The Rise of the White Lotus

"My apologies, I am perhaps famished." Sensing the dark aura that was repelling him to go away, Aki shook his head as he took a step back. Truly, Tora was like a tomboy that wasn't as feminine just like most women he encountered. 

However, that made her shine among the rest. She never considered herself as a woman who needed to be pretty all the time. Instead, she would think of other people's welfare despite her own loss, just like a true soldier.

Not just that, but she was also exceptionally skilled for a woman. If he would just assume, he would really think that she was the general. Alas, the general was a heartless tyrant while the woman before her was a selfless soldier.

"My steed,"

"Oh, right." Nodding his head upon hearing her concern, Aki cleared his throat. "Fortunately, that traitor of that group brought herbs as he was good with it thus, your steed was fine and only needed some time rest." Bringing the good news, Aki proudly announced as if he was the one who tended to Kaze's wounds.

"Is that so?" Relieved at the news, Tora's eyes softened. On the other hand, Aki caught the relief front that flashed across her face for a split second. 

"Churu was also relieved that it was alive." Slowly, the corner of his lips curled into a smile as he saw Tora slowly raise her head in disbelief. "That little girl is alive. The reason I am inviting you to come with me. The little girl was worried." 

"Impossible…" Through a whisper, Tora stared at Aki's certain front. Just like Aki's reaction last night, Tora was speechless. It was impossible. After all, she saw her. There was no way she could be alive.

"You…" Sharpening her eyes, Tora grit her teeth as she swallowed. "Are you trying to fool me?"

"See and know if I am deceiving you or not." Aki just shrugged his shoulders before he bent down and carried the animal she hunted. He didn't miss a beat as he began walking away, back to the area where he came from. "You can kill me if I am not telling the truth." he didn't give her another glance back as he added.

Tora just watched his retreating back for several seconds as she pondered. It rendered her conflicted whether or not to believe him. Regardless, he put his life on stake hence, she could just go back in this area after bringing him his demise if he was deceiving her.

"Don't ask for mercy if you're lying." With that, Tora followed Aki's tracks and kept her distance from him, afraid that his smooth, flowery tongue would be cut off if he used it to compliment her without thinking twice. Call her ungrateful, but a womanizer like Aki was the type of man that disgusted her the most.

She wouldn't fall for whatever flowery words that would come out from his mouth. She would rather mute him for the rest of his life.

****

"Yamada-sama!" The moment Churu saw Aki's figure approach, her eyes shifted to his behind where Tora followed him. Since the sun broke, Churu could clearly see her clothes that seemed to be dipped in a pool of blood while some speck tainted her hands, face, and neck. Yet, that wasn't enough for Churu to stop herself from running towards Tora's terrifying sight. In contrast, she was beyond glad to embrace her as if she was the purest being on earth.

"Churu…" Seeing her small figure run towards her with her arms wide open. Relieved, glad, and yearning instantly engulfed her already rotten heart. Squatting down, Tora welcomed the little girl to her embrace.

Churu jumped a little and instantly landed in her embrace. If one didn't know, they would surely mistake that they were blood-related, or they have known each other for a long time as what they were showing was something heart-warming despite the terrifying experience last night.

Meanwhile, Aki smiled, seeing the two reunite. Tora had been treating him cold-shoulders since earlier and threatened him to cut off his tongue if he used it once again. Yet, she had a complete change of attitude upon her reunion with this little girl.

"I told you," He muttered as his two guards helped him to carry their food. But Tora ignored him as she stared at Churu's adorable face.

"You're alive…" She murmured in relief. "How can that be?" 

"Yamada-sama, I don't know why everyone assumed I am dead if I am alive." Smiling brightly, Churu lied for the very first time of her existence. She knew she died. However, she's immortal and no matter how many times she dies, she would come back alive like it was nothing.

"Regardless, I am glad." Not caring how, Tora just smiled as she stroked her hand on the little girl's head. They only knew each other for a month, but Tora's heart felt more attached to Churu more than anyone she knew in her life. 

"Forgive me for not protecting you. You wouldn't be abducted if not for my negligence." After some time, Tora frowned as he felt ashamed. She promised that she would protect Churu, but just after three days when they departed from the northern town, Churu was already placed in danger.

"Yamada-sama, you came for me and were together again. That's what's important, isn't it? Also, Kaze is fine." Still bearing her bright smile that could melt the coldest heart, Churu said. She then hugged Tora more tightly as her sleep felt like forever.

"Mhmm…" Subtly smiling, Tora rubbed her little back as she hummed a tune. "Churu, when we returned to the Capital, you will be my adopted daughter." Actually, Tora had been contemplating about this for quite some time and considered what needed to be considered.

However, after this incident, Tora finally decided as she couldn't let Churu be in-danger. Although there might be dangers that come after she entered their family, the Chisaka family member has to think twice before touching her daughter.

"What?" As soon as Aki heard her, he knitted his brows in disbelief. A woman having a child without a father was considered dirty — whether it was adopted or not. 

Therefore, women who had children without a spouse would have to live alone as no man would want her to be their wife. And yet, Tora would just give her right to marry and have children of her own to adopt Churu?

"Really? Yamada-sama, no, mother!" Glad to hear her offer, Churu's bright smile turned even brighter. She could not contain her happiness that she shook Tora's arm as she hugged her.

"You'll lose your rights to marry if you do that, are you aware of that?" Frowning, Aki reminded. He too was unsure why he was concerning himself with this matter but deep down, he was displeased. It was not that he has something against Churu but there were other ways to protect a child without legally adopting it.

"Do you plan to marry my mother, Suzuki-sama?" Blinking her adorable eyes, Churu drew away from Tora who was ignoring him. Without further ado, these words slipped from her mouth that nearly choke Aki by his own saliva.