Hi again. Finally finished my second BOTI fanfic.
I would really love to hear what people think of
this one.
* * *
Homecoming
A Blade of the Immortal Fan Fiction
by: KCC
Disclaimer:
Rights to "Blade of the Immortal" and its
characters belong to Hiroaki Samura and Dark
Horse Comics Inc.
Spoiler Warnings:
None.
This story happens before the events in the
comic book series. There is, however, mention
of Kagehisa Anotsu and Maki Otono-Tachibana
and, if you don't know what happened to them,
then this fanfic reveals events that occur (to
Anotsu and Makie) after "Cry of the White Worm
Part 2: Path of Blood" (Issue 11 of the comic
book series) and "Dreamsong" (Volume 3, trade
paperback) or Issues 12 - 18 of the comic book
series.
* * *
"I wonder what he looks like underneath
that mask."
Oren tried to push her companion who
whispered that question behind her. They were
all nervous. It wasn't every day that the leader of
the Itto-Ryu came to Yukimachi. She wasn't really
paying attention to the masked one, who seemed
to have gotten everyone else's attention -- her eyes
focused on Anotsu Kagehisa. The aura of power
that surrounded him was spellbinding. She didn't
even notice that the masked one was watching her.
"W-- Welcome." She knew her voice sounded
shaky.
"My friend needs a room."
<Even his voice sounds powerful.> "Y-- Yes."
<I sound like an idiot. Damn it.>
Anotsu was getting impatient. Days ago he had
been to another pleasure house where he found Makie.
<And now she's gone again.> "His name is Magatsu
Taito." Pointing to the masked man beside him.
Oren looked at the masked man and bowed to
acknowledge the introduction. "How long will he be
staying?" She directed the question to Anotsu.
"For a few days, and then I have to go and attend
to some business. I would appreciate it if you kept the
room free for me. I might arrive unexpectedly."
"I will, of course, take care of the expense." Anotsu
was already on his way out.
Oren was frozen where she stood. Her mouth half-open
as she was about to thank Anotsu when he left abruptly.
"Taken with the leader of the Itto-Ryu, aren't you?"
She had almost forgotten the other man's presence.
"Jealous?"
"So, are you going to show me the room?"
<Bossy wretch.> "Follow me."
She showed him the second best room in Yukimachi.
<Not as if he's paying for it.>
"Nice room." He sat on the floor and rested on the wall.
"I'll send someone up shortly." He was pulling down
the mask that hid half his face. <Not bad-looking. He's
actually handsome.> She turned to leave.
"No, wait. You have the wrong idea. I don't
need ... I'm just here for the room."
She frowned. "For the room? You mean just to sleep?"
He nodded.
"Then why didn't you just go to one of the inns? I'm
sure they have better rooms than --"
His laughter cut off the rest of her words. "People like
me aren't welcome at inns. Or have you forgotten who
I am?"
<An Itto-Ryu swordsman.> "Oh..." <All those dojos
they destroyed. I'm sure a number of people would love
to get their hands on this guy.>
"Can you bring me something to eat instead?"
"Very well." She saw him close his eyes and heard his
even breathing when she left the room.
Downstairs, her companions all wanted to know who he
was. "Oren, what's he like?"
"Are we going to get into trouble with the authorities?
He is part of Itto-Ryu, isn't he?"
She was getting impatient with their questions. "We're
the Yukimachi and it is our business to serve whoever
desires our service." She picked up the tray and headed
to the room.
He was deep in sleep when she entered. Sleep had
somehow softened his features and, for a brief moment,
she had forgotten how this man managed to annoy her
minutes after they met. She smiled as she placed the
tray near him. <You look like you've got interesting
stories to tell.> She tentatively patted his shoulder.
"Magatsu?"
When he wouldn't wake up, she patted more
firmly. "Magatsu."
He yawned, then stretched his arms. <I haven't
slept that well in a long time.> He heard her
voice -- trying to recall where he was. He turned to
look at her.
"Your food. Would you like me to serve?"
He was still half-asleep -- the place and the voice
hadn't registered in his head yet. He could smell the
food. He nodded.
She was setting out the plates and could feel
his stare burn into her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well, actually." <She's lovely.> He studied
her as she prepared his meal. <Graceful hands.>
"Woman, can I eat yet?"
"My _name_ is Oren." She patted to the space
facing the food. "Here, sit and eat. I'll keep you
company."
He raised an eyebrow at her last statement. In
truth, he wasn't used to having a female around --
especially one who was paying him this much
attention. <Never anyone this beautiful.> He ate
the food and she waited quietly for him to finish.
It was unusual for her to have a man around
who wasn't interested in her body. She didn't
know what to say. She watched him eat and
smiled at the way he voraciously ate. She
shivered. <Was she nervous? or is it the weather?>
"Cold?" He stood and took off his robe and
handed it to her. "Here." He sat down -- wearing
only a thin black shirt and pants, and continued
to eat, oblivious to the cold.
The gesture surprised her. She took the
garment and put it around her shoulders. She
could still feel his heat. "Thank you. What
about you? Aren't you cold?"
He shrugged his shoulders and continued
eating.
She watched him eat -- amazed at how much
one person could actually enjoy a meal. She didn't
mind that he was taking his time, as though to
savor every bite.
Minutes later, Magatsu set his chopsticks on
top of the bowl. "Did you cook this?"
"Yes, why?"
"It's delicious. Thank you for going through the
trouble."
She couldn't help but smile at the sincerity of
his voice. "I could have served you the worst
meal in town and you still would have eaten it all."
"I guess so. It has been a long time since I've
had a decent meal and a nice room like this."
She felt strangely guilty for not giving him their
best room. "Um --"
"What?" Magatsu was already pulling up
his mask.
"No-- nothing. Here, have your robe back. I'm
fine now. Thank you." She handed the robe back
and, for an instant, their fingers touched. She
gasped and jerked her hand back. She saw his eyes
narrow.
<Had she felt what he felt?> He had never been
affected by a female in this way before. <There
is something about her...> He watched her hastily
gather the plates -- slightly amused at the agitation
he had caused.
<What was that? She had never felt like that before.>
Her hands shook as she handled the plates. When
she had everything fixed, she stood to leave. "Have
a pleasant evening, Magatsu."
He watched her leave. <She doesn't seem to
belong in a place like this.> He shook his head -- as
though to erase the image of her from his mind. "Third
rule of war: Don't get too close to people. They will end
up hurting you the most." Having reminded himself of
the maxim, he began polishing his sword -- carefully
oiling the inner sword.
The task of polishing his sword always had a
meditative effect on him. He didn't notice when Oren
stepped into the room and started unrolling her sleeping
mat. Only when she discarded her outer kimono did
he realize what was happening.
"Woman, what do you think you're doing in here?"
He could scarcely hide the panic from his voice.
"This happens to be my room. I don't have
anyplace else to sleep. The other girls are sleeping
in the other rooms. I didn't think you'd mind sharing."
She lay down on her mat and pulled the blanket up to
her chin.
"Women." He shook his head and let out a sigh
of exasperation. He continued with his task -- pulling
out the inner sword several times until he was satisfied
that it would slide out of the bigger sword quickly. The
amount of time it took for him to pull out the inner sword
meant the difference between life and death for him.
"Magatsu?"
"What? I thought you were asleep already."
"I'm cold."
He didn't know why, but he went over to her, slid
under the blanket and pulled her body to him. <What
was he doing?> He felt her snuggle closer until she
was comfortably warm. "What do you do during the
other nights you get cold?"
"There was always a man to warm my body." She
whispered sleepily -- languorous with his warmth.
He flinched at her response. "I see."
"I like this way better, though." She sighed and
snuggled even closer.
Shortly after, he fell asleep -- still holding her close to him.