We Will Meet Again

"Akito, you told me before that I resemble your wife…"

"Yeah, she was a crybaby just like you."

Setsura stepped on his foot, "Are you sure that's not the reason why you want to be with me? I'm a very insecure person unless I can determine that you're serious…"

Akito smiles, "I'm serious, what will it take for you to believe me?"

"You have to search for your wife."

"...?"

"If you still love me when you see her, then… okay, you're sincere."

Akito burst into laughter, "Your really something."

"I'm serious!"

"I know," he cupped her cheeks with his free hand. "But, since you've proposed such a challenge for me. I also have a request."

"What is it?"

"You have to let me kiss you."

What kind of deal is that? Setsura sighed, "Well, alright." If it's just a brief kiss, then she can brush it aside as nothing. Think of it as those friendly greeting overseas or acting. However, Setsura should have known better. This is old Japan; the values from this time are completely different.

"Nnhh….?!!" Akito's mouth captured hers.

Let's face it, even if she had a boyfriend and was on the verge of getting married. The two of them were fine with simple intimacy; even the kisses they shared were simple. She's never even kissed him like this - so when Akito started doing this with her. Setsura didn't know how to react. People would generally describe her as a calm and collected person. But, right now, she was anything but calm. Her head was a mess.

"Setsura, you're a clumsy kisser. But I'll teach you."

T--t--his unreasonable man!!! Setsura turned to walk away, and she hears Akito quietly following behind her. Honestly, why is this person like this?

"What's wrong?"

Setsura walked over to the stalls and picked up a bottle.

"This is the cologne you use before you go to bed right?"

The shopkeepers and passingbyer ladies flushed, and Setsura immediately understood how misleading she sounded. They probably think that she and Akito have slept together a lot for her to recognize it. While being intimate in these times seems to be normal. Some are still conservative about those things.

Akito however, took her hand, "Then is my Lady going to buy me a gift?"

This man! He knows she has no money.

"I'll buy it for you."

At that comment, Setsura hears a familiar voice and spotted somebody familiar. "Jina!"

"Yo!" Jina beamed. Something seemed different about the girl. She no longer wore those rouge-like clothes; instead, she was dressed elegantly.

A short man appeared beside her panting, "Lady Jina, please don't just disappear without warning. Your father is worried about you.."

"Yes, yes I know. But can't I take a stroll around the market once in awhile. It's boring at home."

…..

"Are you two in a relationship?"

Setsura almost spits out the drink. The two of them sat down and was drinking at a teahouse nearby. It was a first for Setsura coming to this kind of place, but she hid her surprise. She has to blend in.

"Were not like that."

Jina chuckled, "Relax, I'm just curious. Everybody is, the famous former squad one captain is suddenly working more."

"Ah, could it be…"

"I snuck out that time to meet you. But somebody knocked me unconscious and made me drink something strange. When I came to I was at the banquet," Jina explained. "And my memories were hazy; thankfully, it was just a temporary effect."

So, that's why Akito was staring at her. He must have recognized her even in her strange getup. Akito walked over to her.

"Setsura, eat this. I know you're hungry."

"You eat one too," Setsura noted that the buns in the bag were still hot. She took one out carefully and extended it towards Akito. She half expected him to take it from her hands, but instead, he bends down and bites it.

Jina whistles, "Setsura, if you two are dating. I told you to tell me."

Setsura sighed, "Not at all, Akito just has bad manners."

"You're always treating me as a kid."

"What, do you want me to treat you as an old man?"

Akito turned away, and Setsura paused. Now that she thought about it, she doesn't even know how old Akito is. She is curious, but it seems a bit rude asking somebody about their age.

"Lady Jina."

"I know, I know," Jina turned to Akito and passed him an envelope. "My grandfather wants to see you. Bring Setsura along too."

"Why does Lord Rakon want me to bring Setsura?"

"I think he has some information on the case your working on. He wants to make sure."

..

After parting ways with Jina, Akito seemed silent. Setsura wanted to inquire, but then she saw the scary look on his face. Since it's Akito, he will tell her in due time, right? Despite his sullen mood though, Setsura noticed that Akito always walked on the left side where the road was.

Still trying hard not to chuckle, Setsura shook her head. "I see," she answered. "It's just… hard to believe that your actually a gentleman."

Since she came here, Setsura saw many different sides of Akito. She could not fathom why he liked her so much. While he is a gentleman at times, ever since he announced his feelings for her things have been different. Kissing her with no regard to her feelings, randomly embracing her. Just the mere thought of it made her sigh.

"It feels strange."

"Then, I shall revert to how I usually deal with you," Akito jested, bending down, so their lips briefly touched. "Would you like to be taken away by me?"

Setsura's entire face turned red as quickly replied. "I didn't mean that!" Setsura objected. Why is this man so quick to tease her? Can't they have a normal conversation? Just as she was preparing to scold him, Akito quickly drew back.

A relieved sigh escaped her lips. Perhaps she has the wrong impression of him after all. He genuinely doesn't seem like a bad person.

"Akito, " she started and broke the silence. But Akito reached over and pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her. He traced her lips with his fingers for a bit before he embraced her. Seldom any people were walking on this street. But people were still walking by. In the modern day, if others saw people hugging it would be normal. However here? She was aware that they were gaining far too much attention.

It was then when she realized that something was wrong. Sure people were staring at them, but that was not the problem here. "Don't be so kind to me," she told him and looked away from him.

"Why? I really towards you…"

"I'm afraid," Setsura murmured.

No matter how much she changed, there would always be several people that she could never let go. Several? No, the one person that was tying her down was him. If she could remember his name, then Setsura knew she would not be able to remain here at all.

Regardless of her response, he kissed her again. This time, Setsura wasn't surprised. Did she even respond to him? She didn't know.

From this kiss, Setsura realized that the two of them had been doomed from the start. The two of them are so similar to each other.

Tears streamed down her eyes, and Akito pulled away as he licked her tears away.  "You are a fool, but that is one of the traits I like about you Setsura."

"I'm sorry, Akito, but I do need to go back…" She didn't want to say these words to him. Without her, he seems so lonely and troubled. But Setsura understood that the one thing she couldn't do was remain here forever.

Akito squeezed her hands, "Alright, then I'll take you back to the tower."

"Eh?" Setsura looked at him puzzled. Why is he suddenly mentioning the tower?

"You went in that room right?"

Setsura nodded and looked at him blankly.

"That's the place that connects this place and your world."