The White Angel of Death

Chapter 9 : Mourning The Dead

On top of the tallest tower of Kaminoshimobe, a flag flapped around in the cold wind. The dancing pennon had the emblem of a bird engraved, whose giant wings spread across the fabric. The winter had slowly reached its end and the crops would soon start to grow. 
As the fresh air breezed past the temple on this depressing, cloudy day, Thomas' search party returned from its quest. 
All the people gathered in front of the entrance and watched silently the horses ride by. 
Their faces looked gloomy and sad. Even the children who stood next to their parents remained still.
Behind Thomas two riders carried a carriage in which laid five bodies, covered by a shroud. 

Once the folk caught a glimpse of what was brought home, their frowns lowered and some even shed a tear.  
The group continued to ride their horses to the entrance of the temple. There they stopped, got down from their animals and helped bring the bodies inside.

All five corpses were carried to the great hall, in which normally all would feast and dine together. However on that day it became something entirely different. 
The tables were empty, the candles were unlit and only soldiers stood on the cold stone floor. 

Carefully, the wrapped bodies were placed gently next to each other. The people remained outside and began singing a sad song, mourning the dead peacefully.
While four men stood guard at the entrance to the hall, the other soldiers, including Thomas and Jiro, stood around the corpses patiently. 

Only a few minutes later the doors on the opposite end were opened by two guards and Kenshin entered. 
The Shogun took his time and approached his men slowly. The doors made a loud 'bang' as they were closed again.
The old man wore elegant looking clothes specially made for this sad occasion. 

Once he stood before who was lost, he crouched down gradually and removed the cover from their bodies. 
His eyes faltered, every time he looked at their faces and like a knife to the heart, he grieved their departure from the world of the living.
The shogun even looked at their fatal wounds, examining them for himself. 
Gracefully, Thomas had ordered his men to reattach Natsumi's body, to properly honour her service as part of the northern people. 

After Kenshin had finished, he steadily took a few steps back and whispered some final words to the deceased. 
" [...] In the name of all six kingdoms, shogun of Kaminoshimobe, protector and leader of the northern people, may their souls find peace." 

His last words echoed through the walls, as the people outside finished their song simultaneously.

Then Jiro turned around to the two guards standing next to the giant doors and give them a signal with the wave of his hand. Both nodded and opened the doors again, behind which was Toshiro standing patiently.
The boy approached the others, while glancing left and right. His pulse got higher, the closer he got, but made sure no one would notice.

Carved inside the stone walls were tales of old, telling stories from the first, second and third age of men. As ancient this temple was, it did reveal much of the history it represented.  

The group of soldiers made room for the boy to step next to Kenshin. Toshiro then looked down onto his friends. 
Meanwhile he could feel the stare of all the others, watching him carefully. For him it felt like a persecution, to see if Toshiro was guilty, disloyal or dangerous.

As the white-haired boy viewed all five bodies, the memories flooded into his brain. The shock, the violence, the scent of death entering his nostrils, his blood boiling through his veins, everything ... overwhelmed his small body all at once.

When Toshiro's eyes switched to Takeshi, he saw the object that killed his former captain still stuck inside his body. 
"Stabbed from behind ... hm ... I can only imagine how bravely you must have fought, Takeshi. 
I guess, even the strongest warrior is no match for them.
Maybe I should have died with you.
Go down in honour or live as a coward, ... isn't that something you would preach?
Yet if you were here, I'd know, you would convince me to keep on living. Just when I thought, I had found 'my' brother, I am left behind, ... again."

It was Kenshin, who then interrupted Toshiro's thoughts.
"You can take them away. I think we all have seen enough." Stated the old man while turning away and moving towards the very doors, he came from. 
However he did mention one more thing.
"Toshiro, I would ask you to follow me to my chambers. I believe it is time we two talk." 
The boy looked surprised. But on second thought, he feared Kenshin would 'tear him apart' for being the sole survivor, the one who ran, the coward.
But it would have been unwise to refuse, therefore the boy followed the old man, as they both exited the hall. 
On their way, did Toshiro look back on more time. There he caught Jiro's stare. That look the man gave him, was the look of mistrust. The boy needed to become used to people around him distrusting everything he will say or do.  
The giants doors closed on their way out, leaving the hall in silence.