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.
* * *
"Tell me why you joined the Itto-Ryu."
"So, finally gathered the courage to ask me
that question, huh?" He had just arrived after
being gone for a month. He was tired, but being
with Oren seemed to revive him.
She smiled. "You know me so well."
Her statement startled him. <It _was_ true.
He did feel like he had known her forever. And
yet, five months ago, they were complete strangers.>
"So? Tell me." She was sitting cross-legged
on the floor across him. She was rocking back
and forth.
He marveled at her childlike innocence.
<Whereas I lost whatever innocence I had a
long time ago.> He heard her impatient grumblings.
"I met Anotsu when he was 15. I was 19 that time.
His friend, Makie had disappeared a few weeks
before and he was looking for her. For some
strange reason, he ended up in my hometown.
He got into an argument with some older boys
and I had to help him. We've been friends ever
since."
"That's amazing. You are so wonderful, Tai-tai."
"Hey, don't call me that."
She giggled. "I like calling you that."
He gave her a disapproving look. <If my
sister were alive today, she'd be the same age
as Oren.> "Woman, stop giggling."
She giggled even more. Without warning, she
flung herself at him and hugged him to her. "My
Tai-tai. All gruff and menacing on the outside, but
so soft and sweet inside." She kissed him then --
a quick kiss on the lips, as fleeting as a butterfly.
He was stunned. <What --> He couldn't
even form a coherent thought in his head.
"So, tell me what happened next." She returned
to her place across him. Her lips curved in a
smile and there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Uh -- um..."
<So, I can do this to him. That's good to know.>
She was enjoying his discomfort, but tried not to show it.
"We formed the Itto-Ryu shortly after. We
both believed that a warrior's sword skill spoke for
itself. We despised the dojos and their weak ways."
She fell silent. She had _almost_ forgotten what
the Itto-Ryu had been doing. Her gaze fell on his hands.
<I wonder how many have died by his hands.> She
didn't hear the rest of his narration -- too absorbed
with her worries.
"... the Mutenichi-Ryu dismissed Anotsu's
grandfather for using a foreign sword in battle. He
was a good fighter, but the Mutenichi-Ryu had
strict rules about the sword that a samurai used. We
destroyed that school recently." He laughed -- a
bitter laugh, as he remembered what happened to
Asano's wife that night. He looked at Oren's face.
<No one is ever going to do that to you. I swear it.>
"When do we eat?" He reached over and rested
his hand on her knee.
His touch brought her back to reality. "What?
Eat? I'll go get it ready."
<Wonder what she was thinking.> He watched
her scurry out of the room. <Probably how many
people I've killed and whether I'm dangerous.> He
breathed deeply. "She'll never want me now." He
said under his breath. <What am I thinking? Of
course she shouldn't want me. I'm not supposed
to want her to want me.> "Third rule of war ..." He
repeated the maxim several more times until he was
certain he had banished all thoughts of wanting her.
That night, as he slipped under the blanket with her.
<I hope it warms up soon.> He gritted his teeth and
mentally reminded himself: <The third rule of war ...>
He tucked her head under his chin and willed his
body to sleep.
He woke up the next working and felt a hand
gently stroking his hair.
"Sssshhhh ... go back to sleep. It's still early."
He muttered a reply and went back to sleep.
"My Tai-tai ..." She leaned over and kissed
him on the forehead. She then cradled his head
to her chest in a maternal way and continued
to stroke his hair, his back. <Why do I feel
such a connection with this man?> She noticed
that his hands had moved to encircle her waist.
She smiled. <Even in sleep, he calls to me.> She
let out a sigh. <Is it because I can relate to his
life? Is he a kindred soul?>
Two months ago she had told Magatsu her story --
of her father abandoning her and her mother; of
her sickly mother who didn't have the strength to
take care of her. She was a survivor -- having
fended for herself since she was little. And now ...
At 19, she had finally found someone who took care
of her -- <Magatsu.> She hugged him closer to her.
<I'll take care of you, too, Magatsu Taito.>
She felt him stir.
<Why do I feel so comforted whenever she holds
me like this?> It hadn't been the first time he woke up
in her arms this way. <Why do I allow her to get close
to me? She's the only female to see me without my
mask on.> He remembered Makie, the only female
member of the Itto-Ryu and her tempestuous relationship
with Anotsu Kagehisa. He remembered the anguish
her departure had caused Anotsu. He also remembered
the vow he made to himself a long time ago -- one
he renewed when he saw Anotsu's predicament.
<Then why Oren?> He pulled away slightly, wanting
to look her in the eye -- expecting to find his answers
there. He found, instead, bewilderment -- <Was it the
same bewilderment he felt?> He completely freed
himself from her embrace. <I need to sort things out ...
for both our sakes.> He decided then to leave
Yukimachi -- he needed to distance himself from her.
He left the room and her -- completely unaware
that that was the last time she would see Magatsu in
a long while.