Chapter Title: The Old Man
An old man, a young soul. Aching bones, wasted muscles. Dreams of running, of fighting, of playing as hard and as fast as he can. Dreams of summer days, winter nights, when life was hope after hope, wonder after wonder. Memories of adrenaline filled adventures, lust filled loves. Faces, names, life and joy. Wounds, heart-aches, death and pain. A time when everything was intense and the present ruled, not the ghosts of the past. A dream of a better time. Because he was young.
Now the old man is alone, greiving for a present that is no more. A life he cannot move on from like the young he nurtured. In many ways this slow count down of time and age is a fate worse than death, but he pride and honour (and energy) prevent him from taking the last step into the abyss of nothing. Nothing after death comforts him more than the promise of life, he has had more than his fair share. Now he is tired, and nothing sounds like heaven to his weary mind.
It is little comfort to think of any good he may have done during his lengthy presence on earth, of the people he may have helped - where are they now?
As he rises to yet another dawn in his mueseum of life he realises. To die in the prime of life, is the Shinobi's true reward.
Sorry for the long wait, and the shortness of this drabble (I think the shortest in the collection) if it's any consolation, the series is now complete, and should be up-dated every other day. Many thanks to Blue the Bloody Baron, kirallie, Ryu Earth, Lunael, Ame Mika'zuki, Verna Jast, new moongirl, angelica, Esoteric Memories and P'tfami for your continued, wonderful support.