Historical+Fiction

Chad Walker ENG 408 Tucker Unfamiliar Genre  Tears of Scarlet   //It is a dark time in the Tokogawa era. The shogunate is facing off with a hostile rebellion threatening to change Japan into a republic. The fans of war have spread all the way to the Hokkaido region in Northern Japan.// Seishiro Sakurazuka sat at the restaurant with a nice warm glass of sake. During these dark times, it was hard to enjoy a good drink that just takes the mind off the ugly world. He was alone and left to his thoughts. He desperately wanted a distraction to bring him back from those thoughts. The shogunate had its hands filled with this rebellion and all Seishiro could think about was Kaoru. She would make a fine wife and caring mother, of that he was sure. Her smile made the cherry blossoms bloom and she could not leave his mind.  Setsuna sat next to the lord everyone loved and adored. Setsuna did not have good news. He never did. “Seishiro, the rebellion is on the move. They mean to strike and take this city. We should head south and avoid this conflict. The shogun was adamant that no harm should befall you.” Those words brought back Seishiro from his fantasy with Kaoru. He blinked in surprise. “We need to go Lord Sakurazuka.”  “Why would I abandon the people I have come to respect and love? Is this information accurate? Why take Otaru? Do they plan to seal off the northern food supply to the shogunate?” Seishiro had too many questions and no intentions of leaving the city. “I plan to wed Kaoru. She is the most fascinating woman I have ever met. I lose myself in her eyes like the sea and the war just seems so distant when she plays her shamisen for me.”  “My lord, please, while I am happy you found a muse, we need to discuss....”  “I will not leave Otaru.” Seishiro stated plainly. Setsuna was about to protest but just nodded in agreement. “Send for my wife to be Setsuna. If I am to die, I would like to be married first.”  Setsuna bowed and motioned for Kaoru to enter. Seishiro nodded and Setsuna dismissed himself. Kaoru bowed elegantly and sat next to her fiancée. “You called my lord?”  Seishiro sighed and she could see the pain in his eyes, the eyes that made her knees weak, and the eyes that made her question right or wrong. She understood why the entire city adored this man. He was kind to all he met. He gave out money to the poor, and food to the hungry. He even spared some rebels hiding out in the city when they were discovered. He was more than a man to her. “Setsuna tells me of a coming rebel army desperate on taking Otaru. Tokogawa deems me to valuable to lose in this battle. He wants me in Kyoto as soon as possible.” She tried not to wince at his apparent pain. She wanted to do anything to take the pain away, but she wanted him to leave the city even more so. “I have decided to stay.” Five words that destroyed her. She had hoped he would leave the city and just run away from everything. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> “But my lord, they may //kill// you.” She had to force the dirty word out. It left a nasty taste in her mouth. She wanted to use something else, but it just came out. He did not react to the word. He just watched the ocean waves from the restaurant window. “Sakurazuka-sama, what is the purpose of you staying in this city? You are not skilled with the katana or a samurai at heart. You have always been too soft for this world, and I fear if you do not leave, this ugly world will eat you alive. I cannot bear that.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Seishiro turned to her and embraced her with a kiss. “If my death can spare at least one soul in this battle, I would gladly offer my life for the safety of the city. These people have no real alliance to the shogunate or the rebellion. They are just trying to live their lives. Even if I left the city, they would still strike. I will not run away from these people.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Kaoru started to cry. She had to tell him. There was no use hiding it anymore. Seishiro look of concern was like a dagger to her heart. She wanted the horrible lies to leave her and she had to come clean. “I am sorry Sakurazuka-sama, if you do not leave…I will be forced to end your life now.” She placed a dagger on the table. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Seishiro glanced at it for a second. It all made sense now. She was a spy for the rebels and he fell right into their traps. He was going to die by the woman who haunted his dreams and fantasies. But, why does she weep? “It was just a matter of time I suppose.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> “Is this your dream for this country? The dream you shared with me in your bed? The dream you //promised// me we would share? Where is your dream now Seishiro?” Her words spat anger, jealousy, and every other emotion that clouded her heart and mind. She grabbed the knife and held it to this throat. Waiting. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> They stood in silence for an eternity. He noticed sweat dripping from her makeup. He just smiled at her, the smile of a man without a care in the world. “My dream is but a madman’s fancy. End it now.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">