He woke up the next day to the sound and smell of a dinner being made. His stomach rumbled violently only to set off the soreness of his wounds. He winced before gently pivoting his head to see the woman over a stone stove and the boy helping; only if that meant simply watching. The boy then leaned away to fetch a pitcher of water and walked toward him. It seemed to be out of habit for he looked surprised to see Akimoto awake. Apparently he had been provided water throughout his sleeping. He was grateful as he was fed more water.

“So, what’s your name?” the boy asked with wide eyes. The woman turned her head so she might hear without it being repeated. 

“Akimoto,” he coughed out. “Akimoto Kaito from the town of Toushin of the Southern Region of Kazan,” he repeated more formally. 

“I’ve never heard of it,” the woman said dryly. “You come from far away, then.” 

“Why are you here?” the boy asked.

“Because I am injured,” he said matter-of-factly and more easily this time. He took another drink of water himself, ignoring the pain from his wounds. “And to whom should I thank for such hospitality?”

“Oh, well I’m Kozue Iwata,” the boy said. Akimoto assumed the boy was born here. He also assumed he might die here as well since those who take names of the lands they were birthed into are usually rooted to it.

“And I’m Shita Ogawa from Tari of the Western Region of Hisen. This is my grandson.” 

He thought it strange that someone would move so far from Hisen. He didn’t know of them settling in such modest conditions, either. Perhaps she was unsatisfied with the gluttony of Hisen. Perhaps it was something more tragic which drove them away. “And what of your mother and father, your daughter or son?” he asked, understanding it was prying question.

The woman remained silent and the boy looked down. “She died on the boat,” he said with some kind of sadness. 

“I sympathize with your loss, Iwata-san.” 

They didn’t recognize the father, so he didn’t question further. Iwata looked up with saddened yet dry eyes. Akimoto’s remained stern and void of emotion. The color of them provided some kind of softness to them, however. The boy exhaled softly and rose from his kneeling position to return beside his grandmother. 

He took another mouthful of water. His mouth would not remain quenched for long. “I recognize that name, Shita-san. Are you related to Lord Shita Chouten of the Shita House?”

She didn’t bother to hesitate for very long. “Yes,” she said plainly. “I am his sister.” 

“So, what brings you to Beruga?” he asked, again knowing his probing might touch a nerve. He took another gulp of water as she responded.

“The House has since been disbanded and is no longer part of the Royal Court.”

“I see,” he exhaled from his inhalation of water. “It seems each region has their turmoil.”

“It’s far simpler than that,” she interjected almost angrily. But it seemed targeted not at him.

“I see,” he said lower this time, indicating he would drop the subject. “I thank you both for all you have done toward my health.” He smiled slightly and the boy smiled wide back. The woman only nodded.

The boy began to set the table as Shita finished preparing the food. Feeling exponentially better, Akimoto flipped the blanket from him and eased himself to sit on the side of the bed. Though he was aware of his nudity, he stretched some and evaluated the bandages over his injuries. They had been freshly changed. He then stood to see how light-headed he would become, which was not at all. Any pain was only soreness as the cuts were deep but nothing was torn. The woman cared well for him. 

She pointed to a chair next to him where trousers and a shirt had been neatly placed. With no man in the house, he figured they must have bought them for him. The trousers were loose and thin and tied high around his waist. Instead, he unlaced half of it and tied it around his hips for a less modest look. They fell straight and above his ankles. The shirt was open and tight around his arms. There were no buttons or straps with which to close the garment. He pulled it as if to do so but it was clearly not meant for such. It seemed they were conscientious of his Firus nature. His sai were held in sheathes that was not his own and his bo leaned against the chain. He left them where they were after touching them as if to thank them for their application in combat.

He walked slowly to the table and gently fell to the cushion and crossed his legs. His calf produced the dullest of aches. “Thank you both very much,” he repeated as he bowed his head with his hands upon his thighs. “You have saved my life and I wish to pay you back.”

“Nonsense,” the woman said. “You clearly have important work to do.”

“How would you come to such a conclusion?”

“I know what those of the Conclave wear,” she said straight. “You have more important missions than to look after a woman and her bastard grandson.” 

“O baachan,” the boy whined, showing discontent for the callousness of his grandmother. 

Akimoto looked sympathetically toward the boy which calmed his embarrassment. 

“You may stay for a few days until you’re fully recovered and then return to your duties.” It almost seemed like a command. Akimoto could only bow deeply once more in thanks for her hospitality.

“Bless,” he said before eating his food. It was a blessing to the food but also his hosts.

He ate as heartily as he could. They allowed it for such a damaged man, but they could only provide so much. He attempted to help with cleaning but they shooed him off to bed so he would heal faster. So he undressed, leaving the clothes where he found them and quickly went back to sleep. He wished to at least take a walk for he felt quite stiff, but he knew the woman was right and that he needed as much sleep as he could get. 

The land of dreams didn’t bother him that night and he woke early and refreshed. He neither heard nor saw any sign of the boy or woman. He rose more quickly than yesterday and walked over toward the sink. Using a pair of nearby shears, he cut off the bandages around his calf, forearm, and shoulder. He assumed the piercing on his back had healed quickly enough. 

It was a shock to see how quickly the injuries had healed. There were almost no scars on his calf or forearm. His shoulder was almost completely healed with a sizeable mark. The only thing he felt from it was a stiffness greater than the rest of his body. He concluded she must have worked as some kind of medicine woman in Hisen.

After taking a long drink of water and eating as many oats as his stomach would allow, he decided to find his way toward the bath in order to clean himself more properly. The cold mountain water didn’t bother him in spite of the Heat he’d used up the days prior. He would have also been unable to recuperate any of that Heat by being inside, as well. 

After cleansing himself thoroughly, he made his way outside in a sunny spot near the house. His bare skin would have done well to absorb all it could and he could feel the warmth return to him. It was only now he realized how cold he really was. 

“Ah, Akimoto-hi. Good morning,” Shita greeted. She had clearly woken sooner than he for she was carrying firewood into the house.

“Good morning, Shita-kijo,” he responded. Though she was from Hisen, it seemed she wasn’t too put-off by his nudity. “Where’s Iwata-kimi?” he asked out of vague curiosity.

“He’s by the marketplace attempting to train as the locals do. I just hope he doesn’t hurt himself, the poor bastard,” she said as she turned her head in the general direction of the boy’s location. 

“For what purpose do you call him ‘bastard’?” He was almost accusatory but attempted to keep a level tone.

“So he doesn’t forget what he is.”

“And why should something he has no control over define him?”

“Would you say you’re not Firus?”

“No, but that is not all I am. I am the Firus Master of Wisdom. I am an intern of the Conclave of Elders. I am the teacher of Knowledge in the Jisuikafuu Academy. I am husband to Shinobu Satomi. I am father to Masahiro and Saruwatari. I am son of a Weapons Specialist and the former Firus Master of Resolve. I am great nephew to the Firus Elders. But most of all, I am Akimoto Kaito.”

“And what is ‘Akimoto Kaito’?”

“He is a man who protects and works for the people of Shidaigenso. He is the teacher of the next generation and their counselor. He is a friend and rival. He is but a single person inhabiting this vast and powerful land.”

Stillness filled the air for a moment as she contemplated his self-description. “Iwata will never become so important. The stars don’t recognize him for greatness.”

“What makes you think the stars recognize any kind of greatness in anyone? Why would something so infinite and everlasting care for things so insignificant and finite?” His frustration seemed to grow with her biased opinions on something so indefinite. It was hardly notable, however. He maintained his meditative posture.

“There is nothing they point to which could be used toward the betterment of the country.”

“There is nothing the bodies indicated at my birth which pointed toward greatness. In fact, they pointed to so much self-conflict and constant inner struggle. In spite of them, I have made something for myself and my children and wife.”

“Who interpreted your chart?” she asked in disbelief.

“My great aunt, of who provided my name.” He shifted in his position, becoming more rigid and raising his chest in order to catch more rays. “The stars only say so much. They determine nothing.”

“That is what Kazanians believe,” she retorted. 

“I have yet to have a Hisen prediction be so accurate as to change my outlook on the subject.” 

She sighed and leaned against the house. “Neither have I.” She turned to enter the house. “I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”

“Thank you, Shita-kijo.”

A sizzling could be heard off his skin, but this was merely the interaction of the heat of the sun and his Heat becoming one. Shita had placed an urn of water beside, knowing he would need water even while meditating. Hours must have passed which were lost to his active mind. Shita called for him from within the house, rousing him from his meditation.