Kagura was rampant. It had been some time since she didn't have such a thrilling fight and she really needed to unleash all the frustration that had piled up these last days!
Enemies were coming from everywhere and because she knew her dear Kamui might be looking at her right now, she felt like showing up all the more. Power was rushing in her blood, strength in her limbs and pride in her heart.
If love could blind and give wings, it sure made Kagura very spirited. She spared no one and enjoyed the battle to its fullest while making blood rain under the ceiling of that roofed arena. Nothing could stop her.
More than ever, Abuto felt relieved to have the girl as an ally. Again, he could see how that little baby rabbit had grown into a real killing machine.
To be honest, he felt himself both proud and also a bit... scared? No words could ever describe the goosebumps on his skin and the uneasiness he was feeling at her happy and creepy face, as if the girl had turned into a very beautiful monster, ripping flesh like the funniest game ever.
Sougo could easily see how -madly- happy was the China girl, and it comforted him in the idea that she was worth the mess he was in.
In the plan she had explained to him earlier, the policeman was supposed to get the Yato Captain out while she would take care –with the help of her comrades- of the others Harusame. He knew he would be of no help to her –especially without his sword- but he couldn't stop that desire to fight alongside her.
The gaze that the human had on his sister didn't go unnoticed to Kamui.
-You'd only be a hindrance, warned the Yato.
-You are currently a hindrance, retorted the human. I can see how strong she is, but you don't know how strong I am…
The redhead eyed the man with a dreadful glare. If he wasn't completely worn out, he would have already jumped at that arrogant human's throat to measure his so-called strength.
Of course, the words 'jealousy' or 'threat' didn't cross his mind...
~...~
As planned, Sougo had brought Kamui aboard the Yatos' ship while following his lead up to the infirmary.
Securing his sword back on his left hip, he eyed the weakened man in front of him.
-What are you doing? Inquired the Yato as he suspected the man of something.
-I helped and rescued you as planned. Now that you're safe, I have some matters that I have to take care of.
At the wondering face of the redhead, Sougo grinned evilly.
-Learn that Earthlings have what we call 'Battles for revenge'
-Revenge? How this fight should only concern you…?
-This whole shit began because of a man who's hiding somewhere over here… and I ain't gonna leave 'til I've paid him back~
"Let's just hope Takasugi's head will calm down Hime-sama's new ambitions…" he sighed to himself.
Back to the stronghold, Sougo browsed the endless docks and checked every lashing point.
Unfortunately, he found nothing suspicious until he entered some kind of stowage area.
As expected, there was a ship, smaller and different from all those big made-for-war ones which looked very non-Amanto to him. Wasn't it strange for pirates like the Harusame to keep such a ship?
No doubt that it was one of the Kihetai. Takasugi probably didn't expect the Bakufu to send its faithful dogs after him up to space and thus, was forced to hide here for the time being.
Just after getting on deck, Sougo's murderous inner-self spotted the smell of one of his own kind... Listening to his sharp instinct, he dodged the deadly blow coming from behind and turned to look at his attacker.
-My, my~ You Shinsengumi-domo are quite the persistent type…
-You're one to talk, he retorted. Fleeing so far away from Earth just because you can't admit that you lost~
With a small sneer, the eye-patch man smirked at him.
The time for a wink and the two samurais' blades were clashing one against another while bloodlust invaded the area.
All knew how much of a genius Okita Sougo was in terms of swordsmanship. Yet, very little knew about his true self...
A brave and strong police officer with a little sadistic side? As if!
The young man was far beyond that shit.
With all the men he had killed –more like slaughtered, to be exact- he wasn't even sure to know the difference between what was supposedly 'good' and what was 'bad' anymore.
If not for his Chief and mentor Kondo Isao, the flaxen-haired would have probably fallen to the level of a mere murderer since long...
Sougo felt thrilled to fight against someone skilled enough to kill him. After all, before being a terrorist, Takasugi Shinsuke was also known to be one of the few heroes of the Joi war... and the Shinsengumi Captain easily acknowledged both his strength and skills.
His lips curled up into an evil smile.
Kagura, Abuto and the others Yatos had already well cleared the room when Sougo came back.
In the blink of an eye, he unsheathed his sword to slice some sort of cow whose giant axe was aiming for the girl. But just like had stated Kamui to him earlier, she had no need for help.
Instinctively, Kagura threw a blow in her back with her umbrella to annihilate her attacker. Yet her weapon hit no soft flesh but hard metal instead.
-Easy there~ smirked Sougo while restraining her monstrous strength.
-What the hell are you doing here?! She shouted at him. Where's Kamui?!
-He's safe… but seems like you should worry about yourself first, he mocked.
-This one would have been dead with or without your useless intervention!
-You're welcome, by the way…
She clicked her tongue and grabbed his collar violently.
-I do not fucking need you here, she hissed between her teeth.
Sougo may be the S, he would have been very disappointed if the girl wasn't so... lively. But heck, he wouldn't become an M either!
-My bad~ I was kinda busy sending Takasugi to the other world like the Princess ordered me to… he shrugged.
The girl's eyes slightly widened for a short time, surprised to learn that the rebellious samurais' leader -and incidentally her brother's abductor- had been cut down by someone like him. That flaxen-haired policeman didn't seem as weak and useless as his fellows she had met at Edo's castle...
-And I am not your fucking dog, he whispered in a growl, but I may agree to become your fucking-buddy instead~
Releasing the fabric trapped in her hand, she pushed him away in disgust.
-ABUTO!
-What is it, young— Huh? Wasn't that guy supposed to be with the Captain? Inquired the old Yato, slightly surprised.
-At least he will, she mumbled. I'll finish here alone, so make sure to keep those two idiots alive…
Sougo tried to protest but before he could take a step forward, the old man had thrown him over his shoulder like a mere bag of potatoes.
-Oi! Let me off! Ordered Sougo.
Abuto released the young man once he knew the guy wouldn't run off back to the battlefield.
-How much time do you earthlings need to heal from lethal wounds? He inquired coldly.
-Hah?
-Yatos only need a few hours at worst. When that girl fights, she can barely stay sane especially at the moment. If she doesn't want you there that's because you'll simply DIE if you were to be hurt, stupid!
Sougo frowned. Himself had sometimes a hard time not to slice -by mistake- one of his companions in a tough battle, so no wonder he might be taken for an enemy while disguised as one of them!
Considering the strength of those Yatos and the healing power he had witnessed with his own eyes on the girl, he couldn't find anything to retort back...
-Who the hell are you calling stupid, old man? He muttered.
Abuto snorted at him and opened the door of the infirmary where, thankfully, Kamui was quietly resting seated on a bed.
-Did you get your 'revenge' ~? Taunted the redhead, visibly amused to see the human like a powerless sausage.
Sougo glared at him, ready to say he could just fuck off when the older Yato put him down and spoke.
-Tch! Look at you, now, stupid Captain! He launched.
-Ha ha~ I knew you would be upset, replied weakly the redhead.
-IDIOT! I told you it was suicide! The young lady almost killed me because of you!
-But you're still alive~ He cheered with a smile. What happened to your arm, by the way?
-You should ask her, not me! Scolded Abuto.
-Heeeeh~ Kagura sure must like you a lot for taking only your arm~ He sneered.
Sougo blinked. So that girl was the culprit behind the mechanical arm of that man...?
"Very lively, indeed…!"
Just then, the said girl stormed into the room like a fury and the three men looked at her in surprise.
Right now, there was only one thing in Kagura's head that kept going on and on like an infinite loop: Kamui.
Through the long and numerous corridors of both the stronghold and her ship, she had run with all her might to reach the infirmary. She was out of breath when she finally stomped the door open.
Her heart skipped a beat.
There he was, seating on one of the beds.
There he was, flesh and bones.
There he was, just like she remembered him to be.
There he was, less than two meters away from her.
Ah, how bad she wanted to throw herself into his arms! How bad she wanted to touch him and make sure it wasn't a dream!
But... if the girl could have died of happiness right on the spot, she was also seriously mad. Her hands began to shake because of everything she needed to let out.
She calmed down her breathing and silently walked to him.
She noticed how weak he had become and how the least movement seemed exhausting for him... her chest tingled when he took upon himself in order to stand up.
For a time, she almost gave up to his feeble smile and his wavering arms that were looking for her.
It was hard, but she had to let him know, to make him understand what she had been through.
Resolved, Kagura threw her fist at Kamui's face with one of her most powerful punch.
The two lovers were both dreaming of the same thing: reuniting with one another.
So what could have gotten into Kagura's head for punching Kamui's face so bluntly?
To be continued!
This chapter might look short (~1,800 words = the format I originally wanted in order to post regularly) but it's only to make you drool for the next one ( will probably be around 2,500 words AND with lemon~) lol
Any complaints? Let a review! :p