Jake was true to his word. One week had passed since he and Midori had arrived at the mainland. And the time had been wonderful. They had taken a plane to a country famed for its great natural beauty and had spent two days there, taking in the gorgeous sights. After that was a country known for excellent amusement parks, where they experienced thrills and chills unlike any before. Midori was having the time of her life, and Jake was glad to see her smiling again after her recent hardships. On the morning of the seventh day, Jake woke up in his hotel bedroom and entered the living area. Midori was doing her morning training and exercises. "With everything that's happened, you're still practicing martial arts?" Jake asked. Midori didn't break her motions as she answered. "It's good for keeping the mind, spirit and body fit. Besides, just because I don't want to fight anymore doesn't mean I want to be defenseless." Finishing her exercises, she walked over and hugged her friend.
The morning sun illuminated Jake's room as he sat on his futon, thinking. He had only gotten a few hours of sleep and had woken up early. He'd spent the time thinking over and over what had happened and was about to happen. Not only was he about to be forced to marry Midori, Miyamoto had tricked him into obligating himself to become a father. He'd often wondered what it would be like to have children with one of the girls, especially since the incidents with his future alternate daughters. This wouldn't be the first time he'd had sex, or fathered a child, but then again, that woman hadn't even been mortal. He knew he wasn't ready yet. But Miyamoto had forced his hand, and he couldn't think of any way of getting out. None of the girls, not even Dawn, were around to help him, and he was powerless to fight this tide of events. His door slid open, and Miho Ishibe entered. "It is time, Mato-sama." She had helped him the previous night practice the few Nipponese phrases he'd need
It was sundown in Katsumi-machi. Dawn was sitting by herself at one of many tables that had been set up outdoors. The festival was still in full swing. People laughed, and drank, and danced, and ate, and bought merchandise and played games. No one was sitting with Dawn, but no one had mistreated her either. She had enjoyed her time here while trying to think of a way to get Jake out of his situation. While thinking, she had been able to enjoy some of the festival, especially the food. Someone put two small cups and a bottle in front of her. "You look like you could use some company," a familiar voice said. Dawn looked up to see Jake's face, a little sad, but smiling. "Jake!" Dawn exclaimed happily, drawing some eyes. "I haven't seen you all day." "Yeah, sorry about that. I've been busy. Come on, let's have a toast." He poured the liquid in the bottle into both cups and lifted his. Dawn stared at the drink intently, hesitating. "Jake, I swore I'd never drink ag-" "I made
The jet was nearing Nitenan, carrying the fuming girls. "I can't believe this!" Yuta blurted out. "Big brother is going to be forced to marry Midori?" "That's Rosemary's current theory," Diana confirmed. "And I hate to admit it, but she's making a lot of sense." "Okay, so we can't take the jet back. What if," Fawn suggested, "after we land, we get back to Katsumi-machi through the normal methods? It shouldn't take more than four days." "Not going to happen," Jessica told her, walking into the area holding a computerized tablet. On the screen was her own face, with a DENIED plastered across it. "I just tried to book us tickets." She flicked the screen, and a picture of Sarah showed up with an idential DENIED. "He's manipulative, but damn, Miyamoto doesn't leave anything to chance." Now it was Fawn's picture. "It seems he's used his influence to have us and those close to us declared persona non grata and barred from entering the country." "Even me!?" Katia demanded. Jessica
Two hours had passed since Midori had left, and the pair were getting restless. Dawn took a drink of water from her canteen. "Are you and Midori dating?" Jake suddenly asked. Dawn literally did a spittake on him and coughed. Ignoring this, Jake continued. "I mean, I saw the two of you after you escaped from those demons. You seemed really close, to put it mildly." Recovering from her surprise, Dawn chuckled. "That wasn't about romance; that was about comfort. She was trying to keep me from changing like she did after her early traumas. She really helped me. And I have to admit, it was lots of fun." Any further conversation was halted when they noticed an approaching Nipponese villager. It was a woman of about thirty, wearing clothes that seemed to indicate she was somewhere between noble and peasant. "Greetings," she addressed Jake in Basic, taking an effort not to look at Dawn. "You must be Jake Mato-sama. I am Ishibe Miho." "You speak Basic, um, Miho-san?" he asked. She
Midori 5 - 1 - Hope for the Future by gbrn32e, literature
Literature
Midori 5 - 1 - Hope for the Future
The Midori Arc - Finale - Hope for the Future Midori, Jake, and Dawn continued their foot trek across the landscape of Nippon on their way to Midori's hometown of Katsumi-machi. According to the young demon hunter, they should arrive several hours before nightfall. "I'm really proud of what you did back there, Midori," Jake told his friend. "Yeah," Dawn agreed. "For a moment, I thought you were going to mutilate his corpse." "I was tempted," Midori admitted, still trying to process all that had happened in the past twenty four hours. She had confronted and killed her family's murderer, had revelations shown to her by her heirloom sword, nearly died, and been saved by her friends. "But, you were right, Mato-ku.... Jake. I need to largely let go of my past if I'm to move onto my future and be happy." She felt at her heartbeat. "I just can't believe my family has finally been avenged. That anger I had... so much of it is gone. I haven't felt this spiritually unburdened in a long