Chapter Two
“Tenken's Memories”
“We can all fight till the world ends, but no amount of fighting will bring our loved ones back.”
~Unknown
Chiaki stared down at her sandals, her muddy kimono dragging near her feet. She knew the man that walked steadily by her. She knew him by two names . . . the first name she had heard when her Onee-Chan was murdered . . . The Tenken. The second name, she had not recognized him at first . . . He was older, more handsome and mature, but one she saw him wield his sword she knew that this Sojiro Seta he claimed to be . . . was the same Murder. The Tenken.
Chiaki looked over at him, blushing a little bit remembering the other night. His kimono almost all the way off, exposing every thing up to his thighs and every thing up from his waist. She was amazed by how fit he looked. His legs very strong and sturdy, his torso also toned and muscular. Yet looking at him now in his Hakama and kimono, he looked like a flimsy Asian kid.
Blushing harder she turned away from his focused face. Finally catching some of her movement he turned to her, stopping his hasty step.
“Um, Okibata-san? What is the matter?” He asked, smile upon his face.
“Areh . . . Arah . . . *Nandemonai . . Nothing at all.” She pushed, trying to stop blushing wildly. She wasnt trying to be attracted to him, it just happened . . . that was normal, right?
Sojiro laughed and started walking once more. He was so gentle, and quite. To Chiaki he was almost a completely different person from when they first met. She remembered him clearly, large innoucent blue eyes, a childish face and rosey cheeks. He had been wearing a Green Gi and a black Hakama when he had killed her Onee-san, she could remember every detail. His hair had been kept clean and short, and his sword was so fast and clean, not one drop of Hikari's blood landing on him. Chiaki shook her head, fighting off tears. She looked up at him again, even if she had been blushing at the image of him undressed, that was all just childish thinking. He had to be killed.
The sun was starting to rise, the beams of light glimmering through the fresh green leaves of the forest. The air was fresh and and warm, the ground soft and crunchy. It was the perfect picture of summer. Chiaki distanced herself from Sojiro, letting out a long yawn. She stretched her arms out above her and spread her legs out further with each step trying to act natural but letting her manners slowly slip away due to weariness.
“I don't think they'll find us for awhile, okay Okibata-san?”
“Okay . . . Thank you, Seta-san, for all your help. Is there anyway I could ever repay you?” Her eyes reflected on his handsome face. Her lips quivering. He was a murderer, a murderer of her Onee-Chan. He killed her Hikari.
“Oh no Okibata-san, I just want to help you, truly.” He giggled, “So, Okibata-san, how did you come along with this debt again? You need to repay it as soon as you can, I just don't want you to be enslaved by those men. Note; that's the only reason I'm taking you along.”
“My mother owned a debt to those men and their fathers. She died in Child birth, so she was never able to pay off her debt, so it moved onto me. It was a huge amount of money, and it has taken most of my life to get it to this point . . . I just need 14,000 more yin.” She raised her fist in front of her, her dancing blue eyes falling upon it. “14,000 more. . .”
“I'm sorry, Okibata-san. I gave you all I had and I-agh! . . .”
“Whats the matter, Seta-san?” Chiaki looked up in ceriousity. He was standing stiff with a embarrassed face.
“I-I-I gave you all I had. . .” His face fell into his hands, “I was so stupid. . .” He said in low voice.
“S-Stupid? Why? I'm not sure I'm following.” Chiaki started to panic.
“Shishio-san taught me better then this!” he mumbled to himself, “Okibata-san, I have no money for food . . .” He mused. An embarrassed smile upon his face. He scratched the back of his head as she started at him in disbelief.
“Well, you have your sword, cant you kill and cook something?” She asked bluntly.
“Hm. I guess we could, Okibata-san.” He perked up.
“That will not be needed.” A monotone voice came from the trees. Sojiro jumped, grabbing his sword's handle, he twisted to find the intruder. Looking between the trees, he found a small girl.
She was very short, her white hair drooping down around her body and down to her knees. She was dressed in a plain torn Kimono and had a sword by her side. She was not Japanese, nor Asian. She looked British, but she had no apparent accent. She had crystal red eyes that reflected no light it seemed. An emotionless face sat upon her features.
“Why hello there, Who are you?” Chiaki asked sweetly. Smiling at the young woman.
“My name is Hakuchi Takahashi,” She bowed toward Chiaki, then toward Sojiro. Sojiro, seeing no current threat, lowered his hand from the swords handle.
“I will give you two food in exchange for information.” She stated, her hand creeping over a dagger she held
“What kind of information?” Sojiro asked, eying the young woman.
“Makoto Shishio.”
* * *
“Mm! Mm! This is wonderful, Takahashi-san!” Chiaki savored the sweet beef that she chewed, enjoying ever bite she slipped in with her chop sticks.
Sojiro was enjoying it also, but was pre-occupied with what information Hakuchi wanted. Looking her over he would have never even guess she knew of Shishio.
“So, Seta, When did he die?” She asked, putting her food down. Sojiro looked up from his nearly empty bowl in shock, his blue eyes large and frightened.
“W-what?” He asked, speechless.
“Makoto, he died didn't he? When?” She was cold and heartless, “I gave you food, you must tell me.”
“Shouldn't we wait for Chiaki to finish and talk about this in private.”
“No need.” Hakuchi shot a devilish glance at Chiaki, “That girl . . knows.” Chiaki looke up from her soup and glared back.
“T-two years ago. In a fight with the-”
“-Battousai?” Hakuchi interjected.
“Yes.” Soujiro looked back down at his bowl.
Chiaki listened in intently. Putting her empty bowl to the side.
“Then why did you ask?” Sojiro looked suspicious.
“Have you met up with Toshi since Makoto died?” She asked intently, her eyes brewing up some deep thought.
“Toshi? Who is that?”
“So Makoto never told you about Toshi . . . Well, I guess that is for the best. You'll find out sooner or later, forget I mentioned it.” Hakuchi smiled.
“Takahashi-san, I find that very rude.” Chiaki didnt like Hakuchi and oozed with hate towards the girl.
“It's best not to tell you. You'll meet him one day. Just watch out for him.” she turned back to Sojiro, “Do you know what Makoto said before his death? Is that Yumi woman and that Hoji still alive?”
Sojiro hesitated, “How do you know all of this?” He looked up into her red eyes, lost.
“I have helped Makoto before. I am a doctor, Sojiro. Dr. Takahashi. I have treated Makoto's burns and injuries. I was very saddened when he died, Sojiro. . . I was on his side.”
Chiaki stayed silent, tears coming to her eyes, “Shishio Makoto . . . that man was behind the assassination of my Onee-chan. . . And tried to burn my home town to the ground . . .” She looked up at Hakuchi with determination and hatred, “And you are an ally of him!?” She started to raise her voice.
“And for the good of the government, too. Okibata-san.” Hakuchi retorted,“I repeat, Sojiro, Do you know what he said before he died? ” Hakuchi kept a calm face. She seemed very logical and intelligent, no wonder she was good friends with Shishio.
“No, I wasn't there . . . Please Takashi-san, I do not want Okibata-san to hear anymore of this.” Sojiro whispered to the Doctor. Hakuchi raised a brow.
“Why? This little Geisha of yours already knows everything. In-fact, she's plotting to kill you once you get to Tokyo. . .” She announced out loud, tossing Chiaki a sour look.
Chiaki froze, blue eyes growing wide and tearful. Suddenly all manners and composer broke, “H-How did you know?” She asked in a small voice.
“Your wide open like a book waiting to be read. I can see it in your eyes.” Hakuchi looked over at sojiro once more, “She knows you are the Tenken, and she will stop at nothing to avenge her relative.
“Oki . . .Bata-san. . .” Soujiro was crushed.
Chiaki shook her head in anger, “Yes! That's all right! Soujiro No Tenken, you killed my Onee-chan!” Suddenly she pulled out a dagger and stood from her chair, tears coming to her eyes, “You will pay!”
Jumping forward she went strait toward the boys heart, but in a flash he was gone. Chikai stood, eyes wide and face white as a ghost.
“Wh-what?” She shook her head.
“He left.” Hakuchi smirked, “Go after him and get your revenge, girl.”
Chiaki nodded, “I will taste that boys blood yet!”
“Wait.” Hakuchi stopped the geisha with a hand.
“What? Why are you stopping me?” She held up her dagger ready to strike.
“You are too weak to fight him with such a blade. Take this.” Haku chi grabbed a sword that hung by the table, “Bring his head to the grave of your loved one.” Hakuchi smirked.
* * *
Chiaki ran fast trying to track the Tenken. Her kimono was torn to shreds and sweat poured down her face. The sword was tight in her grip. She was ready to become a killer. A killer for the one she loved.
Coming to a clearing she stopped to take a breath. She bent over, hands on knees her wet hair tangling all around her. She had left her nap-sack at Hakuchi's house, so she had nothing to help her.
“Okibata-san . . .” She heard the small innocent plea in front of her.
Her head shot up at the voice, her face muscles tensing. At first all she saw was a blue kimono, then a sword, and then a face. It was him. Standing up strait she put the sword by her side, ready to draw.
“Okibata-san . . .you have a sword. . . why?” he asked. He was trying not to smile, his voice filled with sadness and confusion.
“I . . . I have come to kill you Tenken. To take revenge for my Onee-chan. Your head will be the flowers on her grave! She didn't deserve such a death!” Chiaki charged forward, swinging the sword at the Asian boy. She missed as he seemed to dance out of the way and behind her. But he didn't swing. She turned on her heal, swinging again. He dodged to the side. Twisting around she swung at his shoulder, he easily blocked it. She was able to look at his face, he was in tears.
“Why so sad Tenken?” She hissed.
“Such a beautiful lady should not be burdened by the blood on a sword. She should not dance with the weight of death on her shoulders, or pour tea with the hands of a slayer.” Soujiro spoke softly. He slid his sword down hers and flipped it around, gabbing her in the bosom. She shrieked and stumbled backward, holding her sword awkwardly.
“You demon.” She spat.
“Okibata-san, you don't know what your doing. You dont know how to weild that and the most you could do is only hurt yourself. Please! Put your sword down, I never ment to hurt you and I promise you know I will never try and hurt you again. If you would understand I was lost when I killed your loved one. I have changed!” He plead.
Chiaki's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at the ground, her sword lowering.
Tears came to her eyes, pictures of Hikari flashing before her, “Never . . .I will never forgive you!” She screamed, leaping into action she charged and clashed with him, pushing him back in the dirt. Blade to blade and face to face again she started to scream, “No matted what you say you will never be forgiven! I hate you!” With that she lundged her whole body at him ackwardly. He stumbled but held her up.
She backed up breaking the grind. Turning around she jumped at him, trying to stab him. It all happened in a flash. Their blades struck up, tears flew, Chiaki suddenly felt a sharp pain in her arm and she fell to the ground. Red everywhere.
It was black for a moment. Then she came too.
Soujiro sat beside her, wrapping her arm in bandage. Behind him was his sword, clean. And infront of her was her sword, bloody and in three pieces.
“I told you Okibata-san.” he was frowing, “All you can do is hurt yourself.” he said coldly, “This needs to stop. Now I'm going to take you to Tokyo.” He picked up his sword and sheathed it. Then placed an arm under Chiaki and lifted her into his arms.
“Tenken.” Chiaki's hair hid her face from his. He looked at her.
“What?” he asked, not mad, but somewhat. . . irratated.
“I wasn't done yet!” With that she yanked out her dagger and stabbed it into his stomach. He dropped her, curling into a ball by the sudden stab.
“I will kill you” she spat, smiling as he went down, “or die trying.”
