Sakura Sunrise
Hiroki woke the following morning while the sun was still dark. He rolled lethargically off of his bed mat and narrowly avoided stepping on the snoozing Isamaru's tail. The silence was broken by the sound of a wide yawn as he staggered to one corner and stared at his reflection in an old mirror hung on the wall. He dipped his hooves into a bowl of water, splashing his face twice before shaking his head dry. The dog let out slow yawn of his own, stretching his paws out but simply circled over his cushion before curling up again. Hiroki went about brushing his teeth, pulled on his hat, and swung his sword around to rest between his shoulders. Isamaru may have the luxury of sleeping in, but he didn't.
Time to get an early start.
The streets of Ponyville were empty, after all what pony would be crazy like him to wake so early in the morning? Hiroki stepped out of his shop into darkened street with an apple clutched between his teeth, turning long enough to lock the door. He took a hefty bite from the fruit, holding it with one hoof and chewed thoughtfully as he accustomed himself to the cool morning air. The few clouds that remained did little to obscure the darkened sky but the creeping rays of sunshine coming up over the distant horizon overpowered any lingering light from the stars.
He finished the apple in two more bites and approached the cherry tree, adjusting the beads wrapped around his foreleg. Hiroki clopped his front hooves together twice and dipped his head slightly, uttering a quiet prayer under his breath. When he raised his head he was privileged with the regal sight of the Princess of the Night soaring overhead on her way back to Canterlot. The samurai bowed deeply out of respect to her passing, even if Luna wouldn't see it. He didn't have to wait long for the Princess of the Sun to give them their first morning light, bowing his head and uttering another prayer of thanks to Celestia as well. When he looked up his eyes caught the new rays of sunlight as they shined through pink cherry blossoms. There was something about this place that touched their spirit and Hiroki found himself whispering aloud.
"Sakura, Sakura
yayoi no sora wa
asahi ni niou..."
He spent the greater part of two hours across the river, practicing his sword technique repeatedly up on a raised grassy knoll. It began with drawing the blade and striking in a single move, taking the bulb of a sunflower off at the top of the stalk. His form changed constantly, each one with it's merits. Hard as stone, swift as wind, fluid like water, and fierce as fire. Feeling the morning sun now shining brightly against his shoulders, he knew it was time to adjourn. With his blade ready, it came up in a final vertical strike from bottom to top and he let out a sharp kiai to add energy to the blow. It mimicked the very same finishing move he'd used to defeat the shadow of himself in his dreams. Hiroki drew the blade across the scabbard through force of habit and slid it home, the sword giving a clink as it was put to rest.
Just as he had the previous three days, Hiroki engaged his morning chores with the same tenacity as he would a battle. Fresh water was poured, kindling gathered, and ingredients organized. Large quantities of rice were rinsed until they were free of running starches, then allowed to air dry and finally stored for later cooking. Reflecting back on his dream had given him an idea: Dinner would be served by him, and while he had a target audience in mind, anypony and everypony would be welcome.
But this meant it would take much preparation and more of his favored ingredients than he currently had on hoof. He'd have to stow his pride and enlist assistance If this were to happen... His back was turned to the front while his mind spun with what to serve for this bold endeavor and the front door opened, the bell overhead giving a joyful ring. Despite the fact he was not technically open, a customer was still a customer and must be addressed. He had no desire to repeat the display that scared ponies away that first day.
"Irrashaimase! One moment..." Hiroki called out over his shoulder, wiping his hooves with a dish towel. The samurai draped the cloth over one of his shoulders and turned to greet the customer properly, looking to see none other than the Princess of Friendship herself. He bowed his head deeply. "Towairaitosupākuru. Err, please excuse, Twilight-hime. Forgive me, but lunch will not be ready for some time..."
"Oh that's all right! I didn't come for lunch... I mean, it's only nine in the morning... but I didn't come for breakfast either. Err... I mean..." Twilight giggled at the way Hiroki had spoken her name, then corrected himself. "What I meant to say is, 'Konecheewa'."
Hiroki winced, shaking his head quickly. "Kon-ni-chi-wa. Konnichiwa. Please repeat."
"Konnichiwa..." said Twilight, beaming happily as Hiroki gave a faint smile and nodded in affirmation.
"Ahhh, fixed. Good. Pronunciation excellent." The samurai nodded again and rest his hooves on the counter as Twilight approached tentatively..
"I was hoping to just chat with you a bit... may I sit at the bar?" Yet another nod was given in response and she smiled brighter still, moving to sit her rump in one of the places set directly in front of his work space. She'd have to come eat here at some point too, just so she could watch the way he prepared his dishes. "I was up late reading that book Zecora lent me, and I couldn't wait to come here to talk to you about it. Of course if I mention anything I shouldn't, or if I overstep any boundaries..." Twilight's voice rattled off a bit nervously, likely having reflected back on how poorly her initial interactions with the Yak's had gone.
"To learn is to speak, to speak is to learn. I must continue my preparations, but conversation is welcome." Hiroki turned to produce a ceramic pot and a mug, placing the latter in front of her on the counter before filling it with a green tea.
"Where to start..." She cut off before a question had actually been asked, holding the ceramic mug of tea between her hooves and feeling it's warmth. "Where do you come from? What are samurai? ...and what's that 'hime' word you keep calling me?"
"There is a legend..." Hiroki began, pouring a single cup of tea for himself. He blew across the surface to cool it a bit before taking a slow sip. "The Ancients dipped a coral blade into the sea... when pulled out, four perfect drops fell back. Those drops became the islands of Neippon... To samurai the word you might use is 'warrior'. As for hime, it is simply appropriate to address a maiden princess properly..." She blushed furiously at this realization.
Hiroki and Twilight chatted for over an hour. Or more accurately, she asked questions for more than an hour and he answered most of them while continuing preparations for customers, only stopping twice to refill her tea. She asked him about samurai, the importance of their code of honor, about his homeland, its trees, its ponies, and its magic. He avoided speaking directly of battle and asked little in return, occasionally inquiring about something he might compare to his own heritage. He'd rolled enough noodles and sliced enough vegetables to feed a herd of hungry ponies yet there was an air about him that gave her the impression he didn't think it would be enough.
"I enjoyed talking with you so very much, but I really should let you focus on your work." Twilight nodded quickly as she got to her hooves. "Arigatō."
"Very good. You say Neipponese word like you are Neipponese." He took her empty mug and placed it onto a tray to be cleaned later.
"Oh, now you're making fun of me." Twilight laughed, coloring a bit as she lowered her head with embarrassment.
"Oh no, not at all. Serious business. Pronunciation very good. You say arigatō like -we- say arigatō." Hiroki looked up and nodded in reassurance. Twilight looked both relieved and pleased to hear this, raising her head and smiling at him.
"Thank you. Oh! I mean...arigatō." She was still chuckling as she began to make her way towards the door.
"Dōitashimashite. You are most welcome." The samurai had lowered his eyes to his work again, sharpening a long bladed knife.
"Hiroki... one more thing?" Twilight stopped at the door, looking back at the counter.
"Hmm?" The samurai paused and raised his eyes to meet hers.
"What you said yesterday... about the reason you came here... what did you mean by that?" He placed his knife on the rack behind him and sauntered around the counter. Hiroki led Twilight through the front door to stand before the cherry tree outside.
"This tree was raised by my ancestors a thousand years ago... raised and cared for like any other. But it does not only bloom in Spring... the kodama is touched by souls of those around it." Upon receiving the inquisitive look at the foreign word, Hiroki corrected himself. "Kodama... a spirit that resides within. It responds to those around it, blooming when ponies are... joyful. Excited. Inspired. Full of hope, or love. When we are happy, the kodama shares in this and gives its blossoms. The perfect blossom is to have tranquility, beauty, and harmony."
If there was a spirit within the cherry tree, it saw fit to emphasize the samurai's words by dropping a whole flower from one of it's higher branches. The flower danced along the air and spun jovially, Hiroki raising his head to let the flower balance perfectly on the end of his nose. He'd jerk his head, sending the blossom fluttering into the air again and the morning breeze pulled it over to Twilight. More ponies were now out and about now that shops were opening, some of them glancing over at them as they went by. Hiroki looked past Twilight to see Applejack on her way to deliver a cart of various baked apple treats. The samurai's gaze lingered for a moment before he looked to Twilight and gestured a hoof at the cherry tree.
"The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You can spend your entire life looking for it and it would not be a wasted life." Hiroki sauntered back towards the door to his establishment, but he stopped long enough to ask over his shoulder. "Twilight-hime, may I ask a favor?"
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As a sidenote, author notes for each chapter will be updated to have a list of all Equestrian/Neipponese (English/Japanese) translations!
Fu fu fu, the whole Hattori Hanzo/the Bride conversation between Twilight and Hiroki amused me very much.^^b
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My pleasure entirely.^^ On a side note, I think I will be unable to NOT hear Hiroki´s text in old man Hanzo´s voice from now on.
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I actually hear Hiroki's voice in my head as such.
Swift as the Wind, Stalwart as the Mount, Hushed as the Wood, Fierce as the Flame..