"The Third Soul"
Chapter 7: A new life.
Standard Disclaimers Apply: I'm just borrowing Watsuki-sama's characters.
Maybe it was because of Tokio's delighted look. Or because of her smiling face. It could also be because of her happy squeals and the way she was pulling her brother's sleeve anytime she saw something "cute" and would say so as she, Toya, Tatsumi and Saito walked through the streets, rendering most of the people to turn around to look at them.
"Imouto-chan! My goodness, could you please behave for a while!" Toya was angry, damn angry but he had to master his anger not to frighten his little sister.
Tokio smiled at him, nodded happily and stopped squealing for a while.
Damn, if that man doesn't stop staring at her right now, there will be a massacre! Toya thought, eyeing a man on their left.
They were walking in a busy street of Kyoto with Saito ahead, opening a way for them through the crowd, or rather for Tokio who was walking right behind him. Next to her was her brother while the Guardian was right behind them.
If Toya was angry, Tatsumi was about to explode.
How dare they, he thought, to look at her this way! It's already bad with the damn Miburo! But, with all these young men drooling at her! It's even worse, how can this be?
But what was angering both men even more were the whispering words of people. They knew people were whispering about Tokio, who noticed nothing of what was going on around her, too absorbed in the admiration of the city.
As far as Saito was concerned, the whispering were good for him because it showed that people have heard about him and his pretended wife, but still, he put a hand on his katana, making the young men refrain from attracting Tokio's attention to them by fear of the Miburo. The message was clear to them: look as much as you want to, whisper as much as you want to but don't touch, not even with a finger. It was simple, yet very efficient and that more than satisfied Saito.
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When they finally arrived at the ShinsenGumi's Inn, it was almost noon and of course, the restaurant was almost full.
Damn. Saito hadn't thought about that: he had wanted to make a discreet entrance in the inn and go straight to Tokio's room, unnoticed. But, of course, he knew who was there waiting for him. Damn Okita and his dumb jokes.
Thinking about the devil, Okita arrived at the restaurant at that very moment, along with Harada, the Captain of the Second Squad of the ShisenGumi. As usual, the younger boy was smiling happily and chatting noisily while Harada was listening, a grass blade in his mouth. Okita noticed the group as Tokio smiled to them and waved a little. Tatsumi and Toya stepped closer to Tokio in a protective way while Saito sighed and asked himself if the Heavens were playing some kind of silly trick on him.
"Ohayo, Magami-san, Saito-san!" said Okita.
"Ohayo, Okita-san, glad to see you again!" greeted Tokio while Saito glared at Okita.
"I presume that this beautiful young woman is the one we're supposed to watch over?" Harada smirked. He was a fine-looking man, he knew it, and a strong one. Most of the females around fancied him and he liked it. But she was different. Harada instantly felt it: there was something young and old in that girl, something wise and exuberant, but in the meantime, something that belonged to the... Wolf. Harada could almost feel Saito in her, maybe it was because of the link Okita kept talking about. He smiled and bowed to the young lady when Okita introduced them, he then turned to the young man next to Tokio who was obviously her brother: their features were so alike that Harada thought that they might be twins. But Okita said he was older... bah, never mind.
"He's safe." The man in black suddenly said. Saito snorted, took Tokio's arm and stepped inside, not even waiting for the others to follow, dragging the girl behind. The brother growled in anger "Saaitooo!" and went in after them, quickly followed by Tatsumi.
The two remaining ShisenGumi stared at the open door and while one of them laughed, the other one asked himself what the earlier remark meant. What was the man in black meaning when he declared that he was safe?
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When Saito stepped inside the restaurant, holding Tokio's arm, he immediately realized his own error as silence fell onto the room. Most of the ShisenGumi was there, staring at the couple. Saito grunted and put Tokio behind him to protect her from the stares. An unreal silence fell on the restaurant because every neck was turned in their direction, staring at them, or rather staring at her. They all wanted to see who was the girl crazy enough to marry one of the most feared men in Kyoto and there she was. Standing behind him, with a puzzled look and a delicate blush, she made a pretty sight.
A growl was heard behind them and Saito sighed heavily knowing perfectly who it was. Definitely, the Heavens were playing a silly joke on him. Saito made his way through the restaurant and Tokio had no option but to follow him since she didn't want to stay in the entrance of the inn. Every one was following them with curious eyes; the men started to whisper their impressions about the girl to one another and shortly after the chatter began again. Kondo, the ShisenGumi Head came from one of the private closed corners of the restaurant, reserved to the captains. He gestured them to come closer as Toya arrived at Saito's level, obviously ready to lecture him for good but the Miburo wandered his gaze significantly around and Toya thought that maybe, it was a bad idea to insult a captain in front of his men...
Saito smirked and rolled his eyes while Tokio, still blushing, held up her head and smiled apologetically to her brother.
Toya stopped, frozen: she had understood, Saito was in front of her and she had her head bent , unable to see Saito's mockery on him but she...
Toya let Saito and Tokio passed before him and headed to Kondo's corner only when Tatsumi reached him. The older man sent him a questioning look but Toya refused to let him realize what had just hit him: the link was becoming stronger and stronger... but it also meant that she was leaving them both behind, she was now moving along him, she was leaving them. And this mere thought sent cold shivers running down his spine: the wheel was now beginning to spin faster and faster and no one had enough power to prevent what will surely come.
When they all got to Kondo's corner, with Okita and Harada joining them as well, the ShisenGumi Head told them to sit down and eat with him. Tokio was sitting between Saito and Tatsumi, her brother at Tatsumi's left, she looked at him curiously since he had always been sitting next to her before but he gritted his teeth and stubbornly refused to answer her. Her first meal in her new home wasn't exactly joyful: Kondo was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Saito who kept on glaring at Harada. But the latter who was making some sly jokes didn't notice Saito's glare or rather chose to ignore it to annoy him further while Okita was laughing at Harada's jokes, Tatsumi was eating and her brother was avoiding eye-contact with Tokio, playing rather than eating his food.
Tokio absorbed herself in her food, head bent. Something was wrong with her brother, something she might be responsible for. What had she done to disappoint him that much?
Suddenly, Toya slammed down his chopsticks, nearly breaking them and startling everyone in the process. He clenched his fists on his lap and in the silence that had followed his actions: he turned to Saito who for once wore a complete poker face and with the formal voice that he used only for ceremonies, Toya declared:
"This woman, Toya began pointing at his sister, is put under your protection. I, heir of the Magami family, place this precious burden on your shoulders because, we, the Magami Clan are no longer able to assume our role in this particular matter but we will pray to our glorious ancestors and the Great Spirits to watch over you and keep evil from you."
He then bowed, his forehead touching the floor, stood up abruptly and turned around to leave.
But Tokio jumped on her feet:
"You can't leave me this way," she pleaded, "Niisan!"
Toya clearly stiffened at her voice but he refused to turn around and started walking away.
"Toya-sama, this may be the last time you'll see her alive." Tatsumi's voice was cold, clinical but it stabbed Toya's heart right at the middle. The older man rose to his feet and turned to his young master. "Toya-sama," he said again, "the wheel of fate has begun to turn faster and faster since the Miburo stepped in the Magami Estate, you can't change what had happened in the past, but with faith and courage one can change its own fate."
The young man stood frozen, a hand on the panel that separated him from the crowded room of the restaurant. An inner battle started but nor reason or his love for his sister won, since she put her arms around him and whispered:
"Toya-nii, I love you too. And I'm scared too."
Toya sighed heavily and turned around slowly, sadness overwhelming him.
"Tokio-chan, if you let Fright govern your heart, you'll fall into the endless night of madness, you know this. So you have to be strong, strong enough to let hope and your inner strength enlighten your future." He cupped her face in his hands and locked his eyes with hers. "I love you, you are my only sister, we are closer than twins could be, I know you have enough power to face the troubled times that will surely come. With the help of the Miburo." He kissed her on her forehead and removed her hands around his waist, he then stepped backwards, facing her still holding her hands in his. "We'd better leave, now. Miburo, we give our most precious jewel for you to protect." He said, not breaking eye contact with her.
Toya waited until Tatsumi walked to his side to let go of Tokio's hands, both men then bowed deeply and Toya took a long last glance at his sister who was on the verge of tears. He sent her a mischievous smile and said:
"Remember, closer than twins could be."
Tokio put a hand on her mouth, surprised, but she giggled a little as Tatsumi sighed. The older man then did something quite unexpected from him: he kissed her on the forehead whispering good luck in her ear. Tokio remained in the doorframe until her guardian and brother disappeared from her sight. she then turned to face the 4 men sitting behind her, staring at her, along with the new life that was about to begin for her.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Saito, holding Tokio's belongings, led her to his room, which was now hers as well. Since the departure of the Magami men, Saito had always remained at her side, he hadn't actually tried to comfort her but he had made sure she knew he was there by always remaining in sight, at her right, by protecting her with his frame from the curious looks of the ShisenGumi men when they walked through the restaurant main room, by sending her his calm, smothering her nerves.
Saito led her to a bedroom located at the first floor of the inn, composed of only one bare room: only a katana which rested against a wall, on their left, and a cupboard under the window. But Tokio noticed nothing of this since what caught her breath was the sight of the open window: she could see almost the whole Kyoto from there. As she neared the window, Saito leaned against the door, he observed the girl closely: if what she had told him was right, he thought, the killer must have sensed her, by now.
His train of thoughts carefully hidden from her, he moved closer to her, right behind her in fact. He put his left hand on the window panel so she was almost in the circle of his arms.
"Tokio" he whispered.
Startled Tokio turned around and stiffened seeing Saito so close to her: the memory of another awkward situation like this popped in her mind too fast and too abruptly for her to have enough time to block her thoughts so Saito too remembered it. A blush made its way up to her cheeks and she turned her head not to face him.
"Yes, Saito-san?" she began "I mean Ha...Hajime." She added quickly. She still felt a bit strange about saying his name: it was a so private thing to her. Well, she thought, maybe it's different in the city...
"No, it isn't." Saito answered "but we're supposed to be married so it'll sound odd if we call each other by our last names."
"Yeah, right." She stepped aside, head still bent to avoid his golden gaze. What in the name of the 7 hells are you doing, idiot! Now you're all shy in front of him, that's stupid! For goodness sake, girl, pull yourself together! What happened in your bedroom was... Oh, dear spirits, help me...she admonished herself, making a fool of herself at the same time since she didn't think of protecting her thoughts, too moved of being alone with him, again, in a room.
Saito caught her by a wrist, and gently, slowly so that she could push him away if she wanted to, pulled her into his embrace. He caressed her hair, murmuring to her:
"Relax, I know this all new to you, but you'll get quickly use to it."
Her throat had dried when he took her wrist and now here she was: back in his arms and all she could think about was how good it felt. Saito was explaining to her how he and the other two captains would protect her but her mind had gone completely blank, she rested her head against his strong chest and sighed; Saito smirked and surrendered: he stopped talking and gazed down at her. She had her eyes closed and a small smile rested on her lips, her hair still held up in a tight ponytail that suddenly seemed to him out of place so he pulled on the red string freeing her hair which fell by wages around her.
Tokio felt something pulling on her string and suddenly her hair fell around her: she looked up at him surprised, but her `husband' was playing with her hair: he took a handful of the black, strange light absorber hair of hers in his hand and let it fall back in place slowly. He soon became aware of her watching him, astonished and stopped playing. He bent his head to hers and this time there were no guardians to stop the Miburo to kiss those red lips. His lips drew nearer to hers when... pain shot in her head.
Totally unexpected, this attack of rare violence on her mind made her mind protection crumbled down. She let a small cry of pain escaped her lips as she hugged her head with both hands, eyes tightly shut. Tears of pain rolled on her cheeks, she would have fell on the floor, if not for Saito's arms around her. She tried to push him away but he crushed her on his chest, holding her close, unsure of what to do. He called out her name several times, asking her something she just couldn't understand when it happened.
He was drawing closer to her and those red lips when she tried to push him away but Saito didn't release her from his grip, pain clearly evident written all over her face. In pain she moaned as she took her head between her hands, tears already making their way down her face. What the hell? He held her closer to him and tried to make eye contact with her but her eyes were shut. Damnit! This must be Muraki!
"TOKIO!" Saito called. He didn't know what to do, all he knew was that she was in pain but he couldn't do anything about it: slowly, as if leaving his body behind, Saito felt himself losing grip on reality. As if he was in the dream state where Tokio had led him before, Saito watched her doubling up with pain but for an odd reason he couldn't feel her pain as he was supposed too. Something was holding him back. But he wanted to help her. More than anything. Huge white wings caught his attention. Saito turned his head to his right and the sight of a great white bird with eyes as black as the night, perched on a great Sakura tree, greeted him. Tokio.
"Tokio," he whispered, "let me help you. Don't be afraid, I won't leave you." The great bird shook its majestic head and spread its wings, the wind howled towards Saito and he clearly heard a small voice, as a child's voice, ask:
"Promise? Because I've asked Mama before, but she still left me. Look."
The bird turned its head on its left and a tall woman, with black hair walked closer to them, smiling. The woman's face was familiar to Saito and so now, he could understand Reiji Magami' s pain of seeing his daughter, the almost replica of her mother walk away from him after the loss of his wife.
"Mama, the voice said again, why did you leave?" The woman smiled to the bird and turned to Saito. Her mouth moved but no sound escaped from the perfect lips. The woman's eyes saddened and she spoke again, this time gesturing behind him. But still no sounds.
Saito quickly threw a glance behind, he could see Tokio, holding her head in pain and understood, he took his attention back to the woman and told her, not knowing if she would actually hear something.
"You have my promise, I will save her."
The woman's face lit up with a smile and she vanished when the wind blew Sakura petals around them. The bird took its flight and aimed at Saito's chest. In awe, he watched the great bird vanish inside of him.
What was pulling him back disappeared and he too, felt the pain. Still, in the dream state, he came behind her and enclosed her in the circle of his arms, giving her his strength and protection. The wind became wilder, cuts appeared by themselves on his neck, face and shoulders as if thousands of deadly birds were attacking him in the meantime. But he didn't let go.
"I have promised, Tokio, remember, take us out of here..." he whispered in her ear. The girl was still holding her head, but slowly, as his voice soothed her, she held up her head to look in his eyes.
"Promise, Hajime?"
"I promise to never leave you." He declared, gruffly. "Now remember it, because I won't say it another time, take us out of here."
She threw her arms around his neck and surprised by the added weight and by her movement, Saito lost foot and fell.
And reality kicked in as he and the precious burden in his arms fell on the tatami floor, Saito had fallen in a sitting position, Tokio still in his arms was pressed against his chest, laid between his arms. Tokio was unconscious and oddly enough he didn't have a single scratch on him. He looked around him, and noticed for the first time all the people around them: Okita, looking concerned, while Harada was looking around them, a hand on his katana. He must felt the presence of an enemy, Saito thought, amused.
Then she opened her eyes, she sat up in a kneeling position in front of Saito and when she met his eyes, he watched amazed her night-colored eyes widen and take an even deeper shade of black, if it was possible. She held up trembling fingers, whispering incoherent excuses to Saito and rested her hands on his face. And blood splashed through her fingers, on her delicate face as his cuts made by the invisible weapon appeared on his skin.
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Voices.
People were talking near him but he couldn't understand. He was in a complete fog. He wanted to understand what the voices were saying, the damn thing was tempting him to come and catch its meaning but Saito could almost feel it pass through his fingers. He tried to fight it but someone held him down. She. Soft skin against his, warm hands over his face and teasing hair caressing his arms, daring him to chase it away.
White feathers caressed his face again and...
Tokio looked down at the man in her arms. Saito had collapsed in her arms but he was clutched at her and refused to let go. Okita had helped her to bandaged him: they had to cut his gi to reach every wounds. Harada said they were clean and not deep, so nothing that Saito couldn't handle without passing out. The young man was looking accusingly at Tokio and the latter. Unable to meet his gaze, Tokio dropped hers to the Miburo and held him tighter against her. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Saito moaned and shook his head.
"Saito-san?" Okita asked.
But Saito didn't hear him. He could only look at her: his angry golden eyes followed the path the tear had made, down her face.
"Stop crying," he grunted, "I'm back."
Tokio swallowed hard and leaned her head on his chest. He stroke her hair while telling the others:
"Muraki has just sent us his welcome gift." He gritted his teeth and squeezed her lightly, asking her: "Where?"
Tokio's head shot up, her eyes huge.
"How did you..." she stopped, knowing the answer too well, her walls around her thoughts she believed to be secret had crumbled down again, as she answered leaning in his embrace again. "Near the temple."
Saito nodded and turned to the 2 captains:
"At sunset, Muraki will try to kill someone else and he dared me to stop him by giving Tokio the location of his next murder. So, we..."
"I'm coming." Tokio cut him.
"No." Saito answered bluntly.
"Yes, I am!" she yelled back, pushing him away, "you know nothing about power. He does and so do I! You promised you'd let me help!"
You promised not to leave me...
Saito clenched his fists and his eyes burnt with an angry fire but she remained still, she even refused to listen to Okita's or Harada's attempts to talk her out of it. She would keep on staring at him, and Saito glaring back as well. Finally, upset, he stood up.
"Do as you wish." He said dryly, stepping out of the room after grabbing another gi.
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HEY! Chapter 7's finally out........................
Thanks a lot to those who reviewed at FF, thanks a lot, u don't know what it means to me.
Well, hope you're not tired of my story, hope it's not too weird or slow and that you aren't too confuse...
Chapter 7: A new life.
Standard Disclaimers Apply: I'm just borrowing Watsuki-sama's characters.
Maybe it was because of Tokio's delighted look. Or because of her smiling face. It could also be because of her happy squeals and the way she was pulling her brother's sleeve anytime she saw something "cute" and would say so as she, Toya, Tatsumi and Saito walked through the streets, rendering most of the people to turn around to look at them.
"Imouto-chan! My goodness, could you please behave for a while!" Toya was angry, damn angry but he had to master his anger not to frighten his little sister.
Tokio smiled at him, nodded happily and stopped squealing for a while.
Damn, if that man doesn't stop staring at her right now, there will be a massacre! Toya thought, eyeing a man on their left.
They were walking in a busy street of Kyoto with Saito ahead, opening a way for them through the crowd, or rather for Tokio who was walking right behind him. Next to her was her brother while the Guardian was right behind them.
If Toya was angry, Tatsumi was about to explode.
How dare they, he thought, to look at her this way! It's already bad with the damn Miburo! But, with all these young men drooling at her! It's even worse, how can this be?
But what was angering both men even more were the whispering words of people. They knew people were whispering about Tokio, who noticed nothing of what was going on around her, too absorbed in the admiration of the city.
As far as Saito was concerned, the whispering were good for him because it showed that people have heard about him and his pretended wife, but still, he put a hand on his katana, making the young men refrain from attracting Tokio's attention to them by fear of the Miburo. The message was clear to them: look as much as you want to, whisper as much as you want to but don't touch, not even with a finger. It was simple, yet very efficient and that more than satisfied Saito.
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When they finally arrived at the ShinsenGumi's Inn, it was almost noon and of course, the restaurant was almost full.
Damn. Saito hadn't thought about that: he had wanted to make a discreet entrance in the inn and go straight to Tokio's room, unnoticed. But, of course, he knew who was there waiting for him. Damn Okita and his dumb jokes.
Thinking about the devil, Okita arrived at the restaurant at that very moment, along with Harada, the Captain of the Second Squad of the ShisenGumi. As usual, the younger boy was smiling happily and chatting noisily while Harada was listening, a grass blade in his mouth. Okita noticed the group as Tokio smiled to them and waved a little. Tatsumi and Toya stepped closer to Tokio in a protective way while Saito sighed and asked himself if the Heavens were playing some kind of silly trick on him.
"Ohayo, Magami-san, Saito-san!" said Okita.
"Ohayo, Okita-san, glad to see you again!" greeted Tokio while Saito glared at Okita.
"I presume that this beautiful young woman is the one we're supposed to watch over?" Harada smirked. He was a fine-looking man, he knew it, and a strong one. Most of the females around fancied him and he liked it. But she was different. Harada instantly felt it: there was something young and old in that girl, something wise and exuberant, but in the meantime, something that belonged to the... Wolf. Harada could almost feel Saito in her, maybe it was because of the link Okita kept talking about. He smiled and bowed to the young lady when Okita introduced them, he then turned to the young man next to Tokio who was obviously her brother: their features were so alike that Harada thought that they might be twins. But Okita said he was older... bah, never mind.
"He's safe." The man in black suddenly said. Saito snorted, took Tokio's arm and stepped inside, not even waiting for the others to follow, dragging the girl behind. The brother growled in anger "Saaitooo!" and went in after them, quickly followed by Tatsumi.
The two remaining ShisenGumi stared at the open door and while one of them laughed, the other one asked himself what the earlier remark meant. What was the man in black meaning when he declared that he was safe?
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When Saito stepped inside the restaurant, holding Tokio's arm, he immediately realized his own error as silence fell onto the room. Most of the ShisenGumi was there, staring at the couple. Saito grunted and put Tokio behind him to protect her from the stares. An unreal silence fell on the restaurant because every neck was turned in their direction, staring at them, or rather staring at her. They all wanted to see who was the girl crazy enough to marry one of the most feared men in Kyoto and there she was. Standing behind him, with a puzzled look and a delicate blush, she made a pretty sight.
A growl was heard behind them and Saito sighed heavily knowing perfectly who it was. Definitely, the Heavens were playing a silly joke on him. Saito made his way through the restaurant and Tokio had no option but to follow him since she didn't want to stay in the entrance of the inn. Every one was following them with curious eyes; the men started to whisper their impressions about the girl to one another and shortly after the chatter began again. Kondo, the ShisenGumi Head came from one of the private closed corners of the restaurant, reserved to the captains. He gestured them to come closer as Toya arrived at Saito's level, obviously ready to lecture him for good but the Miburo wandered his gaze significantly around and Toya thought that maybe, it was a bad idea to insult a captain in front of his men...
Saito smirked and rolled his eyes while Tokio, still blushing, held up her head and smiled apologetically to her brother.
Toya stopped, frozen: she had understood, Saito was in front of her and she had her head bent , unable to see Saito's mockery on him but she...
Toya let Saito and Tokio passed before him and headed to Kondo's corner only when Tatsumi reached him. The older man sent him a questioning look but Toya refused to let him realize what had just hit him: the link was becoming stronger and stronger... but it also meant that she was leaving them both behind, she was now moving along him, she was leaving them. And this mere thought sent cold shivers running down his spine: the wheel was now beginning to spin faster and faster and no one had enough power to prevent what will surely come.
When they all got to Kondo's corner, with Okita and Harada joining them as well, the ShisenGumi Head told them to sit down and eat with him. Tokio was sitting between Saito and Tatsumi, her brother at Tatsumi's left, she looked at him curiously since he had always been sitting next to her before but he gritted his teeth and stubbornly refused to answer her. Her first meal in her new home wasn't exactly joyful: Kondo was deeply engrossed in a conversation with Saito who kept on glaring at Harada. But the latter who was making some sly jokes didn't notice Saito's glare or rather chose to ignore it to annoy him further while Okita was laughing at Harada's jokes, Tatsumi was eating and her brother was avoiding eye-contact with Tokio, playing rather than eating his food.
Tokio absorbed herself in her food, head bent. Something was wrong with her brother, something she might be responsible for. What had she done to disappoint him that much?
Suddenly, Toya slammed down his chopsticks, nearly breaking them and startling everyone in the process. He clenched his fists on his lap and in the silence that had followed his actions: he turned to Saito who for once wore a complete poker face and with the formal voice that he used only for ceremonies, Toya declared:
"This woman, Toya began pointing at his sister, is put under your protection. I, heir of the Magami family, place this precious burden on your shoulders because, we, the Magami Clan are no longer able to assume our role in this particular matter but we will pray to our glorious ancestors and the Great Spirits to watch over you and keep evil from you."
He then bowed, his forehead touching the floor, stood up abruptly and turned around to leave.
But Tokio jumped on her feet:
"You can't leave me this way," she pleaded, "Niisan!"
Toya clearly stiffened at her voice but he refused to turn around and started walking away.
"Toya-sama, this may be the last time you'll see her alive." Tatsumi's voice was cold, clinical but it stabbed Toya's heart right at the middle. The older man rose to his feet and turned to his young master. "Toya-sama," he said again, "the wheel of fate has begun to turn faster and faster since the Miburo stepped in the Magami Estate, you can't change what had happened in the past, but with faith and courage one can change its own fate."
The young man stood frozen, a hand on the panel that separated him from the crowded room of the restaurant. An inner battle started but nor reason or his love for his sister won, since she put her arms around him and whispered:
"Toya-nii, I love you too. And I'm scared too."
Toya sighed heavily and turned around slowly, sadness overwhelming him.
"Tokio-chan, if you let Fright govern your heart, you'll fall into the endless night of madness, you know this. So you have to be strong, strong enough to let hope and your inner strength enlighten your future." He cupped her face in his hands and locked his eyes with hers. "I love you, you are my only sister, we are closer than twins could be, I know you have enough power to face the troubled times that will surely come. With the help of the Miburo." He kissed her on her forehead and removed her hands around his waist, he then stepped backwards, facing her still holding her hands in his. "We'd better leave, now. Miburo, we give our most precious jewel for you to protect." He said, not breaking eye contact with her.
Toya waited until Tatsumi walked to his side to let go of Tokio's hands, both men then bowed deeply and Toya took a long last glance at his sister who was on the verge of tears. He sent her a mischievous smile and said:
"Remember, closer than twins could be."
Tokio put a hand on her mouth, surprised, but she giggled a little as Tatsumi sighed. The older man then did something quite unexpected from him: he kissed her on the forehead whispering good luck in her ear. Tokio remained in the doorframe until her guardian and brother disappeared from her sight. she then turned to face the 4 men sitting behind her, staring at her, along with the new life that was about to begin for her.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Saito, holding Tokio's belongings, led her to his room, which was now hers as well. Since the departure of the Magami men, Saito had always remained at her side, he hadn't actually tried to comfort her but he had made sure she knew he was there by always remaining in sight, at her right, by protecting her with his frame from the curious looks of the ShisenGumi men when they walked through the restaurant main room, by sending her his calm, smothering her nerves.
Saito led her to a bedroom located at the first floor of the inn, composed of only one bare room: only a katana which rested against a wall, on their left, and a cupboard under the window. But Tokio noticed nothing of this since what caught her breath was the sight of the open window: she could see almost the whole Kyoto from there. As she neared the window, Saito leaned against the door, he observed the girl closely: if what she had told him was right, he thought, the killer must have sensed her, by now.
His train of thoughts carefully hidden from her, he moved closer to her, right behind her in fact. He put his left hand on the window panel so she was almost in the circle of his arms.
"Tokio" he whispered.
Startled Tokio turned around and stiffened seeing Saito so close to her: the memory of another awkward situation like this popped in her mind too fast and too abruptly for her to have enough time to block her thoughts so Saito too remembered it. A blush made its way up to her cheeks and she turned her head not to face him.
"Yes, Saito-san?" she began "I mean Ha...Hajime." She added quickly. She still felt a bit strange about saying his name: it was a so private thing to her. Well, she thought, maybe it's different in the city...
"No, it isn't." Saito answered "but we're supposed to be married so it'll sound odd if we call each other by our last names."
"Yeah, right." She stepped aside, head still bent to avoid his golden gaze. What in the name of the 7 hells are you doing, idiot! Now you're all shy in front of him, that's stupid! For goodness sake, girl, pull yourself together! What happened in your bedroom was... Oh, dear spirits, help me...she admonished herself, making a fool of herself at the same time since she didn't think of protecting her thoughts, too moved of being alone with him, again, in a room.
Saito caught her by a wrist, and gently, slowly so that she could push him away if she wanted to, pulled her into his embrace. He caressed her hair, murmuring to her:
"Relax, I know this all new to you, but you'll get quickly use to it."
Her throat had dried when he took her wrist and now here she was: back in his arms and all she could think about was how good it felt. Saito was explaining to her how he and the other two captains would protect her but her mind had gone completely blank, she rested her head against his strong chest and sighed; Saito smirked and surrendered: he stopped talking and gazed down at her. She had her eyes closed and a small smile rested on her lips, her hair still held up in a tight ponytail that suddenly seemed to him out of place so he pulled on the red string freeing her hair which fell by wages around her.
Tokio felt something pulling on her string and suddenly her hair fell around her: she looked up at him surprised, but her `husband' was playing with her hair: he took a handful of the black, strange light absorber hair of hers in his hand and let it fall back in place slowly. He soon became aware of her watching him, astonished and stopped playing. He bent his head to hers and this time there were no guardians to stop the Miburo to kiss those red lips. His lips drew nearer to hers when... pain shot in her head.
Totally unexpected, this attack of rare violence on her mind made her mind protection crumbled down. She let a small cry of pain escaped her lips as she hugged her head with both hands, eyes tightly shut. Tears of pain rolled on her cheeks, she would have fell on the floor, if not for Saito's arms around her. She tried to push him away but he crushed her on his chest, holding her close, unsure of what to do. He called out her name several times, asking her something she just couldn't understand when it happened.
He was drawing closer to her and those red lips when she tried to push him away but Saito didn't release her from his grip, pain clearly evident written all over her face. In pain she moaned as she took her head between her hands, tears already making their way down her face. What the hell? He held her closer to him and tried to make eye contact with her but her eyes were shut. Damnit! This must be Muraki!
"TOKIO!" Saito called. He didn't know what to do, all he knew was that she was in pain but he couldn't do anything about it: slowly, as if leaving his body behind, Saito felt himself losing grip on reality. As if he was in the dream state where Tokio had led him before, Saito watched her doubling up with pain but for an odd reason he couldn't feel her pain as he was supposed too. Something was holding him back. But he wanted to help her. More than anything. Huge white wings caught his attention. Saito turned his head to his right and the sight of a great white bird with eyes as black as the night, perched on a great Sakura tree, greeted him. Tokio.
"Tokio," he whispered, "let me help you. Don't be afraid, I won't leave you." The great bird shook its majestic head and spread its wings, the wind howled towards Saito and he clearly heard a small voice, as a child's voice, ask:
"Promise? Because I've asked Mama before, but she still left me. Look."
The bird turned its head on its left and a tall woman, with black hair walked closer to them, smiling. The woman's face was familiar to Saito and so now, he could understand Reiji Magami' s pain of seeing his daughter, the almost replica of her mother walk away from him after the loss of his wife.
"Mama, the voice said again, why did you leave?" The woman smiled to the bird and turned to Saito. Her mouth moved but no sound escaped from the perfect lips. The woman's eyes saddened and she spoke again, this time gesturing behind him. But still no sounds.
Saito quickly threw a glance behind, he could see Tokio, holding her head in pain and understood, he took his attention back to the woman and told her, not knowing if she would actually hear something.
"You have my promise, I will save her."
The woman's face lit up with a smile and she vanished when the wind blew Sakura petals around them. The bird took its flight and aimed at Saito's chest. In awe, he watched the great bird vanish inside of him.
What was pulling him back disappeared and he too, felt the pain. Still, in the dream state, he came behind her and enclosed her in the circle of his arms, giving her his strength and protection. The wind became wilder, cuts appeared by themselves on his neck, face and shoulders as if thousands of deadly birds were attacking him in the meantime. But he didn't let go.
"I have promised, Tokio, remember, take us out of here..." he whispered in her ear. The girl was still holding her head, but slowly, as his voice soothed her, she held up her head to look in his eyes.
"Promise, Hajime?"
"I promise to never leave you." He declared, gruffly. "Now remember it, because I won't say it another time, take us out of here."
She threw her arms around his neck and surprised by the added weight and by her movement, Saito lost foot and fell.
And reality kicked in as he and the precious burden in his arms fell on the tatami floor, Saito had fallen in a sitting position, Tokio still in his arms was pressed against his chest, laid between his arms. Tokio was unconscious and oddly enough he didn't have a single scratch on him. He looked around him, and noticed for the first time all the people around them: Okita, looking concerned, while Harada was looking around them, a hand on his katana. He must felt the presence of an enemy, Saito thought, amused.
Then she opened her eyes, she sat up in a kneeling position in front of Saito and when she met his eyes, he watched amazed her night-colored eyes widen and take an even deeper shade of black, if it was possible. She held up trembling fingers, whispering incoherent excuses to Saito and rested her hands on his face. And blood splashed through her fingers, on her delicate face as his cuts made by the invisible weapon appeared on his skin.
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Voices.
People were talking near him but he couldn't understand. He was in a complete fog. He wanted to understand what the voices were saying, the damn thing was tempting him to come and catch its meaning but Saito could almost feel it pass through his fingers. He tried to fight it but someone held him down. She. Soft skin against his, warm hands over his face and teasing hair caressing his arms, daring him to chase it away.
White feathers caressed his face again and...
Tokio looked down at the man in her arms. Saito had collapsed in her arms but he was clutched at her and refused to let go. Okita had helped her to bandaged him: they had to cut his gi to reach every wounds. Harada said they were clean and not deep, so nothing that Saito couldn't handle without passing out. The young man was looking accusingly at Tokio and the latter. Unable to meet his gaze, Tokio dropped hers to the Miburo and held him tighter against her. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Saito moaned and shook his head.
"Saito-san?" Okita asked.
But Saito didn't hear him. He could only look at her: his angry golden eyes followed the path the tear had made, down her face.
"Stop crying," he grunted, "I'm back."
Tokio swallowed hard and leaned her head on his chest. He stroke her hair while telling the others:
"Muraki has just sent us his welcome gift." He gritted his teeth and squeezed her lightly, asking her: "Where?"
Tokio's head shot up, her eyes huge.
"How did you..." she stopped, knowing the answer too well, her walls around her thoughts she believed to be secret had crumbled down again, as she answered leaning in his embrace again. "Near the temple."
Saito nodded and turned to the 2 captains:
"At sunset, Muraki will try to kill someone else and he dared me to stop him by giving Tokio the location of his next murder. So, we..."
"I'm coming." Tokio cut him.
"No." Saito answered bluntly.
"Yes, I am!" she yelled back, pushing him away, "you know nothing about power. He does and so do I! You promised you'd let me help!"
You promised not to leave me...
Saito clenched his fists and his eyes burnt with an angry fire but she remained still, she even refused to listen to Okita's or Harada's attempts to talk her out of it. She would keep on staring at him, and Saito glaring back as well. Finally, upset, he stood up.
"Do as you wish." He said dryly, stepping out of the room after grabbing another gi.
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HEY! Chapter 7's finally out........................
Thanks a lot to those who reviewed at FF, thanks a lot, u don't know what it means to me.
Well, hope you're not tired of my story, hope it's not too weird or slow and that you aren't too confuse...