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Nanami
Chapter 5 Tomo Chapter 8
Sunset
approached. Wolf had not yet returned. Maybe
the funeral stirred up some sore memories of his sister The
funeral had also affected Nanami, but she had to keep her composure, for
Jowy’s sake if not her own. She had to take her mind off it, any way she
knew how. Having
collected all the constituents, her plan could now commence. within
minutes, bowls, cutlery and utensils were overflowing from the
washbasin. The chairs served as temporary cupboards. The room was a
disaster. There was a pleasant smell in the air…accompanied by
Nanami’s vocal talents. Any person from Kyaro Town knew what was
happening… Nanami
was cooking. Cooking
was Nanami’s passion. She loved to try, and invent new recipes, and she
always got her brother Makoto’s approval. But he never seemed happy
eating the same thing more than once. oh
well, the more diverse my cooking will have to be Tonight,
she was cooking one of her classic recipes. Sweet and sour Pork Stir fry
and fried rice. “ You punched Marco Atreides.”Tomo looked up in shock. Night was beginning to fall, and the air was cooling. She didn’t quite remember how she’d wound up where she was…it looked like an alley. The last thing she could clearly remember was a stupid, sneering face, and her own, surprising anger. There was a boy framed in the alley; it took Tomo a moment to recognize him as the boy she’d met at the funeral. She bit her lip and considered her response for a moment before she replied. “So what if I did?” “So?” The boy laughed. “So I’d think you wouldn’t want to stay in town much longer, if you’ve got any sense. Marco must’ve said something to get you pretty mad.” “You didn’t hear, then?”
Careless
“Me? Naw, I was too far away. Why? What’d he say?” “Nothing.” The boy rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever. Anyhow, take my advice and don’t overstay your welcome. You’ll be happier for it.” Tomo felt a sudden anger swell up in her, and she stood up, glaring at the boy. “Oh, right, okay, great. I’ll just pack up and go back to running away, is that it?” Shrugging, the boy turned to walk away. “I guess so.” Tomo grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “That’s pretty damned easy for you to say, isn’t it? God, everything’s so easy for you. You wouldn’t know…you can’t understand what I’ve been through! Maybe I like it here.” “Then you shouldn’t have punched Marco Atreides,” the boy replied as if that was the most obvious thing in the world. He yanked his arm free. “It doesn’t matter how rough your life is, maybe you should’ve thought about the consequences of socking an Atreides in front of a bunch of witnesses, huh?” Tomo sighed and sat back down. “Just leave me alone, okay?” The boy shrugged again – he was good at that – and turned to go. He paused at the mouth of the alley, then suddenly turned. “Look,” he said, “not that I care, but…what happened to you that’s so bad?” Tomo closed her eyes. “The Highland army came to my village and killed my life. And now, as you’re so fond of saying, I’m here.” The boy frowned. “You know, maybe you don’t have me as figured out as you think you do. Maybe I’m just as complex as you are.” “You don’t show it very well.”
Cruel
She sighed again. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s been a…a bad week, and I don’t want to fight with you. Please, please just leave me alone, okay?” “Sure.” Again, he hesitated. “Look, if you really want to know someplace to go, I heard that Teresa Wisemail was in Muse awhile back and announced that she was forming a volunteer, independent army to combat the Highland threat. Seeing as we’re Highland I probably shouldn’t let you know, and it might not even be true, but then again……you don’t particularly care either way, do you?” In spite of herself, Tomo smirked. “That’s about the gist of it,” the boy replied, grinning back. “So, something to think about.” He waved as he turned and walked away. “Bye,” Tomo said, suddenly and obscurely sorry to see him go. She suddenly blinked, and sat down again, as a thought occurred to her. She quickly counted back the days she’d been on the road, and the number of days she’d been in the cellar. The math added up. Tomo snorted sourly. Today was her birthday. She watched the boy leave and realized that his information was probably the only present she was likely to get – or wanted. Teresa Wisemail wanted a volunteer army? Greenhill, then. She’d leave in the night. Tomo nodded slowly to herself. It felt strange, having direction again. And someday, when it was over, she’d come back and she’d repay Nanami for all her help, and Jowy, too. She nodded again. Time to go back to the dojo, one last time. “Pilka
honey, eat your Stir fry.” Nanami
encouraged the little girl to eat up, to no avail. She wasn’t surprised:
something didn’t quite taste right Seems
Pilka was right, Sunset
Approached. There was still no
Wolf. Where
could he be? Nanami
was worried, but in no mood to go searching Kyaro town for him at night,
especially with Pilka. The
girls were seated, and carefully picking the edible food, avoiding the
disastrous sweet and sour sauce. When they did encounter the fore
mentioned sauce, they drowned out the flavour with the lemonade Pilka made
: something the Toto survivor did successfully, but with mess, nonetheless. “Nanami,
where is that boy??” Nanami
was absorbed in thought, as she picked and played with her food. “Nani!!” “Wolf?”
Nanami asked startled. “ I don’t know honey, but if he’s not here
soon his food will go cold” and pointed to his plate, which was already
served. Darkness fell, and sunlight was now a distant memory. After the washing up was complete, Pilka had begged Nanami to let her stay up. Why doesn't Pilka not want to sleep? Not being in the mood to argue with the tormented girl, Nanami let her stay awake. I suppose Grandpa would want as many visitors as he can get, right? Guided by an overworked lantern and a tired candle, the two girls set out into the backyard. I Managed. she had avoided shedding tears for Makoto for another day. Passing through the kitchen and glancing at their "hidden" stash of candy, her sadness gave way and ate at her soul. Nanami stopped. Pilka stood at the door, jerking her head, coaxing her from her thoughts. Her eyes...such innocent...how...how can someone destroy that...their innocence...so fragile...gone...this war...stupid...stupid stupid war...everyone loses...never as much as they do...the children...Pilka....their innocence....her innocence...childhood...gone...lost...dead...why... Nanami followed Pilka out into the back garden, and Nanami kneeled at Gengaku's grave. She felt defeat creep upon her, and almost gave way to the tears that always live inside of her - until she looked up at Pilka.Standing, smiling, the angelic child never seemed defeated or upset...in spite of all she's gone through. Maybe death isn't that bad. Lonliness can be filled. but loved ones never forgoten... Nanami payed her respects briefly to her 'grandpa'... Sweet Gengaku, look after us always, we miss you, but always cherish our memories of you. Don't get up to anything Naughty up there! Grandpa, please take care of lil' Makoto, wherever he is, I miss him and cannot wait until the day that he and I are reunited. Please let him know I'm always thinking of him, as I'm sure Jowy is too. Thankyou for all you showed me, you made me the person I am today and for that I am always grateful. Rest assured I will never forget you and the time I spent with you, the good times we shared and you time of darkness, your happiness and your pain, and my ups and downs, I will always remember them. You are the greatest lesson in my life. Thank you for guiding me. I love you always. Love... Your Nani. Nanami fixed up the flowers on Gengaku's grave. she looked up at Pilka and smilled. Pilka ran to Nanami and hugged her. Nanami returned the embrace. "You are such a brave girl, Pilka" Nanami whispered. Pilka stepped back and smiled, " you are too" Nanami giggled, Pilka joined in. The girls stood in silence, as a refreshing cool breeze gently blew through their hair. Pilka ran forward and knocked Nanami down and the two began to play under the beautiful moonlit night, and all their pain subsided.
Tomo came back a little bit after she was sure that Pilika was asleep. Nanami was sitting at a chair in the corner, watching Pilika sleep, munching on a small pile of candy sitting in her lap. A single candle illuminated her face. For a moment, as Tomo stood in the doorway, the night seemed to stop, and it was only Nanami that she saw.
I owe her so much. That’s why…
After a moment, Tomo coughed, and the stillness passed. Nanami jumped a little in surprise and turned to stare. “Wolf!” she exclaimed. “Where’ve you been? Pilika and I were so worried!” Tomo blushed and rubbed the back of her neck with one hand. “I was around. I went for a bit of a walk, that’s all. I got your brother’s clothes dirty, but I washed them, okay?”
Liar
Nanami smiled. “Don’t give it a second thought. We didn’t save any of the pork, but that’s okay, because it tasted kind of funny. But!” She scooped the candy out of her lap and spread it on the table. “There’s plenty of candy to go around. It’ll cure what ails you.” She beckoned. “Come on, sit down. You look depressed.” Tomo hesitated before joining Nanami at the table. The candlelight was doing something to Nanami’s face, or Tomo’s eyes. The smile, the casual gesture…security. Like her mother, a little. Nanami munched on something that looked like chocolate. “Dig in.” She paused for a second, and cocked her head a little to one side. “Do you want to talk about it?” “About what?” “About whatever’s bothering you. Maybe I’ve been there. Maybe I can help.” Tomo paused. It would be so easy, so easy to tell her everything…about her mother, and Toto, and her father, and her life, and her real self, and she could put Wolf away and be Tomo again. But one look in Nanami’s eyes and the fear of her scorn, of a scorn like Marco’s scorn, swept over her. His laughter cut through her like a sword; she didn’t want Nanami to see her that way, the way Marco saw her.
No
“No,” she said finally. “I actually don’t.” “That’s okay,” Nanami said brightly. “I’m here if you need me. For now, let’s just relax, okay? It’s been a bad week.” Tomo smiled, and reached for the candy That night, after Nanami had gone to her room and Tomo had retired to her cot next to Pilika’s, she swung her feet out of bed and carefully rose. She hadn’t slept. Running No, I’m not. I’m going someplace. I’m going to get my life together. All I’ve got to do is go to Greenhill, and everything will be okay. She’d lain in bed in Wolf’s clothes until she was sure Nanami was asleep, and then a little longer just to be safe. She relit the candle at the table and pulled from her belt the parchment, quill, and bottle of ink she’d bought before she’d come back to the dojo. She wrote quickly in the dark, folded the note up, and slipped across to Nanami’s room. She opened the door slowly and looked inside. Nanami was asleep, but the moon as it sunk towards morning was shining its eldritch light through the window and suffused the room in a faint glow. Tomo stepped inside and up to the bed. Nanami slept, a faint smile around her lips; Tomo wondered what it was she was dreaming of as she placed the note on the table next to Nanami’s bed, where she was certain that Nanami would find it in the morning. As she turned to go, Tomo was struck by a sudden urge to touch Nanami; her face, or her one hand where it lay across the covers, white in the moonlight. Just for a second, just once before she went away. Maybe even… She shook her head and closed the door behind her. On the way out, she picked up the spear she’d sparred with from the rack and tucked it under one arm. She glanced back one time at the dojo as she slipped away into the night.
After explaining the situation and convincing the storekeeper's wife to take care of Pilka, Nanami ran back home. She took hold of some bare essentials for her trip. She was prepared to stay out all night if she had to. Wolf wouldn’t run off on me like, not after…he promised…. she convinced herself.Later, after
catching a light, 15-minute siesta, she woke and grabbed her backpack. She
paid her respects to Grandpa genkaku, and left the dojo. Damn she thought. When
might he have left? If he left at midnight, he might well be into
North Sparrow pass or Tenzan pass. Her thoughts plagued her. Walking…at
night… Alone… Where might he have gone? She
had approached the first intersection. He didn’t want to go back to
Ryube, so he must’ve gone through Tenzan to L’Renouville… Tenzan… North Sparrow… “Tenzan”
she muttered… Nanami
began to run. He’s all alone.
Loneliness is something she knew well. She felt it since Genkaku died,
since Makoto disappeared. She refused to believe her little brother was
dead. Not until I see his body.
Alone...
Her eyes began to swell. What if
Makoto was...? What then? Will she be alone forever…wishing
she could control her imagination, she wiped the
beginning of a tear from an eye. Run… Run… faster… it will fade away…dissolve…vanishGaining
speed, her stride became sprint. Her
heart sank. Her running came to a halt. "Great…"
she muttered. In the distance she could see him. His hair was perfectly kempt,
flickering reflections of
platinum and gold
and in the sunlight. Thin and tall, his
delicate structure hid the truth within. Fully clad in socialite attire,
he was Nanami’s worst nightmare. Nanami observed him for a few more
seconds. He was doing what he does best - commanding some workers. She had
never seen such a power abuser. An Atreides especially. How Jowy is
related to him she never wanted to believe. If it
wasn’t for his attitude, she might just have considered him “human”. She decided that the little brat was
not going to deter her today. He seemed busy enough to not be interested
in her. So, slowly, and with extreme caution, she began to walk past him.
Continuing to hear
the brat
yell orders at the “lowly peasants” she knew
she could make it without being addressed
by him. Step…Step…Step….
Step…. 2 more
steps and he wont see me. Step.................. Step.................. Nanami let out a sigh of relief. Her
rest short lived,
she began to run.
Tenzan...
But not before… “Hey, peasant! Who said I was done
with you” Marco Yelled after her. Nanami stopped. Her Blood began to
boil. She didn’t turn around just in case she wasn’t the one being
addressed. “Hey, you adopted
peasant Girl! Turn and face me” Filled with fury, she turned around.
Not because the socialite brat asked her too. Because of the insult. This
isn’t going to end pleasantly, I guarantee it, she though.
She
glared at Marco. “How does it feel taking care of ungrateful
girls? Huh, tom-boy peasant?” Marco
probed, sounding
please with himself. Nanami cringed.
Instinctively
she yelled back. “Don’t YOU DARE talk
about little Pilka like that! I'll rip that smirk, right
off your face, if you were!” She could have
done it right then. Right there. But didn’t.
She
settled with grabbing
her Sakura Rod, keeping
it concealed
behind her back. She remembered how her friend,
Theo, mysteriously vanished once he threw a rock at Marco, when they were
younger. “Stupid peasant. You must truly
be a fool!” he sneered Nanami stepped forward and growled.
She lost her patience and her temper. The lively fighter began to
charge… “To
believe that Wolf person was a boy!!” Marco quickly
laughed. Nanami's charge came to a halt. Her face whitened. A girl? Wolf is a girl? Nanami lost grip of her Sakura rod, which fell peacefully to the ground. Marco’s laughing stopped. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the weapon on the floor. Nanami began to march over with
determination. Marco began to step back, thinking he was in for the
beating of his life, judging from the look in her eye. Nanami grabbed him by his collar,
now seeing clearly a bruise under his eye. “Now…” she said
shakily “Tell me… Tell me everything…” and let go of a
smirking and bruised, Marco Atreides.
After forcing Marco to meet her the next day, Nanami went to collect Pilka. The child looked so happy, playing with a boy her age. Why did it seem so unnatural then? Once they got home, Pilka placed the blossoms she collected on the bench she could barely reach. The dojo was silent...too silent... "Oh my! Pilka, you really outdid yourself this time!" Nanami smiled. "you made those Blossoms look very beautiful, now how about you find some string to tie them with and ill find a vase?" Pilka passed the flowers to Nanami, and went to search in Nanami's room. Nanami prepared a vase with water and waited for Pilka to return. "Nani, here you go this is for you" she smiled and placed some string on the bench. "Oh, pilka! you wrote me a letter? how... cute...but how can You write" Nanami gulped and her suspicion rose. "...did Wolf help you?" "No, no letter for you Nani!" she giggled and poked her tongue. she was right. a letter from Wolf. "Oh, okay, let me just tidy up these flowers, and we can play outside, okay?" banding the flowers quickly and dumping them in the water, Pilka dragged her outside. Nanami sat herself beside a large black vase and watched as pilka spun and giggled in the sunlight, balancing the letter on her knees. Pilka skipped and smiled, spun and danced. Still keeping guard of her, Nanami opened the envelope, pulled out the letter... and read... Dear Nanami, Thank you for all of your help over the last few days. You saved my life and I owe you everything, but I need to keep moving. I made a mistake tonight and I don’t want you, or Jowy, or Pilika to get involved with it. I like you all and I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you because of something I did. I know where I’m going and I think I’m going to be okay. I’ve borrowed one of your spears; I’m sorry. Someday I’ll return it, and I’ll pay back everything you’ve given me, too. I don’t know how yet, but I will. And, for what it’s worth, if I ever meet your brother I’ll tell him that he needs to come home, and help him if I can. Maybe in some small way, that’ll help. I hope everything goes well for you, always I hope we’ll meet again, when this war is over. I like you. Thank you.
Sincerely, Wolf
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