AN: Extra long update for all of you. Mostly because it's finals week and it certainly relieves tension for me to write. Huzzah for the update. Go join Amber Horizons and Crimson Sunsets if you haven't yet.
This update was made possible by Deadlyiva08 without her I would be lost in a see of writers block. Go love on her.
The Kenshin gumi needed some action which allowed me to split up the chapter nicely and I'd been itching to write an action scene for a while. Besides Kanryuu wouldn't leave them alone whether or not Kenshin had gone with the group. So yea….Oh! A lot of you mentioned that you wanted to know what Kanryuu said to Tokio. evil grins if you're good reviewers you might get that chance in the next upcoming chapters. I was surprised that none of you had picked up on the temple piece I'd been throwing in everywhere so I decided to explain it a bit. In terms of Soujiro, and all the delicacies and intricacies involved with his character in my story, all will be explained in due time I promise!
Music of the update: Justifide
Saitou walked down the tunnel. Smoke fell freely from incense burners above. The walls were made of brick, probably by hundreds of slaves Kanryuu seemed to favor in the older days. Had this been one of the plans Kanryuu worked on under the Shinsengumi? Saitou's gloved hand clenched. Damn it, if he had only followed his instincts Kanryuu wouldn't be here now. If he had done what he felt he was to do in the past this might not have happened. But would that have changed anything? Would the Meiji era even be here? Saitou was hit by the entirety of the situation, and his mind reeled with possible answers and situations that could've happened because of it.
Focus Saitou ordered, blocking off the thoughts. The sake was spilt; there was nothing he could do to change the past. He needed to focus on the present, the now, and the future. He had been looking at the brick wall, he needed to regain his thoughts. Saitou paused as he considered the wall. Saitou ran a gloved hand down them wondering if this too was just another hoax by Kanryuu. This wasn't made to be faux. Unlike the walls and various building designs Kanryuu had used in his house, these were real bricks, and this tunnel was real. He was close then.
Kanryuu would always use deception to his advantage, even within the ranks of the Shinsengumi. However, when it came to the real thing, he didn't have enough time to plan, to put up barriers and obstacles. Probably because he couldn't afford to fall into one of his own traps Saitou thought with a sneer. Saitou could just faintly make out his ki. His sword arm itched for battle, but there was nothing to fight. Silence pervaded the tunnel. Despite Saitou's assurance that this would lead him to Kanryuu, there had to be something wrong…Surely Kanryuu wouldn't just let him walk right up to him?
Once again, worrying about it wasn't helping. Saitou pushed on, time being of essence. The torches lit the path, mocking him every step of the way. Intricate paintings of Buddha lined the walls. Were they not done on purpose, he might've thought them artful, even tasteful in this setting. However Saitou knew exactly why Kanryuu had lined this wall with temple paintings. Saitou nearly snarled in his fury. Kanryuu was mocking him now, as he mocked him then. This entire hallway was modeled to look like a temple. Bastard! Saitou unsheathed his sword, longing to feel it being driven through Kanryuu's heart.
The incense was thicker as he walked further down the halls. He blinked, vision becoming hazy for a moment. He coughed, choked. Something wasn't right. He knew it immediately. The very air itself seemed thick, tense. Was there someone here? His vision was starting to fade….Panic seized the wolf as he fought to regain control. Focus he ordered himself. No matter was what happening with his vision he had other means to know the enemy. He closed his eyes wondering what was wrong.
"Concentrate" He commanded himself again, listening for any sound. Nothing. His attacker was invisible or damned good. Saitou honed in on anyone's ki within the surrounding area. His head exploded in pain.
He snarled, clutching his head, as the waves of pain hit. His senses were reeling, screaming of danger, but where? Who? His head pounded and his senses overwhelmed him as the sense of danger washed over the tunnel. His hand tightened instinctively over his katana. He put a gloved hand to his forehead trying in some way to release the pressure. He closed his eyes trying to regain control to figure out what was happening to him. Something was definitely wrong. He sank to his knees and breathed deeply for a minute. The pain lessened and dulled to an aching throb. He opened his eyes. His vision was still hazy, but the torches glow was fading. He normally had excellent night vision. What was wrong with him? He carefully attempted to sense for ki, wincing expecting another wave of pain. Nothing. What the hell had just happened?
His mind had nearly tried to commit seppuku on him. Why? What could've caused his body to react that way? Saitou hesitated. Whatever had caused that pain was inside this tunnel now, whether or not he could sense it. However he had little to no choice. He traveled on, sword in hand. He grew weary of the oppressive tunnel, jaw clenched as he wondered what Kanryuu would throw at him next and attempted to predict it so he wouldn't be surprised. Then he heard someone cry.
She screamed, echoing down the halls. A female voice tinged with pain and fear. He tried to scan for ki. Nothing. The cry hit his ears again…but why couldn't he sense her if she was real? Saitou's mind reeled and another hair rising scream split the air. He couldn't sense her….had Kanryuu found a way to mess with his senses? But the voice was familiar….oh gods… was it Misao? The cry rose again, causing goosebumps to spread down his arms and the hair on the back of his neck to stand. It was so clearly her. He couldn't risk her safety just because his senses weren't responding properly. He wouldn't let her die. Another shriek echoed off the walls, sending Saitou into a sprint. He rounded the corner of the tunnel as it curved. She moaned, spurring him faster down the hallways, sword in hand and following the sound of her voice.
I'm coming Misao….Hold on
Kenshin glanced outside the shouji door. The men from the police had left at 2:00, well over an hour ago. They all had cleared out. He sensed them, they were silent but they couldn't hide their ki from him. Whoever these men were they certainly weren't the officers.
"Koishii, douse all of the lights, and grab Yahiko. I will distract them and you and Yahiko will head to Takani Megumi's clinic. It isn't far and you can make it in your condition. Then I want all three of you to head to the police by Tokyo Bay" Kenshin ordered.
Kenshin hadn't expected them to attack the dojo. He'd been careless and now his family would pay for it. He'd hoped Kanryuu's forces would be swamped with the battle at his mansion. Obviously Kanryuu had other plans. He was outnumbered, unknowing what weapons these men had. A part of him said Yahiko could fight, but he couldn't; he wouldn't leave Kaoru defenseless in her state. It wasn't the greatest of plans but what choice did he have? He would draw them off and away from the dojo seeing as how it was him they were after while she and Yahiko escaped. They could make it to Megumi's and then to the bay.
"But Kenshi-" Kaoru replied alarmed as she doused the lights nearest them.
Kenshin shook his head, cutting her off.
Mou, Kenshin you promised me!" Kaoru said feeling the tears rise and her own sense of panic rise.
"I promised you I would not go with them, but he is attacking my home now and threatening the life of our child, Koishii. This will end here." Kenshin replied, violet eyes narrowed as he scanned the woods, feeling their ki's and monitoring where they moved. Already his mind was formulating strategies, a handy skill from the bakumatsu.
"Kenshin" Kaoru said, pulling him close. "I'm so frightened"
"I will return to you, beloved. They aren't skilled" He whispered to her, kissing her firmly.
"Please…be careful" Kaoru pleaded, bottom lip quivering.
"I will deal with them here, go grab yahi-" Kenshin ordered, back to the shouji door.
The shouji door slid opened, and Kenshin's sakabatou flashed.
Yahiko stood perfectly still as he felt the sakabatou against his throat.
"It's me, Kenshin…there's twenty seven of them, they've surrounded the dojo and are in the woods. Both pathways heading into town and into the woods are blocked off." Yahiko reported as he tossed Kaoru her bokken.
Kenshin's sakabatou was removed as soon as he heard it was Yahiko. The boy had concealed his ki very well. Kaoru caught the bokken, frowning.
"Kenshin, we can't get to Megumi's clinic if they've surrounded the dojo" Kaoru replied, blue eyes wide.
"I will draw them away" Kenshin replied "you and Yahiko can-"
"No." Yahiko said firmly.
"Yahiko, you don't understand" Kaoru began.
"No Kenshin. I'm not leaving you here to get all the action. You know what I'm capable of, with both of us we can drive them out of here! If we leave here, it's them vs me and Kaoru, and they'll chase us. We'll bring trouble upon Megumi if we do that"
"You are not coming with me that you aren't" Kenshin replied.
"Kenshin I can help!" Yahiko retorted furious that he was going to miss the fighting. They'd tried to pull these sort of tricks on him when he was a boy. He'd had about enough of it. He was ready.
"Yahiko! I need you to protect Kaoru dono!" Kenshin replied more harshly than he needed to.
Yahiko's eyes showed the hurt. "Busu? She'll be fine she's-"
"She's with CHILD, Yahiko." Kenshin replied, violet eyes strained.
"No wonder, you're getting fat!"
Kaoru exploded, and Kenshin had to hold her back as she tried to get to Yahiko tp pummel the boy senseless.
"Now is NOT the time for this, that it is not!" Kenshin said firmly, setting his wife to the side and stepping between the two.
Kaoru was pregnant? Yahiko blinked. No wonder Kenshin was edgy. He wasn't making good decisions because of that. Yahiko had never thought of Kenshin as emotional…but he was a father now…everything would be changing. Yahiko didn't have enough time to formulate and process how that would change his life, right now they had more pressing matters.
"If she's pregnant we won't be able to make it to Megumi's quickly enough. She's safer here in the house where she knows the areas and can use the shadows to her advantage. You know busu can handle her own, even if she is pregnant, and we won't let any of them get behind us to take a shot at her. She can lock herself in one of the rooms and barricade the door. This won't take long, if we act now"
Kenshin sighed. He wouldn't be able to convince Yahiko to take her before the men closed in on them. If they could take down the men quickly….it just might work.
"Alright. Koishii lock yourself in the room and barricade the door." Kenshin said reluctantly, bringing his wife close and holding her.
"Hai" She said holding Kenshin close. He kissed her desperately. Their eyes said more than words ever could, and Kaoru turned and ran down the hall, bokken in hand.
"Let's go Yahiko, remember the speed I've taught you. Don't forget to mask your ki" He said, bolting out the door.
"Piece of cake" Yahiko whispered jetting after him.
Kenshin jumped the wall around the dojo, landing quietly sinking into the shadows with hitokiri skill. He may have been getting old but he certainly hadn't lost his touch. Yahiko jumped from the laundry basket, flipping over the wall, landing in a crouch and jettisoning to the shadows. Kenshin was on the other side, his violet eyes motioning and giving silent orders. Yahiko gave him a sly grin, nodded, and took off into the woods to the right. Kenshin took the left.
Yahiko sprinted through the forest, feet barely making a sound thanks to the stealth training Kenshin had been giving him at night. He had taken a bokken for this excursion, his shinai not going to cut it if he had to fight someone with a real sword. He snuck behind one, slamming his bokken over the ninja's head, knocking him out. He hit the floor, and alerted the others, but Yahiko was already on the move, curving around like a boomerang before they knew what hit them. His bokken slammed into the 2nd shinobi's face, the shinobi ricocheting off a tree before slumping to the ground. Yahiko parried a sword block, twisting his wrists gripping the bokken over his shoulder to draw the sword away from the ninja's body. He thrust the end of his bokken forward into the man's face. He dropped his sword clutching his face in pain, and Yahiko finished the move by bokkening him over the head. He hit the floor. Yahiko turned, taking small panting breaths as he scanned the area. There were 6 more near him. Yahiko took off again towards the group.
His speed rose, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Yahiko grinned widely, as his bokken hit the back of another shinobi's neck. He flipped, narrowly avoiding a sword that had been meant for his own head. He jump kicked another shinobi, right into a tree, rebounding off the tree, swinging his bokken at a third, he knocked him out. He landed, going straight into a sprint as he led the ninja uphill, weaving and dodging between trees. These shinobi obviously weren't very smart or skilled to attack them here. Here they had the advantage. Yahiko knew these woods like the back of his hands, so as he weaved between the trees, he searched for the fire wood he knew would be stacked further up the hill. Opening the pen he'd made to hold it all, he watched as the logs emptied down the hill onto the ninja. He sprinted back down the hill using the downhill to his advantage bokken swinging as he leaned left and then right, hitting both shinobi in the neck, knocking them down and out. One more….Yahiko's eyes narrowed as the rest of the logs rolled down hill. He ducked, sensing the ki, right as the sword whittled over his head. He brought his bokken up to block the next blow, forced to parry blow after blow as the ninja forced him downhill. Yahiko allowed himself to be pressed downhill remembering the twists and turns in the rock. He applied pressure to the next parry, forcing the ninja to the right. Now they were on even ground.
Yahiko charged pressing his own attack. The ninja backed up giving way to Yahiko's fury as he pressed the defense of the shinobi. Yahiko hit blow after blow, studying his opponent. He found his opening, bringing his bokken up and under the sword, slamming it hard into the shinobi's chin. He sent the shinobi flying to hit the floor unconscious. Yahiko grinned maliciously. That'd teach them to mess with a Myoujin. Yahiko pressed further into the woods scanning for the others ki's. Kenshin had cleared out 5 of them because they lay unconscious around Yahiko's feet in the clearing. Yahiko heard the distinct sound of steel ringing, and broke into stride, following the sound. He came up behind one of the Shinobi giving him a whallop he would remember in the morning in the jail cell. Kenshin was fighting 14 all at once, blocking each sword as he retaliated forcing each of them back, his sword flying through the air. Yahiko gave a battle cry, launching at the group, forcing the shinobi to disperse as he laid his bokken into one knocking him out. The distraction gave Kenshin the time he needed and he sprung into action, 5 dropping to the floor as his form moved with god like speed among the group. Yahiko laid into another three and looked up. Kenshin had taken the others out.
"Back to the dojo?" Yahiko asked gasping for breath as he nursed a long but shallow gash on his forearm.
Kenshin nodded, a little out of breath himself. They had taken care of the ones on the forest, but one never knew if there had been a group behind to attack the dojo. They sprinted back, and approached the dojo with caution scanning their home for any ki. Nothing but Kaoru. Kenshin breathed a sign of relief and headed into the door, for the room.
"Koishi?" Kenshin called. "It's safe to come out now…" He told her. Kaoru burst from the door and straight into his arms.
"Yokatta!" She cried, hugging him tightly. Kenshin whispered soothingly to his wife, spreading butterfly kisses along her as she sniffled. Yahiko smiled.
"Now then, we're leaving here" Kenshin told them.
"W-what?" Yahiko and Kaoru both asked, confused.
"I'm taking you to Tokyo bay where the rest of the police officers are. Then me and Yahiko will double back to check on Megumi and make sure she's alright. Thank goodness Ayame and Suzumi and the doctor are over there."
Kaoru grabbed her bokken and haori, throwing it over her shoulder and slipping on her shoes as Kenshin led the way followed by Yahiko.
Sanosuke meandered down the tunnel. He hadn't anything to fear per say, there was no one and nothing around him. The tunnel was about as damned plain as you could get. The reddish color of the brick and the poor lighting down this tunnel dampened his mood. The roof of the tunnel dripped water, occasionally landing on Sano's singed hair, a sore reminder that Kanryuu had a lot to answer for and was going to receive the beating of his life when Sano found him. There wasn't anything to look at down this tunnel, behind him and before him all there was, was the goddamned brick and puddles. He heard a sound, and tensed excited finally for some action. A rat scampered across the tunnel, shrieking it's fear. Sano let out a defeated sigh. Damn, he was bored.
The brick walls seemed to stretch into eternity as he glanced forward. He chewed on his fishbone wondering if the others were as bored out of their mind as he was.
"OYEEE…."He called and his voice echoed down the hallway. Maybe the enemy would come out if he knew he was expected. Any idiot would know there was an enemy to fight before Kanryuu. He wouldn't just let them walk up…would he? Unless Saitou and Aoshi had gotten the good tunnels with all the lackies.
"Shimatta, why did I have to end up in the boring tunnel?" Sanosuke complained.
Part of him had come on this whole excursion because it was Takeda Kanryuu and having seen first hand the evil the man was capable of, Sano had decided he needed to be put down. Another part of him had come because he needed to keep an eye on both Shinomori and Saitou. Neither of them could be trusted, Shinomori because of the emotional baggage he always seemed to have to spare, and Saitou because he was always in everything for himself first and foremost.
What did Saitou have to gain from this excursion? Had his pride been wounded when Kanryuu had evaded them the first time? Sano hadn't known Saitou before then, but he supposed any enemy who escaped the clutches of a mibu wolf would give Saitou ample enough reason to slay them. And what of Misao? Sano wasn't blind to the way the girl had been acting. She was working for Saitou, but there was definitely more to that working relationship than it appeared. Surely the wolf and weasel weren't….involved with each other. Sano grimaced, nearly gagging. Ewww, Sano shook the thought off, too weird to imagine either of them in a relationship. Besides didn't Saitou have a wife? Another gagging reflux and Sano decided he needed to change topics again.
What had he been thinking of? Oh…yea…he had come for a lot of reasons. Another reason he'd come was because Kenshin had decided to sit this one out and someone needed to represent the Kenshin gumi. Damn Jou chan and her womanly ways. The baka onna had Kenshin on a leash the length of his pinky finger. Why did Kenshin put up with her? She was loud, bossy, rude, a terrible cook. True she looked nice in a kimono, and the sex was probably great but yeesh….Kenshin was soooo whipped.
He was loosing his train of thought again. Damned boring tunnel! His mind was wondering. Oh, yes. The main reason he'd come was hoping for a fight. At least he could be honest. It was in his nature to cause trouble and start fights, even from his days in the Seikihoutai. Jou chan had teased him about being a rebel without a cause, and honestly, it had worked it's way under his skin.
He wasn't just a rebel to be a rebel. He had his beliefs and ideals and he held by those beliefs and ideals damn it! After all Kenshin had helped him see that there was some good in the meiji government…even if it was only the fact that it had brought war to a standstill in Japan. Kenshin said the government brought peace. Sano felt the Rurouni had probably lost his marbles after traveling for ten years with his split personalities.
Damn, he was probably missing out on some good fights. Knowing Ice block and ahou cop they'd both probably figured out how to get out of here. Or they were already engaged in a battle their enemies in the tunnels. He swore, irritated. They were probably fighting Kanryuu already and here he was stuck in some endless tunnel bored as hell.
"Here I am walking a leisurely pace, like it's some damned stroll through the marketplace!" Sano fumed.
He wasn't about to let them get the better of him. Sanosuke burst into a sprint, needing to release his pent up aggression and also to get the hell out of this place. He needed a good fight. Where the hell were Kanryuu's lackies when you needed em?
"OYEEEE! Come out and FIGHT ME DAMN IT!" Sano called.
He blinked. The red bricks were getting wider…this was a good sign. He increased his pace, adrenaline pumping the eagerness of a fight. The tunnel widened, and to Sano's surprise, a room was there before him with tatami mats spread across the floor. The space was wide, plenty of room for a fight…but why was this familiar? He saw the statue of Buddha. It was set up like a temple. What the hell? Upon the steps leading up to the statue were incense burners, smoke filling the room. Sano sniffed hesitantly. They smelled of the places Sano gambled with passed around. That couldn't be good. Half of those thugs were involved in some heavy drug operations. Breathing into the crook of his arm in his jacket, Sano kicked the incense burners aside, smothering the incense before it could burn anymore.
He heard the noise behind him and turned around. That had been a sword rattling. He would bet his jacket on it. He turned.
"So you figured out the incense? Pity, now I'll just have to kill you without the illusions" A old gnarled man told him, sword in hand.
Sano laughed. "You would've needed the drugs to get the upper hand on me old man." Sano told him with a smirk, as he prepared himself. He wished briefly that he had his Zanbatou. This old man wouldn't have a chance.
The old man charged Sano.
Misao danced around Aoshi her eerie mind splitting laughter making his head and heart hurt. She plunged her kunai into his shoulders. He cried out in pain, azure eyes narrowing. His hands gripped his kodachi…. NO! he would not hurt her anymore than he already had. She was family….then why was she hurting him? This wasn't Misao…this wasn't his Misao he declared trying to convince his mind otherwise. She swirled around him, cerulean green eyes mad with her delight as the blood, his blood splattered on the walls.
"Oh Aoshi sama!" Misao mocked, twirling again "You have the most beautiful screams" She cried, driving her kodachi into his side. When did she get that fast? He tried to reach out to her but she danced out of his reach.
"Damn you! What have you done with Misao?" He cried, disoriented and starting to believe that he'd lost his mind.
"I am Misao Aoshi sama, your Misao mine….and there's Some one who would like to speak to you!" She giggled, her delight echoing off the brick walls. The world spun again. Aoshi clutched his head in pain.
A shadowed form approached, as Misao watched in delight. Aoshi's eyes widened. Several shadows approached, the echoes of their footfalls light. Aoshi would know these men if he were blind and deaf. His heart constricted in tight hot white pain as he cried out. No! They were dead! They were dead. He'd buried them with his own two hands. He'd touched their lifeless corpses. He'd ran his fingers in their blood. Damn it they were dead! He could remember that day, of carrying their lifeless heads….oh gods….His stomach turned.
"Greetings Okashira"
Azure eyes widened. "H-hannya" he choked, overwhelmed by memories.
"You have disgraced us" He said simply.
"No…" Azure eyes widened and darkened as he clutched his head. Hannya still had his mask, his armor still on exactly the way it was when he…Aoshi swallowed, bile creeping up his throat as his stomach protested their existence. It couldn't be him. It wasn't possible. This wasn't real! Aoshi franticly tried to reach out to touch his old dead comrade. No….no, you didn't touch the dead, he berated himself in horror. That wouldn't be proper….but…They were dead….they were dead…..weren't they?
"We followed you…without question" he felt the blow to his face as he stared up in horror into Beshimi's face. Dead people couldn't touch you. If they were dead why did that hurt so bad. His face stung. Beshimi grinned as he glared at the Okashira.
"No.." He moaned, clutching his head. This was all some bad nightmare. He was loosing his mind. They were dead!
"Yes, Aoshi sama! Look into their faces" Misao hissed.
"I believed in you Okashira! You have shamed us all" Shikijo's kick sent Aoshi sprawling. Aoshi had taken Shikijo's kick before in practice sessions. Something wasn't right.
"You're dead…"he whispered, shivering, trying to control the shaking that wracked his body.
"Iie, we've only just begun" Hannya replied as the four began to wail on him, pelting him with multiple kicks and hits. Aoshi curled into a ball, as he felt the blood starting to flow again. He flesh was bruised and battered as they applied hit after hit. Aoshi choked, coughing up blood. They all stepped back as another black figure made his way towards Aoshi. Aoshi knew him, by his stride.
"It's time to die Okashira" Hyotoko said grinning.
"See Aoshi sama" Misao said kneeling beside him, "You have no honor, you've disgraced the Oniwabanshuu, even your friends want you dead"
Aoshi shivered, and then he felt it. There was no ki….not on any of them. Aoshi closed his eyes and concentrated. None. Misao's scornful laughter rose about him, but her life force was not in front of him. Hannya stood with crossed arms but his life force was not where Hannya was standing. Beshimi who had smiled at him as he beat him,…not there. Shikijo who'd kicked him. Not there. Hyotoko, who'd threatened his death, not there. His azure eyes snapped open, sobered, drawing his kodachi. He ran the twin swords through the illusion. Nothing happened. Misao still pranced around and the others still glared. He closed his eyes again ignoring the banter of the incredibly life like illusions. How had they done it if these illusions weren't real.
There. Azure eyes darkened and widened the look that had graced his face during the Shishio incident having returned. Aoshi rose with the speed he'd possessed in his youth. Kodachi drawn, his hatred ripped through his cry as Aoshi struck. Kodachi sank deep into flesh, blood splattering against his face, as a man cried out in pain and horror. Aoshi's vision seemed to fade, blotchy at first of his companions, replaced by the face of a wrinkled old man, brown eyes staring in such hatred that the Okashira had to look away, as blood feel freely from the kodachi implanted.
"Damn you!" He gasped, choking on blood, trying to grasp the kodachi.
Aoshi merely stared at the man. "You have less than a minute to tell me where Kanryuu and Misao are, or I will bleed you slowly, taking my time to ensure your painful demise." Aoshi whispered low, azure eyes maddening in their intensity.
The man stayed quiet and Aoshi turned his kodachi inside the man's bowels.
"AHHggggg…" He cried out, sobbing "They-They're through the door way" The man gasped. "Behind the Buddha, follow the tunnel and it will lead you to Kanryuu-" He cried out as Aoshi pulled his kodachi out of the man. The man sobbed as blood spread out over the seemingly falsified temple floor. Aoshi glared down at the man. He left him there to bleed.
Misao…..
Aoshi's thoughts centered, as he sprinted up the steps past the Buddha.
(AN: Foreshadow cough cough)
Aoshi sprinted through the hall. Misao! And then he felt it. His vision blurred and he hit the floor, gasping. He had lost too much blood. He was disoriented….no…Misao needed him, he had to avenge his friends, needed to regain his honor. He could show them all that he was the Okashira he needed to be. He could purge his sins….Aoshi forced himself to crawl as he brought out his healing balm Megumi had given him. He would make it to Kanryuu. He would not pass out. Misao…
Saitou sprinted down the hall sword out as he prepared to Gatotsu. He turned the corner and froze. He stopped in his tracks, sword arm falling limp at his side.
"Evening Hajime" Kanryuu grinned. His shrill laughter filled the room.
Their surroundings were temple like, incense spraying from several of the burners surrounding the room. Tatami mats lined the floors leading up to steps that led to the statue of buddha. Saitou grit his teeth, his heart clenching at the scene so pain stakingly familiar. His mind recalled the facts against his will. Kanryuu had betrayed them. Saitou had returned from an assignment to his mission base at the temple only to discover that Kanryuu had spilt the blood of the Shinsengumi on the temple steps so long ago. He hadn't left any one alive. He'd betrayed them and cost them a precious victory.
"Saitou!" Misao cried, tears streaming down her face, snapping him out of the past and into the present. Kanryuu held the sword tighter to her throat as Saitou's eyes narrowed. He brought his sword arm up and flipped his sword preparing himself for Gatotsu.
"Release her, and I might be content merely to send you to hell, rather than make you suffer" Saitou snarled, amber eyes molten gold in his fury. His ki radiated off of him in waves, filling the room with a foreboding sense of dread as the wolf stared predatorily at his prey.
"No demanding that I commit seppuku Hajime? I'm surprised" Kanryuu replied, tightening his grip on Itachi as she cried out. His hands lingered on her shoulders, slipping down.
Saitou winced, hatred nawing at his control to run his sword through the bastard, consequences be damned. No. He forced his ki down, trying to control it. He couldn't risk Misao.
"Seppuku is for those with honor Takeda" Saitou snarled.
"Ah…then that isn't much motivation for me to be honorable is it" He grinned widely, as another form was revealed behind the curtain.
Saitou's face went ashen white, sword hitting the floor. Her burnt sienna eyes were swollen and puffy from tears long since shed as long beautiful dark hair sank down from her porcelain face in cascading curtains of black silk. Her heart shaped face was still beautiful despite the lines that creased them, more than likely from worry. Her red lips trembled as her kimono fell off her shoulders…
"Tokio" He whispered hollowly, broken. How had Kanryuu found her? How had he taken her? How…?
The bane of Saitou's existence for the past few months cried out as the tenken touched her roughly, sword held at the curves of her breasts in the revealing kimono she wore. Saitou's fists clenched in fury. Tokio would never wear anything like that. She'd more than likely been forced to, which meant rough hands had handled her. She'd probably been more than rough handled. Hot white anger coursed through Saitou's frame at the indignation of what they'd done to her.
Kanryuu had him exactly where he wanted him. Broken and lost on the floor. He had planned this all along. Misao had been a pawn in his scheme that he predictably was able to move around the board, watching Saitou and his reactions. He had sentenced her to death by associating with him. Defeat wore away at the anger, nawing at his soul like some hell hound as he realized this was the end. He wasn't prepared to deal with this. He'd underestimated Kanryuu and now he, Misao, and Tokio would pay the price for it. He'd pushed aside his feelings ignoring them refusing to deal with the pain that now came full throttle, forcing the wolf to his knees as he stared at them.
"HAHAHA! This is so much better than I'd imagined!" Kanryuu cried gleefully. "You are too much Saitou. Your wife cheats on you, and yet still you fall to your knees before her"
"Damn you teme…" Saitou snarled, grasping for his sword "Fight me, you coward!"
"Coward? No Saitou, I just know where hitting you will hurt most. You made a fatal mistake underestimating me, old friend. And now your ward and your wife will pay for it" Kanryuu said, murmuring against Misao's neck. She visibly paled, trying to tear herself away from him as she cried out in disgust and anguish. Saitou clenched his jaw, his knuckles so white that he thought her might break the handle on his sword.
"Leave her alone!" Saitou snapped, hating his dirty hands upon her, hating the pleading look from those ocean green eyes, hating that he knew there was no god damned way to save her.
"Outraged for your little spitfire Saitou?" Kanryuu asked, trailing his lips down her neck.
Saitou's jaw clenched, molten gold eyes narrowed, sword arm going up. Misao cried out as tears streamed down her cheeks, trying to escape from his writhing touch. He let his hand trail down her collarbone, opening the front of her gi.
Saitou snarled, outraged for Itachi as the cretan, the filth put his hands on her. He would not stand by and let this happen. She was being shamed.
"Awww, it'd be cute that you like your little warden if it wasn't so pathetic Hajime. Well Saitou, while it's been fun watching you, I think it's time for them to die" Kanryuu said, nodding to Soujiro.
"NO!" Saitou cried, springing forward as her blood splattered across him. Tokio's body fell. Tears streamed down his face as he reached for her. Saitou held the body of his wife as she shook with convulsions. Her wounds were too deep. He looked deep within those burn't sienna eyes.
"I hate you.." She whispered, eyes alight with fury her last moments, struggling against his hold. Saitou threw her lifeless body away from him as if he'd been stung. Her blood poured to the floor, and he realized his gloved hands were covered in her blood, as well as his suit.
A choking sob startled him. "S-saitou.." her broken cry whispered.
"Itachi!" He cried, sprawling to her body that lay in it's own pool of blood. She shivered, face white as Kanryuu had cut her from her shoulder to her stomach. The sight sickened Saitou as he fought to control his stomach's protest. Oh gods…
"Misao…." He called brokenly, bringing her body to him. "Hold on…Hold on!" He begged, pleaded, anything to make her stay. She brought a trembling blood stained hand up to his face, and smiled, jade eyes starting to go blank.
"No…" He whispered, shaking her, begging her not to go.
"Save yourself…" She whispered, passing from this world to the next before he could do anything.
Kanryuu's mocking laughter filled the room. Saitou stared at her body, blood still pumping from the wound, her braid bathed in her own blood. She was gone. She was dead. They both were dead, his harlot of a wife….and an innocent. How many lives had Kanryuu taken such as Misao's? No. No. No. This wasn't supposed to happen. None of this was real. She wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead. He was responsible for her, she couldn't be dead. Saitou wouldn't accept it, couldn't accept it. And suddenly his ki flared. Molten amber eyes narrowed upon his prey. He would slice Kanryuu from nose to navel. Snarling as his Ki burned the air around him, Saitou picked up his sword. His vision was red as he stood up sword in hand.
"Aku Soku Zan" He cried not even caring what his sword connected with, just needing to feel the blood flowing from his enemies lifeless heart.
When Saitou's vision cleared he did not see either of their bodies. He didn't, much to his disappointment, see kanryuu or soujiro dying. All he saw was an old man, and his sword sticking out of the man's heart. Saitou released his hold on his sword, stumbling back and clutching his head.
Had he been hallucinating? Saitou closed his eyes, willing with every thing he'd seen to disappear. He opened them again, amber scowering the room in desperation. Kanryuu, nor Soujiro, nor his wife, or Misao's body was on the ground. The only blood was the man's…who was still breathing.
Saitou grabbed him harshly by the collar of his Hakama, grabbing the pommel of his sword.
"Where's Kanryuu?" He snarled. The man cried from the pain and Saitou shook him.
"TELL me" He ordered, Amber eyes intent on his prey, forcing the man to look at him. The man was caught within the amber eyes of a wolf.
"Behind the Buddha" He gasped.
Saitou retrieved his sword from the man's heart, and he hit the floor. Amber eyes narrowed as his fist clenched. He pulled behind the curtain and found himself in a tunnel. Amber turned to molten gold, his eyes narrowed, as he scanned for his ki. Sharp senses detected him. Saitou smirked, feeling his battle lust rise. Kanryuu would pay for every life he took that fated night at the temple as well as for the illusion. Misao was alive and he would save her. The wolf took off in a sprint, a hunger in his eyes as he knew the kill was fresh at hand.
Kanryuu's grip on Misao tightened, as he led her into another room. He could feel her tremble beneath his grip and reveled in the feeling of power it gave him. This one was reasonably smaller than his other vulgar display of power. He released the wire around Misao's neck and she hit the floor gasping, and touching her bloodied neck.
Kanryuu smirked. She was a cute little thing. Small and lithe she wasn't much of a woman. Firey, passionate, and spirited, she still hadn't given up yet. It was admirable, stupid because she would most assuredly die, but admirable none the less. Had he enjoyed the pleasures of women he might've made her his own just to spite Saitou. He could see why the wolf kept this one around. She was constantly and obsessively optimistic. Such as now.
"He's going to come for me…they all are" She said, balancing on her knees as she shakily tried to stand.
"Mmm hmm, that's precisely the point my dear. Why set a trap without good bait?" Kanryuu replied.
She smiled. "You know, I think I'll enjoy watching him kill you" She replied with spite.
Kanryuu's black eyes peered down at the short girl. He smiled.
"Ever so sure little one? What makes you think Saitou cares about you? He has a wife, and her certainly wouldn't take on a small slip of a girl like you, much less a whore"
Her eyes burst into jade fire before him. "You have taken me hostage haven't you? You know my worth with the same breath you try to insult me with" She replied.
Kanryuu smiled and laughed, enjoying every hell bent emotions that rolled off of this girl.
"Why are you here then?" Kanryuu asked, her black orbs staring down at her
"You killed my family" Misao snarled launching herself at him. She was a quick little thing, managing to get a decent hit on his face before his guards held her and forced her down.
"hahaha….You are a little minx aren't you?" Kanryuu replied eyeing her. She heaved breaths, jade eyes alight with hatred as she glared at him struggling against the guards.
She spit on him, having nothing else in her power to do. Kanryuu allowed the dribble to fall down his face before he wiped it. He stared at the girl incredulously, angry, and at the same time….eager. Misao blanched at his face, his madness apparent. He'd killed men for less than the insolence this small thing was giving him. His gloved hand hit her face harder than she'd expected, knocking her to the floor as the guards released her. She didn't get up.
"Do try not to be an insolent wench, I tend to tolerate so little as it is" Kanryuu told her.
Soujiro's eyes widened as he watched the interaction between the two. Misao had spit on him! Kanryuu hit Misao. The girl went tumbling. Soujiro was surprised to feel the anger course through his blood as he watched Kanryuu deal with the girl. Certainly she'd deserved the hit….but wasn't she afraid of Kanryuu? She had proved that she didn't care for him personally…and yet she had taken his blows. Here she was about to die, and she still had the audacity to spit on Kanryuu. What gave her such hope? Such courage? Soujiro's eyes narrowed. Something wasn't right.
His face became the mask it had always been, his cheerful smile greeting Kanryuu.
"Kanryuu sama the three have been warned and have gone to engage them" Soujiro reported, watching the man carefully.
"Excellent, any of them dead yet?" Kanryuu asked, as he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at his face again, removing his white gloves. A servant handed him another pair.
"Iie, Kanryuu sama, they're heading this way" Soujiro told him, eyeing the man. Why did he need to change gloves? Soujiro frowned.
Black eyes stared in disbelief at Soujiro.
"They survived the three?" He replied incredulously, tone rising as Soujiro could sense the man's ki flare. He winced, wondering if he would again be the victim of this man's wrath.
"Hai" Soujiro replied.
"Send out the guards. Do not let them here without a fight" He ordered sternly, mind already calculating and plotting.
"Hai Kanryuu sama. Tokio san is on her way here." Soujiro also informed him.
"Very good. Go warn the guards and return here, I've got a special project for you" He said grinning as he stared at the glaring Misao.
"As you wish Kanryuu sama" Soujiro took off with god like speed.
Kanryuu's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. He could loose. The girl's words hung in the air like something had died recently. He swallowed a bad taste in his mouth. He still had his escape routes and Soujiro to throw at them. Plus his hundreds of guards. There was always the option of blowing up his mines, but he didn't want to resort to that until he absolutely had to. There was a lot of opium he'd stored. The girl was up on her feet again, leaning against the wall. Her face was bruised where he'd struck her, red and slowly but surely turning purple.
"You're scared aren't you?" She asked, smiling still despite her pains. Jade met Onyx, as she tried to break through his walls.
"You're friends with Battousai aren't you?" He peered at the girl.
She visibly stiffened, eyes widening.
"You'll be pleased to hear that he wasn't forgotten in this entire ordeal either. I was fairly disappointed that he didn't come. But I sent him a surprise anyways. I wouldn't be surprised if that dojo of his woman's is burn't to the ground by now" He told her.
KAORU! Misao's mind screamed. Her friends….once again she would loose her friends….NO! Kenshin was still there, he wouldn't allow that to happen….but what if he became Battousai again? He was already over protective of Kaoru as it was, but now she was pregnant…. If Himura became Battousai then everything he'd sacrificed and fought for would be nothing. Battousai might turn against his own family. Misao wiped away the tear that spilled over her cheek wincing as she hit her swollen and puffy cheek. She sharply reprimanded herself. She was the Okashira. She had her honor to maintain. She would not give him, the enemy, the benefit of seeing her cry.
"You Coward! If you were half the man as Kenshin, or Saitou or even Aoshi you'd fight them face to face!" Misao spat.
Kanryuu rounded on her, forcing her back against the wall as he gapped the distance between them. He could feel her fear, wondering what he was doing so close to her and what he would do to her. Scoffing at the girl he told her simply.
"All my life people have told me to fight "fair"…that I somehow cheat because I unlike those ignoramus morons who insist on fighting with swords, I fight with my mind. I, unlike your hero of old, use my mind to observe and make decisions. Your "men" all went in swords swinging back in the Bakumatsu and ended up doing more damage than good. You know nothing of war, of strategy." Kanryuu told her, reading into the depths of her soul. Misao tore her gaze away. Kanryuu's gloved hand forced her chin up and to look at him. Even now she fought him and it pleased Kanryuu immensely. If he was victorious this day and she still lived, he would take her for the sheer victory of breaking her.
"You know nothing of having lives in your hands, and of sacrificing those lives to gain more. Have you ever sacrificed for something? Have you ever been willing to do anything to achieve your goals? You wouldn't have it in you to harm a butterfly much less fight a war….and you're a ninja from the looks of it. No little girl, You would do well not to mock me" He said peering down at her.
Green eyes glared their defiance as her chin lifted, determined to show him her strong front despite her situation. He laughed his shrill laughter. This girl intrigued him. Sorely he wished he had more time to break her optimistic spirit. It was perhaps the one thing he missed from the Shinsengumi was interrogating, torturing, breaking people to find their secrets. He released her, turning and she hit the floor, unable to support herself on wobbly feet. Damn him! If she had her kunai she would plunge it into his heart. She searched the room for any weapon she could use against him. Her life be damned if she could somehow hurt him.
Tokio was at the door, burn't sienna eyes angry as she was rough handled into the room.
"Ahhh Tokio san. So glad you could join us." Kanryuu said. One of his lackies handed him a sword. It was old by the looks of it. It looked familiar. She was no sword expert but certainly she knew she'd seen that sword before. But where? Kanryuu managed a few passes with it, checking the balance of the sword and running his hand along the blade. He pricked his finger on the end, making a satisfied sound. His hands traced the handle lovingly as he re sheathed the sword. He examined the sheath, checking for damage. In the Bakumatsu any weapon, including ones sheath could mean an advantage over the enemy. Satisfied, he attached the sheath to him, and with drew the sword.
It glimmered brightly and suddenly Misao's stomach turned. She knew why it seemed so familiar…that sword was Shinsengumi…she would bet her life on it! She frowned bitterly, she'd probably loose her life on that sword as well. No! She would not give up! Saitou was coming for her. He would save her. She had to believe that. She would not give up like Tokio had. She was a Makimachi. She was the Okashira.
Kanryuu took Tokio harshly from the guard and held the sword to her throat.
"Many other Shinsengumi members met theirs deaths at the end of my sword Saitou, Tokio. Your death will have years of tradition behind it." He told her with a smile
She glared her hatred at the man. Her noble upbringing kept her from insulting him, but she could see it in the woman's eyes that she cursed Kanryuu to the abyss and beyond.
Soujiro burst into the room eyes aglow.
"They're coming Kanryuu sama!" He said exuberantly.
"Very good, Soujiro" Kanryuu replied.
"Kanryuu sama told me that he had a surprise for me ne?" Soujiro asked eagerly as he watched Kanryuu's sword cut into Tokio's throat, eliciting a whimper of pain from the woman.
"Indeed, draw your sword, Tenken, you'll be this little wench's executioner." Kanryuu said with a smile.
Misao's eyes widened, glancing at Soujiro with a look of pure fear. Soujiro himself didn't know what to say. Kanryuu trusted him to end Misao's life. That was a great responsibility. Kanryuu wanted him to take Misao's life. Misao would die by his hands. Soujiro wondered oddly why he could not grin about this. Surely this was a great and glorious thing. He'd been entrusted to the job. And yet somehow….something wasn't right. Soujiro felt the inner turmoil he'd felt at Shishio's palace return. The day when Kenshin had defeated him.
"Hai Kanryuu sama" He said pushing aside his feelings. It was too late to question orders now. He picked up Misao's limp rag doll like body, unsheathing his sword and holding it against her neck. The guards were in place….now they just had to wait.