The battle with the bandits had taken place almost a week of walk to the castle, and the trip back would be long. Not that Ichimaru minded; in fact, he preferred the liberty of the wilderness over the formalities of a noble’s life. Although there was something morbid in walking through deserted roads, knowing that the absence of people was due to the fear that the bandits had brought to those lands, the summer’s heat and the certainty that those problems were left behind filled him with an unquestionable sensation of inner peace.
And, for his surprise, Kumari too was taken by the optimism. He was thoughtful during all the first way of walk, certainly wondering what the future would hold for him. However, on the following day, they were already talking animatedly.
On fourth day, the bear demon yielded to Ichimaru’s persistence and explained why his family’s heirloom was a regular sword in such an extraordinary scabbard. The truth was that Kumari’s grandfather once sought Totosai, the legendary blacksmith, and asked him to forge the best sword he has ever made.
“I heard he only makes swords to those he likes. Heh, I can only imagine how angry your grandfather must have got when Totosai refused to make it.”
“Oh, he was. But you’re wrong. This sword WAS forged by him.”
Ichimaru blinked, skeptic.
“Wait a minute… You’re saying your grandpa forced him to make this sword?”
“Not a thing that I’m proud to admit, though… Anyway, one month later, he delivered this sword to my grandfather, stating he had made what he was asked to do, and took of as fast as he could, while he was still distracted admiring the weapon.” The bear demon looked at the sword and didn’t hold a chuckle. “So, there it is: the best REGULAR sword he has ever made.”
Ichimaru burst out laughing immediately.
“I can’t believe! Totosai fooled your grandpa like that, and he still kept the sword as a family treasure?”
“Well, it’s still a very good sword. Besides, I like to think that he decided to keep it as a lesson to be learned.”
“Like… ‘If you’re going to force someone to do something, make sure to keep an eye on them’?”
“Something like that, yes…” Kumari laughed.
“Or your grandpa simply had a sense of humor. Have you ever thought about it? What? You too laughed when you talked about Totosai’s trick.”
“Just because I laughed, it doesn’t mean my grandfather would have done the same.”
“Maybe. But you know what they say, talents skip a generation. Probably the old man was a bad singer, too”, he said, laughing. Suddenly, Ichimaru noticed that Kumari had stopped. “What?” He turned back, and didn’t like the face he found. Only then he realized he had talked too much. “Ah, crap…”
“ICHIMARUUU!!!”
