Interlude 3: In Which a Boy is Tricked
Well, I hope I never have to see that day…
But by God, I know it's headed our way…
So I better be happy now,
That the boy's going home…
The boy's gone home…
Life became much harder after Yahiko's mother had passed. They buried her in a pauper's grave, for she was too poor to get a proper one. Yahiko was hysterical about that, and he had even tried to dig her a grave himself but only managed to dirty and blister his hands and make a small hole that he couldn't even lay down in.
Now, he stood in front of the lake, staring out at the reflection of the clouds. The world beyond him was mirrored within his own pupils, proving his misty daze. A light breeze was blowing the meadow around him, giving a outlandish tranquility to the area around him.
The day's beauty was a great irony for within his heart, he was screaming. Dark, billowing clouds and thunder were more correct. He had never been so upset in his life.
"You left me… You promised to take care of me…" He whispered into the wind, then lowered his head, whimpering once more. "Mom…ma…" He stifled.
"What's the matter?"
Yahiko turned abruptly, his tiny fists ready.
The man in the purple yukata, stared down at him as if he was crazy, then placed a kind smile on his face. "You're pretty tough, aren't you, Yahiko?"
"Ah- You know me?"
"Indeed… I am Gasuke. I helped your mother when she was ill… if only I could've done more…" He kneeled down in front of him and placed a rather heavy hand on his head. "Poor child…" -and there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I paid so much so that they could save her…"
"-but…" Yahiko sniffed, trying to look tough in front of the stranger.
"I feel as though… I've wasted it…" He stood, looking out at the lake. Yahiko noticed a few cronies of his waiting patiently at the top of the grassy knoll. "Yahiko," Gasuke addressed him suddenly.
"Yes, sir?" He asked.
"I spent a whole lot of my money and time on your mother. I want you to help me get it back in her memory."
"What?" Yahiko asked, surprised.
"It is… what she'd want…" His voice sounded a bit fake again, but the youth was listening intently, wary of his actions. True, he was young, but he was very intelligent for his age.
"What are you getting on at, eh?" Yahiko accused, taking a step back.
"Yahiko!" Gasuke cried in alarm. "Getting on at? Honestly! I've been so worried about you!"
"I don't even know you," He said, starting off around the east side of the lake.
"Yes, but!" He cried, making Yahiko stop. "I've come to offer you food and shelter in exchange for your assistance in gathering money for us!"
Yahiko placed a hand against his grumbling stomach. He hadn't eaten since his mother died four days ago. His head slowly twisted to meet eyes with Gasuke, who was smiling innocently at him.
The kept each other locked in a gaze for a long time. The breeze stopped wafting, leaving the area completely silent and still, were it not for the bugs.
Gasuke plucked a piece of long, yellow grass from the ground and shoved it in his mouth. "So," He said through his teeth. "Do we have a deal, little boy?"
Yahiko continued to stare blankly at him. His mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts. He should help them if they helped his mother, but… he had never seen them before. This man was offering him food, and he was hungry… but how did he know they were telling the truth?
He glanced up at the man's cronies. They all looked like average men from the streets, despite dressed a bit more poor and carrying boken on their shoulders. Only one man was out of the ordinary. He had long purple hair and wore make up, and he was dressed in a woman's kimono. Had it not been parted at the top, he never would've guessed that he was male at all.
He glanced back at Gasuke, who rose his left eyebrow, obviously growing impatient.
"What… do you want me to do?" Yahiko asked.