Wow! Sorry it's been so long to update, it's been a hell of a couple of weeks! I've been sick, to the local anime convention and I've been looking for work! So, without further ado, here is the next chapter!
Life After Death
Chapter 5: A Meeting with Death
It seemed that every new place I found in my afterlife was getting weirder and weirder. And yet, I was also moving up in the world. The inn that my killer, Kenshin his name was, did not match what I'd thought an assassin would live in: It was actually really nice! There was a large garden in the back that was starting to blossom, the shoji had been painted with scenes of waterfalls and fields, and there was incense lit.
Walking behind Kenshin through the halls of the inn was awkward to say the least. Eyes followed us from the moment we entered the back door to the kitchens. The servant girls raised their eyebrows, flickering glances between him and I, whispering behind their hands about 'working girls.' It made me wonder what my killer had been up to when he wasn't out killing people. The innkeeper- Okami-san was it?- gave Kenshin a glare that spelled trouble if he dared step one toe out of line, shushing the girls' whispers. I blushed and kept my head down.
It only got worse once we were upstairs, making our way through crowds of men who would openly stop and stare at us as we walked. I realized I must have looked quite a sight, covered in blood and a ripped kimono. I could hear them mutter in wonder, 'Himura had brought home a girl,' and I was sorely tempted to turn around and tell them to mind their own business when a figure I recognized stepped in front of us.
"Himura, you finished the assignment? You're back pretty late. Katsura's still in the meeting with Edo's clan. What's with the girl?"
"Go away, Itzuka."
'Itzuka' gave me a once over, eyes lingering on the blood on my face and the curve of my hips. I didn't know whether to be disgusted or flattered. Kenshin didn't look pleased to have to face him, however, and grabbed my wrist, leading me around Itzuka and farther down the hall. Itzuka didn't like silence as an answer and followed.
"You know, if you want a whore, they do come without the blood."
What a letch! I twisted my body as best I could with Kenshin still holding my wrist, face flushed and about to give Itzuka a piece of my mind. I didn't get the chance however, the clear sound of sharp steel sliding against wood making both Itzuka and I stop and turn to Kenshin. He had partially drawn his sword, teeth grit and a blush across his cheeks. My words caught in my throat. Itzuka knew he was not joking around and put his hands up in surrender, muttering apologies and 'geez, high strung' before turning around and walking away. Kenshin slid his sword back into the saya and gave me a tug further down the hall.
Rounding the corner, we came to a single room at the end of the hall, raised voices sounding from behind the shoji. I shrank slightly, noticing how Kenshin's brow knit, and I nodded as I was instructed to wait outside. Kenshin then rapped on the wooden frame twice, slid the shoji open and stepped inside. Immediately the raised voices stopped and I couldn't help but give slight awe at the respect Kenshin commanded with his presence. Shaking my head, I scowled at myself for admiring my killer, tilting my head to listen to an authoritative voice speak as the shoji shut.
"Ah, Kenshin, my chief in battle."
"Katsura-san."
I could hear mutters from other people and the shuffle of clothing as someone moved. It made me nervous, knowing that people of much respected authority were just on the other side of a thin layer of paper, and that I'd have to face one of them soon. I gulped and listened as Katsura spoke in a low, though annoyed voice.
"We were just discussing the 'new direction' Edo's Choshu may be taking soon."
"What 'new direction?'"
The Choshu clan, that was familiar. A group of loyalists intent on returning the emperor to his position of power and expelling foreign influence of the government. I suddenly understood Kenshin's position: The Choshu had been known to use assassination as one of their tactics. Kenshin didn't seem pleased at the news of this change and I tilted my head to hear better, turning to see the shoji was still slightly open. Through it I could see Kenshin sitting next to a man with long black hair and a stern expression. From somewhere I couldn't see, a new voice, higher and almost sly, spoke in what he probably thought was a convincing way.
"Our clan has been rethinking our approach and many of us agree that the only way to be successful is a blend of old meets new. I'm sure you know of the new treaties being placed in Edo…"
Kenshin growled and the sound sent shivers down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself and shifted closer to the crack in the shoji as Katsura continued.
"Sayamura-san seems to think that once restored to his rightful position, the emperor will take the western direction anyway."
"We know that making shifts such as that will come with trouble. Himura-san, we'd appreciate your cooperation with us. We'd like you to consider transferring to Edo, possibly expanding your part in the Choshu to more political responsibilities."
Transfer to Edo. I gulped, clutching the fabric of my kimono, heart racing at the aspect. As his match, I'd have to follow Kenshin to Edo. I'd have to leave everything I'd gotten used to about my afterlife, which wasn't much but it was still something, and follow someone I didn't know nor trust across Japan. I wondered if Hiro knew about this. Kenshin responded almost immediately.
"No."
"Himura-san-"
"I joined the Choshu knowing that I would work as an assassin. I will stay here with Katsura-san and work under him doing just that."
The way Kenshin said it left no room for discussion and I breathed a sigh of relief. Sayamura gave slight mumblings and Katsura dismissed the Edo clan, finalizing Kenshin's decision. With a huff and a rustle, the shoji opened and a short, balding man who I assumed was Sayamura walked out, barely giving me a glare before he and several others disappeared down the hall. I turned to find Kenshin who motioned for me to join Katsura and him inside. I drew a deep breath and stepped into the room, Kenshin shutting the shoji behind me. I suddenly felt like the walls were closing in on me.
"Katsura-san, I have a problem."
I watched as the man with long black hair turned, his stern expression breaking into one of shock. His eyes widened as he scanned the blood on my kimono and I nervously tried to cover it with my hands.
"It's not hers, sir."
Katsura broke his gaze from the blood and turned to Kenshin, brow knit as he spoke in an angry tone that made me shrink.
"Who is she, what's the meaning of this?"
Oh Kami, let me disappear! I stayed quiet, turning to Kenshin and wondering just how he was going to explain all that was going on. He didn't even know I was a Reaper; all he knew was that I was a dead girl who wasn't quite so dead and not easy to get rid of. Kenshin looked down at the tatami, face flushed slightly and voice low.
"She saw, sir."
I turned to Katsura to see his eyes widen again as he looked at me. I gulped, heart racing as my mind started to play all the possible ways he may react. The worst of which was him commanding I 'be taken care of,' and when that fails, as I knew it would, what then? I shivered and suddenly had the overwhelming urge to run, if only my feet would move. Katsura still didn't say anything and Kenshin once again spoke nervously.
"I couldn't just silence her and I couldn't leave her knowing what she'd seen."
Katsura finally got over the shock, which then turned to anger. Oh boy, did it turn to anger.
"A year and a half you've worked as an assassin, as the best, and in a week you've managed to screw it up beyond repair twice! First you kill an innocent bystander, a young girl at that, and then you're seen! How you've earned the title Battousai is a wonder to me now!"
So Katsura had been told of my murder. Interesting. I looked over to Kenshin, his eyes hidden by his hair and his jaw clenched. Something between guilt and unbelievable rage rolled off of him in waves and I took a step away from him. Katsura finally heaved a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to restore calm. After a tense moment, he opened them, trying his best to control his emotions as he spoke.
"You were right to bring her here. We don't kill innocents. She will stay with us where she can be watched. If we're successful, they she might be allowed to go."
My heart sank and my face paled. I would be watched, kept here to make sure I didn't reveal what was happening. If the Choshu were successful, I may be given the chance to return to some semblance of an afterlife. But how long would that take? And what was I supposed to do about my responsibilities as a Reaper? I had a mental image of sneaking out in the middle of the night, meeting Hiro in back alleys to collect my reap's information and sneaking back to do the job.
"What is your name?"
It took a moment to realize that Katsura was speaking to me and I fought to clear the lump in my throat. My voice cracked as I tried to hide the growing swell of emotion in my chest.
"Tanaka Keiko."
Katsura nodded, his face suddenly soft as he came forward and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Tanaka-san, I'm Kastura Kogoro. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to stay with us, at least for a while. Normally we don't do this, but because of the awkward situation…"
As he said this, he sent a glare Kenshin's way, who simply stood still with his eyes still hidden.
"… We have to take certain measures. Again, I'm sorry."
I swallowed hard, the lump getting substantially bigger. I could feel tears prickling at my eyes and I fought to keep them in check. I will not cry, not now. Not in front of my killer and not in front of his boss. I will not cry now!
"Kenshin, she's your responsibility. Tomorrow, you'll talk to Okami-san about giving her a job in the kitchens and a bed to stay in there. For tonight, she stays with you."
"Yes, sir."
I could hardly breathe, chest clenched tight and I struggled with keeping myself together. There's nothing I can do for now. Tomorrow, I will figure out how to get out of this! Kenshin bowed and grabbed my wrist again, giving another tug. I followed him out of the room and up the stairs, stepping inside what I guessed were his private quarters. I was a little shocked to see that what little he owned was in perfect order, the futon folded in the corner and a large stack of books by the window. I stood for a moment, observing my home for the night, taking in the slight smell of sandalwood and the watercolor on the wall while Kenshin rifled through a small dresser.
"You can use the futon, I never do. Here's an extra yukata of mine, it'll be big."
Kenshin handed me the yukata, making sure to avoid eye contact. I could still felt he anger radiating off of him and I nodded my thanks. I didn't exactly like the idea of sleeping in my killer's bed and wearing his clothes, but I didn't want to anger him further either, especially with his swords still at his hip. He turned away from me and walked out of the room.
I took that as a hint and stripped off my kimono, wincing at the disgusting feeling of the cloth sticking to my skin from the blood. I folded the now ruin garment and pulled on the yukata. It was indeed too big and a wrapped the obi around myself twice extra to keep it from falling off. The arms were so long that only my fingertips weren't covered and the hem fell around my ankles, gaping at the neck. The size of it was comforting, despite who owned it, and I wrapped my arms around myself.
The shoji opened and Kenshin returned with a bowl of water and a cloth. He held them out to me, lips drawn tight as he scanned me.
"For the blood."
I took the bowl and thanked him, watching as he walked to the other side of the room, pulling off his own gi. Trusting that he wouldn't peak, I slipped the yukata off my shoulders, easy considering the size, dipped the cloth into the bowl and began wiping the blood from my skin. The water was warm and comforting, soothing the slight ache left from when Kenshin had stabbed me and I had healed in a moment. Once my stomach and chest were clean, I pulled the yukata back on and cleaned my neck and face. When finished, I folded the cloth and put it and the bowl by the door.
I turned to find Kenshin leaning against the pile of books, staring out the window, his katana leaning against his shoulder and playing with something in his hands. After a moment I realized it was a child's top. I raised an eyebrow, thinking how odd it was that an assassin was playing with a child's toy, then walked over to the futon. I pulled the blanket back and crawled in, suddenly very tired. Pulling the blanket up to my nose, I curled into a ball, hands fisting the cloth in front of my face, listening to the sound of the top sliding across the tatami.
"Goodnight Keiko."
Jumping slightly at the sound of Kenshin's voice, I trembled. I wasn't expecting my killer to provide these basic things for me, wasn't expecting his kindness after what had happened and what had been said. He was the first person to do so since my death, despite his initial freak out when I revealed myself to him, and the thought disturbed me. Why couldn't he be cruel like I had expected from my killer! After a moment, I spoke, pulling the blanket closer around me.
"Goodnight Kenshin."
With that, I pulled the blanket over my head, curling myself tighter and breathing deep the scent of sandalwood. The flood of fears and doubts, sadness and anger returned to me as it did when night came and I'm reminded of all that has happened these past few nights. Despite my resolve to strong in Kenshin's company, I cry myself to sleep.
Keiko is having one hell of a bad time! And how is she going to get her reap assignments? What will Hiro think! How will Kenshin cope!