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.
* * *
<Calm yourself, Oren. You just want to know.>
"I -- uh -- I --"
In front of her was Anotsu Kagehisa. He
knew what Oren was doing in the dojo. He was
surprised that she waited one year to come here.
Her nervousness, mixed with worry touched him. He
knew the pain of having someone you love disappear
on you. He knew of the torment of searching, vainly,
for that someone. "He's fine, Oren. He hasn't been
fighting or anything like that."
<Had she been _that_ obvious?> "Thank
you." She bowed and turned to take her leave.
"I hope he realizes how fortunate he
is to have someone like you care for him."
She didn't bother to turn around to
face Anotsu again. She nodded. "If --
if you see him, please tell him that I'm still
waiting for him."
She didn't wait for a reply. She ran
out of the dojo and collapsed on the
ground outside the gate. Her tears
blurring her vision. She finally allowed herself
to cry -- after steeling herself all those months,
she finally let the tears fall. <Why did you
leave me, Magatsu?> For a long time, she
stayed there -- kneeling on the ground, crying.
She didn't mind that her best kimono was
getting dirty or that her knuckles were turning
white from clutching at the edges of her outer
robe too tightly.
Inside the dojo, Anotsu Kagehisa waited until
she was safely outside the gates before letting
out a sigh. "So, what now? Magatsu Taito?"
He heard the rustle of cloth coming from the
other room and then footsteps. He turned
around to wait for his friend to enter the room.
"I don't know, Anotsu." He leaned against the
open door.
"You're breaking her heart, Magatsu." Anotsu
knew this wasn't his business, but it was something
his friend needed to hear.
Magatsu nodded. "I shouldn't have allowed
myself to get close --"
"But you did."
Magatsu looked at his friend -- he understood why
Anotsu was interfering. <Makie.> "What do you want
me to do?"
"I'm the last person you should ask." Anotsu's tone
was bitter.
"I can't face her yet."
"She's been looking for you for the past year. Our
sentries have been reporting to me that they've seen
her lurking around the dojo for the past few months. I
guess she finally mustered up enough courage."
Anotsu stood up and took one last look at his friend.
"I need you to go to Shinagawa -- find out how
Moruzumi and Sumino are doing. That will probably
take you the rest of the year. I'm sure that's enough
time for you to sort things out for yourself."
"I'll leave tomorrow."
"You should at least say goodbye, Magatsu."
Magatsu didn't respond.