Angel of Light: Cody, I promise you're coming in soon. If not this chapter, than the next one! Seriously!
Cody: ………..
Angel of Light: He doesn't believe me…..
Sora found herself walking through a small village. She found that this one was much like her own, and it made her homesick.
It was early morning, and the streets were just beginning to come alive. The only ones that were out were the merchants, and the early buyers. Small shops and huts lined the roads, along with the booths and stands. Some of the people looked up at her, probably realizing she was an outsider. Sora paid no mind to them.
Her mind was set to find someone that knew about the war. From what she could see, no one seemed to care much about it. The people were unaffected by it, at the moment, and minded their own business.
The further she went on, the more hopeless things seemed. The streets were now teeming with life, full of people buzzing around doing their daily errands.
Just as she came to the end of the town, Sora found an inn. She figured that this was the best place yet to find any information. A lot of the people were travellers, and a lot of gossip got around.
The inn was rather clean, unlike a lot of them. She found a stool by the bar, and the end. She hoped to catch some of the conversation.
The bartender came over, and took her order. Sora only wanted a glass of water.
While he went off to get it for her, a couple of men were laughing about something. Sora took no heed to this, but as soon as she heard the word 'war', she was all ears. 76uhgn bv ((My dog decided to contribute something to the story… :D)) She listened to the men, as they rambled on.
"I heard they took a bunch of 'em captive, and have 'em in a slave camp." One man said.
"Yeah, I heard that too, but I also heard they were sellin' 'em off at some auction." said another.
"Oh, come on. Don't be silly. Th'r all dead, or th'r dyin' as we speak. Them rotten soldiers don't take no prisoners. They only kill in cold blood." said the third.
Sora didn't like the third one's comments, not like she liked any of them, but at least the first two gave her some hope. She listened more.
"Aw, I don't think th'r dead, those men 'r all good fer workin'. Them soldiers can't pass up 'n opportunity to get more slaves. I seen 'em trucking those poor men up into th' mountains. I think they were of th' last bunch though." said the first.
Sora was so absorbed in the conversation, that she didn't notice the bartender back with her drink.
"Um excuse me, miss?" he said.
Sora turned around, startled. "Oh! I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention….Thank you."
However, the man didn't leave. "You interested in the war?"
She hesitated, but replied. "Well, yes."
"Loved one go missin'?" he asked.
Sora nodded her head, "Yeah, my husband."
"It's hard to lose someone close. My son went out." he explained.
"Oh?"
"Yeah. He was one of the reinforcement troops. Name's Yamato."
She nodded again.
"He was all I had left, after my wife and I separated. She took our younger son, and I never saw them again. I sometimes wonder if I did the right thing."
"What was his name?" she asked, out of curiosity, and to humour the poor man.
"Takeru. We all called him T.K. though."
Sora jumped up. "You said T.K.? Is his last name Takaishi?"
The man looked at her, "Yes, you know him?"
"Yeah, he's my future brother-in-law!" she said with unbelief.
"What?!" He asked, obviously very shocked.
"Yeah. He's getting married to my husband's sister. He just got back from the war. They sent him home because of major injuries."
The bartender was speechless. He pulled out a handkerchief, and blew his nose. His eyes were also a bit watery.
The two of them talked for a long while, until it was well into the afternoon. Sora ad completely lost track of time while talking to him, but she didn't mind. He was a very interesting man, and the more she looked at him, the more he reminded her of T.K.
"Well, it's getting late and I have to get back to work. Would you like me to set a room up for you? It'll be on the house." he offered.
"It's a very kind proposal, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I'm on a journey to find my husband, and get him back. That reminds me, do you have any information on the war? Like, what those men were talking about earlier, is it true?"
He sighed, "They have the jist of it, but a lot was exaggerated. I can't give you solid facts, but I can tell you what I know. There's apparently a camp hidden in the mountains where the enemy is allegedly staying. I'm telling you not to go up there though. It's dangerous."
"I have to. I couldn't survive without knowing whether or not he is dead or alive. Don't you ever think about what happened to your eldest son?"
She had hit close to home, and she knew it.
"You seem like a very determined girl, and I can see that nothing I say will stop you. If you do decide to change your mind though, you will always be welcomed here."
Sora smiled at the man, "Thank you. When I see T.K. again I'll tell him to come see you." she went to leave, but once again, the bartender stopped her.
"Please, if you find anything out about my son, will you tell me?" he asked.
Her smile only grew. "Of course I will."
With that, she headed out the door. The bartender resumed his work,.
*~*~*~*
As the mean neared, Tai, as well as others, began to get nervous. They realized that this could be the very end of their lives.
To Tai's right, was Matt, and to his left, was someone whom he'd never seen before. The guards stopped by him, and did the same thing as they always did. Things weren't looking good for the poor man. He stood brave and tall, a worthy soldier. The man with the rifle held it up to his eye, and prepared to shoot. The man neither faltered nor changed expression. Just as the finger was about to pull on the trigger, the general stopped him. It seems that he had seen something in the man that he admired. At least, admired enough to let him live.
They then moved on to Tai. He could feel the men's burning eyes, as if they were going to burn right through him. His heart pounded against his chest, and he swore that the others could hear it. Tai held his breath, as they looked over him. They spoke something in a language which he didn't understand, then smiled. This wasn't a comforting smile, and Tai would have rathered that they just glared at him. After what seemed like hours, they moved on to Matt.
Tai let out a breath when the guards had passed by the three of them. They would never take life for granted again.
At last, they were finished. A couple of more people were shot, but Tai couldn't bring himself to find out who they were, in fear of the fact that he might have known them. The guards herded them back into one of the massive cells. The place was much less crowded.
"I though I was a goner." said Tai after they were thrown in.
"I know what you mean. I wonder what they're going to do with us now? I mean, why would they do such a thing? They just made more work for us, and things slower for them." Matt questioned.
"We're all going to a slave buyers market. It's held once a year." A voice told them. The three young men turned around to see the man who had been standing beside Tai.
"How do you know?" asked Ken.
"I'm a native from around these parts. I used to see the auctions. It travels to a few different cities, then the leftovers get killed." he smiled slightly, "I remember standing with my father, and him telling me that I was to be glad that I wasn't one of them. Now look at me, I'm just what my father never wanted me to be."
The three didn't say anything, but let his words sink in.
"The name's Koushiro ((correct me if that's spelled wrong, which I know it is…)), but call me Izzy. It's easier to say."
"It's uh, nice to meet you. I'm Tai, and that's Matt, and that over there is Ken." Tai explained.
"Where are you guys from?" Izzy inquired.
"Well, I'm from a little island across the sea. Not much exciting there" answered Tai.
"Ken and I are also from around here. Down by the Harbour. Not the small village, but the main one."
"Hmm, never been there myself, but I've heard of it."
They conversed for sometime, until they got tired. Although it was hard to come by, sleep was a well needed thing. It could also decide between life and death for the soldiers.
*~*~*~*
T.K. watched Kari. "So, she went after him." This was more of a statement than a question.
Kari nodded.
"We just have to acknowledge her decisions. We can't change what she's done, and she's probably long gone by now. The only thing we can do is hope."
"I just can't stand to lose another person!" She sobbed. Kari leaned her head on him, and buried her face into his shoulder.
"Shh, it's alright. Think of how she felt, not knowing. Remember, he was reported as missing, not dead. He could very well be still alive. We don't know for sure." he soothed.
"That's the thing, we don't know", she managed between sobs.
He pulled her off, and looked her in the eyes.
"Wouldn't you do the same for me?"
She gazed at him a moment, then lowered her head. A small smile formed on her lips.
"I guess I would, wouldn't I?"
T.K. smiled, and hugged her.
Kari stood up, and she re-adjusted her uniform skirt. "Well, I have to go start work now. I'll stop by later to see you. I have a different round today, so I won't be the one doing the check-up." She smiled weakly at him, then left.
A few moment later, another nurse came into the room.
"Is Mr. Takaishi in here?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm here." he replied.
"I have a telegram for you."
"Aright, who's it from?"
"It's from your mother."
Angel of Light: Ooooh! Scary! His mother!! Sorry, I couldn't think of anything else. Wow, this took a long time to write….I guess it doesn't help when you have a dog on your lap that thinks she's the centre of the world. Anyways, R&R! Thanks!