"To the modern man vengeance is a verb, an idea. Payback. One thing for another. Like commerce. Not with us. Vengeance is a living thing. It passes through generations. It commands. It kills." –Enyos, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
…
I hold my breath as this life starts to take its toll
I hide behind a smile as this perfect plan unfolds
But oh, God, I feel I've been lied to
Lost all faith in the things I have achieved
And I
I've woken now to find myself
In the shadows of all I have created
I'm longing to be lost in you
Away from this place I have made
Won't you take me away from me?
Crawling through this world as disease flows through my veins
I look into myself, but my own heart has been changed
I can't go on like this
I loathe all I've become
Lost in a dying world I reach for something more
I have grown so weary of this lie I live
I've woken now to find myself
I'm lost in shadows of my own
I'm longing to be lost in you
Away from me
"Away From Me" –Evanescence
…
The katana felt heavy in her good left hand, and it was awkward holding it. How was she going to unsheath it? Her movements were clumsy, considering that her left arm was in a sling. To add to that, she didn't even know how to properly handle the sword. But all that was ignored for now; she didn't need to know how to use it properly. All it took was a few swings, after all. The blade was lethal enough to slice bone.
Wincing slightly, she used her left hand to grip the katana, feeling the mild sting of pain as she tightened her hold on it. With her right hand gripping the hilt of the sword, she pulled it out, the sound of blade on sheath almost deafening in the utter silence.
The cold glint of metal hypnotized her, even as she gazed at it in admiration. This was the one thing the Shinsengumi used to send people to Hell. Just one swish, and blood would flow…death would be inevitable at the merest touch. The amount of blood that had been spilled by this sword alone…
"Jarenna-san," Okita's soft voice sounded firm through the darkness. "What are you doing?"
Jarenna jumped and almost dropped the sword even as Okita stepped out from where he had been watching her all the while. "Okita-san," she replied softly, barely managing to sheath the sword without dropping it. "What are you doing here?"
"I believe the question should be directed to you," came the soft response. His eyes were dark, but he was calm, and he did not come any closer. "Jarenna, what are you doing in the weapons room?"
"You won't understand."
"Tokio told me everything." At her surprised look, he went on. "You are going after him, aren't you?"
She stared at him defiantly. "Wouldn't you?"
He looked at her for a long moment, his intense scrutiny making her feel mildly uncomfortable. "We are going to get him, Jarenna-san. Hijikata's got his sights on him for a while now. And soon, he's going to pay for it."
"No." she replied coldly. "He's going to die."
Okita stared at her, surprised. This was an entirely different Jarenna he was seeing right now, the characteristically soft curve of her lips was gone, and the gentleness of her expressive eyes were missing, leaving a stranger in her wake. "I know you're angry, Jarenna. But you cannot rush into this. You are not a killer."
"I want vengeance," she bit off, uncontrollable anger bubbling once again to the surface. "And I will have it." She began to pace. "He was acting like he was remorseful about sending me to hell, like he was doing such a great service for the family because they were starving." Her voice was mocking. "'Forgive me, daughter, I never meant to hurt you.' Lies. All lies. The bastard never cared if I was dead or alive. I'm only a tool to him! He used me to hurt my mother, and he's using me for his own gains now!"
Her eyes fell on a tanto that was next to a stash of weapons that were meant for new recruits. Dropping the katana, she picked the smaller weapon up and held it out for Okita to see. "How about this? Mutilating that face of his, cutting off every bit of flesh like he did to Natsumi-san. A perfectly long time for torture."
Okita took the tanto from her firmly, shaking his head. "No, Jarenna." He knew she was furious and betrayed, but she was not thinking straight at all, though he was hard-pressed to imagine that anyone else would be able to think properly had they been in her shoes. "Please, calm down and think about what you are doing."
She exploded. "He was my father, Okita-san. And he killed my mother and Natsumi-san and kami knows how many others! He sent me to endure thirteen years of hell, and lied about it to my face. How do you expect me to calm down? How can you think about telling me to consider what I'm doing when you kill people everyday?"
He flinched at that, but it was true. Well, almost. "As Shinsengumi, we kill people who are intent on breaking the peace. We protect the people." He paused, locking his eyes with hers. "Jarenna, if you kill your father, the demons you will be living with will destroy you utterly. They will be much worse than the ones you are living with right now."
It was something he was all too familiar with. How many people had he seen destroyed because they killed? How many had fallen to the madness? He was mad, himself. Forever drowning in the darkness that he had no hope of ever emerging.
And for another selfish reason, Yukijurou Jarenna was his anchor, someone who pulled him back from the abyss, someone who was his haven. What would happen if that haven fell to the darkness too?
He remembered her eyes whenever she watched the sunrise, full of hope and wonder and admiration. He liked those eyes very much. But now…if she went on with what she was about to do, those innocent eyes would forever die. There would be nothing left. He took a step forward, realizing that somehow, he was getting through to her. "What you are about to do, Jarenna, goes against everything that you believed in. Will you let this man destroy your life further? Will you let him make you a murderer?"
He saw something in her change, and was heartened. It seemed like he was getting through to her. She sagged. "I'm sorry, Okita-san. For a moment there, I just…"
"I understand." He smiled slightly, a smile of relief and sorrow. He had wanted Jarenna to finally be able to lay her demons to rest, and it seemed like they were returning with a vengeance. Briefly, he remembered a certain stormy night where she'd fallen asleep in his arms. It seemed like it happened a hundred years ago. "It's a nice night out tonight. Would you like to join me?"
She looked at him oddly. "Join you?"
"The stars are out. I expect we'll be seeing a couple of shooting stars, too." He held out a hand. "Come."
She took his hand.
…
Indeed, it was a beautiful night, but it was colder than ever. They sat side by side quietly on the porch, simply gazing at the sky. Okita Souji was a content man, simply because the three important things in his life were fulfilled: He had sufficient candy in his pocket, he had lots of time to play with the children tomorrow, and Jarenna was beside him. Simple pleasures, really.
Of course, he was sad and angry at what Tokio had told him, but he knew that Takagi Kojuurou would have his retribution in the near future, so he wasn't one to worry overmuch about it. Also, his main objective now was to cheer his girl up and make her feel better. I've got to ask Hijikata-san to take action quickly, before Jarenna changes her mind and goes after him herself.
Jarenna, for one, seemed to be thinking hard about something, but a decision had obviously been made for she snapped out of it suddenly and turned to the man beside her. He was watching the sky intently, and she allowed herself to admire his profile, the way his violet bangs hung down, framing a boyishly handsome face. She appreciated his words earlier; his effort to keep her from being like him. She wondered what he felt when he killed his first man.
She was jolted out of her musings when she felt his warm hand resting over the one that lay on her lap. She was surprised at the sudden move, but when she saw Okita smile slightly even as he playfully refused to look at her, she relaxed, twisting her hand slightly so she could wind her fingers through his. Now he looked mildly surprised, but exceedingly pleased.
They sat like this until sunrise.
…
"Okita-san!"
Setting Saizou down, he turned to a harried-looking Tokio, who was walking briskly to him. Sparing a warm smile for Jarenna's twin sister, he spoke. "Did you need something, Tokio-san?"
"Have you seen my sister anywhere?"
"Isn't she in the room?" Jarenna had excused herself shortly after they'd watched the sunrise, saying that she was tired.
She frowned. "No. I never heard her come in. And no one's seen her this whole morning."
Alarm bells started ringing. Okita tensed and turned on his heel, heading towards the weapons room. If she was nowhere in this compound and not even Tokio knew where she was, there was only one answer.
Yanking open the shoji door, he marched into the room, his eyes quickly scanning the entire area. The tanto he'd taken from Jarenna lay on the floor untouched, but…
The katana was gone.
…
Jarenna hurried down the streets, careful not to let the patrolling squads see her. She had a sword, after all, and women with swords were a rare occurrence, and were usually regarded as highly suspicious.
I'm sorry, Okita-san, I've made up my mind. She thought even as she ducked into one of the alleys to avoid a Shinsengumi squad. Seemed like the Eighth Squad was at work today, for she recognized Toudou Heisuke. He was relaxed, which meant that her disappearance from the compound was not yet discovered. A good thing, really. She didn't want Okita-san coming out after her before she could accomplish what she'd set out to do. Takagi Kojuurou had to die. And if she had to die with him as a consequence, so be it.
All that mattered was vengeance.
Will you let this man destroy your life further? Will you let him make you a murderer?
She closed her eyes for a moment. Hadn't she contemplated this question a hundred times over? But the answer would always be the same. No matter what, he would die. She didn't matter. What happened to her didn't matter. So what if she became a murderer after this? It was a small price to pay for wiping the bastard out of existence.
Even as the Eighth Squad passed, she opened her eyes and hurried out in the opposite direction, trying not to think about disappointed lavender eyes.
I'm sorry, Okita-san.
The cough came out of nowhere, ripping through her body as she bent over, trying to stop herself from coughing all her organs out. The verocity of which it attacked stunned her; these coughs had been coming more and more often lately, and each had been worse than the last. It was worrying, but she had no time to dwell on it now. Maybe it was just dust, she decided. The alleyways were not exactly sparkling clean, after all.
…
"She is on her way to Takagi's inn." Saitou, apparently, had popped up again at the doorway. It disturbed Okita all the more, because Saitou Hajime rarely involved himself in other people's businesses unless it was potentially deadly. For once, Okita hated that his suspicions were confirmed. Apparently, Jarenna was still bent on killing Takagi.
"What is it?" Tokio asked urgently, dread rising within her. She'd already had an inkling of what was possibly going on, and wanted to know for sure. "What's happening?"
"Your sister is going to kill your father." Saitou replied, not mincing any words. Tokio stared, shocked. Jarenna? Her mild-mannered sister was going to kill her father? It was almost impossible to believe. But from the look on both men's faces…
"We have to go there," Tokio said, recovering quickly and worrying for her sister. How could she not have seen this coming? She had been unnaturally calm yesterday; how could she have possibly missed it? "She doesn't know what my father is like!" At this moment, she didn't care if Takagi Kojuurou got hurt or not. Rather, she was more concerned with her sister, what with her injury and all. Also the fact that there was a reason why her father had lived till now despite having made enemies in high places.
Okita was already moving; his carefree demeanor had long since vanished. "Tokio-san, stay here. Saitou-san and I will bring her back."
"I'm going, too. That's my sister there!" She protested hotly.
"It will not be safe." The Third Squad Captain replied calmly, amazingly unruffled despite the tension in the room. "Stay here and wait for us." There was something in his tone that made her listen, and finally she nodded, conceding to him. There was something in his eyes, it was almost like…deep concern. And for some reason, that sent her heart fluttering despite herself.
Okita glanced at him for a moment, feeling his blood freeze. He knew Hajime never said anything without meaning them, and it seemed that Jarenna was in grave danger. If so, then they had no time to waste.
With a brief nod at Tokio, Okita headed out, followed by Saitou. Hijikata-san definitely would not be happy about this.
…
The sword sheath had already been abandoned a few streets earlier. With her handicap, Jarenna knew that she would not stand a chance if she entered without her sword drawn. This would take the bastard by surprise, and hopefully she would be able to incapacitate him enough to kill him.
The sight of a young woman stalking down the street with a katana in hand was enough to make the meek citizens of Kyoto clear a path for her. Whispering and staring, they were all wondering what she was possibly wanting to do, but none of them dared to go to an officer as yet; it was too much trouble, and besides, who knew what that young woman could do? There was enough bloodshed on the streets without them asking for it.
Such was their mentality, and a few seconds after she passed, they all had reached a mutual agreement to forget what they'd seen. Before long, she was forgotten, pushed to the very backs of their minds as they went about their businesses like every other day.
…
Kimiko watched, puzzled as Okita-sama and Saitou-sama met each other at the front gate, both men decked in full Shinsengumi gear, and was later joined by at least half a dozen troops. What was going on? It definitely did not help matters that their expressions were grim, and rumors were that Hijikata-sama was currently extremely pissed off. Why, she didn't really know, and it was killing her. What was happening? There was no raid, as far as she knew, because there were only TWO men, for kami's sake, and they seemed to be too urgent for any kind of patrol or anything. For one, she'd heard Hijikata-sama order Okita-sama to 'bring him in alive.'
Whoever he was.
She watched as Okita-sama and Saitou-sama spoke in low tones for a few moments, stifling a sigh. She had never seen him smile much these days. It seemed like this Okita Souji was an entirely new person, someone she barely recognized. What happened to the smiling, happy captain of the First Squad?
Ever since he'd been with Jarenna…she tamped down a flare of anger. This was all her fault! She was making Okita-sama unhappy. Kami, I can do so much better than her. At least I know I'll make him happy.
Glumly, she watched as the two of them left, her heart aching for the man she loved with all her heart. Why couldn't he see that she really loved him? Why was he so in love with Jarenna? She didn't understand.
"Okita-sama," she sighed, wishing that there was something—anything—she could do for him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Jarenna—or was it Tokio?—pacing. Where was the other half? They were rarely seen without each other these days.
Unless…she frowned and watched the young woman for a long moment. Okay, that was Tokio. Jarenna hardly ever paced. And she never wore her hair like that. Which meant specifically, where on earth was Jarenna?
Kimiko was beginning to seriously hate the situation more and more. There was only one thing that could get Okita-sama looking like that, as much as she loathed to admit it.
Moving hurriedly towards her, eager for answers, Kimiko bowed slightly. Takagi Tokio was a noble, after all. "Lady Tokio,"
Tokio was startled out of her frantic thoughts at the voice. "Oh! Kimiko, it's you." She vaguely remembered Jarenna saying that Kimiko was a good friend of hers, and she managed to smile. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Kimiko thought fast. "Ano, I was looking for Jarenna. Is she here?"
Tokio's smile faded, revealing her currently distressed state. "Jarenna's…she's somewhere else right now." Good friend of Jarenna's or not, there were just some things in the family you just don't tell them. "Okita-san and Hajime went after her."
Kimiko hated it when she was right, especially when it came to the Okita-Jarenna scenario. Despite her mounting anger and frustration, she asked. "Why? What happened?"
Tokio stared at her for a long moment, wondering if she should say anything. But then again, she was Jarenna's friend, maybe she deserved to know, just a little. "Jarenna…she went after my father. The two of them went after her." She sighed and looked away, her eyes unreadable. "Hijikata-san told them to bring him in alive."
"Your father?" she echoed blankly. There were so many things going on here she didn't know about! She wanted to ask more, but the expression on the other woman's face told her otherwise.
But that isn't what you're worrying about, isn't it? Kimiko thought, observing her. She felt the jealousy sting anew. Jarenna had everything she didn't have, Okita-sama, and a sister who loved her, and now she was most likely doing that self-pity thing or whatever and Okita-sama had to go and bail her out. Again.
This just wasn't fair. Not to her, and not to Okita-sama, who, in her heartbreaking realization, would never return her love.
Okita-sama…
…
Okita ran like a man possessed, and Saitou and his troops kept pace easily. True to his speculation, Hijikata-san had been livid that his plans were about to be wrecked by a mere slip of a girl, and had ordered him to bring Takagi Kojuurou back alive. The plan Hijikata-san had for Jarenna's father had been unexpectedly pushed forward, and he didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing.
But that was another matter altogether. Right now, he did not know how much of a headstart Jarenna had gotten, and was very much worried as to her status right about now. What was she doing now? Was she hurt? Was she carrying out her attack at this very moment? He was getting a serious headache just thinking about it. He should've seen this coming earlier!
The crowd instinctively gave them a wide berth, recognizing them as the Shinsengumi, but Okita didn't notice their apprehension; his mind was elsewhere, desperately hoping that he wasn't too late.
…
Jarenna draped her shawl fully over the katana she held in a bid to disguise it. It definitely would not do if any of the men in the inn realized what she was holding—from the looks of it, they were less than perfect gentlemen, and she knew that they would not hesitate to kill her if the need arose.
She froze for a moment when she entered the inn—half a dozen men were obviously having an early lunch, and they had stared up at her in surprise. She supposed it was not often that a woman entered the place by herself. Fortunately for her, they went back to their meal after ascertaining that she was not dangerous. The shawl that disguised the katana fluttered slightly, and she almost felt her heart stop. She had come so far; she could not afford to blow her cover.
Making her way to where a middle-aged woman was hurrying around, she said, "Excuse me, may I know where Takagi Kojuurou is staying?"
The woman appraised her haughtily, her beady eyes missing nothing. "You are the prostitute he called for, then?"
Jarenna flinched, stung at the blunt way the woman had addressed her, but it provided her with the perfect cover story. As long as the real one didn't come along anytime soon. "Um…yes."
She was aware that every leering eye in the large room was on her. But nothing could be done about it now, and they wouldn't know what she was coming here for until it was too late.
"Third floor," the woman said dismissively, going back to her chores. "Fourth door to the right."
"Thank you." She headed off, eager to end the conversation and missing the look of pity the older woman had sent her way.
"Maybe we should call in a doctor now, eh, Natsu-san?" One of the men called out.
"Yeah, that one looks pretty fragile." Another remarked.
Natsu shook her head. She minded her own business these couple of days; Takagi Kojuurou had an unpleasant habit of making sure that people stayed out of his business, even though the girls he had called for had ended up with brutal injuries when he was done with them.
She had seen many things in her time as innkeeper, but not one quite like this. Takagi Kojuurou was one sick bastard, but as long as he was a paying customer, she wasn't about to complain.
…
The rage came back to Jarenna, and she fed on it, drew strength from it. She would exact vengeance—both hers, and her mother's—and everything would be over. The image of him kneeling before her all those days ago were burned into her brain. It had been nothing more than cruel mockery, but he would mock her no more.
Today, everything ended.
She let the shawl that disguised her katana fall to the ground as she stalked towards her destination. She stopped in front of his door, and knocked.
…
"What d—?" Kojuurou's snarl was cut short as he saw a glint of silver, and felt cold steel at his throat. Cold, sharp steel. His eyes fell on the young woman before him, to find that he barely recognized her.
Tokio? He thought wildly, realizing what the old bat had said yesterday was right. They knew the truth. He only wished that he killed Natsumi earlier. And no, this was not Tokio. It had to be the other one. "Jarenna."
Her dark eyes flashed with ungovernable anger as she pressed the tip of the sword against his throat, drawing a drop of blood.
"What is wrong with you, girl?" he demanded, trying to get ahold of the situation and hopefully throw her off guard. No one got the better of Takagi Kojuurou, especially not a mere slip of a girl he felt nothing for. "What are you doing?"
"Get in, or I'll slit your throat right here."
Deciding that it was better to follow her for the moment—she had the distinct advantage here, and besides, once they were in the room, he had a chance to turn the tables—he took a few steps back, watching her all the while, betraying none of his emotions. If he stayed silent, she would soon speak, and he would find out how much she knew.
And once he did, he would kill her. It was obvious that her shoulder was still giving her problems; it would be all too easy to silence her. And if anyone asked, he could say that she went crazy and tried to attack him, and he retaliated in self-defence.
She slammed the door shut, her expression unreadable. "You never gave her a chance to scream, did you?"
"Who?"
"Natsumi-san." Her voice was cold, and the blade pressed into him further. He backed away a little more. Her eyes were almost wild now. "You killed her like you killed my mother. She was no better than a dog in your eyes, was she? You used me against her. 'I never meant to hurt you.' Yeah, right. You sent me to hell for thirteen years, you bastard!" She was screaming now. "And you thought you could come back and lie to me, did you? And I was such a fool, I sucked it all up!! You must be laughing inside, right? Sweet, pathetic Jarenna, the one who could never hurt a fly. But look, look what I am now!"
Things were looking very bad for him right now; as long as she was holding a blade to his throat, there was nothing he could do.
"If I had been sent away because of the family, I would've accepted it. But I was nothing more than a toy to you, was I? An instrument for your vengeance? Well, Father, I am my own vengeance. Mine, and Mother's." Her eyes were deadly, and perhaps not quite sane.
"You can't do it," he sneered despite himself. He really had no time for her pathetic displays of emotion. His plans to use her were pretty much shot through, and as of now he had no use for her anymore. "I know you. You are nothing but a waste, Jarenna. A foolish, pathetic waste. Get that damn thing off me!"
"Never. It was so easy for you, wasn't it? I bet you killed my mother with a song in your heart—"
He snorted dismissively. "She was no use to me, anyway."
The sword jabbed at him, and he jumped back, feeling a twinge of fear right now. He had no chance of turning the tables on her; the entire thing had not gone as he'd expected it to have, and for once, Takagi Kojuurou was…afraid. "Shut up! You never deserved her, you sick bastard! And no, you never knew me. You don't know what I am capable of, Takagi Kojuurou." Her words were nothing more than a snarl. "Now you die."
The doors slammed open, distracting her immediately. "Jarenna!"
Okita's voice.
…
He barely made it, Okita realized as he saw the tableau in front of him. Jarenna was a hairsbreadth away from sinking that katana into Takagi's throat.
"Oh, thank kami you're here!" Takagi exclaimed, regaining himself. There was a chance that he would get out of this, after all. "Get this insane woman off me!"
"You are placed under arrest, Takagi Kojuurou, for the murder of an innocent woman, and also for your suspected dealings with the rebels." The Captain of the First Squad said flatly, even as he entered the room slowly, fixated on the wild-eyed Jarenna. "Jarenna, don't do this. Please."
The look in her eyes pained him, and he knew that he had to get through to her before she did anything he knew she would regret later. The loud sounds of screams and crashing tables outside indicated that Saitou-san and the rest of the men were carrying out their duties, and now it was just him, Jarenna, and her father.
"Why not, Okita-san?" she snapped angrily, unable to believe that he, of all people, did not understand what she was going through. "I thought you understood me, understood why I had to do this, but you don't! You're just like the rest of them!"
"You're letting him win again." He responded. "Are you going to let him make you a murderer?"
"You don't know what it was like!!" she screamed, angry tears streaming down her cheeks. "You don't know what being raped and abused was like!! I'm so sick of this, Okita!"
"Do something!" Kojuurou yelled, looking sickened at the blood that dripped down the katana Jarenna was holding. The pain was piercing.
Okita ignored him and tried again, feeling a twinge of desperation. He had never been in a situation like this, and was currently doing a lot of improvising. "Hijikata-san is going to help you, Jarenna. He's going to give him what he deserves."
Jarenna shook her head wildly. "No, no! He has to die. He has to die! He's killed so many people!"
"If you kill him, Jarenna, I am going to lose you."
She hesitated at his words as they finally sank in. The hand that held the katana fell, releasing the sword as it fell to the ground with a loud clatter. I am going to lose you.
The hand that connected with her face sent her reeling to the ground, and a livid Kojuurou stood before her, his face red with fury. He had recovered from his ordeal and was determined to beat some sense into her before anything else. "I will teach you a lesson you'll never forget, wench!"
"You will not touch her!" Okita snarled. Seeing Jarenna on the floor, blood on her mouth, and that expression, especially the knowledge that Takagi Kojuurou was the man who had caused Jarenna all this pain made him snap completely. As much as he loved and respected his mentor, this was something he just could not condone, especially when it came to Jarenna.
I'm sorry, Hijikata-san. He knew he would most definitely be punished for this, but Jarenna…all that mattered was Jarenna.
In a flash, Okita brought his own sword down on Kojuurou's head, separating it from his body. There was blood everywhere, splattering on his clothes, on Jarenna's face…
The young woman in question simply stared blankly ahead, unmoving even as the dreadful reality of what had happened sank in. The chain of command in the Shinsengumi was extremely sacred, and Hijikata-sama had instructed Okita-san to bring her father in alive. But now that Okita-san had killed him instead, he was sure to be in for a very severe punishment.
Okita-san, who was the closest to Hijikata-sama and never disobeyed his orders, had killed him for her.
What have I done? She thought in despair. She had brought nothing but trouble to the man she had loved. Oh, kami, what have I done?
"Okita-san…" she said softly, overcome with guilt. "I…"
He sheathed his sword and looked at her with a faint smile. "It's over, Jarenna. Let's go home."
The next thing she knew, he was by her side. Wordlessly, he gathered her into his arms.
…
A/N: This chapter shows another side of Jarenna that none of you have ever really seen before, and the extent of Okita's love for her; he would even go so far as to disobey Hijikata's orders. I guess this is what love is. He was pretty much caught between a rock and a hard place, Jarenna's sanity or his mentor's orders. And Kimiko, the depth of her love for Okita was explored here, as you can see in her thoughts. She's not such a bitch, she's reacting in ways only a woman who is deeply in love with a man would react. Stay tuned for the next chapter, because many more things would happen then…
And no, my story 'Fallen' is no way affiliated to this story, it's just a separate story I'm toying with.
…
Jade eyed neko: Haha, the path of true love is never easy, you know, and yep! You're right about hacking the guy into bloody bits, although it was not exactly Jarenna who'd done it…LOL, life has a funny way of doing things, eh?
Kaori Akayama: Heya again! ::evil grin:: Come on, methinks Okita is very much a man beneath that boyish exterior, and besides, adrenaline plus worry plus a woman you really love kissing you back equals major passion, don't you think?
Thanks for that very inspiring quote from the Count of Monte Cristo, it really helped me out from the writer's block I had, 'cause I was pretty much fumbling in the dark as to how Jarenna could possibly react, and what she would do. ::HUG:: Teeheehee, feel free to draw Tokio, sweetie! I like her very much, which reminds me, there'll be more of her in the next chapter. Heh. And man, I'm really encouraged that you liked my fanfiction THAT much! ::tearing up:: I'm so touched…
Night-Owl123: Yep! I think I'd write a couple of 'em in when the entire matter of Jarenna's dad blows over, LOL.
Random Reader: Hello again! Yeah, Takagi is a foul kind of species, don't you think? I don't like him that much, personally. He is SUCH a bugger. Ah well. I hope you liked this chapter, too, LOL. It took me seven sleepless nights to get it all out! Sigh, I really am pathetic. I'm so happy that Tokio and Jarenna touched your heart, which means that at least I'm doing SOMETHING right, hah!
MysticInca: Hey hey! Teeheehee, of course man! Playing keep-away is very, VERY fun. ::morbid grin:: It makes the sweet parts even sweeter, yes? LOL, the whole cold shower thing, eh? Tokio must've been feeling seven kinds of horror or something. Imagine your sister making out with a cute Shinsengumi captain! Hmm…and hey, stay tuned for the next few chapters, 'cause it's going to be totally unexpected. ;;frowns;; Well, I think it's going to be unexpected, unless I am too predictable with the plots…hmm…I really, really hope that you and your sisters enjoyed this story! I took a look at the picture you drew, and I must say that I'm extremely, extremely flattered, you know that? I'm not kidding. I mean, you actually drew a picture for me! I'm still getting over that shock. Now, before I go all gooey and tell you how honored I am, I just want to say that I love you guys! Really! God, you sisters are so amazing… And ione-girl, I'll help you with your story, no problem! I'll be really happy to, anyway!
Hikage Onna: ;;giggles;; Gosh, you are so cute! LOL of course I'll keep writing! I don't want any of you guys to come over and kill me, you know? But I've gotta say, you're a huge part in making me keep this story going, man. I think I'm getting really hormonal, but still!
Night Imp: Yep, hard characters, but I WILL DO MY BEST!! Haha, I turned eighteen in August. This is pretty embarrassing, because most eighteen year olds write better than I do…Sigh. Anyway, you've got a lifetime supply of Oreo cookies! ;;HUG;; Thanks for your kind compliments, girl! Mucho appreciated, honestly!