We Will Meet Again

Akito made his way through the crowd and stood directly opposite her. The look in his eyes was deadly, and Setsura flinched. Akito had gotten mad at her before, but this was the first time for her, seeing him in this state. Instead of getting angry, though, he immediately pulled her into his arms.

"Thank goodness you're okay."

Those were the first words he said.

"You're stupid and so reckless. But I'm glad you're fine."

He's angry and distraught. But he still chooses to ask about her well being first. "I'm okay, Akito."

Akito smiled, "Yeah, you're a lot tougher than I thought so initially. You have some pretty interesting weapon choices."

Setsura blushed, "Well, it was the only ones available."

The moment their eyes connected, it was like a zap to her system; she wasn't laughing anymore.

The way Akito looked at her made her feel embarrassed; he was digging all the way down to her heart, devouring it whole with his gaze.

Akito traced along her jaw bone and danced upon her chin. The way he traced her lips afterwards made her feel strange. It was so intense that she forgot how to breathe.

A cough interrupted them, "This is all good and all. But how will you explain my cane?"

The man who spoke was a young gentleman around her age or maybe slightly older. The cane is his? Setsura half expected to apologize to an older man. The cane was as good as broken.

"I'm sorry..."

Victor laughed, "Now, now, Chauncey. Is this any way to speak to a lady? Besides your Cane was as good as broken anyway."

"Hmph."

Wait, Chauncey? Setsura perked up at that name. Is this young man the other childhood friend of Akito's? The dangers mafia boss? She looked at him blankly. She half expected to see a frightening person. He isn't what she expected.

..

- Carriage -

After what happened, Setsura was surprised by the number of people who stayed. Victor told her, however, that it was a regular sight. Things like this frequently happened; casualties tend to happen. But, not everybody would die. There will always be a specialist nearby. That didn't reassure Setsura though. The people living here really have no concept of death whatsoever. No, it's because they know they can die anytime that they can laugh now?

Setsura's gaze met Chauncey, who sat directly opposite her. He didn't say anything after Victor's earlier interjection, neither did she. But Setsura did feel bad. How does she apologize again? It doesn't seem like he wants to talk to her at all.

"Don't you dare come over."

Victor chuckled, "Relax; they can stay in my place."

"You all live near each other?"

"Akito's family's main house is here too."

At that comment, Chauncey frowned, "You still haven't told me where your living now."

Akito sighed, "Now your working for that guy, do you think I'd tell you?"

Akito seems grumpy.. Setsura wanted to reach out for him. But unfortunately, he was sitting across from her.

"Akito?" she called out worriedly.

"What's wrong? Are you getting dizzy?"

If she says, she is sick then... Setsura nodded, "A little.."

"Victor, let's go to your place, after all."

Victor smiled, "Right, right. Miss Setsura hold on a bit were almost there."

She thought there would be a chance to sit beside Akito, but so much for that. Maybe it is just her imagination. He responded to her right away. Setsura closed her eyes, maybe she ought to sleep for a bit.

...

When she next opened her eyes, the carriage had stopped.

"Inn, are we---" Victor covered her mouth.

"I didn't think they'd come here..."

Akito sighed, "Of course they want to check on him."

Who?

It was then Setsura realized that Chauncey, who was sitting beside Akito, was nowhere to be found.

"Sir, it's quite late."

"Indeed, apologies," a familiar voice filled the air. Setsura flinched, this voice is..it belongs to that man? Are they here? She looked warily towards Victor, who nodded.

"They came to check on Chauncey. It seems like his position is still questionable."

Chauncey's position, right they said he was working under the new squad one chief.

"But, I wished to check on things...." Touma trailed off, "This isn't your family carriage. If you didn't stop and got out, I wouldn't have known."

Victor removed his hand and winked. "I'll go out and help him. If things get bad, just go on ahead."

With those words said he left the carriage.

"It's mine, sir. I decided to give Chauncey a lift."

"Oh? If this isn't the young master of the family. Your back?"

"I arrived earlier sir, coincidentally I met Chauncey at dinner, so I decided to give him a lift back."

"Yes, we received word about the attack there. Could we trouble you to fill in the details?"

Victor smiled, "I'd be honored too at a more reasonable hour of course. I'm sure any reports written by me this hour would be fine, but Chauncey is utterly exhausted."

Setsura could see Chauncey's annoyed expression from here. But Victor continued. "Victor is really good at negotiating," Setsura commented.

"We should go."

"Eh?" Setsura looked at Akito, confused.

"Victor is buying us time to leave. Driver, let's get going."

"Yes, sir."

Buying them time? Setsura immediately understood. If the carriage left right away, then it would be suspicious. But now that some time had passed, it wouldn't look strange if the people inside (them) got tired of waiting.

....

Victor's Mansion

Setsura sat on the couch awkwardly. What is it with the mansions in this place? Why are they all so beautiful? There are mansions in the modern-day too. But they don't look like this; everything looks so fake in the modern-day. But here in the past, each piece of furniture looks like it has sentimental value.

Voices emerged from behind the door, both Chauncey and Victor appeared.

"Damn you, Victor, don't you know word will get round?"

Victor chuckled, "Wouldn't you rather lose face than lose your head? If they found out that Akito was with us, and yet you weren't dragging him back you'd get in trouble."

"My orders were for the other one tonight."

"Oh, I see then what I did was unnecessary."

Setsura watched as the two entered the room. Victor smiled, "Arrived safely?"

Akito sighed, "Hearing Touma's voice makes me puke. I haven't seen him in so long."

"I'm amazed you can avoid him."

Chauncey interjected with a troubled look, "Akito's ways of avoiding people is the amazing thing."

These three all have different personalities, but they get along so well. It must be nice having childhood friends. Her thoughts broke off when Akito lifted her up in his arms, "Setsura can stay with me. You don't need to prepare a room for her."

Wait, wait - he can't say that in front of other people. They will get the wrong idea!!

Victor whistled, "You two already progressed that far?"

Setsura shot Akito a harsh glare and exclaimed. "No!"

"Setsura dear I'm hurt; we all know you can't sleep without me."

This shameless man, he's twisting his words. Indeed, she can't sleep without him - but not in that context.