Aloha fellow readers.
Needless to say, my friends....
please rate&review or Sano will annoy you to death while Yahiko watches.
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Once the girls had gotten home from their adventures, they joined their uncle for dinner. After the girls had finished eating, they excused themselves and rushed upstairs to discuss the night alone. Sishio excused himself as well and went to his study. Hanya gathered the Jupongatana, Sano and Yahiko and went to a private room to plan out their next move. As the castle was abuzz with secrets plans, the Battousai and Shinomori stood outside the castle gates, waiting for the opportune moment to attack.
Shishio sat in his study as he planed his new scheme. Of course it involved the death of his beloved nephews, and possibly Misao, but Shishio had killed his family before so he could do it again. Soon all the Kamiya inheritance would be his, and no one could stop him. He also knew of the rebellion within his own Jupongatana, and he was ready to dispose of them all. Even his beloved Yumi was a traitor. Shishio sighed and glanced at the photo of him and his wife-to-be Kaoru. He would marry her, gain her inheritance…then dispose of her as well. No need to leave any loose ends, when he could have them all tragically cut off. And tonight would be the night, where he became all-powerful.
Hanya's voice lowered once the group had settled. "Tonight is when they attack. We need to be sure that at one point the girls are taken from here, away from the bloodshed." Yumi and the others nodded in agreement. For years the Jupongatana had been spying on Sishio in order to learn and defeat his plans. When Sano and Yahiko learned of Kaoru's fate they immediately sent word to their old friend Okina. Unfortunately his kidnapping of the girls hadn't gone according to plan. So they had to resort to the assassination of their uncle. Tonight was the final night of Mokoto Sishio's life.
Kaoru and Misao sat up in their rooms quietly discussing their sightings of the assassins earlier. "What are they doing here do you suppose?" Misao asked her older sister. Kaoru slid her kunai up her sleeve and began to tie up her hair. "I don't know, but we're gonna find out." She said and watched as Misao hid her small dagger in her chest pocket. "I know there's something going on Misao, and I'll be damned if they try to keep us out of it." Kaoru said with determination. Misao nodded in agreement as she though of Shinomori's icy blue eyes.
As Kaoru began concealing her weapons, there was a knock at the door. "My ladies, it is I, Hanya. Please let me in." Misao hesitated and cracked the door open just wide enough to see if he was telling the truth. Misao nodded her head to Kaoru who signaled Misao to let him in. At this point the girls felt they should be ultra careful about who they trust. Hanya gently shut the door and was not surprised to find the girls getting ready for a fight. 'I've trained them well, I just hope they're ready for this.' Hanya thought as he watched the girls with affection. "Hanya, we know something's going on. I don't expect you to tell us, but we will fight, no matter what." Kaoru said with such authority Hanya could not help but beam with pride. Once this was all over, Kaoru would inherit her rightful money and the estate. She would be a great icon of hope to the villages of Japan.
Hanya spoke quickly and quietly, knowing the battle was about to start. "My ladies, there is much you do not know. Many lies you have been feed, and tonight I pray that the truth will set you free. I will permit you to fight, but I must warn you of the battle ahead. There is indeed a battle not far from now, but it will be very hard for you to accept some things. So be prepared…for the worst." Hanya bowed formally to Misao and Kaoru and fled the room. Before Kaoru and Misao could react a large boom resounded throughout the estate. The Battosai and Shinomori had struck at last. Misao grabbed her kunai pack and ran down the hallway, closely following Kaoru and Hanya. The three met up the Sojiro and Sano. Yahiko and Yumi were evacuating the building, and Sishio was standing in his office, ready for the fight.
Hanya turned to look at the girls and nodded to them before running off into the smoke. Misao started to run after him, but Kaoru grabbed her arm and swung her down the opposite hallway. Misao ran to catch up with Kaoru who was practically flying down the corridor. As they ran, two figures were running down the same hallway in the opposite direction. As the girls turned the corner they crashed into the two others running down the hallway. Kaoru gasped and pulled Misao back in time before the Battosai and Shinomori had the time to regain their composure. The Battosai felt his heartbeat quicken as he met Kaoru's sapphire eyes for the third time in the same day.
Kaoru stood in a fighting stance next to Kaoru as Misao copied her. Aoshi and Himura mirrored their actions and waited for the attack. Time stood still as the two pairs of eyes darted from one to another. Kaoru and Misao didn't budge and inch when the assassins took a step towards them. "Step aside, and we might let you live." The Battosai spoke coldly as his golden eyes flickered purple. Kaoru's voice snapped back with venom. "Never, you'll have to kill us first. You won't harm our uncle." Misao nodded in conformation and Aoshi tool another step forward. "You are foolish, your uncle deserves to die. Now move!" his voice whipped the already tense air around the group. But yet, the girls refused to move an inch.
"Do you not understand that we could kill you without hesitation?" Himura asked looking directly at Kaoru as he spoke. "Really? Then kill us already. What are you waiting for? I didn't wound you that bad did I? Need me to kiss it and make it better?" Kaoru shot at him. The last question caught Himura off guard…if only for a second, but Kaoru noticed the flicker in his eyes. "Yes, if you've really killed thousands, why don't you just kill us. What are two more little girls in the grand scheme of things? Would our deaths really put more baggage on your already damned souls?" Misao asked with real curiosity. The two assassins, caught off guard by their questions, found themselves unable to answer the two girls.
Kaoru smirked and Misao let out a low chuckle. But what they all failed to realize was the old man standing behind them. "Enough of this senseless bickering. I didn't not pay you to threaten my granddaughter and lady Misao." The old man spoke in an authoritative voice. Kaoru and Misao turned in shock as the familiar voice rung out. "It's the old man from before." Himura stated simply. Kaoru paid him no mind as the old man approached them. "Who do you think you are? Calling me your granddaughter? My grandparents are all dead! You have no right!" Kaoru cried her voice raw. "You're wrong my little blossom. I am your mother's real father. You were only a very little girl the last time we met. But I loved you instantly. And your sister Misao…" the old man gestured to Misao, "is the missing fiancé of the old Oniwabanshu."
Aoshi felt his heart stop as he heard the old man's words. "Misao…could it really be…?" his voice croaked. "It has been a long time Aoshi, I doubted you would recognize me…after all these years." The old man said sighing. Aoshi took a long hard look at the old man and felt his heart constrict and his voice fail him. "Okina…is it really you?" Aoshi asked. Okina nodded his head and Misao gasped in recognition "I remember…after all this time…I finally remember." She whispered. Kaoru felt as if her world had suddenly stopped as Misao's began to begin again.
"I was only eight…Okina and I had gone out to find Lord Aoshi. And then they came out of the shadows. A small girl and her family had been passing when they saw the trouble. They came to help us, and in the confusion…Okina had been knocked out and the little girl told me to run. So I did. But I had fallen and hit my head. I woke up, and no one was there. I remember calling for help…but no one came. Later that day I met you Kaoru, and you took me home." Misao said as her eyes came back into focus. Misao turned to look at Aoshi. Her voice came out quiet and timid.
"I was your fiancé…and you thought I had died…" Aoshi slowly approached Misao and raised his hand. Misao flinched, as if expecting to get hit but froze when he placed it gently upon her head. Himura watched in amusement as the color in Aoshi's cheeks began to flourish and Misao's eyes began to brighten. Kaoru smiled slightly as she saw her sister's disposition brighten like the sun. She had finally found herself. "At last…the leader of the Oniwabanshu and his love…are reunited." Kaoru said just loud enough for Himura to hear. The Battosai glanced over at Kaoru and saw the tears building up in the corners of her eyes. Aoshi and Misao stood looking at each other, as Himura watched Kaoru's tears stream down her face. It was Okina who broke the silence with his sharp command.
"The reunions can be celebrated later. Right now we have a job to do." Aoshi and Himura nodded and started to run towards the old man. Kaoru's cry stoped them. "No! I won't let you kill my uncle." Misao watched as Kaoru placed herself between them and the door to the other hallway. "Stand aside! We must kill Lord Shishio!" Himura cried running up to Kaoru and glaring daggers at her. "I won't let you take him away from me too!" she cried, tears falling freely from her face. Kaoru's words struck Misao's heart to the core. Although Kaoru was happy for Misao, she knew that they'd have to part. And she couldn't bare losing Misao and her uncle…in one night.
"Kaoru…it is time I told you the truth. Sishio…you uncle, killed your parents." Okina said carefully approaching the troubled girl. Kaoru felt her heart stop as a gasp from Misao echoed in the hallway. Kaoru felt her world crumble at her feet as the old man rushed to her side. She didn't realize her legs had given up on her until she felt a pair of arms surround her. Looking up, she met a pair of golden eyes with flecks of purple embedded in them. Himura held Kaoru steady as she gazed into his eyes. His heart quickened as she laid her head on his chest and said quietly, "You lie."
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Ah, the truth is revealed at last! *laugh*
Just to clarify something I just realized I goofed on.
When I said, in chapter 2, about Misao walking with her grandfather when she was 'killed,' I didn't really mean biological grandfather.
I hope I didn't confuse anyone. He's just so old, he was and grandfather-like figure in the young Misao's life.
And, I hope you all forgive me for the oh so cliche moment of realization and whatnot between Aoshi&Misao.
I couldn't resist. =)
