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A scream as the enemy was cut down.
They were surrounded.
“Leader.”
Buzen turned around in surprise.
Kotegiri wasn’t in the current formation. Why did he hear that?
“Leader, help us.”
He looked over to see Inaba gritting his teeth and cutting down a tantou who was giving him trouble for a while, it kept going in close then backing away.
Another scream.
They weren’t usually so vocal in their death cries.
“Please, Leader, help us!”
An uchigatana raised its sword to him. Looking up at it Buzen readied to defend and counter. The eye stared at him. They looked almost… sad…
“Don’t let them kill us all, Leader.”
Buzen paused.
“What?”
Was that voice coming from the HRA?
“You were supposed to protect us, Leader.”
He was. Buzen protected the rest of the Gous. He made sure they were happy and didn’t have to take anything hard on themselves. It was what he did. He looked out for them.
“Don’t listen to them!”
The uchigatana got cut down in front of him. Inaba grabbed Buzen’s arm, pulling him away from the fighting. He practically threw Buzen against a tree, blocking his view of the fight with his own towering frame.
“Ina-san,” Buzen breathed out, looking up at his hard expression.
“You can hear them, can’t you?” Inaba stared at him intensely.
“Hear them?” Buzen tried to peer behind Inaba to the fight but Inaba grabbed his face, forcing him to look at only him.
“Don’t,” Inaba hissed. “Don’t listen to them.”
They were talking to them. The HRA were talking to them. To Buzen. They were calling him Leader. That was what Kotegiri called him. How Buzen acted for the other Gous.
“You can hear them.” Inaba nodded slowly. “They… are they Gous?” Buzen didn’t want to think it. He knew… he knew that Gous were often lost and forgotten. That some were corrupted. But still…
Inaba stared at him before looking back at the enemies. “Unimportant.”
“No, it’s not!” Buzen grabbed at his jacket, pulling him back around. “I can’t…”
“Help us, Leader!”
Buzen let go, covering his ears from the cries for help. Inaba put his hands over them as well, helping him block out the sound. He stared almost sympathetically down at him. Squeezing his eyes shut Buzen shivered.
They stood like that for some time. Slowly Inaba pulled away his hands and Buzen lowered his own, opening his eyes. The sounds of battle were over.
“Do they always speak to you?” Buzen asked.
Inaba narrowed his eyes and turned away. “Not always but it happens. You get used to it.”
That sounded horrifying. To be able to hear the pleas of their family. “Why now?”
Inaba let out a harsh breath. “It was inevitable. I am surprised they didn’t go after you sooner. You were a good target for them.”
“Ina-san–” Buzen wanted to talk further but they were interrupted.
“Did something happen?” Koryuu asked kindly, coming over to see them. The rest of the team wasn’t far behind, all looking concerned. At least they weren’t angry that two members stepped out halfway through the fight.
“It’s fine,” Buzen laughed, trying for light and airy. “Sorry, I just didn’t feel very good.”
That didn’t alleviate the concern.
“Will you be okay?” Koryuu asked. “We have another checkpoint to get to before we can leave. If you can’t fight, we can split up so you can rest.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” Buzen didn’t want them to go without a full team. He could feel Inaba’s eyes drilling holes into the side of his head. He was doubting him, that much was obvious. Really, he would be okay.
Koryuu didn’t seem convinced but he didn’t protest. “If you’re sure.”
They all gathered themselves to head to the next location.
“Don’t listen to them,” Inaba told him again, “they will get into your mind and change you. Whatever you do, don’t think of them as family. They are the History Retrograde Army’s pawns and destroying them is the kindest thing to do.”
“So dark, Ina-san.” Buzen laughed and patted his arm as he passed. “Relax. I’ve got this.”
-
Inaba stared after him.
He could feel a chill in the air. Looking up at the blazing summer sun Inaba knew this wouldn’t end well.
During the next fight Buzen held back. He took more hits than needed. Inaba was sure to cover him, not wanting to see him broken. That was all he could do. Buzen was distracted. They were talking to him. Weakness was clear in Buzen’s mind. He was rife for the taking.
By the end of the fight the red of his eyes was practically glowing.
“Help us!”
There was only one way to do so and Buzen was faltering.
Inaba watched him closely.
-
“Kyuu-san!” Buzen knocked on Jikkyuu’s workroom door.
Slowly Jikkyuu looked over at him, confusion written clear over his face. He mouthed the name that Buzen just called him then pointed to himself. With a laugh Buzen came over to him, peering at the flasks and plants littering the surface of the table.
“I was wandering if I could ask a favour,” Buzen said with a smile, “I think it’s in your area of expertise.”
Jikkyuu blinked slowly. “It is? If I can help, I will do so.”
“Thanks, you’re the best, Kyuu-san.”
The confusion was still there but he smiled now, seemingly pleased to be of help. “What is it you need?”
-
“You didn’t attempt to drug me.”
Buzen looked up at Inaba who was sitting against the wall, back straight, arms crossed. He was staring at Buzen, eyes hard but not unfeeling. Inaba was a hard one to place sometimes. He was fiercely independent but he allowed himself to be pulled into their antics. Kind. In his own gruff way.
“Of course not,” Buzen said, waving his hand in the air. “You wouldn’t fall for it!”
He finished laying out the futons, making sure they were nice and close, then began dragging the others over to them. He placed Kotegiri nearest to where Inaba was sitting, so he could watch over him. Then Matsui, Kuwana, Murakumo and Samidare. He put the last two very close so they were practically sharing a futon. Most of the time he woke up and Murakumo was curled around Samidare in his sleep. They would need to be close.
With that finished he nodded to himself.
One job done.
“Will you stop me? Or help me?” Buzen asked, straightening and stretching out his muscles.
“No.” Inaba sighed, looking over at the others. “I doubt I could stop you and I believe you are mistaken in what you are about to do so I cannot aide you. There is no need for this. However, as I cannot stop you, instead I will sit here and protect the others.”
“Thank you.” Buzen smiled down at the other Gous. They were what was important. Buzen wasn’t.
With a nod to Inaba he went to the door, ready as ever.
“I ask that you spare Tegine,” Inaba said before he could close the door.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Buzen waved a hand, closing the door firmly behind himself. Red eyes shining brightly.
-
Blood dripped from his sword.
This was so familiar.
He breathed in the scent, fresh grass and fresh death.
He was right to start late at night in the fields. So many swords separated and walked around at night. He could pick them all off one by one easily. Or in small groups.
They never expected it.
Starting from the furthest from the Citadel of course, so others wouldn’t come across the corpses too soon. He didn’t want a big fight on his hands. That would end up far too messy.
Koryuu and Ookurikara by the big tree. Hasebe yelling at Tsurumaru in the fields. There was Kashuu, Yamanbagiri and Horikawa by the koi pond. That was good it meant Izuminokami, Yamabushi and Yasusada would be alone, that made things easier. Doudanuki and Nagasone doing evening training in the dojo.
It was too easy.
No one expected it.
No one thought they would be attacked from within.
After that he went room to room, leaving a trail of bloodshed after himself.
The ‘bar’ in Jiroutachi’s room was easy. They were all drunk and hadn’t been ready to be attacked. Two ootachis in a small space was bound to fail. Besides, Nihongou and Daihannya were too surprised to even pull their sword to help. Alcohol slowed reaction speed.
Then he took care of the sleeping swords, going for the ones rooming with three or lesser first. Going after the Awataguchi horde first would have landed him in big trouble early on. They could raise the alarm and that would be disastrous. The Osafune’s were already missing two in their room so the other two fell easily. The Mitsutada’s were next, Buzen made it quick for Jikkyuu, as he helped him with the drug for his family. The Ichimonji’s had two missing in their room, though Buzen wasn’t worried about that, he had an idea where Nansen was and Norimune could be found later. He wouldn’t be a problem.
One after another, every room he went to he left broken swords. Samonji, Sanjou, Genji, Aoe, Sadamune, Kanesada, Muramasa. On and on. No one expected it. They were asleep, resting, doing whatever it was they did at night.
Most of the smaller swords were already asleep in their rooms. He almost felt bad about it, but that didn’t last long. They were just getting what was coming to them.
“Help us!”
He couldn’t do that. They were already gone. Destroyed.
What he could do was avenge them.
If he couldn’t look after them then he would give the ones who cut them down the same fate.
“Stop right there!”
Buzen turned to see Norimune. Red over his clothes and fire burning in his eyes.
Ah. He must have found the rest of his family.
“Hi!” Buzen greeted, waving his blood-soaked sword.
Norimune was practically shaking in anger. “What are you doing, Buzen Gou?”
“Huh?” Buzen laughed. “I thought it was kind of obvious. I’m taking revenge for my fallen family members. Just like you are about to try to do.”
Norimune summoned his sword, holding it at the ready. “Not try, kiddo.” He charged at him.
It was strange. Buzen felt stronger, his reflexes quicker, everything was enhanced. He could deflect the sword more efficiently than ever before. Everything was as though it were in slow motion. The fight was short. It ended with Norimune pinned to the wall with his own sword, head bowed and blood dripping from his chin.
“Buzen Gou!”
There were the other Government swords.
They all had the most to answer for. They tested strength of others based on how many of Buzen’s family they killed. Perhaps he should have dispatched Norimune slower for his own part in it, but he had wanted to avenge his own family and Buzen could respect that.
Now it was the others turn.
Quite a few of them which was annoying.
“Why?” Suishinshi stepped forward, looking lost and confused. Minamoto pulled him back in line with him, obviously not wanting him to stand out too much.
Buzen hummed in thought. “I’m avenging my family,” he explained again with a shrug, “so many of them have been destroyed by everyone here! It’s only far.”
“No.” Suishinshi shook his head. “We’ve never hurt the Gous!”
“You have!” Buzen shook in anger, he could feel tears trying to form. “So many of them! They were all calling out for help and I couldn’t hear them, but I can now. They need justice!”
“So, you’re killing your comrades because you are hearing voices?” Chougi scoffed, sword raised and at the ready. “Then again, from the looks of your eyes, you’ve been corrupted.”
Buzen shook his head. “You just don’t understand.” He shook out his sword, blood splattering onto the walls. “Sorry, Chougi-san, you are wrong and I’m pressed for time so I’ll make this quick.”
“Don’t!” Suishinshi cried out. “Please Buzen Gou, you can stop this!”
Buzen sent a glance Suishinshi’s way, he was pulling against Minamoto who had an arm around his forearm, his sword drawn. Suishinshi didn’t have his weapon out and looked desperate.
“Suishinshi,” Buzen said with a frown, “if you go now, I will spare you. You and Den-san helped Kotegiri fulfil his dream so I am willing to overlook everything else you’ve done.”
“What?” Suishinshi shook his head.
“Go to our room and you’ll be safe.” Buzen smiled at him kindly. Then he focused on Chougi, who had crept forward whilst he was talking to Suishinshi, which was rude. Did he not know about the kabuki rule?
Even with more than one sword Buzen managed in the end. Though had taken on more injuries than he’d have liked. They were experts, after all, the Government taught them well. He hated that.
It was a shame. Suishinshi didn’t take his offer and instead died protecting Minamoto, pushing him out of the way. It was valiant but, in the end, useless. They all fell to Buzen’s sword.
“Help us, Leader!”
Buzen took a deep breath. That hurt a bit.
“I’m trying,” he muttered.
Blood drenched the hallways. Fallen swords everywhere.
His sword dripped with fresh blood, his own trailing after him as he went. Not that his pain or blood mattered. He deserved it for hurting his family. Any pain he took on would never be enough. Avenging them would never be enough.
There was more he could do.
That he needed to do.
He wouldn’t rest until every sword here felt the sting of his vengeance.
The smell, the taste, the feel of fresh blood on his skin.
This was all for his family.
The Gous were often lost, forgotten, with no stories to their names. They were susceptible to corruption. Used by the HRA, killed by the Government and now, avenged by Buzen Gou.
Until his last he would do everything he could for his family. They were his everything.
Red eyes glowed in the night.
“Leader!”
Buzen Gou ran red with blood.