Chapter 7. The Past and the Death of Innocence

The image shattered the last bit of happiness she had earned since the departure. It was a mistake to see blood; she wasn't supposed to be the one, to see blood. "Iya…" She gasped, suddenly feeling her throat clogged. Discomfort traveled from the stomach to the lungs, telling her body to let go. But Kikari refused, holding her mouth, and resisting the physical will to expose digested food. Maybe the lack of experience, and the contribution of the disgust, made her feels this way.

Soujirou exited the inn, and paused at his victim's body. "Futami…" She took all of what ever comfort he gave her, and thought it as a cure; but there was no such thing as infamy's remedy. "Futami." She said again, holding onto his western clothes.

Both hands landed on her back, accepting the offer to comfort, "Such a shame…" he said, almost unheard.

"I'm scared…I'm scared, Futami-chan."

"Don't be, I'm with you."

Kikari loosened her grip on him, reopening glossy blue orbs to let out the heavy tears. "I can't get it out of my head, It's hard." Soujirou made a few more strokes on her back, trying to relate, but could not.

He tried to comfort her, but upsettingly, it wasn't what she had expected. The usual calmness stayed with him; there was no excitement, nor one hint of shock in his voice. Again, this mysterious boy by the river, amused her with his actions. There was so much she didn't know about him, she told herself. I had so much trust in him. But now, it seems that trust is…slowly fading. Futami was-…remembering.

Kikari respectfully stepped aside from him, letting the gory mess be in his range; and yet…no surprise in his emotion. I don't understand... Instead of a normal reaction, she had seen him, actually, smile a bit. What's wrong with him? Has he lost sense? He was just, remembering…remembering about himself, about Seta Soujirou. That name hadn't been recalled since the train ride.

So, Seta Soujirou was a happy inhumane boy?

It made no sense- None of it did. How could someone be happy, taking other lives?

Kikari couldn't believe it; there was a small suspicion about Soujirou, but she couldn't believe he did it. He could never, he was not armed. Only a sharp blade could create such a massacre.

"No…no, no. No." The woman repeated, cradling the head of a dead man, "Who did this to you ani? Dare(who)?...No…no."

"For what happened to your oniisan, Gomen nasai." Soujirou bowed to respect her loss, "I hope that he will rest easy afterlife."

No… Futami couldn't. He is not Soujirou; he is kind and respectful. He couldn't have done this.

The river shinned in its glory with the sun's blinding light. It had shone upon every being passing across the wide bridge. All was marveled by the clear day and glass waters. All except Kikari, standing alone against the stone rails, trapped in deep thought. Young man…a handsome young man. You've only been deceived, he is not only a just a boy. He is innocent! He is not, he killed someone! I don't know that, no one knows! He couldn't have done it! But he HAS before! The ongoing battle against herself went on for an hour. One part wanted to accept who he was, and the other; wanted to run from him. "Seta Soujirou…"

"That name…" Soujirou quickly gained a smile, "I told you not to call me that, Kikari-chan."

"Sou- Futami. I didn't realize you were behind me." She was unsure. Kikari was so engulfed by her thinking, she didn't know whether she spoke out loud or not, "How long were you there?"

"Long enough, doushite?(why?)"

Kikari shook her head, "Nani mo (nothing), just startled."

He looked at her as if he sensed the mistrust, "Oh. Jaa," he laughed merrily, "Is there somewhere you wanted to go? The day's not over yet."

Kikari coiled a thick strand of her dark-maroon hair, and replied, "Nowhere in particular. But, it would be nice to take a walk around the city, ne?"

"Of course." Soujirou offered his arm to her, foreign-like, "Shall we? Douzo."

"Eeto. What a gentleman." Kikari smiled.

- - - - - - - - - - -

As they both walked, arm to arm, neither spoke, for they were in their own space, thinking. Kikari's fear emptied, this was the boy she knew and adored, not the stone-hearted one; not the killer. He always made her blush inside, it was only this time she made it physical.

Soujirou took notice, "Something wrong? Is the sun too hot for you?"

"Iie, Zenzen.(No, not at all)." She turned away, hoping he wouldn't note again. Her face was getting deeply colored. It was a good thing that there were no people walking the opposite direction, or that would've been much more embarrassing. Just imagine, someone pulling you over to say that you have a red face.

Kikari was lucky so far, until then. A group of three people; a tall man, and two women wearing matching outfits for god knows what. The two women were chit-chatting about something so intently, while the middle man seemed neutral. He had his eyes closed, meditating while he was walking.

Once they were in sight, Soujirou stopped. That man…

"Iya, that was sudden. How could they just leave like that?" The woman with her hair in a bun asked the other.

The one with the long hair shrugged, "I really don't know, Omasu. We really shouldn't have come if we knew this would happen. Them going to Kyoto and us to Edo? This trip is pointless."

"Hm, I hope everything is okay. Genzai-sensei said it was urgent, I really hope it's not one of those 'Revolution' situations again. Good lord, I know I don't want to go through that again."

"Well, if it is, we must help them." The mature looking one said.

"I don't think you should get into other's business if not necessary." The man butt in, he finally spoke.

I know I have, I know him.

"Aoshi-sama."

Aoshi?

"Don't be too stiff. If they need help, We'll help Ke-."

"Sumimasen." The three travelers acknowledged the boy, standing in their way, "I heard…"

Aoshi gapped thoroughly at him, making sure that his eyes had not deceived him beyond sanity, "Seta?"

Kikari wondered more about Soujirou; who he knew, who he liked, and who he hated. This man was another one of his past-time acquaintances, was he a juppongatana member too? The thought made her fear. It was hypocritical; If Soujirou was too, why had she stood so close to him when she knew? Not only because he did not remember…

His frown indicated true emotion, and how important this, Aoshi was, "You know me. Who are you?"

Aoshi narrowed his jade colored eyes, "What game are you playing, Seta?"

Soujirou shook his head, "Iie, Kaisen shimasen (No, Not playing a game). I don't remember. But, who are you?"

"Don't remember," he scoffed silently, "That is a pathetic excuse for a swordsman. Tell me now, Seta, what is it that you're doing here, in Edo?"

Soujirou furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, though with semi-understanding, "Swordsman?" I was…a swordsman. I was a killer. I…liked killing?

Futami is a swordsman… That means he could've done… Kikari clenched her fists and shut her eyes tight. NO! He was unarmed. He was, unarmed. I can't be.

"Aoshi-sama…" The long haired girl stared worriedly at him.

He ignored her plea, "What is the matter? Have you decided to forget all else after you defeat?"

"Nani?" Soujirou stepped back, "I-I don't know. What are you talking about?"

Seeing that Seta's usual, happy-go-lucky expression go, Aoshi knew for sure that the boy really hadn't recalled anything. Soujirou wasn't joshing. "You really have."

"Please, Aoshi-san. What do you mean defeat? I don't understand!" He, almost desperately, cried.

"Your defeat, at Mount Hiei. In Shishio's corridors. You fought the Battousai." The name rolled out of Aoshi's mouth casually, "Hitokiri Battousai."

…Hitokiri…? Battousai? His mouth hung loose. His emotion turned into fear and shock rather than confusion. The name. He remembered the name. "...Kenshin…...Himura-san."

Hope you liked it; it's getting pretty tense. I didn't spend as much time as I should on it, though. I will!