#lava bug

It has been nearly a year since I have started living with three men in their home. They found me unconscious in the forest. When I came too, I remember disarming Shiranui’s gun out of self-defense when he pointed it at me. The other two took interest in me and decided to confront me further. The battle ended in minutes as Amagiri tested my patience by attacking me. Kazama stopped Amagiri from continuing further because I defended myself well despite my injuries. They brought me into their home and discussed who I was and why I was in the forest. I explained my situation to them that I have amnesia. I did not know how I got to the forest to begin with.

“My name is Ani Hanabi, I am from the west.” I responded.

The men looked at me confused by my claim, I explained further that I was not from Japan, but from the Americas. Shiranui looked at me interested because he has been there before, but not long as he explained to Kazama. He was only there for a while and he never believed that there were any humans like me, my skin was light brown. It’s his first time seeing a human this tan…I had to correct him that I was born with light brown skin not tan like Shiranui is. All three of them came to a consensus and decided to keep me with them and away from society until they figure out what they would do with me. Political climate in Japan was complicated and the last thing on their mind was to take care of me. Kazama and Amagiri were with the Satsuma domain and Shiranui was with the Choshu, that’s about all I know and did not wish to stress over it. I was ordered to stay at the house and to make sure I eat my meals. I assist with Amagiri preparing tea and meals and Shiranui distracts me with toys from time to time not often. Kazama kept to himself in his room and rarely talks to me. The other day Amagiri bought me a change of clothes and did my hair so Kazama would stop complaining how I looked. Not that I cared about looks, but I was thankful to Amagiri for putting the time and effort to making me presentable.

I was alone in the house as I was sulking at the window, it has been ten months and I have been debating whether to try and remember how I got here. The demons have left for work for their domains and I could not leave the house. I could do chores, but that was it. I laid on my futon and napped the rest of my day away.

“Yo, Ani-san.” A voice called out to me which woke me from my slumber. It was Shiranui.

“Yes, what is it?” I answered weakly. I was in no mood to play with toys or anything that interests him.

“Want to leave the house for a bit?” He asked.

I perked up as I went to the sliding door. I hope he was not giving me false hopes. Shiranui had a concerned look on his face for a moment and smiled. I already felt my hopes diminishing. He held a finger to his lips as he took my hand as we went to the front door and put our shoes on. We quietly left the house as I followed Shiranui to where he wanted to go. The city of Kyoto still had people around despite how late at night it was. Shiranui kept him close to me as he explained it is dangerous to be around here by myself. I noticed people in the shadows who slinked away. Ronin as Shiranui calls them. We settled nearby a peaceful temple where no one was there. I was a bit confused. Shiranui was not the kind of person to have a religious background. There were times he would quote things that I do not understand, and when I ask he would replay with that it was nothing. I tilted my head in curiosity as he called me over to sit next to him.

I sat next to him as he pulled out a couple of unusual sticks. He smiled at my curious look as he showed me how to hold it. As my brain was still trying to figure out what Shiranui was doing as he lit a match and placed it underneath the stick. My eyes widen distracted by the sparks.

“You like?” Shiranui asked.

I nodded without saying anything.

“It’s a senko hanabi sparkler.” He said as he lit one for his own to show his to me.

Shiranui looked at me with my goofy smile. I giggled every now and then. He found it fascinating that I was easily swayed for he didn’t know I like fireworks. I never told him.

“Hey, Shiranui-san,” I called.

“Hm? What is it?” He said a bit startled.

“This looks like a lava bug eating a stick!” I replied.

Silence.

Suddenly Shiranui laughed. It wasn’t his cocky laugh, but a genuine one. He fell over backwards still laughing. His laugh became contagious and I couldn’t help but laugh too. Why is this human so entertaining? I like her, Shiranui thought.

We lit up the rest of the sparklers that Shiranui had brought. Fireworks were my favorite I remembered I watched them before and how pretty they were. I only was able to see them once a year. I recovered a lot of my memory that night. Shiranui waved his hand in my face and even shook me trying to wake me up from my trance.

“Yo, Ani!” Shiranui shook my shoulders.

“Kyo Shiranui. I remembered.” I calmly responded.

“Huh? Remembered? Remembered what?” He was confused and shocked that I knew his first name.

“You told Kazama that you been to America before…do you remember a child being on board a ship? A crying child? You had a friend with you…Ryouma…Sakamoto? He was learning about foreign ships?” I told him.

Shiranui meditated on my claim and remembered.

“Who’s the child?” Ryouma asked.

“Oh her, she was smuggled on this ship. Captain had connections with a wealthy family. The husband knocked up a slave woman and the woman asked if the captain would take the child. The girl was beautiful, full of spirit, and humorous. The captain loved her. She witnessed her mother and a few of her friends were shot and killed believing to be escapees. As young as she is I don’t think its registered that her mother is gone. The captain does not know how to tell her. Honestly I miss her sense of humor.” A shipmate answered.

Ryouma then went to the captain and asked about the girl who was crying in the cabin. He asked if he could meet her. He sighed and gave him permission to see her after requesting so many times. After a rough start, Ani grew to like Ryouma and taught and exchanged lessons in each other’s languages. The captain was happy and allowed to travel with Ryouma if he kept her safe.

“Shiranui, meet a new friend of mine Ani.”

“Oi oi, Ryouma. You are insane for hitting up a woman that young.” Shiranui joked.

“Hey, were not together. She improved my English communication. In exchange I taught her Japanese.” Ryouma explained.

Shiranui remembered always pointing a gun at her just to scare her. She would always hide behind Ryouma one time when they were traveling. One day she got upset for Shiranui poking fun at her and disarmed him which made Ryouma laugh.

“Hehe that’s what you get for teasing her so much. Well done, Ani. Shiranui why don’t you let her practice. It may come in handy for self-defense for her.”

“I cannot believe I didn’t remember you. I was wondering why your moves were familiar. And you look young still. I still can’t believe it is you. How old are you now?”

“Twenty.” I replied.

“I swear you look younger than that…twenty? You must be blessed with youth than. I’ll be damn. You do not look your age.” He responded.

“Neither do you.” I nudged him, “How is Ryouma?”

“He’s the same still, I try to keep him out of trouble. I’ll let you see him tomorrow. Hey question, Ani Hanabi? Why that name?” Shiranui asked as he got up.

“That’s the name Ryouma gave me. Ani because it was simple and easy to remember. Hanabi was when there was a festival in Edo and I got to watch the fireworks they had. They are beautiful, I love them. Hence the name Ani Hanabi.”

Shiranui sighed. That would be Ryouma, he thought. He took me by the hand as we walked a different route home because of how late it was. As we made it to the house, Amagiri was waiting for us. He scolded me, but Shiranui defended me. He realized he should have let Amagiri know.

“Be thankful it was me, if it was Kazama you would be in deeper trouble.” Amagiri warned as he dismissed us for bed.

Shiranui led me back to my room as I told him how much I enjoyed myself and thanked him for taking me out. He pat my head as he told me to go to bed. I gently called out to him as he was leaving towards him room.

“Shiranui-san, can we maybe hang out again sometime? Like before I mean.” I asked trying to hide my blush. He noticed.

“Who knows, maybe.” He said playfully, “Maybe I’ll take you to see some fireworks next time. I want to see your reaction.” His eyes were slit as he teased his cocky smile returning.