Ronin 38

When a body dies there is a split second slackness and softening in the eyes as the soul leaves the shell a mutual acceptance by body and that which is beyond that the partnership has ended when the soul dies before the body that which remains is consumed in anger betrayal confusion loss and abandonment On my knees looking up through eyes filled with blood and dirt and the refuse of animals digging hands clawing the earth like a wounded dog trying to bury its own heart I see Him Death stares smiling back from across a field of broken harvested silent bamboo stumps He knows his new pupil will not rest until he has extracted his heavy toll I seek I now hunt for my revenge