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Young Master Seke Captain
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 Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:41 pm
It was early dawn and light was shining over the land though it wasn't a pretty sight it lite up. The war in Japan was tearing apart the land bit by bit. Once green fields were now dead with burnt grass, once beauitful homes were now nothing but bricks, burnt wood and rubble, the family that once shared the home..gone.
No one thought that war would go on this long and when it ended nothing was the same. Fathers, husbands, and sons who had disappeared to fight in the name of Japan, never returned. Mothers,daughters and young children lay scattered and seperated. Many were dead, enslaved, or would just wonder about the land lost forever. If lucky maybe they would be killed by bandits to be spared the harsh life ahead since the land was far from repairing and recovering.
Trace had managed to live here unlike many. The hard hearted killer was now nothing more than a wandering kill for hire. It was a cold way to make money, having to slaughter people like sheep but it had to be done. Many nobles of the land saw that some of thier 'problems' didn't vanish with the war. Thats where Trace came in, he took care of 'problems' as long as he payed. By his side, a child who's life he saved from death and his swords. The only things in life he needed.
Today was like any other day, after waking up Trace, carrying the child on his back would head for the next village in search of work. He needed to get the boy some shoes, his last pair of sandales were broken beyond repair and he didn't need to be walking without them. "We're...almost there. Hang on abit longer .."
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Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:45 pm
 Kai was an innocent. A child of ten who many considered to be an 'unfortunate victim of the war'... maybe he was, but it wasn't all bad. He wrapped his arms around Trace's neck. No, it wasn't that bad... it could have been worst, he would have died along with his family or he could be forced to steal or worst to survive... but Trace was nice, even let him keep his 'wolf' Fang. Eyes so brown that it was hard to distinguish the iris from the pupil looked around them. Kai wasn't a fan of the sad state the land was in, his arms automatically giving Trace a little squeeze for comfort despite himself. He told himself he needed to be brave and strong like Trace, that he couldn't be a 'baby' and a burden but it was harder done than said.... or so he was fast discovering. Trace's words broke his thoughts. "We're...almost there. Hang on abit longer." Kai beamed despite himself, "Ok." He chirped. He knew what Trace was, had seen his swords bloody when he returned from his 'work' but Kai didn't fear him for it.... after all the guy had never been anything but nice to Kai, he had even told him that his scars weren't too bad. He itched his side self-consciously, he didn't like the burns, they were ugly and looked like things had been attached to his skin that shouldn't be there. They were funny shapes too. His frown deepened. No, Kai didn't like his burns... they reminded him all too much of the fire. Fang yipped at him, the sound bringing his attention snapping from his thoughts and to the wolf, the smile fast returning to his face. "What's up boy? You excited too?!" He wriggled a little despite his best efforts to 'sit still' the constant movement of Trace's shoulders was making his legs go numb. Leaning down on Trace's head he found himself asking, "Can we get some curried squid?" He giggled, "Please! Please!"Young Master Seke If you could quote me to get my attention that would be great =D feel free to PM me if I am ever too slow too. *nodnod*
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Young Master Seke Captain
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:02 am
"Maybe Kai, I can't promise anything.." The village was in sight now, just a few more feet. Like many villages now it was poor looking and nearly abandoned by its people. Many going off to search for work, family, or just to find a better place to live. The only villages that were doing well and had plently to offer were the ones near the captial city. Poor villages suffered until aid came or until they were abandon and left a ghost town.
Luckly this one still had people in it. Trace had secretly hopped it was abandoned because then he could just take what they needed.
At the steps of a small inn he let Kai down from his shoulders and got them a room. Thier stuff was put on the floor, Kai put on the bed. Trace needed to get supplies, Kai's shoes and a few other things. His next job was still a few miles off but they could rest here for the night. "I am trusting you with this. Go buy yourself some new shoes" Trace gave him a few pieces of silver, more than enough to get him some new shoes. "Take fang with you and come back when you are done."
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:19 am
"Maybe Kai, I can't promise anything..." "Oh....." Kai's disappointment was obvious in his voice but he let it go quickly, quite used to not always getting what he wanted.... though he was pretty sure that Trace often went out of his way to indulge him at times. When he was finally allowed off Trace's shoulders he flexed a little and stretched, but didn't moan despite how sour he felt. Instead he simply looked up and grinned at Trace while he bought them a room for the night, Fang stayed close to him looking around as if checking for possible threats. Between the wolf and Trace Kai had never had much need to be overly cautious... he trusted them both immensely. In their room Kai was lifted to the bed and giggled as he was, sitting up and swinging his legs as he looked around, it was small but at least it wasn't burnt down and their weren't bugs scurry around.... Kai had had more than enough of bugs. A shiver went down his spine a moment before Trace turned to him with such a serious air that there was nothing Kai could do but focus completely on him. Eyes wide with awe he rolled the coin around in his palm. Silver. Wow! He had never seen one before, and suddenly he felt very nervous about his responsibly. All the same he looked up at Trace and nodded, chirping a quick, "Ok. I'll be good." At the mention of Fang Kai looked over at the wolf and grinned, the smile spreading from cheek to cheek. With a jump he got off the bed and went towards the door, at least until something crossed his mind and he frowned turning to look at Trace. "Where are you going?" It was more than likely he wouldn't be told but Kai just couldn't hide his curiosity and the slight disappointment that Trace wasn't coming with him.
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Young Master Seke Captain
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:15 am
Trace gave him the look that told him he would be looking for working. Deep down Trace would have rathered Kai was in the dark of what he did after all he knew what seeing bloodshed could do a to a young child. One reason he never let Kai touch his swords.
"I'm going to see if I can find you some curried squid. Go buy your shoes, don't talk to any strangers and come straight back here." He ruffled Kai's hair then sent him off. Fang would protect him until they got back.
The village was small but seemed to be doing alright considering the times. Trace doubted he would find any work here since everyone seemed to be working class farms or simple merchants. The silver and copper coins they had would have to last until they reached somewhere else. Trace picked up a few supplies they needed and even found the curried squid for Kai. He desired alittle treat from time to time. He went back to the room and worked on polishing and sharpening his swords
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 3:45 am
Kai frowned a little at Trace's request but nodded all the same, he knew better than to argue. Still as he left with Fang he couldn't help but ask the wolf, "How am I meant to get shoes if I can't talk to strangers?" An innocent enough thought but then he decided that perhaps Trace had simply meant anyone but the merchant. He would be careful, he didn't want to get into trouble. On the street he went wide eyed with awe and paused on the spot, looking down at Fang for reassurance even as his hand started to pet the soft fur. So many people, more than he had seen in a while. Kai had grown used to it just being him and Trace, he liked that, but this... well it was a little overwhelming. With a harsh gulp he bullied himself up and tried to stand tall, after all Kai didn't want to let Trace down. He looked down in his hand to check the coin was still there before tightening his tiny grip around it. Eyes of brown looked around for a possible merchant who could help, and before long he was walking down the street with Fang in toe. The wolf was cautious as ever, looking left and right for any sign of danger.... and as Kai paused to look at some pretty stones that had been polished he heard the distinctive growl of Fang. "Fang." He said, a cross look on his face... at least until he followed the wolf's gaze to a man who staring intently down at him. He squeaked a little, and felt himself tremble... why was he looking at him? Kai hadn't done anything wrong! As if to prove just that he started to babble, "I ain't done anything wrong mister! I didn't steal anything! I was just looking.... honest!" The man stared at him for a little longer, his gaze shifting once to Fang and then to the merchant before he slinked silently back into the crowd. His heart was racing in his chest, fluttering like a bird trying to escape. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes. He was being silly, he knew that, but the man had taken him by surprise... and Fang hadn't liked him... Fang was never wrong. He wrapped his arms around himself, vaguely aware that someone was trying to comfort him, but the only thing that did that was the wet nose of Fang gently pressed into his hand. Before Kai was even aware of what he was doing he was running, his little feet trying to carry him as far as they could despite his worn out shoes. The tears had started to fall now, and as Kai slinked into a dark alley he allowed himself to fall the floor and just cry. Fang was there, he could hear the soft whining as the wolf tried to get his attention and to sooth him. It wasn't working. He wanted Trace. Where was Trace?
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Young Master Seke Captain
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 10:39 am
'Kai should have been back by now.' Trace got up. Maybe it was too soon for him to give Kai such a task. He tied his swords back to his waist and headed out to look for him but Kai seemed to be no where to be found. Depsite his distaste of having to talk to people,Trace had no choice but to ask questions. No one knew where Kai was until finally an old man spoke. "You mean the little boy with the big doggy. Hohoho something startled him bad and he ran into that alley, hasn't come out yet. hohoho."
Trace quickly walked into the alley, finding fang guarding Kai and Kai crying. "There you are." Trace picked him up. "Don't cry, you did nothing wrong here." He wiped away a few tears then carried him. Trace got the shoes himself then took them back to the inn. "no more crying Kai. You just got scared, it was too soon for me to let you go out alone like that." Trace was comforting him even if he was alittle akward at it. After he had never been comforted in his whole life but he held him in his lap and would stroke his hair .
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 11:11 am
Kai only relaxed a little when Trace found him, throwing his arms desperately around the others neck and holding him close. He wiped his eyes and nose and tried to breath. He felt safe here, safe and secure and didn't want to leave. He sniffled a little as his tears started to fade. Part of Kai was aware that Trace had bought him some shoes, and he felt a strange twang in his heart for having failed in his 'mission', he had wanted so much to do something right and the failure just made him feel like a baby. Kai was vaguely aware he had done nothing wrong but still he started to babble, his words rushing out as he tried to explain. "There was a man. Fang didn't like him he growled, he was scary, he just stood there looking at me... I tried to explain I hadn't stolen... I didn't Trace, I swear... then he left... but he.... it..." The tears started again and Kai clung to Trace for all he was worth. Fang had decided to sit on Trace's feet, close enough to be near the pair but easy enough to move out of the way. After a while he sat back and wiped his eyes and nose again, sniffing a few times until the tears stopped. His eyes were puffy and his heart fluttered quickly in his chest. "Sorry Trace..." He started, his voice no more than a whisper. "Thank you for the new shoes." Kai pouted a little, and then looked down to see Fang's nose nuzzling and nudging his knee. "Thanks Fang." He giggled petting the wolf.
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Young Master Seke Captain
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 12:34 pm
Trace put his finger to Kai's lips. "shhh its alright Kai. You did as I said and ran if there was danger. I am proud of you." Trace cleaned his face. The boy tried so hard to be strong for him. "I got a treat for you." He put him down on the bed then got the bowls of curried squid. "You earned it still." Fang got several nice cuts of meat of his dinner.
"You still got alot of growing to do Kai, don't rush it." Trace patted his head then started to eat. The squid was a nice treat for them both and he was sure Fang was enjoying his meal as well. Tonight was also a treat in away, a warm bed instead of a couple of blankets on the ground. It would feel good to actually sleep instead of having to sleep with one eye open in case of thieves.
"You enjoy your treat?" he asked dinner now done and bedtime nearing. It was getting late and Trace was looking forward to a full night's sleep.
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 1:10 pm
'You have a lot of growing to do Kai' -why did those words seem so bad! He wanted to be grown up now! Wanted to be someone who make Trace proud and not simply be a constant burden.... would that ever happen? "Squid?" He looked down with excitement, a little squeal of joy escaping him for a moment and his legs kicked in a very child-like manner. Dish in hand his excitement was palpable and he ate it with appropriate gusto, the food hit the spot, it was perfect and lovely. Looking over at Trace every now and then he couldn't help but grin before continuing his food. "You enjoy your treat?" All Kai could do was nod enthusiastically as he wiped away the last remnants of the curried squid. "You're the best Trace!" He said before moving closer and snuggling next to him. He liked being close to Trace, even though he wasn't sure how the other felt about it he never seemed to push him away. "Do I have to go to bed?" He pouted a little and looked up at the other, he knew it was coming, knew he really should. Slowly he yawned and looked down. "Can I share with you?" He asked, his voice no more than a whisper. Sometimes when he closed his eyes all he could see was the fire that had consumed his home, hear the screams of his parents and siblings.... nightmares so terrible he would wake crying, but for some reason being around Trace made it easier.
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