Peace Maker Kurogane Fan Fiction ❯ I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light ❯ Set Phasers to Stun ( Chapter 4 )

I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light

Chapter 3 Set Phasers to Stun



Tetsu was having a good dream, a really good dream. This dream of his was so good that it involved a certain action that made him cry out in his sleep. This dream of his was starring the only person who had ever made him feel such emotions before, and it was no different in this dream. Although where their last encounter had left off, this dream had definitely made up for it. In fact it made him wake up in a sticky mess that he was definitely not used to.

Breathing heavily, the redhead sat up from his pile of blankets, wiping at the layer of sweat that had covered his forehead. That was strange to say the least. He didn’t even know you could do that while sleeping, as a matter of fact he didn’t know you could do that at all. Was he pathetic or what? Here he had his first orgasm and he wasn’t even awake for it.

“Yeesh…” He played with his soiled night clothes, knowing that that was just more work he had to do. The sticky substance covered his fingers, and feeling more than a little grossed out, he hastily wiped it on his bedding.

The door burst open then, and a frantic Tatsu was standing outside. “Are you alright!? I heard you scream. I was so worried.” He had to blink a few times to even get what his elder brother was saying, but once he finally did his cheeks couldn’t help but tint a bit.

“I’m fine Tatsu…It’s just…I just.” How do you explain to your completely overprotective brother about doing something like that?

“Relax. Ichimura was just having a wet dream.” Tetsu’s face fell. Well apparently you let Susumu explain it for you.

“What!” Tetsunosuke looked away. This was way too embarrassing for him to actually meet his brother’s eye. He was going to kill Susumu when this was all over. Where the hell had the sneaky spy come from anyways? “No you must be wrong. Tetsu couldn’t of had that…He’s not old enough for that.”

Susumu leaned up against the wall, looking just as annoyed as ever. “Oh please. The kid is 16 now Tatsunosuke, of course this kind of thing is happening to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had sex by now too.”

He really could have killed the little bastard right then. Why the hell was he trying to make this worse for him? Was he still made about what had happened earlier? There couldn’t be any other explanation for it. After all why else would he say something like that to Tatsu when he knew for a fact it was a lie. He had told Susumu before that he was a virgin, and that certainly hadn’t changed…Not yet at least.

“Yamazaki would you shut your big stupid mouth!” His voice was as piercing as it ever was, but it got kind of drowned out because at the same time Tatsu yelled.

“Tetsu is still a virgin!” Effectively making him turn a much darker shade of red. As the redhead was glaring at them both, his older brother sank to the floor. Murmuring about the nervous pain in his stomach as he did so. Great! Now he felt bad. Why the hell did Tatsu have to get ulcers anyways?


“Whatever.“ Susumu just scoffed at the whole exchange, and motioned for Tetsu to get out of bed. “The Vice-Commander wants to talk to you, so come on. I’ll take you.” He was going to say that he had been to Hijikata’s room plenty of times to be able to get there by himself, but his friend obviously wanted to talk, so be it from him to stop that. Plus, it got him away from his brother who looked like he was about ready to strangle him at the moment.

“Kay.” Tetsu hopped out of his bed, taking great care to avoid the brunette’s eye as he did so. “I gotta go see Hijikata now so I’ll talk to you later Tatsu…bye!” He should have known that nothing could ever be that easy. As he was walking past his brother the boy grabbed at his shirt collar, tugging him back.

“You’re still a virgin, aren’t you Tetsu?” The teenagers face darkened. These questions were just way too personal and embarrassing for his liking.

Shrugging the hand off his shoulder, Tetsu glared up at his older brother. “Yes Tatsu I’m a virgin. Are you happy now?”

He had expected him to say yes, and then let him leave, but catching sight of something Tatsu’s eyes widened to saucers, and he knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. “Tetsu if you’re still a virgin, then why do you have that on you neck?” As he was saying that he pointed an accusing finger towards him, but honestly the redhead had no idea what he was talking about.

His hand went up to his neck on instinct, but he didn’t feel anything there that Tatsu should be getting so upset over. What was he getting so upset over? Tetsu gulped as his brother looked like he was ready to pounce, and he was only saved from such a fate when Susumu grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away. “Sorry Tatsunosuke but Hijikata’s business with the pup is rather urgent.”

As soon as they were out of the training hall Tetsu snatched his arm away from the spy. He was still completely confused over the whole ordeal. “What the hell was that about? What’s wrong with my neck?” Seriously what was with people. First they couldn’t stop talking about his face, and now something was wrong with his neck. Why did stuff like this always have to happen to him?

Susumu kept walking towards the Vice-Commander’s room, but did answer as he was doing so. “You have a hickey.” Now he knew he might be stupid, but he had no idea what a hickey was.

“Huh?” Susumu paused at his curiosity. Turning around he looked at him like he was a complete dimwit, which is probably exactly what he thought he was.

“You know a love bite?” Tetsu continued to stare dumbfounded, and finally the spy seemed to loose all patience and just screamed at him. “Fuck Ichimura! It means someone was sucking on your neck.”

Flashes from a couple of nights ago when him and Suzu were together outside of Shimabara flashed through mind, and he shivered a little at just the memory of it. He could almost feel every single one of the touches Suzu had given him, and as such could distinctly remember the teenager sucking rather passionately on the pulse of his neck. Oh. He didn’t know that that could leave a mark…This was certainly not the best news in the world.

He hastily rubbed at it, as if turning his neck raw would make it go away. “Is it that noticeable Susumu? Cuz Hijikata yelled at me for my face last time, and if he sees this then he’ll probably flip.”

Now from the look his friend was giving him he really didn’t think he should have said that last part. “What do your face and that mark have to do with each other?” It seemed to dawn on the spy, for he added. “Are you trying to tell me that they were made by the same person?”

Yep, he definitely should not have grouped those two together, because now he was fucked. He waved his hands in front of him, shaking his head franticly. “No! No, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous Yamazaki they’re totally unrelated.”

Susumu didn’t look in the least bit amused. “You’re a bad liar.” With that said he continued walking towards Hijikata’s room, leaving Tetsu there to catch up.

“Hey! Hey Susumu!” The spy didn’t stop. Why the hell was he being so bitchy today. “Susumu come on…Are you mad at me now?” Despite how annoying he was sometimes, he really was one of his only friends, and the thought that he was now angry at him upset the redhead.

Yamazaki stopped in his tracks, doing well to let a spacey Tetsu run right into the back of him. He was about to yell at him too. He was about to call him an inconsiderate bastard, but Susumu kind of beat him to the punch. “You usually tell me everything that pops into that small brain of yours, and so when you kept quiet about your face I did feel a bit hurt, but now that I know the whole story I’m not anymore.”

“You’re not?” See that part confused Tetsu, because he had thought that because he knew the whole story he would be more upset.

“No. Now I’m just pissed that you could possibly be so stupid.” Well at least that got him unconfused. “If who gave you those two little marks is who I think it is than you’re lucky I’ve held myself back so far.” He spun around, and anger was clearly etched into his features. “Tetsunosuke how could you have been so careless to actually do something like that with the enemy!?”

Tetsu’s eyes widened. Why the hell did Susumu have to be so quick about everything? This would have been so much easier if everyone here could have just remained in the dark. That way when he talked Suzu out of his ridiculous plan, then everyone here would see how great of a person he really was. They would see what he saw in him. “Susumu you don’t understand…I…I…” But he never got to finish that statement, because their conversation was officially interrupted.

The doors that led to the Vice-Commander’s room slide open, and Hijikata’s boisterous voice called out from inside. “You worthless runt of a page get in here now before I make you copy the code a thousand times!” Tetsu gulped. Now he knew that Hijikata was probably just threatening him, but the man was such a big bastard that he might actually follow through with his convictions.

Shooting Susumu an apologetic look, Tetsu took off running towards the open room. They would finish that conversation of theirs later. He would tell Susumu everything, because if he couldn’t trust his best friend, then who could he trust?

Upon entering he immediately noticed that Hijikata wasn’t the only one present. Mr. Okita, Mr. Kondo, and Shinpachi were also lounging about the room. Now the first two he could understand, but why the hell was Shinpachi here? “Sorry I’m late sir…err would you like some tea?”

When in doubt, always ask the man if he wants tea. It always seemed to work before. “No. Sit down Ichimura.” But apparently this wasn’t one of those times. Hijikata looked stern, but everyone else in the room seemed rather happy. Kondo seemed as joyous as he usually did as he sat there sipping from some sake, and Souji and Shinpachi were whispering to each other in the corner. When the redhead said something to Okita, it made the man burst out into laughter, earning them a dirty look from the demon vice-commander. Tetsu didn’t feel all that sorry for them. At least that got Hijikata off of his back for a little bit.

He sat down just like his master told him too, and it was then that he realized that Souji and Shinpachi’s snickers and points were directed at him. Remembering what had happened earlier today, Tetsu pushed his hair over one side of his neck, and did his best to readjust his shirt collar. It was one thing if those two found out, but if Hijikata found out it would a whole different story entirely.

“Ichimura for many years now we’ve had an outstanding relationship with a business associate of ours, and now that associate has passed away.” Tetsu rose an eyebrow.

“That’s bad and all, but why’d you call me in to tell me that?” Hijikata’s face twitched in annoyance, and he knew this was just going to cause him to get yelled at even more.

“I’m telling you brat, because the Shinsengumi wants to make a good relationship with the new owner of the organization, and you’re going to go fetch him for me.” This is the point in time when some things should have been clicking in Tetsu’s head, but he was still pretty clueless.

“Umm okay. Who is this person I have to go and get?” See you would think it would have entered his head by now, but you can rest assured he would feel most stupid about it later.

“I don’t know, it’s just some brat. His last name’s Yamatoya, and I think his first name is Suzu.” Tetsu’s jaw dropped at that. He was going to get Suzu? His eyes practically rolled into the back of his head. Not only was he going to get Suzu, but the boy was going to come to headquarters.

His tongue practically lolled out of his mouth in anticipation. He couldn’t get too excited yet though. There was one thing he had to know first. “How long is he going to stay?” Tetsu tried to keep the excitement out of his voice, but by the looks he was receiving he would guess that he had failed on that part.

“Puppy boy you look like you’re about to piss yourself? Do you know this kid or something?” Why did Shinpachi have to open his mouth? This could only ever lead to bad.

Hijikata immediately turned suspicious. “You know this brat Ichimura? How?” Great…Now he did it.

He waved his arms again. “Oh no! I don’t know him. I was just happy that I would have someone my own age to talk to for a change that’s all.” Hopefully they bought it, because it was really the best plan he could come up with on such short notice.

“You’re a bad liar Ichimura.” Tetsu clenched his teeth in anger. Why the hell was everyone picking on him today anyways?

“So I’m told.” He bit that out through clenched teeth, but if Hijikata noticed that he was angry he didn’t let it show.

The Vice-Commander just simply lit up his pipe, and handed Tetsu a piece of paper. “Regardless I’m still going to send you. Those are the directions on how to get to his estate. I’m sure it won’t be too difficult for you.” Wow, Suzu lived on estate. That was some fancy sounding stuff. Just how rich was the boy now anyways?

His thoughts trailed off, and without even realizing it, he rose from his seat. He couldn’t wait to see Suzu. Even though he had only seen him a few nights ago he still couldn’t wait for a chance to see him again. What was he doing right now? Was he just as excited to come to headquarters as Tetsu was for him to come? That was when a most barbarous thought entered his head. Was this Suzu’s plan? Was he going to infiltrate the Shinsengumi and use this advantage to seek his revenge? The bile rose in his throat at the very thought. This happy moment had taken a dark twist rather quickly.

“Tetsu are you alright?” He turned towards Okita’s concerned face, and tried to give him a weak smile. “You look awfully pale.”

“I’m fine Mr. Okita. I’m just excited is all.” He didn’t sound excited in the least. In fact he sounded rather miserable. “I think I’ll be going now.” He didn’t even look at them as he said it. He just slowly headed towards the door. He needed to get out of that room. He needed to think. Most of all though he needed to see Suzu and sort this whole mess out.

“Ichimura wait.” He stopped in his tracks at his master’s voice, but every ounce of him wanting to just continue walking. “You’re not going alone. I’m sending Nagakura with you as well.”

This statement was quelled by two very irate redhead who yelled two different things in protest.

“What!? No! I don’t need anyone to go with me. I’m 16! I can handle myself!” This one was obviously Tetsu, who was trying to get out of taking Shinpachi by any means necessary. He didn’t want anyone else to be there. He had to speak to Suzu alone.

“You can’t be serious Hijikata! Why do I have to accompany the pup? The Yamatoya residence is so far away, and that place has always given me the creeps!” Shinpachi was on his feet now, and he gesticulated his words to try to get his point across.

Unfortunately, Hijikata didn’t seem to want to hear either reason. “QUIET!” Tetsu’s mouth shut out of habit, and it seemed to work the same way on the other red head. Hijikata was the kind of person who could bend anybody in the room to his will, and at the moment he willed them to be silent, so silent they were. “The both of you will go to the Yamatoya residence, and I will not here any more complaining on the subject.” He pointed to the door. “Now go and fetch the young master. I’ll expect you back here by tomorrow morning.” The was an aura around Hijikata that left no room for debate, so Tetsu didn’t even try, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t still upset over the whole thing. Not only did he have to worry about what Suzu was planning with this whole ‘getting on friendlier terms’ scheme, but now he had to worry about what might slip up around Shinpachi as well. This once happy day had turned into a nightmare really quickly.

ssssssssssssssssss

The trip up there surprisingly hadn’t been so bad. Tetsu had a sneaky suspicion that that had to do with the fact that the only thing he could think about the entire way there was getting to Suzu, and so all of Shinpachi’s cuts to him didn’t really bother him because he wasn’t even paying attention. Truth be told he probably wasn’t a very good traveling companion, but he just had other things on his mind.

Those things were getting closer and closer as he drew near the Yamatoya estate. Shinpachi had said that place gave him the creeps, and he had to agree with him on that aspect. Just thinking about what Suzu had to go through while living there with its previous master was enough to send a shudder or revulsion down his spine. Whether or not Suzu actually had killed that man, Tetsu couldn’t help but feel that the bastard deserved everything he got and more.

His legs were sore from walking, but he hardly noticed. No as soon as they began to cramp his attention was stolen by something far more interesting. His mouth fell open in awe as he saw the mansion that the pale haired brat was currently living in. It was huge! The mansion rose at least 4 stories, and there were so many servants and such bustling around that the house almost looked alive.

“Damn that kid’s lucky. I mean look at what he got for somebody murdering the old man.” Shinpachi tore his eyes away from Suzu’s estate to look at him, and Tetsu felt himself do the same. “Do you know that the bastard was only formerly adopted 1 month before the geezer kicked the bucket?”

Tetsu felt a strange sense of protectiveness rush through him, and he ended up giving Shinpachi a dirty look over the whole matter. “Don’t call him a bastard. This isn’t your life, and you don’t know the circumstances. It’s wrong of you to make such judgments before even meeting him.”

Shinpachi looked shocked to say the least, and he inwardly cursed. He was trying to act as if he didn’t know Suzu, and then he had to go and say something like that. Normally he probably would have been right there with the older samurai in his ridiculing, but since he knew him he felt defensive. Something that the redhead had no doubt picked up on.

“Wow puppy boy. I didn’t know you got so upset when I called someone a bastard. It’s just you yourself do it so often that it kind of just becomes a habit.” Shinpachi rested a hand in Tetsu’s red spikes. “But if it makes you feel better I won’t call the brat a bastard anymore…” His anger bristled again, and Shinpachi must have seen it for he added. “Okay I won’t call him brat either.” He put a hand to his chin in speculation. “You sure you don’t know this kid Tetsu?”

Tetsu avoided Shinpachi’s eye, and that question, choosing instead to just walk further towards Suzu’s gargantuan house. He had to get himself calmed down. How was he going to control himself around Suzu if he couldn’t even control himself when they were just talking about him? Chastising himself in his head, he pushed his way through the front gates, and into the estate itself.

He still couldn’t get over how ridiculously big the place was. It was almost as big as the entire Shinsengumi headquarters, and it only housed Suzu and a few servants. Despite what he knew about it, he couldn’t help but think that the pale haired teenager had really scored on this count.

A servant had met them at the gates, and the strange thing was is that he kept staring a Tetsu in awed fascination. The redhead tried to look away, but he could still feel those eyes burning into his face. Why was he staring at him? Did he know something he didn’t? The man was creepy enough as it was with the solemn face and gimp like body, but the fact that he couldn’t take his eyes off him was enough to make anyone want to leave this place as quickly as possible.

“Shinta would you stop staring at our guests. They’ll leave if you keep creeping the hell out of them like that.” A smile immediately spread across his face as he saw Suzu standing in the entryway to greet them. He had to say, he really did look like some aristocrat. He was garbed in some fancy looking material that seemed to shimmer and change colors in the passing light. It really fit him, and was gorgeous…Suzu was gorgeous.

Forgetting all precedents, Tetsu ran forward towards the pale haired boy. “I can’t believe I’m here…I was so excited when I heard where they were sending me.” His eyes filled with tears of happiness, and all he really wanted to do was fling himself into his boyfriend’s arms. “Oh Suzu I…mmmff.” He was going say ‘missed you’ but a hand placed over his mouth by Suzu himself stopped that.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Shinpachi staring at them suspiciously, and it was then that he realized what he had almost done. “Do you two know each other?”

Suzu’s hand withdrew, and he turned back to what looked to be some kind of throne. “I’ve never seen this brat in my life. He must have mistaken me for someone else.” Tetsu’s hair bristled. How dare he call him a brat! He had a throne for fucks sake, and he was daring to call him a brat!

“Listen you little bastard don’t call me a brat! I have a name you know, and it’s a damn good one.” He was about ready to attack him, and if Shinpachi hadn’t wrapped his arms around his waist to stop him, he probably would have.

Suzu’s eyes narrowed at seeing such an exchange, and his face lost whatever playfulness it had once had. “Yes, well seeing as how I’ve never met you two lovers, then I wouldn’t know your name, now would I?”

Tetsu immediately turned bright red, and those restraining arms immediately let go of his waist. “Hey man, look you got the wrong idea about us. Puppy’s got himself a girlfriend, and I’m as straight as they come.”

He could really appreciate the fact that Shinpachi was trying to help this situation, but did he really need to say that part about him having a girlfriend? “Oh really? And here I didn’t know the little wolf pup of the Shinsengumi was so promiscuous.”

Taking a step forward, Tetsu harshly poked his silver haired partner in the chest. “I’m not that promiscuous, and you damn well know it!”

Suzu didn’t seem at all intimidated by him. In fact he seemed to ignore him altogether, and instead focused on the slightly taller red head behind him. “What was your name?”

Shinpachi’s chest puffed out in pride-it always did when got to be the center of attention. “Shinpachi Nagakura, and that little hellion that’s about to rip you apart is Tetsunosuke Ichimura.”

The ‘young master’ didn’t seem at all impressed by that, in fact he looked rather bored. “Yes well Nagakura go accompany Shinta and get my baggage loaded in my carriage.” Tetsu would have laughed over Suzu giving someone like Shinpachi orders if he wasn’t still so insanely pissed.

“Listen I was sent here to accompany Ichimura, but that in no way means I’m one of your servants. I’m sure you’re rich enough to pay quite a few people to do grunt jobs like that for you.” Well he did have a point. Suzu didn’t seem to see it that way though.

A fondness spread from his fingertips down to his toes as Suzu took his hand in his own. “You did come here to accompany me right? I’m quite certain Mr. Kondo would not be pleased of your so blatant show of disrespect to their number one source for all their business needs.”

You could obviously tell how much Shinpachi was trying to hold back his dislike towards Suzu. “Whatever man. I’ll go get your dumb bags.” The redhead turned to go, and then remembering something, turned his head back. “Come on Tetsunosuke.”

Frowning, Tetsu pulled his hand from Suzu’s grasp, and was surprised when it was immediately pulled back. “No I have a special job for the pup.” Shinpachi’s eyes narrowed in suspicion at their combined hands, but apparently just chalked it up to Suzu being really weird.

Shrugging, Shinpachi continued to follow the creepy as hell servant, waving over his head. “I’ll be back as soon as I can Ichimura. Do try to keep yourself out of trouble.” Damn, he sounded like Tatsu when he said it like that.

Tetsunosuke watched him walk away, and it seemed like no sooner had the redhead turned the corner than his arm was tugged and he was yanked into an embrace. Not that he was complaining or anything though. He loved hugging Suzu. He rested his head into the crook of the white haired boy’s neck, and for the longest time just let himself be held.

Finally he pulled away though, knowing that they had precious little time together before Shinpachi got back. He thought he would start with the obvious. “You’re a spoiled little rich brat…You know that right?”

It had been meant to be a mood lightener, but Suzu didn’t appear to be in the joking state of mind. “Yes, well however rich I get at least I don’t take whores to bed.” The statement was bit out, and Tetsu withdrew a little just from the harsh tone.

What was Suzu talking about anyways? It was then it occurred to him exactly what he might be upset about. “Oh come on Suzu, you know there was never anything between me and Saya. She’s just a friend is all.” Tetsu stepped forward, and once again snuggled into the boy’s chest. But although Suzu allowed it, he wasn’t holding him like he had before. “You’re the only one I care about like that.”

“Then why was that Mibu Wolf saying that she was your girlfriend?” His cheeks tinged a bit pink, but he didn’t pull away from Suzu’s chest.

“It’s because you left a hickey…or whatever Susumu called them, on my neck. I told Heisuke that I was staying with Saya, and I guess they just put two and two together.” Relief flooded through him when arms came to wrap around him. Obviously Suzu had accepted this to be the truth. “Suzu…” He started, but then hesitated. How could he put this without sounding too intrusive? “When you get to headquarters you’re not gonna try anything…right?”

Suzu pulled him away, but not enough for him to miss the comfort. He just held him at arms length as he appraised his prize. “Not right now. All I’m going to do is evaluate the camp.”

The redhead’s head tilted to the side in confusion. “Evaluate?” Suzu smiled at his naivety, and slowly leaned in to nip at his ear.

“Yes Tets…It’s like that old saying goes, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” A hand traveled to his spikes, and the other to the small of his back. Before Tetsunosuke knew what was happening he was tipped backwards, and Suzu’s mouth was on his own. They kissed like he had only read about in those romance novels that Ayumu had leant him when she was still alive. You know the kind of kiss that makes your legs go all weak and mushy, and when it was over it seemed much too soon.

Tetsu was still breathless when he was tipped up right again, and a dopey smile was plastered across his face. “You have no idea just how much I adore you puppy.” His lips were once again covered, before Suzu pulled away from him altogether. “This weekend is certainly going to be fun.”

“Yeah and what’s going to be so fun about it?” Both the teenagers eyes widened in fear at Shinpachi’s voice. Tetsu spun around in alarm, and saw that the redhead was loaded down with luggage, but didn’t seem all that surprised. This led him to believe that he really hadn’t seen or heard anything except that last part of the conversation, but you could never be too sure.

“I was just telling Tetsunosuke how fun it would be to stay at the hospital headquarters of the notorious Shinsengumi.” Suzu’s eyes turned dark with malice. “After all if you could take down the Choshu soldiers at Ikedaya so easily than you must be quite reprievable.” His brandy eyes twitched with an unknown emotion. “I hear you even managed to take Toshimaro Yoshida’s head in the struggle.”

This definitely wasn’t good. Suzu was starting to loose his cool, and if he kept on like this he might just snap. Tetsu’s head hung in shame at the thought that the pale haired teenager had every right to do just that. Shinpachi, however, didn’t seem to feel the same way. In fact his hand moved to the sword at his belt, jut waiting for Suzu to make an idiotic move

“Yeah that’s right. I saw Okita take his head with my own two eyes, and that person you seem so comfortable by helped out in the whole thing.” His eyes narrowed to slits as his hand actually did come to rest on the handle. “But what would some aristocratic nobody know of such affairs?” Tetsu gulped. This was definitely not how things were supposed to go. Not to mention Shinpachi had put a lot of the blame on him, and so now who knows what Suzu thought of him.

Suzu walked away from him, leading him to believe that whatever his opinion was it sure wasn’t as high as if had been about five minutes ago. “You would be surprised how much us aristocratic nobodies hear of such affairs.” His persona had completely changed. His calm indifference had come back, and everything seemed to have gone back to normal. “Now is my carriage ready? I really do think we should get going.”

Shinpachi once more hefted the heavy luggage onto his shoulders, and with his available arm motioned for the gates. “Right this way young master, you’re carriage is waiting.” His tone was chiding, but either Suzu didn’t notice, or he just didn’t care either way. Suzu made his way past both of him, and Tetsu was about to do the same thing when his arm was grabbed by the red head. “What happened between the two of you just now?” There was concern in that voice. Concern for his well being, and just what the ‘big bad Yamatoya boy’ had done to him.

He gave Nagakura a reassuring smile. “Nothing. He just wanted to ask me what our demon vice-commander was like. He said he had heard rumors that Hijikata would kill you just as soon as look at you, and wanted to know if that were true.” He had to hand it to himself, he was getting much better at this whole lying thing. “He’s harmless…really.”

The redhead shrugged. “Whatever you say puppy boy, but you’re sitting next to him on the ride home. I don’t like that brat, and he seems overly fond of you and so I’m sure he’ll get a kick out of it.” Tetsu tried to look upset over the entire thing, but inside he was ecstatic. He turned tail and rushed out to the carriage knowing that if he stayed with Shinpachi too much longer his emotions would be written all over his face for the world to see, and he certainly couldn’t let that happen.

Tetsu clambered into the carriage, and practically collapsed on top of Suzu in his attempt to find his seat. With a cold look Suzu scooted over, allowing him room next to him. On the other side Shinpachi’s seating partner would be the many bags the white-haired teenager had deemed necessary to take with him. He knew that the cold look had probably come after the mentioning of him taking part in his master’s death, but he had let him sit by him so it was obvious he didn’t completely hate him.

Knowing that he only had a few seconds at the most before Shinpachi got in, he immediately blurted out. “I’m so sorry Suzu. Please don’t hate me.” A comforting hand was laid on his thigh.

“I don’t hate you Tets, and I’m not mad.” Tetsu didn’t believe him at all, and he seemed to realize that for he added. “I promise I’m not angry with you. Now let’s not talk anymore about this.” As soon as Tetsu nodded the hand withdrew, and Shinpachi stepped into the coach.

“It took me and Tetsunosuke about 12 hours to get here on foot, and since we have transportation the trip should be cut in half. We should get there just in time for breakfast.” Breakfast? Was it really that late? Tetsu glanced out of the window and saw that moonlight was shining off the pond in front of the estate. A yawn escaped him as he realized just how late it had probably already gotten.

As soon as Shinpachi sat down Shinta cracked the whip and the carriage took off. They were only on the road a half hour when he felt the tiredness catching up with him. The clambering of the horses’ hooves only caused his exhaustion to become more heightened, and he could feel himself drifting off. “Tired?” His eyelids struggled to stay open as he turned towards Suzu’s caring face. He felt himself nod, and then lay his head on the boy’s shoulder. He didn’t at the time think about what such an action could mean. He was only taking comfort in the hand that was gently petting his head and lulling him more towards sleep. As he was drifting off he thought he heard someone mutter. “Sleep well puppy” But he very well could have imagined it, because in the next moment he was fast asleep, head still comfortably resting on Suzu’s shoulder.

sssssssssssssssss

A.N- I was actually working on something else, but then I watched the new peacemaker, and just had to write another chapter in the story. The last disk was so amazing. The fighting was like the best I’ve ever seen in an anime…even better than Samurai X, which is saying something. But I just felt so sorry for Suzu in the end…it was so depressing. And I thought about adding the whole Suzu carrying around his master’s head like he does in the manga, but that would be completely driving him over the edge, and I just love him too much to do that. I had Shinpachi in this chapter a lot, because well I just love him. In fact there’s not too many characters I don’t like in peacemaker, which is strange cuz you know usually there are like just some that you can’t stand. Well I guess there’s a few. I don’t like Yamanami much, because I think he’s a coward. And I don’t like Saya or Akesato or even that other little girl that much…well I guess I just don’t like any of the Shimabara people, but other than that I like everyone. Lol I don’t know why I felt the need to tell you guys that, but I promise I’ll shut up now. Oh and if you want a speedy update be sure to review, because those reviews really get my fingers typing. So please review, and thanks for reading. I’ll try to get the next chappie out asap. Bye-byez