Author's Note: This is one of my earlier works (so it may not be very good) that I dug up after the unfortunate closing of Tales From the Meiji Era (TFME). I loved that site. Anyways, here goes. Standard disclaimers apply.

I met him on the streets.
The blood…
But he was not who I thought he would be.
His eyes…
So pained, and distant.

I must hate him. I will kill him.

But he was not who I thought he would be.
Emotionless hands. Ruthless hands.
Such a gentle heart.
His scar…
A mere scratch by my first love…
Whom he killed.

Murdered.

But he was not who I thought he would be.
So young,
Younger than me…
A child's mind.
Forced to kill in the shadows.

He swore to protect me.

But my dagger is ready.
His soul… so torn…
He was not meant to be a hitokiri.

An assassin. A manslayer.

So gentle. He loves me.
His eyes…

I cannot kill him.
My dagger
Has dropped.

My life is but a wisp.
His tears land on my cheek.
My love.
Anata.

White plums, a dagger, two swords.
Buried in the snow.