The Rise of the White Lotus

"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.