The Life and Times of an Average Coward
Chapter Special: In the Eyes of a Mother
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Suzuran was a young woman with great talent with the needle and was as gentle and sweet as her name suggests.
She was sought after by many but one man had only captured her heart.
The young woman know that it wasn't because of his looks or other superficial things like that. Though yes, she thought he was handsome but that's not what had captured her heart.
Suzuran married a man rightfully apt for his name, Akio. He was bright, brave, gentle and kind. Shy at times but that's a trait they both shared.
The village people thinks that she should have looked for more, someone rich, someone reliable and someone that would keep her comfortable, because she was beautiful, talented and kind. But she didn't listen.
Because if Suzuran listened to them then she wouldn't be this happy. So happy and content with her life.
Suzuran was an orphan, she lived a hard life before so she can endure hardships like any other. She was happy and that would be enough. They could be enough.
Months pass and there was some great news that came off of their love for one another. A child! She is going to be a mother!
She doesn't care what the others think that it would only cause them more financial problems in the future. She doesn't care whatever the hell they say, because she is happy from the life growing inside of her. They were both happy for things to come.
Autumn was starting to set it sails, turning leaves to pretty orange and yellow, falling on the ground, little animals scrambled about preparing for the winter that is sure to come.
Suzuran was heavily pregnant, expecting a child and is happy with her life.
That was until tragedy struck its claws into her life.
News of a bear causing harm to whatever creature got on its way was rampant and it wasn't safe to go out alone at night in the chances of getting struck by its deadly fangs and claws.
Akio was brave, was kind and was slightly stupid. The man she loves made a foolish decision of taking on the bear while he and the other men were hunting for meat. He was good with his gun and was quick-witted, but because of his soft heart, he chose to get in the way of the bear's claws on someone's back and was struck instead.
He was still alive then, but a few weeks later he died of infection and lack of proper medicine because they can't afford it.
Suzuran was left a widower with a child that was yet to be born.
Suzuran cried, she cried and cried until she slowly became numb with the sadness, slightly healed but a scar would remain. She has to be strong. She can't afford to be weak at a time like this.
She was still expecting a child and she should greet him or her with a smile as the first thing they see in this cruel, cruel world.
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Suzuran was eighteen when she first laid her eyes on her. She was beautiful and everything that she could ever wish for. The child has her eyes but her mouth had the same curve as Akio's smile.
The melody of her life seemed to come back because of this little bundle that's why she named her, "Senritsu, your my little Senritsu."
Day by day her motivation rises up whenever she sees her little Senritsu, her little Songbird that brought back the tune in her life.
For a month and a half her Senritsu cried and cried. The child wailed as if in pain of something. As if she had lost something. Perhaps, the babe felt the lost of her Father who loved her very much.
It was tiring and hard but Suzuran must endure. Because she's her child, their child that she brought into this cruel, cruel world. So she was patient and gentle with her lullabies that never failed to make her Senritsu be at peace.
Months pass and the child would no longer cry as much, but she smiles as much. It never failed to bring a smile on Suzuran's lips whenever she sees the little quirk on her child's lips that is a reminiscent of her late husband's own smile.
Childish giggles and babbles filled the empty house with such warmth and joy that was never present since the day Akio died, and Suzuran can't be any happier than that.
She was content with her child and her living on this home that she and her husband started. It was enough.
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Senritsu had just said her first words and Suzuran can't be any happier, oh how smart and adorable her child is!
"...L've 'ou, Kaa-'an."
(Suzuran really loves her child dearly. Nobody can question that fact.)
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Her Senritsu had grown up now, able to stand on her wobbly two feet. Suzuran could tell that her child was special, because she was smart for her age, able to talk in full sentences but with a cute lisps.
Her child was skittish, easily scared of things she can't understand or loud sounds that was too sudden that she just jumps and cries out for her everytime. It was endearingly cute, that she can't help but squish her, and sometimes accidentally endanger her with her tight hugs.
She doesn't mean too but her child is just too cute.
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Senritsu was with Daiki again. The man whom her husband had saved. She never really blamed him for his death but she knows that Daiki thinks otherwise.
Without much thought, her daughter had charmed the bear of a man by curious glances and sweet tiny smiles. She was glad that even without a father, her child would have someone to rely to.
Senritsu had asked about her father once but she never questioned it again. Thinking that the other children just have one and others don't. It made Suzuran sad that her child didn't even get to meet her father. That she has a father.
(What Suzuran didn't know is that Senritsu understands this perfectly, she just never bothered to voice it out.)
Suzuran gave her daughter a gift.
A headband to make her daughter even cuter. It never failed to bring a smile on her face whenever she sees it on her hair, standing proud against her dark locks that she inherited from both of them.
Senritsu cherishes it like it was the most sacred treasure and it warms the young woman's heart.
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She was getting bullied.
Her daughter was getting bullied.
She wasn't saying anything but Suzuran knew.
Suzuran might be sweet and soft but she can be hard and lethal to those she loved. She glared fiercely at the woman who was badmouthing her Songbird, making the woman flinch in fear.
"Now, now Songbird. Kaa-san will always protect you."
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Songbird has made a new friend in Tsu-chan's little brother. He was a polite child who smiles sparingly, a unique way with words and defends her little girl from her horrible bullies.
Little Giyuu was good for her, now her baby smiles more and has someone to turn to.
He was good for her.
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Suzuran later learns that her child had a talent. A special talent. Her Senritsu have sharp ears the main reason why she was easily startled. The reason why she loves her lullaby so much.
It's another thing to make her child even more special.
But neither way, her daughter was already special from the start. Sweet, gentle, smart, talented and absolutely adorable.
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Suzuran can't be with her child anymore, but that doesn't stop her from watching over her precious child.
Looking at her Senritsu now, stance straight, uniform cladding her body and a over robe that had stories to tell. The hat, or the headband that Suzuran made still stood proud at the crown of her baby's now blonde locks at her side was sword made for something special.
Two (or was it three with the demon girl in the box) boys stood by her side, smiles on their faces as they laughed at one thing or another. The amber eyes that resembled her own glimmered with warmth and joy that was reflected by the boys at her side.
A smile stretched over woman's lips.
Suzuran might not be with her child but she still watches over her. Seeing the contentment that was in her child was enough.
It would be enough.
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Let me sing a lullaby
As you close your eyes
And as you're drifting off to sleep
How I hope that the dreams that you find
Are bright
Love, can we meet again soon in the bluest of skies?
Where a tomorrow waits for you and I
So hold me tight one more time, but don't kiss me goodbye
'Cause I know that I'll see you on the other side
I will think of our song when the nights are too long
I'll dream of you for that's where I belong
Love, can we meet again soon in the bluest of skies
Only, in my dreams, do we meet again
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A/n: Here's an extra chapter to the point of view of Suzuran, man I cried a little bit.