Akira 's POV :

He acknowledged me. I smiled to myself. I couldn't believe that my training was over. I still felt like I wasn't strong enough. But if it's Seijuro who is telling me that I'm done, then I'm done.

He was still back against a tree. The victorious smirk on my face didn't seem to fade. I took a step back and sheathed my sword before giving him a slight nod.

" Arigatou Sei! " I bowed.

He didn't respond. I straightened myself. He stood still.

" What did you just call me? " he asked

" umm.. I'm sorry Seijuro. I shouldn't have addressed you that way". I apologized.

Did I make him feel uncomfortable? He looked up. I could only see sadness welled in his eyes. There was a painful past behind those eyes. I've never seem him this upset. Did I remind him of something I shouldn't have?

He made his way into the hideout and I followed him.

Once I reached my cabin, I rushed in and changed into clothes which were warmer and covered most of my body. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to warm my body up.

I walked out, only to see Seijuro walk out of his cabin. I smiled at him, but he didn't reciprocate. He was wearing the clothes which he had worn when I first met him. The same white and black attire. He held his blade, well sheathed and protected in his left hand, while his black, thick and dark cloak hung onto his right shoulder. He looked the same. Except for his hair being a tad longer than it was before.

" Thank you for everything Akira! " he said.

" What? "

He sighed. "  Do not make me repeat myself " he paused.

He walked towards the stone staircase, and continued " I'm glad you let me use your father's clothes."  he smirked.  " I must go."  he stated.

He shifted his steady gaze away from me.

My fists began to clench and my jaw rooted. I exploded with anger, with no control.

" Stop! " I yelled.

He turned around and gave me a questioning look. I stomped forward, and stood only centimeters away from him.

" You are not leaving! " I stated, through gritted teeth. Tears threatening to slip out, but I managed to seal them in.

He took a step back, and walked out of the hide out.

I didn't want him to leave. I do not want to be alone again. I have felt grief. I know how it feels to loose  everything .

I didn't want to loose him too.

My legs were glued to the cold wooden floor. I felt anger and pain rush through my veins. How can he be so cold towards me? After all these days I've spent with him, I..

I.. I don't want him to leave.  I was hopelessly in love with this man.

After what seemed like forever, I snapped out of my thoughts. He was nowhere. Of course he was gone. I ran out of the hideout. I looked around and saw only ice capped trees and shrubs.

I shut the door behind my back as my eyes glanced around. I couldn't find my horse . I decided to run.

He left moments ago. He wouldn't have gone too far. I can still reach him.

I sped up, as I ran into the woods. All my eyes looked for, was for a hint of red. My feet slipped and I fell grasping the snow coated shrubs with my hands. 

I pulled myself up, and ran again.

What did I even say or do, that made him leave all of a sudden?

Sweat trickled down my face, as I ran even though it was winter. My legs moved on their own. I lost my sense of direction. I didn't know which way I was heading anymore.

I was in a different part of the forest. Far away from home. But I didn't care about it.

All I cared about right now, was HIM!

If I loose him now, there is almost no chance that I'll find him ever again. I know nothing about him.

I ran faster and faster until I noticed a distant fire. I kept running, and things appeared clearer. I was at the edge of the forest. I tripped over my own feet and fell. I couldn't breathe anymore. My palms were on the icy ground. My heart was pounding, and my mind went blank. I felt sick.

I lost him.

It took me a while to regain control over my body. I looked up only to find six well built men, sitting around a camp fire trying to warm themselves up. The flames danced and leapt in the air, reaching hungrily for anything that they could consume to fuel their wrath.

I tried to stand up, but couldn't. I crawled a bit and came to a stop. My legs were trembling and it wouldn't move . I felt a shooting pain in my ankle. I tried my hardest to push myself up, but fell back onto the ground with a thud.

"Aahh.. " I yelped in pain.

Four of those men looked towards me. All I could see was an evil grin plastered on their faces. They all stood up in unison and walked towards me. I wanted to run away. But I couldn't.

" Look what we have here " said one of them.  While the rest nodded.

They all approached me and surrounded me in no time. My eyes were filled with tears, my vision was blurred. I felt helpless. My teeth were chattering due to a quivering jaw. I clenched my teeth in an effort to keep the jaw still. I dropped my jaw so as to breathe in more oxygen in preparation for what's to come.

Out of the four, one knelt before me. " Are you lost honey?"  he asked, with faked innocence. Rest of them let out an evil laugh. The smell of alcohol and stench radiated from them. He reached out to touch my face, and tried to carass my cheek.

"d-don't touch me!" I uttered. My voice was broken and too low to be heard.

" You pest!" he growled. His hand cracked across my face, snapping it back with the force of his blow and causing my head to reel sickeningly as it slammed into the ground below.

My eyes were blackened out. A bony hand roughly lifted me up, while the rest cheered. A tear slipped out of my eye and I lost my consciousness.