Chapter 41 - It always started the same

The mysterious wife will still remain a mystery it seems. Akito isn't willing to talk to her about it, so Setsura simply switched the topic. "If you don't eat everything on your plate you won't get a balanced meal," for awhile now Setsura noted how he was picking of the green peppers.

Akito smiled, "So, on what basis are you asking that? As my wife?"

'The level of shameless has gone way too far.' "Akito, I really do need your help and while I do understand that you have feelings for me. I want to focus on my mission first," Setsura paused. But she doesn't know exactly what her mission is yet. That messenger of Oslo's, when will she see him?

"I understand, I'll help you."

Just like that? No catch or anything?

"Like I said before, your connected to the shard case. While I do not wish to use you, if your going to be moving around anyway I might as well combine our interests."

"Best interest?" she repeated.

Akito sighed, "Well, you know about the murders that have been occurring lately right?"

Setsura nodded.

"We have reasons to believe all these murders are connected with each other."

'Reasons to,' Setsura repeated those words in her head. So, it's confirmed is it?

Nothing else was said on that topic, and they quickly ate their meal. Akito is probably debating still whether or not he ought to get her involved.

Even though this mansion had plenty of space. Akito still insisted on sleeping beside her. That shouldn't have surprised her either, but it did - she felt his warm lips brush against her neck. His body pressed against her, "Setsura, go to sleep."

"Okay."

…

It would start the same, regardless of whether Akito was with her or not. Setsura finally understood what was different from the previous visions to these ones.

Blood. The colour red soaked into the carpet, and the bed sheets. The wall and skin. The room looked so blurry to her, maybe because she was losing so much blood? There was no doubt regarding the blood slipping from her body. Was it possible that so much blood could come from one human being?

The answer is yes.

The red colour seemed to turn darker every single time. It fell across her now, washing outwards to blot her arm, chest, face.

Until she could clearly see him lean over. She held back her words, paralyzed half in fear.

When his hand reached for her neck, she shrunk back against the bed a little. This couldn't continue. This time, however, those fingers touched her cheek without a hint of malice. She turned her eyes to him then, questioning.

Is it over? Are you satisfied?

It always started the same. Soon, she became used to it. She expected it, even. The nights just weren't the same without it, however tonight it seemed different. Tonight there seemed to be something else -- she could see the face of her torture more clearly now. It was a face she recognized all too well.

But where? Where has she seen this face before? It feels familiar, but at the same time.

"Ever since I was a child, I realized there was something wrong with me. he began. "I would deliberately put myself, and those I cared about in dangerous situations just to see if anything would change."

He removed his hand from her cheeks and instead she felt his hand finally brush against her throat. In seconds he was choking her.

She gasped. A maniac look flashed through his eyes. There was a subtle savagery in the way he clutched her throat. An almost brutal delight escaped his lips as he increased his grip on her neck. She wondered if this was how death felt like. If she could die like this -- then did that mean everything she fought for and worked hard for this entire time was a lie? Setsura didn't know what to think anymore. It's so painful to keep on living in a world that no longer has him.

If he is no longer around, why does she have to live? If she could just die..

"Setsura, Setsura? Wake up!!"

Setsura opened her eyes and this time around she saw a worried looking Akito. Ah, she must have done it again. Setsura reached over and held him tightly and Akito caressed her hair. "Mmm, I'm right here. Calm down okay?"

"Akito, I'm very sorry."

"Don't apologize, I'll stay by your side."

'For how long?' Setsura held back those words. She can't ask him something so selfish, because Akito does not remotely belong to her.

…

The rain let up the next day, but according to Akito they shouldn't stray too far since yesterday's rain indicated a storm. So they simply took a stroll around the area. After she cried her eyes out yet again Setsura felt very embarrassed. To think she used to be such a strong and prideful woman.

No words were said at all. As the scent of leaves - smell of oak filled the area. The scent of flowers, all the different colours of vibrant roses all mixing and harmonising together. She eyed his back, a flash of green from his hakama and the brown from the kimono he wore underneath.

That same old back, those clothes he's been wearing since they met each other. He really doesn't have any taste those stripes don't match with that shade of brown. Even so, wasn't it because she said that comment. ' If you wear anything else...I won't be able to recognise you?'

There was a time where he was trying on other hakamas and kimonos that were much more fancier for special meetings. Yet after she said those words that he had gotten changed and when she questioned it he merely laughed and said, ' Aha I don't mind. As long as I'm in your line of sight then that's enough for me.

He did it for her sake. Even now she had a feeling that was still the case. To this very day he's still upholding such a silly promise.

Setsura tugged on the sleeve halting him, " What's wrong?"

"You can...wear something else now you know...."

"Hm?"

"That is that promise," she mumbled. It was a foolish promise she made with him, not

"Ah? Ha. Did that bother you?" Akito questioned and Setsura nodded. It's actually because I'm too lazy for another combination...."

Normally she would believe such an excuse, but she won't this time around. Setsura sighs, "Liar ! That's not true."

If if that was the reason then she wouldn't have...she wouldn't have. Her thoughts broke when he leaned over and brushed his lips against her neck, her eyes widened. "Yeah it's not. Once again you noticed.

"Akito," Setsura whispered. "Were in public, you shouldn't do this."

"I'm just in hailing your scent Setsura."

Setsura moved away, "Don't." It's true that Akito unlike most men could get close to her. But she was still afraid. She hasn't known him for a long time, and already he's getting so intimate with her.

Akito nodded, "Okay, I have somewhere I want to take you," Akito took her hand. "Is this much contact alright?"

"Only today."

Akito laughed.

Both of them know the meaning behind her words. Ah, since she came here the only thing she has learned about this place is Akito.

*UNEDITED*