crimson soul <[okikagu]> on hold

chapter 3

Sougo and Masamune ran to the other direction, well, with the blue demon forcefully dragging the officer with him. While escaping, they surprisingly did not encounter many guards to fight with, only slaves to free. Room to another room, the group grew; it seemed like Kagura did a great job as no one bothered them. Yet the flaxen-haired boy was troubled with the sudden strength of the Yato female, sure she always has an insane power, being able to destroy building easily. However, she could not keep up with numerous enemies or guns even if she has been blessed with a fast healing ability.

Then again, he discovered that the China he met could be very different than what he imagined, the past she lived before their meeting under the cherry's blossoms. Well, it was not the right time to be pessimistic, he still needed to achieve his mission. After reaching the end of the corridor, they easily broke out outside. The Shinsengumi was already taking out more Eienchen's men, from what could Sougo admire, the other guy was talented. Especially how fast he moved and slashed, without even lack air. The "Demon swordsman" title sure suited him.

So China fought with a guy like this, uh?

He decided that it was for the best to forget this matter now, giving into the pleasure of the battle. Unconsciously, he competed with Masamune, counting how many enemies they killed. If the vermillion haired girl was his rival for many things, the blue haired guy approached Nobume's case, a tool to prove his skills, nothing more. Actually– and for the first time– he was losing, not from much, though. It only motivated him to surpass his usual self, how fun. Having finished the remaining opponents, they started to search for the fourteen years old girl.

The said girl was hunting down the chief of the organisation, jumping with the red strings used like lianas. There were a few minutes left and Masamune and the sadist would come for her, she had to dispose of the boss without them seeing it.

The blue spiked hair already knew about her powers, not the flaxen-haired captain whom she'd rather hide this ugly side of her. Of course she was proud of her mother's technics, that didn't change the fact they were made to pain someone. To injure. To kill. All of them were not prepared to watch the blood tainted her, at least, not so soon.

Hearing an irregular breathe, noticing her of a scared person around, she immediately got closer to the noise. Her brows furrowed upon seeing an old man on the floor, gasping at the sight of the same child that destroyed his earlier attempt in slavery. Kagura Yato.

"I see that it's the same old bastard, uh–uh. Should not have pitied you the first time, people don't change easily." A maniac laugh echoed, the man in front of her had his eyes widened and not in a very sane way. It seemed like the fear turned into a mix of anger.

"That's right, people don't change easily, like you...You..You are still a monster, I remember very well the last time. Your icy cold glares, emotionless while stealing lives, a MONSTER IN A BODY OF A KID–"

Splash.

He could not conclude his sentence, Kagura ended him with the blood vessel forming a blade, she pierced him mercilessly. "If I am a monster, what are you? I never asked to be born as a Yato, nor to do the dirty jobs YOU gave me." She sighed, releasing her power, the blood finally dripped to the floor, it has been used and she would surely catch an infection if she made it enter her body again. The world around began to be fuzzy and blurry, as violent coughs wouldn't stop. A pure black liquid sipped from her mouth. "Shit, I forgot about it... Need Jun...aru–" There she was, miserably holding her chest, her heart beating way too much, to the point that it hurt. Fainting, the arms of a certain Okita locked hers, pressing her body against his. Normally, the girl would never lose consciousness from just a stomach cut, his eyes scanned her, landing on ...Ink? Why the hell was there ink on her mouth? Masamune, who was following behind dashed and seemed to know what was going on.

"Carry her to Jun! He's the only one who can do something when she's like that!" He screamed.

Okita did not ponder more, his legs were running without him commanding them, automatically. Her pale face confused him, he could mistake her for Mitsuba. Mitsuba and her sickness that just couldn't away He was not a doctor, but Kagura was not in a good state at all, he could feel a fever coming, she was sweating a lot. The blind man immediately recognised his friend, frowning then examining her thoroughly. His gestures lacked of any hesitation, proving that it was clearly not the first time. Until now, it never occurred, sputtering a black thing...Was it a reject of something? Observing the hidden worry of the officer, Masamune spoke.

"The black liquid is Yato's poison." He declared "You see, Yatos can't abuse of their blood, so their immune system produces a tiny quantity to stop them. Kagura is an exception. Despite Jun's skills, we still have no clues about how it work."

"I can only give her painkiller," he shook his head "But it's odd, is it the first that you've seen this? If yes then it means that her health has improved with you, if we can pinpoint what the reasons, we could cure her."

"It's better to ask Danna about he's not around, crap."

Mami, Mami, don't leave me alone...Everyone left..Don't go too. Please, Mami."

A child was crying over a beautiful woman, lying on a bed. The white sheets covered almost all of her body, only showing her face. Tangerine locks falling just above tired ocean orbs, bags under them. Kana always wished the best for her child, and did everything for them but the oldest just went away after tearing off her husband's arm. And the two of them decided to go far away, even the goddess of war couldn't take it. And how she was scared for Kagura, her precious Kagura, what will happen to her? Yatos were greedy for power, she was unsafe here, a poor ten years old kid without anyone to protect her.

"Sorry Kagura, mami really did her best for you...But mami is so tired now, she can't open her eyes anymore. She can't move. She can't do anything at all to save you and our family."

Her slender hands reached for the little girl's cheeks, caressing her gently, a small smile plastered on her face.

"Mami doesn't have many times left, be strong my dear Kagura, mami taught you how." Kagura gasped, the hand she was holding suddenly fell while the possessor spitting a charcoal liquid, she could only listen her last word "Sorry, my child...".

"Mami! Mami don't die! Kagura will be a good kid and smile.Kagura will do anything for you so.. Don't...Die...MAMIII" she shouted. She screamed and cried, but her mami could not come back. "Kagura..Kagura is useless without you. Kagura is..Weak.. Mami!"

Weak. Powerless. It was how she felt, they were a happy before, she couldn't understand how it went wrong. So wrong, at least, she wanted to see her mother die without any regrets. In this planet where it always rained, she was alone and tried to survive until being kidnapped and sold into slavery. Yet, she wouldn't hate her father or brother and it made her mad, she suffered so much, so why couldn't she suppress them from her memories? Why did she still desire to save them? Family was a word that did not exist in their dictionary, yet, yet, she hoped that one day, they'll return to the past, when they were together.

Okita was watching his China in the infirmary of the Shinsengumi's ship, she was having a nightmare since she squirmed in her bed. He wondered about what she could be dreaming of, her tears rolled like a river. He was surprised when a small hand grasped his, his body stiffened.

"Don't leave me too...Nii-chan..." She whispered in between the coughs.

Her brother? Did she still loved him, even if he tried to kill her?

"I'll be at your side as long as you want it, China" he patted her on the head, soothing her.

Her hair is surprisingly silky, wow.

He wiped the poison leaking.

Recover quickly China, you make me feel all weird like this...