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Distant Desire
byfiftyfantasies
Chapter Two
A chill ran up my back igniting a shiver to run through my body, I then chided myself for packing my cloak away in my saddlebag. I wrapped my hands around myself and rubbed my arms to try and stimulate some warmth through the thin material of my sleeves.
I decided to wear my training outfit for the trip, a thin wrap dress that ranged in colors from light grey and lavender to dark grey. I wore tight black sock leggings underneath the skirt that ran up to the top of my thigh. If I didn't, my legs would be exposed to the world whenever I walked, top to bottom slits scattered throughout the skirt which allowed me to move more freely.
Lately, I have been wearing my hair with the top half pulled back in a loose ponytail. My front bangs grew out these past few years, so I pulled them back with the loose ponytail, exposing my forehead and letting my side bangs frame my face, similar to the maiko style I wore a few years back. I let the rest of my hair flow back, reaching a little past my waist.
This morning was a bit chillier than usual, but then again, I was never up early enough to compare this morning to others. I knew thought that it wasn't going warm up anytime soon either since the sun wouldn't rise for another hour or so.
Kimigiku sighed as she finished packing her saddlebag and leaned against her horse Katsu, "What in the world is Sen-hime doing?" She asked as we both waited for the demon princess. I smiled, "I think she said she was going to grab an extra cloak since it's a little colder than usual."
"It's not that bad, but then again you two are never up early enough to know," Kimigiku said while petting Katsu with her knuckles. I looked over to my horse, with his saddle already secured and tightened with my saddlebag attached. I packed light, only needing a few things, which included some spare clothes, hygiene products, a couple of books so I may continue to study along the journey and some snacks for the road along with my water flask.
I attached my quiver and bow holder to the horse, Sora's right side, opposite of the saddlebag. Kimigiku suggested that I get into the habit of carrying my weapon around with me and to also get into the habit of using it outside of training and to aim at something that's not a practice target.
Apparently, there were still many rogue groups from the Boshin War still running around and terrorizing villages, still trying to revision their ideology from the war. Kimigiku only thought it common sense for me to start carrying a weapon around during this time of unrest.
Plus, it was only common sense since we were a group of young women traveling alone.
She also advised it since there is no predominant Oni family in the East anymore, that I may be a target of assassination. Many other Oni families, hungry for power may perceive me as a threat since I will be taking place as head of the Yukimura clan, and therefore be the Oni leader of the East. The thought of taking a position as leader of a large region of Japan to a strong demon race made my stomach drop.
"Sorry! I couldn't find my other cloak so instead, I brought a shawl." Kimigiku sighed again and smiled at her demon princess. Sen only blushed and giggled in embarrassment for making us wait in the cold.
"We should get going before the sun rises so we can get to the South as soon as possible." Kimigiku rose onto Katsu gracefully, Sen quickly followed suit since she wasn't the best horse rider. I bit the inside of my lip before getting onto Sora, trying to be as graceful as my travel companions. I only learned how to ride a horse a few months ago. I quickly learned the skill, but am no master rider just yet.
Kimigiku smiled her dashing smile before urging her horse forward out of the stables and onto the road leading out of the hidden Oni village. I followed behind her and commemorated the village as we left. I spent a good amount of time here, learning and growing here.
We passed the dojo and training field, young men already in the field training doing drills with their katanas. As we passed they all stopped and waved at us yelling their farewells, "Goodbye Sen-hime! Chizuru-hime!" and "Take care of them Kimigiku-sensei!" Sen and I both waved and smiled at the young men training.
I took in the memories of Kimigiku and I training from dawn till dusk on certain days. I was adamant to become a strong leader. We passed a little café that sold refreshing drinks and delicious sweets. I remember the sweet Oni woman and her hospitable attitude. I remember Sen and I spending hours here as I studied about my heritage. A faint light inside, probably the old lady preparing her shop for the day.
When we passed through the village gates I smiled, knowing that in a few weeks I would be in Kyoto soon. To hopefully reunite with the Shinsengumi.
"I believe we're about sixty miles out of Asahikawa. Hopefully, we'll get there by tomorrow afternoon and stay at an inn for the night, that's if we ride through the night." Kimigiku announced as we packed up and got ready for another sixty miles apparently, only forty miles put behind us. About an hour past noon we finally decided to stop for lunch and rest the horse, much to Sen's relief, as well as mine. It was a little hard for me to walk straight, not being used to ride a horse for more than half a day.
After having a late lunch and letting the horses drink from a near stream, we decided to keep riding on through the night until we hit Asahikawa. I asked Kimigiku about the horses, worried that we may tire them and that we may exhaust them. Kimigiku reassured me that these horses were a special breed and a slightly different species.
"Sora and Katsu are special Oni horses. Katsu was bred in the North, meaning that he has a special the ability to fly." I, of course, was shocked and then laughed at myself for being shocked, I was a demon, something a couple years ago I didn't even think existed. Of course to Kimigiku and Sen, it was perfectly normal for a horse to have the ability to fly.
"Wouldn't it be faster if we flew to Asahikawa?" I asked Kimigiku as we started our trek on the dirt road.
"I wish, but the thing with demon horses is that they have a mind of their own, not like a domesticated human horse. Katsu here is very stubborn and is still yet in training with me. Unless if an Oni and their horse have a very strong bond, then the horse will fly if their master asks. But until you've reached that union with your horse, then they will only fly if they want to." I looked back down at Sora, a little disappointed that I wouldn't experience him flying, but at the same time not too disappointed since I wasn't fully comfortable being on a flying horse, let alone me still getting used to riding one on the ground.
"Besides Chizuru-hime, Sora is an Eastern bred horse, he doesn't fly like Katsu, instead he can swim." I looked down at Sora, a little confused.
"I thought horses already knew how to swim?"
"I mean that Sora has the ability to turn into a water horse, he can go into the ocean and swim underwater." I looked down, once again amazed at this horse, he was a beautiful dapple grey horse that was taller and stronger than your usual horse, a real prize. But other than that he didn't seem to be any different, but to know he had the ability to do something so extraordinary and supernatural, made me have a deeper appreciation for the animal carrying me.
"Let's go a little faster and hopefully we can make it to Asahikawa by morning" Kimigiku yelled to me, Katsu breaking into a trot, which soon transitioned into a gallop. I wrapped my cloak tighter around me and pulled my hood over my head. When Sora ran the rushing air would make my ears and arms cold. Sora's speed enabled me to catch up with Kimigiku in no time. I held onto the reins and the horse's hair, still intimidated by the horse's speed.
We rode for five to six hours, the sun an hour away from setting until it gets dark. Sen was starting to get tired and sore from riding as was I. My thighs feeling like they'd cramp up at any time if I try to move them. Kimigiku kept on a strong face, no telling if she were in any discomfort or not. But after her years of training in many arts, this must come easily to her.
"We'll stop and rest for a few hours once we cross that ridge ahead" I looked ahead and estimated about another hour of riding, excitement filling my system at the thought of resting even if it was only for a few hours. But as we continued at a leisure pace I felt something. I remember this feeling when I was training with Kimigiku.
It was the feeling of a strong Oni presence. Oni's do this when they want to make themselves known, most don't walk around with their aura so present. For some reason, this specific Oni's energy along with two others seemed so very familiar to me.
"Oh no..." Sen sighed and rolled her eyes in agitation, I could see Kimigiku tense and instantly become on guard, her hand inching close to her katana. I had a feeling that they both knew these Oni's, and another part me had an inkling that I also knew these Oni's as well.
Ahead on the road, I noticed three figures also on horses ahead of us. I stared out ahead of us to try and make out a face since this energy was so familiar to me. But I couldn't make anything out at this distance.
"Osen-chan?..."
"It's that no good Kazama and his goons." Osen groaned out as the figures were starting to become more prominent in the distance. "Kazama-san!" I yelled in my head, shock spreading throughout my body. I whipped my head back to Osen-chan, worry plastered on my face. Will he be the same back then? Will he try to steal me away again? What will his reaction be to me after these couple of years?
Looking back out ahead of the road I squinted my eyes slightly and could then start to make out the golden hair of Kazama and the wild midnight hair belonging to Shiranui and also the larger figure of Amagiri. But my gaze remained steady on Kazama.
I haven't seen him for two years along with the Shinsengumi. And the reaction I had to him was the same as each time I saw him two years ago. There was almost a tight feeling low in my stomach that confused me, my heart rate always escalated and my body tensed. I tried to calm the furiously pounding organ in my chest as we drew closer to Kazama and his group, keeping my head low so he won't see me.
"Chizuru-hime, keep your face hidden. I don't think it would be a good idea to have Kazama-san know who you are." Kimigiku instructed me with urgency in her voice as they grew closer to us, and us to them.
"I think you're overreacting a bit Kimi..." Osen said under her breath, but I still did as Kimigiku said. I rearranged the hood of my cloak and pulled it to cover my forehead and eyes, only the tip of my nose and mouth visible. I peeked from under the cowl and kept my gaze on Kazama's figure as we rode closer.
Unconsciously I gulped and my mouth went dry, my hands tightened on the horse's reigns in nervousness when Kazama stopped in front of us. I kept my head lowered and stared at the ground, looking at the horse's hooves that belonged to Kazama and his group.
"What are you doing all the way out here Kazama-san?" Osen asked almost deridingly. My heart quickened its pace when he did his notorious "Hmph."
"I was inquired by that Southern Lord of yours, Eizo, to occupy you during your journey to Kumamoto since I also have business to attend to in the South." Kazama responded in his usual bored tone, not exactly pleased to be near the demon princess either. Neither of them saw eye to eye and only tolerated each other it seemed. Both annoyed each other by one another's personality and raw nature.
"I don't need any more escorts, thank you but no thank you Kazama-san." Sen proclaimed stubbornly with her arms crossed, unswayed by showing her dislike towards him. Kazama not at all affected by her dislike towards him. "Not that I care, but Eizo was very clear that he wanted you accompanied since there are still aftershocks from the war."
"Yes, I'm fully aware that there are still rogue groups out there in favor of the Imperial Court that are harassing Japan," Sen argued back stubbornly, still not wanting Kazama's companionship by any means. But there was a second I caught myself siding with the Southen Lord and Kazama. If we did come across a large group of samurai, how were Kimigiku and I supposed to defend ourselves? I knew that Kimigiku was an exceptional Shinobi, but she like everyone else had her limits. And I didn't know how much help I'd be if the time ever came since I haven't fought anyone other than Kimigiku.
"Are you aware then that there has been a recent movement by those same rogue groups to destroy any demon that they come across? An ethnic cleansing you could call it." Kazama said with disdain and anger in his tone. Clearly not liking the news he just shared with us.
"What?! No way..." Sen's eyes grew big with shock and her hostile demeanor dropped. I also couldn't contain my gasp that escaped me. This gaining the attention of Kazama.
"Is this your companion that you claim will protect you? Seems a bit too small to do that." His tone changed to teasing when he mocked Sen. I can't say I wasn't a little offended either. Does size really matter if I can protect my friend or not?
"She is fully capable of protecting herself as well I." Sen grounded out, once again annoyed with Kazama. Kazama only smirked and folded his arms.
"Oh? She? Another reason to be scared."
This time I was annoyed and I bit my lip to keep from speaking out. Did it really matter if a woman could be just as good with a sword as a man is? Yes, it's unheard of in the human world, but it was totally normal for an Oni woman to be able to protect herself when the time came, just as a man could.
"Does she even know how to use that bow?" Kazama again goaded both Sen and me. I also noticed Kimigiku becoming more and more annoyed with his remarks. Also clearly not liking the fact he was making fun of her ability to protect Sen, due to her being a woman.
This time I made myself known. Kazama's teasing annoying me to the point that I didn't care if he saw me or not. I lifted my head and sat straight, with both hands I lowered my hood, revealing my annoyed glare that I gave him.
Kazama sucked in a breath of air and his eyes went wide with shock. Shiranui grinned before letting out a whistle, receiving a warning glare from Kimigiku. Amagiri simply sat there, unfazed by my reveal.
"Yes, I actually do know how to use my bow." I kept my glare steady on him.
"Chizuru?..." Kazama sat there still staring at me. I knew it was quite a shock, the same I experience a short while ago. I also studied him as he did me. Of course, his physical appearance remained the same, unbothered due to him being an Oni. Though his clothes were the only thing that changed, instead of his white kimono and brown robe, he now dawned a western styled uniform. A large purple coat buttoned up and black pants with boots.
I could tell that his greedy eyes were still drinking in my rather profound change. My hair of course in a different style that now reached a little past my waist, and my wardrobe change was also drastic, the last time he saw me I wore men's clothing, but now I wore more feminine styled clothing. I blushed when I noticed how his eyes lingered on my body.
I did grow up from the young teenage girl to what was I assume my full woman figure. When I resided with the Shinsengumi, I would wrap my chest with bindings, to decrease the size of my chest so it would be more passable for me to impersonate a man. But since living with Sen I have quit that and allowed myself to be free from the restrictive garment, and since then my chest has swelled in size as my hips have become wider and my person slightly taller.
"It seems that our Chizuru has grown up." Kazama finally spoke out, breaking the awkward moment between us. I looked away from him, not wanting to be under his penetrating gaze any longer.
"And why should I allow you to travel with us Kazama-san? Should I expect any funny business from you and your goons?" Sen thankfully took the spotlight away from me and brought it back to the problem on hand. Shiranui "Tched" in offense to being called a goon.
Kazama placed his right hand over his heart and gave her his usual haughty smirk. "You have my word."
Sen placed her hands around Kimigukus hips and sighed. "I guess it can't be helped then. We're riding through the night to Asahikawa." Kimigiku and Sen then started forward passing between Shiranui and Amagiri, Shiranui following behind them, leaving me next to Kazama. My heart sped up and my stomach dropped at this placement. Peeking over I looked at him. His horse trotted close next to mine, and he gave me that same smirk that makes me tense.
This will be an interesting journey...
A/N: Please favorite, follow and review!
ALSO!
I made a pinterest board for this story so you can see Chizurus outfits, her horse, her "new" look. (which is the story's picture)
Go to Pinterest and search for Fiftyfantasies and you should see a board called Hakuouki: Distant Desire.