Chapter 3

On a reef at the west side of the island is the secret fishing spot that Jintetsu found with Yuina 2 weeks ago.

Accidentally, Jintetsu found this place because Yuina’s Temari ball bounced, rolled and eventually getting lost in a bush.

Since it was a present from her mother, Yuina cried and in order to make he stop, Jintetsu pushes through the bushes while Yuina held the hem of his clothes sobbing.

Jintetsu and Yuina eventually found the Temari at the edge of the reef. Just when Jintetsu is about to pick up the ball, he took notice of the amazing amount of fish swimming at sea.

Thus, Jintetsu decided that this reef is now his and Yuina’s secret fishing spot.

[Jintetsu] “Hehe, Okaa-sama was so surprised when I gave her the fishes I caught the last time.”

[Yuina] “S—so was my Haha-ue, she was very happy when we ate good fish together with Chichi-ue......Hmm?”

[Jintetsu] “Yuina, what wrong?”

[Yuina] “There.”

Pointing towards the area she is looking at, Jintetsu follows her finger with his eyes and found dozens of birds gathering at the beach.

[Jintetsu] “Did something get washed up on the beach?”

Taking out the line out of the water, Jintetsu took his fishing rod while Yuina takes the empty fish basket, and they made their way to the small beach next to the reef.

[Jintetsu] “Maybe it’s a washed up giant fish.”

[Yuina] “If it is, won’t the birds eat it?”

[Jintetsu] “Hehehe, we can’t let that happen, now could we? You stay here Yuina; I’ll take care of them.”

Finishing his words, Jintetsu waves his Fishing rod like a sword, scaring the birds away.

[Jintetsu] “Sorry guys, but this fish is mine………huh?”

Seeing Jintetsu tilt his head, Yuina cautiously walks closer.

[Jintetsu] “Hey, Yuina.”

[Yuina] “Yes?”

[Jintetsu] “Since when do fishes grow wings and start wearing clothes?”

Obviously, the thing they are looking at isn’t a fish, but a girl. But due to Jintetsu’s surprise, he wasn’t able to quickly understand the situation.

[Yuina] “Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

But with Yuina’s scream, Jintetsu quickly snaps back.

[Jintetsu] “Whoa! This is bad, Yuina hurry back to town! Go call Obaa-sama and tell her to come here! Quick!”

[Yuina] “Y—yes!”

Giving a rarely strong voice, Yuina runs towards town without slowing down.

And while Yuina calls for help, Jintetsu looks for a way to keep her warm. He then remembers the trick or skill taught by his grandmother.

And that skill is that an Oni can increase his body temperature by himself.

But before he heats himself up, Jintetsu took off the girl’s clothes and got her completely naked. He then took of his top clothing, hugs the unconscious girl and puts his kimono around them.

[Jintetsu] “Alright, this will do. Now for the heat………”

Jintetsu then closes his eyes and concentrates his body, with the warmth that is being released by Jintetsu’s body; the freezing body of the girl slowly gets warmer.

[Aletta] “Ngnnn……huh? Where am I?”

[Jintetsu] “Oh, you’re awake!”

The unconscious girl Aletta, who is now awake, slowly turns her head and looks at her surroundings. But as soon as she looks to her right, a light red skinned boy is sitting close and hugging her.

[Aletta] “Wh—wh—what are you doing?”

[Jintetsu] “Huh? What did you say? I can’t understand what you just said.”

Jintetsu once again tilts his head, not understanding a single word from Aletta.

Meanwhile Aletta struggle and pushes Jintetsu away, without knowing that the kimono fell of her body, she then looks around in panic and confusion; eventually taking notice of her dress lying next to her feet.

Her eyes grew wide seeing her clothes, which she is supposed to be wearing this moment, her mouth gaps open.

[Aletta] “Wh—why am I naked? Eh? Why are my clothes on the ground?”

Without the use of words, Jintetsu could easily tell that the girl is panicking, so he slowly stood up, walks closer to her to not make her panic even more.

He then puts both his hands on her shoulders and made a very friendly smile.

[Jintetsu] “You don’t have to worry anymo—Umph…”

But his effort and words are quickly stopped by Aletta’s slap.

[Aletta] “What so you think you’re doing!?”

Aletta’s eyes got teary and her face redden, all the way down to her neck.

She then look around again and found a Jintetsu’s fishing rod on the ground, she then grabs it and defends herself by posing like she is holding on to a sword.

[Jintetsu] (D—did I do anything wrong? why did she slap me?)

Though Aletta’s slap didn’t really hurt Jintetsu, due to his Oni attributes, he still rubs his cheek in confusion.

[Aletta] “Y—you better stay away from me or I’ll…or I’ll…”

With her trembling hands, Aletta puts up a courageous front and attacks Jintetsu by stepping forward and then swings the fishing rod down, aiming at Jintetsu’s head.

[Aletta] “Ngghh!?”

But she quickly fell down to her knees while moaning in pain. She then looks behind her and finds her right foot swelled up and the ankle completely blushed red.

[Aletta] “Ngghhh…my foot…”

[Jintetsu] “Ouch, that looks bad. We should get Obaa-sama to check on your foot.”

Without being noticed, Jintetsu kneels down next to Aletta and looks at her foot. Jintetsu then picks up his kimono and covers Aletta.

[Aletta] “Ah…um...”

While taken by surprise, Jintetsu stood at her side and suddenly carries her like a princess.

[Aletta] “Wha—wait, I’m…”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry, Obaa-sama will take care of that foot of yours.”

With her feelings starting to calm down, she slowly understood what Jintetsu was trying to say, thanks to Kurohiko’s lessons.

She then slowly opens her mouth and spoke the words she was first taught.

[Aletta] “Umm…th—thank you.”

[Jintetsu] “Huh, you can speak? So does that mean you can understand me too?”

[Aletta] “J—just a li—little bit.”

[Jintetsu] “I see.”

Jintetsu then smiles to her and Aletta smiles back seeing his friendly grin.

Minutes later, Jintetsu is now walking at a road leading to his house while having Aletta cradle on his arms.

[Jintetsu] “Just a few more steps and we’ll get to my house Aletta, so don’t worry.”

[Aletta] “Thank you um…Jints…Jintsu…”

[Jintetsu] “You can just call me Jin, everyone calls me that.”

[Aletta] “Alright, Jin…and Thank you again.”

Showing another friendly grin, Aletta giggles as she relaxes her body on Jintetsu’s arms.

After walking for a few more minutes, Jintetsu could finally see the rooftop of his house.

Thinking for what’s best for Aletta, Jintetsu fixes his hold on Aletta and runs straight to his home.

Finally reaching his back door, Jintetsu shouts out loud, calling for Shiranue.

[Jintetsu] “Obaa-sama! Obaa-sama, someone needs your help! Obaa-sama!”

Though Jintetsu knows that it’s rude, he still opens the sliding door with his feet and enters his home.

[Jintetsu] “Obaa-sama!? Okaa-sama, Otou-sama!?”

With Aletta still on his arms, Jintetsu shouts for his family but no one came.

[Jintetsu] (That’s weird, did they all go somewhere?)

Thinking that it wouldn’t help Aletta’s foot if they stayed here, Jintetsu decides to go up the hill and look for Shiranue at the shrine.

[Jintetsu] “Hold on Aletta, I’m sure Obaa-sama is at the shrine.”

[Aletta] “Eh? But are you sure, aren’t you tired of carrying me?”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry about me Aletta, as a man who walks the road of Bushido, I won’t leave anyone in need.”

[Aletta] “Bu—Bushi?”

With Aletta still confused, Jintetsu walks out of the front door and is now about to run uphill, but at the corner of Aletta’s eyes, she notices a familiar figure at the distance.

[Aletta] “Ah, that’s our ship!”

[Jintetsu] “Huh? Your ship?”

Hearing Aletta’s words, Jintetsu follows the direction where Aletta is looking.

And as soon as he does, his eyes grew wide and sparkle in amazement.

[Jintetsu] “Whoa! What is that, it’s huge! That’s your ship!?”

[Aletta] “Yes it is, my family must be looking for me.”

[Jintetsu] “Then it’ll be better to go there first before going to Obaa-sama, huh?”

With Aletta nodding in agreement, Jintetsu runs down, heading towards the town’s harbor.

At the island’s only harbor, a huge never before seen white ship is anchored at its pier.

At first, the people that gathered at the harbor were staring at the huge ship, but now, what everyone’s looking at is the Karasu Tengu flying up at the sky.

Normally, seeing a Karasu Tengu fly isn’t something to ogle at, but what made the townspeople stare is that how the Karasu Tengu, Kurohiko fly off.

(Thud!!!)

[Kurohiko] “Guha!”

After flying up a few feet away, Kurohiko quickly falls to the ground like a stone.

[Kurohiko] “Shi—Shiranue-san, why did you give me a punch in—instead of a nice welcome greeting?”

[Shiranue] “Huh? Do you seriously think I’ll give you such a greeting after running away from your duties as one of the island’s Elders?”

With nothing more to say, Shiranue grabs on Kurohiko’s collar and throws him into the ocean like an unwanted fish.

After tossing an unwanted bird to the ocean, Shiranue felt a tug on the hem of her sleeve.

As she looks back to see who it was and finds a pair of pure white fox ears, her eyes then trails a bit lower and finds the shy and meek Yuina.

[Shiranue] “I’m sorry dear, but I need to talk to our guest first. I’ll listen to you later, alright?”

[Yuina] “Ah…but…Shi—Shiranue-sama…Jin-kun, he…”

[Shiranue] “Don’t tell me he did something reckless again...Sigh…never mind, I’ll deal with him later...for now…”

Shiranue puts his left hand on his forehead then breaths to calm her mind. With his hand leaving her forehead, she gently pats Yuina’s head and then walks towards their foreign guests, leaving Yuina unable to say a word.

[Shiranue] “I’m sorry in advance if I’m being rude, but do you understand what I’m saying?”

[Colter] “Y—yes, I do understand what you are saying.”

But even though the man looked distinguished, his face shows great fear and worry. His skin color is pale and his hands trembles uncontrollably.

[Shiranue] “Is there something wrong?”

Thinking that Shiranue’s words like a ray of hope, Colter answers her with a loud voice.

[Shiranue] “I see, if your daughter fell near the coast, then she should have come ashore. Yajiro, tell your men to look at the east side of the island. Natsume-san, you and your men should go look to the west.”

[Yajiro] “Yes Hahaue.”

[Natsume] “Understood.”

Quickly nodding to Shiranue’s orders, Yajiro calls out to Danzou and his men as well as the female Samurai General Natsume the Kijo, calls out to her subordinates.

Seeing Shiranue’s quick thinking and act of helping without hesitation, Colter bows his head again and again while saying his thanks countless of times.

As the two samurai unites getting ready a familiar voice rings throughout the pair.

[Jintetsu] “Obaa-sama, are you there!? Obaa-sama!”

With a loud shout that even beats the adult’s combined murmuring, Jintetsu’s voice was quickly heard by Shiranue as well as Yajiro and the rest of the people at the front.

[Shiranue] “I’m here, Jin-bou!”

Hearing his grandmother’s reply, Jintetsu forces himself and squeeze through the crowed. But after a few more squeezing through, the townspeople move away and let Jintetsu pass.

After saying his thanks to the townspeople, Jintetsu continues to run towards Shiranue. And as he gets closer, Shiranue notices that his grandchild is carrying someone.

Just when Shiranue is about to walk to Jintetsu, she was overtaken by Colter fast running.

[Colter] “Aletta! You’re safe!”

[Aletta] “Father! Father!”

[Jintetsu] “Huh?...umm..uh…Ji—Jintetsu!”

With both father knowing his daughter is safe, tears came out of their eyes and a warm atmosphere spreads throughout the pier.

Though Jintetsu has no idea what was happening, he still butted in and called out his own name thinking that is was some sort of greeting.

(Aletta’s POV)

[Shiranue] “There you go child, your foot should be ok now.”

[Aletta] “Th—thank you very much.”

After my reunion with Father and seeing that I’m safe, Father explains the reason of our travel and why we had to cross great distances.

The little girl with white horn and white hair then orders the people around her help us carry anything that needed to be taken out of our ship.

She then invited us to her home along with my sickly mother.

At first, I was curious as to why are all the adults following this little girl’s orders, but then Mr. Kurohiko, who for some reason was climbing out of the sea, explains who she was.

And to my surprise as well as my Father’s, this little girl in front of me is actually one of the elders of this island as well as the person we are seeking!

But in a way, I kind of knew she was someone special, the air around her carries so much authority, even more so than my own Father.

Sitting here on this strangely soft floor inside the Elder’s house, I said my thanks to her healing. She then made a gentle smile and bows gracefully.

Seeing the swelling of my foot quickly disappearing, Father looks at it with an amazed look and asks if I feel any pain.

Telling my Father that my foot feels better, Father breaths out relieving his worry towards me.

He then looks at the Elder with a serious look and bows down while kneeling; making sure his forehead touches the ground.

[Colter] “Lady Shiranue, Please hear my request.”

Seeing Father bow down to the ground, I quickly regain myself and bows the same way how my Father is doing.

The Elder didn’t speak immediately, so the air around us was very scary, especially since another elder with a very big build is also in front of us, along with a young looking man with two horns and another young woman with a white mask covering her face.

After a few minutes on the ground without getting up, the Elder speaks to us.

[Shiranue] “Could this request perhaps be something to do with the young woman on the other room?”

[Colter] “Yes Lady Shiranue, she is my wife and she needs help.”

[Shiranue] “…………Hmm………”

After listening to my father, the Elder named Lady Shira— umm…Shireanuuuee…Shinranuee…Shirnaue (I think I got that right) looks at my father without looking away.

She then made a small sigh and looks to her left, towards the 2 warrior like people.

[Shiranue] “Yajiro, Natsume-san, go back to the pier and help Colter-san’s men with their ship.”

[Yajiro] “Yes Hahaue.”

[Natsume] “Of course.”

[Shiranue] “And Tatara…”

After ordering the two who are next to her, she then turns her head towards the huge built man and does the same.

[Tatara] “Hmm?”

[Shiranue] “Go make sure the house is fully furnished and fixed.”

[Tatara] “Got it.”

I’m really amazed that everyone who looked very intimidating and powerful follows the orders of a little girl, though I heard from Mr. Kurohiko she isn’t really a little girl.

Speaking of Mr. Kurohiko, Lady Shiranue didn’t let him inside the house and just made him kneel down the lawn full of small stones.

That must feel very painful.

[Kurohiko] “Umm…Shiranue-san, what about me”

[Shiranue] “Ara~ you’re still here Kurohiko-san? I thought you died somewhere.”

[Kurohiko] “I didn’t!”

[Shiranue] “Will you be doing it now then?”

[Kurohiko] “I won’t!”

I could have sworn that Mr. Kurohiko had such a powerful aura when I first meet him, even when he was teaching me back when we were on the ship.

But now…

Now he looks like a helpless bird being stared down by a giant snake.

After Lady Shiranue continues to stare down at Mr. Kurohiko, she sighs heavily while pressing her forehead.

[Shiranue] “Fine, then why don’t you make yourself useful and go get me some herbs on the other side of the island.”

[Kurohiko] “And then you’ll forgive me?”

[Shiranue] “Now then Colter-san, let’s go see your wife.”

[Kurohiko] “Shiranue-san!? Shiranue-san!!?”

He was completely ignored.

Though Lady Shiranue was called for multiple times, she didn’t even bother to look back and continue to talk with my father.

Giving up, Mr. Kurohiko spreads his black wing and flies off to somewhere.

[Colter] “Aletta, stay here and be a good girl.”

[Aletta] “Ah…y—yes father.”

With my father and Lady Shiranue gone, I am now alone here sitting on a very wide room.

With nothing else to do, I look at the appearance of the room and found no furnisher, no chairs, no table, not even windows with curtains.

The only thing I noticed about the room is it has a single portrait and doors that slides to the side.

And while I kept my eyes on the room’s sliding door, I notice two shadows appearing. That certain shadow then peeks out.

[Jintetsu] “Are you guys done talking?”

It was the boy with fading red skin, the boy who helped me get out of the forest, Jin.

[Jintetsu] “Looks like all the important talk is over.”

After confirming that no one else but me remains inside the room, Jin enters while walking closer towards me.

Seeing his smile reminded me about something I need to say.

[Aletta] “Umm...Jin, thank you for saving me back at the forest.”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry about it, as an upcoming Samurai; helping those who are in need is my duty.”

[Aletta] “Samu…rai?”

I have no idea what a Samurai is, but when Jin said it, he made a proud smile and stuck out his chest.

While Jin stood there proudly, I notice a pair of white ears behind him. To get a better look, I lean backwards, but due to kneeling for so long, my legs went numb and I fell on my back.

[Jintetsu] “Whoa, are you alright?”

[Aletta] “Y—yeah, my legs just got numb, that’s all...umm…”

But I guess falling over isn’t so bad, since I got to see who was the one hiding behind Jin.

Though I’ve seen a few girl Lycan race, I’ve never seen a girl with such white colored hair before and her ears are a lot pointy than the Lycans’, and let’s not forget about her long and fluffy looking tail with a pointed tip.

Though her features aren’t like the Lycans’, it doesn’t mean that she not attractive, in fact, she’s one of the cutest girls I’ve meet.

[Aletta] “Um…he—hello…”

[Yuina] “………………”

I simply wanted to greet her, but she quickly hid behind Jin with her ears dropping down.

[Aletta] “Uh…”

[Jintetsu] “Oh right…”

Jin must have notice where I was looking, so he moves aside and gently pushes the girl in front of me. And to make sure she doesn’t hide again, Jin grabs her shoulder from behind.

[Jintetsu] “This is Yuina. Actually, she was the first who found you before I did.”

[Aletta] “Really?”

Hearing Jin say that she is also one of my saviors, I quickly stood up and bow to her to say my thanks.

[Aletta] “Thank you for saving me…um…Yuina…”

At first, she didn’t say anything and just looks down on her feet, but after waiting a few more seconds, she looks at me with blushed cheeks and replied.

[Yuina] “Y—your welcome…”

She then shows me a small smile, and of course I too gave her one as well.

[Jintetsu] “Isn’t that great Yuina? You made a friend.”

[Yuina] “Eh!? But…she might not want—“

I already knew what Yuina was about to say, so before she finishes, I brought out my hand and kept a friendly smile.

[Aletta] “Let’s be friends Yuina.”

She first stares at me in a blank daze, but her face quickly changes and smiles while taking my hand.

But of course I didn’t forget about my other savior.

[Aletta] “Jin, let’s be friends too.”

Without even a second, Jin gives me a big smile and also held my other hand energetically.

[Jintetsu] “Sure thing!”

And for some reason, Jin grabs Yuina’s free hand, making a circle.

I guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed this, because all three of soon smile at each other while make a low tune of laughter.

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