When they reached the birch forest, the sun was already past its peak. The leaves of the trees were still small, but the seed pods were glowing like fire. A wall of yellow an reddish hues with little green spots glistening in between.

'Is it beautiful?', Miku asked when they stopped and Jun sat in silence for a minute.

'Yes...very....I wish I could describe it...'

'Hmmm...no need...'.

'But...we should make haste...mother said we should leave again when the sun falls behind the tree tops.'

She made a soft clicking sound and Hiji started to trot off entering the woods. At first the trees were spread further apart and the golden light danced between the branches. But soon enough the forest became thicker and the undergrowth made it tricky for Hiji to find her footing. It was cooler here and a slight mold wafted through the air. Spring had not reached that far into the woods. The young horse treaded slowly and cautiously now, so Jun got off and took her by the reins. They were not quicker that way, but it was safer for all three in these murky surroundings. A tedious passage. When they finally could ride again it only took them a short while to reach the clearing where the sun warmed their bodies.

'Ok...come down..we are here.' 

Jun swung off the horse. Miku also slipped off Hiji's back and stood in silence, gently sniffing the air.

'I can smell it...there should be dragon scales growing here...'

Turning to the right he pointed towards some brambles surrounding a marshy spot just on the edge of the tree-line. 

'Somewhere over there...not too far I think..'

'I'll have a look if your nose tells the truth...'

Jun stepped forward cautiously. A bushy grass was covering the floor and it was hard to tell where the solid ground ended and the quagmire started. She did not want to get stuck in swamp. It would be a nuisance and with a bit of bad luck it could become downright dangerous. But she managed to inch towards the brambles and sure enough, there, ducking under a thorny layer of old branches she could see a patch of shiny light-green leaves. 

'I found some!' she shouted back to Miku who still stood at the same spot holding Hiji by her mane.

'Good...I think a handful is enough...' 

'Not much more here anyway...', she yelled, softly picking the stems. 

Yua had taught her to be careful with the leaves. Squash them and the plant would loose its potency quickly. She stashed the herb in her small leather pouch and, getting up, she hollered:

'I am just going to have a pee, then I am coming over.'

Miku stood there, unfazed. His 'Alright' barely audible.

When she came back, he already sat on Hiji's back. 

'Come on', he stretched out his arm to help her up.

'Lets go home.'

'But we should stop near the rabbit holes...you know..the ones near the creek...Maybe we are lucky and I can catch some.'

'Ok...', he said. Then, after a long pause:

'You always squat down when you have a pee.'

'I...ahh..I...what do you mean..', Jun stuttered, completely stunned. 

               Never let anyone suspect anything. Never drop your guard. 

Yua's words were booming in her mind like thunder.

               Don't even to tell yourself that you are a girl.

She had to speak like a boy, ride like a boy, fight like a boy. She had to be a boy. And now, with the most profane of all things she let her secret be uncovered.

'...I did not... squat...what are you...', she scrambled for words. 

'Jun...', Miku said in a calm voice '...I will not tell anyone...not even my father. But..', he chuckled

'...I have known that you are a girl for a very long time now.' 

The silence was deafening. Blood was pumping through her head. She suddenly slumped over as a wave of relief was rolling through her whole body. She felt herself falling, but Miku grabbed her by the waist just in time.

Like that they sat there in the soft light of a springtime afternoon. Not budging, not talking. It felt like an eternity.

'Besides...', breaking the stillness Miku whispered into her ear, 'I cannot depart for my Boro without you anyway...So we have to keep your secret until we have returned and we are given the swords!'

Jun opened her eyes, sucking air into her lungs. 

'Yes...you are right...our fates are woven tightly...'

'Like the silk spinner's cocoon...', Miku giggled.

'Like the string of my bow...' , Jun somberly replied.

'Like the hair on a mutton's butt...'

With that they both exploded, their bodies shaking with laughter. Even Hiji, who had stood still like a rock, now was joining in with a long neighing sound.

'Let's go home..'