Scooting a bit, he tried to reach over for the book to kill his boredom, not quite reaching it at first; he sat up knowing it'll hurt but he leaned over the bed railing as he reached for the book. Almost…Almost there… he continued to lean farther and farther until another hand reached out and grabbed the book.
"You shouldn't be leaning over especially with an arm like that."
A feminine voice called out to him as Kimura sits back up, leaning back from the railing as he looked to see it was Ayameko as she held onto her portable I.V. Pole and handed him the book. He sighs as he takes the book from her, putting the book onto his lap as he opens it to read.
"You like reading this book specifically or?" Ayameko asks.
"Why do you wanna know?" He replies, "It's to kill time while I'm bedridden here."
"I don't take you for the book reading kind of guy." She taunts him a bit.
"Hm…Well you learn something new huh?"
"Not really, more like surprised to see…"
"Like you even read…"
"I read! More than you could!" she snaps back.
"Whatever, why are you even here anyways? Aren't you supposed to be in your own room?" He points out why she's outside of her room.
"Eh, why not?" she replies.
"…Fair enough…"
Kimura opens the book as he begins reading through the book silently, seeing the printed text in a neat format.
"One last question." Ayameko asked.
"What is it." Kimura replies with a sigh.
"Do you always like reading War Tales? They're mostly made for kids." Ayameko questioned him.
"Yes, I like reading these tales." He responds, "Got a problem?" He raises an eyebrow.
"Nah, Just wondering." She smugly replies.
He shakes his head once more out of spite as he finally and officially reads the book on his own, Ayameko pulls a chair as she leans over to read as well.
Great War Fairytales
Fairytale one | The Thunderous Hunter, The Fleeting Heron and The Wise Moose
Once upon a time there was a hunter who could control the clouds to his will, these clouds provided him with the strength to strike his foes from above for his next meal. However, during one fateful hunt the hunter stumbled upon a struggling deer, trapped in the metallic grasp of a trap.
"Please…Kind Hunter…" The deer winced in pain, "Spare my life and I'll lead you to a tree that will give you anything.". The plea of the deer shook the hunter; however, the hunter did not believe such a thing, calling upon from the clouds above a thunderous crack struck the injured deer.
After the hunter had left with his meal, the others came out of their hiding places, crowding the spot where the thunder had struck. Upon the crowd came an old moose, he stared at the burnt spot as he turned his head over towards the nearby river.
A Heron stood staring at the moose as it turned its head and flew away silently, with a deep sigh the moose knows what will come next. "My fellow creatures of the forest." He commanded their attention, "What will come upon us will burn, break, and destroy what we have called our home. I am not calling for a final stand, I am calling for a warning. Those who wish to leave may go now…As an old timer, my time is surely to come with the forest.".
Many creatures began heading for another forest for salvation while some stayed back with the moose, his wise and leadership-like speech has motivated most of the critters to seek salvation. The Heron landed beside the wise moose, both seeing and hearing the crackling sounds of thunder approaching.
"You should leave as well…" The moose spoke, "You should relish your future ahead Heron." The old moose turned his head to the Heron. "I appreciate your kindness Old-Timer." The Heron replies with a somber tone, "I will see you in the next life then." The Heron bows its head politely towards the old Moose.
It takes off as the moose stands at the front of the line, staring down at the hunter with the clouds cracking above them. The hunter stands as he raises his hand, the clouds darken as it begins to rumble with more intensity. The old moose stands on his ground, awaiting the thunderous pop that seemingly took away lives before him.
"What you have brought to this forest has been nothing but pain and fear…I fear that the other forests will be consumed by your fear and suffering…" The moose says one last time before a thundering flash consumes him.
The old moose wakes up and sees the Heron standing in front of him. It looked down at the old moose as it stood up onto its feet. "This is where we say our goodbyes old timer." The Heron says with a sad tone. The old moose can't help but let out a small smile to the Heron. "Smile for me." The Old moose tells the Heron, "You may see me go but you will witness others take my place. Don't cry over me, smile that I was there to help.". The old moose begins to fade as the old moose lets out his final words.
"I'll be there when you cross over. Goodbye, Heron."
The Heron watches him fade away; he bows his head in respect as the Heron stood in front of the charred remains of the old moose.
"Rest easy old timer, you've done enough."
"I don't remember reading that one." He closes the book.
"Yeah me neither…" Ayameko sighs sitting back up on her chair.
Kimura puts the book to the side as he just sits there and looks at the cast on his arm. Ayameko looked at the cast and then looked at his reaction, her eyes locking onto his eyebrows and saw them furrow. Ayameko doesn't say a word as she got up from her chair, grabbing onto her portable IV cable.
"I'm heading back before the nurses get mad at me."
"Oh, alright then." Kimura waves at her.
Ayameko waves as she leaves through his door and heads back to her room. Kimura rests his head on the pillow looking out the window. He keeps his eyes at the open waters that lead into the ocean.
The sunset looks great this afternoon…
His eyes gazed at the sunset halfway covered by the horizon point of the ocean. He didn't say anything to himself as the sunset was calming to him. He continued to stare at the horizon as his eyelids grew heavy, his eyes soon closed as he fell asleep with a calm mind.