Chapter 2
Horror struck Shunzo's face. Rumors flew from mouth to ear of his son's death, but confirmation came from none. He had been restless since his son had left, for on the day of his departure Shunzo smelled blood around his musuko, though no blood was shed. His wife had been frantic, having constant headaches and tears in her eyes. Hikaru was not told of anything. The child was too young to see the meaning of a cruel death, adding that her love for her oniisan was too great to bear his leaving. The only thing the old sensei could do was pray that the people in the village made a mistake.
The night sky filled the air with sorrow, as a spring storm trailed along its way. Sanosuke found it pleasant and helpful, for the rain washed away some of the dry blood that covered his small body. His eyes were red of the constant crying after the horrifying sight in the village. Flashbacks of the recent battle came to his mind.
It all just happened too fast for him. One minute they're all laughing gaily under a clear night sky, then the horsemen came and Sanosuke found himself under Captain Sagara's arm. The Isshin Shishi eventually caught up to them and with his last strength Souzo threw him over the cliff and into the raging cold river. Flashes of light then came as piercing cold water and sorrow turned Sanosuke numb. He later awoke on the banks near the village where he struggled to look for warmth. To his dismay he found more sadness and bloodshed. His adored leader's head was placed in the middle of the town square on a wooden block, contained in a cage, to set an example to the horrified people. The child's eyes filled with tears and he ran as fast as his small feet could take him.
Sanosuke shook his head. It was too horrible for him to sustain the memory. He ran his pale wet hand over his hair as he made his way along the dark forest. The hilt of a katana trailed behind him, drawing on the ground the path it took. The pattering of the raindrops suddenly changed its tune as Sanosuke's ears heard the water hit an umbrella. In his unemotional state, the once proud member of the Sekihou Tai just stood his ground and raised his dark shallow eyes up at the upcoming stranger. A man of tall stature came into view. Sanosuke looked at the stranger's eyes as the man's mouth began to drop.
" Captain Sagara." Sanosuke whispered. He reached his free hand out at the man and began to walk weakly toward him crying.
" Captain. look. I still got. your.. sword." Sanosuke suddenly collapsed in front of the stranger, the tears still running down his cheeks. The stranger bent down to Sanosuke and touched the child's forehead. It was burning up with fever. The clouds then parted and gave a small moment of moonlight, and Shunzo's face was revealed. He closed his umbrella and slid it through his heko obi. He then picked up the sick boy and walked with heavy steps back to his dojo-house.
Horror struck Shunzo's face. Rumors flew from mouth to ear of his son's death, but confirmation came from none. He had been restless since his son had left, for on the day of his departure Shunzo smelled blood around his musuko, though no blood was shed. His wife had been frantic, having constant headaches and tears in her eyes. Hikaru was not told of anything. The child was too young to see the meaning of a cruel death, adding that her love for her oniisan was too great to bear his leaving. The only thing the old sensei could do was pray that the people in the village made a mistake.
The night sky filled the air with sorrow, as a spring storm trailed along its way. Sanosuke found it pleasant and helpful, for the rain washed away some of the dry blood that covered his small body. His eyes were red of the constant crying after the horrifying sight in the village. Flashbacks of the recent battle came to his mind.
It all just happened too fast for him. One minute they're all laughing gaily under a clear night sky, then the horsemen came and Sanosuke found himself under Captain Sagara's arm. The Isshin Shishi eventually caught up to them and with his last strength Souzo threw him over the cliff and into the raging cold river. Flashes of light then came as piercing cold water and sorrow turned Sanosuke numb. He later awoke on the banks near the village where he struggled to look for warmth. To his dismay he found more sadness and bloodshed. His adored leader's head was placed in the middle of the town square on a wooden block, contained in a cage, to set an example to the horrified people. The child's eyes filled with tears and he ran as fast as his small feet could take him.
Sanosuke shook his head. It was too horrible for him to sustain the memory. He ran his pale wet hand over his hair as he made his way along the dark forest. The hilt of a katana trailed behind him, drawing on the ground the path it took. The pattering of the raindrops suddenly changed its tune as Sanosuke's ears heard the water hit an umbrella. In his unemotional state, the once proud member of the Sekihou Tai just stood his ground and raised his dark shallow eyes up at the upcoming stranger. A man of tall stature came into view. Sanosuke looked at the stranger's eyes as the man's mouth began to drop.
" Captain Sagara." Sanosuke whispered. He reached his free hand out at the man and began to walk weakly toward him crying.
" Captain. look. I still got. your.. sword." Sanosuke suddenly collapsed in front of the stranger, the tears still running down his cheeks. The stranger bent down to Sanosuke and touched the child's forehead. It was burning up with fever. The clouds then parted and gave a small moment of moonlight, and Shunzo's face was revealed. He closed his umbrella and slid it through his heko obi. He then picked up the sick boy and walked with heavy steps back to his dojo-house.