This is the sequel to my previous fanfic, "Unexpected Guests", and also Chapter 3 of Kumari's story. One day, I hope to organize these stories in their own world. But I guess it will only happen when I finnally come with a title for the whole story (still working on that...) Until then, enjoy!
“Remind me again, Soji... Why does Kumari hate me so much?”
Ichimaru swung down the axe swiftly, but failed at cutting another piece of wood in perfect halves.
“I don’t think he hates you, Ichimaru-san. He even tells you to chop the wood! He doesn’t even let me near the axe…”
The young demon put another piece of wood over the tree’s lump.
“Yeah, right… Come on, this is no work for a vassal! This is a peasant’s task! Why doesn’t he put me in charge of something less degrading?”
“Well, maybe because that time, with the horses…”
“It was his fault! Why made me think that I could handle two of those at the same time?”
“Sure, what was he thinking at? He asked if you could handle it, and trusted your answer.”
“Cute. Three months with me around and you already learned sarcasm.” Soji laughed. “Still no reason for him to do this to me.”
“And then there was time with the monks…”
Ichimaru thought for a while.
“Oh, that… Okay, my bad…”
Still laughing, the boy helped him gathering the firewood. Deep down, Ichimaru knew that wasn’t the elbow grease that bothered him; In fact, he was beginning to like it. What made him mad was that Kumari seemed so determined to make a respectful lord out of him at any cost, just as Sesshomaru wanted to. Honestly, his life in the past few months was much like he thought it would be if he lived only with his father.
He missed Yume and Sazume. It was hard to live far away from those who accepted him just the way he was. Since the reluctant departure of his mother and his sister, he had found some relief in Soji’s company. The shy boy had an easy laughter, and was the demon’s only distraction amongst so much work.
Suddenly, he stopped while dropping the axe next to a tree. Before the boy noticed anything, he had already heard the sound of many horses approaching.
“Looks like we have guests.”
At the distance, they saw many horsemen escorting a carriage, coming from the north. Ichimaru recognized the samurai Oda as the leader of those soldiers.
“Come on, Soji! I’ll race you to the castle!”
“Not fair! You’re too fast for me!”
“Okay, I promise I won’t use all my power.”
The boy smiled and ran away. Ichimaru laughed, and followed him closely.
