"Hana, you do know I have the right to worry about you." The music resonating within the six tatami room ended its tune much like of a soft sigh. Its origin was a man who slowly lowered the wooden flute from his lips as his eyes fluttered open resembling that of shy butterfly wings that revealed paper moons. The name might be considered peculiar for a male, yet this was taken ever so easily by who was known more as Susumu. "The same could be said about me, Haha-ue." There was movement afterwards, a few shuffling and a few sound of footsteps before a hand was placed on top of an elderly woman's graying hair. "Probably." Then, the room was filled with light laughter as much as the said woman could convey in her current form. For if one take a care to look, the individual given title as mother was lying upon the futon, eyes closed with sickly white complexion. In that light, any could assess the female was suffering from an ailment.
"You are the same as always... That's good to know." There was a small yet warm smile upon her lips, even in such condition, she was a beauty more so during her youth, she must have been a blossom so desired and so praised. "I believe my concern is misplaced..." This was answered with a smile from Susumu who then also placed a fleeting kiss on his mother's brow. "Chichi-ue is here, I will be leaving now." True to that statement, an elderly man was by the shōji doors gazing at them endearingly. "Hana." She called out as she raised her hand and he understood what that meant as she took her hand. "Be safe." He gently placed her hand on his cheek. "I understand... probably." A short laughter was heard from her and then, he slowly released it as he stood from her side. He looked towards his father who beckoned to follow him outside and so he did.
They were at a distance from his mother's room before his father finally spoke. "I've heard that the battles are getting dangerous. You're losing." The reason had been revealed as to why his father did not want to be heard so easily. It's true that her mother had lost most of her senses, the only one left are her ears, which made it more honed and sharper than the rest. His father stopped from his stride and turned to face his only son. "I have taught you the way of a warrior and you have made it as your own. I am proud of you and as our Konoe clan. However..." The older male placed both hands on Susumu's shoulders before continuing. "One must admit defeat. Ichijō-dono is now ailing and his influence now limited to himself. He is but a fool hoping to retrieve the old Edo. My son, this path has become far too dangerous."
Hearing this from his father, Susumu was not surprised or offended. He had always known the love his parents have for him, they are undefinable and without equivalent. "No path is safe, chichi-ue... probably." His father's grip on his shoulder tightened and a glare present among those eyes reflecting his image. "Susumu! Take this seriously." Those words had been a constant reminder for him, but never once did he take anything mildly. "Take care of haha-ue." He spoke without any difference from his rather calm and laid-back countenance. "I will be visiting again when you have calmed yourself, chichi-ue." The hands on his shoulders loosened before it fell away. He then lowered his head for a bow. "Until then, probably." And, he walked passed his father without another glance, taking his leave as a better judgement for now.
Thus, Susumu found himself walking through the streets of his hometown of Edo. His destination was but a blank in his mind. It was a rare day for him. He had been given rest and it had been months since his last so, he would want to cherish the time as possible even if it was a simple mean as strolling. The idea of colliding with the Yakuza was never a concern for him; if it happens then he will deal with it. Though, he would like to cite differences of then and now.
Before, Edo was a brilliant light filled vibrancy and a sense of wonderment. If he would put it into plain words, it was much like a festival all the time. The streets echoed with lively chatter, a sense of unhindered freedom. True, there had been misdeeds and hard moments on all sides, yet the middle point, there is a suspended sense of peace. A belief that this town in its magnificence would be left alone by the skirmishes of others. But, the threat came from another source.
Now, the streets still looked the same. The lay of the land has left unchanged. Life continued on as it had been before. However, the light has greatly dulled. Edo has now become a beacon of another kind. It exudes misery, fear, and chaos. There is a scent of decay, a rotting being covered by the wooden planks, yet there was no doubt, the restlessness in the air is heavy, intoxicating all within its grasp, creating varying results whether paranoia or hopelessness. It is different for everyone.
One example would be his Lord Ichijō Gakuto. The man is an influential minor lord who owned vast lands of rice paddies. This brought enormous fortune which squandered by his children through gambling and opium which caused their deaths leaving his master without an heir and family. Susumu fought by his master's side and enacted his wish to remove the Yakuza from Edo. But of course, it did not prove successful and the multitude of defeats had placed a great strain both physically and mentally onto his Lord who was not young to begin with. His master was now confined to his chambers and time eats on his health, awaiting the blow of death. Still, his master desires the end of the Yakuza, a paranoia of another kind.
That is how he became a part of the rebel army. His master was far weak now to command authority and knew well the futility to combat such a large entity singularly. By commandment, Susumu had been sent to join the rebel army under Satō Tadakatsu. In this manner, he shall fulfill his master's wish and also be his lord's representative in combat and monetary assistance. This was not turned down of course and his performance in battle was a boon, granting him the rank of vice-commander in the process.
Nevertheless, this was but a given of fate as he defines all, such the impediment of his walk by a wooden horse on the ground. It was probably owned by a child who dropped it. He lowered himself and cradled the toy in his hand.
Susumu gazed at it for some time and was eventually taken by the familiar sound of mewling. His eyes directed itself to a white cat with brown patches as it approached him. When it was now in front of him, the feline further its boundary by rubbing its body at his foot. He did not prevent or reprimand the cat and simply looked to another direction in which a group of felines was almost upon him. It seemed he must begin to move once more and so he did as he stood and kept the wooden horse. Despite the rather odd situation, he remained unbothered and his gait was in a relaxed pace even with the cats following him, like a mother hen to its chicks. It was quite the scene as he walked the streets of Edo with the few people out and about watching the scene with interest and confusion.
There was no reason not to be seen by the passing eyes of the people. The sun still loomed the sky, illuminating the land and the spectacle of cats trailing Susumu. For him, it is but normal. His eyes casually looked around him and a bench underneath an impressive Ichō made his sight settle. He approached it and took his seat as the felines followed suit. Some joined him on the bench, some lay on his feet, others lounged themselves on his shoulders, lap, and head. As for him, he remained completely at ease as he took out the wooden horse he had taken with him. He looked at it and a smile was on his lips.
Just like so, he passed his day of relaxation that way. Not minding, anything else. For Susumu, he would let time flow and allow it to take him to wherever it dictates. As of now, he would stay here under the ichō, surrounded by the cats, and simply idling himself away, like he had done many times before. Perhaps, there are things that do not change with time after all.
"You are the same as always... That's good to know." There was a small yet warm smile upon her lips, even in such condition, she was a beauty more so during her youth, she must have been a blossom so desired and so praised. "I believe my concern is misplaced..." This was answered with a smile from Susumu who then also placed a fleeting kiss on his mother's brow. "Chichi-ue is here, I will be leaving now." True to that statement, an elderly man was by the shōji doors gazing at them endearingly. "Hana." She called out as she raised her hand and he understood what that meant as she took her hand. "Be safe." He gently placed her hand on his cheek. "I understand... probably." A short laughter was heard from her and then, he slowly released it as he stood from her side. He looked towards his father who beckoned to follow him outside and so he did.
They were at a distance from his mother's room before his father finally spoke. "I've heard that the battles are getting dangerous. You're losing." The reason had been revealed as to why his father did not want to be heard so easily. It's true that her mother had lost most of her senses, the only one left are her ears, which made it more honed and sharper than the rest. His father stopped from his stride and turned to face his only son. "I have taught you the way of a warrior and you have made it as your own. I am proud of you and as our Konoe clan. However..." The older male placed both hands on Susumu's shoulders before continuing. "One must admit defeat. Ichijō-dono is now ailing and his influence now limited to himself. He is but a fool hoping to retrieve the old Edo. My son, this path has become far too dangerous."
Hearing this from his father, Susumu was not surprised or offended. He had always known the love his parents have for him, they are undefinable and without equivalent. "No path is safe, chichi-ue... probably." His father's grip on his shoulder tightened and a glare present among those eyes reflecting his image. "Susumu! Take this seriously." Those words had been a constant reminder for him, but never once did he take anything mildly. "Take care of haha-ue." He spoke without any difference from his rather calm and laid-back countenance. "I will be visiting again when you have calmed yourself, chichi-ue." The hands on his shoulders loosened before it fell away. He then lowered his head for a bow. "Until then, probably." And, he walked passed his father without another glance, taking his leave as a better judgement for now.
Thus, Susumu found himself walking through the streets of his hometown of Edo. His destination was but a blank in his mind. It was a rare day for him. He had been given rest and it had been months since his last so, he would want to cherish the time as possible even if it was a simple mean as strolling. The idea of colliding with the Yakuza was never a concern for him; if it happens then he will deal with it. Though, he would like to cite differences of then and now.
Before, Edo was a brilliant light filled vibrancy and a sense of wonderment. If he would put it into plain words, it was much like a festival all the time. The streets echoed with lively chatter, a sense of unhindered freedom. True, there had been misdeeds and hard moments on all sides, yet the middle point, there is a suspended sense of peace. A belief that this town in its magnificence would be left alone by the skirmishes of others. But, the threat came from another source.
Now, the streets still looked the same. The lay of the land has left unchanged. Life continued on as it had been before. However, the light has greatly dulled. Edo has now become a beacon of another kind. It exudes misery, fear, and chaos. There is a scent of decay, a rotting being covered by the wooden planks, yet there was no doubt, the restlessness in the air is heavy, intoxicating all within its grasp, creating varying results whether paranoia or hopelessness. It is different for everyone.
One example would be his Lord Ichijō Gakuto. The man is an influential minor lord who owned vast lands of rice paddies. This brought enormous fortune which squandered by his children through gambling and opium which caused their deaths leaving his master without an heir and family. Susumu fought by his master's side and enacted his wish to remove the Yakuza from Edo. But of course, it did not prove successful and the multitude of defeats had placed a great strain both physically and mentally onto his Lord who was not young to begin with. His master was now confined to his chambers and time eats on his health, awaiting the blow of death. Still, his master desires the end of the Yakuza, a paranoia of another kind.
That is how he became a part of the rebel army. His master was far weak now to command authority and knew well the futility to combat such a large entity singularly. By commandment, Susumu had been sent to join the rebel army under Satō Tadakatsu. In this manner, he shall fulfill his master's wish and also be his lord's representative in combat and monetary assistance. This was not turned down of course and his performance in battle was a boon, granting him the rank of vice-commander in the process.
Nevertheless, this was but a given of fate as he defines all, such the impediment of his walk by a wooden horse on the ground. It was probably owned by a child who dropped it. He lowered himself and cradled the toy in his hand.
Susumu gazed at it for some time and was eventually taken by the familiar sound of mewling. His eyes directed itself to a white cat with brown patches as it approached him. When it was now in front of him, the feline further its boundary by rubbing its body at his foot. He did not prevent or reprimand the cat and simply looked to another direction in which a group of felines was almost upon him. It seemed he must begin to move once more and so he did as he stood and kept the wooden horse. Despite the rather odd situation, he remained unbothered and his gait was in a relaxed pace even with the cats following him, like a mother hen to its chicks. It was quite the scene as he walked the streets of Edo with the few people out and about watching the scene with interest and confusion.
There was no reason not to be seen by the passing eyes of the people. The sun still loomed the sky, illuminating the land and the spectacle of cats trailing Susumu. For him, it is but normal. His eyes casually looked around him and a bench underneath an impressive Ichō made his sight settle. He approached it and took his seat as the felines followed suit. Some joined him on the bench, some lay on his feet, others lounged themselves on his shoulders, lap, and head. As for him, he remained completely at ease as he took out the wooden horse he had taken with him. He looked at it and a smile was on his lips.
Just like so, he passed his day of relaxation that way. Not minding, anything else. For Susumu, he would let time flow and allow it to take him to wherever it dictates. As of now, he would stay here under the ichō, surrounded by the cats, and simply idling himself away, like he had done many times before. Perhaps, there are things that do not change with time after all.