Alright people, I know I didn't mention this before; but there are two
authors of this tale. A really good friend of mine that I constantly role-
play with is writing from Sou-chan's point of view, while I do good old
Ichi. Anyways, I want to thank my loyal reviewer for reviewing this story.
My friend and I worked hard on this, or should I say, -are- working hard on
this. Anyways, as if you hadn't guessed, this'll be from Soujirou's
beginning point of view. On to the second chapter!
Before he knew it, the ship had docked and Soujirou was off on his feet again. Mournful eyes-the characteristic being abnormal for one such as him- gazed upward t'wards the direction of Mount Hiei, a frown dimming his usual upwardly curved lips. A slow sigh, and then. A bright grin quickly over-shadowed his angst and the former killer made his descent into Kyoto, on a desperate quest for an inn. Just. nothing where he had stayed before. How long had it been since he'd first set foot in Kyoto? He could remember that day well. the day where he first saw the bandaged and heavily burnt man. The day where he'd began a new life. Soujirou shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the past and lay his sights on the present and what was to come. Yet he couldn't help but let the thoughts of Yumi, Shishio and the Juppon Gatana linger on his mind. [flashback thingy::
"S-soujirou!" The cry of Komagata Yumi lingered through the fourteen-year-old's ears, ringing and ceasing to fade. "Soujirou!" There it was again. Smile fixed in place, Seta Soujirou inclined his head a bit to show his listening. The former-geisha scowled, hands on her hips and head shaking. "Soujirou, you're a mess! Yes, I know you've been practicing and everything, but at least get in a decent meal once in awhile and change- your-clothes! Those look like rags." Silently fuming, Yumi subconsciously fixed the boy's collar, lifting her eyes to meet his face. "And what're you so shocked for?" "I-nothing. I understand, Yumi-san, I'll get cleaned." He hadn't noticed that his facial expression had dropped at the fact that Yumi appeared. well, concerned-when they had first met a while ago, it appeared as if the geisha didn't apparently give a reputation or two to care about him. Grin jovially fixed on, Soujirou turned back, pausing only when Yumi spoke again. "Boy, that. Kamatari wants you to meet with him after you're done eating." The boy could just picture Yumi's face for a brief moment-full of dislike and rage. "So. hurry up. Because I need you to do something for me afterwards. Alright?" Nodding slightly, Soujirou continued his slow walk, stopping once again as Yumi called him. "I'm getting sick of patching up your rags! We're getting you new clothes, alright? Even Shishio-sama agrees to that." A small laugh left his lips and he nodded, running to the bathhouse.] WHAM! Soujirou fell back, rubbing his face and sweatdropping awkwardly as he glanced up at the pole he'd run into. He could feel a blush of embarrassment crawl onto his cheeks and fought to keep his skin a normal shade. Really, he was Tenken. Shouldn't he be emotionless? Taking another look at the pole, he stared at it. The Aoiya? Had he. had he really travel this deep into the seemingly sleeping town? Maybe. maybe they would offer him a place to stay! And that though went down as he realized that, even though Himura was forgiving, the weasel girl might not b- Soujirou sharply turned to the sound of a strangled cry, hand instinctively reaching to the place where Kikuichimonji Norimune used to rest. Eyes narrowed slightly, smile stretching to strained, he dashed quickly to the source- and stopped dead, eyes widening slightly in astonishment at a rolling head and crumpled body. He hadn't dared to walk up closer weaponless, he felt naked. Peering at the scene from where he was, he glanced briefly at the retreating figure before his eyes fell on the newcomer. He continued to watch her silently until finally, after the task of hiding the body had been completed, he called out, "Kobanwa Ichidou?"
Before he knew it, the ship had docked and Soujirou was off on his feet again. Mournful eyes-the characteristic being abnormal for one such as him- gazed upward t'wards the direction of Mount Hiei, a frown dimming his usual upwardly curved lips. A slow sigh, and then. A bright grin quickly over-shadowed his angst and the former killer made his descent into Kyoto, on a desperate quest for an inn. Just. nothing where he had stayed before. How long had it been since he'd first set foot in Kyoto? He could remember that day well. the day where he first saw the bandaged and heavily burnt man. The day where he'd began a new life. Soujirou shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the past and lay his sights on the present and what was to come. Yet he couldn't help but let the thoughts of Yumi, Shishio and the Juppon Gatana linger on his mind. [flashback thingy::
"S-soujirou!" The cry of Komagata Yumi lingered through the fourteen-year-old's ears, ringing and ceasing to fade. "Soujirou!" There it was again. Smile fixed in place, Seta Soujirou inclined his head a bit to show his listening. The former-geisha scowled, hands on her hips and head shaking. "Soujirou, you're a mess! Yes, I know you've been practicing and everything, but at least get in a decent meal once in awhile and change- your-clothes! Those look like rags." Silently fuming, Yumi subconsciously fixed the boy's collar, lifting her eyes to meet his face. "And what're you so shocked for?" "I-nothing. I understand, Yumi-san, I'll get cleaned." He hadn't noticed that his facial expression had dropped at the fact that Yumi appeared. well, concerned-when they had first met a while ago, it appeared as if the geisha didn't apparently give a reputation or two to care about him. Grin jovially fixed on, Soujirou turned back, pausing only when Yumi spoke again. "Boy, that. Kamatari wants you to meet with him after you're done eating." The boy could just picture Yumi's face for a brief moment-full of dislike and rage. "So. hurry up. Because I need you to do something for me afterwards. Alright?" Nodding slightly, Soujirou continued his slow walk, stopping once again as Yumi called him. "I'm getting sick of patching up your rags! We're getting you new clothes, alright? Even Shishio-sama agrees to that." A small laugh left his lips and he nodded, running to the bathhouse.] WHAM! Soujirou fell back, rubbing his face and sweatdropping awkwardly as he glanced up at the pole he'd run into. He could feel a blush of embarrassment crawl onto his cheeks and fought to keep his skin a normal shade. Really, he was Tenken. Shouldn't he be emotionless? Taking another look at the pole, he stared at it. The Aoiya? Had he. had he really travel this deep into the seemingly sleeping town? Maybe. maybe they would offer him a place to stay! And that though went down as he realized that, even though Himura was forgiving, the weasel girl might not b- Soujirou sharply turned to the sound of a strangled cry, hand instinctively reaching to the place where Kikuichimonji Norimune used to rest. Eyes narrowed slightly, smile stretching to strained, he dashed quickly to the source- and stopped dead, eyes widening slightly in astonishment at a rolling head and crumpled body. He hadn't dared to walk up closer weaponless, he felt naked. Peering at the scene from where he was, he glanced briefly at the retreating figure before his eyes fell on the newcomer. He continued to watch her silently until finally, after the task of hiding the body had been completed, he called out, "Kobanwa Ichidou?"