Thanks for the Memories

The morning dawned with thick fog and a cold chill in the air as the sun veiled itself in the sky behind rolling clouds. It was barely daybreak and Kazuki stirred with a shiver, his back burning numbly as he returned to the waking world. He dimly remembered that he had fallen asleep, leaned against the wall with Isha in his arms, but she was no longer where he left her. In fact, he was lying alone on his stomach once again and his blanket had been pulled up to his waist.



He pushed himself up, fighting the pain that welled from his injuries, and looked around the room for any indication of Isha’s presence. Not a trace. Only one thing in the room did he question, and even then he could not be certain of validity. The glass pane of the window had been lifted open, which would explain why he had woken with such a chill on his skin, so, more likely than not, she left. Perhaps it was for the best that way. It wouldn’t do for that cleric to return and see them together, or Inami for that matter.



Still…he felt saddened. He sat and his head hung as his gaze drifted to the floor. Soon a whispered voice came to his ears, “Good morning.” He looked up with widened eyes to see none other than Isha, standing before him. How she had gotten into the room without a sound, he neither knew nor cared. Inwardly he sighed with relief as he smiled, “It is, indeed.”



She brought her hands from behind her back, revealing that she was holding a bundle of clothing she must have gotten from back at the temple. She was a crafty young woman, and it was not the first time he had thought so. Isha smiled and said, “If you want to avoid a scene I suggest leaving soon. Inami is on her way.”



Kazuki looked up at her a moment, running his gaze over her expression. She had a coy smile but in her eyes there lingered a touch of sorrow, knowing what was to happen once he was dressed and out of bed. He nodded and forced himself to his feet, not without much stress to his tortured skin and a whimper or two as the burning flooded his back renewed. He slipped on the pants and tied them about his hips with a cloth belt, but as he slipped the shirt over his head the fabric merely brushed the top most gash and he choked back what would have been a rather loud shriek of pain. He pulled the clothing off and shook his head, letting it fall to the floor without a word.



Isha watched him closely, concern weighing her brow. He seemed so detached as if nothing was really bothering him despite what had transpired. It almost worried her how his eyes so peacefully filled with acceptance, his lips lingering at the beginnings of a smile, and the way he just let the shirt fall away from his hand without a second glance as it crumpled upon the floor at his feet. Like the life he was just about to leave behind; tossing it away without looking back, without a thought, and with full recognition of peace. She felt his hand cradle her shoulder and she lifted her head to look at him, surprise almost taking her aback as his lips pressed against hers. She relaxed in his grasp and returned the gentle kiss, both pulling away in the final realization of what was happening. A smile spread on both faces, filled with both sorrow and warmth.



He walked past her as his hand slipped away, slowly as it left a ghost of his touch lingering upon her skin, and left the building without a word. Try as he might he could not speak. What was he suppose to tell her? To come with him? That was her decision and he wanted no part in her choice. If she was going to leave, then it would have to be her own doing just as it had been for him. It made things more real in that respect, shattering the mirror that would otherwise have you gazing into it as you walked away to see what you were giving up. No, he had said all that he needed to with that one simple kiss and there was nothing for it but to move on now.



She watched him leave, still standing in the room alone now with her thoughts. Just the same as him, she also could not speak. Nor did she wish to, feeling that words were no longer necessary, no longer worth anything or enough to express how she truly felt. She smiled as a feeling of peace beginning to surge through her heart and she felt at ease. One day, and maybe soon, she too would leave the temple. For now she had to finish her training, because, no matter what, that was what mattered most to her. Whether she ever saw him again or not did not matter. She still had her memories.



Kazuki stood in the street, gazing off into the distance as the road twisted into the distant hills that rose above the fading forest line. Something held him there transfixed or…perhaps he was waiting on something. An inner thought asking him to linger just a few moments longer as if his time here was not yet finished; a task yet to be complete you could say.



*****



Inami rode at a moderate pace; having felt rushed that morning when she could not find Isha in her room. She was intuitive enough to realize that the girl had probably snuck out, and fully capable of doing so. But, she did not see her so she could not accuse. Still, she was eager for an update on Kazuki’s condition and see if he was ready to return home.



She was not prepared to see, as she rode into the main street of the town, the young man standing in the middle of the road. She pulled the palomino horse to a halt with widened eyes, “What are you doing?! Get back in bed, you’re still hurt!”



Kazuki turned at the sound of her voice, surprised at first but her words struck a chord within him. He looked up at her, sitting on her horse with genuine concern upon her soft features, and chuckled, “I’m fine.” He stated his words firmly without yield, though his tone was not malicious.



She shook her head, sliding off from her saddle and beginning to lead the horse to a post to tie the reins to. She threw the reins over a wooden beam and tied them in a simple, loose knot. After the small task was complete she returned her attention to the young man, bewildered at why he would be out so early in the morning after such a traumatic ordeal. The damage he had taken should have bed ridden him for at least several more hours with healing, yet he thought it wise for a morning stroll? A sigh of frustration escaped her and she rubbed her forehead, “Look, let’s wake Madame Kosuke and get another healing session started. You still need—“



His voice was steady but commanding, though his face still calm, “I don’t need anything.” Slowly, he began to understand what had kept him standing in the street. He had to settle one last thing on his mind before he could let go of this old life. One last grain of sand was still caught in the clockwork. He stood his ground, his hardened will reflecting in his amber eyes, “Nor do I want anything more to do with this place.”



Inami stared speechlessly for a long moment as the shock from his words began to fade. Then she sighed, dismissing them as if they were from some stubborn boy who did not know what was best for him. It may not be something he would appreciate then, but later he’d thank her for it. She strode closer to him as she spoke, “Nonsense. You’re wounds are not fully healed and I’m sure you’ll appreciate this later.”



He did not move or waver and his voice flowed with the same calculative tone, “You misunderstand me, Master Inami.” His eyes met hers firmly, his brow crossing in a hint to his rising irritation, “I don’t want anything more to do with you or the other Masters and I am finished with my time at the temple. You have nothing more to offer me that will make me wish to stay, nor is there anything you can tell me to keep me here.”



His words were like numbing poison, rendering one’s heart cold and skin crawling. He looked calm with those steady eyes, seeming to peer so deep within Inami’s own that her foot slid back as her subconscious reeled. An expression of pure hurt made the woman frown, taking his tone quite personally. His resentment was not unfounded, and she understood that, but she did feel he was being a bit rash. He was still young and in need of guidance. Her hands dropped to her sides and she spoke in the most soothing voice she could manage, “I know what happened yesterday was unfortunate and it was not intended to go so far. You shouldn’t let something come between you and your training. I really wish you would listen to what you were told sometimes. Perhaps such events could be avoided if you were not so disrespectful of your teachers.”



Those words may have been spoken with good intent, meant only to give wisdom and insight to ease a troubled mind, but that was not the case for the young man. They were words of ignorance and naivety, the irritation beginning to form into outright anger and Kazuki could not contain his indignation. He pursed his lips and inhaled a deep breath before his voice rose, trembling with his renewed resentment, “You intend to blame me for what happened yesterday? You think that what he did to me, that which almost killed me, was because of my attitude? I hope you aren’t believing the bullshit that’s coming out of your mouth right now, Master.”



She gasped sharply at his harsh words and her anger at being talked to in such a manner began to mix with the hurt of the insult. Her brow furrowed and she spoke in a scold, “This is exactly what I mean, Takeda Kazuki. You cannot treat your teachers this way! We dedicate our lives to the art and mastery of martial prowess to pass on the knowledge through generations and such an endeavor demands respect, especially of its very students.”



He hated being referred to by his full name, like a boy being reprimanded by his mother, and it did nothing to help his poor countenance towards the conversation. It was quite a feat for him, at this point, to retain his wrath so that he may continue to think clearly. Thankfully, it was rare that he got so worked up and it was a much easier thing for him to remain calm. All the same his voice carried a tremor and rolled in a low tone as he spoke, “I frankly do not care who you are or what you’ve done to get where you are. The fact is that what happened yesterday was out of hand and…do you know the worst part? You let it happen. You, Oni, and Dewei all stood there and watched him beat me until my body was mutilated!”



He had taken an unintentional step towards the small woman, towering over her petite stature. She was not afraid, being as skilled a fighter as she was, but his voice broke down into her very core with his words. She shivered as she stared up at his narrowed gaze, knowing he was right, but so desperately trying to gather the words that could defend her. The last word of his sentence hit her deeply, his voice raising only a hair in emphasis, and she blinked as her lips wriggled in an attempt to form words. Finally, her nerve returned and a look of pity befell her features. It really did seem to her that he was lost, caught up in his emotions. It was understandable to be angry, but to throw away your future because of it? To insult your teachers? She sighed, “None of us wished for that to happen to you, and it was a terrible sight to behold. We did everything we could to—“



“Stop.”



She looked up at him with replenished shock, offended at being interrupted again. Her brow furrowed and her fists clenched, frustration beginning to rise. He was being more unruly than ever, not even wanting to listen to what she had to say. She was a moment away from voicing her disapproval, but the look in his eyes made her blood run cold. Such bitter indifference, firm with immovable spirit, radiated in their amber color. She felt transfixed staring upon the edge of a dreadful chasm as she gazed into them.



A few deep breaths were all it took to steady himself and Kazuki took another step forward, looking down at Inami. His voice rumbled quietly, empowered by the stern force of his will, “Don’t pretend like you care about me. I don’t want to hear it.”



A word caught itself in her throat but was strangled in an incoherent rasp before the young man waved a dismissive hand firmly. He spoke more loudly now, “No. Not another word. You no longer have any say in my life and you will listen to me before I go.”



Silence lingered and he waited to ensure that she would not attempt to further her argument. He relaxed his shoulders and the malicious visage that passed his face faded. Again his voice was steady, no longer imbued with wrath, “What Tsugo did to me was a breath away from murder. You and everyone else at the temple watched him unleash his rage upon my body and did nothing until it was too late. For all you knew I might have already been dead and, honestly, I don’t know how I survived. The fact is that you don’t care and neither do I. I don’t care about you or anyone else back there except one person. I’m not staying for her, so I damn well am not staying for anyone else.”



She said nothing still, her face now void of any feeling as her body seemed to slacken like a marionette that dropped its strings. Kazuki could read nothing of her inner thoughts as they rushed against her, a river of emotion carrying away her will to speak.



The young man stood very still for a long moment, the air thick with tense confliction until finally his shoulders relaxed completely. The corners of his mouth erased any sign of emotion, his eyes gazing distantly as they continued to stare into Inami’s. A monotone chorus melded into words as he spoke, quietly now, “I’m not leaving for anyone else either. I’m leaving for me. This is what I really need, and if you really do care at all you’ll let me go without contempt. Tell them back at the temple whatever you like. That I turned tail and ran. That I was afraid. That I died here in this town. It doesn’t matter to me.”



He turned from her now, his eyes still lingering on hers as he peered over his shoulder, “Or, you could tell them the truth.” His footfalls lightly pattered as he began his first steps towards his new life, feeling the last flakes of what he was leaving behind shed from him. He turned his eyes to the winding road before him, a smile broad on his face as his eyes danced with freedom. He chuckled lightly, “You can tell them that I moved on.”



The chill of the morning began to lift as the hazy fog fled from the continually rising sun, clouds rimming gold in the fresh light. The last traces of early dawn slid away into morning at last. Inami watched the young man as his figure shrank in the growing distance. A glistening trail of tears shimmered on her cheek, but she did not try to stop him. She merely watched as he proudly strode onward, embracing the light of the new day and welcoming the world. He was ready for it, and she could tell by the tone of his voice. All she could do now was pray that his confidence did not fail him and hope that they had taught him enough. Perhaps, he would remember what they had done for him by the end of it all.



*****



Several hours and several miles passed under the feet of the young monk. The well crafted cobblestone road stretched before him, and behind him, and the field it wound through seemed to go on for ages. In the distance behind him he could see the beginnings of the woods, hazy in the blue fog of distance, as they stretched up into mountains, where the monastery rested at the foot. He could not see it through the span of space between him and the mass of evergreen forestry, or even the small town he had just left. He could not help but smile. It felt quite good, this new freedom did.



He could go anywhere he wished, do anything within reason, and nothing was holding him back. His eyes drifted across the plain, seeing nothing but the endless stretch of pasture and countryside as he walked. His only concern was the simple fact that he was now walking in the middle of nowhere and had not the faintest clue how far until the next town. He might find himself walking for days and he had brought nothing with him, having precious few possessions to begin with and caring nothing for them. He sighed. Perhaps he left too hastily.



Well, there was nothing for it now but to keep walking. The sun was now leaning into early afternoon and he was not about to start walking back to town for any reason, only to leave again once he had proper provisions. Though, that could be more a product of his own stubbornness rather than inconvenience. The fact that he had eaten nothing since dinner the day before last did nothing to quell his concern for his well being, but he trudged onward.



The sky overhead was clear with the occasional wisp of cloud lazily floating by and the sun radiated a pleasant warmth that mingled nicely with the cool breeze of the fall air. As the sun craned into the later hours of the day, afternoon bringing the sweet call of distant birds singing to one another, Kazuki’s resolve and good humor began to wane. His stomach turned and grumbled in protest, his throat steadily more dry as he walked ever onward.



The silence, save for the birds, was the most maddening of all so he began humming a few fond tunes that he recalled from distant memories. Ones that Master Yuuta often sang while Kazuki was training, usually very painful exercises in particular. He chuckled to himself and continued the cheery melody. His old master was quite the bastard sometimes, but he had learned more from him than anyone else at that temple. Perhaps it was because they were fond of each other, but whatever the reason he could not help the sentimental pulse he felt. He did miss the old cur immensely, but he now understood all too well how the old man felt.



The sky began to grow deeper in hue as a pink tint echoed from the west, the sun sinking close to evening before Kazuki finally reached some form of landmark. Though a crossroad was not necessarily the best of things to stumble upon as least it meant that he was getting somewhere. It was a rather large meeting of roads, four paths in total converging. An exasperate sigh passed his lips and his shoulders slumped, “Really, the last thing I want to see is more roads…”



A sign had been dug into the ground to his right with four boards tacked into place. He peered at the writing scrawled onto the aged wooden planks with squinted eyes to read them in the fading light. One pointed back the way he came reading ‘Otaku 60’ and it was then that he realized just how long he’d been walking, on an empty stomach no less. He groaned at the thought but managed to push it aside as he looked at the next sign which read ‘Port Elandis 370’ and pointed east. The next sign pointed north and read ‘Narkidi Pass 213.’ The third sign pointed west and read ‘Takaru Forest 40’ and beneath that a sign pointed in the same direction reading ‘Shirigo 110.’



Kazuki sighed and sat down on the ground. He made the mistake of leaning his back against the wooden post where the signs hung and winced, immediately pulling away as his back flared with renewed pain. It was getting dark and if he could not see the road he did not wish to risk traveling. This seemed as good a place as any to have a rest for the night, though he could not help the fear he felt for himself. He had not seen many wild animals and not a single sign of a passerby, but all the same the darkness in the wilderness was no comfort. He drifted deep into thought as he curled his legs to his chest, resting his arms and head on his knees. It was going to be a long trip but so far it seemed like Shirigo was his closest destination. He disliked the idea of traveling through the forest, but walking over 200 miles to a different place seemed worse.



An hour passed and the young monk finally fell asleep, but he did not rest long before the soft clattering of hooves on cobblestone woke him with a fright. His head shot up and he looked around for the source of the noise. A small glowing light bobbed about in the distance in front of him, to the north, and the clattering grew louder as the creak of wooden wheels began to accompany it. He strained his eyes as the large shape began to form into something recognizable, a horse-drawn cart with a lantern dangling off the left side of its roof. He blinked away his weariness and looked up as the driver came into view.



An old man, lanky in build and quite small in stature, sat with an old woolen blanket draped over his shoulders. Hardly anything could be determined of the man’s face, due to his bushy grey facial hair, but he was heavily tanned. His knuckled and gaunt hands held the reins of the cart loosely as the horse trudged along at a lazy pace. He turned at the center of the crossroads and slowed to a halt, facing to the west. He peered from beneath his bushy eyebrows at the young man, with a gaze of appraisal. The boy seemed very physically fit, athletic to slightly muscular in build, healthy tone in his skin, dark red hair that fluttered loosely around his face to about chin level, and piercingly bright brown eyes. The lad seemed lost, sitting there under the post and looking up at the old man with a mixture of weariness and desperation coupled with a guarded glint in his eye.



The old man spoke in a raspy voice, of one who might have smoked far too much in his life, “Oi there, why are you sitting at the crossroads? Did ya get dumped off a wagon?”



Kazuki looked up at the old man, meeting his beady black eyes with a quirk of surprise wriggling his brows, “Uh? Oh…no I.” He thought for a moment, “I’m just traveling.”



The man on his cart laughed merrily until a cough broke the sound. After a moment he regained his composure and shook his head, “You’ve got nothing on you but a pair o’ slacks, boy. How long have you been wanderin’ around? You can’t be from Shirigo or Elandis, too far to walk with no provisions.”



Kazuki chuckled, amused that his foolishness was so obvious, and shook his head before speaking, “I know. I came from the monastery just past Otaku. I didn’t bring anything with me, but believe me I recognize my own mistake.”



The old man chuckled faintly, not daring to laugh so boldly as to incur another fit of coughs, and nodded, “I’m sure ya do. Well, where are you runnin’ off to in such a hurry as to not bring anything with ya?”



Kazuki blinked for a moment, hesitation in his voice, and he lowered his gaze in embarrassment, “I don’t know.”



“You don’t know where you’re going?”



He shook his head again, “I really don’t know… I don’t know where I’m going.”



The confession seemed to confirm a decision within the old man and he shifted slightly. He certainly didn’t feel right just leaving the poor boy to wither away from starvation, as he was sure to find that during the long walk to where ever he choose to go, or worse fates that might occur in the wilderness. He smiled, “Well, it doesn’t seem right ta leave you here. I’m headed to Shirigo myself to deliver some goods. Maybe you’d like a lift? It would make the trip much faster than on foot. That much is certain.”



Kazuki looked up again, surprise evident on his face, but he said nothing for a long moment. It had not even occurred to him to ask for such a favor and, though he was grateful, he had nothing to offer the man in return. He sighed, “I have no money to pay you for such a thing, or anything at all really.”



The old man chuckled and wheezed, “I didn’t ask for anything, boy, but if it makes you feel better you can help protect the cart while we travel through Takaru forest. It’s a thick, old place and can be quite dangerous so it wouldn’t necessarily be bad to have you along for the ride. If you don’t mind the task, that is.”



Kazuki sat with surprise still but was all too happy to nod his assent. He was a capable fighter; not the top in his class he’d say, but he could give any of his fellow students a trial. He was versatile and inventive, which gave him an edge in combat. He stood up wearily, “I must say this is still very kind of you. I really appreciate it.”



As the young man stood, the elder’s eyebrows perked as he caught sight of the ghastly wounds decorating the monk’s back. He said nothing about this for now, not wanting to be rude, and instead found that introductions were in order, “Well, climb on up here. My name’s Cassidy and I don’t mind lending help to a traveler at all. Gods know I’ve needed it myself on occasion.”



Kazuki bowed, clasping his hands out of habit, “Thank you again. My name is Kazuki.” He pulled himself up next to Cassidy and adjusted himself so that his back was not pressed against the wooden support of the seat, not liking the thought of how it would feel should they hit a bump in the road.



Cassidy clicked the reins very softly and the mare plodded forward without protest, eager to get along at a good pace. He turned his head to the young man, fearing his questions could no longer wait, “So, what caused ya to run off in such a hurry?”



Kazuki shrugged, not wanting to bore the man with details, “I just felt it was time for a change. Life was getting repetitive you could say.”



Cassidy eyed him closely a moment, clattering of hooves filling the void of the silence, and he said, “I see. I take it something must have happened to cause such a rash decision then. I don’t mean to pry, but those are some nasty wounds on your back. You may need to see the cleric once you get to Shirigo.”



Kazuki nodded, “I’ll keep it in mind, but really I had them taken care of already. It’s a little sore but I’m alright.” He seemed to drift off in thought for a moment, but he could not deny the kind old man of his real inquiry. It was obvious he wanted to know what really happened, and after his generosity, how could he say ‘no’? He nodded, “I don’t want to bore you with the details, but I was beaten within an inch of my life before I finally realized that it was time for a change. Things have been rough back there for some time, the past few months doubly so.”



Cassidy turned his eyes to the road ahead. He hadn’t meant to bring up any painful memories, but he was glad the stranger was willing to talk about things. It meant that, despite what he had gone through, he was not letting it affect him. If he was telling the truth that is, and he saw no reason for him not to be. He cleared his throat in a small cough before speaking again, “Couldn’t say I blame you for that. No wonder you left in a hurry.”



Kazuki chuckled, “I should have done this a long time ago, but maybe I would have thought to bring the things I needed with me.” He laughed amiably, still hardly believing he had been so foolish.



The old man chuckled lightly, “I most of us had a rough start and, if you ask me, you’ll be stronger for it. I bet you won’t forget again at the very least.”



Kazuki laughed again, “I can assure you I’ve learned my lesson. What about you? A rough start as well?”



Cassidy laughed until he sputtered a cough. He wheezed as his chuckles quieted, “Ah yes. I was about your age, actually, when my own dad kicked me out the door and said to find something else to do besides make his life a living hell.” He chuckled again, a broad smile on his face, “I’ve never looked back since, but I can tell you the first months of being on my own were hard. I started with nothing. I still have next to nothing, but it’s an honest living and I enjoy it.”



The young monk laughed heartily and his demeanor relaxed a good deal. It was good to know he and this stranger had a couple things in common, all things they could laugh about in reminiscence. He sighed and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, feeling quite tired still. After a moment of plodding along the smooth road he spoke again, “So what’s in this town, Shirigo, anyway?”



“It’s a pretty big town with lots of shops and quite the crowd this time of year. The farm towns nearby bring in their crops for the festival coming up.”



“Festival?”



“Yup, once a year there is a large celebration. It began as a ritual to give thanks to the gods for a good harvest and, well, escalated into just a grand ol’ time all around. A salesman can make a good spot of gold there about this time, so I suppose that’s why it’s gotten to be such an affair. People come from miles around.”



Kazuki sat up a little, now that his natural tendency for curiosity was peaked, “So I’m guessing that’s why you’re going there now?”



Cassidy nodded, “Yessir. I’m a leather worker by trade and I’ve got quite a bit of goods this year; everything from lady’s purses to quivers and armor. But, I’ll let you in on a secret; the purses sell better than anything.”



The two of them laughed along as the cart clattered along the cobblestone road. Night had fallen and the passing hours brought them to the edge of Takaru forest. Cassidy pulled the cart off the road and halted near the sparse beginnings of the tree line. He hopped off his perch with the reins in hand and threw the dull straps over a branch, tying them securely enough even though the mare did not have a history of wandering off. Kazuki stretched his back until he heard a light crack and then relaxed, “Stopping for the night?”



The old man, now walking around to the back of the cart and beginning to rummage about its contents, said, “Yeah. It’s best to make your way through Takaru during daylight and it’s a good eleven hours still until we reach Shirigo. We’ll head that way at the first light of day.”



Kazuki nodded, “Makes sense.” He hopped down as well and stretched his legs, “Do you need any help, sir?”



Cassidy chuckled with a wheeze, “Sure, kid. I’ll get a fire going and you can set up a couple of these blankets. I haven’t got anything fancy to sleep on so I hope it’ll do.” As he spoke he tossed two of the afore-mentioned items to the young monk.



Kazuki caught them and began going about his task as directed. He chuckled, “I’m not used to sleeping on anything better. Believe me, I could probably sleep on gravel and be content.”



Soon the fire was crackling in its makeshift hearth and the two men sat around it. Cassidy had grabbed a couple cans of food, bread, and some dried fruit rations. It was not a fancy meal but the poor young man was all too thankful for it and ate happily. The can held a foreign type of white bean, the likes of which he had never tasted before and it was very filling. The bread was crunchy and buttery, a pleasant contrast to the chewy pieces of dried fruit. All in all it was a pleasant meal and very much enjoyed.



The span of an hour passed before sleep finally overcame the duo, both of them sharing amusing stories and excerpts from their personal experiences; Cassidy had much more to tell than Kazuki, of course, but the young man had a few that merited a good laugh as well. The night was peaceful, no sounds from the woods waking the sleeping travelers, and the hours passed without event.



*****



Kazuki found himself awake first, the soft snores from the old man jarring him conscious. He had fallen asleep on his stomach, his arm tingling from lack of circulation. It was not quite dawn yet but, now that the fire had reduced to ash, it was too cold for the young monk to fall back asleep. He got up and stretched his legs, bending at the waist to work out the strains that had developed over night. He could not see well due to the lack of light so he strolled a few feet away slowly, as to not step on anything.



He continued his stretches, now feeling restless in the early hour, and bent down until his nose brushed his knees and his fingers wove into the lush green grass at his feet. He held himself still for a moment before, very slowly, bringing himself back upright. His back did burn with the effort, stretching the sensitive scabs uncomfortably, but the relief of tension in his muscles was more than enough to make up for the pain. He sat down on the ground and, deciding it was best to strain his back as little as possible, he brought his feet together and pulled them in closely. He began pushing his knees down to the ground, stretching the muscles of his inner thighs.



A soft breath past his lips in relaxation and he grabbed his feet, pulling them closer while he kept his knees as close to the ground as he was able. He made certain that ever muscle he was aware of was thoroughly stretched before standing back up. The sun had just begun to creep up above the horizon and he gazed upon the colored sky as the sunrise radiated its beauty.



“Up already, Kazuki?”



Cassidy wheezed a small laugh and Kazuki turned around to see the old man gathering up the blankets to fold them. The monk strode back over and moved to pick up the strewn cans and parchment wrappings for the fruit they had eaten, “Yeah, I usually get up at an ungodly hour. Old habits and all that.”



The old man nodded, tossing the blankets in the back of the wagon, “No shame in that. An early start means a full day, and we’ve got one of them ahead of us. Takaru forest will take about seven hours at a good pace and, though I’ve never had a problem before, it can be dangerous.”



The spirited mare stamped her foot and whinnied loudly, indignation apparent in the sharp trill as she turned her head as much as the slack in the reins would allow. She tugged at the knot still holding her to the branch and snorted. Cassidy shook his head, “Alrigh’, Baroness. I haven’t forgotten about ya.”



The horse did not seem convinced and whinnied again. The old man ignored the creature’s impatience and pulled a large bag from his wagon before walking back around. He pat the restless horse on the neck and brought the open bag up to her nose as she dove her head down within it. A loud munching was heard and the horse seemed very pleased with the contents of the bag as the old man stood watching with amusement. He motioned for Kazuki to go ahead and climb into the seat, “Once I get up there she’ll be darting off. She’s an impatient sort, like most women.”



Kazuki did as he was asked and hopped up onto the wooden bench, waiting patiently with a smirk on his face. He had not met too many women in his life, but so far his assessment seemed accurate. Isha’s elegant face flashed in his mind as her soft voice flowed softly over his mind’s ear, almost a sensual whisper. His face flushed a moment and he swallowed a lump in his throat, his head dropping as he tried to direct his thoughts elsewhere.



Cassidy hoped up beside him as the wagon began to move with the horse’s spirited steps, having gotten everything straightened out and put away. He chuckled as he glanced at Kazuki, “Everything alright there, kid?”



Kazuki nodded, “Uh…yeah. Sorry, I… It’s nothing.”



Cassidy directed the wagon back onto the road and shouted at the horse, “Easy, girl. You don’t want to wear yourself out, do you?” He looked back at Kazuki, “Let me guess. A girl on your mind?”



Kazuki looked up with sudden surprise at the old man, his face growing a deeper shade of red at being discovered. To this Cassidy laughed, “You young boys always have one thing on your minds. It’s as good a guess as any. And you were blushing.”



The young monk snickered, “So I was.” He brought his gaze back to the road and his thumbs fiddled for a moment, “Yeah, she’s been on my mind a couple times since I left.”



The old man grunted with a nod, “I see. Was she your girlfriend?” He chuckled quietly to himself.



“Oh no, nothing like that. A good friend though, but she’s not the type for relationships. Neither am I to be honest, so you could say it worked out.” He chuckled to himself, seeming to feel relieved to be able to discuss the topic freely. It was as if he had confirmed what he truly felt within him. He cared for Isha, yes, but it was nothing more than what it was and he found that he was realizing a good deal about himself as he reflected.



Cassidy chuckled again, “You’re wise beyond your years. Enjoy your life while you’re young would be my largest bit of advice. There’s far too much to see to get tied down. They say marriage is fulfilling, but hey being a bachelor ain’t a bad deal either. I suppose everyone has their preferences.”



The old man reached behind the seat as the wagon creaked along the road, the sky now hidden by thick tree tops, only peering through on a rare occasion. He pulled out a large, well-crafted crossbow and set it in his lap. He kept his eyes to the road ahead, “Just a precaution, of course. I’m more worried about wildlife than getting ambushed by thugs.”



Kazuki nodded, “Understandable.” He kept a sharp eye to the woods regardless, finding himself wary about his new surroundings. These woods were much different than those surrounding the monastery. They were thick with large, old trees of all sorts rather than just evergreens and pines. The roots of the larger trees wove in and out of the surface of the soil and the leaves were a wide array of warm colors in the fall season. The deeper his gaze wandered into the woods, the darker the shadows grew beneath the thick trees. The scent of the place grew stronger as the horse plodded along further into the forest, a strong yet pleasant smell of old wood drifted along the soft breeze.



The stones forming the main road began to lay more sparsely about the ground as they pressed onward before they ceased their presence entirely, some hour or so along the journey. The dirt of the road was packed well and appeared to be naturally well disposed for this sort of purpose. Perhaps it was once well tended and frequently traveled, though currently that did not seem the case due to the lack of tread groves along the path. Either way it was a good thing indeed that the rain had been scarce in the past few weeks, or they would have a difficult time along a road like this.



Several hours of deep forested terrain and twisting paths along steep inclines brought them towards the last stretches of the journey. Kazuki had hardly caught sight of a bird, let alone any truly dangerous wildlife. His resolve to stay attentive was beginning to wane and the sound of a deep snore issuing from his companion told him that he was not alone. The horse did not seem to notice that the driver had dozed and trotted obediently along, following the path perfectly. The young monk had to note just how well trained the creature was and he chuckled quietly.



The trees were not quite so thick an ominous anymore, the sunlight now finding its way back through the branches. Kazuki nudged the old man, just to make sure that the horse did not get distracted, and he woke with a mutter. Cassidy chuckled, “Thank ya. Sorry ‘bout that.”



Kazuki laughed in response, “Not a big deal, still haven’t seen anything. Just worried the horse might wander.”



Cassidy nodded, “Ah, Baroness tends to do that if distracted. Looks like she’s eager to get to the town though.”



A rustling caught Kazuki’s attention, though the old man did not seem to pay it any mind. He quirked his eyebrow, eyes scanning the tree tops ahead as he spoke, “Looks that way…”



No amount of preparation or training could ready a man for their first true battle, though his wariness did pay off. A soft thud resounded behind the two travelers, sounding like a man light of weight landing on the wooden roof of the cart, and Kazuki turned and brought his hands up in defense just in time as a kick was thrown into his head. He grasped a firm hold on the assailant’s leg, though the blow still connected and pushed him out of his seat. He held fast and the man fell from his perch, tumbling with the monk onto the ground beside the street.



He landed hard on his back, his foe not far from him, and he scrambled to his feet. The horse took off in a fright and was barreling away, Cassidy’s voice shouting in vain to calm the animal as the sound began to fade from distance. Kazuki and the would-be bandit both got to their feet simultaneously and the two faced each other, eyes thick with animosity. His opposition was much shorter, scarcely five feet and four inches tall, and was wiry in build. His clothing was worn and loose, dark earthen colors and light leather armor. He wore a dark blue cloth around his face, sandy blonde hair falling to his chin and two bright blue eyes glinted from behind the strands.



The monk steadied himself, his eyes darting back to the road where the cart clattered away. He could see two more figures in the trees above, giving slow chase after their quarry. No doubt they knew he would come back to find his lost passenger and intended another ambush. His opponent rushed at him with knives drawn and swung wildly for his chest and throat. The man’s lack of refinement in technique was obvious, though still mildly experienced, and Kazuki spun to the side as he grabbed the thief’s left wrist. The natural movement of his dodge twisted the bones in the captured appendage and the man yelped in pain as his hand was forced behind him.



The knife in the man’s left hand hit the ground from the surprise of the attack and Kazuki planted his foot firmly in his back. The thief flew forward and his head smacked heavily into a thick, gnarled tree. He fell limply to the ground and the young monk took off at as quick a pace as he could manage, his raw back stinging from his rough tumble off the wagon. It was well that he was a fast runner, being as fit as he was, but all the same catching the wild cart seemed unlikely. He felt a warm trail trickle over the skin of his back and he knew that he had likely busted one of the gashes open, but still he kept his pursuit of his charge regardless of this concern.



The road wound and dove sharply into the steep incline, making footing difficult at a fast pace. It was a wonder that the horse had done so, since there were no signs of a wreck. Kazuki’s chest began to heave as he barreled down the path, though the sight around the next corner caused him to halt in his tracks. A body lay at his feet with an arrow firmly lodged in the chest and the young man blinked, unsure of what to think upon seeing a corpse for the first time. He looked down at the man who was still struggling for breath, though it was obvious that his endeavor to remain in the living world was futile. He was scrawny like the last bandit and very young, possibly around the same age as Kazuki himself. The wild brown hair fell in straggled locks past his shoulders and his naturally dark eyes were beginning to gaze into the world beyond.



Kazuki knelt beside the faintly writhing form and scanned his attire for anything that may help. He spotted such and grimaced at what he had to do. With sharp sigh he grasped the small dagger from the man’s belt and looked into the man’s eyes with uncertainty. The poor soul did not even seem to acknowledge the monk’s presence, still struggling to draw but the smallest gulp of air and see the light of the world through those distant eyes. Deliberation caught him for the shortest of moments before he crossed the sharp blade through the veins in his neck, blood pouring from the gash as the man choked his last breath.



When the man stilled, Kazuki slid his eyelids closed as he stood. There was no longer any time to waste lingering, despite the heavy weight of emotion that had begun to settle on the monk’s shoulders. He sprinted from the spot in search of Cassidy and the runaway wagon. One of these bandits was still prowling and, though the old man was armed, a risk was still present. His back was beginning to pulse with a sharp ache as he sprinted, truly hoping that he was not as far behind as he thought.



A few turns away and several minutes later he finally set eyes upon the cart, but the sight was not quite what he had been hoping for. Cassidy had his arms locked with the third bandit while the horse reared and bucked, tossing the cart about in its place. Kazuki picked up his speed to help the old man, his legs beginning to tire from the extended effort. As he closed the distance he could see the crossbow lying uselessly on the ground and that the bandit was armed, Cassidy desperately trying to keep the dagger away from himself. The young monk charged onward, sights set on the conflict and weighted with fear and worry.



The old man took a hit in the gut from the assailant’s foot and his hold on the weapon loosened. The thief slashed deeply at his chest, blood smattering the abused clothing as he fell back roughly against the backing of the wooden bench. His opponent reeled his arm back for the final stab, but a strong force slammed into him.



Kazuki had thrown his full weight at the bandit and the two flew off the other side of the wagon amidst the wild neighing of the horse and Cassidy’s groan of pain. In a rush of anger and fear the monk struck his opponent firmly across the face with a strong hook, knocking the mask askew slightly to reveal the newly bruised and bloodied skin. His other hand gripped the hand that held the dagger, pressing it into the ground, and the two struggled for dominance over the thief’s last free hand. After two sharp blows to the face, Kazuki subdued the wriggling foe and held him fast.



The mask slipped only just, the bandit’s green eyes becoming clear along with the obviously feminine shape of the face and plump lips. Kazuki blinked, mistakenly losing his grip as he was taken aback and merited a firm knee to his groin. He was forced to roll to the side and, managing to keep his wits about him, dodged just in time to avoid being stabbed for his foolishness. He tumbled to his feet and stood ready for a fight, his only concern being for the wounded old man.



The woman scowled and ripped the mask away, too soaked with blood from the gash in her lip to be of any use now. She readied her dagger to strike as her eyes narrowed to gauge her opponent. She was now outnumbered and it was becoming increasingly obvious that she was unlikely to win this battle. Options for escape were starting to show appeal.



Kazuki took a step back, his hands lifted and held ready to defend himself. He began to back towards the cart slowly, the thief taking steps away as well. The monk chanced to speak, “I don’t want to fight you. Leave and we’ll do the same. Please.”



Her eyes narrowed, but it was indeed most beneficial for her to take leave. Perhaps another opportunity would present itself. For now, she had to see if her companions were alive to regroup and treat a couple injuries of her own. She backed away a bit further before turning and running, disappearing into the trees.



Kazuki did not pause. He leapt up next to Cassidy and grabbed the reins, again surprised at the well-disciplined nature of the horse. She had stood there, rearing and neighing perhaps, but she still waited for her master’s command. He did not know the first thing about driving a wagon, and very little about riding a horse for that matter, but he took his best guess and pull the reins to turn the creature. The closest town was their destination, so he was hoping to get back heading the correct direction and on with the journey.



The horse had seemed to calm slightly, though her muscles still quivered with anxiety, and took the hint well enough that it was time to move on. She did so gladly, at a fast canter down the path and took the turns almost of her own accord. Kazuki took the moment to turn to Cassidy and assess the damage. He nudged the old man, who groaned in response as he leaned his head back to reveal the ghastly wound on his chest.



The monk grimaced and held a hand upon the old man’s shoulder, “It’ll be alright. You’ll be fine.” He rummaged behind the seat for something to dress the wound as he continued to speak as reassuringly as he could, though his own concern weighted his voice. He pulled out a wrinkled mass of linen that smelled heavily of rain water and he held a corner of it in his teeth. He pulled at the fabric until it began to rip and took the split in both his hands, tearing a long strip from the heap. He pulled back Cassidy’s jacket, slipping it off his shoulders, and then worked at tearing the man’s shirt open so that he could wrap the makeshift bandage tightly enough to subdue the bleeding. Once he had some room he began to wrap the linen around the old man’s thin body, trying his best to get it tight enough but not so much as to hinder his breathing. He knew about as much about first aid as driving the wagon, so he could only hope that it was enough.



He grabbed the reins in his hands as the horse thundered onward, the turns becoming less sharp and the incline much less steep. He could only hope that their journey would soon bring them to Shirigo.







~*********************************~



Yeeeaaaay. Finally got this one up. Thanks for you continuing readers! I'm having a lot of fun and it's been a really great writing experience for me. There'll be at least one more chapter of this story, maybe another, and then I'll start writing the next 'book'. So be looking for the sequel, because there will be much more action.