Wow, it's time for me to get this next chapter up, PRONTO. Thanks for
emailing me! You gave me the extra "kick" I needed to get this next chappie
finished. Bad stuff's been happening. My mom had to go to the hospital, but
otherwise, I am good to go!
Oh, and thanks for the reviews! You guys are the best!
Chapter 7- One Against Many
Amidamaru stood on a small, grass hill waiting. A thousand thoughts crossed his mind, every other one about Yoh.
Run away... where to? And would they be able to pull it off? So many people now threatened to break them all apart and Amidamaru was just one man. He couldn't always be there to save the day.
A light drop of moisture fell onto Amidamaru's hand, startling him. He brushed the water droplet off and shielded his eyes as his gaze rose to the skies. The once bright sky seemed darkened as if tainted with sadness and despair. A chilly breeze brushed over the hill as the light tapping of the rain continued.
A small house sat atop the grass hill the descended down to a small wooden bridge. A large tree rustled slightly beside the bridge and behind it, a large forest seemed to sprout. Below it all was large gray stones and after that the scene seemed to be cut off; a dull cliff jutting out from the subtle landscape.
Amidamaru sighed and paused. A small rustle to his left caused him to stop and abruptly turn, swords drawn.
"Hey, what're you doing here, orphan boy? We'd like to have a few words with you." Several guards stepped into Amidamaru's sight but it was impossible to tell just how many there were being that most of them were on the other side of the hill. They seemed to be trying to surround him somehow. They were clad in the armor and clothing of his very own shogun! Had he sent them? "By the way," one of them continued, a smug look of his face, "That peasant you're waiting for won't be coming. Last night, we did your job for you..."
Amidamaru glared as a rage erupted inside of him. He raised his swords in a fighting stance. "Not another word! I will not leave this spot. I swore and oath."
--
Yoh rushed through the grass as fast as he could. Kinen slowed him down a little, but not much. Whether it was rain or tears that blurred his vision he did not know. The rain had turned into a downpour, soaking the grass and making it even harder to run.
Yoh stopped to catch his breath, but something told him that time was of the essence. 'If only I'd have stayed with Mosuke...' he thought, a lump forming in his throat. He pushed it down and continued on running. He wasn't even sure where he was going. All he knew was that he had to find Amidamaru, and if Amidamaru was serving his own previous Lord, that maybe it was on the way.
Oh, he prayed it was. He could waste no time, but many times he had to stop and recompose himself. Mosuke's face kept appearing in his mind. He missed the scolding and the kind smile, and like a curtain closing his face was gone, replaced with blackness that threatened to take over. Yoh ran a hand through his soaked hair and continued on.
At one point he tripped and felt like laying there forever. Only one thought kept him going on though...
"Amidamaru..."
--
Amidamaru fought long and hard, disposing of one guard after another. They just seemed to keep on coming as if there was no end to them. Fatigue began to slow him but it did not affect his fight. He fought on because he knew there was someone to still fight for, and he prayed that that person was safe.
A sword's blade caught him on the arm drawing a hiss of pain from him. He jumped back and thrust his own sword forward instantly killing the perpetrator.
Suddenly a taunting laugh broke the silence of the fight. Amidamaru rubbed his arm and winced taking a step back.
One of the guards took a step forward. He was jeering and tilting his head to the side looking Amidamaru up and down. "You are a sorry excuse for a samurai."
Amidamaru glared, "I'd close that mouth of yours, lest you lose it."
"Oh, such strong words from such a passionate person. I don't know for sure but word is, the other guards took care of your little lover. Tell me, how does it feel?"
Amidamaru's breath caught in his throat. "You're lying."
"Why would I lie? You're about to die anyway. Just thought you should know. It's fair though isn't it? In a way you kind of stole him from your own Master."
Amidamaru's clench on his sword tightened. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, Yoh didn't tell you? Well this is interesting indeed..." A few of the other guards began laughing.
"Shut up, and speak your part now, for you are the one who is about to die."
"Hm, Yoh used to work for our shogun, or didn't you know that?"
Amidamaru paused and thought back. It would make some kind of sense. Yoh never talked about his past life and didn't seem to be too fond of it either. So then, why hadn't he ever told him about it?
"Oh, samurai, the look on your face is absolutely priceless. Do you feel betrayed? I can't think of any reason why Yoh would've kept it from you. Well, maybe I can. We did have fun with him while he was here," he licked the edge of his blade, "And now I think it's time I had my fun with you."
Before the guard knew it, he had been struck. A sword's blade was embedded in his chest. Amidamaru withdrew it with force and faced a new set of guards as the one fell dead before him. "Who's next?" he asked, almost mockingly.
A rush of guards came at him fast and he had to drop the sword that was being held by his injured arm in order to hold the other sword securely. A biting pain shot up the wounded arm but Amidamaru still fought on.
Yet... what was he fighting for anymore? He had no one. Mosuke was gone. Yoh was...
Amidamaru stepped back and bit his lip as another blade bit into his side. The rain was falling faster now, tapping annoyingly on his wounds and making him curse mentally. "Gone," he said almost unbelievingly. "Yoh is... gone."
"What's that you say?" a gruff voice asked. "Are you foreseeing your own death?"
Amidamaru closed his eyes and exhaled. He had sworn to protect Yoh and he had failed. He had made a promise! '...And I broke it...'
"Go on, samurai. If you run fast enough maybe we'll let you live," one of the guards teased. They were all slowly closing in on him as if getting ready to make the final strike.
Amidamaru raised his gaze to them. "No. I won't break any more promises. I will remain on this spot... even if I die here..."
8-8-8-8-8-8 That night, the legend of the fiend Amidamaru was born. It was a terrible slaughter... without Harusame, he could not stand forever against such impossible odds. 8-8-8-8-8-8
Yoh spotted the hill just as lightning struck the sky illuminating many figures standing in a circle. They all seemed to be looking at something. As Yoh slowly approached the small wooden bridge, the shadowy figures disappeared over the other side and were gone. Yoh felt his heart leap as he dashed across the bridge and strained against the burning in his chest to run up the hill. Near the top he had to stop.
Bodies...
Dead bodies everywhere. Their blood soaked the grass red revealing a horrible scene whenever lightning struck.
"What... happened here?" Yoh asked himself, covering his mouth. He slowly brought one foot forward and then another weaving his way around the carnage. As he neared the top of the hill he felt his heart begin to race. Surely Amidamaru wouldn't be here...
Finally, at the top of the hill, Yoh stopped. At the very center of the top of the hill, where the people had been standing, lay one, lone figure.
Another flash of light revealed stunning silvery strands and Yoh knew... He would've given anything to be wrong but there was no mistaking it. His eyes welled up and in an instant he was at Amidamaru's side. "No..." he sobbed out. "NO!"
And then, as if by some miracle, Amidamaru's eyes opened slightly and a thankful smile was on his face. "Yoh... you're alive..." His voice was a low, raspy whisper that was accompanied with a fit of coughs.
Yoh took ahold of his hand and squeezed it gently, "Of course I am. Amidamaru... what happened?!"
"The guards... said you were dead... attacked... too many... I don't... feel so well..."
"You're going to be fine, do you hear me? Fine! Don't leave me! You're all I have, Amidamaru! All I have left!"
Amidamaru weakly brought his hand up to brush some of the soaked brown locks out of Yoh's face. "That's not true, Yoh... M-Mosuke... he's still... here. Right?"
Yoh pressed the samurai's cold hand against his cheek, "W-Well... he... Yeah. Mosuke's fine."
"That's good... 'Cause... I'm still waiting for... him to get here, ya know."
Another flash of lighting lit up the sky exposing the many wounds on Amidamaru's body. There had to be more than half as much blood as there was with Mosuke! And even that was hard to tell considering the fact that some may have soaked into the ground or already have been washed away.
"This is my fault," Yoh whispered, suddenly feeling nauseous.
Amidamaru closed his eyes, "It's...cold."
Yoh leaned down and hugged him, feeling Amidamaru's chin rest on his head. "Warm now?"
"...Yes."
Yoh wasn't sure how long they lay like that. He could here the unsteady beat of the samurai's heart as it quickened and slowed, then quickened then slowed back down again. The rain slowed to a light drizzle and Yoh was almost asleep when heard the faint words: "I love you, Yoh." The words were strong and clear unlike all the other phrases he had struggled to get out. It was as if Amidamaru was never hurt and they were going to sleep together. Suddenly he found himself saying, "I love you too, Amidamaru."
Amidamaru let out a relieved breath. "Hm?" Yoh noticed that something wasn't right. The steady heartbeat, the telltale sign of life... it had stopped. Immediately he sat up and swallowed hard. "A-... Amida...maru?"
Silence.
"...Amidamaru? Open your eyes!" he yelled, as if his words would somehow bestow life to the motionless body. "Wake up, Amidamaru! Don't leave me alone!" And then, almost angrily he asked, "You were always set on protecting me... why couldn't you protect yourself?!" But the anger did not last. Miserable sobs filled the air, echoing throughout the night.
Finally, when he had calmed himself down, Yoh drew Kinen and inspected it under the dull moonlight. He slowly got up from his kneeling position, against the wishes of his cramped muscles, and stood on one side of the hill overlooking the large drop.
Yoh's grip tightened around the sword's hilt and slowly the sword was raised with both of his hands. When his arms could pull back no further, Yoh stared at the silvery blade, which hung before him. He had no reason to live anymore. All of his wishes disappeared with Mosuke and Amidamaru's death. He would've ended his own life long ago, had not a certain samurai shown him kindness.
Pain tore at his heart, almost so unbearable that Yoh wavered and fell to the ground grasping at his chest. Kinen sat motionless beside of him. "Dead... they're dead, and all because of me. If I'd never met them then Amidamaru probably wouldn't have been hired by the..."
He stopped, eyes wide. The shogun. At the back of his mind, a soft whisper repeated a word over an over. It was soft, then grew louder and louder. 'Revenge!' it yelled. 'Vengeance is the only thing that will put your soul at rest!'
"Revenge..." Yoh repeated. He owed it to Mosuke and Amidamaru. This would be the final thing he needed to do. Reaching out with shaking fingers he clutched onto the cold hilt of Kinen and stood. "...I have to kill my Master..."
---TBC---
Jeez, this angst is depressing me! I almost wanted to cry writing it! Once again, I can't say enough how sorry I am about the delays in updating. This chapter might not have been as long as the last, I'm not sure. Oh well. Hope you are all well!
Thanks for reading, please review.
Oh yeah! Almost forgot! *hands everyone a mini Amidamaru plush* Character death=plushy.
```AmethystRoze```
Oh, and thanks for the reviews! You guys are the best!
Chapter 7- One Against Many
Amidamaru stood on a small, grass hill waiting. A thousand thoughts crossed his mind, every other one about Yoh.
Run away... where to? And would they be able to pull it off? So many people now threatened to break them all apart and Amidamaru was just one man. He couldn't always be there to save the day.
A light drop of moisture fell onto Amidamaru's hand, startling him. He brushed the water droplet off and shielded his eyes as his gaze rose to the skies. The once bright sky seemed darkened as if tainted with sadness and despair. A chilly breeze brushed over the hill as the light tapping of the rain continued.
A small house sat atop the grass hill the descended down to a small wooden bridge. A large tree rustled slightly beside the bridge and behind it, a large forest seemed to sprout. Below it all was large gray stones and after that the scene seemed to be cut off; a dull cliff jutting out from the subtle landscape.
Amidamaru sighed and paused. A small rustle to his left caused him to stop and abruptly turn, swords drawn.
"Hey, what're you doing here, orphan boy? We'd like to have a few words with you." Several guards stepped into Amidamaru's sight but it was impossible to tell just how many there were being that most of them were on the other side of the hill. They seemed to be trying to surround him somehow. They were clad in the armor and clothing of his very own shogun! Had he sent them? "By the way," one of them continued, a smug look of his face, "That peasant you're waiting for won't be coming. Last night, we did your job for you..."
Amidamaru glared as a rage erupted inside of him. He raised his swords in a fighting stance. "Not another word! I will not leave this spot. I swore and oath."
--
Yoh rushed through the grass as fast as he could. Kinen slowed him down a little, but not much. Whether it was rain or tears that blurred his vision he did not know. The rain had turned into a downpour, soaking the grass and making it even harder to run.
Yoh stopped to catch his breath, but something told him that time was of the essence. 'If only I'd have stayed with Mosuke...' he thought, a lump forming in his throat. He pushed it down and continued on running. He wasn't even sure where he was going. All he knew was that he had to find Amidamaru, and if Amidamaru was serving his own previous Lord, that maybe it was on the way.
Oh, he prayed it was. He could waste no time, but many times he had to stop and recompose himself. Mosuke's face kept appearing in his mind. He missed the scolding and the kind smile, and like a curtain closing his face was gone, replaced with blackness that threatened to take over. Yoh ran a hand through his soaked hair and continued on.
At one point he tripped and felt like laying there forever. Only one thought kept him going on though...
"Amidamaru..."
--
Amidamaru fought long and hard, disposing of one guard after another. They just seemed to keep on coming as if there was no end to them. Fatigue began to slow him but it did not affect his fight. He fought on because he knew there was someone to still fight for, and he prayed that that person was safe.
A sword's blade caught him on the arm drawing a hiss of pain from him. He jumped back and thrust his own sword forward instantly killing the perpetrator.
Suddenly a taunting laugh broke the silence of the fight. Amidamaru rubbed his arm and winced taking a step back.
One of the guards took a step forward. He was jeering and tilting his head to the side looking Amidamaru up and down. "You are a sorry excuse for a samurai."
Amidamaru glared, "I'd close that mouth of yours, lest you lose it."
"Oh, such strong words from such a passionate person. I don't know for sure but word is, the other guards took care of your little lover. Tell me, how does it feel?"
Amidamaru's breath caught in his throat. "You're lying."
"Why would I lie? You're about to die anyway. Just thought you should know. It's fair though isn't it? In a way you kind of stole him from your own Master."
Amidamaru's clench on his sword tightened. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, Yoh didn't tell you? Well this is interesting indeed..." A few of the other guards began laughing.
"Shut up, and speak your part now, for you are the one who is about to die."
"Hm, Yoh used to work for our shogun, or didn't you know that?"
Amidamaru paused and thought back. It would make some kind of sense. Yoh never talked about his past life and didn't seem to be too fond of it either. So then, why hadn't he ever told him about it?
"Oh, samurai, the look on your face is absolutely priceless. Do you feel betrayed? I can't think of any reason why Yoh would've kept it from you. Well, maybe I can. We did have fun with him while he was here," he licked the edge of his blade, "And now I think it's time I had my fun with you."
Before the guard knew it, he had been struck. A sword's blade was embedded in his chest. Amidamaru withdrew it with force and faced a new set of guards as the one fell dead before him. "Who's next?" he asked, almost mockingly.
A rush of guards came at him fast and he had to drop the sword that was being held by his injured arm in order to hold the other sword securely. A biting pain shot up the wounded arm but Amidamaru still fought on.
Yet... what was he fighting for anymore? He had no one. Mosuke was gone. Yoh was...
Amidamaru stepped back and bit his lip as another blade bit into his side. The rain was falling faster now, tapping annoyingly on his wounds and making him curse mentally. "Gone," he said almost unbelievingly. "Yoh is... gone."
"What's that you say?" a gruff voice asked. "Are you foreseeing your own death?"
Amidamaru closed his eyes and exhaled. He had sworn to protect Yoh and he had failed. He had made a promise! '...And I broke it...'
"Go on, samurai. If you run fast enough maybe we'll let you live," one of the guards teased. They were all slowly closing in on him as if getting ready to make the final strike.
Amidamaru raised his gaze to them. "No. I won't break any more promises. I will remain on this spot... even if I die here..."
8-8-8-8-8-8 That night, the legend of the fiend Amidamaru was born. It was a terrible slaughter... without Harusame, he could not stand forever against such impossible odds. 8-8-8-8-8-8
Yoh spotted the hill just as lightning struck the sky illuminating many figures standing in a circle. They all seemed to be looking at something. As Yoh slowly approached the small wooden bridge, the shadowy figures disappeared over the other side and were gone. Yoh felt his heart leap as he dashed across the bridge and strained against the burning in his chest to run up the hill. Near the top he had to stop.
Bodies...
Dead bodies everywhere. Their blood soaked the grass red revealing a horrible scene whenever lightning struck.
"What... happened here?" Yoh asked himself, covering his mouth. He slowly brought one foot forward and then another weaving his way around the carnage. As he neared the top of the hill he felt his heart begin to race. Surely Amidamaru wouldn't be here...
Finally, at the top of the hill, Yoh stopped. At the very center of the top of the hill, where the people had been standing, lay one, lone figure.
Another flash of light revealed stunning silvery strands and Yoh knew... He would've given anything to be wrong but there was no mistaking it. His eyes welled up and in an instant he was at Amidamaru's side. "No..." he sobbed out. "NO!"
And then, as if by some miracle, Amidamaru's eyes opened slightly and a thankful smile was on his face. "Yoh... you're alive..." His voice was a low, raspy whisper that was accompanied with a fit of coughs.
Yoh took ahold of his hand and squeezed it gently, "Of course I am. Amidamaru... what happened?!"
"The guards... said you were dead... attacked... too many... I don't... feel so well..."
"You're going to be fine, do you hear me? Fine! Don't leave me! You're all I have, Amidamaru! All I have left!"
Amidamaru weakly brought his hand up to brush some of the soaked brown locks out of Yoh's face. "That's not true, Yoh... M-Mosuke... he's still... here. Right?"
Yoh pressed the samurai's cold hand against his cheek, "W-Well... he... Yeah. Mosuke's fine."
"That's good... 'Cause... I'm still waiting for... him to get here, ya know."
Another flash of lighting lit up the sky exposing the many wounds on Amidamaru's body. There had to be more than half as much blood as there was with Mosuke! And even that was hard to tell considering the fact that some may have soaked into the ground or already have been washed away.
"This is my fault," Yoh whispered, suddenly feeling nauseous.
Amidamaru closed his eyes, "It's...cold."
Yoh leaned down and hugged him, feeling Amidamaru's chin rest on his head. "Warm now?"
"...Yes."
Yoh wasn't sure how long they lay like that. He could here the unsteady beat of the samurai's heart as it quickened and slowed, then quickened then slowed back down again. The rain slowed to a light drizzle and Yoh was almost asleep when heard the faint words: "I love you, Yoh." The words were strong and clear unlike all the other phrases he had struggled to get out. It was as if Amidamaru was never hurt and they were going to sleep together. Suddenly he found himself saying, "I love you too, Amidamaru."
Amidamaru let out a relieved breath. "Hm?" Yoh noticed that something wasn't right. The steady heartbeat, the telltale sign of life... it had stopped. Immediately he sat up and swallowed hard. "A-... Amida...maru?"
Silence.
"...Amidamaru? Open your eyes!" he yelled, as if his words would somehow bestow life to the motionless body. "Wake up, Amidamaru! Don't leave me alone!" And then, almost angrily he asked, "You were always set on protecting me... why couldn't you protect yourself?!" But the anger did not last. Miserable sobs filled the air, echoing throughout the night.
Finally, when he had calmed himself down, Yoh drew Kinen and inspected it under the dull moonlight. He slowly got up from his kneeling position, against the wishes of his cramped muscles, and stood on one side of the hill overlooking the large drop.
Yoh's grip tightened around the sword's hilt and slowly the sword was raised with both of his hands. When his arms could pull back no further, Yoh stared at the silvery blade, which hung before him. He had no reason to live anymore. All of his wishes disappeared with Mosuke and Amidamaru's death. He would've ended his own life long ago, had not a certain samurai shown him kindness.
Pain tore at his heart, almost so unbearable that Yoh wavered and fell to the ground grasping at his chest. Kinen sat motionless beside of him. "Dead... they're dead, and all because of me. If I'd never met them then Amidamaru probably wouldn't have been hired by the..."
He stopped, eyes wide. The shogun. At the back of his mind, a soft whisper repeated a word over an over. It was soft, then grew louder and louder. 'Revenge!' it yelled. 'Vengeance is the only thing that will put your soul at rest!'
"Revenge..." Yoh repeated. He owed it to Mosuke and Amidamaru. This would be the final thing he needed to do. Reaching out with shaking fingers he clutched onto the cold hilt of Kinen and stood. "...I have to kill my Master..."
---TBC---
Jeez, this angst is depressing me! I almost wanted to cry writing it! Once again, I can't say enough how sorry I am about the delays in updating. This chapter might not have been as long as the last, I'm not sure. Oh well. Hope you are all well!
Thanks for reading, please review.
Oh yeah! Almost forgot! *hands everyone a mini Amidamaru plush* Character death=plushy.
```AmethystRoze```