Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Snow ❯ Fateful Morning ( Chapter 24 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Soon, a yawning Touya emerged from his tent. When he saw Souzou still sitting where he had been last night, he started to worry. He knew his friend, his captain, and knew that Souzou rarely, if ever showed stress when taking his role as leader. Without a moment's hesitation, he went over and sat down on a log beside Souzou.

"Captain," he said softly. Though they were old friends, he always held Souzou in great respect as a leader. "What's bothering you? That is, if you don't mind my asking..."

Souzou looked at his friend with a sad smile.

"Just thinking, is all," he said vaguely.

Touya dropped his formality. At the moment, he was just looking out for a good friend. He put a firm hand on Souzou's shoulder, giving him a sympathetic smile.

"It's Midori, isn't it? You miss her, don't you?" he said, both more statements than questions. "Don't worry, Souzou. We'll find out what's going on and sort it out, no problem. We're all going to come out of this fine. You'll be home soon. We all will."

Souzou bowed his head and closed his eyes for a moment, imagining his family waiting for him. He missed them now more than ever. The next image in his mind was also that of his family. Only this time it was one of them grieving. His heart tightened like a clenched fist and terror ran through him.

"I'm just not so sure," he said quietly, his voice grim. "I have a bad feeling about this..."

"Ah, don't think like that, Souzou!" said Kyo, who had suddenly appeared at Souzou's other side. "That's what you call a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think the worst is going to happen, then most likely it will!"

Souzou smiled at his two laid-back, easygoing friends. If he was seeing them for the first time, he would never believe that both of them were deadly killers when necessary. But he had seen Kyo, easily the most light-hearted, friendly man he knew, at the end of one of his battles. The mortally wounded man lay on the ground, slowly bleeding to death. Kyo gave the man an even look and lanced his sword straight through his heart. It ended quickly for him and he never felt it.

"Souzou? Souzou, hey!" said Kyo loudly, thwacking his friend on the head. "Wake up! We've got serious problems!"

Souzou had no clue how long he had been out of it, but he snapped back to reality instantly.

"What the-? What!? Where!?" sputtered Souzou, staggering to his feet.

"Just come on!" Kyo yelled over his shoulder, taking off at a run.

Souzou shook his head, just to clear it, and ran after Kyo. After what seemed like an eternity of nonstop sprinting, Kyo stopped at a clearing deep in the forest. Souzou nearly fell over him when he stopped short. When he caught his breath, he looked around for the problem and saw his men standing around, trying not to panic. The smell of blood hit his senses like a flying brick and he reeled for a second. When he found its source, his heart stopped for a second.

Hideki, the quiet sixteen-year-old, was lying motionless on the ground, cradled gently in Takashi's arms. He had taken a nasty-looking chest wound and he was having trouble breathing. If he was going to have any chance at living, he needed help fast.

"What in God's name happened to him?" asked Souzou, forcing his tone to remain calm.

"He couldn't tell us," said Takashi, his voice seriously grim. "As far as I can tell, it was a straight slash with a katana. I don't think it opened his lungs, but he's coughed up blood a few times. He's fighting with all he's got..."

"Touya, get him out of here and get that wrapped," said Souzou, falling back into his routine as a calm, decisive leader. "Do whatever you can to stop the bleeding."

Touya nodded curtly and carefully took the smaller boy in his arms. Hideki groaned in pain at being moved and clutched convulsively at his chest. His blood stained Touya's jacket and shirt. As soon as Touya was out of sight, thus putting the rest out of Hideki's earshot, Takashi spoke again. His words were anything but encouraging.

"I don't think he'll even make it back to camp," he said, so softly it was almost inaudible. "I just couldn't tell him."

Everyone was silent for a moment. None of them could look at each other. Souzou knew they were all thinking exactly the same thing: one of them should have gone with him. They should never have let him go alone.

A thought had been forming in Souzou's mind since Takashi said that Hideki's wound had been made by a katana. As the thought developed, his senses became more alert and his defenses rose. Finally, when he heard a crash out in the forest, he voiced his thought.

"If Hideki was alone," he said slowly. "How was he wounded by a katana?"

Takashi shifted uncomfortably.

"When he came out of there, he was already so far gone that he was barely able to speak at all," he said quietly, not looking at anyone.

There was an uncomfortable, tense, almost eerie silence.

"But he managed to say something about warning us," he went on. "I tried to ask what he was talking about, but that's when he collapsed."

"Then we all need to stay on the defensive at all times," Souzou said firmly. "Whatever happens, don't let your guard down."

A few seconds later, hoofbeats were heard echoing through the trees. Kyo and Aki instantly reached for their swords. Souzou held up his hand and shook his head. Takashi quickly got to his feet as the hoofbeats came closer. Everyone froze as a horse and rider came to a stop right in front of Souzou. They were all shocked at who the rider was. It was one of the government general's officers, Tatewaki Shindo.

"I assume you are the captain of Sekihoutai, troop one?" he asked Souzou in a cold voice.

Souzou nodded mutely, pushing his grief for Hideki aside. Once more, he became the calm, unshakeable leader. He gave Shindo a level stare and ignored his pounding heart.

"May I ask your purpose in being here?" he asked calmly.

A cruel smirk played on Shindo's mouth.

"I've come with some news for you direct from the government general," he replied with a tone that said he was really going to enjoy what he was going to say next. "You have been found guilty of spreading false rumors among the people and causing mass confusion."

"What!?" growled Kojima, his temper threatening to flare.

Souzou held up his hand to prevent the seventeen-year-old from doing anything rash.

"Please explain the meaning of this," he said, his voice becoming cold as well.

"You have spread rumors of taxes being cut in half," replied Shindo, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world that the Sekihoutai was guilty. "Of course no such thing will be taking place. This has caused much chaos and your crime has been found inexcuseable."

Aki took a step forward to stand beside his younger brother.

"What are you saying?" he demanded, his voice dark growl and his face darkened in rage.

"What I'm saying is that you are all sentenced to death as of now," said Shindo, his voice mocking them. "Sekihoutai, troop one, and Captain Souzou Sagara, the new government thanks you for your service. You are dismissed."