Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption is not kind ❯ Memories to terrify ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Shuten was dreaming again, this time he was overlooking the village. The inhabitance were being slaughtered by Oni. He was sickened by the carnage. It took a few moments to register he was wearing the armor again and his own voice was giving the order to slaughter the village. The other he shouted and the ground erupted with chains. As before he heard the screams and now saw bodies impaled upon them. There was a high sound...It was much like screaming...


* * *


In the waking world...


Yukito frowned, as he held Shuten down, this was not good. The young Ex Masho had been clawing at himself in his sleep. He could see clearly whatever punishment his mind was playing out, it wrought havoc upon his body.
“...Bring me Four Ccs of sedative, we’ll use it if he wakes up screaming again.”
The assistant nodded and brought the syringe. He let go for a moment and had to catch Shuten’s hand as he attempted to pull out the tube again. If this didn’t stop he’d have to be restrained by something stronger than being held down.
“...Find Sendril...” He shouted. “Now!!”
The assistant hurried off, her instructions clear.
Yukito knew Sendril would be upset at being awakened so early, but it seemed hers was the only touch that could fully restrain Shuten in the throws of his nightmares.


* * *


Within the dream...


Shuten looked up to see a monk charging at him with a yari, aimed right for his heart. He attempted to parry the blow, but the down stroke of the spear slid passed his defenses and through his armor like a knife through tofu. He swung his scythe embedding the blade into the monk’s side.
“Die demon...” The monk hissed and thrust the spear deeper
He looked down at the spear and that into the monk’s face.
No, he did not want to remember this
Please blessed Amateratsu no
It was a face oh so much like his own, his hand moved; tearing the scythe out. They both fell from the roof, hearing a woman scream...


He awoke answering that scream with one of his own, it died to sobs. It had been no nightmare to make him scream so, but a memory. One he never wanted to remember, one that he’d welcomed the oblivion that Argo had offered that day. He had murdered his own son when he’d slaughtered that village. The boy had only been defending his home from Argo’s forces, if he had known... He could hear the Oni laughing at his pain and terror...
“Are you alright...” He heard the frost child ask.
He managed a strangled “No” before he turned and vomited.
The sickening terror winning out over his sadness.


Yukito was not surprised when the former Oni Masho woke screaming, but having him toss his cookies all over him was a surprise.
“..Oh wonderful...” He murmured. “Someone get a mop, clean linens and bandages...”
He could see Shuten stairring at him with wide terror filled eyes.
“I am no ghost...” Yukito said. “What ever demon you see is your own...”
Sendril arrived Yawning.
“Go get cleaned up, Yuki, I can handle this...”
Yukito looked at her for a moment and then nodded.
“As you wish, I’ve already ordered up the things you need.”
“Good, Go...” She said, pulling a rag out of her pocket. “...Shuten.”
She came close to the frightened former Masho and wiped his face and brushed back his hair.
“...Argo’s darkness still taints you.” She said softly. “And the journey out will be long...”
The others were quickly arriving, she pulled back to let them finish their tasks.

She returned to his side once they finished. She could still see the terror in his eyes as he watched her approach again. She sat on the stool, taking his hand in hers.
“...Go back to sleep, I will remain here with you...” She said brushing a few strands of hair with her fingers.
He lay back, but could not sleep, all he could do was look up into her concealed face with a kind of child-like expression.
“How about a story...” She whispered. “...Once, long ago, a very weary healer planted a tree in a barren place, and to protect it...built walls...walls become rooms...”
As she spoke, his eyes grew heavy and a sense of comfort washed over him. Soon the empty darkness took him once more.