Fragments of a Lost Breeze

Prelude

The cool breeze gently stroking chocolate colored locks, the soft rays of golden sunshine enveloping a long, lean torso, the silent laughter of the closest of friends and the omnipresent, irreplaceable sense of belonging, of home…

The burnt sienna of Sagara Sanosuke's irises were unmistakable when he awoke, slowly and reluctantly, as one generally does when robbed of a precious dream. But this was far more tantalizing- bringing back something that was already stolen once and taking it again… Well, by his logic, no use reveling in what was gone. He was taught long ago that the past is irrelevant.

The lean muscled man of 20 years sat up, stretched, and for the first time in a long time found it worth the effort to actually dress; for the sake of nostalgia. Wrapping his trademark coat bearing the "Evil" stigma painted by the government he'd been caught both hating and defending on his barren shoulders, the man finally decided he had lingered there enough- it was time for him to move on. His best friend was busy living his own busy life, following his own forged path. The man he respected most was happy and in love with the woman that was like Sano's own little sister. His "little brother" was too busy growing up and chasing love to let elements of his past back into his new life. The Woman he loved left long ago to the land of her home, and Sano contemplated chasing her, but knowing of her former attraction to a man he didn't feel equal to in any sense, he decided to better himself first instead, to give her what she deserves, and not some second best. Of course his pride would never allow such truths to subside, but with growing maturity pride begins to slowly die, and Sanosuke begins to find himself meandering towards the town of Aizu.