Part ten: The haunted
Soujiro hardly felt the cold snow drifting to his skin as he made his way absentmindedly doing groceries; the words of Kamatari send chills to his spine. Did he do all that? He sired the child Misao is carrying? He plotted Aoshi's fake suicide? They say that even a person loses his memory; there is a feeling within them to hint of what it was before. But Soujiro feels nothing; he can't imagine doing such a horrible act. No lustful intentions or murderous thoughts crossed his mind when he resided in the household. The man that talked to him, he didn't know if he'll ever want to meet him again. Kamatari, he is a part of the old past.a past that he left. But deep inside, is there really truth to his words?
Just as he was trekking to the street near the way home, carrying baskets of goods, he spotted a familiar figure of a certain lady. The pale skin stands out from a distance, and when she turned around, she has immensely doe shaped like eyes.
"Yuri!" came out like a short gasp, rather than a much audible word of recognition. Yuri waves to him and approached him. "Ohayo, Soujiro! It's so nice to see you looking so well!" she chirped, noting that he grew quite healthy for sometime. She eagerly starts a conversation, but Soujiro seems wary of listening. Misao have seen them in a distance, and she curiously approached them.
"Ne, Soujiro! There you are!" Misao called out, smiling brightly as she took quick steps to draw near her koibito, her smile slowly faded on the sight of the young lady with him.
"Oh, Misao. this is Yuri" he said, not knowing how to explain. But Yuri came to his "rescue".
"Misao? Makamachi Misao?" her large eyes looked on her with curiosity from head to toe. Misao is not used when people looked at her that way, wondering how her small frame could take such a pregnancy. "Yes, what happen if I am?"
The girl clapped her hands with childish delight that lifts an air of curiosity around them. "I don't believe it! I don't know Sou-chan have you as a wife and you are having a baby!" the comment is just about to make Soujiro ricochet, "Yuri!! She is not my wife!" his face as red as a tomato, and looking at Misao, her expression is not pleased at all.
She is the only woman who could call him Sou-chan.
"Well, sooner or later IM going to be his wife." she said out loud, crossing her arms. But it didn't dampen Yuri's excitement. "Hold it. you mean you two are not yet married, and already having a baby?"
Misao thinks she is going to snap, she clutched possessively at Soujiro by the sleeve," That's none of your business! Who are you anyway?"
"I'm Yamamoto Yuri, I rescued Soujiro from the forest clearing some several months ago.didn't he tell you anything?"
What happened to Soujiro in a forest? Misao wondered, "No. What do you mean you rescued him by the forest? He could every much take care of himself! "
Yuri shook her head, "Iya, I found him by the clearing here at Kyoto.he have somehow lost his memory then. So I and my mother took him until he is fine to go." Misao shuddered when she recalled that certain clearing by Kyoto, it is also where that fateful night she lost her maiden head. She looked at Soujiro, who's expression seems to play a little of confusion and distress. "What is she talking about Soujiro? Is it true?"
"Yes it's true, I was found by the clearing and lost of memory," he replied. By all means, he didn't want Misao to know of it. He didn't want her to have doubts in him, and when he thought the loss of his memory and the rape incident is all a coincidence.a man claiming to be Kamatari came up and blurred that definition. ".but I regained it, when that day I saved you Misao." he lied, for both of their own good. What he called memory now, is having the intense study in the files given to him.
Misao nodded, "Okay.so why don't you tell me about it before?"
Soujiro gave her a quick peck to the forehead, "Because I don't want you to worry." He forced a faint smile, and quickly headed back to the residence like someone stung him from behind. It's rather unusual for him to leave in a middle of a conversation, and when Misao called out what's wrong; Soujiro told her he is not feeling well. His head is starting to throb immensely painful again, which happens when he is stressed to trying to recall the past.
Misao turned back to Yuri again, ".you say he lost his memory?"
"You're a little late." Okina noticed that the boy seems a little quite pale. "What's wrong? Looks like you are a little bit shaken."
"It's nothing," Soujiro murmured, "I'm just..surprised,"
The old man peeked out the doorway, and sees his Misao talking with a young lady. "That lady surprised you?"
"She is the woman that found me at the woods, the one who found me lost of memory..she managed to pass by, and it surprised me."
"And you did not want Misao to know, so she won't be confused am I right?"
Soujiro avoided eye contact, "I managed to tell the half-truth ahead, but I still worry about it."
Okina cleared his throat and shrugged, "You can't keep secrets forever Soujiro, someday such secret would come out and risks could not be avoided." He then silently walked towards another room, taking in the groceries that Soujiro dropped by absentmindedly at the porch. The youth looked up, and turned to him, now few feet in distance. "Okina-san.you still doesn't trust me.do you?"
"I rely on you for Misao's happiness. But complete trust is another talk, young man. As soon as your memories come back, that would be the answer."
His memories..
Sanosuke woke up later that noon, but right in time enough for lunch. He chows down voraciously as always, while the oniwabanshu's are simply astounded by his appetite. Okina keeps his usual silence as he eats, and Misao is asking questions on Soujiro's recollection with Yuri. In between mouthfuls, Sanosuke can't help but notice Soujiro's sudden stillness.as if nothing is around him and was into deep thought. Soujiro usually don't speak much, but this time it's different. He seems to be like a mannequin, having an unreadable expression written on his face. It disturbs him a little, but much take-able than the sugary exchange of affections that he have seen yesterday.
"Who conjure up the idea of yours of the fake suicide note and Aoshi's death? It was me, Soujiro!" the man who claimed to be kamatari, his voice ringing within Soujiro's head.speaking of the past he believed he didn't do.
No.I didn't do this, I cannot be capable of.
"You told me how you liked her very much, and how desperate you are to have her."
I know I knew her in my blank forgotten past, a fragment that was left.
"I don't know you even got to sire that squeaky bitch, Soujiro.congratulations!"
I didn't do it!!!
"Oh my, it just moved!" Misao gasped, somehow returning Soujiro's state of mind to the present. His sensitivity to Misao's pregnancy has become a reflex on him these days, "The baby?"
"Yes, the baby.go ahead, touch it."
He usually holds no qualms, and will stroke her stomach as so, acknowledging the little child nestled inside. But now, doubt and a tingle of fear and distaste seem to engulf him, thinking that if Kamatari's words are true and Misao is indeed carrying his child. He somehow retains his composure, and brushed his hand against it. He felt a kick, and then another.
"I-It kicked," he muttered. Instead of what seem to be a joyous tone, he reacted like his hand was scalded with hot water. Misao quickly took note of it, "Of course it kicks, I think it likes you.to be his father. Aren't you happy? It is like you always wanted."
"I think I need to go."
A wave of nausea went to Soujiro's head, and he solemnly excused himself in front of everyone, as soon as he was out he rushed quickly to the nearest bath room, and dipped his face at a basinful of water to ease his urge to throw up. The encounter with Kamatari have turned his now well-ordered universe upside down, everything that he builds for those past months he looks now with dread and full of questions. He don't know who to believe, he don't know what to believe. How can he know that the scoundrel is telling the truth?
"There is no proof," he whispered, "Tsk, I'm being paranoid.." He rolled up his sleeves, that he now got soaking wet, and he look at his arm protectors. They are like second skin to him, and he always wears them but they are also very uncomfortable, and quite damp as of now. He hesitated to take them off at first, for his right arm has a hideous scar. He looked on it with disgust, like some fierce animal have clawed him so deep that might also have ripped a part of the sleeve of his old kimono. Well of course, the pain that must have been there might have not induced him a memory loss.
Yet, a torn kimono sleeve.
He recalled Okina confronting him about it, about his missing sleeve and how it seems to fit the torn piece of evidence that is the link to the suspect on Misao's case. That he told him, that she could have clawed the faceless marauder in defense and have torn it off the process and it might have somehow leaved a scar in the arm..and he has that scar. He was found unconscious at the same woods Misao escaped with her life, When he waked up dazed.the first thing that come to his senses was the seething pain to his right arm, and he does not know how on earth it get underneath his arm protectors, "It's all a bloody coincidence," he muttered, trying to recall no more. He touches his three deep scars, and he can imagine the pain that seared before at his flesh, and a sudden flash of image came to his mind.not knowing if what appeared is his imagination or a part of his recollection: There he sees himself, his arms pressing down the struggling Misao at the ground, then came her one hand, tightly gripping to his right and she pulls it so hard that his sleeve tore off and the pain burned to his skin to the raw and blood trickled to the wound.
He then gasped, trying to catch his breath, sudden overwhelming emotion made his heart thump in abject fear, like awakening from a terrible dream. Soujiro felt as if the pain was real, and he felt dazed with shock, "No.I didn't do it! It's just my imagination!"
"Soujiro! Are you alright? You have been there for several minutes; your food is getting cold!" One of the oni's called out.
"Y-Yes! I'm coming." He called out, and his mind races quickly. He didn't want to see that hideous scar, and more or less others to see it. He took out a bandage at the near drawer and bounded his arm. With his sleeves still rolled up and dripping wet, he made himself way back to the table. Everyone gave him a look wondering what he did at the bathroom, "Looks like you have fallen face down to a stream," one of them commented, intended as a light jest.
"I just have to wash my face, I felt a little dizzy awhile ago." He said, in a somehow detached tone but managed to flash a small smile. "But I'm okay now, so is there anything I have missed?"
"Yeah," Sanosuke eyed him, while nibbling the fishbone from the meal. "Misao and I are talking about this young lady awhile ago, who SAID she found you lost of memory." He shouldn't have asked. Soujiro looked at Misao, and she has this quizzical look at her face, as if a bit disappointed of keeping a little secret from her. Sanosuke is obviously enjoying this, like Okina, he has healthy suspicions on him, and he is just about to say or do anything to prove his doubtful credibility.
"Yes I did," he replied curtly without looking up, "I woke up from the forest clearing.and the girl found me from there."
"What are you doing at the forest, Soujiro? Running away from someone.hiding away from something?" It irritates Soujiro to see Sanosuke with a malicious grin to his face, "No. I don't remember anything from there, sorry."
"Isn't it strange Soujiro?" Misao finally speaks up, ".you are found at the same forest, the morning after, on which I was."
"You don't have to recall it Misao." He admonished gently. It's better not to recall anything that doesn't seem good either, he thought. And that is what he felt now.
"How do you then recall your memory?" Sanosuke insisted, he knew that everyone with the exception of Misao knows that Soujiro has some memory loss and that he hadn't RECALLED anything.it's purely studying any proof of paper that claims his existence.not from his point of view, not personally himself. No one wants to see Misao get upset, so none have told her.
And he wants her to know the truth
"It's when the day I saved Misao from jumping off a cliff, the flashes of our brief encounter flooded back.and so is the rest of my memory." At least it seems, Misao is satisfied with the explanation, he nodded to her direction and she acknowledged it with a sweet smile.
"Tell her the truth, you ass." Sanosuke muttered, clenching his fists.
"That's enough, Sanosuke." Okina intervened. If he didn't, Sanosuke would create a commotion again, like last time at Misao's room. "Soujiro is telling the truth, you don't have to force him with anything else."
He opened his mouth in protest, but Okina waved his hand. "No too much talk now, Sanosuke." and everyone agreed. Well almost, for Soujiro is staring in wide surprise to the old man. He saved him from Sanosuke's wrath. As if reading his mind, Okina nodded to him with a slight smile, "No need to thank me, young man. You needed it."
That early afternoon-
"Don't fancy about it dear, he wouldn't come out if he didn't want to. 'Sides, he worked hard to attain this peaceful life he always wants--- a picture perfect family."
"Who are you?"
Yuri is becoming wary of the strange man who suddenly comes up and starts talking with her, she left in few minutes after conversing with Misao.and has been watching the serene gentle wind making a wonderful sight of the falling leaves of the cherry blossoms. The thin white blankets of snow is starting to envelop the ground, and it's starting to give chill to the air.which made her sigh and stare at the residence in awe and wonder. Then her brief reflection is interrupted, and this man is speaking of words like he knew well of Soujiro.
"I'm his comrade whom he cheated out of a deal," he replied casually, that caught finally Yuri's attention and looked at him. The man has also arresting good looks, but the air around him has nothing to do with his appearance.
"Oh, I'm sorry for being so rude. But please call me Kamatari. I have known Soujiro for several years." He stretched out his hand to introduce himself, and she shook his hand suspiciously. "So Kamatari," she took a deep breath ".what do you mean cheated out of the deal? Soujiro is not the."
"Nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing, miss." He replied tersely, ignoring her wide-eyed baffled look as he moves his gaze to the dojo from a distance. "I presume you have met him, do you actually know what kind of a man you are dealing with?"
"I know," she exclaimed, "He is the ex-mercenary Seta Soujiro.but I believed he has repented his ways."
"Tch. That was only like a year ago.it didn't last that long. An assassin is always going to be an assassin; whatever it takes he would keep going back."
"I don't believe you, that's a lie. You are nothing but a devil of his past.I can feel it! " She hissed, not liking the unpleasant malicious intended words coming from Kamatari's mouth. Not knowing she somehow ticked him off, she gasped as she felt a sudden painful twisting of her left arm to her back and he pinned her to the wall, pressing her with his whole form enough to crush her beneath.
"I might be a devil of his past, miss." He breathed roughly to her ear, "But that sweet young man in there, have raped that lady with him.and plotted her guardian's death to make it look suicide." "Lie!"
"It isn't a lie, I was there. I helped him carried his plan." He whispered again, every word is like a stab to Yuri's heart. "And I say.you must be the peasant girl who saved his life."
"H-How do you know, you bastard?"
He wringed her arm tighter, that she winced and let out a small snarl of pain. "For your information, I happen to be a spy. It takes effort to track him down, lest to observe why he suddenly seems to forget everything and our little deal." he looked down, with a pleasurable sadist glint in his eyes, ".and you are going to help him remember"
Soujiro hardly felt the cold snow drifting to his skin as he made his way absentmindedly doing groceries; the words of Kamatari send chills to his spine. Did he do all that? He sired the child Misao is carrying? He plotted Aoshi's fake suicide? They say that even a person loses his memory; there is a feeling within them to hint of what it was before. But Soujiro feels nothing; he can't imagine doing such a horrible act. No lustful intentions or murderous thoughts crossed his mind when he resided in the household. The man that talked to him, he didn't know if he'll ever want to meet him again. Kamatari, he is a part of the old past.a past that he left. But deep inside, is there really truth to his words?
Just as he was trekking to the street near the way home, carrying baskets of goods, he spotted a familiar figure of a certain lady. The pale skin stands out from a distance, and when she turned around, she has immensely doe shaped like eyes.
"Yuri!" came out like a short gasp, rather than a much audible word of recognition. Yuri waves to him and approached him. "Ohayo, Soujiro! It's so nice to see you looking so well!" she chirped, noting that he grew quite healthy for sometime. She eagerly starts a conversation, but Soujiro seems wary of listening. Misao have seen them in a distance, and she curiously approached them.
"Ne, Soujiro! There you are!" Misao called out, smiling brightly as she took quick steps to draw near her koibito, her smile slowly faded on the sight of the young lady with him.
"Oh, Misao. this is Yuri" he said, not knowing how to explain. But Yuri came to his "rescue".
"Misao? Makamachi Misao?" her large eyes looked on her with curiosity from head to toe. Misao is not used when people looked at her that way, wondering how her small frame could take such a pregnancy. "Yes, what happen if I am?"
The girl clapped her hands with childish delight that lifts an air of curiosity around them. "I don't believe it! I don't know Sou-chan have you as a wife and you are having a baby!" the comment is just about to make Soujiro ricochet, "Yuri!! She is not my wife!" his face as red as a tomato, and looking at Misao, her expression is not pleased at all.
She is the only woman who could call him Sou-chan.
"Well, sooner or later IM going to be his wife." she said out loud, crossing her arms. But it didn't dampen Yuri's excitement. "Hold it. you mean you two are not yet married, and already having a baby?"
Misao thinks she is going to snap, she clutched possessively at Soujiro by the sleeve," That's none of your business! Who are you anyway?"
"I'm Yamamoto Yuri, I rescued Soujiro from the forest clearing some several months ago.didn't he tell you anything?"
What happened to Soujiro in a forest? Misao wondered, "No. What do you mean you rescued him by the forest? He could every much take care of himself! "
Yuri shook her head, "Iya, I found him by the clearing here at Kyoto.he have somehow lost his memory then. So I and my mother took him until he is fine to go." Misao shuddered when she recalled that certain clearing by Kyoto, it is also where that fateful night she lost her maiden head. She looked at Soujiro, who's expression seems to play a little of confusion and distress. "What is she talking about Soujiro? Is it true?"
"Yes it's true, I was found by the clearing and lost of memory," he replied. By all means, he didn't want Misao to know of it. He didn't want her to have doubts in him, and when he thought the loss of his memory and the rape incident is all a coincidence.a man claiming to be Kamatari came up and blurred that definition. ".but I regained it, when that day I saved you Misao." he lied, for both of their own good. What he called memory now, is having the intense study in the files given to him.
Misao nodded, "Okay.so why don't you tell me about it before?"
Soujiro gave her a quick peck to the forehead, "Because I don't want you to worry." He forced a faint smile, and quickly headed back to the residence like someone stung him from behind. It's rather unusual for him to leave in a middle of a conversation, and when Misao called out what's wrong; Soujiro told her he is not feeling well. His head is starting to throb immensely painful again, which happens when he is stressed to trying to recall the past.
Misao turned back to Yuri again, ".you say he lost his memory?"
"You're a little late." Okina noticed that the boy seems a little quite pale. "What's wrong? Looks like you are a little bit shaken."
"It's nothing," Soujiro murmured, "I'm just..surprised,"
The old man peeked out the doorway, and sees his Misao talking with a young lady. "That lady surprised you?"
"She is the woman that found me at the woods, the one who found me lost of memory..she managed to pass by, and it surprised me."
"And you did not want Misao to know, so she won't be confused am I right?"
Soujiro avoided eye contact, "I managed to tell the half-truth ahead, but I still worry about it."
Okina cleared his throat and shrugged, "You can't keep secrets forever Soujiro, someday such secret would come out and risks could not be avoided." He then silently walked towards another room, taking in the groceries that Soujiro dropped by absentmindedly at the porch. The youth looked up, and turned to him, now few feet in distance. "Okina-san.you still doesn't trust me.do you?"
"I rely on you for Misao's happiness. But complete trust is another talk, young man. As soon as your memories come back, that would be the answer."
His memories..
Sanosuke woke up later that noon, but right in time enough for lunch. He chows down voraciously as always, while the oniwabanshu's are simply astounded by his appetite. Okina keeps his usual silence as he eats, and Misao is asking questions on Soujiro's recollection with Yuri. In between mouthfuls, Sanosuke can't help but notice Soujiro's sudden stillness.as if nothing is around him and was into deep thought. Soujiro usually don't speak much, but this time it's different. He seems to be like a mannequin, having an unreadable expression written on his face. It disturbs him a little, but much take-able than the sugary exchange of affections that he have seen yesterday.
"Who conjure up the idea of yours of the fake suicide note and Aoshi's death? It was me, Soujiro!" the man who claimed to be kamatari, his voice ringing within Soujiro's head.speaking of the past he believed he didn't do.
No.I didn't do this, I cannot be capable of.
"You told me how you liked her very much, and how desperate you are to have her."
I know I knew her in my blank forgotten past, a fragment that was left.
"I don't know you even got to sire that squeaky bitch, Soujiro.congratulations!"
I didn't do it!!!
"Oh my, it just moved!" Misao gasped, somehow returning Soujiro's state of mind to the present. His sensitivity to Misao's pregnancy has become a reflex on him these days, "The baby?"
"Yes, the baby.go ahead, touch it."
He usually holds no qualms, and will stroke her stomach as so, acknowledging the little child nestled inside. But now, doubt and a tingle of fear and distaste seem to engulf him, thinking that if Kamatari's words are true and Misao is indeed carrying his child. He somehow retains his composure, and brushed his hand against it. He felt a kick, and then another.
"I-It kicked," he muttered. Instead of what seem to be a joyous tone, he reacted like his hand was scalded with hot water. Misao quickly took note of it, "Of course it kicks, I think it likes you.to be his father. Aren't you happy? It is like you always wanted."
"I think I need to go."
A wave of nausea went to Soujiro's head, and he solemnly excused himself in front of everyone, as soon as he was out he rushed quickly to the nearest bath room, and dipped his face at a basinful of water to ease his urge to throw up. The encounter with Kamatari have turned his now well-ordered universe upside down, everything that he builds for those past months he looks now with dread and full of questions. He don't know who to believe, he don't know what to believe. How can he know that the scoundrel is telling the truth?
"There is no proof," he whispered, "Tsk, I'm being paranoid.." He rolled up his sleeves, that he now got soaking wet, and he look at his arm protectors. They are like second skin to him, and he always wears them but they are also very uncomfortable, and quite damp as of now. He hesitated to take them off at first, for his right arm has a hideous scar. He looked on it with disgust, like some fierce animal have clawed him so deep that might also have ripped a part of the sleeve of his old kimono. Well of course, the pain that must have been there might have not induced him a memory loss.
Yet, a torn kimono sleeve.
He recalled Okina confronting him about it, about his missing sleeve and how it seems to fit the torn piece of evidence that is the link to the suspect on Misao's case. That he told him, that she could have clawed the faceless marauder in defense and have torn it off the process and it might have somehow leaved a scar in the arm..and he has that scar. He was found unconscious at the same woods Misao escaped with her life, When he waked up dazed.the first thing that come to his senses was the seething pain to his right arm, and he does not know how on earth it get underneath his arm protectors, "It's all a bloody coincidence," he muttered, trying to recall no more. He touches his three deep scars, and he can imagine the pain that seared before at his flesh, and a sudden flash of image came to his mind.not knowing if what appeared is his imagination or a part of his recollection: There he sees himself, his arms pressing down the struggling Misao at the ground, then came her one hand, tightly gripping to his right and she pulls it so hard that his sleeve tore off and the pain burned to his skin to the raw and blood trickled to the wound.
He then gasped, trying to catch his breath, sudden overwhelming emotion made his heart thump in abject fear, like awakening from a terrible dream. Soujiro felt as if the pain was real, and he felt dazed with shock, "No.I didn't do it! It's just my imagination!"
"Soujiro! Are you alright? You have been there for several minutes; your food is getting cold!" One of the oni's called out.
"Y-Yes! I'm coming." He called out, and his mind races quickly. He didn't want to see that hideous scar, and more or less others to see it. He took out a bandage at the near drawer and bounded his arm. With his sleeves still rolled up and dripping wet, he made himself way back to the table. Everyone gave him a look wondering what he did at the bathroom, "Looks like you have fallen face down to a stream," one of them commented, intended as a light jest.
"I just have to wash my face, I felt a little dizzy awhile ago." He said, in a somehow detached tone but managed to flash a small smile. "But I'm okay now, so is there anything I have missed?"
"Yeah," Sanosuke eyed him, while nibbling the fishbone from the meal. "Misao and I are talking about this young lady awhile ago, who SAID she found you lost of memory." He shouldn't have asked. Soujiro looked at Misao, and she has this quizzical look at her face, as if a bit disappointed of keeping a little secret from her. Sanosuke is obviously enjoying this, like Okina, he has healthy suspicions on him, and he is just about to say or do anything to prove his doubtful credibility.
"Yes I did," he replied curtly without looking up, "I woke up from the forest clearing.and the girl found me from there."
"What are you doing at the forest, Soujiro? Running away from someone.hiding away from something?" It irritates Soujiro to see Sanosuke with a malicious grin to his face, "No. I don't remember anything from there, sorry."
"Isn't it strange Soujiro?" Misao finally speaks up, ".you are found at the same forest, the morning after, on which I was."
"You don't have to recall it Misao." He admonished gently. It's better not to recall anything that doesn't seem good either, he thought. And that is what he felt now.
"How do you then recall your memory?" Sanosuke insisted, he knew that everyone with the exception of Misao knows that Soujiro has some memory loss and that he hadn't RECALLED anything.it's purely studying any proof of paper that claims his existence.not from his point of view, not personally himself. No one wants to see Misao get upset, so none have told her.
And he wants her to know the truth
"It's when the day I saved Misao from jumping off a cliff, the flashes of our brief encounter flooded back.and so is the rest of my memory." At least it seems, Misao is satisfied with the explanation, he nodded to her direction and she acknowledged it with a sweet smile.
"Tell her the truth, you ass." Sanosuke muttered, clenching his fists.
"That's enough, Sanosuke." Okina intervened. If he didn't, Sanosuke would create a commotion again, like last time at Misao's room. "Soujiro is telling the truth, you don't have to force him with anything else."
He opened his mouth in protest, but Okina waved his hand. "No too much talk now, Sanosuke." and everyone agreed. Well almost, for Soujiro is staring in wide surprise to the old man. He saved him from Sanosuke's wrath. As if reading his mind, Okina nodded to him with a slight smile, "No need to thank me, young man. You needed it."
That early afternoon-
"Don't fancy about it dear, he wouldn't come out if he didn't want to. 'Sides, he worked hard to attain this peaceful life he always wants--- a picture perfect family."
"Who are you?"
Yuri is becoming wary of the strange man who suddenly comes up and starts talking with her, she left in few minutes after conversing with Misao.and has been watching the serene gentle wind making a wonderful sight of the falling leaves of the cherry blossoms. The thin white blankets of snow is starting to envelop the ground, and it's starting to give chill to the air.which made her sigh and stare at the residence in awe and wonder. Then her brief reflection is interrupted, and this man is speaking of words like he knew well of Soujiro.
"I'm his comrade whom he cheated out of a deal," he replied casually, that caught finally Yuri's attention and looked at him. The man has also arresting good looks, but the air around him has nothing to do with his appearance.
"Oh, I'm sorry for being so rude. But please call me Kamatari. I have known Soujiro for several years." He stretched out his hand to introduce himself, and she shook his hand suspiciously. "So Kamatari," she took a deep breath ".what do you mean cheated out of the deal? Soujiro is not the."
"Nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing, miss." He replied tersely, ignoring her wide-eyed baffled look as he moves his gaze to the dojo from a distance. "I presume you have met him, do you actually know what kind of a man you are dealing with?"
"I know," she exclaimed, "He is the ex-mercenary Seta Soujiro.but I believed he has repented his ways."
"Tch. That was only like a year ago.it didn't last that long. An assassin is always going to be an assassin; whatever it takes he would keep going back."
"I don't believe you, that's a lie. You are nothing but a devil of his past.I can feel it! " She hissed, not liking the unpleasant malicious intended words coming from Kamatari's mouth. Not knowing she somehow ticked him off, she gasped as she felt a sudden painful twisting of her left arm to her back and he pinned her to the wall, pressing her with his whole form enough to crush her beneath.
"I might be a devil of his past, miss." He breathed roughly to her ear, "But that sweet young man in there, have raped that lady with him.and plotted her guardian's death to make it look suicide." "Lie!"
"It isn't a lie, I was there. I helped him carried his plan." He whispered again, every word is like a stab to Yuri's heart. "And I say.you must be the peasant girl who saved his life."
"H-How do you know, you bastard?"
He wringed her arm tighter, that she winced and let out a small snarl of pain. "For your information, I happen to be a spy. It takes effort to track him down, lest to observe why he suddenly seems to forget everything and our little deal." he looked down, with a pleasurable sadist glint in his eyes, ".and you are going to help him remember"