The Perfect Blossom

[Zephyranthes]

Time stopped. Yoshi looked down at Hitomi, poised to strike. Her face was completely still apart from the occasional involuntary twitch. Even as she stabbed the blade into her abdomen and began to move across her belly, the disembowelment did little to phase her pale, marble face. A solitary tear fell from his right eye, following the track of an old battle scar on his cheek. At last, he raised his blade, prepared for the end.

"Sayonara, Hitomi-chan."

He yelled out one loud kiai, unleashing his blade in a downward slicing motion towards her neck to end the suffering. A solitary raindrop was bisected by the kissaki as the destined blade descended.

It was over in a near-instant. A cut midway down the neck. A lightning fast sheathing. Dropping to a knee.

Thunder boomed. Rain fell. He could not cry. He could not dishonor her now.

As Hitomi's blood washed away with the torrential downpour, Yoshitsune rose. He gave her body the deepest bow possible as attendants arrived to remove it from the courtyard and prepare it for preservation. One by one, those attending paid respect, then departed. Yoshi remained.

They say that rain is cleansing. But all he felt was its cold. Sakura would be home tomorrow, and she would call for her mother, waiting for the most important person in her life to come and hold her. Then, after some time, tears would come, and Yoshi would have to live with the burden of raising her alone. Hitomi's words echoed in his mind. Born between worlds, and forced to choose one day which was her destiny. Sakura's destiny was not enviable.

But he had to remain resolute. Kusari needed him, and they would one day need Sakura to help pave the road leading to the future. If the Tiger and the Dragon could come together in peace and harmony, then shouldn't the warring states of the Empire be able to unite once more? To continue fighting and working to make a better Kusari for all people was the best way to honor Sakuma Hitomi. To honor all.

The Dragon and the Tiger will be as one.

For Hitomi. For Sakura.

For Kusari.