Chapter 37 -
"Masamune!" The lighter familiar tone said worried. Kojūrō didn't move, still waiting for his opponent to attack offensively and waiting for Masamune to run.
Masamune was looking for a way to run from.
The ghost looked at Kojūrō painfully. "Never figured you'd strike at me when i wasn't ready Kojy" The ghost said
"You may have tricked me once, monster, but i don't fall for the same trap twice." Kojūrō growled.
"You think i'm the monster?" The ghost looked pained "great so i have you thinking i'm a damn monster and my Kojūrō thinking i killed him great how worse can my afterlife get"
"Don't act so innocent. You may have tricked me in the last version, but i don't fall for the same trap twice. That little routine of pretending to be Masamune and luring us all off was clever, but it makes you look uncreative when you do it twice in a row." Kojūrō growled.
"Kojūrō, it's me let's see seeing how young Yuki is I must be small, ugh River still looks freaking awesome with those handle bars, and I took Chika's idea of gas pipes and it's awesome" The ghost said.
"Really!" Masamune said happily. Kojūrō still wasn't convinced, and didn't lower his weapon.
"Okay that didn't work, ugh you snore and that actually helps me go to sleep at night, though i would never tell you" The ghost said fading a little in embarrassment. Kojūrō scoffed at the attempt and stayed in his stance.
"Fine still don't believe me, then go ahead and try to kill me i deserve it anyway"
"What was the first weapon i taught you?" Kojūrō growled.
"Western sword i think or maybe it was just one katana" the ghost said thinking
Kojūrō stood straight and sheathed his sword. "It was just one katana. You taught yourself western sword."
"Right sorry i get my own training mixed with yours sometimes, but i'll never forget being punished to fight the entire army till i dropped and having to fight you as well" The ghost smiled.
"I'm convinced. Masamune? You think it's genuine?" Kojūrō asked, looking at Masamune.
"Yeah i've never told anyone that i like it when you snore" Masamune said a slight blush on his face.
"Except for just now, when you told me." Kojūrō reminded him.
Masamune's blush got deeper as Ghost Masamune faded in embarrassment. Kojūrō's hand dropped from his katana and he crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at ghost Masamune for an explanation. Ghost Masamune looked back at Kojūrō.
"Im guessing you wondering about the whole did i kill you or how i died thing?" Ghost Masamune asked
"An explanation would be nice." Kojūrō said, looking at Ghost Masamune sternly.
"Well one thing I did not kill you. I don't know who did but im quite sure if i did kill you i would kill myself right after. Second one i uh kinda died from the monster when we split up" Ghost Masamune said looking away from Kojūrō.
"'We' as in you ran off on your own from the rest of the group? Or 'we' as in you got yourself kicked out of the group somehow?" Kojūrō asked. "Well if you didn't kill me, who did?" Kojūrō asked, one eyebrow raised. "A lot of evidence points at you after all. The 'fighting frequently' and 'wishing my death' in particular."
"We as in you and me got separated when everyone else was dead" Ghost Masamune said saddened "I don't know i didn't get enough time to find out before I was killed myself, I know that i was framed i swear i couldn't bring myself to kill you no matter what, no matter how pissed I got at you or if i wished death on you i would rather throw myself in front of you then you get killed" Ghost Masamune said tears started to form in his eye.
"Nobody else on the suspect list. Sasuke was on it but he apparently swore on something that he didn't do it." Kojūrō said, pulling out the note.
Ghost Masamune took the note and read over it quickly. "You really think i could bring myself to truly kill you Kojy, Your like my second dad, and more of a parent than she ever was" Ghost Masamune said examining the paper.
"Anyone can do anything, even if they don't seem like they'd do it. I'm not ruling out that it was an accident at least." Kojūrō pointed out.
"If it had been an accident i wouldn't have claimed that i knew nothing of it and i wouldn't have left your side i would have stayed there trying to fix what i had done, even if it was useless" Ghost Masamune said handing the paper back to Kojūrō.
"I need evidence before words, kid." Kojūrō said firmly.
"Yeah you made that painfully obvious earlier" Ghost Masamune sighed turning to see Yukimura standing there beside him.
"So what happened to you? Clearly someone wanted you out of the picture too." Kojūrō said, looking ghost Masamune over.
"Yeah i wish i had been able to see them. They had gotten me blindfolded i never saw them while they cut off my arm and ear." Masamune growled his blue aura flared up red.
"I'm assuming they did that for the purpose of preventing you from fighting back?" Kojūrō asked, looking over the injuries.
"Yeah. Still punched them in the face at least" Ghost Masamune shrugged "I was still alive when they took out my lung after dragging me from my room to the study. I passed out from blood loss before they cut out my heart" Ghost Masamune growled his aura still red in anger. "But me and Yuki here found my heart so one part down"
"Punched them in the face, hm? Male or female?" Kojūrō asked, perking up at the information.
"I think male" Ghost Masamune said calming down a little.
"Hm… we might be looking for the same guy, maybe. But surely in an investigation someone would notice bruising from being punched." Kojūrō said, looking thoughtful.
"I'm sure. I didn't punch easy i put a lot of force into that punch" Ghost Masamune growled
"Then we need to find a note describing the suspects" Masamune said.
"There's a lot of blood from cutting someone's head too. I certainly hope bloodstains aren't common with you, at least." Kojūrō reasoned, tapping his fingers.
"We may have fought but never drew blood, if someone did get blood they would have to had washed off himself and gotten rid of there clothes, on both of our deaths if it was the same person" Ghost Masamune said
"What if Kojūrō's ghost got mad at you and helped kill you in revenge?" Yukimura asked.
"I don't think so, no matter how pissed we got at each other we wouldn't kill the other, at least i hope. I would haunt his ass if he killed me don't know about him though" Ghost Masamune said
"Please don't. My… uh… ghost, wouldn't appreciate the company." Kojūrō said, remembering Masamune was there and correcting himself quickly.
"Uh huh your ghost you mean- right child me" Ghost Masamune said stopping himself Kojūrō cleared his throat awkwardly and looked at Masamune with a blush on his face
"Masamune, do you think you could look at the other books for clues? I'll talk to other you here." Kojūrō said quickly.
"Uh sure?" Masamune said looking at the two confused but shrugged walking over to Yukimura who smiled and followed him as they chatted walking off.
"Don't go far!" Kojūrō yelled after them, keeping an approving smile on his face even if he was blushing red.
"Oh don't worry as much Kojūrō!" Masamune called back before resuming talking to Yukimura.
"Glad to see myself still so innocent" Ghost Masamune sighed
"He very nearly wasn't for a minute there." Kojūrō said frowning at ghost Masamune. "But it is rather amazing how innocent he still acts after all the blood and gore he's seen."
"Sorry used to dirty minded people now a days" Ghost Masamune apologized "Blood and gore are nothing compared to other things" Ghost Masamune chuckled
"He's seen a person explode into gory bits, had to dig through me to get a bullet out, and has nearly frozen to death. If anything can top that, do share." Kojūrō shook his head.
"I had to see Motonari get killed in front of my eye's and many wars and battles, a little blood and gore isn't gonna get to me, I have helped out in taking care of the wounded i've had to do much worse that take a bullet out of someone, freezing isn't as bad as walls almost squishing you to death" Ghost Masamune sighed "And i don't think you wish to know, i'll only say Teenagers get curious i won't stay a child forever, player" Ghost Masamune chuckled looking at Kojūrō. Kojūrō blushed and looked away from ghost Masamune. "At least let me enjoy you being all small and cute before i have to start explaining sex to you. And i think he's satisfied by the 'adult hug' explanation. And being called a player isn't the worst thing i've been called." Kojūrō mumbled, trying to calm his blush.
"Ah you get to for a while im like what ten right now? it will be a while, i wish i could say the same for Yuki though." Ghost Masamune shuttered "I didn't need to know what i learned today, Ah 'adult hug' thoses were the days, being so confused but just went along with it because you weren't making sense to me. Yeah I know" Ghost Masamune chuckled.
"I actually thought of passing on the old handcuffs sometime." Kojūrō chuckled.
"I'm good, i've got my own i don't need yours" Ghost Masamune said fading a little.
"Not nearly as awkward as being asked 'will you do the adult hug with me, Kojūrō?' "Kojūrō chuckled, imitating child Masamune's voice. "Poor kid's going to get an eyeful if he follows through with that request. And probably a sore butt. And we'll just have to see how he responds to handcuffs."
"All i'm going to say is, kids get curious" Ghost Masamune said fading more. "Not well to them on"
"Oh i see. You take after me." Kojūrō grinned pervertedly. "I think i'm starting to feel… what's it called, fatherly pride."
"Please don't say that i would like to keep my pride on thinking i'm my own person" Ghost Masamune said "Or pervertedness" Ghost Masamune grumbled
"But you're not, technically. You're a combination of two people." Kojūrō chuckled.
"Yeah i know please i prefer not to have those lessons back in my head" Ghost Masamune shivered
"Looks like those lessons went better than planned." Kojūrō chuckled. "And now he has two sisters. Oh the awkwardness levels will go through the roof." Kojūrō shook his head. "And somehow i get the creepy feeling that you'll become a total peeper as you grow." Kojūrō sighed.
"Sister's great, more people to sneak past" Ghost Masamune mumbled quietly "I do not!" Ghost Masamune complained fading a tad.
"And why do you think boys with sisters are usually the bigger perverts?" Kojūrō chuckled. "Besides, knowing your stealthy self, if i find girl's underwear anywhere or i catch you spying it'll be far worse than sparring till you drop."
"Yeah yeah i know i don't need to know what i had to do" Ghost Masamune complained
"Knowing that you'll take after me in the perversion department, i'm slightly worried for their dignity." Kojūrō sighed. "anyway, who was the lucky guy or girl?" Kojūrō said, the perverted grin back. Ghost Masamune faded almost completely gone "I prefer not to say, and why do you and Yuki automatically say guy first?" Ghost Masamune whined
"With him, he's just being weird. With me, fatherly instinct. Plus i can already tell from how close you and Yuki are." Kojūrō chuckled. "Come on, we're both adults here."
"Please watch him i don't want my innocent self corrupted from him." Ghost Masamune said worriedly. "I'm fine with keeping it to myself"
"Come on. Your father wants to know." Kojūrō chuckled. "And i had a sinking feeling a long time ago that your innocent self may not be so innocent anymore. I caught you two doing… something. I don't know what it was, but based on where your hands were i'm a tad frightened."
"Nariko" Ghost Masamune said softly. as he covered his face with his hand as much as he could as he looked over at Masamune and Yukimura who were chatting looking through books. "Oh little me what has Yuki done to you?" Ghost Masamune said weakly.
"The same Nariko?" Kojūrō said with a grin. "I like to pretend that what i saw wasn't what i thought it was. Or what it looked like." Kojūrō said, shuddering.
"M-m-maybe" Ghost Masamune said softly "And what did you see?" Ghost Masamune looked frightened
"And here i thought you said she had 'cooties'?" Kojūrō teased. "arms down in front of you both, with your hands suspiciously near the crotch area, back turned to the door and both pants sagging. And Yukimura saying something sounding suspiciously like 'aww yours is longer'." Kojūrō shuddered.
"Yeah yeah" Ghost Masamune sighed "Oh god" Ghost Masamune said covering his face as he faded again.
"So, where and how?" Kojūrō grinned. "like i said, i like to pretend it's not what i thought." Kojūrō shuddered.
"Can i keep that to myself" Ghost Masamune mumbled "I'm going to pretend i didn't hear what you said" Ghost Masamune shook his head.
"Nope." Kojūrō chuckled. "I'm restricting Yukimura's visits after this. I really don't want to give this speech so soon. And i want to have a talk with Yukimura." Kojūrō sighed, blushing.
"You'll know later" Ghost Masamune smiled "Please do i like seeing that i have some innocence" Ghost Masamune sighed
"Yukimura, me and other Masamune want to speak to you." Kojūrō called, sighing.
Yukimura looked up from the book he was flipping through and said something to Masamune who laughed before running over to them.