Tetsu thinks about his feelings

[Mibbie.]

While his new katana was in his left hand, and his eyes were crescent, he slowly turned, halfly facing his brother curiously. He saw how nervous his brother looked for some reason, but just narrowed his eyes in a suspicious manner slightly.

" Yeah/ What is it?"

[Umeko]

"Well, I was just thinking... we've been in Kyoto quite a while now... nearly three years... Time sure flies eh? So I guess you'll be joining them on patrol soon... Do be careful out there, k?"

Tatsu managed a smile & then looked up at the sky, blinking furiously.

"I'm sure Father & Mother will be proud if they could see how you've grown."

With that, he turned to leave.

[Mibbie.]

As Tetsu watched his brother leave, his words only stayed in the boy's mind. His eyes were slightly wide as his breathing got alittle uneven.

"I'm sure Father and Mother will be proud if they could see how you've grown."

Tetsu just blinked once, looking down, sort of to the side as he looked at his katana. Soon, a shadow covered his eyes.

" Yeah...but I think they'd be more surpised than proud. I never became a Peacemaker. I became a demon."

Whispered Tetsu to himself. He still had no regrets of what he was doing. Like alot of ppl had said, he was a man now. And one thing is for sure, a Man in not a boy. Tetsu blinked once as he looked up, out at the partly cloudy sky.

A man...is this what it feels like...?

[Umeko]

;DTatsu! You goofed up! Tatsu mentally chided himself.

"No no! I meant they'll be proud what a swordsman you are. Tetsu, you're NOT a demon! You're Ichimura Tetsunosuke, my brother. You're doing a man's work, protecting Kyoto from those rebels, right? It's dangerous work, not meant for boys or cowards..."

Like me.

[Mibbie.]

Tetsu heard his brothers words, but, for a moment it looked like they had no eefect on the boy what so ever. He blinked his crescent eyes slowly once as he took a step, in the direction of his brother, than, as if he didn't want to, he turned his gaze away from the sky, and over to Tatsu. His eyes locked only on his elder brother.

" You sure about that? Tatsu...have...you ever killed someone? Knowing that you ended their life right then and there. Would you...still be able to say that your innocent, and that you deserve a good life?"

Tetsu didn't really mean anything offendingly torwards those words, in a way, it was just more of a question and an explination. Tetsu hasn't killed. Not yet anyway. But he has seen more deaths than anyone ever should. Tetsu looked to the side again, his grip on the katana getting alittle harder.

" I want to be strong for them Tatsu...but...I can't. Thats why I have to go through with this..."

He slowly walked up near to tatsu, amybe only two feet away, as he looked up at him. " Tatsu...I can't agree with you that Im not a demon, or something close to that, but...don't worry. I'll always be...*Looks down* Your brother..."

[Umeko]

Tatsu patted Tetsu's shoulder without saying anything and left.

[Mibbie.]

After his brother had left, Tetsu just closed his eyes while still looking down. His bangs then covered his top half of his face as small sniffles could be heard. He walked over to the vernanda's steps, and sat down like before, holding the sword close to him. The gift that now held in his hands from Hijikata meant a lot. Tetsu now knew that his V-Commander wasn't all that heartless, but not all that soft either. He was just doing his job. Tetsu looked up, and yes, his eyes were watery. The rain had stopped, finally. And raindrops fell from the sakura trees.

Just then, he decided that it might be good for him to go into town, maybe it might clear his thoughts. He would only be gone for a few minutes...maybe. He stood up, he didn't want to bring the katana with him, someone might steal it. So, before he left the Quarters, he put it safe inside his room, then slid the door closed behind him, walking into the streets of Kyoto.

His expression was still drooped, hoping that his decidsion was a right one. He kept his arms to his sides, as he just looked out infront of him blankly as he walked, almost like he was deep into sad thought.