The Return of Kanryu Takeda
Part I
by
Chibijem
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters within this work of fiction and am making no financial gain.
A/N: If any historical errors are found herein, please excuse them. This is my story and I am writing it as I see it. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for reading.
Misao was sitting off to the side, regarding the government official that sat in front of Aoshi's desk, Yamagata was his name and when he had been introduced to her, she found him to be pleasant and very well mannered. The news he had brought was not. She watched Aoshi's reaction; to almost anyone else, there was no discernible reaction, but to Misao it was all too evident. His hands clenched, his eyes hardened and his breathing had altered slightly. Not to mention the change in his ki; she hadn't felt this from him since confronting him after his duel with Jiya during the Shishio affair. She held her tongue, knowing any remark would only affect Aoshi and possibly make matters worse. All she wanted to do, was take to task this Yamagata for his failure and take Aoshi in her arms and tell him all was well. Maybe even run off with him till this matter was resolved. She also knew what an impossibility that was; he was, after all, Aoshi.
"Please forgive this error, Shinomori-san. We are still attempting to find out how Takeda escaped from custody." Yamagata told Aoshi, sipping his tea. When Aoshi remained unmoved and unresponsive, Yamagata continued. "As you once worked," At Aoshi's hard look, he revised his remark. "Or rather had a business association with Takeda, we would like any information you may have on him." Yamagata finished, setting his tea cup on the desk.
Aoshi remained silent, then looked to the others sitting in his office. He finally turned his eyes to Misao. He saw in her endless blue eyes only love and concern for him. Damnit! Why now? Just as my life has finally settled and Misao...Misao. What is this going to do to you? To us? He thought as he gave her a slight smile. He turned his hard green eyes to Kenshin, Sanosuke and Megumi. They, along with young Yahiko and Kaoru, had come with Yamagata to Kyoto. Aoshi leaned his head back on his shoulders and sighed deeply. "I don't know what I can tell you that the others haven't. The last time I saw Kanryu was in his mansion when he...When he..." he couldn't finish and closed his eyes against the images coming to his mind from the past. He could hear the gunfire and could feel the burning of the bullets as they hit his legs. He absently rubbed his legs where the scars were. He felt a small, but strong hand rest upon his shoulder; he turned and lifted his head and saw Misao's loving face. He reached up and placed a hand upon hers. He gave her a nod and she settled on the zabuton next to him.
"I had heard things," Aoshi continued. "Takeda wants me dead and will do anything to see that happen."
"We, as well, have heard this." Yamagata confirmed. "Have you any knowledge of his current whereabouts or movements?"
"Your coming to my home," Aoshi started, looking down at Misao's smiling face at his comment about his home. "Is the first I've heard of him in many months."
As Aoshi fell silent, Okina made the suggestion that they break for lunch. As everyone stood, Kenshin and Sanosuke remained behind. Misao stood and moved behind Aoshi, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders in comfort: his and her own.
"Don't worry Miss Misao. Sano and the rest, we've come to help, that we have." Kenshin told her.
"Kenshin's right. No way will Kanryu get to Icicle here," Sano added all the while thinking there was no way that slimeball would get to Megumi either. "I'm starved." He finished with a smirk and proceeded to the door and lunch.
"You're always hungry, Sano." Kenshin told him following and leaving the couple alone in the office.
Misao moved away from Aoshi as he made a move to stand. She followed him out of the office and grabbed the back of his gi when he turned to the stairs leading up to the private quarters instead of downstairs to lunch. "Aoshi?" she asked softly, hesitating.
He looked over his shoulder and turned to her. "I need to go make some inquiries." He told her just as softly as he laid his hands on her shoulders. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her brow. "Try not to worry, koi."
Misao was instantly angry. "Not to worry! How dare you!" She whispered angrily, pushing her finger into his hard chest for emphasis. "I always worry about you Aoshi. I worry what this will do to you, that you'll go back to being the overly quiet, closed off man who used to reside here. You've opened up so much and I just don't want to lose that." Misao told him, taking his calloused hands in hers and rubbing his knuckles.
"Gomen, Misao. Please understand I must do this. This man took so much from all of us and now he's escaped justice. He threatens everything I hold dear. I cannot sit idly by and do nothing." He tried explaining.
"You're not to do this alone, this is not your responsibility alone." Misao argued.
"Misao..."
"She's right Aoshi. This is no longer a one man fight." Aoshi turned and saw Okina, along with Kenshin and Sanosuke, standing at the foot of the stairs. "You are not alone in this."
Aoshi bent his head and sighed, "Okina..."
"No, Aoshi. I will not let you fight this alone. When will you understand, you are no longer alone. You have someone who needs you, depends on you. Let us assist you." Okina stood firm.
"Sir Okina is correct, Aoshi, that he is. Remember what I told you in Shishio's fortress." the violet-eyed swordsman told him.
"Damn right." Sano finished.
"Now come down to lunch. It will give us all time to mull over this development and decide what plan of action to take." Okina told him, beckoning to the young couple to join the rest.
Aoshi looking down into Misao's hopeful eyes, nodded and allowed her to pull him along to eat. I may not be alone in this, but I will finish it, he thought as he followed his treasure into the dining room.
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"I can't believe the government's excuse for not following their own dictates!" Misao's angry words ringing clear. "The government thought it best to keep Takeda alive in order to benefit from his knowledge of the gun running trade." Misao repeated in perfect imitation Yamagata's explanation of the Meiji officials' rationale. "Bakas, all of them." She finished as she walked between Aoshi and Okina. The two men, by silent understanding had kept her between them since leaving the Aoiya after lunch to make their inquiries.
"Oh, I think I can understand their decision, as flawed as it is." Okina started and continued as his companions looked at him in disbelief. "You must remember, Misao, this is a very young government. They must take great care to prevent any revolt and at the same time, must show compassion to those whose lives have been changed forever by the revolution. And to keep the peace, they are obviously using any method possible." Okina finished, smiling down at his granddaughter's unsmiling face.
"Aa, this is true," Aoshi agreed. When Misao's head whipped around to stare at him he reached out a hand to take hers, the physical contact hidden amongst the folds of his haori and her kimono. "Remember when the government pardoned Chou and the others after Shishio. They figured the benefits were far greater in keeping them alive." Aoshi reminded her, rubbing her fingers.
"But, the laws...So many people have been hurt by Kanryu Takeda. And not just because of the opium he was peddling. It's so wrong." Misao grumbled.
"Misao, you're thinking with your heart." Okina told her. "Governments can't think like that. They must look at the whole not just the part."
"Hai, hai. But I still think it's stupid." She felt Aoshi squeeze her hand and looked up at his profile. He wasn't one for public displays and his even holding her hand was like him telling the whole of Kyoto of his love for her. She returned the gesture and saw a small upturn of his lips.
As they were returning to the Aoiya late in the afternoon after a full day of making and sending inquiries, Aoshi began feeling on edge. "Anata?" Misao asked feeling him tense beside her. She followed him as he sped up his pace. Okina felt it too and kept up, both men keeping her between them still. As they entered the back gardens of the Aoiya, Aoshi heard a small whistle and pushed Misao to the ground, falling with her to protect her with his own body. Both he and Okina yelled for Shiro and Kuro, who came running out. Aoshi nodded towards the tree line and both men went in pursuit. Okina stood and dusted himself off and reached down as Aoshi stood and helped Misao to her feet.
"Daijobu desu ka?" Aoshi asked taking Misao's hands in his own, looking from her head to her feet for any injury.
"Hai, genki des." Misao assured him, brushing herself off and looked up at him. Alarm on her face, she reached out and touched Aoshi's upper arm. "You're bleeding," she said in a shaky voice.
He looked down and touched the wound, "It's nothing, koi." He turned to Okina as the older shinobi came up to them holding a small dart with parchment attached.
"It doesn't appear to be poisoned," Okina started and at the look on Aoshi's face, Okina touched Misao on the cheek. "If it was, the effort was a poor one. Besides, I think the delivery of the parchment was their primary goal." By then Kenshin and the others had gathered and Shiro and Kuro had returned.
"Whomever it was, came prepared. They took off on one of those new bicycles from the west. I'll inform all of our contacts of his description and send out a warning." Shiro informed them.
"Take Kuro with you. From this moment, no one, and I mean no one," Aoshi said looking at Misao. "Is to go anywhere alone. Even out to the gardens or anywhere else on Aoiya property." Aoshi ordered.
"Hai, Okashira." Shiro bowed to him and, along with Kuro, left on his errand.
Yamagata made his way into the gardens and observed as Aoshi took the parchment from Okina and read it with Misao trying to read it standing on tiptoe. Aoshi handed it to the man who began his day with the worst possible news.
"Well, well. It has begun." Yamagata said.