The sun shone brightly over the village, sunlight kissing every dark corner awake.
The chirping of birds could be heard across the rice fields, and farmers could be seen working on them.
It was a beautiful scene, another uneventful day, but the villagers seemed unbothered by this monotonous cycle, for what else could they need? They could eat their fill, had a place to sleep, and were part of a happy family; what else would someone need to complete their life?
A figure cloaked in a black tattered cloth strode steadily, with a simple sword hung on his waist and a cold—expressionless face.
The farmers continued working on their fields, unaffected, as such visitors weren't rare; numerous mercenaries could be found on this land looking for work.
"The mountain village huh? I don't see any mountains around here though." He mumbled to himself while entering the village.
"Well, that's right, mister, it is because the village is named after the mountain god the people here worship." An unknown voice suddenly blurted out beside him.
"Huh, and who are you brat?" said the swordsman in a teasing tone, whilst looking down at the source of the noise.
"I'm not some brat! My name is Yuki and I live here" spoke the little girl angrily
"Haha, is that so? Where are your parents, brat? Why are you wandering out here alone?" He laughed aloud while continuing his walk.
"Stop calling me a brat! You ruffian, hmph!" Complained the little girl catching up with him. " Big words for a small fellow like you," said the man, smiling.
"It's bad manners not to introduce yourself, hmph!" said Yuki, still sulking.
To which the man replied "Manners and all, I don't care about stuff like that child, the only reason I'm with you is that it might be dangerous for someone like you to wander the streets alone-"
" Everyone in the village knows me, and nobody will harm me," Yuki said, interrupting him," and you still haven't introduced yourself!" She said very angrily, seemingly wanting to look ferocious, but it had the opposite effect.
The swordsman burst out laughing heartily "Hahahaha, you brat." As he patted her head.
"Waaaah! You aren't just bad-mannered; you're also mean. Let go of meee!" said Yuki shouting and trying to shake his hand off.
He let go of her with a chuckle and asked again, " If you know everyone here, do you know about any inn? You brat. "
She crossed her arms in anger and shouted in his face... or rather thighs because they were all she could reach.
"Of course I would, we own it, but we would definitely not let someone as mean as you stay there! Unless you say sorry to me that is." She puffed up her chest and looked up at him proudly, as if waiting for an apology.
Looking at the scene in front of him, he couldn't help but laugh again. "Hahahahaha, don't joke with me, shut up, you brat." He started ruffling through her hair again.
*thud* Suddenly, someone collided with him, "Ah, I'm very sorry, I guess I was zoned out again." said the person in a sorry tone.
" It's alright." Replied the swordsman instinctively, carried with a scrutinising gaze.
The man was dressed in orange, much like monks, but there were several notable exceptions to this. For instance, he had long hair, and his temperament wasn't that of a monk, but rather of a wealthy son of some noble family.
" Brother Hikaru, help me! This bad-mannered mean man keeps messing up my hair!" Yuki darted towards him and hid behind his legs.
Ignoring her, Hikaru reached his hand out to the swordsman. "Hello, mister, I'm Hikaru. Thank you for taking care of her. She can be quite restless, haha."
Shaking his hand to reciprocate the greeting, the swordsman uttered " Tatsuhiro"
Being ignored, Yuki puffed her cheeks in anger.
"Tell him that he won't get a single inch of our land!" A sudden shout broke their meeting.
All three of them turned their heads to look at who caused the commotion
"Whoa, why is Aunt Chiyo acting like that, she is always so kind to me." A scared Yuki spoke with a little tremble in her voice.
People quickly gathered around the house with different intentions; some sought to sort out the problem, while others sought entertainment to liven up their boring day.
Making an attempt to change the mood, the swordsman interrupted her from speaking any further, " Hey brat, weren't you going to take me to your place?"
" Yeah let's go!" The child livened up pretty quickly and led them to her inn.
The walk was peaceful, a rare calm in Tatsuhiro's turbulent life, every person they came across was kindly greeting them.
Yuki and Hikaru seemed quite popular in the village, although the villagers held more prestige towards Hikaru, Tatsuhiro guessed that he was some special monk under the mountain god's temple
"We're here!" Yuki ran into a building close by, holding each of Tatsuhiro's and Hikaru's hands, dragging them with her.
"I'm sorry for her pestering you Hikaru"
A middle-aged lady sighed while picking the aggrieved Yuki up.
"Hmph, I don't pester anyone-" Yuki muttered to herself.
Yuki cut her complaint short and pointed out still sulking with puffed-up cheeks
"Mother, that mean brother needs a room I brought him here."
"Oh, yes, yes, I can see him, you like to annoy anyone you meet, don't you?" She teased Yuki again and said to Tatsuhiro
"Thank you for bringing her here. There are plenty of empty rooms upstairs. Choose any you would like."
"Mother!Hmph!" Yuki yelled for nothing just to find the others laughing at her.
" Alright! Let Tatushiro settle his stuff then we will have a big hearty meal!" Yuki's mother consoled her.
" Yay!" The innocent child was quite easy to coax.
Tatushiro climbed the stairs chuckling in between.
Choosing a room he put down his inventory.
He couldn't help but smile again.
After all, warm peaceful moments like these were far too few in his lone mercenary life.