Chapter 24

"Oh? Hello, you must be Yamanami-san's guest, Hijikata Toshiro and Ichimura Tetsunosuke," he greeted them with a welcoming smile.

Tetsu gripped his hand tightly to hold back his untamed tears. / Tatsu-nii. / The Tatsu-nii that he loved, the Tatsu-nii that he left behind back then, the Tatsu-nii that he couldn't keep his promise to, the Tatsu-nii that he respect, and the Tatsu-nii that he wants to protect more than anything was standing before him. It took everything he had to not cry and hug his brother look-a-like.

"I'm Ichinose Tatsunosuke," he continued, "Please come in. Yamanami-san had been waiting for you two."

Hijikata-san walks through the gate. Tetsu just stare in despair. Tatsu looks towards him and gave a soft smile, kind of brotherly. "Nice to meet you Tetsunosuke-kun," he said. Tetsu bit his lower lips. / Tatsu-nii. /

He took a deep breath before entering the dojo. Hijikata-san was waiting on the other side impatiently. Tatsunosuke led them to a room in the far back, passing the dojo where a few students were practicing. They stop in front of a small room few doors from the dojo.

Tatsunosuke knock twice and waits for an answer. "Come in," someone answered through the other end. He opens the door to reveal a man around 40 to 50. He was with a woman that looks to be 20 to 30. He gave them a smile. "Welcome to Kasshin Ryu," he greeted them.

Tetsu's expression saddens. / Yamanami-san… Akesato-san… / The Akesato-san look-a-like gave him a smile. He blushed slightly. / Her beauty hadn't change one bit. If anything, she looks more beautiful. Maybe it's because she's with Yamanami-san now. / As he thought about it, remembering Yamanami-san's death was extremely painful… and to see Akesato-san cry so much… was something he don't want to ever go through again.

Hijikata-san bowed respectably and Tetsu followed. "Please sit down," he told them. They sat down near the entrance including Tatsunosuke. "Your journey here must be a bit painful," Yamanami-san began. Tetsu looked at him with confusion. How did he knows about what they been through? He must have noticed Tetsu's expression for he added, "Hijikata-san called me just earlier about what happened." Tetsu nodded, not meeting their eyes. / O-Hana-chan and Jin… /

"We heard about what happens," Akesato-san said sadly, "We're sorry Tetsu-kun. It must have been painful to lose your family."

Tetsu bit his lower lips and clench his hand into tight fist. "Don't apologize. They wouldn't be able to rest… in peace if so many grieves over their death." Everyone sadden from this. / Who would have thought this kid would be so strong? / They all thought.

"Your mother would have been proud," Akesato-san added. He nodded, not looking up once. Yamanami-san turns to Tatsunosuke and gave a nod. He nodded back and touched Tetsu's shoulder to make him look at him. His smile quickly faded when he saw how much despair was in his eyes. / A little boy shouldn't have to suffer something like this and not cry about it. / He thought as he regains composure. "Tetsunosuke-kun, let's go for some fresh air," he suggested. Tetsu managed to nod and follow after him.

The remaining three looks back at each other. "What is it that you wanted to tell me that you can't tell to Ichimura," Hijikata-san quickly went to the point.

Yamanami-san sighed, "It's about Ryuunosuke."

"Where are we going?" Tetsu asked as they walk down a long stone path leading towards nowhere.

"We're almost there," Tatsunosuke replied. They continued until they came to a long stairway. "If we climb up there, I show you something beautiful," Tatsunosuke added. Tetsu shrug as they started climbing.

Once up there, Tetsu was about to faint from none stop climbing. He pants for more air. "Gosh! You guys should really make an elevator someday," he said angrily. Tatsunosuke chuckle and continued towards what seem like a shrine that Tetsu just noticed. "Wow," he said out loud. Tatsunosuke gave him a smile and usher for him to follow.

The shrine looks even bigger up close. They enter and bow for respect and then continued into the shrine. Soon they were face to face with a bunch of swords. Tetsu looked at the names that were presented with them. One by one, he recognized some of the name that belongs in the Shinsengumi. He smiled a little when he came upon one he knew very well, Okita Sojiro. He moved on to the rest.

Tatsu moved on without looking at the names. He continued and Tetsu followed until they stopped in front of brown wooden box that's only for sword keeping. "What's inside is the actual treasure." Tatsu pointed out. He slowly and carefully lifts the lid open and reveal what's inside.

"What?" Hijikata-san asked in shocked and disbelief.

"Like I said," he repeated, "Ryuunosuke was involved with the incident 15 years ago. I only learned this just recently as well. I couldn't believe it at first, but from all the evidence we gather, there's no doubt that Ryuunosuke was involved."

"A sword?" Tetsu asked dumbfounded.

Tatsunosuke nodded, "It's not just any ordinary sword. It's the treasure of this dojo. This sword is called, Silver. His true name is yet to reveal. Once his twin returned they will finally be call their real name."

"Twin?" he asked.

"Yes. The other half of the sword Rain."