He should have been dead. The once hot, searing pain that tore through his left shoulder and across his sternum was a pain too vivid to forget.
And yet, there he was, standing with his gear for the most part intact. His black kimono was the only thing marred; the kimono's shoulder was a deep red, like a black baccara rose. The color covered his entire left shoulder and slowly faded to his chest. The red stain wasn't wet, and it didn't stiffen the cloth; it was almost as if it were just a part of it.
He flexed his calloused hands and said silently,
"How am I alive?"
The words scraped out between his teeth,
"Another chance."
He looked up and examined his surroundings; it was a forest filled with hardwoods and evergreen trees; the trunks were also covered in verdant moss.
He could not recognize the scenery or any landmarks nearby; he did not know where he was.
He looked around again and again, all he saw was a chubby bird with 4 wings and the realization made him livid.
"Where the hell am I!"
the loud sudden yell deeply startled the chubby bird and made a quick 90 degree turn.
He stood for a bit, catching his breath, and started to walk toward the sound of rushing water.
Soon, he reached the bank of the river; the river itself twisted and turned like a serpent.
With a sigh, he took a step into the river, and immediately grimaced.
"Of course, the water has to be waist deep..."
He slid his tanto out of the uwa-obi and gripped the handle with his teeth. He did the same with the katana, holding it in his left hand. He slowly made his way through the river. However, on the way through, his left foot slid on moss and twisted his ankle.
"Mmph!"
His eyes started to water slightly, and he had to stand still a moment, regaining his composure, and limped to the other side of the river.
as soon as he touched dry land, he let the tanto drop, and he took a very strained breath in and exclaimed.
"Ahhh!"
His face contorted, not because of the pain, but because of his subpar luck. His loud and almost beastlike yell echoed all around. After a minute of releasing his anger toward the world for the awful greeting, he stood straight up as a log and looked at the hill in front of him. The hurt ankle was a slight hindrance and did not dissuade him from continuing; if anything, it reminded him that he is still alive.
"Ow"
Of course, that doesn't mean the walk will be pain free.
-2 hours later-
The ankle was no longer just a slight hindrance; it was severely limiting. His goal of reaching a town or something man made was nearing impossible. The setting sun was preventing him from continuing forward, the last thing he wanted to do was fight an animal with a twisted ankle. Takezo took a deep breath and headed for the forest.