Chapter 20

"…Making a vow under the willow tree…"

Tetsu could feel his body tremble with anger as he listens. He didn't know O-Hana-chan suffer so much before she died. Rie continued, "No one knew about the vows until my ancestor's death at the age of 25. He wrote down this book," he looked at the old book, "before he died. It tells the Tale of Miko. In it, he wrote about the vow, saying; 'the sins that the Yashiko family had made will continue on to their generations to come until he pays for his retributions'. That was the last sentence written in the book."

"Why… did he call her Miko?" Tetsu asked trying to hold his anger.

"He had denies any connections with her, so it's only right to change the names so that no one will knows," he explained, "O-Hana hadn't appear after she thought that the Yashiko Family line die out. But, ever since she found out about my existence, she began to attack the townspeople. She will stop at nothing until I am dead."

"So you want us to kill her?" Tetsu asked not even bothering to cover up his anger.

Rie sighed when he sees this, "No. I just simply wanted to talk to her. I don't want her to suffer under the Yashiko Family for all eternity." He noticed that Tetsu still not convinced, "It may sound like an excuse to you, but it's the truth. To die for her, I wouldn't mind, but I don't want to endanger the townspeople and to keep her here."

Tetsu closes his eyes tightly and got up. He head out of the room, leaving everyone very confused except Hijikata-san. He turns to Rie, "We'll help you, but for the price of this job, we want the Tale of Miko."

Rie sigh as if he already suspect this, "Very well, you can have it."

Tetsu wipe away a tear and look into the night. / O-Hana-chan… I'm sorry for not knowing how much you had suffered. / He thought back to one of his many dreams. O-Hana, Saya, and he were walking through the crowded market place. They laugh and joke happily. He also though backs to when he would listen to Saya play the shamisan with O-Hana beside her. He wipes away another tear.

"Who would have thought you were such a crybaby," Hijikata-san said. Tetsu look up at him and glare, and then he noticed the book in Hijikata-san's hand, "That's…"

"That's right, the Tale of Miko." He interrupted him.

"W-Why did you have it?" he asked.

"The client gave it to me as the price for the job. Here," he handed to Tetsu.

Tetsu look at him confused. Hijikata-san closes his eyes, "It's yours."

Tetsu look at the book, "Why give it to me?"

"Because it was important to you," he answered and walk passes him. Tetsu stare after him and held the book close.

Tetsu gulp nervously as they approach the willow tree. Hijikata-san, Rie, and he were only a few feet away. The Rocky Mountains was a bit slippery, considering he almost fell a couple of time. He suddenly feels a cold chill in the air as they got closer and closer. "Tetsunosuke-kun," someone whisper into his ear. He sprung around, but no one was there. He turned back and started running after them.

Once near the tree, he suddenly feels a shudder of despair all around him. "O-Hana-chan," he voiced it out before he could even think. "Don't stop me, Tetsunosuke-kun," a voice said to him. Tetsu look around, but see no one but Hijikata-san and Rie. / O-Hana-chan? Is that you? / He continued to look around. "Why are you here? Where is Saya?" she asked, not showing herself. Tetsu stop searching and closes his eyes. He took a deep breath and stare right at the willow tree.

/ I'm glad I get to see you again. / He smiled.

"I miss you and Saya more than anything. Since you're here with him, it means that you knew what happened to me." She said sadly.

Tetsu clench his hands into fist as Rie call O-Hana. / I'm sorry. If I had known, I would have come sooner. I'm sorry. / He wiped away a drop of tears.

"How's Saya? Is she well?" she asked with a bit of concerned.

Tetsu hesitated but tell her anyway. / She's fine… just that… she doesn't know me anymore. /

Just then, he felt two arms around his neck. It's not strangling him, but rather gently hugs him as if to keep him warm. A drop of tears slide down from his eyes, "O-Hana-chan."

"Saya loves you more than anything. Even if she doesn't know you any more, I'm sure her heart will. You and Saya are a perfect match. I'm glad she doesn't have to go through what I've been through. That's all I could ever ask for her and… for you." She whispered into his ear.

Tetsu wiped away his tears and nod, "Don't worry, I'll get her back," he whispered into the wind. He could hear her giggle with satisfaction. / O-Hana-chan? Why did you kill that woman from before? / O-Hana removed her arms around him and appear in front of him, dress in the white long dress he saw her in before. Tetsu step back a bit, but quickly regain his composure. He smiled at her. She smiled back before she turns to the willow tree. "I was the one who called for help that time," she begin, her smile faded,, "That woman was being murder by a man or woman I couldn't tell. He was wearing a mask and carries a long sword that looks familiar to that of Jin's." She clenches her arms as if she was cold, "I couldn't do anything but watched as she was being ripped apart. I wanted to help so badly, but I couldn't."

/ Why did you curse the Yashiko Family? / He asked.

O-Hana glares angrily at him, "I have every right to do so. They were the one who ripped and cruelly torn apart my heart. I loved Jin more than anything, but I was treated worse than trash. I waited forever for Jin and what I got in the end…"her voice drop, "was a broken heart."

Tetsu couldn't say anything after that. He clenches his hand into fist and slowly sucks in the pain he felt. He really had no right to judge her… because he probably would have done the same thing, if he were a girl that is. "I'm sorry," he mutters as she began to cry, "I'm sorry."