Kin'emon Could Only Stare Around Himself. Blood, Salt And Tears. His Eyes Rolled Back Into His Mind.

Kin'emon could only stare around himself. Blood, salt and tears. His eyes rolled back into his mind. O'Kiku, Raizo, Momonosuke. Faces, shapes and colors fogged his memory, some more distinct than others; one more distinct than others.

-oh, Tsuru, would you look at me with shame in your eyes? Have I not stained your honor once again?

Kin'emon groaned ever so quietly that he didn't even think the dust under his limp body could have heard him. He thought of the twenty years she had waited alone, the nights spent in their cold bed and the silent diners she must have shared with an empty chair.

-My flower, my Tsuru.

His breathing faded away in the rumble of the battle field, it aligned with the wind and he thought that if the gods were in his favour, they would send these thoughts to her. His flower. His Tsuru.

-You have been the solace of my life.

His lips curled into a weak smile, the orange explosions all around him made the tears on his cheeks glow in a distinguished manner. The smell of death surrounded him but she remained his only thought.

___

Tsuru was sat on the roof of her modest shop, she stared at the lanterns lit up in the sky from the capital, her eyes too, glowed this rich orange. She held her own hands firmly, wondering if her tight grip could be felt by her husband, wherever he was, whatever challenges he was facing, she let out a warm exhale and her hands relaxed. She felt him beside herself in an odd manner.