The leaves ceased its rustling while the clouds high above vanished
quickly. No wind blew strong, no sound emerged except one that stood out
from the rest.
"Soujiro, What are you doing here all by yourself?"
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 2: In Everlasting Friendship)
Soujiro stared at the doctor's eyes. What did he mean? Sai was with him, or wasn't she...
Suddenly, a huge clash echoed. It was ear splitting and tremendous and loud hollering accompanied it. Dr.Kirashime rushed to the site and Soujiro followed him like a tail on a dog's back.
A horse had gone wild at the front yard. A tall, European clothed man cursed at the horse and two younger men dressed in traditional Japanese clothing were mere spectators at the incident. The tall man yelled, "Blundering conger eels! Help me get this baboon down, Taro!"
"Father, I see that the baboon IS ALREADY down. He does not need any help at all." the taller of the two younger ones joked. The little one kept laughing but ran towards Dr.Kirashime, holding his hand to his forehead.
"Grandpa!" he muttered "It's so nice to see you!"
Dr.Kirashime smiled at him and the sarcastic one also blessed him. He immediately pointed his two grandsons at Soujiro, "This is Soujiro Seta, a companion. Sou-kun, these are my grandchildren, Taro and Chiriko.(A/N: I did not name him after the Fushigi Yuugi character)" The two bowed at him honorably and he bowed in return. The little one hurriedly went into the house/dojo/hospital(A/N: Call it whatever you want, but I prefer dojo) as if he was glad to be home. Taro, on the other hand, smirked but trotted slowly like he had been waited for.
Dr.Kirashime went over to the vain man, apparently his son, to help. He winked at Soujiro and he walked inside. While he did, he overheard his master say, "So, Doukuu, my boy, how's your mother? When will you be leaving?"
Soujiro saw both of the children, Taro who's around a year older than him and Chiriko, most likely an eight year old boy, go to various rooms of the dojo where patients occupied in. Curious Soujiro mimicked Taro's path and listened to him and a young lady's voice discuss:
"Tadaima. Daijobu desu ka?"(I'm back. Are you alright?)
"Iie...demo..."(No... but...)
"Ara? Koisii..."(Huh? Darling...)
"Let's talk straight... I heard that, that you were leaving..."
"Yes but I'm not leaving you. I can't eat. I can't sleep. It's your beauty that makes my day go by. If only we were older so that you and I can be one without my father's judgement. Kitsune, why is this so?"
"Maybe, just maybe, something terrible will happen to me. The gods want what's best for you and they won't tell you that I'm gone. They don't want you to be, well, sad..."
"I'll even be more lonesome away from you..."
"If that's so, let us not bid each other farewell. Let us think that we shall see each other tomorrow again."
"Let's. Saying goodbye is like admitting this dreadful fate. You and I were meant to be with each other..."
"Oh, Taro..."
Cries filled the room. Soujiro lost his interest in such matter. The two appeared to be madly in love but the voyage that had been talked about was in their way. He crept far from the gloomy room, over to Dr.Kirashime who was almost finished entertaining his guest, his son. Taro and Chibiko went back also, only that Chiriko didn't look happy at all as he used to be.
Doukuu announced to the short crowd of acquaintances(Soujiro, ;)), "We are leaving tomorrow and that is that. There is nothing tha-"
Chiriko interrupted him, "I can't! I just can't leave my friend!"
Doukuu pulled him aside to scold. Soujiro, having such great hearing though far away, heard their little talk.
"What is this impudence?" Doukuu roughly questioned the child "This boy whom you speak of as a friend is useless. He is weak. He is dying. He is ill and is dumb! You cannot look up to him or learn anything from him. What is it that you do together, hmmm?"
Chiriko responded, "Well, we make paper cranes and tell each other jokes and-"
"See! You have no need for such childish mannerisms! You've known that for over three years!"
"I haven't! Maybe I just forgotten how!"
"I'm only looking out what's best and what is not and obviously, there is nothing that there is to do with such a retarded child!" He was about to turn his back on the child when Chiriko, rather humiliated spoke:
"You are a good father, but..."
Doukuu's expression changed and so had Soujiro's. He, at first, thought that he WAS being a good father and that a friend is meant to be someone whom you can learn from. This subject brought the idea of the weak perishing and the strong surviving, so he sided with the father's argument. Now, he was starting to be curious of the child's intellect. Crestfallen Taro's curiosity was also aroused and his grandfather was bright and proud of what Chiriko's actions were intended on.
Chiriko continued his statement, "Father, if a friend is someone whom we look up to, then, he my friend, looks up to me..."
His father was ashamed yet impressed with such deed. In the end, little Chiriko agreed to their voyage. Doukuu, much kinder, went on with his conversation with his father, but this time around, he personally invited Soujiro with them.
The talking didn't interest him really as he recalled every minute of the argument earlier. It was such great courage that the boy had shown, standing up to his own father. All this was done for a sickly friend. Why? He wondered. There were so many questions floating above his head. Then, Doukuu mentioned some words that rang a bell in his head.
"Houjin Kamatari..."
Soujiro was all ears then. He blurted out with enthusiasm, "Excuse me, but did you say Kamatari? Houjin Kamatari?"
"Yes," he replied "He is a very old friend of mine. We go way back only it wasn't a planned meeting for us. Japan was never my taste. Swords draw me here. Father, you should tell him of your many battles. Tell him who Shishio Makoto was."
"Shishio Makoto! Master Shishio Makoto!" Soujiro screamed at the top of his voice with sudden shock. His present master knew the man whom he had worked for. The man he was a right-hand to. To think this man fought with him!
Doukuu became annoyed with his sudden outbursts, "It is ample business of you to bother, eh! I have but no time to spare now. I'm afraid I am to go now."
He then beckoned his children and they left. Dr.Kirashime's face was sorrowful but it was all hidden under a simple smile. Raindrops started cascading down their walls and Soujiro watched it in utter amazement. Little by little, he caught sight of a figure in the rain. As the doctor went back in to shelter from the rain, Soujiro remained at the shaded porch. The shadowy figure suddenly came clear as it neared him, dancing or rather enjoying the wet weather. It was Sai.
She went towards him, soaked yet smiling. The breeze was soothing now than before and Soujiro liked it. He just didn't show it.
She spoke, "Rejoice with me! It is too awkward to have fun all alone..."
Soujiro preached, "Are you joking me? You may become worse with that condition of yours! You should care about your health and your future! Think of your brother who'll be alone when you... when you're dead from that horrid rain! It isn't meant for you!"
She smiled at him innocently but then she took hold of his hands and pulled him out from the porch, "Carpe diem, quan minimum credula postero. A roman poet, Horace, said it. It means 'Seize the day; put no trust in tomorrow'."
Soujiro, soaked under the rain like her, thought about it, "What did you do that for? I don't understand you well, Sai-chan."
She placed her frozen hands on his shoulder, "Life is short for those who live at its peak. Live each day as if you'll never be able to see another because you'll never know when the day that you will find yourself to be judged before the true God Almighty. As a Latin proverb says, 'Tempis fugit.' Time flies...'"
Soujiro understood her then. Although he did, he was unsure of her character, whether she was brave about her predicament or if she's too sad to admit it. There was so much to ask the world in so little time. These add up to his own troubles, his dilemmas. The rain poured cold and still, The clouds covering the visible moon was dark and enormous. The strong winds affected nothing of the two friends dancing in the rain. Then, in the midst of their laughter, Soujiro had done one thing that he had lost in the sands of time for so long ago...
His True Smile...
"Soujiro, What are you doing here all by yourself?"
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 2: In Everlasting Friendship)
Soujiro stared at the doctor's eyes. What did he mean? Sai was with him, or wasn't she...
Suddenly, a huge clash echoed. It was ear splitting and tremendous and loud hollering accompanied it. Dr.Kirashime rushed to the site and Soujiro followed him like a tail on a dog's back.
A horse had gone wild at the front yard. A tall, European clothed man cursed at the horse and two younger men dressed in traditional Japanese clothing were mere spectators at the incident. The tall man yelled, "Blundering conger eels! Help me get this baboon down, Taro!"
"Father, I see that the baboon IS ALREADY down. He does not need any help at all." the taller of the two younger ones joked. The little one kept laughing but ran towards Dr.Kirashime, holding his hand to his forehead.
"Grandpa!" he muttered "It's so nice to see you!"
Dr.Kirashime smiled at him and the sarcastic one also blessed him. He immediately pointed his two grandsons at Soujiro, "This is Soujiro Seta, a companion. Sou-kun, these are my grandchildren, Taro and Chiriko.(A/N: I did not name him after the Fushigi Yuugi character)" The two bowed at him honorably and he bowed in return. The little one hurriedly went into the house/dojo/hospital(A/N: Call it whatever you want, but I prefer dojo) as if he was glad to be home. Taro, on the other hand, smirked but trotted slowly like he had been waited for.
Dr.Kirashime went over to the vain man, apparently his son, to help. He winked at Soujiro and he walked inside. While he did, he overheard his master say, "So, Doukuu, my boy, how's your mother? When will you be leaving?"
Soujiro saw both of the children, Taro who's around a year older than him and Chiriko, most likely an eight year old boy, go to various rooms of the dojo where patients occupied in. Curious Soujiro mimicked Taro's path and listened to him and a young lady's voice discuss:
"Tadaima. Daijobu desu ka?"(I'm back. Are you alright?)
"Iie...demo..."(No... but...)
"Ara? Koisii..."(Huh? Darling...)
"Let's talk straight... I heard that, that you were leaving..."
"Yes but I'm not leaving you. I can't eat. I can't sleep. It's your beauty that makes my day go by. If only we were older so that you and I can be one without my father's judgement. Kitsune, why is this so?"
"Maybe, just maybe, something terrible will happen to me. The gods want what's best for you and they won't tell you that I'm gone. They don't want you to be, well, sad..."
"I'll even be more lonesome away from you..."
"If that's so, let us not bid each other farewell. Let us think that we shall see each other tomorrow again."
"Let's. Saying goodbye is like admitting this dreadful fate. You and I were meant to be with each other..."
"Oh, Taro..."
Cries filled the room. Soujiro lost his interest in such matter. The two appeared to be madly in love but the voyage that had been talked about was in their way. He crept far from the gloomy room, over to Dr.Kirashime who was almost finished entertaining his guest, his son. Taro and Chibiko went back also, only that Chiriko didn't look happy at all as he used to be.
Doukuu announced to the short crowd of acquaintances(Soujiro, ;)), "We are leaving tomorrow and that is that. There is nothing tha-"
Chiriko interrupted him, "I can't! I just can't leave my friend!"
Doukuu pulled him aside to scold. Soujiro, having such great hearing though far away, heard their little talk.
"What is this impudence?" Doukuu roughly questioned the child "This boy whom you speak of as a friend is useless. He is weak. He is dying. He is ill and is dumb! You cannot look up to him or learn anything from him. What is it that you do together, hmmm?"
Chiriko responded, "Well, we make paper cranes and tell each other jokes and-"
"See! You have no need for such childish mannerisms! You've known that for over three years!"
"I haven't! Maybe I just forgotten how!"
"I'm only looking out what's best and what is not and obviously, there is nothing that there is to do with such a retarded child!" He was about to turn his back on the child when Chiriko, rather humiliated spoke:
"You are a good father, but..."
Doukuu's expression changed and so had Soujiro's. He, at first, thought that he WAS being a good father and that a friend is meant to be someone whom you can learn from. This subject brought the idea of the weak perishing and the strong surviving, so he sided with the father's argument. Now, he was starting to be curious of the child's intellect. Crestfallen Taro's curiosity was also aroused and his grandfather was bright and proud of what Chiriko's actions were intended on.
Chiriko continued his statement, "Father, if a friend is someone whom we look up to, then, he my friend, looks up to me..."
His father was ashamed yet impressed with such deed. In the end, little Chiriko agreed to their voyage. Doukuu, much kinder, went on with his conversation with his father, but this time around, he personally invited Soujiro with them.
The talking didn't interest him really as he recalled every minute of the argument earlier. It was such great courage that the boy had shown, standing up to his own father. All this was done for a sickly friend. Why? He wondered. There were so many questions floating above his head. Then, Doukuu mentioned some words that rang a bell in his head.
"Houjin Kamatari..."
Soujiro was all ears then. He blurted out with enthusiasm, "Excuse me, but did you say Kamatari? Houjin Kamatari?"
"Yes," he replied "He is a very old friend of mine. We go way back only it wasn't a planned meeting for us. Japan was never my taste. Swords draw me here. Father, you should tell him of your many battles. Tell him who Shishio Makoto was."
"Shishio Makoto! Master Shishio Makoto!" Soujiro screamed at the top of his voice with sudden shock. His present master knew the man whom he had worked for. The man he was a right-hand to. To think this man fought with him!
Doukuu became annoyed with his sudden outbursts, "It is ample business of you to bother, eh! I have but no time to spare now. I'm afraid I am to go now."
He then beckoned his children and they left. Dr.Kirashime's face was sorrowful but it was all hidden under a simple smile. Raindrops started cascading down their walls and Soujiro watched it in utter amazement. Little by little, he caught sight of a figure in the rain. As the doctor went back in to shelter from the rain, Soujiro remained at the shaded porch. The shadowy figure suddenly came clear as it neared him, dancing or rather enjoying the wet weather. It was Sai.
She went towards him, soaked yet smiling. The breeze was soothing now than before and Soujiro liked it. He just didn't show it.
She spoke, "Rejoice with me! It is too awkward to have fun all alone..."
Soujiro preached, "Are you joking me? You may become worse with that condition of yours! You should care about your health and your future! Think of your brother who'll be alone when you... when you're dead from that horrid rain! It isn't meant for you!"
She smiled at him innocently but then she took hold of his hands and pulled him out from the porch, "Carpe diem, quan minimum credula postero. A roman poet, Horace, said it. It means 'Seize the day; put no trust in tomorrow'."
Soujiro, soaked under the rain like her, thought about it, "What did you do that for? I don't understand you well, Sai-chan."
She placed her frozen hands on his shoulder, "Life is short for those who live at its peak. Live each day as if you'll never be able to see another because you'll never know when the day that you will find yourself to be judged before the true God Almighty. As a Latin proverb says, 'Tempis fugit.' Time flies...'"
Soujiro understood her then. Although he did, he was unsure of her character, whether she was brave about her predicament or if she's too sad to admit it. There was so much to ask the world in so little time. These add up to his own troubles, his dilemmas. The rain poured cold and still, The clouds covering the visible moon was dark and enormous. The strong winds affected nothing of the two friends dancing in the rain. Then, in the midst of their laughter, Soujiro had done one thing that he had lost in the sands of time for so long ago...
His True Smile...