Chapter 18

For the first time, he admitted to hating traveling. In order to get to Kasshin Ryu dojo in time, Hijikata-san made Tetsu wake up at 3 a.m. just 2 hours after finally getting some sleep. He curse under his breathe every time Hijikata-san came in to check on him. After 30 minutes of privacy, he was finally done getting ready. He picks up his sport bag that he had packed yesterday and left the room. He wanted to say good-bye first, but with Hijikata-san's temper, he couldn't very well do it. He grumpily came downstairs. Hijikata-san was already in the car waiting with a sort of angry look in his eyes. Tetsu quicken his steps and lock the shop door before getting in the car.

He had argued about taking the train, which is faster, but Hijikata-san and everyone else said that going by car is funnier. Okita-san had said that you get to see a bunch of other stuff that train don't. Besides, if someone need help along the way, they could sort of help out. With this, Tetsu automatically stop complaining. He knew that it was the job of the Shinsengumi to protect and help those in needs of it.

A little later, they were already in the outskirt of town. It was kind of awkward to be alone with Hijikata-san for so long (since the past I mean). He couldn't decide what to talk about since there was nothing to talk about it at all.

"Ichimura." Tetsu flinch and almost jump out of his seat. He hadn't expected Hijikata-san to be the first to say something. "Y-Yes?" he replied, a little uncomfortable. Hijikata-san kept his eyes straight on the road and continues, "Yamazaki told me that you asked him once, that if he were to pick between being a Shinsengumi and Choushuu, which would he chooses? He told you a Shinsengumi and explained to you why he had chosen it, but he had never asked you whom you would have chosen. So, which would you choose?" he asked.

Tetsu smile and turn to the car floor. "I would have chosen the Shinsengumi as well." He replied.

"Why?" Hijikata-san asked.

"Because a Shinsengumi would risk his life for those in needs. He would willingly throw everything he had, including his feelings, for others. I may not know much, but I feel that all Shinsengumi members feel that way when it comes to protecting others and their own comrades."

Hijikata-san grins and patted his head. "Good answered," he said.

Around one o'clock in the afternoon, they finally arrived in a little town near the coast. The little town stood on top of the rocky shore near the ocean and there were many tourists around. Hijikata-san said that this town was famous for their beautiful coast and a certain mystery legend.

"What kind of legend?" Tetsu asked with curiosity.

"We have to stop for something, so I'll tell you on the way," Hijikata-san replied as he parked the car. They got out and immediately Tetsu asked again. Hijikata-san glare at him to shut him up and finally begin the tale, "The legend is about a star-cross lover, Jin and Miko. The two met on this very day, which is why they held a festival every year on this day, (sorry, forgot to mention it). But that just one part to the festival."

"One part?" he asked in confusion. Why are there two reasons they did the festival?

"I'll get to the other part later. Now, Miko was from a poor family that owns tons of debts. Mike was sold off in order to pay the debts. When she was 16, Jin family bought her as a slave. She hadn't work for them for long before the two form a secret affair. When his family knew about this, they were furious and order for her death. She was hung before the Coast and on this very same day, as well as his wedding to another woman. After her death, people started disappearing one by one. The townspeople were afraid and decided to celebrate this day as protecting ward to wards the ghost of Miko away. The people finally stopped disappearing, but a few decades ago, people started disappearing again."

"So, we're here to exorcist a ghost?" Tetsu asked without a brain. Hijikata-san glare at his idiotic questions, "Where in the world did you get such an idiotic ideas?" Tetsu thought, "Right now?" he got himself another glare.

"We're here to find out if the legend is true. It was a request from one of our costumer." He explained.

"One of the costumer? Why do we have to do it?" he asked with a confused and serious sort of look. Hijikata-san sigh when he remembers he forgotten to tell Tetsu, "Our flower shop is just a cover for our real job. One of our other jobs is to help those in needs, " he smile, and "just like the Shinsengumi."

Tetsu was a bit taken aback, but he grin widely when he was able to take everything in. /Definitely like our Vice Commander. /

"Help! Somebody help me please!" They quickly turn their heads toward the direction of the voice including everyone around them. The crowd started running towards the voice. "Let's follow them," Hijikata-san ordered. Tetsu nod and they immediately follow after everyone.

They came to stop and squeeze their way through the crowded people. Tetsu was smaller, so it was a bit easier for him to pass through small opening unlike Hijikata-san who had to really make his way through the crowd. Once Tetsu made it to the front, his mind went completely blink towards the scene in front of him.

Near the edge of the rocky mountain, a willow tree stood leafless with ropes dangling down from many it's branches. The rope in the middle was supporting a body without a head, arms, and even legs. The other ropes around it were supporting the things that the body misses. Blood was dripping from every body parts and onto the rocks.

Then something else caught his eyes. Near the root of the willow tree, a woman wearing a long white dress curls herself up into a ball. She slowly looks up and… something felt seriously wrong. Their eyes met for a bit before she dissipates into thin air. Tetsu gasped and look around, but no one seems to notice the difference. /It's like no one else saw her but me. /