Elvengirl: So...back again. Not much has been happening, other than I am extremely busy with life as usual.
- This story is progressing nicely. I've made it to volume 9 and am trying to write a little every night, excluding most weekends. I'm in a Kenshin mood right now after getting Volume 24. I cannot wait till I get there with this story.
- I'm trying out many different things with this story. I've changed who Misao's going to be, which is going to result in experiments with a new pairing. It was a pain to change (as I'd already written a whole chapter and a half before deciding to change it), but I think it works alot better.
-Karel. I'm trying out something new with him to. I've made Karel a bit more badass, so to speak. He has a bit more atittude. I think he's kinda like Cloud from Final Fantasy Seven: Advent Children. Yup...it's taken over my brain, but again, I find it working so I'm going to keep it.
-I'll be going to China in about a month, and I highly doubt that there'll be another update in that time. I'll probably focus on another story.
Cast:
Seta Soujiro: Ewan
Limstella sank to the floor, images of that night flashing through her mind. Jaffar walked towards her, slowly. His ice-like eyes seeming to stare right through her.
"Where is the Sword Demon?" Jaffar repeated, kneeling down in front of Limstella. Gently he stroked her cheek, "Answer me or I will kill you."
"I...I don't know," Limstella managed to gasp out. She shook in fear, knowing that the emotionless man was after Karel's life. She glanced at the long sheath he carried and took a deep wavering breath.
"If you don't give me another answer, I will kill you," Jaffar's voice was edgier this time.
"The Sword Demon has gone to Kyoto."
Jaffar turned to see who had spoken. Limstella drew in another breath. What was Saitou Ephidel doing here?
"And you are?" asked Jaffar. Ephidel smirked.
"Fujita Goro, just a police man as you can see. Now, now, there's no need to scowl like that. I'm going to tell you what's been happening while you've been up in the mountains."
"Start talking then..."
"So...the Sword Demon has gone after this...Shishio Kishuna..."
"Whether or not you want to believe it, is up to you, but Himura's going to Kyoto is a fact."
"I see...I'll wait until he returns then." Jaffar turned to leave.
"What if he falls in Kyoto and doesn't?"
"That...is impossible. I am the only one who can kill the Sword Demon."
"Such confidence," Ephidel mused as he watched Jaffar leave, "but I would not call it over-confidence."
"What did you tell him that for?" Limstella snapped, her fear dissolved.
"Would you rather have had him end your life? Besides I could use a man that skilled."
"My thoughts exactly, Saitou Ephidel," muttered a young boy, smiling. "Shinomori Jaffar...may prove to be quite useful."
"At any rate, might as well be off. Try not to get into anymore trouble. The Sword Demon won't be here to save you," Ephidel sniffed, turning to leave.
"Wait," said Limstella, sitting up. Ephidel looked at her, annoyed. He had to get back to his job before suspiscion arose.
"Are you from Aizu?"
"Is my accent that strong?"
"Somewhat."
"So what are you trying to get at? I don't have time for this."
"Um...well...it's been a long time since I've met anyone from that area...and you remind me of someone I knew..."
"Oh, is that all. If it's any help, I lived neat the Takani estate. I used to work on it in my youth. 'Course it was burned to the ground when I returned before the Seinan War, after the Revolution in Kyoto."
"Why did you return?" Limstella glanced up at him, a searching look in her eyes.
"I don't know why I'm telling you, but I went back to look for someone...and...don't tell me," Ephidel stared at Limstella in wonder, realisation washing over him. A memory began to play in his mind.
"Are you realy going to fight in Kyoto?"
"Yes, Limstella, I am. I feel have to do my part. I cannot sit idelly by while others fight for the fate of our country."
"But, Ephidel...Kyoto's so dangerous these days. What happens if you..."
"I won't Limstella...I promise. I'll come back, alive...and then...maybe we can...settle down together. Just promise me you'll wait."
"I will. I promise."
That was almost fifteen years ago...
A young Saitou Ephidel had bid farewell to a young Takani Limstella...promising to return after the revolution, and make her his bride. Upon his return to Aizu, he found the Takani estate in ruins and no sign of Limstella. After joining the army in the Seinan War, he searched for her, and finally gave Takani Limstella up for dead.
"Limstella...is it really you?"
"It is...Ephidel."
"Why didn't I see it before? You were there...when I fought Himura..."
"I only just figured it out as well."
"Limstella...what happened? I thought you were dead..."
" And I you. I...lost my family in the Boshin and Aizu wars. I've been all alone...forced to make opium..."
"I see...I'm sorry," Ephidel sighed, embraching Limstella, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
"Ephidel...it's alright. I'm just glad, you're alive."
They sat in silence.
"So...you've become a doctor now."
"Yes. To repent for my sins."
"Your father would be proud."
"You think so?"
"Yes." Ephidel looked up at the moon, "It's getting late...I should go...before people think I've gone missing."
"You have to go to Kyoto as well?"
"I do."
"Why must we redo this parting?"
Indeed, history was repeating itself. Ephidel stood up and stared at her, a silent peace in his eyes.
"I'm sorry...but this time I will return, and if you disappear I'll search for you, but, please don't go to far. And maybe...when I get back,we can, think about...starting a family or something... " Ephidel smiled, his face pink, before walking away.
"I'll wait for you...like I always have...I promise."
Jaffar walked slowly up the mountian path, towards the graves of his fallen comapanions. With each step taken, he contemplated all that Ephidel had told him.What did he care about the death of Okubo Pent? So what if Himura had gone to Kyoto. He could wait. He could wait as long as time itself. He would be the one to kill Himura Karel, him and no one else.
Upon reaching the graves, Jaffar paused, staring at the scene before him. Four large, bald men, sat in the small graveyard, their bodies sprawled over the graves. Garbage and empty sake bottles lay strewn around them, marking that the had been there sometime.
"So...here he comes..."
"About time..."
The four men got up and lumbered, somewhat drunkenly, over to Jaffar.
"You're late, Shinomori Jaffar."
"And you are?"
"We are the chosen of the Great Kishuna. The Four Priests of Abukuma!"
Jaffar made no movement, or any indication that he cared.
"Master Kishuna had requested a meeting with you."
"We are only allowed to meet with him once a year..."
"So this honour must not be taken lightly."
"Now come. You're keeping Master Kishuna waiting."
"Go and tell him, that if he wishes to meet with me, he can do it face to face. Now, this is my land, and if you do not leave, I will slay you all, as well as Kishuna."
"How dare you insult Master Kishuna!" yelled one of the priests, as another spat on a grave. They drew out their weapons, four axes.
"And us, for that matter!"
The priests rushed Jaffar, who stood calmly, holding his long sheath out in front of him. A question now hung in the air. Had Jaffar changed weapons? Did he now use a long sword? Unless this was...
The four priests of Abukuma's attack was as fruitless as a flame arrow striking a stone fortress. The last things that they saw, were flashes of silver, and the crazed, empty, eyes of a killer who had thrown away all emotion. Various body parts hit the ground. All four had been sliced to bits. The full force of "Kodachi Nito-ryu. The duel katana."
"Impressive. You didn't even give them a chance to attack," came an airy voice from beside him. Jaffar turned to see who spoke. A young boy with short red hair stepped out from behind a tree. He wore a light blue hamaka (1) and white pants. He stopped a few feet from Jaffar.
"And who are you then?" Jaffar asked, his voice monotone, "Another of Kishuna's?"
"Indeed. Seto Ewan is my name. Few are as close to the master as I. I at least hope --"
"Save your breath. I've no intention of joining with this Kishuna. Especially since he threw away his men to test another's strenghth."
"True enough," Ewan laughed, "but ut was you who slew them without question, even knowing their purpose." A silence passed between them. "Well, we'll be in Kyoto should you choose to come. To miss two turning points in history would surely be a great loss to the Okashira." Ewan turned, bowed respectfully to the graves, then left. Jaffar watched him, then turned back to the graves.
"If I am to bring you offerings, the sooner the better."
"And how is this one?" Ewan asked a heavily bandaged man, who was being hand fed by a well-dressed woman.
"I like him. I can use men who can chop others into firewood."
"Master Kishuna, might you be enjoying this?"
"Well enough, Ewan, well enough."
Elvengirl: So...how'd I do? Just a few more notes or so;
-The relationship between Limstella and Ephidel was one of the driving forces behind this story. It was a scene I just couldn't get out of my head and it's been there since before I started this fic. I'm really proud of it. However, that's, i think, my second attempt at a romantic moment, so please tell me how I did. Exploring this sub-plot's going to be fun. Hopefully, I won't go to OOC. Yes...it will result in omission of a few later scenes, but it's a sacrifice I am willing to make.
So yeah, until next time, when we're back with Karel.