Aurora Whisperwind: Hey, thank you for those nice reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own Peacemaker Kurogane or any of its characters.
"Arara!" yelled the two year old, in an adorable version of his name, Arata. I watch him stumble a little, and then go back to his original position, laughing to himself, playing a game only he can understand. Children are so amazing. Its been five days since I left my home, and I was lucky to find this village. I thought I knew the way, but it seems I got lost in the forests. I do not know, as all I remember was that I was going to die even before I got to Kyoto, alone, wandering and hungry in a never-ending maze of trees. Thank god Etsuko-san's husband found me unconscious while he was looking for firewood.
Arata-chan is Etsuko-san's second boy. The women of the village whisper among themselves everyday, envious. To be so lucky as to be blessed with two sons! And no daughters too! I am a boy to them now, and I am glad. They treat me well, and I'm sure that if they had known, I wouldn't have been given half the comforts they give me now. Not Etsuko-san however. She wishes for a little girl, though she never mentions it to her husband. She is…. fascinating. She may be extremely small and delicate, but her fragileness had a charm of its own. Smooth porcelain cheeks, a sharp, slightly upturned nose, dark, velvet eyes, pale skin and small doll-like features, she is exceedingly beautiful.
My own nose is slightly flat and is much too big. Yet, I pride myself on the fact that what I am doing right now, not many women can even dream of. And I am a samurai woman, and these people are peasants. I check myself there before I go further. Hikaru-san never liked to look down on them. I smile appreciatively as Etsuko-san limps over to serve me my tea. She has problems walking; there is something wrong with her leg. It is twisted oddly, like someone manhandled her at birth. Still, she can walk into a room, as elegantly as a swan, with grace.
"Takeshi-kun" she offered the tea, "Are you feeling better?" I nod my thanks, and answer in affirmative. "How far is Kyoto from here, Etsuko-san?" I ask her, as Arata-chan abandoned his game to join us. "I do not know exactly, Takeshi-kun" she said, ruffling her son's hair fondly, "I have never been anywhere else. But I think it will take you two days at least…. But are you sure you want to leave that soon?" I nod. "My uncle will be waiting for me, Etsuko-san. I have to leave". She sighed. "The war is frightening. Why are we fighting? Who are we fighting against?" her question remained unanswered, as Hotaka-chan entered the house, weary after a long day's work, followed by his father and Etsuko-san rushed to attend to them, her half-empty tea cup put aside. I gaze into the murky cup. Who are we fighting exactly? Why? Etsuko-san's simple question got me thinking. The sun started setting slowly over the horizon, and the defining the boundaries for this simple village woman. Little did I know that it would be the last sunset anyone in this village would ever see.
I had originally planned to leave the next morning. But somewhere in the middle of the night, drunken yells and plaintive screaming jerked me awake. Etsuko-san was huddled with Arata-chan in her arms, trying to soothe the weeping child. Hotaka-chan and Ichiro-san, Etsuko-san's husband, were dressed and armed with sticks. Ichiro-san appealed to me look after his wife and son, saying as he left- "It is probably nothing, Takeshi-kun. It was a rough day. They must have had too much to drink. But just to make sure"
An hour or so passed. The yells continued, the bloodlust growing. I tried to reassure Etsuko-san, but she remained stricken with terror now. "Please Takeshi-kun!" she begged, grabbing my arm, "please look for them! Maybe something happened to them!" I hesitate, but was unable to say no to her terrified face and red eyes. Warning her against stepping out, I cautiously groped my way through the dark towards the roars of drunken men, heart thudding. What I saw haunted me for the rest of my life. Blood flowed like a river in flood, uninvited. Headless bodies lay around me, along with desecrated, mutilated bodies of children. People kept screaming and yelling, not knowing who they were striking down.
"Die you traitors!" yelled a man who looked to be in command. "Stay loyal to a filthy dog who has taken your lands and made you starve! Spineless cowards!" There was a great roar of approval at his words from his supporters. The remaining men slurred something, and another furious bloodbath began. There was no sign of Ichiro-san. I hesitate, wondering if I should defy these people and try to save someone, but I know I can't do it. I cannot fight against twenty or so, well built men. I was hurrying away, carefully avoiding a few blows, when I smelt it. The acrid smell of burning flesh and blood filled the air. They were immolating people! Within minutes, most of the houses where on fire, anguished screams of children and women, and the air was rent with smoke.
Blinded, I stumbled through what I thought was Etsuko-san's house. I went inside quickly, intending to get her out. "Please, please!" I could hear voice plead "He's just a child, please!" a rough push, a scream and the sickening sound of flesh tearing. A slam of the back door and they were gone. I rushed to her room. Etsuko-san was bent over the limp, lifeless body of young Arata. I froze. Etsuko-san rocked herself and the little boy's body back and forth, muttering indistinctly. Again, I smelt the overpowering smell of burning bamboo. "Etsuko-san!" I yelled, "Come with me! They're setting the house on fire!" She looked up at me, her beautiful face expressionless. She made no signs of leaving. She's gone insane. Her grief had driven her insane.
I step into the room and try to move her, but she pulls back. I can feel the heat now, and make another desperate effort to talk to her. She looks once again to her son, and starts singing a lullaby. A beam crashes somewhere, and I know I have to leave. I exit through the back door and run into the forest, as Etsuko-san sat there, humming to her dead child. Through the trees, I take a last look at this village, where life had changed in one night. As the flames rose through the air and the screams died down, the crushing disappointment I felt at letting a heart-broken woman die enveloped me. But she had already died when they killed her little boy.
I'm sorry if the scenes are violent. I purposely did not include rape, as I felt very insecure writing about it. More facets of Sayuri's personality came up in this chappie- her cowardice and her slight snootiness. Any comments, suggestions for improvement or any constructive criticism are appreciated. Next chapter, to Kyoto and the Shinsengumi!