The forest was silent as we walked away from Takeda's chamber, the silence growing louder with each step, reminding us that the fight against Takeda was only the beginning to a larger war. We all understood that more blood would be spilled before this was over.
The adrenaline from the fight was beginning to fade, I felt nothing but the throbbing pain coming from my wound. I could feel the exhaustion coming—feeling weaker with each step I took. I looked over at Jin, his face shows calmness. Despite his unreadable expression, the look on his face shows signs of relief. It made me wonder how I would fight against The Reapers, the group that ended out the Ryoma Clan.
Li had been unusually vigilant since the battle. He stayed close to me, his eyes watching our surroundings with his guard up. His silence spoke volumes, we acknowledgment that even though we had won this fight, danger still lurked around everywhere. His presence was reassuring but also a reminder of how fragile our victory was.
Three days passed as we navigated through the forest, our days filled with our survival—hunting for food, finding water, and traveling along a path. We eventually stopped at the edge of a stream. The gentle sound of water flowing, giving a sense of peace. I leaned against a nearby tree, trying to catch my breath, my body aching with each movement.
Li, knelt beside me to examine my wound. His expression was a mixture of concern and frustration. "You're pushing yourself too hard, Hatori," he said, worried for me. "You need to rest. Meditate and heal your spirit."
Jin, who had been listening, approached us. "Let's stay here for a few days. There's plenty of fish and fresh water" he suggested, his voice calm.
I shook my head, wincing as Li applied pressure to my wound. "There's no need. We should keep moving" I replied with a stubborn tone.
Li sighed, shaking his head. "You'll be no use to us if you collapse in the middle of a battle. Rest now and let me treat this wound."
I knew he was right, and though it hurt to admit it, I had to submit. I wanted to keep going, driven by the pressure of Takeda's death and the sense that the fight was far from over.
A heavy silence fell over us, broken by the gentle flow of the stream. Jin spoke, his voice carrying a depth of emotion I never heard before. "Hatori… Thank you. Your bravery in battle saved this old man's life. I am in your debt."
His words and the bow that accompanied them were more than just gestures of thanks—they were a testament to the honor that defined him. I had chosen the right person to be my master.
I looked up at Jin, my expression soft. "Thank you, Jin. I should be the one thanking you. You took me in and made me your disciple. After everything I've lost, your guidance has been a motivation for me."
Jin nodded, his eyes reflecting an understanding. Li's gentle pressure on my wound continued, and the peaceful surroundings of the stream offered a moment of calmness before a storm that was sure to follow.
As I sat there, wrapped in the tranquility of our temporary respite, I knew that the journey ahead would be filled with challenges. But for now, we had a few days to regroup and heal—both physically and spiritually.