It is an early fall morning. The air is starting to crisp as the wind blows cool. Leaves from the bamboo thicket begin to find a home in a clearing. A perfectly round clearing that houses a zen garden with a quiet stream running through it. A small stone path from the garden leads to a quaint little house buried in the bamboo. Here lived Eiji. An old samurai who’s left the world of violence for peace.

Eiji was a general in the shoguns last war. He lead legions of men to victory, allowing his lord to take over Japan. After his duty was complete he asked to retire. No longer desiring to war. For his service he was granted this request. He took his swords, his armor, and the riches bestowed upon him and found himself a life of peace.

Until this cool, fall morning. Eiji had awoken like normal. Aches and pains requiring him to stretch out. His silvering hair and beard requiring a bit of care before he dressed in his robe. He poured himself a small cup of water from a bamboo cask and went to start his day. Upon opening his door he was met with a strange sight. A Samurai in full armor. Carrying a dark blue flag with the insignia of the lord he had left. The helmet covering the face and eyes of the samurai beneath it.

“I see you bear the flag of my Lord. Sadly I am no longer in his service.” He speaks outwardly as he traverses his stone path to his garden. The Samurai firmly plants the flag into the ground. “I can only imagine there has been trouble in the land, and that’s why you’re here. But again, I am retired.” Eiji picks up a stone rake and ignores the silent soldier.

The Samurai begins to close the distance between them. Careful to use the path and not disturb the garden around him. “Are you retired from hosting old friends?” Eiji stops raking. A smile stretches on his face as he looks at the Samurai, who’s removing his helmet, before him. “Kenta? Is that really you?”

Kenta removes the helmet from his head revealing an old friendly face. Like Eiji’s, Kenta’s hair is starting to turn silver. His beard is more kept and his hair is in a topknot. “Hello General. It has been too long.” Eiji and Kenya share a long bow in respect to each other. Eiji places his rake down. “Please, come inside. Let us catch up.” Kenta bows and follows his friend.

Once inside, Eiji places a mat down for Kenta to sit. “Tea?” Eiji asks.

“Yes would be great. Thanks.” Kents agrees. Eiji starts a fire at his hearth and places a kettle above it with water. As he prepares some dried leaves in his pestle and mortar he breaks the silence. “So you can’t have travelled for just some tea and conversation. What brings you to my doorstep?”

”The Shogun is dead.” This causes Eiji to pause. “The new Shogun, his eldest son, is to be announced in the coming days.” Eiji nods as he continues to prepare the tea. “However… The second son has not taken kindly to not being considered. He has gathered support from enough lords that they have an army. He plans on starting a war.”

Eiji has finished his preparations. The kettle has boiled. The leaves are crushed and placed in their filter. He walks over and prepares to pour the water. “I don’t see how I’m involved in this.” He pours the boiling water in Kenta’s cup.

“You were an important asset to the Shoguns victory and years of peace. Our new Lord requests your service again.” The water begins to darken in the cup. Eiji pours his, “‘Our?’ I am retired. I left such things behind.” His water also darkens.

“Eiji, General, we need your help.” Kenta reaches into his armor and pulls out an official looking scroll.

Eiji cautiously takes it and reads it. The scroll is an order from the Shogun to return. Eiji looks up from it and rolls it back up. “Can I not have time to consider this?”

Kenta looks down, his eyes track to his tea cup. “You have until the tea is brewed.” Eiji slightly stiffens, hearing this as a threat. “And if I still refuse?”

There’s a thick tension in the air between the men. Kent’s picks up his tea and sniffs it. “Then I must ensure you cannot be acquired by the enemy.” He takes a sip. “It’s ready.” Eiji nods and lifts his cup “To old friends.” They quietly cheers and drink. As they put their cups down Eiji takes a deep breath. “I cannot join this battle. I’m sorry.”

Kenta bows his head and stands on his feet. “Then I am sorry, old friend.” He places a hand on his katana, “I will cherish your memory.” He goes to draw his blade but is surprised by the hand of Eiji blocking it from ejecting. With lightning speed Eiji has gotten to his feet and closed the distance between them.

“It will not be that easy. Old friend.” With a swift motion, Eiji tosses Kenta across the room. He rolls around trying to catch himself. As Kenta gets to his feet he draws his weapon and drops into a stance.

Eiji used the moment to run to a panel on his floor and pull out his katana. He readies himself. Kenta looks at him as though he is crazy. “Why are you fighting me?! Have you no honor?” Eiji scoffs, “Honor? What honor is there in disturbing my home? To kill me for denying ‘your’ lords request? I did my time! We both did! We fought those same battles! Took the same lives! I refuse to take more. But if you continue, I too will do what I need to.”

The two men circle. A battle plays in their mind of what the other will do. Neither foolish to give ground to the other. After a few more moments of intense silence and slow movements, Kenta changes his stance. His katana crossing his body, eye level and the point directly at Eiji.

They make eye contact. It’s a sad but understanding look. This will be the last move for one of these men.

A log from the hearth cracks and the men move. Like a flash of lightning and the crack of thunder the battle was over. A few swings, a couple of clangs and the shout of a man in pain.

The door slides open. Kenta stumbles a few steps. His feet missing the stones and ruining the rock garden. He falls over. Eiji’s sword sticking out of the back of his armor. Eiji walks out. He has a wakizashi(basically a small katana) in his hand. A large but insignificant cut across his shoulder and chest. He walks over to the man crawling. “I truly am sorry it had to be like this.” He places the blade to the base of Kenta’s neck and stabs it in. Kenta tenses up a moment before flopping over dead.

Eiji gets to his feet and takes a deep breath. He pulls his katana from Kenta and wipes the blood off on his sleeve. He turns to walk back inside when the roaring sound of footsteps pulls his attention to the opening of his clearing.

In moments a battalion of samurai stand before him. More flags of his previous lord in hand. Katanas and Spears at the ready. Eiji takes a deep breath and readies his sword.

“So be it.”

As he sinks into a stance and overwhelming force descends upon him.