Chapter 6

"Hmm… I think I'm lost." Tetsu thought to himself as he look around, "I was sure I made the right turn."

"Are you lost?"

Tetsu quickly turn around almost sacred half to death, "Susumu?"

"I told you I'm not Susumu." the voice answered.

"Oh, sorry," Tetsu chuckle a bit at his mistake. Then he remember what he was suppose to do, "Uh, Susu- I mean Suzuki, do you happen to know where the library is? I think I got lost."

"Follow me," and Suzuki took the lead.

He led Tetsu to a room in the far end of the house. He slide the door open, and inside were tons of old book about almost anything.

"Wow!" Tetsu said, amazed, "How many books are there?"

"2 thousands to be exact." Suzuki answered.

"You counted them?" he asked still amazed.

Suzuki nodded and headed onward to his destination leaving Tetsu behind. He watch as Suzuki disappear, then turn to the stacks of books. He shrug, "How am I going to find that stupid dictionary in this mess?"

An echo of laughter sounded through the dark hallway. The maids rushes by not wanting to get involve. The last time a maid got involve, she was never seen again. Just then, a loud scream made it's way through the hallway.

"Scream all you want, no one will come," Suzu grin as he stroke the back of a black cat. He was sitting on a throne-like chair and was wearing a black fur coat around his body. Suzu turn his head toward the figure that stood on the back corner of the room.

"What do you think, Hikagami, should we end his misery, or let him suffer slowly until he died?" Suzu grin innocently, "Natsuki Tsumori, you guys might not want to see this," he said toward the cat-like little twin next to him. They instantly cover their eyes with their hand as Hikagami walk toward the screaming man.

"Ouch!" Tetsu scream as a book fell on his head, "Stupid book!"

He threw the stack of books he was holding on top of another. It's already 10 pm and he still couldn't find the dictionary. Hmm… maybe grandma lied to me… Tetsu thought for a bit, but decided to forget it and started searching again.

He reach for another stack and accidentally knock over a book. He pick it up and something slip out from it. What the… he picked it up. It was folded into four sided. He open it and luckily, it was written in an easy to read languages. It said:

Back then, I promise Okita-san that I would return alive. But even I knew that being the only survivor is something that I cannot live with. Tatsu-nii would never agree to my decision, but it is a decision that I have no regret of. My fallen comrades would probably be just as angry, but even so… I will not go back on my words. I cannot go back to those days anymore. This is my first and last letter that I would ever written. When this letter is found, I wouldn't be here anymore. I am probably where all my fellow comrades are. Personally, dying is something I fear, but I want to be there when everything ends. Saya… I already lost her, I don't want to lose Tatsu-nii as well.

Tetsu drop the letter onto the floor and stare at it. My ancestor… chose to died on the battlefield… with everything he believed in… A sharp pain shot up inside his heart. Sadness and regret formed itself inside him. Sadness of not being able to protect those he cared about. Regret, he couldn't protect his two most important person.

He doesn't know why he feel these feelings, but one thing he know for sure… I am Ichimura Tetsunosuke…of the Shinsengumi… and with that, he fell onto his knees as he realize this.

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"Suzuki? Have you seen Tetsu?" Ryuunosuke asked.

Suzuki shook his head.

"Hmm, I wonder where he could have gone. I already check his room and he wasn't there."

"Have you try looking in the library? He was there earlier. Maybe he's still there." Suzuki said and went back to sorting some papers.

"Thank you," and Ryuunosuke left for the library.

Tetsu lay on the ground and stare at the stack of books in front of him. Suzu and Saya… I know that Saya is very important to me… but what about Suzu? What is he to me? My best friend, or my worst enemy? He bury his face into his arms.

"Tetsu? What are you doing on the floor?"

Tetsu look up at his father and turn away again, "I'm trying to fall asleep. Leave me alone, Tou-san."

Ryuunosuke sigh, "I would if this was your room, but this is the library, not your own personal sleeping room."

Tetsu shook his head a bit, "I felt calm in here, so leave me alone."

Ryuunosuke sigh again and sat down beside him, "I know something's been bothering you since you met my boss, but I won't force you to speak if you don't want to. However, keeping everything to yourself is not a good thing. Maybe if you open up to someone, it can help you of your problems."

With that, his father left him. Tetsu look up at the raining sky and…

The raining was beginning to wash away the resemblance of red on the ground. Tetsu look up at the sky and back to the ground.

"Heh… Hahahahahah…" Tetsu laugh at nothing but the foggy rain.

"What's so funny?" Suzu asked as he look at Tetsu; not that he mind that Tetsu's losing his mind.

Tetsu look up at him with his innocent smile, "You were right Suzu. I can't change what was already plan from the start. You may have stolen everything away from me," his innocent smile turn serious, "but I swear upon my grave, I will get everything back. Saya, Okita-san, and the Shinsengumi… I will get them all back."

Stab! Tetsu smile his innocent smile once again as he realize what just happen. Suzu frown when the wound doesn't even fade him. Tetsu continue to smile as he cough up blood, "You know, I have always hated you… but at the same time… I really love you as well. I know what I did to you in the past… but I won't say I regret it… I won't apologize either… Living with the Shinsengumi… had taught me many things… You know… I used to hate them just as much as you… but I really love them now… I'm sure… if you had met them before… then you might have been like me… Heh… then again… you hate me more than anything… right?… Suzu?"

In seconds, blood gush out of the wound and Tetsu fell to the ground. Suzu bend down next to Tetsu and gave a little smile, "I'll be waiting then, Tetsu."

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"Ichimura?" Suzuki shook Tetsu.

Another drop of tears escape his eyes. Tetsu slowly open his eyes as he look up at the ceiling, then, he notice the figure who was looking at him with concern. "I will get everything back. Saya, Okita-san, and the Shinsengumi." another tears escape his eyes as he remember his dream, and brought his hands to his face. He cover his eyes as he cried and Suzuki quietly listen.

"It's alright, Tetsu." he quietly said to the crying boy before him.