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Chapter 14: Death-Duel

Okita parried a well-aimed thrust. Kichisaburo has proved every bit as good a swordsman as Okita. It'd be a close fight. They were equally quick and skilled. However, Okita has a disadvantage. Tetsu prayed the duel will end before Okita's body gave out. Already Okita was gasping for breath.

Kichisaburo dashed into the burnt out house. Okita followed. It was dark inside. The gloom broken by bits of sunlight that streamed in through the thatch. Kichisaburo attacked from behind. Okita responded swiftly to escape serious injury. Pain shot through his chest. He coughed. Blood.

Tetsu peered into the shadows of the building from a safe distance. He could make out a bit of movement, and the flash as a sword caught the light. Okita-san will be alright, wouldn't he? Tetsu heard the thunder of running footsteps behind him.

"Saya?" He was very surprised to see Harada Sanosuke running into the yard with Saya under his arm. He was even more surprised when Shinpachi and Heisuke followed close behind with the Demon himself in pursuit. Well, here's the cavalry... He sweatdropped as Hijitaka caught up with Shinpachi, hoisted the shorter man into the air and shook him like a mat.

"You guys better have a good explanation for...Tetsu? What's going on here?" Hijitaka let go of Shinpachi as he noticed his page. "Okita-san! Oki-san's in there fighting with an imposter!" Tetsu pointed at the burnt out house.

"Boy, I warn you. This better not be a lame-brained joke..." Could Souji really be in there? He sincerely hoped not. But the boy looks serious...

"Kitsune-sensei said he shouldn't be fighting," Susumu groaned as he followed Saizou into the yard. "Kitsune?" Hijitaka glared at the shinobi. "What's that woman got to do with this?"

The rafters had been weakened by flames. Now they creaked dangerously as the men fought. A quick thrust of the blade...a burning pain. Okita reached up and felt blood flowing out of his shoulder. Kichisaburo's sword had pierced through it. Has his blade found its mark? He couldn't be sure.

The assassin was slumped over, the color draining from his face. Okita realized his hands were sticky not only with his blood, but the blood of his opponent. Okita's sword was buried in the assassin's chest to the hilt. Again, he had killed. Okita had won.

Bits of charred wood and moldy thatch were falling. He pushed the body off his sword and fell weakly to his knees on the dusty floor. Grabbing Kichisaburo's blade, he yanked it out of his shoulder. He was spent. Outside were excited voices, lots of them. Some angry, some anxious...Saizou's familiar squeal...

"Souji! Get out quick!" Hijitaka cried out. The spectators watched in horror as the roof fell in completely, burying both combatants inside. "Souji!" Darkness. Suffocating darkness. Pain racked his frame. Can't breathe... can't move...

Dimly, he became aware of hands digging him out from the rubble. Daylight. Someone rolled him over onto his back. Strong arms held him close. "Souji! Wake up!" That voice...

"Hijitaka-san?" Okita's eyes fluttered open and he managed a weak smile. He looked up into the faces of his friends: Tetsu and Saya, Susumu, Saizou, the Comedian Trio...and most of all, Hijitaka. "I'm alright, really..." With that, he fainted in Hijitaka's arms.

Okita opened his eyes to find himself lying on a futon in his own room. By his bedside, Hijitaka sat half-dozing. Okita quietly got up and whispered into his friend's ear. "Thank you for saving me again, Toshi." Hijitaka woke up.

"Souji, you shouldn't be out of bed yet," Hijitaka admonished him. "Besides, I wasn't just me. The others helped dig you out too." His face reddened with embarrassment. What can he do about the boy? Okita smiled impishly at him. "I don't think I ever really forgot you, even when I forgot your name." Before Hijitaka can protest, Okita gave him a bear-hug, just as the door slid wide open. Don't they ever knock?

"Great to see you back to your old self, Souji," Kondo beamed as he entered the room. He stepped out of the way as Saizou leapt into Okita's arms. "No more Shinpachi's bad cooking!" Harada added as the Trio appeared. "Susumu says Hotaru will be returning tomorrow." Shinpachi did not seem too happy...

"Hijitaka-san, where's Saitou? Did he marry Tokio this time?" Hijitaka shook his head. "Tokio ran off to Kyoto before we got there. Saitou's out searching for her now. I think he's actually interested in her." Souji stifled a giggle then burst out chuckling. Poor Saitou. Looks like Tokio had him right where she wanted.

Yamanami limped in leaning heavily on Tatsu's shoulder. "How I missed that laugh, Souji!"

"San-nan! You shouldn't be up, yet..." Hijitaka complained.

"Okita-san! Great to have the real you back!" Tetsu scrambled in and gave Okita a hug. 'Tetsu! Careful of his injuries!" Hijitaka pulled his page off Okita and sat him down firmly on the tatami. "Please! Give Souji some peace!" Okita laughed. It's great to be back, back with his friends and family...

Then he caught sight of the sword propped carelessly by the table.

Author's notes:

Hope you enjoy the fanfic so far.

Yes, Okita-sama has his memory back and is safe with his friends.