(16 years and 9 months after reincarnation)
[Takina's POV]
"Kenshin-sama.... Let's talk about Sora."
"So what are you going to do, Takina?"
"I need to find the second sword bearer, and then use it to 'cut' the Severance blade from his soul. It's the only way I can safely remove it from him."
"That is only if you can even find the second sword bearer.... Not a lot of people even knows about the existence of the Severance Blade, let alone know that one of it is bound to that boy. It's a mystery that is almost impossible to solve, you can't find the second sword bearer that easily."
"I know.... That's why it's troubling me so much. I don't know who or even where I should search to find the second sword."
"....You needed the sword not to severe your own dragon soul, but just to act as part of a ritual right?"
"Hmm...? What are you saying, I still need the sword for that ritual. It's what Amaterasu asked of me after all."
"Hmm.... I'm thinking that it might be possible to just bring him to her shrine, without the need to take out the sword at all."
"That's true.... It's the divines we are talking about after all, they might be able to work out a miracle."
"That's what will benefit you the most as well, seeing the situation now.... With the upcoming war going on, it might be the best bet for you two to leave now, before it is too late."
"What do you mean, Kenshin-sama?"
"Now that you have the sword already, there is little reason for you to stay by my side. In the end you are an outsider, I won't force you to take part in this war."
"Are you sure? I am ready to fight for you if you so asks of me...."
"It is your call. If you want to stay, then stay. If you want to leave and help the boy, then I'd wish you the best of luck. Either way, you may do as you wish, Takina."
"Oh.... Sips...."
If he didn't needed my skills then why did he even take me in as his bodyguard...?
"...What is it that you want from me, Kenshin-sama?"
"Hmm?"
"I find it odd how you would take me in like this, train me in your style of swordsmanship and then just let me go without returning the favor...."
"Ah, that? Hahaha, to be honest even I don't know. I just did it on a whim, nothing more nothing less."
Kenshin looks into his sake cup.... He seems melancholic?
"You're lying."
"What?"
"You're lying, Kenshin-sama. There must be a reason you took me in, not on a whim."
"...Fine, I'll say it just this once...."
He placed his cup down and looks me in the eye.
"....Nah forget it, you don't need to hear it."
"What?!"
"Anyway this wine really tastes great, it must've costed you a lot of money to buy as well."
"Don't deflect my question!"
"No matter how hard you pry at me, I won't answer you Takina. Some things are better off kept secret, I'm sure you have your own to keep as well."
"How unfair, you were the one who got my hopes raised!"
"Life is just sad like that, Takina.... Huhaha!"
"Grr...." This ridiculous old man...!
______________
(8 p.m.)
As the day passes, I was able to finally relax in my room.
'Rustle....' I snuggled into my warm futon, where the chilly winter winds couldn't reach me.
"Ahh...." How comfy....
I looked to my side, where Sora-sama is sleeping right besides me in another futon. "Zzz...."
"...."
I have two choices right now.... I can stay here with the new friends that I made here and help them in the war.
Or I can take Sora and leave Niigata, where we'll walk into the Oda Clan's territory and to Ise, where Amaterasu's shrine is located in.
It's a hard choice to choose, but it's also at the same time a simple choice. There is really only one logical choice to pick here - I'll help the one that actually needs my help.
In other words, I'll be leaving Niigata with Sora before the war starts.
"....Good night, Sora." I said as I turned to the other side and tucked the blanket over my shoulders.
___________
(Next day....)
(11:26 p.m.)
(Niigata, Shopping District)
Once I had breakfast with Sora, I went off on my own again and headed out to Monkey's shop. My objective is to of course hand him the sake that was he was supposed to receive yesterday.
I walked into the yard of Monkey's home, and just as I was about the enter his shack....
"-are you sure then? He seemed like a shady merchant..." The voice of a woman came from the inside.
Does Takahashi-san have visitors...?
I quietly sneaked up to the side of the door and eaves dropped on the woman....
That sound... it's Enna-chan?
"Yeah. That guy is friendly and selling him my tools helped me remove some junk from this workshop as well."
Simultaneously as they talked, sounds of wood being carved out was heard from the inside. 'Krk...!' (?x) Takahashi is making something again.
"I see... Well as long as you don't mind then it'll be alright."
They must be talking about that poor merchant next door huh? Truth to be told I thought he was shady as well, but despite that he seemed to be a kind enough person so I didn't mind him....
"More importantly, you must be here for a reason right? There is no way a young lady like you will just show up here to chat with me."
"...Monkey, the Oda Clan is coming."
"Are they now? They never changed their devious ways, utilizing dishonorable tactics and the likes to achieve their goals.
Such shameful opponents would never stand a chance against the proud warriors of Kenshin-sama.... Especially now that their only advantage - Firearms, have been made useful to us as well."
"With the help of that girl?"
"Ah. She was the one to explain to me how it works.... I still have her to thank for it."
"I see.... By the way are the Flames.... still burning?"
"...?"
What flames is she talking about?
"Enna, no matter how many times you ask the answer to that isn't going to change. I could distract myself with sake or women.... but the hate will still burns on."
"...."
"....The most I can do is to keep it in check, and focus on creating rather than destroying. It's the least I can do after the atrocities I've done as a Shinobi...."
"....Monkey."
"What is it?"
"When the time comes, I'll be the one to do it.... definitely."
".....I still have this prosthesis to make, I need to focus."
"Of course.... I'll just wait here at the corner then."
Something is going on between these two.... I wonder does it have anything to do with that incident that Kenshin-sama told me...?
(AN : She's talking about Monkey being cursed into merging with the fox spirit.)
It seems that their conversation is over though, I guess now would be a good time to enter the shack. I didn't meant to eavesdrop on them but I won't want to interrupt such an important conversation.....
And so, I walked out from the side of the door and entered the shack, acting like I didn't know Enna's here.
"Hello there Monkey-san I'm here- oh, Enna-chan."
"Kid."
"Fujiwara-dono... It's good to see you again."
"Yeah, it's been almost a week now.... Do you come here a lot?"
"Not really, but I needed Monkey-san's help for a prosthetic leg, so here I am. Besides, I do enjoy the sounds of wood being carved from time to time."
"Is that so...? Anyway, Monkey-san I've brought some 'tea' for you."
"Hmm? Why the sake?"
"Well it's souvenir from Kyoto... You don't like it?"
"No, I didn't say that. In fact those 'tea' looks delicious, I'll bring the cups." Said Monkey as he stood up from the ground and headed to the counter.
"Morning toast eh? Sure, I'll join."
"....." Enna sat there, with an envious face.
"Come on don't be like that, you can drink as well if you want."
"Well.... if you insists, I'll have some of those 'tea' as well."
"Haha, this is practically a drinking party! And in the early noon as well, how odd."
I sat down next to Enna and sets the two bottles of alcohol down on the floor. Monkey walks over to us and hands us a cup each.
More importantly, he took a small pouch and handed it to me as well.
"Here."
"Mmm?" I took the pouch and... it's money? "Why are you giving me-"
"Kenshin-sama bought the plans for the guns, with a large sum of money. This is your cut, 30% because I did the majority of the work while you only contributed with your intellect."
"O-oh... I suppose I can't refuse this then?"
"You can't. It's yours, take it."
"Thank you...."
As I put the pouch into my handbag while Monkey poured the Sakes into our cups, I also took out a small pendant from my bag and gave it to Enna.
"You have a souvenir as well. I figured you didn't like alcohol so here's a cute pendant instead.... I hope you don't find it too cheap."
"Hmm.... It does look cute...." She took the pendant....
"How do I look, Monkey?"
"Hmm? Shouldn't you ask the kid instead?"
"I'm asking you, old man. What do you think?" She said after she put on the small pendant.
"Well.... I think it looks good on you."
"Hehe, is that so?"
How easy to please.... She has a soft spot of Monkey doesn't she?
From what I've heard out of Kenshin-sama, Enna and Genji was saved by Monkey when they were young. I guess she just feels grateful towards him?
"Now that everyone has their cups, it's down the hatch it goes!" I yelled out as I raised my cup of sake.
"Cheers!" (2x)
"Gulp!" (3x)
"Kah...! Gekkeikan Sake never fails to deliver...."
Even though I drank it with Kenshin-sama yesterday, it's still just as tasty as ever.
"Mmm.... I needed that.... This shack has been getting a bit too lively nowadays, some alcohol definitely helps lower the stress."
"Hehe, is that so?"
______________
After Enna got what she needed from Monkey, she left and headed back to Shibata Castle.
Without anything to do I waited for her and went back alongside as well.
Soon, we had reached the castle.
______________
(Shibata Castle, Inner Castle)
"Thanks for walking with me all the way, Fujiwara-dono." Said Enna as she opens the door to the doctor's room.
"....Actually, I have something I want to ask you."
"Hmm? Speak up then."
"It's about Takahashi-san... I overheard what your conversation with him."
"...! How much did you hear?"
"Most of it."
"I see.... You'd best just ignore it, even if I explained it to you you wouldn't understand-"
"I do understand. It's about the incident that made him lose his left arm.... right?"
"....Come inside."
We went into the doctor's room where she closed the door behind before she turned back to me.
"Who told you that?"
"Kenshin-sama did."
"You ought to keep your nose to yourself, don't barge into someone else's business like you are one of us!"
"I may be an outsider but I am trying to help! You have no business to criticize me about this when the one who told me the entire incident was Kenshin-sama, one of the person responsible. You are as much as an outsider as I am, Enna!"
"That's...!"
"...Sorry."
"No.... I'm the one at fault here. I shouldn't have lost my cool there like that, I'm sorry."
"...."
"But, this is a steep hill that you're strolling on.... Both Takahashi-san and Oji-sama are sensitive to this incident, you should know that beforehand."
"I understand...."
"So, what do you want to hear?"
"About what you asked, the flames of hatred.... What is it? And what exactly did you mean when you told him, that you'll be the one to 'do it'?"
"...I trust you've heard that inside Takahashi-san resides a monster, the great spirit of a Fire Wraith Fox?"
"Yes, I know that much."
"The 'Flames of Hatred'.... Or so we calls it, is the effect that this fox spirit has on Takahashi-san. By nature, that beasts is a spiteful demon, it's instinct is like that of a predator.
It's influence on Takahashi-san caused him to feel immense anger, making him more likely to.... have inpulses, so to speak."
"I see..."
"As for what I meant when I said that I'll be the one to 'do it', I'm saying that I'll be the one to kill him when the time comes....
The eventual time of him being taken over by the fox spirit, and turning into a spiteful fox oni wielding dangerous flames."
"...!" I've heard that Kenshin wanted to be the one to end him as well when he 'turns'.... It seems like everyone wants to kill him.
"Well, not like I'm much of a fighter compared to Oji-sama and Oni-san..."
"Then how are you going to do it?"
"That I do not know."
"Hah...? You'll be bodied before you'll even stand a chance, Enna-chan."
"It's annoying how you phrase it but.... Yes, there's no denying that fact. However, I can always find a way to do it, even if it's not the conventional way to kill someone."
"How are you going to do it then?"
"I don't know for now, but I have some resemblance of ideas that might work. It'll require more experiments however, so I'm afraid I can't tell you anything just yet."
"Keeping secrets now are we? Fine, but do know that I'll be here to help if you need a sword by your side.... You just need to ask."
"Thank you, Fujiwara-dono... I know this may be sudden, but thank you again for sticking with me despite my.... temper."
"Eh it's no big deal. In fact I'd argue it's part of your charm, like a stubborn and gloomy old man."
I meant to say Tsundere when I said that she's like an old man, but she wouldn't get it.
"Maybe I will take back what I said about you...."
"Hahaha, is that so? Anyways, see you Enna-chan."
As I was about to head out....
"Wait! Can you help me deliver something?"
"So soon...?"
"Well.... I just realized I forgot that I've used up most of my doctor's equipments and needed replacements. Can you please take this paper and deliver it to Monkey-san? It has all the orders on it."
"Sure thing, I'll get it done."
______________
Once again I made my way to Monkey's shack....
"Hello there, I'm here again."
"Hmm. What do you need this time, Kid?" Said Takahashi, who sat at one of the corner reading what appears to be a newspaper.
"Enna wanted to place an order for you but she forgot about it earlier, so here I am delivering it to you."
"Just set it at the counter, I'll read it once I'm done with my break."
"Right..."
As I walked deeper into the shack and placed the paper on his work desk, the Monkey called out to me.
"....Listen kid, I have something to say to you."
"What is it, Monkey-san?"
"If for some reason Kenshin-sama isn't here by then.... I want you to be the one to kill me."
"What the hell are you talking about...?"
"Don't play the fool, I could sense your presence even if you hid underneath a blanket, I knew you were there listening in on us."
"....."
"Please, you're the only one I can ask to do this. To make that girl bear the burden of my curse is...."
"...I understand. Alright, I'll do it if the time ever comes."
"...So easily?"
"To tell the truth, I too bear a curse just like you. One that might be just as worse as yours...."
"...."
"I can't stand being turned into something else, something monstrous and not myself.... That's why I can empathize with you, even if only a little."
"I see.... It seems that both of us carry some form of burden on our shoulders. It may even be because of this burden that fate has us meet with each other."
"I'd say something like that as well. Regardless, I don't have anything else here so I'll be taking my leave now."
"Yeah, take care of yourself."
"Mmm.... See ya."
"...."
____________
[Third Person POV]
As Takina leaves the shack, the Monkey stood up from his place and spoke out to the outside of the shack.
"Like I said, I can smell your scent even if you hide under a blanket. Come out, Shibata Genji."
"Your senses have not dulled with age at all, Shishou (Master)."
Said a man as he walks into the shack. He was hiding behind from the outside, listening in on Takina as she talked.
"What do you want with the kid?"
"Nothing, I was just curious about her background and a unknown power that she has...."
"If you're planning on antagonizing her, I'd suggest you not to. Not many can earn the respect or Kenshin-sama, I trust that someone who did like herself would prove too much of an asset for you to make an enemy."
"Of course, Shishou. I only have the best interest of the Uesugi Clan in mind."
"If you lay your hands on her, I'd cut you down where you stand the next time I see you.... even if you're Kenshin-sama's grandson. Keep that in mind."
"I see.... Well, I've achieved what I'm here for, I'll take my leave now. Do take care of your body and your mental health Shishou, goodbye."
"...."
As Genji left the shack, Monkey once again sat down on the small cushion of the floor.
"Sigh.... I'm getting too old for all this dramas now, youngsters these days are just too hot headed...."
Takahashi looked at his wooden arm.... The scene of his left arm being severed by Kenshin flashed into his mind.
"....." He clenches his fist and grits his teeth.... A sense of hatred and violence floods his body.
"Hoo.... Hah...." But he took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
This is what happens everyday to the Monkey, the well-knowned toolsmith of Niigata. Struggling everyday just to keep his anger in check, and avoid lashing out towards the innocents.
This is also why he has kept his distance from everyone except a few others.... So that he wouldn't have to hurt them when the time comes for him to go.
Even he desires attention and love, for he is afterall a person just like anyone else.... It's tragic that his condition takes away most of his hopes of getting what he wants.
But that is another story for another time, for the story of this volume will now come to a close here.
(Chapter End)
(Volume 6, the Moonfall Continent Ends)