Chapter 17 : The Mission

                                    

                                          
"Today we face an impossible decision. Do we fight or do we bow down?" Began Kenshin saying to the crowd of people standing around him inside the great hall three days later. All eyes looked up to him. Their gazes filled with concern, fear and sorrow. 
Toshiro stood amongst them with Yuki by his side. The wound on his shoulder had left a nasty scar, though it fortunately healed cleanly. His leg, however, still throbbed with pain whenever he put pressure on it. 
Despite having a strong, resistant body, he would still have to wait for his full strength to return. 

"There are still those among us who remember the last war. Many lives were lost. Despite achieving victory, we never had the privilege to feel it. We could only remember the ones we buried - a dark time indeed. 
But then we had peace. For nearly twenty years we could walk on our lands, be free and spend time with those we loved. 
Now history has repeated itself. 
I don't want people to die. I wish for peace. But they, beyond the river, see things differently. To them we are an infection that takes their land, their food and their people. Although we have lived here for centuries, we are denied our existence again and again. 
If we are to surrender, they will take everything from us. All that was built, will crumble before us. 
I may only be an old man, just barely capable of getting up the stairs, but I believe in our freedom. Help will come! And like always we will survive! 
Remember this ... when you cast your vote." 
The words of Kenshin still ringed inside Toshiro's ears, as the young man glanced at the others who slowly moved forwards and cast their votes. 

"Did we do this, Charly? Did you know this would happen? I ... feel responsible." Thought the young man to himself.
"Come, Toshiro" Nudged Yuki him to start moving. "We should vote too." 
Slowly he stepped forwards. 
When he had his turn, he threw the small rock into the cup meaning 'fight'. Yuki did so too. 

Once all had cast their votes, two warriors of the second division counted the pieces. 
The result was 'fight'. To be expected, however still hurting to see. 

Kenshin then again emerged from the crowd to speak.
"The majority has spoken. Those who have cast to surrender, I feel no resentment to you. Your decision is neither cowardliness nor betrayal. If any of you wishes not to fight, to flea and find a new home in other foreign lands, I will not stop you. I can only ask for you to stay and help. 
To the rest, Jiro, my second in command, and Thomas will lead the preparations. We must alert all villages, man the bridges and prepare for battle. 
But I'll leave the details to the two of them. I wish us all good fortune in the days to come."

Kenshin stepped away and let Jiro and Thomas take over. However surprisingly the old man walked through the crowd and as he was passing by Toshiro, he stopped. 
"Please see me after this." Whispered the shogun quietly into his ear. 
Toshiro nodded agreeably without even turning his head. 

"What do you think he wants from you?" Asked Yuki curiously in a soft low volume voice.
"I don't know." Replied Toshiro, as Kenshin exited the hall behind them.
In the background one could hear Jiro explaining the logistics and plan they had worked out. 
"Do you think we can win this war?" Questioned Yuki worried, while also listening to the commander up front.
"This will be my first war." Answered Toshiro with his eyes focused on Jiro. "Let's hope it won't be my last." 

Later that day, Toshiro knocked loudly onto the giant doors that held the shogun's personal quarters shut. 
One could hear footsteps approaching and then a few moments later the doors opened. It was Thomas who now stood before the white-haired man.
"I remember a time when you were just a little boy. Despite your childhood you still had this hopeful and joyful expression on your face, Toshiro. But now that I look at you, I no longer see it. Maybe its the sickness of this place, but it tells me you have finally grown up. Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer." Stated the third in command bluntly. 
Toshiro just looked at him without a single ounce of emotion. The young man's stare was rather ominous.
"I'll make sure to remember that, Thomas." Replied he rather unsettlingly.  
"I am looking forward to seeing you in action. I am sure you have become quite a challenging warrior." Added Thomas still quite moody. 
Toshiro swallowed his unseen nervousness. 
"Who knows, I guess we shall see." 
Then suddenly a deeper, strained voice could be heard from the fire pit.
"Toshiro, come. Thomas that will be all! You may leave us now." Stated the old man calmly.
The commander moved to the side in order for the young man to enter the chambers and then exited the room by closing the doors.
"I must say this was the first time seeing Thomas all this gloomy." Admitted Toshiro rather irritated. 
"He fears for his family. Like all of us." Replied Kenshin rather absent-minded, as his eyes stared into the moving flames. 
"So, you wanted to see me?" Asked the white-haired man interested. 
"Yes, please sit. How are your wounds? I heard about your sudden disappearance. Jiro thought you had left us for good." Said Kenshin while smiling. 
Toshiro sat down opposite to the shogun. His leg was still not fully healed. 
"I had helped Charly with a mission of his. Hard explaining that to the others, when it involves a talking cat." Answered Toshiro. 
"Did that mission involve killing a bunch of soldiers from the capital?" Questioned Kenshin playfully with a hint of judgement. 
Toshiro's eyes widened surprisingly.
"Oh, don't think I wouldn't find out. The king wrote it inside the letter. I just left it out, while I was reading it out loud ..."
"But if you knew, why didn't you say anything about it earlier? Or to the others?" Interrupted Toshiro the old man.
"What point would that have? Putting the blame on you? It would only cause distrust and chaos. Besides, don't let yourself or anyone tell you, your the one responsible for this war. This war is inevitable." 
Toshiro leaned forwards. His eyes sparkled in the light of the fire. The burning embers made a 'crackling' sound, as the two were talking.
"Don't lie to me, old man. You are trying to take away the guilt off my shoulders." Stated Toshiro annoyed.
Kenshin however only laughed. 
He then got up from his comfortable chair and walked over to his desk. From a drawer he pulled open, he grabbed a small letter. 
The shogun opened it, as he returned and while leaning back, he began reading it out loud.

"To Kenshin, the shogun of Kaminoshimobe and representative of the people north of the river.
I, King Edward of house Frostvale, ruler and protector of the Northern Kingdom, have this to say:
I know in the past our people have fought many times. Countless lives were lost and entire lakes drained in blood. But now that my time has almost come to an end, it is important I tell you this. My son is an arrogant and ambitious man. He has clear intentions to reunite the Northern Kingdom, with or without bloodshed. I tried to guide him. But ever since his mother has passed away, I have lost all connection to him. I fear no matter what, there is nothing I can do. When I die, he will become king, one way or the other. I thought about taking his life, while he sleeps. However I am a weak king, unable to do what is necessary. 
Be wary, Kenshin! Even if we are enemies, I do not wish to see our river run red once more.
Sincerely, King Edward." 

"How long have you had this?" Asked Toshiro, once Kenshin had finished reading out the letter.
"Long enough."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Questioned the young man with a slight furious tone.
The shogun took a deep breath and sighed loudly. 
"Knowledge is power. While the truth is important ... sometimes one must use it wisely. If I were to pass on every little detail, every secret, the north would arise in chaos. It's like giving away fire - a wrong decision might just torch the entire forest. I tell others only that what they need to." Lectured the old man condescendingly. 
"And what if you're wrong?" Noted Toshiro sharply.
The old man stared back at the young man.
"Then I'll take on the responsibility. That is what means to be a leader. I have lived a long life and have served as shogun for many years, so far I seemed to have been the right decisions, ... mostly." 
"Is this what I came up here for? To tell me not to worry, because you'll take on the responsibility?" Asked Toshiro heinously. 
"No. I have asked for you, because I am in need of your special set of skills." Answered the old man rather cocky. 
"Which would be ...?" 
"Do not drag this on, my dear boy. I may be old, but not stupid." Said Kenshin while chuckling. "You invaded enemy territory, killed numerous experienced soldiers and escaped with relative minor injuries. Any squad would have had greater casualties than that! I'd even say, you are close to becoming as powerful as Takeshi once was. Therefore only you I can trust to accomplish this mission."
The compliment did hit Toshiro out of the blue. He may not have shown it, but he felt proud. Rarely someone has acknowledged his skills or anything positive to be frank. At the beginning Kenshin had Toshiro's curiosity, now had his attention.
"Continue." Said the young man.
"I need you to bring my granddaughter back to the temple. Last I know of, she has been living on the west coast not far from the river. 
Believe me when I say this, my granddaughter's life is now more important than any others. Once you have returned, I will explain everything." Stated Kenshin seriously. "Can you do this for me? Is your body healed?"  
"Not yet. Hopefully in a few days. Then I could accept the mission." Replied Toshiro strictly.
The old man nodded understandingly. 
"Very well. We still have time before the war begins. I have discussed this mission with Thomas. You will be given five members of division two to accompany you. You'll lead and only inform them of what is needed. This mission is your top priority ..."


The words echoed inside Toshiro's head, as he strapped his blade onto his back. The sun shone brightly onto the young man's face. He was standing just before the giant gates leading to the wilderness. Behind him stood his five new companions from the second division. 
Now that his body had fully healed, it was time to fulfil his promise to Kenshin. 
"Ready to go, captain?" Asked one of the warriors. 
"Just a moment." Replied Toshiro patiently. 
The man gazed up to the temple, where he saw Yuki stand on one of the balconies, watching him. 

"Why can't someone else do this?" Asked Yuki concerned, when she found out about Toshiro's plans.
"Kenshin only trusts me to lead this mission. I promise, I will return. All that I can give you are these words, but please trust me, Yuki." Replied Toshiro passionately. 
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder to comfort her worries. But even he knew, there was no guarantee he would actually survive. All Toshiro could do was believe in himself.
"I should come with you! Be by your side and help you!" Begged Yuki.
"No! You are needed here! Said Toshiro in a louder tone, but then softened, when he said this: 
" ... I will return, ... I promise!" 
Toshiro then kissed her on the lips, symbolizing the seal to his promise.

Toshiro returned back to his present self. The other five members just looked at him bored. 
After one last glimpse at the woman he loved, he turned around and took his first step outside the perimeter of the temple. For now, his new mission had begun!

to be continued...