Tatsumi

I could feel a searing pain in my leg with every step I took. Sayo having one of my arms around her tried to alleviate my struggle, but to little effect. The icy touch of the bears claw could still be felt around my wounds, honestly it was a nice contrast from the burning heat of my open flesh.

Leyasu got the honor of carrying the bear itself. He tried to make us share the burden but Sayo wouldn't have it, and he would never ask her to help him with it.

One step after the other, the sound of snow crunching under boots could be heard between my heavy breaths.

Sayo looked up at me with worry on her face. "Come on Tatsumi just a bit more." She spoke softly then pointed her finger forward, catching my attention. "See the gates are just up ahead."

A thought of a warm fireplace and hot food filled my thoughts, giving a soft smile to my lips.

The snow kept crunching and my leg kept burning but we finally made it past the gates.

A man could be seen not far away leaning against the chiefs cabin, a man with white hair.

Giving him a bright smile and a wave he quickly came over and took Sayo's place as my aid.

"Well you look like shit." He said

Pointing towards the bear and the struggling leyasu beneath it I said, "Yeah but atleast I caught that thing."

A whistle came from Shiro. "Atleast you didn't get mauled by a rabbit." He said with a chuckle. "Lets get you inside and take a look a those wounds."

Leaning my weight fully onto Shiro we make our way towards a small cabin in the back of the village, the burning feeling in my leg going away a little now.

Before entering the cabin Shiro turns his head around. "Leyasu get that thing over to the butcher and wake him up, don't let that meat sit out to rot."

"What? why do I gotta do it? I've been hauling this thing all the way from the woods."

"If you didn't slack off during training then it wouldn't be a problem now would it? Just do as I say, That's an order." Shiro answered before hauling me inside. Sayo, staying closely behind us shut the door.

"Sayo get the fireplace going, we don't wanna leave him in the cold right now." Shiro commanded and Sayo complied.

Putting me down on the nearby couch he removed my bandages. "Now, let's get a look at those wounds of yours"

The claw marks had left my torso and left leg with open and bleeding wounds. Blue marks could be seen right next to the wound ressembling frostbite.

Shiro stood up and went to a nearby cabinet. Opening it he pulled out a needle and thread, sat down next to me again and got to work.

"Seems like you guys fought against a real monster this time." He said as the needle punctured my skin making me wince slightly.

Sayo gave a heavy sigh from the fireplace. "We didn't do anything. Tatsumi insisted to go at it alone."

Shiro gave me a sharp glare and a quick slap to the forehead. "You stupid boy!" he shouted.

"Yeah well I just wanted to test everything I've learnt." I said while nursing the now growing bulge on my head.

Shiro only gave a sigh in response, sat down and continued his work.

Minutes passed with only the sparkling sound from the fireplace keeping us company.

"So tell me about the bear" Shiro said, finally breaking the silence.

"It was strong, really strong. It flung me into a tree with just a swipe of its arm."

Shiro made the last stitch on my leg and moved on to the wound on my chest.

"Its claws seemed to be made out of ice, it froze everything it touched and its fur was so thick I couldn't even slash it with my sword. Had to bash its skull in and destroy the brain."

"Sounds like you met a danger beast, they can be a real pain in the ass" Shiro responded.

"You've fought against danger beasts?"

"Yeah when I was still in the army we would come upon them a few times while on expeditions. Quite rare up here in the north, the Partas clan would always keep their numbers low."

"The partas clan?" I asked

"A group of hunters native to the northern region. They got wiped out some time ago by a rival tribe, explains why the danger beasts are coming back."

Finishing up Shiro put the needle and thread back in the cabinet and took a seat next to Tatsumi and Sayo did the same. As if on cue Leyasu opened the door and came in.

"The butcher is taking care of the bear, says it'll be enough to feed the village for a month atleast." Leyasu said while dusting the snow off.

"Good, that buys you time to get to the capital." Shiro spoke as he pulled the letter out of his pocket, holding it up.

"This is a recommendation letter to the military carrying my seal of approval. Show this to a recruiting officer and it should get you three in."

"Wait the capital? Tatsumi is wounded and needs to rest, we can't make a trip like that now" Sayo said with a shaky voice.

"Tatsumi's wounds are not that deep. It might leave him with some scars but he'll be fine."

Sayo's only answer was a worried look.

"I just met a danger beast not too far away from the village. How can we just leave when the village might be in danger of an attack?" I said firmly.

"I will take up all hunting duties and make sure that doesn't happen, don't worry" Shiro answered with a reassuring smile.

Leyasu saw an opportunity and took it without skipping a beat "You're too old for that kind of work sensei, I'm worried you might have a heart attack if you even see a wolf."

"I may be old but I can still kick your ass blindfolded" Shiro said with a grin.

"Oh yeah? Then try it old man!" Leyasu challenged.

A split second later Leyasu was keeled over on the ground clutching his stomach. Shiro stood over him with a steaming fist.

Shiro opened the door and turned his head " Get some sleep, you need to head out tomorrow" he said, closing the door behind him.

I looked at Sayo and she looked at me, laughter breaking out between us in a matter of seconds.

Calming down after a couple seconds she started to pick up Leyasu off the ground.

"I'll get the idiot home, try to rest up and we'll meet up in the morning okay?"

"Yeah sounds good, goodnight Sayo"

"Goodnight Tatsumi" she said with a smile and went out the door with leyasu.

Staring up at the ceiling thoughts of grand adventure and even greater battles filled my head as I drifted off to sleep.