Chapter 12: Revealing of the Many

"Where are you hiding? Don't be shy and show up! Drifter! Or else, else everything will burn down! The forest, the castle, everything!" The Offscouring cried out, fully intending to find the oriental maiden and burning her to bitter ashes. She had never been so insulted in her entire life and if she were to let such a woman live she wouldn't ever have a good nights rest. Although the one who answered her was not who she expected, it was a Drifter nonetheless.

"That is our castle. Though it may be in ruins, that is our castle", Toyohisa stated in a jeering voice. He had his arms crossed and stood tall, the light from the fire cast elongated shadows in front of him giving him a more menacing look. Toyohisa peered at the slip of a soldier and scowled a little, this 'fight' wouldn't take long and hopefully he would be able to return back to camp and perhaps also fight with the spear-man. The Offscouring girl swerved her head around to see an unknown male in front of her. She narrowed her eyes, where was that bitch. That black-haired wench who dared to insult her!

"You are not her, where is that 'chienne'?" The Offscouring said in such a tone that one could even hear the malice roll off her tongue. The fire burned even more brightly, illuminating the rustic landscape with a passion. "Tell me or you shall be burnt to crisp!"

"Yoohoo!" Takeko slinked behind Toyohisa, smiling, her eyes this time reciprocated the same emotion but it was a slightly different type of happiness.

"You're alright with doing nothing", Toyohisa said lightly but with a huge smirk on his face. He knew he shouldn't be having so much fun but it had been a while since he had been in the midst of a battle. It wasn't a proper one but it was better than nothing. She nodded as her eyes were pinned on the Offscouring.

"Then I shall burn you both!" She yelled out, in defiance she whipped out several knives from her belt and hurtled them right into the ground. Although none of them hit Toyohisa it wasn't even her intention in the first place. With the knives as a sort of guideline the flames followed the knives path and completely blocked off Toyohisa's and Takeko's two sides with a wall of fire.

Toyohisa ignored the walls of fire as it wouldn't hinder his plan, although it could also be called a suicide attempt if another one thought about it. He spared Takeko a glance, his eyes in bewilderment as she saw her gazing lovingly at the flames. the blazing wisps of fire was the only thing reflected in her eyes. "Such a pretty colour", he heard her murmur softly. It was almost inaudible against the raging fire, but to him it was the only thing he heard.

"And now, you are not able to flee from me!" She said with a wicked grin, having the satisfaction that the Japanese man and woman wouldn't be able to escape through the walls of fire and the only exit was behind them. And if they dared turned she would fry them to a crisp.

"Indeed. I will not be able to hide from you", Toyohisa said, with one hand behind him he signalled Olmine discreetly. She was squatting directly behind him sweating profusely, she had managed to steel her resolve but she honestly thought Toyohisa had gone mad. Takeko took no notice, merely staring at the flames, she was enraptured by the flames and its veracity. The French girl took notice of the little magician and narrowed her eyes.

"You don't learn do you?!" She said in impassive tone. She eyed the magician, having learnt from before of the girl's power she drew out her arm to command her sea of fire to engulf the both of before the girl could cast anymore of her stone walls. But before she could even put her flames unto them Olmine set one of her seals upon the floor behind Toyohisa and Takeko.

A huge stone wall burst forth from the ground, completely severing his only hope of escape. Toyohisa once feeling the wall emerge from the ground crouched down and placed his hand against the cool surface of the stone. He grinned even wider, a madman would've even run away in fear, but the red clad man just continued to crouch there in front of the wall. Takeko felt the coolness of the stone emanate, sending chills down her heated skin. She took one glance at Toyohisa, his eyes only reflected glee and sheer joy. He too had been enraptured, but not by the fire but the calling of a fight. This was something beyond the normal standards but his entirety called out for this. Ignoring all the substantial risks and that he had a companion he should be worried about. But at the same time he knew she would not care and she would not worry as much as Olmine for his safety.

"He cut off his retreat route! Fool! Have you gone mad?! You've doomed you and her!" Surprise and shock all at once could be described in the girl's face. He had practically killed himself and the female Drifter, but what was more surprising was perhaps Takeko's calm expression as she watched Jeane. One of her eyes had turned black and smoke seemed to flow from her skin. Half her face was disfigured as if she had been burnt badly by her own fire, but she made no indication that it had.

"Indeed", Toyohisa said proudly, "There is no single warrior from Satsuma who hasn't gone mad". He pulled his sash apart dropping his spare sword and matchlock onto the ground, he drew the silvery blade from its sheath and dropped the sheath to onto the ground. Keeping one sword with him, the rest was extra weight for him and useless at this moment. Takeko bent down to gather up the dropped articles of clothing and weaponry wordlessly. She couldn't leave them by itselves. He bit the blade part of the sword, keeping careful not to cut his own lips in the process. He released his hold on the handle and kept the sword held by his mouth.

"Well. Now, your head is mine!" He said, his words were muffled but it could still be clearly beard. His arms were held out in front him creating a sort of guard, as if he was preparing for a launch. He could feel his blood boiling and it was as if his soul was about to jump out from his body any moment. He relished these sensations, it was what made him so alive, and he treasured each feeling. He then completely disregarded Takeko's presence as she suddenly became a background image for him, and yet she said nothing. Allowing herself to become a shadow in comparison to his burning glory.

'What is this man?! What is this man?! I don't get it! He cut off his own escape route, yet! What is this man?! Who is this man?! I don't get it! I can't get it! Is he willing to die?!'

She came up to Toyohisa holding out his weaponry, she stared impassively down at the unconscious girl. He shook his head wildly to rid of the water, resulting in water droplets to land of Takeko as well. She remained quiet though, still patiently holding out his belongings. She wanted to say something but she held her tongue until the right moment. He took his stuff from her hands and thanked her quietly as he retied his sash on. Sheathing his blade once more, it was clean without the trace of blood on it. She took notice of this and her lips thinned a little but she said nothing. But he caught onto her expression.

"I'm not killing her. I will not kill a woman", he said firmly. He said no further than that, but from his understanding she was not one to ask questions but rather obey commands. He didn't understand women in general but it was somewhat easier to understand her, she was a soldier, she was not the type to take command but was more obliged to follow orders. He didn't know whether it was because she was a woman, or it was how she was raised or it was just her personal interest. That part of her was still rather elusive but most of her intention veiled and kept close to her.

"Is that so", Takeko said, her tone was almost emotionless and her gaze never changed. "However I do think differently, but perhaps just this one I will this matter be", she said as she turned away. Her thoughts trailing to the idea of killing the girl without Toyohisa's knowing but she decided against it. She stopped just for a moment to wait for him, she half-turned her body to stare back at him. "The others are waiting my Lord", she said with a smile although her eyes were detached from her smile. Toyohisa could see it, but he didn't question it.

"Alright. Let's go", he said marching past her. he could hear the tinkling of the bells which followed him, he wondered why did she wear such bells which clearly told the enemies of her position. He mouthed his question to her as the tinkling of the bells continued.

Takeko lightly skipped up to walk beside him, her hand palming onto the small bronze bells, muffling its distinct trill. "They're meant to be heavenly charms to ward away sickness and disease", she said with a small laugh. This time her eyes reflected the same emotion, dark humour. "Small gifts from my brother", she continued.

"Your brother must've worried for you then", Toyohisa said, he had many brothers too, as well as cousins and they were all battle in arms. He did miss them as well but he lingered in the past for too long he would not be able to move forward. And he was sure his death was of great sadness for them but he had no doubts that he would not linger in their hearts for too long.

"He is naive as you, even though he is just ten", the bells tinkling with each movement she made. "A precarious child he is and a strangely similar name to yours".

He raised a brow in question, his attention on her as she walked on.

"Toyo-Ki, was the name which father gave to him", there was a sombre tone which he caught on. But he noticed the similarities of their name, although he was sure despite sounding alike the meaning were different.

"Your words are heavy with regret", he said. He was not a complete idiot as one might suspect. He may not be able to handle a situation delicately let alone a single conversation but there were times he would understand that these small gestures of gentleness was necessary.

She stopped for a moment, he stopped as well. She looked down at the ground, her brows furrowed in deep thought. She was contemplating over her words, she was stepping into a dangerous territory. Becoming familiar with a man was one thing but her commander was another and she was not too sure if she wanted to him to know. But after some thought, she decided it would not change their relationship and spoke. "I wish I could've seen him grow up. Mother is of no more and I practically was the one who raised him. But all I can hope for him is he finds a nice girl and settle down in such a torn country", she said, almost immediately feeling like she revealed a part of her that she shouldn't have. She started walking again, this time Toyohisa did not follow her but when they were almost out of earshot from each other he spoke.

"It is natural to think of your loved ones, but don't let it affect your actions in battle", Toyohisa called out.

She stopped, of course he would say that. That brawn-head, she knew it was for her safety but she couldn't help feeling a little annoyed. Not everything was about fighting and war.

"Your head is filled with nothing but war and food, you heaven-forsaken brawn-head!" She shouted out before dashing off as laughter filled the silence. She managed to hear his bellows in response to her insult. She smiled even wider as she disappeared into the darkness.

"'Abe no Haruakira'? So, you are Abe no Seimei!" Oda said in surprise as he looked down at the young man who looked a little older than fifteen. He was shocked at the arrival of such a famous person from history but more shocked that he looked so bloody young considering the existing documents told the famous magician to be over eighty years old.

"You are kind enough to politely call me as 'Seimei'. But I'm not that great a person to be worthy of such deference", the man said with a thinned lips as he gazed upon the eye-patched man. Abe had no idea who he was, but it was sure that the man was from the far future.

"Good. It seems that you took care of everything here", Toyohisa said as he managed to walk through a cluster of trees, shaking off a few stray leaves. He paused for a moment to survey what was in front of him, he noticed was Olmine was fine but Yoichi had has better days. But was intrigued him the most was the strangely dressed man conversing with Oda. "Many faces I've never seen before. Who are you all?"

Oda turned to Toyohisa acknowledging his presence, "Hey, you know who he is? Seimei, man! Abe no Seimei himself!" Oda said with a huge grin, he expected the brat to at least know this famous magician of the Heian period. His expectations were immediately crushed though.

"Who?" Toyohisa said bluntly as he stared at Abe, the name rung a small bell in his head, but it was name only. If only he had payed more attention in his studies he would know of this famous monk. But unfortunately most of his childhood was spent outside fighting with his brothers and cousins.

"…no kidding?" Oda said with an exasperated sigh as he turned away from Toyohisa. He almost had the urge to smack the kid on his head, but then realised that would do nothing. He wasn't sure if his education had been lacking but as he thought about it, it could just be that Toyohisa was stupid.

"Don't have the faintest idea", Toyohisa said honestly.

Oda let out another deep sigh and after a moment realised that Takeko was not with him. "Where's bamboo girl?" He turned his neck to look around, Abe as well not expecting the fourth Drifter to be a female swivelled his head around searching for the person. But was a little perturbed at the name, 'bamboo girl'?

"I'm here, I'm here", Takeko said as she pushed aside a cluster of leaves from her way which were obscuring her vision, "And didn't I tell you to get rid of that nickname some time ago?" She said as she turned her gaze to the older man.

"Ha! Never!"

She wisely decided to ignore him, and pointed to the stranger. "Who's that guy", Takeko asked as her eyes drifted to the monk. She combed her fingers through her tresses getting rid of any stray leaves and branches.

"Hopefully you know better than Otoyo, he's Abe no Seimei", Oda said. Takeko raised a brow as she gazed upon his strange clothing and his abnormal youth. If she remembered correctly, wasn't Abe meant to be an elderly person in his eighties?

"And Toyohisa doesn't know who he is", Takeko said slowly at Oda raising a quizzical brow, there were just times where she didn't know how to refer the red man as. An idiot or a genius, it was hard to tell. Oda let out a sigh defeat and shook his head.

"I was an 'Onmyoji' in Kyoto", Abe said to Toyohisa. Perhaps if he explained himself a little better it would give this samurai a better understanding of who he was.

"Oh, a metropolitan resident of Kyoto, eh? And does everyone in Kyoto wear such weird outfits?" Toyohisa said blatantly, as he peered at the man's clothing.

"Uh, not actually, I got these in this world…" Abe said slowly as he was continually questioned by the red clad samurai.

"'Onmyoji' means 'Onmyo temple', right? So, why don't you shave your head as any other monk?" Toyohisa deadpanned, his face dead straight.

Abe was quiet for a moment before turning away with his head drooped as he pondered over his life decisions, his mood drastically dampened. Oda and Olmine immediately realised his dampened moods and did their best to brighten his mood.

"Sorry, Haruakira, sorry Haruakira! He's NOT on the bright side, y' know!" Oda said quickly with his brows furrowed. He understood Abe's pain all too well. Abe was still rather silent as he moped in his own misery.

"Great master, please don't depressed! You can expect things way worse from them, so be prepared!" Olmine said with an agitated face as she tried her best to console the injured man. Her hair flickering back and forth comically, Takeko raised a brow. She let out a small giggle as she watched he scene play out in front of her.

Abe turned his attention to the female as she continued to giggle quietly, he was informed by Olmine that there was a female Drifter, but he was not sure of what she would be like.

"Abe no Seimei is it?" Takeko said with a thoughtful grin. "Regardless of appearances, you're the one who created these charms", she held out the small pieces of paper which Olmine had given to them some time ago.

"Indeed", Abe replied although a little confused at the statement.

She was silent, a small yet sinister smile crept along her lips. "Then I suspect you are more powerful than what the books recall of you". Abe widened his eyes, she was more intuitive than he had first thought.

Chienne - bitch

Edited: 12/10/16 future me also has to say that I am still trying to work on the older chapters first to change a lot of things.