Edited 11th February, 2006

Disclaimer: I don't own it; I'm just screwing it up for my purposes.


To Make a Difference

Chapter 5: Housing the Devil


After a moment of hesitation, the boy gave in. Still lightly grasping her hand, he pulled her out into the fields.

The family watched from within the house. "At least the girl seems to obey."

And as the sun started to rise into the sky, Soujiro began to share his daily burden with his only friend.


The youngest brother looked out the window as breakfast was being served. "Maybe the girl will rub off on the bastard. She takes orders better than he does. Probably scared out of her wits."

As the mother set food down on the table she turned toward her husband. "She's just a girl… should she be doing such labor?"

"She was caught stealing and Sou was hiding her. That's a good reason for her not to be inside. Besides, she's probably an illegitimate child, too. Kids like that deserve to work in the fields."


Soujiro struggled to work, despite his injuries and bruises. Afraid that Misao would push herself too hard, he strained to carry more than she could. 'Almost midday break…'

Misao wiped the sweat from her brow as her thoughts ran the same line as Soujiro's. 'He shouldn't be working; he's hurt. I'll just have to work for both of us.' "Sou-chan, you shouldn't be working."

Soujiro ignored the comment, attempting to crack a smile. "You sweat like you're in a bathhouse, Misao-chan…"

"Yeah? You, too, Sou-chan!" Misao returned. Moments later she frowned at his bruises, worry taking over.

Soujiro caught Misao's concern and hastily spoke up, "I'll be OK--!"

As he spoke his reassurance, he tumbled forward onto his knees, crying out. "Ow!"

Misao rushed to his side, not that she was far from it to begin with. "Sou-chan!"

Soujiro smiled weakly as Misao pulled him to his feet. "Really, I'm OK..."

"But…"

She was cut short as the father yelled out the door, "Take your stupid break before you both collapse!"

With a slam of the door, the two children were once again left alone.

Misao smiled, despite her current situation. "Did you hear that? We get a break!"

In response, Soujiro smiled weakly. "Yeah…"

Misao's smile turned to a frown as she grabbed Soujiro's arm. "What's wrong, Sou-chan?"

Soujiro nodded, stumbled toward the house. "Nothing's wrong…really."

Misao ran after him, grabbing his arm to help him walk. "Something is wrong; I know it!"

Soujiro, desperate to not let Misao worry over him, just smiled. "Let's get some water, OK?"

Misao nodded vigorously. "Let's!"

It took a few minutes for both exhausted children to reach the well. Soujiro insisted on hoisting up the water and promptly handed Misao the ladle. "Drink."

Misao shook her head and pushed the ladle back to her friend. "Sou-chan needs it more."

Soujiro smiled and retorted, "I have a whole bucket of water, Misao. Drink. Now."

"Only if you drink with me."

Soujiro blinked, confusion clearly written on his face. "Eh?"

"I'll only drink if you drink, too. OK?"

Soujiro looked at the bucket of water and at the ladle. "But...there is only one ladle, Misao…"

"So we'll share. Let's drink, Sou-chan!"

Soujiro nodded, and took the ladle in one of his hands, eyeing Misao. Both then dipped their heads, drinking heartily. The water was soothing and refreshing. Soujiro paused, watching Misao. Momentarily forgetting to drink, he eyed her gulping down the water, watching a small trail trickle down her chin.

Misao turned her head to Soujiro, their lips briefly touching as both faced each other. Eyes widening, a twinge of red spreads across Misao's cheeks. The other, however, turned crimson. Stumbling back, the boy landed on his rear. "Areh…"

Misao frowned and helped Soujiro up. "Do you need any more water?"

"No. This was good." Soujiro replied, the red fading away. Dusting off his hakama pants, the boy sighed and led the girl back out into the field.


Day turned to night and night into day. On the third evening of Misao and Soujiro's joined labor, they were startled out of their last round to the barn by a blood-curdling scream.

"What was that!" Misao gasped, running to Soujiro's side.

"I don't know…" Soujiro replied, shuddering slightly. Another scream made the two children jump again.

"S-should we go check it out?" Soujiro inquired, rising to his feet.

As a few more screams were heard as both children shakily followed the sound, rounding the barn and nearing the woods.

"Scary…" Misao murmured, clinging to Soujiro's arm. The latter stopped and peered around the corner, eyes widening at what he saw. Misao, peering over his shoulder, had to stifle a gasp upon seeing a bandaged man slice through an officer like a hot knife through butter.

Misao tugged at Soujiro's arm, trying to pull the two back to safety. However her own feet would not obey the commands her mind was sending to them. 'Run!' her mind screamed, yet her legs would not move.

Soujiro, however, involuntarily stepped back, his foot hitting a stick. It broke under his weight and both children knew the man knew they were there.

The bandaged man turned his attention to the children, all the while slinging blood from his blade. "Hn? What have we here?"

Both children gasped as the bandaged monster stepped forward, a killing look in his eyes. "You saw, didn't you? Then you must die."

As Misao paled, Soujiro boldly stepped forward, shielding his only friend. His look of awe and fear turned to the emotionless smile he displayed so very often as he stood to protect Misao from this burnt killer.

No way was Misao letting her best friend die for her. Despite wanting to turn and run, she reached out and gripped Soujiro's hand and stepped forward, trying to be as brave as her Sou-chan.

Shishio observed the children and paused in his slow tread to them. "You are about to die, yet you smile, boy. Are you so happy to greet death? And you, girl. You will not let him protect you."

Misao looked away from the frightening form inquiring her, burying her face in Soujiro's gi. Shishio smirked at this. "Answer me."

Soujiro reached up and touched his face, realizing he was smiling. "This? Haha…I just…do."

"I see…and you girl, why aren't you letting him protect you? You're scared but you won't let him die for you."

Misao adverted her eyes, staring at the ground as she whimpered. "Sou-chan..."

"Hn. I see. Find me fresh bandages and shelter and I will spare you two."

The two children nodded, scampering off toward the barn, Shishio in tow.


It was some time later when Shishio was finally in clean bandages and resting on a bale of hay. Soujiro meekly stepped up to him, still scared of the burnt samurai. Misao stayed a short distance away as her best friend spoke. "Are you a bad guy? You killed that man."

"The government is evil. They did this to me," Shishio replied, waving a hand at his appearance.

"Then you're good?" Soujiro inquired.

"I am the devil."

Soujiro gasped at this confession and grabbed Misao, pulling her back behind him. Misao peered over Soujiro's shoulder in fear and curiosity.

Shishio chuckled, slightly amused by their antics. "I'm not going to kill you two. Names?"

Soujiro gulped and stepped forward once again. "I'm Soujiro…Seta Soujiro."

Misao looked at Soujiro, silently asking if it was OK to answer. Soujiro squeezed her hand in reassurance. "I'm Misao…"

Shishio grinned, his red eyes gleaming. "Do I scare you, girl?"

Misao squeaked, burying her face in Soujiro's gi once again. It was when she turned her head that Shishio could get a good glimpse of the whelp on the side of her face. He glanced at the cuts on Soujiro's body and arched a brow. "You two enjoy roughhousing or is there a reason to such injuries on your bodies?"

Soujiro took a moment to explain his and Misao's situations. Shishio nodded in understanding. "They sound like real bastards. They beat you because you are weak. I have a present for you, boy."

Shishio ended his statement by drawing out his wakizashi. Both children eyed the short sword with wonder. Soujiro finally stepped up and took the blade with wide eyes.

"A wakizashi…" Misao murmured, daring to take a peek at Shishio.

"Na, you know about weapons…who are your parents, girl?"

Misao frowned and played with her fingers. "I don't know, Ojisan…"

Shishio nodded, before replying, "Don't call me 'Ojisan'. I have a name. Shishio Makoto." He paused before continuing. "You probably have amnesia, girl. Doesn't matter."

Misao, now gaining confidence, looked up at Shishio. "Shishio-san, how come you were killing that man?"

"He was bad. The government is bad."

"Did they hurt you, Shishio-san?"

"Yes. They tried to kill me by burning me alive."

"Is that why you look like that?"

Shishio gave a nod, confirming Misao's question. Misao's expression softened to a sympathetic one for the poor, bandaged man.

Shishio almost snorted. "Don't pity me, girl. That event only made me stronger."

Misao looked down immediately, abashed. "I'm sorry, Shishio-san."

"Hn." Shishio looked around a bit before commenting, "I like it here. I think I'll stay for a while."

Soujiro, who had been watching the exchange between the two, spoke up to Misao. "Let's go to sleep. Aren't you tired?"

Misao nodded, crawling into the hay beside him. "Sou-chan…"

"Eh?"

Misao's voice dropped to a whisper. "He's so scary. And he killed that man. Do you think he's bad?"

Soujiro ponders a moment before replying, "He didn't kill us, and he hasn't hurt us, unlike…"

Misao nodded, knowing exactly what the boy was thinking. "I know, but…"

Soujiro lay down, mumbling. "He scares me, too."

As Misao drifted off to sleep, Soujiro glanced at Shishio who appeared to be sleeping. "Don't worry, we have each other. Sleep, Misao-chan. Good night."

Soujiro smiled brightly for her as she snuggled close to him. "Good night, Sou-chan."

After a few moments, Shishio opened one eye and looked at the two forms curled in the hay. 'Na, so the children are close. They both could be strong with proper training. The girl is scared but doesn't want to admit it, so she faces it. The boy suppresses unwanted emotions with a smile. Intriguing.'

Shishio leaned back against the wall, his arms stretching out over the hay. "The strong will live… those two… Tomorrow, we shall see."

To Be Continued…


AN: I know it's a few days before Shishio gives Sou his wakizashi, but I'm speeding things up a bit. Comments are welcome.

Phoe-chan