Blade Song

Chapter 12-Uncertainty

The next several days brought nothing but more slow paced walking. I decided it wouldn't be an unfavorable battle that killed me after all, but rather the mundane. I was just going to collapse one day on this trail, murdered by boredom.

That night, we camped outside of an area known as the Deadwoods, which I was told was very dangerous. I had half a mind to charge in there myself and see what trouble I could stir up, but I'm sure someone would've stopped me. God damn killjoys.

After we'd made camp, Kiyoshi and the two demon twins left to stock up in a nearby town before we started the next leg of our journey.

I took my usual spot away from everyone else, watching the fire flicker and the groups of people talk and laugh for some time. And as usual, Hitomi eventually found me, bringing along Mei and Yoshiko.

"Getting anxious about tomorrow?" Hitomi asked taking a seat next to me.

"Anxious?" My gaze drifted towards the dried patches of grass leading up to the line of grey, leafless trees that marked the entrance to the woods. "Of that place?"

She nodded. "It already gives me the creeps and we haven't even gone in there yet."

"It's not natural for trees to die like that," Mei added.

Yoshiko nodded in agreement, then shivered and hugged herself.

I shrugged. "I'm actually pretty excited. I've been dying for some action."

Hitomi laughed. "Yeah, I suppose that sounds like you. I'm kind of envious of your fighting ability. I could never be that strong."

"If the situation called for it, you might surprise yourself," I said.

She shook her head and looked at the ground. "I never was much for violence. I suppose it's because I used to have such a peaceful life."

"What was it like?" I asked. "Your home, I mean."

A wide smile spread across her face. "It was lovely, not so different from here, aside from all the demons running around, of course. I had a simple life. My husband was a farmer and I had two boys, one five and one three." She wiped the water from her eyes and sniffled. "I've thought about them every day for the two years I've been away."

I had no idea what to say to her to bring her comfort. The thought of embracing or even stroking her hand felt so odd and unnatural to me. When had I become so distant and cold?

Mei stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her, bringing Hitomi's head to rest on her shoulder. "It's alright. I'm sure they'll still be waiting for you when you get back."

"Get back?" I asked.

Mei nodded. "Kiyoshi said he can find someone to take humans home if they wish to go."

I guess the fox had the keys to paradise as well as the gate to the human world. He really would tell anyone what they wanted to hear.

"Hello," Fuyuko said in a sing-song voice as she approached. "How are you ladies doing today?" Her eyes stopped on Hitomi. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"She just got a little upset," Mei answered for her. "She was talking about her past."

"Sorry." Hitomi pushed away from Mei and wiped her eyes a final time. "I'm fine. I don't know why I got so shaken up."

"I'd worry about you if you didn't," Fuyuko said. "There's no shame in missing the ones you left behind."

Hitomi nodded and stood up. "I just need some rest. I'll be better in a little while."