War and Defeat
The Story of Captain Sagara
By Garden Goddess
Garden Goddess Tales © 2003
Description: Captain Sagara was the influence of Sanosuke, the fearless leader of the Seiki Hotai and prey of the imperialist government. But who is the real Captain Sagara and how exactly did he achieve his position? This is the story of Captain Sagara, a tale of love, hate, friendship, death... and especially, war.
Hey guys, its Garden Goddess again. I appreciate all those that have reviewed my story so far. I just want to let you know that this story is a romance/action/adventure, so don't be too rough on me, ne? Now that I have FINALLY acquired some info on the whole thing with Captain Sagara and the organization, I've decided that this is an Alternate Universe, meaning this does NOT follow the storyline of the show. So all the events in this story are mine and not the show's normal episodes. Anyways, I will try and keep everything as well detailed as possible so no one will get lost in it because I'm planning on a very strong storyline involving the backstabbing by the imperialist government (those bastards lol). Hopefully you guys will enjoy it. I try my best, really I do! I'd like to thank those who filled me in on Captain Sagara's real name lol.... I substituted his name in the previous chapter and this one. So thank you a million times! Well, on with the story, and reviews are always welcome!
Chapter Summary: Souzo reflects upon his decision, leaving the one side of his life over the one he has chosen.
Episode One: ....of the sword
Souzo paced.
The constant tug on the decision he had to make was beginning to take its toll. It had been two days already and he had failed to meet the man at the temple, for he was still left to ponder his true path. His heart and mind bickered relentlessly, causing him to be stuck between being what he himself wanted or to become what he was destined - as his father had used to tell him.
"Are you always this nervous before your exams?"
Souzo raised his gaze to the young woman in the doorway and mustered the best smile he could,"Martina, I am not nervous, the opposite in fact, but what bothers me is this constant quarrel inside my mind."
"And what, if I may ask, are you constantly quarreling about?"
He froze. He had forgotten that he had not told Martina of the other day when he had met the mysterious silver haired man and the young boy. She tilted her head slightly as he looked at her puzzled and crossed her arms across her chest. The way his eyes examined her figure, the way his expression remained stoic at her sudden question made her realize there was more than just exams floating around in the depths of her friend's mind.
"Now I definitely know something's wrong," She inquired,"Spill it, Sou."
The blue haired man began to pace again, his hair cascading down over his eye, reflecting a remorseful and confused air to the young man's predicament. Martina stepped farther into the room and continued to watch him pace, knowing he was now pondering if he should tell her or not. Suprised by his hesitation, she snuffed in a fit of air, glaring at him when he stopped at the sudden sound to look at her.
"What would you say if I decided to not become a doctor?"
Martina's brows gathered,"What?"
Souzo stood before her, studying her puzzled expression than approached her, standing no more than a foot in front of her slender build. She simply looked at him, her face filled with confusion and more over, bewilderment.
"I.. met a strange man the other day," Souzo slowly told her,"He was a swordsman, a former soldier in the imperialist army. He wants me to become his student."
Martina eyed him,"And you said no right?"
Souzo fell into silence and Martina's heart jumped at the look on his face.
"Souzo?"
"I have not answered him as of yet," He simply replied than turned back to the center of the room to pace back and forth again,"My father used to tell me things about destiny."
"Destiny?"
Souzo ceased pacing once more to turn and look out his window. The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow to the landscape that cascaded down from his home. Martina approached him, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms as she studied his figure. His eyes were shining as he looked upon the beautiful sight of the home he had promised to watch over for his father.
"My father was an honorable man," He said softly, allowing his eyes to close, "As you know, he has taught me everything I know about fighting. It was all that I had left to remember him by."
An eerie silence suddenly floated between them and Martina slowly uncrossed her arms to admire his facial features. His mouth was so perfectly slim and slender. As he spoke, they moved slowly and expressed his emotions so strongly tht Martina could feel as though she were experiencing them along with him. And his nose - was thin and long, not too long and seemed to fit in perfectly with his masculine chin and taught eyebrows. Than his eyes...
"He once told me that he believed he was destined to be a fighter," Souzo suddenly spoke and opened his eyes, "When he was a child, he had wanted to become a teacher but he told me destiny would not have it that way. He told me, 'Souzo, there is a time when a boy becomes a man and realizes that his destiny his different from his current path, but it takes a man with honor to admit he must leave all that he has behind to fulfill it.' He worked me endlessly sometimes, telling me that over and over again."
His eyes were overwhelming. Martina suddenly released the breath she realized she had been holding when he had suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look at her to speak. His hair cascaded over his left eye but his right one held enough emotion for the one that lay hidden. Its color was such a vivid blue that it shined as though it were an endless pool of the sea and she licked her lips slightly as he suddenly raised a hand to the back of his neck, rubbing it and chuckling softly.
"You probaby think I'm crazy to actually consider leaving everything I have behind," He said rather off tone,"I known its quite selfish of me to suddenly want to go for such change without talking to you first."
She let out a deep breath again and mustered the will to speak, "Takashi you are no where near being selfish. I know how much your father meant to you and if you were to choose to leave the study of medicine behind, I would not look at you any different than I do now."
Souzo smiled at her warmly,"Martina, you are truly a wonderful person."
Her heart jumped at those words and she blushed tremendously, trying to turn away from his sudden affectionate gaze. He looked at her for a second than placed both his hands upon her shoulders, beckoning her to look at him.
"Martina, I promise you," He said softly, bringing his face close to hers, the pink rosey hue still upon her cheeks,"I will return to you the same man that I am now standing before you."
Feeling the gap between them closing in, Martina tried her hardest to not become lost in the deepness of his eyes, but soon she felt her eyes flutter shut, waiting for the feather light contact. Instead of her mouth, she felt his heat linger near her cheek and rest upon her forehead. He kissed her softly there, than slowly took a step back away from her. She was deeply disappointed and blushed harder at her embarassment of thinking of such a foolish assumption. They were friends - and friends did not kiss intimately.
"Please come back, Sou," She whispered as tears began to build behind her blue eyes,"I know what you have chosen... but please... come back to me."
Souzo's eyes deepened in concern at her sudden tears,"Martina, you're crying."
He began to approach her but she only backed away from him as though he held a deadly disease and just one touch would cause her to wither away. Souzo was hurt by her sudden recoil and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, averting his gaze and looking back into the golden lit landscape.
"I promise," He said softly, his voice barely above a whisper,"Maybe than we can sort the tense feelings between us. I'm so confused about so many things right now and you are one of them."
"How so?"
He continued to look away from her,"Martina you know me better than anyone. I cannot ignore how beautiful you have become. We have both grown since the days when we used to run around in the rain. Sometimes I want to kiss you as though we were meant to be together and other times I want nothing more than a brotherly hug."
Martina was left in silence.
"I will return," He finally spoke again,"I promise."
She suddenly went forward, clinging to his form and pressing her face into the warmth of his chest, her tears now sliding down the beautiful sculpture of her cheeks and blurring her vision.
"Oh, Souzo!" She cried,"I cannot go on without you! We have never been separated before."
He hesitated but than wrapped his strong arms around her shaking form, resting his head upon hers softly. He could do nothing to ease her pain. When learning the craft of the sword, he knew he'd have to leave his home behind - and Martina as well.
She wimpered and he tightened his hold.
'I promise, Martina,' Souzo repeated in his mind as he closed his eyes,'I would rather face death than break this promise to you.'
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
"Have you come to a decision?"
Souzo had just reached the temple when the familar voice bombarded him from behind. He stood outside the temple and had been admiring it as he climbed the large mass of stairs that laid before it. It was rather large for a temple and was the softest faded green that he had ever seen. It looked old but well kept and held the eerie air of history, as though the temple had been around during many situations of war and training. Souzo didn't bother to turn to look back at the man that he knew ws leaning against the large tree to the left of the entrance.
"Yes, indeed I have."
"Than follow me," The silver haired man slowly emerged from the shade of the tree and walked ahead of the young man,"I have arranged a room for you. We shall start right away once you change into the uniform you will wear from now on."
"Wait."
The siver haired man paused, his back turned to him as Souzo stared at him in confusion. He realized the man was dressed differently now, his trench coat now gone and revealing a dark blue gi.
"How did you know I would accept?"
"Because you are a man of honor and understand destiny," The man simply answered,"Now come. We can speak later."
Souzo did not answer but followed silently behind him, studying the man's smooth and graceful strides as he led him into the temple and into his new home.
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
"Everything is in position, Sir."
The suited man turned to look at his soldier. He was in the respected position, one arm raised in a salute to him, the other upon the hilt of his sword.
"At ease soldier," The suited man replied and watched as he relaxed and held his gaze,"So preparations are complete?"
"Yes, Sir. That is correct."
"Excellent, return to your post and await further instruction."
"Yes, Sir," The soldier said mechanically as he slowly turned and walked slowly but swiftly out of the tent and out into the night air.
The suited man let a smirk slip onto his dark face.
'Finally, I'll be able to have my revenge and the imperialist army will suffer. A false government deserves to be taken down for everything they have done. The revolution has begun!'
He let out an audible laugh as he turned to look down upon the map that lay across the table inside the tent they had set up near one of the government's Bureau buildings. He had this whole thing planned out and his commander gave him the okay over an hour ago. Now all he had to do was wait - than history would be made.
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
The silver haired man waited and soon was greeted by the figure of the young blue haired man as he stepped out in his new uniform. He had made sure the tailor had done specifically as he asked and by the look of how well it fit the boy was enough proof for him. The gi was a light grey, with a silver colored trim and held snuggly on the young man's figure. A jacket of the same style was layed upon his figure, the length only coming to about an inch below his rib cage. He contained boots that were of the shiniest black and came just above his shin, giving the illusion of a tall height. The style of the uniform was very similar to Souzo's former gi but was made of fine cloth and silk. Souzo shifted in it but seemingly approved.
"Listen up, young man," The silver haired man began before Takashi had a chance to speak,"I am going to tell you things that I only tell my students. You and only you alone will know. This information is confidential and I suggest you not let your mouth run."
Souzo looked at him strangely,"I understand but what information could be so secretive?"
"You will see as you train why this must be secretive," The man continued,"I will start off by revealing my identity. My name is Seiki Katora, and I was a general in the imperialist army for ten years."
"Ten years?" Souzo suddenly spoke up,"That is quite some time."
"I did not say you could speak," The man said, his face contorting into a frown,"I was a general in the imperialist army and I was in charge of not only leading the fifth infantry but training new recruits. It wasn't long before I realized the true intensions of the government and decided to resign from my position. This was easier said than done, for I was declined the request to retire. The government looked for me to turn young men into killing machines for them to attain more power."
He watched as the blue haired young man looked at him surprise. The government had been doing this all along?
"I tried everything I could to escape - I wanted no part in such an evily devised plan. I had to fight my way out of my position," The man named Seiki continued,"I recieved many scars upon my body as proof and I held a strong code to not fight for either side of the Revolution."
"Revolution?" Souzo's eyebrows joined,"What are you talking about?"
Seiki let a smirk appear upon his face and slowly unsheathed his sword, raising it above his head as he spoke.
"You, boy, are naive just as every other person caught in the middle of such an affair! The constant fight between the imperialist army and the newly formed anti-government organization have held strong disagreements before but even now as we stand here and speak, war is waiting to break out. Both sides strong in their own areas will cause chaos and this country will know the meaning of the word, 'revolution'! A new era has began and you either kill or be killed young man!"
Souzo frowned and balled his fists,"Kill or be killed?! Why would the government let such killings happen? They would not let the people get involved in their own mistakes!"
"You are wrong!" Seiki shouted as he held the sword forward, his sharp point only inches from the young man's throat,"You are naive boy. You only know what the government as told you. You support them now, but down the road you will know what the government's true plans are and you will want escape just as badly as I did, but there will be no escape unless I teach you what I know!"
"Why should I believe you?!" Souzo shouted, not frightened by the blade of his sword,"What if you're the one turning the people against the government! What if YOU are the cause of the Revolution!"
Seiki sneered and withdrew his sword, sheathing it in one fluid motion,"Souzo Sagara, I can only answer the questions that I know of. All I can offer is my skill and I trust you will use them honorably, for an honorable man does not kill for the thrill of killing but only when one is forced to do such an act. I cannot answer all the rising questions in your mind but perhaps time shall. Now let's begin. We have a long road ahead of us."
Souzo studied him, his bright eyes looking into Seiki's as he slowly turned his head slightly to gesture to the training room inside the temple especially made for the skills he was prepared to pass on to the young man.
Souzo slowly turned, heading into the room, knowing that maybe his acceptance of becoming this strange man's student was not such a great idea. He felt as though he were committing treason against the government and he didn't like it.
'Souzo, there is a time when a boy becomes a man and realizes that his destiny his different from his current path, but it takes a man with honor to admit he must leave all that he has behind to fulfill it.'
Souzo sighed deeply at his father's words. He had no choice. He had left everything he had worked so hard for behind and he wasn't going to give up on the new task that laid before him. His father wouldn't have agreed.
'I will make you proud father.'
"Souzo."
He turned to look at Seiki suddenly. The man had caught him off guard as he pondered to himself, silently questioning the path he had chosen. He watched as Seiki unsheathed his sword again, this time holding it out to the him.
"Take my sword."
He looked at him confused,"What for?"
"You are going to fight me."
Souzo eyes widen. He couldn't possibly expect him to fight him, especially after he had witnessed what he had done at the bar days ago. Seiki slowly handed him the thin, heavy sword and slowly drew back, raising his hands slightly, ready for Souzo.
"I cannot do this," Souzo said softly,"I can barely hold a sword let alone use one."
Seiki laughed,"The best way to learn how to hold one is to be forced to use one in battle."
"Are you serious?"
"Enough talk. Come!"
Souzo blinked in response, still not sure how to swing the sword, or even how to hold it properly. He raised his gaze to Seiki and realized he was flying toward him with great speed.
Souzo's training had begun.
End of Episode One