There was no time for her to think about how they found out. Setsura could hear their approaching footsteps, and she frantically looked around for a place to hide.
"Now Little Kitten, don't hide. You do realize that we can use other means to drag you out," Touma's voice echoed through the air.
Fear crept onto her. She felt her entire body tremble. This was the first time in so long that she felt so afraid. Before she could collapse, however, somebody grabbed her hand away and started to drag her along.
She would have screamed, but the person dawned in a blue cloak felt familiar to her.
...
After walking for a good half an hour at least, Setsura knew they were safely out of reach. A relieved sigh escaped her lips, and she looked over at the person dragging her along. Now time to deal with this, "Akito!" Setsura exclaimed, "That's you, isn't it?"
The person said nothing and continued dragging her along. Setsura frowned and yanked her hand away. The person in the blue cloak stopped walking and sighed. "Why must you be so troublesome?"
Ehh, this voice is --? It's not Akito? Setsura frowned, and the man in the cloak removed his hood. A tall man with long curly white hair, eyes as clear as glass and skin like snow. This person, Setsura, paused to think about it.
The memories came flashing to her in an instance. Ah? The forest at her backyard, the airport…"Oslo?" Setsura said her voice an audible whisper.
The man slowly nodded his head, "Do you remember?"
"A little, I met you at my house and then at the airport?"
"Correct my lady," his voice and his expression seemed colder than when she last saw him.
"I, what happened to me?"
"I sent you here; rather, I made my subordinate do so."
She doesn't remember that her memories only stopped at when they spoke in the cafe. Even then, it was slightly blurry.
"I don't have a lot of time here, once I send you to Akito. You two will have to leave on your own."
"Wait, why would you send me here? Take me back," Setsura exclaimed. If he is really the one who sent her here, then she demands answers.
"If you wish to die, then be my guest."
"Die?" Setsura repeated.
"Right now, your real body is in the hospital, and you're only alive because of the life support machines," Oslo trailed off, "You wish to return so badly now? You'll die right away, I can guarantee it."
"You...that's..." Setsura didn't know what to say. He just casually told her that she is on the verge of death and that this current body is.."This body.."
"I simply transferred your soul to an appropriate vessel. With someone who has similar circumstances to you."
"You can't do that! What if the vessel owner wants to wake up?" This man is completely unreasonable; he can't just do these things.
"The person I chose is your ancestor; she is more than happy to help out."
Setsura looked down at her feet, "Why are my memories gone? Did you do it?"
"It's true that there are occasions where we would erase a person's memories, to increase the efficiency of the mission. After all, we don't want people to have any lingering attachments to their world and focus on returning rather than completing their mission. But with your case, we didn't do it."
"Liar!" she exclaimed, "I... I don't remember anything, don't you know how scary it is to wake up with no memories? It's like I've lost a part of myself. If Akito didn't find me, I'd have ended up in jail at the hands of those officers. Every day is a living hell, and I'm unable to sleep. You.. may have saved me from dying right away.
"My subordinate will watch over you, and you can ask him for more details. I'm unsure why he still isn't here after so long, but once I find him. I'll make sure he comes here."
Setsura meekly nodded. What else could she say to that?
"Setsura, I understand that times are difficult for you now. But you have to understand; if I brought you back to your life now, you'd die. Bringing your soul over here already took a lot of strain."
It was then Setsura understood why Oslo looked so haggard and worn out. His subordinate went missing, too, and she lost her memories. Something went wrong during the crossover. This is somebody she only met twice- well three times now, and yet she feels a strong connection and bond with him.
Setsura felt bad for lashing out just now. "I'm sorry," Setsura apologized. These words seemed so foreign in her mouth, indicating she must have been a proud person before she lost her memories. "I'm just a bit confused, so many things keep happening... Somebody I was talking to, suddenly got killed... I..."
It made her feel sick whenever she thought about that officer who died. It wasn't her fault, she did nothing, and she was with Akito. But, why did Setsura feel it was her fault?
Osolo reached over and caressed her cheeks, "You've gone through a lot. I'm very sorry; things aren't supposed to be this way. I'll find my subordinate quickly; he will give you all the details. For now," Oslo removed his hand from her face and gave her his bag. "Please take this, inside should be some items that will help you if you're in trouble."
He isn't telling her anything, but he is showing so much care for her. Does that mean that he wants to tell her, but he can't? Setsura studied his expression for a moment. It doesn't seem like he is lying to her, then again why would he?
Setsura nodded, "I understand. Before you go, can I ask one more question... Akito, whenever I'm with him, I remember more things. Why is that?" Is there something special about Akito?
To her surprise, Oslo's lips curved to a smile.
"That man knows about us."
Setsura blinked confused, "He--he knows?"
"That's right, that's why it's a good thing that he is the one who found you. Perhaps it was fate."
"Oslo, one more question...that...that person .." Setsura's voice croaked. "Is he alive?" The person she meant was her lover, now that she could recall how she met Oslo. She remembered that something happened to that guy; otherwise, she wouldn't have met him.
"They placed you in the same room as him. Your brother tried to take you away, but your friends stepped up and made the arrangements."
'That's good, at least he isn't alone.' At least he has her by his side. She wondered if that person could travel back in time too. If he could travel back in time, then would they be able to meet again? She wants to meet him again, the person who captured her heart.
Right at that moment, Setsura noticed that the glow around Oslo increased. "Oslo... This subordinate of yours, how will I know it's him?" she quickly asked.
With the way things are, there is no way that Akito would allow anybody near her. Especially after this case.
"Like I said, Akito knows about our kind. He knows this guy too," Oslo smiled, "You'll be just fine if you stay with Akito. I'll drag my subordinate back. Take care of yourself Setsura," with those words said Oslo vanished, leaving her alone in the tunnel. At least that's what she thought, Setsura hears footsteps emerging from the corner.
Thump, thump. Setsura could feel her heartbeat speed up again. She reached over for the bag Oslo gave her; there should be something useful, right? He wasn't just bluffing, was he? Setsura was doubtful for a moment - but just as she was about to open it. The footsteps stopped, and she hears a familiar voice. "Setsura? Are you here?"
"Akito?"
The footsteps started again, and soon she saw him. His entire face was covered in sweat, and his breathing was heavy. Ah? Akito strode over and collapsed in her arms. "Thank goodness you're alright."
"..."
He must have been looking all over for her. Her gaze softened. Maybe Oslo is right; she would be just fine if she is with Akito. He's kept her safe this entire time. He won't harm her, "Take me back?"
"Yeah."