Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Chapter 21. Failure of the Fire and a Need for Info.
A/N: I'm sorry for the short chapter after such a long time. I know I am such a bad author I should have given you guys more. I am so sorry.
Now on to the story…
Shura and the rest of the Juppongatana stood at the edge of Kyoto waiting for the city to burst into flames.
"It's almost midnight, how come we still haven't seen a spark?" Kamatari complained. It was ten minutes until midnight and he/she didn't want to miss leaving with Shishio, even though he/she knew that Shishio wouldn't leave without his best warriors.
"Be patient Kamatari, it takes a little bit for the fires to completely start you know," Anji said.
21
Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, and the rest of the Oniwaban group spread themselves out through Kyoto. They had received valid information that a recreation of the Kyoto Fire was going to be attempted that night.
Throughout Kyoto, the people banded together with weapons and buckets of water to put out any fires. Together, all the townspeople fought off Shishio's men, that is, until the Juppongatana interfered.
Usui appeared behind Misao. He was angry that Shishio's orders had been stopped by a girl who didn't look old enough to fend for herself let alone lead the whole city of Kyoto. However, Anji stopped him.
"I don't like to see unnecessary bloodshed, and she is nothing but a young girl. Leave her be." Anji said.
Anji and Usui looked, or rather made faces at each other since Usui was blind. Had Soujiro not been there, Usui and Anji were likely to try to kill each other right then, however, Soujiro said, "We don't need you guys to get hurt now, you still have to fight the Battosai. Save your strength."
Anji decided he would be the better man and back down knowing that Usui wouldn't care about anything unless there was blood going to be spilled.
21
Saitou, Kenshin, and Sanosuke stood at the dock looking for Shishio's ship.
Sanosuke had met up with Saitou at the Kyoto jail and he and Saitou both caught up with Kenshin at the main office at the jail since Kenshin and the chief were trying to figure out Shishio's strategy. After thinking like the Battosai, Kenshin assumed that Shishio's real target wasn't Kyoto, but Tokyo.
Sanosuke held out some bombs. "Katsu gave these to me. They're a new kind of bomb that explodes on impact."
Kenshin nodded. "Saitou, are you ready?" Saitou grunted in response.
"Hey, what am I supposed to do?" Sanosuke asked.
"If the gunpowder gets wet, those bombs will be useless," Saitou answered.
"Sanosuke, I need you now more than ever, are you ready?" Kenshin asked. "Alright then," he said turning to Saitou, "let's go." He and Saitou jumped to the neighboring ships attempting to jump from ship to ship as they tried to get to Shishio's ship.
However, Shishio who had expected this yelled, "Blow them to bits!"
Suddenly, cannon fire rained down on Saitou and Kenshin, eventually, after some close calls, they made it safely to Shishio's ship.
"Battosai, I see you have finally arrived," Shishio said as Saitou and Kenshin stood ready to fight in the middle of the deck.
"Makoto Shishio." Kenshin spat.
"What? You're not happy to see me?" Shishio said.
"How could I ever be happy to see a murderer like you," Kenshin said.
"That's what you say. Nevertheless, I am giving you the opportunity of a lifetime, join me in the takeover of Japan and you can have whatever you want. I don't want to have to kill you."
"Forget it, I gave up that life over ten years ago," Kenshin said.
"Very well then, I see you have made your decision, but what about you Hajime Saitou?" Shishio asked.
"Never." Saitou answered glaring at Shishio.
"Now Sano!" Kenshin yelled.
Sanosuke hear Kenshin's yell and hopped on the floating planks of what used to be ships. As he reached the last one, he threw all of the bombs he had at the ship and jumped into the water to avoid the flying wood of the ship.
Kenshin and Saitou had jumped out of the ship just before the bombs hit. After a few minutes, both reached the dock. A minute or two later, as did Sanosuke, the three looked back to where the ship should have been. They could barely believe it. Instead of seeing a wooden ship, they saw a large black ship like the ones the foreign soldiers used.
"Did you honestly expect me to be using a rickety, wooden ship?" Shishio asked. "Himura, I'll be seeing you soon, come to the Shrine of the Six Arches. That is where I'll be, I'll see you then." With that, the ship started to sail away.
21
Shura and the Juppongatana raced towards the docks. As they reached the docks, they saw three figures moving away from the docks. Shura immediately knew who two of them were, Kenshin and Sanosuke.
Kenshin, Sanosuke, and the third person stopped to watch them, ready for battle if necessary. However, they had orders not to attack anyone unless they had to and now, the three weren't posing any threat to Shishio's plans.
Shura couldn't take her eyes off Kenshin and, especially, Sanosuke. She was surprised at how much stronger they seemed.
Suddenly, Sanosuke caught Shura's eye, causing her to almost trip. However, Shura caught herself and looked away.
21
Sanosuke did a double take. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. Shura or at least a woman that looked like her was rushing towards Shishio's ship with the Juppongatana. He hadn't realized it, but he had stopped and was staring at Shishio's ship where the woman he had seen had fled.
"Sanosuke, it's not your fault we didn't get Shishio," Kenshin said when he noticed that his friend had stopped.
"Yeah if anything, it's the Battousii's fault," Saitou added.
Kenshin glared at him.
"No, it's not that," Sanosuke said.
"What is it then?"
"It's probably just my imagination, let's go."
21
Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Saitou reached the Aoiya just before two in the morning. While Kenshin and Saitou were resting up, Sanosuke went to Okina.
"Hey old man," Sanosuke said. He ducked as a pillow was thrown at him for his lack of respect toward his elder.
"What is it Sanosuke?" Okina asked.
"Word on the street is that this is the best place to get information, is it true?"
"Yes, yes, now what or who is it that you need the information on?" Okina said suddenly turning serious.
"I need all the info you can get on Shura Sagara." Sanosuke said.
"Very well, give me until lunch time tomorrow."
"Thanks." Sanosuke slid the door closed.
A/N: Dun dun dun daaa. I know, this chapter is short I am so sorry, but I had so much homework to do and finals are coming up. So it'll take me a while before my 22nd chapter comes in. sorry! I hope you guys forgive me. Now go R&R! …please.
30CK: I think you're right, insanity always prevails. I am so happy that you love the story though, thanks. Is it a good thing that I'm goofy? I hope it is, at least I think so. Yes, I plan to have fun with this story too. Thanks for the review. I hope you like this chapter too.
Sapphire Lupe: Hey! I am so happy that you like this chapter. I'm not sure if the story is going to go up to 40, but I think it'll go into the 30's so who knows. If it does end, I'll probably end up with a sequel to it. I know I can't believe that no one else reviewed they are dorks. I'm glad that I have 2 faithful reviewers at least.
Wala