The Precious You [Chp6]

I'm listening to Akane Sora ni Negau by Mao while writing the Ikedaya Inn scene in this chapter. If you want to listen to the song while reading this, go ahead. Enjoy!

Thank you for skydancing dragon for helping me with my grammar.

Chapter 6 - Please don't break

Yasusada walked around the flea market. They had a day off today. Kashuu had been so excited to go since yesterday night. He had been pacing around the room eagerly. Seeing behind him, Yasusada saw Kashuu pick another nail polish from the stand they are currently standing on.

"Kashuu, you already own that," Yasusada mumbled.

"Why do you complain about something you won't be using? I will buy this...I never had black... Oh look, there is glitter mixed in it." Kashuu drew the small bottle closer, examining the liquid. Yasusada stared at his already painted nails.

"Red suits you better," Yasusada said, taking away the nail polish from his hand.

"Hey!"

"Come on, you haven't moved from this spot for 20 minutes. We still have other stands to go around. This park is big." Yasusada pulled him away from the current booth they were standing around. They strolled past a few meal stands, stopping once in a while before Kashuu grabbed Yasusada's muffler, halting him from walking.

"Look! There's a muffler! It looks so expensive!" Kashuu pulled the red dotted muffler off from the hook. Yasusada winced when Kashuu wrapped it around his neck. After pulling his own red muffler off, Kashuu gave it for Yasusada to hold. He took the sunglasses from the top of the display and wore it. "How do I look?" He said, striking a pose.

Yasusada snickered at him.

Kashuu puckered his lips. "Are you laughing at me?!" Kashuu returned the muffler and sunglasses back to their place. "Give it back." The sulking male snatched back his red muffler from Yasusada and walked away.

"Kashuu, you are fine the way you are. No need to change."

Kashuu stopped on his track. "Why do you have to say that now... of all the times..." Kashuu frowned, walking faster with Yasusada tailing him.

"Oooi! Yasusada-san! Kashuu-san!" Horikawa shouted to them. They were standing beside the riverbank, eating some dango with Kanesada.

"Let's go to them..." Yasusada patted his shoulder. Kashuu shrugged his hand away, being the first to approach Horikawa.

"Want some dango?" Horikawa gave him a full plate of them. There were like 20 sticks of dangos in the plate Horikawa offered.

"Where did you guys get so much?" Yasusada asked in awe.

Kashuu took them and started munching. "Wow, it's sweet! Nice!" He started to dig in some more.

"Kanesada said he was hungry, so I bought 10 sticks. Apparently they had a bargain and give us double portion!" Horikawa laughed. "We wouldn't be able to eat these all by ourself, obviously. I'm glad you two are the ones nearby us."

"I see... Thanks for sharing," Yasusada said while eating.

"Have you two been going around? There are lots of discounts..." Kanesada chuckled.

"Yes, we were walking around. Kashuu was busy with the scarf earlier. We didn't buy anything yet, though. Did you guys buy anything?" Yasusada replied.

"I bought omamori." Horikawa showed them.

"Omamori? From of all the things?" Kashuu was flabbergasted.

"Well, it's important for battle. Kanesada also bought one. We'll ask Master to give the mantra so we won't be broken."

"Let's buy some too," Yasusada said. "We'll buy the same type," He added as he stood up.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Kashuu groaned. Yasusada had run off before he could even stand up.

Horikawa chuckled. "He is obviously worried about you, Kashuu. Maybe he will buy lots of it."

Kashuu rolled his eyes. He stared at the river before his eyes and put the dango stick aside. He pulled his legs up to his chest, hugging it, and sighed. "If I'm broken, just toss me on the riverbank. It's where I belong after all..." Kashuu mumbled.

Horikawa and Kanesada looked at each other.

"Kashuu, you can't possibly... want to be broken, right? I mean..." Horikawa stopped when Kashuu sighed.

"What if I want to? Yasusada might not know it, the pain that's been in my chest the whole time. The feeling of being tossed aside by the master you love the most. I know you guys have your own past you can't forget, but still... You will never know how it feels to be left alone, forced to stay to where you belong. I'm just a riverbank child after all..." Kashuu hid his face in his arms.

"Even so, you are still precious!" Kashuu rose his head, looking up to see the source of the voice. There he saw Yasusada glaring down at him. In his hands there were lots of omamori.

"Oh no, look at how many omamori he bought..." Kashuu groaned.

Kanesada laughed and Horikawa sweat dropped.

"Half of it is mine... Well, we can share with other swords as well..." Yasusada grinned from ear to ear.

That day was the most relaxing day before a few events started. They were still half way from defeating all of the yaris on the path to Ikedaya Inn and had been training for it. In the end, Nagasone was chosen to be the one who lead their team for the mission.

Kashuu stared at the blue and white Shinsengumi uniform. He recalled the time when they had raided together, wearing all the same uniforms. A wash of emotions went over his heart; this uniform was reminding him of the crucified battle. The bloodshed and the time that Okita had showing his illness. Kashuu gripped the uniform tighter.

"Kiyo..." Yasusada appeared from the doorway. Kashuu nodded.

"It's time."

Kashuu's eyes shone dimly under the moonlight. He put on the Shinsegumi uniform and wrapped the white headband around his forehead.

"Okitagumi is ready." Kashuu smiled at his partner. Yasusada nodded and smiled in return.

"How do you feel?"

"I... if things were to happen in there... Don't help me out..."

"You're still saying that?!" Yasusada took his wrist, gripping it tightly.

"If we meet Okita... I want to... tell him "Don't cough up blood at a time like this," or "Treat me with a little more care." Things like that..." Kashuu looked down to his feet.

Yasusada was stunned. "... So you are after all..."

"I loved him... before... I know I shouldn't..." Kashuu bit his lower lip. He finally admitted it in front of Yasusada. Clenching his eyes shut, he waited for Yasusada to raise his voice again. He opened his eyes when the man patted his head instead.

"I won't let anything happen to you..."

"Yasusada..."

"It's alright if you can't return my feelings. At least we have to come back alive after the battles. I won't let you disappear. I don't want to lose you, Kiyo..." Yasusada cupped Kashuu's face, leaning down to him.

"Hey-" His eyes widened when Yasusada pressed his lips against his own. Kashuu grabbed his arms, trying to pull back. His back hit the door and clenched his eyes tight. "Uumh..."

Yasusada tilted his head to kiss him deeper. He jolted, opening his eyes when Kashuu slowly kissed him back, not seeing that coming. Yasusada wrapped his hands tightly around his body, caressing his back as they kissed. After a few minutes, Yasusada pulled away slightly, staring right into Kashuu's eyes.

"Don't break... for me," Yasusada gasped out.

Kashuu looked down.

"I will try..." he mumbled to him. "But before that..." Kashuu pulled on Yasusada's ear. The guy winced, protesting at the punishment.

"What was that for?!"

"I did not recall giving you permission to kiss me!" He pouted, releasing his ear.

Yasusada cupped his ear, looking away from the accusing eyes. "But you kissed me back. What's that mean...? Don't tell me you are thinking about Okita again!" He muttered.

Kashuu abruptly pressed the back of his hand to his lips, blushing. They stared at each other for a moment until the bell rang, signaling the time they had to dispatch.

The team was lead to Ikedaya inn by Nagasone as the captain. This time they managed to break through the bridge. The raid team stood before Ikedaya Inn.

"Listen up, don't even try to save someone or even your late master. We are here to defeat those Yari creatures... Your master might not know who you are in this form, but try to avoid them as much as possible," Nagasone whispered lowly. They spread around, Kashuu and Yasusada immediately going upstairs.

As soon as they entered the inn, Nagasone shouted, "We're here to conduct business!" followed by the other swords. The enemy had them surrounded. Kashuu's eyes trailed at the other Shinsengumi who had gathered to fight. None of them paid attention to the glowing creatures. The Nagasone team started their counterattack, beating the enemy one by one.

The intense battle started and each of the enemies were defeated. The enemy doesn't seem to decrease anytime soon. Gasping, Kashuu whipped the blood running down his cheek. The Yaris were too much. He turned his head when someone charged in. Yasusada blocked the attack, slicing the enemy in half. Blood splattered on his cheek, Yasusada brushed it off, eyes glistening dangerously. Kashuu's back was pressed against Yasusada. A relieved expression ran across his face and he looked back to the front.

"Don't break..." Yasusada reminded him, attacking the enemy behind Kashuu.

"This... is the battlefield after all..." He chuckled nervously. Gripping the sword hilt tighter, he launched his attack on his enemy.

"That doesn't mean you can break without defending yourself. I won't allow it."

"Are you saying if it's an accident, I'm allowed to break?"

"Stop joking around!" He slashed his enemy in one swift motion, glaring daggers as the creatures came charging up to him.

Kashuu lunged forward, breaking through the seemingly infinite amount of enemies, slicing them on his way through. "ORA ORA ORA!" He exasperatedly shouted. His eyes scanned the room full of people. The person he was longing to see was inside the separated room, gasping for breath, attacking the enemy nonstop. Kashuu stepped closer to the room, gulping slightly.

'He won't know... He doesn't even know who I am in this form...' The brunette ran in, stepping in front of the man.

Yasusada's eyes widened.

"Wait, don't... KIYO!" Yasusada sliced the Yari in one swift move, chasing after his partner. Dodging a few times before killing anyone interfering his pathways.

"Let me at least defend him!" Kashuu shouted. Okita was staring at the person before him in confusion.

"Uhh... I'm alright, you can-" Okita abruptly raised his sword, stepping in front of Kashuu. He thrust his sword into the enemy's stomach, pulling it away just as fast as he had thrust in.

Kashuu opened his mouth, too stunned to move.

Okita faced him, glaring, "More than me, I think you should watch out for yourself!" Okita shouted.

Yasusada pulled Kashuu away. Kashuu shoved Yasusada away.

"No... don't take me away... I... Master..."

Yasusada quickly clasped Kashuu's mouth at the last word. "Kiyo, please... we can't change history!" Yasusada rasped out to him, desperately pulling on his lean body. Their master was gasping for breath. Yasusada saw the shiny sword the man was holding; it was near breaking. He gritted his teeth when Kashuu hit his stomach with his elbow as he tried to get to Okita.

"Okita-san!" Kashuu lurched forward, reaching to defend his late master. In a split second, a sword thrust into his side.

"KIYOMITSU!" Yasusada shouted. Okita whipped his head to the shout.

Kashuu coughed up blood. Ironically, Okita swung his sword, breaking his beautiful sword at the same time, killing the man who had just attacked his comrade.

Yasusada fell to his knees, frustration washing over his face. "No... this is not happening..." He crawled to him as Okita checked on his pulse.

"Ok..ita-san..." Kashuu whispered, raising his trembling hand to reach the man's cheek. Okita took his hand, gripping it tightly.

"You have done great..." His late master whispered, smiling down to Kashuu. He stared at Yasusada who seemed lost. "Don't just sit there doing nothing, bring him away...! We can still save him!" Okita reprimanded him.

"But..."

"I'm alright..." Okita smiled before he doubled over, cupping his mouth to cough several times. The blood spurted in his hands. Yasusada's eyes widened.

"Go!" Okita commanded him.

Yasusada quickly pulled Kashuu up. His partner tried to break free, reaching for his late master.

"No... no, please don't... let me be with him… He just vomited blood." Kashuu sobbed.

"You can't, Kiyo..." Yasusada started dragging him, raising his arm and putting it over his shoulder. "Kiyomitsu! Stop struggling! You are badly injured, we need to get out-" Yasusada held in his tears when Kashuu reached his trembling hand out for Okita.

"LET ME FIGHT ALONG WITH HIM!" Kashuu cried as Yasusada picked him up in his arms, ignoring his struggling.

Okita stared at the howling guy, looking down to his broken sword. He traced the shattered tip. "Kiyomitsu...?" He whispered. His head shot up to the crying Kashuu who was still reaching out to him, despite the fact that Yasusada had walked toward the entrance of the room.

Hijikata noticed two guys exit the room.

Yasusada bowed to him. "Okita-san is in the room. He just vomited blood." He disturbed Hijikata's attention from Kashuu.

"Souji!" Hijikata hollered from the entrance of the room. He stepped over the dead bodies, marching towards him.

The last thing Yasusada saw, Hijikata had wrapped his arms around Okita. He turned his attention back to the guy in his arms.

"Kiyo, please, stop struggling..." Yasusada whispered, hurrying his way down the stairs. Kashuu was now clinging to him, crying his eyes out.

Kanesada who fought near the entrance of the hall was grinning like a mad man, dodging an attack before killing his opponent. He turned his head when he heard someone called out to him. His face turned pale when he saw Yasusada approaching him with the bleeding Kashuu in his arms.

"We have to go back, quickly!" Yasusada yelled.

"Let Nagasone finish the last Yari. We-" As soon as he finished talking, Nagasone ended the battle. They gathered the items they needed and quickly ran out of the inn. Their teammates were gawking at the bawling Kashuu.

"He is alright, let's keep moving!" Kanesada said to Horikawa before the guy could begin speaking. Horikawa fumbled with the pocketwatch dangling around his neck. He set the timing and turned the time back to Citadel.

They blasted through time, Yasusada the first getting out from the time wave.

"MASTER!" He hollered, running into the house. The master turned to face him, surprise displayed clearly on his face before he saw Kashuu.

Without questioning it, he lead them towards the refinery.

"Hijikata... my sword..."

"Sword? You mean Kashuu Kiyomitsu? It's totally broken..." Hijikata said, making Okita leaned against his chest. He picked up the sword, checking it closely.

"You should try to repair it... Though it is probably unrepairable..."

Okita recalled the way that guy called out to his friend earlier. So, that Kiyomitsu is...

"He is... beautiful... Kashuu Kiyomitsu... He is too precious. I have to repair him..."

"You are right, this sword is beautiful. Let's get out of here first..." Hijikata propped him up, helping his lover stand up.

Okita sheathed his broken sword, staring at the snapped tip. Sadness hitting his chest and he blinked his tears away, recalling his crying face. "I'm sorry, Kashuu..." he whispered as he clutched his sword close to his heart.

TBC