July 7, 1937
End to Start
In a time where nothing can be done to save us, so hold me by these words: we are one. We shall hold our heads high whilst the battle rages around us for the glory and pride of Empirical Japan.
Sun rose high in the sky and only left during the late hours of the night. Children played while adults shopped freely in the outdoors market.
Kiku had not truly enjoyed a Summer's day in a long time, cooping himself up indoors. Now, he walked along the paths, bowing in greeting to all who passed.
They looked so out of place, passing hurried, happy folks in fluttering silk clothing, them in sturdy, heavy military uniform.
Ludwig had demanded that Feliciano wear a uniform. He had refused the one that Ludwig wore religiously, saying the olive tones were "drab." Sighing, he gave up, wondering how the colour of the uniform would affect his performance in battle and as a leader.
"How in the world will you fight in that thing?" Ludwig protested. "It's blue. Goddamn blue. Fucking skin-tight goddamn blue."
"So you like it?" Feli laughed, twirling around.
Ludwig rolled his eyes at the memory. He had always lived to serve and fight, yet this war was a mystery to his ready mind. It was moving so fast, yet so slow.
"Boom," whispered Feliciano, eyes narrowed onto the incoming city.
"Don't get any ideas," he muttered, keeping a close eye on the laughing boy.
They entered the city, leaving behind the morning-lit countryside to the still quiet centre of Japan.
Inside of the building, waiting, was Kiku, sitting back in his chair and smiling softly, eyes closed. He looked downright insane.
"You called us?" Ludwig asked, opening the door.
"Hello," Feliciano said cheerfully, waving.
He sat up and opened his eyes, still smiling. "Yes, I called you here. I agree with Feliciano."
Feliciano grinned at Ludwig, and his face turned red. "Why is that?"
"We're all too different in what we want to accomplish, and why. The only difference is, who's going to do something?"
"All of us, of course."
"Who's going to do something right now," Kiku clarified.
Ludwig narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "No."
"Yes," Kiku laughed.
The door, already opened, was now occupied by several Japanese soldiers. "Sir?"
Kiku stood up and passed the two bewildered guests. "The contract binds us together. Now I will do what I wanted to accomplish. Good luck."
They marched away without another word.
The smell of something cooking nearby woke Wang up, and he rolled out of bed and trudged to the kitchen.
"Is that for me?" he asked teasingly, stretching.
"Of course not, I get some, right?" the woman laughed, stirring whatever was in the pot.
At first, Wang had only agreed to Hanna's stay to avoid Ivan's cruel retaliation. The two men were seemingly close, but did not like each other.
He liked having Hanna around. She was quiet, intelligent, and a good cook, giving him some variation in his normally dull lifestyle.
Of course, Wang couldn't push away the nagging feeling that he was a coward for pushing away his duties in search of an easier life. Sure, taking care of the crops was hard and often boring work, but it was much preferred to the busy lifestyle of having a nation depend on your actions. The pressure was too much.
"I made extra, so take as much as you want," Hanna said, setting down the spoon and helping herself to the soup. "Get it yourself though."
Everything about the countryside was sweeter. The air, food, water, and people, all had such a different culture from the more advanced cities.
It was almost enough to make him forget everything.
No sound more bitter than the sound of war
for it lingers in the air
The people feel it in their bones
the soldiers almost there
They gather up the weaponry
and hold it at their side
As they trudge off to battlefield
and tell their last goodbye
When morning comes, the mourning comes
all will have done their deed
To enter in the sound of war
a sight one dies to see
Air cold, morning colder.
The sound of boots against the cold, hard ground gave a raw, electrifying feeling to the air, creeping up his spine as he stepped in time.
Step, step, step, step.
Beautiful sounds.
Step, step, step step.
What was he doing?
Step, step, step, step.
His lovely noise.
Step, step, step, step.
Their lovely noises.
Step, step, step, step.
My beautiful noise.
Step, step, step, step.
Share the noise.
Step, step, step, boom.
