Breath Of The Flower

Enmei quickens his pace as he climbs the mountain. The familiar turn the oddly large tree blocking half the road. There, he remembers on another turn is the familiar house that saved him 2 years ago. The echoes of laughter should fill his ears by now. Yet what is this emptiness he is feeling.

He makes the turn.

Nothing.

The same sound of cold wind blowing against the trees wasn't filled with the laughter he has once heard. His hands red from the cold clutches the box of sweets tighter. The kids would like these he thought when he decided to go visit his saviours. The house is empty.

They must've gone out to town.

No- They must've moved.

He turns around to leave when his crow caws from behind.

He follows it.

His hands press forward to lessen the impact but it makes contact with a piece of wood.

Heart pacing he feels the surrounding area. 6 lumps.

Oh.

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6 lumps. Surely two of them should still be alive right?

He walks back down the mountain hands empty, tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

The fear of your own death is never as much as the fear of your loved ones death.... he remembers his father saying. If only it was easier.

Back on top of the mountain lay 6 graves and a box of sweets.