Chapter 9 – Departure
The Matsu estate had come alive with rejoicing as the pair galloped into the square. They flew to Tsuki's heaving and smoking sides, grateful to see that their lady had been rescued. Lord Matsu rushed outside and caught his daughter as she slipped down from the saddle. He cradled her in his arms, kissing her soft cheeks and weeping into her long hair.
"Little hana, I am so grateful you are safe," he sobbed, stroking her face and holding her close to his heart.
She wrapped her arms around her father and cried into his sleeves, trembling slightly from her ordeal. He brought her to arms length and smiled tenderly. Suddenly he noticed blood splashed across her yukata and looked at the ragged samurai, face slashed and bleeding, messy with death.
"Tell me, what happened," Matsu demanded.
Battousai came to him sternly and said, "I have done what I set out to do." "You mean to say that- "
Battousai walked over to the white horse and took a round cloth-bound object from the saddle. He brought it to Lord Matsu, bowed respectively and opened it to reveal the head of his enemy. Matsu was aghast with fright and shock at seeing it.
"Here is the proof to you. I have kept my word. You have no reason to suspect me of any treason. Is it enough for you, Lord Matsu?"
"Enough? Why this is grand! You have done far more than I expected. You've protected my estate, rescued my daughter from certain death, and destroyed my oppressor and every threat he left behind. It is absolutely amazing! Great samurai, I must know your name, so all in my house shall remember the man that saved them."
Toshiki flinched at her father's request but the scarlet warrior remained composed. "I regret to say that I cannot reveal my name to anyone. It has caused nothing but pain for me and for those I encounter."
Toshiki dropped her eyes sadly at his words.
"I see," Matsu mused. "Well then, who-ever-you-are, come let us celebrate this joyous occasion! Let us drink to the new future that this man has given us!"
The whole crowd of servants and vassals shouted in applause to the samurai and went off to prepare the festivities. One lingered behind. Kaurousuke, who had been concealed within the crowd, now approached the swordsman.
"I guess I was wrong about you," he said softly. "You have proven to be a more honorable man than I once thought. You have accomplished the impossible and for that I give you my respect."
Battousai did not reply. He only looked at the sword master coldly, the wound on his face still bleeding slightly down his jaw line.
"Still, I find it strange that a hitokiri would risk his life for something he was not obligated to do." Smiling, he turned and walked off into the mansion.
The hitokiri stood alone in the courtyard, eyes shaded as the morning sun rose in the east, glowing red in the sky.
~
The celebration had gone on throughout the day and long into the night when Battousai exited the hall and went to the stateroom. He slipped his two swords into his belt and placed his wallet and other belongings in the pouch beneath his haori. Quietly he walked down the stairs and out into the garden, heading toward the tall wooden gates. He stopped for a moment and looked back at the mansion, echoing with song and music and laughter. He smiled at their happiness and wished things to go well with them, especially the girl: Toshiki. How he would miss her.
Suddenly, as if my magic, there she was, standing before him like an angel in the growing moonlight, her long raven-black hair cascading around her like a curtain of black silk, and her white kimono glimmering with silver mist. A worried expression flooded her face as she noticed he was set to travel.
"You're leaving?" she asked quietly.
"I am sorry, Toshiki," he sighed. He had hoped not to have to say goodbye to the girl, for it would surely break her heart. "I must leave this place."
"Why? Why must you go? You have done a great deed, there is nothing for you to run from."
"But there is, Toshiki," he replied gravely.
Her eyes were wide with interest and suspicion. Sighing once more, he gathered up the words, and told her softly, "I have been found out."
Toshiki gasped in fright. "How? I spoke to no one of your identity. I swore I would not!"
"It wasn't you, Toshiki. It was Kokkaido's men," he hissed. "On the night that I told you of my secret, a group of spies had been hiding within the gardens outside. I had heard them, but thought nothing of it, a foolish mistake on my part. They heard every word and relayed it to Kokkaido."
"But all of Kokkaido's men are dead now. They can do you no harm. It is as it was before. You are still a secret."
"No, it's not true."
"What do you mean?"
"The men who attacked last night and took you to Kokkaido's mansion, were no ordinary samurai," he growled, fists clenching tightly. "Their swordsmanship was easily identified. They were my enemies...the Shinsengumi."
"The Shinsengumi?" Toshiki gasped, horrified.
"Yes. They had been sided with Kokkaido the entire time, and it was their cunning that prevented me from stopping your abduction. And now they know who I am and will soon come after me. That is why I must leave, for fear I may put you and your family in even more danger."
Toshiki's eyes lowered and darted about, taking in his words. Silver tears crept down her face as she tried to accept this truth. Sadly, she could not bear it and threw herself upon him.
"Why? Why must you leave me, Akai, after all that's happened? Can't you stay a little while longer? I couldn't bear to see you go! Please, Akai...please don't leave me. I don't know what I would ever do without you. You are my life, Akai, I owe you everything..."
"I know, Toshiki," he whispered, stroking her long hair. "I know this is hard for you, but I must leave. In order to keep you safe I must leave, else my presence here will endanger your life. You must understand, that I am doing this for your own safety, and I could not bear to see you die because of a mistake that I had made. I've already done that once and I do not intend to do it again."
Toshiki wiped her eyes and looked into his face. The long scarlet hair, the piercing eyes, and now, the scar forever etched into his soul, all came together in one terrible, sorrowful moment, for she knew there was no way for her to stop him. She knew this would probably be the last time she would ever see her dear Akai. Trying to keep the tears from swimming in her eyes and blurring his wondrous image, she finally lowered her head in defeat, and said, "I understand."
Seeing as it was the right time to depart, Battousai turned and began to walk toward the exit. His march was halted by an insistent cry of, "Wait!" He turned to see that the girl bade him to stay for a moment as she rushed off to the far side of the house. Minutes later she returned, towing behind her the white horse, Shiro Tsuki, saddled and supplied with food pouches. Lovingly, she took his hand and placed the leather reins into his grip.
She looked into his eyes with every ounce of affection she possessed, her essence, her very soul, and said, "Take with you, on your journeys, this horse, as a symbol of my utmost gratitude and undying love. Ride upon him and save others just as you saved me."
After she spoke these words, she slowly and gently tipped her head upward and caught the swordsman in a tender kiss, pouring every bit of strength and passion into it, so that he could not help but wrap his arms around her and return that affection due. Her heart flew into her throat at his response and knew that things would go well with her lover. His hand, so soft to the touch, caressed her cheeks and trailed down her long neck. Neither of them had ever felt such love, nor did they want it to end. But, like all good things, it did.
Battousai drew away from the girl and mounted the great horse. In their last loving glance, Toshiki said, "Promise me, Akai...promise that you'll never forget me." "I will never forget you, Toshiki Matsu."
And with that, the scarlet hitokiri sped off into the night. As he turned to ride down the beaten path, the cloud of dust kicked up by his horse's hooves sent the mist soaring and a light illuminated the sky. From behind the sakura, bare of leaves and buds, the moon shone out from behind a cloud, rising slowly in the night sky. Its luminosity bore into her and its awing light inspired her: the great orb, always watching, always guiding, always protecting, and a muse for the poet and a dream for those who gaze at its face. In that instant, the words came to her mind:
What does the flower whisper when a white moon rises?
Toshiki smiled softly and let the happy tears fall. She now understood the meaning, she had solved the riddle. The face of her lover, scarred upon her heart just as deeply as the wound upon his cheek, reflected into the glowing surface of the moon and gave her the undoubtedly sure answer to that question that had plagued her for so long.
I am the flower...the moon is my lover...and the words I whisper are those of my undying love...
Aishiteru...my sweet, Akai.
------------------------------------------------------------- A/N: Crimety! My poor brain! How am I ever going to finish this? AHHHH! Hoped you like! REVIEWS PLEASE!
The Matsu estate had come alive with rejoicing as the pair galloped into the square. They flew to Tsuki's heaving and smoking sides, grateful to see that their lady had been rescued. Lord Matsu rushed outside and caught his daughter as she slipped down from the saddle. He cradled her in his arms, kissing her soft cheeks and weeping into her long hair.
"Little hana, I am so grateful you are safe," he sobbed, stroking her face and holding her close to his heart.
She wrapped her arms around her father and cried into his sleeves, trembling slightly from her ordeal. He brought her to arms length and smiled tenderly. Suddenly he noticed blood splashed across her yukata and looked at the ragged samurai, face slashed and bleeding, messy with death.
"Tell me, what happened," Matsu demanded.
Battousai came to him sternly and said, "I have done what I set out to do." "You mean to say that- "
Battousai walked over to the white horse and took a round cloth-bound object from the saddle. He brought it to Lord Matsu, bowed respectively and opened it to reveal the head of his enemy. Matsu was aghast with fright and shock at seeing it.
"Here is the proof to you. I have kept my word. You have no reason to suspect me of any treason. Is it enough for you, Lord Matsu?"
"Enough? Why this is grand! You have done far more than I expected. You've protected my estate, rescued my daughter from certain death, and destroyed my oppressor and every threat he left behind. It is absolutely amazing! Great samurai, I must know your name, so all in my house shall remember the man that saved them."
Toshiki flinched at her father's request but the scarlet warrior remained composed. "I regret to say that I cannot reveal my name to anyone. It has caused nothing but pain for me and for those I encounter."
Toshiki dropped her eyes sadly at his words.
"I see," Matsu mused. "Well then, who-ever-you-are, come let us celebrate this joyous occasion! Let us drink to the new future that this man has given us!"
The whole crowd of servants and vassals shouted in applause to the samurai and went off to prepare the festivities. One lingered behind. Kaurousuke, who had been concealed within the crowd, now approached the swordsman.
"I guess I was wrong about you," he said softly. "You have proven to be a more honorable man than I once thought. You have accomplished the impossible and for that I give you my respect."
Battousai did not reply. He only looked at the sword master coldly, the wound on his face still bleeding slightly down his jaw line.
"Still, I find it strange that a hitokiri would risk his life for something he was not obligated to do." Smiling, he turned and walked off into the mansion.
The hitokiri stood alone in the courtyard, eyes shaded as the morning sun rose in the east, glowing red in the sky.
~
The celebration had gone on throughout the day and long into the night when Battousai exited the hall and went to the stateroom. He slipped his two swords into his belt and placed his wallet and other belongings in the pouch beneath his haori. Quietly he walked down the stairs and out into the garden, heading toward the tall wooden gates. He stopped for a moment and looked back at the mansion, echoing with song and music and laughter. He smiled at their happiness and wished things to go well with them, especially the girl: Toshiki. How he would miss her.
Suddenly, as if my magic, there she was, standing before him like an angel in the growing moonlight, her long raven-black hair cascading around her like a curtain of black silk, and her white kimono glimmering with silver mist. A worried expression flooded her face as she noticed he was set to travel.
"You're leaving?" she asked quietly.
"I am sorry, Toshiki," he sighed. He had hoped not to have to say goodbye to the girl, for it would surely break her heart. "I must leave this place."
"Why? Why must you go? You have done a great deed, there is nothing for you to run from."
"But there is, Toshiki," he replied gravely.
Her eyes were wide with interest and suspicion. Sighing once more, he gathered up the words, and told her softly, "I have been found out."
Toshiki gasped in fright. "How? I spoke to no one of your identity. I swore I would not!"
"It wasn't you, Toshiki. It was Kokkaido's men," he hissed. "On the night that I told you of my secret, a group of spies had been hiding within the gardens outside. I had heard them, but thought nothing of it, a foolish mistake on my part. They heard every word and relayed it to Kokkaido."
"But all of Kokkaido's men are dead now. They can do you no harm. It is as it was before. You are still a secret."
"No, it's not true."
"What do you mean?"
"The men who attacked last night and took you to Kokkaido's mansion, were no ordinary samurai," he growled, fists clenching tightly. "Their swordsmanship was easily identified. They were my enemies...the Shinsengumi."
"The Shinsengumi?" Toshiki gasped, horrified.
"Yes. They had been sided with Kokkaido the entire time, and it was their cunning that prevented me from stopping your abduction. And now they know who I am and will soon come after me. That is why I must leave, for fear I may put you and your family in even more danger."
Toshiki's eyes lowered and darted about, taking in his words. Silver tears crept down her face as she tried to accept this truth. Sadly, she could not bear it and threw herself upon him.
"Why? Why must you leave me, Akai, after all that's happened? Can't you stay a little while longer? I couldn't bear to see you go! Please, Akai...please don't leave me. I don't know what I would ever do without you. You are my life, Akai, I owe you everything..."
"I know, Toshiki," he whispered, stroking her long hair. "I know this is hard for you, but I must leave. In order to keep you safe I must leave, else my presence here will endanger your life. You must understand, that I am doing this for your own safety, and I could not bear to see you die because of a mistake that I had made. I've already done that once and I do not intend to do it again."
Toshiki wiped her eyes and looked into his face. The long scarlet hair, the piercing eyes, and now, the scar forever etched into his soul, all came together in one terrible, sorrowful moment, for she knew there was no way for her to stop him. She knew this would probably be the last time she would ever see her dear Akai. Trying to keep the tears from swimming in her eyes and blurring his wondrous image, she finally lowered her head in defeat, and said, "I understand."
Seeing as it was the right time to depart, Battousai turned and began to walk toward the exit. His march was halted by an insistent cry of, "Wait!" He turned to see that the girl bade him to stay for a moment as she rushed off to the far side of the house. Minutes later she returned, towing behind her the white horse, Shiro Tsuki, saddled and supplied with food pouches. Lovingly, she took his hand and placed the leather reins into his grip.
She looked into his eyes with every ounce of affection she possessed, her essence, her very soul, and said, "Take with you, on your journeys, this horse, as a symbol of my utmost gratitude and undying love. Ride upon him and save others just as you saved me."
After she spoke these words, she slowly and gently tipped her head upward and caught the swordsman in a tender kiss, pouring every bit of strength and passion into it, so that he could not help but wrap his arms around her and return that affection due. Her heart flew into her throat at his response and knew that things would go well with her lover. His hand, so soft to the touch, caressed her cheeks and trailed down her long neck. Neither of them had ever felt such love, nor did they want it to end. But, like all good things, it did.
Battousai drew away from the girl and mounted the great horse. In their last loving glance, Toshiki said, "Promise me, Akai...promise that you'll never forget me." "I will never forget you, Toshiki Matsu."
And with that, the scarlet hitokiri sped off into the night. As he turned to ride down the beaten path, the cloud of dust kicked up by his horse's hooves sent the mist soaring and a light illuminated the sky. From behind the sakura, bare of leaves and buds, the moon shone out from behind a cloud, rising slowly in the night sky. Its luminosity bore into her and its awing light inspired her: the great orb, always watching, always guiding, always protecting, and a muse for the poet and a dream for those who gaze at its face. In that instant, the words came to her mind:
What does the flower whisper when a white moon rises?
Toshiki smiled softly and let the happy tears fall. She now understood the meaning, she had solved the riddle. The face of her lover, scarred upon her heart just as deeply as the wound upon his cheek, reflected into the glowing surface of the moon and gave her the undoubtedly sure answer to that question that had plagued her for so long.
I am the flower...the moon is my lover...and the words I whisper are those of my undying love...
Aishiteru...my sweet, Akai.
------------------------------------------------------------- A/N: Crimety! My poor brain! How am I ever going to finish this? AHHHH! Hoped you like! REVIEWS PLEASE!