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Mizu limped, almost crawled out of the burning gates, but it was undoubtedly him. The dying flicker of flames framed his silhouette broodingly, but there was no threat in his gaze. Despite the inner emptiness, Taigen couldn’t help but feel his heart jump with relief. If Mizu had shown himself like that, Fowler must be dead. Even in the direst circumstances, on the verge of breaking, the joy of restored justice was immense.
Taigen still sat there, on the bridge, near Seki’s body. Mizu’s eyes fell on him, then the old man, as he managed: “What happened? Where is Akemi? And why aren’t you with Ringo?”
Taigen stared at the floor. “Akemi decided to stay with her husband. She left to join the shogun’s family.”
“Ouch,” Mizu said simply, his intonation dripping with amusement, not a hint of compassion.
If the bastard had not been severely injured, Taigen would have wanted to hit him so much right now. He felt awful. It seemed like the world was crumbling, and he lacked the strength to even look.
“Well, are you coming? Ringo might think we’re all dead,” Mizu said, his voice so weak that Taigen had to raise his eyes to check if he was standing upright and steady. It did not seem like the blue-eyed samurai was on the verge of fainting, but he did seem… off. Well, more ‘off’ than usual. Taigen could hardly say what happens in this man’s head.
“I have no business with your apprentice. I can’t show my eyes to either of you. To anyone, really. I couldn’t protect any—”
“Well, you did a great job protecting me back there. I wouldn’t make it alone. And I take it you were the one to pass the message to the late shogun. It’s thanks to you that his family survived.” Mizu hissed, getting more irritated as he spoke and did not see immediate amelioration. “I’m not in the mood for talking you up right now, so get your ass up and follow me. You’ll lose your fucking mind alone.”
Taigen knew he was right, but something told him it wasn’t the only reason. Still, he was grateful that he had any company at all, now that he felt so lost.
“You sound like someone who’s losing their mind,” he commented, getting up. “What happened? Did Fowler say something, about— you know.”
“None of your business,” Mizu cut him off, then squinted. Taigen got up and offered him to lean on him – though they were both injured, in this instance, Mizu seemed to be injured worse.
Mizu softened a bit after they limped for a while in silence, the dusty stones crunching under their feet and the smell of smoke and death sickening to the core. “Fowler gave me some information about the other two bastards. I’m processing my next moves.”
Taigen thought that it sounded pretty normal, actually; yet somehow, from Mizu, it came with such a dire tone that he felt there was more to it. He wasn’t in the mind to ask further now, so he acknowledged it with a nod, and they continued advancing to the agreed location.
Luckily, they did not have problems finding Ringo, and once reunited, the trio made their way back to Master Eiji. As they went, they barely talked, the gloom of recent events pressing on them. Ringo was the only one seeming relatively content, happily oblivious to hardships faced by his companions, but giving them space to process.
“Your cooking got better,” Mizu said when they camped for the night, and Ringo made food for them all.
“Nah, you are flattering me; We barely have any ingredients, there is no way it is better,” he denied.
“It is true, I feel it too,” Taigen joined. “It is not the ingredients that count, but effort, soul and context. It’s been a while since I had a meal that tasty.”
Ringo’s eyes shined with joy as he proclaimed that he would then shop real quick to make them happy tomorrow as well - and proceeded to leave. As he scurried, Taigen smiled and caught Mizu smiling.
“I think us three should stick together.” Taigen was first to talk.
“What’s the point?” Mizu sighed. “We have no shared aspirations in common.”
“So what? We can help each other, and—”
“It’s your broken heart talking; you don’t mean it.” The blue-eyed samurai stared at the campfire. “You’ll get tired of us after a few days.”
“So, you count Ringo in your ‘team’ but not me?” Taigen frowned, his tone accusatory.
“No—” Mizu protested quickly. “That’s not what I mean. I wouldn’t stick with Ringo either. He should have his own life, a happy one.”
“You know, once your revenge is over, you could live a happy life, too. And while you’re on the way, we can help you.” Taigen failed to see the appeal of the fire, so instead stared at Mizu. “As you know, we both have nothing better to do.”
“I owe you a duel,” Mizu reminded slowly.
“Forget it. I won’t duel my brother,” Taigen declared with fierce determination. “You helped me many times, I’ll be damned if I don’t pay you back. We are connected. I will join your quest.”
“Seems like you really have nothing better to do,” Mizu chuckled dryly, but an amused smile touched his lips. “Are you so desperate to die?”
“Maybe,” Taigen shrugged. “I… truly don’t know what to make of my life. But at least I have two friends, and together we could make something.”
“How romantic.” Mizu poked the campfire with a stick. “And so, you want to travel who knows where together, and… what? Adventures?”
“No, actually,” Taigen said slowly. “I think I simply want some company, just like you did when you grabbed me along. And when you returned to Ringo, despite being in the state of the mood as if you have no clue what to do next.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, don’t rush it,” Taigen shrugged. He side-eyed Mizu, feeling his lurid aura. “Wanna talk about it?”
The silence stretched for a while; In fact, a ‘while’ so considerate that Taigen thought Mizu was not going to answer.
“I think I might actually have to consider breaking up with Ms. Revenge,” Mizu chuckled dryly.
“Why?” Taigen asked simply, with surprise.
“Fowler hinted that the other two bastards are… who knows where, outside Japan, and well-hidden. He said I wouldn’t find them without him. And even if he wasn’t just bargaining for his life, it’s close to impossible for me to leave Japan, especially now, well…”
“You did the right thing by killing him. Taking the risk, letting that bastard live, it could cost many more lives, including yours.” Taigen’s voice was now laced with respect; he had no idea that Mizu killed Fowler against his interests.
“Well, maybe I did. But it might have cost me revenge.”
Taigen silently put his hand on Mizu’s shoulder in support. He couldn’t offer any logical reassurance, and reasoning was probably unwelcome. But maybe, just maybe, it was time for Mizu to consider his own life without revenge, and this was the start of it.