Rich Blood
Chapter 7 - Dressed As A Woman
The hot summer had blazed throughout the month, with birds chirping and men in the Shinsengumi unnaturally stripping randomly out of nowhere. It was the beginning of September and yet I couldn't stop think about the male Oni 'Kazama', for many nights after seeing him I have indecent dreams about him. I wasn't sure as to why and couldn't counsel another female Oni seeing as they were very rare, these visions where heart throbbing and often awoke me in the middle of the night.
His lips would easily call my name as if it was a prayer, his lips would touch mine in such a smooth action it made my body become hot, his fingers trailed over the curves and outlines of my body and those piercing red eyes would be the only thing I could see in the darkness of the night. It was impossible to love him seeing as I had barely known him, though it seemed I have built to have some affections for him over the span of my dreams. I could simply close my eyes watching him lean against the wall as he stared at me with his piercing eyes.
I was unsure to know if the man was simply a blessing or a curse. Even I couldn't fully understand as too why my body acted so oddly whenever it had came to him.
My eyes wandered the burnt houses around me, the faces of people who looked to be destroyed seeing as their homes had been gone within minutes due to a war, I looked over to a woman and crying little girl. "Mommy, I am hungry." The girl sobbed into her mother's chest, the woman lightly patted and rubbed her back, "don't worry I'll find something for you." I glanced at Saito seeing his blank eyes facing forward, I quickly pulled myself from his side as I reached into my pocket and approached the two.
I smiled at the woman, she became stiff letting her daughter turn around. Her big eyes looked up to me with some hope, I gently placed two pieces of bread in her hands and handed the mother money a part inside me wishing that I had brought more along. The woman looked up to me with wide eyes, "I-I-can't take this." She tried to push it back, I shook my head lightly as I patted the little girl on the head resorting in her to responding with a bright smile.
"A woman to another, I understand your position." Her eyes widened as she smiled gratefully at me the corner of her eyes built with small tears, this was a small act of kindness for me but for them it seemed to be an life-saver. The little girl looked up at me, "thank you miss." She smiled at me as she took a bit into the bread with a smile, her mother doing the same, "hey!" There was a shout behind me, I looked over seeing as three men walked towards me with the mother and her daughter.
The woman clutched her daughter closer to her, "how come she gets money. What about the rest of us." The man angrily spoke as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, "I did not bring enough for everyone else." I bowed lightly, hoping it would help the man from walking away though he stepped closer. I raised my eyes seeing a evil smirk on his lips, "give us everything you have." I watched as the flutter of purple hair came into my view as Saito stood in front of me.
"Shit. The Shinsengumi." The man turned around followed by the other two, I sighed and raked a hand through my hair. I turned around to the woman and pulled out a photo from my breast pocket, "have you seen this man before?" I pointed, she shook her head I lowered my eyes and gave her a light smile. "Thank you." I spoke withdrawing my hand placing the picture back into my pocket, "thank you for everything." The woman spoke, I nodded feeling more disappointed.
I kept my lips sealed as we continued the patrol, "are you alright, Sakura?" Saito's deep gentle voice broke me from my daze, I nodded at his words unable to say anything. "You need to tell me if you are feeling unwell, otherwise it would inconvenience if you collapsed from pushing yourself to hard." I smiled at his words, that was unlike him to suddenly talk about me. I smiled brightly at him, "I am not weak, I hope you know that." He casted me a glance.
"You are a woman after all."
I whistled lightly as I overlooked the dozen's of people wandering around the street I watched as Suzu spread his arms free as he ran forward, he stopped at one stall and pointed excited to it. I laughed at his action and followed him to the vendor, "can I have one?" I nodded as I looked over to the older woman who laughed at the two of us, "i'll take two of those." She nodded happily placing it in a bag, "is that your younger brother?" She tilted her head with a light smile.
I glanced over to Suzu seeing as he talked with the next vendor who happened to be an boy around my age, "something like that." I shrugged my shoulders at her words, "so what exactly is the reason for a woman to be dressing up as a man?" She stared at me, I furrowed my eyebrows at her and licked my lips nervously. She sighed lightly at me brushing away the strands of gray from her hair and gave me a small grin, "I have lived for many years, meaning I seen this happen before." She breathed out.
I laughed lowly, "well I am actually looking for my brother." I handed her a picture, "have you seen him?" She shook her head unsure, "I don't recall seeing a handsome man like that. I am sure I would though." I smiled at her as I handed her the money, "thank you." She smiled at me lightly, "stop by any time you want. I can be pretty useful when it comes to the gossip around here. Name is Rudy." She flashed me a wink as I made my way to Suzu seeing as their was a small crowd around the vendor he was at, along with loud shouting.
I walked faster towards the area and pushed my way through the crowd, "where did you get all that money from." The man who lifted Suzu spoke up, his drool dripping onto the ground as if he were a dog, "Sakura gave it too me." I walked towards the man and disarmed him quickly of holding Suzu, Suzu than came behind me quickly clutching my clothing. A boy rushed forward holding his hands up looking at me with an unsure gaze, "please. These people are dangerous you must ignore them." He held my shoulders.
"Hey Sakon!" The man shouted, I watched as his friends came from behind as well, fearing the townspeople. The boy in front of me named 'Sakon' became more stiff, "give everything you have." The man declared I raised my eyebrow looking over to Sakon seeing as the slightly taller man gulped fearfully, "b-but I already paid you back." He claimed as he turned around, I felt the tug on my clothing and looked down to an angered Suzu as he raised his fists.
"Sakura! Just beat them up like you beat the rest of guys before." Suzu spoke as he hardened his gaze at the men, "what's this?" The man raised a eyebrow at me, "you're Sakura." He began to laugh that echoed in the air along with the forced laughs from his friends, "you're a guy." I narrowed my eyes at his words as I looked at him, unfazed at his actions seeing as he was the only person to laugh along with his friends, the sight was truly disgusting.
"Your point?" I questioned as I let go of Suzu, Suzu grabbed onto Sakon's sleeve pulling him back with a grin. I began to roll my sleeves up as I looked at them curling my fists, "oh. You want to fight?" He questioned leaning forward with interest, I scoffed lightly as I brushed away the saliva that landed on my cheek, "simple words cannot reach you it seems. I suppose you are blinding by stupidity." He clenched his teeth as he nodded to one of his friends who charged forward.
I glanced at his feet seeing as he was in an offensive position, I dodged his punch feeling the wind brush against my cheeks I than kicked out his legs beneath him, he collapsed to the ground with a loud thump. I craned my neck looking at the man, seeing as he was even more angered at my actions, I took a deep breath hearing as Suzu cheered for me in the background causing a smile to flutter on my lips. I glanced back at him seeing his small fists raised high as he shouted my name from his parted lips.
I turned towards the man shifting my position feeling the great amount of eyes on me, another man rushed forward more with confidence and had known as to know how to fight. I leaned back as I dodged his punches and blocked them effortlessly as I responded easily with a roundhouse kick to his side, he stumbled to the side clutching it and narrowed his eyes at me and turned his head as he let out a spit, I scrunched my face into disgust seeing that.
Releasing another breath he charged forward, I moved to the side letting the strands of my hair dance in my movements, "go Sakura!" Suzu cheered following by the other people, I guess these group of men were badly viewed though it was given without much reason. I curled my fists as I locked my hand around his hand and twisted my body as I lifted his body over my shoulder smacking him directly into the ground, I heaved another sigh as I watched him groan.
"Wow!" The woman cheered, I looked to the last three men seeing as they drew their blades. I rested my hand on the hilt of my sword, "I will not shed blood in front of children." The man grinned, "I will though." He raised his sword, I took a step backing seeing as he cut the air itself, I twisted around as I quickly pulled my sword out and swiped at him. I took multiple steps back seeing as he clenched his sword tighter and the silence pierced the area.
"You missed me." It was than his eyes went to the sight of his blade slowly shattering, there was an explosion of voices as I heard Suzu's overpowering them. I licked my lips as I watched him gasp as he broke out into a sprint another man following after him, leaving one man, the man who had caused all this trouble and had bothered us. He threw his sword at the side and raised his fists, "I been trained in both swordsmanship and physically." He leaned forward.
His eyes narrowing at me, "is that so?" I questioned tilting my head. "I may seem small but I am able to hold my own." He glanced over my shoulder, "how about that kid, you train him well." I curled my fists as he looked to Suzu, I breathed out as I sharpened my eyes at him, "watch it brat." I clicked my tongue as I took a step forward.
I couldn't possibly imagine anyone touching Suzu and if they did, I would deal with them very severely.
"Brat?" He raised an eyebrow, "oh. I got you angry didn't I." His lips tilted to the side eagerly as he looked at me, "that kid must be your life. What are you a mother?" My relationship with Suzu is indeed confusing at points I would feel like an mother to him though at other points I would feel like his older sibling. Though I was certain about the relationship I knew the bond between me and Suzu had only grown and would continue to do so.
"Shut up. Cowards like you would never understand anything." I lowered my eyes from him recalling the time I met Suzu's father, a despicable man who was a alcoholic and had taken out his anger and frustrations on a little innocent boy. I was glad that I hadn't walked past him that night and appreciate that I have him, because without him I would have given up a long time and never feel happiness when I had him. He would make me laugh, he would hug me, he would tell me he loves me, I needed all of that.
"If I beat you that means Sakon can finally give me my money." I halted in his words, "and if I beat you." I crossed my arms over his chest staring at him, "I will leave all these people alone including Sakon." I grinned and nodded hearing as Sakon shouted behind me.
I smiled at his concern, "a woman shouldn't fight, you might get hurt." I watched as Rudy moved beside him slapping him on the shoulder with a bright laugh, my eyes went from the dark eyed man to her seeing a smile glister on her lips. "Have you not see her fight. She's capable. Never underestimate a woman." Suzu nodded eagerly supporting her words, "that is true. Sakura is the best!" I smiled at his words and turned to the man, seeing his muscle bulging and his chest heaving up and down.
He leaned forward raising his fists, I gulped as I did the same. He lunged forward making me carefully watching him, I tucked my stomach in as I dodged his punch and tried to calculate his next move though it took me too long as I narrowly missed another punch, one that including heavy force. I ducked as I proceeded to kick his legs from underneath him, he jumped into the air and aimed to kick me, I quickly flipped backwards and took a deep breath as I looked at his figure.
He remained calm. Was this man really a thief? An untrained one?
He looked as if he was hired by someone along with that skills to fight hadn't come so easily. I eyed his figure, he was evenly balanced in defending himself and not many open areas were available to strike at, I clenched my teeth why is this taking so long to figure someone out.
I curled my fists as he lunged forward yet again, I striked his arms feeling the bone underneath my fingers, he took the hits as if he were absorbing it. I gritted my teeth as he aimed to punch me in my face, his movements were so fluently and strong that it shocked me, I raised my arms in time to take the hit resorting in me to sliding backwards. I breathed out deeply as I looked at him, my eyes widened as I did so. It was so obvious.
He raised his arms more to his face rather than his chest, his chest was completely open to me. If I could get within a few meters and somehow attack his chest he would be at a disadvantage, I raised my hands yet again as I rushed forward. With speed and agility on my side I managed to block a few hits as I got into his personal space, I quickly turned around as I dodged another punch and kicked him in his stomach, he coughed and than again I raised my foot.
I striked him directly in his chest with a heavy force sending him flying back into the wall of a house, I took a deep breath as his figure dented. I than was bombarded with people first Suzu landing onto me with a big hug dozen's of people shouting with glee and happiness, but Rudy parted through them and looked around before looking at me with a smile and placed a hand onto my shoulder. "I believe it's time we get you out of that clothing." She than took my hand as a bunch of other girls grabbed my hand.
"W-Wait t-that's okay." Ruby placed a hand on her chin giving me a daunting smile, she looked down to Suzu and pointed a finger to him, "you stay here." Suzu stomped his feet angrily at this and waited outside as I scrambled as a handful of girls tugged me inside a room. I was shockingly surprised by the sudden strength the girls had as they pulled me in the room, Rudy stood in front of me as she reached in the back of her closet and pulled out a beautiful kimono.
It was red and white and had some designs with an flower patterning, I sighed in appreciation at the sight. "We are going to put this on you."
I gasped as I stood in the mirror, the woman in front of it was outstandingly beautiful. From the way her hair was to the plumpness of her red lips, even to the bright blue eyes that shined. "This is you." Rudy spoke as she whispered in my ear, I felt more breathless at my appearance but was suddenly disrupted as Rudy's hands went to breast causing me to blush at her actions. "How big are these? I can't believe you manage to hide your big chest like this every time." I pushed away the woman's hands.
"Sakura!" I watched as Suzu bounded into the room and jumped into my arms, I laughed and smiled as he buried his face into my chest. He looked up to me with a smile, "you look really pretty." I blushed at his words, "Su-" I looked up seeing as Sakon stood their, his face flustered deeply, he looked in the other direction causing Rudy to let out a loud laugh. "Uh-yeah you look nice." He rubbed the back of his head lightly, suddenly I watched as Shinpachi, Sano and Heisuke.
I made eye contact with Shinpachi seeing as his face became a deeper shade, "is that Sakura?" Heisuke mumbled, I smiled at them and approached them seeing the duo flushed with red, there eyes going to my chest as their eyes widened. "I am Sakura." Shinpachi than blushed even harder as I crossed my arms over my chest looking at them, "y-you look really nice." Heisuke stuttered I felt as Sano smoothly placed his arm around my shoulder with a small grin on his lips.
"Our Sakura has always been so beautiful. Though I suppose you haven't noticed a woman's true beauty." Sano spoke as he leaned closer to me, I raised an eyebrow at his words. Was he complementing me?
"How does it feel to finally to dressed as a woman?" Rudy asked as she placed her hands on her ships showing me a charming smile, I blushed a bit at my answer, "good." She laughed at my words, I than looked down to see as Suzu had pulled out the door while the others followed. The crowd of people had looked at me with widened eyes, "s-she looks completely different." One of the men stumbled their words out as they pointed to me, "hey don't stare at her." Suzu declared.
His lips frowned as he looking at the crowd who laughed at his words, "Sakura wear this for today. You can come and change when you are ready." I smiled at Rudy's words and was pulled away by Suzu, we walked along a different street, Suzu more energetic as he discovered the new foods he never tasted, he tugged me along as he bit into a dango cheering as we played a game together. I laughed at his actions, I lifted him in my arms as I turned behind me seeing as a clueless Shinpachi followed me.
I raised my eyebrow at him, "Shinpachi?" I tilted my head, he looked up slightly shocked and blushed, "where is Heisuke and Sano?" He looked around and scratched the back of his head, "I lost them." I bit the inside of my cheek as I continued to walk forward with Suzu in my arms seeing as Shinpachi walked beside me, "muscle man." Suzu shouted as he leaped into Shinpachi's arm, I let out a laugh at his actions and a taken back Shinpachi.
We walked through the dark street filled with the side stores that were bright and lit up seeing as the customers fled to the shops, I glanced from the corner of my eye seeing as Suzu had sat on top of Shinpachi's shoulder who didn't seemed to mind and played along with him. I laughed at the pair, I brushed away the strand of hair smiling at Suzu seeing as he had gotten used to the people in the Shinsengumi and was opening up his heart more rather than isolating himself to just me.
"Haha, I beat you." I pointed to Shinpachi, he sighed and shook his head. The owner of the shooting game smiled brightly at the two of us, handing me the prize, "aren't you a lovely couple." He spoke with a smile, I looked away trying to avoid anymore words, "here. I'll give you something better." The man spoke a gentle smile on his lips, he handed me a big bear, I leaned over to Suzu giving it too him, he grinned at me and stood on the tips of his toes and kissed me resorting into me giggling.
I looked back at the man, "thank you mister." He smiled and waved goodbye to me, the evening light seem to become darker therefore it meant we would have to go home soon, time had gone by quicker that I personally had expected. We begin making our way back to Rudy's house where Suzu was being carried on Shinpachi's back, I looked around seeing as Rudy waved eagerly too me, "you're back already." She was closing up her shop along with Sakon.
"Yeah, I have to get back." She nodded as she opened the door leading me inside to where I had stripped myself of the female clothing and replaced them with male one's, I opened the door seeing as Rudy and Sakon had been talking with Shinpachi, "well we should be going." I smiled lightly at Rudy, she grinned at me I looked over seeing as Sakon gave me a nervous smile, "I hopefully will see you another time." I nodded as I smiled waving goodbye to the two of them.
I took Suzu from Shinpachi thanking him for carrying Suzu all the way, I made my way to our room and gently placed Suzu's small body on the bed. He snored lightly as he tightened his fingers around the blanket, I made my way outside seeing as the moon gleamed down upon me. My eyes danced along the flowers that scattered along the patches of the ground, I skimmed my fingers across a particular flower feeling as the softness of the flower tingled the tips of my finger.
I plucked the flower twirling it in my fingers as I admired the colour of the flower, the beautie of the earth I still had yet to discover, though I clearly to do so with my brother and Suzu both seeing as they both are very close to me now. I took a deep breath inhaling the scent of the dark night, the sounds of conversations from the rooms inside as the shadows of men where reflected onto the doors, I looked away as I took a deep breath feeling my mind become at ease.
It has been a while since I had heard anything new from my brother, I felt as if I was slowly giving up losing hope. Though Suzu had always cheered me up whenever I remained down about not finding my brother. I had first talked about my brother with Suzu when I made him dango, we sat near the pond our legs hanging over the porch of the floor as we looked out to the family of ducks and chewed onto the fried flour, I told him many stories about me and my brother including my past.
My past was something I hadn't favored and rather hated it, my parents. Suzu hadn't been especially surprised when I mentioned I was a Oni, he acknowledged it quickly and told me it was due to my incredible skill and beauty that it was easy to see that I was one. He is indeed foolish for a little boy, I couldn't help but laugh at his words as he leaped around and danced showing me his new moves he invented to fight.
I took a brief breath before I heard the voice, "hey, you there." I turned towards the voice unfamilar with the tone of the person. I locked eyes with a man, taller than me he held a fox-like appearance with violet eyes that remained hardened on me, his pale face shaped by his bangs. I remained stoic as he stepped closer to me, "is there something I may help you with?" I bowed my head a bit showing my manners, his lips pursed together as he carefully watched me.
"What is someone like you doing here?" I widened my eyes a bit more, "you aren't a solider, now are you?" He asked his tone teasing as he stepped forward his steps calculating and slient like a beast. His hand than touched my chin tilting it upwards, I stared at him with blank eyes, did he find out?
He than let go as he dogded a sword, the slice of the sword nearly slicing the man in half. I looked over to the person seeing as Souji had hardened eyes, "Souji." I whispered carelessly, "there aren't any flowers to entertain all us men." I watched as Souji brought his sword forward, showing that the item the man held behind his back was a flower, "Itou-san." Souji spoke, the man than gently picked the flower up and took a whiff of the graceful smell.
"Smells great." He spoke, Souji than looked over to me, "do you not have somewhere to be?" I nodded as I quickly rushed away not wanting to bother the pair, I made my way back to the room quietly closing the door behind me seeing as Suzu was sitting up on the bed. He rubbed his eyes lightly at me, "Sakura?" He whispered, I pulled off the extra layer of clothing and made my way towards the bed smiling at him lightly. I made my way to the bed, immediately he curled up against me.
"Where were you?" He gently asked as he pressed his cheek against my chest, I rubbed his head gently with a soft smile pressing a kiss to his forehead. "No where. Just for a walk." He huffed lowly as he wrapped his arms around me, I closed my eyes as the two of us hugged each other.
