Chapter 3

The three finished up their work and headed for the Handa's house.

Approaching the front door, Yori approached the threshold and held up his left hand.

Knock knock knock.

He glanced back at his friend and shrugged.

Knock knock knock.

They waited several moments before they came to the conclusion that Mrs. Handa was not there. Yori quietly berated himself as he turned to his friend.

"Crap, we took too long."

"Maybe she went to the market herself?"

"Maybe if someone would have helped instead of failing as a lookout we would have been faster."

"Guys! Quit joking around. We need to help Mr. Handa. Let's go find her!"

Noko clenched her small fists at her side and gave the boys a very serious look. Yori chuckled as he decided this was about as intimidating as she could look, rustling her hair on the way by. The three of them hurried off to the market. Surveying the area, they quickly pinpointed Mrs. Handa at the feet of a well-dressed merchant, seemingly pleading with him. The man had his arms crossed in front of him and rolled his eyes, uncrossing his arms to shoo her away from his stall. Two large men stood on either side of the stall wearing simple clothing. Yori glanced at the daggers on their belts. As they approached, the three began to make out what the merchant was saying.

"I'm sorry, but I am not a charity. If you want goods you have to pay. I'm aware it is expensive, but that's the nature of supply and demand, my dear."

"But my husband-"

"Move it along, I have other paying customers to help."

The woman did not budge. Looking towards one of the large men, the merchant waved him over. Grasping Mrs. Handa by her armpits, the burly man began to carry Mrs. Handa away from the stall. The woman's body went limp as she whimpered in defeat. It was difficult for Yori and his kind heart to justify such thinking.

What are thy doing? How they be so cruel to an elderly lady? How can this merchant hear how much she needs the medicine and not help her?

Anger began bubbling to the surface. Yori felt a tug on his shirt near his hip. Blinking away the initial fury, Yori looked over at his sister who was trying to get his attention. Her bright eyes were to the brim with unshed tears. The weight on his chest got heavier.

"Poor Mrs. Handa, we have to help her! She looks so sad and I don't want that man to hurt her."

"Don't worry Noko, we'll take care of it."

Noko quickly wiped away her tears as Yori stepped forward, Naoki at his side. He didn't even have to say anything to his friend to know that Naoki had his back. They were practiced in the art of deescalation, being used to tense situations involving money when having to sell Yori's family's goods. As they approached the other guard came to help his colleague if need be. Naoki quickly engaged the guards, using charm to distract them from the matter at hand.

"Hey there! There seems to be a commotion over here. Are you new in town?"

The guards turned their attention to the boy, preparing for the worst. By the way that they immediately resorted to violence Yori could tell they had likely experienced trouble in their travels, either from monster or other human. The creatures that roamed the forest were not the only dangerous things beyond the village's barrier.

"We are, what of it?"

"Well then, do I ever have a treat for you! You have got to try Mr. Francobi's roasted chicken skewers. He cooks them slow over a fire, they are fantastic."

Wrapping his arms around the men and redirecting them to a stall a couple of vendors over, Naoki looked over his shoulder and winked at Yori. He continued spewing his expertise at the local cuisine, leaving Yori to aid Mrs. Handa.

Meanwhile, Yori stood close to Mrs. Handa, reassuring her that everything was going to be alright. He stealthily placed himself between her and the merchant in order to have an advantageous position if things were to go south. Yori reached out his hand and allowed her to use him for support. He overheard Naoki and the guards discussing their long work hours, complaining that they never got time off to relax. The men headed off in the direction of the pub. Naoki waved as he bid them farewell, brandishing a large smile, which turned to a smirk as he walked back towards Yori.

Since he was done dealing with the guards and remembered Yori's injured shoulder, Naoki moved in close to take most of the support off of his friend. For once, Noko had listened to her brother and stayed out of the situation. As the two men departed, she ran up to Mrs. Handa to ensure she was unharmed.

Ignoring the confused and disgruntled merchant, abandoned by his hired help for drink, the three young ones led Mrs. Handa back to her house. Yori sheepishly reached into his hip satchel and removed a worn bag full of their handcrafted tea pouches and Mrs. Handa's money. He held them out to Mrs. Handa.

"Sorry we took so long getting these for you… we got a little side-tracked."

"Oh, it is no problem at all. I had begun to worry and thought maybe you boys were busy with something else, so I figured I would get the herbs so you wouldn't have to. But thank you so much for helping me back there, and for these. Oh, and you too little lady. I don't know how I could ever repay you for everything you've done."

She gingerly grabbed the bag of herbs and smiled at them.

"We're all family in this town, we help each other out."

"That's right, I'll protect this whole town myself!"

"Oh yeah, you were a big help Noko. Practically saved the whole town single handed. Haha."

Naoki teased Noko as she held up her nose in triumph, indicating that she was the ringleader of the whole operation. Mrs. Handa thanked them again and again, and asked them if she could make them anything to eat. The sun was beginning to touch the treeline, indicating it was getting close to dinner. Naoki protested slightly, but Yori assured them it was time for everyone to head home.

We never did make it to the field to help father with the tilling. I have a sneaking suspicion that this was his plan all along. I wonder if he knew Mrs. Handa needed help?

Naoki parted ways with the siblings, having to go in opposite directions to get to his own home. As the siblings walked back to their own home, they noticed the village elder's son. The well-built man was climbing a ladder set underneath one of the lampposts scattered throughout the village. After unlatching the glass covering and swinging it open on its metal hinge, the man placed his hand briefly on the yellow crystal within. The stone began emitting a relatively bright light as he withdrew his hand and re-latched the mechanism. As he climbed down the ladder he nodded and smiled at Yori and Noko. Yori returned the gesture as Noko raised her hand and waved at him, a toothy grin on her face.

As they passed him, Noko suddenly grabbed Yori's arm and hugged it tight, still keeping pace.

"I'm glad I told mom and dad no, that guy's a big meanie."

"What? What did you say no to? And who's a big meanie? Toro? I think he's really nice."

Yori glanced down at his sister, his brow raised in confusion by the sudden outburst. She rolled her eyes.

"No, not hiimmmm. The guy that was mean to Mrs. Handa."

She seemed to be avoiding eye contact, burying part of her face in the inside of his elbow as she continued.

"Well, I wasn't gonna tell you, but Mom had made some deal thingy with that mean guy to bring me to the academy tonight, but… "

"What?! Why did-"

"I just don't wanna'. Especially not with that big jerk."

Yori sighed. Pulling his little sister to a stop, he knelt down, facing her.

"Okay, first of all, watch your language. Second, WHAT!? Why didn't you go? This is such a huge opportunity for you! You get to go to a big city and learn fire magic. Doesn't that sound amazing? Why didn't you jump at the chance to go as soon as you could?"

Although he had never wanted or even considered anything other than taking over his family's farm and having a quiet, normal life for himself, Yori felt his sister was meant for greater things. Going with that merchant would have been a good idea since his guards were there to keep everyone safe from the monsters. No doubt they were at least somewhat skilled combatants.

"Because I don't wanna leave. You, mama, daddy. I'm just too important around here. If I go to school, you guys will be lonely."

"Geez, Noko. We'll be fine, I promise. And you will too."

He could tell she was trying to fight back tears, but he was not going to let anything jeopardize her future. Placing his arms around her, he pulled Noko in for a tight hug, letting go to place his hands on her shoulders.

"Let's go tell mom and dad that you've reconsidered and you would like to go tonight."

Noko pushed Yori's hands off of her and yelled quite loudly.

"But I don't wanna'!"

"But why? I told you, we'll all be just fine."

"Because!"

She would not let him push the issue any further, crossing her arms and refusing to say another word. They walked the rest of the way in silence, Noko's cheeks puffed out in annoyance and her arms folded across her chest.

They opened the door to the wonderful aroma of stew and fresh bread. Dinner was already laid out on the table, lovingly prepared by their mother. Their father was sitting patiently at the table, a small grin lifted the corner of his mouth.

"Couldn't find the big oaf? Seems he'd be hard to miss."

"I found him just fine, but on our way back Mrs. Handa needed our help. I didn't realize it was going to take the entire day. I'm really sorry, I'll finish plowing the field tomorrow. I promise."

"Well, I suppose I can forgive you since you were doing a good deed. That woman makes the best pies in town."

Mrs. Yoshinaga gave him a stern, but joking, glance. Her hands were at her hips, coaxing an apology from her husband.

"Other than yours of course, honey."

He turned his attention back to Yori.

"Well, I hope everything is alright with Mr. Handa?"

Yori averted his gaze and sat down at his place at the table, exclaiming that everything looked and smelled amazing. His father respected the solemnity in the situation and did not pursue his question further. Yori's silence spoke volumes at Mr. Yoshinaga's inquiry.

Everyone at the table enjoyed dinner, as usual. Mrs. Yoshinaga was kind, caring, and supportive, and always ensured her children and husband were well looked after and prepared for anything. The family joked and laughed until it was time for bed.

Mr. Yoshinaga stood and quietly walked over to a sleeping Noko, her head lying on top of her arms at the dinner table, snoring slightly. Placing one of his arms under her armpits and the other under her legs, he lifted her from the chair, repositioning her head so it was resting on his shoulder. She stirred slightly and whined, switching her head to look the other way and wrapping her arms around his neck in a slumbering hug as she quickly fell back to sleep in her father's arms. He carried her to her room to tuck her in to bed.

Mrs. Yoshinaga removed a boiling pot of water from the wood stove and poured it into the sink, filling it the rest of the way with the cool tap water to lower the temperature from scalding. Yori stood and began handing her dishes, helping to dry and put them away when she was done cleaning them. As his mother wiped the final item, a large knife she had used to cut up the meat for the stew, Yori gathered the courage to inquire about Noko's situation as he placed it on the counter.

"Mom?"

"Yes dear?"

"Noko mentioned that she was supposed to leave for the academy today, but she decided against it."

"Sweety, she wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes, that's true."

"I don't understand, why doesn't Noko want to go to the academy? I get that she's going to miss us, but this is a huge opportunity for her."

"She just doesn't want to miss your birthday."

Closing his mouth, Yori averted his eyes to look at the counter, annoyed that it was his fault. His mother put her arm around his shoulders in comfort. Yori winced and did his best to hide the pain from the bruise on his shoulder that his mother was now squeezing.

"Don't worry about it though, we'll have plenty of time to get her there before the school year starts. There are always people heading to and from the capital with proper protection. Are you okay, dear?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess that makes sense. Thanks mom. I'm gonna head to bed now."

"Alright dear, good night. Have a good rest."

"Good night."

He hugged her as she kissed him on the forehead, her hands still wet from doing the dishes. She gave him a sympathetic look as he headed for his room. Yori felt horrible. He had never even considered the fact that he might be the reason that his sister did not want to leave.

I will have to apologize to her in the morning, and thank her for wanting to be here for my birthday.

It had been a long day and Yori was exhausted and still sore from the excitement with the jackalope. His eyes drooped, threatening to take his consciousness away before he managed to enter his room. Pressing his eyes closed, he attempted to blink away the fatigue. He collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

Although Yori slept, it was an unrestful slumber. Caught up in guilt-ridden dreams of causing difficulties for his little sister.

What if Noko has a hard time in class because she didn't get there on time? What if she doesn't make friends all because of him?

He tossed and turned in his tribulations until a scream pierced his nightmare, violently waking him. He flew into a seated position and tried to pinpoint where the scream came from for a brief second. Throwing his thin blanket onto the floor, he leaped over to the window. It was oddly bright in the streets as shadows danced along his walls. Not imagining anything could have happened in his own home, he peered outside to see if someone was in trouble.