Chapter 12

She had not been surprised when the old woman had told her that Shinji, was nowhere to be found that morning. He would have received his own orders and as much as they were expected to work together, they weren't a team…not anymore.

Her thoughts unwillingly went to a time when Shinji and herself were inseparable, a team with no equal, they worked as one, they collaborated, they loved.
An impulsive smile crossed her lips as she remembered their time together, they were young, she was naïve and trusting, he carried many fears in his soul, fears she could not comprehend. Together they were strong, decisive, unstoppable, they were the envy of the regiment, not only for their effortless teamwork, but also for their love.

Her thoughts floundered as a certain memory flitted into view, Shinji standing in a low-lit room, blood drenched dagger in hand, a dying child at his feet. She could still hear her own low cry as the blood flowed between her toes and made her tabi boots stick to the floor.

Another memory came…shouting, accusations, Shinji's hand pointing at her as he spewed lies from his angry mouth, her heart shattering with each syllable that hung, smoldering in the air.

Preservation…

He betrayed her to save himself, she understood that, still the lancing ache that his words had brought to her chest would always throb and tremor, her trust in people tarnished.
His words were strong and accusatory but, Shinji had made a mistake, with his own words he discredited himself, and their Commander immediately understood.
A moment, marked with a swift hand and a brilliant show of skill followed, and he had Shinji pinned, a glinting blade came from nowhere to rest on Shinji's throat as he growled a single word… "Talk."

Truths spilled from Shinji's mouth, truths that revealed how one man's fear and greed led him to betray his comrades, friends and finally, his lover, how he had lied, stolen and killed. After all was reveal and their Commander had made his judgment, Kasumi had been left standing alone in a dark room, confused, betrayed and heartbroken.

Many years have passed since that day and atonement had been harsh for Shinji. His youthful mistake had branded him as untrustworthy, a liar, a thief and had robbed him of something very dear, Kasumi herself.
He had lost rank, privilege, so many things and often Kasumi wondered why he had not left to seek out something else, a new beginning.

A soft sigh escaped her pursed lips as she looked down from her perched seat at the few horses she had to choose from, they were all workhorses, slow and sturdy, not what she needed. For the first time in her life she felt a guilty pang grip her chest as she thought of stealing something from the travelling troupe, with these people she had found a semblance of peace, if only for a while.

Uncomplicated, untouched by the powers and politics of the nation, they lived for their art, their love, their family bonds. Part of her envied the simplicity of their lives, but she had an undying fire that fueled her soul, an ever-glowing ember that sought adventure.

"I'm sure he's fine dear." The old woman's voice came, dragging Kasumi from her reverie. Referring to Shinji, the old woman had a slight frown as she thought of the young man's sudden disappearance.
"Maybe he just needed some time to himself, he had quite a scare when you fell, maybe he even blames himself?"
"I doubt that oba-chan." Kasumi smiled. "I've known Shinji for long enough to know that it's always someone else's fault."
The old woman did not miss the sting in Kasumi's voice.

"I'll see you at dinner oba-chan" Kasumi said as she gingerly climbed from her rocky seat. "I need to go into town."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Sumi-chan, you are still hurt…" the old woman's words we're spoken to an open sky as Kasumi walked off, not giving notice to the woman's worry."

/

Susumu clambered from the rocky outcrop, he had made good time and could already see the long column of Shinsengumi in the distance. With a huff of relief he mounted his sturdy horse and lightly nudged it to a trot, he had to reach his friends before nightfall to warn them.

He was still puzzled by the Mori-clan's location and had a suspicion that it was not any coincidence…but that would mean that there was a traitor in their midst, the thought alone sickened him. His uneasiness had encouraged him to send out orders to his own agents, orders to be more observant, to move faster, to find this traitor or even, heaven forbid, traitors.

As his horse gently crossed the last ridge he looked down again, noticing a familiar red-headed figure guiding his horse onto a wooded side path.
"What are you up to Okita-san?" he mused as he watched his friend disappear amongst the trees.

An uninvited thought came to him and Susumu felt his heart skip a beat.
"No…" I shook his head. "It can't be." He pleaded as he waited for his friend to reappear from his leafy cover.
He waited, counted the seconds as his mind made irrational conclusions, it couldn't be true, Susumu felt disappointed in himself as he finally saw Okita's red hair emerge from the green blanket below, How far have I sunk that I'm even suspicious of my friends?

Susumu recalled a conversation he had with Sannan-dono when he had been in Kyoto a few weeks earlier. There had been worry, Sannan-dono said that Okita was not acting his normal self.

Could this be the reason? Could Okita-san be a traitor? Was he leaving the enemy information as they travelled?

Susumu felt sick even considering the questions that now plagued his mind.
He looked down to where Okita was, his mind troubled as he saw him veer off the path again.

"I'll just keep track for a little while." He whispered as he started counting the seconds again, hoping that he was just being paranoid, pleading that he would find the reason for Okita's strange behavior.