Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 52: Disturbing news

Eventually, I managed to finish drying his hair. When I did so, a knock sounded on my door and I opened it to see Hijikata-san. "Gomen I was so baka and left without telling anyone! It won't happen again!" Thinking he was here to reprimand me, I quickly apologised with a bow.
"You're right it won't happen again, but that's not why I'm here"
"It's not?" I stood up straight. "Then why are you here?"
"You have a visitor"
"Oh, really? Is it Sen-chan again?"
"Hai. She also requested that Sanan-san and Heisuke are to come with you"
"That's strange...I guess we have to go see what she wants then"
"Since Sanan-san and Heisuke shouldn't be seen around here, you'll have to talk in the Fury Corps' quarters" It seemed that Hijikata-san was warning Heisuke not to pull something like he did today ever again.
"Hai sir" We both nodded before following him to the furies quarters where I found Sen-chan, Kimigiku-chan and Sanan waiting for us.
"Don't take too long" Hijikata-san warned in a quiet voice so Sanan couldn't overhear. I nodded to show I understood and he left. Sanan took us into the furies common room and we all sat down.
"It's good to see you Sen-chan, but what are you here for?"
"Whatever do you mean? Did I not say we would see you in Edo?"
"I mean...yeah, but still..."
"Yeah, I remember that. Arigato for what you did that one time. You really saved our asses" Heisuke greeted her with a smile. If he was confused by her surprise appearance, he definitely didn't show it.
"You are the girl who claims to be a demon princess, I believe? What is your business here and why must Toudou-kun and myself be present for it?"
"That is a good question Sanan-san. The answer to it is because what I have to talk about concerns you two"
"If it concerns us, why have you also invited Kazama-chan?"
"Because I feel like she deserves to know what is going on with her significant other. But before we get into  any of that..." Sen-chan turned to me with a worried expression. "Chiyeko, what happened since we last met? Kioshi was being quite the nuisance, wasn't he?"
"Tell me about it...He lured me out to the forest today in an attempt to have me freeze to death..."
"Nani!? Daijōbudesuka?!" Her concern for me grew causing her voice to rise in volume.
"H-Hai, Heisuke and my nakamas managed to foil his plan. So I'm alright now"
"That's great to hear..." She sighed out of relief.
"So, what does bring you here Sen-chan?"
"Oh, that's right. Well, I had Kiku here look into something for me" Sen-chan then gestured to Kimigiku-chan with her eyes.
"Specifically, she instructed me to gather all the information I could find concerning the furies and that vile substance, the Water of Life" She stated.
"Nani?" Heisuke's facial expression went dark, but he stared intently at the two. They now had his full attention. Sanan's expression didn't change, but you could see in his eyes that he was interested as he opened his mouth to speak;
"Did...did you find anything? About the furies? Or perhaps about the Water of Life?"
"Indeed we have. The Water of Life had originally conceived as method of recreating demon-like beings in this country" Kimigiku-chan started and Sen-chan continued;
"Before they came to you, the shogunate conducted fury experiments of their own, with undiluted Water of Life. I thought perhaps you should know the outcome of those experiments" I suddenly had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. "The Water of Life has a certain connection to the demon race, but not, necessarily, to you and I. You see, it was the blood of demons from a western country-from 'France', if I remember correctly"
"...Wait, you're telling me there are demons clans outside of Japan?" Heisuke asked with shock and disbelief plain on his face.
"Hai and iie. There are creatures that are much like us in some ways and quite different from us in others. They have the same strength and healing abilities that we do, but while the western demons suffer from bloodlust and feel weak under the sun's rays, we Japanese demons do not"
"Then...the restrictions that the furies possess aren't the result of some mistake, we just inherited all this crap from the western demons?"
"Precisely"
"I see. How interesting. So if what you claim is true, a human who were to drink the blood of a fury would, theoretically, become a fury themselves" How is THAT what he takes away from everything's she's said!? "In a sense, it grants them an edge. A method of growth far superior to what your kind are capable of"
"Don't be a fool!" Sen-chan scolded. "What you're suggesting is forcing others to sacrifice their humanity and alter their entire state, making them into some sick, demon-like substitute...How do you expect them to retain their sense of self, their heart, after such a thing?" Sen-chan was clearly angered by Sanan's words. "Furthermore, expecting their bodies to handle such a significant change is lunacy. It can only lead to disaster"
"You are referring to the bloodlust, are you not? You need not explain it to me. I am acutely aware. Though, it is quite fascinating when you think about it...This demon blood is what allows the Water of Life to give such god-like power to humans, if you overlook the bloodlust of course" Sanan's eyes glittered with...something as he smiled. Just looking at his facial expression sent shivers down my spine.
"God-like powers? Don't be ridiculous. You do not understand the consequences of forcing demonic power into a ningen shell" Sen-chan sighed heavily and shook her head. I got the impression that it wasn't Sanan's ignorance that disturbed her, but his interest. It was clear that whatever news Sen-chan had to share with us, it was not going to be good news. Yet, Sanan seemed oblivious to this fact. Heisuke, however, had noticed the same things I had. His eyes flicked to mine for a split second before going back to Sen-chan.
"...What do you mean by that?" Heisuke asked with narrowed eyes. "Is there more than just being weak during the day and going crazy for blood?"
"As you know, furies share the same regeneration and strength that demons are blessed with, but the original body of the fury is still ningen"
"Cut to the chase woman. What are you getting at?"
"Watch how you speak to my lady" Kimigiku-chan warned Sanan, but Sen-chan put up a hand to assure her that it was alright.
"...A ningen body is different from a demon's. They're fragile and thus there is a limit to how much one can exert itself" She briefly looked into my eyes apologetically before continuing. "The demonic power the Water of Life grants  a ningen body is too much for it. Every time a fury heals their wounds or uses their newfound strength, they're merely borrowing time from their future selves"
"...Nani?"
"Borrowing time from your future self...?" Heisuke appeared to be as confused as I was. Suddenly, it dawned on me. Iie, she can't possibly mean...It looked as if Heisuke had caught on too. My body began to tremble as I forced the words out of my mouth.
"Th-Then...Heisuke and Sanan-san..." My voice shook and I couldn't complete my sentence. Sen-chan sighed sadly before continuing;
"...During the experiments the shogunate conducted, each of the men who were turned into furies used up the...life...they had and turned to ash. Without exception" She informed us with a pained expression on her face.
"T-To ash...? Iie...t-that's not possible..." I didn't want to believe it.
"What the hell are you saying?! You mean Sanan-san and I are just gonna die soon?!" Heisuke's face as he considered his own demise was too painful for words and caused my heart to squeeze painfully. "Not just a normal death, did I get that right? We're gonna turn to ash like we're nothing?"
"...You needn't believe me if you don't care to, but remember that I warned you. If you do not wish to unduly shorten your lifespan, refrain from the use of your fury powers"
"Well, your 'warning' is duly noted(!)" Sanan's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"I intend to continue uncovering answers to this worrisome conundrum. If I discover anything of import, I shall be sure to visit you again" Sen-chan directed at me with a smile. "Should you ever find yourself in need of my counsel, then I advise you to contact Doctor Matsumoto for my whereabouts"
"I didn't know you knew Doctor Matsumoto, Sen-chan"
"Well, it was my search for Kodo that brought our paths together"
"I see" Huh, small world. Although it wasn't much, knowing I had a way of "summoning" her assistance should I need it comforted me.
"Far be it for me to take up any of your precious time. Until we meet again Chiyeko!" She smiled, bowed slightly and the two of them left the room.
"Um...guys?" I hesitantly called out to them, they didn't look good in the slightest. Sanan stood up and began to leave. "Where are you going?"
"...To my room. The discussion is finished and I would like to gather my thoughts" With that, he left. That left Heisuke and I alone, accompanied by an awkward silence. Sen-chan's cautionary omen refused to leave me;