Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  Inside the tent Attonnan watches as Toph begins to stretch. She smiles as she watches him walk in. she has to admit that she is a bit surprised since normally his training takes a good hour or two. She is always restricted to the tent. His training is kept in the highest of secrecy.

  “Your back early” She says and sits up.

  “Training was called to an end. Where is my shirt, I need to go to the war room immediately” Attonnan says his voice cold as ice.

  She looks him over. How much she wants him, to touch him, just to see him smile. Oh she has seen him smile many times, but there is always something behind that smile, something of pain, of torment. She wants him to smile at her from the bottom of his heart. Attonnan slowly picks up his shirt and looks over at her. She is stretched out looking over at him. He watches her stare at him, he knows that she wants to be with him as more then just a friend or soldier, but he can’t do it, he can’t let anyone close, not anymore, not ever. Slowly he turns his back on her making sure that she knows she doesn’t stand a chance, they will be friends and only friends. Once his shirt is on he makes his way to the war room. It takes him only seconds to make his way into the war room he finds that the room is empty but on the table is already the maps that he will need to plan the attack and how to get the better of the blue dragon of the Hitori clan. He looks over the maps and the island. It is a perfectly secure island and looking at it he is sure that Nagamasa has looked over all the things. Calmly he looks over and first thing first he must find a way of entry, to hit the island without them seeing the boat coming. He finds the best thing is to come from the south. There is a range of mountains and he is sure that it will hide the approach of the ship. Also from the south at the docking place he has picked there is a cove in the mountains where he is sure he can hide the force then set some kind of lure to the force of the Hitori clan. They can take them from above; they will not only have the advantage of the high ground but also the advantage of surprise. This is the way to do it, the way to attack the Hitori and keep his men alive.

  Attonnan spends the rest of the night in the war room studing every inch of the island and the path that he will have to take to get there. The march will be about a day; they will leave from the citing of Shimazu. Once in Shimazu they will board a ship from there they will move north on the coast. Then to the island, around the island to the backside then land where they will not be seen. He will then have them hide in the ridges of the mountains as he lures Nagamasa and his men into the trap. Looking over the plan he can be sure that this will work, but something pulls at him. The idea of attacking Nagamasa, it was Musashi that they were after, Musashi ran the clan, and in the end Musashi surrendered. So why are they hunting the son. Part of him wants to go to Kenshi, tell him all of this, let him know all that is going on in his mind, let him know that this is wrong and that he won’t do it. But it’s Kenshi, he has the elflands best interests at heart. He must follow his leader. Letting out a sigh he makes his way to the training yard, all of the men are out there and all are ready for marching orders. Attonnan looks over each of them, but doesn’t say a word, he only nods to Sun.

  “All right you dogs get in ranks and prepare for March.” Sun says and watches as Attonnan mounts his horse and takes lead.

  Attonnan quickly stops his horse seeing that Toph is joining them; she is in her old armor with her weapons Toph quickly fall into rank right next to Sun.

  “Toph, I thought we had an agreement, your duties are not with us.” Attonnan says a low growl in his voice.

  “My duties are with the men. Kenshi’s orders” she says calmly. Although it takes her a bit to hold back her smile. She admits that Kenshi did give the order but not with her doing some careful consideration.

  “Stay Toph, I wish to speak to Kenshi. Sun, get the men ready but hold tight” Attonnan says and growls and walks to the war room.

  Attonnan walks though the courtyard and moves into the war room where he finds Kenshi looking out into the courtyard watching his armies begin to march. He jumps a bit when he hears the doors slam open. He smiles as he turns to find that it is Attonnan.

  “You wished to speak to me about something Attonnan” Kenshi says his voice light and airy.

  “Yes. Toph will not go with the men on this mission” Attonnan says growling.

  “I’m sorry, she had explained her position quite well, Attonnan I think it best she goes.” Kenshi says knowing why Attonnan wants her behind. She is the only member of the last squad that was not killed; he doesn’t want to risk loosing her in another battle. He sometimes wonders if there isn’t something more going on between them but doesn’t want to question him on it.

  “This is not a request. You need to understand my position. She’s not going. I will send the men and Sun. but if you want me to go on this mission then you take her off of it. Do you hear me” Attonnan says and waits for Kenshi’s answer. When he first took this position Kenshi assured him that he would be able to run the unit as he wanted without question, he hopes that his authority has not been taken from him.

  “Your serious aren’t you” Kenshi says his face now cold and shocked.

  “Yes.” Attonnan says and crosses his arms.

  “Then you leave me no choice. Send her back in and be on your way. Attonnan, I think you are making a mistake.” Kenshi says but watches as Attonnan leaves without saying a word.

  Attonnan walks out of the room and makes his way back to the men. As soon as he gets to the group he smiles at Toph.

  “Kenshi wishes to speak with you. You will not be joining the ranks of this group.” He says and points to the war room.

  “What, it took me months to convince him to let me go. You can’t do this to me Attonnan. I have earned he right to go. What right do you have to play boss around here” She growls at him. How dare he put this on her going over her head like she is some kind of child.

  Attonnan doesn’t even answer; he merely mounts his horse and trots to the lead of the group. Toph knows that she has lost but still goes to the war room. She at least has to know why it took her no time to make her way into the war room where Kenshi was waiting. Just like Attonnan he was staring out at the field watching Attonnan and his men leave. He knew she would be here and that he had a lot to explain for. After all he had told her that she could march with Attonnan and then took it away.

  “Kenshi, what is going on? You said I could march, as a matter of fact you thought it was a good idea once I explained it all to you.” She said snarling at him.

  “As a matter of fact I still think it is a good idea. I think you being at his side during this battle would help him more then he realizes. However he demanded that you stay behind. Toph you have to understand that he has lost his last two squads, you are the only thing that has not died in one of his battles. He is only trying to protect you, to keep hold of that last shred of sanity.” Kenshi says and gestures for her to sit,

  “But you said it yourself that me being there would help him, it might even help him cure some of those wounds that bother him so much.” She says finally taking a seat.

  “Indeed. But he gave me an ultimatum. Either you stay or he does. I have full confidence that my brother Sun could do the mission without Attonnan. But, I need him to do this. I don’t expect you to understand just yet. But let me tell you this much. When all this is over and this battle finished, the whole fate of the war will have shifted and our victory against the other clans will be within our sight.” Kenshi says and watches as she looks at him in puzzlement and confusion.

  “How can one battle do all that” Toph asks and walks to the window.

  “It isn’t the importance of the battle if that is what you are thinking. It is the result that it will have on the warriors in it. Trust me Toph. Everything will change and soon.” Kenshi says and slowly gets up leaving the room.

  Toph only stares at the window wonderin
g what he could mean. She can already piece together that he is talking about Attonnan. Something about this battle is going to change him, but she wonders if Kenshi realizes just how fragile the young elf is. She has held him as he slept at night for some time now. She knows the price he has paid during this war, his sleep is restless and sometimes plagued with nightmares. He cries out names in the night and tears stream down his face. But in the morning when he wakes there is no residue, it is like he is a different person in the night, that his true self is trying to burst out but he will not let it. How much longer can he hold out before this all breaks him? Kenshi plays games with him, moving in on the board like some chess piece, but does he know what he is doing. Oh sure she knows that the two of them were close and that they both share a similar past. But Kenshi doesn’t see the pain, or hear the scars at night. She knows that it is already too late however and that Attonnan is on his way to the battle, she can only hope that what ever comes back is better then the elf that left, more complete, and that this battle doesn’t break him.

  The march to the docks is silent, no one speaks, there is a somber mood in the air, as they know they ride to a battle that really shouldn’t be. Everyone in the squad knows of the surrender of Musashi Hitori, and yet here they are going off to hunt Nagamasa Hitori, his son. It isn’t right and no one knows why Kenshi has ordered it. Sun has tried to explain it to them but he himself doesn’t really agree to it. It doesn’t take them long to get to Shimazu. They are greeted at the gates by the sergeant and some of his men. All of them recognize Attonnan from the last time he was there and saved their town.

  “Attonnan, welcome back to Shimazu, is there anything we can do for you” The sergeant says and opens his arms wide greeting them.

  “I will need to stable our horses I’m not sure for how long and I need one of your ships.” Attonnan says calmly.

  The sergeant looks at them seriously and slowly strokes his beard.

  “Yes, yes of course, that can be done. Take your horses to the stables and I shall talk to the stable master, Go ahead and pick out a ship and be off. Looking at you all I can tell that this is something you want to be on the rush for.” the sergeant says and steps to one side with his men so that they can get by.

  Attonnan and his men then trot through town and stop once they get to the stables. Each man stables his own horse; the stable master only stands to one side shocked at how many are tying the horses down. Once the men have stabled the horses Attonnan gathers his group and makes his way to the docks. The town stands to one side as they march through. The younger members of the unit watch looking around as the townsmen step out of the streets and watch the unit with a mix expression of shock, fear and reverence. Attonnan however doesn’t even flinch, he is used to this kind of attention. He was an assassin for the Hojo clan, then a warrior for the Takada clan. He leads his men to the docks and looks over the ships. Many of them are cargo vessels. They can hold his entire army but they are not made for battle. Looking over the ships he can see that not one of them is made for battle. It doesn’t matter if his plan goes right then he will not need to use them in battle, just get him to the blind side of the island. Approaching the ship he is stopped by the captain.

  “You are welcome aboard my ship, but I must know what I am going to send my men into,” the captain asks calmly

  “The island doesn’t have a name but I can give you the coordinates. You men will be in no danger. Once the ship hits land your men will go below and wait for my further orders. Do you understand” Attonnan says his voice cold and calm.

  For a few moments Attonnan and the captain stare each other down and after a bit of the captain nods and steps to one side to let the unit onto the ship. Having spent some time on a ship Attonnan knows that a crew works swiftly and efficiently when left alone. So to make sure that everything runs smoothly he banishes his unit to the lower deck of the ship, this will keep them out of the way. Attonnan once he is sure that his unit is secure in the lower deck goes to the captain’s chambers and waits. It doesn’t take long for the captain to enter and shake his head. He has worked with military before and he has never liked it.

  “Where are you taking my ship” the captain says and unrolls a map.

  Attonnan looks over the map carefully and then points to an island,

  “Here, on the eastern shore, if fair weather I’m looking at a day and a half travel, if a storm arises, three. It has to be the eastern shore. I shall keep my men below decks, I however will take the crows nest if that is alright with you captain.” Attonnan says and watches the captain look over the map and then back at him.

  “I don’t see as if I have much of a choice. I shall see that the trip is safe. Once on the shore my ship will go about its work you know this right” the captain says and opens the door to the cabin signaling Attonnan that it is time to leave.

  “I would have your ship wait that the shore. There will be a battle and I will need a way to report back once it is done. This is not negotiable” Attonnan says and takes a deep, breathe.

  “Are you willing to take full responsibility for the crew and cargo,” The captain says growling

  “You will stay on the shore. Do you understand” Attonnan says this time staring deep into the captain’s eyes

  The captain glowers at Attonnan for a moment, but those eyes, the blue fire enveloped eyes rip through him. He cannot help it he only nods knowing that to cross this man is the last thing he wants to do. Attonnan growls and walks out of the cabin and climbs his way up to the crow’s nest. Looking at the sky ahead he can see that it looks like the first day should be clear sailing. This means that the trip will go smoothly, but then again one cannot trust the weather, it can turn on you just like that.

  Once everything is said and done the captain comes out of his quarters and begins to bark orders at the crew getting the ship moving and on its way. The ship moves slowly and calmly though the water and the crew moves like clockwork over the ship doing their duties. Attonnan watches the sea from the crow’s nest, the waves, how they glimmer and shine in the daylight. He an almost feel his anger and doubt flow away with them. He begins to think about the last time he was at sea. It wasn’t the most calming time but it was one of the more educational. Two of the crewmembers talked to him, showed him that sometimes force is the only way to gain respect. But he was only a slave then and that is what bothered them the most. The entire day Attonnan watches the sea his mind drifting in and out of memories. It is then that he smells it. A smell that he has tried to forget, the smell of ash, like the smell of a town after it’s been burned to the ground. Behind him he feels a body press against his own his heart begins to beat rapidly, the strong hand gently place themselves on his shoulders. Slowly and gently the right hand lifts and gently strokes his cheek. He melts at the touch. So much he wishes he didn’t react this way, why can’t he go cold, why can’t he cut this part of him out and forever be done with it.

  “Yes, I smell it too my apprentice, my assassin. My wind of death. The smell of the coming battle. This is what you are made for” it is Fuma’s voice, his touch as the hand gently holds his cheek.

  “I go where my general needs me. I go to make this world a better place, not for the amusement of killing, I have changed since you last knew me Fuma” Attonnan says, trying his hardest to keep a cold appearance, but his skin his heart leaps at his masters touch.

  “Have you. Take a look at yourself Attonnan. You are going to an island to fight an enemy that really doesn’t need to be dealt with. The Hitori clan is defeated yet your master still wants to fight them, wants you to fight them. And you come when called and go where he orders, you’re still the dutiful servant I trained you to be.” Fuma says slowly turning Attonnan to face him.

  Attonnan can only get lost in those blood red eyes. Fuma gently lets his hands move down Attonnan’s face to his chest, down to his stomach. He can feel Attonnan shiver with t
he touch and it makes him chuckle. Attonnan is still his, and always will be.

  “I’ve changed, I’m not the lapdog,” He says, but his voice is weak, only a whisper.

  “Prove it to me, resist me.” Fuma says and goes in for a deep passionate kiss.

  Just like that Attonnan is snapped awake by the sound of men shouting below. Quickly he looks around, Fuma isn’t there, he never was, and it was just a dream. Still. He can still feel his master’s touch and his breath. How can he still be so easily seduced by him, after all he knows that Fuma did to him, would have done to him.

  “What is going on down there” Attonnan asks then looks out to see exactly what is going on. They are approaching the island.

  “We are approaching the island, we are adjusting course to land where you asked. Sun wishes speak to you about my cargo. I remind you, it is MY cargo” the captain says and walks away.

  Attonnan moves swiftly down the ropes and is soon on the deck side stepping crewmembers. Sun makes his way though the lower deck and on to the upper deck where he sees Attonnan staring at the island. He is sure that they are thinking the same thing. They don’t belong here and that his brother is making a mistake.

  “Attonnan, I wish to speak with you. I believe I have found something that may help us.” Sun says and begins to walk to him

  For the longest time he just watches as Attonnan stares out at the island. Attonnan wonders if they know what is coming for them. The army that is coming to destroy them, just cause who there father was, that they just happened to be part of the Hitori clan. With that though Fuma’s words come back haunting him ‘you come when called and go where he orders, you are the dutiful servant I trained you to be’ perhaps he is right. Deep inside he knows this is wrong but how can he fight this, he knows that Kenshi is only fighting to make the world a better place and sometimes to do that you have to get your hands dirty.