Chapter 11

Cassidy stretched as she got out of the litter they had allowed her and Nao to use with some of the other servants that were coming along this trip to make sure the nobles and the like still had some of the creature comforts of home. The forest where the hunting trip was going to be based was rather beautiful. She could hear birds in the air, little bugs like butterflies and bees were flying around. "Wow..."She said, looking around, "It sure is beautiful here." She smiled a bit seeing a few little ponds around in walking distance, to where they could take Hiroshi to go fish, or teach him how to swim, and still be in view of the camp. Nao nodded as she stepped out beside Cassidy. "At least we're basically gonna have a week to relax.'' She said, smoothing out her clothes. Well. Basically relax, anyway. Since they were brought here to be a playmate for Hiroshi when Tanjiro couldn't be. "It'll be fun, and then there will probably be fresh meat daily, so even better." Cassidy laughed a bit, but still nodded. "You're right about that. Come on, let's help get our tent set up." She said as she went to help the servants set up her and Nao's tent, paying no mind to the concubines that had come on the trip as they whispered about her behind their hands. Nao laughed softly as she listened to them, "They're saying you're trying to get with Lord Hidone by coming on this trip. Apparently they think that's the only reason you were allowed to stay too. Not minding the fact that you speak fluent English, and have been a brilliant teacher for Hiroshi. They really don't understand you're here for Hiroshi do they?" Cassidy shook her head, admittedly a bit amused, "No, they do not." She said with a slight laugh as she continued to help the servants with her and Nao's tent. It was only right after all. She tried to help where she could and luckily by now they all seemed to pretty much be used to her trying to help. When they got it done, she looked around and could see others just doing what they wished, or hunters getting ready for the hunt. "What to do, what to do.." She then noticed Nao's hair was coming down, "... Nao come here, lemme fix your hair. You're gonna burn up with it like that." "Hmm? what...?" Nao soon had a slightly embarrassed look, but nodded, and sat down where Cassidy had indicted. Cassidy settled behind her and let down Nao's black hair, "I'm gonna give you something called a crown braid. It'll keep all your hair off your neck and you should be able to keep it in all day, so you won't have to worry about your hair falling down." She explained as she began to part Nao's hair to get it ready for the braid. It took her a few moments to remember exactly how to do it. She had done this on her moms hair when her dad was teaching her how to take care of her hair when she was younger. It felt a bit bittersweet as she held onto the memories while she fixed Nao's hair. "Annd... Done!" Cassidy pulled her hands away. "Ah! Let me grab a mirror so you can see." and she rushed into their tent to pull out her small mirror she had gotten from town and gave it to Nao so she could examine her hair. "Cassidy, this looks amazing!!!" Nao said, astonished as she held the mirror every which way so she could see her hair from every angle. "You are still full of surprises!!" She said, still admiring her hair, "I may have to get you to teach me how to do this..." The two didn't even realize that a couple of Concubines had been watching while Cassidy had done Nao's hair. Their Ladies in waiting went up, nervously asking a question. Cassidy liked that she was understanding a lot more. "" They asked, a bit nervous to be talking to her. Granted, most of the time, Concubines and their servants avoided her as they were part of two different lives at the castle. Cassidy laughed a bit, "Looks like I'm gonna be able to teach you already, Nao." and then she looked over at the two concubines servants, "" And soon, Cassidy was working on one concubine's hair as well. She had to get Nao to grab her some extra ribbon from her bags, but at least she was able to get their hair done, and teach them all a new trick with the hair that they all seemed to like. As the two concubines went off, giggling happily about their new hair style, Nao hip checked Cassidy. "You're too good a person ya know that? Like those two were part of the group that bad mouths you." Cassidy shrugged. "What's the point in being mean back? That'd convince them I'm against them. Kill 'em with kindness as the old saying goes. Come on, let's look around the camp." She walked off, Nao beside her. The hunting camp was already bustling, servants having gotten everything up and running rather fast. Other lower nobles were getting their gear ready, guards were patrolling, servants running about to get whatever their master ordered. It was about as busy as the castle was on a daily basis. So, at least it felt familiar. There was already the smell of food as the cooks that came with were getting ready to make a meal. She could see the Lord's large tent around the center of the camp. It was a rather extravagant tent, made of beautifully patterned cloth. It was more than enough for Takashi and his son. She wondered where Hiroshi was for that matter. Well. He'd probably come find her soon enough, knowing the young boy. "Mm... Nao, let's get some food and then we'll relax until we're needed, I suppose." ---- The day had passed rather quickly, and night soon fell onto the camp. Tomorrow, a lot of them will go out and hunt as they came here to do. Cassidy and Nao would stay at the camp, probably relaxing or playing with Hiroshi. Nao had gone to bed earlier than Cassidy. Well. To be more precise, Cassidy just couldn't fall asleep. It was common with her, but it was worse now that she wasn't in her normal bed at the castle. She always slept badly when she was camping with her parents. Those camping cots were never comfortable, and this just seemed even more uncomfy than those... She let out a soft sigh as she sat up and looked over at Nao who was sleeping soundly on her bed. "...."She smiled a bit and quietly left the tent so her friend could continue to sleep. Maybe the crisp night air would make her sleepy. The camp was different at night. Most tents were dark as their inhabitants were fast asleep. She did note one of the concubines' tents were lit up, as well as one or two of Takashi's guards were patrolling just around it. She couldn't help but make a bit of a face as she realized what was happening. But before she could do anymore to block that out of her mind, a voice she hadn't heard in months broke through her thoughts. "Cassidy??" It was her mom's voice. The English almost threw her, since coming here she had mostly only heard Japanese. She didn't expect it. "Cassidy, sweetheart.. Is that you?" She wanted to cry. How was this happening?? "Mom??" She asked the night air, looking around as if trying to catch sight of her mom's brown, but graying, hair. Part of her knew it couldn't actually be her mom. But how else would there be her exact voice, talking to her, from who knows where? Was she going crazy??? Maybe, but Cassidy missed her mom so much, that hearing her.. Well. Cassidy was willing to do most anything right now. "Cassidy, it's been so long. Where have you been??" Her mothers voice was drifting away, and that just made Cassidy panic a bit. "Your father and I have been so worried...!!" "M-mom wait! Don't go, I'm sorry..!!" She found herself following her mother's voice, a slight panic in her steps. She just wanted to have her parents hug her and tell her everything was alright, that this was all just a weird dream while she's been in the hospital or something like that. "Mom!!" "Oh sweetie--..." Cassidy didn't even realize she was following her mother's voice into the dense forest. ---- Takashi exited Sona's tent early in the morning. Sure, people of the court probably knew what happened, but that didn't stop him from feeling awkward about it when people saw him. He did see Tanjiro with Nao, who was looking rather panicked. "...." Something didn't feel right. So, he went over, his own two guards following, "Has something happened?" he asked, looking at the two. Nao was disheveled, as if she had run around the camp all morning, trying to find something, or someone. She fiddled with her hands, probably a way to try and keep her stress down. "Cassidy is missing." She said. "I woke up to find her gone. I-I've checked everywhere I could think of. She's not in the camp..!" She quieted down, taking a few deep breaths when Tanjiro put a hand on her shoulder. "I've looked as well," Tanjiro said, "Unless she's, for some reason, hiding in someone's tent, she's not here. The only other place she could be. Well." He looked over at the forest the hunters were going to try their luck in. "I don't know why she'd be there though." "I see.. "Takashi said, a little worried now. This was strange. A logical explanation could be that she just went on a walk and got distracted, thus getting lost. But at any rate, she needed to be found. "Tanjiro, sound the wake up call, and get everyone gathered at the camp entrance then so we can discuss how to proceed..." he said, and added before he left, "And I know it may be hard, but... Please don't let Hiroshi know about this. If anything, tell him she is ill for the day." and with that, he left to get his own things ready, as of course he would help in this. He stopped only a few feet away, however, "Miyajima." He said, turning back to look at her. She jumped a bit as he spoke to her again. Seems she was just too worried, "Y-yes, sir?" "Please bring something of Bishop's from her bag. That way the dogs will have a scent." "Yes sir..!" -- Soon, Takashi was standing in front of the ones that would be going on the hunt today, "Instead of hunting, there is a more pressing matter. Last night, one of the women in camp disappeared. We believe she may be in the forest. It would not be right to hunt for game while she may be hurt. As such, we are going to look for Bishop Cassidy before anything else. The dogs already have something that has her scent. If you find her, return to camp and let loose the horn, as such then we will all know she is safe and accounted for, then actual hunting can begin. Any questions?" He said looking around at the gathered hunters. They all seemed to realize that this wasn't something that they should question, morally anyway. Someone was in danger. They needed to help. "No? Good." He stood straight. "Then let's go."