Thoughts of the Young

It was the day of the dead. That late spring in 1853 the Sakura trees were in full bloom. My parents and I were walking the streets of Edo, heading back to our house from visiting the grave of father’s former Lord. As a child I suppose I had always been observant and the stares we received from the other samurai family indicated that something had gone terribly wrong.
?EURoeYuusuke. Anata?EUR? Don?EUR(TM)t mind them.?EUR? Mother slipped her hand into father’s free arm. I suppose the silence otou-san had maintained has got her worried… Aside from the fact that otou-san had continued to walk with his head bowed to the ground.
Finally as we drew closer to the house, Yusuke my father spoke.
*third person dialogue*
?EURoeHajime, come.?EUR? He extended his hand out to me and I was just happy to oblige. Then he hoisted me onto his shoulders and gave me a ride.
?EURoeHajime.?EUR?
?EURoeHai otou-san??EUR? his youngest asked cheerfully while spreading his arms, pretending to fly.
?EURoeDon?EUR(TM)t move so much or you?EUR(TM)ll fall.?EUR? He said gently to his son.
?EURoeHAI!?EUR? At once Hajime placed both hands on his father?EUR(TM)s head and started playing with his hair.
?EURoeSon. When you grow up, what would you like to be??EUR?
Without hesitation the child yelled, ?EURoeBushi! Just like you!?EUR?
?EURoeThen be a good samurai Hajime.?EUR? He smiled sadly.
?EURoeOtou-san?EUR??EUR? the child now circled his arms around his father?EUR(TM)s neck.
?EURoeYes? Ookami??EUR? The father had always loved hearing the voice of his youngest, always alert and quite witty. A little wolf indeed.
?EURoeHow can I become to be a good Samurai??EUR?
The child never ceased to amaze his father. ?EURoeYou must learn to serve and protect. Your loved ones, your lord and most of all Japan, that is the essence of a Samurai.
?EURoeHAI!?EUR? the child yelled again. ?EURoeHajime will!?EUR?
Yusuke gave a heartfelt laugh and drew his son closer to his head. ?EURoeThen give father a kiss.?EUR?
?EURoeBEH! I?EUR(TM)m too old for that now.?EUR? The child protested but never the less he did plant a kiss to his dad?EUR(TM)s hair in secret, a secret which Yusuke knew.
*end of third person*
Haha ue sighed. Perhaps it is because Chichi had started speaking. Turning my head to wave at my brother and sister… I see them together walking hand in hand. As Otou-san continued to laugh, I see Onii-san’s furrowed brow deepen. I wonder what that means?
(OOC: Fathers name – Yusuke Yamaguchi, Mother – Masu, Brother – Hiroaki, Sister – Katsu… Among the siblings Hajime is the youngest)