Author's note:
So here it is; the second half. Woah, we're at ten chapters now. I'm glad that I was able to make it this far, I have my beta reader 14Phantom and all of you, my readers and reviewers, to thank. I hope you enjoy this chapter and early update.
Also, I had some extra time lately so I made a trailer for this story that I posted on my youtube channel, gozita444, go check it out if you're interested. It's titled Hakuouki Trailer ~Kingdom of Stars~ Kazama / OC Fanfiction.
Don't forget to leave a review to let me know how I am doing, they mean a lot to me. Now let's read!
At the end of the day I was ordered by Hotaka to chop vegetables in the kitchen. I heard two waitresses giggling while washing dishes.
"I know right, he was so cute!"
"I've never seen a man that looked like him before. He's so refine and elegant, I think I'm blushing."
I peeked behind me at the two young women and giggled myself at how embarrassed one of the girls looked.
"He thanked me after I waited on him. I got the chills! His voice was so erotic."
"I know! What I like most about him are his red eyes though. They remind me of rubies."
"Red eyes!" I screeched, dropping everything in my hands and twirling around to face them.
"Yeah…" One of the girls asserted.
"Does he have blonde hair!?"
~Kingdom of Stars~
Chapter Ten: Recollection
"Yes, he does. Why? Do you know him?" The other woman questioned.
"Uh! Not really. Where is he?"
"He is in one of the guest rooms, waiting for his meal. Chika is currently pouring sake for him."
Hotaka stood in the door way and chided to the women washing dishes.
"Hey you two, that's enough dishes for now. I need you to wait on some customers."
"Okay!" The women dried their hands then scurried out of the kitchen.
I stood there too stunned to move.
Kazama! I know they were talking about Kazama! I can't believe he's here!
My mind became littered with thoughts, racing back and forth. I debated on whether I should go see him or not. I shook the shock out of my head and started to focus on chopping a cucumber.
I can't believe he's here! What should I do!?
My palms started to sweat as I became panicked.
Would he be angry if I went to go see him? Did he even miss me at all? What would I say to him?
I was so lost in thought. I hardly knew what I was doing. When I glanced down at the cucumber I was chopping I realized that I was holding the knife over my fingers and almost sliced them off. I gasped, threw the knife then backed up against the wall behind me. I let myself sink onto the floor, sitting on my legs.
What should I do? Should I go see him? Or, should I leave him alone and just forget about him?
The storm in my mind roared as I tried to find tranquility. My face became hot as I anticipated meeting Kazama again. My shaken body started to sweat as I grew more anxious. Deep down I never wanted to see him leave me. I truly wanted us to continue traveling together. I had no idea how to express that to him and I had missed my only chance back at the docks. This was a second chance for me to tell Kazama that I want to be with him but was that really the right thing to do? Would he even listen? I shut my eyes recalling his handsome otherworldly features then my mind flashed back.
"Hey, what's your name?"
My eyes went wide and I popped my head up.
"It's Kaori." I mumbled nervously. Would it be smarter to fear him instead of seeking his aid? Still, I couldn't help myself from asking him the obvious. I just had to confirm it.
"Umm…are you really uh?" I sputtered hesitantly in fear of asking him something that would anger him. He seemed irritated at my wavering question.
"What; a demon?" He asserted. I sheepishly nodded my head.
"Don't concern yourself with that. It's none of your business; you just need to get to Edo?"
I nodded, shyly.
"Then I'll take you there,"
"No!" I screeched. "What happens when I take your hand? You're probably going to just drop me or cut me down once you pull me up." I wined. I fastened myself to the side of the cliff and shut my eyes. I was completely stuck, and my situation seemed hopeless. I heard Kazama sigh.
"Kaori, I won't hurt you."
My eyes popped open at his words, and before I could comprehend what I just heard my body acted impulsively on its own, pushing myself upward to reach him. I took his hand and was pulled up in one swift movement. My body felt light as a feather as I landed back on my feet.
I gripped my hand tightly remembering the way my name ringed off his lips the first time he said it. Then I let my hands fall onto my lap, where Kazama's head once laid in the woods. My head became dizzy with nostalgic memories.
"Do not disobey me again." Kazama said. My head popped up. Kazama stared at me with a dull expression.
"Do you mean," I sniffed. "I can...?"
"We shouldn't waste any more time, the boat is leaving soon." He turned from me and began advancing down the street. I observed him walking away from me, baffled. I blinked the tears out of my eyes for a couple seconds then my body twitched when the shock wore off. I bolted toward Kazama, catching up with him.
"No, you're off a little." He sighed. "Come here." He gestured to me to sit beside him. I moved over to his side and he motioned his arm beside my face, pointing at a luminous star with enticing beauty.
"Oh! I think I see it! It's that one, right?" I directed my finger toward a bright star glimmering in the heavens.
"Yeah, that's the one." Kazama asserted. We were sitting so close I could just barely feel his breath.
It amazed me how something so distant could bring us so close, together.
My eyes popped open at that last memory and I staggered to my feet, determined to see him. I began making my way out of the kitchen when Kazama's words tore into my mind once more, stopping me in my tracks.
"I will kill him."
What was I doing? I shouldn't have been with Kazama from the start. After all he is the Shinsengumi's enemy. The reason why I traveled so far to get to Edo was to be reunited with him a warrior in the Shinsengumi. I had to let go of Kazama. Though I had grown to admire him so much, our time together was over. I had to accept that. If I didn't, I would never be able to move on. Besides, my heart couldn't take another goodbye from him, one was hard enough.
I formed my resolve to not see him and occupied myself with chores. Still, I couldn't get Kazama off my mind. I wondered how he would react if he saw me again. I imagined he would get angry at seeing someone who was such a burden to him before.
"Kaori." Hotaka called out to me, standing in the kitchen doorway. "Chika stepped out to run a few errands for me. I need you to pour sake for our guest down the hall."
"What!?" I gasped. "Which guest exactly?"
"I believe Chika said he has blonde hair or something. Anyway it doesn't matter, go into the cabinet, grab some sake and attend to him. Afterwards you are free to go." Hotaka ordered then disappeared down the hall.
I felt my face get red and my body began to quiver. What was I going to do? I had just formed my resolve to not see him. Frustrated, I placed my hands on my head then realized something.
My hair was still up and my bangs clipped back. Those men from before didn't recognize me at all. Maybe if I avoided looking into Kazama's eyes or getting to close he wouldn't recognize me either. I scurried over to the cabinet, grabbed the sake then made my way bravely down the hall.
I met a waitress by the door. She was carrying a tray with food on it. She asked permission to enter the room with me. I trembled as she slowly slid the door open. Kazama looked directly at me and I quickly averted my gaze away from him. I stumbled over to his side evading eye contact. He turned his face toward mine and I bashfully kept my face in the other direction.
"Hey, you're the new girl right?" The waitress whispered. I nodded my head shyly. "If you want I can pour his sake-"
"I'd rather be served by her." Kazama grunted. I glanced at him briefly and he blinked his eyes toward me. I instantly blushed and turned away.
"Alright, excuse me." The waitress politely said as she bowed and exited the room, leaving me and Kazama alone together. I was worried why Kazama had requested me to stay; did he recognize me after all?
He held out his cup and I carefully poured the sake. He sipped it casually. I felt his crimson eyes on me and blushed, flustered. Then he turned away and picked up his chop sticks. I peeked at him. Though we had only spent a short time apart from one another it felt like I hadn't seen him in years. Kazama held a calm expression then glanced at my face and I jerked my head away, timid.
"Hn?" He grunted.
I peeked at him again and he gave me a smirk, holding out his cup. I gently poured the sake then kept my eyes on my lap.
"This sake is not bad, though its taste is a bit tart." He grumbled. I kept looking away from him. "It will soon be the season of cherry blossoms. It's tragic how short their life is. Isn't it?"
I bypassed his question, staying silent. I felt tension grow between us.
"Are you paying attention?" Kazama questioned, irritated.
I struggled not to reply to him, hoping that he would stop asking me questions. I couldn't answer him, fearing he would recognize my voice.
"Do you not speak to your customers?" He criticized, his tone becoming disturbed. I remained silent. "How insulting, you should be fired." He chided. My head popped up. I became so distressed my eyes started to blur with tears I forcefully held back.
"Hmph." He scoffed. "You also need to look at your customers. My cup has been empty for a while now."
I shyly began pouring him more sake. I was so shaky I accidentally spilled some.
"How blasphemous, sake this good should never be spilled so carelessly." He remarked.
"Hn," I whimpered, resisting the urge to apologize.
"Clumsy girl." Kazama grunted. He began eating his meal and for that moment ceased speaking to me. I was able to relax a little. I felt relieved that he didn't seem to know who I was. He ate silently for several minutes. I was anxious to get out of there as soon as possible. When he was nearly finished with his meal I sensed his eyes on me again.
"That scar," Kazama remarked. I gasped placing my hand on my neck. "It's hideous." He cruelly asserted, staring at my skittish face. I had completely forgotten about that scar, from when Kazama sliced the skin on my neck with his blade, back in the woods.
I turned my face toward his and looked into his crimson eyes, at last.
"I see you're still alive. So why are you in a place like this?" He growled, displeased. I bit my lip nervously.
"Um…"
"Hn?" He grunted, impatient.
"You know who I am?" I mumbled.
"I've known all along, Kaori."
I blushed, feeling embarrassed.
"I never forget a face." He said, staring into my watery eyes. "Tell me why you are here."
"Well, I…" I looked away sheepish. How could I tell him that I skipped the bill? I didn't want Kazama to think of me as a dishonorable person. I wanted to appear strong to him so he wouldn't think of me as a burden. I wanted him to think I could handle myself on my own.
"Is someone forcing you to stay here?" He inquired, inspecting me with eagerness in his eyes.
"Uh! No that's not it," My head jolted upward, facing Kazama.
"Do I have to take care of something?"
I forcefully shook my head.
"Someone?" He interrogated.
"No! Everything is fine! I've been doing great without you!" I blurted out, foolishly committing a blunder. Kazama lifted an eyebrow.
"You've been doing great?" He criticized; I could tell he wasn't fooled. "Then how come it's so hard for you to tell me why you are here?"
"It doesn't matter, okay." I pleaded.
"I grow tired of this. When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer it." He persisted.
"I'm sorry. I don't understand why you want to know so badly."
"Do I have to break you out of here?"
"What!?"
He stared at me, aggravated. He held the cup of sake a few inches from his face, his eyes narrowed. "Alright, since you leave me no choice-"
"I skipped the bill." I admitted, cutting him off. His arm fell on his lap and his eyes widen a bit.
"You skipped the bill?"
I sat there blushing, trying to hold a tough expression. He gave me a disgusted look then chuckled.
"I had a hunch that you couldn't handle it on your own. You're a mess."
"I'm fine!" I asserted, embarrassed.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?"
"Huh?'
"Hn?"
"I just didn't want you to know that it was me."
"I'm insulted that you think you could trick me. What was the point?"
"Um, I didn't want to be a burden to you; since you tried so hard to get rid of me."
"What does that have to do with anything?" He growled, aggravated.
"Well-"
"Enough, you really are no different. All you humans are the same, deceiving and disrespectful."
"That's not true at all! I do respect you and I am very grateful to you, Kazama; I really wanted to tell you that before and…"
"So why didn't you?"
It's because saying goodbye was the hardest thing I've done so far on this journey.
"I just didn't know how to word it." I bashfully mumbled.
Kazama, truthfully I never wanted to see you go. I've missed you terribly this whole time. You're still searching for the Shinsengumi yourself right? I want us to travel and work together again. I really miss you!
"I see." Kazama grunted, standing up.
"Kazama?"
"I don't have all night to chat with you. You're wasting my time." He said as he advanced toward the door.
I fought the urge to scream and beg him not to leave. I desperately wanted to apologize and beseech him to let us travel together again, in search of the Shinsengumi.
"Kazama, wait!" I called out. He halted right before the door. I managed to clear my mind. "Please…take care of yourself."
He turned around and glanced down at me. I gave him the smile I wanted to give him back on the docks. A tear escaped my right eye and rolled gracefully down my cheek. His sharp expression lightened.
"You as well." He said, turning away from me again.
I watched him as he walked out of the room and sat there with my hands clenched in fists on my lap. I finally got to see him again, but our second goodbye left me stricken in tears. I didn't want him to leave me thinking that I wasn't grateful for all he had done for me. I still wanted to tell Kazama how I admired him and grown to think of him as my ally.
I reminisced over our time together and of what just happened for a moment, staring at the door he walked out of. Upon recollecting myself I became aware of what I missed my only chance to do. I wanted to continue searching for the Shinsengumi with Kazama, not because I needed him but because I had missed him so much. I had to tell him that. I smacked the tears off my face and sprang onto my feet. I couldn't let it all end like this. I was determined to be with him again.
"Kazama!" I yelped, dashing out of the restaurant. I was going to confess my admiration to Kazama and throw my arms around his body to force him to listen if it was necessary. The sun had already gone down. The streets were dark and vacant. I caught a glimpse of Kazama turning a corner a few blocks away. I prepared myself to sprint after him then suddenly, I was pulled back.
"Kaori! There you are." Chika said gripping my arm.
"Chika! That blonde customer came by here right?" I said exasperated.
"You mean the one I was serving before? Yes, I just saw him pass by here."
"Thank you!" I pushed forward but Chika hadn't let go of my arm.
"Hey!" I screeched. "Let go, what are you doing?"
"Kaori, wait a minute." She ordered.
"Why!?"
"I've found the Shinsengumi." She asserted. "Geez, you were the one that kept begging to know their whereabouts."
"Wait!? You've found them!" I yelped, stunned. "Where are they? Tell me!" I demanded.
"I stumbled into one of their members who told me where to find their headquarters just moments ago. If you head down that path toward the end of the street then turn a few blocks on the right, you'll be sure to find it. It's quite a distance away but you can't miss it. There's a sign posted there." She gestured toward a street opposite from the one Kazama took. "But you have to hurry if you want to catch up with them. I heard they are preparing to go defend Koufu Castle right now."
"Thank you so much Chika!" She let go of my arm and I bowed to her.
"I know why you weren't able to find them before." She continued. "Did you know that they changed their name?"
"Huh?"
"They're known as the Kouyou Chinbutai now."
"They changed their name!? No wonder I couldn't find them!"
"Also, I've finished washing your clothes, so stop by later to pick them up. You're a free woman now." She chirped giving me a smile then went back inside the restaurant.
I turned and faced the two paths in front of me. After all this time I had finally found the Shinsengumi. If it wasn't for Kazama I wouldn't had ever made it here. I hesitated unsure which path was the best one to choose. If I caught up with Kazama perhaps I could still make it to see the Shinsengumi in time but is it worth the risk?
I had already formed my resolve. It was time for me to make my move. I clenched my fists, knowing which path I had to take and hastily dashed forward with avidity and bliss in my heart.
To Be Continued…
Author's note:
Which path did she choose? Leave your prediction in a review XD
Thanks for reading!