AN: It's Tenken not Teken! XD I happened to watch a few episodes with my brother and had the subtitles on and realized I was spelling it wrong. So I will spell it as so from now on.
I also found out something I personally found quite hysterical. The other fan fiction I'm writing is Wolfs Rain and I center the story a lot on a character named Toboe, my favorite from the show and I even cosplay as him! Apparently the person who voices Toboe also voices Soujiro at some point in the show. It blew my mind since I'm writing fan fictions about both. What are the odds of that? Anyway, onwards with the story!
Once they finally reached the modest clinic, Soujiro was surprised to find that Avaron was no stranger to the doctor. Apparently she made frequent visits for the sake of her aunt to bring her medicine for her constant stomach aches. Avaron had even decided to make her usual purchase feeling more than sure her aunt would need it by the time she returned.
"Dr. Gensai, I'm actually here because my friend here...Adachi Okita...is the one that needs medical attention. …Particularly since I took it upon myself to help him first." She added nervously.
"Is that so?" The older man crossed his arms with a raised brow.
By how the doctor was reacting, Soujiro couldn't help but wonder if she had done something like this before with someone else.
"She had to!" Koharu defended. "He was shot! And he was bleeding so much -" Soujiro put his hand over her mouth before she might blurt out something she shouldn't.
"She saved my life because of what she did for me," he explained instead. "I wasn't planning on coming, but she's afraid that what she did won't be enough."
"So-Okita! I told you it could still get infected," she tried to keep her voice low despite her frustration. This had been one of the things the two had previously argued about already. She flushed in the cheeks when she realized he was just teasing by how he was smirking at her now.
"Easy you two," Dr. Gensai gave a wary smile. "I was kidding." His face became more serious as he gazed at Soujiro with concern. "Did I hear right young man? You were shot?"
"Call me Okita...and yes." He said as he tugged at his wounded arm. He realized then he hadn't come up with an explanation why he might have been shot at. He was about to let his mouth run and hope to come up with a believable explanation before Gensai spoke up first.
"By how pale you are, you must have lost much blood. I'm afraid Avaron is right. I trust she did her best but your wound will still need to be cared for as it heals in case infection develops. Given the time of year, it puts your health at risk also."
Koharu gulped in fear when she remembered Soujiro was still at risk of coming down with a deadly disease and the state he was in now only made that risk seem more viable. It was why Avaron had pressed that Soujiro needed to recover his strength now while he could. Koharu was starting to drown in her fear of losing him all over again until she felt his reassuring hand fall against her shoulder. She looked up to see him smiling down at her. Still, whenever he tried to reassure her, she often wasn't. She looked away from him.
"And who's this young lady?" Gensai asked as he turned his kind gaze upon her.
"This is my sister ….Kishi."
"Well Kishi, I have two granddaughters about your age playing outside in the back. Would you like to meet them while your brother rests?"
Koharu shook her head. "Can't I just stay with my brother?"
Gensai smiled kindly. "Why of course you can."
Part of her had wanted to run, but she had been angry when Soujiro tried to exclude her because of the trouble he was in. He had not wanted to involve her in the first place. To run now would make her a hypocrite and would only encourage Soujiro to repeat his same mistake again. She needed to prove that his battles were her battles to fight. She needed to prove to him she could be strong too.
"I'll go prepare a room for you to stay in, Okita. Go ahead and sit down if you start feeling dizzy or lightheaded."
"Arigato." Soujiro said to him just before he left. He turned to face Avaron knowing they were about to part ways. "I should really be thanking you. You've done so much for me in the short time we have met."
"I'm happy to and again, my father would have wanted it. I'm doing it for both of you. I'll do what I can for both you and your sister. I can at least keep you out of harm 's way until you recover your strength."
"Wait, Avaron...what more could you do for me?"
"Well, I'm coming back tomorrow silly," she smiled. "If anything to just check up on you, but I certainly didn't plan on abandoning you here."
"That didn't quite answer my quest -" He was silenced when Avaron touched her fingertips to his lips.
"Let's just take it one day at a time."
Koharu caved in to soft laughter. For once, she got to watch someone silence Soujiro instead of her. She stopped laughing, however, when she realized she wasn't laughing alone and that someone had joined in with her. Their attention was directed to the entrance of the clinic to see a woman entering and laughing softly at the two. "Who's your friend, Avaron?"
Avaron chuckled nervously as she lowered her hand from Soujiro's mouth. "Konicchiwa, Megumi. This is my friend Adachi Okita. Okita, this Is Takani Megumi. She works with Dr. Gensai."
Wait, why does she look familiar? He questioned in thought. He smiled kindly, nonetheless, but before he could speak, Dr. Gensai alerted his presence after returning from preparing Soujiro's room.
"Ah, Megumi. I trust all went well?"
"Hai. The Toyama family is welcoming their newest addition to the family as we speak. Both the mother and the new baby boy are doing just fine."
"Glad to hear." He turned his attention to Soujiro. "Why don't you come with me, Okita? I'll address your wound and you'll be allowed to rest however long you need to under our care."
"Sleep sounds nice," Soujiro said as he started to follow him to his room. He paused one last time to face Avaron. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"You can bet on it...Okita."
He smiled one last time for her before continuing following Dr. Gensai to his room. Once his back was turned, however, his lips fell straight as he clenched at his wrap. I can't let her stay involved. It's only a matter of time before Chou gets here. Koharu is already a target. I can't let that happen to Avaron. I can't protect her as easily.
After Dr. Gensai was able to properly mend his wounds, Soujiro was left to rest. At first, Soujiro has no issues falling asleep, but could only manage it for a few hours. He woke up to find himself just as physically exhausted, but his mind already becoming restless from remaining still too long. Even if his life wasn't in danger, he was too accustomed to being constantly on the go. Right now, he felt like a sitting duck, and a wounded one on top of that. He couldn't sleep in peace. Thankfully, he wasn't left to drown completely in his anxieties with Koharu around to keep him company. Dr. Gensai remained true to his word in caring for the two by bringing them tea and an afternoon and evening meal. Food alone was a nice distraction from his worries.
Koharu couldn't help while they ate their evening meal and note how familiar their scene was now except for the fact that Soujiro was the one sick in bed instead of her.
"But I'm not sick," He said and then chuckled at the irony of his next words. "I'm just weakened right now. Usually performing the shukuchi doesn't wear me out like that, but given the circumstances at the time, it really did a number on me."
"You're still afraid of it, aren't you?" She asked referring to the disease. "And when you're afraid, I have every reason to be. It made you want to give up on everything," she uttered sadly. "How awful is this disease for it to scare the greatest warrior?"
Soujiro laughed at that, which ended up making Koharu frown. She had been serious.
"You're right. I am afraid and seeing how emotions are still new to me, it's the first time I've been afraid in a long time. I did act rashly, didn't I? I've never wanted to give up before." He said as he sat his empty dish aside and laid flat against his bed.
"You didn't."
Soujiro gazed questionably at her.
"You came back to us, didn't you?"
"Only because you two left me little choice."
"And I'm still not going to make it easy for you Sou."
"Okita," He whispered to her. "And you never do."
She clenched her hand around his hand and held it up as she gazed intently at him. "I mean it So-Okita. You have to promise me from now on you'll hold onto life from now on, no matter what ends up happening."
"No one succumbs to any illness because they want- Ow! Hey!" Soujiro spat out when Koharu propped herself over him to clutch a head handful of his hair. She kept him pinned by resting her weight on her hand against his shoulder while she yanked at his hair. "You're acting like a two year old!"
"I'm not letting go until you promise me!" She glared at him.
"All right. I promise, but there's something you need to get through that dense head of yours," He said as he raised his arm against hers. "Stop antagonizing someone stronger than you," He said as he knocked his elbow into her supporting arm to make her fall. She suddenly began giggling out loud when he latched his arms around her and turned to pin her down beside him. She still attempted to fight back relentlessly despite his words of wisdom. She continued resisting even when he sat upright to twist her arm behind her back. She was left with nothing to do but squirm around in place.
"You could at least make it an even fight!"
"Where's the fun in that?" He laughed watching he squirm like a worm beside him.
"I'm not giving up!"
Someone cleared their throat.
Both Soujiro and Koharu looked up to see Dr. Gensai standing in the doorway of his room. "I know you two are only playing, but you should really be using this time to rest, Okita."
Soujiro released Koharu and rubbed his palm at the back of his head as he spoke. "Hai. You're probably right. I apologize."
"Kishi, why don't you come along with me while your brother rests for the night? You can stay with my granddaughters tonight."
"But I thought I could stay with my brother?"
"Go on," Soujiro said. "We should do as he says. You don't want Avaron to find out we're not listening to the doctor, don't you?"
Koharu's shoulders dropped in defeat. "No. I suppose not." Avaron was the one covering the expenses for his sake and it would come across as thoughtless and inconsiderate if they continued fooling around.
Even as she was made to leave his side, Koharu found herself still smiling as she left with Dr. Gensai. Soujiro had said not that long ago that he couldn't be her family but he seemed to feel and even act differently with her now. She had never actually gotten him to play with her before and he had been the one to initiate the act. Seems like he's finally dropping that high and mighty pretense and acting how a brother of mine should act. More importantly, I got him to promise not to lose the will to live again.
By the next morning, Soujiro was already up and preparing to leave. He didn't want to prolong his stay considering what happened to the last doctor in Kofu. As easy as it was to feel comfortable here and let his guard down, he knew he couldn't fool himself into thinking he would remain safe.
He was folding the blanket when he got a knock on his door.
"Come in," he said, expecting it to be Koharu.
To his surprise, it was none other than Takani Megumi.
"I know you probably aren't expecting me. Dr. Gensai wanted me to check up on you. You're not leaving already, are you?"
"Hai. I think I'm through the worst of it."
"Maybe you should leave that to the professionals. You're still awfully pale and your wounds could still get infected. Trust me, young man, you shouldn't even be out of bed."
"If anything happens, I know I'll be welcomed back here." He smiled kindly. "I appreciate your concern, but I have to go."
The moment he tried to exit, Megumi stepped in the room and slid the door shut behind her. Her face became more serious. "Look, I know this is none of my business but you're clearly in trouble. The only reason Dr. Gensai hasn't talked to the authorities is because he trusts Avaron and...he trusts me. It was also the way you and your sister behaved with each other last night," she started to smile. "You two clearly only have each other and Dr. Gensai doesn't want to risk separating you two by talking to the police. He can be an understanding man considering where I came from and how I got to be here.
Soujiro wasn't surprised his injury might have aroused suspicion. It had been the main reason he wanted to avoid coming here all along, but it couldn't be denied he needed medical attention. He only came here because he was trusting Avaron.
"If that's the case then why are you stopping me? And why would Dr. Gensai trust you concerning me?"
""You're leaving in a hurry because you're still in danger, aren't you? I've been in a similar situation before and I know how useless the police can be. I have more reason to worry because I don't want to see your sister or Avaron hurt too."
"If you're concerned about my sister and Avaron, don't be. I'll make sure nothing happens to them." He attempted to leave, but Megumi continued to block his path.
"Who's going to protect you?"
"You don't know me. Why do you care what happens to me? " He was more irritated than curious.
Before Megumi got a chance to respond, a bloodcurdling scream suddenly filled the hall just outside. He could recognize that scream from anywhere. "Koharu," he started to force his way passed Megumi.
"No wait!" She caught his shoulders to try and slow him. "You can't be exerting yourself-"
"Get out of my way!" Soujiro miscalculated his strength and ended up shoving Megumi against the ground in his desperate effort to answer Koharu's cry. He was only about halfway down the hall before Koharu rounded the corner to meet him. "Kill it! Kill it!" She screamed as she ran behind him for cover.
He stopped where he was. "It? "
Just as he spoke, he saw something dark and furry bolt around the same corner coming straight towards them. Koharu screamed again as she jumped and secured her arms and legs around Soujiro for protection while the creature bolted under between his legs. "Kill it!" She screamed again. In most cases, Soujiro could have easily handled her weight but as she took hold of him, he felt his whole world shift around unnaturally as he stumbled back. He wondered if he blacked out for a few seconds because the next time he opened his eyes, he found himself flat on his back while Koharu was still trying to maneuver out from beneath him.
"No! Don't kill it!" He heard another voice before two other girls rounded the same corner.
Megumi had stepped out of his room and attempted to block the creature from running past her. It was all about she could do until the creature gave up and turned to try and run back the opposite way. Koharu screamed again as she pinned herself upright against the wall to put as much distance between her and the creature as possible.
While Soujiro's senses were still somewhat foggy, his reflexes still proved to be quick when he thrust his hand down beside him and trapped the small creature within. A small mewl of a kitten was heard.
The eldest of the two girls that had been chasing the kitten skidded to a stop as she gasped in horror. She feared Soujiro had done the worst.…
That was until Soujiro picked up the small kitten by the scruff of its neck and gently coddled it against his chest. He then turned his gaze to frown at Koharu. "This is why you were screaming?"
"Careful, it bit me and drew blood. That's a creature out of hell!" She pointed in detest.
Even now, Soujiro could feel the kitten trying to resist his hold, but by how he held it, it was left paralyzed and forced to be acquainted with him. Within moments, he felt the kitten relax once it saw he meant no harm and he slowly was able to release the scruff of the neck so the kitten could move about freely without feeling threatened by him. It was soon nestling freely against him.
Koharu's jaw hit the floor. "You can tame horses and cats? And you did it by wringing its neck." She made a choked expression as she touched her neck.
"The same rule applies. You have to earn their trust." He then laughed at her expression. "It's how their mother carries them. It's easier to earn their trust if you handle them like their mother would." He had sadly gotten such practice handling cats and kittens whenever he was forced to sleep in the barn as a child. The occasional cat would wander in and decide to have its litter there and he would help care for them and of course protect them from his abusive family. He would even move the kittens himself when they proved to be too rambunctious to remain in the family barn unnoticed.
"Yay! You caught it!" The eldest of the two girls clapped for him. "Come on, Suzume and Kishi. We can pet it now." She eagerly approached him first.
Koharu aggressively shook he head.
"No! It scratched me! I'm with Kishi," Suzume turned her back as she crossed her arms. "It's mean."
It was at that point that Dr. Gensai was just now catching up out of breath after trying to chase the animal out of the clinic. He was puzzled at finding Soujiro on the floor and even more surprised to see the troublesome cat nestling so comfortably in his arms. "Why, Okita. You shouldn't be up, but I'm sure thankful that creature is finally caught. I think you just saved Megumi from having to work by herself today." He joked while still out of breath.
"Grandpa, he made the kitty nice. Can we keep her now? Please!"
"I'm afraid Okita is the only that's earn the kitten's trust, not you Ayame. Do you think you can take the kitten back outside please so my patient can finish recovering?"
"Hai!" She said excitedly thinking the kitten should be easy to handle now. As soon as Soujiro tried to pass the kitten to her, it resisted her hold before it finally launched its hind legs into her chest and leapt off her before scurrying back down the hall.
Ayame looked as if she had been slapped across the face by someone she thought she could trust. Her hurt expression even made Soujiro feel badly for her. He attempted to cheer her up by offering a friendly tip. "Lure it with some food and you may get a friend for life. Fish would be best. Let her come to you first."
Ayame's face immediately lit back up with hope. "Of course! Come on, Kishi."
"Hey-" Koharu uttered out before Ayame snatched her wrist and dragged her behind her.
"Wait for me!" Suzume called out as she ran after them.
Koharu gave one last helpless glace at Soujiro, as if she wanted him to save her, but he only grinned as he watched the three girls run off. Mainly, he was just thankful that Koharu was being tolerable of them. Maybe she even liked them despite the pleading eyes she had cast back at Soujiro right before being pulled back into chasing the kitten.
Soujiro got back to his feet as Megumi approached him. "I didn't intend on shoving you to the ground. I just-"
"You don't need to apologize for being worried about your sister." Megumi assured with a smile. "I knew she was fine. I was worried about you and I was right to. You passed out just now when she grabbed onto you. It was only a few seconds but it didn't escape my notice. You shouldn't be leaving here yet. Please remain here. You'll be safe."
But you and the others won't. He didn't want these people suffering the same fate as the doctor in Kofu. While they weren't particularly fond of the doctor in Kofu, Soujiro was sure Koharu had watched the doctor be slaughtered in front of her. He doubted Chou would be so bold to do that here. The circumstances in Kofu allowed for him to take bold actions with the looting and disease spreading and the doctor being by himself. Killing the doctor had further antagonize Soujiro because it proved Chou would do the same to Koharu if Soujiro wasn't careful. While Chou might not be able to come in here and slaughter everyone, he could still make quite the scene and someone would still end up getting hurt. Soujiro was clearly not in a state where he could defend himself, let alone anyone else caught in the middle of it. He had to leave.
"What was that?" Gensai questioned as he approached the two. "You're trying to leave?"
"I have to." Soujiro made it sound final.
"Of course we can't force you to remain here, Okita. I trust Megumi explained why it would not be wise for you to leave."
"She has," he mumbled.
"Remember your body will quit before your mind will. You still need much rest and recovery." There was a lot of stress in concern in his voice.
Soujiro was starting to get annoyed until he could really sense the sincerity in his tone of voice. These people were really worried about him and Koharu. He closed his eyes as he exhaled. He gave a nod of his head. "I'm sure rest is all I need. I can do that elsewhere and not waste anymore of your time."
He started to leave until Megumi stepped forward and held her arm out to block him again. "I'll personally make Avaron aware of your delicate condition then." She smirked when he frowned. It wasn't easy for him to hear he was weak even if it was just a brief state of his condition. "You were planning to wait for her, right?"
"Of course I was."
Once he assured her he would not be alone, Megumi finally let him pass. Soujiro finally made his annoyance known by giving her the cold shoulder. The last thing he wanted was to be treated like a porcelain doll.
Soujiro found his way back outside where he found the three girls playing, or rather, searching for the kitten that they had lost sight of. Ayame was worried most about it and had somehow driven the other two girls to search for it too.
The air was cold but Soujiro found it easy to manage as long as he wore the wrap Avaron had gotten him. He knew he could wait just as easily for Avaron back inside, but he found himself still worrying and being protective of Koharu. He might have a few days before Chou could even arrive in town, but word could have still reach Tokyo he was here and that he was wounded. Koharu could still be made a target for others, including the police to use to get to him no thanks to Chou. He also worried the same happening to Avaron if he continued to associate with her.
Time elapsed and Avaron was still nowhere to be seen. Soujiro had settled on his knees while still watching the girls search for the cat and occasionally watch a snowball fight unfold between the three of them. Koharu, not surprisingly, was spot on with her snowballs and she continued to cackle evilly whenever she struck the other two. She even made Suzume cry from hitting her too hard and all it took was Soujiro to glance sternly at her for Koharu to be put back in her place and apologize to her. Fortunately for her, Suzume forgave easily and even hugged Koharu.
"Here."
He looked over his shoulder to see Megumi holding down a hot cup of tea for him. Soujiro thanked her and accepted the drink. It was strange to him how these people were treating him. Almost as soon as he arrived, he was made to feel like a guest rather than a patient. Not only had they taken care of him, but Koharu as well. It wasn't just business to them.
"Would you care to at least come back in a few days so we can make sure you're healing okay?"Megumi asked.
Soujiro gazed doubtfully at her.
Megumi held down a letter. "Please do. Except for this time I would like to meet with you here."
Soujiro humored her and took the letter and opened it. "At a dojo? The Kamyia Kasshin ryu dojo?" He looked back at her. The name sounded familiar too as well as the woman still and he couldn't figure out why. What business does a female doctor like her have with a dojo? The only thing he could conclude from out of it was it must have had to do when he was spying for Shishio. He just couldn't recall having to spy on a dojo in Tokyo, let alone a female doctor. "Why there?"
"You'll be safe there." She assured with a smile.
He didn't get a chance to voice a response before he cringed feeling the stinging pain of claws prick into his back. A moment later, the kitten's head emerged from behind his shoulder and helped itself upon it. He fixed his gaze on the kitten. "Why, hello there."
"Looks like you're the one who made a friend for life," Megumi chuckled.
Soujiro said and did nothing but smile at the critter and brought his fingertips over to scratch at the cat's head as it purred and headbutted against him. It didn't take long for Ayame to spot the kitten on him and draw attention to it. Soon all three girls were surrounding him again. While Soujiro wasn't accustomed to having such attention, he remained friendly and even held the kitten in such a way to allow Ayame and Suzume to finally pet the kitten without it reacting resistant and fearful of them. Koharu lingered beside him, but acted stubbornly when she didn't care to pay the kitten a single glance. Because of that, she was the first to spot Avaron from the distance as she crossed the bridge towards them holding her parasol. "Finally, she's here."
Soujiro sat the kitten on his lap and let it scurry off when the girls tried to pet it again. They were soon back to chasing the cat down again, except for Koharu. Once the girls had left him, Soujiro was able to raise a friendly wave for Avaron. Megumi had long left Soujiro alone with the girls to tend to her duties leaving just the three once Avaron caught up to them. "What are you doing outside?" She sounded upset.
"Waiting for you so we can leave. That's why you're here, isn't it?"
"I said I would visit you to see how you were doing." She stepped forward and touched her hand against his face. Had it been anyone else, it would have flustered him. He knew she was checking to see if he was showing any signs of falling sick, but he could very much feel the affection she had for him. It felt more like she was using it as an excuse to touch him in such a way and he was allowing it.
Even so, she could still be thankful he had no running temperature. Maybe it's just a false alarm, she hoped. "What do the doctors say?"
"Avaron, I'm fine," he said as he gently made her lower her hand. "I'm ready to go."
She was skeptical, but felt it be best to appease the young samurai and leave. She could be thankful she got to bring him here at all despite the fight he had put up about it. Once they concluded their business at the clinic and said their farewells, Avaron was leading them back through the streets of Tokyo. While she seemed to be leading them with intent, Soujiro was concerning himself only with how to part ways with her without offending her. He didn't mean for it to get this far already and have her spend money for his sake. It seemed just as wrong to just abandon her on the streets of Tokyo, however, after what she's done.
He didn't know what to say and ended up remaining silent for the simplest reason. He was enjoying himself. He almost felt like a fellow citizen traveling next to Avaron under her parasol she continuously sheltered him with as Koharu wandered ahead to look at the shops they were passing by. For once, he was in no rush to get anywhere. Even when working for Shishio, he was usually only in town on business, hiding or spying, or even getting ready to assassinate some government official under Shishio's orders. Lately, each time he seemed to enter such a town, he had been the target of others. Now, if only for a moment, he could pretend he had always been here and that it had always been like this. No one was looking to attack him and they saw him as they saw others around them. Perhaps, if anyone was paying a little more attention, they saw just a young couple walking together with a sibling stuck playing chaperone.
"What are you thinking about?" Avaron asked after watching the smile grow on his face.
"Wishing it could always be like this." He responded almost immediately.
Avaron had not been expecting such a quick and honest response and slowed to a stop. Soujiro shifted his gaze to her wondering if he had been too honest. "You don't think it can be?" She asked.
It was obvious to him that it couldn't be. He had to either stay in hiding for the rest of his life while looking over his shoulder or become a government dog. Has she forgotten I'm a criminal? He was about to remind her of all this before he suddenly jerked and winced in pain. He was more surprised than anything.
"Sou?" Koharu questioned in concern as she approached him after looking through a particular shop. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine...but I think we were followed."
"Who? Is it broomhead?" Koharu questioned as she got in a defensive stance. Her eyes focused on his shoulder when she saw the kitten climbing and perching itself back against his shoulder. Avaron jumped and screamed having only seen something dark and furry maneuver itself on him. "It's the demon cat!" Koharu pointed at it as she got behind Avaron. "Hit it with your parasol!"
Avaron burst into laughter when she saw it was only a small kitten.
Soujiro rolled his eyes at Koharu. "I'll never understand your fears Koharu. You're willing up to stand up to Chou, but not this little guy...or girl." He corrected himself as he pet the gentle creature. When he lowered his hand, the kitten raised his head and began sniffing the air and headbutting his face. Soujiro knew what the cat was smelling and asking for and smiled empathetically for her. Just across the street was a street vender selling hot food in an effort to entice those having to go about their business in the cold weather. I'm sorry ...I can't feed you. …
The kitten's actions did not escape Avaron's notice and she smiled happily as she faced Koharu. "You probably haven't eaten. Are you hungry? "
"Hai!" Koharu clasped her hands together hopefully.
Avaron pulled forth a small purse where she carried some money and gave it to Koharu. "Why don't you go across the street and get us each something to snack on? Including something for Soujiro's new friend."
"All right, sure," she said happily and was almost too eager in taking the money from Avaron.
"You didn't need to do that," Soujiro frowned.
"Why not? I'm hungry too and it be rude to eat in front of you three." She was including the cat.
Soujiro wasn't buying it.
"You'd do it for me, wouldn't you."
His frown softened as he nodded. "Of course."
"That's good enough for me then."
He caved into a soft chuckle. "I hope you're not this trusting with everyone you meet. But I will find a way to make it up to you...somehow."
Avaron smirked as she dared to step closer to him. "Ah, so I guess that means you'll be sticking around for awhile ťhen?"
Soujiro gave a perturbed look at her and suddenly felt he had just walked straight into her trap. He finally rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. "That isn't fair."
Avaron gave quite the evil cackle stepping just a little closer to him and seemed to be using the umbrella to entrap him within its vicinity again. He laughed at first until she risked leaning a little closer. His face became more serious as he gently but firmly gasped at her arms. He didn't know for sure what her intentions were, but even now she was too close. "There's still a chance I'm sick." He stepped away as he awkwardly gasped at his wrap. "I'm sorry, but I can't risk affecting you."
"I understand. I haven't forgotten," she admitted as she twisted her grip awkwardly on the umbrella. "I guess I thought it was worth the risk considering I've been around it before and never got sick."
"That's rather…reckless, isn't it?"
She flattened her brow at him. He could have taken it as a compliment in a way if he wanted to. He must have eventually thought of it as such because he was already smiling happily by the time Koharu returned. She had gotten them each a popular street food called shoyoki. It was simply cooked fish on a stick that has been lightly seasoned. Simple, yet tasty. Soujiro broke off a chunk of the fish and held it up on his palm for the kitten to eat from. "I wonder how much time I should let pass before I can stop worrying about this disease." He glanced at Avaron still smiling. "So I don't have to keep my distance from everyone."
"I'm not sure," Koharu answered as she started to wonder off again towards the next shop. She seemed to be enjoying herself for once too. Like Soujiro, her experiences in such large cities had not been best ones either until now.
Avaron acknowledged his comment as they followed Koharu by gently grasping his hand discreetly as she brought her parasol back over their heads. They exchanged no looks but kept it discreet as they walked hand in hand. It didn't last long when they found Koharu had stopped in front of a particular shop and was gazing intently through the window. Avaron grinned as she released his hand to catch up when she saw Koharu was staring at. "I bet that would look lovely on you," she bent down towards Koharu's height.
"It's not my size," Koharu uttered sadly.
"They make kimonos your size dear."
"Don't even think about it Avaron," Soujiro barely paid them a glance, let alone the clothing shop any attention as he walked by. He came to a stop, his eyes looking off in the distance even though they were in the heart of Tokyo.
"Aw, there's no harm in looking, is there?" Avaron asked innocently. She thought she might be crossing the line again when Soujiro kept his back to her without responding. "I'm sorry. We can keep going." He still didn't move or say anything. "Soujiro?"
"He does that a lot." Koharu sighed. "He'll just randomly space out."
Soujiro finally turned his head to face them and put his usual smile back on. "You two go ahead and look around. I need to go check something out." He was already about to walk off until he looked back at Koharu. "Don't ask for anything." He spoke sternly before continuing onward.
"Wait, is something wrong?" Avaron tugged at his arm to stop him.
"No, not at all," he grinned. "Wait for me here. I won't be long."
"Fine, but take this. I won't need it inside," she passed him the umbrella. She didn't even want to risk him being recognized.
"Thanks. I won't be gone long. You two have fun." He turned away and left the two alone.
Once he put a little distance between them, Soujiro pulled forth the letter Megumi had given him and looked at the directions she had written to him on how to get to the Kamyia Kassin ryu dojo. He had no interest in taking her offer up for protection. It was easy to tell that much that that's what she was wanting to provide for him. No, his interest in all this was what connection could there possibly be between him, Megumi who was a female doctor, and this dojo. How were the three of them possibly linked?
He followed the directions carefully and his memory was jogged as soon as he came upon the dojo. Particularly when he saw the tree that towered over the walls surrounding the dojo within. He had spied from that very tree into this place. "That's right. I was spying on Aoshi Shinomori. He was looking for Kenshin here. Shishio didn't even know I was here at the time." Part of him even contemplated climbing the tree to see what it overlooked to see if it would jog anymore of his memory. He quickly decided against it and focused on trying to remember from where he was on the ground. "Wait...Aoshi …that woman. They knew each other. Aoshi was about to kill her until Saito intervened." He could remember Saito well. He was about as legendary as Kenshin. He took a nervous step back. "Wait...is Kenshin here? Does he live here?" He suddenly dropped his forehead against his palm as he chuckled. "If that's the case, she thinks I'll be safe here because of Kenshin."
He felt the kitten nuzzle its nose into him out of concern. He lifted his head and reassured the kitten with a pat on the head. "Yeah, I should probably leave. Despite what that woman thinks, I won't be welcomed here. Even if I was, I'm still furious at Kenshin and there's no guarantee I won't make him pay."
The kitten seemed to gaze questionably at him.
"What? He broke my sword. I can't just let that go," he said as he started to walk away. "I sure do miss my Kikuichimonji Norimune. I'm sure I'll never find anything like it again."
Just as he finished speaking, he heard one of the doors to the dojo open. Before he could even think about turning around, he heard shrill screaming fill the street he was treading on.
"If you want to be able to leech anymore food off of me, the least you can do is go to the market and get whet we need to eat tonight!"
"I'm sorry I asked! Eating the lousy food you make isn't worth the trouble!"
Soujiro's curiosity got the best of him and he risked glancing over his shoulder to see what was happening down the street from him. He almost immediately recognized the man with the red band tied around his head. That's the guy that sunk the Purgatory. He was also present during my duel with Kenshin. It was hard to believe he was looking at the same man as he was currently being berated by this woman. This guy defeated Anji? Soujiro had to suppress his laughter when the woman launched a basket into the man's face for his insult.
"I know you'll do it Sanosuke. Because you won't be able to eat at all if you don't!" She raised a fist. "Don't come back until you have everything I asked for!" She slammed the massive door shut.
Sanosuke muttered some curses under his breath while he bent down and recovered the basket that had been thrown at him. He would have to do as he was told if he wanted to eat.
Soujiro had already turned his back and continued walking along the street. He was about to slip away unnoticed and turn off the street. He was forced to a halt when he was met with a surprise as Koharu nearly stumbled into him. "Koharu-" He stumbled back.
"Sou! There you are!" Koharu happily announced and turned to face Avaron. "See, I told you I'd find-" He frantically pulled Koharu back against him and covered her mouth.
"Quiet-what are you doin-what are you wearing?" He didn't know what questions to ask first.
Koharu removed his hand from her mouth. "It's called a kimono." She stepped away and did a turn to show it off.
Soujiro wasn't paying attention and had risked looking over his shoulder down the street to see where Sanosuke was. He regretted it when his eyes locked immediately with Sanosuke's stun, but raging eyes.
He recognizes me already?
"She couldn't wait to show you," Avaron said before noticing the increasing stress Soujiro was now under. "Is something wrong?"
Soujiro cut between the two girls and started in on a brisk walk. "Never mind. Let's go." Please just leave me alone, he hoped about Sanosuke.
"Soujiro, you can't deny you and Koharu weren't in need of new clothes. Hers were torn and filthy and yours is covered in blood," she said once she managed to somewhat match his brisk pace.
"Why didn't you two just wait like I asked…." He slowed his pace slightly when he made sense of her words and darted his eyes over to the parcel she carried in her arms. "Wait. You bought me-"
"Yes. I meant it when I said I would take care of you two. Why are we running?" She raised her voice in her confusion. It might as well had been running for her.
"Hey!"
Soujiro came to a dead halt when he recognized Sanosuke's voice holler down the street they were on.
"You looking for a rematch Tenken?"
Not one for subtlety, is he? This moron is going to get me noticed and caught. Thankfully, the street he had turned on wasn't a bustling one. But it only took one person to spread the word. However, Soujiro felt like he had no choice now but confirm his identity for the man. He lowered down the umbrella beside him as he faced Sanosuke. Well, I guess someone wants to fight me after all. It would only look worse if he kept trying to run and of course, he couldn't just leave Koharu and Avaron behind.
"Do you know this man?" Avaron asked. She had her arm raised slightly prepared to stop a fight if it occurred
"I think our paths crossed once or twice, " he said keeping his eyes fixed on Sanosuke.
"You idiot! You're finally here for your revenge, aren't you?" Well if you want Kenshin, you're going to have to go through me."
"Kenshin?" Koharu said with interest. "The swordsman that saved your life? He's here?"
"Spared my life, there's a difference."
"I'm not about to wait around for you to make your attack!" Sanosuke yelled as he charged.
Avaron started to cut in between them in an effort to stop a fight from starting before Soujiro grabbed her and thrust her aside against the ground. Nothing was going to stop Sanosuke from laying a hand on him and Soujiro was left with little time to counter his attack once he got Avaron out of the way. As Sanosuke thrust first punch, Soujiro ducked and swooped under his swinging arm and swung his leg out to trip him. Sanosuke face planted in the snow. Soujiro cupped his hands around the kitten's body barely clinging onto him after dodging Sanosuke's attack and he let the small kitten run to safety. Avaron had been thrown against her side and staring up in amazement. It had all happened so fast, particularly for her.
"Are you okay?" He asked Avaron but kept his eyes on Sanosuke as he was already jumping back to feet.
"I'm fine, but you can't be fight-"
She didn't get a chance to finish before Sanosuke started into another series of punches desperate to land one against the former Tenken. Soujiro remained confident and agile against him and seemed to know where each punch was going to fall and dodge it. Sanosuke only got angrier with every punch he missed and increased his speed to try and keep up with his former adversary. He finally got his opportunity when Soujiro felt his world tilt all of a sudden like before and he lost his footing. It was all Sanosuke needed to finally land a punch right in his stomach. And it wasn't just a punch. Soujiro could feel all the anger and rage that had fueled that punch to strike him and felt his feet leave the ground from the force of the strike. He was thrust against a wall Sanosuke had been trying to corner him against and collapsed against the ground.
"That's for telling your psychotic master the secret to Kenshin's attack!"
"Sou!" Koharu cried out seeing the wall having cracked from the force of the strike. She started to run to him before she was pulled back by Avaron.
"Don't! It's too dangerous." She now saw all the more reason why Soujiro had aggressively shoved her out of the way. He had known this wasn't the average street fighter and wanted her far out of range of Sanosuke's attacks.
Sanosuke bent down and unknowingly grasped around Soujiro's wounded arm to make him stand. It took Soujiro everything he had not to utter a grunt or cry of pain as Sanosuke's hand clenched around the gunshot wound. "Why couldn't you just have been thankful your life was spared and be on your way? You could have cost this country everything!" He swung another punch this time across his face and let the force drive Soujiro back against the ground. When he fell back against the ground, the wrap fell completely off his shoulders and revealed to his opponent the blood staining the front of his clothes. For a moment, Sanosuke was surprised and even seemed a little sorry. "Are you...hurt?"
Soujiro said nothing and attempted to pull one side of the wrap back up over his shoulder. When Soujiro stubbornly remained silent, Sanosuke started to lunge threateningly.
"Stop this!" Avaron dared put herself between the two of them. "Obviously, he's not in a position to fight."
"I want to know what you're doing here, Tenken!" He looked passed Avaron raising another first towards Soujiro. "What were you doing lingering around the Kamyia Kasshin dojo?"
"I didn't know you, let alone Kenshin was there, " he could say honestly. His mission at the time was tracking Aoshi. He already knew Kenshin at the time was on his way to Kyoto and never actually confirmed he was living at that particular dojo. "Even if revenge was on my mind, do you think I would dare face Kenshin without a sword?" He asked as he climbed back his feet.
"You're not answering my question!" He attempted to take hold of Soujiro again before Avaron got directly in front of him.
"Back off!" It was the angriest Soujiro had ever seen of her. Despite that, he rested his hand on her shoulder to urge her aside.
"This has nothing to do with you and I don't need you protecting me. I can handle this moron."
"You're in no position to be insulting me kid." He reached passed Avaron where Soujiro had urged her aside and took hold of his wounded arm again and pulled him completely out of Avaron's reach.
Soujiro tightened his left fist and attempted to swing a left hook to which Sanosuke easily grasped his wrist in mid attack. He could tell Soujiro wasn't, couldn't fight at full strength. But what perturbed the street fighter even more was seeing the jade beads hanging loosely off his wrist he had grabbed. "What the-"
Soujiro immediately took advantage of the distraction and stepped back to throw a front kick and free himself from Sanosuke's grasp. Once he broke through his grasp, he pivoted on his front leg to throw an even stronger back kick. The blow was strong and did it's job in putting distance between him and his opponent but ended up doing more damage to him than Sanosuke. Soujiro fell under another dizzy spell and collapsed on one knee panting softly. Even worse, his back was to his opponent and Sanosuke remained standing like a rock having only been pushed back a few feet. Again, Soujiro's wrap had fallen off his shoulders and revealed to Sanosuke fully how much blood he had recently lost and clearly still suffering as a result of it. Sanosuke actually looked concerned and risked a step forward before he was suddenly struck from behind with a snowball.
"Leave him alone!" Koharu yelled and got ready to throw another snowball.
Sanosuke only glanced at her to reveal his annoyance. When he looked back at Soujiro, he saw Avaron had rushed back by his side and was knelt down in front of him trying to confirm he was okay. He was noticing more clearly that Soujiro actually had people that cared for him and even more unusual, Soujiro cared about them. That was made obvious when he met Soujiro's fiery eyes that were watching Sanosuke carefully to make sure he made no threatening move towards Koharu. From there, Sanosuke could guess where the jade beads had come from, which also proved how much Soujiro cared for her.
Sanosuke quickly hardened his heart back up reminding himself what Soujiro could have cost the whole country because he couldn't just keep his mouth shut and leave. "I have no interest in fighting you if you can't defend yourself, but know this Tenken, if I ever see you near the Kamyia Kasshin dojo again, I'll gladly be the one to put you out of your misery," he said as he started to walk pass the two on the ground. Soujiro felt Avaron grip the fabric on his shoulders into her fists protectively when Sanosuke stood directly over them. Sanosuke directed his gaze at her. "I don't know what lies this killer is feeding you, but you'd be better off to leave him where he is. Don't say I didn't warn you, Missy." He said before he continued to trudge along pass them.
Avaron released the fabric on Soujiro's shoulders once she knew the fight and danger was finally over. "Not your average street thug, is he? As oddly as he showed it, he granted you mercy." She pulled away and pushed Soujiro's sleeve up towards his shoulder to examine the gunshot wound. She frowned. "The imbecile still made the wound bleed again."
Sanosuke had succeeded in making his last words sting Soujiro even though they were meant for Avaron. He nonchalantly brought his hand over his sleeve and pulled it over to discourage her from examining the wound anymore. She stood from him and he expected she might start questioning everything Sanosuke had brought to light. Particularly why he had nearly cost the country everything. He had never actually considered he had nearly done such a thing until now. There was truth to it. "Soujiro, whoever that thug was talking about is clearly not the person before me."
"It should still bother you. Everything he said should bother you."
"So you want me to leave you on the ground?"
He turned his gaze up towards her and realized she had been keeping her hand extended out to him. He gazed hesitantly before he could will himself to raise his hand and place it into her.'s
"Everyone deserves a second chance, don't they? I'm still trying to fulfill the one I got and help you."
He gave a weak smile and let her help him pull him to his feet.
Suddenly, it was as if his mind and body forced shut down. He didn't even get dizzy or winded. His body just quit and he collapsed where he stood.
"Soujiro!" She cried out in alarm. She barely managed to catch him and more of eased his fall back down.
Like before, he opened his eyes like nothing wrong had happened. He was more confused as to why he was back on his knees having to be held upright in her arms. "What happened?"
"What's the matter with him?" Koharu spat out frantically. For a heartbeat, she thought he might have literally dropped dead.
"I think you just fainted," she told him. "This is why I tried so hard to stop the fight. You've lossed too much blood and you've over exerted yourself fighting. I know he left you little choice but to fight though."
Soujiro sat straight so she no longer needed to support him and clutched at his forehead. "Dr. Gensai wasn't kidding when he said my body would quit before my mind would. This is bad."
"That broomhead could get here anytime," Koharu said. "And Sou is hurt too bad to fend for himself and he doesn't even have a sword."she was disheartened. Her face suddenly lit up with new hope. "Wait, what about Kenshin-"
"No!" Soujiro immediately spat.
"I think I'm with Soujiro on this one," Avaron said as she brought his arm around her shoulders to lift him back to his feet. "We can't risk anymore excitement for his sake and that thug threatened his life. No, we're going with the original plan."
"We had a plan?" Soujiro asked as she carefully urged him to walk along.
"Well, Koharu and I did and that was to get you into hiding so you can recover in peace. I haven't told you because I'm been afraid you'll refuse my help. I'm not that much afraid anymore." She collected her parasol Soujiro had dropped right before the fight had begun and brought it over their heads again.
"Oh?" He challenged. She released his side once he steadied his pace but left his arm to rest around her shoulders. He wondered if he should remove it but she made no hint in suggesting he should.
"I don't think you're in a position to even fight me off."
"You might faint again if you do," Koharu added.
Soujiro flattened his brow. At least the way Avaron worded it left him with some dignity. He was quick to let it go when Avaron seemed to lean into him for support instead while his arm remained around her shoulders. It was strange to him how she simply cared for him and how badly she wanted to. Would it be wrong to just let her? ….I guess I don't have a choice. Even with how she cared for him, he wasn't made to feel completely helpless or dependant. After all, he was being allowed to openly hold and be protective of her despite his own desperate situation. He decided he had to allow it because he never would have accepted such aid while working for Shishio. Avaron was making it easy for him, so there was nothing left to do but let her and let her guide him to wherever she was taking him. And that's just what he did.
AN: I couldn't resist using the name Okita considering how the two look so alike and how Soujiro could be faced with the same disease Okita was. I originally didn't plan it that way because I honestly didn't know that about Okita until recently. I'm still a newer fan XD watching the series a second time has proved to be really helpful! If you haven't yet, let me know what you think so far of the story.