Total ᕮclipse Of The Heart ~ Bankotsu Love Story

Chapter 13

An unknown feeling took a disturbingly noticeable effect on the boys as you made your way back to the castle. None of what happened the other night was planned, for you, at least. To be truthful, you didn't plan anything. All you were ordered to do was to keep an eye on the Band of Seven, and keep out of the way. Was it relief? Satisfactory? Guilt?

No one made an attempt to get you to talk. No one even saw you change into a new kimono that morning. No one dared to see what you were doing in the lake where you stopped after escaping the castle. One of them, specifically Bankotsu or Mukotsu, would have tried to peek through the bushes and catch sight of your bare skin on a normal day, but what actually made this day not normal is your mood.

Perplexed, you never sensed anyone after you, or rather watching you. It only made sense witnesses would begin to accuse you of killing Kurota, especially soldiers and possibly villagers who lived nearby. And then they'd come after you and punish you. Of course, with your reputation, that is unlikely to be possible.

When you spotted the town at the far end from the hill you were on, you lightened up. Home.

You needed some time away from the seven mercenaries and your room was the best place to get away from there. Sad thing is that it wasn't how sound-proof you wanted it to be so there will still be some signs of the outer world.

“Hey, Yozora,” you felt a light weight on your shoulder as the guards opened the gate that lead to the large village that was quite busy with people since it was only lunchtime and people were going around grabbing lunches, picking children up from school or just meeting up with friends to eat together. “Are you okay?”

Unsure how it got there, a smirk played on your lips, turning your head towards Bankotsu who furrowed his eyebrows at your expression. “Brilliant! Though today I just feel like having some space. What are you up to?” you ask, taking his hand from your shoulder and held it, unaware of the tingly feeling Bankotsu was feeling in his skin at your cold touch. You were usually quite pale. Some had to wonder if you were a vampire who blushed.

“I don't know.” he said stiffly, all of a sudden sounding nervous. The footsteps and clinking of swords behind you was completely ignored as you waited for him to say something. “Probably see more of the village, make some acquaintanes.”

“Is that what mercenaries do when they no longer have a job?” you asks sarcastically, sounding bored to be amusing. Bankotsu looked offended.

“Of course not! There's just...nothing else to do.” he narrowed his eyes at the thought. “Unless,” he turned up the corner of his lips at you. “You want to spend some time with me.”

He paused in wiggling his eyebrows because you were 'bold' enough to kick him in the groin. Hard.

“Ouch.” you hear Suikotsu mutter, sounding amused himself. “That's gotta hurt.”

You decided to ignore their comments, looking down at Bankotsu who had his hands on his stomach, puffing his cheeks out, probably attempting to keep himself from screaming, though he did yelp when you had done it.

“What did you do that for?” he shouted out, scowling at you. You looked around the village for an excuse for a familiar person or an admirer.

“You were just,” you turned your heel. “Getting too close. And you know how I like my personal space.”

Carrying out your habit of slipping your hands into your sleeves, you made your way for the palace, stopping by a bubble tea stand before and went in swiftly without having to stop or hesitate.

“Yo, Zora!”

Entering the lobby, you jerked your head towards the hallway from the throne room, spotting Tsurigino, girl-less, looking normal in a kimono.

“Hi there.” you greeted, smiling. “Tell Nishizawa we're back if you see her. I want to go sleep – I've had a long night.”

Walking past him, you yawned and went to look for your room.

Tsurigino, meanwhile, was stunned. You had said 'hi' to him without a sneer, insult or threat. He had a feeling you beng around the Shichinintai was changing you. Smiling to himself, he had the idea of gathering time to spend with them, in the hopes of discussing your change in behaviour and other things. He wasn't sure how long Nishizawa required them, but for one thing, he didn't want them leaving. Not yet, maybe.

Pretty useless chapter, but I just had to update after nearly three months!