Chapter 35 - Odd Behaviour

Since this is her fault, it feels like she ought to say something but -- it seemed like it's best to get out of Akito's way right now. Setsura turned on her heel and left. Even if Oslo says Akito can help her, she ought to rely on herself. She can't depend on him forever. Just because she time travelled to the past doesn't mean she can remain ignorant.

Still, isn't it a sin to turn a blind eye to Akito's actions? He hides it well. But Setsura noticed it. Sometimes he would come back home later, because somebody followed him home. If that person sees the mansion, then Akito would have to dispose of them quickly.

Setsura clenched her fist as she walked back up the stairs. This life of blood and war, she still can't get used to it. As a government official, how many lives has Akito ended because somebody ordered him to do so? The thought made her sick.

Akito is so good to her, he treats her with so much kindness. But that does not mean that he treats everybody the same way. If Akito looked at her with those same eyes that he did with that Rin girl - would she be able to take it? The sheer thought made her very uneasy.

…..

Akito's Mansion - X Floor - 1:00PM

Setsura spent the entire morning in Akito's library. Surprisingly enough, there were a lot of books there. All kinds of books, not just books on government affairs. When she came down to the usual floor, she noted there was a sound coming from the bedroom. 'Ah, could it be Akito?' Setsura looked up at the clock. It's past lunchtime, she should make him something to eat. While her cooking could still use some work, she could make basic meals now. But then again, even if she made burned food. Akito would still eat it.

Maybe he's eaten already? She ought to check on him first. Setsura made her way towards the room, and knocked on the door. "Akito? It's Setsura, can I come inside?"

She waited for a few minutes but did not receive a reply. Frowning, she opened the door knob and opened the door. Akito was nowhere to be seen. Did she make a mistake? Maybe it's just one of the servants. Though Setsura is pretty sure that Akito ordered the servants to stay from this floor. Aside from her and Akito, only the head butler and head servant come here. Not even Eisuke does.

She looked around the room, and found Akito's clothing on the couch. Come to think of it, there's an attached bath next door isn't there? Setsura walked over and knocked on the adjacent door, "Akito?"

"Mmm? Setsura?"

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, but have you had lunch yet?"

"Yeah."

Is he lying? It doesn't seem like it. "I'm going to go ahead and eat something, I'll come back." She wanted a change of atmosphere anyway, so she planned to bring her books over. To her surprise just as she turned to walk away, she hears the sound of the door knob turn.

Before Setsura knew what was happening, she was pulled inside the room. The entire place was covered in steam from the water. Setsura felt her heart skip a beat as she felt the warmth of Akito's skin against hers. "Quit it, if you really want a woman. Just go to the pleasure district."

"Setsura," he mumbled in her ear, "Don't go anywhere."

What is he mumbling about? Go? Where could she possibly go? Still, isn't there something wrong here? Akito does not normally speak this way. While he would once in awhile get that clouded look on his face. This is the first time she's seen him like this. Setsura stopped struggling and she felt Akito relax.

"Setsura, why don't you take a bath too?"

"Huh?"

"Take one."

It seems like she has no say in this. "Turn around, if you look I'll get angry." She really doesn't know what's gotten into him but it felt like if she treated him like usual. He would only break down more.

.....

In her world everything was grey. She didn't know that other colours existed.

From my earliest memories, people and places were all grey. After meeting him for the first time, Setsura discovered the brightest colours for the first time.

She discovered the bright colours of this world.

For the first time, she felt the desire to protect something. Hair that seems translucent into the light, and hair glistening through the dusk.

Beautiful.

Whenever it came to a drawing of him, a painting of him. The colours came naturally, she didn't have to think about it and it would turn out exactly the way she imagined it. Or even better. However when it was others it wasn't the same, she didn't get that same feeling...she wondered why that was.

Trying to draw an image of a person's face whom you can't remember isn't exactly easy. Or rather she's supposed to be painting the piece for the event and yet she could not do so. Ah as expected without him here, she cannot paint. What an odd feeling.

Yet she is naturally drawn to the colours from her old pieces. What sort of feeling did she have when she created works like this? What sorts of feelings was she trying to express?

If only she could find it, then maybe it would all become clear to her.

If she could get lost in a world of colour then she wonders what would happen. Would the reality she has always known change? It's something that would leave someone curious. To her these colours are so so very important. But to the rest of the world, to any other individual colours do not hold a meaning let alone have a place in their heart. Ah, what a cruel fate. O cursed spite. The brunette reached over for one of her sketchbooks and flicks through it. It's only rough sketches…and yet this person, must be the one she's been searching for. Somehow…she feels as though she had already seen this face somewhere else before. But in the end even if she does remember for a split second the image will fade away faster than ever.

Her gaze lands on the ceiling, as she took a deep breath. The smell of paints, oil paints, acrylic and watercolour - the charcoal markings from the vigorous drawings she had been doing. Everything in here describes who she is, what her current emotions are now. And exactly what message it is she has been trying to convey. For sure that message really is something that has been sleeping inside the depths of her heart.

It's so very scary. Everything is clouded in mist but he didn't do that to her just so she would suffer. Even though he is a smiling fool, in the end everything you've done - everything you ended up doing was for her sake solely. That's why even then she could never dislike him for what he did. Because, because it was that person who brought all these colours in her world in the first place. Without him she truly would still see such a monotone grey scale world. However, the one who brought the lightness and joy in these colours is probably that person.

Setsura tried all methods to keep her memories in tac. She knew she wouldn't be able to write things down, since the words would just get censored if she does. That's why Setsura glanced up at the painting in front of her. She could only do this as a means to convey her thoughts and feelings. It's a very vague method, but for her it was more than enough. For normal people, they would not be able to understand. If others saw these paintings, they would simply compliment it for being beautiful and

A pair of arms hugged her from the back, in hailing her scent. "What's wrong with you today Akito? Your acting strange."

"Setsura, I really don't think I'll be able to take it if you leave me."

"Did somebody say something to you?" While Setsura didn't quite understand, Akito's peculiar behaviour made her believe that someone must have said something. "Don't listen to them, I'm not going anywhere."

For now anyway, at least not until Oslo solves the problem in the future. There is something she has to do here too. At least that's what she got from the conversation she had with him.

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise. So quit worrying already."

Akito nodded but he still continued hugging her. Setsura placed the brush down and turned around and wrapped her arms around him. 'He's acting like a child.' Setsura thought as she patted his back.

*UNEDITED*