Chapter 13

Tetsu watch Okita-san demonstrate a move he remember quite well from his previous life. Even thought Tetsu doesn't remember everything about his past yet, he do remember some, including his first battle against Okita-san before he become a Shinsengumi. After Okita-san show him the move, he copy it flawlessly. Okita-san smile, "Good. Now Tetsu-kun, I want you to come at me with that move. If you are able to hit me even once, I'll teach you a move you would surely be happy with."

His eyes lit up excitedly, "Here I come!" He position himself and dash toward Okita-san. As expected, Okita-san dodge my move so easily. Tetsu was hit on his right shoulder and fell to his knees. Okita-san close his eyes and sigh. Tetsu gritted his teeth, Why can't I do it? Why can't I beat him? I remember everything already! Huh? Just then, he realize something important, I depend too much on my past memories that I expect myself to be able to do it! The dojo sign specifically said that true strength doesn't come from your skill. I've been expecting the training in my past life to just resurface. I have to do everything over. Even the battle against the Choushuu. He grip the handle of the bamboo sword tighter. I will get everything back! He took a swing to Okita-san's right side, but he stop it with his own bamboo sword. He look at Tetsu in fright. The way Tetsu's eyes look, it was definitely blood lust. "Tetsu-kun?" he asked.

Tetsu jump back and went for the kill again. Okita-san was able to defend himself more. He manage to dodge Tetsu's swing attack. He got some space between them, "Tetsu-kun!"

Ah! Tetsu snapped out of his killing instinct. He look at Okita-san's relief expression. Did I do some… thing? Okita-san dash toward him. He stop and look at him thoroughly, "Are you alright?"

"Alright? What did I do?" he asked. Okita-san look a bit surprised, but close his eyes tightly in a sigh. He hug Tetsu, "Never mind." Tetsu blush a bit remembering this gentle embrace. His hug never change… he smile, I'm glad… Okita-san continue to held him for what seem like a lifetime.

"Blood lust?" Hijikata-san asked with a raise eyebrow. Okita-san nodded as he put down the plate of fried shrimp on the kitchen table. "His eyes were so concentrating on killing that I was even afraid. Whoever Tetsu was focusing on that time, isn't me… but a hated enemy he's going to face." Okita-san replied.

"Soji, I will train him from here."

Okita-san's eyes widen a bit, then he smile, "No, I still want to see what he's capable of. I'll let you take on his training later on."

Hijikata-san sigh and nod in agreement. There was really no use convincing him.

Tetsu look out the open window and toward the direction of his house. He thought of what happen just two days ago. A tear slide down from his eyes, Kaa-chan… Tou-san… grandma… he wipe away the tears. He turn to the bed next to him that was empty for the moment. I'm sorry, Susumu… he got off the bed and head for the door. He slowly close it and sneak down the stairs. He could hear Okita-san laughing from the kitchen. He gave a short smile, and continue to sneak down the stairs. Once on the first floor, he tiptoed passing the kitchen door and headed into the shop. He quietly open the door and ran as fast as he could once he successfully make it out of the shop.

He continue to run without rest toward his home. With every step, his heart sank lower and lower into what seem like a bottomless pit of despair. He wipe away tears that were making their way out.

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A maid in a black and white uniform was mopping up the marble floor. Her tears were falling bit by bit. Poor man, he didn't deserve to died. *Hic* I just hope he doesn't have a family like the last guy. She wipe away another tears. The double door swung open and another maid step into the room. She was carrying a bucket of water. "Let's hurry up and get to making dinner," the new maid said. The crying maid nod and continue mopping.

Slam! The double door slam shut. The two maids look up in fright. "W-What's going on?" the crying maid asked. The other maid look around, "I don't know. I'll see if I could open the door. Stay here." Just then, the light turn off and everything turn dark. The crying maid started crying again in fear. Something wet explode suddenly onto the crying maid's face. "What," she touch the liquid on her face. The lights turn back on and the crying maid scream with fright at what was on her hand and on the floor. She ran to the double door and bang hard on it. "Open! Somebody help me! Please! Please open the door! I beg you please! Plea-uh…" the crying maid's voice die down and the room was quiet again. The only sound that was heard was coming from the armchair where a silver hair boy laugh with delight at what just happen.

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Tetsu swung the door open and rush inside. He search the house wanting all of this were just a bad dream. He finally stood in the quiet hallway after searching the house over and over again. Tears slide down his eyes proving to him that every thing was real. Everything that happen was never a part of a bad dream, but reality. He fell to his knees and curse the Thread of Fate for all of this.

"Tetsu-kun," a voice call to him. He quickly turn around to see who it was. The figure smile sadly and bend down to hold him. Tetsu bit his lower lips and clung to him. Okita-san stroke his petit back, "I'm sorry Tetsu-kun. But I promise everything will be alright." Tetsu nodded and cry louder. Okita-san held him tighter, "Just because everything is gone, doesn't mean you're alone. You still had your dad that's coming back… and us… so don't ever left without saying anything. We're lucky Hijikata-san notice you, but what if he didn't and something bad happen to you… and don't forget about Yamazaki-san. What will he do if you're gone? Please think about these things next time you decide to leave."

His word make him cry harder. "I'm… sorry," Tetsu choked out.

"Why didn't you stop him," Hijikata-san ask Susumu while they wait outside for the two inside with the car. "I wanted to, but in order for him to accept this, he'll need to do it on his own accord. If I had stop him, he might fall even deeper into this pit of despair. Besides, he wouldn't have listen anyway."

Tetsu look around his bedroom as he pack some stuff he needs. The brown wooden box he had kept the hairpin locked was still at the corner. He got up and grab it. He put the box in the sport bag that was his dad. He put some more clothes in them and other stuff. He took the family picture by the night stand and tuck it in the open space inside the bag before zipping it shut. He walk to the door and took a last look at his room. Good-bye… he turn off the light and close the door behind him. He walk downstairs to where Okita-san was waiting. He gave Tetsu a smile and reach a hand toward Tetsu. He willingly took it. They parted hands at the door. Tetsu turn around to the inside of the house. He smile sadly and, Good-bye… I promise that this new start will help me protect what I couldn't… I… won't come here again… he close the door and dash toward the waiting Okita-san.

"Sususmu," Tetsu said when he saw Susumu standing beside Hijikata-san. Susumu ruffle his hair, "Don't ever leave like that again. Anyway," he smile, "Let's go home to our new home."

"Yeah!" Tetsu agree with a big grin.