The Tale of Akinori pt 3 Chrysalis

The approach to the main hall was littered with broken training swords, bones, and human remains discarded to the elements. It was a makeshift graveyard.  Tsuramatsu was more far gone than I thought I’d he could have done this so callously to children.  I was disgusted, but I could end it. That had to be my focus, ending this nightmarish trip down memory lane.  I was assaulted by the memories that I’d shared with Yoni. I wondered had I ever actually met her or loved her? I didn’t know anymore. That’s likely what the demon wanted. If I was constantly second guessing myself then I wouldn’t be able to focus on the fight. I wouldn’t be able to focus and would be an easier mark for Tsuramatsu. I had to stop him I had to do something right. I owed Junichiro and Morimasa that much. I had to prove to them and more importantly to myself that I’m not a failure. They didn’t waste their teachings on me, I was determined to prove it.  There’s was an ominous purple light permeating the main hall.  Before I could second guess myself any further I walked in.  It was quiet, eerily so but I continued to move forward. This had to end.  As I came into the hall proper my eyes were immediately drawn to the center of the room. There floated Tsuramatsu, with what seemed to be souls pouring into him. I had seen this before. These souls were being stolen and forced into Tsuramatsu. It was a shortcut to demonic apotheosis. From what I’ve heard it’s extremely painful.  But as I got closer I could see Tsuramatsu’s face, there was no pain he was enjoying this.  I looked around the room and found a chair with no other recourse I threw it at Tsuramatsu. It quickly disintegrated before ever even making it to its target but it had the desired effect. Tsuramatsu had stopped absorbing souls, at least for the time being.  Looking at Tsuramatsu he was human in the loosest sense of the word. His skin was crimson and riddled with scars that should have been grievous injuries, his hair was unkempt and bone white, and his eyes they glowed a deep purple. The same purple that permeated the building initially. Before I could even fully grasp the situation he rushed me he was fast and before i knew it he had slammed a fist into my stomach and sent me careening through a wall.  I could already tell he’d broken a few ribs.

“It’s good to see you again, Akinori. You and I have much to catch up on.”

“Why did you kill the students? Why did you destroy the school?” I didn’t know what to say, what to expect but I had to distract him somehow, until I could gather myself

“I am a warrior. They were warriors, we fought and they died. That’s all there is.”

“They weren’t warriors! They were children, they were children and you murdered them in cold blood!”

“Spoken like a true weakling. For you, the blade is little more than a hobby. You twiddle around like a child twirling a stick and that is why  you’re weak, that is why you fail, that’s why Junichiro left you here. Because you were an embarrassment. But for me? The blade is life, it is my religion.”

“You can try to dress it up any way you want with your lofty words. The fact is you’re a wild dog and you need to be put down. I will avenge the students!”

“Oh please, don’t insult me. You don’t give a damn about the students! If you care so much about avenging them, tell me their names.”

“Oh and let me guess, you can remember all their names?”

“Senzo, Masayoshi, Manobu, Kakuei, I remember their names. I remember their faces and I carry them with me always.”   

As Tsuramatsu finished his thought he removed the top of his tattered  hakama  and showed me several old and well worn scars.

“Am I supposed to be impressed because you let a bunch of kids scratch you with training blades before you slaughtered them?”

“You’re no warrior so I wouldn’t expect you to understand. But don’t worry, through pain I will enlighten you, Akinori. And when I’ve cleaved your flesh down to the bone you may have an inkling of how much I loved them. Only once you understand will I finally kill you. Then with the swords you’ve bought me? I’ll achieve my apotheosis,  and educate the world in the majesty of my Exalted Blade. Now defend yourself or don’t, either way the only thing that will speak from this point forward will be my blade.”

As quickly as he had punched me Tsuramatsu rushed in to attack I barely had time dodge.  I tried to keep dodging but he was far too aggressive. Instinctively my hand went to my blade but I hesitated.  I was unsure if I could trust Yorukami. For all I knew that demon wanted me to use that sword and i’d end up in a worse position than I already was. But my other alternative was to die and I couldn’t do that, I promised. In for a penny I suppose.  I drew the sword and blocked Tsuramatsu. It took everything in me to maintain my grip, he was impossibly strong.  He and I locked eyes and to my surprise Tsuramatsu’s face showed a look of wild glee. He wasn’t lying, he worshipped the blade.

“Yes Akinori! This is what I wanted, you’re finally showing some backbone, some spirit! It might be fun killing you after all.” He reared back and headbutted me breaking our deadlock.

Before I could recover Tsuramatsu’ was back on me raining down blow after blow in a feverish attempt to shatter my guard.  This didn’t make sense, he had to have a flaw a weakness that I could exploit. He fought like a wild animal.

“Forward Akinori. You have to move forward. I know you’re scared but this trepidation you have holds you back. You can’t stay locked into what could be you have to focus on what is.”

I heard Junichiro’s words I had always tried to live by them, but I consistently failed.  I suppose there was nothing else to do. I could either fight or die.  And since I promised Mizu, I only had one option.   I locked blades with Tsuramatsu again then I waited, sure enough he reared back for the headbutt, I was ready for it this time and I pressed him. I came with a flurry of my own hoping that at least one blow would find purchase. Instead I was met with laughter. Tsuramatsu didn’t even attempt to block my blows he effortlessly dodged them all.

“You disappoint me, Akinori. The students put up more of a fight than this.  Your swings have no conviction. You don’t fight to win, you hope you’ll survive. Fighting like this you’ll never kill me.”

“Shut up!”

“You’ve got a sword in your hands, kill me. Make me shut up.”

I rushed at Tsuramatsu again, recklessly I let my emotions get the better of me and made a stupid decision. He punished me for it. He slashed me. Deep enough for me to feel it but not deep enough to kill me. He wanted to send me a message, that if he wanted it he could slice me to ribbons.  His message continued, Tsuramatsu continued to slash at me with a mad glee growing across his face every time he inflicted a new wound.    

“Come on! There has to be more than this! Where is your pride? Fight me! Make this worth my while. “ Tsuramatsu angrily shouted

I took another clumsy and desperate swipe with my sword, but I had nothing all of my energy was gone.  Tsuramatsu slammed his fist into my stomach hard and I felt my vision swimming. As I began to faint Tsuramatsu drove his elbow into my spine.  The inky black swallowed me the last thing I heard was Tsuramatsu uttter

“This was a waste of my time.”

Tsuramatsu casually strolled over to Akinori’s body, ready to slam his sword into his back and sever his spine.  In truth he was disappointed, he expected so much more from Akinori. He had anticipated this since they had met in the school, since Akinori won the tournament in the capital. Even then it was only a taste that Tsuramatsu failed to savor because the tournament wasn’t to the death. Now, they final had a chance to truly duel to see who was the superior warrior and Akinori was so broken that he was nothing but s shadow of what he should have been.  Then again, Tsuramatsu figured that it would be better to kill Akinori now,  before he got any weaker.

“Get up Akinori!” An involuntary spasm shot through Akinori’s body at the sound of Junichiro’s voice.  It was then that Akinori remembered what he was fighting for, he couldn’t die, not till he knew he’d done everything in his power to save Mizu.  As the haze cleared he saw where his sword was, if he was you to get it back, Akinori would need to move fast.  Akinori rolled towards his sword, Tsuramatsu caught him and tore his hakama but that was of little consequence. He had his sword again.

“Showing some spirit are we?  You decided to die on your feet instead of on your stomach in supplication? Good, I prefer it this way.” Tsuramatsu laughed

“Three.” Akinori said calmly in response

“Three? What’s that?”

“It’s how many moves I’m going to kill you in.”

“Before your guard could barely stand up to my attacks, now you’ll kill me in three moves? I must have knocked you loopy, but no matter, I’ll end your delusions now.”

I followed Tsuramatsu lazily, it was easy to see what he’d do.  All the bluster was just a poor mask to hide the fact that his fighting style was woefully simple.  All at once I understood why Tsuramatsu only fought children, the poorly trained, or those who’d never had any formal training to begin with.   Here came the first thrust, admittedly it was fast but it was clumsy and Tsuramatsu sacrificed balance for it.   He wasn’t expecting it when I spun around and avoided it.   He stumbled, it was subtle. He tried to mask it, but I’d seen it.  I didn’t give him a chance to stumble again, I made three slashes. The first, stunned him, the second broke his guard, and the third opened his chest.  As his blood sprayed across my face I thought I’d feel something, some sort of finality, anything really. Instead I felt empty. The same emptiness I’d felt when I stumbled onto the school again in the first place.  The stillness was interrupted by a scream a long terrible scream that reminded me that Tsuramatsu and I weren’t alone.

“I won’t lose my servant! I won’t let you.”

“Whatever, I’m done here.”

I turned to leave I could almost hear the old man, chastising me for turning my back on an opponent.  I barely had time to dodge when a vicious bolt of lightning reduced the hall to a husk. The hair on the back of my neck stood as I turned back to Tsuramatsu’s body. It convulsed violently. I had no love for the man but what was happening to him now was wrong. I tried to get back over to him to stop this profane ritual, but whatever energy that poured into him threw me back and all I could do was watch as Tsuramatsu rose. His skin had taken on a purplish hue, his hair became a stark white, and his eyes, they’d become the deepest red, two flickering embers of deep hatred. There was no time, there was no words, this was no longer Tsuramatsu. The demon roared and rushed me  I quickly thrust Yorukami into its chest  and for a second it  stopped. Then I watched in disbelief as it snapped the sword in  half. Instinctively my hand came to rest on the old man’s sword, I was desperate so I drew it.   I felt the evil in the sword pulse through me, and I knew this was no longer a battle of ronin. All that was left was demons. We rushed at each other our hearts full of malice and our blades clashed the impact destroyed the hall.  I looked down at the  old man’s sword, there was almost nothing left of it. With what I had left I moved quickly and jammed the blade into Tsuramatsu’s neck. As he struggled he bit me, but in my adrenaline I didn’t feel it. Instead of the pain I focused on my task, I continued to work the blade through Tsuramatsu’s neck until his head fell from his shoulders.

For a time, there was a stillness, there was silence, and time seemed to stand still. Then what was left of Tsuramatsu fell hit the ground with a thud. Once he hit the ground the reality of My actions weighed on me. It was finally over.  I turned to leave, I had to be away from this place, It would never feel the same again. Decades of festering corruption had seen to that, all that was left was a series of painful memories that I would seek to bury. My arm throbbed from where Tsuramatsu had bitten me, but I paid it no mind. I just needed to rest. I returned to my camp and broke it down, it was difficult with my arm but I managed. I gathered my things and continued on to the capital, I couldn’t afford to rest here the demon that controlled Tsuramatsu had been quiet since I felled him but I wanted to be free of her domain as quickly as possible in my current state.

Akinori continued his trek to the capital. He tried not to focus on how badly his arm ached or how as he moved forward his vision became blurry. This was more than mere exhaustion but he knew he couldn’t stop. The kid needed him, he’d made a promise. As it was he heard the sound of water. Maybe a drink might help.  The exhausted ronin continued towards the sound. He broke through the brush and for the first time in what seemed like weeks Akinori felt as though a large weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Yet still the spot where Tsuramatsu bit him still throbbed and his vision grew darker still.  Only a few more feet to the water, then everything would be fine.  At least that’s what Akinori thought before he finally collapsed, one of the last things he perceived before darkness consumed him was a massive silhouette.

“Well well, it’s been a long time farmboy.”

It was a voice that Akinori immediately recognized despite the fact they hadn’t seen each other in almost a decade

“Well don’t just stand there slack jawed, come over here and let me see you.”

Akinori moved closer to the voice and as he did his surroundings began to change, he knew where he was, these were the Royal gardens in the capital.  They looked exactly the same as they had when he used to sneak in to see her.  As he surveyed his surroundings and breathed in the smells of his youth Akinori could feel tears well up in his eyes. He walked a familiar path and there under a beautiful cherry blossom tree sat

Honoka looking as beautiful, as perfect, as she ever had. As she heard Akinori approaching a smile slowly danced across her face, though when she saw him fully her joy gave way to concern

“Oh Aki, my Aki. The years haven’t treated you well have they? You look so tired.”

“I am tired, I sleep but i barely rest. I eat and the food is but ash in my mouth, and no water I drink can quell my thirst.  I’ve known no peace.”

“Well come here, and tonight I can be your peace.”

He laid his head in her lap as he’d done so many times before, and for a time the pain that gnawed at his heart was gone. More than fishing with his siblings, more than training with Junichiro, more than most things, here in Honoka’s arms Akinori felt as close as he could be to bliss.  He’d forgotten this feeling, how to just let go.

“Well don’t just sit there you big lump. Tell me why you’re so tired.” Honoka urged

“Well, since that. I’ve been on the run. I have no master so I traveled where the wind took me and plied my sword for anyone that needed help. But no matter what I did it wasn’t ever enough.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because I don’t feel as though I helped anybody.”

“Do those you helped think that?”

“I don’t know, it’s hard to ask the dead if they feel helped. Everywhere I go death hangs on me like a shadow. And everyone I come in contact with meets with misery. At some point I found myself asking what the point of trying even is?”

“Oh Aki, this doesn’t sound like the boy who stole my heart all those years ago. He thought he could do anything. What happened?”

“Look at me! Life happened, your father happened. It broke me.” Screamed Akinori removing the top of his haori showing his deeply scarred physique.

As soon as he screamed Akinori woke in an unfamiliar place, he tried to move but he felt a hand gently stop him.

“You’re still far too injured to move, just relax and everything will be explained in time. For now? Just rest.”

Akinori didn’t know why, but the voice reassured him. So he listened and relaxed.  Whoever this person was calmly changed out the rest of his bandages and left without much incident. Akinori for his part slowly drifted back to sleep with his last conscious thoughts being that maybe he’d see Hanako in his dreams again. Darker stage hoped he’d never wake up so that he could stay with her forever.

Megumi walked out of Akinori’s hut with his soiled bandages.  For the life of her she’d never understand Kami’s need to find broken things and try to fix them. But his heart was big, and that was why she loved him. She saw her beloved sitting in the soft morning sunlight meditating and decided to join him.

“Good morning, your steps are heavy. What are you worried about?” Asked Kami in a low, deep voice that could likely move mountains if he so chose.

“Me, worried? Don’t be silly, I’m more concerned I suppose. Concerned that our new guest won’t survive the night. What made you bring him here?”

“He has a strong heart, and I see something in him. The same things I found in myself when I originally found this place. It’s my hope that maybe I can help him find some part of himself that he lost. But in the end? That’s up to him. Does he want to get out of that bed? Does he even want to help himself? The person that can really answer those questions is our new friend in there.”

Akinori again found himself in the garden he eagerly anticipated seeing Honoka again, but she was nowhere to be found unfortunately. Instead he found himself at the foot of a great staircase he wondered where it would lead, maybe Honoka would be at the top of them. Either way he’d find no answers just standing here. As soon as he stepped foot on the stairs he felt a tremendous weight fall on his shoulders and for a moment he thought he heard the rattle of chains, he thought nothing of it and continued forward. With each step Akinori took the weight grew heavier and the chains got louder. Akinori wanted so desperately to look back but he knew if he did he’d stop walking. He thought about what he’d find at the top of these steps, would it give him peace? Akinori couldn’t say but it would push him for a little while longer.

“Why don’t you just give up?”

It was a barely audible whisper, in fact Akinori was surprised he was even able to hear it over the chains but it was enough to give him pause.  Deep down Akinori wondered the same. Why didn’t he just give up? What moved him forward? Mizu? No that was a bad answer. Sure he could save her and sure she would be grateful. But eventually she’d forget about him, what then?

“Better to just give up now than risk it. Just stop, sit on the steps, and stay here. Where there’s no pain, hunger, burdens, or contracts.  Sit on the steps and you can be free of all of it. Doesn’t that seem simpler?”

The voice was louder now, as though suddenly Akinori had an unseen companion. And with the weight of his chains growing with each inch forward it was a companion that gradually made more and more sense.

“I thought you cared about me, Akinori. I thought that’s why you stayed.”

Akinori recognized the voice. It was Mizu. It seemed like she was a few steps ahead of him. He wasn’t quite sure. He didn’t want to think about what she represented either. In this moment? That little voice was enough to keep pushing him forward. So he held onto it and used the fuel.  He had to save her, maybe if he did he could save himself. Prove to himself that he was good enough.  His entire body ached the chains were at their heaviest and the voice screamed for him to give up. But Akinori closed his eyes and kept moving forward. Eventually the chains fell away and the voice was silent.  Somehow he’d done it. Akinori opened his eyes and expected to see Mizu, but he was alone. The only thing ahead of him was a nondescript building. Akinori was confused. Where was Honoka? Where was Mizu? Why was he here? All Akinori had was questions. And a prickly feeling in the back of his mind told him that if he wanted answers, the only thing he could do is keep moving forward.

Akinori opened his eyes, he still didn’t know exactly where he was but he saw the huge silhouette standing at the foot of his bed.

“You, you’re the one who brought me here.” Akinori said in a raspy voice.”

“I am, I’ll answer your questions if you have them, also there’s water by your bed. By the sound of your voice, you need it.”

“Where am I?” Akinori asked

“You’re in my home. I saw you passed out near the river and I bought you here. I figured you could use some help.”

“How long have I been here?

“Give or take three months. And you still have more to go. Besides the poison, you’re riddled with injuries.  Some of your scars run deep.”

“Three months? No, no, I have to leave. I have to save Mizu.”

“I’ve heard you say that name several times throughout your coma, and the reality is that you’re in no condition where you can save her. You’ve got no sword, you don’t even know where she is, and more importantly if you try to move you’ll likely tear your bandages and undo treatment. It’s going to take time for your sword and your body to be mended. For now you need rest.”

“You don’t understand! I can’t rest, not while she’s out there! I have to be sure she’s safe! I know the War Dogs took her, and i know the Wardogs operate out of the capital. So that’s where I’m going!”

“So your plan is to just walk into the capital with a sword drawn and just hoping that you’ll find the right person to lead you to this Mizu person?  Ok fine, I’ll tell you what. Your bandages will hold for a few minutes. Meet me outside and we’ll see just how ready you are to go to the capital.”

Before Akinori could utter another word his massive companion strode across the room and left him. Without wasting any time  Akinori attempted to sit up. And pain tore through his body as though he’d been struck by lightning. He gritted his teeth and kept pulling himself out of the bed. He was doing this for Mizu. Akinori slowly made his way outside.  It took a few minutes, but his eyes slowly adjusted to the light. It was beautiful here, serene. Had he not been so busy he would have wanted to live in a place like this. But as it was, Mizu came first.  The ronin saw his mysterious benefactor meditating in what looked to be a training pit. Akinori mustered up his strength and slowly made his way to him.

“I knew there was something special about you, Akinori. You’re tremendously strong.”

“How do you figure that?” Akinori asked breathlessly

“A lesser man would have died from your injuries. Not only did you survive, you’re up and walking around.  It’s impressive.”

“I’m glad to have impressed you,  but why did you want me out here?”

“It’s simple, you want to leave to save Mizu. And I want to test and see if you’re ready, to that end I propose a sparring session.  You knock me down? And I’ll have my partner expedite your sword repairs and send you on your way.”

“And what happens if I can’t knock you down?”

“You stay and recover until you can beat me.”

“Fair enough.”

Akinori had no idea if he could beat this man. His body was still wracked with pain, and he couldn’t even lift his arm. But Mizu needed him. His mysterious benefactor stood up. Immediately Akinori realized he’d made a mistake. At first he’d assumed that it was a large man, but what stood before Akinori now was an oni. Easily nine feet tall and easily over a thousand pounds.  He looked as though he could easily break a grizzly bear’s back over his knee. Now he looked down at Akinori with a smirk, as though he’d been waiting for this.  Akinori took as best a fighting stance as he could with his injuries. He looked up at the creature before simply saying

“I don’t think I ever asked you your name.”

“My name? Most people call me Kami.”

“Well, Kami, shall we begin?”

“I’d like nothing more!” Said Kami with boisterous laughter.

Akinori knew he’d be unable to move as effectively as he would normally with his injuries.  So he’d have to approach this fight defensively and hope that Kami was as slow as he looked. His hopes were quickly dashed when Kami made his first move. A battering ram of a punch that Akinori barely had time to dodge. He could also feel his bandages getting wet from his blood. That dodge had reopened one of his wounds.  He couldn’t think about that however, Kami had recovered and was coming in for another attack, this time Akinori couldn’t dodge. And a punch that felt like marble collided with his face. It took everything in him for Akinori to stay conscious, but his vision was swimming and he needed rest. He bade Kami to stop.

“Alright, alright. You’ve made your point I think. I’m of no use to anyone like this. I think I’ll stay. Besides I owe you a fight when I’m back at full strength.”

“I’m looking forward to it.

That was the last thing Akinori heard before darkness took him.  He awoke in the dreamscape again, the stairs were behind him and the large doors were in front.  Akinori had come this far, why stop now? With that thought  in mind Akinori approached the imposing doors and pushed. Inside he found a cavernous training studio, and a figure Akinori recognized sitting in the middle.

“Junichiro?”

“Akinori, you’ve looked better.”

“Sharp words for a deadman.”  Said Akinori sitting to join his old master

“How do you know I’m dead? You fled the capital. Without me I recall.

“What is this? Are you a manifestation of my guilt?”

“I don’t rightly know what I am kid. We’re inside your head. You made all of this for a reason, it’s on you to figure out the reason. I suppose you created me in the hopes I can help you figure out what it is you need. So think.

Akinori was at a loss.  Honoka represented safety, comfort, he didn’t want to move from her. He was happy with her. Happy to exist in that garden with her and say farewell to all his burdens and responsibilities.  The more Akinori thought about it, he came to a startling realization. Here in his mind? Honoka represented death. Akinori knew that he’d be lying to himself if he’d said that there were times that he wished that he was dead, that one day a demon or another swordsman would get lucky and end him.  But there was another part of him that thought he was selfish for  thinking that. That’s why he climbed those stairs, death was easy sure. But what about Mizu? She needed him, she didn’t have family. And now she didn’t even have a home. At the very least he could save her then let her make her own decision if she even wanted to stay with him.

“You’re still not seeing the whole picture, kid.”  Said Junichiro gently

“What picture is that?” Akinori asked

“Saving that little girl is a small piece of the tapestry that makes up your life. You’ll never really be content until you finish the whole thing. The good parts and the bad parts. Does that make sense?”

“Not really, but hold on how’d you know I needed to save Mizu? You never met her.”

“We’re in your head. I know everything you know. You conjured me to help you with things you’d never have thought of yourself.  But it’s time to wake up. You’re never gonna finish your tapestry if you can’t get out of your own head.”

Akinori woke up in the dark of Kami’s hut to the sound of frantic murmuring.  He swung his legs off the bed, feeling better than he had in ages. He walked out to see what was going on. What greeted him was Megumi scrambling around the property. She was looking for something. He also noticed Kami was nowhere to be found.  Something was wrong.

“Where’s Kami, is everything alright?” Akinori asked

“He went out hunting, but he usually doesn’t take this long. They may have found us I fear.”

“Who might have found you? I don’t understand.”

“That’s Kami’s story to tell. Let’s just say he’s got enemies, powerful ones.”

“I’ll go. You stay here.”

“What do you mean you’ll go? You’re still in no condition to go anywhere.”

“Neither are you.” Said Akinori noticing the beginnings of a pregnancy bump

“I really don’t like this.”

“Don’t worry, I look worse than I feel, besides I owe you guys. I’d be dead next to a river without the two of you. I also made a deal with Kami, I intend to honor it.”

“Fine, please bring him back.”

“I will.”

Akinori headed into the woods.  This had been the first time he’d seen anything outside of the hut where he was recovering or Kami and Megumi’s property. It was beautiful here,  Akinori could see why they would settle down up here. Still as beautiful as it was, he had to find Kami. As he moved through the brush, he heard raised voices.  This forest was unfamiliar to him so it was difficult to navigate but he moved as quickly and quietly as his injuries would allow.

“There you are! We’ve finally caught you monster! You’ll pay for your crimes!”

Akinori sat in the brush and saw Kami next to a wild pig that was impossibly large. He was also surrounded by at least a hundred men, armed to the teeth.  Some were veterans, that the emperor had abandoned after they became too old to be useful, some were clearly mercenaries here for a payday, and there were a few boys here. No older than Akinori was the first time he came to the capital.  This had the potential to become extremely bad and quickly.  Kami assessed his situation and began to speak

“What crimes have I committed? I’m a simple hermit living off the land, I’m out here to hunt and instead find myself surrounded by blades.”

“You’re a War Dog! We know all about your crimes!”

“If I’m a War Dog then you know full well how dangerous I am, yet you’ve chosen to enact your justice with a bunch of veterans, mercenaries, and boys who barely know how to hold their weapons. Fighting me would be a mistake.”

“Don’t try to confuse us, we have you on numbers alone.”

“Well then by all means, let’s put those numbers to the test.”

The mercenaries started to close in on Kami attempting to surround him, it was then when Akinori made his appearance.  Emerging from his hiding spot and standing next to Kami.

“What are you doing out of bed?”  Kami whispered

“When it took you so long to come back home Megumi was worried.  I saw that she was with child so I volunteered to step in. I see you’ve made friends.”

“Friends? That’s one way to describe them I suppose.”

Those were the only words exchanged then a lone arrow broke the tension. One of the boys, barely fifteen, his nerves had gotten the better of him, then all hell broke loose. It was chaos as one hundred blades came crashing towards Akinori and Kami like a steel tidal wave.  Through the madness, Akinori watched his ally work, he battered his foes even injured them, but he was letting them live. For a creature as powerful as Kami to have such control even in the heat of battle was impressive.   The fighting was furious, glorious, and just as quickly as it started It was over. Kami and Akinori stood tall amid one hundred broken but alive bodies.

“This battle is over, take your wounded and leave this forest. Do not return.” Kami said firmly to the men

“This isn’t over monster! We’ll be back!” The lead mercenary shouted before motioning to his men to retreat

“Yes, I’m sure you will.” Kami said to himself chuckling humorlessly

Akinori and Kami watched as the mercenary  force collected their men and retreated back into the underbrush. It was then that Akinori noticed a large spear sticking out of Kami’s back. Though what shocked the ronin most is that Kami either didn’t notice or that he’d been attacked so often that he no longer cared about such injuries. Akinori didn’t know which prospect worried him more.

“Friends of yours? One of them even left a gift.” Akinori said trying to ease the tension in the air he felt.

“Friends? You’re funny, though i didn’t notice the spear. I guess one of them got lucky, at least this one wasn’t poisoned. I’d like some help if you wouldn’t mind.” Said Kami kneeling down

Akinori used his strength to wrench the spear from his companion’s back, it was in deeper than he anticipated.

“I got the spear out it was deep, I also don’t see anything around to patch this wound, if we don’t do something it’ll probably get infected.” Said Akinori concerned

“Hm, I guess hunting will have to wait, come with me, there’s something I want to show you. I wanted to wait a bit longer but it seems like you’re healed enough. You’re ready for what’s next.”

“Won’t Megumi be angry if we don’t come back with something for dinner?”

“The day is still early yet, and there will be plenty of opportunities to find a centerpiece for dinner. Also, I know my lady pregnant or no she’s still lethal with her bow and she’ll likely try and hunt something on her own.”  Said Kami chortling

“You really love her don’t you?  It’s beautiful.”

“Her presence in my life has improved it tremendously, I was made for her, and I’ll love her until the stars burn out. Have you ever felt that way Akinori?”

“There was one. I was in love once, I would have done anything for her.”

“Tell me about her.”

“Those are hard memories, I-i don’t know if I’m ready yet.”

“I understand. Prepare yourself, we have a bit of a climb ahead.”

Akinori had been so lost in his thoughts and his conversation with Kami that he hadn’t noticed just how deep into the forest they had come. Sure enough there was a natural rock wall ahead of them, he wondered how he’d make such a climb or if he was even ready to exert himself in such a way. Before he could voice his apprehension though, Kami had already started to climb ahead of him, spear wound and all.

“Come on Akinori. It will be a difficult climb but it’ll be worth it I assure you.”  Said Kami reassuringly

Akinori took a deep breath and placed his hand on the rock tentatively, as if anticipating being shocked, he hadn’t been this nervous since the first time he’d hefted a sword and felt its terrible weight. But just like then he knew that all there was, was to keep moving forward. He’d started his climb and felt Immediate Deja Vu, he thought back to his dream to the stairs. He knew this was the right path and continued his climb. His body protested, but he kept going. As much pain as he was in Akinori knew he had to keep pushing himself if he wanted to be better and back to  completing his promise.  He thought about little thief that wanted to learn how to fight, how he’d lost her because he wasn’t strong enough. These were his thoughts as he continued his climb with his body screaming in agony with every inch. Then when he thought he couldn’t take anymore he pulled himself over the cliff.  Akinori laid on his back and let the cool air wash over him. It felt divine.  When he finally sat up, Akinori noticed Kami sitting on the far edge of the plateau without a word the massive warrior bade Akinori to join him. He calmly did so, when he did he understood why Kami had bought him here.  They could see the whole forest, the new was breathtaking.

“This view is magnificent, Kami. You didn’t lie. But I know you bought me here for more than just an incredible view. Speak your mind.”

“Hm, I’m that transparent huh? Well fair enough, you’re right I did bring you here for more than the view.  Life has given me much Akinori.  It’s given me my beautiful wife, the strong child growing in her belly, and this beautiful land to call home.  But I’d be lying if i didn’t tell you how worried I am about losing all of it. Those men weren’t the first to come here and I doubt they’ll be the last.”

“Who are they?”

“I guess I’ve put this off for too long, but I feel like I can trust you. In truth I wouldn’t have bought you here if I didn’t think i could. But as for who those mercenaries are? Megumi’s father sent them. He and his wife worked up in their little minds that she’d never willingly fall in love with a monster like me. Therefore I’m holding her against her will and she needs to be liberated.”

“But that, that makes no damn sense. From what I’ve seen the two of you are deeply in love.”

“Akinori I’ll level with you, I wasn’t always like this. There was a time where I was little more than an engine of destruction that would tear apart anything that was in front of me. I was just so angry, so lost, that was until I met her and she helped me rediscover emotions that I’d long suppressed.”

“Well how did you…get that way? I mean I’m sure you weren’t always a demon.”

“You’re right, I wasn’t. To keep this brief, I was born a weak child, my father was a warrior that wanted a legacy not a son. To that end he paid a cult to sacrifice my mother and bind an oni to me. He got what he wanted i guess, a strong son. I wonder if that was his last thought when I crushed his skull?”

“My god, that’s insane! Why would a person do that to their own child?”

“I don’t know Akinori. But I know he was such a good father that I still have nightmares about him. I’m terrified that no matter what I do that Megumi is going to have that baby and no matter what I do I’m gonna be just like him.”

“That you can understand what your father did and how he treated you was wrong is already a step in the right direction.”

“Is it? I’m still so full of rage, it takes fathoms of strength not to lash out. It would been so easy to kill those mercenaries earlier. Even you, I can admit now that I didn’t just bring you here to heal.  I bought you here as a sort of investment.”

“An investment? That’s a fascinating word choice, speak plainly. Why did you bring me here?”

“I bought you here to fight you, Akinori. When I found you, the amount of poison coursing through your body could have killed a thousand men, yet you lived. I was intrigued. I wondered to myself if he’s strong enough to fight this poison how strong could he be if he’s actually healthy? I’m sorry if you feel i bought you here under false pretenses.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I appreciate you being honest with me and when I’m at full strength I’l give you the fight you want.”

“I’m glad we established that, but I’m going to take my leave of you. For me? There’s still the matter of securing something for us to eat tonight, and I should probably tell my wife that her father’s bounty hunters couldn’t kill me. I’ll see you back at the house, Akinori.”

With that, Kami rose and left Akinori alone. For his part the spent warrior calmly sat on the cliff and watched as the night sky drank in the sun to make way for the moon and all her beauty. As night became ever more prominent Akinori’s thoughts drifted to places they hadn’t in an age.  For a moment he thought he smelled a delicate lavender and his hand instinctively moved to an old scar on his chest.  He’d accumulated numerous wounds over the years  and had collected more scars than he’d cared to count. But those were made in hate, in pain, in anger. But these? The bites? They filled him with a deep love even now. The lavender grew stronger, more insistent. It was as though it wanted to show Akinori something. He slowly rose and followed the scent.  The wind was playful as if such things made any sense. It danced around him, gently cajoling him to where he should go eventually he found a cave on the far side of the plateau, it should have seemed foreboding but instead Akinori felt as though he was there for a purpose.

The lavender still danced around his nostrils and willed him deeper into the cave. At first it was dark but surprisingly easy to navigate, but after a time Akinori felt a warmth and saw a light up ahead. The ronin walked through this new opening expecting to come out on the other side of the mountain. Instead he was greeted with a huge hot spring with a massive rock in the middle.  No, not a rock it was a meteorite. One that was somehow still glowing and giving off heat. For a second he thought, to be honest he didn’t know. That smell her smell, then as suddenly as he thought it a familiar voice gace his misgivings a voice

“I know, you’re disappointed but no she’s not here. I am, and we need to talk.”

Akinori turned to the voice and was taken aback by what he saw. It was him, or a younger version of him. Before both the mental and physical scars.

“You, me, how are you here?” Akinori the elder asked

“I don’t know, I assume it’s got something to do with the rock. But jeez we got old. I never thought we would. I figured our mouth or something would have gotten us killed by now.” Akinori the younger responded

“Sorry to disappoint you kid. Now all we do is survive. And we barely do that.”

“You’re right, I am disappointed. I never thought we’d stop fighting. There are people out there that need us, deep down you know that. That’s why you’re dragging your old ass to the capital to rescue that kid.”

“No that’s not….”

“Then what is it? Do you feel guilty because you let our body fall to shit and for years instead of helping people that needed us you ran from town to town hiding under rocks, but now you’re back. Not because we know it’s the right thing to do but because you feel guilty.”

“You don’t understand, you’re too young.”

“I don’t understand? We hated it when Junichiro would say that crap and now you’re throwing it in my face? Well we’ve got time do go ahead and explain how I become such a fucking coward.”

Akinori had no words for his younger self. Maybe he had become a coward over these years. He still had nightmares about his torture the last time he was in the capitol.  He still felt the blades piercing his flesh, the scars both physical and mental would never leave him. Now this boy with his face stood in front of him in judgment he knew nothing of what Akinori had endured. It made the older man angry. And before he knew it he’d balled his hand into a fist and attempted to strike his younger self.

“So not only am I a coward, I got old and slow too? But it’s better this way I guess. You’re not listening to words so blades are gonna have to suffice.”

No sooner had the younger man said those words the cave seemed to react and both he and Akinori the older found themselves with bokken. The old warrior held the wooden practice blade aloft and a thousand memories from his training with Junichiro flooded back. For the first time in a long time Akinori felt whole.

“The way you’re holding that sword, I guess even though I’m an old coward, i still know how to fight.” Akinori the Younger sneered

“Better than you know. In fact I’ll beat you in about three strikes.”

“Big talk for an old man.”

No sooner had the boy said those words Akinori flung some water at him and with a speed he’d forgotten he had Akinori launched a blistering flurry of attacks. The younger warrior managed to match him deftly dodging and blocking every attack that Akinori made. Seeing an opening in the boy’s defense, Akinori threw a palm strike at him. Throwing off his balance enough for the old man to land his first blow with his blade.

“That’s one.” Akinori chuckled

“You cheated, that punch was dirty.” Akinori the Younger spat

“Dirty? There’s no such thing as dirty, and honor is a beautiful sentiment till it gets you killed. There’s living and dying, and doing whatever it takes to make sure you’re the one doing the former at the end of the day.”

“Whatever you’ve got to tell yourself.”

“Fine, I’ll get this next strike without any underhanded tactics.”

Akinori watched as his shadow retreated. He analyzed the boy, he was overconfident in his ability, but now his pride had been wounded because he’d dropped a strike already. He’d come at Akinori aggressive, and he’d take advantage. No sooner had Akinori had the thought the younger swordsman rushed him, the swings were clumsy and the kid was leaving huge gaps in his defense it was taking Akinori considerable restraint not to exploit them. As the boy reared back to put all of his strength into a final blow, Akinori used his momentum against him and tossed him out into the water.  The old warrior noticed how easy it had been to toss the boy. In fact his muscles hadn’t felt this good in years. It was as though decades of wear and tear had simply melted away. When Akinori returned to Kami’s home he’d have to thank him for showing him this place.  Akinori approached the pool in front of the massive rock preparing to help his younger self out of the water but he saw nothing. Instead he heard a low, gruff voice behind him, a voice he immediately recognized.

“Still picking on opponents you know you’re better than?” Spoke Junichiro

“But, he challenged me, master.” Akinori replied

“He challenged you? So what. I taught you better. You know full well he was no match for you. Or, is it more accurate to say you didn’t think you were a match for him so you fell for his bait to prove something to yourself?”

“I don’t….I, I don’t know.”

“I disagree. I think you do know but you don’t want to give it words. You’re here, with me you’ve no need to hide from your emotions.”

“But that’s just it, Junichiro. Are you really here or am i just hallucinating and talking to myself?”

“Hm, I think it’s both. Yes, I think you’re hallucinating. We both know full well where I am. But I also think you manifested me because you needed me.  Well, I’m here so talk.”

“I’m afraid, I’m afraid that I’m not strong enough, I’m afraid that I’ll be too late to save that girl, no that’s not it. I’m so afraid of what I’ll find in the capitol that I had to use saving Mizu as a proxy to want to go there. I still have nightmares about the first time.”

“Akinori. What happened in the capitol wasn’t your fault. You were a child. It’s not your fault that you fell in love.”

“No, if I was stronger I….”

“If you were stronger what? You’d have come with me to that palace and we’d both be dead or worse. I didn’t spend years training you just to throw you into a fight that you couldn’t win. You’ve got to stop beating yourself up over things that are out of your control, Akinori and instead focus on things that you can.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Junichiro didn’t respond, Akinori looked around the chamber and he was alone. No manifestations of his younger self or his old master. Just him, the water, and his thoughts. He was still too unsettled to head back to Kami and Megumi’s house. So instead he waded out into the waters of the cave closer to the massive hunk of rock in the middle the closer he got the hotter the water became but still Akinori persisted, when the water got as hot as he could bare it, Akinori sat and began to meditate. At first it was difficult to concentrate his thoughts were still running a mile a minute and the head of the water was making him feel hazy but he kept going. He went through a revolving door of memories as he sat there, he was looking for something, anything that he could focus on to make it through this.  Then it was there, it was subtle at first but it was there, that lavender. Her lavender, no sooner had he thought it, he felt the wind in his hair. He remembered this day, this was the day they decided to run away together. He remembered her flipping over his head demanding that he chase her. This was a good mind space, for that little bit of time when he had Sayami they were in love and everything felt perfect.  Akinori set himself to trying to remember Sayami’s face as he began his meditation.

************************************************FIVE YEARS LATER*********************************

Akinori took a deep breath as he ended his meditation. As he stood and waded from the pool he could scarcely believe he’d been here as long as he had. But in his mind he knew that it was time. He walked the familiar path out of the cave and stood on the edge of the nearby cliff. One of his favorite things of these five years had been watching the sunrise over this forest.  It was probably one of the things he’d miss the most. As he reflected he heard the rocks shift. Somebody was climbing up to meet him, and Akinori had a sneaking suspicion that he knew who.  Before he saw the familiar shape of Kami first came he and Megumi’s son Kuma.  Before Akinori could react the boy tackled him and the two began to playfully wrestle. For a child so young the boy was remarkably strong and had Akinori not been training for five years he would have likely crushed him.

“Good morning, Kuma.”

“I’m gonna get you, uncle Aki!”

For his part Kami just smiled and watched the two playfully fight each other. For the longest time while Megumi was pregnant he’d been nervous that he’d be no better than his own father.  But all of his fears melted away the first time Kuma looked in his eyes and wrapped his tiny hands around his finger.  He would do whatever it took to protect his son and Megumi.  But, he knew like Akinori knew that the time was coming for his old friend to leave.

“Ok Kuma, leave your uncle alone. He and I need to talk.”

“Okay papa. I’ll get you next time uncle Aki!”

“I’m sure you will.” Akinori said chuckling

The boy ran to go sit on a nearby rock while Akinori and Kami talked.

“Good lord, Kami, he’s shooting up like a weed. It’s hard to believe he’s only five.”

“I know, it’s this place, one day he’ll be stronger than I am. And as long as I draw breath I’ll be sure to teach him how to use that strength the right way.”

“I’m sure you will, you’re a good man.”

“I’m trying to be, it’s something I work at every day. I believe one’s goal should always be to attempt to be a better person than they were yesterday.”

“True words, and a noble goal. But, i know why you’re here. And yes I’m ready.”

“Is that right? Are you sure?”

“I am. And while I love it here it’s time I got to the capitol. I told Mizu I’d bring her home, and I intend to honor that promise.”

“But you told me the Emperor’s soldiers wiped out her village and Mizu was naughty but a street orphan. What home is she supposed to come back to?”

“For a long time I’d considered myself her home. For too long I ran from that because I was afraid of going back to the capitol. Now I need to make amends for that. So I’m going to find her and if she hates me for taking so long? They’d just something I’ll need to live with.”

“That’s something I can respect, Akinori.”

“Thank you, now are you ready? Should we do it here?”

“Hm, yes I think that would be fitting.”

As Kami finished his sentence he stood and walked to the other side of the plateau and removed his shirt. He took a deep breath and waited. For his part Akinori sprinted towards him and unleashed a powerful kick. Kami anticipated his move and grabbed Akinori’s leg slamming him hard to the ground. The force of which sent shockwaves throughout the forest. Akinori slowly made his way back to his feet and Kami was quickly coming in for a follow up attack at the last second Akinori dodged what would surely have been a devastating punch and used Kami’s momentum to throw his much larger opponent. As Kami recovered Akinori thought to himself how easy it had been to throw his friend, he’d not considered how his body had changed over these past five years.  He’d always been stronger and more durable than other men but only now had he thought to truly hone his strength.  Akinori cracked his knuckles and decided to press his advantage.  He threw a heavy punch of his own which Kami had no time to dodge, the force of the blow sent Kami careening across the battlefield and before he could recover, Akinori was sprinting towards him.  At the last second Kami dodged a knee from Akinori and grabbed him by the waist he then proceeded to suplex the smaller man multiple times, after the third he grabbed Akinori and began to squeeze him in a bear hug.

“Yield!” He shouted squeezing like a vice

“No!” Responded Akinori punching Kami in the face

“Yield!” Shouted Kami squeezing ever tighter

“I won’t.” Akinori responded smashing his friend in the face

Akinori knew he’d have to find a way out of this hold sooner or later or he’d pass out, but before he could think of what to do, an arrow arced overhead and impacted the wall behind them. When it did so Kami released his grip. He looked down at the smaller man and smiled.   

“That was fun, Akinori. But we have to stop.”

“Why are we under attack?”

“No old friend, nothing so serious. Breakfast is done, the arrow was the sign to head back home.” Said Kami stretching

“Ah, fair enough. And a good thing too, I was close to breaking your hold, I’d hate to have embarrassed you in front of your son.” Akinori said with a chuckle

“Sure thing little samurai, you and I both know that if you stayed in my grip any longer, you’d have passed out and I’d be carrying you and the boy home.”  Responded Kami laughing

The two friends began their journey back to Kami’s home, as they did so Kuma couldn’t help but exuberantly reenact their fight.  Akinori couldn’t help but think back to his own childhood, even before Junichiro had come into his life he remembered the lazy days he’d spent just fishing or exploring without a care in the world. He thought on how his life would be different had his father been a fisherman or if Junichiro had never come into his life. Would he be different? Would his mother still be alive? They were all things to consider, but at the end of the day those weren’t the cards that fate dealt him. They crested the hill down to Kami’s home  but Akinori bade they continue without him. He’d watched as Kami returned home with Kuma on his shoulder, Akinori relished the peace that he’d shared here with Kami’s family, and maybe after he was done he’d know peace of his own, but for now Akinori knew it was time to leave this place. He’d hid from the world long enough.

Akinori joined the family and once again Megumi had prepared enough food for a small army.  Kami and Kuma had already heaped some onto their plates and were eating heartily. After his morning meditation and the fight with Kami, Akinori realized just how hungry he’d actually been in his own right.  He also sat down and began to dig in. As she joined the table Megumi tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.

“After breakfast, meet me at my forge.” She said calmly before sitting down to join her family

Akinori ate his fill but his mind was ever drawn to what Megumi wanted with him. For the years he had been there she had always regarded him warmly and had accepted him as apart of their family, but Akinori would be lying if he said they had conversed that often. He’d also never seen the inside of her forge.  After eating more than could feed any man the four of them all worked together to clean the table and the dishes, when this was done Kami and Kuma set off to begin the boy’s instruction for the day which left Akinori to brace himself and head for Megumi’s forge. Akinori stood outside the massive structure, watching as it belched smoke. He could feel the heat from the fire, then he heard it like thunder the sound of steel shaping something new and deadly.  Then he walked in and the first thing he saw was Megumi working on a massive hammer that even the strongest man would be unable to lift, but then Akinori assumed it wasn’t for any human man to begin with.

“Hello Akinori, the hammer is for Kami. It’s a birthday gift, but I already know you

Won’t be here for that.  But come with me, I don’t like talking in my sanctuary.”

She led him to a large room adjacent to the forge where a number of swords lined the walls and at the center was two chairs and a sword covered in a veil. A shudder crept up Akinori’s spine, he knew full well what was under there. For her part Megumi sat in one of the chairs and bade Akinori to join her.

“Did you make all of these?” Asked Akinori as he sat

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Why not? I find forging steel peaceful. Kami has his adventures out in the forest I have this.”

“I understand wanting to find something peaceful to quiet a troubled mind, but there has to be more.”

“Does there? Did you ask my husband why he settled here? And why he finds this forest to be so peaceful?

“I have, he alluded to his history with his father to how he became what he is.  He told me in his own words that being in the forest quieted what was in him.”

“I see,  I suppose I have a similar story. Mine also ties back to my father, we were nobles. And for him? The blade was nothing more than a passing fancy he’d never much cared for it, but for me I was always enamored with it. As far back as I could remember I’d sneak from our estate to watch the duels, I’d watch my father’s men train. To me the blade was a beautiful dance I suppose, one that i wanted to learn in my own right.”

“So what happened?”

“What always happens,  kenjustu isn’t ladylike.  And being in the city was a bad influence. So my father sent me to a finishing school in the hopes that they’d find a way to grind down my rebellious spirit. All it actually did was give me an abiding distrust of my father.”

“How’d you escape? How did you end up here?”

“I pretended to be the dutiful daughter and at the first chance I got I bribed a guard to help me disappear.  For a while I’d coasted on what little money I’d been able to smuggle with me but after awhile I was broke.  I guess the logical thing would have been to go home and throw myself at my father’s mercy, but I chose my pride instead. And I found a house and pretended to be a servant. It was there that I’d initially met Kami.”

“Was his personality always that big?”

“Quite the opposite, he was so shy. But he and I always shared something, he’d always come to me when his father took out his frustrations on him. I still remember the night those men came to the house. Kami hid me in one of our secret places and told me we’d run away when everything died down. I was there for three days.  Men shouting woke me up.  So i emerged from my hiding spot and that was the first time I saw the Oni.”

“He told me about this part, how he’d crushed his father’s skull.”

“True enough, he did. He’d also killed about a hundred men before he’d even made it to his father. When i found him he was covered in blood and when he saw me he ran. I followed him all night and when i caught up to him I told him I loved him, and we’ve been together ever since. Of course to hear my father tell it, I was kidnapped. So he’s been paying mercenaries to kill Kami and bring me home ever since.”

“But i still don’t understand, why smithing?”

“Ah, that. Well that night when i saw the Oni, something awoke in me. I’d glimpsed on death’s face and she was beautiful. I’d longed to see her beauty again so I came to creating imitations of her instrument. I’ve yet to recapture the beauty of what i saw that night but which each sword I craft i feel myself growing closer. And that brings me to you.”

“What about me?”

“Akinori, when you came here you had a broken sword which I was unable to salvage, and this.  This blade is tainted and you should melt it down, why do you have this?”

“It’s not mine to destroy, I aim to return it to its owner.  I was there when it was tainted.”

“I suppose it’s my turn to ask you, what happened? Why this sword?”

“There’s a reason I’ve kept to small towns over the years, you see I’ve been to the capital before. I went there with my sensei, and I’ve been running from what happened ever since.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t….I can’t.”

“I understand.”

“But I know this, despite what happened to me and how afraid I am,  Mizu is innocent and I won’t abandon her because of my fear. And if I have to use that accursed sword to do it , then I will. Consequences be damned.”

“I  know the sword is coated in evil, it pervades the blade. But what do you mean consequences?”

“You see these veins on my arm? The blade is doing it. Every time I kill with it, it consumes a piece of my body and soul. I’ve seen what I’ll become when it fully consumes me, but if I can save Mizu before then? It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

“I can understand wanting to sacrifice for the ones you care about.  But please Akinori, don’t use that sword.”

“Where I’m going, people aren’t just going to let me walk away, I have to protect Mizu.”

“You’ve been a good friend to my husband and myself, and you’ve treated our son as one of your own and I understand what you need to do, and I’m not going to send you out without a means to defend yourself. I made you these.”

Megumi presented Akinori with a pair of gauntlets, just holding them in his hands he could tell they were extremely heavy but he’d suspected that Kami had been training him for more than just sparring.

“These are beautiful, I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“And you’ll never have to. I gave these to you as a gift, to thank you for all you’ve done for my family over these five years.  Now go with my blessing and save that child.”

Akinori bowed in thanks and left Megumi’s forge. He strode the familiar path back to his hut and his every step felt heavier than the last. He knew that he didn’t want to leave But he also knew that he’d been here for far too long Mizu needed him. More than that though he knew it was high time to return to the capital and face his fear lest it consume him whole. He carried on his tasks for the rest of the day but it all felt hazy and passed by in a blur and before long he was in bed. For the first time in a long time sleep found him relatively easily and he wasn’t plagued by nightmares.  When he awoke the next day the sun hadn’t yet risen. He’d quietly packed what little items he had and prepared to leave.  Akinori took one last look at the hut that had been his home for the last five years and steeled himself for the journey ahead. As he walked outside he nearly careened into the walking mountain that was Kami.

“Good morning, Akinori. You’re up early.”

“What do you mean? I’m always up early, so I can meditate?”

“I know that, but I’ve never seen you take everything you own when you leave to meditate. It seems to me like you were about to leave without saying goodbye.”

“I wrote you and Megumi letters, I can’t ever thank you and her enough for opening your home to me for all these years. You could have just as easily left me to die from that poison by the river.”

“No, my friend. I don’t think i could have. But still, why this? Why leave like a stranger in the night?”

“Because it was hard enough to leave, and seeing all of your faces again would have made me want to stay even longer.”

“I understand, well at the very least let me walk you to the edge of the forest.  Besides I have a gift for you.”

Kami presented Akinori with a small parcel, inside of which was his sword, a collection of Megumi’s cooking, and  an unassuming drinking gourd.

“The gourd is another of Megumi’s designs. It’s blessed by the forests magic and filled with water from the hot springs, it will always be there to quench your thirst and keep us in your heart” Kami chuckled

“Thank you.”

“Stop it, you’ve got a long road ahead of you. I’d hate for you to die of dehydration or hunger. That’d be a terrible story. Did you hear about that one samurai that died? He had super strength and still found a way to die of starvation.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“It’s part of my charm, buddy.”

The two men shared a hearty laugh land then set off for the edge of the forest. Then in a journey that was shorter than Akinori would have liked they sat at the top of a large hill, looking down at the road. Before Akinori could say anything, Kami was crushing him in a bear hug.

“You promise me that after you save that kid you’ll come back here so we can stuff you both full of delicious food you hear? Besides, Megumi stopped our fight early, you still owe me that sparring session.”

“I promise, Kami. I promise I’ll be back.”

With that Kami let go of the hug and Akinori began to walk down the hill. His steps were no longer heavy, at least for now he had no apprehension about the journey ahead. As he made it back to the road, he took one last look back at Kami, but both the gentle Oni and the enchanted forest had gone.