Snow Sato by Kinomi (ebook offline TXT) 📖

Snow Sato: trouble in the land
Chapter 1

It was late afternoon December 31, in the Snow Sato (S.S.). Taizen Yaiba and
Yuki Mitsukai was outside building a snowman. Taizen was around 8 years old and Yuki was around 7.
“Take this!” Yuki shouted throwing a snow ball at Taizen.
“Watch it; Yuki that hurt!” Taizen yelled still rolling up the head of the snow man.
“Haha, you’re so naïve!” Yuki laughed. She dodged the snow ball Taizen threw at her then threw another one hitting Taizen in the face.
“You’re aim is too good! I don’t like it!” Taizen said wiping the snow out of his hair. He threw a snow ball up then sent a small bit of magic and made it burst.
“Now that’s just mean, show off!” Yuki said making another snow ball.
This time Taizen dodged it then threw one a Yuki. “Woo hoo, bull’s eye!” Taizen said when the snowball hit Yuki.
“Hey, that one hurt!” Yuki exclaimed blushing a bit.
“Haha, now you know what it feels like!” Taizen said laughing. He fell on the ground laughing trying not to roll over and crush the snow man’s head.
“Kids, it’s time to come in. Yuki’s father would be disappointed if I let her get sick,” Kiri said walking out the front door. Her long black hair fell past her waist. Her brown eyes hid the fact that she was 31.
“Yes mother, could you make us some hot coco?” Taizen asked sitting up.
“I will,” Kiri said smiling. She went in and started making the hot chocolate. “Amai, come on down, I’m making hot coco,” Kiri said making Amai come down stairs.
Yuki and Taizen came in just in time for the hot coco. “Thank you!” they said.
“Big brother, Yuki, when can I go outside and play with you?” Amai asked sitting at the small table. Her green eyes were shimmering with hope. Her silver hair came to her shoulders. The fact that she was 5 was hidden by her intelligence.
“Whenever you want, I’m sorry, but it was colder than usual today so…,” Taizen said taking a sip of hot chocolate.
“Sorry Amai, we really would have like for you to play with us. Maybe you can next time?” Yuki suggested. She put her cup on the table then hung her coat on a hook on the wall.
“Kids, would you like to play an inside game?” Kiri asked.
“Sure!” all three of the kids said at the same time. They went up stairs to pick a game.
Knock…knock…knock!
Kiri went to the door and opened it. “Oh, it’s you Ganjou, welcome!” Kiri said letting Ganjou in.
“Why thank you Kiri!” Ganjou said walking in. “Where’s my little girl?” he asked with a gentle smile. His brown hair was up in a tie. His dark brown eyes melted even the coldest ice. His 34 year old smile never faded.
“She’s upstairs with Amai and Taizen. They’ll be down in a minute,” Kiri replied. She poured Ganjou a cup of tea then poured herself a cup.
“Thank you Kiri,” Ganjou said sitting down at the table. “Have you told Taizen and Amai about Ryoku?” he asked taking a sip of his tea.
Kiri stopped what she was doing then looked away. “I haven’t built up enough courage,” she admitted.
“You’ll have to tell them sooner or later,” Ganjou said looking at Kiri.
“I know…I wish you would tell them…but I’m their mother so,” Kiri said looking at Ganjou.
“I’ll tell them if you want…I can wait till tomorrow that way Yuki won’t see Taizen cry,” Ganjou said finishing his tea.
“Please do…they’re gonna hate me,” Kiri said letting a tear roll down her cheek.
Ganjou stood up and went over to Kiri. He put his cup down and hugged her. Then he whispered in her ear, “I know how it feels.”
“Thank you, cousin,” Kiri said crying. She hugged him back with her face buried in his chest. “If something ever happens to me…promise you’ll take care of Taizen and Amai?” Kiri asked.
“I will if you promise to do the same for me,” Ganjou said.
“I promise,” she said looking down. “I wish Ryoku was still by my side…,” Kiri said looking up at Ganjou with tears in her eyes.
“It’s the same without Ukiyo…,” Ganjou said thinking of his wife.
“Ganjou…so far how many people has Satsubatsu killed?” Kiri asked.
“That’s not for you to know. I can’t have you troubled,” Ganjou said sitting down.
“Yes, I can see why…there’s too many that have died…over 50, am I correct?” Kiri said sitting down.
“I shouldn’t have thought about it…the master of spells is right here…reading my mind,” Ganjou said putting his hand on his forehead.
“Taizen is next in line…then Amai…,” Kiri said bragging about her kids.
“Ah…,” Ganjou sighed. “They learned from the best.”
“Thanks,” Kiri said blushing.
“Mother, Taizen won’t quit bragging about his spells! Tell him to stop!” Amai said running down the stairs.
“It’s her fault! She kept teasing me!” Taizen said racing after her.
“You two, quit fighting for just one day!” Yuki said coming down after them.
“Oh, speaking of the kids…,” Kiri said moving out of the way. She looked at them then looked back to Ganjou.
“Father you’re back!” Yuki said running over to him. She jumped into his arms and kissed his cheek. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too, my little angel!” Ganjou said returning her hug.
How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core, where I become so numb. Without a soul my spirits sleeping somewhere cold, until you find it there and lead it back home. Kiri thought turning her head. She looked at a sketch of Ryoku then tried not to cry.
Ganjou saw what was going on so he tried to change the subject. Wake me up…I can’t wake up. Save me…call my name and save me from the dark. Now that I know what you’re without, I can’t just leave you. Breathe into me and make me see...the nothing I’ve become.
Kiri almost cried before she ran out the door. “Tell them,” she whispered passing Ganjou.
Ganjou watched her run out the door then bowed his head. “Okay…,” he said putting Yuki down.
“Tell them what? What’s wrong Father?” Yuki asked looking to Taizen. She waved for him and Amai to come over then smiled. “Is it a surprise?” Yuki asked with a smile.
“That’s for sure…,” He whispered to himself. How…how can I tell them? Kiri knew right away…why didn’t-
“Ganjou…you can’t mean…father is…,” Taizen said stepping back. He held onto Amai’s hand then started to cry. “It’s not true…you’re lying…he can’t be!” he yelled.
Amai caught on to what Taizen was saying, then stood in awe.
Tears streaming down his face he held Amai’s hand then ran out the door. Amai… c’mon …we can’t let this be true… Taizen thought stopping to put her on his back.
“Father…what’s wrong? Why is Taizen crying…did something happen?” Yuki asked.
“They’re just like their mother…reading my mind before I could even tell them,” Ganjou said still not looking up.
“Father…please…just look at me…,” Yuki pleaded.
Ganjou looked up. “Ryoku is gone…,” he said.
“What do you mean…gone?” she asked stepping back a little.
“Yuki…he’s dead,” he said standing up. “C’mon…we’ve gotta find them,” he said.
Yuki stood still for a moment. They…lost their father? …I couldn’t live without mine… “How long ago?” she asked walking beside him.
“Two days ago,” Ganjou said wrapping his scarf around Yuki’s neck.
“I know where they are at…,” Yuki said starting to pick up the pace.
“Where are they?” Ganjou asked.
“At the memorial stone…the L.I.B. (lost in battle) memorial stone…,” Yuki said when she noticed it was getting darker.
“It’s…probably so…,” Ganjou said knowing she was right.
When Taizen and Amai to the memorial stone, they ran over to their mother with tears streaming down their faces.
“Mother…it can’t be true!” Taizen said tears rolling down his face. He wrapped his arms around her then pleaded for an answer.
“Mother…was it Sasukatsui?” Amai asked trying to pronounce the name.
“Yes Amai…it was Satsubatsu,” she said with her head hung low.
The rain fell as the three traced their fingers over Ryoku’s name, which was imbedded into the stone.
“Father…you’re not forgotten…,” Taizen said wiping tears from his eyes.
“Daddy…we still love you…,” Amai cried as her cheerful green eyes grew dim.
“Ryoku…don’t leave…your life shouldn’t be over,” Kiri said running her finger over his name. R-y-o-k-u… she thought. My prince charming…isn’t here to protect me…us…
Taizen looked up at his mother. I never thought I’d see you cry…I thought you were the strongest person is the world… Taizen thought watching the tears roll down Kiri’s face.
“I’m defiantly not the strongest person in the world…but your father…that’s a whole different story,” Kiri said.
“I make a vow…that from this day forth…I’ll try my hardest to be a spell master like Mother…then I’ll beat Sasukatsui’s head into the ground!” Amai said.
“Me too…,” Taizen said holding her hand.
Kiri pulled out her kunai knife then threw it.
A shadowed figure swiftly dodged it. Its hooded cape concealed it from Kiri. I did it Kiri … aren’t you ready to kill me?
Kiri flinched. Satsubatsu…You’ll pay! She thought lunging for him.
Satsubatsu waited until the last moment to withdraw his sword, driving it through Kiri. “Have a nice life…in the afterlife!” he said ripping his sword from her.
Kiri couldn’t even scream she was in so much pain; she instantly fell to her knees.
Satsubatsu bent down beside her. He put his sword up then revealed only an evil smile. “He’s not dead…Sardis has him,” he whispered so softly in her ear that she could barely hear him.
Amai threw a Kunai knife. “Get away from mother, Sasukatsui!” she yelled.
This kid can’t even say my name…more less throw a kunai… he thought standing up.
“But I can, Satsubatsu,” Taizen said from behind him. He put the kunai to Satsubatsu’s throat then sliced.
“You’re just like your father,” he said flashing away.
After a moment silence, Taizen and Amai ran to Kiri, tears still streaming down their faces.
“Mother, don’t leave!” Taizen cried leaning over her.
“Taizen…my baby…boy,” she said ripping the silver cross necklace off her neck. “Here,” she said putting it in his hand.
“Mother…why are you giving me this, you’re gonna live!” he lied to himself.
“My boy….don’t worry…,” she said trying to keep her eyes open. She took her silver ring off and gave it to Amai. “My precious…little girl…hold it dear…those were…from your father…,” she said taking both their hands.
“Mother…don’t leave…you’re life hasn’t been lived to its full yet!” Amai cried desperately.
“Don’t cry…I’ll always be with you…hush now…my…babies…,” she said taking her last breath.


Chapter 2


6 years later. December 13, 507

Amai yawned as she brushed her waist long hair. She looked in the mirror to see her blue eyes staring right back at her.
She put her scarf around her neck then went to Taizen’s door and knocked. “Brother, are you awake yet? It’s time for school.”
“I’m awake…just not up…,” he replied with a sleepy tone.
“Get up, I’m gonna help Yuki cook breakfast.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…,” he said sitting up. It’s horrible when my own little sister wakes me up… He stood up and went over to his closet.
After pulling out a black tank top, a cloak, and a pair of black pants, he closed his door and changed.
He brushed