Akagi heaved a sigh of relief. They had already reached the town area and were now, riding towards the inn where Haruko was. Even he was getting worried for Sakuragi. The boy rode feverishly. His face was already pale and his eyes growing glassy. But he would not respond to Hiko’s sympathetic concern nor would he accept any favours of help from anybody. The only one that he could stand to have around him was of course, Youhei.

"Perhaps I have driven him too hard." Akagi shook his head. But yesterday’s incident still made him want to tear Sakuragi’s hair out.

It was the break of dawn. Akagi was already dressed and ready to ride. So was Hiko and the rest. But Youhei was having difficulty getting Hanamichi to get up. So Akagi had taken the task of waking Hanamichi onto himself. Youhei had originally protested, muttering something about bullies and sick people... But he had commanded Hiko to take Youhei away to be mounted and get ready.

Seeing the boy soundly sleeping, Akagi had roared at Hanamichi to get up. But it didn’t work. Instead it had ignited smiles from his soldiers who probably found it funny that their great general was trying to wake this lil snoozing boy...

So Akagi did the next best thing he could. He brought his fist down heavily on Hanamichi, causing the red-haired boy to shoot up in a quick flash, cursing and cradling his head which already had A LOT of bumps. Even Youhei had smiled with the rest ... seeing Hanamichi when he was worked up was a whole lot funnier than watching the puppet show..

"Hanamichi!"

Akagi froze and turned back immediately, only to see Youhei already jumping down from his horse.

Youhei desperately lifted Hanamichi from the ground and let him lie on his own shoulders. He had fallen from the horse and it seemed as if he had fainted as well. There was no sign of consciousness.

"Hiko .. please .. " Youhei would not beg before, but for Hanamichi..

Akagi was faster. In a flash, he was already there beside Youhei and the fallen boy. He tried to take Hanamichi from Youhei’s protective arms, only to be stopped by a deep growling. Youhei was glaring at him. It was as if he was saying : Don’t hurt him anymore!

Refusing to give in, Akagi snatched Hanamichi up and mounted his horse. Turning, he barked, "Yasuda, lead the rest into the inn. Hiko, follow me!"

"Wait, take me with you..!" Youhei called.

Ignoring the cry, Akagi rested Hanimichi in front of him and rode off with Hiko, leaving the rest behind.