A/N: Thank you very much for the kind words in your reviews that got my
spirit up a bit of a notch. I also had a lot of requests concerning the
characters' pictures. Because of these requests, I am thinking of putting a
section in my website that explores the pictures of the characters in "The
Wanderer's Eyes". Do note that I am not a professional and that I cannot
draw well (or even Soujiro). I will update everyone on the pictures
(especially Nagi's and Kitsune's since they're the most requested)
A crisp, passionate feeling that the season had befallen was among them. It was not very dull in the dojo where children lay dreaming that they would heal and be with their own families at the winter festivities. Then again, it was a bit more fun at the dojo than at their homes for the love that the doctor shows them was deep and sincere. Soujiro too longed to be with a decent family at that time of year. He cannot say he celebrated it ("it" meaning Christmas) and he cannot say he even had a decent family at those times. He was usually sent broad or on the tracks with his master, Shishio Makoto. A crisp and passionate feeling; how wonderful it must be! Only carols were at their custody. One best of the others.
"Let the seasons be bright, and so does the heart full of life."
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 22:Night of Many Mischief Part 1)
It was the night before the so-called "Christmas" was to come. The able children dedicated themselves at singing or cooking in the kitchen with Modhra and his helpers. Taro, whom was experienced in the arts overseas, taught those who still had hands how to create cards of different shapes and sizes and even of little toys they were to give their sickly friends. Chiriko and some others were playing and running about. They did not give a care to the worries of the world. After all, it was a very big event! It was Modhra's first time staying with the children during the holidays.
Often, he was away. He was away doing business or attending to the death of his former pupils in his dojo.
Soujiro passed by a huge tree standing in the corner of the visitor's lounge, or what he prefers to call the chamber of commerce. It was like in his old home with Shishio where it was where they talk of nothing but business. "It is odd how grown-ups are!" Soujiro commented as he ambled by, "They care nothing for fun and laughter. Oh, how I love to slay."
In that moment, he shook his head in disgust. He did not want to meander in his past morbid thoughts. That was the old Soujiro, the animosity of himself. This was anew. This was the more caring and understanding Soujiro.
"Merri Kurisumasu!" (A/N: I am exaggerating the fact that I do not know how to say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese) said a little one, which had a cross-shaped necklace on her chest. Her hands were high, so high that he felt she was trying to reach his height. His inference was true. She was trying to reach him. He bent down to see what it was she wanted.
Then, of what seem to be a happy thought for the new Soujiro, the little girl hugged him.
Like any cynical boy who knew not love, he blushed heavily. His cheeks were as pink as a little girl's lips and his ears went red; redder than a tomato ripe.
After that startling event, she handed him a present. She hopped away to another after Soujiro had held it in his hands. He liked the shape of whatever it was. It was gold and bright. It was smooth with long ribbons of red and green were tied to it. He handled it delicately, in case it was gold and he did not want to wreck the physique of it.
"You're supposed to open it, dummy."
It was his worst fear. Kitsune stood behind his back and whispered to his ears those words. They made him blush even more.
She jested, "I think you've never seen a gift before. That one's wrapped. Don't tell me you don't even know how to open it, can you?"
The more he listened, the more his face grew redder and pinker. His hands gently swayed the ribbons and took out the knot that it had been carefully placed. The bow, which he failed to see before, was already torn. He didn't mind it at all because he never received a gift that was wrapped. Not a single time in his life did he receive such, not even from Shishio Makoto!
Eyes of brown grew wide and an expression of joy came in his veins. It was a doll. It was a rag doll that appeared so soft and adorable that he felt that he missed his days of youth. I meant, he missed the days that he was only a toddler. However, he dared not venture those years. The years that toil kept him tied to his fears.
His eyes were glued to the doll's face. It was just too charming to let go, that he hid it in his pocket. Kitsune saw his acts and she passed something to him.
"Think of it as a farewell gift," She sneered, "Just think! This may be the last you'll ever hear or see of Christmas! Such filthy religi-"
The package was small and his ears were automatically taken away from her chatter. As much as he wanted to hear about what she was saying, he wanted to fall on his knees and cry. This was a moment he'll never forget. Christmas meant nothing to him before. Now, he had a memory to share in the book of his life.
He impatiently pried it open. It was another one of her elixirs. Written on the bottle with very minute cases, it said: "Drink with much caution. Can turn you into Animus Fidelius."
He prompted his head into coolness. He didn't desire to throw it away. He didn't, and at the same time, he didn't know why.
At the last sentence, it said: "Look up."
He obeyed its instructions. There, with much amusement, he saw mistletoe. It was vivid and greatly visible. Then he peered to his side. Stood there was Kitsune and she, without notice, never knew there was something above her head too. Soujiro waltz gracefully (A/N:I mean this as a happy walk, not as a dance!) to her side and to his delight, she didn't budge from her spot. She stayed still, not noticing the mistletoe on their heads.
LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB was the only noise you can really hear near by. Her hand, which swayed from her side, crept away and her foot slid by a nail. Soujiro, with open arms, made a grab for her and it was his very own surprise!
An air of disappointment went over him while Kitsune and her remorse and ignorant self whisked her legs to go to Taro. Taro was also beneath one mistletoe and many rushed to have their present from him. Soujiro saw how perfectly still Taro stood for the many of his fans that not just, ran but sprinted with gifts among their hands ready for him. Soujiro didn't feel THAT sad about his miss, for again he saw that he stood underneath another mistletoe again!
"This is a unique game that these children set up."
The night went on merrily, exchanging gifts and exchanging glances of emotions. Joy had certainly poured as the laughter and songs reflected the blessed eve. Even Soujiro, whose undeniable admirer appeared in the form of Kitsune, was not at a total loss of heart. He had given small tokens of coins to the little ones as they gave him a hug and a kiss for luck and longevity. There was only one thing, or rather two which were amiss. It was Soushi and Gyenryu.
Although I did fail to mention that Jodraul was not present either, he did not show any sign of longing to see that person. He actually shuddered with disgust that he even met that person.
Jogging towards the room that Soushi sleeps, maybe, Soujiro ran into a character he knows so well. It was Gyenryu. With a queer glance he took, he was shocked to what Gyen-san repeated to say.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you."
A crisp, passionate feeling that the season had befallen was among them. It was not very dull in the dojo where children lay dreaming that they would heal and be with their own families at the winter festivities. Then again, it was a bit more fun at the dojo than at their homes for the love that the doctor shows them was deep and sincere. Soujiro too longed to be with a decent family at that time of year. He cannot say he celebrated it ("it" meaning Christmas) and he cannot say he even had a decent family at those times. He was usually sent broad or on the tracks with his master, Shishio Makoto. A crisp and passionate feeling; how wonderful it must be! Only carols were at their custody. One best of the others.
"Let the seasons be bright, and so does the heart full of life."
THE WANDERER'S EYES
(Chapter 22:Night of Many Mischief Part 1)
It was the night before the so-called "Christmas" was to come. The able children dedicated themselves at singing or cooking in the kitchen with Modhra and his helpers. Taro, whom was experienced in the arts overseas, taught those who still had hands how to create cards of different shapes and sizes and even of little toys they were to give their sickly friends. Chiriko and some others were playing and running about. They did not give a care to the worries of the world. After all, it was a very big event! It was Modhra's first time staying with the children during the holidays.
Often, he was away. He was away doing business or attending to the death of his former pupils in his dojo.
Soujiro passed by a huge tree standing in the corner of the visitor's lounge, or what he prefers to call the chamber of commerce. It was like in his old home with Shishio where it was where they talk of nothing but business. "It is odd how grown-ups are!" Soujiro commented as he ambled by, "They care nothing for fun and laughter. Oh, how I love to slay."
In that moment, he shook his head in disgust. He did not want to meander in his past morbid thoughts. That was the old Soujiro, the animosity of himself. This was anew. This was the more caring and understanding Soujiro.
"Merri Kurisumasu!" (A/N: I am exaggerating the fact that I do not know how to say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese) said a little one, which had a cross-shaped necklace on her chest. Her hands were high, so high that he felt she was trying to reach his height. His inference was true. She was trying to reach him. He bent down to see what it was she wanted.
Then, of what seem to be a happy thought for the new Soujiro, the little girl hugged him.
Like any cynical boy who knew not love, he blushed heavily. His cheeks were as pink as a little girl's lips and his ears went red; redder than a tomato ripe.
After that startling event, she handed him a present. She hopped away to another after Soujiro had held it in his hands. He liked the shape of whatever it was. It was gold and bright. It was smooth with long ribbons of red and green were tied to it. He handled it delicately, in case it was gold and he did not want to wreck the physique of it.
"You're supposed to open it, dummy."
It was his worst fear. Kitsune stood behind his back and whispered to his ears those words. They made him blush even more.
She jested, "I think you've never seen a gift before. That one's wrapped. Don't tell me you don't even know how to open it, can you?"
The more he listened, the more his face grew redder and pinker. His hands gently swayed the ribbons and took out the knot that it had been carefully placed. The bow, which he failed to see before, was already torn. He didn't mind it at all because he never received a gift that was wrapped. Not a single time in his life did he receive such, not even from Shishio Makoto!
Eyes of brown grew wide and an expression of joy came in his veins. It was a doll. It was a rag doll that appeared so soft and adorable that he felt that he missed his days of youth. I meant, he missed the days that he was only a toddler. However, he dared not venture those years. The years that toil kept him tied to his fears.
His eyes were glued to the doll's face. It was just too charming to let go, that he hid it in his pocket. Kitsune saw his acts and she passed something to him.
"Think of it as a farewell gift," She sneered, "Just think! This may be the last you'll ever hear or see of Christmas! Such filthy religi-"
The package was small and his ears were automatically taken away from her chatter. As much as he wanted to hear about what she was saying, he wanted to fall on his knees and cry. This was a moment he'll never forget. Christmas meant nothing to him before. Now, he had a memory to share in the book of his life.
He impatiently pried it open. It was another one of her elixirs. Written on the bottle with very minute cases, it said: "Drink with much caution. Can turn you into Animus Fidelius."
He prompted his head into coolness. He didn't desire to throw it away. He didn't, and at the same time, he didn't know why.
At the last sentence, it said: "Look up."
He obeyed its instructions. There, with much amusement, he saw mistletoe. It was vivid and greatly visible. Then he peered to his side. Stood there was Kitsune and she, without notice, never knew there was something above her head too. Soujiro waltz gracefully (A/N:I mean this as a happy walk, not as a dance!) to her side and to his delight, she didn't budge from her spot. She stayed still, not noticing the mistletoe on their heads.
LUB-DUB-LUB-DUB was the only noise you can really hear near by. Her hand, which swayed from her side, crept away and her foot slid by a nail. Soujiro, with open arms, made a grab for her and it was his very own surprise!
An air of disappointment went over him while Kitsune and her remorse and ignorant self whisked her legs to go to Taro. Taro was also beneath one mistletoe and many rushed to have their present from him. Soujiro saw how perfectly still Taro stood for the many of his fans that not just, ran but sprinted with gifts among their hands ready for him. Soujiro didn't feel THAT sad about his miss, for again he saw that he stood underneath another mistletoe again!
"This is a unique game that these children set up."
The night went on merrily, exchanging gifts and exchanging glances of emotions. Joy had certainly poured as the laughter and songs reflected the blessed eve. Even Soujiro, whose undeniable admirer appeared in the form of Kitsune, was not at a total loss of heart. He had given small tokens of coins to the little ones as they gave him a hug and a kiss for luck and longevity. There was only one thing, or rather two which were amiss. It was Soushi and Gyenryu.
Although I did fail to mention that Jodraul was not present either, he did not show any sign of longing to see that person. He actually shuddered with disgust that he even met that person.
Jogging towards the room that Soushi sleeps, maybe, Soujiro ran into a character he knows so well. It was Gyenryu. With a queer glance he took, he was shocked to what Gyen-san repeated to say.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you."