Dropping Hanamichi ungraciously onto the ground, General Akagi beckoned his men and commanded "Take these 2 back with us."

"Hey you Gori .. I am not going anywhere with you !"Hanamichi stuttered as he fought back strong arms. He was strong he knew, but he was still no match for muscles seasoned from real battles.

"I am General Takenori Akagi, of the House of Sakuragi, commandeer of the Supreme Battalion. And I have the right to take anyone away from here." Akagi flashed a silver badge at Hanamichi who was glaring furiously at him.

"Take this one too." Akagi turned coldly away from Youhei and mounted his horse.

"You can’t do this to us .. !" Hanamichi shouted. Youhei narrowed his eyes at Akagi’s back and motioned Hanamichi to keep quiet. They would have to find a way to escape soon.

Riding out of the market, Akagi and his team soon reached the peach blossom tree that was the trademark of the village. Two women were waiting there already.

"Mother .." Youhei thought miserably. "I have brought you shame again.."

"Mother .."Hanamichi thought worriedly. "I hope that stupid gorilla doesn’t frighten her or anything.. or else I would.."

Akagi got down from his horse and approach the two women almost respectfully. The worry on the two women’s faces were almost palpable. The two youths could not hear the conversation as they were being held back by Akagi’s soldiers. They could only see Akagi deep in conversation with their respective mothers.

After what seemed a unbearably long period of time..

".. I will take care of Youhei, Lady Noriko.." Akagi gave a deep, respectful bow. "Your son is much like his Lord, Madam.."

"Then the pain that I have suffered through the years have been worth it... thank you." Lady Noriko whispered.

"..and to you, revered Lady, I do swear to you that my loyalty is bound to the House of Sakuragi and I will keep the scion of my Lord alive until the day I die .. " To old lady Mori, Akagi surprised everyone by getting down on one knee.

"What is he doing?!" Hanamich thought furiously. His mother had not begged for his release or cried. Instead, she looked calm and composed.

Akagi led old lady Mori forward to Hanamichi and motioned his soldiers away. Hanamichi took his mother’s hands and started mumbling, "I am so sorry mother, I really didn’t mean to pick a fight with Rikai and his gang. It’s just that they kept calling Youhei names and Youhei is my friend and ..."

"Hush now, my babe ..." Old lady Mori cradled Hanamichi’s face tenderly in her wizened hands. "Listen, for I am just going to say this once. You know full well that I am not your real mother. We found you right under this peach blossom tree with you crying your lungs out on the last day of autumn. Your real mother (may the Lord above protect her!) named you after the peach blossom."

"Mother~" Hanamichi protested, he already knew by heart what had happened. He didn’t care about his history, nor about the woman who bore him right there in this forest... all he wanted to do was to live happily here in the village and stay with Mori, who was his real mother in his heart ..

"Hana-kun. You are going to a place where you will claim your birthright. There will you have to fight your own battles. I had always known that you were not really mine. I cannot be there with you.." Sighing softly, Old lady Mori grasped Hanamichi’s hands and looked deep into Hanamichi’s eyes.

"Take care, my heart of hearts. You have brought me much joy and happiness. Live your life well .. and remember, your best is never enough."

Tears gathered in his eyes. No! He would not cry just like a little boy ..

"You must do more than your best.. " Placing a light kiss on Hanamichi’s forehead, Old Lady Mori lowered her head and slowly walked off. Beside him, he knew that Youhei was already close to tears while Lady Noriko was softly sobbing beside him.

"But what have I done wrong? I have done nothing wrong... please mother! Don’t leave me here .." Hanamichi reached out blindly.

Resolutely, Old Lady Mori walked away. Lady Noriko gave Youhei a sad little smile and turned away too.

It was a total nightmare.

Akagi seemed to know that too. In a softer voice, he beckoned Yasuda. "Mount them up. One behind you and the other behind Hiko."

Turning, he glanced again at the sakura tree. Its blossom was the exact replica of his badge of office. General Takenori Akagi hated tasks like this. The world knew no mercy sometimes.

"Let’s go."

Said and done, the team rode off into the cold reality outside.