Kendo

Takashi kissed a pale Misuzu, who lay on a cremation tower, stroking her hair as the strong winds blew everything. His subordinate waited until Takashi had backed far enough away from it to start the fire. They both watched for a moment, as the flames slowly engulfed the beautiful woman, then looked away, unable to take anymore.

"Now that she is gone- are you coming back?" he asked. "I know you gave it up for her."

"No. I'm not ever coming back. Her death is more of a reason to stay apart from the Shinsengumi than her alive."

"You were our strongest swordsman. You will always have our respect."

"I am no longer a swordsman," Takashi answered, tears forming. "I chose to be with Misuzu, and I will continue to even in death."

"Are you going to confront Hiten Isu?"

"Yes."

"Do you need any backup?"

"No. This is personal. I refuse to have this between anyone besides just him and me."

He bowed.

"I am sorry, Takashi," He said, turning to leave.

"So am I," Takashi answered, as the man whipped away into the sky.

Takashi slowly walked to the entrance of Hiten's stronghold. Five men dropped and like the well trained fighter he was without a moments thought he unleashed his katana just as Hiten came outside. He recognized Takashi. Not as a friend, but he no doubt recognized him.

"Let him pass. He came for me."

They parted- Hiten came outside.

"You are the reason Misuzu is dead."

"Not me. Miharu. And she is dead."

"No. You called it. You wanted her dead- now she is. So's your precious Miharu."

"What are you saying, Takashi of the shinsengumi- you want to kill me?"

Takashi knew he should say no- but knowing that Misuzu was no longer waiting for him at home- or would ever be, no matter how strong their love was- pressed him to tell the truth.

"Yes," he said, with gritted teeth, his sword still at his side.

Hiten attacked first with an overhead strike- Takashi blocked and dodged, then did a horizontal slice and Hiten blocked- Hiten went for a horizontal cut to Takashi's throat- he dodged and blocked, then did a right upwards horizontal which Hiten didn't block- and it cut his arm half open. Takashi wanted to attack so badly- this man who when well was a tyrant and when wounded seemed so innocent- yet he couldn't. That was one thing he wouldn't let himself do. He needed information; he wouldn't get it if the only reliable source was dead. He sheathed his sword.

"Hiten- tell me- why was it that you ordered the attack on Misuzu?" he asked, pacing in a circle around Hiten, near dizziness from blood loss. Hiten slumped enough to lean against the patio area and hold his wound.

"Her mother was dead. She broke an oath- and I knew that if I let anymore time pass, she'd do something worse. So she died. With her mother," he answered, moaning in pain.

"Why would you send your daughter to do it?"

"She was the best equipped. Honestly," he said. In his almost inebriated state, he couldn't help but tell the truth.

"Why did you order the first attack then?"

"You mean Cheru?" he added.

"Her," Takashi answered.

"The Noh face girl." he answered, then fell off into a daze.