~~~~(Katie's POV)~~~~
I woke up, stretching my arms and legs. I looked to my right to see that it read 9:27 a.m. on the clock. I sat up and noticed a plate of food on the table with a note next to it. I walked over and picked up the note. It said,

Dear Katie,
We have left the house for a couple of hours.
Can do whatever you want, just stay in the house.
Enjoy your breakfast.
Sincerely,
Heisuke

I look to my right to see a plate with food. One pancake, two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon. I place the note next to the plate, and sat down to eat. Finishing up the last piece of pancake, I looked out the window beside me.

What a beautiful scenery for a picture. I went to my closet and grabbed black leggings and a bright pink and purple tie-dye fitted sweatshirt. I walk into my bathroom and shower with my vanilla products. When I get out, I brush my long light caramel brown hair. I left my hair down and walked back into my room.

I walked to my room and went to my dresser. I grabbed my sketchbook and pencils. I sat down at the table looking out the window, drawing the beautiful scenery before me. I haven't paid attention to the time, until I heard a knock at my door.

"Hey, I have a surprise for you." I turn around in my chair and see it's Heisuke. I got up from the chair and saw that his hands were behind his back.

"Surprise? You didn't have to get me anything." He walked in the doorway and closed the door behind him.

"Well, while we were gone I found someone. I figured you would like to have seen her again." After he said that, he brought his hands in front of him. There sitting in his hands was,

"Kuroro!" She meowed and jumped to me. I caught her and hugged her tightly to my chest. I thought I lost her!

"I knew she would brighten up your day." I placed Kuroro on the chair and ran at Heisuke. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I was so overjoyed. Then I just realized that I kissed him. I pulled away and started blushing like mad. I heard him laugh nervously and he said,

"You're welcome," and left my room. I ran to Kuroro and cuddled her in my arms. She purred happily. I sat back down in the chair and starred out the window. After fifteen minutes, I went back to drawing. I colored it, and it looked just like was outside.

I look to my left and saw Kuroro laying on the table watching the birds fly outside. I smiled looking at her.

"I'm so glad you're back Kuroro." She faced me and meows. I laugh softly. Then An idea came to my mind. I flipped to a clean page in my sketchbook and let the pencil glide. As the pencil flew across the page, I let my mind wonder. I didn't even realize it was night when I was finished. I rubbed my eyes and placed the pencil next to me.

I laid my head down on my arms for a few moments, you know resting my eyes. Then I fell into a nice sleep...

~~~~(Heisuke's POV)~~~~
After I gave Katie Kuroro, I went downstairs and lounged the rest of the day. I found Kuroro while I was on patrol in the city, and the others were watching Nobunaga's men lurk around the city.

"I wonder what they're planning." Sasuke speaks his thoughts. I look up and saw everyone looking at him.

"Yeah, all we know is that Nobunaga wants her, but for what cause?" Goemon adds.

"Kortaro and I both agreed. We have a feeling something bad is going to happen, and it's not good either." Saizo said. I stayed silent as the others talked.

"I don't care, I won't let anything happen to her." Everyone looked at me.

"We won't either," Sasuke says. Kortaro left to make dinner, while the rest of us watched tv. After a half hour, dinner was ready. Kortaro made Miso soup.

"Heisuke, why don't you go inform the princess that dinner is ready." Saizo said. I nod my head and went up the stairs and walked down to her door. I knocked, but heard no reply. I opened her door, and saw the room empty. I walked into her room, and heard a soft meow. I looked to my left and saw the princess and Kuroro at the table.

I walked over and saw the princess was sound asleep. I smiled at how beautiful she is, when asleep. Kuroro walked towards me and meowed. I rubbed her head where the diamond is. I saw a black book was under the princesses arms. I went to her bed and pulled the soft covers back.

I picked her up gently and carried her to the bed. I pulled the covers back over her. Kuroro jumped on the bed and cuddled next to the princesses side. I walked back to the table and saw the picture. The picture was of me?

I flipped through the pages and saw a forest, Kuroro, her father, Saizo, Sasuke, Goemon, Kortaro, and one I thought I never would see. Lady Cornilia. The pictures look so real and very detailed. I flipped through the pages, admiring her work. I closed the book and left her room quietly.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, grabbing my food.

"Is she coming down?" Sasuke asked. I shook my head no.

"She was asleep at her table when I walked in. I placed her in her bed and left." Everyone went back to eating in silence, until Saizo spoke up.

"Tomorrow, Goemon, Kortaro, and I will go out on patrol. Instead of us all going." No one said a word after that. The rest of the night was just relaxing.

~~~~(Katie's POV)~~~~
I woke up momentarily, feeling my body being lifted and placed on what felt like a cloud. I felt the blankets being pulled over my body and something lay next to me. Probably Kuroro, then I drifted off to sleep again. I hear this song that always makes me sleepy.

(Dream)
Black. That's all I see. Suddenly that same song I hear every night before I go to bed, could be heard. It's soft soothing melody. As the song plays, the darkness is gone. Replaced with colors, a big patch of grass, small pond, and a lone cherry blossom tree by the pond.

I took in my surroundings, amazed from the beautiful sight. The sky a light blue, and the sun shining as bright as ever.

"Katie," I turned around so fast, I'm surprised I didn't get whiplash. There stood a tall woman, long black hair, pink and purple eyes like mine. She was wearing a nice long white kimono, with red and yellow swirl patterns at the ends of the sleeves, and bottom of the kimono. A black ribbon around the waist, and is the middle seam with the same yellow details. She even has a crown with beads hanging from it, with feathers at the ends.

I couldn't believe who it was...

"Who are you?" My voice wavering. She laughs, her laugh sounding like angels.

"Katie, it's me sweetheart." She smiled at me.

"Mom,..." My voice trailed off. She did a slight nod. I ran towards her arms stretched out. When I reached her, I wrapped my arms around her as she did the same to me.

"Yes, it's me sweetie." I felt tears burn the edges of my eyes. I felt fingers under my chin, lift my head up. "Shh my dear child. There's no need for tears."

"Sorry," I said wiping my eyes. Mother smiled down at me.

"Now tell me what is troubling you my dear."

"Mom, I can't find dad anywhere."

"What do you mean dearie?"

"Men broke into the house, dad told me to run...and I did. I lost some in the crowd and was taken by five ninjas. They've taken me to a nice house, but I don't know if I can trust them." I rambled.

"What do you think you should do?" She asked.

"That's the thing, they seem like nice people but I feel like they are hiding something. There's this one who is so kind and gentle. Every time I'm around him or he even comes close to me, my heart pounds wildly. I don't know if I'm falling for him or not."

"Katie, my advice to you is follow your heart."

"My heart?" She nods her head.

"Your heart holds the many secrets to your true self. Your heart will help lead you in the right direction." We sat in silence for awhile.

"Mom, why did you leaves us?"

"Oh sweetheart, I never left."

"What do you mean?"

"When someone you love is no longer there physically, doesn't mean they're gone. I will always be in here," she placed her hand over where my heart is. "Spiritually."

"Thank you mom,"

"I will always be here for you, if need be." She wrapped her arms around me in an embrace. "I love you Katie, always."

"I love you too mom." I had tears glide down my cheeks. I closed my eyes hearing my mothers voice. Everything was fading until nothing.
(End Of Dream)
I woke up to someone saying my name softly.

"Katie,....Katie..." I opened my eyes to see Heisuke at my side.

"What?"

"Are you alright, your crying?" His face held worry and confusion.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Was there something you need?"

"Oh right, I came to get you. Breakfast is ready."

"Okay, I will be down in a minute." Heisuke hesitated but left a few moments later. I went to my closet and grabbed a black long sleeve, light blue skinny jeans, and converse. O put my hair in a ponytail. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen to see Sasuke and Heisuke at the table.

"Good morning," I said, they both smiled at me. Heisuke handed me plate with pancakes. "Thank you," I sat down and ate. The boys would talk about small things when I realized its December.

"Everything alright Katie?" I looked up and saw it was Sasuke who asked me a question.

"Yeah, I was wondering..." They both looked at me with encouragement. "If we could decorate for Christmas?"

"I don't know, Kat-" Sasuke began, but I interrupted him.

"Please, it is December after all, and Christmas is a week away." The boys were silent for a few minutes. I was beginning to think they were going to say no, when Heisuke said,

"I think it would be fun, let's do it."

"I'm in!" Sasuke adds.

"Great all we are going to need is lights, a tree, and-"

"Don't worry we have some in the basement. Let's finish up breakfast then we will decorate." Sasuke said, and that's just exactly what we did.
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I hope you guys liked the chapter.
The picture is of Kuroro, Katie's cat.
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Thanks!