Sagara - episode III: Shadows of the War

[Ninja of Cao]

Click here for episode II.

Episode III: Sagara - Shadows of the War
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Introduction


Yunaiteddo, the large island group outside the Kaon Sabaku sea. The waves smashed the cliffs roughly, but on the land everything was calm and silent. On a hill, surrounded by trees, there was a small house covered by snow. Outside it a man sat and chopped wood. His long, black hair was lightly pulled by the wind and his hands were still. Suddenly he heard something behind him, but before he could react he was hit in the back of his head with something hard.
"Well done, I could hardly defend myself this time." He said while turning around. His son, Sochi, stood behind him holding a wooden sword.
"Bushido assassination style version 3: Yougeki." The young boy said and smiled triumphant. Sagara smiled back at him.
"Seven years and this strong..." He said while standing up. "You advance even quicker than I did."
Sagara was hit in his head again.
"What do you mean seven? It's my eight birthday today!" Sochi shouted. Sagara laughed and reached for his back.
"Of course I haven't forgot. I have a gift for you."
He pulled something out from under his kimono. It was a long sword with a beautifully decorated sheath.
"Is that a real sword?" Sochi asked happily.
"This is a Tenken, a holy sword forged by the gods of Shinsei." Sagara answered as he put the sword in his son's hands. "Use it wisely. It is meant for the protection of those close to you."
Sochi slowly pulled the sword out of its sheath. When the light touched the blade, reflections appeared and caused the colors of a rainbow to fill the air around them.
"I will." He said while looking up. "Thank you, father."
"You will be strong." Sagara said and sat down. "Stronger than me. Make sure you use that strength for good, okay?"
"Sure."
"Good."
Sagara stood up and turned to the pieces of wood he had chopped.
"Now I must get this work done before nightfall." He said and got back to chopping the wood. He didn't use an axe, but a sword. But each time he cut a piece of wood, flashbacks of him cutting down his enemies appeared in his head.
I have seen so much blood. He thought to himself. I have killed so many. I hope the next generation will see my son as a hero, not a murderer like me.
Suddenly there was a loud noise in the forest and a treetop fell down. Sagara looked at the forest and was ready to use his sword again, but as two more trees fell he saw it was just Riki training.
"I don't need all that wood." Sagara shouted at Riki. His friend looked at him.
"But I need training to stay strong." Riki answered and punched another tree. His hand pierced through the trunk and the cracks made the tree fall down. "These wooden things are weak, are there any rocks around here?"
Sagara pointed at a mountain and Riki immediately begun running towards it.


About an hour before sunset, the work was done and Sagara walked back into the house. His wife Yumi sat next to a table and looked up at him when he entered.
"Welcome back." She said and smiled at him. "Sochi seemed really happy about your gift to him."
"A sword to protect the weak and don't kill." Sagara answered and sat down next to his wife. "I hope he will gain the same reputation as his sword."
"Are you still mourning over your actions during the war?"
"What else can I do? I took hundreds of lives. Only to achieve a goal as stupid as personal revenge."
"You forget the goal of the Hitogumi. You were a soldier and you fought for liberation. There is nothing wrong with that. Both sides fought honorable, with brave men ready to sacrifice themselves for what they believe to be best for the world."
Sagara thought for a while before replying.
"I guess you're right."
"I always am." Yumi answered and smiled at him. They both laughed. Before he had met Yumi, Sagara didn't know happiness, love, or any positive feelings. He had gained some friends, but they were all killed in action many years ago.
"I'm glad to be your husband." He said.
"I'm glad to be your wife." She answered.
They kissed for a moment before Riki entered the room.
"Hey, in case you aren't too busy making out, there are a lot of Imperial troops attacking the townsfolk."
Sagara stood up quickly and reached for his waist, but his hands didn't find the sword he was so used to pull. It now hang on the wall in his room, more as a symbol than the weapon it once were. He ran into the bedroom and pulled it out of its sheath. When he turned back towards the doorway, Yumi had just called in Sochi, who was protesting soundly.
"Let me fight! I need to protect us!" He shouted.
"I won't let you get killed!" Yumi answered. Riki looked at her and then at Sagara.
"They are too many for you to handle. But one day you will be strong enough, I promise." Sagara said before he walked out of the door.
"Riki... protect them at all costs."
That was his last words before he charged into combat. Far too late he realized that he by instinct had grabbed the Satsuken, a killing sword.
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This is episode III of the Sagara story, taking place eight years after the second episode.