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Under the Shadow: Chapter 3 - Melting of the Snow

by Ayashi

The sound of running water lightened my footsteps, for I was thirsty and tired. Bending down to take a refreshing sip from the stream, I was surprise at my body’s drain of energy after only a day’s walk. Maybe it was because I haven’t fully recovered from the strains of the last battle, I thought, or maybe not just that… Perhaps it was all of the strains that had built up from the battling years coming back to haunt me- and to remind me of who I was.

Deciding to call it a day, I took comfort under a petty stone bridge, right next to the stream I had just drank from.

After I had left the old lady earlier that day, I traveled mindlessly along any road, having no idea of where I would end up. I simply wandered through the countryside in an easy walking pace, blocking everything that was on my mind. I could not, however, enjoy every moment of my walk.

The road I took could be easily overlooked, as it was concealed with every sort of weeds. As if to add to its pitiful appearance, the road was broken up in to parts by last season’s snow, which appeared determine not to let spring take over. The snow was so white I avoided dirtying it by not walking across. Instead I took out my shielded sword and brushed the snow aside, into a neat pile by the road. For some reason I yearned for the snow to persist- ‘don’t disappear’, I said in my mind… ‘Don’t go away’.

I must have looked like a mad man, putting all my effort in to piling up the snow. Concentrating so much that I was caught totally unaware when someone approached me from my back.

"I’m sorry the snow’s blocking your way, sir," spoke a man around his twenties, carrying some spades by his side, "I’ll clean it up right away."

"No don’t kill it!" the words left my mouth so quickly I only realized what I had said when I saw the dumbfound look on his face. I shrugged, "Um, I mean to say, why? Um, as in, why clean it up for me?"

"No, not really for you, lad," he chuckled, "Since this road is part of my land it’s my responsibility to clean it."

When I started to apologize for stepping on to his private property, he shook his head, "No, no at all! This is an abandon piece of land I bought a while ago. Now that the war is over I think it’s about time I tidy up this place and make something useful out of it."

I cringed as he clumsily shoved the snow out of its spot, scattering the whiteness all over the place. My uneasiness must have been obvious, as he stopped his work to look up at me.

"You seem to have a liking for the snow, kid. But you know what? Snow’s pretty to look at because it’s so short lived. The snow’s gotta melt someday," he said, "How can spring comes when the snow’s still everywhere."

I stood, transfixed by his words.

"… Last season’s snow must vanish for new life to come back… so when snow melts, life starts again…"

The man had chuckled again.

"Yeah I guess you can put it that way."

Yes… how would spring ever come; how could you breath life back, when memories of last season is still there?

I took one of the spades from him.

"Can I give you a hand?"

For that whole afternoon I helped him shoved the snow away, and as I did, I felt all my worries dissolved like the snow.

Now peeking from under the bridge, I looked up at the clear sky and saw the stars shining brightly against the dark background. Even though I was at a total drain of energy, remembering what had happened today somehow made the night a lot less distressing than the last, and I could not help but left a faint smile on my lips as I drifted off to sleep…