Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 74: Freedom gained, freedom lost

Kon'nichiwa minna!

There's a lot of time skips in this chapter and I apologise in advance for that. Still, I hope you enjoy the story and don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts!

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February 1869

Late night

A sudden cold feeling shocked me out of my sleep. My eyes snapped open to see I was soaking wet from my head to my chest. "If you think you're going to have one peaceful night here then you're greatly mistaken" Kioshi smirked as he tossed away the bucket that used to be full of water. "Tonight, I'll subject you to a mild form of torture involving water" I looked around us and quickly noticed that we were outside by a river. "Knowing what month we're in, you can bet that the water will be freezing"
"I'll survive whatever you throw at me" I defiantly stated with a smirk.
"Really now? I guess only time will tell. Enjoy your refreshing dip" He shoved me into the water and I gasped when I fell in. It was freezing cold. Being tied up, I was unable to tread water efficiently and quickly sank to the bottom. I tried desperately to somehow break the ropes, but they were strong. I noticed a jagged rock sticking out of the earth that was on either side of the river. I can use that to cut the ropes! I somehow made my way to the edge and began rubbing the ropes swiftly against the rocks. After a few agonisingly long seconds, the ropes snapped and floated up off my wrists. I quickly grabbed the ropes to stop them from floating to the surface. He'll know I escaped if it does that. I quickly untied my ankles and swam away from Kioshi. I swam as fast and far as I could before I had to come up for air. I broke the surface of the river and gasped before taking a deep breath. I swam to the edge and pushed myself out of the water. I have no idea where I am, but anywhere is better than being trapped in Kioshi's castle. I headed north, to make sure I got as far away from his castle as possible.

Two hours later

I can't...go on...I collapsed. I curled my shivering body into a ball to try and conserve heat. It's too cold...but I can't just stay here...I looked up and an idea came to mind. It's better than sleeping in plain sight where Kioshi can easily find me...Plus, I did it all the time as a kid so I'm used to it. I forced my shaking body to its feet and climbed up a nearby tree. I got comfortable on the biggest branch and hugged myself tightly. Let's hope that there's a town or something up north...Wanting a release from this coldness, I let go of my consciousness and quickly fainted.

Morning

Multiple murmuring voices woke me from my sleep. I opened my eyes to see a few men in a clearing a little ways ahead of me. Oh no, they've already reached me. Iie! I refuse to go back without a fight! From my high vantage point, I scanned my surroundings and noticed a lone fury, closer to me than the others, who seemed to be crouched down in pain. It must be the bloodlust, poor man...He didn't ask to be a fury...and his group just left him there to suffer...As much as I felt sorry for the man, he was my ticket to gaining a weapon to defend myself with. I looked behind me and sighed in relief when I saw no more of Kioshi's fury soldiers. Let's do this. I quietly and cautiously climbed down from the tree. After a bit of scouring around, I found a stone about the size of my palm. Perfect. I silently made my way to the fury and hit the rock against his head to disorientate him. I then quickly stole his wakizashi and knocked him out before he could turn around and see me. Mission accomplished. I took his katana and wakizashi along with their sheaths and quickly fitted them onto my kimono. I sheathed the blades and retreated back to my tree. There's no need to kill them, they haven't wronged me...yet. I watched as they got further and further away from my location. I waited until the fury I knocked out woke up and watched as he ran back in the direction of Nakakoshi Castle.