((free)) — Ochimusha

The words struck Kenshin like a blade between the ribs. I ran. I lived. I am nothing.

“No.”

His master, Lord Akira of the Crane clan, had perished at the Battle of Kasagi Ridge fifteen summers ago. The clan scattered like dry leaves. Samurai without a master are called rōnin , but an ochimusha is something worse: a warrior who watched his world burn and did not follow it into the flame. ochimusha

Perhaps that was enough.

He crouched down. The fire crackled behind him, casting his shadow across the boy’s face. “What is your name?” The words struck Kenshin like a blade between the ribs

Kenshin, for that was his true name, now walked the muddy roads of the eastern provinces. His sword, once a treasure passed down seven generations, was chipped along its edge like a broken comb. His armor had been sold for rice. All that remained was a tattered horo cloak and a hollow behind his ribs where his honor used to live. I am nothing