Tensei follows Hayashi back to the house but something seems off. There were no damages on the field when he first meets the twins. Hayashi heads inside the house and calls out to IKKI for some herbs.
(Hayashi) IKKI, I need some herbs quick!
(IKKI) On my way!
IKKI arrives with the herbs and notices Ume in a terrible condition.
(IKKI) Who is she? And how did she get in this situation?
(Hayashi) I don’t know ... I just found her wandering around the woods then she suddenly collapsed upon my arrival.
Hayashi mixed the herbs together, and started to chant some type of spell while placing her hand on Ume’s forehead. IKKI in cat form tries to comfort Ume by warming her up. Afterward the fever went down and IKKI was relieved of nothing bad happen to Ume. Hayashi picks Ume up to put her in bed as IKKI looks for the others about the news. The others were warned and decided to head where Hayashi was at. Hayashi tucked Ume on her bed and checked for any high fever but still normal.
(Aki) Is she going to be alright?
(Haru) She’s not going to die, is she?!
Hayashi placed her finger on both of their lips saying to quiet down.
(Hayashi) sssshhhhh... yes she’ll be alright just let this girl have some rest.
The twins both nodded at Hayashi and went back down. Hiroko enters the room, she seen Ume suffering just by a glance. She decides to leave something in the room and goes back down. Ten awfully curious finds out what Hiroko left in the room next to Ume. It was a bracelet which had unusual colors. Ten didn’t quite understand but the bracelet started glowing at one of the beads. The color was glowing brighter next to Ume. He didn’t know what was happening but then the next morning came, Ume awoke from her sleep. Just like Ten not knowing where she is and how she got there in the first place. Hayashi enters the room with some breakfast.
(Hayashi) OH. You’re awake now huh? I made you some breakfast so eat up.
Hayashi brings the food toward her as Ume was cautious all around. Hayashi notices her being scared but still continues forward. She puts the food beside Ume and decides to pat her on the back saying something.
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(Hayashi) You’re okay now... no need to be scared.
Ume became a little calm after Hayashi reply. Hayashi comforts Ume as anything goes by the passing time. Ume finishes her breakfast fast but then Hayashi brings more food.
(Hayashi) There’s some leftovers if you want more...
Tears came rolling down Ume’s face, she quickly hugs Hayashi. Hayashi hugs her back, comforting the child.
(Hayashi) It’s okay child... don’t hold back. If you want to cry, you should cry as much as you like.
After hearing that from Hayashi, Ume just kept on crying the entire morning while wiping her face.
(Hayashi) So Ume is your name? What a pretty name. The name is Hayashi, I hope we can get along well.
Hayashi smiles and Ume right back.
[From that moment, Hayashi was more than just my master... to everyone that she took in and raise. She’s like a irreplaceable mother to all despite her personality. But I just kept this to myself.]
Afterward the whole family meets Ume and gets along with her. She still is quite timid around them but once getting to know them, she enjoyed every lasting moment. Ten was quite happy for Ume but still can’t shake the fact of whats been bothering Ume in her sleep or who killed her mother. Everything went dark and again, Ten moves forward without a direction. He then sees Hayashi and Ume walking in the forest about to head home. He heads toward them but as he did, Ume looked real sad and Hayashi trying to comfort her but couldn’t do so. He didn’t know what was happening then Ten gets in closer to the scene.
(Ume) Mommy...
(Hayashi) I...I’m sorry Ume. I won’t ask again.
Ten examines the scene and finally understands. The scene where Hayashi couldn’t finish her sentence after trying to mention Ume’s mother. Just when he looks into more of the situation, everything went back as a rude awakening. IKKI and Haru right in front of them, taking some pictures. Ume awakes and sees her two sisters all flirty looking with the camera. Ume turns red and decides to go after the two and Ten still remains in bed. Later in the evening, Ten did his usual training with Hayashi. He couldn’t get his own mind together but he just had to ask Hayashi.
(Ten) Master... this may be rude to you but here goes nothing. What did you say to Ume when you mention her mother?
In shock coming from Ten to ask such a question that even she didn’t want to answer.
(Hayashi) Why ask now? You didn’t to want know before but-
(Ten) It’s because I want to help her and you always said to help others in times of need.
(Hayashi)Sigh~ it’s a good thing that I taught you well. Very well... I’ll tell you what happen. But it isn’t a good thing and you must promise me not to bring this up to Ume understand?
Ten nods his head and replies back.
(Ten) Of course, I promise.
[I promised Hayashi not to tell Ume about it but I was confused at first. Over many days of training with Hayashi, she follows her own heart and policies. She would always say don’t hold back and be true to your own heart. I wasn’t following my heart at all, and I seem to disrespect my master’s teaching.]
Hayashi tells Ten of what happen on that day.
(Hayashi) Well to put it simple, things just didn’t want to be mention and my mouth kept on going without thinking. Ume was enjoying her new life with us but one day I asked about if she had anyone else close. She reply about her mother... she went on and on of what her mother was like but then stops for a sec. Ume became sad and frighten of remembering something not good. All I can do was apologize and give Ume a hug to say it’s okay. From then on, I never said anything else about Ume’s past otherwise she’ll be having more trouble sleeping. Sigh~ Well, I finally got this out of my chest.
(Ten) Master... can I go talk to Ume about this? If she’s having trouble then it’s our job to help one another right. We’re family and you told me to follow what I believe is right. I want... to help and be useful for everyone. I just don’t want to be nothing.
Hayashi looks at Tensei and knows he was serious. All she could do is reply and guide her own student.
(Hayashi) Sigh~ alright, Ten. Just don’t push Ume off her boat understand?
(Ten) Yes, I won’t Master.
END OF CHAPTER 7