Sakamoto Ryoma

[Yaoquizque]

The woman body had been severely burnt. Despite the massive doses of morphine administered, she was pathetically moaning.

"Can she hear us?" asked someone.
She attempted to move her head to see whom that familiar voice belonged to. The room was horribly tilting; she did not think that flicker of her head could have made it even worse.
The bandages did not help. She could barely see a small strip mainly made of the room ceiling. Keeping her eyes closed was so much better. It was tempting to just quit struggling and let nothingness absorb her. Whatever was next could not be worse than what was in the present.

She forced herself to open her eyes once more. How much time did pass? Minutes? Hours?
'The voices. Focus on the voices', she thought. They were too far away.
'They are abandoning me.'

The woman wanted to scream but was only able to moan. They were leaving, letting her rot with only this insufferable pain as a last companion. Nobody cared if she would die tonight or tomorrow.
"Do not panic. I am here with you." Said the same voice in a soothing tone.

Someone was holding her hand. A thumb caressing softly its back. This was a welcome distraction from the pain, and she found the will to bob her head enough to see who was this presence.

The man looked terribly sad and worn out. Was he sad for her? She was certain to know him, but couldn't make the connection yet. All she could do for now was to reply to his gaze. They did not lose eye contact as the man said :
"I am deeply sorry. All this is my fault."
His fault? What happened... She did not remember. A strange feeling was slowly growing in her.

"I talked to the medical personnel. There is little chances you will survive those injuries. If you do, recovery will be long and painful. But I trust your will. You can make it." gravely asserted the man, before smiling mournfully to her.

She knew him. It was certain. She opened her eyes wide as she eventually remembered.
"A..Am...."

She stopped as she noticed a tear was trickling down his cheek.

He looked enquiringly at his orderly.
"It was the last one." She said while gazing away, embarrassed by his depressed appearance.

The man nodded as to thank her and began walking to leave the facility, soon followed by the orderly.
"Eto... Sakamoto-dono?"
"Speak." ordered the man rather bluntly.
"Are you alright...?" timidly asked the Orderly.

He sighed before replying "No, Baba, no. All those losses... I should have avoided this."
"But... You did your best. We all did. Who would have thought Imperials were ready to strike without any mercy?"
"I should have foreseen it. I wanted to believe they would not accept to murder fellow Kusarians for some sordid power struggle. And those paying the price are the ones we just visited in that hospital."
"But this is not your fault!" she bursted.

The man turned away brutally to face her. "Tell that to the men and women who died during Nagumo's assault or are about to!"
She lowered her head as a hangdog expression was appearing on her face, as if she was expecting him to suddenly beat her down.

After a moment, he eventually sighed and patted her shoulder.
"No, Baba. I was the one in command. There is no use trying to escape responsibilities."
They remained silent for a short while. After having massaged the back of his head thoughtfully, the man eventually added :
"Perhaps it's a sign... Perhaps I should not be allowed to command anymore."
"Masaka... Sona..." muttered the woman in an embarrassed tone.

He turned around suddenly, resuming his walk.
"Regarless. We are not done cleaning this mess. Come now, this day is far from being over."
"Hai..." eventually replied the orderly before following him.

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