“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 19


Days after the confrontation with Sawaka, Hijikata sits in the center of his room on his bed as he looks at Nori standing in the doorway looking out to the stars. The moonlight dances and glistens from her hair. She turns smiling at Hijikata as she moves her hair from her face as a gentle breeze blows through.

“Come here, Nori.” Hijikata calls to her. "I am pleased to inform you that your grandfather has been safely recovered."

Nori nods and walks toward Hijikata slowly as she sits on the floor in front of him. She reaches out placing her hand on Hijikata’s cheek, brushing his hair back from his face. Hijikata slides his hand around Nori’s waist, pulling her close to him. He caresses her cheek and slides his hand back behind her head, pulling her closer to him, kissing her. Hijikata pulls Nori to the floor as he starts to lie down. Nori lies with Hijikata as they kiss and he caresses her body, Hijikata lying on top of her as he slowly opens her kimono. Nori slides her hand under his blanket as she slowly pulls out a small dagger, the same dagger that she received from her sister the day she died. Nori had sworn to never use a weapon, but at this moment, it matters not.

Hijikata looks into Nori’s eyes and smiles saying, “I will make you very happy in our life together.” Nori hesitates from his words as he draws closer to her and brushes his lips against hers he whispers to her before he kisses her, “I have fallen in love with you Nori.” He then passionately starts to kiss Nori.


Nori's blood started to boil with rage by his last words he spoke to her before the kiss. She lifts the dagger up behind Hijikata plunging it into his back, as Hijikata gasps for air pulling away from her.

“Nori… W…?” Hijikata whispers.

Nori pulls the dagger from him, plunging it into his back again.

“N… Nori…” Hijikata says.

Nori pushes Hijikata from her with great force sending him across the room. She gets up and walks to the other side of the room to where Hijikata had his katana. She picks up the katana turning, looking at Hijikata and unsheathes it, the blade gleams in the moonlight. She walks toward Hijikata holding the blade in front of her as she walks toward him.

“I told him you would die… but only when I said. Now Hijikata it is time for you to die.” Nori says.

Hijikata looks into Nori’s eyes he sees a mix of pain and confusion as it circles around her. “Nori, why are you doing this… I thought… I…” Hijikata tries hard to speak his thoughts, as fear for his life flashed in his mind as he tries to move away from Nori. "I mean... you told Sawaka that you won't follow her orders anymore...."

“You're still asking why, Hijikata? I would think by now you would know why I want you dead.” Nori tells him still walking toward him. "And I'm not following her orders anymore. I'm doing this on my accord."

Nori gets right above him as she looks down on him.

"Nori, you're not a killer… you cannot do this.” Hijikata says coughing. Blood flows from his mouth.

Nori tilts her head, as a tear trickles down her cheek, “I cannot live with this pain any longer, Hijikata. I am sick of feeling all the pain that you have brought upon me. You have killed my sister; you have brought shame to the Mutsu name by training Katana to fight with a weapon, you killed the only man I have ever loved.” Nori stops as Hijikata and her encounters flash in her mind, she pauses, closing her eyes and shaking her head as to get rid of the thoughts and feelings of love she has for Hijikata.

"Why do I feel this way for a man I hate?” she says aloud.

“Because you are falling in love with that man.” Hijikata tells her.

“NO, you dishonor me by thinking that I would be with a killer like yourself. You must die and I will be the one to end your life.”

Nori brings the katana down in a quick single motion as Hijikata rolls to avoid the strike of the blade. Hijikata struggles to get to his feet as he stagers to the door, falling out into the walkway. Nori follows him as she steps out the door her self. She brings the blade down on Hijikata once again as he quickly moves the blade cuts into his arm as he falls backward onto the ground in the courtyard.


Nori walks over to the edge of the walkway and looks down on Hijikata. As she steps down to the ground, she slowly walks to Hijikata. He staggers and stumbles backwards trying to get away from her.

“You should just stand there Hijikata and get it over with. It will make it easer on us both.” Nori tells him.

“Stop this, Nori. Please I can help you overcome this pain that you feel.” Hijikata tells her, still trying to get clear of the blade of the katana as she swings it again cutting into his other arm.

Nori laughs at him, “Help me over come my pain, Hijikata? By giving me your love? Do you really think I could fall in love with a killer? And you of all killers, you want my love… after what you have done to me, you want me to love you?!” Nori yells again, a tear streams down Nori’s cheek.

Hijikata goes down to his knees. Nori stops as he looks up at her his eyes filled with remorse he speaks to her again. “I know you have fallen in love with me Nori that is why you waited so long to kill me. Even though you will not admit it, your feelings of love and hatred for me has you confused. Nori I know I have done wrong in the past, but I can change. I can change because of you’re for love me.”

Soji walks from his room seeing Nori with a sword and Hijikata down on his knees. He starts running their way. Hijikata sees Soji running toward them.

“If you want me dead that badly then just kill me and get it over with.” Hijikata says he hangs his head, waiting for the final blow of his katana from Nori’s hands, hoping that Soji gets there before she takes his head. Or that Nori will come to her senses soon.

Nori raises the blade above her head as she brings down the blade it is suddenly stopped by the blade of another katana, just before the blade of Hijikata’s katana takes his head. Nori looks up seeing Soji standing there blocking her killing blow to Hijikata.

“Soji…” Nori says.

“Nori what are you doing… I need to understand!!” Soji exclaims.

“No Hijikata must die!! That is all you need to understand!!” Nori tells Soji. As she raises the blade against Soji, striking at him.

“Nori, stop this you know you cannot defeat me like this?!” Soji yells at her as she attacks him again. Nori lunges at Soji bringing the blade up and to his left as she cuts across Soji’s chest. Soji steps back shocked that she had attacked him as he touches his chest were she had cut him looking at the blood on his fingers. “Nori please stop this, why do you want to do this… I know you are in a lot of pain but this is not the way.” Soji tells her.

“Please Soji do me a favor and kill me.” Nori whispers as she rushes him again.

“Kill you…? Why would I kill you Nori… Why would you want me to do that?” Soji yells at her.

“Stop Soji do not hurt her!!” Hijikata yells at him. Soji jumps from her attack as she brings the sword around cutting the back of Soji’s arm.


Soji grabs his arm as he looks at Hijikata and then back at Nori, “Nori, stop this now… I do not want to hurt you, but if you do not stop this… you will leave me no choice. I will have to.” Soji says.

“You told me one time, Soji you would be there for me… you told me you would do what I ask of you when I ask, is our friendship all a lie?” Nori asks him. She goes to attack Soji again yelling. “Kill me Soji or I will kill you and Hijikata both!!”

Susumu hears yelling out in the courtyard has he runs to see what is going on. Once he there he sees Soji, Hijikata and Nori fighting. Nori with a sword in her hands charging at Soji.

Soji raises his katana ready to strike against Nori.

“No, Soji! Do not do it!!” Hijikata yells.

“Stop!!” Susumu yells running toward them.

“She is going to kill us both if I do not stop her.” Soji yells at both of them. Soji looks at Nori as she is coming after him. As she runs toward him, he sees the pendent he bought for her hanging from her neck. His mind flashes to the night of the festival. “I will do my best to be your friend, ALWAYS.” His words echoed in his mind. He drops his sword to his feet; Nori stops and looks at Soji.

“Why did you put down your sword Soji… Pick it up!!” Nori yells at him.

“No, I will not fight you… you are not my enemy and I will not fight you.” Soji tells her.

“Nori, please put down your weapon.” Soji begs of her.

“This is not your way Nori and you know it.” Susumu says.

“PICK UP YOUR SWORD, SOJI!!” She yells at him again, paying no mind to Susumu.

“NO!! I will not!! You are my friend and I will not… I cannot kill you!” Soji yells back. “Nori, I told you that I thought you would never become my enemy. Please tell me I was not lying to you or myself. You are not a killer and you should never have the smell of blood upon you. Please, Nori... Stop this. I thought we were friends… please Nori.” Soji begs her again as he walks toward her.

Nori looks at Soji. His face shows nothing but concern for her and how she must be feeling. Soji stands right in front of her as he reaches out and touches her arms. “I cannot do it, Nori. Please do not make me. I love you to much.” Soji says as his voice shakes from the hurt he feels from her request.

Nori drops the katana to her feet as she falls to her knees in front of Soji she starts to weep bringing her hands to her face. “I am so sorry Soji, I am so sorry for asking you to do this.”





“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 20


Soji stands there with his hand on top of Nori’s head when he sees Hijikata trying to get to his feet. Soji steps away from Nori, walking over to Hijikata to make sure he is all right and help him up. Nori kneels there sobbing into her hands. When she hears Hijikata call out to her.

“Nori, I am sorry for the pain I have caused you, and I promise I will make it up to you however I can.” Hijikata says to her.

The sound of Hijikata voice echoes and pounds in Nori’s mind, all of the thoughts of her older sister flood over her once again, what Oukami had told her about Haru, dances in her mind her heart feels as if it is going to explode from the flood of pain, she thinks of her friendship with Soji and Susumu and how he thinks of her as his sister and the others as her thoughts dance and mix in her mind, her new found feelings for Hijikata, could she truly be falling in love with him. Her head and heart feel as if they were going to burst.

Nori grabs up the katana at her side and rushes toward Hijikata and Soji yelling, “KILL ME SOJI… PLEASE I BEG YOU!!” Tears flow down Nori’s cheeks.

Susumu seeing this, rushes toward Nori to stop her as he yells, “Nori, NO I CANNOT LOSE YOU TO!!”

Soji spins around, seeing tears stream down her cheeks as she runs toward them. As Nori reaches him he hits the hilt of the katana knocking it from her hand. Soji sees Nori has her sister's dagger in her other hand. As the sword falls back to the earth, Soji grabs it from the air. The fear of being killed gives Soji a hard slap in the face and he defends himself and Hijikata. In one single motion, the blades swipes past Nori’s throat as it graze Nori’s neck. Soji pulls the blade back and thrust it forward toward Nori. Susumu reaches for the sword grabbing the blade cutting into his hand, but Susumu holds the blade tightly refusing to let the blade get to Nori as he shoves her back with his other hand.

Hijikata yells at the top of his voice, “NO! NORI!!”

Nori sees what Susumu is doing for her, this stopping her from throwing the dagger, Nori falls to her knees as she places her hand to her throat. Soji releases the katana standing there in shock of what he just tried to do looking down on Nori as her blood flows from beneath her hand. Susumu still holding the katana throws it sticking it into a near by tree. Blood rushes from his hand dripping from his fingers. Soji falls to his knees next to her as Hijikata gets to his feet, staggering to their sides. Hijikata, Soji and Susumu look at Nori as she smiles, looking at them.

“N… Nori… I am so sorry.” Soji says to her as tears flow from his eyes. He touches her cheek, brushing her hair from her face. “I never wanted to hurt you.” Soji looks over at Susumu and says, “Thank you for stopping me.”

“Thank you, Susumu.” Soji says again, laying his hand on his shoulder.

"Susumu…” Noir says, Susumu takes Nori’s other hand smiling at her, “Yes, Thank you for stopping him. I truly do not want to die.” She tells Susumu, tears still flowing from her eyes.

Soji reaches for the pendent that was around her neck, lifting it up into his hand as they both look at it and smile. She places her hand on Soji’s hand that held the pendent, closing his fingers in around it, “You have proved to be a true friend to me…” She whispers to him kissing him upon the cheek, as a tear rolls from her eye.

She reaches over to Hijikata placing her hand upon his chest over his heart, “Will you ever forgive me and help me forget my pain.” She pauses and sighs, “I am so tired of hurting I only want to stop the pain, I knew that by me killing you, the pain was not going to stop. I was hoping that your men would kill me first, but then these two happened in my life.”

She looks over at Soji and Susumu and smiles, “And they have taught me that as long as you have FRIENDS you can over come anything.”

Hijikata smiles at her saying, “I think we can get through this, together. Love and time heals all wounds Nori.”

“Love it has been so long since I have known love, I think I forgot how it truly feels.” Nori says.

Hijikata slides his arm around Nori’s shoulder pulling her to him and laying her head on his chest, “I think we both can help each other with that one.” Hijikata tells her.

She closes her eyes, finding comfort in Hijikata’s arms; she whispers aloud, “I love you all.” She finally collapses from exhaustion.

Soji picks up Nori into his arms carrying her to her room.


Weeks later Nori is in the dojo working out with Tetsu after lunch, “No Tetsu sweetie it is done like this.” Noir says showing Tetsu how to do a Kogetsu kick as she drops back kicking over Tetsu’s head. Tetsu cowers down to avoid being kicked.

Nori laughs, “Did you think I was going to kick you Tetsu?”

“Well the thought did enter my mind as your feet were flying toward my head.” Tetsu says. Nori laughs harder, she hears Hijikata laugh as well. She turns in the direction of his laughter seeing him standing in the doorway of the dojo she smiles at him.

“I think you should give up and come with me Nori.” Hijikata tells her. Nori looks at Tetsu, “Do you here this; he has no faith in you Tetsu.” Nori tells him.

“I am use to that around here.” Tetsu says laughing. Nori looks back over at Hijikata as he stands there with his arms folded over his chest and a look on his face that said ‘Oh really now!’ He pulls one hand free and starts to motion with his finger for Nori to come to him. Nori smiles at him again and looks back at Tetsu she places her hand on his head messes his hair.

“Ok Tetsu I am going to see what is so all might important to Hijikata over there. I want you to keep practicing on that kick I know you will get it soon.” Nori tells him as she walks toward Hijikata.

Tetsu smiles at Nori saying, “Ok I will not let you down Nori.” As he watches her and Hijikata walk from his sight.

Hijikata takes Nori by her arm and leads her from the compound. Nori follows but is confused Hijikata never leaves the compound unless there is a mission. “Hijikata…” She says to him.

He looks over to her and smiles, “Yes what is it Nori?” He asks her. “Where are you taking me, may I ask?” She says.

“Of course you may ask, but that does not mean I will tell you.” Hijikata replies with a smile. Nori shakes her head and continues to follow him. They walk to the forest that is about a mile from the compound. Hijikata leads Noir to a clearing where he had planed to have a picnic with her that day. Nori looks at the blanket spread across the ground and a basket that sat to the side for them.

“Hijikata did you do all this?” She asks him.

“Yes I did, I wanted you alone for the day and this was the best way to do it.” He told her leading her to the blanket. He lays his katana down next to the blanket sitting down taking Nori’s hand he leads her down to the blanket with him. As she sits down next to him Hijikata lays back folding his arms under his head looking up into the sky.

“Today is a beautiful day for this.” He says.

“Yes it is,” Nori says as she turns herself placing her legs to the side of her and propping herself up on her on arm. She looks down on Hijikata placing her hand other on his chest; he smiles up at her as he moves one arm from under his head. He slides his hand in behind her to her back, pulling her down on top of him. She rests herself upon him looking at Hijikata. Hijikata takes his other arm from under his head as well, wrapping both arms around her he smiles; he quickly turns his body placing Nori under him as he is now on top of her. She laughs at him under her breath, wiggling slightly under his body.

Hijikata stares deeply into her eyes, “Your eyes are as blue as the sky today.” He tells her. “And I see happiness were there was once pain. Are you truly happy with the new path you have chose Noir.”

“Yes I am, I have found peace within me and forgave my sister for what has happened between us. I know now that she cared for me and only wanted Father and me to be proud of her. I still have many things to atone for, but I have the rest of my life to do this in.” Nori says as she moves Hijikata’s hair from his face. Hijikata slowly lowers his head to kiss Nori as he whispers to her.

“Let’s start on one of those atonements now.” He slowly brushes his lips against Nori’s as he kisses her deeply and passionately. Nori wraps her arms around Hijikata as she slides her hands down his back and off to her sides. Hijikata grabs his katana next to them as he is still inches away from her and there lips brush against one another’s.

Nori smiles at him and gives a slight chuckle saying, “Still do not trust me Hijikata?” Hijikata then feels Nori’s hands has she slides them between the two of them.

“You have nothing to fear from me any longer.” She says to him, she slightly lifts her head kissing him as she pushes him up from her she opens her kimono to him, Hijikata smiles removing his hand from his katana.


The End



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