Thoma x Reader

"You're not bringing Shoushou?"

Your father looked back at you with one boot already out the door, hands clutching a little tighter at the straps of his bag as his eyes fell to the dog who waited patiently—almost expectantly—beside the table where his uniform was neatly folded. Candlelight played across his face and illuminated the thin smile he gave the two of you. "Not this time. Take good care of him, and don't slack off while I'm gone." With that, he slipped out the door and pulled it shut behind him.

Shoushou let out a strained whine and rushed to the window adjacent to the door, propping up his red-and-white body with his paws on the sil.

You turned your attention back to the book in your lap, trying not to let your mind linger too much on the unusual occurrence. Your father was strong, one of the strongest in the organization, which was why he was called away so often. Your immense admiration for him always seemed to dampen whatever worry you might've felt for his safety. You glanced once more at Shoushou, who hadn't moved an inch. Not every mission requires a ninken. Maybe he has to go undercover this time, you reasoned.

_____

Your arms ached as you walked along the thin dirt track back to your house, resting your training staff against the back of your shoulders and gripping it with a hand on either end. Your head was tilted back to look up at the sky, mind empty as you watched clouds gather on the horizon. Looks like it'll rain. Mom should like that.

Nearing the small house nestled into the grassland just south of Konda Village, you noticed your mother in her usual place—the little bench on the porch—looking up at a man dressed in the attire of the Shogun's Army. He was speaking to her and holding out a paper, so you quickened your pace.

"Who're you?"

The stranger jumped, whipping his head around to meet your narrowed gaze. He straightened up and faced you fully. "I am with the Yashiro Commission. My master has requested that a representative of the (L/n) clan report to the Kamisato Estate."

You placed your staff against the wall beside the front door, feeling your mother's worried eyes burning into you as you nodded to the man. "Of course. I'll leave at once."

He looked questioningly back at your mother, but she was now staring at her lap, doing her best to avoid his gaze. Not that this was information he would know, but your mother was disabled. She had a condition that necessitated a use of crutches, with her legs being exceptionally weak. This was just the way things were.

You had already started down the walkway toward the main road, so the soldier hurried to catch up. "The route isn't completely secure, so I'll accompany you."

You simply nodded, not having any real reason to refuse. Afterall, in the eyes of the public, you were just a girl who stayed home to care for her mother. Under normal circumstances, you were polite to strangers, and kind to those who warranted your kindness. Little did this man know, you could probably take down enemies with far more ease than he ever could.

"My name is Hirotatsu, by the way," the soldier said after a while of silence.

"(Y/n)," you returned. "I would ask to see that paper you brought, but it'll be too dark to read it by now."

"Ah, it's just an official summons. Folks around this area tend to be a little suspicious of us soldiers, so it's standard to carry documents like this." He paused, and you could see him studying you through your peripheral vision. "Anyway, do you plan to always live all the way out here in the sticks, in that tiny shack? They say you should experience city life at least once."

You rolled your eyes at the way he referred to your home. Thankfully, he likely wouldn't have seen your sour expression in the gloom of cloud cover. "Oh no, I think it suits me fine. The city is a little dirty, is it not?"