“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 17


Later that day after lunch, Soji sees Nori setting in front of her room on the walkway. He walks over to her and sits next to her; he looks down at the ground and says in a saddened tone, “Help me understand Nori… help me understand why you want Hijikata dead. I know you have been carrying a lot of pain and grief inside of you for a very long time, but you are not a killer you do not have the look or even the smell of blood on you. Why now do you want to kill?”

Nori whispers, “I do not, and who said I was going to kill him? The only thing I know is it must be done.” Nori gets up and starts to walk away from Soji.

Soji looks at her, shocked with the answer she gave him and that she is walking away from him with only that statement. He jumps up grabbing her shoulder spinning her around he yells at her, “I deserve an answer from you, and you will give it to me!!” Soji exclaims.

Nori pulls away from Soji pushing his hands from away from her; she backs up, turning and starts to walk away again. Soji quickly gets in front of her and stops her looking into her eyes.

“Just remember what you told me the night of the festival, Soji.” Nori tells him.

“That is not the answer I am looking for!” Soji exclaims, “What does that have to do this anyway?”

Nori smiles at Soji as a tear trickles down her cheek, “I will call on you to do me a favor one day. I just hope you are up to it when I ask you to do it.” She steps around Soji and starts to walk away again saying. “I hope you are a true friend to me, for you are my only friend.”

Soji stands there confused by what she said to him, he thinks to himself, “What she is talking about? What I told her at the festival?” Soji just then realizes what she is talking about “SHE WANTS ME TO KILL HIJIKATA?!” As he spins around yelling, “NO!! NORI!! I CANNOT DO THAT!!” He sees that Nori has done left his sight.


The night comes and goes. Shades of orange illuminate the sky as the morning sun rises to start a new day. Nori hasn't slept all night. Instead, she has been seated in a cherry blossom tree just a half mile away from the compound. Tears run down her cheeks as they have been since nightfall. She knows what she has to do... and what may become of her in the end. Her somber silence is shattered when a loud voice yells to her. It sounds familiar and is not a voice that she wanted to hear. It is the voice of Oukami.

"Nori, you say that you will kill Hijikata, yet the man still breathes," he says to her. Nori looks down to see him standing with Mizuto. Mizuto is holding the bag that Sawaka had given him earlier.

"I told you before, Oukami. Hijikata will die on MY terms. I'm not in the mood to deal with you. Now go."

Mizuto shakes his head. "Tsk, tsk tsk. The mistress has grown tired of waiting. I have something here that may you speed you up... " he says as he reaches into the bag. Nori watches as he pulls out a small wooden sign. Mizuto tosses it to the ground. The words "TEA SHOP" run across it. Nori leaps down from the tree.

"Bastards! What have you done to my grandfather?" Nori shouts.

Oukami grins at her. "We've done nothing. This is our mistress's doing. If Hijikata doesn't die by your hands soon, we cannot guarantee that your grandfather will survive."

Nori raises the sign to her chest and hugs it. She turns her attention back to the men before her. "Is this how desperate she has gotten? Resorting to petty kidnapping? If she hurts him, I swear--"

Mizuto cuts her off. "You'll do NOTHING! You know that you're no match for her. Now be a good girl and kill Hijikata, okay? If not, your grandfather will get a one-way ticket to Hell."

"ENOUGH!" A voice proclaims from behind the two Supaidas. Mizuto and Oukami turn and see Hijikata himself. He speaks again. "I heard the whole thing. That wench Sawaka is getting to be a real pest. If she wants me dead, why doesn't she come herself? In fact, I am here now. Why don't you two kill me?"

Mizuto laughs at him. "She has her reasons for wanting Nori to be the one to finish you."

Hijikata draws his sword. "And I have my reasons for finishing you both. Nori, stay back."

Nori gets into her fighting stance. "What do you take me for? These guys have my grandfather and you expect me to sit back and do nothing?"

Hijikata smirks. "I shouldn't have expected anything less. You take Oukami. Mizuto is mine."


Oukami unsheathes his two weapons. Mizuto pulls out his blade as well. He looks to his comrade. "Remember... don't kill them. It'll ruin the mistress's plan."

"Right. We'll just slice them until they wish they were dead." adds Oukami before dashing forward to battle Nori. Hijikata engages Mizuto in a swordfight. Their blades clash, forcing sparks to fly into the air. The sounds of clanging steel echo throughout the forest surrounding them. The heated intensity of the struggle upsets the balance of wildlife around the area, making animals flee for safety. Mizuto slides back from Hijikata and tosses his sword into the air.

"Supaida Transformation Technique... Rain of Ice Needles!" The sword transforms into water and then freezes into ice. Hijikata ignores it and lunges at his now wide-open opponent. Mizuto is very calm, not moving from his ground. The ice sword spins around rapidly and is broken into thousands of needle-like weapons. They fall from the sky and towards Hijikata. Hijikata quickly avoids the first wave, but is not so lucky with the second. Several of the needles embed themselves into his flesh. He drops his sword before falling to his knees. All of the ice needles rejoin and revert back into Mizuto's original sword. He stands over the wounded Hijikata with a sadistic smile on his face.

"Outclassed, outdone, and outmatched. Pathetic." he says.

Meanwhile, Nori is holding her own against Oukami. She easily dodges most of his attacks, which frustrates Oukami. Nori quickly ducks from an oncoming swipe and raises her leg up to kick one of Oukami's blades from his hand. She grabs his other arm and rolls him over. Oukami reveals a hidden dagger and jabs it into Nori's side. She cries out in pain. As she does, Oukami kicks her away and grabs his sword from the grass. Nori has been slowed down because of her injury. Oukami knows this and takes advantage. He repeatedly swipes his swords at her. Nori does her best to avoid being turned into ribbons, but cannot avoid them all as a few graze her. She falls over onto her back. Oukami holds a sword at her throat.

"I could kill you now, but you have your orders. Kill him... or your grandfather dies. AHH!"


A shuriken strikes Oukami in the back. He falls over and lies next to Nori. Nori mounts him and delivers a series of punches to his face until she eventually renders him unconscious. She, Hijikata and Mizuto turn to see who threw the shuriken. It was Soji.

"Soji..." whispers Nori.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" he screams while he wields his sword. Mizuto laughs at him.

"You? HAHAHA! You've got to be kidding me. Run along, little boy. The adults are trying to have a conversation."

Soji runs towards Mizuto. "Boy? I'll show you just how much of a boy I am!" He furiously swipes his sword at Mizuto. Their blades meet with each other numerous times before Mizuto starts to sweat nervously. Hijikata's eyes widen as he thinks. "He's like a man-possessed... I've never seen Soji like this before..."

Mizuto is being pushed backward, a position he doesn't like to be in. He rolls away and tosses his sword quickly into the air.

"Supaida Transformation Technique... Rain of Ice Needles!"

Once again, the sword turns into water and then into ice. The needles fall from the sky above and towards Soji. Soji swipes his sword feverishly to repel all of the needles without them touching him. Mizuto cannot believe it. Neither can Nori or Hijikata. Soji runs again, advancing closer to Mizuto. He eventually catches Mizuto and tackles him to the ground. Soji gets on top of Mizuto and starts to choke him.

"You and your boss... leave Nori alone! Leave us all alone!" he shouts at his fallen adversary. Mizuto smiles... the ice needles have taken flight again and hover dangerously over Soji.

"SOJI! LOOK OUT!" screams Nori.

The ice needles plummet and Soji barely manages to avoid being hurt. The same cannot be said about Mizuto. The needles have stabbed him all over. The face, the neck, the chest, everywhere. They melt and turn into water along with Mizuto's body. It evaporates into the air, gone forever. Soji breathes a sigh of relief.

"I'm glad that's over." he says.

Nori looks at Oukami. "He's still alive. When he wakes up, I'll demand that he take me to my grandfather."

Hijikata brushes off his wounds. They aren't as bad as they were before; Mizuto's death seems to have undone the effects they caused. Soji picks up Oukami and carries him back to headquarters. Nori follows after. She doesn't say a word to Soji. Soji wants to talk to her, but with Hijikata present, he finds it very difficult to say anything that may upset him. Hijikata looks back at Nori and stares for a moment. He knows that Nori was sent to kill him. It is just a matter of time until they are forced to face each other.





“Betrayal By Blood”
Part 18


Back at headquarters, Tetsu is questioning Oukami. Oukami is tied to a chair with hot lights pointed at him. Sanosuke, Shinpachi, and Susumu are also present. Tetsu walks in a circle around Oukami.

"You know, we can do this the easy way... or we can do this the hard way," he says.

"Go to Hell," Oukami replies.

Tetsu smiles. "Tough, eh? We have ways of making you talk. Right, Sano?"

"Where were you on the night of February 31st?" Sanosuke asks Oukami.

"Um... " says Tetsu. "Sano? February doesn't have 31 days."

"It doesn't?" asks Sanosuke. Susumu shoves him aside so he can talk.

"Oukami, you dog! Where is Nori's grandfather?" he asks.

Oukami lowers his eyes. "He's probably dead by now. What does it matter?"

"You'll tell us or else!" threatens Shinpachi.

"Or else what?" inquires Oukami.

"Um... uh... Sano, your turn."

"Where were you on the night of February 30th?" asks Sanosuke. Tetsu rubs his forehead.

"Sanosuke... it doesn't have 30 days either."

Sanosuke blinks in confusion. "Damn it."

Oukami raises his eyes again and locks them with Tetsu's. "You can keep me here until I'm old and gray. I won't say a word. We Supaidas will never give in to the likes of you. Never."

Shinpachi laughs. "He doesn't know. We're wasting our time."

Oukami takes offense. "I do know, but I won't tell you."

"You're a rotten liar," Shinpachi says. "You don't know. You say that you do so that you won't sound stupid... like Sanosuke."

"Yeah.... HEY!" says Sanosuke.

Oukami is getting angry. "I do know. You're trying to anger me into telling you where. I won't fall for that."

Shinpachi taps his foot while he speaks. "Man, he's good... I'm out of ideas."

"Why do you even care about Nori or her grandfather?" asks Oukami. "What's it to you if he dies? You don't even know him. He's just some crusty old man. He'll die in a few years anyway, maybe less."

Tetsu growls. "Nori is our friend. If her grandfather is important to her, then he's important to us. Unlike you in the Stupaidas, we actually care for each other in the Shinsengumi. The bonds of love and friendship are far stronger than the bonds of hatred that you hold on to, Oukami."


Oukami shakes his head in disbelief. Susumu speaks up. "It's true. If it wasn't, then why is it that Soji actually beat Mizuto? It's clear that Mizuto had more skill than he did. But because Soji loves Nori, he reached a new level and defeated him. Your kind will never achieve that because... you just don't care about anyone but yourselves."

"St-stop it..." Oukami closes his eyes tightly. The words are beginning to get to him.

Susumu continues. "Life as a member of the Shinsengumi is a life where we don't have to live in fear, in fear of a boss that'd kill us for failing. We all support one another. I'm asking... no, begging you... please... tell us where her grandfather is."

Oukami still has his eyes closed. He trembles like a leaf and tilts his head downward. After a moment, Oukami looks up and sees that all four men are looking at him. They aren't giving him looks of hostility, but looks of compassion for their friend Nori. Oukami sighs and finally talks. "You'll find him at the Supaidas base in the clutches of Sawaka. It's three miles to the north of here."

Susumu smiles at Oukami. "Thank you. But why did you tell us that just now? Did our words actually reach you?"

"I may have a black heart, but it is still a heart just the same," answers Oukami.

Sanosuke and Shinpachi lift him up and take him to his prison cell. Susumu turns to Tetsu... and then sees Nori standing in the doorway. All of the men blink repeatedly. Nori has tears in her eyes.

"You... all meant what you said just now?"

Susumu nods. "Yes. Now get some rest. We'll handle Sawaka ourselves at the base."

"Heh, you won't have to worry about finding her," says Oukami. "She can sense our life-force. After feeling that her lover Mizuto died, she's undoubtedly on her way here. I suggest that you prepare yourselves; I believe she'll be here tomorrow."


The next day, Nori is seated all alone, deep in thought. A lot of things are weighing on her mind: her grandfather, Hijikata, her newly bandaged wounds, the impending battle with Sawaka... and Soji. Nori was told that Soji overworked himself in his duel with Mizuto. As such, he is in no condition to fight. He must rest. Nori herself needs rest, but she doesn't care. The sooner she can have Sawaka off her back, the better. She tries her best to get her mind straight. In a battle, one must only focus on the fight. All other distractions can lead to certain doom. Hijikata has ordered that all forces be heavily armed. Everyone, from the guards to the maids, is equipped with at least a sword. A guard perched in a watchtower starts to call out to his allies below.

"I see her! Sawaka is approaching!"

Indeed she is. Her face is covered by a white mask to hide the scar that Hijikata gave her, but more importantly, to hide the tears forming in her eyes. Sawaka is completely unarmed as well, choosing not to use a weapon much like Nori doesn't. She effortlessly crashes through the gates and into the midst of the Shinsengumi’s main courtyard. Sawaka looks around before getting completely surrounded by guards with their swords drawn. Hijikata steps forward.

"Sawaka... it's been a long time."

Sawaka clenches her fist. "Shut up! Just shut up!" She sees Nori. "You... you are a disappointment. Why didn't you kill him? Why?!"

Nori sighs and says nothing. Sawaka continues her vengeful tirade. "I wanted you to kill him you are the only one like me who understands how demonic this man really is! After you struck him down, you and I could have been something together. But now, I see that these fools have weakened your resolve. For that... you shall die along with them."

Hijikata speaks. "So be it. Men... ATTACK!"

Hijikata's soldiers rush Sawaka. Sawaka uses her finger touch ability to touch them in the proper spots, robbing them of their lives. With unbelievable speed, she avoids every sword slash and attack headed in her direction. Keisuke turns to Hijikata.

"This is pointless! She'll kill all of our men! We should fight!" he yells.

Hijikata doesn't argue. He draws his blade and orders his soldiers to stand back. "Yamanami, I will fight her. It is me who she is after."

"After those wounds you received from Mizuto, are you sure? She'll destroy you!" shouts Keisuke.

Hijikata ignores the words. He approaches Sawaka without showing any fear. His steps are slow, walking at a snail's pace until he speeds up into a run. Hijikata swings his sword once, and only once, before it is caught and broken by Sawaka's hand. Sawaka goes for her death touch and Nori sees it. Wanting to be the one to finish Hijikata... or possibly another motive... Nori leaps forward and pushes Hijikata out of the way. Sawaka grabs Nori by the hair and flings her away. She strikes against a wall, sliding to the floor. Sawaka kicks Hijikata. He rolls on the ground. Sawaka's red eyes glow from beneath her ivory mask. Her revenge would finally be complete on this day. Or so she thinks. Nori leaps onto her back, punching the back of her head. Sawaka flips her over onto Hijikata.

"Foolish girl. Compared to me, you have the strength of an infant." says Sawaka. "And now you'll perish together. Farewell." she says before bringing her hand down.

Hijikata hastily shoves Nori off of himself and reaches up to catch Sawaka's wrist. Sawaka brings down her other hand and it too is caught at the wrist. Hijikata firmly grips both of Sawaka's wrists as he rises to his feet. Sawaka kicks him repeatedly, but Hijikata doesn't let go. He squeezes hard; his nails puncture her skin. Sawaka kicks again and again. It is no use. Hijikata pulls his hands away. The damage has been done. Sawaka's hands are limp and unmoving. Her mind tells them to move but they do not respond.

"You ass! What did you do to me?!" she shrieks.

Hijikata lowers his eyes. "I coated my fingers with a special poison before you arrived. Now you will be unable to use that touch of yours ever again. Without it, you are pretty much left to using your feet. That alone will not defeat a single man here."

"I'LL KICK YOU TO DEATH! THEN I'LL STOMP ON YOUR GRAVE!" Sawaka kicks at Hijikata until Nori pushes her over. Sawaka rises to her feet again. She attempts another kicking attack. However, she is stopped by a familiar face.

"Oukami...?" Sawaka says as Oukami holds her foot.

"Yes. They had captured me, but I slipped free. Listen... even if you managed to kill Nori and Hijikata, you'd never leave here alive. Look around."

Sawaka does just that. She sees everyone with swords ready: Susumu, Tetsu, Shinpachi, Sanosuke, Keisuke, and the rest.

"This fight is now fruitless. Let us go."

Sawaka is very displeased. "Agreed. We'll leave. Nori... I said you were weak, but I know that deep inside, you hate Hijikata. Destroy him...."

"I will not take any orders from you ever again, Sawaka. Be gone and never show your face here again." Nori responds. Oukami carries Sawaka in his arms. Hijikata allows them to go.


Sawaka is confused as to why Oukami did what he did. If she had died, he wouldn't have to work for her anymore. They bounce in the treetops across the forest.

"Oukami... why...?" she asks.

"Those Shinsengumi showed me something. The power of friendship is a strong thing. Perhaps if we both adapted to principles similar to theirs, we'd be stronger than ever." Oukami says.

Sawaka closes her eyes. "My revenge... I never got my revenge."

"You needn't worry. Nori will kill him. I am sure of it." says Oukami. "We must move our base though. They have sent people to retrieve Nori's grandfather."

Sawaka smiles from under her mask. "Friendship, you say? It will make us strong enough to destroy them all?"

"That's not what I meant. The strength of our friendship will help you deal with all the sorrow within your soul." Oukami answers. "It is far better than living a life of revenge."

Sawaka smiles again as they disappear into the brush of the forest. The thought of living a happy life seems foreign to her. But if her trusted warrior believes in it, she figures that she might as well give it a try.



"Betrayal By Blood" Parts 19 and 20.