Oh yeah... Haruhi hadn't thought about that but if she were to marry Souji, she had to ask her father for permission. That was a little scary... No doubt there were a lot of other things she hadn't thought about yet... A wedding... With Souji... Fuck... Could this day get even crazier ? She'd better not ask for it, it was already intense enough.
« He... He told me once that if you had lived and if I had an appropriate age to marry, he might have let me marry you. » she muttered.
« Might is the only word that worries me here. » he laughed, picking her up the ground to hold her tight in his arms « But keep that in mind, we might need to remember him those words. Was it long ago ? »
« Hum... I was ten... » she muttered, embarrassed.
« Okay... » he kissed her cheek with sparkles in his eyes « then he might not remember. I count on you. »
« O... Okay Souji. » she blushed, arms draping his neck as if he could escape her.
« Let's go back, okay ? » he smiled « There's a party and a lot to celebrate. »
She nodded but didn't let him go, nesting her head in his neck so she could feel the contact of his skin against hers. Souji didn't seem to mind though and he lifted her legs in his arms and carried her downstairs.
« So ? » asked Shinpachi with the widest grin « what did she say ? »
« Yes, of course » shrugged Souji with arrogance and a wry smile, his armor back on « No woman can ever resist my charm. »
« Souji ! » scolded Haruhi, getting all flustered « And put me down ! » she added, realizing how unseemly was the situation.
Souji complied without any witty remark and she arranged her kimono under small laughs.
« So, Heisuke's recovery, our divorce, Tama's adoption and my engagement with Haruhi. » listed Souji « That is a lot to celebrate ! Where's the sake ? »
« Here, Souji ! » said Tama, bringing him a tray with a new bottle and sake cups.
« So, are you gonna do this here again ? » asked Shin, taking a cup.
« I don't think so. » said Souji, sipping the alcohol « I'm gonna ask Hajime for permission. Probably gonna do it there since his family will have trouble moving from his business. »
« I wanna see this. » laughed Shinpachi « the look on Saito's face. I'm so coming with you. »
« No. » said Souji, shaking his head « I'll notify you for the wedding but we just can't arrive to Hajime's that numerous. I'm already going with both Haruhi and Tama and that is already plenty. He's gonna need some time to organize if he has to receive more guests, especially with two small children. »
Shinpachi crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, looking at Souji with a suspicious gaze.
« Either you're now mature and considerate enough to think about all this, either you're planning on something very bad. » he stated « why am I enclined to believe it's the second option ? »
« What kind of man do you think I am ? » asked Souji.
« See, that look. That one. » confirmed Shinpachi « up to no good. »
« You're not planning on picking on my father, Souji ? » frowned Haruhi.
« Of course not. » he winked « We are going to make him accept that union, not annoy him. That will just be a bonus. »
« Don't annoy my father ! » she ordered, flustered « I'm not marrying you if you make him angry ! »
« Ara... » he sighed « I'm not even married yet and my future wife is already taking all the fun out of life... »
« I'm not ! » she yelled, enraged.
« Don't worry, Haruhi-senpai » chuckled Daisuke « I'm sure Tsunashi-san is only joking. Congratulations by the way. »
Haruhi felt uncomfortable with Daisuke, considering he also made a marriage proposal to her in the morning and that she declined it...
« Th... Thank you... » she muttered, blushing uncontrollably.
« Please don't be embarrassed. » he smiled genuinely « I've been well aware for years that you heart belonged to him. In any case, I am happy for you to have the chance to marry the man you love. I noticed as soon as I arrived that Tsunashi-san was answering your feelings, with his jealousy. That's why I have been so surprised to find out he was already married. »
« Don't worry, kid. » said Souji with a smile, taking Daisuke by the shoulders « it is said that the chase is better than the catch anyway. »
He wrapped his arms around Haruhi from behind and kissed her cheek, playful eyes aiming at his supposed rival.
« Although, I'm pretty sure the guy behind this saying never had the chance to taste how sweet the catch was... »
« Souji ! » scolded Haruhi again, wiggling out of his reach « You're impossible ! Apologize to my friend at once ! »
« Sorry, Shiranui-kun. » he smiled without remorses « I may have pushed the joke a bit far. »
« It... It's alright, Tsunashi-san. » replied the boy, flustered and blushing under his dark skintone « I hope I'll get as lucky as you, one day. »
« I'm sorry, Daisuke... » sighed Haruhi, flustered as well « He's... That's just the way he is. »
« It's fine. » chuckled the boy « He reminds me of my father on some points. »
« Hum... Souji ? » asked Tama, playing with her hands in nervousness.
« Yes, Tama-chan ? » he smiled « what can I do for you ? »
« There... There's policemen outside... They are numerous and... I think they're gonna barge in... »
« Okita Souji ! » yelled a voice « We know you're here ! »
« Oups... » smiled Souji « seems like I'm discovered... Tsune-san sure didn't waste time. »
« You think Okaasan is behind this ? » asked Tama, hands on her mouth in shock.
« Who else ? » shrugged Souji.
The policemen invaded the room and it almost look like a battlefield already. They were only five for the moment and they pointed their guns at the guests. Souji and the other swordsmen took out their swords too. Haruhi and Tama, both unarmed, looked at the picture with wide eyes.
Okay... so that day indeed could become crazier... I shouldn't have asked myself that question.
« Sheath your swords ! Women ! » barked an officer « which one of you is the hostage ? »
« Hostage ? » repeated Haruhi.
« Kondou Tama. » he specified, without even looking at them, his eyes focused on the swordsmen.
« Ah... That... That's me... » answered Tama, confused.
« Are you unhurt ? »
« Ha... Hai... » she answered again.
« Good, you women both get out, now. Anyone who doesn't wish to fight is free to follow them. Okita Souji, you are under arrest for the attack on the Itabashi prison in 1868 which cost the life of fourty-two soldiers of the imperial army, including a colonel and a commander. Do you deny ? »
« Fourty-two ? » chuckled Shinpachi « Damn, Souji ! »
« I could have killed more » he grinned widely « If my time wasn't up. »
« Women ! Out ! » he repeated « Surrender, Okita Souji ! There are thirty men ready to raid this dojo and reinforcements are on their way. »
« I'm afraid the word surrender isn't in my vocabulary. » he shrugged « Haven't had a decent fight in a while. »
« Thirty's a good number. » grinned Shinpachi, taking his fighting stance.
« Ten each. » nodded Heisuke.
« I'll help too. » said Daisuke, resolved.
« Shin, Heisuke » said Souji, not smiling anymore « you live here, you have a family. Don't play dumb. Go outside and protect Tama and... Haruhi, what the fuck are you doing with that kaiken ? »
« Defending you. » she answered with steel in her voice and her gaze.
« That's both cute and embarrassing. » he sighed « Take Kondou's sword, Haru-chan. You're ridiculous. »
Haruhi put her kaiken back in her obi and rushed to the side to take the chrysanthemum sword that had so long been her own katana. It was a familiar touch, her hands on that pommel, and she positioned herself next to Souji, taking the same fighting stance as him.
« If there's bullets, shield you with me. » he said « with these modern american guns, they can fire six each. Try to count before you get too close. Shiranui-kun, protect her. She dies, you follow. »
« Hai ! » nodded the Oni, horns perking of his white mane contrasting with the darkness of his skin « Tsunashi-san, I'll shield her, I heal. Don't trouble yourself. »
« Good. » nodded Souji « Shin, Heisuke. Tama, please. »
« Go, Shin. » smiled Heisuke « I'll watch over those idiots. »
« You'd better all come out of this alive » grumbled Shinpachi « So I can scold you for robbing me from a nice fight. Tama, come. »
Shin sheathed his sword and the policemen let him get out with Tama who was crying and looking everywhere, completely panicked. The others were ready to defend Souji's life.
« Now, this party keeps getting better and better. » chuckled the man under arrest.
« Final warning. » said the policeman « Follow your friend outside. »
Yet, instead, Souji leaped forward and killed the man and the two on each side of him, provoking confusion in the enemy ranks, out of leader. Bullets started flying as if fire was raining and the thirty men invaded the Shieikan.
Haruhi and Daisuke were fighting as one, each one protecting the other's back. Haruhi wasn't a fool though. She knew that if the bullet wasn't lethal, she shouldn't interpose and let Daisuke take it in her place, his healing rapid in demon form, even if he only was a eighth. It wasn't as quick as Kazama's healing but still, the policemen never fought an Oni before and the sole sight of his horns were kind of paralyzing them in fear, turning them into easy targets.
Heisuke was fighting with as much efficiency as he could but he never had Souji or Shin's prowess and with missing fingers, holding his katana was a real challenge. That was impacting the strength of his blows and he was unable to kill anyone. Yet, he was weakening a lot of adversaries and Souji was delivering the final blow.
Souji was smiling and laughing like a madman, enjoying himself. His murder thirsty gaze was everywhere at once, and his blade was following mercilessly. He was a beast, unleashed, kept in cage for too long in hiding. Now, he was spilling blood on his face, clothes, and on the Shieikan's floor, maybe for the first time. Not sure how Kondou would have felt about that.
The waves seemed never to stop and it was a miracle that the four of them were still standing. Daisuke, a bit less talented than the others did take a few bullets but his healing abilities were allowing him to keep fighting. There was only one man standing and Haruhi rushed.
« Souji ! »
The policemen behind the man she loved pierced his shoulder with a bullet and Souji hissed in pain and arched his back before he gracefully turned on himself and slit the man's throat.
« Souji ! » yelled Haruhi, kneeling next to him as he put a knee to the ground « Are you okay ?! »
« I told you I won. » he smiled, panting.
« W... What ?! » she asked, opening his kimono to look at the wound.
« Yesterday. » he chuckled « Even wounded at the shoulder, I could still slit your throat. »
« Why do I feel like you took that bullet only to prove a stupid point ? » she muttered, taking the kaiken out of her obi « Okay... The bullet's still there... I assisted Chizuru-neechan during the war but that was a long time ago so don't expect me to be a great doctor. Daisuke, come here too, I'll remove yours before you heal around them. »
« It's fine, Haruhi-senpai » said the Oni « I can take them off myself, don't worry. Take care of Tsunashi-san. »
« Heisuke, try to find clean cloths and water. » she ordered « ask Tama if she's still outside with Shin. She'll know. You're not injured ? »
« No. » he smiled « Souji had my back. »
« A lot of fuss for a small wound. » pouted Souji.
Yet, even if he was hiding it, Haruhi could see her was in pain, his teeth grounded and sweat pearling on his forehead. She used her kaiken to remove the bullet and since Heisuke was back with Shin and Tama, she used the clean cloths they brought her to clean and bandage the wound.
« You'll have to be careful, okay ? » she said, anxious.
« Don't worry. » he nodded « I'll show it to Chizuru-chan as soon as we arrive. Tama, do you still wanna live with us ? We are gonna leave now before the reinforcements come and we won't return. It's a hard decision. »
« I'm coming. » she said softly « If... If you will have me... »
« Nothing could make me happier. » smiled Souji kindly « Go gather everything you wanna take with you and the dojo money. Haruhi, do the same at the pottery shop. »
« I'm not leaving you unprotected. » she shook her head.
« Hey ! » said Shinpachi with furrowed brows « a bit of faith in us, please kid ! We're not letting anyone near him. »
« You've done enough, Shin, Heisuke. » said Souji « go home, party's over. »
« I'll look after Tsunashi-san. » said Daisuke, nodding « I'm an Oni, he's in good hands. »
« Never thought I would trust an Oni with my life one day... » muttered Souji « Thank you Shiranui-kun. Haruhi, go. »
« But... »
« Go ! » he ordered « now ! »
« O... Okay. » she nodded.
She ran back to the pottery shop and slid the shoji with force.
« Ojiisan ! » she yelled.
« Fujita ? » asked the old man, scratching his head « Why are you yelling at that hour ? »
« I need to go, Ojiisan ! » she said, quickly putting everything in her bag « Policemen came to the Shieikan, it was a bloodbath, Souji's divorced, he adopted Tama, I'm going back to my family and we're gonna marry and I'm not sure I'll return one day but thank you for everything you did for me and I'm sorry I have to go in such a hurry and... »
« Stop Fujita... » he complained « I don't understand a single thing... »
« I'm going. » she smiled faintly « thank you. »
« With Okita-san ? » he asked « you're gonna marry him ? »
« Yes. » she nodded, putting her wakizashi near Kondou's katana in a sash under her woman obi « I'm sorry I don't have much time but I'll write ! »
« Do you still have room in your bag ? » he asked.
« I... Maybe... not sure... » she said, confused.
« Take this. » he ordered, putting a teapot and two tea cups in front of her.
It was black with a lot of lines, white and silver, of an extreme precision.
« The art inspired by your training. I named it Haruhi, spring princess, after you. Take it, Fujita. It's your art as much as mine. I hope we will meet again one day, in this life or the next. »
« Thank you, Ojiisan... » she whispered, taking the old man in her arms « You're the best Ojiisan a girl can wish for. »
« Come on, go. » he ordered with a smile « You're gonna make me cry. I'm too old for that. »
Haruhi chuckled and let go, putting the ceramic in her bag. She waved when she got out and ran back to the Shieikan which she found in flames.
« W... What ? Souji ? » she asked, puzzled.
Souji was looking at the brazier, flammes dancing in his emerald eyes. His face was impassive but his internal turmoil was sweating from all his tense muscles.
« Let's go. » he said.
Daisuke and Tama followed, the latter turning to look at her father's dojo quite a few times, tears sparkling in her eyes. Haruhi caught up with them and went near Souji.
« Why the fire ? » she asked.
« To burn the bodies. They might assume I'm amongst them. » he replied calmly « and to take something else from Tsune. She doesn't have anything left now. »
Haruhi looked over her shoulder, the wood of the Shieikan cracking and collapsing. It was almost as if the building was screaming in agony.
« Don't tell Tama. » he said « About the second reason. »
« Okay. » nodded Haruhi.
She put her bag tighter on her shoulder and looked ahead, putting the Shieikan and Hino behind her. She was heading home.