x
I just danced in the sweet memories!*
They were hurricanes that mix my love and pain.
They were breezes that soothe my heart after the rain.
I saw us playing in the poppy field. You were holding my hands as we wandered through the scarlet blossoms until I was tired and dragged you down on the moist ground. Our dresses were soaked in sweat and moisture but sooner they were dried up by the heat of our bodies. You were laying upon me. Your disheveled hair gently covered my face.
i could smell the sweetish fragrant of your breathe. While your warmth was transmitted through the huff and puff of your body pressing on mine.
It almost suffocated me but I never pushed you away. Instead I always hold you tight to immerse myself into your embracement.
Suddenly you put your arms around my neck and waist and laughed mischievously. Then the ride began as we were rolling down the slope, lifting and splashing the pedals all around like swarms of butterflies. Our laughter echoed around the horizon that even God was jealous of our act of joyful impudicity.
Until we shattered and morphed into the swarms of butterflies.
We embarked into the cosmic voyage of endeavoring the collective morality.
I was scared when I gradually lost touch with you.
Then I found myself reassembled and a new me is found.
But I cannot find the trace of YOU anymore.
Instead,
Now that The Girl was holding my hands as she waltzed in her conspicuous, almost exaggerated, but lively steps. I hardly could feel you there. And her offensive advancement triggered the alarm of me, making me push her away like a reflex action.
The Girl grinned, “Oh~ how do you like it? Honey!”
”Do not imitate HER! Never again.” Sora did not rise her voice. But each word penetrated the brain of her target in a discomfortable but effective way.
The Girl truly disliked it, “YOU! YOUR FRIEND AND OLD MAM! Are the same kind! AKI do not like them!”
Aki suddenly bursted into tears and stomping her feet like a grumpy child. Sora watched without reacting until she stopped her weird behavior all of a sudden and grinned,
”But Mam and She told Aki that I need you. You are the only one WHO CAN SAVE AKI!”
“Tell me then, what makes you here? What did Haru tell you?” Sora softened her voice intentionally in order not to stimulate her.
”……Aki do not know how to say that in words.”she then took off her kimono, wearing only her crimson halter top. She turned and revealed her back to Sora-
A heart pounding red lumpy scar, from her neck continuing down to her hip.
”Mammy called this FLAME. She said this is the CURSE MORGAN should bear for their whole life.”
Sora reached out her hand and touched her scar gently. She could almost feel the pain and torture the girl had gone through year after year. She was overtaken by a heartbreaking pity for the girl.
You must save the girl, for me, Sora.
”I will try my best to help you through this. Just let me know how!” Sora made a promise to Aki, as if she was promising Haru- she believed to be begging her through the girl’s voice.
”Aki will take you home.” Aki put on her clothes and the armor and said happily, “And THE BIG SIS had left you a PRESENT.”
“Sora Sama, these horses are the best in our stable. They can take you to your destination within one day for sure.” Asano Kouichi is presenting proudly his horses to Sora. Sora smiles and thanks him.
“Be careful, Sora Sama. And we have started setting up our defense line right now. Even if Tenno breaks his promise and jumps the gun to invade us now, we are confident to hold on until your return!”Youta and his men are gathering outside the stable, seeming to farewell Sora and Aki, but most importantly, to declare their defend to the last, to the return of their sole alliance today.
”Motoya kun. Please protect Ai and the people here. I have a lot of faith on you. So are Youta Sama and the people here.” Sora holds Motoya’s hands.
”You be careful too, Sora san.” Sora nods. But her smile is different now. They have been together every single day ever since they have departed Okada for more than a month. Today’s separation may not last long enough to cause the bitterness and grief of parting in them, but they know it is a trial they should overcome sooner or later- a trial to corroborate the trust and belief in each other.
”Motoya san will mostly assist us in defending the inner city-state. We will not put him in the front line!”Youta proclaims but Sora stops him in the middle,
”Don’t under estimate him. He would be a powerful backup to your troops”
”I am at your command, Youta Sama!”Motoya expresses his determination too.
“Good!” Youta nods to express his appreciation.
”Don’t lose hope in your faith and your sword.”Sora encourages Motoya before she and Aki ride on the horses.
Then she looks at a distance and waves to Ai, who is standing on the balcony of the Tazu Ryokan and praying in her heart for everybody.
And Sora sets off with Aki, towards the East.
Five miles away from the city of Shikoku, the head of the Household Guard, Shogun Ueda Tsuki, has his troops of five thousands elite solders performing the last drill before the assault.
Ueda is commanding his men proudly in front. His instruction is strict and stringent even in the drill. One can easily assume that his reputation must have been built mostly on real power and strength but least on luck or politics.
“Shogun, snooper has reported the departure of the SUCCESSOR, with her SWORDS.” Abe, Captain of the assault team, reports to the Commander.
”Don’t be easily interfered by news or rumors. Advance in our own pace. We don’t rush to victory. We plan and work out the plan in order to win!” Ueda emphasizes the importance of strategy while downplaying the impact of luck and fortune.
”Your Mightinesses, I used to have high expectation on the Saint Five. So please, don’t let me down AGAIN.”
A RONIN stops feasting. He pushes away the yujos surrounding him and laughs wildly,
”Mind your words, Commander!” The Ronin scratches his chest after spitting, “we work independently. And most of all, you don’t hold our fxxk back. Our target is only the SUCCESSOR!”
Ueda is not infuriated at all. He turns and stares at the woman laying on the floor. Instead of further warning or reminder, he concerns more about the status and condition of his “merchandises”.
“Huh! Sayaka! Wake the fxxk up! How much more sleep you still need ?”
The woman doesn’t reply. She closes her eyes but doesn’t seem to be asleep though.
She has been struggling badly in her fearful memories- since her last fight with the Successor.
THOSE REDDISH EYES OF TERROR, they don’t belong to human.
I should overcome it! I must!
Sakaya is murmuring to herself.
The Woman guided Hikirichi through a ruined village. Houses are torn down, burning. Everywhere is lifeless. He advances gradually and entrenches himself at every step.
He knows this place- a sinful place he dare not to return here ever again!
The Woman stops and points her vital-less finger towards the front. Hikirichi can barely recognize two figures:
A Girl is holding a blood-stained tanto in her hand. She squints her beautiful eyes while grinning at another girl fainting on her knees. She is covering her abdomen with her hands to stop blood flooding out.
He recognizes her face: Sora the Successor.
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEfJIORzlY
124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EewfnREMo
