Sakura's lips curved into a perfect smile her body leaning forward so she could give Tadao a tight hug. "Thank you," she giggled in his ear. She was over come with joy to be able to give the child a more homey place to stay and her heart lifted from the pit of her stomach to rest where it should be. She went to a chest shuffling through it finding the blankets she had cleaned earlier and a smaller kimono that must have been Tadao's when he was younger. She brushed the fabric gently studying the fibers that were still pretty thick.

She folded the smaller kimono deciding that Kiyo would have to go to the hot springs as well for a refreshing bath. Sakura's hands brushed another kimono that was a little bit bigger but would fit her fine and relished the soft grey fibers folding that as well. She placed the two Kimono's together and dug around finding a brush and a small chunk of larded soap. She paused putting the soap back in the chest feeling a little guilty that they did not have more. She would have to save it for special occasions. She smiled at the stuff she found and peeked into the kitchen.

Sakura could see Kiyo's small frame shiver as he finished the last dish. She hadn't intended him to wash them just place them in the water. He was so thin and frail! She shuffled over to him picking him up in a tight hug. He was lighter than a feather.....Her eyes looking down at him. "Kiyo, Its been decided you are going to stay here from now on. You are apart of this family! Tomorrow, we will do our baths and then I'll see what kind of studies we should conduct for you," smiled Sakura. She slowly put the little boy down on his feet with a smile her dark hair slipping from her shoulder to fall in her face.


Sakura's mind whirling around the studies that Kiyo should know. He will become a man to be respected when she was done with him. She motioned him towards the blankets she took out. "Tadao's where should he sleep? Do we have a spare mat? Or should he share ours for tonight," implored Sakura smiling at her husband.

Kiyo nodded obediently, gathering up the bowls and scrambling to his feet, carrying the dishes into the kitchen. He inspected the bucket thoughtfully before peering at the already washed dishes, his brow furrowed slightly as he placed the bowls into the water, carefully washing each one. The night was getting cold and the boy's thin clothing was doing little to protect his thin body, small shivers traveling down his spine.

Tadao watched as the boy left before directing his gaze toward Sakura as she shifted in his grip. "He stays with the men in the long hut, though i must admit few people look out for him.." The raven-haired male met his wife's gaze and a small smile crept across his lips, "You seem to do the boy good and it is clear that you have grown fond of him...i see no reason why he cannot stay with us."

Perhaps it would be best if he did, Tadao found himself thinking. It would relieve the tension that seemed to develop between them when they were left alone for any length of time. And certainly with Kiyo around it was unlikely that Sakura would have to worry about his wish to consumate the marriage.

Sakura's deep brown eyes studied kiyo as he gulped down the soup. It was only then at that point had she truly noticed how frail looking he was. He was a hard worker but there the poor boy was withering away before her and this fact took her smile away. "Kiyo, can you do me a favor and take the dishes to the kitchen and place them in the bucket," asked Sakura politely. Her eyes studied the boy waiting for him to disappear from the room.
"Tadao, Where does Kiyo stay? He looks so frail....I'm worried about the poor boy," whispered Sakura in Tadao's ear her deep brown eyes studying him as she broke his arm hold a bit so she could stare face to face with him. She knew what is was like to have no mother figure around to comfort and teach you. She would never truly know what the duties of a woman were because her only example were the maids of the house. She looked into Tadao's eyes a pout on her face as she slid her hand gripping it tightly as if to ask Tadao the unspoken question of If he doesn't have a kiyo should stay with us....

He nodded slowly at her response, a small smile on his lips as he lay his large hand against Sakura's head. It surprised him that a woman he had only known for a couple of days could bring him such comfort, he was certain that as time progressed their marriage would grow in strength and intimacy.

Tadao blinked at her sudden movement, leaning back slightly as she sprung out of his grasp to warm Kiyo some soup, a warm smile upon his lips as he watched his wife with growing appreciation.

The boy was a little alarmed by the sudden movement and tight embrace, but didn't pull away and even wrapped his small arms around her in return. Before he allowed himself to sit, Kiyo bowed respectfully to Tadao and only when the older man returned his bow with an incline of the head did he sit down. As soon as the bowl was placed before him he seized it and began to drink down the soup at such a rate it was a miracle that he did not choke. Clearly he was hungry; and his boney figure suggested that he was in fact half starved.

Tadao's arm encircled Sakura the instant she settled against him, drawing her as close as he dared, a smile upon his lips. It was a matter of minutes before Kiyo had finished his soup, placing his bowl down upon the table and wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.

Sakura smiled softly,"You can show me where they are for tomorrow morning..." She blushed. She didn't know why her cheeks felt so hot but she smiled brightly. Her mind drifting to last night wondering if he would keep his distance or not. She wished curiously that he wouldnt because she took great comfort in listening to his breathing...it was lulling her to sleep.

Sakura was watching the sun setting when she heard the bushes rustle and Kiyo popped back into their home. Sakura leapt from the warm cozy position she was in bounding toward the small boy! She bent down giving him a hug as well as ushering him to sit down. "Ill get you your Dinner!!!!!!!!" She was excited she could reward Kiyo for his hard work. She set a small fire and reheated a small pot of miso soup before bringing the small boy his bowl. She was grinning and nestled herself tightly against Tadao missing the warmth and comfort she had experience earlier.

A small smile crept across his lips as Sakura settled against him, releasing a gentle breath as he fixed his gaze upon the open doorway. The sky was darkening outside; pastle colours of blue orange and yellow streaked across the vast expanse. With night drawing in so swiftly Tadao could not help but let his mind wander toward the sleeping arrangements. He certainly didn't want a repeat of the night before, and though she leant so comfortably against him the rebel did not wish to push his luck.

"Oh yes, there is a hot springs not far from the camp....Do you wish to go tonight? Or i could take you in the morning?" He raised his hand, absently running his fingers through the loose strands of Sakura's hair, enjoying just being close to her. The rebel had been about to speak again but a small figure had suddenly appeared in the doorway.

Little Kiyo had considered it safe to return and now stood peering at the two of them, long strands of hair having fallen in front of his eyes.

Sakura smiled at his words taking comfort in them and in his warm arm loosely around her. She felt comfortable and a bit sleepy as she smiled softly. She remembered the high courts and the Emperor lecturing his Lord's in never aiding the rebels in any manner or they would be executed. It was funny how her father unknowingly helped the supposed enemy. However, her heart sank to her stomach as she realized the position she was placed in. Her mind whirled as she gently let her head rest against Tadao's arm.

Sakura's cheeks were growing in warmth and she smiled looking at the dirty dishes she would have to clean soon. "Are there some near by springs to bath in or a stream," asked Sakura as she played with her hair that had some dust in it she swore. "A stream would be nice because then I could clean the mats in the house before it gets too cold and they would smell fresh!" She didnt move she just rubbed her cheek against the fabric of his arm tiredly letting a yawn pass her lips.

Tadao was reluctant to allow her to slip from his grip but he needn't have worried, for she returned to his side moments later. He noted the shiver that ran through her slim form and wrapped a gentle arm around her, drawing his wife close to him in order to keep her warm. However, the rebel made sure to keep his grip loose so that she could slip away if that was what she wanted - he certainly dind't want to make her uncomfortable.

A frown furrowed his brow at her words, shifting slightly to gaze down at her thoughtfully, "And become just as corrupt as the Emperor myself? If I was so fortunate to marry into such wealth would i not be as seduced as the other Lords by it? If i had enough to support us both comfortably and could live without concern for those that continued to suffer at the Emperor's hand i would take us both away from all of this..." Tadao sighed deeply, his hand gently rubbing against her arm.

"But to have an inside man amongst the Emperor's courts, one that could be trusted...it would be a great advantage to our cause." A gentle smile crept across his lips as he shook his head slowly, "But if that were to ever happen, i would not be me...i have my wife, i need no other." Tadao gave her a gentle squeeze at this statment.

Sakura felt his head fall on her shoulder and her stomach tightened nervously. Her heart hammering the inside of her petite rib cage as his arms encircled her. The gesture sent tingling through her body as his deep eyes poured into hers. She had cheered him up and chased his thoughts away. She was a decent wife. She moved gently from his arms turning back to her dinner that was beginning to cool. She took a long sip but the soup had become cool and the night a bit chillier. She shivered and scouted close to Tadao leaning against him with a soft smile.

"Tadao, what happens if the Emperor were to allow you into his court system? Would that stop the fighting...," asked Sakura. Her mind had begun to whirl on the evils that had been brought by the government. But like most leaders the Emperor didnt act of his own accord he had Lords that were summoned to the court to discuss taxes and other issues of interest. Her heart sank though because Tadao was married into the lordship without even knowing it. Sakura's stomach felt sick at the thought for it meant deciding the fate of innocent people and the her loyalty to a traditional system.

She sipped her soup waiting for a response before adding, "Because maybe you should have seduced a Lord's daughter...then maybe your battle would have been done.." She frowned at the thought because she was lying and it made her sick to think she had to make such a hard decision.

He held Sakura's gaze for as long as he could bear it before his head dipped and his eyes fixed upon the table before him. Curse it all; why did things have to be the way they were. Tadao's fists clenched tightly upon his lap, fingertips digging into his palms. It was all so unfair.

The sudden sensation of her arms encircling him actually caused the young samurai to flinch before melting into her embrace. Tadao's head fell forward to rest upon Sakura's shoulder, his own arms slowly rising to return the hug. He could feel himself tremble within her grip and shame rose up within him, urging him to pull away from his wife - for a warrior should not display such weakness, emotions made one vulnerbale. But years of sorrow and heartache left him unable to move, and so instead Tadao clung to Sakura tightly.

He felt her shift slightly which spurred him to lift his head and look upon the beautiful woman that he could call wife. His dark eyes met her's. Unable to help himself, Tadao raised a hand to cup Sakura's soft cheek, his thumb brushing against her full lips, "And for that the Emporer will have my eternal gratitude."

Sakura watched Tadao shift quietly and her stomach twisted. She had an inclination that there would be little happiness in this discussion. She looked into her folded hands that rested in her lap. Her heart sinking at Kiyo's story and she felt the emptiness that the boy must feel. She knew what it was like to be alone in a certain sense but to have witnessed a bloody attack was not something she shared with the boy. Her mother and younger brother had been in another room away from her when the tragedy unfolded.

Tadao's voice brought her back to interpreting his words feeling his anger. Sakura could not help but feel responsible for his frustration and the pain that caused Kiyo to be without a family. Her fingers tightening within each other as she listened to the peaceful life that Tadao's family once had and she too felt the malice he held for the Emperor. She vaguely remembered going to the Emperor's home with her family once and if Tadao knew of the true luxuries that the emperor rolled in...he would surely have enough fuel to slaughter the Emperor and all that associated with him.

Her head hung down a bit feeling the emotion in his words as he silently tried to ease his anger. She was his wife and brought awful memories and worries to his mind! She really needed to work on this as she looked up at his pained face she had no idea how to comfort him. His face reminded her of a guard that had fallen for one of the maids at her old home. Tadao had the same pained look that he could not provide properly for his bride. What had the maid done to comfort the disheartened solider.....an embrace! That was it! She had wrapped her arms tightly around him rocking the solider till he smiled.

Sakura looked up smiling gently she wrapped her arms around Tadao's shoulders. "I'm sorry I ruined dinner by bringing up such painful truths. These moments should be ones of happiness even if surrounded by an unrelenting dark hand that crushes our hopes," whispered Sakura her eyes closing as she gave her husband a tight hug. It was a first for her and her stomach fluttered gently as she rocked against him. Sakura pulled away a little to look into his face, "You know if it hadnt been for the Emperor we wouldn't have met....Im not a thrilled about him but this is one of the rare things hes gotten right...." Sakura's deep brown eyes glimmering as she tried to get him to feel absolutely happy!

Tadao considered her request quietly for a moment, his dark eyes staring back at her silently as he took another sip of his soup. "I suppose i have formed some attachment to Kiyo...but then i was the one that found him..." He paused, looking toward the doorway as if to check that the child was not within ear shot of their conversation. Once he was certain that the cost was clear, the rebel shifted his position upon the floor, making himself comfortable before he continued to speak.

"We came upon Kiyo's town while we were travelling through the Empire for more men to join our cause. It was ablaze, the fires stretching so high that you could see the thick black smoke and orange glow from many miles away. We had been heading there to rest and restock our supplies, but all we found was dead bodies strewn across the streets and the buildings reduced to rubble." Tadao lowered his hand flat upon the table, palm pressed flat against the wood as he spoke.

"I found Kiyo hiding beneath the body of his dead mother, too traumatised to say a word...and he hasn't said a word to anyone yet, as far as i know. We foundt he rest of his family - butchered along with most of the town's citizens. Men, women...these monsters had even killed children..." His hand had tightened into a clenched fist, his head bowed as he glared at the table.

"I tell you Kiyo's story because it's the story of most of the men here...all of our homes have been destroyed by the same people - countless villages and towns lain to waste and yet the Emporer does nothing to defend his people!" A heavy silence fell between them as Tadao seemed to compose himself, for he had been quickly becoming angry.

"I wasn't born into this life...My father owned a small farm in the western province of the Empire. I was born there, as were my older brother and younger sister - and we were simple people, humble people. We made our meager living off the land and we were content with what we had." He lifted his gaze to look intently into Sakura's eyes, "I wish that that was the life that i could offer you, one of peace and happiness...but now all i have to offer is myself, and the danger that seems to follow me wherever i go because of who i am..."

This confession seemed to wound Tadao deeply, yet despite the sorrow in his eyes a sudden laugh escaped his lips, "It is ironic...the Emporer left me and my family to die because we were nothing but peasants, but now he hunts us because we threaten the very thing that he holds dear..."