After being pushed by that intense light, it felt like something was leaving her. A small sphere had left her body and floated towards the direction where she last saw that boy. They took something vital from her. 'She has to get it back,' and yet she felt no malice from the person who took it from her. Why is that?
.....
Tokyo Meiji Era September 1890
The streets were bustling with life, many people dawned in western and eastern kimonos dawned the streets - forms of trade occurring on both sides. Since the introduction of the Meiji constitution in February 1889 last year. The increasing amount of westerners and western influence has increased even more. Now, the streets of Tokyo which was formerly known as 'Edo' before the Meiji era - resembled a mixture of western and eastern.
A girl with long curly blonde hair as bright as the sun, lay on the path. Initially people were walking past her, but after they got a look at how beautiful she was. People stopped and stared.
Setsura woke up when she felt somebody shaking her shoulders frantically. She slowly opened her eyes, but everything was blurry, she placed her hand on her head - loads of people were gathering around her. But her head felt fuzzy; she didn't know what was going on.
"You're in the way Miss, please get up," the voice sounded like it belonged to a kind elderly lady.
Huh? Where is she?
"She's been crouched down there for ages now, think she's a beggar?"
"Nonsense, these streets are regulated with police," the woman disagreed, "Maybe she lost her way? Come child,
Police... Setsura's vision finally settled, her blurred vision gradually faded, and she saw her surroundings.
Tall western looking buildings, but everything looked odd to her. These weren't the buildings she was used to. Despite her current dazed state, she knew that her present situation was not good at all. This isn't Tokyo, at least not the Tokyo she knew off, "The date," she whispered.
"Huh? September miss,"
"And the year?"
The person she was speaking too seemed confused but answered anyway, "1850."
The year 1850- not 2019, no matter how she looked at this situation. She couldn't make sense of it at all.
There is no mistake.
18-year-old newly graduated high schooler Kaname Setsura. At least that's all she could remember when she woke up a few seconds ago in the streets. Setsura placed her hand on her head, that's funny, why is that all she can remember? And for some reason, Setsura shivered. She felt awfully cold. It's only then when she glances at a mirror nearby, a faded one that she caught a glimpse of her bare shoulders. The outfit she wore was slightly torn. Set sura wrapped her arms around her body.
How shameful, that's why those people were looking at her earlier. Setsura took a deep breath, calm down. First asses the situation. Setsura attempted to stand up only to find that her whole body was in pain. Just moving her arms were a struggle for her. This is going to be difficult, Setsura scanned her surroundings. Is there something she can use to help her up? The person she had been speaking too was a lady in her 50's. Setsura didn't want to trouble the concerned looking lady who was still hovering over her. The older woman seemed puzzled on what to do, while the passing byers who seemed interested in her seemed to vanish.
It's not because they stopped thinking of her as odd, it's because their attention was elsewhere.
"Ah, it's the Military police."
"It's Sergeant Wan."
'Sergant,' and 'Military police,' maybe they could help her? But what is she supposed to say to them? She only remembers her name and her age; she doubts that will help her much.
"Sir, this woman is blocking the road."
"A woman?" the man named Wan stepped out of the carriage. The man had dirty blonde hair and pale-colored eyes; he wore a military uniform. What did they call those before? Ah yes, the hanikan - a uniform used by junior civil officials. He walked towards her; a mocking smile appeared on his lips.
"So the whores of that rotting red light district are still trying to gain attention? You'd think they'd learn their lesson, but now they are resorting to begging in the main streets," Wan increased his tone, causing more of a crowd to gather. Many people had gathered already since they wanted to see the military. But now the group was getting larger.
"Excuse me sir, but as a military official, should you not jump to conclusions? I believe you owe me an apology," Setsura spoke up.
The Sergeant turned to her with a dumbfounded look; the man probably didn't expect her to speak up. He's probably used to just pushing around females and destroying them in public like this. However, 'I am used to this,' Setsura felt like she was used to people defaming her in the most stupid ways. She wonders if something like this has happened to her before.
"Oh? This slut has courage," he bends down and cupped her cheek, for some reason Wan seemed to pause, he licked his lips "Fair skin, huge chest and beautiful," he muttered quietly. But Setsura hears him loud and clear.
'Despicable,' she thought. This feeling is familiar, this sickening feeling. Whenever men who have ulterior motives get close to her, she would get this kind of feeling. When she heard the words 'military and police,' Setsura thought they would be able to help her. But it turns out that scum exists in this generations police too.
"Sergeant Wan?" the man's companions seemed confused.
"I shall deal with this woman personally; hey bring the carriage over here."
"Yes, sir."
Setsura's gaze darkened, do they really think it will be that easy? While her whole body is aching and in pain, she won't let anybody take advantage of her. No matter who they are, she won't let anything bad happen ever again. The moment the Sergeant got closer, she reached out into her pocket and produced a small blade and directed it at the man's throat.
"Don't move," she said dangerously.
"Now Miss, do you really think this is so wise? We are police, you know, and you possess quite a dangerous weapon."
Hah? Police? Don't make her laugh if people who uphold the law are like this. Then what about regular folks? Setsura pretends to be in deep thought before she slowly lowers her blade.
"That's it, lower the blade," the moment she dropped her blade though. Setsura used this chance to kick him. Due to their close proximity, it was quite easy to hurt him. Somebody once praised her on her kicking skills and said it was quite powerful. She sent the Sergeant crashing into some stands.
"Sergeant Wan!"
"Damn you, woman."
The Sergeant's men quickly became agitated, and they raised their guns at her. But a sharp voice interjected, "Don't touch that woman," it belonged to Sergeant Wan. The man slowly got up with the help of his men and walked over. Due to the impact of the kick, Wan sustained a slight head injury. The right side of his face was bleeding.
His eyes blazed with anger, and she felt his hostility.
"You, will become my woman and I'll have you screaming and begging for me soon enough," Wan said.
Setsura deeply sighed, 'That's what he comes up? How pathetic,' she really didn't want to waste any more time on a man like this. Wan raised his hand to hit her before Setsura could block it; however, somebody else stopped the Sergeant.
There stood a man with long black hair that seemed to protrude out of the back of his head like a ponytail, the man wore a military uniform too, except this one was a chokuninkan. Ah, is this man, possibly the commander? He was staring at the Sergeant with cold and deadly looking eyes.
"Captain Akito."
The person named Akito who grabbed hold of the man's hands twisted it slightly, and the man yelped in pain, "Ouch, ouch."
"Sergeant, did we not just leave a meeting discussing your bad behavior towards work? Are you telling me your private life is a mess too?"
"No, this is just..."
"Or are you frustrated with the punishment they gave you, I'll be honest with you," Akito said, "That punishment was decided by me. After much consideration, I realized that it was a mistake to let you into the main team. But now, I'm starting to think you should not be on the force at all," the Sergeant's eyes widened, "I wonder what I should do."
"No...no...please, Captain Akito.... I will behave."
"Oh?"
"Please, sir, don't dismiss me."
Setsura glanced at the man named Akito, who had yet to let go of the Sergeant's arms. A dangerous aura seemed to surround him; his gaze is dark. This overwhelming presence reminded her of somebody she knew. Setsura placed her hand on her head, the wincing and pounding pain had yet to leave.
Her thoughts broke off when somebody lifted her off the ground, it was the man named Akito, "This girl is my guest; it seems like you've all misunderstood something."
"Captain Akito's guest.."
"Good thing we didn't speak," the crowd was in an uproar at the man's words.
Is he somebody with influence?
...
Akito leads her out of the crowd, and after walking for a few minutes, they eventually arrived at a quiet residential area. Setsura lets out a relieved sigh, 'Waking up in a strange place and having no memories is already bad enough,' let alone being harassed in that strange place. Her clothing, Setsura glanced down and saw that the man had wrapped his cloak around her, covering what little clothes she wore. The clothes she was wearing were not likely something beautiful before, but with it being torn it simply looked like a slurry outfit. It's no wonder that man thought she was selling herself, who wears an outfit with tears like she does? If this is really the Meiji Era, she supposes it is natural they thought that way. These people are used to discarding women like trash.
"Miss, I apologize for what happened there. Are you hurt in any way?"
"I am alright."
Akito nodded, "I'll take you to a safe place and treat your injuries. We can contact your family members then, and I'll extend my apology then."
Why does he have to apologize?
Family members, but she has no memory, and she doubts he can find any of her family members here. She's from the distant future after all, and besides, 'Family members? She doesn't have any worth mentioning,' despite her loss of memories, that much Setsura could recall. A bitter feeling would emerge whenever she hears the word family.