~ Kazan Yamaoka ~

~ Higanbana ~

Kazan Yamaoka was delivering cane for his father. The shop closed at noon so he was rushing as fast as his feet could take him. Kazan was stout for his age and was the strongest of all his siblings so he was often the one his father would send on these errands. During this particular day Kazan would be stopped by a mother wailing from the side of the road. "Help me, please sir, my child, my baby is going to die he needs help!!" Kazan thought the woman looked pathetic but he felt sorry for her because she was a lower class peasant. Kazan was the son of the great Yamaoka Estate, and although he was only 16 he knew that he had a privilege that others, like this woman, did not have. He obliged and asked the woman how he could help. She explained to Kazan that her husband was lost in the neighboring war and she did not have the money, supplies, or energy to keep the baby alive so she asked Kazan to take the baby to the village he was heading to. Kazan again obliged and took the wrapped babe with him on his journey. Kazan noticed the boy had all white hair. This was odd for a baby that couldn't be much more than 6 months old.

During his time in town Kazan was hounded by peasant women gawking and grabbing at the baby. Kazan was too young to make a decision on what to do with the white pup so he left the baby with the shop owner where he sold his cane. The shop owner and his wife took the baby as their own, because unknown to Kazan they could not have a child of their own. While Kazan wondered if he should have taken the little baby with him to his parents he decided it best not to mix a peasant child into such a prestigious family. After that day Kazan went on to live the life his father set out for him. Later in life Kazan grew tired of his father and his lack of a backbone. And decided he would take matters into his own hands. He stole his father's katana and set out across the countryside in effort to cleanse the country of "fake samurai". Often these were farmers, peasants, and in his mind they tarnished the reputation of his name Yamaoka. This journey of rage first led him to a small village down the road from his estate....

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Although the merchant's wife passed away shortly after their encounter, the owner cared for and raised the white haired babe who he named Kento. Later in life he would also be blessed with another son, Yuji, his brother's son who lost his parents in the war.

Kento's POV:

"Hey sleepyhead wake up!" I could hear Yuji calling from the other room. I was already awake but was laying on my bed daydreaming of Mako. Mako was a very strong man who had been helping my father with farming. Often I would "take a break" just so I could watch him till the yard. I knew these thoughts could get me in trouble but I couldn't help but look at him when I got the chance.

"Are you gonna sleep the day away?" Yuji shouted at the door. "Leave Yuji, I will be up shortly" I scream as I pull myself up and begin to look for my crutch. I was malnourished as a baby which caused me to not grow correctly. My father told me I was kissed by a god as I fell to my earthly body but that was just his nice way of saying I was different. My condition makes it hard to walk on my right leg which is why I require the crutch.

I make my way outside to see my father and Yuji in the cart. I ask them where they are going and Yuji enthusiastically tells me "it's my turn to go to the village with father". I scoff and wave at them as they leave. This meant I would be working the field alone. I grabbed a pail for water and began working on the garden.

.....several hours later.....

As I sit in the house waiting for father and Yuji to get home I start to worry for them. Rumors of a vengeful samurai attacking anyone in his path was abound in the neighboring villages so this of course flashed across my mind.