It felt strange to her, even without memories — these bitter emotions emerge in her heart. But this painful feeling in her heart, a feeling that makes her want to cry has nothing to do with her family. Why would she cry over that foreign word? No, what made her cry was when she saw a couple walking past.
"Why are you crying?"
Setsura bit her lip and shook her head; she won't tell a mere stranger what she's feeling. Who knows, maybe he is only pretending to be kind? Her guard was up, and those men before were this man's subordinates, right? While it's natural not to have complete control of one's men, it didn't make her feel any better.
"You, probably don't trust me," Akito nodded in understanding, "But, you have to understand Miss. If I leave you be now, those guys will come back for you. They are most likely following us and waiting for me to drop you off at the office."
"Office?"
It was a familiar modern-day term for her. But Setsura knew that their idea for it was different. Indeed Akito nodded, "Yeah, the ward office. Cases like this, normally I'd have to report it, and I'd leave you there till your family comes for you."
"How come you didn't do that?" Setsura questioned him.
Akito smiled, "Because, Miss Setsura, it looked like you were on the verge of tears."
What?
"Honestly, I'm probably breaking some form of protocol by making an exception like this. But when I saw you on the verge of tears like that, it reminded me of somebody important to me before, and I wanted to help you."
Her eyes widened at his words; anybody could say such words. Anybody could make promises; she's heard it all before. Even in modern-day TOKYO, there are those who use honey-coated words to get whatever they want. To deceive people, to use them. She has already seen it all. Maybe it's because she has, that she understands, 'This person is genuine about his words,' Setsura thought.
A sincere person like this also exists in this era it seems.
It didn't take them long before they arrived at the man's carriage. He had parked it beside a private residence; the carriage driver turned to them. It was an old man in his late 50s, "Welcome back, Master Akito."
"Jiro, this lady will stay with us for a while. Send a word to the servants to get things ready."
"Certainly young master," Jiro said.
That's it? Will, he not question Akito's decision? It felt rude using his first name, even though it was only in her head, but she didn't know his last. She didn't know how to go about asking something like that too. As Setsura debated this, Akito was already lifting her onto the carriage. He settled her down on the seat, meaning she left his hold. The warmth she felt immediately left her body too, and Setsura understood. He must have been keeping her warm; that's why he held her close.
"We shall arrive at my mansion in approximately an hour unless there is traffic. I suggest getting some sleep, Miss Setsura; the seats are quite comfortable. So feel free to lean your head back," Akito explained.
His explanation fell from both ears, as her eyelids slowly started to drop. Setsura didn't know why she suddenly felt sleepy; maybe it was because she felt a wave of a relief the moment she sat down in the carriage. Or was it when she first saw this person? Anyhow, her eyelids felt very heavy.
She faintly sees his smile before falling asleep.
.....
- Mansion -
She must have passed out from the wounds because when she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the carriage. The person who 'helped' her was nowhere in sight. At least that's what she thought, Setsura glanced around before she spotted the man on the window ledge. His long hair tied up as he smoked from his pike.
Setsura frowned, is this a bad situation for her? Time traveling to another time aside, but getting involved with some odd guy. Then again, 'He saved her,' if it weren't for this person, then she would still be out on the streets, or those other officers would have gotten their way with her. She trembled at the thought. She saw many historical period dramas in the modern-day, and the treatment for women was terrible.
"You're awake?"
"..."
Setsura said nothing. Maybe it's better to play mute. But that's stupid, too; she was talking to him before she passed out. The man walked across the room and crouched down. His hand touched her forehead.
She flinched at his sudden contact. It was light, but for some reason, she shuddered.
He frowned, and Setsura panicked. Did she offend him? Even if this situation isn't exactly ideal, it doesn't change the fact that he picked her up from the streets, saved her from a group of thugs, gave her shelter and treated her wounds.
To her surprise, he nodded and suddenly drew back.
"Jiro, call the doctor again."
"Is it wise? She already said that she would be busy today and have no time for unexpected appointments."
"Then call the herbalist."
"Is the lady's wounds that bad?"
The man sighed at the 'Jiro' person's questions, he seemed easily angered and irritated, "It's not bad, but her memories are missing, and she's lost movement in her fingers. Better call the spiritualist while you're at it."
Setsura's eyes widened at the man's words. How does he know about her missing memories? Rather herbalist? Spiritualist? She raised her eyebrows at the terms.
"You should decide on one young master."
The man turned to her before he nodded, "Then the spiritualist,"
"Very well sir," the man named Jiro vanished through the double doors, leaving her alone with the red head man.
"What should I call you?" Setsura didn't know why she was asking. She already heard the other people say his name earlier.
"Akito," the man knew that and still answered her anyway.
Setsura looked at the man named Akito more carefully, judging from the bed she was in - and her surroundings, he's somebody from an affluent family correct? But why is he living in such a secluded area? Maybe it's due to the time difference, but Setsura felt something was amiss here.
"And you?"
"Setsura."
Akito nodded, "Then, Setsura. Feel free to make this place your home."
"I'm a stranger to you," Setsura spoke up, "I do appreciate your hospitality, but.."
"The reason you're staying, I shall tell you after your wounds have healed, "Akito interrupted.
Setsura said nothing to that and laid back down; she figured she would return to sleeping. It didn't seem like the man intended to leave the room anytime soon. So she closed her eyes, but the moment she did the color of red appeared, and she screamed.
It was just a color. But - Setsura felt her body trembling all over. She felt a warm hand on her forehead and found it belonged to the man named Akito. What is he doing? It felt nice and warm, though, and she unconsciously brought his other hand to her face. How odd, just a few minutes ago, didn't she flinch when he touched her.
"You do seem to have a fever," Akito muttered, "I suppose it's natural, you were wearing those clothes. You'll have to rest up for a bit."
This person is unusual. Why would he take in such an odd girl? He has his reasons, correct? But Setsura felt too sick to question him or even move away from his hand. Besides, 'It reminds her of somebody,' this warmth reminds her of something. Somebody dear to her used to do this whenever she got sick. He would look at her with worried eyes and call her name over and over.
"Medicine, I'll fetch some."
Akito moved his hands away, but for some reason, Setsura reached over and grabbed his hand, "I—I'm sorry," Setsura immediately apologized. She didn't know what got into her.
"Do you want me to stay?"
"Yes," she said quietly.
Stupid, he will think she's a weirdo. Who will stay with a person they just met? Those people called him captain, so he's most likely some high-ranked official. He helped her because it's his duty, nothing more. She shouldn't tread on his responsibilities any longer. As she thought this, however, Setsura found that the man had already positioned himself beside her bed. Ah, he's really staying?
"I realize you may be feeling very confused; it must be an awful thing to lose your memory. But, just remember it does get better," Akito said.
Ah, this person thinks she is acting this way because of her lost memories. Frankly, that wasn't the reason why. It's true Setsura felt a sense of longing for warmth, but even with her memories. She felt like she wouldn't get it. She really did feel confused; why did she lose her memory? Her memory loss didn't seem normal; she still remembers her name, age, and that she came from the modern-day world.
Remembering such important details like that, one would think that it's only a temporary memory loss. But, if it were then, "My belongings?"
"I'm still a commander Miss, I apologize. I told them it was okay, but my people were not having it. I instructed only my team to take care of it, so you can rest assured."
So, they are checking her belongings. Despite her dazed state, Setsura recalled the pouch she had been clutching tightly. 'That pouch has something important there,' she didn't recall exactly what that important thing is. But Setsura knew it would help her with this current situation. At least, she wouldn't feel this lonely.
"I'll get it back?"
Akito smiled at her innocent question, "You shall, even if there's something odd inside. I'll have them give it to me first."
Setsura nodded, she doubts they would find anything 'odd' or 'life-threatening,' in there. She was not the type of person to carry such things, that much she understood about herself. Still, wasn't she carrying a concealed dagger in her sash? What kind of lifestyle has she been living?
The more she thought about it, the fuzzier her memory seemed to become. If it's like that then maybe it's better for her to forget? But she can't stay here forever. She has to return to the modern world.
"Miss Setsura, are you against music?"
"No," why is he asking? Setsura saw his lips curve to a smile, and she quickly realized something, "I'm not a child, you don't have to sing for me or anything."
"Oh, but I must. Your completion looks awful, I'm assuming for the last few days - no, I wonder when was the last time you actually got a decent amount of sleep."
The last time she got a decent amount of sleep? Setsura couldn't remember when was the last time she got proper rest.