|COMPLETED| The Emotion Love - Heisuke x OC

Chapter 32 ~ Planning

Sorry I'm late! Enjoy!

~ Tsukino ~

As soon as the sun started to rise up into the sky, I was already moving. It was better if I started earlier than what I had originally planned.

First, I would have to see Tsubaki. It was better to get the drug now so I wouldn't forget. Kimono would surely force me to stay for a few hours to have a few drinks. It didn't sound too bad, I was in the need of one.

I had come to a realisation yesterday as I lounged on one of the roofs, trying to sleep. One that had me drowning for a long, long while. I found it hard to believe, but that was the only reason I could come up with. The only thing that came to mind.

It made me frustrated. I didn't know if I was true... But there was a chance. A chance that I did not like. A chance I did not want to go think was really...reality.

Maybe I could ask Tsubaki. She might know what to do; how to fix this situation. There was always a chance. And hopefully, Tsubaki would be that chance.

I went with a different attire. Last night, which had been partly difficult, I had snuck into the Shinsengumi's quarters and taken something. A gift from Heisuke. That oh so very expensive kimono. The pale lavender with the silver flowers decorating the top of it.

Tsubaki hated it, absolutely despised it, when I did not meet her in a kimono. "Your beautiful face is always hidden. Such a waste of beauty on someone who does not like people to see their appearance." Something she said whenever I came to her in my normal attire. And now, I always saw her in a kimono, looking like an everyday person. Maybe a bit more rich with this kimono on me.

I had to leave my other attire there, including my two swords. My scarf, thankfully, was still with me. If anyone went into the room I had stayed at in the Shinsengumi, then they would know I had been there. Heisuke would know.

I shook my head frantically as soon as the thought came to mind. I could not think about that now. I had a job to do, and I had to stay clear minded. Or else this could end very, very badly.

It was silent as I entered the Teahouse. A good thing for me. Tsubaki would be in a pleasant mood for bargaining. Knocking on the door to her private quarters, it was swung open and I was greeted by a puff of smoke. Sending me into a coughing fit.

Bright blue eyes lit up. "Tsukino! It's you! Oh, it's always a pleasure to see you."

Nodding my head, I rasped through the coughs, "You too, Tsubaki."

"Come in, come in! Have a drink with me!" Moving aside, I walked into Tsubaki's office. It was simple. A low table with a pile of paper and ink and in the corner a vanity table, filled with accessories and makeup. In beside it was a beautiful kimono, resting on its...thing. 

Tsubaki already had teacups in her hands. Sitting down, the both of us, she handed me the black porcelain cup, a strong smell coming from it. Green tea. Taking a sip, I watched Tsubaki over the lip of the cup who also took a sip.

"What brings you here?" Tsubaki murmured. "It has been too long since you've seen me."

"I'm on one of my...jobs." Understanding shone in her eyes. "A slave trader is lurking and he is to leave soon. My job is to lure him here somehow and then...you know what."

"Indeed I do," she said with a frown on her painted lips. "What is it that you want from me exactly, Tsukio? Someone to use as bait?"

I shook my head, taking another sip and sighing. It warmed my soul. Made me forget about my worries. "I would never ask that much of you. I will be the bait. A beautiful, trained and unused Maiko."

Maiko's were girls who wished to be Geisha. If I were to appear as a Geisha, it would be too suspicious. I was nowhere near Geisha-like. Maiko...it would be far easier to act as one.

"And when, exactly, will you go through with this?"

"Tonight." Tsubaki's eyes widened. "I know I should have asked sooner, but I have been busy with preparing things. I also need to go see-"

"That doctor of yours?" Tsubaki raised a deep brown eyebrow. "I've never liked her much."

I frowned. "You know she does wonders, Tsubaki. I feel no pain in my back because of that paste." 

"Of course she does," Tsubaki mumbled back. Blinking, she set the cup down and took a breath of her pipe she loved. Leaning back, she gave me a lazy smile. "I will have everything ready for tonight, dear Tsukino. This bastard sounds like he deserves what he's going to get. Maiko, correct? Is there any specifics for a kimono?"

I nodded. "A dragon design, if you will." Tsubaki laughed. She knew quite a bit about who I was.

"I would expect no less from the-"

"Dragon Princess, Tsubaki."

"You know that is not your real title, don't you? Senhime has even told me."

I frowned in distaste. "I know. But I do not like...the meaning behind it. What it implies." 

"Why though?" Tsubaki asked. "You're the reincarnation of...you know who dear."

I did indeed. Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. Brother of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun. My clan, the Hirukami, had been direct blood descendants of the goddess. Me, on the other hand, was not. I was the reincarnation of the god of the moon. That explained my powers.

And I would never tell anyone this. It was something that would come with me to my grave. And Tsubaki's and Senhime's. I could only hope that Kazama did not know of this. 

"Well then," Tsubaki said, her expression and tone bored. "If you are to be a 'beautiful, unused Maiko' by tonight, I think it would be your time to leave. I will get everything ready for you, dear Tsukino. Go see that crazed doctor of yours and be back as the sun starts to set. But, pray tell, how are you going to kill this man?"

"Simple." I rose up from my seat, running a hand over the water-like fabric to get rid of any creases or dust. "I will have a small knife with me. I will weaken him with a special mix made by my 'crazed doctor'-" a grin spread across Tsubaki's face, "-and then I will slit his throat."

A wicked grin made its way onto my friends face. "Well then, off you go my dear. I will see you soon." With a small smile, I left quickly. It was time to see someone else; my doctor.