A/N: Hello, all! It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm so sorry that I haven't uploaded anything for nearly 2 years. Life gets a lot faster once university comes to an end. I couldn't spare time for writing, but I've always craved to finish my story.
I still have no time to write it properly. I can't upload new chapters every week. But I think in the summer I can actually make some progress. The story is actually completed in my head. I've already written some of the important chapters, but because I can't write the fillers like how they meet, how's the life in the ship, I can't upload the real important chapters. But well, I hope we can actually finish it in this summer. This story is kind of a slowburn, so that's why it takes time. But I don't like rushing things up. So, please bear with me, my dear readers!
In this chapter, we will see why Mitsuba became such a corrupted and twisted soul, so there are a few graphic descriptions of violence and gore ahead. Don't read it if you're disturbed by it. Mitsuba will finally meet with Kamui in this chapter too, so the story finally is going somewhere.
I'm terribly sorry for all kinds of mistakes that I've done in the chapter. I honestly didn't have time to reread it and correct my mistakes. You can point my mistakes and I'd be really appreciated if you can give me feedback!
Have fun!
(* - -)
Yamazaki was having an amazing dream. He was running from thugs to bring an elixir to the beautiful green haired robot Tama-san. He knew that this elixir would make her a real human. He knew she would be grateful to him, so they would get married and have 3 children. He knew their wedding cake would be made out of anpan.
However he didn't know why he suddenly started to feel like his wrists hurt. He didn't know why he started to feel claustrophobic. He didn't know why he couldn't make a sound, even in his dream. Then, it hit him. Yamazaki opened his eyes slowly, only to find himself handcuffed, thrown in a cell and his mouth covered. There was no trace of Mitsuba.
Regardless it was the continuation of the dream or not, Yamazaki knew that he was in serious trouble.
(* - -)
Spotting and getting in to the Kiheitai ship was as easy as getting in to the Shinsengumi for Mitsuba. Hired thugs were guarding the ship, but she was already trained to make the minimum noise while sneaking in. She thanked Sougo for his sensitive ears. Whenever she tried to sneak in to the Shinsengumi, he would hear her and attack her. So she pushed herself to learn acting like a shadow. Still, sometimes it was futile if Sougo was nearby but for now, she was able to sneak in without a suspicion. She knew there will be lots of action in the morning, so she had to be fast. She could sneak in, however she could not stay hidden for long once Gintoki and the others find out about the ship.
It was easy for her to find the ship once she escaped from the jail. She knew that a sword that looks like a living organism was quite a sight. She knew Gintoki and the others were probably after the guy too, so she tried not to bump into anyone. It was her luck that she didn't see anyone. It was already late. There was no one in the streets, but she managed to spot blood drops under the moonlight. Truthfully, she would make a great police but it wasn't important anymore. Once she saw a guy with his arm merged with a pinkish sword, she knew she hit the jackpot. The guy was also familiar. Okada Nizou. The blind samurai. She knew that he was with Kiheitai, so it was obvious whose plan it was to attack the samurai now.
She was glad that she stole Shinsengumi reports about the incidents before she escaped though. The Shinsengumi reports were announcing that Kiheitai, a different joui group might be behind the attacks. Their ship was also identified in the reports, so everyone was busy with trying to find the Kiheitai members and its ship, no one was guarding the archive room. She slipped in before leaving the headquarter and took the essential files. She read them at her house while getting ready for her journey. She didn't pack a lot of things though. She just took a couple of photos of herself with Yorozuya and Shinsengumi. She also took Sougo's sword. It was a present from Kondo when he became the captain of the 1st division. However he was more familiar with his own sword, so he kept it hidden and didn't use it. Luckily Mitsuba knew where it was hidden. He wasn't even using it, so she didn't really feel like she was stealing it.
The Shinsengumi reports that she took were mostly about Kiheitai members and how dangerous they were. Its active members were Takechi Henpeita, Kijima Matako, Okada Nizou, Kawakami Bansai and their leader Takasugi Shinsuke. The reports were quite detailed with their pictures. That's how she recognized Okada Nizou when she saw him. Since he was in pain, he didn't hear or feel her presence and accidentally allowed her to find their ship before anyone else. It was not the ship Shinsengumi was looking for. She grinned. They might be good policemen but they were not good investigators.
I can give this information to Shinsengumi. I can be a hero, she thought. Sougo would apologize and maybe Kondo-san lets me join... But she knew none of her thoughts would come true. She knew that they would never appreciate her. They would never believe in her...unless she shows them that she's capable.
It is the only way, she thought. I have to become a villain.
And she entered the ship.
(* - -)
Takasugi was in a meeting with a representative of Harusame, so being called in the middle of the meeting was highly annoying for him. However Matako was insistent and he knew she wouldn't call him if something wasn't highly important.
When Takasugi left the room, he saw Matako was with a girl he never saw before. The girl had light brown hair and reddish brown eyes. Her face was completely deadpanned but her eyes were burning with decisive fires.
"Who's that?" Takasugi asked Matako. He was still annoyed by the fact that he was disturbed because of a little girl. There were lots of things he needed to discuss with Harusame and being called in the middle of the meeting was wasting his precious time.
"I don't know. She somehow managed to sneak in to the ship. She might be a spy, Takasugi-sama." Takasugi raised an eyebrow.
"What did she want?"
"She demanded to see you."
Takasugi sent the girl an annoyed glance but she didn't seem disturbed by it. Then she raised her handcuffed hands to show them to Takasugi.
"This is extremely rude. Can I get free first?"
"No," said Takasugi. "Who are you? What are you doing on my ship and why did you demand to see me?"
However she remained silent and showed her hands once again. Takasugi was getting angry. He didn't have time to play games!
"You either talk or I'll kill you right now."
The girl grinned. She didn't seem threatened though.
"My name is Okita Mitsuba. I was looking for you, Takasugi Shinsuke, because I would like to join Kiheitai."
Takasugi was unimpressed. So, she continued.
"Bakufu's weakness is unacceptable. I mean, a sword ban? Not a creative move in a country that's called Samurai's Land, right? I mean we need a sword, that's why we're samurai. So we have to fight against the government...or something like that. That's why you're fighting them, right?"
"If you are a spy, I have to tell you that you're terrible. Also not a very clever one since you gave me your full name, Miss Okita Mitsuba," Takasugi said. He didn't show any interest in her story. "But I believe you're not that stupid. You're up to something else, I suppose. You don't seem to care about the sword ban. You don't even seem to care about the Bakufu. You also don't wish to join Kiheitai for our cause, since you have no idea why we're fighting. You want something related to Kiheitai but it's not joining. Tell me. What exactly do you want? I don't have time for acting."
Mitsuba could barely hold her laughter. So far it was going better than she expected. She knew he'd be at least interested if she acts like a silly girl who's eager to join his cause. But it was more fun to explain her real purpose.
"Gin-chan was right about you. You really are an observant bastard."
"Hey!" Matako interrupted but Takasugi finally seemed interested. He started to grin.
"Gintoki, eh? So you are one of his friends? Did he send you to finish me off? Or to learn Kiheitai's plans?"
"Nope," she sighed. "He doesn't give a single damn about you and your organization. But Shinsengumi does."
Takasugi remained silent as sending signals to her to continue. She knew he was in the position where she wanted from the start.
"Don't worry, I don't work for them either. I'm not an idealist officer to sneak in a terrorist ship just to prove myself. Not stupid enough to do that, as well. Though I am a different kind of stupid. I want to join Kiheitai because I want to have revenge on my brother who is an officer of Shinsengumi."
Takasugi smirked as saying 'oh'.
"I was right. You don't care about politics or Bakufu."
She nodded.
"My brother thinks he's so much better than me. He loves boasting himself and I have to give him props, he really is talented but I don't believe he's better than me. However he can practice every day as cutting the bad guys. I don't have that opportunity. I tried to be a part of Shinsengumi, he didn't let me. So he left me no choice but becoming a villain to show my real potential."
Takasugi laughed at her words. What now? She thought she was going great. Why was he laughing now?
"And how do you know you have a potential? Maybe you're really not as good as you think?" Takasugi grinned. That was troublesome. She never thought that way. What if she was not good enough? Not good enough to make Sougo regretful? Not good enough to join a police force? What if she was actually just bad, so that's why Shinsengumi keeps sending her away? She shook her head and gave Takasugi a decisive look. No! She was in no position to question herself. She knew there was a long way ahead of her. She knew she's already not good enough to catch up with Sougo. Wasn't that why she ran away? To improve herself? To catch up with Sougo and even surpass him?
"Maybe I'm not good at all but I'm determined to find out if I'm capable. Or die as trying."
She could see Takasugi was silent but listening her with a great interest now. She continued.
"I have no desire to burn Edo like you do. I don't really care any plan that you made to destroy the world or even universe. I just want to be strong. So strong that I can prove myself to the other samurai. So strong that my brother would stop looking down on me. So strong to finally beat him in a real combat. And I'm willing to lose a few limbs, even my life while trying, for that I have no other goals in life."
Takasugi tilted his head.
"Okay. So? What exactly do you want from me? You said you have no desire to destroy Edo. You said you just want to improve yourself. So what? Why did you come to me if you're not interested in destroying Edo?"
She smiled.
"I'm looking for people who can train me. I know you're a great samurai Takasugi. I know you can teach me. And I assure you, I'm very useful. No one heard me when I entered the ship, did they? I took down some of your men. By the way, they're tied up in the cargo compartment, you might wanna untie them. I'm good at hiding and sneak attacks. I can collect information for you. I can work for you, do whatever you want."
"Even if that means you're gonna betray your country and your brother?"
She simply shrugged.
"He betrayed me first. I'm not a child anymore. All he does is trying to restrict me. He never gave me a chance. So, I had to overstrain my own capacity. As for my country... I never really cared. I became a samurai because I liked using a sword. I don't have a master. I used to have but... He also restrained me. He didn't notice me. They left me, Takasugi. They betrayed me first. So I'm not feeling guilty over it. That's pay back."
Takasugi gave her an amused look.
"I understand. You have a great ambition and I respect that. I'm sure you'd be useful to me, too. However Kiheitai is not a dojo, Okita Mitsuba. I don't train people, I take skillful ones to fight against to Bakufu."
Mitsuba pouted.
"What if I become a really strong samurai?"
"Then come back again when you become a strong samurai. There's always a place for remarkable warriors among us."
She used her super effective puppy eyes to convince him once she saw her other plan didn't work.
"Please?"
Takasugi didn't even look at her and mimicked Matako to untie her.
"Leave the ship, Miss Okita. You don't belong in here. Go back to your brother and challenge him. I'm sure in a week or so you'll resolve your problems. But if you want to be a villain, there's no way of returning from that. You'll be regretful once your rage ends."
"I didn't come to you to get life lessons Takasugi. Gin-chan already told me that. Pretty much everyone gave me the same advice. And you know what? My rage doesn't end. It keeps getting bigger and I feel like I'm suffocating. I have to do this. I have to stand on my own feet and get stronger. I'm not afraid to dirty my hands. I don't care how many lives I'll take. I like seeing people in pain anyway."
"Do you hate your brother?"
Takasugi asked when Matako untied Mitsuba. She gave him a weird look. That was a stupid question after she explained herself to him.
"No, I don't hate him. There's no need to hate him to go against him. I simply don't like his methods of keeping me away from swords and spilling blood."
"Then you can never win against him. You said your rage continues. It won't after you learn one or two tricks. You'll want to go back and challenge him. And even if you can't win, at least your empty goal would be completed. But if you do that with killing people, then you can never return to him. You can never challenge your brother in a friendly duel. The only time you can actually meet him would be on a battlefield, as enemies, killing each other to survive. I have many ways, Okita Mitsuba. I can take you as my hostage and make deals with Shinsengumi. You gave me quite the reason to believe that I can ask whatever I want from a government officer. However I'm not looking for an easy way out or a deal. My rage is not something that can be put out like that. It won't end until I see Edo in flames. So I'm letting you go, so that you can tell your brother and everyone else that I'm here to destroy everything they hold dear. Go back to them. Your stupid games are not what I look for in a warrior."
Mitsuba's face was unreadable. She was looking at the ground, so Takasugi turned around to leave. However he didn't expect to see a sword near his head just as he turned around to walk away. He smirked. Not bad, he thought. She drew her sword without a sound. I didn't even notice.
"You don't have a choice in this, Takasugi. You either take me with you, or I'll kill you."
However at the same time, Matako was already pointing her guns at her.
"Dare to move that katana, and I'll blow your fucking mind."
Mitsuba smirked. It was not really difficult to guess Matako's move. A gun user wasn't a match for Mitsuba. Of course she knew a bullet right on her face would beat her but she knew she was faster than Matako's trigger. She gave Matako a grimacing look and lowered her hand that was holding her katana. Matako looked at her and got closer to take the katana away from her. Just a bit more closer, Mitsuba thought. Come closer to me Kijima Matako.
Matako left one of her guns while still pointing Mitsuba's head with the other and reached out to take Mitsuba's katana. Just in that time, Mitsuba kicked Matako's belly and the woman lost her balance, her back crushed to the wall. Mitsuba pinner her arm that she was holding the gun to the wall with her sword and caused Matako to drop the gun. She hissed in pain, but both Mitsuba and Takasugi were smirking.
"Okay, so now you either take me or I'll kill your subordinate."
Takasugi liked how fast she was. She might be lack of power but her stealth and speed were covering her deficiency. Sure she would be a good samurai in time. But he couldn't wait for her to become strong. He needed people now amd he didn't have time to train them.
"Do it. I don't care." Mitsuba wasn't surprised when he acted like he doesn't care. Though, that was her fear. He had seen through her bluff. Maybe I need to push him more, she thought.
"We'll see."
And with that, she drew her sword back just to thrust it in her shoulder. Matako screamed in pain and tried to kick her, however Mitsuba held her in her place with her sword. But when she looked at Takasugi's face, she saw that she couldn't convince him. He was still grinning.
"Admit it Okita Mitsuba. You don't have the guts to kill someone. You keep saying you're ready to dirty your hands, but you can't even take care of the defenseless woman in front of you."
Mitsuba tightened her grip on her sword, but she knew he was right. She was not ready for taking a life. Yet.
"Okay. You're right. I can't kill her. But it's just because I'm not ready for it yet. I will be, I just know it. However I actually have a better reason for you to at least take me away from Earth. I know what your ship looks like. I have sneaked in your archive room as well and I know you're in the middle of making a deal with Harusame. You let me go and I'll bring the whole Shinsengumi here."
He drew his sword immediately and pointed out to her.
"And what if I kill you? I'm not like you, Mitsuba. I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty. I have killed and will continue to do so. I guess I can just toss your dead body to Bakufu and show them how serious I am."
Mitsuba took a deep breath as trying to calm her nerves. This part, she hasn't thought about it, not even the slightest. She had prepared scenarios in her head to threaten him but she never did one for being the one who's getting threatened. And she knew he was serious. She knew he would really kill her. She quickly reviewed her options and decided to bluff again.
"Yeah, do so and face Bakufu's whole force. I had enough time to write about everything I had gathered in your ship. Not just your deals with Harusame but with everyone inside and out. Do try to kill me and I'll send all the files to my brother before you can strike." She took out her phone from her pocket, placing her finger on the send button. That was a risky bluff. She had only seen the Harusame reports and had no idea if they actually have people who work for Kiheitai even in the Bakufu. She prayed to god for him to have actually inside connections that might spike his guns if they come out. "I also left a quite detailed letter to my brother. Tomorrow he's gonna find out, he'll be here anyway. You can't leave me, but you can't kill me either." She felt a chill down on her spine. She wasn't sure if she sounded convincing enough. Takusugi's face was also deadpanned.
"Alright," he said at the end. She gave out a relieved breath. So he really has people inside, she thought. Bakufu really isn't what it seems like."There's a ship that's about to leave like 5 minutes. I'm not taking you to Kiheitai. But since you know we're working with Harusame, I'll send you to Harusame base. In there you can find your teachers like you wanted. But remember that I warned you. It's not going to be pleasant and you might end up getting killed."
She shrugged.
"That will do. Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Takasugi smirked. "I'm merely sending you to your death."
(* - -)
Landing on the Harusame base didn't take too long, though Mitsuba felt longer while standing near Kawakami Bansai. Bansai was surprised to have a guest but he didn't question or even greeted Mitsuba. Though, she'd heard Takasugi telling Bansai what happened.
They walked together when a representative of Harusame greeted them. She looked around and couldn't help but gulped. Everywhere was full of bandit looking weird amantos. People were fighting with each other, ripped body parts were flying over and she felt disturbing glances on her body. An amanto screamed just as they were walking. She turned to see why and saw his guts were around his neck, other amantos trying to choke him with it. She turned around immediately and took a deep breath as trying to calm her nerves. She had finally understood what Takasugi meant when he said he was sending her to her death. When she and Bansai separate their ways, she knew she'd be in a huge trouble. Subconsciously she hid behind Bansai. The samurai turned and look at her.
"What? Isn't that what you want?" He asked nonchalantly. "Are you scared?"
She breathed in.
"No. I'm just...a little intimidated I guess."
"Don't be. These guys will kill you without hesitation if you look unsure of yourself or your power. They won't pick on you since they don't know how strong you are but if you continue to look like this desperate, they'll definitely kill you."
She nodded and started to walk normally near him. She was using all her power to look like she's confident but it was all acting.
(* - -)
"Abuto, who are those people?"
In a distant balcony, a vermillion haired young boy pointed two interesting figure who were walking towards to Stupid Admiral's office.
"I heard they're from Earth. Samurai, how they're called if I remember correctly," a dirty haired middle-aged man answered.
"Oh," I heard samurais are great warriors. I'd love to fight them."
"You can't, captain."
He gave the old man a curious look.
"Why is that?"
"Look at them. They're here to join us. You can't kill them, because we're colleagues now."
(* - -)
Mitsuba stayed behind when Bansai entered the room. She was not from Kiheitai, so they didn't let her to join the meeting. She knew Bansai would leave after he's done, so she decided to wait for him. Takasugi was right about this place. She didn't belong there. She was scared and disappointed in herself. Sougo was right after all. She was weak.
The thought of Sougo and her home made her shiver subconsciously. She realized she never felt that alone in her life. Sougo was always there for her. In any inconvenience, she could just yell 'police, help' and then ask for Sougo. He'd always come to save his little sister and she'd always get to hug her brother to calm herself down, no matter how angry he was. She had never really got into trouble anyway... But of course, there was the infamous Rokkaku Incident.
The innkeeper of the Rokkaku Inn was actually a terrorist who provided the other terrorists a place to stay. She was the first one to realize that among all Shinsengumi officers. She was assigned with reading reports. She had been complaining at first, but reading behind the notes was a good thing after all, since she was able to see small inconveniences. To prove herself to Kondo, she didn't share this information with Shinsengumi. She borrowed Sougo's sword and went to Rokkaku Inn by herself. Of course, she was taken hostage and Sougo couldn't do anything for a while when Shinsengumi figured out and busted the place. Luckily she was tiny and silent, so she escaped before they realized. When Sougo saw her outside, he commanded his men to attack and hugged his sister.
"Do not scare me like that! Ever!"
She was too scared to even nod. She had just buried her head in Sougo's chest and tried to calm herself. Sougo then entered the inn and strictly said her to stay put. However being too scared of being alone in the outside, she entered the inn as disobeying her brother and saw what her brother was actually capable of.
Blood. All she could see was blood. Internal organs were everywhere, but Sougo didn't even seem affected. He was cutting down the people and she realized that it actually gave him quite the satisfaction. She held her mouth and left to inn. That was the first time she had seen the monster that lives within her brother, and the monster that might be within her, as well.
For a couple of months, she stayed away from Sougo. Poor Sougo couldn't understand why his sister was distant, but he figured that it was about Rokkaku Incident. In that times, she was extremely scared of blood. When she cut herself accidentally, she was crying, because she couldn't look at her wound. Sougo was the one who tends her wounds, but she wasn't really happy with that, as well.
She had countless nightmares about Sougo killing people. She saw so many gore dreams, that in time, she started to stop being scared of blood. Dreaming about body parts became so normal that she often found herself thinking about cutting people's torso to see organs. She was curious about it. The same blood that scared the hell out of her started to seem interesting. And the worst of all, she started to wonder how it would make her feel to kill someone like Sougo did. Taking someone's life as the life in their eyes slowly drying out. Would she enjoy like Sougo? Would she enjoy more? Would she feel disgusted? She couldn't make a guess, so that made her even more curious. She started to hurt more and more people while practicing, so eventually they gave her the same nickname as her brother: 'sadist' .
When Sougo realized that she's turning into something he can't deal with, he asked for an advice from Kondo. He didn't want her to be like him, a sadist, a person who enjoys other people's pain. He was already a mess, he couldn't bring his sister in the same mess. He had promised his mother to keep her safe, no matter what.
However he knew he couldn't keep her away from her instincts. He didn't know why they were in this way. Lack of empathy. Enjoying people's misery. It was fucked up. However that's how he was and how she seems to turn into.
Normally he was not letting her to join the Shinsengumi because he was waiting for her to be older. 16 or 17, he thought he would let her join. However after talking with Kondo about her sadistic tendencies, they decided to keep her away from hurting anyone. They believed, no, they hoped that she would stop changing. She would go back being a nice girl. But as being pushed away constantly, they didn't realize she became even more violent.
She knew she came so far. She knew she couldn't turn back now. Her pride wouldn't let her. To her unfortunate, her fear was overcoming her rage. That's why she was waiting for Bansai to come out. She might consider going back with him. Just to find another teacher for herself. Of course she was not going back to home but Harusame might be a bit too much for her in the start.
However while waiting for Bansai to come out, she didn't realized green lizard-like amantos who has huge horns already encircled her.
"Hello, beauty."
She took a deep breath. One of them was near, looking down on her. His breath smelled like blood, so she realized that she might end up someone's dinner. There were not really too many options. She decided to try standing still and ignoring them. But her tactic backfired and angered the huge amanto.
"You answer when you're talked!"
Green lizard-like amanto held her wrist and pulled her to himself. Mitsuba could be scared, but her fear gave her a new energy. She drew her sword immediately and cut the amanto's arm that was pulling her. Amanto screamed in pain and blood covered everywhere. She got rid of the hanged hand that was still holding her wrist and cleared her sword with rubbing it to her kimono. She was already covered in blood, so she didn't mind. Her heart was beating erratically. She hadn't hurt anyone since she accidentally ripped Yamazaki's thumb. Luckily they were able to attach it back, however poor guy hadn't talked with Mitsuba for months. She shook her head to clear the memories. It wasn't the time. She already wasn't sure what just happened. She didn't even remember pulling her sword out. Though she knew she enjoyed the pouring blood.
"You're dead."
The same amanto ran towards her, but she jumped away from his way and the guy crushed to the door. For having huge horns, he stuck to the door, but when he turned around, he was smirking.
"Too bad that you're here by yourself."
Mitsuba looked around and saw that the other amantos were encircling her. That was not good. Acting based on her reflexes was a good strategy but her reflexes couldn't save her from 7 amantos. She knew she was done for. She gripped her sword even tighter and closed her eyes, making her last prays. I can't believe I can't even make it out alive without Sougo's help, she thought. I really am weak. I'm going to die.
She waited for a strike, but nothing came. Feeling unsure, she opened one of her eyes but all the amantos were lying down, everywhere was full of blood. She didn't know what happened. But then she heard a voice.
"Picking on a woman who minds her business... That's quite rude. And trying to attack on her with more people when she basically beat you... How pathetic."
She turned around and saw a vermillion braided haired guy who was punching the amanto that attacked on Mitsuba first. He was wearing Chinese clothes and there was a white cloak around his neck. The amanto tried to speak.
"Kamui, please! We're colleagues!"
"I don't want a colleague who picks on defenseless women," he said while continuing to punch him.
"Defenseless? She ripped my arm!"
"Still counts defenseless if you encircle her with 7 people."
Mitsuba stood still and looked at her savior's back. Everyone was dead... She wasn't sure how long she closed her eyes. One second? Two? Who the hell was this guy? How could he kill so many people in so little time?
Vermillion haired guy finally straightened up when he finished punching the amanto and turned around. Seeing her savior's face, Mitsuba stood still. Okay, she didn't expect him to look this good, even his clothes and face covered in blood. He had a handsome feature and beautiful azure eyes. He was tall, she was pretty sure taller than Sougo and he seemed somewhat familiar. He was smiling so beautifully that she forgot to breathe for a second. Then, the guy turned to her completely and walked towards her.
"You shouldn't close your eyes in the middle of a combat, Human-san," he said with a worried look on his face. Something was off though. He seemed and sounded worried but Mitsuba felt that he was not sincere.
"Yeah, you're right," she tried to sound confident. A guy who just killed 8 people would definitely kill her, too. She had to do what Bansai told her.
"Though, I liked how quick you responded when you are pulled. I don't think you did that intentionally. I think it was your reflexes."
He was a good observer, she had to give him that.
"When you're always practicing, it gives you unintentional reflexes. Sometimes I don't even fight, I let my instincts fight for me."
That was obviously a lie, but she didn't know how she could sound more confident. However the guy seemed to like what she said.
"Amazing. So you must be a good warrior. It would be amazing to fight against such a strong samurai."
She gulped. What was this guy's problem? Bansai had told her that they wouldn't pick on her if she look and sound strong. But this guy was different. He seemed like he was looking for a fight.
"No," she admitted. She figured being honest would favor her better than being challenged. "Not yet. I'm trying to find myself a new teacher."
One of his eyebrows lifted. He seemed surprised to hear that answer.
"I want to surpass my brother who never gave me a chance to improve myself. I know how to fight and I can defend myself. But he restricted me, so that's all I know. I can count on my reflexes. But in a real combat, I have no chance to win against strong enemies."
Vermillion haired smiled again. It was a bit creepier than his last smile.
"Being honest is a good thing. But in Harusame base it might get you in trouble, Human-san. Learning that you're weaker than your enemy gives this people a reason to fight."
"I know," she said, not averting her eyes. "But it's not valid for you, is it? You probably want strong enemies. You wouldn't waste your time with someone weaker than you."
His smile turned into a dark grin.
"Impressive. You figure me out very well."
"I don't want to die," she admitted. "I want to become stronger. That's why I came here, but I should have been more careful. I got distracted and let those guys encircle me. I should have run away until I'm safe, than search for a teacher. I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I will leave now."
She bowed and turned around. However the guy jumped right in front of her. The look on his face was telling her that she couldn't get rid of him easily.
"Are you scared of me, Human-san? Do you fear that I might kill you?"
She held her breath. Why was he asking questions that he already knows the answers?
"Yes," she nodded. "I fear that you might kill me. However I'm not scared of you. I know you have the power to kill me, but as a person, you seem nice and I'm not intimidated."
Calling him 'not intimidating' was probably a bad idea but it was too late. The guy gave her a creepy grin. He sure seemed enjoying himself but Mitsuba felt getting angrier. A hunter shouldn't play with his prey, she thought. If he's gonna kill me, he should just do it!
"Can you please move away?"
"What if I don't?"
She bit her lower lip. That was the first sign of anxiety taking over her body. What if he doesn't? What could she do? It was a stupid question. Though she knew being witty was the only thing she could do at the moment for that he might like her answer and let her go.
"Then you'd wait in here until you're bored like I am. Also didn't you just punch that guy because he was picking on a defenseless woman? You're doing the same thing now."
Vermillion haired finally laughed. Even though he was covered in blood, he was pretty charming.
"I don't think you're defenseless against just a guy. I think you're defenseless against a group. So that makes you an opponent for me."
She felt her legs get numb. Cold sweats were running down on her spine and her hand went to her sword automatically.
"I don't want trouble. I'm not strong enough to fight you. Please, let me pass."
However he just smirked.
"If you're not gonna fight me, then why is your hand on your sword?"
Even before she could protest, he pulled out a purple umbrella and attacked on her. She was lucky that she drew her sword just in time and protected herself from a strong thrust. Then, she realized something.
"An umbrella? Are you a Yato?"
Vermillion haired smiled and jumped back to give her a few seconds to breathe.
"Oh, so you know my kind. Do you think you can beat me?"
With that, he attacked on her again, this time she jumped away and his umbrella stuck to ground.
"No fucking way! I have a Yato friend who's 2 years younger than me and I haven't been able to beat her yet! How can I beat you!?"
Vermillion haired smiled while crashing his umbrella to her sword again. She could barely hold him.
"Stop lying and show me your true power!"
Suddenly, his attacks became even stronger. She knew she'd definitely die if those attacks actually hit her. She was just running away and jumping around.
"Stop running around and fight!"
This guy was nothing like Kagura. She was also a good fighter and had strong strikes, however this guy was totally different than her. She could see the hunger in his eyes. Hunger for power. Hunger for fighting. Hunger for blood.
She was getting tired and the guy didn't show any signs of slowing down. She didn't know where to run. She didn't know how to fight. She didn't know what to do. People on the way were getting out of her way when they see the vermillion haired guy was following her. No one seemed to want to involve in his fight.
"All you do is running away," vermillion haired yell behind her. "You have to fight me."
She didn't have enough breath to answer back. She was saving oxygen for the sake of running a little longer. However then she realized someone standing on her way. A middle-aged dirty yellow haired man looked troubled and sighed. She finally yelled.
"Get out of the road old man!"
But the guy didn't flinch. She ran towards him with the intention to pass him by, but she felt strong arms covering her waist and pulling her up. She was too surprised to do anything, but realized that the guy lifted her and throw her to his shoulder.
"Captain, I told you to stop trying to attack our colleagues."
She was so surprised that she couldn't even try to break free. So this old man was a subordinate of that...young one? What on Earth was going on?
"Abuto, give her to me or I'll decapitate your limbs."
"Like hell I'm threatened by it. I told you to find opponents equal to you and do that outside of the base. Where did you even find this woman? She's a colleague, I already told you."
He shook his head.
"No, I asked around. She's not with that other samurai. That guy is a colleague. She's just an ordinary person who I can fight against."
The guy that was called Abuto sighed.
"Even if she's not a colleague, it's obvious that she's not a match to you. No one who has power to fight back would run away this far to avoid fight. She's running for her life. Leave the poor girl alone."
Mitsuba gave out a relieved breath. This old man had saved her life.
Abuto waited for a few seconds to let her go, just to make sure his captain wouldn't attack on her again. But with his words, he seemed to lose interest.
When Abuto dropped Mitsuba, she gave him a sincere smile, maybe the sincerest she ever gave to anyone. She bowed and thanked him.
"Thank you for explaining to him. He didn't listen to me."
The guy seemed bored.
"He's always like that. It's my job to keep him out of trouble, so don't thank me."
"Still, thank you."
The vermillion haired guy pouted.
"That sucks. I thought I was gonna enjoy a good fight."
She turned her head to him.
"I told you I'm not as strong as you. You should've just listened to me."
"But your attack was a definite proof that you have potential."
She smiled.
"That's good to hear from you. I'm glad you thought that way. But like I said, I need a master to improve myself. I'm here to find people to train me. While waiting in the outside, I thought I was scared of this place. That's why I was so distracted when those guys attacked me. But after having an encounter with you, I think I'm good to go. I'm here for a reason and I won't allow myself to get intimidated by people. So, thank you."
The captain seemed clearly uninterested but he still smiled at her.
"I hope you can be a good fighter like you wanted Human-san, so that I can challenge you for real one day."
"I'd like that."
With saying that, she bowed to both of them and started to walk away. However Abuto called her out.
"Wait a second. So you say you want to train with strong people. Harusame is a dangerous place and not everyone is as nice as us."
As nice as you, she thought. Your captain tried to kill me, for fuck's sake! Though, she couldn't deny that he helped her to overcome her fear.
"Why don't you join our crew? We can train you and you can help us around."
She turned around and gave them a surprised look.
"Wait, what? But you guys are Yato. I can never be as strong as you."
"Wasn't that your goal? Become stronger? You don't have to be as strong as us. You obviously have samurai training. Combine what you learn from us and be better than regular humans."
Her eyes sparked. That was a brilliant idea. Learning from Yatos was an amazing way to improve herself. However, captain didn't think so.
"We have no time to train people, Abuto. Sorry, Human-san. You have to find other people."
But she had already made up her mind.
"Let me join, sir, please! I swear I won't be nuisance and learn as fast as I can! I was looking for a samurai to teach me, but that would only help me to be like other strong samurais. If I learn from you, I can be better than them, the strongest samurai ever! Didn't you say you want to fight me? When I'm stronger, we can fight as much as you want! You won't be regretful, I swear! Plus I'm good at many things. I don't know what you're doing, but if your job involves paperwork, I'm great at dealing with that kind of things. I'm really good at hiding and sneaking, so I can steal whatever you need. I can be very useful. My brother is an officer of Shinsengumi, Earth's police force, so I know many things that can help your job."
The captain didn't seem interested, however Abuto was curious. He cupped his chin and talked.
"Interesting. Your brother is a police but you want to train yourself with villans. Why didn't you ask your brother to train you?"
Her glances darkened. She had remembered all of her rage back.
"He's an egoistic guy who only wants his own success. I wanted to become a police, because I wanted to use my sword, too. I have been training with a sword since I was 6, so all I need to improve myself further was to actively use my sword. He gets to cut down bad people. I get to cook for him at home. I applied to Shinsengumi many times. They never accepted me. Not because I'm a woman, I beat nearly everyone in the Shinsengumi except the division captains. They didn't let me join, because my brother never let them. He kept saying I'm weak and no match to him. He pushed me away from improving myself. He wanted all the glory for himself while I stand still and do nothing. 'I want you to have a normal life,' he said. Who said I want a normal life? I want power! I want to be strong and show him that I'm no longer his little sister who has to watch his back while he turned me down. I want to make him regretful for keeping me away from fighting. I want...revenge."
She didn't realize when she spoke her rage to them, but the captain finally seemed interested. His eyes were glowing with a weird spark and he started to grin. Abuto, on the other hand, seemed quite disappointed.
"I know someone with the same aspiration... Uh, geez. I'm not saying wanting to have a revenge is bad but... Are you sure? You seem like coming from a peaceful place. Your brother seemed to keep you out of trouble. I know I was the one who suggested you to join but if you enter this life, this villain life, you can never go back to your brother. And as much as I'd like to have someone deal with our paperwork, I think at the end of the day, you'd miss your home, but it would be too late to turn back to people you love."
She shook her head side to side.
"I'm determined. I will beat him. I will be better than him. I'm not afraid to die while doing so. I just have this one goal in life. Without it, I'm nothing. My rage is my fuel. I'll always feel in this way. Sure, I was never away from home and I'll probably be homesick at first. But it's not for forever. I'm going to try and get stronger than any samurai has ever been! You just have to give me a chance!"
With her new determined voice, the captain finally seemed satisfied. He smiled at her, a dark smile, but a real smile indeed, not a pushed, based on acting kind of smile.
"Then congratulations, Human-san. You're hired. Welcome to 7th Division of Harusame."
She and Abuto looked at him both in shock. She couldn't believe it was this easy to be accepted among a Harusame division. Not just a regular bandit division, a Yato division! She must be in heaven.
However Abuto knew his captain very well and he didn't like the look on his face.
"What do you plan, captain? You don't seem reassuring to me."
The captain smiled.
"I accept her as a part of the crew and as a student. However there will be some rules for her. Human-san, will you obey them?"
"Depends on what kind of rules they are."
Captain grinned.
"You will be a part of the crew, so that means you will work for us. I'm the captain of the ship and my orders are absolute. You won't question me."
She nodded.
"Understood."
"Good. Since you'll work on the ship, you'll be sent to missions sometimes. Those might include assassinations or thievery."
She didn't say anything this time, but nodded excitedly.
"This old man is Abuto. He's my second-in-command. You will be working for him. He deals with paperworks and such, so you'll learn from him and help him."
"No problem," she said.
"And lastly," he said. "I'll train you. You will become the strongest of your kind. But in return, you will stay loyal to me and when you finally had your revenge, you'll fight me, to death."
Abuto rubbed his temples. He knew that was gonna happen. However Mitsuba didn't even flinch. She started to smirk.
"I accept your conditions. I will be loyal to you and will get stronger under your training. I will go back to Earth and have my revenge on my brother, show everyone what I'm capable of and when I'm done, I'll be back to you, to have a one final match. But don't think I'll make it easier for you, Captain," she said. "I won't die."
"That's what I hope," he said with a low voice, then reached out to her. She shook his hand and grinned. That was an excellent bargain. Having revenge on her brother and getting stronger with Yatos... It was like a dream. She could never imagine that. She thanked Takasugi mentally for sending her off to her death. Yes, her road was crossing with death anyway, but at least her revenge was promised to her. She felt lighter than she ever felt before. She was ready to become a bad guy.
"Okay. Since you two idiots ignored my warnings, I guess I have no choice to welcome you aboard. As captain said, my name is Abuto and I'm the second-in-command on the ship. This is our captain Kamui. We are the war power of Harusame and we do all kinds of violent things. Since you're one of us now, what's your name?"
She smiled. So the captain's name is Kamui, she thought at the same time. Beautiful name.
"It's Mitsuba. Okita Mitsuba."
"Nice to meet you, Mitsuba. If you're ready, we should head for the ship."
She nodded and followed the two men. She was excited to head for her new life. Kamui was excited to have a new strong opponent. Only Abuto was worried, but he figured that he shouldn't be involved in their drama. He was just an old man. He didn't have to intervene anyone's job.
I didn't want the poor girl to get killed, so that's why I offered her a job in the ship, though nothing changed, he thought. A death penalty for her is absolute now. But well, it's not my problem anymore since she chose her own way. Just like the captain did all those years ago...