We Will Meet Again

So, she was right about that at the very least. It's possible for criminals to time traveler too. Unlike her, those people won't follow guardians' orders, right? They would either, one lash out, and two observe the situation. Observe, pretend to play along, and then take advantage of it. Either option will be horrible. Now that she has confirmed this, Setsura is worried. How many criminals from the future have come here? Not Meiji specifically, but other places in the past. How many rules did they break that ended up changing the future?

No, hold on. If they interfered with the past too much, then the future would not be like that. A future where even the simple negative thought is a bad thing. Where scanners monitor stress levels - where people go to therapy for mere outbursts.

"Setsura, the Guardians are.."

"I know," she mumbled. Setsura knew from the very start that they weren't saints. With the way, they forcibly brought people into the past. She already had a feeling they weren't good people. However, "It's not like I'm innocent either. In the future, to defend myself. I've killed a person before, I've taken several lives. For self-defense? Protection? Those are all excuses. My hands are stained with blood already."

The word innocent or clueless does not suit her at all.

"That, Akito, wouldn't care."

"Yes, I know. It was the same for that person too. No matter what I did, he accepted me for who I am."

A man like that is tough to find. That's why her gaze darkened. "What does Touma intend to do with Akito? Tell me straight."

If Touma intends to harm Akito, then she will no longer hold herself back. However, that's the one thing he hasn't done yet. Akito is no longer hiding himself. He shows up in public a lot more. He's even trying to steal the jurisdiction for the shards case for her. The amount of attention that is on Akito is great right now. This is the perfect opportunity for that Touma guy to do something. But why hasn't he done it? Setsura felt very conflicted. As long as he doesn't attack directly, they can't investigate him. Forget a warrant for arrest, investigating is impossible.

"Touma, he," Izu trailed off. "..intends to make Akito the King."

"King?"

"How to put it? He wants Akito to be their leader."

Setsura rolled her eyes at that comment, "After driving him away from power. He wants Akito to lead his group? Isn't this the same man who desperately tried to climb up the ranks no matter what the cost?"

"Your right, that's why I thought it was strange too."

"The reason why you're staying away from your squad is this? Your secretly investigating?"

Izu nodded, "There's this and other reasons."

She hated how vaguely he put things. However, she knew better than to ask about it. Setsura already knew she wouldn't receive a favorable reply.

"So, he's doing this for Chauncey? I hear the man in question that Akito and I saw is one of Chauncey's men.."

"Not quite," Izu trailed off. "Yes, it's for Chauncey. However, the main reason is the Long family."

"The Long family?"

"Setsura, your next job should be to investigate the Long family."

Investigate, but that would mean investigating Chauncey Long too? Since that guy is the heir and all.

"Touma's growing power is frightening. But, he isn't invincible. If it weren't for the Long family, then he would not have his current power."

To that extent? Chauncey Long is the current heir. It's normal for somebody to try and get close to him. However, Touma? Her impression of that man so far is not simple at all.

Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be.

A long time ago, she was exactly like Akito, and maybe even Izu. But, all of this was before society implemented that system. When society became a place where machinery and technology were practically taking over. Setsura understood that even if she didn't want to. Her mindset would change.

Change it did; it didn't matter how much she pushed it away. It would naturally come to her. In a society where everything is practically done for you, processed by machines. What is the use of having dreams? Solving things on your own? A single button, a click away, is all it takes to accomplish the task one has worked so long on.

"Tell me something, Izu."

"Yes?"

Setsura hesitantly extended her hand out towards the red butterfly. She almost forgot about it, if she didn't catch it lurking around by the window.

It landed perfectly on her finger and shrunk. It entered the gem on her bracelet, and she blinked. "Ah."

Izu smiled, "Convenient for surveillance, right?"

"I don't like the idea of anything watching me. But, I guess this is fine. Now then, I want you to do me a favour. You'll most likely disagree. But, I can't ask Katakura this."

"So, it's something only a Guardian can do?"

"Yes, you see.."

..

No sooner did she arrive in the kitchen though to prepare breakfast, did Akito wake up. "You know, I feel bad. So I'll help you."

Setsura rolled her eyes, "You'll be a hindrance."

Akito laughed, "Hey, remember who taught you how to cook."

Indeed, it was because of Akito. Still, "Your getting clingy already," Setsura pointed out. When did his hands get there? Currently, his hands were around her waist. "You're a beast."

"My love, you need to stop making yourself look prettier."

"Goodness, why do I have to do that? I'd rather you continue falling head over heels for me."

"Head over heels? My love, you're making things difficult for me… I'm already in love with you. If I love you even more than this, then it will be a problem."

"I don't see it as a problem. If you become obsessed with me, the sight would be very pleasing to the eyes."

"Hah, I see. You plan to control me? Then go ahead, control me Setsura."

Sensing his tone, she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands raked through her legs, "I said I'd help you. But, I think I am a distraction after all."

"This distraction is fine…"

"Was the chief here?" Akito murmured against her ear.

Ah, he found out. Akito sighed, "Hey, don't hide these things from me."

"Why are you so bothered? Think I'm having an affair."

"Like you would. But, you do have potential affair partners."

Setsura rolled her eyes at that comment, "I don't want to hear that from you at all," she trailed off and feels his hands on her chest too. "Akito, no, not now."

"I'm having a feel, my love, and then I'll help you cook."

"Just help me already idiot, I'm hungry."

Akito pressed his lips against her cheeks before he pulled away from her. He still kept one hand around her waist. The other he placed into the bowl of mixture.

"What are we making, anyway?"

"Bread."

"Huh, bread?" Akito repeated. "I thought you'd make something fancier than this."

"Don't act so spoilt, even a simple meal will end up tasting nice. Remember last night's soup?"

Akito nodded, "Yes, that was very good."