Part 13: Falling Pieces
Note: " / " = means flashback, to make it all easier ^_^; at the last half of the chapter.
Hungry, really hungry indeed.
Sanosuke could hear his stomach grumble so loud that he swore even the passer-by's could hear it. Hearing that the ever trustable Soujiro has taken Misao for a stroll to Sae's place, and with the food supply having limited down at the house hold, he decided to look for himself.
"What are taking those two so long?" he muttered, chewing on a piece of grass as he carries fishing bait along with him. It seems so idiotic to catch a fish in the eve of winter.but he heard that even the frozen lakes around the area are merely blanketing cold waters.and that those little fishes are alive and swimming and good in a catch. All he needs to look for is find a good spot, smash a part of the lake with his fist and wait for good bait.
"Better that Soujiro does not do anything funny this time," he can't keep himself from saying it out loud. Soujiro--- his long over due stay and a story of him and how he met Misao is like out of a dramatic opera. His relationship with her, that swings from a dutiful attending lover to a troubled youth swings like a pendulum, not that there is anything wrong with Misao for the young oni leader have taken the event that had befallen her readily, but the fact is he can't recall anything--- from his past.
Sanosuke could accept the fact freak accidents do happen, but he also believes there is no such thing as a true coincidence. What Soujiro has in store could link fatally to that past. It's all unerringly accurate.
Torn sleeved kimono... The day that he was found without a name...
Why did he go back to Kyoto? Why would he wander there for no reason?
Okina said that once he regained his memories, it would be the answer.
"H-help me.."
Sanosuke is caught off from his pondering when he heard a small faint voice calling upon a few meters among the woods---just as he was about to settle down near a frozen lake. He jumped with a start, "Who is there?"
"He is in danger---he..."
It sounds like coming from a young woman, and it sounds like she is in pain. He quickly searched where the voice is coming from, and he gasped in terror when he saw a badly broken wisp of a lady lying down in her own pool of blood. There is a big clean slash that runs across from her right ear to her neck that is letting the gush of blood flow, and the horrendous wound is quite open that if she tilts her head back further it would fall off. "Kuso!!" he can't find other words to say, this woman needs immediate medical attention and he quickly dropped everything to rush to her aid. Somehow, he has seen her from before.
He tried to carry her, but she shook her head to stay no.as if signaling that she preferred to stay down the ground. "Lady, are you crazy?!" he gasped, "you are going to die with that.that.wound!"
She gave him a very lonely look, as if she accepted her fate. "You." she rasped, clutching her wounded neck. " You a. Misao's.friend, help.befo...ate..."
It's then Sanosuke recognized her, she is the young lady from the few days' ago. She is the girl that bumped to Misao and a friend of Soujiro.
Soujiro.
The wound, it looks to be cut so clean.like that of a sword.
"Misao? What do you mean of Misao?! Is she in danger?"
"She.in Shio...eko"
Shirobeko, the last place Misao and Soujiro went to. "Did Soujiro do this to you?!"
She mustered all her strength, her eyes ignite a spark as she clutched her small bloodied hands in to his shirt, "Tell him, I'm sorry.onegai...one.R- RUN, sa...her.sa.her!!!"
Save her.
It gives him no choice, the wounded lady instructed him against his will to go.Misao is in danger.and to tell Soujiro that she is sorry.sorry for what? This is all happening to fast, it's been a few days's when the youth reconciled with Misao for being so cold lately.everything seemingly going back to normal, and suddenly a wounded acquaintance struggles and tells of danger.
He doesn't have to ponder about that right now, he has to save Misao. "I'll be back, promise.just stay here." He called out, before he took himself to runs down to the clearing and towards Shirobeko.
As soon as he left, Yuri felt seemingly bittersweet--- after all she is going to die now, and her last struggle for sanity and repenting had come at last. If she just have run away from that amber eyed man, if only her mother's life is not threatened-she would be free, and now---
"Never leave a dirty job with a lackey," then suddenly came a cold voice.
Yuri's blood ran cold.
****
Sanosuke does not have to look that far.
Just several feet away from Shirobeko, a crowd has already gathered up. A closer look, he noticed there seems to be of an accident. He saw a few crashed caravans and upturned market stands and the area looks like it have been swept by a storm. With Yuri's words of warning repeating thru his head, he quickly rushed to the scene. In a few moments, he struggled to the crowd and with the advantage of his tall height he managed to see what he feared the most.
Misao is crying uncontrollably and looks very badly shaken, her voice letting out heart wrenching sobs as it seems she was thrown right in the middle of some mess. Behind her leaves a trail of broken pieces of a coach, and the rest or any object by that street in that matter is thrown into pieces. Shattered chairs, fallen market stalls with the goods scattered into the street, some caged fowls are lose and running. Holding her tightly is Soujiro, who looks equally devastated as she was. He is trying to console her, but he ended up crying also himself.
"Misao!! Misao!!!" he ran, and in great relief noticed that she is only shaken and suffered only minor bruises and scratches. She recognized Sano's voice immediately and she instantly stood up and ran---then he noticed that a part of her clothes and her limbs are smudged with blood.that trails down to Soujiro.
"Sano! Thank goodness!!!" she gasped, and quickly rushes to the man she came to knew as a close friend and a big brother. She threw her arms around him, and buried her face seeking solace as she let out her heart to cry. "I'm so scared---I."
"That's ok, Misao. I'm here for you.every thing is going to be fine." he comforted her, hushing and holding her tight. He lifted his eyes to Soujiro's direction, his gaze sharp with a hint of strong doubt. Soujiro got an injured right palm, his face looks like it have been scratched by small hands and his hakama---more splatters and stains of blood. If Misao managed to come out unscathed, how did this happen to him?
"What happened Misao? What have he done to you?" Sanosuke whispered, still holding her tight. But Misao said nothing, as if she is in great shock.
"A run away coach carried her," a man in the crowd speaks up. "It looks like it was going to throw her away to the cliff." And the stranger pointed out, a small hill just few miles away that would be leading to yawning chasm that would lead to a long river stream.
"If it hasn't been for this young man who showed in the nick of time, she would be dead." A woman speaked out, a pointed to the wounded Soujiro.
Sanosuke is growing to be very suspicious.
He lifted Misao easily and carried her with both arms, like a small fragile flower in his grasp and his cold gaze still unwavering at ronin's baffled expression. "I'll take you home." he said, "don't worry.its okay now. I'm here" And its all for naught, as cries wracked her body.
Soujiro knew it's about time he speaks up; Sanosuke is expecting him of foul play. The tall lad never trusted the sight of him, ever since he dropped by to Kyoto some few months back. He just hoped he hasn't figured his recently figured "dark" past.
"Sano.let me explain," he called out, and stood up and ran to catch by him. "It's not what you think it is!"
He let out a small wince of pain, nearly forgetting the piercing wound at his left side. A gunshot wound. It's the wound that Yuri inflicted on him, to trigger him to kill her. He does not want to, and does not see why. In order to defend himself, he got no choice.he slashed her with his sword, through her neck.a fatal point.
Sanosuke turned around, and noticed that Soujiro is clinging painfully to his side. So that's where all the blood came from. "Sanosuke.I saved misao." he gasped, as he tries to stand up, the pain seems to pierce his insides, making him limp. Soujiro clutched his sword for support, and to Sano's horror he noticed that there are some mild stains of blood in it despite being covered by a dark sheath. He recalled the injured lady named Yuri at the forest; she has a slashed neck done cleanly by probably a sword. Before she collapses, she seems to hold a gun on her right hand. If she is able to defend herself, the person shot will be injured to his left. Soujiro is the only person, as so far, that Yuri knew in the whole town.
"You wait here, you bastard."
He walked away from him, and left Misao for awhile in Sae's place which is few blocks away. Then he went back, his fists are clenched his jaw seems to be rigged so tight that it seems it would pop. Soujiro feared there is something that Sanosuke that has came into, first--- he noticed Soujiro's blood stains in mysterious places. How could he know that Misao is in danger, from miles away from where he is staying?
Could it possible he met Yuri?
It couldn't be.
His mind is confused with swirling thoughts, until he realized that Sanosuke is standing now right in front of him. In very close range, and standing at least 6'2 and growing, he is an intimidating towering giant of a man that could crush him down.if he is isn't only too injured to defend himself.
"Let's make this clear, Soujiro. You and me." he hissed, in a low rough voice. His furious brown gaze flaming beneath the small youth beneath him "I never used my strength to intimidate the haplessly injured, but you make an exception. If you ever.EVER go hurt Misao, or if I learned you have dealt her with bodily harm--- I swear I'll break every bone in your body. Do I make myself clear?"
"Sano, I wouldn't do anything to hurt Misao..." he said, "I tried to save her, and I did."
"Somebody out there just tried to kill her, haven't you dealt her enough damage already? Just go away and leave her alone!"
"W-What do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb with me.." He cursed lowly, and grabbed Soujiro's collar. With his just one hand, he easily dragged him uneasily from the ground. He was at loss of words to reason with him, and his most easy alternative is with his fist. The crowd starts to swarm around them, and not surprisingly siding with Soujiro. He is wounded and he has saved the girls life, they say. There is no reason why he should pick a fight; his hapless opponent has done no wrong. Done no wrong? Are they sure? Everything that surrounds him from 30 minutes ago is a complex web of what he feared, and for Misao's life: the perpetrator strikes back and almost succeed of getting rid of her. He can't see how they got all interconnected, but Soujiro got to be in it.
His mind presented all the possible factors, it all started with Yuri. The girl is new in town and a brief acquaintance of Soujiro. She also recently met Misao and knew of her as well. Then why would she wound up severely wounded in a deserted area of the forest? Who would have her killed, wanted her dead? Her words tells her to save Misao, before its too late.from whom, she forgot to tell. Her injuries, from a possible sword wound and Soujiro has a sheathed bloodied sword. He acquired a gun shot, and that she also has a gun. Bystanders told them that Soujiro surfaced already wounded by the time he saved Misao from the crashing carriage.
But the most damning hunch to prove all his suspicions came from Sae when Sanosuke left Misao with her for awhile. She told him that Soujiro left Misao shortly to talk with a "female friend" and she describes to be exactly like Yuri. After that, someone presented himself as a coachman and charms Misao to leave Shirobeko for a short easy ride home, courtesy of Soujiro. Of course, Soujiro didn't have anything to do with the carriage incident. But there must be a link between him and that stranger and for some reason--- wants Misao dead. Sae trembled as she mentioned that the suspicious character has the coldest amber eyes she has ever seen.
Haze clouded his brain, and words can't make out what he is starting to feel. The young ronin is guilty in his point of view, in one way or another. Soujiro could see that Sanosuke is breathing murder into his eyes, and that his fist is clenched so tight that he could make out the possibility that in a few minutes, it will hit and break his jaw. With one fist clutching his neck collar so hard that he is starting to choke, and his feet inches away from the ground, it seems forever for Soujiro to wait what Sanosuke will do to him.
"S-Sanosuke, you are better than this." He rasped, "If we continue this senseless argument, we will just hurt Misao more. She had enough already, please.just let me explain."
It seems to be an eternity, until Sanosuke dropped Soujiro roughly to the ground. The youth coughed and fell into his knees, trying to feel every part of his body, hoping that aside from the bullet wound he didn't have any broken bones. Rubbing his neck, he looked up.Sanosuke is waiting him to loosen up, and for the sake of the crowd, mumbled to meet him behind Sae's place by the back kitchen.
As soon as they get there, the serious conversation began.
"Misao is special to me," Sanosuke started, with surprisingly nostalgia in his tone, but still his gaze is sharp and unwavering towards Soujiro. "She is like my younger sister, and if anything happens to her---anything bad, I make sure that she gets the justice she deserves."
Like break every bone to my body, Soujiro said to himself. " Sano."
"Yes I know, you said yourself. You don't want to hurt her. In fact, she loves you just so much that it hurts her deep inside. You are a man without a past; suddenly appearing to her life when to her everything seems hopeless. You help her to become strong, even if it will take years to bring the old Misao back." then he paused, eyeing Soujiro's wounded side. "Then suddenly, came another threat in her life. And ironically, you are there once again to save her. Isn't it too much of a coincidence, Soujiro?"
The sound of the vegetables being fried in the background drowned the words that Sanosuke has said, but Soujiro was able to read it. He wants to confess it, there must be SOMETHING that draws him to save Misao, and be there when she needed him. Those flashbacks, of his unwanted past holds the clue why---and the way he look to it, is not a good one. Kamatari is behind it, he knows.but if he directly tells it to Sano, it would mean that he is an accomplice. No way would he be one, unless he recall why----and how.
He knows why the sight of his wounds angered Sano, and he tries his best reasoning to explain it.
"Where do you get those injuries," Sanosuke finally asked,
"Yuri-----"
He could see flame flare to Sanosuke's eyes. "--------she tried to warn me, but it's too late. I can't save her. I didn't kill her Sano, I didn't! HE did this-----"
Sanosuke breathed deeply, "Explain,"
Soujiro lied; it's after all the best way for now, until he finds out the truth. "Someone tries to blackmail Yuri in killing me first, and then Misao." He looked straight at him, "It's against her wishes and I know it." Soujiro's mind raced at a possible flashback, he told Sano that Yuri tries to attack him with a dagger, and he caught it with his right palm. He begged her to stop, and asking her why she is doing this. She is so confused to tell, in fear that someone is watching, so he quickly disarmed her of the dagger. At that point she panics, as he tried to negotiate with her, she brought out a gun and wounded him to his side. After several attempts, she starts to confess---- a man with amber eyes, a spy--- wanted for unknown reasons, to have Soujiro's and Misao's head. If she didn't accomplish the task, he would have to kill her mother. Before he could ask who, someone hits him back at his head----and his next vague recollection is his Nihontou being taken away from its sheath and later when he came to be, found out it was used to slit Yuri's neck. He panics, and recalls Misao is in danger and quickly ran to Shirobeko.
It seems that Sanosuke brought the tale. "And do you have any idea who this amber-eyed man is?"
Soujiro hesitated, "No. But if I do, I can't remember who."
"It sure is, after all.if you figured it out sooner or later, you are also a part of an evil scheme."
"No!" it sounded more defensive than he intended, "Whatever the life I lead before, it has nothing to do with what is happening right now!"
"Oh? And how would you know?" Sanosuke implied sarcastically. "You can't remember anything, but if you do--- you know it isn't good."
"Because I can feel it." Soujiro whispered, and expectantly ---he just hopes its right.
*****
Whatever the case, Sanosuke declared it a draw, and let him off the hook. It sounded that Soujiro is telling the truth, or at least somehow. He has been Misao's source of strength at her bleaker days--- and in his month's stay with Okina's household he can see that the love within both of them is genuine. He felt a pang of jealousy, whenever he sees them, witnessing their mutual friendship move to a higher plateau. The way they exchange sweet nothings, and sweet kisses that drives him crazy.the never ending concerns and tending Soujiro has to do to make her pregnancy a comfortable one, and so forth. Okina and the rest of the Oni's knew better than to tease Sano, they know that he looked on her just like an overprotective brother will do to his sister. But also, they wish they knew.
He wished he could have done something to comfort Misao, and save Aoshi's life. He takes out a deep breath and placed his palms heavily to his eyes, as he recalls those incident fresh in his head.
"Where did you get this?" his face was then full of shock, as he sees the welts and bruises that marked her whole arm. "Did Aoshi know abo----"
"He knows about it well," Misao's voice came in a rush whisper, "He knows about it well that-----". Then she looked at him, and he swore he never saw Misao so petrified with her life and very vulnerable and helpless. "Sanosuke, swear that you'll listen to me.you must help..." she whispered, pleading as she gripped firmly to his arms. ".help me find him."
And before he can ever reply, Aoshi then came in. His mere presence has made her blood ran with cold fear and she trembles as Aoshi tacitly instructed her to go, to which she obeyed as meekly as a lamb----in a speechless protest, she clutched to Sanosuke tightly before Aoshi finally drew her out of the room.
"Sano---t-tasukete kudasai." she pleaded.
He was not able to do anything, and he lost it in front of Aoshi. He got scared, if he just confronted Aoshi man to man, things would be in much better resolve. But that night, he hid in one of the kitchen counters to talk to Misao---and he did nothing to stop her about her plan. He knew that Misao will go in desperate measures to get Aoshi's attention to her situation, and if he just did stop her Aoshi would be alive right now. The man is the only one who holds the clue to who did the unsavory deed to Misao, why would he keep it a secret----even to his own ward, Sano don't know.
He shouldn't have reluctantly left back to Tokyo, after Aoshi's funeral. And with that, somehow he broke his promise to Misao----to find whoever he might be, who did this. He missed a lot of things, after the funeral Misao learned she is with child and later she resolved to commit suicide. And then, Soujiro mysteriously came along--- saved her life. With the dire situation she is in, vulnerable and needing a companion to cry on, she holds on to Soujiro for her support. This friendship later blossomed into something much deeper, and when the Soujiro's amnesia is revealed in front of Okina's eyes---- the old man became healthily suspicious. Knowing that he'll need someone to help him prove that something strange is going on, he called upon Sanosuke.
And that is months after the incident, sometimes Sano wondered why Okina has to wait that long. Long enough that Misao has fully trusted on Soujiro, the fact he later learned, has an unerring connection to Misao's unfortunate accident. It's so ironic to describe it as a coincidence, the fact that Okina and Sano keep to themselves. They don't want Misao to get hurt again.
But if POSSIBLY they are right, it wouldn't be avoided.
If he only stayed long enough to look after her during those agonizing months, if he..
"Sanosuke, they are leaving..are you going with them?" Sae's voice broke him from his interlaced reverie. The chinky eyed woman opened her eyes---as if she noticed something. Now, it's rare for Sae to open her eyes unless it really caught her attention. "What!" Sano said irritatingly, "do I have some egg on my face?"
"It looked like you have been crying,"
Sanosuke was equally surprised as she was, and he rubbed his eyes. His cheeks are a bit warm and damp with a salty fluid. Sae said she noticed that his eyes are pretty reddish too. He casually dismissed that it must be the chopped onions in the kitchen, and strode out of the kitchen quickly, before Sae realized there are no onions being done in the cooking area.
He slipped out of behind the restaurant counter, and was able to glimpse the two----as if nothing happened. Misao was tending to Soujiro's wounds, even the fact she was rattled herself. She carefully mended his left side, and his wounded palm.
"You don't have to do this Misao, I can manage." He said softly,
"No, it's the least I could do. You saved my life----oh, Soujiro." she murmured, and tears trickled down her cheek. He hushed her, placing one hand to hers, and pressing his lips to her forehead, consoling her. "Don't worry Misao, kimi ga mamoru----I will protect you, no matter what. I will find who ever are behind this, I promise." Misao looked at him, and Soujiro's face is of pure seriousness-and how calm he appears, his indigo eyes are full of silent rage within their depths.
Sanosuke let out one rough cough, as if to make aware of his presence. "You two love birds have to cut that out, we have enough for one whole day---- lets go home, ne?"
"Hai, I'll j------"Misao gasped, and clutched her bosom tightly, she felt a jabbing pain. She instantly sees the worry in Soujiro's face. It's bad to Misao to get her stressed and upset, it would mean a premature labor or she would either lose the child.
"I'll get us a ride home," Sanosuke replied tersely, and gave Misao a reassuring squeeze at the shoulder, "You sit down, ok?"
She nodded, but there is a gamut of emotions that played across her face when he mentioned "a ride home." He quickly understood it, and hailed a local man-driven cart. It will drive them shortly back to their home.
****
The ride was marked with some uneasy silence, as Misao worried that her stomach starts to hurt increasingly more and more, and that she might have the baby soon. "But it's too early." Sano remarked, "It's been only seven months----"
"The doctor told us the seventh will be the sensitive stage," Soujiro replied.
"AND since you knew better, you shouldn't have leave her at home than bringing her outside to Shirobeko!"
"Stop it Sano!" Misao quickly countered, although she was badly shaken although out the day, she didn't fail to notice Sano's sudden hostility with Soujiro. He was always ever suspicious, knowing that if anything happen to Misao----he can't forgive himself. Just like Okina, he suspect of Soujiro being darkly linked to her accident that causes his amnesia. None to which she does care, "I've gone with Soujiro with my own free will; he did not force me to go."
"Misao---" Soujiro said, with a look of surprise. It was him who insisted her to go.
"I've decided that on my own, he is not at fault here okay?"
"I'm just being concerned Misao. You just can't trust someone just easily--- not with your state."
"I know what I'm doing, so stop it!" she lashed back, with the cart having already stopped down in front of the dojo she can't keep to herself anymore. She hastily stepped out, "At least he has always been there, so you have no right to judge!"
" I'm not judging anyone! It's I-------" he shrugged, she left and is making her way to the dojo. Soujiro silently stepped out of the cart, he was the last to leave. He gave the ronin one hard look, " Remember, I'll keep an EYE on you."
****
Very much well, Soujiro keep in mind of Sano's words. He can't tell him yet of his recent discovery--- he is not prepared yet. He is not even sure how they would take it, hoping that all he was able to recall is not true. It's not what it seems, its nothing but a nightmare---he said to himself. He don't want to remember anything, not now.
He wondered what happened to Yuri, they don't have time to stop by as they hurriedly took Misao home. " I hope she can make it, I hope she is alive."
Then there came an ear-piercing shriek, followed by more hysterical screams.
Both Sanosuke and Soujiro turned around, "Misao!!!"
Sanosuke was the first to quickly react on impulse and hurriedly ran, and he was able to spot Misao standing and trembling in front of a tree near the temple. Her hand is cupping her mouth and her face awashed with full absolute terror. The way Sano sees it, whatever she did see will make her collapse any minute now. His blood ran cold, as she screamed, this time it's.
"Aoshi!!!"
He follows her terrified gaze, and saw a shilouette of a person---better yet, hanging by the tree. And his face drew to a pallid shock, "What on the."
"Aoshi!! Aoshi-sama!! No!!! Why?!" she cried wildly, that Sano has to quickly hold her tight and hugged her near so she won't force to see the appaling sight "You don't have to see it, you---". Aoshi is already long dead, but the method of his death---is refreshed to her mind at the sight, of the murder victim. What a sick prank to who ever did this, But he inspected much closer, and saw a familiar face.
With it's tattered kimono and the upper torso drenched by dry crusted blood, there is a long lash from its neck, that the head was nearly severed by the rope.
Yuri.
"What is it Sa----oh my, kusottare!!" Soujiro swore, as he catches up and see what's going on. "W-what kind of sick prank is this?"
"It's your friend, Soujiro. She committed suicide---but no, it--" Sano wasn't recover from shock yet, when he felt Misao cringed beneath him, as if she have somehow collapsed. She was heaving, and suddenly he felt that she suddenly became wet---and he saw his hands stained with blood.
"Damn it, Soujiro! Misao is having her baby now!!"
But Soujiro wasn't listening, even if Sano is at the back screaming to him. He usually panics, but his body won't respond, the sight--- the sight of the dead Yuri, drains all the possible reality that surrounds him.
Yuri is dead, and it's his fault. Fear crawls into him, the way the killer systematically hanged her seems to symbolize something. To make it look suicide. And there is only one person after her before he reluctantly left,
Kamatari.
"Soujiro!!! We don't have time! Mi----" Sano cursed lightly, the youth is obviously on shock. "I'll take her inside, you go get a doctor while I attend to her, quick!"
Soujiro felt a cold tingle in his palms, and slowly they grew numb and a strong wave of nausea fills him, his breathing becoming shallow increasingly each minute. Another searing headache is going to occur, and he fell down the ground to his knees clutching his head. This is not a suicide, she is killed...this is not a suicide.he keeps revebrating the words to his mind,
/ "Of course, this is not suicide Soujiro. We are going to make it look like so." Kamatari said, with a small wicked smile curved to his lips. They talking and having sake by the back alley of some broken down restaurant. " Besides, if he managed to know--- I go finish him, just as you said." /
Just as I said?
"Soujiro no baka! Get a doctor now!! Get Megumi or somebody!!"
Soujiro reacted mechanically, or by reflex--- even though confused, acceded to Sano's frantic call. He quickly took up and ran outside, his body moving in desperate speed to go to the nearest doctor, but his mind wasn't there. It seems that his memory is starting to flow spontaneously--- and the more he gets a glimpse on it, the more confused he became.
"Stop it, stop getting in my head!"
/ "I think that idea is very stupid. I want to kill him for the embarrassment, but I don't really mean seriou."/ / There is a small laugh, "You care so much for that little weasel? She's nothing! Fat chance you are going to get her attention." He looked back at him, "Eliminate Aoshi and you won't have no rival."/
/ "Rival?"/ / "If there is anything that the weasel cares about its Aoshi, it's the pangs of unrequited love./
/Hmph. It's just puppy love, its fine with me./
/She'll never love a man like she does for Aoshi, my friend. That's the truth. To her, you are just an acquaintance nothing else./
/So what are you thinking?/
/Why don't you see it for yourself tonight?/
Then came another searing pain to his head, a painful longer sensation. Things he reluctantly does not want to remember, but nor can he forget starts forcing itself to his head.
"This cannot be! I don't want to."
He stumbled into path, and after he noticed that he was aimlessly running for awhile--- he managed to reach Megumi's residence by instinct. He must appeared so distraught and utterly looking like a nervous wreck that Megumi didn't waste time packing her things the moment he called out her for an emergency.
"Misao is giving birth now, so how long was it when she had her contractions?" she quickly asked, as she hailed a carriage. She was amazed that Soujiro ran all the way from Okina's place to hers. "Did her water bag broke?"
"Yes it did, Sanosuke managed to scoop her in a safe place in the house--- I think she is ble." he turned pale, "H-hold it, I haven't told you yet that Misao is giving premature labor!"
"You don't but some strange man with amber eyes met up with me and told me she will do so anytime soon."
Note: " / " = means flashback, to make it all easier ^_^; at the last half of the chapter.
Hungry, really hungry indeed.
Sanosuke could hear his stomach grumble so loud that he swore even the passer-by's could hear it. Hearing that the ever trustable Soujiro has taken Misao for a stroll to Sae's place, and with the food supply having limited down at the house hold, he decided to look for himself.
"What are taking those two so long?" he muttered, chewing on a piece of grass as he carries fishing bait along with him. It seems so idiotic to catch a fish in the eve of winter.but he heard that even the frozen lakes around the area are merely blanketing cold waters.and that those little fishes are alive and swimming and good in a catch. All he needs to look for is find a good spot, smash a part of the lake with his fist and wait for good bait.
"Better that Soujiro does not do anything funny this time," he can't keep himself from saying it out loud. Soujiro--- his long over due stay and a story of him and how he met Misao is like out of a dramatic opera. His relationship with her, that swings from a dutiful attending lover to a troubled youth swings like a pendulum, not that there is anything wrong with Misao for the young oni leader have taken the event that had befallen her readily, but the fact is he can't recall anything--- from his past.
Sanosuke could accept the fact freak accidents do happen, but he also believes there is no such thing as a true coincidence. What Soujiro has in store could link fatally to that past. It's all unerringly accurate.
Torn sleeved kimono... The day that he was found without a name...
Why did he go back to Kyoto? Why would he wander there for no reason?
Okina said that once he regained his memories, it would be the answer.
"H-help me.."
Sanosuke is caught off from his pondering when he heard a small faint voice calling upon a few meters among the woods---just as he was about to settle down near a frozen lake. He jumped with a start, "Who is there?"
"He is in danger---he..."
It sounds like coming from a young woman, and it sounds like she is in pain. He quickly searched where the voice is coming from, and he gasped in terror when he saw a badly broken wisp of a lady lying down in her own pool of blood. There is a big clean slash that runs across from her right ear to her neck that is letting the gush of blood flow, and the horrendous wound is quite open that if she tilts her head back further it would fall off. "Kuso!!" he can't find other words to say, this woman needs immediate medical attention and he quickly dropped everything to rush to her aid. Somehow, he has seen her from before.
He tried to carry her, but she shook her head to stay no.as if signaling that she preferred to stay down the ground. "Lady, are you crazy?!" he gasped, "you are going to die with that.that.wound!"
She gave him a very lonely look, as if she accepted her fate. "You." she rasped, clutching her wounded neck. " You a. Misao's.friend, help.befo...ate..."
It's then Sanosuke recognized her, she is the young lady from the few days' ago. She is the girl that bumped to Misao and a friend of Soujiro.
Soujiro.
The wound, it looks to be cut so clean.like that of a sword.
"Misao? What do you mean of Misao?! Is she in danger?"
"She.in Shio...eko"
Shirobeko, the last place Misao and Soujiro went to. "Did Soujiro do this to you?!"
She mustered all her strength, her eyes ignite a spark as she clutched her small bloodied hands in to his shirt, "Tell him, I'm sorry.onegai...one.R- RUN, sa...her.sa.her!!!"
Save her.
It gives him no choice, the wounded lady instructed him against his will to go.Misao is in danger.and to tell Soujiro that she is sorry.sorry for what? This is all happening to fast, it's been a few days's when the youth reconciled with Misao for being so cold lately.everything seemingly going back to normal, and suddenly a wounded acquaintance struggles and tells of danger.
He doesn't have to ponder about that right now, he has to save Misao. "I'll be back, promise.just stay here." He called out, before he took himself to runs down to the clearing and towards Shirobeko.
As soon as he left, Yuri felt seemingly bittersweet--- after all she is going to die now, and her last struggle for sanity and repenting had come at last. If she just have run away from that amber eyed man, if only her mother's life is not threatened-she would be free, and now---
"Never leave a dirty job with a lackey," then suddenly came a cold voice.
Yuri's blood ran cold.
****
Sanosuke does not have to look that far.
Just several feet away from Shirobeko, a crowd has already gathered up. A closer look, he noticed there seems to be of an accident. He saw a few crashed caravans and upturned market stands and the area looks like it have been swept by a storm. With Yuri's words of warning repeating thru his head, he quickly rushed to the scene. In a few moments, he struggled to the crowd and with the advantage of his tall height he managed to see what he feared the most.
Misao is crying uncontrollably and looks very badly shaken, her voice letting out heart wrenching sobs as it seems she was thrown right in the middle of some mess. Behind her leaves a trail of broken pieces of a coach, and the rest or any object by that street in that matter is thrown into pieces. Shattered chairs, fallen market stalls with the goods scattered into the street, some caged fowls are lose and running. Holding her tightly is Soujiro, who looks equally devastated as she was. He is trying to console her, but he ended up crying also himself.
"Misao!! Misao!!!" he ran, and in great relief noticed that she is only shaken and suffered only minor bruises and scratches. She recognized Sano's voice immediately and she instantly stood up and ran---then he noticed that a part of her clothes and her limbs are smudged with blood.that trails down to Soujiro.
"Sano! Thank goodness!!!" she gasped, and quickly rushes to the man she came to knew as a close friend and a big brother. She threw her arms around him, and buried her face seeking solace as she let out her heart to cry. "I'm so scared---I."
"That's ok, Misao. I'm here for you.every thing is going to be fine." he comforted her, hushing and holding her tight. He lifted his eyes to Soujiro's direction, his gaze sharp with a hint of strong doubt. Soujiro got an injured right palm, his face looks like it have been scratched by small hands and his hakama---more splatters and stains of blood. If Misao managed to come out unscathed, how did this happen to him?
"What happened Misao? What have he done to you?" Sanosuke whispered, still holding her tight. But Misao said nothing, as if she is in great shock.
"A run away coach carried her," a man in the crowd speaks up. "It looks like it was going to throw her away to the cliff." And the stranger pointed out, a small hill just few miles away that would be leading to yawning chasm that would lead to a long river stream.
"If it hasn't been for this young man who showed in the nick of time, she would be dead." A woman speaked out, a pointed to the wounded Soujiro.
Sanosuke is growing to be very suspicious.
He lifted Misao easily and carried her with both arms, like a small fragile flower in his grasp and his cold gaze still unwavering at ronin's baffled expression. "I'll take you home." he said, "don't worry.its okay now. I'm here" And its all for naught, as cries wracked her body.
Soujiro knew it's about time he speaks up; Sanosuke is expecting him of foul play. The tall lad never trusted the sight of him, ever since he dropped by to Kyoto some few months back. He just hoped he hasn't figured his recently figured "dark" past.
"Sano.let me explain," he called out, and stood up and ran to catch by him. "It's not what you think it is!"
He let out a small wince of pain, nearly forgetting the piercing wound at his left side. A gunshot wound. It's the wound that Yuri inflicted on him, to trigger him to kill her. He does not want to, and does not see why. In order to defend himself, he got no choice.he slashed her with his sword, through her neck.a fatal point.
Sanosuke turned around, and noticed that Soujiro is clinging painfully to his side. So that's where all the blood came from. "Sanosuke.I saved misao." he gasped, as he tries to stand up, the pain seems to pierce his insides, making him limp. Soujiro clutched his sword for support, and to Sano's horror he noticed that there are some mild stains of blood in it despite being covered by a dark sheath. He recalled the injured lady named Yuri at the forest; she has a slashed neck done cleanly by probably a sword. Before she collapses, she seems to hold a gun on her right hand. If she is able to defend herself, the person shot will be injured to his left. Soujiro is the only person, as so far, that Yuri knew in the whole town.
"You wait here, you bastard."
He walked away from him, and left Misao for awhile in Sae's place which is few blocks away. Then he went back, his fists are clenched his jaw seems to be rigged so tight that it seems it would pop. Soujiro feared there is something that Sanosuke that has came into, first--- he noticed Soujiro's blood stains in mysterious places. How could he know that Misao is in danger, from miles away from where he is staying?
Could it possible he met Yuri?
It couldn't be.
His mind is confused with swirling thoughts, until he realized that Sanosuke is standing now right in front of him. In very close range, and standing at least 6'2 and growing, he is an intimidating towering giant of a man that could crush him down.if he is isn't only too injured to defend himself.
"Let's make this clear, Soujiro. You and me." he hissed, in a low rough voice. His furious brown gaze flaming beneath the small youth beneath him "I never used my strength to intimidate the haplessly injured, but you make an exception. If you ever.EVER go hurt Misao, or if I learned you have dealt her with bodily harm--- I swear I'll break every bone in your body. Do I make myself clear?"
"Sano, I wouldn't do anything to hurt Misao..." he said, "I tried to save her, and I did."
"Somebody out there just tried to kill her, haven't you dealt her enough damage already? Just go away and leave her alone!"
"W-What do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb with me.." He cursed lowly, and grabbed Soujiro's collar. With his just one hand, he easily dragged him uneasily from the ground. He was at loss of words to reason with him, and his most easy alternative is with his fist. The crowd starts to swarm around them, and not surprisingly siding with Soujiro. He is wounded and he has saved the girls life, they say. There is no reason why he should pick a fight; his hapless opponent has done no wrong. Done no wrong? Are they sure? Everything that surrounds him from 30 minutes ago is a complex web of what he feared, and for Misao's life: the perpetrator strikes back and almost succeed of getting rid of her. He can't see how they got all interconnected, but Soujiro got to be in it.
His mind presented all the possible factors, it all started with Yuri. The girl is new in town and a brief acquaintance of Soujiro. She also recently met Misao and knew of her as well. Then why would she wound up severely wounded in a deserted area of the forest? Who would have her killed, wanted her dead? Her words tells her to save Misao, before its too late.from whom, she forgot to tell. Her injuries, from a possible sword wound and Soujiro has a sheathed bloodied sword. He acquired a gun shot, and that she also has a gun. Bystanders told them that Soujiro surfaced already wounded by the time he saved Misao from the crashing carriage.
But the most damning hunch to prove all his suspicions came from Sae when Sanosuke left Misao with her for awhile. She told him that Soujiro left Misao shortly to talk with a "female friend" and she describes to be exactly like Yuri. After that, someone presented himself as a coachman and charms Misao to leave Shirobeko for a short easy ride home, courtesy of Soujiro. Of course, Soujiro didn't have anything to do with the carriage incident. But there must be a link between him and that stranger and for some reason--- wants Misao dead. Sae trembled as she mentioned that the suspicious character has the coldest amber eyes she has ever seen.
Haze clouded his brain, and words can't make out what he is starting to feel. The young ronin is guilty in his point of view, in one way or another. Soujiro could see that Sanosuke is breathing murder into his eyes, and that his fist is clenched so tight that he could make out the possibility that in a few minutes, it will hit and break his jaw. With one fist clutching his neck collar so hard that he is starting to choke, and his feet inches away from the ground, it seems forever for Soujiro to wait what Sanosuke will do to him.
"S-Sanosuke, you are better than this." He rasped, "If we continue this senseless argument, we will just hurt Misao more. She had enough already, please.just let me explain."
It seems to be an eternity, until Sanosuke dropped Soujiro roughly to the ground. The youth coughed and fell into his knees, trying to feel every part of his body, hoping that aside from the bullet wound he didn't have any broken bones. Rubbing his neck, he looked up.Sanosuke is waiting him to loosen up, and for the sake of the crowd, mumbled to meet him behind Sae's place by the back kitchen.
As soon as they get there, the serious conversation began.
"Misao is special to me," Sanosuke started, with surprisingly nostalgia in his tone, but still his gaze is sharp and unwavering towards Soujiro. "She is like my younger sister, and if anything happens to her---anything bad, I make sure that she gets the justice she deserves."
Like break every bone to my body, Soujiro said to himself. " Sano."
"Yes I know, you said yourself. You don't want to hurt her. In fact, she loves you just so much that it hurts her deep inside. You are a man without a past; suddenly appearing to her life when to her everything seems hopeless. You help her to become strong, even if it will take years to bring the old Misao back." then he paused, eyeing Soujiro's wounded side. "Then suddenly, came another threat in her life. And ironically, you are there once again to save her. Isn't it too much of a coincidence, Soujiro?"
The sound of the vegetables being fried in the background drowned the words that Sanosuke has said, but Soujiro was able to read it. He wants to confess it, there must be SOMETHING that draws him to save Misao, and be there when she needed him. Those flashbacks, of his unwanted past holds the clue why---and the way he look to it, is not a good one. Kamatari is behind it, he knows.but if he directly tells it to Sano, it would mean that he is an accomplice. No way would he be one, unless he recall why----and how.
He knows why the sight of his wounds angered Sano, and he tries his best reasoning to explain it.
"Where do you get those injuries," Sanosuke finally asked,
"Yuri-----"
He could see flame flare to Sanosuke's eyes. "--------she tried to warn me, but it's too late. I can't save her. I didn't kill her Sano, I didn't! HE did this-----"
Sanosuke breathed deeply, "Explain,"
Soujiro lied; it's after all the best way for now, until he finds out the truth. "Someone tries to blackmail Yuri in killing me first, and then Misao." He looked straight at him, "It's against her wishes and I know it." Soujiro's mind raced at a possible flashback, he told Sano that Yuri tries to attack him with a dagger, and he caught it with his right palm. He begged her to stop, and asking her why she is doing this. She is so confused to tell, in fear that someone is watching, so he quickly disarmed her of the dagger. At that point she panics, as he tried to negotiate with her, she brought out a gun and wounded him to his side. After several attempts, she starts to confess---- a man with amber eyes, a spy--- wanted for unknown reasons, to have Soujiro's and Misao's head. If she didn't accomplish the task, he would have to kill her mother. Before he could ask who, someone hits him back at his head----and his next vague recollection is his Nihontou being taken away from its sheath and later when he came to be, found out it was used to slit Yuri's neck. He panics, and recalls Misao is in danger and quickly ran to Shirobeko.
It seems that Sanosuke brought the tale. "And do you have any idea who this amber-eyed man is?"
Soujiro hesitated, "No. But if I do, I can't remember who."
"It sure is, after all.if you figured it out sooner or later, you are also a part of an evil scheme."
"No!" it sounded more defensive than he intended, "Whatever the life I lead before, it has nothing to do with what is happening right now!"
"Oh? And how would you know?" Sanosuke implied sarcastically. "You can't remember anything, but if you do--- you know it isn't good."
"Because I can feel it." Soujiro whispered, and expectantly ---he just hopes its right.
*****
Whatever the case, Sanosuke declared it a draw, and let him off the hook. It sounded that Soujiro is telling the truth, or at least somehow. He has been Misao's source of strength at her bleaker days--- and in his month's stay with Okina's household he can see that the love within both of them is genuine. He felt a pang of jealousy, whenever he sees them, witnessing their mutual friendship move to a higher plateau. The way they exchange sweet nothings, and sweet kisses that drives him crazy.the never ending concerns and tending Soujiro has to do to make her pregnancy a comfortable one, and so forth. Okina and the rest of the Oni's knew better than to tease Sano, they know that he looked on her just like an overprotective brother will do to his sister. But also, they wish they knew.
He wished he could have done something to comfort Misao, and save Aoshi's life. He takes out a deep breath and placed his palms heavily to his eyes, as he recalls those incident fresh in his head.
"Where did you get this?" his face was then full of shock, as he sees the welts and bruises that marked her whole arm. "Did Aoshi know abo----"
"He knows about it well," Misao's voice came in a rush whisper, "He knows about it well that-----". Then she looked at him, and he swore he never saw Misao so petrified with her life and very vulnerable and helpless. "Sanosuke, swear that you'll listen to me.you must help..." she whispered, pleading as she gripped firmly to his arms. ".help me find him."
And before he can ever reply, Aoshi then came in. His mere presence has made her blood ran with cold fear and she trembles as Aoshi tacitly instructed her to go, to which she obeyed as meekly as a lamb----in a speechless protest, she clutched to Sanosuke tightly before Aoshi finally drew her out of the room.
"Sano---t-tasukete kudasai." she pleaded.
He was not able to do anything, and he lost it in front of Aoshi. He got scared, if he just confronted Aoshi man to man, things would be in much better resolve. But that night, he hid in one of the kitchen counters to talk to Misao---and he did nothing to stop her about her plan. He knew that Misao will go in desperate measures to get Aoshi's attention to her situation, and if he just did stop her Aoshi would be alive right now. The man is the only one who holds the clue to who did the unsavory deed to Misao, why would he keep it a secret----even to his own ward, Sano don't know.
He shouldn't have reluctantly left back to Tokyo, after Aoshi's funeral. And with that, somehow he broke his promise to Misao----to find whoever he might be, who did this. He missed a lot of things, after the funeral Misao learned she is with child and later she resolved to commit suicide. And then, Soujiro mysteriously came along--- saved her life. With the dire situation she is in, vulnerable and needing a companion to cry on, she holds on to Soujiro for her support. This friendship later blossomed into something much deeper, and when the Soujiro's amnesia is revealed in front of Okina's eyes---- the old man became healthily suspicious. Knowing that he'll need someone to help him prove that something strange is going on, he called upon Sanosuke.
And that is months after the incident, sometimes Sano wondered why Okina has to wait that long. Long enough that Misao has fully trusted on Soujiro, the fact he later learned, has an unerring connection to Misao's unfortunate accident. It's so ironic to describe it as a coincidence, the fact that Okina and Sano keep to themselves. They don't want Misao to get hurt again.
But if POSSIBLY they are right, it wouldn't be avoided.
If he only stayed long enough to look after her during those agonizing months, if he..
"Sanosuke, they are leaving..are you going with them?" Sae's voice broke him from his interlaced reverie. The chinky eyed woman opened her eyes---as if she noticed something. Now, it's rare for Sae to open her eyes unless it really caught her attention. "What!" Sano said irritatingly, "do I have some egg on my face?"
"It looked like you have been crying,"
Sanosuke was equally surprised as she was, and he rubbed his eyes. His cheeks are a bit warm and damp with a salty fluid. Sae said she noticed that his eyes are pretty reddish too. He casually dismissed that it must be the chopped onions in the kitchen, and strode out of the kitchen quickly, before Sae realized there are no onions being done in the cooking area.
He slipped out of behind the restaurant counter, and was able to glimpse the two----as if nothing happened. Misao was tending to Soujiro's wounds, even the fact she was rattled herself. She carefully mended his left side, and his wounded palm.
"You don't have to do this Misao, I can manage." He said softly,
"No, it's the least I could do. You saved my life----oh, Soujiro." she murmured, and tears trickled down her cheek. He hushed her, placing one hand to hers, and pressing his lips to her forehead, consoling her. "Don't worry Misao, kimi ga mamoru----I will protect you, no matter what. I will find who ever are behind this, I promise." Misao looked at him, and Soujiro's face is of pure seriousness-and how calm he appears, his indigo eyes are full of silent rage within their depths.
Sanosuke let out one rough cough, as if to make aware of his presence. "You two love birds have to cut that out, we have enough for one whole day---- lets go home, ne?"
"Hai, I'll j------"Misao gasped, and clutched her bosom tightly, she felt a jabbing pain. She instantly sees the worry in Soujiro's face. It's bad to Misao to get her stressed and upset, it would mean a premature labor or she would either lose the child.
"I'll get us a ride home," Sanosuke replied tersely, and gave Misao a reassuring squeeze at the shoulder, "You sit down, ok?"
She nodded, but there is a gamut of emotions that played across her face when he mentioned "a ride home." He quickly understood it, and hailed a local man-driven cart. It will drive them shortly back to their home.
****
The ride was marked with some uneasy silence, as Misao worried that her stomach starts to hurt increasingly more and more, and that she might have the baby soon. "But it's too early." Sano remarked, "It's been only seven months----"
"The doctor told us the seventh will be the sensitive stage," Soujiro replied.
"AND since you knew better, you shouldn't have leave her at home than bringing her outside to Shirobeko!"
"Stop it Sano!" Misao quickly countered, although she was badly shaken although out the day, she didn't fail to notice Sano's sudden hostility with Soujiro. He was always ever suspicious, knowing that if anything happen to Misao----he can't forgive himself. Just like Okina, he suspect of Soujiro being darkly linked to her accident that causes his amnesia. None to which she does care, "I've gone with Soujiro with my own free will; he did not force me to go."
"Misao---" Soujiro said, with a look of surprise. It was him who insisted her to go.
"I've decided that on my own, he is not at fault here okay?"
"I'm just being concerned Misao. You just can't trust someone just easily--- not with your state."
"I know what I'm doing, so stop it!" she lashed back, with the cart having already stopped down in front of the dojo she can't keep to herself anymore. She hastily stepped out, "At least he has always been there, so you have no right to judge!"
" I'm not judging anyone! It's I-------" he shrugged, she left and is making her way to the dojo. Soujiro silently stepped out of the cart, he was the last to leave. He gave the ronin one hard look, " Remember, I'll keep an EYE on you."
****
Very much well, Soujiro keep in mind of Sano's words. He can't tell him yet of his recent discovery--- he is not prepared yet. He is not even sure how they would take it, hoping that all he was able to recall is not true. It's not what it seems, its nothing but a nightmare---he said to himself. He don't want to remember anything, not now.
He wondered what happened to Yuri, they don't have time to stop by as they hurriedly took Misao home. " I hope she can make it, I hope she is alive."
Then there came an ear-piercing shriek, followed by more hysterical screams.
Both Sanosuke and Soujiro turned around, "Misao!!!"
Sanosuke was the first to quickly react on impulse and hurriedly ran, and he was able to spot Misao standing and trembling in front of a tree near the temple. Her hand is cupping her mouth and her face awashed with full absolute terror. The way Sano sees it, whatever she did see will make her collapse any minute now. His blood ran cold, as she screamed, this time it's.
"Aoshi!!!"
He follows her terrified gaze, and saw a shilouette of a person---better yet, hanging by the tree. And his face drew to a pallid shock, "What on the."
"Aoshi!! Aoshi-sama!! No!!! Why?!" she cried wildly, that Sano has to quickly hold her tight and hugged her near so she won't force to see the appaling sight "You don't have to see it, you---". Aoshi is already long dead, but the method of his death---is refreshed to her mind at the sight, of the murder victim. What a sick prank to who ever did this, But he inspected much closer, and saw a familiar face.
With it's tattered kimono and the upper torso drenched by dry crusted blood, there is a long lash from its neck, that the head was nearly severed by the rope.
Yuri.
"What is it Sa----oh my, kusottare!!" Soujiro swore, as he catches up and see what's going on. "W-what kind of sick prank is this?"
"It's your friend, Soujiro. She committed suicide---but no, it--" Sano wasn't recover from shock yet, when he felt Misao cringed beneath him, as if she have somehow collapsed. She was heaving, and suddenly he felt that she suddenly became wet---and he saw his hands stained with blood.
"Damn it, Soujiro! Misao is having her baby now!!"
But Soujiro wasn't listening, even if Sano is at the back screaming to him. He usually panics, but his body won't respond, the sight--- the sight of the dead Yuri, drains all the possible reality that surrounds him.
Yuri is dead, and it's his fault. Fear crawls into him, the way the killer systematically hanged her seems to symbolize something. To make it look suicide. And there is only one person after her before he reluctantly left,
Kamatari.
"Soujiro!!! We don't have time! Mi----" Sano cursed lightly, the youth is obviously on shock. "I'll take her inside, you go get a doctor while I attend to her, quick!"
Soujiro felt a cold tingle in his palms, and slowly they grew numb and a strong wave of nausea fills him, his breathing becoming shallow increasingly each minute. Another searing headache is going to occur, and he fell down the ground to his knees clutching his head. This is not a suicide, she is killed...this is not a suicide.he keeps revebrating the words to his mind,
/ "Of course, this is not suicide Soujiro. We are going to make it look like so." Kamatari said, with a small wicked smile curved to his lips. They talking and having sake by the back alley of some broken down restaurant. " Besides, if he managed to know--- I go finish him, just as you said." /
Just as I said?
"Soujiro no baka! Get a doctor now!! Get Megumi or somebody!!"
Soujiro reacted mechanically, or by reflex--- even though confused, acceded to Sano's frantic call. He quickly took up and ran outside, his body moving in desperate speed to go to the nearest doctor, but his mind wasn't there. It seems that his memory is starting to flow spontaneously--- and the more he gets a glimpse on it, the more confused he became.
"Stop it, stop getting in my head!"
/ "I think that idea is very stupid. I want to kill him for the embarrassment, but I don't really mean seriou."/ / There is a small laugh, "You care so much for that little weasel? She's nothing! Fat chance you are going to get her attention." He looked back at him, "Eliminate Aoshi and you won't have no rival."/
/ "Rival?"/ / "If there is anything that the weasel cares about its Aoshi, it's the pangs of unrequited love./
/Hmph. It's just puppy love, its fine with me./
/She'll never love a man like she does for Aoshi, my friend. That's the truth. To her, you are just an acquaintance nothing else./
/So what are you thinking?/
/Why don't you see it for yourself tonight?/
Then came another searing pain to his head, a painful longer sensation. Things he reluctantly does not want to remember, but nor can he forget starts forcing itself to his head.
"This cannot be! I don't want to."
He stumbled into path, and after he noticed that he was aimlessly running for awhile--- he managed to reach Megumi's residence by instinct. He must appeared so distraught and utterly looking like a nervous wreck that Megumi didn't waste time packing her things the moment he called out her for an emergency.
"Misao is giving birth now, so how long was it when she had her contractions?" she quickly asked, as she hailed a carriage. She was amazed that Soujiro ran all the way from Okina's place to hers. "Did her water bag broke?"
"Yes it did, Sanosuke managed to scoop her in a safe place in the house--- I think she is ble." he turned pale, "H-hold it, I haven't told you yet that Misao is giving premature labor!"
"You don't but some strange man with amber eyes met up with me and told me she will do so anytime soon."