The Upheaval

Chapter one: Lay low

She could feel the cold floor beneath her and hear some voices in the background. She didn't recognise any of them but she was sure that it was only a matter of time before their owners came for her. 'It's no good' she thought to herself trying to stand up from the floor. It seemed like every muscle in her body, every tiny fibre was burning up with fever. The pain was spreading from her left arm which really was in a poor state. 'I did it this time. There's no way that with my arm busted like this I will be able to fight back if it comes to this'. She tried to open up her eyes and only then she realised that she wasn't alone in this room which seemed to be a prison cell somewhere underground. There were several men beside her in the room, sitting next to the walls, each and everyone with a grim expression written all over their faces. Well, she could relate to that feeling. No matter how you looked at it being caught by the infamous Serikazawa's clan could mean and in most cases meant rather slow and painful death. She could only hope that her captors won't notice that she's a she, a girl. That would mean a fate worse than death. She pulled herself up and sat down in the darkest corner away from the others. At this moment the only thing she could do was to wait and see what happens. There was no point in worrying upfront before anything actually happened. It came as a surprise but she noticed a young boy eight or maybe ten years old among the men gathered in this room. A child in a place like this? Were his parents killed or did they sell him to pay off their debts? Not that it mattered any more...

A sudden noise in front of the door stopped her from thinking about useless stuff. With a creak the door opened and some soldiers came in. They had guns pointed at the prisoners. Next thing she knew, they were being led through some poorly lit corridors and into a courtyard. Just one glance and she knew what it was... It was an arena and she could still see brownish stains in dirt - undoubtedly marking spots where blood soaked into earth. 'So that's how it goes. Now, if I just keep to myself then maybe I won't be selected to fight from the start. I mean with a wound like mine the spectacle wouldn't be too entertaining... I just need to lay low and keep myself out of it. How hard can it be?' Cautiously she looked around careful not to bring any unwanted attention to herself. And that was when she crossed gazes with a man standing under one of the roofs that encircled this odd space. There was something about his dark emerald eyes that stopped her from turning her head into the other direction. 'Crap!' she thought when she saw his rather wolfish smile... 'Keep myself to myself, avoid eye contact for fuck sake!' She looked away and started staring into the dirt beneath her feet. Only after several long seconds she lifted her head up and started screening her surroundings once again. Then she noticed the rest of them. They were standing next to the mahogany-haired guy, calmly staring at the prisoners. Somehow they seemed noble, though she couldn't understand why this came to her mind. After all they were working for Serikazawa-san which meant they were thugs as him. And yet, despite their eyes being cold she had this strange feeling like they weren't enjoying the spectacle in front of them. She dared another glance at them, but then she noticed the man himself. Serikazawa came out from one of the buildings to the left ('His sleeping quarters perhaps?') with a young man following him two or three steps behind.

- Well, well, well, what do we have here? - said Serikazawa and his low unpleasant voice resounded in her mind like a thunder.

- So you all lot are guilty of something, aren't you? - the prisoners stood in silence. Indeed, there was no point in pleading. Their lives ended the moment they were caught and what was happening right now was a mere consequence of their past deeds.

- Let me explain how it works. Here is Okinawa-san - he pointed into direction of a huge man who looked as if one of his parents for sure but perhaps even both of them were bears - He will be testing your skills. Those who are not capable enough will die here and now, the rest of you will be trained and will get to fight on the real arena. For those of you who perform well there will even be a chance for freedom. Of course, after you can pay off your debts that is.

She could almost feel the shiver that ran through everyone in their small group. And then she heard a quiet cry. She looked around and noticed the young boy standing a couple of meters away from her. He was the one who was crying. She turned her head just in time to notice an awful smile beginning to form on Serikazawa-san's face and she knew just knew that there was no chance for a happy ending that day.

- We will start from you, boy, as it's plain to see that you are useless for us anyway. You will serve as a warm up for Okinawa-san.

- He's just a brat, surely there's no need to put him through this. We can use him as a page... - one of the 'noble' men spoke in a harsh voice. He had long black hair and dark purple eyes.

- I don't remember asking you about your opinion, Hijikata-san. If I do need your advice I will be sure to ask for it - said Serikazawa - And please do remember that the life of your dear commander depends on your conduct.

Even from where she was standing she could see like all the six 'noble' men tensed. The one called Okinawa grabbed the boy by his collar and threw him into the ring. He then went to the opposed corner and just stood there awaiting further instructions. 'Lay low, just lay low' she kept repeating in her mind. The boy was crying out loud, yet people around stood in complete silence. In the distance she could here some crows.

- Okinawa please start.

The bear-like man stretched his arms in front of him in a warm-up move and then started to walk into the boy's direction. Someone from the crowd handed him over an object that looked like a metal rod. The prisoners stood in silence and she knew that they had decided to let the boy die. No one was willing to risk their lives for some poor kid. She tightened both her fists, the pain ran through the left arm. 'Not good. Not good at all' and then in one swift move before anyone around could understand what was happening she jumped over the rope that encircled the ring and landed with grace. Immediately, she could feel all eyes fixed on her.

- Do not touch this kid - she said in a calm voice. Okinawa looked at her bewilderment written all over his face, but Serikazawa-san burst with laughter.

- Oi, you brat wanna die so badly? - he said.

- I have no intention of dying. On the contrary, I think that your teddy bear is the one who should fear for his life.

- Oh really? - Serikazawa let his sight slid through her entire posture stopping for a brief moment on her busted arm.

- Really - she replied with confidence - Would you like to bet me on that?

- A bet you say - he was intrigued that much was clear to her so she knew that she had to push her luck even further.

- If I defeat your teddy bear here the boy gets to live and his debt is cleared. If I loose, well, we both have to go. Hijikata-san can act as a referee - she looked at the group of six men and smiled slightly. Before she faced Serikazawa again her eyes met with the green ones. She couldn't decipher what was the emotion that she saw in them but she didn't need any of them to understand. That was the right thing to do. Letting a kid die in front of her... Surely she would not be able to look at her own reflection in the mirror any more.

- That sounds interesting, but I will agree on it only if we do it my way, my rules - Serikazawa sent her a really unpleasant smile.

- Name them.

- First, you need to kill Okinawa-san. Only then this will be your victory. Second, if indeed you win the boy will become a page for Hijikata-san who suggested it in the first place. That does not apply to you so you will be fighting for the brat's sake. And third, if you loose you and kid will be killed on the spot. Is that clear?

The girl looked at the sky above her. It was getting darker and she could feel the cold breeze on her face. Then she glanced at the boy who was staring at her with his eyes red from the tears he shed. She gave him one of her brightest smiles and turned to Serikazawa:

- Crystal clear.

Souji was observing the prisoners with his eyes half open. He saw similar thing happening before so he already knew that most of them would die soon. It didn't matter, but somehow it was pissing him off that once again his comrades and he himself were made to watch this pitiful show. Without even looking at his friends he knew that they felt the same. He was watching the faces of all the men that were led to the courtyard and most of them indeed looked like worthless scum, but there were two exceptions. A child and a young lad who was really slim and who's left arm was badly wounded. The injured one had short blond hair which looked like white gold. He was shorter than Okita and seemed fragile. It didn't help at all that his clothes looked like he got them from his older brother. However, from all the people gathered there it was this lad who managed to surprise him. Just when Souji was about to look at another guy the blond lifted his head up and their eyes met. Suddenly, Souji found himself staring into two big eyes which were green like fresh grass in the summer. The moment that happened it dawned upon him that the 'lad' was in fact a young girl dressed up in man's clothes. She quickly looked down and it was clear to him that she didn't want to draw any attention to herself. Souji shook his head and faced Hajime-kun who was standing next to him. His friend nodded slightly and that was enough to convince him that he noticed the girl as well. Not even ten minutes had passed when the girl surprised him again. Just when Okinawa was preparing himself to annihilate the young boy she jumped over the ropes and proposed the bet. Their eyes met again briefly and he could almost hear what was going on in her head. 'It's the right thing to do' he was sure that those were exactly her thoughts and for some reason it made him feel reluctant. He didn't want to see those two die, but at the same time he knew that as long as Serikazawa-san held Kondou-san hostage neither one of them could do anything about it. And then she surprised him for the third time...

She gestured at the young boy to come to her. He ran into her direction and grabbed tightly around her waist. He looked as if he was about to start crying again so she ruffled his hair and said:

- Oi, it's unsightly for a boy your age to cry like that. Keep your tears for when you really need them - he looked up at her with his brown almond eyes. She smiled at him once again doing her best not let him see in how much pain she was - No need to fret over little things. Now get lost - she pushed him slightly into Hijikata-san's direction. He ran towards the 'noble' group and stood by their sides. She noted how silent it was, she couldn't even hear the crows any more.

- I guess, we can start now - she said. Serikazawa-san smiled at her. It seemed obvious that she wouldn't be getting any weapon. Not that it mattered. Serikazawa-san clasped his hands and the second he did that the bear-like Okinawa jumped at her. That surprised her. He was big as a mountain so she'd assumed that he wasn't quick. That assumption nearly got her and the boy killed. 'Focus, Hotaru!' she gave herself a mental scolding. She dodged the first hit and turned clockwise so she landed just behind Okinawa. Without any weapon she simply pushed him hard to tip him off. He lost balance, but only for a second and that wasn't long enough. She jumped away putting some distance between the two of them, but he swung the metal rod ('How could I forgot about it? It must be the fever') and she could only cover herself with her left arm. The pain that she felt the instant the rod hit her was unbearable. For a second everything went white and only years of hard training saved her. Her body reacted on its own just utilising all the moves that by this time had been engraved in her mind and muscles. She ducked down avoiding his next hit and when he took another swing at her she covered the distance between them. He gave her this pitying smile but it disappeared the moment he realised what she'd done. She delivered a powerful blow aimed at his solar plexus and she knew she succeeded when all the air that was held in his lungs went out with a snake-like hiss. She didn't wait for him to regain his composure, but simply grabbed the rod that fell out of his hand and hit him with all she had left. She could hear the skull cracked and then could feel some warm liquid on her hand. She looked down and yes, she was covered in his blood - there was no mistake as she could smell the metallic scent in the air. She was breathing with difficulty, but she knew she'd won. Though Okinawa-san was still alive. She bent over and pulled out a dagger that he had hidden in one of his boots. Once again that day she looked up at the sky above her and then shot a quick glance at the boy. 'Was it really worth the trouble?' his brown eyes, her green eyes, his relief, her tiredness 'Guess it was after all'. She grabbed Okinawa by his collar and cut his throat with one smooth move.

Souji couldn't believe his own eyes. The girl's moves were like that of a wild cat. No hesitation at all. Even when she was hit in this left arm of hers and he could see her small face contorted in pain, she still stood her ground. And then before anyone knew she knocked Okinawa off of his feet and cracked his skull open. After that she simply took out his own knife and slit his throat. No hesitation, no remorse. She then looked at Serikazawa and said in a coarse voice:

- I guess that means Hijikata-san just got a new page - those daring eyes although she looked as if she herself was about to die. Serikazawa was clearly enjoying himself and that could only mean trouble. Then the master of the castle looked around and said:

- The brat will live just as we agreed, but you my boy will have to fight with my dog for your life.

It was plain to Okita that she didn't understand what that bastard meant, but they all knew too well. Raynouske who was standing behind the man just snapped angrily:

- I'm not your dog! You... - before he could finish Serikazawa slammed his face with an open hand.

- You will fight this lad and if he wins you will die in his place. If he looses, you will get to be my dog for a bit longer.

Harada-san cursed and Heiskue mumbled something under his breath at the same time. They all liked Raynouske, but they also knew that he was no fighter. He was no match for the girl in front of them even if she was wounded and out of breath. Yet again they found themselves hopeless staying there and not being able to save anyone. Okita felt the rage that was building up inside him ever since they got there. They had to persevere since it was true that the life of their commander dependent solely on their conduct. 'Damn it!'.

Hotaru didn't understand at all. Someone gave her a sword and in front of her stood this guy only a couple of years older than her. He was angry, but at the same time he was giving off this good vibe. Somehow she just knew that he was a good man. And clearly not much of a warrior...

- What's that suppose to mean, Serikazawa-san? I may be a bit tired and not in my top form, but why are you throwing at me this guy? He's not a dog, he's just a puppy. Is that really enough to kill me? - she looked around and pointed in the nobles' group direction - I just killed your teddy bear, surely I deserve to fight with someone who at least knows how to hold a sword properly.

She was painfully aware that the guy in front of her had never killed anyone and her morals simply wouldn't let her kill a guy like him. That's why she figured it would be for the best to provoke one of the noble group to fight her instead. She already understood that in her condition she was no match for any of them, but at least she would die fighting and save the man before her in the process. However, it soon became clear that it wouldn't happen as Serikazawa was adamant that she was to fight his 'dog'. She let a small sigh and looked at the guy in front of her.

- What's your name? - she asked.

- Raynouske - he replied looking her in the eye.

- Well Raynouske, since you are about to die I will let you in on a secret - he unconsciously leaned towards her clearly interested in what she wanted to say. That was the final straw that helped her made up her mind.

- It's not my lucky day - she said with clear voice and a wry smile. Then she attacked.

- It's not my lucky day - Souji heard her saying and then she was off. It looked as if she was dancing around Raynouske who was just swinging his sword around him, but miles away so to even scratch her. Mockingly she landed behind him, back to back and gave him a small tug. It was enough to make him turn into her direction, but she wasn't there any more. With his back wide open Raynouske was an easy target, yet for some reason she wasn't doing anything to finish him off. With her green eyes she resembled a cat playing with a mouse. She was taunting him and Okita saw that the boy was getting angry. And then she said it:

- It would be better for a dog like you not to ever pick up a sword. That's a disgrace for all those who know how to fight - it was as if she poured some oil straight onto an open fire. 'What are you trying to do?' He thought to himself and then he realised where she was going with all of this. He saw the expression on Raynouske's face changed and it was clear that with her last comment she crossed the line. The guy grabbed his sword in both hands and charged at her. If she just moved away an inch she could cut his head off neatly... But she didn't do it. She stood there and when he was too close to stop she stretched out her arms and threw her sword away. Raynouske hit her with the impact of his entire body and Okita saw his blade going through her. They all heard a quiet sigh and she hugged Raynouske tightly as if she didn't want him to go. He stumbled, let go of his sword and took a step back surprised at what had happened.

The cold blade pierced through her body and she hugged him. She didn't know why she'd done that, but she figured that she missed the body heat of another human being. In this world full of violence and despair people didn't trust each other any more so one could only embrace another human like this while being killed by them. Raynouske stepped back and she stood there all alone feeling warmth of her own blood pouring out of her and the cold breeze on her face. She coughed and tried to take another breath, but it proved to be difficult. Too difficult. She grabbed the hilt and pulled out Raynouske's sword. Then she felt her legs going numb as she fell on her knees. The last thought that came to her mind before her face hit the ground and she lost consciousness was: 'You should have laid low' and with that the darkness embraced her.