Author's Note: An evil cliffy? Truly? Well, I wasn't planning to write two parts, but I decided to cut it in half, because that's the cruel, evil and sadistic author I am Well, WARNING, bad language under some special circumstances (not sake this time). But nothing too appalling. Horrible Past-story warning……OMG longest chapter ever….right, I won't hold you here. Read on –AuA-
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-Charmed Wolf- Are you magic? Every time your reviews cheered me up like ...GREATLY (finishes off lamely) :D (this grin ain't big enough!)
-Yami-neko-Wow. Your review worked like caffeine for me...GOT THE ENERGY TO CONTINUE WORKING! lol
-MmindloveM- 'In order to gain something, you must pay something in return of the same price. The rule is the equivalent trade' Wheee, yup I love Fullmetal Alchemist! (fav char - Envy O.O) Well, when I was writing this chappie, I honestly didn't think about its resemblance to FMA :D
-Yuki-I'm glad you like the plushie. And right, that was the appearance of your favorite okamabesides Jakotsu :)
-Scar-Thanks! Oro? More surprises?
-Mitsuki- Thankees. Yup, Ilove Buson Renkin, especially Tokiko (gotta love the scar)
-Sou-chan Daisuki- Well, people go through changes...though not personality change yet (geez, Kama-san) Well, for your question...read on to find out (can't reveal anyhitng...yet) ;)
-Mariel Lunacrest- meeeeeeeep meeeeeeeep(trying to look clueless) Kamatari? Who's Kamatari? (a spinning scythe hits author) oroooooo read on to find confirmation...as I am mortally injured to answer you...
-Passerby- Thanks! Read on and review to find out! and, you will the unfortunate victim for my prolonged outburst...WHEEEEEEE MANY NEW READERS O.O Ahem, I'm done now.
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Disclaimer: Right, look at the previous chapter for the lamest disclaimer to ever visit the RK I was delusional... And I don't own 'Eternal Snow' by Changin' my Life
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Chapter 6 Reflections of the Juppongatana -Part 2-
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"You! You!" Misao could only utter the same words. Screw her logical conscience.
"Geez. I suppose knowing other words is way out of a weasel's league, their learning capability is just sad. S. A. D. Stubborn, short-tempered girl still," Ookama no Kamatari put one a cute- girl smile, very contradicting against his man-clothing and exposed muscles.
"How…?" Misao swallowed, and tried again, "you are that okama queer with the huge scythe thingummy…"
"Tsk tsk. Too difficult to contemplate my sexiness I suppose. Fortunately for you, I was gay, but only for Shishio-sama. Shocked, aren't you? You should've seen the look on Chou's face. Sinewy or not, I'm still as sexy as ever." Kamatari laughed, rolling his eyes to empathize his point.
He wasn't boasting. If it wasn't for the fact Misao had seen him in a kimono before, she wouldn't believe that this guy actually wanted to be a woman before. This perplexing weirdo really has changed. Misao couldn't decide whether it was for the better or worse.
Heh, probably has those muscles toned because of swinging his large Scythe around. Didn't see those before because of all that layers of expensive kimonos…that make me wonder how he fought in kimonos? I hate those! Right, back to the point. His weird headband, strange metal arm guards…that still didn't explain his presence, though, Misao thought grimly with a scowl.
"Well, I don't care about any of that. What the hell are you doing here?" She growled, annoyance building up every passing by second. Hell, if he wanted a weasel, she'll show him a weasel.
He smirked, not at least bit intimidated, "Why, to train ya of course." He squeezed so much sweetness that it got her all goose-bumps-y.
Misao giggled herself into a hysterical state; the idea of the ex-gay-cross-dresser seemed so ridiculous that she gagged and choked.
A vein popped visibly even with the headband on his forehead. He snorted scornfully, "Let's test it out then, if it seemed so funny to you."
He flung away his gi, standing in the stance he had when he used the scythe.
Misao, on the other hand, blushed beet red at the sight of his naked torso. When she imagined the time he would see a man half naked, she had always assumed it would be Aoshi-sama, but now……
"What the…put, put your cloth back on! My eyes, my eyes!"
Kamatari had a blank look, "Huh? Don't tell me you are embarrassed by this? Clothing got in the way in my fighting style……, I heard from Chou that a tori-atama is a friend of yours who sometimes fight without his jacket too, ne? SO, why a big deal out of it? Ah, yes…I remember, you are surprisingly innocent, aren't you? Just like when we fought back then………"
Misao shouted in defiance, "I'm gonna take this Scythe Girl down!"
Kamatari grinned, "Scythe girl? I'm afraid there had been a slight mistake." He took down his pants briefly, and Misao turned wide-eyed. She spun around to Kaoru helplessly, "Elephant…a freaking elephant…."
Kaoru stared, confused, at the now fully clothed Kamatari, who bowed lightly, "That was actually a little embarrassing."
Kaoru could only manage, "hunh?"
Kamatari winked at a crimson Misao, trying to hide his amused chuckle, "How cute, she's blushing. Could it be the first time you've seen one?"
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah DON'T FREAKING REMIND ME YOU CONCEITED FLASHER YOU……," she went redder at the path down the memory lane. Why was it so convenient that Kaoru happened to be facing Yahiko that time?
Kamatari rushed towards her suddenly, thrusting a punch, the metal flashing perilously.
Misao let out a surprised yelp, barely dodging it and got her shoulder instead. She grimaced at the pain, and glared at him.
He clicked his tongue, "Let your enemy drop their guards down is always a good tactic, your first lesson…or I believe you had already know that?"
Misao grinded her teeth hard, hurling towards Kamatari to meet his second charge.
She threw an uppercut at him, while readying for a round kick at the same time.
Kamatari smirked, his metal shield stopping both attacks, and used the momentum to throw her over his shoulder.
Misao had expected this, and she aimed a kick at his head.
His metal contraptions seem to appear everywhere. No matter how many kenpo attacks, kunai throws or even her attempted kodachi uses, Misao couldn't penetrate his defense.
"You see, I've learned from our fight before. You cannot break my weapon, or my shield. All this time of using my Great Scythe, my arms can actually move really fast, thus, this Hebigane is quite effortless for me," Kamatari stood over Misao triumphantly, after several hours of sparring.
"Seriously, what do you really want? I doubt Anji told you to come here to train poor lil'me!" Misao hissed, her body throbbing from several bruises and stinging from fatigue.
"Ex-a-ct-ly!" You can almost see little hearts dancing around him with the amount of fake sweetness he spoke with.
"What?" Steam poured out of her ears, and the kunai in her hand actually broke in half within her iron grip.
"Maa, maa. Don't act too weasel right now, alright there, you nanbo musume? Listen to me, will you?" He sweat-dropped, putting on an uneasy grin.
"I'd like to see you try! Wait, did you just call me NANBO?" Misao let out a battle cry and launched towards Kamatari again.
It was sunset when Misao finally couldn't lift a finger; she sprawled on the ground, sweat clung to her body and she flinched as several rocks aggravated her tender bruises.
Kamatari, though not looking as exhausted, slumped likewise besides her, his tongue lolling in thirst. Gosh, no wonder they call her 'weasel'. Violent, bad-mouthed one with endless supply of energy. Note to self - never get an angry weasel within your radius ever again. He cringed inwardly, remembering her string of curses that would even make someone like Usui blush.
Misao cheered inwardly when he finally put on his gi in attempt to cover the bruises that she had given him in her wrath. Her cheer was short-lived when her mind signaled another spasm of pain down her leg. Alright, we're even.
"Will. You. Listen. Now?" He gasped, rubbing a bump where Misao's infamous Kecho Kick managed to score nicely.
Misao panted hard, heavily winded, "You have one minute."
"Alright, I'll make it quick. To cut down all the details, Anji basically wanted me to watch over you, making sure you didn't die like some Sagara Sanosuke almost did. I personally want to train you," Kamatari flipped over onto his back, glancing at the moon. Ah, it's kinda late. Gotta go.
"Why? Is there some ulterior motive? How would I know if you had changedgood or not?" Misao was skeptical. Though quite a while ago, this guy had broken her ribs and almost skewered Kaoru with his Midare Benten or whatever it was called. Misao wasn't one who would trust someone who had proclaimed himself sexier than she was.
"So, I will come here twice a week, and during all those free time, feel free to chop more fire woods, you can make some money out of it," Kamatari ignored her completely, and he stood up, ready to leave.
Three kunai flew by, and took three strands of his hair with them.
"Awww, my beautiful hair! Look what you did. You really are more vicious than most weasels," Kamatari groaned in his girly way.
"Answer. Me. Now," Misao put on a sinister face, her voice might have been as menacing as that Shishio Makoto.
Kamatari smirked, "If you can make me surrender, I'll tell you. Until then, ja-ne," he sent her his signature wink and blended in with the shadows.
Misao grunted, her eyebrow twitching. She can barely crawl, let alone pursue him. "Guess I am sleeping outdoors now, even though it's already fall. Oh well, I am used to iciness anyway."
She dragged herself towards her bundle of fabrics, forced herquivering fingers to lay it out like a futon. She bit her lip not to groan in pain when she snuggled into the make-shift bed.
First-time travelers or urban people would have found the open sky strange and mysterious, vast like a fathomless void, making gravity seeming useless.If it weren't for the futon, the traveler would feel like floating into the endless sky withouth anything to reassure his or her own body is firmly attached to the ground.
But not Misao; sure, at first, she had compared it to her white, dull ceiling back home, though she quickly dropped the idea at the mention of home. I no longer have one...as I chose to abandon it...The trees, the stars and the sky are my new home.
Misao looked at the moon, remembering how the image had reflected brightly and stunninglyupon a certain pair of ice blue eyes.
"I guess that's why people say the moon is…beautiful."
Months passed by fairly quickly. Yes, months. It was rather monotony to do the same thing every day; twice a week, Kamatari came to 'visit' her. It was never certain which of the two days he came, and what reason Misao was still trying to figure out.
The only thing Kamatari was considered useful (Misao's perspective, of course) was his food supply, true to his promise. At first Misao was suspicious, not knowing if the food was intoxicated or not. She knew she was a little paranoid, but hey, one can never be too cautious. But, Misao knew that he can finish her off during their sparring if he wanted to, so there was no reason for him to poison her.
The other thing he did? Annoying the weasel out of her. Misao failed to see the point of sparring with him; aside from the fact she wanted to rip his Hebi-whatchamacallit off and smash his pretty face with it, she learned nothing. Sure, her speed, flexibility and power improved, but that had absolutely nothing to do with Futae no Kiwami.
If I don't learn it soon, spring would come soon. I haven't done any help yet. It's almost a year, isn't it? Wonder how everybody's doing? Is Ji-ya still disappointed in me? Has Himura finally found peace with Kaoru-san? No, no, Misao. Concentrate.
Misao jolted out of her thoughts, crossing her arms to block an incoming punch.
"Yosh, Weasel up, nanbo no musume!" Misao could almost see the grin on his face. Apparently, for the 'sake' of the training, Kamatari decided to ignore the mental note he made to himself.
She is getting sick and tired of this routine. First, he would pop out of nowhere and tease her blue in the face, getting her all riled up, thus making her previous meditation useless. Next, he would execute a Hebigane combo (he was rather creative; he used different ones almost everytime), and she would dodge it (if she was lucky) and try to counter (if she had the chance to). Finally, his damn shields would stop her, no matter what kind of attacks, even some bizarre ones, and the cycle repeated until she was all worn out.
She had learned to control her emotion alright. Being blank gave no clue to the opponent of her thoughts, and her attacks are more focused. Perhaps this is he reason Aoshi-sama doesn't smile? Damn it! I'm distracting myself again. That should be eliminated from my brain's to-do list.
But that only added to her frustration;the amountbuilt up from the past few months towered aboveany others,so much to the point that she felt her blood boil and pound, her ears thundering with adrenaline. Her muscles cramped and she felt her kenki, her aura, flare immensely.
With a yell, instinctively and naturally, her kenki gathered at her fist like a grenade without a latch. She shattered one of Kamatari's Hebigane into dust.
They both froze. Time seemed to stop as she gawked at her hand. Both of their eyes trailed from his slightly bleeding hand, to the invisible, ceased remains of the metal in the air, and to the black belts on the ground, straps that originally held the metal scales together.
Misao blinked again. Kamatari stuttered in bewilderment, "What did you just do, itachi no OO-bakemono?"
Misao growled, as soon as the insult clicked in her gears, "How can you even UPGRADE THAT NICKNAME!" So much for her cool, collected mind control.
She whirled a head kick with amazing agility. Kamatari ducked smartly, and it was fortunate he did too; the tree the kick connected with exploded into smithereens.
A wave of fatigue and throbbing pain overwhelmed Misao, and her vision actually darkened for a while. Her hand and foot felt like being mutilated and slashed. This was all too much for her small frame.
Kamatari noticed her discomfort. He whispered promptly, "I guess it's time to revisit Myouou no Anji."
"I see you have grown up well, Makimachi-san. Your soul is no longer confused, and your heart is now clear. Unconsciously, I should assume, you have grasped the basics of Futae no kiwami from your observations, experiences, and, Kamatari's training," Anji was still as calm as ever, sitting cross-legged on the jail floor in meditation.
"The objective of his sparring with you was to increase your endurance, speed and strength, compatible to the technique. Your body has to sustain unimaginable pressure and 'return' waves when you execute Futae no kiwami. This is why your fist and foot are starting to hurt even more, and you felt so fatigued with sore muscles. Unlike Sagara and myself, you aren't physically made to use this attack," Anji paused, his dark eyes gazing at her small frame. Sure she was taller than a year ago, but, especially now she was so tired, she still retained her tiny body structure.
"The maximum you can use is two. With proper training, it can be raised up to four. It seems that you can attack with something other than your fists, unlike Sagara. That should come in handy, less your fists are injured," Anji had to speak a little louder, for Misao's barely keeping her eyes open.
"Now, I have to get a new Hebigane! The materials cost big bucks, geez," groused Kamatari, fuming.
"Come back tomorrow, and I will tell you how to perform Futae no Kiwami perfectly, whenever and wherever you want. I have no doubt you can master it, even if you can't use it continuously. You are built for speed, and it would be to your advantage. For now, Makimachi-san, rest well," spoke Anji gently, ushering the two out of his cell.
"Well……itachi-chan, see you around!" shrugged Kamatari casually, sounding cheerful.
A trembling hand yanked his headband surprisingly hard, and he tottered backwards.
Misao had sleepy eyes, butthey had a firm glint, "Wait, you promised you would tell me. I defeated one of your Hebigane, didn't I?"
"Feh, I didn't surrender anyway. Besides, you look so heavy-eyed……," he paused, looking down at her petite hand tugging at his and small lips forming a silent plea.
His eyes softened and he sighed in resign, "Very well, itachi-chibi, you win. However, let's go to a pleasant and comfy inn, with a nice restaurant, ne? Might as well go somewhere elaborate to celebrate, and also you can sleep comfortably right away."
"I wanted to thank you," began Kamatari abruptly.
Misao's eyes snapped open temporarily, her hands steering away from the tea kettles to get to the beef hot pot. Kamatari chuckled lightly, putting his hand over hers to help her get the food. "You know, you were right when you stopped me from suicide. I shouldn't make a rash decision, when I found out Shishio-sama's dead, I had the thoughts again. It was difficult for me, for months. Nothing can distract me from thinking about him. I believe you had the same feeling."
Misao swallowed her food with great difficulty, her eyes glinting in sudden coldness.
He sighed sadly, "Not over it yet, I see. Maa, Yumi will always be the one to have his heart, and Sou-chan will always be his best man. I cannot change that, yet I am still alive; I still have a long road ahead of me, and I have time to find a new purpose in life, to repent my sins. And so, I decided to make a new me; the guy I truly am, not Ookama no Kamatari of the Juppongatana, not the okama who loves Shishio-sama, but just Honjo Kamatari. The me I had to lock away for so long and it was time to accept myself."
"Ne, Kama-san, how did you meet Shishio anyway? I heard that Chou simply joined for the heck of it, that Yumi person loves Shishio, and the rest joined for their own reasons. What is yours?" Misao forced herself to drink the hot and spicy soup in hopes of waking herself up.
Kamatari's eyes darkened, and when he spoke, his voice was tainted with such malice that Misao shuddered involuntarily, "You could say that he saved me from that hell hole……. I am the last of the Honjo Clan, and you could say that my Clan owed something to another Clan. When I was five, those damn bastards sold me to a……'playhouse'. You know what that means, don't you?"
Misao's eyes were wide now; she gasped, 'But…but, you are a guy!"
Kamatari let out a bitter laugh, "So? Do you think they care? As long as they make money out of it, they used me like a slave. I was called a pretty girl-boy, and who do they look for when those okama guys want pleasure? I hate them!" heclasped his other hand, as if restraining himself from hitting the table.
He fell silent; the chopsticks in his hand broke in half. Misao could only gape at the former enemy besides her. It was sick. Sick. So horrendous to treat a little boy like …...Misao recoiled in disgust.
"I'm filthy, aren't I? But what makes me even filthier……I killed them all. One day, when I was about your age, the treatment became so…unbearable that I actually had the guts to run away. I stumbled upon the ghastly remains of our Clan's storehouse, and I found the Great Scythe buried underground, with a tiny book besides it. The Honjo Ryuu- apparently, all of the head male in our family used the weapon, and in the book contained the secrets and ougi of using the kusagari – the chained scythe. I wasted no time t all; I tried training with it, but only for a few days, because soon those bastards found me. I guess that was what they called blood lust. I snapped; it was a wonder I didn't lose my mind allthese years.I saw nothing but red, and the more I gored them, the more I enjoy it; it was a sick kind of pleasure even worse than what they did to me…… but that time, I didn't regret it; I was proud, very proud. I did it; i had finally ended the miserable lives by my own hands," he paused, looking at his open palms in a daze, as if he could see the blood on them.
"That was when Sou-chan found me. Looking at his grinning face, the red cleared in my vision a bit, and he called someone over. It was Shishio-sama. He praised me, and let me follow him. I understood nothing, but I was happy; never had anyone treat me normally……as time went on, I harbored some feelings about him. He was different, different than any of the...customers...at least, he treated me as a human being.I started dressing like a girl, because it was also to accomplish a mission, since I was forced to learn…seduction…in…that…place."
He fell silent again, and he covered his eyes with the bandaged hand, the one without the Hebigane. Misao found that his hands were shaking.
Misao extended her hand, and patted him awkwardly. She was appalled, that was for sure. She wasn't surprise that he killed those people; a boy grown up in such condition was bond to have an alternative mind. She wasn't sickened of him; instead, her heart went out to him. Kamatari gazed intently at her hand, a foreign feeling threatened to overwhelm him.
He swallowed andcontinued, his voice steadying under her administration of comfort, "I guess the reason my voice is rather girlish was becuase of lack of usage during my childhood...if you can even call it that."
"Kama-san - "
"No, don't feel sorry for me. Hey, it's in the past isn't it. I'm fine now, aren't I? Well, in the end, I realized that to remain an okama, and use the Great Scythe, I would be reminded of the past…and so I changed."
"And you came to train me as a way of saying thank you? Of stopping you from suicide?" Misao managed, her other hand practically peeling her eye lids open. She was a little ashamed that the effort of simply patting Kamatari on the back tired her so much.
He rested his chin on his palm, idyllic at Misao's care, and sympathy, "I suppose. I wanted to help you somehow, as you had helped me. Tanuki girl doesn't need any help for sure, as she was with the Battousai in that 'happily ever after' way. But, after I learned about you from Chou, I came right away. It was by chance that you headed here as well, since I came to Hokkaiddo merely asking Anji stuff."
-If there were an eternally falling snow
This feeling I have for you, could I hide it?-
He gazed at the busy crowd outside the Yukino Inn, lanterns lighting the city of Sapporo. He followed the fluff of snowfall almost contently, and went on softly, "Or perhaps you had helped me yet again…… I wasn't so sure about this new me, for sometimes, I still dwell within the time with Shishio-sama and the others, where I was happy. Even when we are sparring, or plain screaming at each other, I feel……warm. Your determined spirit supported me greatly, reminding myself how pathetic I was. You still missed him, but you don't show it on the outside, and I admired that. I like it. I've never had this feeling before. I even like it when we got under each other's skin, just like all those old times between me and Yumi. I am really glad we met again, Misao-chan."
He glanced at the girl beside him, only to find her breathing evenly, sleeping soundly in the booth.
She slid towards his shoulder, snuggling comfortably against the imaginary pillow.
Kamatari gulped; he had never felt uncomfortable like this before, but nor had a girl ever leaned against him.
Heh, am I blushing? No way. Ookama no Kamatari doesn't blush, unless…. His eyes widened in realization. It is because it is the real Honjo Kamatari blushing…the true me…
His lips curved up slightly, and he carefully picked the sleeping girl up, slowly, not to disturb her.
-I'm falling in love with you, and which will come to pass?
Will the feeling do nothing but swell, or
Will you notice it
Even though I've never said anything?
Like snow, but quietly
It continues to pile up -
After paying the owner, and after tucking the chibi-itachi in her futon, in the room he ordered (Misao was, of course, penniless), Kamatari kneeled beside her bed, brushing a strand of hair away from her eyes.
She mumbled softly, "Aoshi-sama…stay…"
She would always love Icicle, I suppose. He was hot, no doubt about that…er…but what about Shishio-sama? Do I still love him? No, perhaps it was merely infatuation I had for him…no, if I love anyone, it would be……
Kamatari settled himself against the shoji door, and nodded off into a peaceful dream.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Anji oshou-sama," Misao bowed, shaking hands with the monk.
"Congratulations for mastering Futae no kiwami, Makimachi-san. Now, both Sagara and you can have the power the guide those in need to the path of salvation, with your own hands, and in your own way," Anji smiled genuinely. He was proud. He felt the same way whenever Tsubaki didn't something, whether it was helping her siblings or even making a snowman.
"I will, Anji-sama. I promise I will come back here some time, but for now, take care," Misao hated farewells, and she made it as brief as possible.
Kamatari nodded curtly. The two former Juppongatana met eyes momentarily; both understood their own changes during the time they spent with this mysterious girl, who had brought hope and joy, in spite of her own grief.
Anji watched the retreating figures of Misao and Kamatari. Eight months, if he remembered correctly, since the day a confused, depressed girl had come upon his cell door, and requested him to teach her his secret technique.
She may be the first…… to completely master Futae no Kiwami in less than one year... Sagara can probably do so as well, given that he mastered his right hand in one week... At last, I had finally repent my some of m sins some way……did you see, Tsubaki, minna? I am sure you can become good friends some other time, some other places, or had the crotting government allowed you to live… I wish you luck, Makimachi Misao.
Anji turned his back towards the jail door, and continued his meditation, in his dark, lonely and dingy confinement.
Kamatari walked Misao to the port at Sapporo, both silent upon this trip.
They were used to each other, but it was time to part ways. A familiar sense of grief hit Misao. I guess they say those you hold dear don't stay for long…
"So, you are going to France, as a spy who worked for the government? Just like how Chou worked for the police, ne?" She spoke up, her voice dry and clamped.
"I was working for the police before, for Saito-san,chibi-chan. (Misao grimaced at the mention of the wolf) That's why I can only train you twice a week before. You…you are going back to Honshuu, ne?"
"Yes, though it isn't time to go back to Kyoto yet; it has only just begun for me."
"I don't know what to say, itachi-chan. I've never had a close friend before, nor have I ever gotten the chance to say good byes……"
Misao embraced Kamatari tight, and he hugged her back. Words weren't needed; they both understood.
-Hold me tight if I think like this
I didn't want to know
What it was like to fall in love with someone
I love you; my tears won't stop
Therefore, I should be free of you-
"Contact me some way whenever you need anything, Misao-chan. I'll always be an available sister…er, brother for you. Friend or just someone to blow off your steam with,"He grinned, his warm breath tickling her ear.
Misao laughed, "Oh you. I'll miss your wisecracks and horrible comparisons (mainly the weasel remark). I would never imagine anything like this a year ago, Kama-san, but I enjoy our time together here at Hokkaido. You've made me into quite a fighter."
Kamatari's smile faltered sadly, "Yeah, same here…hey, a farewell gift for you, you nanbo musume."
He forced a Hebigane on her left hand, and Misao was quite shocked at how light the contraption was.
-How long will I keep thinking of you?
My sigh makes the window glass fog up
Now, a burning candle
Can't melt my shaking heart anymore?-
"Seeing your Futae no kiwami is faster and more destructive from your right, I thought you could use this to increase your defense, or simply reduce the damage when you don't want to hurt someone too badly."
Misao wanted to cry but somehow, her tears just wouldn't gather. Her resolution not to cry was still in place.
"Here….something to remember our time together training in that forest by…" Misao handed him a blue headband, " I know you probably like emerald better but…I love blue, so…"
Kamatari put the gift on wordlessly; the color suited him rather well. Misao felt her throat parched.
"Sa…sayonara, Kama-san. I won't forget you."
Kamatari leaned forward, kissing her softly on the forehead. His lips lingered on for a little bit, and he strained to pull back. He ruffled her hair fondly, "Go now, itachi-chan. The ship's leaving." He could hear the tremor in his voice himself.
-Hold me tight, strong enough to break me
If we meet in a biting cold blizzard
I won't feel cold, and
I miss you everytime I think of you
This scarf that I knit for you
I'm holding it alone tonight-
Misao snapped out of her dazed look, twirling around and sped onto the ship, giving one last glance at the former enemy, who had changed himself and herself greatly, and became one of her closest nakama.
She bended towards the ship's railing, staring at the horizon, where the setting sun made a magnificent glow over the darkening sea. Time to say goodbye to another phase of my life. I can only go forward- that is where my future lies.
She caressed her forehead lightly, and smiled.
Kamatari stood still as he watched the ship slowly moving away, until it disappeared into the fog. His fingers were still warm, remembering how tiny and fragile her hands seemed, a facade of the power they held.
A sorrowful pain clutched his heart, but he ignored it.
-Hold me tight if I think like this
I didn't want to know
What it was like to fall in love with someone
I love you; my chest fills up
I want to cry out to the winter sky
I want to see you now-
Kamatari murmured to himself, touching his new blue headband, a token of the time he treasured so much, "In had a crush on Shishio-sama long ago as a woman…yes…but now, as a man, I…I probably always loved you, Misao-chan. I know this feeling is unrequited, but I will cherish it. If only Shinomori Aoshi is still alive, you won't have to suffer anymore, Itachi-chan… I hope we meet again, chibi."
"Oi. Are you going to board that ship to France or not? Hurry up, will you?" A deep voice ran out from behind, cunning wolf eyes glinting within the cloud of smoke surrounding the dark figure.
"Fine, fine, Fujita Goro-san," replied Kamatari dryly. Gosh how he hated that wolf. Weasels are way more adorable.
He turned away, tightening his headband and his eyes blazed purposefully. He and Fujita Goro disappeared under the shadows of the docks.
Honjo Kamatari wasn't seen again, until many years later, the circumstances granting him his wish, in a least expected way.
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End of Chapter 6
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Erlack, extremely long chappie? (blink) But it turned out just the way I wanted (wheeeee)
(sniff sniff) Huh? Right. I don't know what you guys think but I honestly like Kamatari very much. You could say he is my favorite of the Juppongatana (sorry, Sou-kun but you're my second fav ;)
The part about Kamatari, er, flashing himself was true in manga. I guess it was just inappropriate to be put in anime O.o
Just to clear things ahead, Misao loves him alright, but in the way she loves Hannya-tachi and Kenshin-gumi. She was just really happy that someone still cares about her the way they do. And no, she doesn't know Kamatari loves her that way.
The song 'Eternal Snow' is from Fullmoon wo Sagashite. It was a very touching song. I just thought it kind of fits the situation for Kama-san :) Those who hasn't heard it is strongly recommended to.
I like how this fic is turning out. I honestly didn't think I could be so inspired to continue writing (YEAH! IN YOUR FACE WRITER'S BLOCK!) :D
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Oobakemono- big monster
Hebigane- name for Kamtari's shields, meaning snake-metal
nanbo- uberly violent
Ookama- great scythe
okama-gay
kenki- swordsman aura. Doesn't necessarily has to be from a sword-wielder.
ja-ne- bye (or ta-ta)(same thing --1111)
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(running out of ideas) Well, just go ahead and REVIEW. No threats this time so relax E.E (erlack!)
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-Kaco-