Homecoming
A Blade of the Immortal Fan Fiction
by: KCC
Disclaimer:
Rights to "Blade of the Immortal" and its
characters belong to Hiroaki Samura and Dark
Horse Comics Inc.
Spoiler Warnings:
None.
This story happens before the events in the
comic book series. There is, however, mention
of Kagehisa Anotsu and Maki Otono-Tachibana
and, if you don't know what happened to them,
then this fanfic reveals events that occur (to
Anotsu and Makie) after "Cry of the White Worm
Part 2: Path of Blood" (Issue 11 of the comic
book series) and "Dreamsong" (Volume 3, trade
paperback) or Issues 12 - 18 of the comic book
series.
* * *
She felt his presence long before she even
saw him. "Where are you going this time?"
He didn't know she was awake. He had
been content just watching her sleep. "Anotsu
wants me to go to Shinagawa."
"How long will you be gone?"
"The rest of the year or longer. I need to
help out our companions there."
"I see." She sat up and faced him.
"I'll come back."
She nodded. "I love you, Magatsu Taito."
"I have to leave now." <Third rule of war ...>
"I would appreciate it if you kept the room free for
me. I might arrive unexpectedly."
* * *
Magatsu stood outside the Yukimachi.
<Would Oren still be here?> He studied the facade
of the pleasure house. It had changed considerably
from the last time he was there. <8 months.> He
walked through the entrance and spotted her.
She was seated by the window, a faraway look in
her eyes. He walked slowly, afraid of disturbing
her reverie.
Oren didn't notice the movement. She was
too absorbed with thoughts of Magatsu. She missed
him. It had been eight months since they last saw
each other and she missed him. She exhaled deeply,
as though to banish her foolish feelings. She
stood up, realized who was there and gasped in
surprise. "Magatsu?" <Did I conjure him? Is
he real?> She rushed toward him, afraid that if
she was seconds slower, he would disappear.
She embraced him fiercely -- a message to him
that she would never let him go ever again. He
gently pushed away from her. He took a few
steps back because he wanted to behold the
woman in front of him. <She's even more
beautiful now.> He cleared his throat and
asked, "How are you?"
"I missed you, Magatsu Taito. Where
have you been?"
"I went to Shinagawa to do as Anotsu
ordered and I decided to visit my home."
"I see." She was too overwhelmed and
she frantically searched her mind for something
more to say. "Have you eaten?"
He smiled at her question. "I stopped by
the dojo before coming over and ate with them."
He sensed the panic building inside of her
and knew he was the cause of her distress.
"I think I need to explain why --"
"I'm glad you're back, Tai-tai. You don't
have to explain anything to me." She gave
him a small smile.
"My sister was killed when I was younger.
Her only mistake was getting in the path of
a government official on his way to God-knows-
where. I decided that getting close to people
hurt too much. That's why --"
He wasn't able to finish his explanation
because Oren had started kissing him. She
placed kisses on the side of his neck and
her hand stroked his hair. She stopped
shortly after and looked him in the eye.
"See, that didn't hurt at all, did it?"
"I'm a kenshi, Oren."
"So?"
"My enemies will try to hurt the people
who are close to me. I don't want that to
happen."
"I don't care."
"But I do. You have a good life here, Oren.
I don't want to take that away from you."
"Then stay. Break off your ties and stay with me."
"You know I can't do that."
"Why not?"
Her response startled him. He had been fighting
and killing for almost three years now. Whatever vow
of vengeance he had for his sister's death had long
been fulfilled. <Then why haven't I left?> "Is my
room ready?"
She frowned when he changed the topic,
but decided not to react. "I'll have one of the
rooms prepared for you."
"I want my _old_ room."
"It happens to be _my_ room."
"Very well. Have my room prepared. I would
like to rest now."
<So much for a happy homecoming.> She
immediately regretted her earlier behavior. "This
wasn't supposed to happen, you know." Her
statement was almost a whisper, but she knew he
heard her.
"What wasn't supposed to happen?"
"This. Us. Arguing."
He sighed and stared at her. "I'm sorry for
upsetting you, Oren."
"No. This is my fault. I was supposed to welcome
you home with open arms and made sure you settled in
comfortably."
When he heard her say the word "home" something
in him responded. He looked at her and realized that
he was home. She was his home.
"Can we start again, please?"
He didn't answer. He stood there waiting for her to
do something.
"Welcome home, Magatsu Taito." She bowed low --
the kind of bow reserved only for those most honored and
respected.
That action undid him. He wrapped his hands around
her waist and held her close to him. He heard her whisper
to his chest. "I trust your journey was safe."
"It was." He stroked her back slowly.
"I'm glad you're home."
Author's Note:
Magatsu, in the fic, makes frequent mention of a "rule of war..."
In his battle with Manji, he talks to Manji about some rules. I just
decided to add a third one.