A/N: This is actually to be my Senior Project at school and I just wanted some feedback- tell me what you guys think!

Chapter 1: Journey Home

Tadehashi had only seen his third son for a brief moment before he was once more called to the battle fronts. His land was in the midst of a horrendous civil war, bordering also upon another major war. He went silently to his post after a tearful farewell from both wife and children. The youngest, Osonai, cooed at him from the folds of his mother's vast robes. His green eyes shined brightly with utter adoration for his father. A thin tuft of midnight colored hair covered his head. "Osonai," Tadehashi sighed and brushed his coarse and stained fingers over the babe's head, "my son I will miss you greatly in this time of great hardships. I hope only that you may be given a clear future when these futile wars end."

A single tear slipped past his defenses and fell glimmering upon the child's brow, before at last he turned and walked stiffly to his young, well-trained mare. Tadehashi mounted and rode towards the small, earthen path with the few scouts that had come for him. He was not to return home for years to come.

&

"General!" The rainy seasons had come and their camps were piteous and filthy. The man that had spoken was young- no older than twenty-two winters old. His coarse, straw colored hair was tied back in a ragged cloth to keep it from whipping into his face due to the horrendous winds that tended to blow through the area on occasion.

Tadehashi sat tiredly within the confines of his tent, eyes darkened by rings that had formed over the past few moons. He turned slowly to the other who stood stiffly in salutation, "what is it Narunke?" He questioned, pulling himself into a stiff sitting position.

"Our scouts report a small band of rebels making their way towards the camp- they've got mages my lord, nary a one who appears unskilled in his art." The other was absolutely terrified- it was apparent in the tenseness of his manner.

"Bloody- damn!" Tadehashi growled, "My wife will never forgive me if I don't return home. Quite frankly I wouldn't forgive me either. I wish to see my Osonai again; he should be almost five winters old by now." Slowly he stood and reached for his double-bladed ax, slipping it into its leather sheath at his side before reaching for his helmet. “Prepare the troops for battle, and be sure that they have quickly torn down their lodgings for we need to be ready to flee should the need arise.”

Narunke nodded and slipped outside, his commanding shouts filtered back to Tadehashi who rubbed his aching temples momentarily before he himself slipped out into the hellish mire, slogging his way to the barracks where his horse was being tended. The sky was dark and foreboding, promising a night of rain and hardship. Tadehashi leapt into the saddle of his mare- the second that he’d had in the five years that he’d been with his company.

The horse stamped impatiently as he tightened her reigns before slowly making her way out into the camp where the other men awaited the word of their general, it would indefinitely be a long night and nary would a one of them find themselves ready for what was truly set before them.

&

There had been more of the rebels than even the scouts had known- the group had surrounded them and swooped down into the half-packed camp. Swords flashed in the dim lighting and arrows fell out of the sky. Nearly half of the company had been either wounded or killed before they had been able to recover from the initial panic and fight back. Tadehashi’s mare paced nervously between groups of men as their swords rushed towards her flanks and her master’s own ax flung itself down to parry the life threatening blows.

“General Nomemaru!” The voice of his first lieutenant reached him and the man appeared at his side, “we cannot fight them off, the men are exhausted and the rebels have fresh mounts and recruits riding in now!”

“Damn it!” Tadehashi cursed, striking the pommel of the saddle with his fist, causing the horse to neigh nervously, “Alright, we need to create an opening in their ranks and get as many men as we can through that opening. Order Hentin to use his magic to thrust them backwards- I know that it will exhaust him, but we need to do it. Assure him also that he will not be left behind.”

“Of course sir.” The other rushed back into the descending fog.

“Dear gods protect us.” He swore beneath his breath as once more he was locked in battle, “Lina, do not fret.” He crooned, stroking the sweating mare’s bulging neck, “We’ll escape this soon.”

A burning arrow lodged itself in Tadehashi’s shoulder but he paid it not heed as more pressing matters faced him. Swords came out of nowhere, slashing at both he and his exhausted mount. They wanted no less than his death and Tadehashi was glad that they did not know his rank. The flames upon his shoulder died as the rain grew more frantic, falling heavily as though to wash away the vast blood that now covered the land. Lina stumbled, nearly toppling Tadehashi from the saddle and he knew that soon she would fall and he would be in the midst of the furious attacks that threatened their existence.

At the precise moment of his mare’s collapse the men before him were thrust apart and he was forced to leave Lina to the enemy as he was pushed forward by a wave of the lower ranks racing for their freedom, leaving all but the lightest of packs behind. Tadehashi was glad then that he had ordered the packing of the camp- for otherwise when they fled they would have been without food and medical supplies. Grimly they raced over the bodies of comrades and enemies alike, slashing at any that got in his way.

For three days they moved- not daring to stop until the scouts reported that none followed. Tadehashi’s wound had grown infected- as had the wounds of every other injured man and all but three of the company had become seriously ill. Their numbers had dwindled from seven hundred men to ninety eight. Some had been left, seriously wounded upon the battlefield to either die or be taken prisoner, while others had fallen along the gruesome trail to safety, forced to be left behind as well.

Tiredly they began once more to march after the scouts had returned on the fourth day of their rest to announce that once more the rebels had begun to follow their trail. It was a race against time- they had to cross the border into East Sineite and hope that their own forces near the border were large enough to deter the force that followed them now. Tadehashi sat stoically upon the back of an elderly stallion, whose back was bent from years of faithful service to the troops.

His head drooped near the ground, and the satiny mane was now filled with stickers. Tadehashi’s dark brown hair was no exception; it too was filled with stickers and caked with both mud and blood. His flesh was filthy- smudged with dark brown from sleeping upon the soaking earth. His blue eyes shown with exhaustion and watered constantly due to the bitter winds that battered them relentlessly both day and night.

Tadehashi's shoulder felt like it was on fire, though to the touch it was ice cold. The flesh was steadily deteriorating and he feared amputation if the healers were unable to remove the infection in time. His group was ragged and their once proud march had become a silent, steady dragging of feet.

How can this have possibly happened? Tadehashi thought bitterly, how can those men have defeated us so easily that we now run with our tails between our legs? Such exhaustion runs through us all- if we are unable to stop soon we'll lose more comrades. He sighed and shook his head to clear it, Tadehashi had to stay clear-headed in order to formulate a plan of action- should the need for him to turn and fight the rebels ever arise. He knew that if that need ever arose it was highly unlikely that any of them would ever make it home to their families.

Such utter despair and longing filled him at the thought of home- his heart ached to see his wife and children again. Yet he became weary- a foreboding filled his heart and it nearly skipped a beat. What if none of them wants to see me anymore, what if they've all forgotten and Nari- for that was the name of his wife- has found a new husband? His mouth twitched and stuck in a thoughtful frown. A figure stepped out of the foggy shadows and his stallion pranced backwards in surprise, snapping Tadehashi back to reality. "We only want General Tadehashi Nomemaru." The voice came distinctly from the figure and Tadehashi felt his blood run cold- how had they known? A strange pulsating emitted from the wound upon his shoulder and he felt himself releasing the reigns and moving as though to leap from the horse's back.

No! What the hell is going on? He thought wildly as his muscles relaxed momentarily.

"The general will not go with you!" A voice rang out from behind, followed simply by shouts of agreement- Tadehashi was not to be handed over like a parcel!

"Then you can all die." The voice seemed indifferent and Tadehashi felt his heart leap painfully.

"No!" The cry wrenched itself from his parched lips, "Let them pass over the border." He closed his eyes and swallowed a lump that had accumulated in his throat, "I will- I will do as you ask so long as you allow them free passage."

"Just what the hell are you doing General?" Narunke shouted in rage, "We will not leave you behind."

"You will." Tadehashi swallowed again, "That is an order lieutenant." He closed his eyes before continuing, "Tell Nari that I love her, and tell Osonai that I wish I could be there."

"Sir." Narunke saluted grimly, and Tadehashi could see the tears misting in his eyes.

"You are smart to come, for if you hadn't dear General I would have had to kill your son." The shadow before them stepped forward and Tadehashi could see the small shape of a child resting in his arms, "the woman and her elder sons were uncooperative. She poisoned herself and them to save the family from me. Only the boy survived the poison. Quite frankly I believe that he would make a grand apprentice- wouldn't you say General Tadehashi?"

"You leave him alone!" Tadehashi growled, clenching his fists tightly at his sides.

"You leave me hardly any choice but to show you what you are up against fool." He whistled and other shapes made themselves known in the swirling fog, surrounding the tired band.

Tadehashi's eyes widened and what little color that was left in his face quickly drained as he glanced at the men about them. "Daddy!" A small voice rang out from the folds of the other's cloak, "Daddy can win!"

"Shut up you little fool!" A harsh slap rang out before the boy set to wailing piteously.

"Osonai!" Tadehashi growled, grasping the hilt of his ax, "you bastard, you will pay for harming my son." He leapt from the saddle and swung his ax violently about his head, striking violently at the men that raced to greet his rage.

Again that strange pulsating emitted from his shoulder and Tadehashi felt his ax slip from his fingers as once more he lost all control of his motor skills. He stood frozen- open to attack as the rebels swept down upon him, "Osonai!" He screamed in dry rage, wrenching at the invisible barrier that held him prone, "Osonai, my son, my son!" He could feel the tears coursing down his cheeks in a mad rush as dry lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a horrific crash of thunder.

Sweat ran down his face and his muscles bulged as Tadehashi tried desperately to escape the barrier. Just as a large, blunt object rushed into his view another of his men staved it and pushed him backwards, "General, what's the matter? Why'd you just stand there like that?" The voice belonged to Ginneir, a close friend of his.

Instead of answering Tadehashi stood slowly, his muscles aching and his head swimming, grim determination visible in his hopeless eyes. He again held his ax tightly and moved forward, feeling it tear through the bodies of his enemy with a suppressed glee, “You… will not,” He panted, swinging his arms methodically, “kill my… men!”

With a last slash he found himself facing the man that held his son, blind rage took him as he saw the dark confidence upon the other’s face, “you release him!” Tadehashi growled, grasping the hilt of his ax all the more tightly, though it sent dizzying waves of pain shooting through his lacerated shoulder.

“No, my dear boy,” The other’s lips moved smoothly, and his accent was nothing below graceful, “you will release that barbaric weapon of yours.” Tadehashi once more felt his muscles working against him and the weapon fell with a dull thud to the muddy earth.

Tadehashi’s mind drew itself within its barriers, carefully constructed to keep others out of his thoughts, and he thought back to the letters that his wife had always written him, with a small drawing of their boy as he grew- along with his brothers of course. She was an exceptional artist and through her art he had watched his boys grow up without him. It was only in the past year that Osonai began to write to him in a childish scrawl that was barely legible, but those letters had touched him most of all. “Osonai!” He wrenched his fist forward and struck the stranger across the jaw in a last effort to regain the control of his body.

The other pitched backwards with a grunt of surprise and Osonai sprawled mere feet away, whimpering still and wiping at his reddened eyes. The boy stood on wobbly legs and raced into the awaiting arms of his relieved father, “Daddy!” the boy sobbed into his tunic, “daddy!”

Tadehashi grasped the child and lifted him into the air joyously; spinning him and paying naught attention to the figure that massaged his jaw from the muddied earth below before standing and to run into the thick, concealing fog that had continued to grow denser since the battle had begun. “Oh my son!” He sobbed, pressing his face into Osonai’s silky, shoulder length black hair, “how I’ve missed you!”

“Daddy hurt.” Osonai murmured, placing his tiny fingers upon the wounded shoulder tearfully.

“Its-“ Tadehashi was forced to close his eyes and swallow hard as white hot pain burned into the wound, his legs weakened and by the time that he was able to open his eyes again the pain had disappeared as though it had never even been there to begin with.

Tadehashi grasped the torn fabric where the wound should have been and his eyes widened considerably, “Osonai!” He gasped, kneading the newly formed flesh that was as tender as a newly formed scar, “What did you do?”

Instead of answering Osonai pressed his face into his father’s tunic, grasping once more at the loose fabric and began to snore lightly. A slight frown pricked at the corners of his lips as he dreamt, lines of apprehension creased his brow lightly. “General?” Narunke was kneeling at his side and his voice was hushed.

“Hm?” Tadehashi turned his adoring gaze from the sleeping child in his arms to the other man, “what is it Narunke?” He questioned softly.

“Sir, we shouldn’t linger. Many of the men are greatly injured and rather ill, the border is still a half day’s march.”

Tadehashi nodded slowly and stood carefully, “yes, of course. I am just as eager to see the end of this wretched land as any of you are. I hope simply that there are no more obstacles along our journey.” He smiled wanly.

Narunke stooped for Tadehashi’s forgotten ax and eased it into its place in the older man’s belt. He nodded swiftly to their men and the grueling march of the exhausted and depleted troupe began once more. The rain had greatly lessened, and the faint image of the full moon appeared in the heavily clouded sky. Tadehashi noted with great dismay that their numbers had lessened once more- leaving them with only forty-five.

The night had passed and streaks of brilliant red had begun to inch across the sky before, utterly exhausted, the small band was able to cross the border into what could happily be known as safe territory. “Oi! Who goes there?” The voice of a rather young and brash young man filtered down to them from a post that hovered ominously above.

“Troupe 37488!” Tadehashi called in a hoarse whisper, hoping that his voice had carried.

“General-“There was a light rustling of papers, “Tadehashi Nomemaru, hm? You are not expected to return for another three moons yet.” Heavy footsteps thudded on what could only be a ladder before a broad shouldered man came into view, glaring at the ragged lot of them, “not to mention that you were issued over five hundred men under your command, sir.” He sneered suspiciously.

Tadehashi stared tiredly at the rock strewn earth that told of the thin path that they had been wearily following for the entire evening, “We were ambushed in camp, and we have been fleeing for the border for near a fortnight.”

“Yunedo!” A figure huffed, racing towards them from the main campgrounds, “General Kadeyomai wishes to know what the ruckus i-“He drew a deep breath and swore, “G-general Nomemaru?”

Yunedo, as they had found the new recruit’s name to be, flushed a brilliant red, “I was merely interrogating these people.” He murmured in embarrassment as his gaze shifted between them, “General Nomemaru and his troupe of seven hundred were meant to be across the border for another three-“

“Oh stuff it!” The new arrival said, waving his hand dismissively, “do you really believe that the west or even Henderiere would send in a group as bedraggled as this one itself? Leave them pass through to the medical tents- for I am certain that they are weary and in need of attention. Waken the cook and have him heat up some of the stew.

Yunedo fumed as he nodded and saluted before racing off towards the encampment. Once alone the newcomer turned to Tadehashi, “what happened?” he questioned smoothly, “where are the rest of your men?”

Tadehashi sighed heavily and felt the deepest of sorrows well up in his chest, “we were forced to leave behind the dead and wounded, we were outnumbered and the first attack was long before it was foreseen to be according to our scouts. We weren’t prepared to be closed in by Westerns- not to mention that I noticed many Henderiere uniforms.” He shifted the slight weight of Osonai, who still slept soundly, as he spoke.

By then they had made it to the medical tent and the healers were bustling them inside- he had no more time to talk as Osonai was swiftly taken from his arms, and his tunic, torn as it was, removed from his body. “Oh my!” Tsked one of the healers, fingering the new scar, “this wound – who may I ask healed it?” The young woman looked at him with questioning green eyes that sparkled in the dim lighting.

Tadehashi wracked his exhausted brain and before he could think of the foolishness of such and answer he spoke, “it was my youngest son Osonai.” He murmured, gazing toward the grimy lantern that was the only source of light they had.

“Hm, I see.” The woman nodded slowly as though confirming something, “and who trained him?” She questioned curiously, “It must have taken great care to heal something such as this, even for an advanced healer.”

“He has- Osonai has had no training!” Tadehashi exclaimed incredulously, “he is naught but five winters old!”

The healer’s eyes widened and she took an audible breath, “five-“She sputtered, her face coloring a brilliant shade of scarlet, “It is impossible! This magic is difficult even for a trained healer such as myself! There is no way that a small child was able to conjure such magics!”

“And yet he did.” Tadehashi said grimly, “have you finished my inspection? I wish… I wish to go home.” He felt his stomach lurch violently at the thought of what awaited him.

But why then do I wish to go? Surely there is no real reason for me to do so, I know what awaits me, but I do not truly wish to believe it to be true. He concluded at last, sighing in resignation as the woman gave him another looking over before nodding her approval, “you are well enough to go sir.” She murmured at last before turning to leave, “just get yourself a good night’s sleep and eat well come your waking.”

Tadehashi felt a smile grace his cracked lips before he sank into the warmth of the cot- it was moments later that the stew arrived and he was able to feel the hot food and drink slip past his parched lips and sink satisfactorily into his growling stomach. After he had eaten sleep took him on a whim, and he dreamt of the days before Osonai and the war- even before his elder sons had been born. As far back as the days when he had been a new recruit. ‘Green’ they had called him, awkward for only the first few moons with his fighting before the large ax was placed in his hands. They had been training him with sword work, but he had been able to abandon the fruitless weapon when they saw how well he fought with the ax- almost as though he and it were one.

Osonai awoke him at dawn the following morning- he had slept the day away and in that time somebody had given him a proper scrubbing, not an ounce of dirt remained upon his flesh or in his hair. A look of urgent anticipation rested upon Osonai’s small face, “We go see mommy and Dane and Terraih today?” He questioned grimly as he pulled his exhausted father from the bed.

Tadehashi nodded and stood, still rubbing the sleep half-heartedly from his eyes before leading the eager child towards the tantalizing smell of breakfast. They ate lightly and packed a small pouch with dried meat- remembering also to clean and fill the filthy water pouches. Osonai rode pillion with his father, chirping unintelligibly as they rode further east, preparing to ride straight through noon and possibly into the late evening.

The birds called to each other in the early morning sunshine and Tadehashi felt himself drifting towards thoughts of what the would do after they had journeyed to their property- he knew not what he would find, but knew precisely what he wouldn’t find. Tadehashi was not expecting any sort of welcome when he finally rode into the small village, he hadn’t either expected very many of the young farmers to recognize him. Still they greeted him- watching him with pitying, knowing glances as he rode in determination towards his property and eventually stopping just in front of where the house should have been. Instead he found that the entire structure was blackened, occasionally a light breeze would send ash flying through the air to lightly carpet the planting fields.

It was here, before the simple, burned out structure of the front door that the horrific truth finally hit him and he slid from the saddle, collapsing and sobbing from he was worth. “Nari!” His voice was lost to an especially strong wind and he was sprinkled with ashes and water, for the rains had once more begun. “Dane! Terraih!” He sobbed, covering his face with his calloused fingers in utter despair- quite suddenly, in his great despair, he forgot that Osonai had indeed survived and was now with him.

For a single moment he was so utterly lost that he forgot everything and stared blankly, the tears still coursing down his reddened cheeks, at the wreckage of his home. He was unable to understand how he could have been cursed so. Certainly Nari could have done something better than poisoning her and the boys- a small thud behind him reminded Tadehashi that Osonai was there and he grew ashamed that he had forgotten the boy. His heart thudded as he turned to see that Osonai had fallen from the saddle, his face was ashen and his eyes rolled about sickeningly. “Dear gods!” Tadehashi cursed and moved towards the boy’s side, “Osonai?” He lifted the boy, whose mouth hung open in a silent scream of sheer agony as his father leapt into the saddle and pulled the horse into a fierce gallop towards the village, “you hold on, Osonai, do you hear? Don’t give up!”

He felt his throat clench tightly as he came to a sudden, jarring halt in the center of the bustling village, racing into the healer’s hut without bothering to tether the horse. He was met by an elderly man whose eyes were haunted and ringed, “I knew that you would be coming.” He murmured leading Tadehashi towards a small room that had been prepared, “the boy is very ill, Tadehashi.” He said grimly, taking the shivering child from his father’s nervous and white knuckled grasp, “but do not worry my friend, I will not allow him to die.” His eyes twinkled mysteriously and Tadehashi got the impression that the old man knew more than he was currently letting on.

“You will need to go to the mountains- a rare herb grows there and there alone. It is called Seneski Dyie; it is a dark brown with a brilliant red splashed upon it. Find it Tadehashi, and your son will yet live out his young life. You have a fortnight good sir in which to accomplish the task and to return- I wish you a fond farewell.”

Without reply Tadehashi walked calmly from the room, his heart thudding painfully in his chest, telling him to hurry. He stepped outside and patted the horse’s nose, “Hadel,” he murmured, “we make haste to the mountain wilderness.” And with those words he leapt gracefully into the saddle and led his horse to the trees that would grow thicker as they went. His face was set and nothing, nothing would get in his way.

A/N: Well, that's it for chapter 1... leave some feedback for me!

Chapter 2: The gathering of herbs

It is a race to save Osonai's life- will Tadehashi get what he needs and return to the village in time to save his son? Find out in the next chapter!