Firstly I'd like to thank everyone for their feedback, it's great to know that there are people out there enjoying my little fanfic. Originally I planned for eight chapters, but as these things go, the story has grown and evolved on it's own to become something much larger than planned, that being said, I'm loving writing this fanfic and I can definitely accommodate a few extra chapters.
The following chapter I found pretty hard to write though, a combination of not enough time, no words and things taking forever to just feel right has made it the hardest chapter so far, so please be gentle (ish) when lambasting me with reviews :D
Enjoy!
I don't own Hauouki or any of it's characters.
Chapter 7
Susumu looked back at his comrades, four, all that was left of his original team of eight, half of his team gone and they weren't safe from the Mori Clan yet. He felt his back strain as he wiped the blood from his eyes, a deep cut in his hairline pouring the crimson fluid over his brow. He had never felt this tired.
"Susumu." A strong but soft hand rested on his shoulder, worry clear in the woman's voice, "Are you alright? Should I take the lead?"
"No...I'll be fine...let's go." Susumu bolted from the alcove they had taken cover in, one last stretch of lawns and they would be at the edge of the woods. Safety.
He sprinted, his tired legs aching with every foot fall, then, from nowhere they appeared. The Mori Clan's monsters – thin, sinewy men, skin darkened by rot and disease. They were fast and agile, precise and bloodthirsty, they fought like rabid beasts not caring for their own lives or those around them.
Susumu heard a gurgle to his left, then a thud as one fell, a tantō sticking from it's throat. Glancing sideways he saw one of his best agents sweep past, jerking the poisoned dagger from the monster as she ran forward, he detachedly noticed that these creatures did not bleed.
He turned to continue his wild dash when three attackers appeared in front of him, Susumu launched himself from his sprint directly at their feet, and all three crashed to the ground in a tangle of macabre flesh. Susumu rolled to his feet like a cat, spun and kicked one of the floundering attackers solidly behind the ear, a satisfying crack answered his boot. The others, half risen, made to attack, just in time to receive Susumu's heels in their faces as the agile agent leapt into the air, twisted and struck with both legs. Thudding to the ground, Susumu's bladed hand came down.
Slash. Pierce. Slice.
Sluggish black liquid arced from a monster's chest, splashing across his face and arms, stinging his skin.
Rising from his crouch, shurikens whizzed past his face taking down more attackers, he saw the last of his men slip into the darkness of the looming treeline and gave a relieved sigh as he followed, leaving a gruesome trail behind.
He had to report his failure to the Shogunate, he had to warn them.
/
Asuka's legs dangled off the porch edge as she swung them lazily, a soft drizzle of cherry blossoms settling around her, covering the world with a sweet pink tablecloth. Her thoughts were preoccupied with a certain Shinsengumi-san and she didn't notice her cousin sitting down next to her.
"Asuka-chan?" Chizuru looked at her questioningly. "What is on your mind? I've known you long enough to know when something is troubling you."
Asuka let out a long sigh before looking up at Chizuru, "Okita-san..." was all that she uttered before dropping her head again.
"Yes...he has been acting strange." Chizuru face scrunched into a worried frown. " But he's been looking a bit better the last few days." she said innocently, oblivious to her cousin's feelings.
"No" Asuka muttered, "It's more than that...I...I really like him Chizuru-chan." she said fidgeting uncomfortably.
"What!" Chizuru nearly shouted, "You mean..."
"Yes...but he doesn't seem to notice me, do you think he has someone."
"No! Definitely not, I would have known...maybe...maybe he's just shy." Chizuru giggled, not able to combine shyness and Okita in the same image.
Chizuru looked at her cousin for a few moments, deep in thought, then a smile spread over her lips, "I know Asuka-chan! All you need is some time with him, ALONE. You can tell him how you feel." Chizuru vaulted up in excitement. "You're beautiful, a hard worker, obedient, the perfect lady...I'm sure he'll be happy to know your feelings!"
"Really? You believe so?"
"Of course! You're perfect for each other." Chizuru could hardly contain herself, her excitement infectious.
Asuka felt her spirits lift at Chizuru's words. Her face lit up as she thought of a future with Okita, their wedding, their house, Okita playing with their children in the yard. She grew excited herself, her mind creating images she so desired. Only one question remained.
"But Chizuru-chan." she pleaded. "How will I get him alone?"
Chizuru stopped her excited hop and stared at Asuka, her mind racing through all the options available.
"Don't worry Asuka-chan." a devious smile crossed Chizuru's usually innocent lips. "I have a plan" she giggled.
/
Asuka's heart was pounding as she approached the two men. Okita and Nagakura had finished their daily exercise bout and were both leaning against the wall panting, sweat running rivulets down their bare chests.
I hope your plan works Chizuru.
Asuka's palms felt sweaty and tense as she approached the two men, on closer inspection she noticed that Okita had regained much of his colour in the last few days, relief swept over her, she had been concerned by his pale and lifeless appearance in the weeks gone by.
Nagakura made a visible effort to straighten his back as she approached, while Okita indifferently lifted his head to look at her.
"Asuka-chan" Nagakura said too loudly, blushing a deeper shade of red, "What brings you here?"
Okita looked at Nagakura, at first surprised before a knowing smirk crossed his face.
"I…I'm here to ask Okita-san something." Asuka said, before pointedly glaring at Nagakura, willing him to go away.
Silence fell on the small group, Nagakura staring at Asuka.
"Oh" he stammered, "I see." Nagakura's shoulders slumped as he realised Asuka's intent, "I'll leave you to it then." He mumbled as he walked off with a sulk, his dragging feet leaving a visible trail in the loose gravel.
Okita's eyes met Asuka, she was nervous and he felt himself grow uneasy under her piercing stare.
"Okita-san…" Asuka said sweetly, "I would love it if you could accompany me to the festival in town tonight."
He didn't answer, just looking at her enquiringly, his eyes boring into her, Asuka felt like she had to elaborate.
"The word in town has it that there are some great performances, flame eaters, jugglers and a brilliant acrobatics show, the food is said to be wonderful and there will be a fireworks display and…and…" Asuka felt silly rambling on, when a thought came to her, "I would be safer with you accompanying me, there are such horrible rumours going around about gangs and…"
Am I fighting a loosing battle? Why isn't he answering? Asuka battled to think of more reasons to convince Okita.
"Sure" Okita shrugged, "We can leave at sunset." He shoved himself off the wall and started walking towards his room, leaving an excited and dazed Asuka behind.
He said yes! Asuka celebrated in silence, her pulse throbbing and her limbs shaking with excitement. Tonight is going to be perfect. Asuka's thoughts shouted at her as she skipped back to the main house, planning her outfit, hair and words for the night.
/
Okita didn't like festivals, too many people gathered in a small space, drunk, unruly. It was unsafe for someone like himself, there were many in Kyoto looking for shinsengumi blood, but it also gave him a chance to leave the property without question.
Sannan-san knew, he had told him about his saviour, about her visits, the times she had saved him, he had not told Sannan about his body succumbing to this cursed disease or the green vials that she brought him, that the foul liquid seemed to be his only hope.
Sannan hadn't been pleased with the situation and had told Okita to stop any contact with "this woman". Okita hadn't liked how Sannan had said that, with suspicion and anger, referring to her like she was the enemy, foul and deceptive. Okita knew that it was not the truth...and now, he had to be careful, he had no doubt Sannan was keeping a close eye on him.
Asuka's invitation came at the perfect time, he would still make his meeting tonight, under the Cherry Tree he would wait for her, Okita could feel his heart race at the thought of meeting her, his palms sweaty as his hand slipped when opening his bedroom door, he could not even entertain the thought of her not revealing herself, it wouldn't happen, she would be there.
/
Kasumi let out a loud sneeze as she clapped her hands together, sending a cloud of chalk dust into her face. Checking the strapping on her hands and wrists for the last time, she nodded in satisfaction, Oba-chan had done them well. She smiled at the thought of the old woman recounting her own youthful days as an acrobat.
She spoke of grand performances in front of Royalty and Service men, the fame of being the best acrobat in Japan, how men, and some women, lusted after her lithe body. Kasumi giggled. You were quite the vixen in your time Oba-chan.
Kasumi's thoughts went to her own jaded heart and where it lay.
Okita-dono. She knew it was dangerous, that she shouldn't meet him, she still had panicked moments where she imagined the worst that could happen. A soft smile crossed her lips. Will you approve of me?
"I don't like that smile on your face." Shinji grunted as he came to stand next to her. "Are you ready?" he asked looking up at the towering installation of bamboo that was their playground.
"Yes" Kasumi answered, "Just need Oba-chan to touch up my make-up." she said as she lifted herself from her seat, exquisite white costume fluttering in the early evening breeze, white ribbons intertwined in her long hair like delicate ivy. She walked from him, not looking back as he shouted at her, something about rigging.
"Oba-chan" she found the old lady not far from where she had been seated.
"Yes dear?"
"Time for the final touches." Kasumi smiled.
"Ah! And so it is." the old woman turned to her, make-up kit in hand, "Sit Sumi-chan...let us paint you." she giggled.
The old woman sang softly as she applied the thick layers of stage make-up, carefully painting Kasumi's face and neck a few shades lighter as low notes left her lips, tracing the heavy charcoal stick along the contours of her eyes to finishing with intricate patterns on her temples, accentuated by high pitched syllables of song, blue powder glittered on her eye lids when Oba-chan finished with her full lips, colouring them a deep cerulean blue, ending her song with a soft, reverent hum.
"There you go Sumi-chan." the old woman proclaimed proudly as she stood back to inspect her own handiwork. "You are ready." she sang out loudly.
Kasumi stood up, feeling her legs buckle slightly, she grabbed onto the old woman's frail arm, her chalked hands leaving white marks where they touched.
"Nervous dear?" the woman asked worriedly.
"Yes...I suppose...but don't worry Oba-chan, I'll be fine once I'm up there." Kasumi said cheerfully, pointing at the now illuminated installation.
In her heart Kasumi knew it was only a half-truth, she was nervous, but not for the performance. There was a solitary cherry tree waiting for her, when the moon reached it's highest point, her heart fluttered at the thought.
Kasumi shook her head, trying to rid herself of later's problems.
For now she had to become someone else, Yuki-Onna, Lady of the Mist, Spirit of Snow.
She straightened her back and slowly walked to where Shinji was waiting, carrying herself proudly, confidently she took his outstretched hand and they walked into the performance ring as one. Her heart raced with excitement, her soul rejoicing from the knowledge that soon she would be flying through the sky, all her worries and aches left behind for the brief moments that she was transformed into someone else, became one with the air, light as a feather. Nothing could stop her, nothing could take away the joy and freedom that came with flight.
I am Yuki-Onna, Mistress of Mist, Spirit of Snow, and I am here to paint the skies for you.
