(no subject)
Written for the 20themes challenge that came up a few days back. Haven't had the chance to go over these well so any mistakes you find just point them out to me.
Rating: K-T (or G-PG13)
1. The Places in Between
She had known for a long time now that she would have to choose her side someday. Ever since that time when Okuni had spoken to her of her brother’s murderer she had known that it would come down to this.
Whether to be with Kyoshiro, the kind man she had met in the beginning of this long journey and the one who had murdered her older brother, or to be with Kyo the slayer of a thousand men.
It occurred to her that she had probably lost her mind for it to come to this. Standing outside the circle of their eyes waiting for the battle to begin.
She cared for them both with all her heart and knew that even if she loved one more than the other she would never be willing to give up either of their lives.
Kyoshiro though a fool sometimes, had never shown her anything but kindness even if he had killed her brother. He had kept secrets from her and lied to keep her from knowing the truth…but hadn’t they promised to see the sakura trees together in Edo? Wasn’t that worth it?
Kyo was… Rude, uncouth, and arrogant beyond belief, but he had saved her life so many times. He could have left her to die, but he didn’t. He smiled at her making her more confident that they could make it through the tough times.
Finally moving with a calm that hid her frayed nerves she stood exactly where she belonged, between the two men ready to fight, because she refused to lose either of them.
2. Touching Me, Touching You
Her hands had always been soft, so much smaller than his. She was always gentle, but confident and kind. Kyoshiro never remembered her anyhow else, but now every time he tried to reach out to touch her she would vanish like the wind in his hands.
It was a reminder that he would never be with her again, not after everything that had happened. He could never apologize to her enough and so in the end he never bothered to.
The past mistakes could never be covered up and the future could not be changed.
3. Real or Not?
Sasuke had left them. He had just simply up and vanished never to be heard from again. Saizo had felt the sudden loss, but not nearly as much as Yukimura-sama.
Now fighting him, he had been certain that there was nothing left of his former friend and teacher, but he saw it every now and then, during the battle, a small glimpse of sorrow or regret.
It was gone as quickly as it had come leaving Saizo to wonder each time, but now Sasuke was dead leaving only unanswered questions in his wake. Was it Real or had he been imagining the soft smile?
4. Secret Garden
Sunlight streamed softly through tree braches and leaves, coloring the field of flowers in a beautiful array of blues, purples, and pinks. The grass was still the same healthy green and the leaves hadn’t yet changed color even this late in the season. The trees wound their way like a makeshift path to a small clearing just ahead.
Hishigi often frequented this place where time stood still and the earth met the sky. He had many memories, which lingered here like stars that never shifted far out of their course.
Things such as the bouquet of flowers sitting near the edge of the field, the indentions in the grass where two pairs of feet had walked one barely larger than his outstretched hand, the stripped bark off a tree, and the ropes hanging off the branches to his left where two makeshift swings rocked back and forth in the breeze.
It brought back recollections of smiles and laughter in a time when he had all near forgotten emotions.
And perhaps redemption wasn’t as far away as he had once thought it would be and salvation was in the smile that #13 had given him each time the stars would shift. In those moments he had thought that perhaps he still had a chance…perhaps he could still atone for the sins that he had committed.
Now all he could see was the silence standing in the air like a miasma of loneliness, constant, never ending. It was with the same regretful sigh and empty air that Hishigi turned away from the abandoned garden. Refusing to move too close lest his presence shatter the fragile memories that he held so close to what was left of his heart.
5. Pride over Death
Akira had faced death many times whether through chance or fate. He had learned not to flinch in its presence having not given an inch ever in his life. Dagger in hand he had not backed down from the cold blood red eyes regarding him with curiosity.
He hadn’t known what to expect of death. It never seemed to matter when you were waiting for your last moments, but he most certainly hadn’t been expecting a cross dressing maniac, an ungrateful bastard and a giant oaf.
He had thought that standing in front of Demon Eyes Kyo and surviving made him invincible, but he had learned quite quickly that it was only his pride trying to put together reasons for him to be arrogant, to be naïve.
He had considered dying when he got older but instead had pulled himself back on his feet, blind, but stronger now, with the goal that one day he would gather the Shiseiten back together again.
And he knew that he couldn’t accomplish this goal if he was dead…
6. Domestic
“ Move your feet off the table,” Ana yelled at Anthony setting plates around the table.
He didn’t even bother arguing as he slid his feet down. Knew better because his sisters wouldn’t take back talk even from their brother. He knew why there was such a rush. Their adopted brother Keikoku was there to join them this time, which was rare.
Anthony never let up on his rivalry with the other boy so he was already sitting in the seat across from the one designated to Keikoku, choosing different pieces of food to slide across the table for their battle. After all he had to make sure he didn’t break their habit of fighting over food.
Didn’t want anyone to think he’d break family tradition.
7. Always Second Best
“ Shindara the Undying also known as the Former Sarutobi Sasuke.”
Those words seemed to have a ringing effect in Sasukes’ mind as he stood up to walk along the hallways.
“ Please protect Yukimura-sama without fail.”
Those words were even sharper reminding him of the weight of the extra sword at his side, not that it had ever left his mind. He didn’t think himself worthy enough to inherit the name Sarutobi Sasuke, not anymore after meeting the real man he was named after.
Shindara was a man who held honor and values above his own life. He had existed only to protect Yukimura.
Sasuke didn’t think he’d ever be able to outdo the true Sarutobi Sasuke, but he realized as he came across Yukimura and the others, that maybe it didn’t matter if he was second best, a replacement for someone else. Maybe just being himself was enough.
8. Tug-of-War
“ Ieyasu’s Army has already breached the rear guard.”
Yukimura kept his back to his trusted retainer Saizo thinking of what this meant for him and his people. He shifted under the weight of his armor never giving notice to the flicker and shift of the candles to his left.
“ Tell the guard on the east to pull back to the edge of the castle walls, we’ll need them to shift positions to the rear guard.
“ Yukimura-sama if I may, would you please allow me to take lead of a small group to join the rear guard?” Saizo asked kneeling on the ground.
Yukimura hesitated, knowing that Saizo could up the chances of them gaining back some ground in this battle.
“ Take two dozen men and make sure to come back,” Yukimura replied.
“ Hai.”
He always told his men to come back ever since that time with Mizuki. Some of them headed his words, while others didn’t. Saizo hadn’t let him down yet, but he couldn’t trust this to last forever.
Hadn’t he always said that he hated war… so why was he now sending his people out to fight on a bloody battlefield?
This battle would be like a tug-of-war fight, one side would have to win eventually, but it was hard to say which one yet, just as with every other fight.
9. Brother, thou art my brother
It had been many years since last he had seen Yukimura. Even as Brothers they had never quite managed to get along well. Nobuyuki just never had the same ideals as Yukimura.
He believed in his obligation to his clan, but beyond that he didn’t hold onto much of anything. When his father had decided for him to join the Tokugawa in exchange for the survival of the Sanada Clan he hadn’t said a word of objection, his brother had done that for him.
They had grown up since those days and while Nobuyuki could still see the same idealistic fantasies in his brother he could also see the strong leader that he had become.
He was proud to be able to say that this was his brother and while they stood on opposing sides Nobuyuki would always remind himself that this was their battle and they were in it together for the Sanada Clan.
10. Fool’s Dream
She wanted him to acknowledge her, wanted him to look at her, but most of all she wanted him to love her.
It had been her single standing goal for years now, the drive that had kept her going to one day have those blood red eyes see her. No one could ever match his strength and beauty.
She didn’t care if she had to whore herself to the world, throw away loyalties and break all the rules, if only to be held in his arms with his voice murmuring that he loved her. For that she would give anything.
But as life goes on, dreams begin to fade and she can see that it isn’t her that he is smiling at. It isn’t for her sake that he takes up his sword and goes to fight.
Okuni realizes as she walks along the edge of the road that the innocent young girl beside him, whose only goal is to gain the money on his head, is pestering him again.
It seems like a rather childish scene, but if you watched closely and knew the signs as Okuni did than you would see the half-smiles and relaxed shoulders as the slayer of a thousand men remains silent under the girl’s onslaught.
Okuni knows that she’s already lost the battle to possession of Kyo-san’s heart. It already belongs to the bright-eyed girl beside him, but every now and then when he looks up she still dreams of the day when perhaps they could be together.
11. Honor among enemies
“ I think I drank waaaay too much,” Benitora slurred weaving on his feet before dropping like a stone to the hard floor.
Most of the others had already gone to sleep, even Kyo had left stating that he had other business to attend to, leaving only Yukimura and Benitora to enjoy all the Sake. Now it seemed that only Yukimura would be enjoying the rest.
He smiled victoriously as he pulled Benitora’s half empty Sake bottle to him making certain it didn’t go to waste.
Benitora’s loud snoring directed his eyes back to the other taking note of the fact that no one else was around. It would be so easy to end the Tokugawa heir’s life.
He didn’t even shift though and knew he wouldn’t. He wasn’t the type to backstab and he had too much honor to uphold as the head samurai of the Sanada Clan. That and the fact that it wasn’t really Hidetada, but Benitora, The Red Tiger sleeping nearby, snoring softly, completely unperturbed that his enemy was in the same room.
He knew it was dangerous to befriend the very man whose life he would almost certainly be after in the future, but in a way it held an irony that didn’t escape Yukimura’s notice. Funny how life could throw you these curve balls expecting you to dodge or catch them.
He smiled into the finished sake bottle letting it roll away from him as he lay back to catch some shuteye himself.
Tokugawa Hidetada would live to see the next sunrise, even if his very existed opposed all of Yukimura’s dreams.
12. It’s all about the Money
“ Alright, two Mon. Each person is allowed to double guess, but not triple guess and no take backs either,” Jinpachi muttered under his breath holding up a black pouch.
Ten sets of eyes focused on the pouch, before the first voice rose to answer, “Sakuya-dono.”
Rokuro shrank back into the tree branch he lounged on as several people raised their eyebrows at him. Sasuke sitting a few feet below him just rolled his eyes and ignored the group entirely.
“ I say Bontenmaru-dono,” Sekai answered. Isa raised his hand in agreement.
“ Kyo,” Jinpachi said putting the pouch down in his hand. Beside him Kamanosuke made ready to respond and Jinpachi put a hand over his mouth. “ He thinks so too.”
Kamanosuke glared at him, but Saizo quickly made to continue, “ Shinrei-san… Hurry it up he should be around the trees any moment now.”
“ Saizo.”
“ Ehh? Kosuke, Saizo is sitting beside you…”
“ I know,” she replied calmly and Saizo frowned at her like as if she had insulted him.
Juzo and Unno Rokuro both decided on Okuni and then waited along with the others. It didn’t take long before Yukimura walked up from behind the trees alongside…
“ Damn.”
Jinpachi put out two Mon dumping them into the black pouch before giving it to Kamanosuke who did the same.
“ I can’t believe he’s traveling with Shinrei,” Isa murmured quietly, catching the black bag as the last person to dump in the Mon. He threw the pouch to Saizo and watched the ferial smile on the others face as he counted.
“ SAIZO!”
Saizo almost dropped out of the trees looking at Yukimura more startled than prepared to serve as he hid the pouch behind his back.
“ Could you help me get the rest of the supplies we’re going to need?” Yukimura asked smiling a little too innocently.
“ Of course, Yukimura-sama,” Saizo replied.
He was about to follow Yukimura when he stopped and realized what had just happened.
“ I talked to Yukimura-sama earlier this morning and he said he’d be asking for your help,” Kosuke replied with a shrug.
“ My Mon,” Saizo said depressingly as Juzo pulled the pouch out of his hand and gave it to Kosuke.
“ You should know better than to gamble with Kosuke,” Jinpachi replied smiling.
“ Moron,” Sasuke added helpful as Saizo began to walk off muttering under his breath.
13. Foggy Day’s
“ The fog should clear up soon,” one of the soldiers spoke hesitantly.
Saizo didn’t bother telling him he was wrong, that the fog would never clear up around the Tokugawa base, at least not until they were dead. It was one of Saizo’s best tricks to use to quickly distract and destroy enemies.
The fog was his greatest weapon and he used it to his advantage as he snuck past the guards posted on duty. He knew they couldn’t see him, not until he was too close for them to shout any warnings.
He had no hard feelings against any of these men; he was just fulfilling his duty to Yukimura-sama to ensure the victory of the Sanada Clan. The other Juyuushi had probably already taken out the front gate and Saizo moved along unhurriedly as he marveled at how nice the weather was tonight.
14. Identity Crisis
“ Ne, Yukimura-sama?”
Kosuke was used to this happening with the townspeople when she had to pretend to be Yukimura, but it was unusual for one of the Juyuushi to mistake her true identity.
“ Jinpachi?” Kosuke ventured carefully and discovered what the problem was when the other man almost weaved into a tree.
“ Nice day today, don’t you think? Maybe I should go get more Sake…” Jinpachi trailed off just as Saizo landed out of the tree above making him fall backwards.
“ Um… sorry, Kosuke,” Saizo apologized pulling Jinpachi up to his feet. “ Yukimura had another drinking contest.”
“ Don’t worry about it…” Kosuke replied thinking to herself. Even she forgot who she was sometimes. “ At least you guys are around to remind me.”
“ Hmm? Kosuke?” Saizo asked looking back at her in utter confusion.
“ I better go check on Yukimura-sama,” She answered moving to follow up the trail to the house. Saizo just sighed in defeat dragging the now unconscious Jinpachi the rest of the way.
15. “ Something’s wrong here…”
Nothing looked out of the ordinary at least not at first glance, but Bontenmaru could swear that something had changed in the time it took him to return from the town to get Sake.
Akari was fast asleep on the other side of the campfire with her staff resting crooked across her shoulder. Akira was sleeping on his back with his mouth open as he snored softly… But Kyo and Hotaru were missing.
Bontenmaru wondered if they had gone after him after he had spent extra time in town to have fun, but a small curse rose up from somewhere further away.
Following that voice he found Hotaru with his back to Kyo and Kyo braiding his hair. No doubt this was not well taken by Hotaru who tried to toss his head away.
Bontenmaru had forgotten that the younger man had lost his hair tie, which had kept his braid in place, earlier that day during one of their battles and had almost decided to cut his hair shorter, but it appeared that it wasn’t going in Hotaru’s favor as Kyo tied the braids off.
Thinking that this was perhaps a better moment to leave them alone as Kyo wound his arm around Hotaru’s waist, Bontenmaru moved back to the camp to find Akira looking back at him.
“ Is something wrong?” the kid asked a little too loudly considering that Kyo and Hotaru were just around the corner.
Bontenmaru quickly put a finger to his lips to signal the boy to be quiet, but only received a quizzical stare in return. “ It isn’t anything to worry ‘bout.”
“ Oh, Ok,” Akira replied just as loudly, before falling back to go to sleep again.
Bontenmaru sighed, but finally decided that the boy had the best idea to go to sleep and pretend nothing had happened tonight.
16. Rise or Fall
Migeira had watched the rise and fall of nations, had stepped across the ruins of what was once a great city burnt to ash and dust.
“ To rise from the ashes or fall to the dust.” He murmured in his heavy accent.
This was the way of the world. In order for there to be change there would have to be destruction. This cities fate had been no different from any other. Soon it would flourish again as if nothing had ever happened and the people would forget.
“ And the cycle will repeat itself over and over again,” he continued, turning away from the obliterated city with the air of one who felt no obligation and no commitment to the standings of the world.
17. Sad but true
Hate is such a strong word; it carries with it an unerring certainty, a conviction that is unflinching and unwavering in the strongest winds. Shindara had known from the start that he could never ‘hate’ Yukimura. Loathe him perhaps, but never ‘hate.’
He was a man of convictions though and knew that staying here with the Sanada clan would only lead to his own defeat. He repeated to himself over and over again that this was for the better. If Yukimura-sama held him back then he would find someone else to fight for. That was how he explained himself even as he made up his mind to continue finding a way for Yukimura to succeed in finding his dreams.
He was leaving now and wouldn’t be returning even though Yukimura no doubt believed in him. Thought that all he needed was some time to cool off, but he wasn’t coming back, the decision already firm in his mind.
It was sad but true; he would never set foot here again and as Kosuke stepped back out of his way to let him through believing in him as Yukimura had, he couldn’t help but realize that he was lying to her and to the Juyuushi. Breaking the promises he had made to stand by their sides to the end.
He had made that oath to serve the Sanada Clan and now there was no turning back as he shattered Yukimura’s dreams with his own bare hands.
18. Back to the Way Things were
He wanted to go back. Back to when they had been the strongest in the world, him and the Shiseiten.
With red eyes holding him in contempt and only wanting to fight to become the strongest. He didn’t even care if Hotaru acted like a bastard. He just wanted those days back when everything had been perfect.
He didn’t care if Akari nagged and Bontenmaru snored like the end of the world. Didn’t care if Kyo regarded him with little more than the necessary attention, like getting food around and buying Sake for them.
Those days weren’t coming back though and in the shape he was in now after his fight with Tokito he didn’t think he’d be able to go back ever again, but he could feel eyes studying his back and knew that if he could see he’d find Tokito watching him silently.
Perhaps he didn’t need to look to the Shiseiten for those happy days to come back. Perhaps he could just look to the future and things would turn out fine after all.
19. Earthquake
Meeting Kyo the first time Kyoshiro had likened his company to that of an earthquake hitting the room. His very presence was like a radiant light that could blind even the best of men, but upon further acquaintance Kyoshiro found that Kyo wasn’t anything like an earthquake.
Silent and Humble the red eyed man was probably the furthest thing from the initial impression he gave. Kyoshiro couldn’t say he’d ever met anyone like Kyo. The man was unpredictable, but kind, Harsh, but honest.
Kyoshiro envied the other warrior for all the short fallings he himself had in his emotions. He could never outshine this man’s strength, maybe strength in sword fighting, but never strength of heart.
Kyoshiro knew he would always remember Kyo as an earthquake, because that was pretty much the impact he had made on his life.
20. The End is the Beginning
Kotaro hoped that in taking the attack for Sasuke it would prove to him that he had been wrong, that all this time he had been wasting away seeking revenge for a crime that was never committed.
It was sad that it had ended up this way with only a short amount of life left for him to apologize, but perhaps this would be enough to start anew. Wipe the slate clean for all the misunderstandings that had come up.
Even if he was dying now at least his friendship with Sasuke had been redeemed in the end.
Yayyy, Happy birthday to me...in about five minutes anyway.
Rating: K-T (or G-PG13)
1. The Places in Between
She had known for a long time now that she would have to choose her side someday. Ever since that time when Okuni had spoken to her of her brother’s murderer she had known that it would come down to this.
Whether to be with Kyoshiro, the kind man she had met in the beginning of this long journey and the one who had murdered her older brother, or to be with Kyo the slayer of a thousand men.
It occurred to her that she had probably lost her mind for it to come to this. Standing outside the circle of their eyes waiting for the battle to begin.
She cared for them both with all her heart and knew that even if she loved one more than the other she would never be willing to give up either of their lives.
Kyoshiro though a fool sometimes, had never shown her anything but kindness even if he had killed her brother. He had kept secrets from her and lied to keep her from knowing the truth…but hadn’t they promised to see the sakura trees together in Edo? Wasn’t that worth it?
Kyo was… Rude, uncouth, and arrogant beyond belief, but he had saved her life so many times. He could have left her to die, but he didn’t. He smiled at her making her more confident that they could make it through the tough times.
Finally moving with a calm that hid her frayed nerves she stood exactly where she belonged, between the two men ready to fight, because she refused to lose either of them.
2. Touching Me, Touching You
Her hands had always been soft, so much smaller than his. She was always gentle, but confident and kind. Kyoshiro never remembered her anyhow else, but now every time he tried to reach out to touch her she would vanish like the wind in his hands.
It was a reminder that he would never be with her again, not after everything that had happened. He could never apologize to her enough and so in the end he never bothered to.
The past mistakes could never be covered up and the future could not be changed.
3. Real or Not?
Sasuke had left them. He had just simply up and vanished never to be heard from again. Saizo had felt the sudden loss, but not nearly as much as Yukimura-sama.
Now fighting him, he had been certain that there was nothing left of his former friend and teacher, but he saw it every now and then, during the battle, a small glimpse of sorrow or regret.
It was gone as quickly as it had come leaving Saizo to wonder each time, but now Sasuke was dead leaving only unanswered questions in his wake. Was it Real or had he been imagining the soft smile?
4. Secret Garden
Sunlight streamed softly through tree braches and leaves, coloring the field of flowers in a beautiful array of blues, purples, and pinks. The grass was still the same healthy green and the leaves hadn’t yet changed color even this late in the season. The trees wound their way like a makeshift path to a small clearing just ahead.
Hishigi often frequented this place where time stood still and the earth met the sky. He had many memories, which lingered here like stars that never shifted far out of their course.
Things such as the bouquet of flowers sitting near the edge of the field, the indentions in the grass where two pairs of feet had walked one barely larger than his outstretched hand, the stripped bark off a tree, and the ropes hanging off the branches to his left where two makeshift swings rocked back and forth in the breeze.
It brought back recollections of smiles and laughter in a time when he had all near forgotten emotions.
And perhaps redemption wasn’t as far away as he had once thought it would be and salvation was in the smile that #13 had given him each time the stars would shift. In those moments he had thought that perhaps he still had a chance…perhaps he could still atone for the sins that he had committed.
Now all he could see was the silence standing in the air like a miasma of loneliness, constant, never ending. It was with the same regretful sigh and empty air that Hishigi turned away from the abandoned garden. Refusing to move too close lest his presence shatter the fragile memories that he held so close to what was left of his heart.
5. Pride over Death
Akira had faced death many times whether through chance or fate. He had learned not to flinch in its presence having not given an inch ever in his life. Dagger in hand he had not backed down from the cold blood red eyes regarding him with curiosity.
He hadn’t known what to expect of death. It never seemed to matter when you were waiting for your last moments, but he most certainly hadn’t been expecting a cross dressing maniac, an ungrateful bastard and a giant oaf.
He had thought that standing in front of Demon Eyes Kyo and surviving made him invincible, but he had learned quite quickly that it was only his pride trying to put together reasons for him to be arrogant, to be naïve.
He had considered dying when he got older but instead had pulled himself back on his feet, blind, but stronger now, with the goal that one day he would gather the Shiseiten back together again.
And he knew that he couldn’t accomplish this goal if he was dead…
6. Domestic
“ Move your feet off the table,” Ana yelled at Anthony setting plates around the table.
He didn’t even bother arguing as he slid his feet down. Knew better because his sisters wouldn’t take back talk even from their brother. He knew why there was such a rush. Their adopted brother Keikoku was there to join them this time, which was rare.
Anthony never let up on his rivalry with the other boy so he was already sitting in the seat across from the one designated to Keikoku, choosing different pieces of food to slide across the table for their battle. After all he had to make sure he didn’t break their habit of fighting over food.
Didn’t want anyone to think he’d break family tradition.
7. Always Second Best
“ Shindara the Undying also known as the Former Sarutobi Sasuke.”
Those words seemed to have a ringing effect in Sasukes’ mind as he stood up to walk along the hallways.
“ Please protect Yukimura-sama without fail.”
Those words were even sharper reminding him of the weight of the extra sword at his side, not that it had ever left his mind. He didn’t think himself worthy enough to inherit the name Sarutobi Sasuke, not anymore after meeting the real man he was named after.
Shindara was a man who held honor and values above his own life. He had existed only to protect Yukimura.
Sasuke didn’t think he’d ever be able to outdo the true Sarutobi Sasuke, but he realized as he came across Yukimura and the others, that maybe it didn’t matter if he was second best, a replacement for someone else. Maybe just being himself was enough.
8. Tug-of-War
“ Ieyasu’s Army has already breached the rear guard.”
Yukimura kept his back to his trusted retainer Saizo thinking of what this meant for him and his people. He shifted under the weight of his armor never giving notice to the flicker and shift of the candles to his left.
“ Tell the guard on the east to pull back to the edge of the castle walls, we’ll need them to shift positions to the rear guard.
“ Yukimura-sama if I may, would you please allow me to take lead of a small group to join the rear guard?” Saizo asked kneeling on the ground.
Yukimura hesitated, knowing that Saizo could up the chances of them gaining back some ground in this battle.
“ Take two dozen men and make sure to come back,” Yukimura replied.
“ Hai.”
He always told his men to come back ever since that time with Mizuki. Some of them headed his words, while others didn’t. Saizo hadn’t let him down yet, but he couldn’t trust this to last forever.
Hadn’t he always said that he hated war… so why was he now sending his people out to fight on a bloody battlefield?
This battle would be like a tug-of-war fight, one side would have to win eventually, but it was hard to say which one yet, just as with every other fight.
9. Brother, thou art my brother
It had been many years since last he had seen Yukimura. Even as Brothers they had never quite managed to get along well. Nobuyuki just never had the same ideals as Yukimura.
He believed in his obligation to his clan, but beyond that he didn’t hold onto much of anything. When his father had decided for him to join the Tokugawa in exchange for the survival of the Sanada Clan he hadn’t said a word of objection, his brother had done that for him.
They had grown up since those days and while Nobuyuki could still see the same idealistic fantasies in his brother he could also see the strong leader that he had become.
He was proud to be able to say that this was his brother and while they stood on opposing sides Nobuyuki would always remind himself that this was their battle and they were in it together for the Sanada Clan.
10. Fool’s Dream
She wanted him to acknowledge her, wanted him to look at her, but most of all she wanted him to love her.
It had been her single standing goal for years now, the drive that had kept her going to one day have those blood red eyes see her. No one could ever match his strength and beauty.
She didn’t care if she had to whore herself to the world, throw away loyalties and break all the rules, if only to be held in his arms with his voice murmuring that he loved her. For that she would give anything.
But as life goes on, dreams begin to fade and she can see that it isn’t her that he is smiling at. It isn’t for her sake that he takes up his sword and goes to fight.
Okuni realizes as she walks along the edge of the road that the innocent young girl beside him, whose only goal is to gain the money on his head, is pestering him again.
It seems like a rather childish scene, but if you watched closely and knew the signs as Okuni did than you would see the half-smiles and relaxed shoulders as the slayer of a thousand men remains silent under the girl’s onslaught.
Okuni knows that she’s already lost the battle to possession of Kyo-san’s heart. It already belongs to the bright-eyed girl beside him, but every now and then when he looks up she still dreams of the day when perhaps they could be together.
11. Honor among enemies
“ I think I drank waaaay too much,” Benitora slurred weaving on his feet before dropping like a stone to the hard floor.
Most of the others had already gone to sleep, even Kyo had left stating that he had other business to attend to, leaving only Yukimura and Benitora to enjoy all the Sake. Now it seemed that only Yukimura would be enjoying the rest.
He smiled victoriously as he pulled Benitora’s half empty Sake bottle to him making certain it didn’t go to waste.
Benitora’s loud snoring directed his eyes back to the other taking note of the fact that no one else was around. It would be so easy to end the Tokugawa heir’s life.
He didn’t even shift though and knew he wouldn’t. He wasn’t the type to backstab and he had too much honor to uphold as the head samurai of the Sanada Clan. That and the fact that it wasn’t really Hidetada, but Benitora, The Red Tiger sleeping nearby, snoring softly, completely unperturbed that his enemy was in the same room.
He knew it was dangerous to befriend the very man whose life he would almost certainly be after in the future, but in a way it held an irony that didn’t escape Yukimura’s notice. Funny how life could throw you these curve balls expecting you to dodge or catch them.
He smiled into the finished sake bottle letting it roll away from him as he lay back to catch some shuteye himself.
Tokugawa Hidetada would live to see the next sunrise, even if his very existed opposed all of Yukimura’s dreams.
12. It’s all about the Money
“ Alright, two Mon. Each person is allowed to double guess, but not triple guess and no take backs either,” Jinpachi muttered under his breath holding up a black pouch.
Ten sets of eyes focused on the pouch, before the first voice rose to answer, “Sakuya-dono.”
Rokuro shrank back into the tree branch he lounged on as several people raised their eyebrows at him. Sasuke sitting a few feet below him just rolled his eyes and ignored the group entirely.
“ I say Bontenmaru-dono,” Sekai answered. Isa raised his hand in agreement.
“ Kyo,” Jinpachi said putting the pouch down in his hand. Beside him Kamanosuke made ready to respond and Jinpachi put a hand over his mouth. “ He thinks so too.”
Kamanosuke glared at him, but Saizo quickly made to continue, “ Shinrei-san… Hurry it up he should be around the trees any moment now.”
“ Saizo.”
“ Ehh? Kosuke, Saizo is sitting beside you…”
“ I know,” she replied calmly and Saizo frowned at her like as if she had insulted him.
Juzo and Unno Rokuro both decided on Okuni and then waited along with the others. It didn’t take long before Yukimura walked up from behind the trees alongside…
“ Damn.”
Jinpachi put out two Mon dumping them into the black pouch before giving it to Kamanosuke who did the same.
“ I can’t believe he’s traveling with Shinrei,” Isa murmured quietly, catching the black bag as the last person to dump in the Mon. He threw the pouch to Saizo and watched the ferial smile on the others face as he counted.
“ SAIZO!”
Saizo almost dropped out of the trees looking at Yukimura more startled than prepared to serve as he hid the pouch behind his back.
“ Could you help me get the rest of the supplies we’re going to need?” Yukimura asked smiling a little too innocently.
“ Of course, Yukimura-sama,” Saizo replied.
He was about to follow Yukimura when he stopped and realized what had just happened.
“ I talked to Yukimura-sama earlier this morning and he said he’d be asking for your help,” Kosuke replied with a shrug.
“ My Mon,” Saizo said depressingly as Juzo pulled the pouch out of his hand and gave it to Kosuke.
“ You should know better than to gamble with Kosuke,” Jinpachi replied smiling.
“ Moron,” Sasuke added helpful as Saizo began to walk off muttering under his breath.
13. Foggy Day’s
“ The fog should clear up soon,” one of the soldiers spoke hesitantly.
Saizo didn’t bother telling him he was wrong, that the fog would never clear up around the Tokugawa base, at least not until they were dead. It was one of Saizo’s best tricks to use to quickly distract and destroy enemies.
The fog was his greatest weapon and he used it to his advantage as he snuck past the guards posted on duty. He knew they couldn’t see him, not until he was too close for them to shout any warnings.
He had no hard feelings against any of these men; he was just fulfilling his duty to Yukimura-sama to ensure the victory of the Sanada Clan. The other Juyuushi had probably already taken out the front gate and Saizo moved along unhurriedly as he marveled at how nice the weather was tonight.
14. Identity Crisis
“ Ne, Yukimura-sama?”
Kosuke was used to this happening with the townspeople when she had to pretend to be Yukimura, but it was unusual for one of the Juyuushi to mistake her true identity.
“ Jinpachi?” Kosuke ventured carefully and discovered what the problem was when the other man almost weaved into a tree.
“ Nice day today, don’t you think? Maybe I should go get more Sake…” Jinpachi trailed off just as Saizo landed out of the tree above making him fall backwards.
“ Um… sorry, Kosuke,” Saizo apologized pulling Jinpachi up to his feet. “ Yukimura had another drinking contest.”
“ Don’t worry about it…” Kosuke replied thinking to herself. Even she forgot who she was sometimes. “ At least you guys are around to remind me.”
“ Hmm? Kosuke?” Saizo asked looking back at her in utter confusion.
“ I better go check on Yukimura-sama,” She answered moving to follow up the trail to the house. Saizo just sighed in defeat dragging the now unconscious Jinpachi the rest of the way.
15. “ Something’s wrong here…”
Nothing looked out of the ordinary at least not at first glance, but Bontenmaru could swear that something had changed in the time it took him to return from the town to get Sake.
Akari was fast asleep on the other side of the campfire with her staff resting crooked across her shoulder. Akira was sleeping on his back with his mouth open as he snored softly… But Kyo and Hotaru were missing.
Bontenmaru wondered if they had gone after him after he had spent extra time in town to have fun, but a small curse rose up from somewhere further away.
Following that voice he found Hotaru with his back to Kyo and Kyo braiding his hair. No doubt this was not well taken by Hotaru who tried to toss his head away.
Bontenmaru had forgotten that the younger man had lost his hair tie, which had kept his braid in place, earlier that day during one of their battles and had almost decided to cut his hair shorter, but it appeared that it wasn’t going in Hotaru’s favor as Kyo tied the braids off.
Thinking that this was perhaps a better moment to leave them alone as Kyo wound his arm around Hotaru’s waist, Bontenmaru moved back to the camp to find Akira looking back at him.
“ Is something wrong?” the kid asked a little too loudly considering that Kyo and Hotaru were just around the corner.
Bontenmaru quickly put a finger to his lips to signal the boy to be quiet, but only received a quizzical stare in return. “ It isn’t anything to worry ‘bout.”
“ Oh, Ok,” Akira replied just as loudly, before falling back to go to sleep again.
Bontenmaru sighed, but finally decided that the boy had the best idea to go to sleep and pretend nothing had happened tonight.
16. Rise or Fall
Migeira had watched the rise and fall of nations, had stepped across the ruins of what was once a great city burnt to ash and dust.
“ To rise from the ashes or fall to the dust.” He murmured in his heavy accent.
This was the way of the world. In order for there to be change there would have to be destruction. This cities fate had been no different from any other. Soon it would flourish again as if nothing had ever happened and the people would forget.
“ And the cycle will repeat itself over and over again,” he continued, turning away from the obliterated city with the air of one who felt no obligation and no commitment to the standings of the world.
17. Sad but true
Hate is such a strong word; it carries with it an unerring certainty, a conviction that is unflinching and unwavering in the strongest winds. Shindara had known from the start that he could never ‘hate’ Yukimura. Loathe him perhaps, but never ‘hate.’
He was a man of convictions though and knew that staying here with the Sanada clan would only lead to his own defeat. He repeated to himself over and over again that this was for the better. If Yukimura-sama held him back then he would find someone else to fight for. That was how he explained himself even as he made up his mind to continue finding a way for Yukimura to succeed in finding his dreams.
He was leaving now and wouldn’t be returning even though Yukimura no doubt believed in him. Thought that all he needed was some time to cool off, but he wasn’t coming back, the decision already firm in his mind.
It was sad but true; he would never set foot here again and as Kosuke stepped back out of his way to let him through believing in him as Yukimura had, he couldn’t help but realize that he was lying to her and to the Juyuushi. Breaking the promises he had made to stand by their sides to the end.
He had made that oath to serve the Sanada Clan and now there was no turning back as he shattered Yukimura’s dreams with his own bare hands.
18. Back to the Way Things were
He wanted to go back. Back to when they had been the strongest in the world, him and the Shiseiten.
With red eyes holding him in contempt and only wanting to fight to become the strongest. He didn’t even care if Hotaru acted like a bastard. He just wanted those days back when everything had been perfect.
He didn’t care if Akari nagged and Bontenmaru snored like the end of the world. Didn’t care if Kyo regarded him with little more than the necessary attention, like getting food around and buying Sake for them.
Those days weren’t coming back though and in the shape he was in now after his fight with Tokito he didn’t think he’d be able to go back ever again, but he could feel eyes studying his back and knew that if he could see he’d find Tokito watching him silently.
Perhaps he didn’t need to look to the Shiseiten for those happy days to come back. Perhaps he could just look to the future and things would turn out fine after all.
19. Earthquake
Meeting Kyo the first time Kyoshiro had likened his company to that of an earthquake hitting the room. His very presence was like a radiant light that could blind even the best of men, but upon further acquaintance Kyoshiro found that Kyo wasn’t anything like an earthquake.
Silent and Humble the red eyed man was probably the furthest thing from the initial impression he gave. Kyoshiro couldn’t say he’d ever met anyone like Kyo. The man was unpredictable, but kind, Harsh, but honest.
Kyoshiro envied the other warrior for all the short fallings he himself had in his emotions. He could never outshine this man’s strength, maybe strength in sword fighting, but never strength of heart.
Kyoshiro knew he would always remember Kyo as an earthquake, because that was pretty much the impact he had made on his life.
20. The End is the Beginning
Kotaro hoped that in taking the attack for Sasuke it would prove to him that he had been wrong, that all this time he had been wasting away seeking revenge for a crime that was never committed.
It was sad that it had ended up this way with only a short amount of life left for him to apologize, but perhaps this would be enough to start anew. Wipe the slate clean for all the misunderstandings that had come up.
Even if he was dying now at least his friendship with Sasuke had been redeemed in the end.
Yayyy, Happy birthday to me...in about five minutes anyway.