Chapter 10: Captured Souls
I woke up and got ready for the day. I made it to the meeting room where we all ate. I sat down Towa chan right next to me. I was greeted by the men in the room Kondou san even asked how I was feeling as he had heard I was feeling a bit unwell yesterday. I said I was all better and we ate our meal. Once that was done I went with Saito san and began to do the morning drill. I trained quite hard and found that Saito san's training drills was quite a work out. It was not as hard as sensei's but it was still a work out. And once that was done I had a few moments before I would go out on patrol. I saw all the other men washing up but I started to walk away when Saito called out to me. "Himura kun are you not going to wash up? We did just train after all" I looked back and smiled as I said, "I just need to take a leek I will be right back to wash up Saito san" He nodded as he joined his men. I walk off to the bathhouse that Sannan san had let me use the first time I came here, knowing that there was a good chance that it would be empty.
I walked into that part of the compound and looked for Sannan san just in case. He was in the study and looked up a bit confused at first before he asked, "don't tell me you need more blood Himura kun." I shook my head, "no nothing like that I was just wondering if I could wash up here in privet if that is alright with you." He blinked still confused but nodded and said I could. I thanked him and went into the bathhouse to clean myself up from the work out. Once I was cleaned I walked back out and said thank you again and the bye. Sannan san still held a confused look in his eyes but only smiled and wished me luck on today's patrol. If only I knew just how much luck I would need. I made my way back to the well where the men had luckily done washing up but Saito san was still there.
"Humira kun here is the uniform you will have to wear it when we are out on our patrols today." He gave me a uniform and I put it on and followed him as we headed out on patrol. I walked next to him looking out for any trouble. My eyes sweeping the streets of Kyoto. Sure enough trouble found us, in the form of someone I had thought to be long dead. A cold cruel evil laugh so dark and sinister that it chilled me to the core. "Having fun there Tenma chan?" The voice I only heard in my nightmares called out. Saito placed his hands on his sword eyes darting around trying to find the owner of the voice. We was just on the edge of town ready to turn back when the voice had spoke. I felt stiff with fear shaking as the wind picked up. Then just as I had feared the owner of the voice seemed to just appear from no where.
His eyes locked onto mine as he took a step towards where I was. Saito looked between me and the man eyes narrowed as he tried to guess how this man and me knew each other. I spoked shaking like a leaf, "it can't be your dead" that is when Saito stepped in front of me. I must have looked like a frighten child in that moment. I know I sure felt like one. The man laughed a chilling laugh as if this was all just a game. "Did I really Tenma chan or did I make it look like I did? I have come back for you won't you join me? You always was a good dog" it was as if he was mocking me. Saito's voice called out "Don't listen to him Himura kun he is just baiting you"
"Tell me is he the one who turned you?" Saito's voice softer as he spoke most likely to make sure only me and him heard it. He ordered one of his men to go get help from headquarters. I frowned thinking back it didn't seem like it no I was sure that Naraku was not the one who turned me into a demon. Then again Naraku never really dirties his own hands always getting someone else to do the dirty work so maybe in a way he did just not in the way that Saito is asking. "If he did he used someone else. But I really thought he was dead it's been 15 years since I saw him" I was still shaken up but I could see Saito gave me a quick nod.
"Who are you and what are you to Himura kun?" Saito called out making Naraku laugh even more. "Why does it bother you that I can still install fear into your friend?" Came the reply. Naraku's long index finger lifted and pointed at Saito I didn't like the looks of what ever Naraku was planning, for some reason that even now I know not of I rushed forward my sword drawn stepping in front of Saito just as something dark and evil hit my chest. I felt myself fall as something felt dislodge my sword falling from my hands everything feeling so cold. I could hear Saito's voice calling out to me but I couldn't quite hear what he was saying. Why did he sound so worried?
No one's point of view:
Naraku shot out his soul sucking spell. Although the person it hits will still be alive and have a pulse their body will be ice cold to the touch, breathing will be weak and they will look very pale. The soul itself can be stored as a bargaining chip it was an old trick that he had used a few times. He also could put his own soul into a body but over time the body will change and look like his old body. What Naraku had not counted on was his old human puppet Himura Tenma jumping into save a human. Yes he knew she had become a half demon but yet it seemed she still cared about human life. Holding her soul in the palm of his hand he looked at it. Her colour for her soul was a dark golden dull in what it would have been if he had not force her to kill all those years ago.
"What have you done to him?" came Saito's voice full of rage. He was knelt beside the body of Himura Tenma. Checking the pulse to find a weak one. He took note that the fury that had joined him and his friends was ice cold to the touch. This worried Saito as he couldn't understand what had happen, did this boy this man just saved him? He held the cold body of Himura in his arms as more of the shinsengumi came. Hijikata's eyes widen seeing an almost lifeless body of Himura in the arms of one of his captains. And then seeing a strange man holding something that seemed to be floating in his hand. Naraku laughed again, "what have I done with him you say? Why I have taken his soul out of his body. But don't worry he is still alive however if his soul is damaged he may die for real. I was thinking of taking your soul Saito kun but it seems that my little cursed one care enough to save you." Hijikata glared with such hate that it seemed to be radiating off him.
"Put his soul back you bastard!" Came Hijikata's cold hash voice that anyone nearby would have been filled with terror. "You want his soul back then come and get it Hijikata kun" with that Naraku floated away heading into the woods and towards the mountains. "If you wish to save his life and his soul then come find me at Yokai castle. I will be waiting and bring the red shard" with that Naraku vanished taking Himura Tenma's soul with him. Hijikata punched the ground next to Saito and the body of the fury he had been keeping a watch on. He knew that the boy was someone who although might have once been driven to kill now seemed to be trying to be good and the demon vice-commander had respected that as had Sannan san. He also knew that Sannan san would be even more worried when he hears what has happened to the fury he had taken such an interest in.
They arrived back with Himura kun being carried in Saito's arms he seems unwilling to let anyone else handle his body. Once inside the shinsengumi's headquarters they walk towards where they keep their furies and where Sannan san will most likely be. Hijikata tells someone to fetch the other captains and even to fetch Kondou san and to have them meet him and Saito san in Sannan san's study. With that they continue towards the fury core base. Gen san is once again with Towa chan keeping her out of sight so she won't worry about her big brother. They step into Sannan san's study making the man turn round as he is half expecting Himura kun to ask him something. But upon seeing the boy's cold almost lifeless body in Saito's arm sends a chill down Sannan san's spine. His eyes narrow and he looks at both Saito and Hijikata then seems to yell out in fear of the boy's life. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIM!?"