Disclaimer: I do not own PMK, don't sue.
Chapter 2: Reunion
"You, don't you dare ..." He was cut short by a slap across the face. He coughed; then glared at his assailant with defiance. Two identical pairs of eyes glared at each other. The two men were identical in every aspect. They could have been twin brothers. It was like seeing his own reflection, Okita thought grimly. His psycho killer lookalike has resurfaced.
"Okita Souji, captain of the First Patrol, Shinsengumi. You've come a long way." Okita tensed. "Remember that chest? If I recall correctly, it was a bag of sweets that got you into that old storehouse. You still got a sweet tooth, Souji-chan." The speaker was a tall man who leaned heavily on a walking stick.
"Miyagi-senpai. Sensei always said you'll come to a sorry end. And so you have. Working for the Choushu now, aren't you?" The stick smashed into Okita's shoulder.
"You got me crippled! It would have been poison in your dessert if--" He gasped for breath, turning red in the face. Okita smiled dryly. Miyagi was the ringleader back then. Toshi had broken the older boy's kneecap for the attack on young Souji. Now Miyagi is playing a significant part in this scheme.
Funny how fate works. If it hadn't been Miyagi, he could be dead by now. Okita knew his senpai enjoyed the feel of power, a bully. In the dojo, he tormented the younger students, forcing many to beg him...No doubt Miyagi wanted the dojo's star pupil to beg him for mercy...Tough on the bastard, I'm not doing to do that. Okita stared back at him unflinchingly.
"Kichisaburo, no, Captain Okita will return to the HQ and resume his normal duties. He will naturally be above all suspicion. Kichisaburo is not only an assassin, but an actor. Not even your good friends can tell the difference...until it's too late." Kichisaburo nodded in agreement. Okita's eyes widened as he grasped the full extent of the conspiracy.
"Don't you dare!" Souji launched himself bodily off the tatami into Miyagi. They fell down together with a crash. The cronies yanked the furious young captain off their master and gagged him. Kichisaburo had his katana drawn. The blade slowly traced its way down Okita's cheek.
"Miyagi-san, shall I kill him now?" Kichisaburo asked carelessly as the blade sliced into Okita's right shoulder. Okita choked on his gag as the blood flowed. Miyagi shook his head. "Lucky you." Okita winced as the assassin grabbed him by his bleeding shoulder, yanked him roughly from the floor and dropped him back on it with equal violence.
"Miyagi-sama, it's too risky...we should dispose of him." One of the cronies ventured.
"Just guard him well!" Miyagi snapped as he left the room. Bound, gagged and bleeding, Okita was alone in the room. For now, he's alive. Come nightfall, they may dispose of him. A quick thrust of the blade, a drop into the river...No one will know better. His men will not miss him. His friends...
The window! Gingerly, he staggered to his feet and hopped to the small barred window. It was an upstairs room. He could see the busy street below...Ichimura-kun! He spotted a familiar figure accompanied by a redhead boy. Tetsu-kun! The Ichimura brothers were out on an errand for Kondo-san or Yamanami-san, else just whiling away their free time.
Look this way! Please, kami, Buddha, whoever's out there...let them see me...Look this way... Okita willed in desperation as the brothers approached. He tried to shove the rag out of his mouth with his tongue.
Author's notes:
Yep, it's the return of Souji's evil lookalike. I've given Souji a bit of a attitude, hope it isn't too OOC, can't expect him to be polite to his enemies.
Keep reviewing. Arigato.