Sorry about the wait. I actually purposefully took a break from writing. I've kept this story moving at a decent pace (I think) and just thought I take a break to recharge the creative juices. Haven't lost any inspiration though, especially since I decided to do some fan art! That works, right?
The hours continued to drag on into the early evening hours and it wasn't long before Koharu had managed to find her way nestled at Soujiro's side as he read a book out loud to fill in the rest of the empty hours. The book found its way in his hands when Koharu thought she be courteous and take their evening meal dishes down herself. He had later found out it was just a ploy when Koharu had the nerve to ask the owners if there was anything fun to do. They asked if she could read and Koharu only ended up saying yes to avoid embarrassment. The book had apparently been long left behind by its previous owner and Koharu was welcomed to keep it if she wanted to.
She had thrown the book aside in a rage across the table so that it slid until it fell off the other side next to where Soujiro sat at the time. Soujiro had then made the obvious assumption that Koharu was illiterate. So he attempted what any good brother should do, if it was within their ability, and tried to teach her. Koharu still had little interest or the enthusiasm to even want to learn and it wasn't too long before he ended up just reading it out loud to her as she dozed off beside him. She had helped herself into his bed forcing her way around his arm so he had to rest it behind her instead of between them, then she happily pulled his blanket over her legs. He was still content just sitting upright beside her over the covers. While he didn't mind sharing his space with her, he was still too restless to fully settle in his bed and fall asleep. The night was still early considering how early nightfall came anyway. Even now, his body was stiff from the little exercise he got that day. He knew he needed this recovery time, but it didn't mean he was necessarily enjoying it. He wanted to still be able to move around before he could completely retreat to bed for the night.
He realized he was going to have a bit of trouble maneuvering around anyway when he felt the weight of her head and body fall more heavily against his side. He stopped reading and looked down with his usual frown. He closed the book.
Now I'm reading bed time stories.….That had not been his intention when he first opened the book, but it was the end result.
"Why did you stop?" Koharu mumbled tiredly.
"I thought you fell asleep."
"Keep reading." She said in a bossy tone.
He raised his brow at that. "Do you even understand what is being read?"
"….not really. I think I heard something about the moon?" She pulled away slightly to look at him. She then shrugged. "I don't care. I've just been enjoying listening to you read it." She stretched with a yawn. "I think that's the most you have ever talk in one sitting."
He laughed. "Perhaps Jules Verne is a little advance for you. We'll have to find something easier for you to read."
"Nah. I have you to do all the reading," she said as she curled up back beside him. "Why read about adventure when I have it for real?"
He rolled his eyes. "That's not the only reason to learn to read. Besides, what if I decide to remain here in Tokyo?" He teased. "Reading these books will be your only outlet to the adventure you crave."
Koharu opened her tired eyes. "I don't crave adventure by itself. It means nothing if you aren't there….. I don't care if you stay in Tokyo. As long as I can remain your sister. Even when I had a home with a brother and father, it never felt like this." She then smiled as she let her head fall back against him. "Somehow you're home. Whether we're lost in the forest, passing through the city or staying in an inn, it's home to me because you're there. Staying in Tokyo would be more than fine with me. Traveling the world was just a plus."
Soujiro was more than touched by those words and it could be clearly seen in eyes gazing fondly at her. He then forced a chuckle pretending to feel otherwise. "I'm not sure if that makes any sense." Yet it did. Since the beginning, all Koharu asked was just to be able to stay with him. She never even cared to ask where they were going. She had just been thrilled she got to stay because he had become home no matter where they traveled. He didn't know what more he could say. Why couldn't he just admit how those words made him feel?
"Are you wanting to stay because of Avaron?" Koharu suddenly questioned.
She felt Soujiro immediately tense at that question and she pulled away to look up at him again. His cheeks had reddened slightly and he tugged at his knees towards his chest. "I'm not staying in Tokyo. I was just teasing earlier."
"Don't avoid the question!" She fell for that more than she wanted to admit, but she was learning now. "You said you felt like you belonged here being with both of us. Just like you've come to be home to me, Avaron... somehow.… got you to feel the same way." She then looked away with a pout and crossed her arms. "As much as I still don't like it, Avaron is the only one I can approve of."
"Approve? For what?" He immediately regretted asking.
"To marry you."
He nearly collapsed on his side. That escalated quickly. "Marriage? Koharu, we just met."
"Maybe, but before you two 'met' she knew details about you that you refused to reveal to me at first. Her first acts were protecting both of us and then coming to your rescue again and again -"
"Okay Koharu," he said with a tone. He didn't want to be reminded of all the saving he recently needed...Even from himself.
"My point is you're not going to find anyone else who is going to understand where you're coming from better than Avaron. She about saved you the pain of you having to reveal your past. Even you said I had the right to ask about your past, but you couldn't give it, which was also your right." She carefully acknowledged. He had first asked about her past and respectfully acknowledged she didn't have to reveal it either. "A girlfriend is certainly going to want to know all that. Avaron already has that information. And of course, you really like her anyway. How can you ever expect me to approve of anyone else after meeting her and watching you two interact."
He blushed. He thought he had been subtle about his feelings towards her. He had a hard time refuting Koharu's words especially after what exchanged between him and Avaron the night before. "What makes you think I need your approval?" He kept to a stern tone in any effort to keep from blushing openly in front of her.
"Because family approval is important and I'm all you got!" She glowered and playfully nudged his side with her elbow.
He laughed and dared not to think otherwise. " All right, all right. I won't argue it." He could go on to give a long list of why such a thing would be impossible, but again, his master was proof that it wasn't. It hardly phased him how quickly he warmed up to her and more quickly than he had with Koharu. He could easily admit, however, that it was because how Koharu had worked patiently, even stubbornly to soften his heart he could open up to Avaron. Otherwise, even if he had by chance run into Avaron somewhere down the road, their relationship surely wouldn't had played off the same way. He had still tried to give the girl a cold shoulder the moment he met her.
He wondered if he had somehow done the same to Shishio like Koharu had to him. Yumi had not come into the picture until after Shishio took him and had been training him for awhile. When he first met the man, he was fueled by nothing but rage for what the imperialists did to him and striking down any unfortunate government official to cross his path. He had once said he wasn't after revenge against the government, but he clearly was taking out his aggression on them that night Soujiro first saw him. The man he first saw looked to be the last man to waste any time with something do as childish as love. Yet, it was Soujiro's smile that stopped the man from killing him. It amused Shishio more than anything, but it had been a start. From there he continued to only amused his master throughout their training even making the man sincerely laugh. Maybe little Soujiro had somehow calmed Shishio's rage over a period of time so that when Shishio met Yumi, it was easy to see she was the one. Yumi had just kind of showed up and she immediately belonged without a doubt. He wondered if that could be the case now with Avaron.
"You're really not going to argue it?" Koharu questioned suspiciously. "That you belong with Avaron?"
He shrugged. "I don't know what to say. I don't think it's impossible and you're right about a lot of things," he smiled at her. "But I have enough sense to not make anything of it. I still wonder why she's doing this for me considering what I am and how much trouble she could get in."
"Because she likes you," Koharu said like it should be obvious.
"I guess that's the only answer that makes sense." He shrugged again. He looked down at her and nudged her gently. "Why don't you try to get some sleep?"
Koharu nodded in agreement and quickly fell back against his side to get comfortable again.
"I meant your bed- oh forget it." He already said in defeat. At that he felt up curl up more tightly against him and Koharu smiled even though he couldn't see it. "I guess I'm sharing my bed again…."
The hour still dragged by as he randomly flipped through the pages of the book and silently reading a paragraph here and there. He still sat upright above the covers keeping his back supported with his arm stretched out behind while Koharu slept soundly beside him. It was when his eyes finally started started to close in the middle of reading a paragraph he suddenly felt a sharp twinge of pain from within his chest. He grimaced and clutched at the fabric over his torso.
He coughed.
At once, he sat straight from Koharu still clutching at his shirt and gazed down at her. She had barely stirred. He closed his eyes. It's probably nothing. He no longer felt comfortable remaining near her however, and gently maneuvered her off him so she lay comfortably flat against the futon. From there, he stood and walked a few paces away trying to think of any other explanation for the pain in his chest. It had been a day with little activity and his whole body was stiff already from the lack of exercise. The pain he felt was probably just a sign he needed to move and stretch a little. Maybe even get some fresh air. Now that he realised it, the air within seemed awfully dense.
Before he could consider his next course of action, a soft knock came upon the door to his room. His defenses automatically went up as he cautiously approached it. He wasn't quick to imagine the worst considering how soft the knock came, but he would not completely disregard the need to be cautious. He slid the door aside trying to keep a calm face. "Yes?" It was an employee.
"Forgive me for bothering you at this hour." He did an apologetic bow. "But a certain young lady insisted on you having this right away." He pull forth a certain parcel wrapped and tied with a cord to hold it in place. Fastened into the cord was a letter. The parcel itself was long like a staff, but it was easy for him to know better. Soujiro was straining at that point to keep to a relaxed face as he slid the door aside a bit more to accept the parcel.
"She was here?" That was a dumb question, he immediately thought.
"Yes. She left as soon as she passed this along to us to give." The man sounded irritated. He probably wondered why she couldn't make the full delivery. The employee already felt uncomfortable disturbing a guest at the hour.
"Domo arigato," Soujiro said with a smile to show there was no hard feelings. He could barely keep up with the calm facade anymore. Even as he slid the door shut, it nearly slammed before he whirled around clutching the parcel more tightly. He dropped his head into his palm.
She didn't.…why would she give a sword to me? Where did she get it?
He raised his head to gaze at the window he had earlier jumped through with Avaron. "I can't accept this. She can't have gotten far." He stood straight and approached the window and taking the wrap in hand as he walked passed the table. He stopped to gaze at Koharu. She had barely been disturbed by what took place between him and the worker... thankfully. This was exactly Koharu had been hoping for and he didn't need her trying to stop him. "I blame you for this," he muttered on his breath as he opened the window and then swung the wrap over his shoulders. He didn't give it a second thought and jumped through with ease. He had been looking for a bit of exercise and fresh air and it was one more reason to not let this opportunity go by.
As soon as he felt the rush of the cold air touch his skin and fill his lungs, he felt immediately refresh. Even as he landed on his feet wth ease, he stood slowly, taking a deep breath and stretched his arms towards the heavens still grasping the concealed sword.
I needed to do this a long time ago.
In the midst of stretching, he looked down both ways of the narrow street and easily assumed Avaron must have taken the same route she had taken earlier that day. He started into a brisk walk after her.
What is she thinking? Any criminal could be lurking on this street waiting for her.
Thankfully, he saw no sign of any attack as he tread the dark path and ended up spotting her just as she was turning on the main street. He was already smiling at the sight of her, but refrained from calling out to her until he got closer. He thought of even messing with her like he did before and yank her back in the shadows of the street like he planned to kidnap her.
That'll teach her to not travel alone at night.
Just before he could act on his little prank, he came to a halt at the corner when he saw a certain nobleman on a horse ride pass and abruptly cut Avaron off on her path. She had even tried to circle around the mighty steed before the horse was directed to block her again. Soujiro tried to peer around the corner but his view was obstructed by the back of her umbrella.
"What are you doing here?" Avaron questioned with a tone.
"I think I'm the one that needs to ask you that. Where do you keep wandering off too?" The man questioned.
"I'm old enough to get by on my own Shigeru."
So they know each other, Soujiro concluded.
"Mother disagrees. She's tired of you sneaking off. And unless you're an old hag, it's never safe for a woman to travel these streets alone. Answer the question. Where have you been?"
"Nowhere!" She raised her voice and attempted to maneuver around the horse.
"Answer the damn question, whore!"
Soujiro's eye's widened in surprise at what the man just referred to her as. This guy has some anger and control issues. Thought Soujiro. He wanted to step in in her behalf, but he wasn't sure if that would calm the situation our make it worse. It would appear Avaron was getting into trouble because of Soujiro and he didn't exactly want to pick a fight. He still remained ready to intervene, however.
"I was just taking a stroll to clear my head. Perhaps you should try it." She turned her nose up at him as she started to circle around the horse blocking him.
This time, Shigeru swung his leg over the saddle and jumped in front of her to block her and then restrain her. "You're right. I could and I would like your company." He clutched her arm with a jerk. "You can join me on our way -"
Avaron smacked him with her back hand. "Let go -"
He immediately replied by thrusting his other hand into her chest to toss her back into the snow and mud. "You little whore! Show some respect!"
Avaron was thrown hard enough, she lost hold of her parasol mid fall. Her fall didn't complete its course, however, when two arms swiftly caught her in time before she would be tossed into filthy snow. "Ah, there you are Avaron. Sorry I'm late," she recognized Soujiro's voice. She was swiftly propped back her on her feet before she got to face him.
She was obviously surprised he had showed up, but she looked all the more alarmed by Soujiro's presence. "Sou-what are you doing?" She whispered. "This man is an imperial soldier." She didn't want to risk saying his name in case it might be recognized.
He looked over her shoulder and confirmed that the man before him was a decorated soldier of the imperial army. Shigeru had left his sword and possibly a concealed gun on the horse. Soujiro had left his sword where he had remained hidden until now and dropped his wrap over it before having kicked some snow over it. He just had to prove now he wasn't looking for a fight.
He looked back at Avaron when he felt her trembling and offered an assuring smile. She was trembling and it was not like she had been the night before. Before, it had just been her hands trembling when he feared she had come to fear him. This time, he could feel her whole body trembling by how he still held her by her arms. She really was afraid now. He regretted waiting as long as he had to intervene.
"Just follow my lead," he whispered before continuing with his act. "My sister took forever to fall asleep. You know how difficult she can be. But I'm here now." He continued nonchalantly.
"Beat it, kid. This doesn't concern you." The man spat. He started to approach Avaron to retrieve her before she started to cower back behind Soujiro. She paused, not wanting to come across being that helpless.
Soujiro, nonetheless, stepped ahead of her so it could be clear the man would have to go through him to get to her. "Is something the matter?" He continued to play innocent...or dumb rather.
"Who the hell are you?" Shigeru questioned.
"Oh forgive me," he smiled still and bowed his head apologetically. "My name is Okita. I just came to see my girlfriend." He gazed apologetically over his shoulder towards her but hoped she would also catch onto the act. He used Koharu as a cover by being her brother. Now he was trying to cover for her sake. She was already trying to stay quiet for his sake, but he didn't want her doing so at the cost of causing family drama. So he thought he would give the family something to blame for Avaron's absence. "We've been meeting here a few nights now."
It took Avaron a moment to understand what he was doing but decided it was best to follow his lead and act along.
"Wait, she stayed overnight with you?" Shigeru asked.
"Uh-" he forgot about that little detail and saying he was her boyfriend was not helping her cause anymore. He turned his gaze to Avaron, who had already dropped her head into her palm. He forced a chuckled and rubbed at the back of his head. "I can see how that might look bad but I assure you nothing happened, especially since I live with my little sister." He then lifted his right sleeve to reveal his bandaged arm that had bled through from when Sanosuke attacked him. "I injured myself, you see, and Avaron was kind enough to mend the wound for me. I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to these sort of things. I guess that's why she stayed with me. She helps me not think about the pain so much." He was appearing more like a weakling before the man, but Soujiro was doing everything possible to not make the man feel threaten enough to have to reach for his sword. "I swear that's all she did. You could even ask my sister. I can't keep anything hidden from her."
"Really?" He sneered at Soujiro.
"Mm-hmm," Soujiro nodded innocently.
Shigeru then directed his gaze back at Avaron. "I take it you've withheld some important information, considering he's still willing to be in your company."
Without even looking at her, he felt Avaron tense. His gaze became more suspicious as he directed it at her.
"There is nothing to be said and you know it, Shigeru!"
Soujiro had to raise his arm to stop her from running at the man in some desperate effort to silence him. "What information?" He whispered to her.
She gazed at him and started to shake her head to quickly refute it.
"This little whore lost her virginity a long time ago!" Shigeru bellowed with an evil grin.
Soujiro's eyes widened as he darted his eyes back at Shigeru. He wasn't repulsed at what had been revealed to him, but how it had been revealed. Shigeru bellowed the words out so that anyone walking the same street could hear it. He saw why Avaron's reputation had been tarnished. Even now, Shigeru was trying to turn Soujiro against her like he had probably done to many others Avaron tried to get close to.
Avaron clutched at her arms as she stepped away shamefully from Soujiro. It became more wrathful as she narrowed her gaze back at Shigeru. She nearly acted like Koharu would if she felt ashamed in his presence. She was turning away from him before he might get the chance to treat her coldly first. Why wouldn't she? Most who heard it became repulsed at the mere sight of her, like something to be shunned. She was something defiled in the eyes of most. But Soujiro refused to pay Shigeru anymore attention and approached her closely to urge her in the opposite direction back towards the inn he was residing at. "Come on. Let's just go."
Her shoulder still jerked at his touch. Then she nodded towards him and turned away from Shigeru.
" You're not disgusted?" Shigeru continued to yell. "She's a mutt and a whore!" He was now drawing attention to the fact she was half British.
Soujiro stopped with clenched fists and eyes narrowed in contempt. Shigeru was screaming those words out so that it echoed down the street. Soujiro was not one to lose his temper easily and he had intervened without the intention to fight, but it was becoming harder not to go for the sword he had hidden and slice the creep in two. In fact, he was sure if he hadn't hidden the sword and left it behind briefly, the man might already be dead. Instead, Soujiro exhaled to try and calm his nerves and released his fists as he caught up to Avaron.
"You little - I'll drag you home if I have to!" He promptly charged to retrieve Avaron and didn't care to pay anymore heed to Soujiro. Like most, he took Soujiro to be a wimp.
Avaron whirled around, her eyes widened in fear as she tried to brace herself to fend off the man. "Soujiro - behind you!"
He only nodded to her and just as he was about to shoved out of the way, he ducked from the man's arms and thrust his elbow back to strike into the man's chest to keep him out of Avaron's reach. He then clenched his fist and pivot on the balls of his feet to face Shigeru directly and swung an uppercut. Shigeru's eyes rolled into the back of his skull as soon as the punch connected and he lost all sense of direction while his feet slipped out from underneath him. He collapsed flat on his back into the snow. The only reason Soujiro's punch had such impact was because it was all powered by his legs as he had pivoted around. An uppercut by itself was considered a power attack.
Soujiro stepped back still having to shake his fist out. "That hurt more than I thought it would," he said then chuckled as he looked back at Avaron. "I'm not much of a fist fighter, but that sure felt good to hit him."
"Seems like you knew what you were doing," Avaron muttered half heartedly.
"Yeah, his moves were awfully predictable." Soujiro turned away and approached the horse Shigeru had left behind. Soujiro grabbed at the reins and directed the horse around away from them.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving your cousin something else to do besides torment you anymore tonight." He said than slapped the horse on the flank. The horse neighed before it burst into a gallop away from them. "There. He will have to get that horse before someone else does." Soujiro then entered the street he had first turned out of and returned back with the sword in hand he had covered with the wrap. "Now about this -"
"Why did you bring that?" Avaron cried out.
"Um-" He was startled by how upset it made her.
She lunged at Soujiro taking hold of his arm to start leading him away and looked at Shigeru in new found stress when he moaned and started to shift around in the snow. "Come on!" She pulled at him more aggressively to lead him away. When she got him moving, she turned away and continued to lead him away from Shigeru.
As soon as they had turned a few street corners, Avaron lead him on through another street and back through an alley hoping she was leading them several blocks away from her cousin. She turned the last corner and slumped her shoulders when she saw they came faced with a large wall. "Baka-" She spat to herself and spun around to lead them off in a different direction.
That was before she ended up plowing into Soujiro which made her feet slip out from beneath her. "Avaron - calm down -" He ended up catching her at the cost of dropping the sword and failed to help her regain her balance when he lost his footing because of the little traction beneath their feet. Both collapsed into the ground, Avaron having a bit of a softer landing when she fell over him. Soujiro was barely phased by his rough landing and burst into laughter. "That was graceful," he teased.
"How can you be laughing? We'll be trapped if we don't -"
"It's all right," he assured as he helped her off him so he could sit up. "I think we lost him and I can handle anyone else if they try to threaten us. I could use the exercise." He continued to joke. He dropped the carefree attitude when he saw Avaron was not amused. He thought perhaps he might be acting too carefree. Avaron had just been openly humiliated. Even though he was proving it changed nothing of his view of her, it had still hurt her.
Despite them being alone in the middle of a dark alley somewhere, he was surprised to find how brightly the moon was shining as it lit the snow around them. No one had ventured there until now, so much of the snow around them had remained undisturbed. He figured now would be best to bring attention to the sword now that they were in a more secluded part of town. He reached beside her for the sword and held it up between them. "Now explain this. Why would give me a sword? You practically just supplied me with a weapon to fight off the Meiji. At least that's how they'll see it."
"Didn't you read the letter?" Avaron asked in an irritated tone of voice.
He lowered the sword with a guilty smile. "No. Because I was sure I didn't want to take it from you."
"First, it isn't something for you to keep. I'm just lending it to you until you get better. And you should know better than to use it against the Meiji."
"Then why -"
"Because I'm afraid whoever is after you really is trying to kill you." She admitted. "I don't want you killing anyone, but I didn't want to leave you completely defenseless either.… So you're to draw this sword only when your life or Koharu's is threatened."
He gave a small nod and rested the sword across his legs. "Of course, Avaron." He tugged at the cloth towards where he knew the hilt to be to spy just a small glance of the sword. "Why didn't you want your cousin to see it?" He raised his head towards her when he clearly noticed the guilt she was revealing in her eyes. It was only making it more difficult to accept the sword from her.
She lowered her head. "This sword is believed to be buried with my uncle, who was also a soldier. But it holds sentimental value to my aunt. It's just what she told Shigeru, otherwise, it only be fitting she would have to pass it along to him. It's been hidden all this time with her. I only found out about its existence because she had a little too much to drink one night and ended up spilling out the whole secret to me. While under the influence of the alcohol, she felt no risk telling me. What could I ever do with that information?"
"Give it to your fake boyfriend." He smirked, holding the sword up slightly.
His comment made her blush, but then she lowered her head shamefully again and clasped her hands on her lap. He had not noticed as he was focused on pulling the cord loose around the blade and pulling the cloth aside to see the sword.
"About what Shigeru said -"
Soujiro immediately dropped what he was doing and raised his hand while shaking his head. "You don't need to explain anything."
"It isn't true," she had to at least said.
Despite what Soujiro said, she did find him willing to listen when it was clear she had more to say. He even lowered his hand.
"Yes. I spent a few days living inside a prostitution house when I was fourteen. Things weren't always grand between my aunt and me, you see. At the beginning, she only took me in because no one else would. My mother's family had practically disowned her when she married my father. I never heard the end of the disappointments my mother brought upon the family….me being one of them."
Soujiro had pulled the sword slightly from the scabbard. The hilt was white like the one he had when dueling Kenshin and as he got a brief look at the blade, he could easily tell it hadn't been used in years. The blade was pristine and had been well taken care of. The only real complaint he could find was how blunt the edge was, but he supposed it would mean he'd less likely kill someone if he had tho use it. "Your aunt said that to you?" He was surprised. That woman had been so eager to provide him with care and hospitality and had been scared Soujiro hadn't had enough.
Avaron nodded. "Yes. She's come a long way, hasn't she? She didn't really start to change until I ran away. For a few days I wandered the city lost before a kind woman found me sick with a cold and took me in. All I saw was a strong, beautiful, independent lady. I had no idea she was a prostitute." She then smiled embarrassingly. "The prostitutes in England dress... quite differently." She added before continuing. "She took me in through the back entry of the house she lived in and cared for me. Being so young, all I saw was the life and luxury this woman and the others got to live. The ladies all took to me very kindly."
"And you wanted to be apart of what looked to be the glamorous life," Soujiro guessed.
Avaron nodded. "Apparently I could make good money... more than all the women there. Not many men around here get to see a woman with red hair and would... pay extra. The fact that I would be special in some way intrigued me and that I would be able to use it and live the life of luxury like those women. The woman who first took me in tried to convince me otherwise, especially once I spilled the truth on the life I was trying to leave for good. She started by telling me I would be under contract. Prostitution isn't just some job you apply for. You really are selling yourself off. Even if I wanted to quit, there would be nothing I could do until my contract was up. Amazingly, that didn't deter me at first. Her last attempt to change my mind was for me to try it for one night."
"And it worked?"
"I'm sure it would have... had my aunt not found me first." She then let out a soft chuckle. "That woman who took me in apparently had special connections and managed to send word about my whereabouts to my aunt. My aunt stormed in with a rage while the woman, who had been caring for me, was dressing me up. I realized now she had purposely taken her time dressing me for just that reason. It didn't stop my aunt from exchanging... colorful words with the woman before she dragged me behind back home." She then exhaled and blew her breath into her hands to warm them before continuing. " In that moment, I was angry at both my aunt and that woman for what they did. But I see now they were just looking out for me. Shigeru, on the other hand, was at home looking forward to another show my aunt and I would put on with our famous screaming matches.
Soujiro could not imagine Avaron screaming that way.
"The moment my aunt dragged me through that door, however, he began staring very differently at me. I know my clothing was rather colorful, maybe even gaudy and I remember her having put make up on me, but I never actually got to see what I looked like." She then shrugged. "But it's what Shigeru sees now every time he looks at me. A whore."
His whore apparently. At this point, Soujiro had fully pulled the sword from the parcel it had been wrapped in and sat it across his lap to further inspect as he had listened to Avaron's story. He had not noticed at first, but saw the handguard was a decorative one. It was silvery and inlayed and shaped like a lotus. He had never seen a katana decorated in such a way. He figured it must be a way to show off the wealth Avaron's family had.
Soujiro didn't bother asking why Shigeru openly humiliates her, not wanting to make it anymore awkward than it already was for her. He summed up the answer already. He was possessive of her. He had tried to turn Soujiro against her. In short, Shigeru wanted Avaron for himself. Honoka was getting old and everything would go to her son once she passed away and little would be left for her niece. If Shigeru turned away every potential suitor for Avaron, she would have to submit to him to have any life at all. He was corning her into marrying him. It suddenly made sense why Honoka must have been so happy when she first saw Soujiro under Avaron's umbrella that night and hearing his supposed heroic tale when he rescued her. Honoka must undoubtedly be aware of Avaron's tarnished reputation. When she first saw Soujiro, Honoka thought she saw someone who might want to care for Avaron the way she deserved to be. That's why she had been eager to take Soujiro in for the night. Honoka was trying to win him over for the sake of her niece.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Avaron questioned when the silence grew too long.
"What exactly do you want me to say?" It came out more curt than he realized.
She scoffed and snatched the sword away so he would actually look at her. "You're like a little child that just got a new toy. Have you even been listening? Most by now would be repulsed that I ever considered it." Actually, she never had a chance to explain her side of the story before people decided to shun her.
He obeyed and met her gaze. "I'm sorry. I actually listen better than I do talk," he confessed. He was acting similarly when Koharu gave her life story and he ended up offending her by being just a little too nonchalant. He couldn't help but flatten his brow at her when he saw how serious and worried Avaron was over what his feelings towards her might be now. "Avaron. I think it's safe to say I was born and lived in a prostitute house for awhile. Other than that, you've had to choke down far darker truths about me. I'm hardly phased by your so-called acts of rebellion. What sense would it make for me to judge you? I'm the one fortunate enough that you tolerate my presence. "
Avaron bit her lower lip. She had been so wrapped up in how her past might affect her friend, that she forgot of his own struggles and sins that haunted him. It was hard to believe, but she kept forgetting he was a wanted murderer. He didn't seem to have a mean bone in him. "Well…when you put it like that…."She then sighed. "I'm sorry."
He smiled and accepted the sword back. He placed the sword back on his lap and began wrapping it back up in the cloth it was delivered in and fasten it with the tie that secured it around the sword. In the midst of repackaging the sword, Avaron suddenly clutched at his hands distracting him from his task, especially when he felt how cold her hands were. "I don't tolerate your presence." She then smiled. "I welcome it. I appreciate what you've done tonight. I kind of didn't mind you owing me one. I just didn't expect you to make up for it so quickly." She really did sound disappointed.
"Ah, so I have your permission to leave?" Why did it make him happy to see her so upset about that? He chuckled softly and gladly cradled her cold hands into his. It was nice to finally take care of her instead of the other way around. Not that he detested the thought of being cared for by her. He already hated how fast he fell asleep in her arms the previous night instead of enjoying every moment he had with them cradling him. He knew he was very fortunate to have her treat and care for him as much as she did despite knowing his sins. "I can't leave until I know for sure I won't be plagued with this disease for Koharu's sake. At least here... I'll be dealt with properly if something happens and Koharu taken somewhere to be cared for rather than left alone if I try to leave the city now."
"What kind of talk is that?" Avaron barked angrily. "If nothing has happened by now, you should be fine."
Avaron was starting to learn the emotions behind Soujiro's smiles and it startled her when he clearly forced a smile for her sake. It was as if he was hiding something. Before she could be allowed to question it, he released her hands to clutch the sword and stood from her. This time, he got to extend his hand down to her. "I'm sure your aunt is more than worried about you. Come on. I'll walk you back."
She nodded and let him pull her to her feet. She then tugged at his arms to keep him from turning away. "What are you -"
She reached her hand up and directed his head down towards her and stood to her toes to finally kiss him. He wasn't that tall, but she thought if she rushed into it, he might give in and not pull away. It worked... for a few seconds. She felt him almost ease in to it. Then his eyes snapped wide before he finally willed himself to grab at her arms and promptly pulled away. "Avaron! What the- I said we shouldn't -"
"Koharu told me about your special power." She spoke up quickly before he would reprimand her.
He shook his head in greater confusion. "What? You mean the shukuchi? What does that have have to do with this?" Despite how confused and disconcerted he was, he hardly sounded angry as he should. He even still held her shoulders and had not resorted to shoving her away.
"You somehow disappear, right? She makes it sound like you can vanish and reappear somewhere else-"
"Your point?" He was getting more impatient.
"My point is you're not the only one with special powers or abilities. We all have gifts Soujiro and I've been exposed to my a fair share of diseases. My father even cared for a leper in my presence. I don't get sick."
"You just told me you got a cold as a child." He said as he arched a brow at her.
"Believe it or not, colds and diseases are two very different things. And that was one of few times I've been sick with one."
He was not convinced of her gift.
"Have you ever heard of the black death?"
He nodded. "Are you telling me you've somehow been exposed to that also?"
"No. But there have been documents found in England of people who were not afflicted with the plague even though it wiped out millions of people at a time. These certain individuals could be locked in the same room with those afflicted and never be affected. Scientifically, it can't be explained why yet."
"Except it's some sort of gift they must have possessed." He smirked at her as he crossed his arms. He knew he shouldn't completely refute it. Barely anyone could ever believe what Soujiro was fully capable of... until it was too late. Why shouldn't he believe her? He then smiled as he let his head drift back towards hers. "Are you wanting to kiss me that badly?"
She lowered her gaze slightly, blushing, but her eyes saddened. Either way, she knew she wouldn't have much longer with him. She wanted him to go on living and somehow find peace in the crazy world they lived in, and that meant she would probably never get to see him again. She would regret not making use of the time she had with him. It wasn't just that she only wanted to kiss him. Since meeting him, the only reason she ever got to touch him was if he was hurt, be it a burn on his hand or nearly bleeding and freezing to death. The previous night she got to hold him without him being in such pain, but there was still reason behind it. She wanted there not to be any reason. She felt she shouldn't have to wait until he was on the brink of death or be in any pain at all to show her affection for him.
She started to raise her head again to try and answer his question with those thoughts in mind. That was until he finally decided to take it upon himself to finish what she started and leaned in to kiss her. She was instantly surprised to find how well he could do it for someone who shouldn't know how to be affectionate in the first place.
Again, it was how he had watched Shishio and Yumi care for each other. It almost made him unafraid of what he was doing and more confident he was doing it right. He had learned more from Shishio than he had thought. Everything about it felt right.
He broke away from the kiss already smiling. "Happy now?" He chuckled softly at her expression. Honestly, he didn't know he had it in him either. What also gave him the courage was he knew he didn't have long with her before he would have to go back on the run. It was a now or never moment.
The Tenken would just want it, and take it, he remembered Koharu saying. "We should go. Not only will your aunt worry, but I left Koharu while she was sleeping. Who knows what she'll think or do if she wakes up and finds me gone."
Avaron had planned to speak up and just say anything after she stayed quiet the whole time. She didn't know what to say after that. She hadn't expected him to take the initiative.
In the end though, she found herself only nodding to him. She practically had become dazed and stood still even as he turned to start heading back.
He looked over his shoulder when he saw her just standing there. "Coming?"
"Hm? Oh yes," she chuckled. "I was just thinking.…." She didn't even know what she was thinking. She didn't know what to think.
"About?"
"How.…" Her eyes focused on the sword he carried and then on her parasol. "H-how we need to conceal the sword better," she said then rushed by his side.
He let her take the weapon from him as she tucked it her umbrella and closed it with the blade inside. She then handed the whole thing back to him. "Just take the whole thing. We have more than one at home."
He smiled and gratefully accepted it and turned to lead them carefully back through the dark lit streets. Avaron meekly followed.
Soujiro could only imagine what Honoka's home was like on the other side of those walls when Avaron pointed them out. And imagine it he could. Despite living a similar lifestyle once, he had also trespassed into such homes to make his assassinations. Perhaps far grander than the estate that lied just over the walls beside him.
"I'll bring the sword back in two days and no less," he promised as he walked her to the front gate. "You'll receive it just as you gave it to me."
She still only nodded. That meant in two days he'd be leaving for good. She looked away with a sigh, half to stall the time, the other half to reveal her disappointment.
"Avaron?" He questioned. "Are you okay?"
She shifted her gaze at him with a frown. Of course not, you blockhead. You're about to leave for good. My life was fine and dull before, but how am I supposed to carry on like none of this happened? She still couldn't find the will to speak and spat out another exasperated sigh. Before she could try and fake a response, the gate beside them suddenly opened in a hurry.
Soujiro got ready to shove Avaron behind him thinking it would more likely be an enraged cousin. He dropped his protective stance when he saw it was only Honoka. That was even worse.
Oh no.….
"Avaron!" She started in an enraged tone. " I'm getting sick of this. Who's this? Is this who you've -" She gave Soujiro a double take. "Soujiro?"
Deja vu. He acknowledged her with a smile and offered a respectful bow. "Good evening, Honoka. It's nice to see you again. I'm sorry I kept Avaron out this long. It won't happen again."
It was Honoka's turn to be speechless. She was in disbelief. Last time she saw him, it was when he had lost his temper and yelled at her niece. Now here the two were, acting like it had never happened. Soujiro was trying not to cringe openly as he awaited for the protective aunt to direct her anger towards him.
All anger was completely dissolving from the old woman's face. "It was you? You're the friend Avaron has been seeing?"
He stood straight still holding onto his smile. "My sister as well. They even went shopping for clothes." He thought adding that detail would add truth that she really had been spending her time elsewhere besides being alone with him the whole time.
"Where is she? Your sister?"
"Oh...I left her to sleep back home." He wondered now if Honoka would think he was making all this up. He had ever only mentioned Koharu to her. Most protective parents might assume he had stalked Avaron, considering this started back in Kofu.
"Oh bring her tomorrow. I'd love to meet your sister," she said as she took hold of his hands and cupped them in hers. "Please do. I'll have a wonderful meal prepared for both of you."
"I can't," he started in seriously and attempted to pull his hands free. That was until he saw the look in the old woman's eyes. One would have thought he was shattering her last remaining hope. He sighed. "…. But I can come the following night. Is that okay?" Koharu, what have you done to me? People never got to me like this before. At least I can sneak the sword in to Avaron without trespassing.
Honoka's hope was restored. "Yes. That will do nicely. Show up anytime after the sun sets. I'll have everything ready."
" Sounds great... Can I have my hands back?"
"Yes," Honoka replied cheerfully and released them. He turned a subtle gaze at Avaron, who had been trying to resist laughing at the two. She attempted to give Soujiro a look of sympathy, but failed miserably. She was rather enjoying watching him being guilted. Plus, it meant he wasn't just going to stop by quickly to drop off the sword. She would get to have a whole other night with him.
Once he bid the two farewell for now, he turned away softly grasping at his wrists. He wondered if Honoka had planned on somehow holding him hostage until he accepted her offer of hospitality. Her grip on him had only gotten tighter when he first said no. It only confirmed the old woman's intents to try and make his friendship with Avaron into something a little bit more. Even then, he knew they had already crossed the boundaries of friendship.
Still, Honoka is being awfully pushy. She's old but not that old. Why is she rushing this.…he suddenly stopped walking. Unless she's already dying. The thought suddenly mortified him. That meant Shigeru was closer into getting what he want. Does Avaron even know if that's the case? This isn't fair. There's nothing I can do! I can barely care for Koharu as it is. Honoka is probably counting on me if that's the case. "Oh, what mess have I gotten myself into now?" He uttered out hopelessly as he clawed at his wrap over his arms. He shivered slightly and pulled the wrap more taut around him. The air was just now starting to feel cold.
It was when he was about halfway back towards the inn, he received a more violent chill down his spine and the air around him felt like it dropped twenty degrees. For a few seconds, it became nearly unbearable and he thought he might have to fall to his knees to recollect his strength and warmth. It was alarming considering he had been warm enough that night that he even used his warmth to warm Avaron's hands. Maybe it wasn't that he was just warm. He should have been cold like Avaron was earlier. Instead, he knew now that he was developing a fever. His temperature had started to rise since he first felt the pain in his chest.
The umbrella with the katana slipped from his weakening grip. The more he tried to focus his strength, the weaker and nauseous he felt. He looked down beside him and tried to bend over to pick up the umbrella. Instead, he collapsed over his knee suddenly out of breath with a growing ache in his chest. It seemed to be coming down all at once.
"Sir, are you okay?" He heard from behind. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't will himself to look over his shoulder to look. He was now breaking out in a cold sweat.
He heard rushed footsteps from behind before he felt someone kneeling down beside him.
"Okita?"
Soujiro finally managed to lift his gaze and saw it was 's assistant Megumi. "You shouldn't be out here," she said as she touched her hand to his forehead. "You're temperature is skyrocketing." She assumed at first it had to be an infection from the wound he got. At first glance, Soujiro's symptoms were that of an infection. He shouldered Megumi away when she tried to take the wrap off to inspect his arm. Even with the bandage on, it would have been easy for her to confirm an infection if the bandage was oozing out blood mixed with other bodily fluids.
"That's not it," he huffed out and clenched the wrap over his chest. "I just need to get home."
Megumi saw him grimace and the hold over his chest became tighter. He was fighting the urge to cough until he got away.
"Sanosuke! Give me a hand here!"
Soujiro's eyes then snapped wide as he turned his head to see the street thug just now catching up. Sanosuke had just assumed from afar that Soujiro had fell when Megumi felt the need to rush to his side. He didn't realize until now it was his former adversary. "Get away from him!" He yanked Megumi to her feet and shoved her behind him.
"Sano!" Megumi yelled.
"He's got a sword!" Sanosuke immediately recognized the weapon sticking out of the umbrella. He stepped forward and kicked the umbrella with the sword out of Soujiro's reach.
"No!" Soujiro immediately went to collect the sword lent to him before Sanosuke mistaked his intentions for the sword and kicked into Soujiro's side before he barely got to stand. Soujiro was thrown back against the ground and about nearly slammed into another wall before he came to a stop on his own.
"You idiot!" Megumi roared. "What do you think -"
"I'm not letting you anywhere near him Megumi," Sanosuke said with resolved. "This guy is part of the reason Kenshin was bed ridden for a month. This is Shishio's right hand man, Tenken no Soujiro. He's the only one of the Juppongatana that wasn't caught."
Megumi turned her attention to Soujiro who remained still in the snow before them. His hand flinched in an effort to move and his head shifted slightly, but he still struggled to move anymore. Even though Sanosuke had kicked at his side, Soujiro felt like he had been kicked in the head.
Megumi attempted to approach him again before Sanosuke jerked her back. "Are you even listening? He's a lethal killer!"
" So was Kenshin!" Megumi barked at him. That wasn't nearly enough to convince Sanosuke. "Look, I've already been tending to him. He spent the night at the clinic. He showed no signs of malice. Let me go Sanosuke! He could die if we leave him now."
"Good riddance."
" Is that what Kenshin would want?"
Sanosuke scoffed at first, but then his face softened as he turned his gaze back to Soujiro. He knew Kenshin wouldn't hesitate to offer Soujiro aid. Sanosuke also thought about Koharu, particularly when he saw the jade beads still hanging loosely off his outstretched wrist. It wasn't hard to guess that Koharu would be lost without him. If anything, Soujiro was worth saving for the sake of a little girl.
When Megumi felt his hold on her weaken, she yanked her arm free of his grasp and rushed to Soujiro's side. Sanosuke immediately stayed on her tail. He wasn't about to let his guard down. "Help me get him off the ground."
They lifted Soujiro so that he sat upright against the wall. Megumi still checked the state of the bullet wound to confirm it wasn't infected and tore off the bandages. "When did that happen?" Sanosuke questioned. He wondered if he had been the cause of it.
"He was shot a few hours before he showed up at the clinic. He had lost a lot of blood. But he's right. This is healing just fine. His symptoms aren't being caused by any infection, at least not on the surface." He didn't even need the bandages anymore.
"Oh.…" Sanosuke uttered regrettably. "That explains a lot."
Before she could question his meaning, she saw Soujiro trying to come around and pulled his sleeve back over his shoulder and dressed the wrap back over it. Soujiro took a moment to steady his breathing. The nauseous feeling was slowly leaving for now but there was still an ache in his chest he couldn't describe and the chills came in violent waves.
"The more I look at him, the more I just see a kid. He's really fallen since Shishio's defeat." He about yelped and regretted those words when Soujiro opened his eyes. He still wasn't wanting to risk the wrath of the former Tenken.
Soujiro either didn't hear or didn't care. His concerns were else where and directed his attention to the sword still far out of his reach.
Sanosuke clutched the wrap in the front and pinned Soujiro to get his attention. "I want to know where you are going with that sword."
"I'm not going to kill anyone if that's what you think." Soujiro spat in a low tone.
"You expect us to believe that? Why else would you be carrying one now when you weren't before?"
"To protect." Megumi remarked. Soujiro turned his gaze to her and ended up offering a small nod to her. Megumi had already long put together that Soujiro was still in danger, which put the others he was with in danger, especially Koharu. "Where is your sister?"
"Sister?" Sanosuke questioned confusingly.
"Safe," was all Soujiro would say. "Look, I think I'm fine now. I need to get back to her."
When he attempted to move, Sanosuke shoved and pinned him back back against the wall. "I'm not buying it!"
"Sanosuke!" Megumi yelled.
"You haven't seen what he can do!" Sanosuke tried to convince her. "His speed surpasses that of Kenshin. I'm not exactly comfortable letting him roam free, especially now that he's armed with a sword. He's a threat to everyone around him."
"Look at it," Soujiro said and gestured his head towards the sword. He didn't know what else to do to convince the threatened thug. "You'll see right away no assassin would use that sword in its state."
"Go get it," Megumi ordered him.
"Wouldn't it make more sense for you? At least I can defend myself -"
"Trust starts somewhere," Megumi had to remind him. "Do it." She said more sternly.
Sanosuke growled in contempt and glared at Soujiro threateningly to warn the young samurai not to try anything. While he busied himself with that task, Megumi turned her attention back to Soujiro. She couldn't help but noticed how his fingers were clawing into the fabric of his wrap over his chest and he kept his head turned away. "Can you stand?" She would prefer it if he wasn't forced to sit in the cold snow.
Soujiro nodded and stood slowly to not alarm Sanosuke and leaned back against the wall.
"You must be quite talented to be able to surpass Kenshin in speed. I thought there was no one faster than him."
She earned a faint smile from him. "Faster, but obviously not better."
That comment alone proved to Megumi that Soujiro was not after some revenge against Kenshin. No one in a vengeful state of mind would admit that. No one in Soujiro's state would even consider a friendly duel with Kenshin. His health was declining quickly.
He grimaced as he clutched his chest and could no longer resist the urge. He turned his back to Megumi and released the coughs he had been holding in.
"The kid is right. This sword is about as useful as Kenshin's reverse blade." Sanosuke said as he approached them with the sword half drawn. "It's blunt." He was then startled at seeing Soujiro's weakening state and his back turned against a very concerned Megumi. Sanosuke finally swallowed his pride and gave the sword back to Soujiro tucked back in the umbrella. "Sorry. You can't blame me for being overprotective."
Soujiro didn't care to acknowledge the man and only accepted the sword back.
"Come back with us to the dojo. We'll send someone to fetch your sister." Megumi tried to persuade right away. "You'll be under the best care and protection."
"The Meiji is who is after me," Soujiro admitted to discourage her from helping him. "You and the others could get arrested for sheltering me. Sorry. This is something I have to figure out on my own." He stood from the wall and attempted to leave.
"Okita! Or whatever your name is -" Megumi stopped when Sanosuke took it upon himself to block Soujiro.
"You need to understand something very clear kid. I am no fan of Meiji and care less about getting on their bad side. And as much as I still hate your guts, I know Kenshin wouldn't hesitate to step in for your sake. You'll have to try harder than that to get us to leave you -" Sanosuke was interrupted when the hilt of the sword struck the bottom of his jaw and tossed him at great length into the air. Soujiro said he wouldn't draw the sword unless his life or Koharu's was threaten. He still held true to those words. Not only was the sword still in the scabbard, it had never left the umbrella... except for the tip that had pierced through the end of the umbrella from the blunt force of the attack.
Megumi's lips parted as she watched Sanosuke's body leave the ground from Soujiro's effortless attack. From that move alone, she knew his skills surely rivaled that of Kenshin's.
"That was done with my weakened arm. Clearly, I don't need your help. Don't get in my way again." Soujiro threatened as he walked passed Sanosuke sprawled out on the ground. Even as he walked passed them, Soujiro found himself still clutching at his arm having done more than irritate the wound by that at attack.
"Wait!" Megumi risked a step forward.
Soujiro stopped, but didn't care to pay the two another glance.
"You still have my letter? You know where the Kamyia dojo is. We can't force you to accept our help but know you can seek refuge there anytime. You or your sister."
Soujiro looked over his shoulder slightly and acknowledged her with a nod before continuing his way back towards the inn.
Megumi only followed until she stood next to Sanosuke's sprawled out form in the snow. She frowned at him as he moaned out from the pain. "I'm not going to say you didn't deserve that."
Sanosuke moaned again. "I don't care if he and Kenshin somehow become best friends. I'm never going to like that kid."
"You felt the same way about me once," she reminded him. "Now look at us." She then frowned at him. "Are you going to just lay there or am I going to have to walk home alone?"
"Shouldn't we tell the others at the dojo?" Sanosuke asked as he got back to his feet.
"Perhaps. But knowing Kenshin he might try to seek him out. After watching what he did to you, I can't imagine he'll be any kinder to Kenshin. Oki- Soujiro?" She looked at Sanosuke to confirm him name, to which he nodded. "Soujiro is going to have to want our help."
"We can still make Kenshin aware the Tenken might come knocking on his door... or Karou's door."
Megumi contemplated it for just a moment longer. "You're right. Kenshin would want to know and he, out of us all, is the one that needs to be ready to step in."
"You'll need to be ready too," Sanosuke gazed at her. "He's not looking well." He looked in the direction Soujiro left. "I hope that kid doesn't pass out on the road before he gets back.…" He then shifted his gaze to see Megumi already smirking. He shrugged with a scoff. "….Not that I care."
"It's settled. Let's tell Kenshin."
There you have it!
You can see my love for the medieval era showing in this chapter again lol a friend and I wrote a story that took place during the black plague. We got 300+ pages into it. But alas... it died out. It happens when your friends get married :(