Chapter 67 - The larger mystery

Since she arrived here in the Meiji Era, surprisingly enough she hasn't had many problems. No, it isn't surprising. Once Setsura learned of Akito's feelings for her, she immediately understood why. Akito has protected her this entire time. 'This is bad,' Setsura knew that Chauncey won't back down and let her leave. But how on earth was she supposed to explain? She doesn't understand what is going on herself. After all, she avoided speaking with that messenger person for Akito's sake.

Even if if made Akito angry, Setsura feels regretful now. If she actually knew what was happening, then she would be able to explain what was going on here.

Before Chauncey could knock her out, somebody grabbed hold of his hand and twisted it.

To her surprise the one who saved her wasn't Akito, but instead it was a short man with blonde hair. Setsura recognized him right away, she only met him that one time. But it felt like she has known him for a very long.

"Who are---" Chauncey's eyes widened. "The guardian?"

Katakura smiled, "Since you know who I am. Let that girl though, she's innocent. She hasn't done anything wrong."

"Forgive me sir, but that butterfly with her is irrefutable evidence that she is in league with the murdered.."

"Irrefutable evidence huh, then take me too." Right at that moment a yellow butterfly appeared behind Katakura's ear. Setsura's eyes widened when she saw it. Ah, the colour…

Chauncey looked at the butterfly surprised and then back at hers. He looked like he was debating about something before he drew his weapon away. "Explain."

"Certainly," Katakura turned to her and smiled. "Your ready to listen now right?"

How did he…

.....

"Now then, where should I start?"

"What is her connection to all of this? You can't tell me she isn't related?" Chauncey pointed to her.

"I hate to tell you this, but even I'm at a loss there."

Eh? He doesn't know?

Chauncey's gaze darkened, "Then we can't say she is innocent. Whenever a case happens she's always had a connection with the victims."

Always? But she just arrived in the Meiji era. Other than the guy she spoke to at that party. 

"There were sightings of a young woman that matched her description earlier this year. If I didn't see the butterfly just now, I would have thought it was a myth."

"Wait  moment, I only just arrived. It's impossible."

"Setsura-chan, he isn't lying."

"Eh?"

Katakura nodded. "It wasn't you, but the person's body Master put put your soul in."

Come to think of it Oslo did mention it, "My ancestor?" Setsura mumbled.

"Yeah," Katakura trailed off. "The reason we were able to successfully put your soul in her body is because of her connection to the case."

"...Is my ancestor Akito's wife?"

Katakura looked away, "No. It's not like that, you must have heard that she was like yourself. A time traveler."

But, then how come.. How come everybody mistakes her for Akito's wife? The only conclusion she could come up with is because she is in Akito's wife's body. But that isn't it?

"Setsura-chan, don't blame yourself. Your ancestor isn't a bad person."

At that comment Chauncey interjected, "What are you two talking about?"

Katakura then explains everything from the beginning.

Chauncey looked like he didn't believe Katakura. Why would he? Anybody who heard this story would think Katakura is crazy. If it didn't involve her then Setsura would think the same. "Do you have evidence?" Chauncey asked after a long period of silence.

Evidence? Does Katakura even have something like that? What possible evidence could Katakura give anyway? At least without diving into too much information regarding the future. 

As she racked her head for an answer, she found Katakura looking over at her. "What?"

"Setsura-chan, I will deal with things here. You head back to Akito."

Eh, but? Katakura leaned forward, "Tonight. I'll come back here. We can speak then. It's better to talk when there are no prying eyes after all."

.....

Akito's Mansion

[19XX

The things we surround ourselves with, material possessions, power - love, relationsh.i.p.s everything is as an illusion. When a somebody appears and tells us the truth we often feel confused. 'If this wasn't reality, then what is?' If your told something by somebody you do not know, would you believe it?

We all try to. We make the effort to do so, while there are those who completely discard it. There are people who equally go against this new theory.

Somewhere along the line we end up losing who we are. But some memories still remain… which memories would you chose to keep? The lie? Or the truth?]

Setsura paused on that page in the journal.

This persons words, are so very familiar to her. She still doesn't understand why. This writing, resembles her old writing style too. She recalled Katakura's words from earlier. Rather than her ancestor, what are the chances of her time slipping twice? The chances are very low, normally - but there was a strange point earlier this year where she went missing for awhile. It would not be unusual.

"Young miss," the butler called out. "The master is back."

Setsura nodded and put the book down.

..

Katakura was right, Akito did get angry. It was clear how furious he was from the moment he entered the room by slamming the doors. Deciding it would be too much work to return to the mansion, she simply remained inside one of the rooms inside the church. At least she did so initially until the butler picked her up and brought her back here.

Akito pressed her against the wall with one hand. His other arm was placed above her head as he leaned over her like some sort of beast. Only of his hands remained on her shoulder. But since they were so close, she could smell him. 'He smells of cigarettes,' Setsura frowned. The scent was very heavy. How much did he smoke?

She shook her head, this isn't the time for that.

She looked up at him, "Are you upset Akito?" Setsura inquired.

"What do you think?" he snapped, clearly irritated.

She blinked again.

"Why?"

She didn't know what she did wrong.

"Chauncey," Akito's teeth gritted as he said those words. "I told you millions of times not to meet him. He's dangerous, and now he's found out about..."

Setsura glared at him. There is a limit to how over protective he can get based on their current relationship. She has the right to draw a line somewhere. He's acting like her boyfriend.

"One," Setsura sharply interjected. "I told you where I was going, in fact you dropped me of halfway. Two the church is an open place, I can't stop people from entering. Three, I have manners. I somebody talks to me the least I will do is greet them back. Besides, I was the one who tried to leave, he insisted on talking. Four, this butterfly follows me around everywhere. I can't stop it. Five, I came back here, alive and unscratched."

She kept her gaze firm, and her words sharp. Even if she is grateful to him, if he starts acting so childishly and accuse her of things. She won't let him off.

*UNEDITED*