Chapter 46 - Like a bright star

Akito gently caressed Setsura's hair; he was careful not to wake her up. She fell asleep right after he kissed her, not to be precise, he kissed her until she fell asleep. The two of them had been reading through the books and scrolls in the library when she suddenly screamed. The book she had been holding was burning, and Akito quickly got rid of it. However, this alarmed Setsura.

Setsura like a bright star to him, a star he did not deserve, a star to be looked on from a distance. She was the brightest thing in his darkened life, and he did not deserve her. Akito feared that one day Setsura would realize who she is and what she could become. One day she will leave him, yes, just like that woman did. When he first met his wife, the girl had been confused, lost - and vulnerable. He wanted to shelter her from the darkness of the word. He wanted to protect her from anything.

Now that Akito thought about it, those feelings are the exact same ones that he feels towards Setsura. It really is ironic, huh? Yet he knew that something differed from the feelings he had for Setsura. As for what that something is, he did not know just yet.

One day she will shine without him. One day she will be gone. And on that day, he will be gone too.

Sometimes Akito feels that he wants to keep her, hidden away in a box. Trapped in a room, a house where he could come to see her when he is feeling depressed, empty, and lonely.

Akito doesn't want her to see the darkness of the world. He doesn't want her to experience what he has. But maybe it's far too late. She's already witnessed so many terrible things. Judging from the nightmares she has every night, perhaps Setsura has seen more darkness than him.

But even so, Akito still treats her as a treasure that must be protected, by any means necessary. She was ...the light in his dark world.

Ever since then, he has been walking a path of destruction and revenge. A never-ending pitch of darkness, and yet she illuminated that path. Since he met her, she has given him a chance to change — a chance to forget and start all over. However, no matter how much he changes, it doesn't change where everything started. Even before the case with his wife, his path was complete darkness. He doesn't know a life other than darkness.

Setsura is the light at the end of the tunnel. His whole life he has been shrouded in darkness. After what happened with his late wife, all he could think of was revenge. He would make everybody who drove her to a corner pay. He would make sure they all pay the price they deserve.

It's funny how long he was so bent on revenge, but the moment he met Setsura that changed. Now he is a knight of justice. It's funny for him how inter winded their fates have become. Only a short amount of time has passed since he met the woman named Setsura. But already, she's the only one in his heart.

Akito found life genuinely amusing now before his was nothing but a trail to be endured until he has completed his job and is ready to leave.

But it's different now. Since he met Setsura, it feels like he has a purpose in life. A purpose other than that blood-stained revenge. She shows him how to laugh. She is a saving grace. She is redemption. A hope for the redemption of the world that he lost long ago. She is his way forward.

Akito's gaze fell on the man who entered the room, "Your the one they sent?"

This person was Katakura, one of the 'Guardians' who watch over the worlds. If it weren't for what happened in the past, he wouldn't have believed such a far fetched story. But he's already gathered enough evidence.

He watched the yellow head walked over to Setsura, and reached out for her. Instinctively Akito grabbed hold of his wrist.

Katakura sighed, "Can't you tell that she's sick? I'm just making her feel better."

"..." Akito said nothing and pulled his hand back. A bright yellow light surrounded Katakura's palm.

"Honestly I'm surprised she survived this look without any guidance. Normal people with amnesia would have gotten themselves killed by now."

Akito couldn't miss how gentle Katakura was treating Setsura and frowned. "Do you always get close to your subjects?"

"Easy, will you? I'm not here to start a fight with you."

Akito laughed, "You? Not start a fight, that's new alright."

"Akito...what happened back then…"

His gaze dimmed, "Don't mention it anymore." He doesn't want to hear anything from this hypocritical guy. It's because of this person that he lost his beloved wife — the reason why their relationship turned sour.

"Leave."

"Hey …"

"You can come see her another time, just go for now."

Katakura sighed, "Okay. But remember this is my job, you can't hide her from me forever."

"Katakura..."

"Yeah?"

"Did you find her?"

Katakura shook his head, "I'm sorry, Akito. But just know that wherever she is now, she is surely happier."

"I see," with those words said he watched as Katakura walked away.

What a stupid question. Why did he even bother asking? It's not like..anything would change, even if he were to see her again. Nothing would change. Besides his gaze drifted onto Setsura who was fast asleep, right now, he wants to focus on the present. Set sura is a time traveler, too, though. History is repeating itself. But maybe this time around he could convince her to stay. Perhaps he could persuade her to abandon her mission.

…

When Setsura woke up she was not very happy. Apparently, he was supposed to wake her up. Akito chuckled, as Setsura went through the books again. "There's plenty of time; you don't have to rush."

"Last time I was here, I felt like if I didn't rush, then I'd get locked up…" Setsura trailed off, "Well, forget it. It does seem like nothing will happen since three hours have passed already."

"Say Setsura?"

"Yes?"

"I feel like I owe you a lot for everything. Even with a person with my position, I can't do much to help."

"Wh-" Setsura seemed startled, "Where did this come from?"

Akito awkwardly scratched his head, "Well, I've been thinking it through. You really must have been afraid."

Setsura peered at him from one of the books, "So, did you really not get hit in the head or something? Because if you did, maybe we should return so we can get your head checked."

What is with this woman? She genuinely seems to think that there is something wrong with him. Akito reached over and gently caressed her hair, "What is it Akito? Are you okay?"

"You had a hard life in the present day."

Though he didn't see her memories directly, he saw a bit of it. Then there were her nightmares every single night.

"Yes, I've seen much death. For people in this time, that's probably not new. But," Akito could see her trembling, "Over there, death is not common. To witness it with your own eyes, to feel the blood in your hands. That is not normal."

Sometimes he wonders how it feels to live in her time.

"Akito?"

"You look cold…"

"I'm alright, but thank you," Setsura trailed off, and a content sigh passed her lips. "Tell me Akito.. the two of us, what is our relationship?"