We Will Meet Again

Even though Setsura wanted to leave right away, she knew if Chauncey said they are trapped, then they are trapped. Maybe if they work out what's happening in this mansion, then they can get put quicker.

She didn't want to close her eyes and sleep. But Chauncey reassured her that he would remain awake. He must be used to not sleeping at all, with the nature of his work. While she hesitated, Setsura closed her eyes at last.

.....

"Yes, that's right; we did it, and so what?!!"

Her gaze darkened, and she tapped her fingers impatiently on the table.

"Are you crazy? Those people are innocent, you ...you..murders."

The tall girl at the front rolled her eyes, "You're no better than us. To survive, you'd also do the same.."

"..."

"Besides, I don't understand why you're freaking out so much about this. They are only children, in comparison to us. Saving ourselves is better than them.."

"Why can't you be patient? .. ..-to and the others will come here soon."

Setsura was struggling to speak; she couldn't believe that the children she was playing happily with just yesterday were gone. It made her sick to the core. She wanted nothing more than to strangle this woman, to stab her and feed her to the wild animals outside. Those children, when she saw those bodies...Setsura was frantic. One of the wild dogs was still eating the child...

'Miss Setsura, thank you.'

The child smiled, and the dogs finally ate the child whole. The very sight of it made her throw up. Before the dogs could head over to her, she was dragged back inside by her companions.

"Right, right. Make no mistake that's the only reason why we are keeping you alive, Miss Setsura."

"If anything happened to you, that guy wouldn't save us. He would leave us here to rot."

"Be grateful."

Their words all sounded like they were mocking her. They were weren't they? From the very start, they planned this. Otherwise, what is with this timing? Those children are dead; they won't ever come back. The promise she made them, to return them to their parents is. ...

.....

When he found her, Setsura was still in a daze. Blade in hand, hands soaked with blood and a gruesome sight before. But he didn't care about that; he pulled her into his arms.

Realization had dawned on her. What did she just do?

"...to...to I killed...I...I..."

She killed them.

Those people may have killed the children.

But she ought to have let the law decide their fates. "Setsura, sssh. You don't have to worry, I'll take care of everything."

....

"Setsura, wake up."

Setsura woke up, gasping and screaming. She was aware that it was Chauncey Long and not Akito that was shaking her awake, shouting in her face to come out of the nightmare that had been plaguing hef unconscious mind. She felt her entire body trembling all over, her heart pounding. The blood rushed to her ears; her entire body winced in pain. She clung to Chauncey, piercing her nails on his back as she tried to calm herself down. Her breathing was unsteady, and she knew she was sweating badly.

She accepted the glass of water, her hand still trembling. Setsura took a few sips to get rid of the bile in her mouth, before drinking the water.

"Are you alright?" Chauncey repeated. The concern had yet to leave his eyes.

Setsura laughs lightly, "It's just nightmares. It happens all the time." She still wasn't calm, but Setsura didn't want him to see her weak side. It's enough that Akito knows about it. Anybody else would be too much.

That's right; this is something that happens all the time. This is already something that she has gotten used to by now. That's why it's fine already, she's already accepts her fate a long time ago. And since arriving in the Meiji era.

All the events that happened that time made her accept it even more. That there's no longer any way for her to escape from it, once you're cursed, that's it. She can't change that destiny of her's no matter what happens.

She can't change anything.

Because of that, there is no need for her to change the situation between them now.

"Miss Setsura?"

"I apologize..." Setsura trailed off. "Did you go somewhere?" Why else would she get such a terrible nightmare? This nightmare, though, differed from the rest.

Chauncey nodded, "Forgive me. But I saw something strange and decided to follow the trail."

"Did you find anything?"

"Yes, one of my companions was abducted, and I actually joined this job to find her. While the Long group was indeed asked to come too. I didn't have to come here personally.."

"I see.. Uh, where is..."

Chauncey quickly explained things to her, and Setsura frowned at his words. "Medicine?"

"That's right, because of this medicine she told me it would be best for us not to go near her until sunrise. The effects it has on a persons body is terrible; it causes all kinds of hallucinations. Your ally will become your enemy during this state. She didn't want to harm us. Otherwise, she would have approached us right away."

A medicine with terrible side effects? Setsura didn't know why, but this sounded awfully familiar to her. She placed her hand on her forehead, that nightmare from just now looked familiar to her. Why?

"Try not to think about it," Chauncey said. "Nightmares are simply a bad form of dreams that causes you to feel anxiety and terror. If you think about it, it will cause you distress. It's a good thing that you're the type who forgets their nightmares when they wake up, those who remember have to relieve whatever happened for the rest of their lives."

But, not remembering makes it worse. The person would be left with an uncomfortable and heavy feeling in their heart. Setsura, however, didn't bother saying this to Chauncey, her gaze landed on the window. It was pitch black outside, and no trace of light could be found. Considering how Chauncey wasn't lighting up a lantern, Setsura knew he didn't want them to be caught. The only light source was the light from the moonlight.

"What do you think we should do?"

Now that she has slept, even though it wasn't a pleasant sleep. Setsura's mind is a lot clearer than before.

"The other victims are most likely here. I know it will be hard on you considering your current state. But we must find them whether they are dead or alive. We have to confirm this ourselves."

Setsura nodded, "I also think the same." They have to find out what happened here, and why is this mansion so familiar to her? Would she be able to find out if she looked around the place more? "Your companion, did she mention anything about the other victims?"

"She told me their current state. The majority have taken that dangerous pill every day. So if worse comes to worst and they attack us, we have the right to defend ourselves. You have never injured somebody despite knowing how to wield a gun. I know this will be hard for you, but even I won't be able to take down that many people. So I'll count on you for support."