Chapter 3 - The Past

"Yuki.. Get your food, clothes and everything packed.. We won't be returning for years.. If we survive." Ryujiro said.

Yuki went to her home and started picking everything important for the journey.

Ryujiro near the ship: "Well.. I'm lucky that her home is nearby. But why is she taking so long. Let me check."

Ryujiro went to check inside and saw Yuki crying.

"Hey. What happened?"

Yuki found an old painting made by her when she was a kid. There was her family in the painting. She was the only child her mother and father got.

Yuki: "Ryujiro.. Can you promise me?... That you will never leave me.. I already lost my parents and everyone. You're my last hope.."

Ryujiro: "How can I promise you something like that? I'm not sure if I will stay alive or not."

Yuki: "Ohh.. I'm sorry. I'll take this painting too.. Let's go, Ryujuro."

They got on the ship while looking at their hometown for the last time.

"I don't know when we'll be able to come back here again. Alright then.. Set sail."

They started their long journey.. On that sailing ship.

Yuki: "Hey.. What exactly is your plan?"

Ryujiro: "What? You trusted me blindly without even knowing the plan?"

Yuki: "I mean.. How will you attack them? They've got guns and weapons. Isn't it nearly impossible to sneak in there?"

Ryujiro: "Hmm?.. Who said I'm gonna sneak in.. I'll go and challenge the military leaders in a fight.. and take their positions as leaders. Then I'll do whatever I want with the fighters and soldiers."

Yuki: "That's easy to say.. But you're only risking your life this way."

Ryujiro: "I don't care.. No matter what happens, I'll keep my pride and fight fairly. After all.. I'm the last Samurai."

Ryujiro's words hit Yuki hard in the heart.

"What was.. that feeling." Yuki thought.

Ryujiro: "This is what I've lived for.."

Yuki: "I just hope that I survive.. I want to celebrate my birthday."

Ryujiro (While sitting in a corner with his sword on his shoulder): "Your birthday? When is it?"

Yuki: "It's close.. November 12th. I'll be turning 20."

Ryujiro was shocked to hear this.

"The hell?? 20? Are you serious, girl?" Ryujiro asked.

Yuki: "Hmm?.. So what?"

Ryujiro: "I mean.. My dad told me that I was born on the last day of the year.. So I'll be turning 18. You're older than me?"

Yuki: "Why're you so shocked? I thought you knew this."

Ryujiro: "Hell nah!!"

Yuki: "Whatever.. I wanted to ask you something.. Why is that sword so special to you? I mean.. When I met you during the war, you still had that sword."

Ryujiro: "Oh.. You mean Kurogane.. It's a long story."

Yuki: "Tell me."

Ryujiro: "When I was born.. my father left me.. And I didn't meet him until I was 8. He returned to Japan and started behaving like a normal father... And a Samurai. But I don't know why.. My master, Kenshin. He started training me when I was 4 years old. He was so strict in the beginning.. But as soon as I got used to the training, he also started acting normal.

He once told me that my father.. My father, Ryu Kurogane ordered him to train me. I used to hunt wild boars with a wooden sword when I was five. I mastered the technique of offence, making strategies, and defense.. But I didn't know how to control emotions and have courage.

My master forged this sword for me, when I was seven. I named it Kurogane.. After our family name.

He kept training me.. And one year later.. He killed himself.

That's why Kurogane is so important to me. It's close to my heart."

Yuki: "Why did he do something like that? Committing suicide as a Samurai and a master?"

Ryujiro: "That's the thing I don't know.. I'm still hoping that someday.. I'll find an answer to that."

The ship kept drifting through the sea.. Hoping to reach the top of the world..

TO BE CONTINUED