Sorry it's been so long for an update. I've been finishing up a novel so that took all my attention. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement!
The story continues.
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With Sano deflecting any annoyance which could bring out the Battosai, they survived the entire day without incident. On the following day Aoshi, followed by Misao, arrived. Kaoru thought it a pleasant surprise, as did Misao.
"Lord Aoshi just suddenly said we should come for a visit yesterday," Misao explained. "He even said we should come by train!"
Kenshin bowed his head in thanks to Aoshi who returned the gesture.
"Hey missy, you should take Misao out around Tokyo."
"Want to come Kenshin? Aoshi?"
"No that's alright Kaoru-dono. You and Miss Misao have a good time."
The two girls left.
"Should Yahiko and I leave?"
"Yahiko knows something is wrong, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, but not what."
"Maybe you should take him out for a while."
"Right. Yahiko! Let's go catch us all some dinner."
"Alright." The boy understood, sensing the situation.
-----
"Your message was brief. You need my help because you are having trouble with self control?"
"It's more serious than that." Kenshin recounted the last few days, leaving out much of his visit to Saito's home.
"I see. Though the man died, it was in fact an accident; you did not intentionally kill him."
"Though it would not be from any direct action on this one's part, if harm would come to Kaoru-dono or Yahiko, or even Sano, you, Miss Misao, or any of those at the Aoiya, this one would feel responsible, it would still be breaking my vow."
"You saved me from my darkness; I shall do everything I can to save you from yours."
"Thank you, Aoshi-domo."
-----
Aoshi sat alone on the porch mediating on how to help Kenshin while Kenshin did fresh laundry. Aoshi marveled at how Kenshin could continue his mundane tasks especially with Aoshi staring at him at intervals.
It was easy for Kenshin really, he was just thinking about Sano, his body moving automatically to complete his normal tasks. Sano in love with me? He wondered how he couldn't sense it before. It took the instinctive assassin to sense it. A smile tugged at his lips, but it wasn't strong enough to overcome the frown. It didn't matter now: Sano would never trust him and he wouldn't trust himself ever again. He doubted even Aoshi could help him.
Aoshi was not blind, he'd seen the bite marks on Kenshin's shoulder. Love marks were an understatement, they were vicious teeth marks. Like a mauling.
"Forgive me, Himura-sama." Aoshi stood. "I need time to consider this. I will return in a few hours."
Without another word between them, Aoshi left Kenshin alone.
-----
The Oniwanbanshou had people all over Japan. It took only half an hour for Aoshi find Saito's home. Tokio opened the door.
"I'm looking for lieutenant Fujita."
"Please come in."
Saito materialized behind her. "Shinamori."
"I would like to have a word with you."
"So they called you in. Wise. Tokio, tea."
The two men sat outside and said nothing until Tokio brought their tea and left them.
"I saw the marks on Himura's shoulder." Both men could sense Tokio was out of earshot.
"The Battosai and I have a long history."
"That could have been considered treason. Both of you would have been executed."
"True. But you never saw him back then, did you? Barely a child and at the time, so vulnerable, so beautiful. It was worth the risk."
"And a few days ago?"
"The old…amorous Battosai reemerged. We called a truce in order to…reminisce. So what do you think Okashira? Should I put him out of his misery?"
"I don't think he's irredeemable."
"You haven't seen Battosai, have you?"
"Describe how he came out."
"The first time, I think you know: the Battosai emerged to protect Himura. He retreated at the prospect of being detected. The second time was when that moron Sagara started to push him for information about that night. I forced him into unconscious and he woke up normal. The next time was here. Either hearing me, seeing me, or my calling him 'Battosai' provoked him. A slap brought him back to his senses. The last time, I forced myself on him and that brought him out. Once satisfied for the second time, Himura came back."
Aoshi was clearing considering the obvious pattern. "So which will you choose? Attack him or rape him?"
"Is that jealousy in your voice?"
Saito laughed. "You've never fought the Battosai. Even during sex, he could kill you." A thought occurred to him. "Well maybe not. Your prowess with marital arts slipped my mind. I still wouldn't recommend that method."
"Wasn't the one I was considering."
"I wish you luck."
-----
Only ninety minutes had passed. Aoshi and Kenshin still had several hours before anyone returned.
"I hate to ask it of you," Aoshi said. "But I'd like to see the Battosai."
For a moment Kenshin feared that Aoshi might want to bring the Battosai out in order to fight him, like Saito. But with Aoshi come to his senses after their fight in Shishio's lair, Kenshin doubted that was his intension.
"I don't know if I can just bring him out."
"It takes a threat?"
"Yes."
"Forgive me." Without any further warning, Aoshi unsheathed his pair of Kodachis and was in the air, coming toward Kenshin. Instinct took over and Kenshin grabbed the sakabato laying next to him. Aoshi was so fast, Kenshin had no time to unsheathe his sword and deflected Aoshi's attack with the scabbard. Kenshin took out the sword, but kept the sheath in hand.
"Kaiten-kenbu." Kenshin panicked.
Aoshi's Kaiten-kenbu was countered. Having his move countered before by Kenshin and knowing the weakness in his own moves, he was able to avoid Kenshin's blade. Gold eyes peered at him from behind the hilt of the sakabato.
"Battosai."
"You wanted me, Here I am."
