practicality | (no subject)

(no subject)

[The handwriting is a touch shakier than usual]

Is everyone alright?

[There's a long pause, and then-]

I'm sorry.

He was familiar, but I don't know his name. He was... dead, I think. White kimono, blood over his stomach and from his neck. [Seppuku wounds]

He said...that I had killed him, but it wasn't my fault. That all things came with a price, even honor.

[Souji's hands tighten slightly on his tea-cup. This is somewhat personal territory - but he can trust Rain]

He hugged me. He had a bamboo blade in his hands... it ran through as easily as steel. He said to remember him. And to be good.

[Rain doesn't need it spelled out for him what sort of wounds those were - he catches on. Seppuku. And if Okita killed him, does that mean he was responsible for the circumstances leading to the man's death, or simply that he was his second? But this is a dream they're discussing now, Rain reminds himself, not a memory. It could merely be symbolic... just as being run through easily with a bamboo sword probably is.

He sits in quiet contemplation for a minute, attempting to determine whether he holds any clues that might help make sense of the dream, or whether he knows who the man might be. But the only person he's remembered who he knows to have died is his sister, and the rest of it... it doesn't ring any bells. Eventually, he shakes his head.]

I'm afraid it doesn't mean anything at all to me. [He pauses briefly.] One of the men in my memory sounded older, but as I was unable to see anything, I don't think we can determine whether or not it was the same person.

[Souji nods. Understandable that it doesn't mean much to Rain - much as Rain's list of names doesn't mean much to him.]

He was someone... important, I think. I wish I could remember.

[He shakes himself out of that train of thought, and takes another sip of tea before looking up at Rain again, slightly more determined]

I promised Hijikata-san... that I'd return. I'm going to keep that.

[They're on the same page there, at least. There's important work to be done back home; there are people relying on them. Rain's suddenly reminded of his memory of his sister, what she said to him when she stopped him from killing himself - Do you plan to let Hijikata-san down? ...Hijikata-san is putting his trust in you.

Rain meets Okita's gaze levelly, and nods once.]

Yes. We both will.

[This is the most certain Souji has felt since waking up - he has a purpose, at least, if not a master. But Rain was right, earlier - he has Hijikata-san, waiting for him... somewhere]

We'll find a way.

[Rain nods again, but says nothing. If there is a way to get home - and he refuses to believe that there isn't - they'll find it eventually. They have to.

A minute passes, in which he stares at the surface of the table in thought, and eventually he lets out a long exhale and slowly moves to stand. He's said what he came to say, and Okita's said his part... and Rain feels that there's an understanding between them, at least. He doesn't agree with what Okita did - they don't see eye to eye on everything, clearly - but they remain comrades.]

Just... don't do that again. [Rain's voice is soft, but steady. He's not angry at Okita anymore... but the pain of having lost him might take a bit longer to forget.]

[Souji manages a somewhat lopsided smile at that. Refuge in audacity, as usual]

I can't afford to. [Only one lung left, after all :|]

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