Chapter 26: Curse Child

"Curse Child?" Okita-san asked with confusion. He had never heard about any curse child from Hijikata-san or anyone that knew about the incident.

"Yes," Kondou-san replied, "The Incident started around the time the Curse Child was born."

The Tale Start Here

The night was just as peaceful as every night before. The moon was as high as it can get. The quietness was disturbed by the footsteps of the approaching demon as well as the quiet wail of a woman in labor.

Inside the labor chamber upon the strewn sheets, lies a woman with hair as long as the God's river. Her quiet wail was heard through the vine as she overcame a deep pain. Just outside the closed door, the demons stood their ground. Waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"Are you sure that the child to be born is the curse child?" one of the demon whispered to the other.

"Yes," came the replied of the other.

Just then, the quiet wail was overcome by a newborn child's cry. The demons ready their swords. The nurse gently held the child and places the newborn against his mother's warmth. "He's beautiful," she panted in a whispery tone. Tears of joy escaped her eyes as she held him tighter against her warmth.

"What would you name him?" the nurse asked joyfully.

"I" the door burst open interrupting her. The demons in their black uniform and masks ran into the room killing the nurse instantly with a stab through the back. She sat up holding her son tightly in her arms. "Who are you?" she demanded. One of the demon came closer, "Give us the child."

She held the child closer, "No!" She wasn't going to lose her first born to demons like them. They don't know how much she endures to finally have him in her arms. The closer demon pointed he sharp blade towards her face.

"Give the child to us!" he demanded impatiently.

She bit her lower lip; "I rather die than give him to you. You have no idea what a woman goes through to have their own child in their arms! If you want him, then kill me first!"

"Fine!" said the angry demon. He slowly raises the sword up towards the ceiling and was about to split her in half when something he didn't expect happens. He sprung around in alert. His eyes widen, as every demons lies dead on the floor. The last demon standing was he and the one holding the bloody sword. He gave the other one a death glare, "Who are you?"

The bloody demon took off the mask. He growl under breath as he realize who it was, "_!"

_ closes his eyes. He didn't want to do this, but he had no choice if he wants to save his wife and child. That's right, the woman on the bed was his wife and child. Not many know this; only those who he calls friends were able to attend his secret wedding. He took a deep breath and reopens his eyes as the other strike. His heart sank as he cut straight through the other's waist. Blood splatter across the room and onto his shirt and a few manages to cling to his face.

Without a second thought, he rushes to her side. "Are you ok?" he asked, concerned and regret of getting her involved. She look a bit frighten, and he could only accept it. She slowly wiped the blood with her pale hand, "_."

"Huh?" He looks at her confused by this unexpected name. She continued to smile, "We'll call him_. Our little own curse child." Tears spilled from her eyes as she leans down to hold _ closer.

"He'll never be happy?" she asked in tears as she looks up at him. He could only looked away from her sad eyes. He could never tell her the truth. A truth he's willing to bring to the grave. He took a deep breath and leans down to hold them close, "No matter what comes later, we'll protect him together. Both you and me… forever."

The Tale Ended

"Wait! That guy was Ryuunosuke isn't it?" Okita-san asked in disbelief.

"Yes, and the child was…"

"Tetsu-kun?" he asked in even more disbelief.

Kondou-san sighed, "No. The Curse Child later did die. Tetsunosuke-kun was their second child. He wouldn't have known about this."

Silence fill the room as the two listener thinks. Susumu took this chance to speak, "Kondou-san, since Ichimura was born later on, how is it possible that he's 15?"

"What?" the two asked in unison. Tetsu was 15? He was so small so they thought he was at least 10 years old.

"A-Are you sure, Yamazaki-kun?" Kondou-san asked nervously. He hope he was hearing wrong, but maybe not.

Susumu could see their slight trembling of fear to finding out the truth. He sighed and shook his head, "Sorry, I was just testing your reaction."

"Oh," he said with a relief. He seems content, but Okita-san could see through Susumu's act. He knew Susumu had more to say than this. His thoughts were interrupted when Kondou-san decided to head to bed for it was late now.

"Now then you two, don't go telling these things to anyone else, especially Tetsunosuke-kun. You wouldn't him to know something like this." Kondou-san ordered. The two nodded without a word. Content by this, he head up stairs and out of site. Okita-san waited for the sound of the door closing before taking action. Once he heard the door closes, he immediately turns to Susumu.

"You look like you want to say something," Susumu pointed out.

"What's more did you know about Tetsu-kun?" he asked with seriousness. Susumu adverted his gaze to the floor, "Ichimura… Tetsu, may actually be the Curse Child… but there's also the possibility that he isn't."

"What is a Curse Child?" he asked in a quiet tone.

Susumu returned his gaze to him, "A being that only misfortune falls upon."