Hope you enjoy the chapter.
The sound of something dropping on the hard wood floor echoed through the courtyard.
"Again!" The voiced boomed.
Wood colliding against each other now floated through the air for a few minutes before the sound of something falling through the ground was heard again.
"Again!" The voice repeated.
The same scenario played out for a few hours before all sound ceased.
"So how is he doing?"
He leaned against the wall, catching his breath.
"He's determined." He answered back.
"But why?" The other asked.
"Not sure Kondo, not sure." He answered.
"I know Yamanami has a problem with this." Kondo stated glancing over.
"Make sure he gets his wrist bandaged." He said, dark eyes glancing over to the huddled figure on the floor.
"Of course Toshi." His friend assured before turning and heading for the violet haired boy.
"You o.k.?" Kondo asked as he glanced down to see the violet haired boy rubbing his wrist, bruises already forming.
The boy just nodded and continued to look down at his wrist.
"If your worried about your wrist now, wait and see what there going to look like when you start using a real sword." Kondo said with a smile as he leaned down in front of the boy and grabbed his wrist.
"Are you going to wrap them again?" Violet eyes looked up at him questioningly.
"Yes, but next time keep them on, it'll hurt less when we practice." He said grabbing the small wrist before beginning to bandage them.
"When will I get to practice with Mr. Hijikata?" Soujiro asked looking down at his wrist once more.
"Maybe once your able to hold a sword." He said wrapping up the young boys other hand.
"I don't know why you insist calling us Mr. Soujiro." Kondo continued. "We're actually not that quiet older then you are."
Soujiro shrugged his shoulders and continued to look down. "In Shimabara, they had wanted me to say that…"
"It's o.k. Soujiro, I understand." Kondo said patting the boys head.
"So…how did I…do?" Soujiro asked.
"Very well Soujiro, you've improved." Kondo said taking a seat on the hard wood floors.
'So what's the secret? Tell me, I did good." Soujiro bounced excitedly. "Tell me Mr. Kondo, please."
"Well since you did so well, I'll tell you what the secret is." Kondo said bringing his voice into a whisper. "Today it Toshi's birthday."
"Really?" The violet haired boy asked excitedly.
"Yes really." Kondo said with a smile.
"But Toshi doesn't like to celebrate it." Kondo stated patting the boy on the head.
"Why? Is it cause he thinks he's old?" Little Soujiro asked.
"Toshi just doesn't like to make a big deal about it." Kondo said with a smile.
"I want to get Toshi something." Soujiro said voice determined.
"Do you know what you want to get him?" Kondo asked.
Soujiro shook his head no.
"Tell you what, Yamanami said his going to the market." Kondo informed. "Maybe you can go with him and see if you see anything you would like to get for Toshi."
"Thank you Mr. Kondo." Soujiro said.
"By the way, when is your birthday?" Kondo asked.
Soujiro stood there thinking. He hadn't celebrated a birthday since his mom had died. "Um, next month." Soujiro stated sheepishly.
"And you weren't going to tell anyone?" Kondo asked.
"I'm just used to nobody caring." Soujiro said softly.
"Well we care Soujiro, always remember that." Kondo said hugging the boy.
"O.K. Mr. Kondo." Soujiro's voice muffled. "Now go and find Mr. Yamanami."
Soujiro nodded excitedly and with a final wave he headed out and went on his way to look for his teacher.
"Mr. Yamanami!" Soujiro called as he reached the closed shoji of Mr. Yamanami's room.
Pushing it opened he noticed that there was no one in the room.
"Mr. Yamanami!" He called again. Finally he closed the shoji and violet eyes scanned the surrounding area. After a few seconds of searching he finally caught sight of the bifocaled man heading toward the entrance of the grounds.
"Mr. Yamanami!." He called again running toward the man.
Turning Yamanami stopped as he saw the violet haired boy running towards him. "Hello Soujiro." He greeted.
"Hi Mr. Yamanami." Soujiro greeted as he reached him.
"What's the hurry?" Yamanami asked smiling.
"I wanted to go with you to the market." Soujiro said smiling brightly.
"I was actually going to the market to buy some new books for you, for your lessons." Yamanami told the child.
"I wanted to buy something for Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro informed. "I heard it was his birthday."
"Ah, I see you found out." Yamanami laughed. "Then, your are welcome to come along."
"Thank you Mr. Yamanami. I've been saving up to buy myself something, but I would prefer to by something for Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro stated beginning to walk along side Yamanami.
They continued to walk along the dirt road that lead into the lively market. The streets began to crowd as the reached there destination.
"So do you know what you want to get Toshi?" Yamanami asked glancing toward the boy.
"No, but maybe you can help." Soujiro suggested.
They continued to walk around glancing into to different shops. Violet eyes trailed excitedly over what to get. They stood in a shop currently, Yamanami purchasing what he needed while Soujiro walked around trying to decided what was best for Mr. Hijikata. Finally his eyes stopped in front of a medium wooden box that was a deep cherry colored. It was engraved with cherry blossoms painted in white and different pink tones. He looked at the box with interested before reaching for it and opening it. It had three glass vials in it, a pestle and mortar and other things that he hadn't a clue what they were for.
"All these things are used to make medicine, Soujiro." The Violet haired boy heard Yamanami's voice behind him.
"Really?" Soujiro asked.
"Yes." Yamanami answered with a smile.
"Do you think Mr. Hijikata will like it?" Soujiro asked eyes trained on the box.
Yamanami smiled to himself. After all Toshi had learned years ago about making medicine and was still learning.
"I think he would." Yamanami answered.
"Then this is what I want to get him." Soujiro beamed up at him.
Yamanami smiled before following the young boy to the store owner to pay for the gift.
Toshi sighed as he walked into his room. It had been a long day and all he wanted to do was lay down and go to sleep, but there was always something for him to do. So instead of dong what his body so desperately desired he sat down on one of the mats. At that moment his dark eyes collided with a medium size package that was wrapped in a dark violet cloth. Standing up again he walked over toward it and picked it up, before taking a seat again.
Unwrapping it the first thing he noticed was a note.
"Happy Birthday Mr. Hijikata. P.S. your not old"
Love Soujiro.
Toshi knew who it was from the minute he saw the hand writing. Soujiro always left little notes for him telling him to have a good day, or reminding him to do something, even apologizing for things the young boy had done.
Smiling he put down the note and looked at the box in front of him. He traced the blossom with his fingers before opening it and looked inside. His smile grew wider running his fingers softly over the vials.
"This must have cost him a lot." Toshi told himself.
Gabbing a piece of paper he grabbed a brush and some ink and began to write a note. When he was done he placed the bow down and made his way to Soujiro's room. It was already late and he knew Soujiro would be sleeping so he slipped the note under Soujiro's shoji and left back to his room.
Unknown to him little Soujiro had not fallen asleep yet he had been nervous about what Mr. Hijikata had thought about his present. So when he had seen a shadow pushing a note under his door, he waited till it retreated before scrambling up and snatching the note. Making his way over to his sleeping mat he sat down and opened to note.
"Thank You."
It was only two words but it brought happiness to the young boy. His mind finally at ease he laid down and fell asleep quickly.
"Dammit, his birthday is in two weeks and I still don't know what to get him." Toshi paced back and forth. "And on top of that I have that feast is the same day too."
"Toshi, the foods here." Kondo informed stepping into the room.
"What?" Toshi said brows furrowed.
"There out in back, they should be fat enough by the day of the feast." Kondo looked at Toshi who continued to pace back and forth. "Is something wrong?"
"What?" Toshi turned to look at his friend again.
"Is something wrong?" Kondo repeated.
"Oh, I'm just wondering what I should get for Soujiro on his birthday." Toshi answered.
"Oh, think about it, and if you can't decided you should just ask him." Kondo suggested.
Toshi glanced skeptically at Kondo before shrugging and continuing to pace about.
"Morning Mr. Hijikata, Mr. Kondo." Soujiro bounced happily into the room.
"Morning Soujiro." Kondo greeted.
"Hn." Toshi grunted.
"Do you have something for me to do, since I finish my classes with Mr. Yamanami." Soujiro asked.
"Go to the kitchen and grab the scraps, then feed them to the pigs." Toshi stated.
"Pigs?" Soujiro asked.
"Yes, there in the back and need to be fed." Toshi answered.
Soujiro nodded excitedly and headed toward the kitchen. The scraps sat in buckets just outside of the kitchen, grabbing the heavy load he dragged it all the way to the back we're he heard noises coming from the pen. Making his way over he saw three pigs two were medium sized and there rough pink skin covered in dirt and mud. The third pig was bigger then the other two and sat in the corner which was filled with mud.
"Hi!" Soujiro greeted happily. "I'm Soujiro." He dragged the bucket closer which quickly got the pigs attention he struggled to pick it up but finally he dumped it over letting the food fall into the pen which caused the pigs to make there way over and devour it. Soujiro stood there until they were completely done eating.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Soujiro said waving to the pigs with a smile, before dashing away to see if Mr. Hijikata needed him.
A couple of days later Soujiro went to feed the pigs as he has done since they had gotten there when he noticed the largest of the pigs had not moved to eat his daily scrap of food.
"What's the matter Shin?" Soujiro asked the pig who had still not moved. The pig just laid on his side and continued to ignore the food. He noticed that the pigs breathing was rough and labored as if it was in pain. Getting worried Soujiro left the pigs and left to get help.
"Hey Soujiro, what's the rush?"
Soujiro stopped in his tracks and looked up at Yamanami, "I think Shin is sick." Soujiro stated.
"Shin? Who's Shin?" Yamanami asked concerned that it could have been one of the children of the village.
"One of the pigs." Soujiro said worriedly.
"Pigs?" Yamanami asked, eyebrows raised.
Soujiro nodded before grabbing Yamanami's arm and dragging him toward to back. Yamanami stopped in front of the pen and noticed the pig that laid in the back panting.
"Can you help him?" Soujiro asked worriedly.
Yamanami sighed and entered the pen and after a couple of minutes of scrutinizing the sick pig he turned to the violet haired boy.
"Your friend Shin here is actually a girl." Yamanami said making his way out of the pen. "And she is pregnant."
Soujiro's violet eyes widen for a moment then smiled. "But she will be alright, right?" He asked.
"Yes Soujiro, she'll be fine." Yamanami answered. "I know one of the recruits use to work with animals, he should be able to help your friend.
Soujiro smiled and hugged Yamanami. " Thank you."
"Anytime Soujiro." Yamanami said patting the boys head. "Now Kondo is waiting for you."
Soujiro nodded and with one more glance to the pig pen he left.
"How's Shin?" The voice of the small child was heard calling through the courtyard.
He ran straight to the back and right for the pig pen after finishing his training session. Violet eyes searched the pen and finally fell on the pig who he was so concerned about before, but now Shin laid who happily with four piglets other piglets.
Everyday Soujiro would come and sit with the pigs, watching the older ones play in the mud and eat scraps, while the piglets slept and drunk there mother's milk.
"You're here again Soujiro?" Yamanami came up behind the boy, looking down in to the pig pen himself.
"Mr. Yamanami," Soujiro said turning to look at the dark haired man. "I was about to go over there now, I just wanted to make sure they ate."
Yamanami smiled at the child. "Well that's very kind of you Soujiro but now it's time for you class, no?"
"Yes, sorry." Soujiro turned back toward the pigs. "I'll see you guys later."
"Very good Soujiro." Yamanami praised. "That's all for today."
"Bye Mr. Yamanami." Soujiro waved and rushed out of the room, it was time for the pigs second feeding.
"Time to eat." He dragged the bucket of scraps to the front of the pig pen. "Here you go." As he was about to dump it he had noticed the pen seemed empty, only Shin and the babies were in there.
"Ikki, Seki!" He called. But the pigs had still not shown up. He opened the pen slowly and there was still no sign of the other missing pigs.
"Where are they?" Soujiro asked himself, worried that something happened to them. He rushed out of the pen and toward the open yard to see if he saw any sign of them.
"Soujiro." A voice called from behind.
"He turned and saw Toshi standing there, dark hair blowing in the wind.
"Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro answered back.
"I wanted to know, since your birthday is coming up in a few days…" Toshi trailed off. "What it is that you wanted."
Soujiro smiled but quickly remembered his lost friends.
"Mr. Hijikata have you seen Ikki and Seki?" He asked.
"Ikki, and Seki?" Toshi asked confused. "Who are they?"
"My friends, I went to the pig pen and they weren't there." Soujiro explained.
"The pig pen, what were children doing playing in a pig pen?" Toshi asked concerned now.
"They live there, Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro said.
"The cook didn't mention anything about children in the pig pen when they went to grab the pigs." Toshi stated absentmindedly.
"Why did the cook go grab Ikki and Seki?" Soujiro asked confused.
"Why would the cook grab your friends?" He asked now very confused.
"Ikki and Seki are pigs." Soujiro stated.
"He was going to use the pigs for the meal for tonight." Toshi explained not noticing the child's face drop.
"Ikki, Seki?" Soujiro realized what had happened. Soujiro shot out quickly and made his way to the kitchen area, he flung the door open only to be greeted by the sight of his friends laid on top of the wooden table butchered, there eyes completely blank.
"Ikki, Seki!" Soujiro screamed he backed away from the gory mess. He continued to back away eyes still trained on the dead pigs until he bumped into someone.
"Soujiro?" Kondo's voice called to him.
"Mr. Kondo?" Soujiro asked.
"It's time to eat come." Kondo said leading the boy away.
Soujiro walked not really realizing where he was being led to until he stood in front of the group of men that were now starring at the plate of food around the table.
"Here Soujiro." Kondo placed a plate of food in front of the young boy.
Violet eyes looked down at the food in front of him, but all he could see was the corpses of the dead pigs.
"Stop!" The boy cried out. All eyes fell on the violet haired child confusion written on everyone's face
"Your eating Ikki and Seki!" He yelled before reaching over and knocking a plate of food out of Toshi's hand.
"Soujiro." Toshi said his voice stern. "They are pigs, that is what they are for."
"They were my friends." Soujiro yelled tears wanting to fall from his eyes.
"They are pigs!" Toshi yelled. "Now stop this foolishness." Toshi grabbed another plate of food and pushed it toward the child again.
But Soujiro just looked down at the plate and knocked it out of his hand before running away and out into the courtyard.
He laid awake, ran falling steadily just outside of his shoji. He looked up at the ceiling lost in his thoughts.
"Would they do the same to Shin and her babies? Would they eat them like they did Ikki and Seki." Soujiro rolled over on to his side, violet eyes looking at his shoji.
"I won't let them kill them." Determined he got up and walked out of the room. The ran fell just a little harder as he stepped out into the courtyard, he made his way toward the back making his way to the pen. He reached the pen and was fully soaked through, his violet hair matted from the rain.
"Shin." He said quietly. He pushed open the pen and walked in. The pig lifted his head to acknowledge the small boy before laying back down, the piglets surrounding her.
"Come Shin we need to get you out of here." He said walking over to the pig. Soujiro went behind the huge pig and began to shove her bigger body in order to get the pig to stand up but to no avail. He continued to push and shove but he just fell slipping in the mud covered ground.
"There going to kill you, don't you get it Shin?" Soujiro asked. "Don't your care? What about your babies?" Soujiro asked, tears threatening to fall.
He sat down next to the pig wanting to get them away but not knowing how. "Please get up." He begged. Still the pig laid there. He felt a push at his side and looked to see one of the piglets. He picked him up softly bringing him to his chest letting his warmth run into the small creature.
"At least I can save one of you." Soujiro said softly. Getting up he ran out of the pig pen back through the courtyard, and out the entrance.
He made his way toward his room. He was tired and after the situation with Soujiro he was worn out. The rain was falling hard he noticed as he followed the path that lead toward the other side of the grounds, when he notice a small figure from the corner of his eyes. He quickly turned and noticed that it was the small child that he had been worrying about.
"Where is he going, is he trying to get sick?" He quickly decided and ran after the boy following him down a path that lead toward the market area.
"Soujiro!" He finally called.
Soujiro froze in his tracks at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro said turning to face the older man.
"Where are you going?" He asked as he watched to boy clutch something tighter to his chest. "Are you trying to get sick, running out in this weather?"
Soujiro stood there looking smaller then ever, Soaked to the bone, covered in mud and trembling.
"I just want to help them." Soujiro said softly.
"Help who?" Toshi asked stepping closer to the boy.
"Shin and the others." Soujiro said his voice still soft.
"You insist on with the pigs, Soujiro." Toshi said looking down at the boy.
"You-you asked…me…what I wanted for my birthday." Soujiro stated as his voice trembled from the cold. "I haven't celebrated a birthday since my mother died, you are the first in years to ask me that."
Toshi looked a little taken back, he didn't know what to say to the boy.
"I want you to let them live." Soujiro said his voice still soft but determined.
"What?" Toshi asked shocked.
"Don't kill Shin and her babies, that's all I want." Soujiro said violet eyes looking into Toshi's dark ones.
"Your serious?" Toshi asked. But he didn't have to, he saw the determination in the boys eyes. "Fine."
"Really?" Soujiro asked , eyes wide with hope.
Toshi nodded and stepped up to the boy.
"Thank you, Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro whispered. "Thank you." Then the world went dark for the violet haired boy.
Toshi's arms quickly wrapped around the child as he fell from exhaustion. He picked up the boy and noticed the movement inside the wet yukata. Moving it to the side he saw the small piglet who had manage some how to remain dry.
"I see." Toshi stated to now one in particular.
"Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro called into the room.
"What is it Soujiro?" Toshi asked not even glancing up.
"They picked up Shin, she's going to live in the village with an older women." Soujiro said walking around the room, looking at the scattered papers. "And her piglets are gone too, well except for one."
Toshi had still not looked up at the boy.
"I was wondering…if maybe…" Soujiro began.
"No." Toshi answered before the question was even asked.
"No what?" Soujiro asked tilting his head to the side in confusion.
"You can't keep him." Toshi stated.
"But you didn't even let me finish." Soujiro pouted.
"You didn't have to I already knew you would ask, and the answer is no." He repeated.
Toshi had looked up at the boy. Violet eyes were welled up ready to cry, his mouth in a pout. "But-he's my only friend." The child's voice trembled.
"No, so stop crying." Toshi said not wanting to look at little Soujiro. He heard a small sob, and he himself let out a deep sigh. "Fine!" Toshi growled.
"Thank you Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro said running and hugging the older man. "Oh back to my question." Soujiro said breaking away from Toshi.
"I thought that was your question." Toshi stated confused.
"Actually Mr. Hijikata." Soujiro said smiling. "Mr. Kondo and Mr. Yamanami already said I could keep Saizo, I just wanted to ask you if had an extra mat I could use for him to sleep on."
Hope you enjoyed the Chapter.