Peace Maker Kurogane Fan Fiction ❯ I Will Play My Game Beneath The Spin Light ❯ It's Times Like These When Silence Means Everything ( Chapter 6 )

I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light

Chapter 6 It’s Times Like These When Silence Means Everything


Tetsu had gone to sleep with a smile on his face, and he had awaken with that smile still firmly in place. He rolled over to curl deeper into Suzu’s warmth, but all that he was met with was a pillow with his scent still on it. One bleary eye cracked open to survey why in the world he wasn’t at arms length, but then he remembered that the pale haired teenager was going to sneak out before morning so that they wouldn’t get caught. The redhead sighed in disappointment. He had really wanted to wake up next to him.

Smells from what they had done the night before still lingered on his bed roll, and he knew that he needed to wash it. He was way behind on laundry seeing as how he was the one who had gone to pick Suzu up, so he would probably be doing laundry all day. Laundry…and probably a million other things. He was actually pretty surprised that Hijikata wasn’t already bitching him out for slacking off yesterday. Though he was probably too pissed off with Kondo sucking up to Suzu that he couldn’t concentrate his attentions on something as meager as him neglecting his work duties. He couldn’t imagine the murderous thoughts running through that demon’s head at the thought of making a 16 year kid feel as comfortable as possible. Tetsu scoffed. He doubted Hijikata would have a fun time making anybody comfortable. The guy was just mean…Tetsu suspected that he didn’t get held that much when he was a child. That had to be it.

After changing into fresh clothes, Tetsu hefted the soiled ones into his arms and headed out to the well to get some water for the laundry. He groaned in annoyance when he saw that somebody had already gathered everyone’s bed rolls and dirty clothes up to be washed, and there was a pile that rivaled the size of Mt. Fuji.

Grabbing the wash bin, he immediately got to work. The water he had poured into it started to lather when he added the meager amounts of soap he was allowed to use for the wash. The fresh smell floated into his nostrils, making him take a big whiff of the flowery goodness…It was better than smelly clothes in any case.

As he scrubbed the uniforms against the washboard, he neglected to hear the footsteps walking up behind him. This proved to be a grave misfortune, because the next thing he knew his head was grabbed and dunked into the now dirty water. Soap and water invaded his nostrils, making him struggle even harder against the hands holding him under. Who the hell! Tetsu pushed up with all his might, and was more than a little relieved to be let up. Although now he was soaked, and staring into the infuriated eyes of his big brother. He gulped…It probably would have been better if Tatsu had just let him drown. That look after all was never a good sign.

“Tatsu what the hell did you do that for?” He shook his body out like a sodden wet dog, and prayed that no one was around to see it. The last thing he needed was another reference to him being of the canine species. “I’m completely soaked now…and that water was gross!” Tatsu’s face didn’t lighten in the least, if anything he looked even more pissed.

“When were you going to tell me?” His brother’s voice was harsh, and not the normal harsh Tatsu scathing tone he usually gave him…No, this seemed to be filled with pure hatred.

Now he had a feeling that Susumu had gotten around to that little talk he told him they would be having, but there was always the off chance that he had done something else completely stupid, so he played the dumb card. “Tell you what?”

Tatsu’s eyes were smoldering, and the redhead gasped when a hand flung out, slapping him across the face. His eyes were wide as a hand went up to cradle his injured face. He had never thought that Tatsu would just hit him like that. “Don’t you dare play coy Tetsunosuke! Not this time. This time you’ve done something unforgivable!”

Well there was no use trying to play dumb. Tetsu rubbed absentmindedly at his face, never once looking at his brother. “So you’ve talked to Susumu I take it.” He could still feel those smoldering eyes on him, and he dared not look up at them. He had never seen Tatsu like this…Not even when he had come back from Ikedaya Inn.

“You’re really are a selfish brat Tetsunosuke.” Tatsu kicked out, splattering the laundry water all over. Officially making the dirt pure mud. “I promised Mom and Dad that I would protect you, and I’ve done as good of a job at that as I could, but then you go and do something like this.”

“Tatsu it’s really not that serious. Susumu probably just wanted to scare you.” For a second he thought Tatsu was going to slap him again, but the raised hand slowly lowered back down to his side.

“Not that serious? Tetsu if you’re found out Suzu will be killed…You both will.” Whatever retort he had been thinking stopped before it passed his lips. Because really, what do you say to something like that? “I can’t protect you from this. I don’t know how.”

He pictured the first time they had met in the sword shop, the time they had first kissed, what happened last night, and then he saw Suzu…covered from head to foot in blood…his own blood. He didn’t want that to happen, but he couldn’t leave him, because he…because he… “But I love him Tatsu.”

That was the first time he had actually spoken those words, but even now he knew they were true. He loved Suzu with all his heart, and the last thing he wanted was for something to happen to his pale haired lover because of him. A hand was laid on his shoulder, and he looked up into Tatsu’s sincere eyes. “If you love him Tetsu then you should end it before either of you do something that will get you seriously hurt.” Tetsu shook his head, disgusted that such a thought would even enter his brother’s head. “I know it sounds bad, but you know it has to be done. You should end it Tetsu.”

“I couldn’t Tatsu…I can’t hurt him like that.” His brother gave him a small smile, before rubbing at his flaming red cheek.

“But you have to Tetsunosuke…to save him you do. Hurt him to save him.” Hurt him to save him? Would that actually work?…Could that actually work? No. He wouldn’t do that, he couldn’t do that. Tetsu slapped his brother’s hand away, and turned tail and ran. Tatsu had always claimed to care about him, but how could he after telling him to do something like that? Susumu must have filled his head with lies, and so that meant he couldn’t trust his friend either. Were him and Suzu alone in this? Was the world now totally against them?

Why was it that he was the only one that could see the good behind those cruel eyes. Yeah Suzu was a sarcastic brat, but he had always been kind to him. He had chosen to betray his master and save his life, and all for him. How could they even ask him to betray Suzu after everything he had done for him? It was inconceivable…He wouldn’t do something like that to the person he loved.

Wanting to get away from all of his problems, he ran as fast as he could towards the training hall. Beating somebody down with a wooden sword always seemed to relieve his troubles. Yes, he would just ask somebody to spar. Maybe even Shinpachi would spar against him. That boisterous redhead was always fun to hit.

The closer and closer he got though the thought of some easy match seemed to fade. Shouts and cheers could be heard coming from inside, and he knew that there was some big fight going on. The question is who was fighting? Maybe Okita and Saitou were going at it again. His jaw dropped when he actually got a chance to see who was in the middle of all the spectators. Tetsu was right on one account, Saitou had chosen to spar, but not with Okita. Suzu stood in the middle of the ring, cocky as ever, against one of the most powerful members of the Shinsengumi…Damn he was an idiot.

Tetsu rushed over to Shinpachi, who was staring on in amusement. “Why the hell is Suzu fighting Mr. Saitou?” The older redhead just noticed he was there, and looked over with a smirk.

“That little rich brat actually asked to spar with one of our higher ups.” Tetsu’s face fell. Suzu had actually requested this? “As a matter of fact he asked for Okita, but Souji’s not feeling too hot today, and so Hajime offered himself up as a replacement.”

He gulped in worry as he watched the two fighters in the center circling each other. He didn’t care how good Suzu thought he was, Saitou was up there with Okita and Hijikata. Suzu held out his hand, beckoning the older samurai on…to which Saitou didn’t disappoint. He rushed forward, slamming his sword down towards Suzu’s body, and the pale haired teenager just got his sword up to block. His eyes were slanted and guarded, and that was when it occurred to Tetsu…He was gauging his opponent.

With cat like reflexes, Suzu parried the sword, pushing himself off the ground and flipping over Saitou’s head. He took a swipe at the Shinsengumi captain’s legs, almost succeeding in knocking him off his feet. Almost was the key word though, because right before his attack hit Saitou jumped in the air, and came down only to clash weapons with Suzu yet again.

“That brat…he’s good.” Tetsu glanced at Shinpachi who had just recited his exact thoughts. He had no idea Suzu was this good at fighting…He was actually managing to keep up with Saitou.

Suzu gritted his teeth as he pushed up on the sword, and when he seemed to realize that he was overpowered, kicked forward, slamming his foot into Hajime’s chest. Being on the offensive for the first time, he took full advantage of it. He made slash after slash to Saitou’s body, leaving the older samurai barely enough room to block each blow, let alone giving him a chance to counter. Tetsu couldn’t believe how fast his lover was, he could hardly keep up with the blows and he was just watching. It must be taking a lot out of Saitou to keep blocking them.

“You’re pretty good with a sword.” Tetsu practically jumped at Saitou’s voice, but it didn’t seem to affect Suzu in the least. In fact he only seemed to intensify his attacks.

“Only compared to some. Now stop patronizing me and give me the best you got.” He kicked forwards again, and just missed Saitou’s face. “I know you’re holding back!” Saitou was holding back?

“Shit that kids good at reading people. He can even tell that Hajime’s not using his full strength. Where the hell did orphaned brat learn how to fight like this?” Now that most definitely wasn’t a good sign. If Shinpachi was already questioning his origins, how long until everybody else was as well?

Tetsu’s hands clenched at his sides. Why the hell did Suzu have to spar? Saitou lunged forward, striking Suzu hard across the face with the wooden blade. The pale haired teenager stumbled backwards, seemingly surprised to see the blood gushing from his broken lip. Apparently getting hit had not been on his top list of priorities.

“You’ll have to forgive me young Yamatoya…I was only trying to tell how skilled my opponent was before I went full strength.” A wind seemed to whip around the room from out of nowhere, making both of the fighters look like a pair of demons in their intensity. Saitou’s stance changed, and he lowered his weapon down to his side for a quick attack. “You have the strangest scent about you young master.” Saitou’s head tilted to the side. “It’s almost like the scent of death…old death.”

“Shut up!” Suzu’s eyes seemed to go red for an instant as he rushed forward, completely unguarded. That proved to be a most costly mistake, when Saitou swung the sword, crushing it into Suzu’s ribs. The teenager was sent flying across the floor. Tetsu had to restrain himself from running over to check on his lover’s health, but he knew that if he did it would only cause more problems in the long run.

Saitou stalked over, still totally en garde. Suzu struggled to sit up, and reached down for his sword, just as Saitou brought his own down for the finishing blow. Tetsu’s heart gave a lurch when his lover barely managed to block the attack, and seemed quite worse for the ware. His breathing was ragged from his hurt chest, and it seemed to be taking all of his strength just to hold the attack.

“I can see revenge in your eyes. This person you reek of, you want revenge for their death.” Suzu’s eyes widened as he stared up in horror. In an attempt to get away from Hajime, he parried the sword, and rolled in-between Saitou’s bent knees.

Suzu struggled to his feet, looking a lot less confident than he had when he had entered this battle. “I told you to shut up! Battle is not time for your fortune telling nonsense.” That confident smirk came back to his face. “Now come at me with everything you’ve got. This next move will decide the victor.”

With a nod Saitou sprang forward. What happened next was practically too quick for him to even see, but it seem that their weapons seemed to clash, and then they both pulled back only to strike again. Only the second wave ended a bit differently. They both struck at different sides, and in the end a sword was placed at one side of each of their necks.

Both fighters were panting as they stared into each other’s eyes. Tetsu was still trying to grasp what had happened, but Shinpachi explained what his mind couldn’t quite wrap around. “I can’t believe it…It’s a draw.”

“W-What do you mean it’s a draw?” He was stuttering, he knew it, but he couldn’t help it. This was just too much. How in the world had Suzu actually tied with Saitou? Was he really that good?

He was hit on the head by Shinpachi, who was still staring at the pair in the center. “It means that no one won and no one lost.” He put a hand under his chin. “Though I don’t see how. Who the hell is that kid?”

Tetsu’s gaze traveled back to Suzu, who seemed to sense him looking at him for he gave him a smile. A smile that the redhead most certainly didn’t reciprocate. As a matter of fact he gave him a glare, and ran out of the training hall. He couldn’t even stand to look at him right now.

How could he do something as irresponsible as that? Shinpachi was questioning his motives, which meant that quite a few other people probably were to. He was supposed to be playing the part of the adopted merchant’s son, not the pyromaniac dead samurai’s old page! Suzu obviously wanted to proved a point, but why here?…Why now of all times? He was being escorted back to his estate the very next day, so why cause trouble when they were so close to getting out of this unscathed.

The sound of coughing distracted him, and he glanced over to Okita’s tent. Souji was hunched over himself as he relentlessly hacked into his hands. Tetsu’s eyes knitted together in concern, and he had half a mind to go over and ask if he needed anything. It was weird, he was getting more sick lately. Hardly a week went by when for at least one day he wasn’t bed ridden.

He stiffened when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and all the animosity he had previously been feeling came back ten fold. “What do you want Suzu?” He bit out coldly, not at all wanting to be around his lover after what he had done.

Suzu either didn’t sense that he was pissed, or just didn’t care, for he went on as if he had never spoke. “Is he sick?” He sounded half interested, and the other half of him you could tell was calculating this into his devious plans.

Tetsu shrugged the hand off his shoulder, and turned around to glare at him. “Why are you going to stab him while he can’t defend himself or something?” He snarled. This time Suzu did seem to notice that something was wrong…and he was hiding it so well.

“Why are you so pissy?…You weren’t this mad when I left you this morning.” Tetsu glanced around, making sure that no one was around to hear this conversation. When he realized they were alone, he went back into the argument.

“Maybe that’s because I wasn’t pissed this morning!” He shoved Suzu’s shoulder, and got a raised eyebrow in response.

“And you’re pissed now I take it?” Tetsu rolled his eyes.

“Of course I’m pissed now! Who wouldn’t be after that little stunt of yours.” He kicked at the ground, effectively spewing dirt all over Suzu’s clothes.

Remembering how he had left off at laundry, he turned back towards the well. If they were going to have this fight, then he might as well get the laundry done while he was at. That way at least one good thing would come out of this nightmare.

He sunk to his knees, picking up the bucket that Tatsu had spilled, and refilling it. Out of the corner of his eye he could see that Suzu had followed him, scowl firmly set on his tan face. “What exactly did I do to you brat?”

Now he knew he was being childish, but he chose to ignore his lover at the moment. For once way too caught up in his chores to give a damn about anything else. Well either that or the fact that he was trying to annoy Suzu, which he would have to say he succeeded in.

Suzu crouched down, grabbing his shoulder and turning his body to face him. “Tetsunosuke what in the world are you so upset about?” He had tried to have a good resolve, but looking into those concerned brandy eyes it was hard to stay mad. Then he told himself that he had to, no matter how bad he’d much rather kiss Suzu then yell at him. This was for both of their good.

“Do you want to die?” Suzu rose an eyebrow, looking somewhat amused, but at Tetsu’s next comment all the amusement died from his face. “Or better yet, do you want me to die?”

“Why would you say something like that?” Suzu looked sickened at the very idea, and more than a little repulsed that he had even brought it up.

“Because it’s what you seem to want!” Tetsu quickly got to his feet. “You come to Shinsengumi headquarters, for what, to try to prove something?” His hand clenched at his side as he pretty much let out all the stuff he had been holding back for a long time coming. “Do you want to prove that you’re so much better than them because you can infiltrate their camp without them being any of the wiser?…That’s it isn’t it? You wanted to come here and scout things out, learn what you need to know to follow through with your ridiculous crusade!” He was yelling, and what he was yelling was dangerous stuff, and yet he couldn’t seem to bring himself to shut up. “Then requesting to fight with one of the captains…why? Did you want them to see just how good you are?…Did you want them to question who you could possibly be?” He grit his teeth. “Suzu do you want them to find out who you are!?”

“Would you stop yelling at the top of your lungs!” Suzu hissed, looking around to see if they had acquired any spectators. Tetsu also looked around, and was thankful to see that they hadn’t yet. When his eyes traveled back to Suzu, he saw that his lover’s were narrowed in anger. “I should have known you were too immature to be able to handle this…That or you’re still too in love with your disgusting wolves!”

In anger Tetsu kicked at a puddle of mud, effectively splattering Suzu’s clothes with the foul substance. He couldn’t help it though. He was seeing red. “Oh I’m in love with them am I?…Maybe, maybe not, but at least I’m not still hung up on some revenge scheme over some headless crackpot bastard that deserved all he got and more!”

There are definitely times when you just wished you could take some things back, and this was one of those times. A growl erupted from Suzu’s throat as he sprang forward, knocking him backwards and sprawling into the mud. Not that he wasn’t surprised by these turns of events, but that didn’t mean he was just going lay down and take it. Tetsu punched and kicked with as much vigor as he was receiving, and soon all they were doing was rolling around in the mud like a couple of pigs. Of course they did manage to get in a few scathing remarks while doing so.

“Take that back Tetsu!” Suzu sprung forward, rolling them once more and pinning

Tetsu into the ground. “If you take it back right now I’ll forget it ever happened.” Like hell he would!

Tetsu rolled them over once again, so that he was now the one on top. “No, you little bastard! You take it back!”

Suzu kneed him in the stomach, once again securing his position on top. “Take what back? You’re the asshole that was saying everything!” Well he did have a point. It was true that he hadn’t really said anything that incriminating, but it was kind of hard to think of anything good to say given their current positions.

“Well you lied to me! You told me you weren’t going to try anything, and the next thing I know you’re in a duel with Saitou!” Tetsu connected a well aimed punch in Suzu’s jaw, and that seemed to be all the pale haired teenager could take.

Grabbing both of the redhead’s hands, Suzu twisted them behind his back, slamming him face first into the mud with his arms pinned behind him. As he was struggling he could feel Suzu’s mouth at his earlobe. “Now listen to me, you’re going to calm down right now, because if everybody in the fucking place isn’t listening to every word we say already, they soon will be.” He continued to struggle, making the grip on his wrist even tighter. “I didn’t lie to you Tets…I’m not trying anything right now.”

Tetsu picked up his head, turning to glare at his lover. “Is that right? Well angel I think your halo has a screw loose, because you were definitely trying to gauge Saitou and how tuff he’ll be to beat…So don’t fucking patronize…” That was as far as he got, because Suzu once more slammed his face into the ground, leaving him to good a mouthful of mud.

“You understand nothing Tets…and I told you that you didn’t need to. It’ll make it easier in the long run, but right now I need you to calm down.” He struggled for a little while longer, but then the grip got a little too painful, and the need to breathe something other than mud won out. His body stilled, and as it did the grip on his arm relented.

Sitting up, he took in a big gulp of mostly dirt free air. Suzu was leaning against the well, equally as dirty as himself. His chin was propped up in one hand as he stared off towards the direction of the pig pin. He opened his mouth to break the silence, but somebody beat him to the punch…a very angry somebody.

“What the hell happened to the two of you!?” Tetsu’s eyes clenched shut at just hearing that voice. Hijikata sounded like he wanted to strangle them. Very slowly he turned his head to look at his fuming master, and saw out of the corner of his how Suzu did the same thing.

“Mr. Hijikata…we were just…we just…” Obviously sensing his lack of an answer, Suzu cut in.

“We were just horsing around…You know boys will be boys and all that.” He smiled, and Tetsu almost laughed at all the dirt that was caked on his teeth.

Hijikata however didn’t seem in the least bit amused. “You’re as bad as my brat if not worse…Now I have to deal with two of you.” He rolled his eyes in annoyance. “When exactly do I have you out of my hair?”

Suzu tried to run a hand through his hair, but when he realized it was all a big mud ball he stopped trying. “Tomorrow sir. I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning.”

The vice-commander looked at them both in disgust. “Yes, well do try to not cause any more trouble, and make sure that your feet don’t happen to lead you to the training hall anymore.” There was a warning note in Hijikata’s voice, and Tetsu gulped at the very thought of what might happened if Suzu disobeyed that order. The demon’s gaze left Suzu, and traveled to something about 5 yards behind him. To Tetsu’s horror he happened to be staring at the huge pile of now mud speckled laundry. “I expect all of that to be done before tonight.” His gaze rested on the two teenagers. “Before you do that however you should go to the hot springs and take a bath. You both look pathetic.” They both nodded, and thankfully Hijikata stalked off without anymore yelling, though to Tetsu’s annoyance he muttered something about the both of them being worthless retches as he entered Souji’s room. Though he couldn’t really be concerned with the implications of what that exactly meant at the moment, because another thought was weighing heavily on his mind. Hijikata had just told him to go take a bath alone with Suzu…What was next?

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A.N- preview for the next chapter…Tetsu…Suzu…steamy hot water….need I say more? If I get enough reviews I promise to make the scene extra delicious *Wink Wink* Okay I have a comment on Saitou and I was just wondering if anyone else thought this. Alright you cannot tell me that he isn’t like the biggest druggy ever. He’s always like completely high…definitely a pot head. Or maybe that’s just my thinking, but he amuses me nonetheless because of that. Alright well it’s late and I gotta go, so I hope to hear from you guys with plenty of yummy reviews. Thanks for reading.