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

10

" You can't hide your true colours as you approach the autumn of your life."

It is a warm summer day and everyone was at ease riding to Shitori Station. Many of the maidens on the train were playing with the children aboard, building structures from wooden blocks, while Mumei and Takumi were watching Ikoma train with a wooden sword. You leaned against the metal walls of the Kōtetsujō  looking at Ikoma's skills and reading your book on the characteristics of electricity.

He took the proper stance and began to hit strikes at the wooden coat hanger in front of him, perfectly replicating Kurusu's move. He soon swapped stance and stuck again only to falter slightly as you smiled, you knew he was attempting to replicate your move.

"When did you learn Kurusu's and Yuki's move?" Kibito asked.

"The Kabaneri are good at copying others," replied Mumei, "But he messed up when he tried to copy Yuki's moves...which makes sense because she is really fast to replicate."

Soon Takumi ran up to Kurusu with an evil intent on his face.

"How does it feel seeing his swordsmanship be as good as yours and closely matching that of Yuki's?" asked Takumi.

You smirked  and lifted your book slightly, to hide your reaction and further capture your attention to the chapter that got you really intrigued. You knew Takumi would provoke Kurusu to duel with Ikoma 

"Yuki-dono?" asked a person.

You looked up with a slight glare not replying as she looked down with a small smile. You rose your eyebrow in a curious fashion to know why she was bothering you, especially since you told her your ultimatum. 

"We will be reaching Shitori station," Ayame said in a sad,troubled tone, "But please...reconsider..."

"Hm," you muttered as you rose from the ground and stretched.  You grabbed your sword, already cloaked and polished by Hikari and strapped it around your back. You picked up your belongings along with Hikari's stuff.

"Hikari!" you yelled.

"Hai!" he yelled running towards you and grabbing your hand.

"You have everything?" you asked.

"Yes!" he said.

"Where are you going?" Ikoma asked.

You twitched slightly at the fact that you didn't mention to tell Ikoma about you leaving the Kotetsujou at Shitori Station. You knew telling him would break his heart and in some strange way, it was already breaking yours, like the world has collapsed leaving only you standing. Like not a moment elapsed...

"I-I am leaving the Koutetsujou and will be traveling with Hikari to where I am needed," you muttered as you swiftly walked out of the cart with your head down and Hikari holding your hand, not wanting to look at Ikoma's expression or feel any more pain then what was already going through. Something since Ikoma forced you to kiss him for nutrients and when he hugged you has been troubling your emotions. You knew that something between Ikoma and Ayame triggered you to go into your second state, but when he hugged you in fear of losing you, your heart was doing most of the talking.

"There are people!" yelled someone.

"Finally! A station with people in it!" yelled another person in excitement.

You held Hikari's hand and looked down towards him to see hints of sadness in his eyes but for his safety and my own, you knew it was best to break ties at Shitori station.

"We can stay until the festival and then we will need to leave them," you replied as you kneeled down to look at his eye level. You held his face upwards to look into your eyes and saw the emotions running through it.

"But Yuki, what about the others..."Hikari asked.

"I know you made friends with the other children on the train and that you have developed a close bond but I can't risk us losing control because of our emotions getting out of hand," you replied.

"More like yours," Hikari replied."

"Hikari!" you yelled out of shock.

"You can even admit it to yourself!" Hikari yelled at first until he mumbled, "You fell in love him and you know it."

"N-n-no I didn't!" you stuttered turning your head away from Hikari and rising from the ground, "I am not doing this with you today!"

"Because you know I am right," Hikari snickered as you glared towards him and slapped him upside his head causing him to whimper out of pain and ignore his last comment. The train slowly pulled into the station while everyone got off the train to stretch their legs and relax.

You were getting ready to jump off the rail you were sitting on as the train pulled into the station. Hikari was already off the train talking with the other kids on him leaving to you saw that some were crying at the fact of him leaving.

"Yuki wait!"

You turned to see Ikoma running in front of you, immediately feeling your heart tighten. You turned your head to the side as Ikoma stood in front of you looking at you as you continued to look away from him. You couldn't even bare to look at him. You knew that by leaving this group, you were breaking your master's intent in the promise in keeping Ikoma close  intentionally.

"Yuki...please, it isn't safe for you to travel alone," Ikoma muttered.

"I have been traveling for 5 years with Hikari," you replied, "I think I can manage."

"But you don't have to!" Ikoma yelled, "I don't want you to!"

"Why do you care so much about what happens to me?!" you yelled back looking at him, "Why don't you focus on the others and leave me alone!"

"Y-Yuki..." Ikoma muttered stepping back from you.

"You have changed from when we were little I'll tell you that," you said, "You are much more determined than ever to save rid everyone from the Kabane, given our village was slaughtered by them, but,  just liked you have your goals I have mine to protect myself and most important Hikari. The fact that I had to tap into my inner abilities and ask Hikari to tap into his already endangers us."

"We can help," Ikoma assured, "We can go and find a cure together-"

"Shut up!" you yelled, "You path to righteousness and justice isn't cutting it for me, I have my own goals and that is to survive long enough to cure Hikari."

"What about yourself?!" Ikoma yelled, "Don't you want to cure yourself! Why do you always throw your survival away like you don't care!"

"The moment I lost my master, I lost my purpose," you replied, "The moment I saved Hikari, I found my purpose in life-to protect him with my life. I can't protect the one person I truly care for if I am constantly fighting your battles and experience moments of weakness."

You walked around him until he grabbed your hand and held you still. You turned around to see him looking at you with his eyes, cherries set into the deep shadows below his brows and filled with determination.

"Then don't fight our battles,"  Ikoma replied, "Let us help you fight yours."

"I do not need your help," you replied.

"No you don't," Ikoma replied as he pulled you into his embrace, "But I want to help you."

"Why do you care so much about me?" you asked laying your forehead against Ikoma's chest attempting to prevent your tears from spilling.

"Because I love you..."