Torakichi took a deep breath before slowly standing.

Faint pops could be heard as he lightly stretched his arms.

Hanabira and Amai awoke to find Torakichi packing their things.

“Good morning.” Torakichi greeted.

“Good morning.” Hanabira and Amai said.

“It has been many years since I last set foot in these lands, but if I remember correctly, there’s a town to the east. We’ll take the western route and if anyone asks where we’re from, we’ll say we’re from Shihanki.” Torakichi said as he wrapped both of his weapons in cloth. Covering their scabbards.

He then turned to Amai, who lowered her eyes instantly after.

“Mmm… come.” Torakichi before walking into the forest deep.

Dark brown leaves fell, covering the forest floor in a thick layer of dying vegetation.

This caused Hanabira and Amai to lose their footing and slip a few times.

“Be careful.” Torakichi cautioned.

They eventually came across a path that came from the west and headed toward the east.

Torakichi then spotted a group of people approaching from the west.

“Come.” Torakichi whispered prompting Hanabira and Amai to follow him along the path.

The group eventually got closer and Torakichi noticed that they were carrying a man whose body was extremely disfigured.

It’s almost as though he had be repeatedly beaten to the point where his skin was covered in dark purple, almost black blisters that oozed with blood and pus.

Torakichi looked into the eyes of the men as they passed and all he could see was dread.

Their clothes were worn and covered in dirt. Their eyes sunken and hands calloused.

Some of them even dragged their feet as they walked.

The group eventually walked out of viewing distance.

Torakichi stopped before looking up.

The forest was far too thick and it’s trees too tall for him to tell how far they were from the Shinsei Mountains, but he could tell that they were no where near its base.

“We must keep moving southward.” He said before stepping off the path.

Hanabira and Amai followed him as the rising sun brilliantly lit the forest floor.

Some time passed and Hanabira eventually spoke.

“Mr. Kanemoto, what else do you know about the Shinsei Mountains?”

“Mmm… I know that a group of dragon worshipers built a temple up there. Far be it from me to judge the dogmas of others, so I won’t. I can, however, say that the temple is abandoned. I wonder if the beetle is still up there. Whether he is wilfully spreading his ashes out of hatred.” Torakichi said.

“Could the beetle still be alive after all this time?”

“I don’t know. Although considering the fact that your child has indeed been cursed, it wouldn’t be too absurd to assume that the Ashen Beetle yet lives.” Torakichi said.

The three walked for some time before Hanabira noticed something.

“Amai?” She asked.

Torakichi turned to find that Amai was standing completely a few meters behind Hanabira.

“Are you tired?” Hanabira asked.

Amai’s eyes remained lowered as Hanabira walked towards her.

“I’m… I’m OK.” Amai said even as tears fell from her eyes.

“Oh, come here.” Hanabira said before gently wrapping her arms around Amai.

Torakichi sighed before pointing at a nearby log.

“Let’s rest here for a bit.” He said.

Hanabira and Amai sat down while Torakichi keenly inspected their surroundings.

“How are you able to keep moving? Surely this war has taken something from you.” Amai said as she wept.

“Mmm… I can’t say that I haven’t lost anything. My husband is in Chōten and I do worry for him, but I’m sure he’s be fine.”

“And if he isn’t?” Amai asked.

“Then… then I’ll do everything I can to ensure that his son grows up to be a man his father would have been proud of.” Hanabira, but this only made Amai cry even more.

Torakichi crossed his arms before looking up.

The sky was cloudless and the winds were gentle.

Were the country not in a state of war, this would have been a perfect day.

Torakichi thought back to his house, the little pond and the time he and his old friend spent there.

He sighed deeply before standing up.

“We must keep moving.” He said.

Hanabira nodded before helping Amai up, who’s eyes didn’t meet Torakichi’s.

The group then continued south before a certain noise filled the air.

“Mmm.” Torakichi droned.

“Keep close.” He said before leading Hanabira and Amai towards the noise.

It almost sounded as though many people were crying.

A large house eventually came into view. Torakichi and company made their way towards the house’s entrance to find a large group of people.

Many of them looked injured and those who weren’t simply wept.

Torakichi spotted a rather tall man at the centre of the ground. He was rather well dressed compared to those around him.

He wore a relatively clean, blue kimono while everyone else wore an assortment of dingy cloths and robes.

“I can only treat one of you at a time. I sincerely ask that you all wait a little longer.” The man said only to he met with a wave of curses and yells.

“Come.” Torakichi said before leading Hanabira and Amai towards a path that led away from the house, but just as they stepped on the path, a man ran up to Torakichi before falling onto his knees and clasping his hands together.

“Mr. Samurai! Please help us! The northerners have sent assassins to kill us lowly farm folk! Please, lend us your aid!” The man screamed at the tip of his voice as his knees bled.

Torakichi’s eyes widened for a moment as people began gathering around him.

“Please, Mr. Samurai!”

“Help us!”

“We’re begging you.”

Such things were said as Torakichi glared at the man kneeling at his feet.

Torakichi took a deep breath before walking down the path with Hanabira and Amai in tow.

“Where are you going?”

“Come back!”

“Bah! Let him go. What were we expecting from an old hunched man.”

Such things were said as Torakichi and company made their way down the path.

Hanabira snuck a glance at Torakichi to find that his face was completely devoid of expression.

She swallowed what little saliva was in her mouth she wondered what terrifying thoughts were going through Torakichi’s mind.

“Do you think the great generals of the north would ever use assassins as those people said?” Hanabira asked.

“I don’t know. Wars have never been fought solely on open battlefields. Although distasteful, certain tactics can and probably should be used, depending on the situation. Only a small fraction of Kuroppoi’s land is fertile. If the great General Netsu deems destroying Kuroppoi from within a necessity… then there’s nothing more to be said.” Torakichi said with a frightening level of clarity.

“I see.” Hanabira said before looking at the cloths that held Hibana up.

“You know, if you ever tire of carrying Hibana, you could always give him to me.” She suggested as they walked.

“I know you mean well, but that could prove problematic, especially if we are attacked.”

“Oh.” Hanabira sounded.

“Pardon my asking, but what do you plan on doing after curing your son? Chūshin will still be at war and returning north will be unwise.” Amai asked.

“I don’t know-“

“If Hanabira is up to it, we’ll head west until the conflict ends.” Torakichi said without looking back.

“But that could take months or even years.”

“I know.” Torakichi said before realizing that the sun had begun to set.

He then led Hanabira and Amai off the path and into the forest where they eventually found a clearing.

They then placed their things on the ground, allowing Torakichi to rummage through the bag full of supplies they’d take from the soldiers by the river.

He quickly found a bow and some arrows which he placed to the side before untying Hibana.

He then handed the stone child to Hanabira, who sat next to Amai.

“I’m off to hunt for something. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure not to wonder too far.”

“Alright.” Hanabira said as Torakichi walked into the forest deep as the sun rapidly sunk, casting the forest into a deep darkness.

“May I?” Amai asked.

“Mmm?” Hanabira sounded before noticing that Amai was looking at Hibana.

She handed Hibana over to Amai, who gently cradled the stone child.

“Do you think he’s in pain?” Amai asked.

“I hope not. I hope that when we cure him, it’ll be as though none of this happened, because I cannot bear to think of it any other way.” Hanabira said before fixing her hair into a neat bun.

“You are far stronger than I. I cannot imagine how I would react were I in your situation. Part of me just wants to give up and…” Amai's voice trailed off as Hanabira gathered sons twigs and sticks.

“Mmm… I don’t think I’m strong at all. If it weren’t for Mr. Kanemoto, I would have most likely died in Kama, alongside my in laws, but he saved me and has continuously saved me since then. I can only hope that some day, I’ll be able to repay him for his help.” Hanabira said as she started a small fire.

“I see.” Amai whispered as something approached from the north.

Hanabira quickly grabbed her Tantō before quickly realizing that it was just Torakichi.

He had a small animal in hand and after sitting opposite Hanabira and Amai, he promptly skinned the animal.

Torakichi then roasted the small animal over the fire Hanabira had made.

A distant howl from the south got Torakichi’s attention.

It was a strange howl. It sounded almost distorted yet ethereal.

Torakichi shook aside his curiosities before offering Hanabira and Amai various pieces of meat.

“What do you think my husband is eating right now?” Hanabira asked as she blew on her piece of meat in an attempt to cool it.

“Rice. Lots of rice. Hot rice if he’s lucky.” Torakichi said before instantly eating his still hot cut of meat.

Hanabira and Amai stared at him for a moment.

“What?” Torakichi asked.

“Nothing.” The two woman said while allowing their food to cool.

Everyone eventually finished eating and Hanabira found herself having unpleasant thoughts.

Thoughts of a burning Kama.

Thoughts of her in laws, who laid dead on the floor.

“Umm… you said that you once served alongside a great warrior. Could you tell me more about him?” Hanabira asked.

“Mmm?” Torakichi sounded as he looked into Hanabira’s half closed eyes.

He grabbed a nearby blanket and covered Hanabira before looking up in thought.

“Ririshī Hizashi, captain of the Crimson Scabbards.” Torakichi said with a fierce growl.

He then grabbed the Ōdachi by his side before unwrapping it, revealing its dark red scabbard.

Hanabira and Amai gazed in awe as the fire’s dim light illuminated the large weapon.

“More than a leader of men, he was also my friend. Our story is long. Where would you like me to begin?”

“The beginning, if you don’t mind.” Hanabira said with a yawn.

“Alright. This may surprise you, but I’m not the son of a warrior. My father was a merchant and my mother was from a land far to the west. The tale of my parent’s is a short and sweet one, but now is not the time.”

“Aww.” Hanabira sounded softly.

“Ah, yes. Captain Hizashi and I met when my father and his discussed various things. As you know, the captain’s family once ruled over Kama and the land surrounding it. This meant that the two of discussed many important things with the captain and I being left together. Our interactions were fairly simple. We played together as children often do, but that all changed when his father suggested that I go train alongside the captain to become a samurai. You see, the Hizashi’s, like many families in Kama, were a warrior clan and so for the captain, there was no higher honour. My father agreed and it wasn’t long before the captain and I were sent to train.” Torakichi said before noticing that Hanabira had fallen asleep.

He then exchanged glances with Amai, who’s eyes locked with his for a moment.

“Would you like to hear more?” Torakichi asked.

“Yes.”