AN: Hey there everybody, just a quick heads up about this story, writing it because as poetic as the end was I can't really leave it like that (my heart won't let Jack suffer so much) so more than anything it's written for my own health. I really hope you enjoy it as it's my first fan-fic. Anyway story time.
There's nothing quite like the sunrise. It radiates a pure beauty mankind would never match, not through any amount of sorcery or science. But it was more than beautiful to him, it was hope, hope that the new day would bring new possibilities.
As the sun peaked over the mountains, shadows disappeared in the valley below, revealing a rich tapestry of colorful flowers that always brought a smile to his face. But it wasn't long before he'd remember how wide and empty the balcony was as the light revealed the villagers too, families enjoying their time together before they set out into the fields for harvest.
It was hard to not look to his side, hoping to see her overlooking the valley as well. During the rebuilding, they'd woken up every morning to watch the sun rise but often he'd wind up staring at her, utterly mesmerized by her and the feelings she gave him. Her name was Ashi, the strongest person he'd ever known and he had loved her with all his heart. She had loved nature and had a resolve every bit as strong as his own.
Her childhood had been stolen from her, no one had ever shown her kindness. Both of her parents had been irredeemable monsters yet she had been good all the way to her core. And life would say she never existed.
He could feel the tears welling. It had taken so long to rebuild all he saw before him. And Ashi had been there with him the entire time. She'd taken to the customs of his land well, immeasurably bright despite her "education" and always eager to learn more. They'd spend hours up late just talking, her always plying him with questions about the world and all its wonders.
She'd been too vibrant to fade away like that, one moment she was walking towards him, looking as beautiful as the rising sun, the next he was clutching her clothing, feeling just as empty as the cloth in his hands as the light faded from his world.
Weeks had passed and he'd tried to come to terms with it. Everyone would have much happier lives now and deep down that's all he really wanted. He liked to imagine that somewhere out there was a girl destined to be born, one who would know loving parents this time, who would never have to fight, and could live a happy, wonderful life free to chase as many ladybugs as she wanted.
He clenched his jaw. Please…no more tears...Aku's evil is no more, his subjugation will fade into memory, that should be enough. As he stared out, eyes focused on nothing, words echoed in his mind, I don't want you to become just a memory.
"When you were a boy-"
Jack's head swiveled towards the elderly man approaching,
"-you used to stare out with such wonder and joy marveling at the creation before you. What I would not give to return that look to your eyes." Jack regained his composure and bowed quickly.
"Good morning father, I hope you slept well."
"Secure in the knowledge that Aku will never rise again I sleep easier each night." The aged samurai sighed. "I only wish I could say the same for you."
"I'm sorry to worry you, sleep…does not come easy for me." He grimaced ever so slightly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for my son, you've lost someone very important to you, that pain won't fade quickly."
The two men stood silently for a while as the sun climbed steadily higher.
His father stared off, seemingly contemplating something important, then pulled out a scroll. He handed it to Jack who took it with confusion.
"What is this?"
"I do not know. A guest at your wedding handed it to me and said that I would know the correct time to give it to you. I watched your training the other day. Though others might have said your technique was impressive and your skills equally so, I was not fooled. You have lost your inner focus and somehow that gift will restore it. It is a feeling I have."
They stared out at the valley below, both solemn men unsure how to talk without a prompt.
After a few more minutes passed Jack's father spoke again, "I wish things could be different for you my son. A father's greatest desire is to see his children happy. But that is not world we were born into and I can only hope that will give you some respite." The old man left, leaving Jack to contemplate his gift.
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Endless abyss. Lost in a world of gray as far as the eye could see. Sometimes other lights would flicker into view but always disappear before they could be reached.
Unsure of how I got here.
Unsure of where I'm going.
Unsure if alive or dead.
Unsure.
Unsure.
Unsure.
The light bounced around in the world of gray, not so much lost, simply lacking any place to go. Names, time, goals…the light had known these once but now they were nothing more than empty words.
Sometimes images would flash before the light and though the light watched on in wonder it could not understand what they were. There was no context, only that the light wished it could understand. Then they would vanish and the light would be left alone to float some more.
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The horse pounded the ground fiercely as it tore through the open fields. A top it rode Jack, dressed once more in his traditional gi, his sword bounced along his side and he felt the intoxicating rush of the fresh air.
It had been weeks since he'd left, he had no idea what he'd find when he got to where he was going but the feeling of having purpose again made the journey easier.
Made it easier to accept.
But accepting something doesn't soothe the hurting, it builds up, festers, and he knew, given time, it would corrupt him. He had known at a young age his life would be a hard one, that by necessity he had to remain alone, his own desires were nothing before the responsibility that had been given to him.
He was a samurai, he walked his solitary life so others could live the life he could not, he fought so that evil could never take the world from them.
It was his fate…and yet…the time he hadn't been alone, when she'd been with him…it was a sensation without equal.
When he had been with her time faded away and he'd let his mind wander to things beyond his duty, thoughts and hopes he didn't know he'd had.
Marriage, kids, old age; all things he would've done because it was simply what would continue his family's lineage.
But when she'd been with him the words took on new meanings, joys he'd never known. She would have been his wife, his partner until the end, they'd have had beautiful children who would've been loved with all their hearts, the best of both him and her and as they turned gray they could look back on all the time they'd had together and smile.
He couldn't go on reliving what might have been, shouldn't fixate on it.
Yes, the world seemed so vast and empty without her but…so long as held her in his heart she wasn't gone…not really. He'd hold onto to that love and hope she'd given him forever...and even after that.
He eased the horse into a stop. He pulled the map his father had given him out from inside his gi. He knew nothing of the destination only that it would help him get his focus back. It had been hard to say goodbye to his parents again, even if it was only briefly. The last time he'd said goodbye had been a lifetime ago and part of him feared that the past would repeat.
He shook the thoughts from his mind, he had to do this, had to regain his composure, to get beyond the pain. From the looks of it he was maybe a day or two away from knowing if he could be helped. He patted the horse affectionately then gave the reigns a slight pull, "Come friend we're nearly there."
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The light hung in place.
It had felt something.
It had forgotten that it COULD feel things yet this sensation was unmistakable.
It felt pulled, like it had some place it was supposed to be and it moved as fast its orb like form could go darting in the direction that called.
Excitement. Meant to go this way. Must go this way!
Images flashed again and there was context now. Still unintelligible to it but each had emotions, raw and unfiltered.
Rage. Confusion. Hope. Love. Hate. Contentment. Peace…Despair…Sorrow…Pain.
Slowly the pull began to fade and the light became hesitant.
What was calling it? What would it do when it got there? The orb turned in place. Which way was it?
It meandered, unsure of the way to go. Soon enough it was unsure if it had heard anything at all and went back to wandering aimlessly.
Unsure.