His muscles were screaming and his back was going to break at any moment. His inner thighs had red and bruising marks on them. And the horse that he was riding had reared at this stupid squirrel which had darted across, causing him to strain his arm with the effort to keep the horse steady.

Sakuragi silently cursed. He would not show this madman that he was in any way weaker than him. Sitting up straight had already cost him a whole lot of energy. He desperately wanted to run home and stay in bed for one whole month. But he would never utter one word of protest. Not one single word. Sometimes when he rode, especially now, he could feel himself slipping into a feverish blur. It is nothing, he told himself.

Beside him, it was as if Youhei had made the same silent vow. Youhei rode with his head up and he steered his horse with an already moderate grasp of skill.

"I cannot break now... Hanamichi needs me, and besides Mother has told me that I would be able to find out about my father if I follow Akagi.." Youhei thought, flicking one side fringe from his perspiring face.

Like Hanamichi, his bones were going to break from exhaustion soon. But he would rather walk all the way before he asked for a rest before these hard-faced soldiers. Glancing worriedly at the red-haired youth beside him, Youhei noticed that Hanamichi was growing increasingly pale and his breaths geting ragged.

"Hana-kun.."

"I am all right." Hanamichi’s answer meant: Don’t bother me. I can still go on.

Youhei kept off the boundary. Hanamichi was too stubborn for his own good, he sighed. He himself was taking in deep breaths from the exhaustion of riding.

Takenori Akagi rode in front of them, deep in thought.

They had ridden for 5 days. It was at least another 2 days of hard riding before they reached the inn that Akagi had instructed Haruko to go back to. The even-tempered girl had protested loudly and clearly to follow and he had only allowed her to follow until a few leagues before they reached the village. This he would not back down on. Akagi loved his sister more than his life itself and he would stop at nothing to make sure that she is safe. After all, who knows whether Peach Blossom Village was a dangerous place or not?

..stop that, the village is just a sleepy little place with people who can’t tell the difference between a broadsword and a rapier ..

***argh*** Was that his conscience again?

..look what you have done! The voice sneered. You have taken two boys who are barely grown back with you into the ugly place called the world .. I am so proud of you..

"Shut up!" Akagi gnashed his teeth. Beside him, Sumoki, his fourth guard recoiled and stammered. ".. erm..sir?"

"Nothing." Akagi gave an irritated glance at Sumoki. "Guard the back." Sumoki, ever obedient, turned his horse and rode to the back.

Glancing behind him, Akagi rested his eyes on Hanamichi and Youhei again. The two boys were riding on their own. He had somehow managed to find a horse dealer who was just passing by the village on the first day he met the two and purchased two adequate horses for him. Pausing, he recalled the short conversation between him and the two youths.

"Do you know how to ride?" Akagi had asked.

"No." Youhei replied flatly. Hanamichi did not even bother to answer him. He just looked anywhere but at Akagi.

"Hiko will teach you." Akagi motioned Hiko, a 20-something with black hair tied back with a leather thong and a lean body over and handed him the reins of the 2 horses. "Saddle these horses and teach them how to ride."

Turning to look at the sky that was growing darker into a sullen sunset, Akagi silently cursed. There was not much time left.

"You have an hour."

That was a few days ago. Both the boys had borne the bruises on their legs and back pain and all the initial hardships that come with riding with stony silence. He could see that they still do not know the finer nuances of riding but at least Hiko had taught them the basics well. They rode with straight backs and neither whined nor begged for rest. And this was no mean task. Not after one was being thrown on the back of a horse, given one pathetic hour of training and being told to go on riding from morning till dusk for the rest of the week. You try it!

Akagi was secretly amazed. These boys show a fortitude and demeanour that their Lords will be proud of. A slight smile appeared. He would make soldiers of these street gangsters yet. "Sir." Hiko rode forward.

"Yes, Hiko?" Akagi broke the train of his thoughts and looked at Hiko. He mused : This soldier has quality and discipline. I will recommend him for excellent conduct when next I see Lord Sakuragi.

"The sun will go down soon and this looks like a good place to make camp. There is a river just a distance away and we should be stopping to gather some firewood for the campfire." Hiko, as always, was meticulous and analytical. But Akagi also suspected that this statement was made for the benefit of Hanamichi and Youhei. Their faces were starting to turn pale and although their backs were still straight, he knew that their muscles were probably screaming for help.

"All right. Hiko, gather the boys and let them help you gather the firewood. Tell Yasuda to make camp." Hearing this, Hiko saluted and turned but not before Akagi caught the look of relief on his face.

Perhaps he is a tad too soft-hearted but at least I know Hiko feels the same way I do .. the only difference being that he can afford to show his sympathy. I can’t ..