Fourever Loving Yasu

Medicinal Herbs

A/N: This chapter is sponsored by Jessica P.  Thank you.  xoxo -ptd

When autumn rain arrived, farmers everywhere rejoiced.  They only waited for a day to begin cultivating and planting on their farm again.  News of small skirmishes happened every other day. The security of the town began to tighten as curfew was enforced.  

Soshu, Yasu and half the guards was sent out to the forest to obtain several medicinal herbs in preparation for the war.  Soshu received messages that updated him on the current situation on the border from General Ren. Those messages came once a week and caused Soshu concern.  He began preparing everyone for the future.  

“I’m not going.”  Yasu argued back as Soshu mentioned sending Yasu and Miyoko back to the capital to live with Jiro’s parents.  “Even if you knock me out and tie me up, I’ll find my way back here. You know it.” 

Soshu growled at his stubborn son.  But where did his son get his stubbornness?  He could only blame himself for it.

“I can’t live well knowing that you or Dad will be in danger.”  

“Well we can’t fight or work well if we know you or your mother is in danger.”  Soshu argued.  

“That’s why you should just keep me by your side, so you can have a peace of mind.  Even though it might be dangerous, at least you know I’m living and fighting by your side.”  

“You’ve never been to war.”  

“You haven’t either!”  Yasu argued.  

“You’ve never trained for war like I have.”  

“Then what have I been doing twice a day for the past 12 years, if not being trained in a military way?  At least I’ll be able to keep up in the army, should my services be in need.”  

“You will NOT be joining the army.”  Soshu shouted. His heart was hurting at the thought of Yasu joining the army and being sent to the front lines. “Where in the hell are we going anyway?  Why can’t I recognize where we’re going to get these damn herbs!”  

Yasu smiled and lead the way.  “It’s a secret place that Dad showed to me.  He’ll only let me come here when we’re short on medicine.  He said it’s better to let the medicinal herbs grow in the spiritual environment.”  

“I see you’re keeping secrets between you and Dad, huh?”  Soshu growled with annoyance.  

“You’re acting as if you and I don’t keep secrets between us without letting Dad or Mom know.”  Yasu said as he arrived to their destination.  

He didn’t know who was the bigger vinegar pot, his Father, Soshu, or his Dad, Jiro.  

Yasu pulled the thick vines to the side and stepped into the dark cave.  

“Don’t damage the vines.”  Yasu warned as he walked a couple of feet to wait for the rest of the guards to enter the cave.  

Soshu took out a torch and let one of the guards light it on fire.  Soon, several torches were lit before they followed Yasu deeper into the cave.  

“Don’t wander off.”  Yasu told them. “I don’t know where the other tunnels will take you.”  

“How often do you come here that you know the way by heart?”  Soshu asked as he looked around the dark cave.  

“At least once a month.”  Yasu confessed.  

“Once a month!”  Soshu shouted. His voice echoed throughout the cave, causing everyone to stop walking.  

They waited and listened to hear if there was another animal inside of the cave.  When the quietness answered them back, they all felt a sense of chill crawl down their back.  Something in the air didn’t feel right.   

“Let’s quickly gather the herbs.”  Soshu growled softly towards Yasu.  

Feeling the tense atmosphere from the group, Yasu quickly walked through the long cave and soon they saw light at the end of the tunnel.  When they exited the tunnel, what they saw made them speechless.  

The forest was paradise.  There was a clear and large lake that shimmered against the sunlight.  The ground and the trees were lush and green. Everywhere they looked was enchanting.  

Yasu lead the way and brought them to a section of the forest.  He pointed out the medicinal herb and taught them how to dig out.  He left 4 guards to begin harvesting the first medicinal herb. He then brought the rest of the guards to different medicinal herbs around the forest and left 4 guards at each location.  

Yasu lead his father to a different location.  Soshu guarded Yasu as Yasu dug up an important medicinal plant that was specially requested from his Dad.  This plant was finicky. If one root was damaged during harvesting, the whole medicinal plant was useless.   

Yasu took his time harvesting the plant. He had to dig 2 feet into the ground to loosen the roots.   Once he harvest the plant, Yasu took out a 3 feet long jade box and placed the plant inside. After ensuring that the plant was safely tucked in and protected, Yasu closed the jade box and secured it tightly.  

“If you’re done, lets go.”  Soshu said as he felt his intuition tell him that time was running out.  

Yasu placed the jade box on his bag and followed his father back to the guards, collecting them group by group.  What they have harvested, was what they would bring back.  

The group felt Soshu’s intense aura and followed orders without a word.  The three hour hike into the forest for the medicinal herbs only took an hour and a half to get back down the mountain.  

They quickly got on their horses and rode towards the Mori Estate, the faster they traveled towards the estate, the feeling of dread and terror could be felt.  Soon the clear blue skies held smoke in the air as they came closer and closer to their home.  

The fire was spreading out quickly as it traveled through each farmland.  The homes of the farmers were also on fire as blood and dead bodies laid out at the entrance of each home.  

Without a word they rode their horses hard, speedily through the official road.  Not one person in sight. Not one sound was made. Just the sound of burning death and the harsh breath of the horses.