Disclaimer: Character Do Not Belong To Me. I'm Poor Don't Sue Me! =(
Unravel
Which way was I going? I think I the fishermen said I was near Wajima. I think I was going in circles, I never asked for directions. I didn't know where I was going so how could I? Occasionally I would ask which city I was in but I didn't really matter to me. I wandered to do what I could.
It was a wonder that after more than three years nothing serious had happened to me. There were the occasional close calls but somehow I'd manage. I had more scars marring my body but none as evident as the ones on my face and neck.
I had wandered back to Tokyo and saw my two girls. Ayame and Suzume, they were growing up so quickly. They hardly recognized me but immediately became playful when they realized who I was. Megumi had returned to Aizu, apparently Sano had finally come to his senses and made an honest woman out of her. I hear they're expecting their first child. Maybe I should go visit them.
The air was crisp and clean making me feel refreshed. It had been awhile since I was in a fishing town. The market was alive with people bustling about. It was too noisy for my tastes but it was enjoyable.
I finally found a place to sit and have some quiet time. I had turned into something akin to Aoshi, sitting and meditating. It was the only way to keep myself from going completely nuts. Calm the demons, I supposed.
That was when I heard someone scream. It was like danger and violence followed me but that was what I was there for. So I ran to the source.
My hand trembled and I shook with rage. Two men had a woman pinned down in an alley, ready to ... I shook my head and unsheathed my weapon. My voice was powerful and lethal, "Get away from her." I must have sounded threatening because they dropped her.
The tall one faced me and his surprise and fear turned into a simple malicious grin. He elbowed his buddy and I could hear them talking to each other. "Looks like we've got a fiesty one."
"Not as pretty as this bitch over here, but she'll do the job."
I wanted to gag as the memories came flooding back to me but I never faltered. "Get away from her."
The second turned his back on me and continued to harass the woman. She was amiable, she stopped screaming and started fighting back, although it was a no win situation but I'd deal with that.
I watched the other come towards me, a small dagger in hand. It was sad, really. There I was with a sakabatou and my attacker threatening me with a dagger. I had to act fast before the attacker continued with the girl.
My swing was fast and smooth. It did it's job and stunned him, he fell unconscious to the ground. That was when the other one realized that I was a threat and he came at me, no weapon in hand. I side stepped away from him and hit him across his back knocking him out. I started at them, replacing their faces with those men. I wished that I had had the ability to do that back then.
I shook my head. No sense thinking of the would haves and could haves.
"Are you ok?" I turned to face the woman as she dusted herself off. She was surprisingly calm and she lifted her head to smile at me. My breath caught.
"Yes, thank you so much."
It was her. I couldn't say anything.
"I don't know what could have happened if you weren't here. My husband—"
I stopped listening after that. There she was, in front of me. The same simply elegant brown hair that shined so brightly in the sun. Brown piercing eyes that light up her face and a gentle smile that ... I felt so ... lost.
She peered at my face closely. "Do I know you?"
No, no I can't. No I had to leave. I had to disappear. "No, I don't think so." I tried to hide my face.
"I would like to thank you, please come have lunch with us. Please, I know my husband would be extremely grateful!"
No, I couldn't. Husband—? No, no I had to leave. "I'm sorry. I have to go."
"But wait—!! Kaoru-chan!?"
Damn it was too late. I faced her this time, eyes dull and sad. "Hello Aya-san."