Koutetsujou no Kabane-Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress- (Ikoma Love Story)

07

You blinked away from the thoughts of what happened a couple of days ago as Hikari fell fast asleep in comfort on your chest and you turned over the pieces of meat in your stew. Even though you were really be used to just you and Hikari and the fact that Ikoma has paid great attention to you to even do those acts to prevent my self from turning, you were really confused and almost hopelessly unsettling.

Since then, Ikoma tried to talk to you about the subject but you couldn't even wrap your head about that had transpired between the both of you to the fact that you have been giving him the cold shoulder. 

You thought about the fact that you only when to the Phase II of your transformation because something within you triggered it. You noted that going to Phase II only happened twice and in those instances, Hikari was in critical danger so why did it happen to hit Phase II when Hikari was perfectly safe?

You shook your head to push that thought behind you and look towards your purpose of living right now, sleeping peacefully. If only, you thought, peace could exist.

"Yuki?" asked someone.

You looked up to see Ayame smiling down as you soon turn your head away from her as she looked worried.

"I wanted to say t-" she started.

"When we reach Shitori Station, I will be heading to Kongokaku with Hikari by my side," you replied as you looked towards the small window that train had.

"W-what?!" yelled Ayame, "But Yuki, you practically took down that wazatori like it was nothing."

"Because it wasn't," you replied, "However, something triggered me into going into that state which is why I cannot afford to re-play or I will turn."

"But we can help, I will give you my blood and-"

"No," you said emotionlessly.

You picked up Hikari and craddled him to your chest as you looked and grabbed your blade laying beside your bed and carried it over your shoulder. Some of the pedestrians on the train amazed at the strength that you had at defeating the wazatori and some, mostly kids, shocked at the fact that I can hold my blade especially due to its weight and size with one hand.

"Amazing, it took four strong men just to move the sword from the ground to the wall, yet she can pick it up with one hand!" yelled Kurusu out of shock.

"Something that you bushis are incapable of comprehending," you replied,"then again, given my profession, I did build this train; if I was you guys, I focus on training."

You kicked open the door of the train and walked towards the cart where you and Hikari were staying ignoring the comments of the door being broken.

"Y-yuki,"Hikari muttered.

"Hikari," you replied laying your head against his forehead, "I told you I will protect you and figure a way to get this virus out of us."

"But what about the people on this train?" Hikari asked.

"I swear kid," you sighed, "You are going to be the death of me...I made sure that I took care of the wazatori and Ikoma gave me his blood, I woke up and told them that we will be leaving at Shitori because I can't afford to lose control like last time; I am pretty sure Ikoma is training them on some survival techniques."

"But Yuki...wouldn't Ikoma be heart broken?" asked Hikari.

"When did you care about his feelings?" you asked flabbergasted at Hikari's concern.

"You told me that your mentor told you to make sure that you remember his name, so he seemed important to be near..." Hikari mumbled while playing with his hands.

"H-hey, don't you dear use that against me," you began as you ruffled his hair as he flipped you over. You laid on the floor in shock forgetting how strong he really was and then glared towards the ceiling, knowing that it was going to be a long day.

"What did you say!" you yelled attempting to grab him to which he quickly dodge and grab your hand and threw you against the train door causing you to scream out in frustration.

Soon multiple knocks were coming to the door.

"Yuki! Hikari!" 

"Your a** is grass you little punk!" you yelled trying to hit him to which he swiftly dodge with ease.

"Bring it on b****!" Hikari yelled.

"Using profanity!" you yelled quickly grabbing him, "Didn't I teach you better!"

"No!" Hikari yelled.

"Hikari! Yuki!" yelled a voice all too familiar. 

You both looked at the door, disheveled and a mess, seeing the eyes of Ikoma and Takumi looking in. You both looked towards each other and walked towards the door and poked both boys eyes causing them to stagger back in pain. You both gave each other a discreet high-five.

"What do you want?" you asked.

"W-We came to tell you-" Takumi began until the train came to a raging halt causing both you and Hikari to slid back against the other side of the train. As soon as the train stopped, you and Hikari rose from the ground as you checked to see if he had any injuries.

"Emergency brakes?" Hikari asked.

"Something is happening out there," you replied grabbing your blade and running through the carts, weaving through the people and children as some gasped out of  being startled. You opened the door to see from the train's window that there wasn't an answer from Yashiro Station.

"Is it possible they were over ran by Kabane?" one of the bushi asked.

"Is that certain?" Ayame asked as she just entered the train.

He went to the top of the train to check the signal and confirmed it.

"There appears to be survivors!" yelled the guy.

"Let me ride on the top of the train to be safe," you replied.

"W-what?!" yelled Kurusu, "That is dangerous and we can't afford to lose you under careless conditions."

"Bushi you cared about me after all," you said sarcastically, "However, I am capable of riding on the top of the train also it is a precaution on whether the Kabane's are running the station or not because I smell a whole bunch in that area."

"Fine," Kurusu agreed, "Should Ik-"

"DO.NOT.BRING. HIM." you said in a deadly tone.

"Alright!" Kurusu replied in slight fright as the soldier climbed down and moved out the way as you ran up the ladder of the train and sat at the top of the train as it came close to the station and began to slow down.

"Clear for now but I can smell a bunch of them around here..."

"Yuki!" yelled a voice you have been avoiding for the past three days.

You sighed as you closed the door to the roof of the train as the train slowed into the station. You jumped off the train and landed on your feet and resting my blade on your shoulder and looking around for any stains.

"The dumbass and his friends dirtied my train...but he has definitely changed... from when we were younger."