5. Seeking Solace

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This is a Touken Ranbu fanfic

I couldn't be forgiven...
I shouldn't be...
for my mind was corrupted and my soul was hollow...

"Where are you going so early in the morning, Yamabushi?" he put a big smile on his face as he passed his master in the hallway. He knew this lady won't accept any ambiguous answer from anyone, so he thought that it would be easier if he told her his today pilgrim route instead.

"Today I'll go to the Nine Head Dragon Mountain and do some bushido exercises," he said after his iconic laugh. "Then I'll go to the Seven Sisters Falls for some prayer,"

"But Nine Head Dragon Mountain is a two days journey from here," she rolled her scroll and head into the kitchen. "How long will you go, Yamabushi?"

"I don't know, Master," he followed her. "A week, maybe,"

"Why don't you tell me earlier?" her voice could tell him that she was irritated, but she kept on preparing his bento anyway. "This won't be enough,"

"It's ok, Aruji. I can handle this,"

"It'll be okay for three days journey, maybe four days," his master wrapped all of the stuffs into a small bundle before gave it to him. "Please return as soon as possible. Don't push yourself too much,"

"The same goes for you, y'know?" he laughed. "Well, I thought I wouldn't run to you so early like this. I bet you haven't sleep yet,"

"Well, I can have some sleep later,"

"Well then, I shall take my leave," he bowed and turned around, ready for his journey.

"May I ask you a question, Yamabushi?" his master asked before he step across the gate. "Why you need this journey? You can do your exercise here, sparring with the others and grow stronger together,"

Because I am a sinner...
so sinned that even my faith won't help me any longer...

"I don't know, Master," he smiled. "My heart said that I must go, so I'll go,"

"I understand," his master nodded her head and smiled. "Be careful,"

No need for forgiveness, my mistakes couldn't be forgiven...
forget those salvations, I've already doomed...
the only thing my hunger soul seeks for now is solace...
a reason to keep on living, as 'me'...

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