Tao of the Broken

Chapter Nine

Nine

            Sorrel spent four days and nights at the Hibiki home before deciding she was ready to face Aster and Batur without crying.  She dressed in the morning as Eiji slept and kissed his cheek lightly before leaving.  Ako’s tail thumped noisily against the floor as she entered the quiet living room.  She hushed him with a pat and slipped through the door quietly.

            The sun was just shining light behind the eastern trees and Sorrel knew Batur would be awake but not out training yet.  She mounted the porch and took a deep breath before sliding the door open.

            Batur was standing in front of the sink, drinking tea and looking out the kitchen window.  When Sorrel entered he didn’t turn or even seem to react to her at all.  She stood for a moment, unsure of what she should say.

            “Would you like me to wake your mother, or do you have something you’d like to say to me alone?”  He asked, his voice strong and steady.

            “I’d like to talk to each of you, but I’ll wait for her to wake herself.”  Sorrel answered, pleased that her own voice was steady.

            Batur turned, leaning against the sink.  He set his mug down on the countertop and folded his arms across his broad chest.

            Sorrel wasn’t sure where to start.  “I’m sure you know I was with the Hibiki’s.”  She said, deciding it was a fair start, “I needed time to think about what you told me.  I’ve decided I would like to find this family I was born into.  I want your permission before I go though, and any direction you may be able to give me.”

            Batur stared at her in silence for what seemed too long to have a positive answer.  He sighed finally and approached her, wrapping his arms tightly around her slim frame.  Sorrel felt tears at the back of her throat, his reaction was not what she had expected.

            “You have become the strong woman I knew you could be.”  He told her, stepping back and placing his large hands on either or her shoulders.  “I’m happy you’ve returned, and I’m glad to see you finding a goal for yourself.  I have one request before I can let you leave here, for I don’t know how long you will be gone or whether you will want to return once you have.

            “Sorrel I’m becoming an old man and I am growing weary of my place in this world.  I find myself wondering if my existence is worth any more than you and your mother.  I’m not proud of the man I am.  I’m not proud of the deeds I have done, and the income I have worked for.  I’ve tried to make my despicable job tolerable, and I’ve tried to be as kind to my charges as I can.  There isn’t an excuse, and I certainly won’t try to make one for your sake.  I know where you stand and I completely understand.

            “I want you to know that you reacted better than I could have expected to the secrets of your mother and myself.  Anyway, I’m carrying on.  I would like you to find your mother, but I would also like you to help me rid our town of these child slaves.”

            Sorrel didn’t know what to say.  She was supposed to take out slavery?  That was ridiculous!  She was one girl, only newly trained in her own fighting style.  She was barely tested and didn’t know the least about the men who traded these children.

            “What am I to do?  I’ve never fought a man, I can’t imagine killing one.  How am I supposed to tackle something as huge as children being traded as slaves?”

            “It is a lot to ask of you, and I wouldn’t want you to try if I didn’t think it was what you needed.  You are ready to fight any man who faces you.  You only need to believe in your technique.  You need this, you won’t be able to settle down with a family of your own if you don’t pursue this.  I don’t expect you to eliminate slavery all together, I only wish you to restore tranquility to our own peaceful village.  I am part of the problem, I trained you to be part of the solution.