Chapter 484

“No!” After letting out a series of coughs, Aki profusely shook his head sideways as he exclaimed . Churu playfully arched her brows as she shrugged her shoulders and chuckled .

“Mother, I think Suzuki-sama likes you~” Giggling, Churu whispered and yet, her voice could be heard up to the next town .

“Mother only adore little Churu . ” Smiling, Tora didn’t bat Aki an eye as she subtly smiled at the playful Churu .

In her life, she never thought of being a mother or even bear kids . However, having Churu call her mother, she instantly unlocked this maternal instinct which she never thought she would ever feel .

She liked that she calls her mother . It just sounded so right as if Churu was meant to address her like that .

“Churu only like mother as well!” Churu grinned, her lips stretched from ear to ear .

Granting that she lived for years, that she even forgot how long, Churu never felt ecstatic about having to call someone a mother . She has a father, but she had never seen his face . She was never close to her father, anyway . Hence, having someone be a parent figure, it elated Churu .

“Huh, don’t address me as your father in the future . ” The corner of Aki’s brows twitched by the public display of affection of the two . Therefore, he humored just to irk Tora who showed obvious dislike towards him .

What did he even do in the first place? In retrospect, Tora never felt this distant on their first encounter . Rather, she was more open and friendly . But after that, her treatment towards him changed; it was a mystery he needed to decode .

“I will only address Suzuki-sama if mother accepts him!” Humoring him back, Churu innocently smiled at Tora . Tora only smiled back at her as she gently patted her head, before she raised her eyes and in a split second, Aki saw her piercing gaze, as if telling him to shut up .

****

Three days later, Tora together with everyone that escaped from the felons was forced to evacuate the from the hill as the fire never subsided . In fact, it literally burned the whole forest hence, Tora’s group was back to the road where Churu was abducted .

Chiharu, who was the only survivor of the group, offered his body to service everyone from cooking, tending to their wounds, and any other chores . On the other hand, the women slowly regained themselves from the trauma they had after being held captive for several weeks .

Meanwhile, Kaze was still weak and limped as it walked, but still, it was a miracle that it was still alive and Tora; she was contented having to look after Churu while she plays with her favorite steed .

Nevertheless, the three fleeting days that had passed were akin to a short healing time . The women had given great respect to Tora whom they have known as Yamada and to Aki . Also, although they despised Chiharu at first, some women felt pity so they helped him with chores that they could help him with .

“How can a mother let her daughter touch a dangerous toy?” As Aki watched Churu play with Tora’s sword, he lazily criticized . Considering he spent the last three days with them, Aki noticed that all Tora did was to teach Churu how to fight .

Not just that, they also meditated together and Churu would often mimic Tora whenever she was training her body . It was still a wonder that Tora only inflicted little injuries from that night three days ago .

Was she that good in fighting? Aki wondered .

“What should I teach her then?” Arching her brow, Tora asked . Actually, aside from fighting and strengthening her body, Tora didn’t have any talent on other things to teach Churu . Well, she could teach her how to strategize a war, but she’s still too young for that .

“Knitting? Dancing, perhaps?” Just blabbering whatever comes into his mind, Aki shrugged his shoulders . How would he know? He doesn’t have a child yet . Not to mention, he wasn’t betrothed yet! Hence, all he could think about was what the women in his huge manor do at this young age .

“Knitting?” Furrowing her brows, Churu turned her inquiring eyes to Tora .

“Knitting is not what a woman shall do — don’t listen to him . ” Tora shook her head sideways as if she was truly concerned about the bad advice Aki spoke off . Her statement instantly caused his under eye to twitch .

‘Not a woman shall do? Was she raising a little girl or a future warrior?’ Disbelief on what had spoken, Aki peered at Tora in extreme disdain . She had adopted a little girl and by the looks of it, Churu’s future wouldn’t be a surprise if she turned out to be a soldier .

Just then, the three’s attention was caught as they saw Arakaki’s group approach . Their pace was fast that fog of dust clouded the view behind . Slowly, Tora and Aki stood as they watched them drew closer and closer until their steed’s footsteps came more distinct .

“Arakaki-sama . ” The moment Arakaki stopped several steps before Tora, she instantly addressed and courteously bowed her head .

The unusual gesture from his general slightly took aback Arakaki . Moving his eyes around, he saw unfamiliar faces with her hence, he got the gist that his general must have used another false name and identity .

“What happened here?” Stern and emotionless, Arakaki asked as he looked down on the bowing general . God knows he wanted to kowtow in front of her and ask for punishment for showing no respect for her .

Now, Arakaki understood Saionji’s dilemma every time Tora would wander around and get herself in trouble .

“I killed Shuren . ” Tora pondered for a proper report that would take less energy to explain the matters . She was a daimyo five years ago but being a general for the last five years, Tora had adapted the hobby of reporting in the bluntest way possible .

“I see . ” Nodding his head, Arakaki understood the main point with just those simple three words . Glancing back at her, he pondered which name she used this time . But, recalling that she often changes name every time that even Tora forgot that she used it, Arakaki chose the safe rode in great distress .

“You, follow me . ” He commanded and wept inside his mind as he never thought that he would experience treating his boss as if she was lower than him . He then began striding to the entrance of the forest by his steed while Tora glanced down to Churu .

“I’ll be back . ” She smiled and reassured . Tora then shifted her gaze to Aki who has his eyes on Arakaki . “Can you look after my child?” Unlike her usual commandant and cold tone, Tora asked which snapped him from his trance .

“Ah…” Aki just heedlessly nodded before he heard her send her gratitude and followed Arakaki . Before he could even realize that he was tasked to babysit Churu, the little girl spoke .

“Suzuki-sama, do you like my mother?” Out of nowhere, Churu sincerely asked as her eyes examined every move of his face . To her knowledge, Churu knew that this man would eventually end up with Tora .

The result was either a demise or a peaceful life . Although she was uncertain how, she doesn’t have the ability to stop what had been set on stone . Hence, Churu wanted for the two of them to be each other’s strength instead of being the cause of their demise .