"You've killed another one. That's good."
The beast speaks to him once again.
He answers, 'Yes, it felt great.'
"Kill...Kill them all."
Again, he responds, 'I'll kill them all. For everyone. For sensei.'
"In all your darkness and death, you still have light and life.."
A different voice speaks to him this time. Surprisingly, it wasn't his sensei's voice. Unlike the beast's voice, this voice was so gentle..
"Your eyes..."
..so soft
"Shinsuke-san."
...but it was too soft that it slowly fades away.
He chases the voice then panicks, 'Set-'
"Set–"
Once that syllable left his throat, his single emerald eye shot open. Attempting to bring his breathing back to an even pace, Takasugi wipes away the dampness, which trailed from the corner of his eye to his right temple, with the back of his hand – irritated at this display of weakness. Judging by the moonlight illuminating the dark room, it was still in the middle of the night. There were still a few hours left before they reach Edo in the morning.
Believing that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep in his current state, he rose up from his futon and poured himself a cup of sake. He then sat at the window sill and took a sip from his cup, while gazing at the full moon.
When the moon was replaced by the sun, the leader of Kiheitai was told that they have safely arrived in Edo. He was also informed about the death of the courtesan, who had caused the recent ruckus in the palace, and about the promise of two hearts being fulfilled before she passed away.
Now, isn't that just sweet?
Bullshit.
"Why are you telling me such nonsense?"
At the sharp tone of their leader, the Kiheitai member realized his mistake, as he lowered his head, "Please forgive me, commander! W-we were simply moved by it." The rest of the other Kiheitai members present in the room – except the commander's three main henchmen – followed suit and bowed down, "We are very sorry!"
Sighing at the sight of his men hanging their heads in apology, he felt generous to share his opinion about the matter, "Well, promises should always be fulfilled. However, promises are useless now that this corrupted world is already bound to be destroyed." Closing off the topic, he resumed to the more important details, "What's the status?"
Taking it as their cue, the Kiheitai members raised their heads once again, and their spokesperson reported, "Uh, y-yes. Our men in Edo had confirmed that the streets of Edo are already relatively safer now, but we should still be careful because the castle is still under strict surveillance."
Wasting no time, Takasugi shifted his gaze to Takechi Henpeita, and the latter immediately answered the unspoken question, "As scheduled, the materials and goods are going to be delivered to our ship this evening."
With a nod, the Kiheitai commander dismissed his subordinates – not really surprised that two of them remained on each of his sides.
"You two go and do what you need to do. I shall be leaving now."
Immediately after he had uttered those words, an expected pair of arms clung to his left arm, "Shinsuke-sama, where are you going?"
Already used to Kijima Matako's antics, he made no move to detach himself from her, "Somewhere."
"I'll go with you!"
"I wish to be alone", he answered directly, tossing aside the feeling of déjà vu his exact words evoked.
It was a good thing that no matter how clingy the so-called crimson bullet could be, she was used to his own actions as well, because as soon as he told her his wishes, she instantly released her hold and gave him some space, "Understood."
Pleased by her obedience, he turned his full attention to her and showed her half a smile, "I believe that I can leave this place to you, right?"
The blonde woman blushed before playfully giving him a salute, "Yes, roger that!"
Meanwhile, Kawakami Bansai, as Takasugi noted, has been silently watching his exchange with the younger woman. Aware that the teal green-haired man might be sensing something off about him, the dark purple-haired man only spared the man on his right a glance before walking away. He didn't even bother looking back when he heard the deaf man finally speaking – informing him of a divulgence he didn't wish to hear,
"I hear an old song being accompanied by a shamisen. It induces a sense of nostalgia, but the syncopated rhythm brings a surprising change in focus. The melody is catchy – almost haunting that it leaves an unsettling sound, I daresay."
...
"Now, tell me. How exactly did you meet this foolish meal of yours?"
Sitting across him, Kamui finally placed his chopsticks down and briefly smiled in satisfaction, before shifting back to his usual smile, "Through a child."
"A child?"
After downing three glasses of water, the young Yato cleared his throat and spoke in a mockingly dramatic manner, "Once upon a time, there was a young boy who believed that his mother was the sun of Yoshiwara, who also happens to be the Night King Hosen's favorite, Hinowa. Turns out she wasn't his real mother, and that the mother died from childbirth, but the kid didn't really mind. A certain samurai-san then fought Hosen, along with the Hyakka. Then the sun had risen in Yoshiwara. The end."
Kamui didn't even let him react as the former let out a snicker then sneered, "You Earthlings are very dramatic. Though the story was boring, the fight was at least entertaining."
Takasugi, on the other hand, was still processing the information – all the while concealing the shock brought by such revelation. Having some difficulty in finding the next words to say, he felt a bit relieved when the Yato teen didn't really give him the chance to talk, as the latter proceeded to tilt his head sideways and part his lips to speak again.
"Oops, that was supposed to be a secret. The Harusame might execute me once they find out about this story."
At that remark, the terrorist snapped out from his momentary state of surprise, and predicted that the smiling boy's next words were not going to be good.
"Hmm, I know. I can just silence you now."
In just a fraction of a second, his lone olive eye found itself staring at a pair of deadly azure eyes, as its owner ominously asked, "What do you think?"
Harusame his ass.
Aren't they here together, because they were going to take Harusame down? He's also not the overlord of Yoshiwara anymore. This Yato kid just wants a reason to kill him.
Not diverging from his expectations, holding a decent and peaceful conversation with this batshit crazy Yato was just impossible. But, then again, who was he kidding? He, himself, wasn't exactly decent. Furthermore, that story he just shared was too intriguing to ignore. The story had struck him in a place deeper and far way personal than he had anticipated. However, he couldn't afford to let this twisted freak know about his personal history with Yoshiwara, once he slips and shows a hint of genuine interest about the place. Thus, he decided to go for the best way in getting answers from him.
A chat between two psychos was never boring anyway.
With this, the older of the two played along and raised his hands in mock surrender, "Oh no, please spare my life. In exchange, I shall bring you the head of the child of Yoshiwara. But, I'm afraid I don't know how he looks like."
As soon as he saw the amused reaction of the mad teen across him – courtesy of the widening of the younger one's blue eyes and sinister smile – he knew that he had succeeded.
"Chestnut-haired and green-eyed. It's not that hard to find the only child in Yoshiwara."
At that information, Takasugi could only croak out a laugh – hoping that the other couldn't see through his almost-cracking facade. Fortunately, it appeared that the other believed that everything has just been a sadistic and sick joke, and he soon joined him in a fit of psycho laughters.
Returning back to his usual smile, Kamui was the first one to recover and talk, "But, there's no need for that. I have no interest in children. Besides, my meal might not let you go near that child without a fight, and if that happens..." In an instant, he shifted once again, as he opened his eyes and warned the older man, "I would have to kill you, because nobody's allowed to touch my meal."
Again, this insane teenager had just managed to turn the topic back into killing him, but he was not going to humor him anymore, because he already got some answers. It was time to go back to their business, so with a smirk, he let the beast in him speak, "Then, how about the old and dirty heads of the Harusame scums instead?"
Recognizing the scent of a beast, the Yato beast replied, "That would be perfect."
...
Takasugi Shinsuke has nothing to protect. He simply destroys.
He had already decided this so long ago. Yet, his curiosity still got the best of him, as his feet led him to Yoshiwara. He just needed to confirm something – he convinced himself. Once he have seen them with his own eye, he will leave and carry on, as if this little side trip of his didn't occur.
...
"In all your darkness and death, you still have light and life...your eyes...they might lack luster but they're green...the color of life."
...
His two – well, previously two – eyes were green, and so were this child's – the so-called son of Yoshiwara.
To be honest, he didn't expect to see them – those eyes – so easily. It was indeed not that hard to find the only child in Yoshiwara. However, the confirmation just revealed itself so quickly, he was unsure of what to do.
Despite the fear in the kid's eyes, the kid held his gaze. It took a few seconds and a scream, "Damn kid, don't move!", for the boy to break away, pick the toys up and get back on his feet. He then bowed his head in apology, before running away from a pissed-off man. The said man ran past Takasugi and when he finally got hold of the boy, he took the toys, then hit the kid with them, lecturing the kid about his clumsiness. The boy feistily argued, earning him more hits. Once satisfied, the man walked away with the toys in his hand, and passed by Takasugi once again.
The boy, on the other hand, just crossed his arms and pouted. Staring daggers at the back of the man, he muttered – albeit rather a little loud enough to reach Takasugi, "You can't hit me when I get stronger. You'll see!"
Now that Takasugi had seen the chestnut-haired and green-eyed child, he can now leave, just as planned.
Much to his dismay, though, his feet remained frozen on the spot and a disturbing feeling welled up inside him.
He didn't like what he had just witnessed.
The boy was clumsy and weak.
The boy was stubborn.
The boy was seeking strength.
He hated all of these.
But, worst of all, he hated how he could see his younger self in the boy.
A/N:
And so this fic continues...(lol)
Please do let me know what you think of this fic so far. T-T Thank you!