Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

(Mini) Chapter 73: Kioshi's unfortunate success

Ello ello,

Just here to tell you to play the music when the Heisuke and the protagonist get attacked by a group of furies.

Got it? Jolly good! Then off you scroll and read this chapter!

~~~~~

January 1869

It was early morning, but we were awake. Well, I was awake first because I wanted to get into town early to avoid the rush hour. Heisuke woke up soon after and got dressed saying he wanted to come with me. "Not that I mind, but I normally go into town alone. Why are you tagging along?"
"Because...I always miss ya when you go to town by yourself"
"Aww, Heisuke! You're so adorable!"
"What have I told you?! I'm a man who's neither adorable nor cute!"
"Wow, that's a really strong blush you've got there" I teased.
"Stop teasing me!"
"Okay, okay. I'll go make some breakfast then we'll head out" I stood up, planning to head to the kitchen when it happened. Several strange men suddenly leapt into the room. "Nani?!" Without even bothering to speak, they lunged at Heisuke, swords already out and shining. He dodged the attack easily, drawing his own sword as he moved. With a snarl, Heisuke struck out at one of the men before he had a chance to recover.
"Gyaaaaah!" The man staggered back, blood pouring from his arm. My eyes widened as I continued to watch him. The blood stopped and his wound closed.
"Furies!?" I exclaimed out of shock. What the heck is going on here?! Where'd they come from and why are they attacking Heisuke?!
"Run Chiyeko! I'll catch up with ya when I'm done here!"
"O-Okay, but I better see you soon! You hear me?!" Trusting my boyfriend and not particularly wanting to be around the furies, I turned around to run. However, I didn't get far as a familiar voice made me screech to a halt.
"You're not going anywhere" I looked behind me to see Kioshi.
"Kioshi!? What are you doing here?!" The men attacking Heisuke continued their advance on him, their swords glittering. Heisuke was clearly their superior when it came to swordsmanship, but he was outnumbered. For some reason, Heisuke appeared weaker than he should be and was moving slower than he usually did. His strikes were also much less accurate than they should've been. The only explanation that made sense was that he was acting this way because of the daylight. I thought he was used to the daylight by now...I guess I was wrong...The men Kioshi had brought, however, showed no indication of being similarly affected.
"Isn't it great? Using my own blood, I've managed to create a better version of the Water of Life. My furies aren't bothered by a little sunlight, unlike you two" Kioshi smirked triumphantly.
"Please stop them Kioshi!" I begged. It was becoming increasingly obvious who had the upper hand in their fight.
"Why should I? Doing that doesn't benefit me at all"
"Please, I'll do anything!" I can't lose Heisuke!
"Anything you say? Such as, coming with me?"
"Iie! You stay away from her, you bastard!" Heisuke spat out through gritted teeth.
"Well, you heard his answer. No deal I'm afraid"
"If it's no deal, then I'm not going anywhere with you!" I tried to back away from him, but there were furies blocking my way.
"You're still coming with me Chiyeko. Whether you consent to it or not"
"Goddamnit! Get off me, you bastards!" Heisuke had managed to keep the furies at bay with his sword, but now we were both completely surrounded. Oh no, what should we do?!
"Nighty night Chiyeko"
"Nani-?!" I barely got to start my question before Kioshi suddenly drove his fist into my stomach. "Gah!?" I collapsed into Kioshi.
"Chiyeko! Damnit! Get away from her!" Black spots appeared before my eyes, the world grew dim and I slipped into unconsciousness.

Some unknown time later

When I awoke, I was in a room I didn't recognise. My wrists and ankles had been bound together with rope. "Where...Where am I?" My words had been a question to myself as I thought I was alone. So I was a little surprised when a familiar voice spoke from behind me. "You're in Nakakoshi Castle"
"Kioshi...?" Along with Kioshi, there was also a woman I didn't recognise standing a few feet behind him. "Who are you...?"I directed my question towards her.
"I'm-" Though Kioshi didn't let her finish her answer and interrupted her before she had even started;
"It's none of your concern who she is. The only thing that matters is that you're now our prisoner"
"I won't be for long!"
"Are you sure about that? Because you've already been here for a month"
"Nani?! T-That can't be right! You're lying!"
"Afraid not Chiyeko. I used a horse so it took me around half a month to reach my castle from where you live. From then, you've been out for a full month. We're halfway through February now"
"H-How did you keep me out for so long?!"
"I used a large amount of a very strong sedative. In all honesty, it kept you unconscious for far longer than I expected it too"
"You bastard! Heisuke will save me!"
"I doubt that since he has absolutely no idea where we are right now. And even if he somehow found out, it'd take him half a month and that's only if he's smart enough to take that horse you own. There's a lot I can do to you in half a month"
"T-Then I'll find a way to escape!"
"I wouldn't try that if I were you. The better behaved you are, the longer you live for and the better your living standards" I glared at him defiantly. "Well, I warned you. If you don't believe me you can certainly try, but you won't get very far" Kioshi shrugged. "It's no skin off my back since I want you dead" He then left the room. The woman looked at me sadly before, she too, left the room. It's sad to think this, but he's right. Heisuke has no idea where I am...I can't rely on him to save me, so I'll just have to save myself! But how...?

Evening

I noticed that periodically ninjas would come into my room and leave after staring at me for a few seconds. I suspected that they were checking to see if I hadn't escaped. I wonder...Iie, that's too risky. I'll have to wait and see if that'll work...Just then, the door slid open and Kioshi walked in with a tray. "Eat this" He put the tray down in front of me.
"You know I can't eat with my wrists tied together"
"Maybe if you were to ask nicely, I may feed you your dinner"
"Ha, that's funny(!) As if I'd ask you for help"
"Your loss" He shrugged. "But don't be crying to me for food if you get hungry in the middle of the night" He took the tray and went towards the door. "Oh, and Chiyeko? Whether you like it or not, you will be crying tonight, but it won't be over food" He then left, leaving his malicious warning hanging heavily in the air. Oh God, now that Kioshi has me who knows what he'll do to me? I sat there, my mind going through all the ways he could-and probably would-torture me. I'm scared and he hasn't even done anything yet...

~~~

I can't believe I let Chiyeko get kidnapped...I was supposed to protect her! I heard a knock at our door and carelessly went to open it. "Kon'nichiwa Toudou-san, I hope I'm not intruding" Sen and Kimigiku stood at the door. She appeared to immediately recognise my negative mood and a concerned look took over her face. "What is the matter? Is something going on between you and Chiyeko?"
"Chiyeko's been...kidnapped..."
"Nani?!" Both women exclaimed loudly. "Don't tell me..." I nodded sadly.
"How did this happen?!"
"It's all my fault...Kioshi ambushed us with a group of furies..."
"Kioshi has furies!?" Kimigiku asked out of disbelief.
"Hai, Chiyeko told me he's even become a fury himself"
"The Nishikiri clan...I never thought they would turn to the Water of Life" Sen mumbled to herself.
"He took her away while I was busy fighting off his lackeys...If only I had fought them off faster! Chiyeko wouldn't be in this situation! It's all my fault! I failed to protect her! I failed to protect the one I love!"
"Toudou-san..." Sen stepped forward and took one of my hands in both of hers. "Do not blame yourself like this. We both know it's not what Chiyeko would want"
"I know, but I-"
"But nothing Toudou-san! It is not your fault!"
"It is as my lady says, you should not blame yourself for another's deeds"
"...Arigato guys"
"You're welcome. Now, you look after yourself. I will use all the resources at my disposal to discover Chiyeko's whereabouts. I will make sure to keep you updated as frequently as possible"
"Wait! Please take me with you! I can't bear to just sit around by myself in the house we share! I have to do something!" I've been sitting around and moping for far too long, it's time I take action!
"I can see that you won't take no for an answer. Very well, let us go. We will most likely have a long journey ahead of us" I grabbed my sword and wakizashi and looked over to where Chiyeko's sword laid. I picked it up and gripped it tightly. I WILL rescue you Chiyeko, no doubt about that. So please...wait for me. I left the house with Sen and Kimigiku before we all mounted our horses and rode off.

DISCLAIMER: SOME lines or scenes MAY have been taken or adapted from Hakuōki/Hakuouki: Memories of the Shinsengumi. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL CHAPTERS!!!