The Warrior

My hands tightly gripped my katana, I could feel my heartbeat in my hands; I could feel the blood as it streamed down my arm, sweat dripping from my brow as I moved into a defensive stance. The flames roared around me from my burning village. I knew I could not give up this fight for the sake of my family.

One day earlier…

It was an exciting day in the village of Shimamaki in Japan. The sun was shining and the flowers of the fields blooming; the beautiful Sakura trees were in full bloom giving the air a fresh and sweet fragrance of rose and vanilla. The village was bursting with excitement for the upcoming Hanami festival. Each person is busy working on the decorations.

“Papa, it is all so pretty I could die!” Yua, my beloved daughter, was bursting with joy at her first festival.

“Yes, it is,” I Makoto Yamaguchi said. I lifted Yua high on my shoulders so she could get a better view while I pulled my wife Ichika close to my side.

The day was full of joy for everyone as people were getting ready for the festival. Many treats that were only made for the Hanami festival were being prepared by many families throughout the village. Walking, you could see everyone smiling, and dancing. Women quietly sang as their petite hands made rice into pastes for the traditional Hanami mochi. For the rest of the day, people were preparing and hanging lights for the festival.

The Next day everyone was up bright and early excited for today was the Hanami festival. Makoto could feel something was deeply wrong that morning. It brought back memories from when he was a child when the enemy attacked his village when they were doing a festival. Normally Makoto would not feel the need to carry his katana but today he did.

As father, mother, and daughter strolled along the petal-covered paths they stopped at booths for treats, cooked meats, and a doll for Yua. The three of them made their way to the water’s edge; I put the bags of treats in a boat and then helped Yua into the boat. I pulled Ichika into a hug, kissed her cheek then whispered in her ear “Keep her safe, I will meet with you later at the place we discussed for emergencies. Something does not feel right.” I said as I slipped a dagger into her hands. Ichika looked terrified but obeyed and got in the boat and was off.

“Daddy, are you coming!?” Yua called after me.

“I will meet with you two shortly!” I smiled and waved.

After they were out of sight I quickly turned around and scanned the trees and fields for anything that was off. Nothing was out of the ordinary, but I could not shake the feeling of something dreadful- no, a nightmare was going to happen. It got dark while I was continuing patrolling the village. I saw a man who did not look familiar or from my village. The man looked directly at me and was smiling, not a friendly smile though. Then it happened, there was screaming and villagers running everywhere and things catching on fire.

Figures in black came seeping from the shadows like phantoms of the night. Screaming and terror was all around me. The flames of the fire from the village houses lit up the night. I drew my katana, ready to fight but it was hard to make out what was a shadow, what was human. I felt pressure on my back then pain as I flew forward, I glanced back, I saw the man who smiled; His sword was drawn with the same creepy smile, on his face.

“TRY ME!” I screamed at the man. Quickly I scrambled back up, getting into a battle stance. I twisted my sword around to protect myself as the man charged at me with his long sword. I quickly dodged the attack swinging around with my sword towards him, the two hit together, sparks flying in the air as metal hit metal. The raging inferno of the village reflecting in my enemy’s eyes as if symbolizing his hatred. I quickly countered his attacks, dodging left right, and jumping up and crouching to avoid his vicious blade.

I swung at him many times but with no avail, it was as if he knew the moves I was going to make. I gritted my teeth and studied him between his attacks to find weaknesses, I looked for anything I could use to throw him off or use against him. I knew for the sake of my family, this was a battle I could not lose. In a mere second of thought the enemy quickly seized his chance and sliced my arm. I cried out in pain quickly swinging around and ending him in his weakness after an attack.

No sooner had I thought I was safe, figures seeped from the darkest of shadows engulfing me. I fought with everything I had. There was so much silence, only the sounds of swords clashing, the sounds of grunting from effort and the sound of the raging inferno that surrounded. Tirelessly I fought with everything I had. ‘I need to get back to my family, and keep them safe’ was all that went through my mind, and was my driving power.

Bloodied, beaten and wounded I managed to be the last standing. I tore pieces from a garment of an enemy near me and bound my wounds. There were flames all around I needed to leave, for they were drawing ever closer. Just as I reached the water’s edge there was a huge explosion launching me into the river. I came up gasping for air, looking back everything was on fire. I closed my eyes , turned away and swam to the opposite shore and made my way to my family.

I managed to make it to the secret place, exhausted and beaten. But holding my family in my arms, made everything I endured go to the back of my mind. I held them tight, tears streaming down my face.