Part eight: Rekindling a lost flame
"What he said is true; master." one of the oniwabanshu offered an explanation. "He was there when we are to stop Misao, he followed suit.if weren't for him. Misao would be dead right now."
He listened thoughtfully to the oni's, understanding that they never seen Soujiro before and was surprised to see it was him at front right now, a young lad who was once a cold calculating mercenary. "I understand that," he said crossly, not liking what he is seeing in a distance. There is Misao sitting by the porch, and Soujiro is still tending to her wound.with the bandages and herbs that the other Oni's offered. He felt his neck vein would pop when Soujiro daintily kissed one of her bounded wrists, he heard how a small kiss would make a wound feel better but the thought of Soujiro suddenly popping out of nowhere and very absorb with Misao is, plainly absurd and insane.
"Misao met Soujiro a week or so before the incident." one of the oni's said as if reading his mind, ".he kind of saved her from the usual day brawl, and when he knew who she was.he refused to tell his identity."
"So why does it seems, they know VERY much of each other now?"
"Sanosuke described him just a few days ago.and the way she tells us about their first encounter is." one of the female oni crinkled her nose, ".more on love in first sight. The fact he saved her life, and he does it again."
"It still does not make any difference," Okina cuts off, his coldness is explainable. Misao is in a very vulnerable stage right now, that he won't be surprised that she would be fawning over someone who will return her affection. As of Soujiro, he does not really trusted him.he could be taking advantage of her, but the way he look and act right now it seems nothing is amiss. He is full of concern and care for her, and nothing else. But he quickly dismissed the thought, as he suspiciously noticed that a part of his sleeve is missing.
That night, Okina hardly ate his dinner since he can't help but cautiously watch at him. The oniwabanshu's insisted that he stay for the night, or perhaps longer.if it's for the betterment of Misao. They were relieved to see her old self somehow again, perhaps like that of a rekindled flame and they want to keep it that way, and they doubt that Soujiro would stir any trouble now.
A little later, Okina makes sure that everyone in the household has done their chores, before he called for Soujiro to his room. To which the lad hastily obeyed, he looked clueless.as if less intimidated and more curious why Okina called him.
"Do you know that you have guts, young man?" he said, not facing him.for he is busy tinkering something at the table. "It's not everyday a former enemy would show up, then save my granddaughter.as if he know what is happening."
"Master Okina, I do what I have to.she is going to throw herself, so I have to save her." It's even more strange, that now, he called him Master. Surely, Soujiro is not implying sarcasm; his face looks so darn honest like he meant those words. "And how do you happen to be there, at the right place at the right time?"
"I am going straight to your stronghold, when she ran pass by me.the oniwabanshu's are calling out for someone to stop her so I did."
"What decides you to go here?"
"I heard what happened to her, the sudden death of Aoshi.and I came to pay my respects."
"For why?"
Okina turned around, and through the dim light that illuminates the room, he can see the expression of Soujiro's face grow tense. He is struggling of what words to say, but can't say nothing. It is unusual to see Soujiro very rattled, for mostly, he is known to be calm and detached even in dire situations. Now he looked like a little boy caught doing something that is not good, "Surely Soujiro, you must have a reason.is saving Misao the first time you saw her.is PLANNED?"
"N-No."
"Then what is it?" he hissed, "Don't tell me you just simply walked one day and suddenly fell for her!"
"I t-think I did,"
"You were not even sure?!"
"No!" he cried out, holding his hands to his head, and as he phased to and fro in the room, his head hurts if he tries to forcefully recall anything, and Okina noticed it immediately. "No!! I don't know!! I can't." he looked up, breathing heavily, "I can't remember anything."
Okina's face fell, and nearly dropped the lamp from the table, but Soujiro insisted on explaining. "Okina, please listen to me. After a week ago, I woke up several miles from here without a memory of what really happened, from the same forest Misao has been. My past was a total blank. I was found by a small family, and they helped me search for my true identity." he said, hoping Okina would do believe him. ".some of those memories came back, I learned that I'm highly skilled in using a sword and those who adopted me have tried to get information to the authorities, and that is what I believed, who I really am."
"If you really don't know anything.why have you taken such interest with Misao?"
"She." he paused, ".she appeared once or twice in my attempt to recall fragments of my past, I think there is a connection between us.between the gap that leave me robbed of my memory and she.of what could never be reclaimed again." "Your right sleeve." Okina motioned,
"What about my sleeve?"
Soujiro is not playing games with me, Okina said to himself. The lad is looking him straight to the eye with inquisitiveness, and taking a look at his right sleeve with a torn piece of it as if wondering how it get there. He sighed, and reached underneath the table, telling Soujiro to sit in front of him. He brought a small box, and brought out its contents.a small torn piece of sleeve and the supposedly suicide note. Okina lifted the cloth material for Soujiro to see, "I believe this might be yours, if you are wondering how a hole got in there."
"Well, it seems to be of match.why?"
"This is the piece of garment on which Misao have torn, " Okina explained morosely, ".she torn it off the attacker's clothing that fateful night when she tries to fight back, and it's the only damning evidence we got to link up a suspect."
"Are you saying that. I'm a suspect?" Soujiro became lightly pale, shaken by the thought. "Like I told you.I-I can't remember anything. I don't have any reason to.hurt Misao."
"That's my guess." Okina sighed, "But tell me, what day you said you find yourself gone of memory?"
Soujiro tried to recall, "I woke up around noon.I think that it's Tuesday."
"Tuesday," Okina said, "Misao was found around late Monday night." his suspicion is starting to mount, but the more he discovers.the more Soujiro seems to be liable to say of anything. "Where are you around that time, Soujiro?"
"I told you Okina, I don't have any recollection what happened before Tuesday. I don't remember anything."
"I see," he warily watched the blue flame flickered at his lamp, yet again, another dead end. Now he got a prime suspect, who does not recall anything.and the expression in his face is genuine. He had to leave him off now, since there is nothing much he could do. Probably, Kenshin was right.anyone could dastardly wear a blue kimono.
"My purpose Okina, is to link whatever happened that night to Misao.might something also to do with me.but I swear, it never cross my mind to violate her." He nodded curtly, "it is the whole truth, and I gave you my word."
Okina disappointedly tossed the evidence back to the box, that he does not noticed that the note starts to fly at the edge near the wicker of the lamp. "Well Soujiro, but you still have to remember, I'll still keep a close eye on you.till that day eventually comes."
"Hai." And with a respectful bow, he made a graceful exit from the room.
Okina wearily decided that he might just need some rest, and noticed that the note is starting to burn. "Oh no!! Not you too!!" and starts to beat the small flame that licks to its left side, threatening to reduce it to crisp. He managed to spare it before it reached the initials, much to his relief, and probes the note near the light to see if there is more possible damage. Then suddenly, he noticed something he hasn't noticed before.
"Dots.there are small dot holes in the paper." Okina squinted his eyes for a better look. Indeed, there are pinpricks of little holes that seem to be in some curves and loops of the characters written, as if it has been following a pattern.
"Great merciful Buddha!" he gasped,
The suicide note.it does not belong really that of Aoshi's. Someone tampered to make it look like HIS.
That early morning, Okina said nothing, keeping the secret to himself. He is careful not to alert anyone's suspicions, for he kept his word to the Kenshin-gumi that he will deliver any possible leads HIMSELF. But being a little too old, and not strong enough in travels, it starts to give him second thoughts. He have to confirm more on Soujiro yet, and how to connect him with all the suspicious evidence.
Misao broke the news slowly to everyone, to why she nearly took her own dear life yesterday. She told them, that the terrible incident that befallen her have bore fruit. She is pregnant with child. A little shocked, and all being terribly sorry for her.everyone agreed it's the best for her to keep the baby.
"The baby will grow and be a part of our clan!" One of them tried to cheer her up, "We are proud that she'll have a mother like you."
"Thanks," she replied mildly, not knowing if she will be saddened or happy of their reaction. They are, after all. trying to make her happy.
Soujiro shook his head, and added a clever insight to the conversation. He lectured lightly on Misao that the unborn child is not a reason enough to take her own life that it has nothing to do what happened to her, but the fault of the attacker himself. Amazed by his thoughtfulness and concern, the Oniwabanshu's easily bonded with him, owing him greatly for Misao's rescue and for the happiness of Misao herself. Soujiro immediately became close to Misao, ever since yesterday afternoon that he rescued her. She is the only link he could remember in his past, of his lost memories.it's only her face that flashes in his mind that he could remember. The other prominent personalities linked with him like Shi-shi-o and Himura, matters less and not even that much to him. Nevetheless, he is drawn to this young woman who needs someone and in turn, he also need hers.
"If the baby turns out not to look like Misao," Okina said dourly, not very pleased of the warm reception of the ex-slasher. ".we could possibly guess who the father is."
".by looking at the physical resemblance?" "DEPENDS how strong the resemblance is."
"Grandpa stop it," Misao said tersely, although she understood that Okina is doing his duty to avenge her and catch the criminal, she could tell that he is sometimes going a little to far. "I want to forget as much as possible what happened already, I want to move on."
"But my little angel.you can't just let who ever or WHAT ever have done this to you get away with it." he said, ".he did not only ruin your life, but he also took Aoshi's!"
"Aoshi took his own life because he can't take the guilt anymore!" she countered, the small spark of flame in her somehow starting to grow bigger. "Don't you see, THAT is what the bastard wanted! He wanted me to suffer, and he wanted for me to be so miserable.that like Aoshi, I would destroy my own!! And I won't let that happen!"
The other oni's hushed in silence, as if to agree with her. She may be right, it's after all pointless to look for a faceless man who committed a near perfect crime, and it's best that one must move on. She must have thought it over what happened last night, that what she was about to do was stupid.and haven't for Soujiro to come and rescue her.
Okina couldn't take it any more, he has to tell her the truth. "Aoshi didn't kill himself Misao. You know he is never capable of doing such a cowardice act."
"You and Sanosuke thinks that is the case," she muttered
"Afraid so, Sanosuke is right. Someone faked the way Aoshi died to make it look like suicide."
"WHAT?!" the others gasped in unison, "Anou.what makes you say that?"
Okina brought out the supposedly note, and showed it to them. He pointed out, ".if you perfectly look at the table it looks like Aoshi did signed his own letter."
"It IS aoshi's letter, it's his handwriting and all." One of them quipped,
"Not quite, here is the trick you see." Okina lifted it towards the light outside, for everyone to see. "Observe."
And true enough, they noticed what they haven't seen before. The light make some parts visible and they noticed little pin pricks in arches and curves that followed the pattern of Aoshi's handwriting. "THAT, I say.is someone trying to imitate Aoshi's handwriting."
"Clever and devious." one of them gaped, "but in order to imitate Aoshi's writing they need a copy."
"Correct, did you see what we are getting to?" Okina implied, "the one who did it, have planned this so well. He or she might have gotten an access to our residence somehow and knew of Aoshi's belongings.thus getting samples of his work. He/she must have used that as a basis to trace the characters to this present letter to make it look like he did write this. The pin pricks are so small that it couldn't just be seen by a naked eye." He looked at Misao, there is a mixture of disbelief and anger to her expression.not knowing what to believe,
"Misao, you don't have to let it go that easily.we are not dealing with a lustful wrench here, but a manipulative, systematic and a devious madman.it's better for your own good, that not to easily let your guard down. Who knows what other plans he has in store for us? "
"Like I said.He wants me to be miserable, and I won't let him!" she snaps back, at loss of words. Somehow, the new revelation have disturbed her but Okina felt a little dab of relief to see Misao much determined unlike those past few days. She is starting to undergo a process of slow recovery, and her being strong spirited is starting to emerge at last. But if she became determined fully of herself, he fears that she will neglect little things that might lead to another mishap. She gave them a pout, and exclaimed she needs a breath of fresh air to ease her thoughts, and drags Soujiro alongside with her.
"You," Okina signaled one of the oni's. "In any case, be on guard. Even if Soujiro seems rather harmless these days, it's better to be on the watch."
"What he said is true; master." one of the oniwabanshu offered an explanation. "He was there when we are to stop Misao, he followed suit.if weren't for him. Misao would be dead right now."
He listened thoughtfully to the oni's, understanding that they never seen Soujiro before and was surprised to see it was him at front right now, a young lad who was once a cold calculating mercenary. "I understand that," he said crossly, not liking what he is seeing in a distance. There is Misao sitting by the porch, and Soujiro is still tending to her wound.with the bandages and herbs that the other Oni's offered. He felt his neck vein would pop when Soujiro daintily kissed one of her bounded wrists, he heard how a small kiss would make a wound feel better but the thought of Soujiro suddenly popping out of nowhere and very absorb with Misao is, plainly absurd and insane.
"Misao met Soujiro a week or so before the incident." one of the oni's said as if reading his mind, ".he kind of saved her from the usual day brawl, and when he knew who she was.he refused to tell his identity."
"So why does it seems, they know VERY much of each other now?"
"Sanosuke described him just a few days ago.and the way she tells us about their first encounter is." one of the female oni crinkled her nose, ".more on love in first sight. The fact he saved her life, and he does it again."
"It still does not make any difference," Okina cuts off, his coldness is explainable. Misao is in a very vulnerable stage right now, that he won't be surprised that she would be fawning over someone who will return her affection. As of Soujiro, he does not really trusted him.he could be taking advantage of her, but the way he look and act right now it seems nothing is amiss. He is full of concern and care for her, and nothing else. But he quickly dismissed the thought, as he suspiciously noticed that a part of his sleeve is missing.
That night, Okina hardly ate his dinner since he can't help but cautiously watch at him. The oniwabanshu's insisted that he stay for the night, or perhaps longer.if it's for the betterment of Misao. They were relieved to see her old self somehow again, perhaps like that of a rekindled flame and they want to keep it that way, and they doubt that Soujiro would stir any trouble now.
A little later, Okina makes sure that everyone in the household has done their chores, before he called for Soujiro to his room. To which the lad hastily obeyed, he looked clueless.as if less intimidated and more curious why Okina called him.
"Do you know that you have guts, young man?" he said, not facing him.for he is busy tinkering something at the table. "It's not everyday a former enemy would show up, then save my granddaughter.as if he know what is happening."
"Master Okina, I do what I have to.she is going to throw herself, so I have to save her." It's even more strange, that now, he called him Master. Surely, Soujiro is not implying sarcasm; his face looks so darn honest like he meant those words. "And how do you happen to be there, at the right place at the right time?"
"I am going straight to your stronghold, when she ran pass by me.the oniwabanshu's are calling out for someone to stop her so I did."
"What decides you to go here?"
"I heard what happened to her, the sudden death of Aoshi.and I came to pay my respects."
"For why?"
Okina turned around, and through the dim light that illuminates the room, he can see the expression of Soujiro's face grow tense. He is struggling of what words to say, but can't say nothing. It is unusual to see Soujiro very rattled, for mostly, he is known to be calm and detached even in dire situations. Now he looked like a little boy caught doing something that is not good, "Surely Soujiro, you must have a reason.is saving Misao the first time you saw her.is PLANNED?"
"N-No."
"Then what is it?" he hissed, "Don't tell me you just simply walked one day and suddenly fell for her!"
"I t-think I did,"
"You were not even sure?!"
"No!" he cried out, holding his hands to his head, and as he phased to and fro in the room, his head hurts if he tries to forcefully recall anything, and Okina noticed it immediately. "No!! I don't know!! I can't." he looked up, breathing heavily, "I can't remember anything."
Okina's face fell, and nearly dropped the lamp from the table, but Soujiro insisted on explaining. "Okina, please listen to me. After a week ago, I woke up several miles from here without a memory of what really happened, from the same forest Misao has been. My past was a total blank. I was found by a small family, and they helped me search for my true identity." he said, hoping Okina would do believe him. ".some of those memories came back, I learned that I'm highly skilled in using a sword and those who adopted me have tried to get information to the authorities, and that is what I believed, who I really am."
"If you really don't know anything.why have you taken such interest with Misao?"
"She." he paused, ".she appeared once or twice in my attempt to recall fragments of my past, I think there is a connection between us.between the gap that leave me robbed of my memory and she.of what could never be reclaimed again." "Your right sleeve." Okina motioned,
"What about my sleeve?"
Soujiro is not playing games with me, Okina said to himself. The lad is looking him straight to the eye with inquisitiveness, and taking a look at his right sleeve with a torn piece of it as if wondering how it get there. He sighed, and reached underneath the table, telling Soujiro to sit in front of him. He brought a small box, and brought out its contents.a small torn piece of sleeve and the supposedly suicide note. Okina lifted the cloth material for Soujiro to see, "I believe this might be yours, if you are wondering how a hole got in there."
"Well, it seems to be of match.why?"
"This is the piece of garment on which Misao have torn, " Okina explained morosely, ".she torn it off the attacker's clothing that fateful night when she tries to fight back, and it's the only damning evidence we got to link up a suspect."
"Are you saying that. I'm a suspect?" Soujiro became lightly pale, shaken by the thought. "Like I told you.I-I can't remember anything. I don't have any reason to.hurt Misao."
"That's my guess." Okina sighed, "But tell me, what day you said you find yourself gone of memory?"
Soujiro tried to recall, "I woke up around noon.I think that it's Tuesday."
"Tuesday," Okina said, "Misao was found around late Monday night." his suspicion is starting to mount, but the more he discovers.the more Soujiro seems to be liable to say of anything. "Where are you around that time, Soujiro?"
"I told you Okina, I don't have any recollection what happened before Tuesday. I don't remember anything."
"I see," he warily watched the blue flame flickered at his lamp, yet again, another dead end. Now he got a prime suspect, who does not recall anything.and the expression in his face is genuine. He had to leave him off now, since there is nothing much he could do. Probably, Kenshin was right.anyone could dastardly wear a blue kimono.
"My purpose Okina, is to link whatever happened that night to Misao.might something also to do with me.but I swear, it never cross my mind to violate her." He nodded curtly, "it is the whole truth, and I gave you my word."
Okina disappointedly tossed the evidence back to the box, that he does not noticed that the note starts to fly at the edge near the wicker of the lamp. "Well Soujiro, but you still have to remember, I'll still keep a close eye on you.till that day eventually comes."
"Hai." And with a respectful bow, he made a graceful exit from the room.
Okina wearily decided that he might just need some rest, and noticed that the note is starting to burn. "Oh no!! Not you too!!" and starts to beat the small flame that licks to its left side, threatening to reduce it to crisp. He managed to spare it before it reached the initials, much to his relief, and probes the note near the light to see if there is more possible damage. Then suddenly, he noticed something he hasn't noticed before.
"Dots.there are small dot holes in the paper." Okina squinted his eyes for a better look. Indeed, there are pinpricks of little holes that seem to be in some curves and loops of the characters written, as if it has been following a pattern.
"Great merciful Buddha!" he gasped,
The suicide note.it does not belong really that of Aoshi's. Someone tampered to make it look like HIS.
That early morning, Okina said nothing, keeping the secret to himself. He is careful not to alert anyone's suspicions, for he kept his word to the Kenshin-gumi that he will deliver any possible leads HIMSELF. But being a little too old, and not strong enough in travels, it starts to give him second thoughts. He have to confirm more on Soujiro yet, and how to connect him with all the suspicious evidence.
Misao broke the news slowly to everyone, to why she nearly took her own dear life yesterday. She told them, that the terrible incident that befallen her have bore fruit. She is pregnant with child. A little shocked, and all being terribly sorry for her.everyone agreed it's the best for her to keep the baby.
"The baby will grow and be a part of our clan!" One of them tried to cheer her up, "We are proud that she'll have a mother like you."
"Thanks," she replied mildly, not knowing if she will be saddened or happy of their reaction. They are, after all. trying to make her happy.
Soujiro shook his head, and added a clever insight to the conversation. He lectured lightly on Misao that the unborn child is not a reason enough to take her own life that it has nothing to do what happened to her, but the fault of the attacker himself. Amazed by his thoughtfulness and concern, the Oniwabanshu's easily bonded with him, owing him greatly for Misao's rescue and for the happiness of Misao herself. Soujiro immediately became close to Misao, ever since yesterday afternoon that he rescued her. She is the only link he could remember in his past, of his lost memories.it's only her face that flashes in his mind that he could remember. The other prominent personalities linked with him like Shi-shi-o and Himura, matters less and not even that much to him. Nevetheless, he is drawn to this young woman who needs someone and in turn, he also need hers.
"If the baby turns out not to look like Misao," Okina said dourly, not very pleased of the warm reception of the ex-slasher. ".we could possibly guess who the father is."
".by looking at the physical resemblance?" "DEPENDS how strong the resemblance is."
"Grandpa stop it," Misao said tersely, although she understood that Okina is doing his duty to avenge her and catch the criminal, she could tell that he is sometimes going a little to far. "I want to forget as much as possible what happened already, I want to move on."
"But my little angel.you can't just let who ever or WHAT ever have done this to you get away with it." he said, ".he did not only ruin your life, but he also took Aoshi's!"
"Aoshi took his own life because he can't take the guilt anymore!" she countered, the small spark of flame in her somehow starting to grow bigger. "Don't you see, THAT is what the bastard wanted! He wanted me to suffer, and he wanted for me to be so miserable.that like Aoshi, I would destroy my own!! And I won't let that happen!"
The other oni's hushed in silence, as if to agree with her. She may be right, it's after all pointless to look for a faceless man who committed a near perfect crime, and it's best that one must move on. She must have thought it over what happened last night, that what she was about to do was stupid.and haven't for Soujiro to come and rescue her.
Okina couldn't take it any more, he has to tell her the truth. "Aoshi didn't kill himself Misao. You know he is never capable of doing such a cowardice act."
"You and Sanosuke thinks that is the case," she muttered
"Afraid so, Sanosuke is right. Someone faked the way Aoshi died to make it look like suicide."
"WHAT?!" the others gasped in unison, "Anou.what makes you say that?"
Okina brought out the supposedly note, and showed it to them. He pointed out, ".if you perfectly look at the table it looks like Aoshi did signed his own letter."
"It IS aoshi's letter, it's his handwriting and all." One of them quipped,
"Not quite, here is the trick you see." Okina lifted it towards the light outside, for everyone to see. "Observe."
And true enough, they noticed what they haven't seen before. The light make some parts visible and they noticed little pin pricks in arches and curves that followed the pattern of Aoshi's handwriting. "THAT, I say.is someone trying to imitate Aoshi's handwriting."
"Clever and devious." one of them gaped, "but in order to imitate Aoshi's writing they need a copy."
"Correct, did you see what we are getting to?" Okina implied, "the one who did it, have planned this so well. He or she might have gotten an access to our residence somehow and knew of Aoshi's belongings.thus getting samples of his work. He/she must have used that as a basis to trace the characters to this present letter to make it look like he did write this. The pin pricks are so small that it couldn't just be seen by a naked eye." He looked at Misao, there is a mixture of disbelief and anger to her expression.not knowing what to believe,
"Misao, you don't have to let it go that easily.we are not dealing with a lustful wrench here, but a manipulative, systematic and a devious madman.it's better for your own good, that not to easily let your guard down. Who knows what other plans he has in store for us? "
"Like I said.He wants me to be miserable, and I won't let him!" she snaps back, at loss of words. Somehow, the new revelation have disturbed her but Okina felt a little dab of relief to see Misao much determined unlike those past few days. She is starting to undergo a process of slow recovery, and her being strong spirited is starting to emerge at last. But if she became determined fully of herself, he fears that she will neglect little things that might lead to another mishap. She gave them a pout, and exclaimed she needs a breath of fresh air to ease her thoughts, and drags Soujiro alongside with her.
"You," Okina signaled one of the oni's. "In any case, be on guard. Even if Soujiro seems rather harmless these days, it's better to be on the watch."