Chapter 37: Reunite

AN- I am terribly sorry for not updating my stories for so long now! I do hope I can keep up with them soon! Anyway, please enjoy, and feel free to review! If you happened to be confused about something, feel free to message me. Thank You for reading Past!

Susumu's Pov

I wished it were nothing but a dream. The betrayal played itself over and over again like a filmed in a movie theater. Around me, I felt a softness that embraced me in its protection. Slowly, I managed to open my eyes and I found myself looking up at the ceiling.

Immediately, realization set in and I sat up in alert. "Ugh!" I groaned as soon as I sat up and tightly clenched my wounded side.

"You're up."

I looked up and found myself staring at Hijikata-san. "Vice-commander? W-what are you doing here? Where's Tetsu?"

"I left Ichimura with Yamanami-san. I came back as quickly as I can, but…" he adverted his gaze, "It seem I was too late."

"I'm sorry!" I quickly dropped my head, "I couldn't protect the commander! I deserved death!"

"It was not your fault," I looked up at him. He looked at me and then towards the window beside Tetsu's bed, "You never had a chance of winning anyway. You can't go up against someone like Saito."

"Saito?" I repeated.

"He couldn't fool me one bit. I knew all along that he's not Soji, but I needed to learn more about him, so I kept quiet."

"Is that why you sent Tetsu to Yamanami-san? To protect him."

"Yes," he finally looked back at me, "That child is still too young to let him get involved anymore than he already has. I want to give him a chance to mature and sharpen his skilled."

"But isn't Saito Hajime heading there right this instant?"

"I already told Yamanami-san, and he's having Ryouma take care of Ichimura," he explained.

"But then… wouldn't Tetsu tried to find a way home?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure Yamanami-san will do all that he can to keep Ichimura there as long as he can, though I don't think he will. For the mean time, you need to come somewhere with me."

"Eh? Where?" I asked.

"Mt. Fuji."

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Normal Pov

"Really?" Tetsu's face finally lit up as soon as Yamanami-san gave him and Ryouma permission to go back to Tokyo.

"Yes," Yamanami-san smiled, "So you two best be getting ready to leave. And I have a present for you, Tetsu."

"Eh?"

"Hijikata-san wanted me to give this to you when you're ready, but you are as ready as you will ever be. Akesato-san," Yamanmi-san looked at her and she handed him a long object cover in a sword shackle.

"This and one other part will be given to you, for they have always been yours," Yamanami-san took off the cover and revealed the long silver swords inside.

"Those…" Tetsu's eyes widen in surprised. Those two swords were his back then, but how did Hijikata-san get a hold of them?

"These two came along with this as well," Yamanami-san handed Tetsu an old blue book written in the old language.

Tetsu looked at it, and then back to Yamanami-san.

"Here," he handed Tetsu the two silver sword, "Take very good care of them. The other gift will be given to you when you return."

"Return?" Tetsu tilted his head in confusion.

"Look at the name of the sword."

Tetsu looked at the sword and gasped, "Rain! As in Silver and Rain?"

"Yes, Silver will be your other gift, but because Silver is our dojo's treasure, we can not let you take it unless we're sure you're coming back," Yamanami-san explained.

"Why?" Tetsu asked.

"Because Silver has always been yours. It was made for you by your vice-commander," Yamanami-san smiled warmly.

Tetsu looked at the swords for a long while and then a sad smiled creep onto his face.