Autumn was truly here, at last. The leaves changing from lush greens to the earthy yet bright colours of red, orange and yellow. Foliage littered the damp ground, fresh from last night's rain. A sweet, yet musty scent hung in the atmosphere, being associated with the damp detritus. It was the smell of the season. The sun hung in the mid-afternoon sky as a yellow sphere of warmth, casting down its soothing glow, though not being able to penetrate the coldness of the air itself. Grey clouds could be seen off in the distance, readying themselves to produce the next storm. In amongst all this scenery, there was a sombre aura; an aura of deep sadness.
Beneath the branches of burgundy red leaves, nestled between the roots of an old tree, there was a small plaque, stone polished with an inscription etched within. A set of dark eyes stared down at this emblem, the owner of which was here in solitude, as he always was here. He never wanted to let people see when his youth gave through to a temporary depressive frame of mind. It was the time of year that brought about this change in Gai, and the reasoning for it was sat right in front of him; eating away at him, tormenting him. He was stood at his father's grave.
Early autumn was when it happened, even if it was decades ago now, when he was still a child himself. Even back then, he tried to hide his feelings, masked by his regular positive attitude. But out here, he didn't need to. He could let it go. He collapsed on to his knees, gritting his teeth as his hands brushed over the smooth surface of the stone. His head lowered, jet black hair covering his closed eyes. Streams of tears leaked from his eyes, running down his cheeks and hitting the leaf littered ground below in silence. A choked out sob resonated from his throat, almost like a hiccup, his inner, pent up agony finally released to the surface.
It was on this annual occasion that Maito Gai would lose his youth willing for the few required hours. It was on this occasion that he simply couldn't find his spark. It was on this occasion did he truly open up, exposing all that lies within.