, while Hana giggled from her spot in Kenshin's arms.
The samurai's eyes flared with anger at Kenshin's words, his grip on his sword tightening, but before he could respond, Kenshin stepped forward, releasing a pulse of his chakra. The sheer force of it sent a chill through the air.
Akane instinctively followed his lead, her own chakra flaring. The combined intensity made the samurai visibly pale, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.
Kenshin's expression darkened as he spoke, his tone icy. "You're already incompetent enough to let the head of state of a neighboring country, our Daimyo's niece, sneak out with her child. It's one woman and one child. How hard could it be to keep an eye on them?"
The samurai faltered, their gazes darting between Kenshin and Amaya before dropping to the ground in shame.
"And for the record," Kenshin continued, his voice sharp, "I'm the one who saved their lives back in the Land of Grass. I'll take care of them as long as I'm in this city. You can inform the daimyo that his niece and granddaughter are in the hands of the shinobi who saved them.
He needn't worry. I'll return them to the palace when we're done here, and I'll speak with him if necessary. I take full responsibility."
The lead samurai hesitated, his pride visibly wounded, but finally nodded reluctantly. "While you might be competent—painfully more so than us—we still have our orders. Amaya-sama and Hana-sama must return to the palace."
Before Kenshin could respond, Amaya stepped forward, her voice firm. "We're staying with the shinobi. I feel safer with them, and you are to relay that to my uncle. That's an order."
The samurai hesitated again, clearly conflicted, but after a tense moment, they bowed deeply. "Understood, Amaya-sama." They straightened and began retreating, their movements stiff and formal, their pride clearly stung by the encounter.
As the samurai disappeared into the crowd, Kenshin relaxed, his chakra fading as he looked down at Hana, who was still giggling in his arms, blissfully unaware of the tension that had just unfolded.
Yukari, ever the voice of reason, spoke up softly. "Kenshin-sama… perhaps you shouldn't have embarrassed them like that. Samurai are prideful, and humiliating them in public like that might not have been the best choice."
Before Kenshin could reply, Kana chimed in with a proud grin, her tone firm. "He did nothing wrong. What good is pride if you're incapable of doing your job?"
The group murmured in agreement, though a few of them still seemed to think Kenshin could have handled it with better.
Kenshin shrugged, offering a faint smile. "I was just a bit pissed because that guy pulled his sword on me. Oh well," he added with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "As long as they don't commit harakiri or something, it should be fine."
The group fell into a momentary silence, some exchanging amused glances at Kenshin's bluntness, before they resumed their exploration of the city, Hana still giggling happily in his arms.
Kenshin gently adjusted Hana in his arms as she looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Onii-chan, what's harakiri?" she asked, tilting her head.
He gave a small chuckle, brushing a stray lock of her hair aside. "It's a samurai thing. You wouldn't understand."
Hana's face lit up with a confident smile. "Of course! I'm going to be a kunoichi, not a samurai. A super-strong kunoichi, just like you, onii-chan!"
Kenshin's chuckle deepened, his crimson eyes softening as he looked down at her. "You can definitely do that. When you grow up and become a kunoichi, I'll train you myself."
Amaya leaned in, a teasing grin on her face. "Oh? And how exactly are you going to train her when she's all the way in the Land of Grass?"
Kenshin didn't miss a beat, his tone casual. "I'll just fly there. Easy."
Amaya raised an eyebrow, nodding thoughtfully. "Hmm, sounds tiring."
Kenshin smiled, his gaze returning to Hana. "For Hana? It's worth it."
Hana giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling into him. "Thank you, onii-chan! You're the best!"
The group, walking just behind, exchanged silent glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. Kenshin's casual affection with Amaya and Hana was far from the stoic shinobi demeanor they were accustomed to.
As they strolled through the city's crowded streets, Kenshin suddenly stopped in his tracks. A look of realization crossed his face. "Oh, right!" he muttered to himself.
Hana's eyes lit up. "Onii-chan, what are you going to do? Is it something cool?"
Kenshin grinned at her enthusiasm. "Yeah, I'm going to bring in some of my friends. You'll like them."
Akane, walking beside him, gave him a skeptical glance. "You're talking about Kira and Kaede, aren't you?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
Kenshin smirked but didn't reply. Instead, he turned down a quiet alley, prompting confused looks from the rest of the group. Akane followed, her arms crossed. Amaya, curious, trailed after them.
Akane shot her a questioning look. "Why are you following us?"
Amaya shrugged nonchalantly. "Same reason you are. I want to see what happens."
Kenshin glanced over his shoulder as they reached the secluded alley. "Why are you two tagging along?" he asked, though his tone lacked any real irritation.
Akane didn't hesitate. "If you're planning on summoning those two here, it's a bad idea. Their appearance will cause a scene."
Kenshin shook his head. "Relax. I already talked to them about it. They'll use transformation jutsu to hide their tails and ears. It's a partial transformation, so their appearance won't change. I taught them the seals myself."
Without waiting for further objections, Kenshin formed the seals for the summoning jutsu. A puff of smoke filled the alley, and when it cleared, Kira and Kaede stood before them, both sniffing the air and looking around.
"This place is… different," Kira said, her golden-green eyes scanning their surroundings.
Kaede nodded, her gaze landing on Akane, who stood with a neutral expression. A faint, almost mischievous smile spread across Kaede's lips, one that seemed to annoy Akane despite her best efforts to remain calm.
Amaya observed the subtle tension between the two, her sharp intuition picking up on their dynamic. But before she could comment, Hana darted forward, circling the two newcomers with wide, excited eyes.
"You're so tall!" she exclaimed, staring up at Kaede. Her attention quickly shifted to Kira. "And you're so pretty!"
When her gaze landed on Kaede's jet-black tail, she couldn't resist reaching out to touch it. "Whoa… it's so soft!"
Kaede's expression immediately darkened. Her bright red eyes narrowed, and in an instant, her claws extended as she turned on Hana, her instincts flaring.
Before Hana could even react, Kenshin was already there. He grabbed Kaede's arm mid-swing, allowing her claws to sink into his chest instead of Hana. A tense silence filled the alley as everyone froze.
Hana blinked, not fully understanding what had just happened. Kenshin acted quickly, his right eye glowing faintly as he stopped the bleeding in his chest almost instantly.
His voice was calm but firm as he addressed Kaede telepathically. "Kaede. She's just a kid. Calm down. She doesn't know about your tribe's rules."
Kaede's gaze flickered, her lips pressing into a thin line as she retracted her claws. "Forgive me....," she said reluctantly, her tone unusually subdued.
Hana tilted her head, still holding onto Kaede's tail. "Did Hana do something bad?" she asked innocently.
Kenshin knelt down, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "No, Hana. You didn't do anything wrong. Kaede just doesn't like surprises."
Hana nodded, letting go of the tail and looking up at Kaede with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Kaede-san."
Kaede gave a slight nod, her usual confidence seeming a bit shaken as she muttered, "It's… fine. Just ask for permission next time."
Kira, who had been watching silently, stepped forward, placing a hand on Hana's head and smiling warmly. "Don't worry. Kaede's just a bit grumpy sometimes."
The tension in the alley eased, and Kenshin let out a quiet sigh, his expression softening as he stood back up. "All right, let's move on before we draw any more attention."
Kira and Kaede did the hand seals, and using partial transformation, made their appearance completely human. Kenshin gave both of them a coat for the cold, and they exited the alley.
Hana stayed close to Kenshin, her earlier excitement only slightly dampened. Kaede, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought, her usual confidence replaced by an uncharacteristic quietness.
Akane kept a watchful eye on her, while Amaya remained curious, quietly observing the interactions with a faint smile.
As the group reunited, Kana's face lit up with a warm smile when she saw Kira and Kaede. "It's good to see you both here," she said kindly. Yukari, standing beside her, mirrored her smile. "It's been a while. I'm glad you could join us."
Kira nodded cheerfully, returning their smiles. "We're happy to be here," she said with her usual playful tone. Kaede, however, gave only a distracted nod, her eyes unfocused as her mind wandered.
Kenshin took a step forward, gesturing toward the two cats. "Everyone, this is Kira and Kaede. They're my summons, and they'll be joining us today."
The group exchanged glances, and while most of them seemed intrigued, Tenten broke the silence. "They're using transformation jutsu, aren't they?" she asked, her eyes flicking to Kaede.
Kenshin nodded. "Yeah, it's a partial transformation. They're just concealing their tails and ears for now."
Kira stepped forward, her gold-green eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, since we're all spending the day together, why don't I get to know you all? What are your names?"
She glanced around, her playful grin putting everyone at ease. The group slowly began introducing themselves, one by one, as Kira's natural charisma drew them in.
Kaede, however, stayed silent, standing a step behind Kira. Her mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts she couldn't seem to shake. 'Why did I apologize?' she kept asking herself. 'There was no reason to apologize. She touched my tail. That's unforgivable. Why did I feel compelled to say sorry?'
Her claws instinctively flexed as she struggled to make sense of the inner turmoil swirling within her. 'I've never apologized to anyone. Not my father, not my sisters. No one. So why him?'
Her gaze drifted to Kenshin, who was now lifting Hana with one hand, laughing softly at something Hana had said. The sight only deepened the conflict within her. 'Why does he make me feel this way?'
The thought of the Spring of Truth crossed her mind suddenly, unbidden. 'Perhaps if I went there, I could understand what's happening to me. I could find clarity… or at least silence this madness.'
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Kenshin approached her, holding Hana securely in one arm. His other hand reached out and gently squeezed hers. The simple gesture startled her, and for a moment, her eyes met his.
"Don't worry, Kaede," Kenshin said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "Come on."
Kaede's breath hitched, and she found herself nodding without fully understanding why. "...All right," she muttered, her voice quieter than usual.
With that, the group continued exploring the bustling streets of the capital. Kenshin kept Hana close, pointing out interesting sights and sharing stories that made her laugh. Kira, ever the social butterfly, was already charming the rest of the group, drawing laughter and smiles from everyone.
Kaede, however, remained quiet, trailing just behind Kenshin. Her thoughts lingered on his words, his touch, and the strange feeling of unease within her.
She didn't know what was happening to her, but one thing was certain: whatever this was, it wasn't over.
As the group wandered the lively streets of the capital, Amaya's gaze often drifted toward Hana. The little girl was practically glowing, her laughter and smiles seemingly unending.
Amaya couldn't help but notice how, ever since they had arrived in the city a week ago, Hana hadn't shown even a hint of happiness—until now. With Kenshin, it was as though a light had been reignited in her.
Amaya's chest tightened. 'Why can't I make her this happy?' she thought, guilt weighing heavily on her heart. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring that same joy to Hana's face. It hurt more than she was willing to admit.
As the day wound down, the group found themselves at a quiet park. Kenshin, Akane, Amaya, Kaede, Kira, and Hana settled under the shade of a large tree, while the others chose a spot nearby.
Hana, exhausted from the day's excitement, had fallen asleep in Kenshin's arms and now rested peacefully on his lap. Kenshin absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair, his expression unusually gentle.
Amaya sat nearby, her hands gripping the fabric of her dress as she stole glances at him. Her mind was racing, going over what she was about to say again and again. 'Is this really the right thing to do?' she wondered, doubt creeping in.
But every time she looked at Hana's serene face and Kenshin's calm demeanor, her resolve solidified. She had to do this—for Hana.
Finally, she gathered her courage, her voice breaking the silence under the tree. "Kenshin…"
He looked up at her, his red eyes meeting hers with a calm yet questioning gaze. "What is it?"
The words were harder to say than she anticipated, but she forced them out. "Will you… marry me?"
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Kenshin stared at her, his expression unreadable. Kira blinked in surprise, her head tilting curiously, while Kaede's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, though she said nothing.
Akane, on the other hand, immediately opened her mouth to interject, but Kaede, sitting beside her, placed a firm yet gentle hand on hers.
Akane looked at her in confusion, but Kaede's conflicted expression stopped her. It was clear Kaede was unsure about the situation too, but she was choosing to trust Kenshin's judgment.
Kenshin's gaze remained fixed on Amaya, his face unreadable as he processed her words. The weight of the question lingered in the air, and Amaya could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She had prepared herself for this, but now that the moment was here, it was overwhelming.
After what felt like an eternity, Kenshin leaned forward, his face drawing closer to hers. His lips were mere inches away when Amaya instinctively turned her head to the side, unable to meet him halfway.
She wasn't in love with him. How could she kiss someone she didn't have feelings for? She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm.
When she finally looked back at him, Kenshin had already leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You're not asking me that because you like me," he said quietly. "You just want me to take care of Hana."
Amaya's breath caught in her throat. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Kenshin's words had hit the mark perfectly, leaving her speechless.
"I get it," Kenshin continued, his tone still calm but carrying a hint of understanding. "You don't have to marry me for that, though."
He glanced down at Hana, a soft smile crossing his face. "I'll take care of her, no matter what. You don't need to tie yourself to me to make sure of that. I'll just fly over every weekend. That should be enough for now."
Amaya felt a lump in her throat, her eyes stinging. She hadn't meant to guilt Kenshin into anything, but hearing his words brought her an unexpected sense of relief. She managed a shaky nod. "Thank you… Kenshin," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kenshin gave her a reassuring smile before turning his attention back to the sleeping Hana. The moment passed, and the group under the tree settled into silence once more, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Kaede, however, couldn't help but glance at Kenshin out of the corner of her eye. Her mind churned with conflicting emotions, the scene playing out before her only adding to her inner turmoil.
'What is it about him that draws people to him like this?' she wondered, her claws gently digging into the fabric of her robes as she fought to suppress the strange feelings bubbling up within her.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.