This was not the first time that Jin had heard Ishawari’s story. It was, however, the first time he’d had an audience of 2. It never failed to surprise her. He was a born warrior, in and out, but he was always so calm and collected, and well, normal. Worse fighters than he walked around like they were the Emperor with a blade, so how could Ishawari be so humble? Heck, even Jin raised her head with beaming pride whenever she won a match. 

But then, their circumstances were different, weren’t they? Ishawari had never said quite as much, but Jin knew there was something deeply unhappy about his past. Why else would he leave a village full of proud warriors to travel Majima? Jin never would have left home if not for losing her parents. But then, perhaps the Golden Weaver of Fate had a plan for them both, even then. 

When the story was mostly over, Jin was about to open her mouth and start a old debate about the presence of magic in Majima. But before the words passed her lips, Prince Hotaru was in her arms, bawling.

“Oh, oh dear...” Instinctively, Jin wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. What else could she do? The Prince was facing circumstances no child should have to deal with, and he’d held up remarkably so far. So, what were tears for an 8 year old? Perfectly normal, that’s what. Jin held him and let him cry. She looked back at Ishawari, her own eyes brimming with tears. It hurt to hear that kind of pain.

When the tears started to subside into little hiccups, Jin finally spoke.

“My dearest Han, I am so proud of you. Ishawari is as well. I am certain your father is as too, and your sweet mother in heaven looks down upon you with love. You are doing wonderfully. I can’t imagine how much your heart must hurt by leaving your home and family behind. But can I tell you a secret?” 

There was a muffled “uh huh” from the folds of Jin’s kimono. 

Jin dropped her voice conspiratorially. “No one can hold a burden forever.” 

There was silence, then the Prince looked up confusedly at Jin. “What do you mean?”

“Well, think of it this way. Imagine that you are carrying a very large rock. It does not seem heavy at first. But as the miles go on, it gets heavier and heavier. Your arms shake and your back hurts, and finally you must set it down.” She thought a moment, trying to explain the best she could. 

“But when you look back, you have carried the rock all this way, without stopping. And now, you must rest. Everyone has to lay down their burdens sometimes. This does not mean you are weak. It means you are strong, and it means you are human.” Jin gazed down at Hotaru. “Promise me. When it hurts too much to bear, when you can’t hold the tears back anymore, you come to us. Alright? We will not judge you.” 

Hotaru looked at Jin for a long time. She wondered just what was going through his little mind. 

Finally he spoke. “Thank you, Akemi-san. I will do that.” There was a fierce little fire in his eyes, one that reminded Jin so much of Empress Chigusa. Then he rubbed his wet face on his sleeve, and Jin remembered that for all his fire, he was still just a boy.