Chapter 10: Discoveries
It was like two distant acquaintances meeting again. One of those, "I pass you on the street and to be polite, I'll say hello," sort of things. At least, that's what it felt like to me. She stood there, smiling at me as if we had just seen each other the other day, as if there had been no separation. But there was a distance between us, no longer was there that deep ease. She was tense about something, and I hoped that it was not me. Perhaps one of her customers was harassing her, or perhaps today was simply a bad day. Straightening, I was determined to make this night enjoyable for her. I offered to walk her to her destination with the excuse of catching up on old time. Thankfully, she agreed that the company would be enjoyable.
She was quiet throughout the walk, so I filled the silence with tales of my adventures, occasionally throwing out questions such as, "how did you get here" and such, hoping to pry a bit of information from her. She answered in her usual soft voice, keeping her answers short, usually throwing back a tease and diverting the attention back to me. My heart clenched at the sound of her voice when she murmured, "We're here." I glanced up at the teahouse that we had stepped in front of, exclaiming in mock surprise, "why, this is the same place that I was headed for!" Of course, I was expected to be at a different teahouse that night, but I decided that this reunion was much more preferable. Perhaps I could convince her to accompany me to this other gathering, she could hardly say no to a little extra cash-- that is if she didn't have any other plans that night.
The teahouse we had arrived at seemed old, run-down, and of little reputation. I wondered to myself why she had even come to a place such as this; perhaps she hadn't yet established herself here? The geisha in Tokyo were a bit competitive, the customers more individual favoring. They liked to keep their company to only a select few geisha. I promised myself I would show her to a few of the more respectable places, and perhaps help her get established here. Just for a bit until we could rebuild our relationship, and rebuild my courage. Upon seeing her, it had shattered to a million pieces. How could such a lovely creature even play with the idea of wedding an unworthy one such as me? Who was I to interfere with her work? "Are you headed to a specific party tonight or simply visiting the house?" I asked, hoping it to be the latter. When she confirmed my hope, I offered to accompany her while at this house too, explaining I had only come for a drink. She bought the excuse and we entered together, finding an open room right across the hall from a rowdy bunch of what seemed to be gangsters. I stiffened upon sight of them, hand instinctively going to the hilt of my sword, only relaxing when Sayuki gave me a questioning gaze. Hoping to not alarm her, I smiled, reassuring her that it was nothing.
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We sat there for a bit in an awkward silence, both afraid to say a word. I didn't know what to do, or how to feel. After all this time, I should be ecstatic, but all I could think about was how deceptive I've been—what a fool I am. What if he found out about my other identity? What if he discovered this Kamiya Kaoru? She's a single female citizen who teaches swordsmanship. She's the polar opposite of a lady, and many think of her a disgrace having cast off the ways of feminine society. Himura, a man who had fought in the war and helped shape society into the way it is today, would surely be disgusted should he ever find out what I truly am. He could never love a lady such as me.
We were interrupted from our respective musing by a silky voice. "Excuse me, what shall I fetch for you tonight?" asked the house mistress. She must have personally come to greet us that night, for Himura was finely dressed. In an establishment full of street thugs, he stood out like a sore thumb. I glanced over across the hall at the group of drunken men, who occasionally leered our way. I gave it a few more minutes before one of them ventured our way. After Himura ordered us some sake, we both fell into silence again.
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This was a slightly awkward situation. The longer I spent with her, the more I realized what a fool I was. I had so many aspirations, so many plans for the two of us, but in the end—they could never be. Sayuki is a sweet girl, innocent, caring and loving. I am a warrior, a murderer—an assassin: The Battousai no less! I've no doubt that when she finds out about my horrific past, she'll be disgusted. Who after all would even think to come into the arms of the legendary manslayer? I've no right to keep such a secret away from her, yet I can't bring myself to admit such a gruesome part of my life. Suddenly, the sound of a glass hitting the table jerked me out of my contemplation. My head shot up, how had I missed it? Our eyes locked, then parted and drifted down to the glass of sake that now sat upon the table and the startled hand of the house mistress that still rested there, trembling. I imagine that she believed she did something wrong, for she asked our pardon and wondered if she should bring a finer cup. I reassured her, and then turned back to my guest for the night. Our eyes locked once again, and for some reason, I began to laugh. She stared for a moment, thinking I was crazy no doubt, before a smile blossomed upon her face, and she joined me. How silly were we to doubt the friendship that we have? Such things like a further relationship could be dealt with later, for now; we should be enjoying each others company.
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After we both calmed our nerves, I found myself forgetting about my worries and simply concentrating on the now and present. We talked and laughed, sharing tales, mine mostly obviously fabricated, he mockingly serious when he questioned me for more details, in which brought forth more fits of laughter and brief smiles cast each other's way. However, it was in the midst of one of his tales that my ear for just a second wandered and caught the name, "Yahiko" I strained my ears, listening to the discussion across the hall and forgetting that I was supposed to be paying attention to Himura. I couldn't make out all of what they were plotting, but I could swear I heard the words, "tied up…. will pay… brat…" I stiffened, knowing that something dreadful had happened. Himura-san must've seen my reaction for he stopped questioning my well-being.
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Had I offended her in anyway? I bowed, apologizing profusely. "Forgive me, I meant no offense" although, I had no idea what it was that I had said to produce such a reaction from her. I was relieved when she reassured me that it wasn't what I had said, rather the conversation drifting from across the hall seemed rather foul. Slightly miffed, I stood, ignoring her questioning gaze. Determined, I opened the door, thinking to quell the profanity coming from that area. What respectable man would curse in front of a lady? I ignored her protest.
--
I watched as he demanded that our 'neighbors' be more respectable, stiffening as they took offensive, some of them drawing swords. There was bound to be a brawl and while I knew Himura had been in the war, he certainly didn't look as if he could take on this group of men. Fear clenched my heart as I surveyed the group, they seemed awfully familiar… Gasuke! I nervously wrung my hands, what if they recognized me? Thankfully, my face didn't spark anything but a few leers. They were just a little dim-witted. If it weren't such a potentially dangerous situation, I might've smiled as Himura's eyes narrowed at the leers sent my way, but as we seemed to be outnumbered, and I couldn't fight without destroying my reputation, I settled for a fearful look.
To my astonishment, Himura was a wonderful fighter—extremely skilled. He disarmed all who opposed him, without shedding a single drop of blood (well, he was using a sakabato.) He reacted calmly, as if it were natural. It wasn't until I felt myself pulled roughly into the arms of two men crying out in astonishment, that he seemed to become angry. Before my eyes, I watched him transform from just a simple skilled fighter, into a monster. His eyes glowed amber, his speed heightened, and before I even knew it, those same two men were sent crashing through the wall, and moaning out in the back yard. I watched as he stalked through the hole in the wall, each step with menacing intent. A muffled cry brought me out of my stupor; I hurried after him, catching his arm as he raised his blade to presumably harm someone further. "Himura-san, please, stop!" As his eyes melted back to purple and he relaxed, I to calmed. That is, until my eyes met the site before me: there was Yahiko, tied to a post.
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I watched as Sayuki froze at the sight of that young boy tied to that pole. My blood boiled further. So this is what those hooligans had been playing at? I could understand why she would be upset, she being of such soft heart. I watched as she hurried to the boy, working at the ropes. I too approached, allowing my hands to cover her own, stilling them. She gazed up at me with wide questioning eyes, and rather than explaining, I let my sword do its trick. With a clean slice, the bindings fell uselessly to the floor.
The boy stood before us, wringing his red-welted wrists. For a moment, he shook out his limbs, probably trying to gain circulation again. Then he turned his attention back to us.
--
It must've been a good fight; I wish I could've seen it. Man, I thought I was going to die when those men came flying through the wall! He must be strong! I began to study his appearance and one by one his features donned on me. Red hair, cross shaped scar, and his eyes had been amber a moment ago! Fearfully, I stepped back, scooping up a broken piece of wood as a weapon. However, as I backed, I found myself stumbling over some debris, and right into the steadying arms of the geisha that had been with him. Startled, I swung my head around to look at her briefly to see if she had any ill intentions, and who do I see?
"Busu! What are you doing here!" My eyes darted back to the assassin. "Why are you here with the Battousai!"
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I stiffened as he mentioned my assassin name. After all this time, it would be a kid who recognized me. My eyes bore into him, astounded. Did he really think I was going to hurt him? And what good did he think he could do with a plank of wood against the legendary manslayer? At least he had guts. I felt a weight fall into the pit of my stomach, my chest constricting, as my eyes slowly lifted to meet the face of my dear Sayuki, taking in her wide eyes and tightened fists.
AN: I've decided to stop being lazy and since I've pretty much settled and have time to spare between classes and clubs, I thought I might write again. Next update will hopefully be coming soon. Hope you enjoyed it.