Chapter 25 - Hikari's vengeance
"Ah, that rang a bell." Hikari growled, pulling out a pistol from her dress, her outfit changing to the uniform she had died in, blood still spattered all over the outfit.
Masamune gulped out of fear.
"Masamune! Duck!" Kojūrō yelled as Hikari aimed the pistol at Masamune.
Masamune was frozen in fear as he looked at Hikari. Kojūrō came running, pulling out his sword at Hikari turned her pistol to Kojūrō and fired.
Masamune looked at Kojūrō in worry. "Kojūrō" Masamune said shakily. Kojūrō blocked the bullet with his sword and charged forward, slicing at Hikari with an upwards slice. Hikari growled as she rolled away, aiming her pistol for another shot. Masamune jumped from where he was and ran in front of the pistol's firing range. "Hikari what are you doing" Masamune asked worried. Hikari said nothing, just firing and barely missing Masamune's head as Kojūrō dodged the bullet, gripping his collar and pulling him back. Masamune was shocked and didn't resist the jarck of being pulled back. Kojūrō dragged him back behind one of the dining tables, taking shelter as he shielded Masamune with his own body.
"You two. You did nothing to stop my death. You let me walk straight into it, in fact. You could have done anything. But you just sat there gaping like a bunch of idiots who don't know when a girl is about to be killed." Hikari yelled as there was the sound of the gun reloading.
Masamune shook with fear and started to tear up. "Im so sorry Hikari" Masamune whimpered.
"But now i'm back. And i can start my vengeance on you, and any others." Hikari growled, and there was the sound of the gun firing again. Masamune frantically tried to move Kojūrō to no avail. "Kojūrō move!" Masamune cried. Kojūrō didn't move, peeking around the corner for his chance to swipe at Hikari again. Grumbling, Kojūrō traded his sword for the pistol, and locked it the way Hikari had shown him. "Kojūrō move damn it! I order you to move!" Masamune shouted.
"Oh please do. I can't wait to blow his body apart with these new explosive shots." Hikari giggled.
Masamune saw a small gap and slipped thought it looking around till he spotted Hikari.
"you could have done something like waited while i was in the stalls. But no, you sat out there and did nothing, then you dared to just run up and grab me at the last minute, right when you knew i was going to be blown to bits. You kept me for my information, then you were done with me." Hikari growled.
"Hikari, please if you have to take out your anger take it out on me" Masamune said tears flowing down his face.
"The only way i'll be taking my anger out is by blowing you two's heads off. You two leave my family crying and wondering where i am, my best friends looking for me tirelessly. And you two selfishly trapped me here." Hikari growled, firing at Kojūrō, who gasped as one of the bullets grazed his shoulder.
"Kojūrō!" Masamune said horrified looking over at Kojūrō then back to Hikari. "Im so sorry, please it wasn't Kojūrō's fault it was mine! I should have thought and gone in and waited, I understand my failure, I am so sorry i failed to protect you like I said I would" Masamune said shakily as he walked towards Hikari slowly. Hikari growled and looked even angrier. "That's the worst part. You promised you'd help and protect me. Then again, i shouldn't have trusted a lying kid. You must think yourself so clever, using me to get away from the monster." Hikari hissed as there was more hissing from Kojūrō.
Masamune shook his head 'no' as he walked closer detaching his swords letting them fall to the ground. "Hikari, please listen to me fully, and then you can chose if you still wish to kill me or not" Masamune begged.
"sure. Listen to your like i did the first time." Hikari hissed, turning her gun on Masamune. " One step forward, Kojūrō, and his head gets blown off." She growled as Kojūrō froze in place.
"Kojūrō no interference, if anyone of us gets killed it's me not you, Kyra and Natsu still need you, And you would have to tell everyone back at the real Aoba castle of their lord's death" Masamune said looking at Kojūrō, waiting for a response.
"That's exactly my issue!" Kojūrō growled, still keeping frozen.
"KATAKURA KOJURO! I order you to stay alive even if I die. NO INTERFERENCE, Got it!" Masamune yelled. Kojūrō growled, but stayed put, still ready to slice Hikari up to bits.
Masamune looked back at Hikari and walked a little closer. "Hikari, I am so sorry for not being smart and not doing anything. I was frozen in fear, I was terrified I didn't know what to do to help you, and I am so sorry. As I stand here now in front of you I feel like breaking down and crying not in fear, no, but of complete and utter pain." Masamune said shakily
"You may be sorry now, but you should have thought of that before you went and got me killed, brat." Hikari hissed, her aura revealing itself to be a dark reddish black.
"I know I didn't understand the monster that well at the time, and I know sorry is never going to fix that I betrayed you." Masamune looked away but kept walking forwards towards her "I only have one regret in this place, and that regret is" Masamune looked back at Hikari as he walked forward "Letting the one person who I swore to in my head and out loud to die, while I stood frozen in fear of what was going on" Masamune whimpered a little trying to keep from breaking down right there.
"She's got the monster in her, Masamune. She's beyond help." Kojūrō said, as Hikari rolled her eyes, and kept the gun on Masamune.
Masamune looked at Kojūrō in a scowl "No one is beyond help Kojūrō" Masamune growled. Then looked back at Hikari. "Hikari before We chose to come to this version I had broken down and cried in front of everyone, In front of Ieyasu, Mitsunari, Motochika, Motonari, Kojūrō and my two new friends who, were dead and angry like you, but I helped them and now there alive, and were going to get them back home, I understand that this monster said that if you helped it he would bring you back to life. I don't see how you would want to kill anyone you were so kind and happy, you really reminded me of Yukimura, I wanted to protect you and keep you safe, and I failed but please let me make it up to you. Fight the monster" Masamune now close enough to reach the gun, he reached out and held the gun to his heart "And I promise I will do anything to protect you now that I understand this monster" Masamune said crying his tears started to have a red tint.
"Too bad. I like the monster. He's kept his promises. And besides, you only saw weak, living me. But now i'm dead, and stronger than ever." Hikari growled as she pulled the trigger, only to find the gun had no bullets left. Masamune winced and opened his eye to see he wasn't dead and was surprised but looked at Hikari his eye still showed pain even if his face showed some relief.
"I understand, but your dead" Masamune said pulling out her phone and going to the pictures. "As long as you're dead, you have no escape, you're stuck here, you can't go back to your brothers, mother, father, im guessing your best friend" Masamune said showing her the pictures he had looked at. "He is only pain, you really want that? Your parents, brothers, best friend looking for you never to ever find you?" Masamune said as bloody tears crept down his face. "I have mourned for you in my head, and I know it was unfair and that we stood there like idiots to you. But at least in my eye I was scared, not for me but for you, when I saw the black mist flow into you I was scared. What would happen to my new friend and then you were gone like that. I was stunned i was scared i was so lost, I felt worse than when my father died in my arms!" Masamune cried
"And i'm stuck here because of you." Hikari growled, tossing the phone back at him. "You just going to sit there Kojūrō? I'm open. I'm out of bullets. Come and get me. Please. Kill me." Hikari growled.
"KOJURO YOU WILL STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" Masamune ordered.
"I didn't even move." Kojūrō growled, his pistol still on Hikari, still fully loaded.
"You will not kill her Kojūrō" Masamune said.
"Oh i won't kill her. I'll just leave her injured." Kojūrō grumbled.
"KOJURO! We will not hurt her again got it" Masamune ordered. Kojūrō didn't move, his pistol still aimed at Hikari and his eyes set on his target.
Masamune moved in front of Kojūrō's aim. "ARE YOU GOING AGAINST MY ORDER!" Masamune yelled angrily.
"No. I'm sworn to protect your life. And that's what i'm doing." Kojūrō said dutifully, not moving the pistol.
"then where is the pistol aimed at Kojūrō, because i'll tell you it's not at Hikari." Masamune growled
"It's aimed a little to the left of you actually." Kojūrō grumbled.
Masamune growled and grabbed a spoon and threw it at Kojūrō. "I said we are not hurting her once again were in this situation because we hurt her and now she resents her death! you shoot her and I will move in the way" Masamune said determinedly.
"He's doing his job, brat. And a good job, at that." Hikari hissed, quietly reloading her pistol with the last of her bullets.
"No he's not, You can kill me Hikari but just know this who was the one who dragged you into this place in the first place, If you don't know I'll tell you, that monster dragged us here so he can get out and kill everyone in our world he just doesn't have enough power, it killed all your friends , and is the one who killed you. if you still wish to help him then your only making him stronger and then it will escape and kill your family, your friends, your friends family. I don't know maybe you want that now but the Hikari I met wanted to get out and warn others of this to stop it" Masamune said closing his eye.
"It wasn't you, brat. It was that piece of shit over there. He had the chance to save me, and he just stood there. Then he goes and loots my corpse and takes my phone. Besides, the monster can't physically exist in your world anyway. At least not without creating a huge rip in time. Your time would meld into mine, our people would meet, and havoc ensues. This monster… he wants order. he wants control." Hikari grumbled, aiming for Kojūrō. Kojūrō flinched at the name calling, but his aim didn't waver.
Masamune turned to look at Hikari. "Everyone is weak in the face of the unknown and death. and that phone has kept me sane. why do you think he's dragging people into this place, i am from 1500's you are from the 1900's and the two ghost girls who are now alive are from the 1800's, pain, anger, resentment, all from different times could rip timepain from people from different area's. To you i have been dead for a hundred years and here I am, living breathing and apparently I am a historical figure you think if I died or if Kojūrō died there wouldn't be a rip in time, history would be rewritten havoc would happen in an instant." Masamune said "Order wouldn't cause havoc they would go and create peace, and love not through pain, and war." Masamune said looking in her eyes.
"Kojūrō's death wouldn't make a difference. Sometimes order has to take a violent approach. Why do you think people fight in order to create it? That chaos? That's order. You just don't see it." Hikari growled, aiming for Kojūrō's heart.
"Without him my mother would have beaten me to death, I trust him with my life, he is my right eye and no one ever will be other than Kojūrō, if he dies so do I. As I know, order isn't chaos. red, blue, red, blue that is order. Red, blue,green, red,blue,red,blue,white,black,green that is chaos" Masamune said stepping in front of Hikari's gun.
"Oh? Killing him kills you, huh? Then step aside. You're blocking my shot." Hikari hissed. "There's an organization to chaos. It may appear chaotic from the ground, but then, once you look from above, you start to see the formations, the organization."
"You talk so much i wonder if you'll actually take the shot." Kojūrō grumbled, putting his gun down and leaving himself open.
"It's cause your brat keeps getting in my way." Hikari hissed.
""It is call chaos because there is no order in it. If i'm in the way then kill me or is it because you pity me in a way?" Masamune asked
"No, i want you to see your precious guardian's face as he bleeds out in front of you." Hikari chuckled.
"If you wanted that then look into my nightmares that keep me up at night" Masamune said sadly.
"You going to take the shot yet? I don't have all day." Kojūrō yelled.
"No, you'll have all eternity. Now shut up." Hikari growled.
"You want to see my face when Kojūrō dies then remember the face I had when you died in front of me. That would be my expression and afterwards i will remain calm. I had my own father die in my arms when I was the one to order the shot that killed him. I watched my mother's blood run down my own sword and the same for my blood brother. I have seen one's I hated death and the one's i've cared for death's in my mind. Death doesn't scare me" Masamune said coldly
"Then this will be perfect for you" Hikari shoved him out of the way and fired, and Kojūrō gasping as the bullet went into his ribs. Masamune froze in shock as he saw Kojūrō gasp. "Kojūrō" Masamune whispered
"Enjoy the afterlife, asshole. you'll love it." Hikari growled, getting up and throwing the key on the floor, shoving Kojūrō forward onto the floor as she left.
Masamune ran over to Kojūrō. "Kojūrō please stay with me, you can't die you said you wouldn't!" Masamune cried.
"I didn't exactly have this in mind when i said that." Kojūrō grimaced, holding his bullet wound.
"Is there anything I can do, please I can't I don't want to go back without you" Masamune said
"We don't have anything for bullet wounds, unless you want to try your luck reaching in there and pulling the bullet out." Kojūrō groaned, his shirt turning a bit red.
"I'll risk luck then. I can't let you die without trying to save you" Masamune said frantically.
"Alright. Just stick your fingers in there and try to get the bullet out." Kojūrō said, his hands moving from his wound to show the slowly growing red shirt.
"Sorry but were gonna need the shirt off so I can work" Masamune apologized
"who said i was shy about my shirt." Kojūrō chuckled, undoing the shirt and showing his chest.
Masamune gulped and quickly tried to get the bullet "Don't die while i'm doing this" Masamune said worried
"No promises, but okay." Kojūrō grunted.
Masamune could feel the bullet and gulped trying to get a grip on it "You still with me here Kojy?" Masamune asked making sure Kojūrō was still alive.
"Barely." Kojūrō groaned in pain.
Masamune finally got a grip on the bullet. "Stay with me Kojy, I got the bullet" Masamune said pulling the bullet out. Kojūrō gasped in pain as the bullet came out. "Good, now you gotta feel around for the shrapnel. this is where you have to be very careful." Kojūrō said, gritting his teeth.
"Okay" Masamune said gulping as he dug his fingers into the wound again Kojūrō could feel himself starting to nod off a bit, as he fought his eyes to keep open through the process.
"Stay with me Kojūrō" Masamune said using his free hand to softly slap Kojūrō's face "it's not nap time" Masamune growled
"you've been wanting to do and say that, haven't you." Kojūrō chuckled, fighting to keep his eyes open, his eyes a bit lidded as he looked.
"A little bit, but that's not the point, stay alive, your my right eye" Masamune smiled and then felt some sharp objects and carefully used his fingernails to pull the pieces out one by one. Kojūrō grunted as the sharp edges tore at the still fresh wound.
"Im sorry but as long as you feel pain your alive right" Masamune apologized for the pain he was putting Kojūrō in.
"this isn't so bad. It's nothing to getting stabbed and sliced, at least. They say near death experience is the perfect bonding moment for people anyway." Kojūrō said cheerfully.
"Really" Masamune chukled as he didn't feel anymore sharp objects "I think that's all"
"Good. Now i've lost a lot of blood, so if you don't mind, i need some bandages, and a needle and thread." Kojūrō nodded approvingly. "Needle and thread is in my coat, but i don't have any bandages."
"Ugh well uh we can use my jacket then as bandages" Masamune said as he grabbed the needle and thread.
"Okay. You never did have much appreciation for fashion anyway." Kojūrō chuckled.
"I don't want you dying on me!" Masamune retorted "okay i got the needle and thread" Masamune said
"Of course all of your fashion sense goes to dressing up River." Kojūrō chuckled. "Okay, now let's work on your sewing skills, You have to sew the skin closed. You'll have to ignore me and my groaning up here." Kojūrō instructed.
"She looks amazing and you know it." Masamune smiled "Okay then" Masamune gulped as he started to sew the wound closed.
"Think happy thoughts." Kojūrō said, seeing Masamune gulp, and he bit his lip as Masamune started to sew.
Masamune focused on sewing it closed tightly trying to ignore anything else.
"Apple pie, chocolate, leeks, hot cocoa- OW! Shit!" Kojūrō hissed and cursed. "Watch the veins or you'll put me in the afterlife, kid!"
"Sorry" Masamune apologized "Im not exactly a doctor you know"
"Yeah, sorry." Kojūrō mumbled, his eyes slipping closed.
Masamune panicked a little seeing Kojūrō close his eyes "Kojūrō stay with me" Masamune said worried
"not going anywhere, kid. Just give me a moment to rest my eyes…" Kojūrō mumbled, his eyes closed.
"Fine but im keeping you talking" Masamune said
"What do you want to talk about." Kojūrō mumbled.
"I don't know just as long as I can hear you talking I know your okay" Masamune said
"What are your plans with those girls. Do we raise them?" Kojūrō mumbled.
"Well yes, as long as they want to stay with us" Masamune said concentrating hard on one stitch.
"I had plans to let them work for us in Europe, or America. They'd be really useful, knowing more english than you do." Kojūrō chuckled.
"Yeah, well they said they lived in …. London? I do believe" Masamune said
"You wouldn't remember London, do you? You were running around looking at everything. Begging me to buy you every sweet in every bakery, and i'd have to drag you off." Kojūrō chuckled. "Plus it helps that they know how to defend themselves. Kyra is quite the marksman. I can make use of that."
"Yeah, that's why I know they'll be alright with the rest of the group" Masamune smiled and sighed " Almost done few more stitches" Masamune reported.
"Hm… Kyra and Natsu Date. Sounds a bit strange." Kojūrō wondered aloud.
Masamune chuckled "it's alright I mean I call Motochika and Ieyasu my brothers yet there last names aren't Date." Masamune chuckled
"But i imagine these girls don't know their family name, so they'll basically take on yours." Kojūrō pointed out.
"Yeah i guess, hope that doesn't change to much in history" Masamune chuckled
"Technically they're adoptive, so we don't exactly have to mention them" Kojūrō chuckled.
"i guess, but there still family" Masamune said finishing the last stitch "There we go now to get it bandaged up" Masamune said proudly at his handy work. Kojūrō sat up to look at it.
"it's pretty messy." Kojūrō nitpicked, smirking.
"Hey it's the best I can do!" Masamune huffed as he tore his jacket to make some kind of bandage
Kojūrō winced at the tearing of the jacket. "Poor jacket, being torn up. And it's wearer has no respect for style." Kojūrō chuckled, already looking a bit better.
"It's for a better cause" Masamune grumbled
"The better cause of soaking up my blood." Kojūrō rolled his eyes.
"Making sure you stay alive" Masamune said as he sighed
"I'm sure the jacket feels honored." Kojūrō chuckled.
"Yeah im sure" Masamune chuckled and looked back at Kojūrō "Okay let's bandage this up and then get the hell out of here" Masamune said.
"Do your worst, kid." Kojūrō grinned, sitting up.
"This is one thing im good at." Masamune rolled his eye as he started to wrap the jacket pieces around Kojūrō covering the wound and wrapping them tightly
"Nice and tight. Good." Kojūrō said, standing up.
"Yep, now you're all fixed up" Masamune smiled standing up and looked at his jacket and sighed "Let's get out of here" Masamune said
"Lead the way." Kojūrō said, grinning, stopping to pick up his gun. "5 bullets left." Kojūrō said, counting the bullets.
Masamune shuttered as the sound of Kojūrō picking up the gun as he picked up the key. "Well since we seem to be allowed to be outside let's got to the castle gates." Masamune said as he walked to go pick up his swords. Kojūrō spun the barrel, making sure to fill all of the bullet spaces, and put the gun in his belt, limping towards the door as outside had suddenly turned to night.
"looks like we'll be walking in the dark. Goodie." Kojoru said, noticing the change in time.
Masamune sighed as he picked up his sword and attaching them back to his belt.
"Hope you're not still afraid of the dark, kid." Kojūrō said cheerfully as he opened the door.