Search for Heart of Sword
The rain poured heavily down as she kept walking on the now muddy dirt road. Mud oozed into her sandals as she walked. She was so tired that the simple act of lifting her foot out of the mud took too much effort. Her violet eyes were downcast, and two thick braids of red-orange hair stuck to the nape of her neck.
She had been traveling like that for four days now. She hadn't seen any villages in the days she's been on the road. Regularly this would have posed no serious problem, but it has also been raining for three days. All of her provisions had spoiled, and she was forced to throw them out. She should have known better, and she should've bought a waterproof bag. Yes, that was what she was going to do, but she was so tired.
The little rest she had been able to get was spent in soggy tree branches. Sleeping in a tree had help block the rain a little, but everything was already wet, and nothing was comfortable. It was so unbearable that she had stayed awake for most of the time. The sound of rain falling on a dark night in a dark forest tormented her.
The old man at the last inn had said there was a town three days travel from the last village. She hoped that she was near it for she could not take another step, but she hung on and kept walking. Suddenly her foot slipped and she fell. She was too weak to get up, and there was no one to help her. Even if there were anyone, they probably wouldn't take a second look at the girl. They would more likely turn away in disgust at her mud soaked cloth and messy appearance.
The last thing she saw through her dazed eyes was a pair of sandals. She closed her eyes, and allowed herself to be lifted up. The person held her in a strong grip. She felt the warmth of his body, for it was a he, and sighed. For the first time in a few years she actually felt safe, and an image of times gone flashed through her mind. She smiled as she remembered when another strong grip had picked her up when she fell and wiped away her tears. No one with such a familiar grip could mean harm to her and with that she finally allowed herself to enter into blissful sleep.
~^-^~
You could say that he had been following her, but in truth there was only one road and he had no choice. For days he had traveled liked that. She was always ahead of him, too far ahead to notice him. He had wondered who she was and what a lone girl was doing traveling on a lonely dirt road in the rain. He had an umbrella and had been tempted countless times to offer her its shelter, but her solitude warned him off.
Solitude. Who was he to make such observations? He had experienced nothing but solitude all his life, until ShiShio had found him. He had built a wall of solitude around himself. He had no right to say anything for he knew nothing. He who could find no truth in life. He who had only a sword and a name. Seta Soujirou.
He knew that he was nearing the town that night, so he decided to keep going and rest in an inn that night. The girl must of thought the same. He saw her collapse and without a second thought ran to where she laid in the mud. She looked tired and worn like her kimono, and he couldn't just leave her there. He put down his umbrella and lifted her up. Her body was thin and petite. There wasn't much meat on her, so he concluded that she mustn't have eaten lately.
1 Either way he had to take her to the town, get her some medical attention, and a warm bed and food at some inn. Somehow he was able to get his umbrella and carry her at the same time. Like that he carry her toward the little town ahead. He walked slowly as not to disturb her and curiosity grew in his mind as he mused over the possibilities of who she was and why she was traveling alone.
~^-^~
Her first waking thoughts were of how comfortable she was. That was, of course, before the horrible headache slipped in. She had no idea where she was, and her body stiffened in response.
"Don't worry. You're safe."
Safe? Has she ever been safe? Ahh yes… she had been safe. Once, a long long time ago. With her mind again on thoughts of the past, she slipped back into unconscious.
~^-^~
Soujirou wiped the girl's brow again. She was suffering from a high fever. They were lucky to find such a nice little inn. The inn owner's wife was a kindly old woman who had rushed to take care of the girl. Everyone else was asleep and the old women had left a bowl of steaming soup for the girl to brink but the girl…
Her face looked pained when she slept. Her lips were parted, and sometimes they moved to whisper: "Nii-chan! Where are you nii-chan? Nii- chan!" Her hand reached to seek another. He hesitated, then took her hand in his. She calmed down.
~Flashback~
A young girl, not yet 5, ran on a forest path. Tears streamed down her eyes and her arms swung around her as she ran on. Her body was covered in bruises and scratches. "Nii-chan! Nii-chan! Where are you?" The girl tripped, and an arrow buried itself close to her head. The girl cried out. "What do I do Nii-chan? Help me…"
~^-^~
The girl awoke with a start. Her head spun and sweat stung her eyes. Someone put a cool towel on her burning forehead. "Where am I?" She mumbled.
Soujirou wanted to tell her that she was safe, but he knew that wouldn't suffice. Rurounis almost never have a safe place, they wouldn't be rurounis if they did, and he didn't think that wanders where much different. "A little inn in the town of Tsunai."
The girl nodded. She tried to get up, but her arms shook with the effort. "Is there anything to eat?" She asked weakly.
"Yes, some nice warm rice soup." Soujirou replied as he helped her up. He readjusted the pillow so she may sit up comfortably. "Here." She picked up the bowl of soup, blew on the spoon, and lifted it toward her.
She gingerly leaned forward and sipped. The warm broth cleared her head. It was the best she's had in ages. She lifted her head and found herself looking at a rather handsome young man. A little voice in the back of her mind told her that it was totally inappropriate for a young man to see her when she only had a loose bed robe on. Her embarrassment quickly turned puzzlement. Where did she get the bed robe?
Her head was attached by another wave of pain before she could think anymore. She held her head in her hands but quickly released it to sip a few more spoonfuls of soup. She watched as the young man gently blew on the spoon. When was the last time someone had treated her with half of the tenderness and care that he was showing her now? The thought both dulled and intensified her pain.
Her headache became so bad the she began counting the patterns on her quilt to stay awake. One, two, three, four, five…….twenty five.
"What's your name?" his soft pretty voice shook her out of her daze.
"Sai." Of course that wasn't her full name but it'll do.
"Well Sai-san, would you like to rest or are you feeling better?"
He wasn't bother by her short name…most people where, thinking that she was the something disgusting since she didn't even have a proper name. "I would like to sleep some more please." She answered, then quickly added. "What's your name?"
"Seta Soujirou." Soujirou replied with a smile.
"Arigatou Seta-san." Sai aid as she laid her head down.
"Just call me Soujirou. There's no need to thank me." He got up to leave. "If you need anything just call, either the owner will or I will come." He waited for her slight nod before sliding the door shut.
"Seta Soujirou." She whispered before drifting into sleep.
~^-^~
The morning sun shone in Soujirou's eyes, as he walked down the main street of the village. The inn owner had asked him to buy some veggies, and it was the least he could do to repay them for their kindness. He looked around. A nice little town, nothing seemed to be wrong and the people all looked happy. With the exception of a few grumpy kids heading toward school.
The girl selling veggies smiled shyly at him as he handed the innkeeper's list to her brother. Soujirou chatted good-naturally with the brother as the girl picked the best veggies for him. He hid his amusement as he gave the brother the money. He heard some teasing from the brother as he walked away. He envied them, they were so carefree, and so loved.
Sai would be up soon, he thought as he sighted the inn. Sai… what would he do about her? Leave her as soon as she's better. That's what would most likely happen, but he felt a little nagging at his heart. He wanted to at least know more about her before she left. But then of course, he couldn't depend on his decision to stand for both of them. There's no point in deciding now, he shook his head. We'll just wait and see. He entered the inn with a smile on his face.
~ Authors note ~
This is my first real fanfic! Any comments, suggestions, ANYTHING is greatly appreciated. Of course Seta Soujirou doesn't belong to me that thought annoys me, but to Watase-sama. Sai is my original chara. thank you anime_crap_arteest for letting me use the name.
Of course this chapter is just an introductory chapter, so there isn't much action. But I have high hopes for this little project, so please bear with me.
The rain poured heavily down as she kept walking on the now muddy dirt road. Mud oozed into her sandals as she walked. She was so tired that the simple act of lifting her foot out of the mud took too much effort. Her violet eyes were downcast, and two thick braids of red-orange hair stuck to the nape of her neck.
She had been traveling like that for four days now. She hadn't seen any villages in the days she's been on the road. Regularly this would have posed no serious problem, but it has also been raining for three days. All of her provisions had spoiled, and she was forced to throw them out. She should have known better, and she should've bought a waterproof bag. Yes, that was what she was going to do, but she was so tired.
The little rest she had been able to get was spent in soggy tree branches. Sleeping in a tree had help block the rain a little, but everything was already wet, and nothing was comfortable. It was so unbearable that she had stayed awake for most of the time. The sound of rain falling on a dark night in a dark forest tormented her.
The old man at the last inn had said there was a town three days travel from the last village. She hoped that she was near it for she could not take another step, but she hung on and kept walking. Suddenly her foot slipped and she fell. She was too weak to get up, and there was no one to help her. Even if there were anyone, they probably wouldn't take a second look at the girl. They would more likely turn away in disgust at her mud soaked cloth and messy appearance.
The last thing she saw through her dazed eyes was a pair of sandals. She closed her eyes, and allowed herself to be lifted up. The person held her in a strong grip. She felt the warmth of his body, for it was a he, and sighed. For the first time in a few years she actually felt safe, and an image of times gone flashed through her mind. She smiled as she remembered when another strong grip had picked her up when she fell and wiped away her tears. No one with such a familiar grip could mean harm to her and with that she finally allowed herself to enter into blissful sleep.
~^-^~
You could say that he had been following her, but in truth there was only one road and he had no choice. For days he had traveled liked that. She was always ahead of him, too far ahead to notice him. He had wondered who she was and what a lone girl was doing traveling on a lonely dirt road in the rain. He had an umbrella and had been tempted countless times to offer her its shelter, but her solitude warned him off.
Solitude. Who was he to make such observations? He had experienced nothing but solitude all his life, until ShiShio had found him. He had built a wall of solitude around himself. He had no right to say anything for he knew nothing. He who could find no truth in life. He who had only a sword and a name. Seta Soujirou.
He knew that he was nearing the town that night, so he decided to keep going and rest in an inn that night. The girl must of thought the same. He saw her collapse and without a second thought ran to where she laid in the mud. She looked tired and worn like her kimono, and he couldn't just leave her there. He put down his umbrella and lifted her up. Her body was thin and petite. There wasn't much meat on her, so he concluded that she mustn't have eaten lately.
1 Either way he had to take her to the town, get her some medical attention, and a warm bed and food at some inn. Somehow he was able to get his umbrella and carry her at the same time. Like that he carry her toward the little town ahead. He walked slowly as not to disturb her and curiosity grew in his mind as he mused over the possibilities of who she was and why she was traveling alone.
~^-^~
Her first waking thoughts were of how comfortable she was. That was, of course, before the horrible headache slipped in. She had no idea where she was, and her body stiffened in response.
"Don't worry. You're safe."
Safe? Has she ever been safe? Ahh yes… she had been safe. Once, a long long time ago. With her mind again on thoughts of the past, she slipped back into unconscious.
~^-^~
Soujirou wiped the girl's brow again. She was suffering from a high fever. They were lucky to find such a nice little inn. The inn owner's wife was a kindly old woman who had rushed to take care of the girl. Everyone else was asleep and the old women had left a bowl of steaming soup for the girl to brink but the girl…
Her face looked pained when she slept. Her lips were parted, and sometimes they moved to whisper: "Nii-chan! Where are you nii-chan? Nii- chan!" Her hand reached to seek another. He hesitated, then took her hand in his. She calmed down.
~Flashback~
A young girl, not yet 5, ran on a forest path. Tears streamed down her eyes and her arms swung around her as she ran on. Her body was covered in bruises and scratches. "Nii-chan! Nii-chan! Where are you?" The girl tripped, and an arrow buried itself close to her head. The girl cried out. "What do I do Nii-chan? Help me…"
~^-^~
The girl awoke with a start. Her head spun and sweat stung her eyes. Someone put a cool towel on her burning forehead. "Where am I?" She mumbled.
Soujirou wanted to tell her that she was safe, but he knew that wouldn't suffice. Rurounis almost never have a safe place, they wouldn't be rurounis if they did, and he didn't think that wanders where much different. "A little inn in the town of Tsunai."
The girl nodded. She tried to get up, but her arms shook with the effort. "Is there anything to eat?" She asked weakly.
"Yes, some nice warm rice soup." Soujirou replied as he helped her up. He readjusted the pillow so she may sit up comfortably. "Here." She picked up the bowl of soup, blew on the spoon, and lifted it toward her.
She gingerly leaned forward and sipped. The warm broth cleared her head. It was the best she's had in ages. She lifted her head and found herself looking at a rather handsome young man. A little voice in the back of her mind told her that it was totally inappropriate for a young man to see her when she only had a loose bed robe on. Her embarrassment quickly turned puzzlement. Where did she get the bed robe?
Her head was attached by another wave of pain before she could think anymore. She held her head in her hands but quickly released it to sip a few more spoonfuls of soup. She watched as the young man gently blew on the spoon. When was the last time someone had treated her with half of the tenderness and care that he was showing her now? The thought both dulled and intensified her pain.
Her headache became so bad the she began counting the patterns on her quilt to stay awake. One, two, three, four, five…….twenty five.
"What's your name?" his soft pretty voice shook her out of her daze.
"Sai." Of course that wasn't her full name but it'll do.
"Well Sai-san, would you like to rest or are you feeling better?"
He wasn't bother by her short name…most people where, thinking that she was the something disgusting since she didn't even have a proper name. "I would like to sleep some more please." She answered, then quickly added. "What's your name?"
"Seta Soujirou." Soujirou replied with a smile.
"Arigatou Seta-san." Sai aid as she laid her head down.
"Just call me Soujirou. There's no need to thank me." He got up to leave. "If you need anything just call, either the owner will or I will come." He waited for her slight nod before sliding the door shut.
"Seta Soujirou." She whispered before drifting into sleep.
~^-^~
The morning sun shone in Soujirou's eyes, as he walked down the main street of the village. The inn owner had asked him to buy some veggies, and it was the least he could do to repay them for their kindness. He looked around. A nice little town, nothing seemed to be wrong and the people all looked happy. With the exception of a few grumpy kids heading toward school.
The girl selling veggies smiled shyly at him as he handed the innkeeper's list to her brother. Soujirou chatted good-naturally with the brother as the girl picked the best veggies for him. He hid his amusement as he gave the brother the money. He heard some teasing from the brother as he walked away. He envied them, they were so carefree, and so loved.
Sai would be up soon, he thought as he sighted the inn. Sai… what would he do about her? Leave her as soon as she's better. That's what would most likely happen, but he felt a little nagging at his heart. He wanted to at least know more about her before she left. But then of course, he couldn't depend on his decision to stand for both of them. There's no point in deciding now, he shook his head. We'll just wait and see. He entered the inn with a smile on his face.
~ Authors note ~
This is my first real fanfic! Any comments, suggestions, ANYTHING is greatly appreciated. Of course Seta Soujirou doesn't belong to me that thought annoys me, but to Watase-sama. Sai is my original chara. thank you anime_crap_arteest for letting me use the name.
Of course this chapter is just an introductory chapter, so there isn't much action. But I have high hopes for this little project, so please bear with me.