The final part to Kunimori's side stories.
_____A sword is a tool of destruction. Swordsmanship is learning how to kill. As a swordsman stains their blades with blood, the weight of those that fell before them is forced upon the user, slowly dragging them to hell. As long as one holds a sword, their destiny will not change. A path of death and destruction lies before those fated to kill, fated to destroy the lives of those around them...
_____The months felt like years as they passed by. War has broken out between the revolutionaries and the emperor’s forces. It was as Genjiro once said. A war would break out and plunge the land into chaos. I became a subordinate in the group many have learned to feared, the Black Lotus. I had no ties to the other members other than the hatred we all feel for the emperor’s cruel tyranny.
_____My skills, according to Genjiro, were nearly flawless. He admired how quick I was with a blade, and even admit that I was quicker than he was. However, he did make one note to a flaw in my swordsmanship: the ability to kill. I have raised my sword for the sake of survival, but I never did take the idea of slaying someone to heart. My fights with Agito, Shinko, even Genjiro himself, never did I think of taking their lives. I could say those fights were simply out of blind rage, which I’ve learned to control myself to some point. I was sitting next to the fire, staring at my dark blade, when Genjiro walked up to me and sat next to me.
_____"Kunimori, we fought side by side. We've been through many things together. However, it's becoming more apparent with each mission: you are holding back your true potential." I looked away. I didn't need to hear what I already knew. "It's foolish to believe you can live in this chaotic world without killing, not as long as you carry that sword." I clenched my sword. As much as I wanted to silence him, I was powerless to do so. "You can't have happiness without destroying the happiness of another. Remember that...Kunimori." He got up and kissed my cheek. It was as if a twist of fate made us lovers. Over the months, the feelings I had for Agito slowly shifted towards Genjiro. Genjiro, despite the harsh treatment I received from him at times, came to me whenever I needed advice or affection. It wasn't long that I yearned for the affection of Genjiro. At times, I would have thoughts of going to Genjiro's tent and lose myself within him.
_____I remained near the fire and was later approached by Eiji. He was another member of the Black Lotus that Genjiro had enlisted. He was much shorter and seemed much younger than I was, but always carried around a large scythe. Apparently, he made the weapon himself, using a simple farming tool as it's base. He was somewhat comforting to be around, but his formal and polite mannerisms irritated me to no end. "Miss Kunimori, he doesn't mean any ill will, he just..."
_____I nearly cut his head off, my blade inches from his throat. I had no intentions of killing him, but this was the only way he would get the idea. He knew that I didn't like formalities, but he added them anyway. I can't remember how many times I had to remind him.
_____"I'm sorry, I keep forgetting. It's simply rude if I didn't show my respects to a lady like yourself." I didn't think of myself as someone that needed to be shown respect. Ever since he joined the Black Lotus, Genjiro assigned him to me. Since then, he really stuck very close to me as if he was a lost child. “What I was trying to say, he doesn't mean any disrespect. Lord Genjiro is just concerned, that's all. There is nothing wrong about killing, especially in this state. You will have to kill, even if it means going against everything that you stand for.” It was odd to hear Eiji lecturing me. I thought that Genjiro put him up to this, but he seemed sincere. I got up and went to my tent to rest for the night.
_____The next day, Genjiro ordered me and Eiji to infiltrate the emperor's supply camp and retrieve some rations for the camp and then set fire to base. Hearing the mission details made me feel like a common thief, but I had to admit that I was getting tired of the same old meal each day. As we prepared to leave, Genjiro added, “Me and Shinko will come shortly after we divert the enemy away. Make sure you and Eiji get the fire attack ready.” I nodded and we set out towards the supply base.
_____As we traveled towards the base, I was still indecisive about the idea of killing. Eiji looked at me every now and then, as if he knew I was troubled. “Miss Kunimori, you don't need to decide now. The time will come that the answer will come to you.” I ignored the fact that he called me “Miss” and listened to his words. “The answer you seek will come to you sooner than you would like it to. For now, let's concentrate on the mission, shall we?” I nodded and focused on the path ahead of me.
_____After a few hours had passed, we arrived at the enemy camp. We overheard some of the guards as they passed the time. The knew of the Black Lotus and our exploits. One even considered betraying the emperor just to be spared by our blades.
_____“They will do nicely.” I looked at Eiji oddly and realized that he was about to attack the enemy. With blinding speed, he rushed from our position towards the two unsuspecting guards. With no hesitation, he quickly decapitated the first guard. The second guard fell to the ground, shocked by the sudden attack. As he stared at Eiji, he quickly turned and tried to escape, but it was no use. With his large scythe, he made short work of the terrified soldier. I ran towards Eiji who was examining the lifeless head of the fallen soldier. “This is no good. It will not please Lord Genjiro.” I had forgotten that Eiji was one of the few “head-hunters” that many have feared. “I don't have time to collect them, so I may as well concentrate on the mission. I'll get the fire attack ready, while you grab the provisions.” I agreed and we went our separate ways.
_____I found the tent with the supplies and proceeded with the pillaging. As I grabbed as much as I could, the scent of smoke filled the air. I realized that Eiji started the fire attack. I left the tent, but suddenly, I realized that the enemy had spotted me. I began to run where me and Eiji had entered, and the soldiers began their pursuit. It wasn't long before I was surrounded. I dropped the bag of food and drew my sword. The soldiers came one at a time, attacking in turns. After several skirmishes, I was exhausted. I was on the defensive, and the soldiers continued their assault. It wouldn't be long before the enemy would overrun me. It was then that familiar words came to me. It's foolish to believe you can live in this chaotic world without killing, not as long as you carry that sword. You will have to kill, even if it means going against everything that you stand for. Genjiro's and Eiji's words flowed through my mind like the calming winds. The blood flowing through my veins began to boil. In an instant, the soldier before me fell before my crazed blade. The others stepped back in shock. In seconds, I slaughtered all that challenged me. As the blood spilled before me, splattering all over my clothes and my face, I realized that I was being watched. I looked around, but no one was in sight. Eiji suddenly came running from behind, with a bloodied scythe in hand.
_____He realized that the area around was fouled with the blood of the enemy. He looked at me and gave me a brief smirk. “I see you have found your answer. Our mission is done. Lord Genjiro and Shinko is waiting for us.” I took my blade and cleaned it off. I sheathed my blade and took the bag of supplies. I ran with Eiji to find Genjiro and Shinko on the outskirts of the base.
_____“We have what we need. Let's return, everyone,” Genjiro said as he ordered us to evacuate. With the enemy camp in flames, we returned to base. On the way back to the main camp, Genjiro and I had a private conversation together. “It seems that the rose had bloomed. Well done, my dear.” I nodded and told him my inner desires. He snickered a bit and noticed that a smear of blood still remained on my face. He wiped the blood off and suddenly he gave me a kiss.
_____I longed to earn the attention of Genjiro, and I realized that I finally grasped what I had longed for. I would eternally pledge to love and serve Lord Genjiro that day, vowing to serve him and the Black Lotus.
