Chapter 10

Tetsu stood among the burning remains of the house. He look across the wide space left after the fire. He could still smell the ashes around him. Susumu put a hand on his shoulder, "Ichimura, we have to go."

"Where are we suppose to go?" he asked, not turning around.

"The police are here. It's best to go with them."

Tetsu kept his eyes on the open field, not turning around to look at who's approaching. Just then, something shiny caught his attention. He dash towards it, breaking Susumu's grip on his shoulder.

He pick it up and examine it. It was still in perfectly good shape. A single drop of tears fell onto the hairpin that he bought with him from home. It was the very same hairpin he shown to Suzu. Tetsu clench it to his chest tightly.

Susumu rush towards him and look at what he was holding. He raise an eyebrow but kept it to himself.

"Are you Ichimura Tetsunosuke?" a police officer asked.

Tetsu look up at him, "Yes I am."

The police officer bow, "I am very sorry for your lost, but you must come to the office with me to discuss what had happen here?"

He nodded and turn to Susumu, "Will you come too?"

Susumu nodded and gave a sad smile.

Screech! A car stop in front of the burning house. They all turn to see who it was. As soon as Tetsu see who it was, he dash toward the car, "Tou-san!"

Ryuunosuke look at the remaining of the house. When he notice Tetsu, he rush for Tetsu as well. Tetsu jump into his father's arms, crying like a little baby.

"Tetsu," his father said sadly, "I'm sorry."

Susumu walk toward them. He stood a few inches away, "Ryuunosuke-san."

Ryuunosuke nod and parted from Tetsu. He kneel down in front of Tetsu, "Tetsu? You listen to me ok?" Tetsu nodded so he continue, "Susumu and you are going to live with a friend of mine for the moment. Don't worry, they are all good people who would surely take good care of you."

Tetsu dried his tears, "What about you?"

He gave a sad smile, "I'll be gone for a bit. Right now, I have something to do." He thought back to his meeting with Suzu while he was looking for them.

Flashback

Ryuunosuke got out of the car and ran toward the crowd market place. Dammit, where are you guys? He was too busy looking for them that he bump into some one. He fell onto the ground, "Sorry I was-" he stop as he look up to who it was.

The stranger grin, "Surprised meeting you here, Ichimura Ryuunosuke."

Flashback End

"What is it that you had to do?" Tetsu asked.

Ryuunosuke snap out of his thoughts and gave a little grin, "I have a meeting to attend to."

Tetsu's eyes widen, "Meeting? When Kaa-chan and Grandma just…!"

Ryuunosuke clench his hand into fist, "Right now, your mother would prefer I go to this important meeting. Besides, if I go, I might be able to learn who kill your mom and grandma. Please understand this Tetsu?"

Tetsu frown, "You have to promise you're be back for me."

Ryuunosuke nodded, "I promise."

XXXXXXXXXX

"Soji, what are you doing?" Hijikata-san asked Okita-san as he make the beds.

"Making beds of course. Don't tell me you've gone blind Hijikata-san," Okita-san joked.

Hijikata-san glare at him, "I'm not blind! I just want to know why you're making these two bed that we never used."

"Oh, Kondou-san said to make these two bed for the new housemate we're getting tomorrow." he explained.

"Housemate?" Hijikata-san raise an eyebrow, "Who?"

Okita-san turn to him, "Kondou-san doesn't know for sure, but he's really close friend with this person, so he accept the request willingly."

Hijikata-san let out a sigh, "Kondou-san is really too soft. He might actually bring something bad this time."

Okita-san nudge his shoulder a bit, "Don't jinx him or us. Who knows, it might be fun to have new housemate." he smiled brightly.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The scene of the fire kept replaying over and over in his dream. Tetsu snap awake just as they drove pass the sign announcing their return. He sat up straight in the back seat. Susumu was deeply asleep in the passenger seat while his dad his concentrating on driving. Ryuunosuke had already talk to the police before they left, so everything was perfectly alright. Tetsu look at his hand that clench tightly onto the hairpin. Oh… I forgot I've been holding onto this… he slightly touch the hairpin to his forehead… Kaa-chan… grandma… I swear I'll make whoever did this pay for what he's done… he remove the hairpin and look out the night sky.

By the next morning, they were already back in town. Tetsu recognize the street they were heading to as Ryuunosuke made a left turn. We're heading toward the flower shop where Okita-san and Hijikata-san works at… Just a few block away is our house… he sigh… Wonder if we're ever going to go home… he almost wanted to cry. He held onto the hairpin tigher, it made him relax more.

Just as he thought, they stop in front of the flower shop. They all got out of the car. The flower shop was named Boutique, and it was painted with a pinkish and greenish color. Someone ran out from inside the shop. Tetsu recognize who immediately.

"Okita-san," he whispered.

Okita-san ran toward them. He stop a few inches away, "Welcome!" he noticed Tetsu, "Oh, you're Tetsunosuke-kun, right? Nice to see you again."

Tetsu nodded, "Nice to see you again too."

Okita-san grin and turn to Susumu, "I'm Okita Sojiro. Nice to meet you."

Susumu bow his head, "I'm Yamazaki Suzuki, but you can call me Susumu. Nice to meet you as well."

Okita-san nodded, "We'll why don't we all go inside." he finally took noticed of Ryuunosuke, "I thought it would be you, Ryuunosuke-san. How have you been? And how is Nana?"

Ryuunosuke smile sadly, "She's been… well. Please take care of Tetsu and Susumu while I'm away. Sorry to intrude."

"Not at all. Kondou-san would be happy to see you as well. Why don't we all go inside first." Okita-san said cheerfully.

Tetsu turn to his dad, "Tou-san, are you going to go right now?"

He look at Tetsu and kneel down onto his knees, "Tetsu, promise me that no matter what, you won't go seeking revenge for what happened. Revenge will only bring more pain and suffering upon yourself and those around you. It is a futile thing. It's not worth risking your life for. But if you still wish to fight, then fight to protect."

"Fight?" he asked confused.

Ryuunosuke just smile and got up from his knees. He turn to Susumu, "Take care of Tetsu." Susumu nodded. He turn to Okita-san, "I leave them in your care as well as Tetsu's trainging."

Okita-san nodded, "You're not going to visit Kondou-san before you go?"

Ryuunosuke shook his head, "I've already explained everything to Izumi on the phone, I'm sure he'll explain to you and Toshi later."

Okita-san smile a little, "Okay. I wish you safe trip. And don't worry about them, I'll take care of everything… including Tetsu's training."

He gave a bow and respect. Susumu and Tetsu walk over toward Okita-san's side and watch as Ryuunosuke got into the car. As he drove away, "Tou-san!" Tetsu chase after the car until he couldn't anymore. He stood in his spot and watch until his dad's car couldn't be seen anymore. Tou-san…