Chereads / Pale Flame / Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: Yoso Bushi

Chapter 4 - Chapter 3: Yoso Bushi

2nd of January, SaturdayKenzō wandered through the crammed marketplace, complaining about the crowd. Hikari struggled after Kenzō, who was an agile walker, he squeezed through the crowd, as he tried to catch up. Suddenly he stumbled over someone's foot, and was abruptly was surrounded by many people. Hikari heard the fragments of complaints, and statements of curiosity. Each phrase sounding hostile or threatening. "Who is this?" "Wasn't this the street rat?" "How did he get here..." "Stupid idiot... blocking the pathway" Afraid, Hikari hugged his knees closer to himself, trying to reassure himself, he buried his face in his hands, his tangerine coloured eyes welling up with tears.***Kenzō continued to make his way through the lively markets, all citizens excited for the next day, during 9:00pm. All prepared for the last day of this year's lunar new year celebration. He scanned through the crowd behind him, expecting Hikari to emerge.He folded his arms patiently, but slowly grew agitated as time crawled on. "Ugh, where is Hikari..." he complained.He turned around and retraced his steps, then suddenly spied a large, gawking group, crowding around a timid person with a bleeding knee.Kenzō pushed them aside, interested in the trembling individual in the centre. As he studied the person, he realised the familiar hairstyle and colour. Hikari?He approached forward and crouched down. Kenzō slid his hand on his tears stained cheek, lifting up his head to view his face. As Hikari gazed upwards, he glimpsed Kenzō's concerned expression through his blurred vision. "K-Kenzō.." Hikari mumbled, disoriented. "I'm sorry.""No... it's not your fault." Kenzō argued as he stood up and pulling the frightened brunet onto a nearby bench. He examined the cut as the ruby fluid oozed out slowly. Kenzō rinsed the wound gently, sensing that Hikari winced, he placed a Band-Aid over the cut. "Try to stand up." Kenzō suggested.He watched Hikari stumble slightly, but staying in the same position."Ouch...it kind of hurts." Hikari smiled calmly. "I'll be fine in the time being.""Alright... but don't force yourself to move, okay?""Okay...""Now, stay close to me, I don't want to lose you again."Kenzō gripped on Hikari hand tightly. Hikari looked with surprise, but only with no response from the brown haired male. Hikari followed Kenzō, or well, slightly dragged by Kenzō through the marketplace. Together, they bought many items for Hikari that suited him the best, or what Kenzō thought looked good on him. They even bought a matching hoodie because Hikari suggested it, claiming that it was because of their friendship.Finally, when they were done, they started to head back. Hikari gazed around the market place, enjoying the area. Shortly, he noticed a small pet shop. Excited, he pulled Kenzō towards the area. Kenzō glanced at the brunet and smiled."Alright, you can go play with the animals for now, I'll go buy some food, it's about lunch now."Hikari nodded without a reply, eager to see the pets. As he headed towards the animals, the shopkeeper acknowledged him kindly, allowing him to play with them. Hikari bowed gratefully and stepped through the fenced area.Hikari enjoyed playing with the pets, just when he was about to leave the fenced yard, a fluffy, ginger Shiba Inu, nudged his ankle begging him to take him back home. Hikari's eyes softened, but knowing that he hasn't started his work yet, he has no currency.Instead, he picked up the Shiba Inu and cradled it gently, waiting for Kenzō's arrival. Not long after, Hikari glimpsed Kenzō laughing with another man. He had startling long, white hair, tied back in a high ponytail. His eyes was a mixture of crimson and scarlet, the slight colour of blood. Hikari darted forwards, presenting the beige coloured dog in his arms. Kenzō regarded it casually. "You want this, Hikari?"Hikari nodded with excitement. Cuddling the Shiba Inu in his arms. "His name is Keito ♪"Kenzō smiled, still standing next to the taller male, he seemed to be around their age. "Oh, this Ren, by the way," Kenzō explained to Hikari's curious glance, "A friend of mine..."Ren smiled elegantly, having a charming aura around him. "Hey there, first time meeting Kenzō's boyfriend, eh?" Ren teased."Ren! You piece of shit!" Kenzō exclaimed with annoyance. "He's not my boyfriend!""Okay, okay... I was just joking!" Ren laughed, but then getting strangled by Kenzō."Alright, I'm sorry, ok?" "You better," Kenzō glared at Ren."Hikari, let's go eat lunch now... hmph...""Uh o-okay"***Ren regarded them with amusement as Hikari was forcefully dragged away by Kenzō. "Ah... Kenzō didn't tell him yet did he?" He smirked slightly. "He better remember the rules well... we're not allowed anything to disrupt our plans..."Ren folded his arms balletically. Hmph...Ren opened his mouth to speak."Hmm... your grace, you can come out now, you've been watching us for a while, yes?""Heh... observant as ever, Renya.""Stop calling me that Shinji ... it's Ren..."*ignores* "But you're absolutely right, Renya... Us, yoso bushi (elemental samurai) are not allowed to fall in love with mortals.""Unless Hikari is the shinzen bushi (nature samurai)..." "He's not..." Shinji said confidently, "The shizen bushi (nature samurai) has ceased to exist already or we can get Kenzō to slay him.""But mortals can inherit the bloodline!""Ah.. you still believe in that myth?""No... your grace... your absolutely correct... there's only four main bushi (Samurai) left...""Ha... correct, Kenzō is the Hono Bushi (fire samurai), your the Mizu Bushi (water samurai), I'm the Kurai Bushi (dark samurai) and the Raito Bushi (light samurai)... well he locked himself up! Haha..."The breeze blew through the two men's hair, one white, one grey... they viewed the city of Ōsaka..."Hm... this land would soon be ours..."