A Chance Granted By the Blue Moon [Yamazaki x OC Fanfic]

29

            “…So the Shogun fled…”

            Yamazaki jumped a bit, glancing at my motionless body. “I apologize. I thought you were asleep.”

            “It’s okay.”

            “…Yes, the Shogun has fled alongside the commander of the Aizu. We’ll be moving to Edo soon. Ayamei, you should get some rest before we head out.” His words were quiet and gentle.

            “I can’t. I haven’t slept since Tsuki’s been alive. Maybe I’ll just live the rest of my life awake. Wouldn’t be too bad, yknow?” I laid on my futon, picking at the floorboards absently. Feeling his hand on my shoulder, I looked up at him. “Sorry…”

            “You saved my life…” He sat beside me and took a deep breath. “We haven’t been able to talk for a while. Things have been quite chaotic. I suppose asking you how you are would be pointless.”

            “Susumu, I…” I finally sat up, leaning against him. My eyes were heavy, my hair a ruffled and knotted mess. “I’m not even helpful in this state. I’m just so… tired all the time.”

            “It’s understandable, though if you can’t sleep then it must be rather irksome. You’re fine, Ayamei.”

            “No I’m not. I just want to, like… fade away. I don’t want to live without my Tsuki- without my guardian angel.”

            His eyes went wide and one of his arms wrapped around me. “Don’t say that. You’ll be fine soon. It’s just a less than pleasant chapter of your life. The pages will turn soon.” He looked around presumably for something else to talk about. “…You know… are you alright with traveling to Edo? We’ll need to take a boat to get there; you won’t be able to visit your family.”

            I blinked and then groaned, throwing my head back and collapsing back down onto my futon. I had never thought about that, but he was right- I’d be across a body of water. “I’m not sure they’re going to be happy about this… Even so, I can’t get up there and back in a few hours. It takes two or three to get there by horseback. And considering I don’t have a horse, it would take ages to get there and back. All I can do is hope to run into them. It’s not even like I can go to town, either. The war has overrun it…”

            “There are still some safer places in town. I can take you if you believe you might run into your family.”

            “I really don’t know at this point, but… I guess I have to try.” I took a deep breath and kicked the blankets off of me. I hadn’t left my bed in about two and a half days, so I was disoriented. Yamazaki stood and opened up the door to let the sunlight in and I cringed in response. “Ow… That’s kind of bright…”

            He chuckled and offered his hand. “Come on. I’ll let Hijikata know that we need to make a quick run to town.” When he tugged, I bit my lip and stood still. “…Ayamei?”

            “Susumu, this is something I should do alone. My family isn’t exactly… keen on you. Well, Ryu at least. And if I run into him…” I shook my head and forced a smile. “I’ll be fine.”

            “I will be nearby if you require assistance, then. Please, be careful.” His hand grabbed mine tightly and I could see the worry in his eyes. Quickly and quietly, I nodded and pulled my hands away as I stalked out to visit town.

~~

            Sitting on the bench wordlessly, I kept my weapons concealed by my kimono. I just stared up into the sky, counting clouds. Every now and then somebody walked a bit too close to the bench for comfort so I instinctively glared at them as they walked past. The sun was behind me, my back baking. It was better than the sun being in my face.