Himura Designs & Co Vs Shishio Enterprises

Author's Notes: I've been dreaming about this chapter, so I've tirelessly worked on it and selfishly cut it short – though it is 16 pages long - to hopefully keep the suspense going...maybe? I hope someone enjoys! Not long now until the conclusion!

Chapter 26 – Who are you?

"Let's go for a drive." Misao could do nothing but stare. There she was dressed in faded jeans, a zipped up hooded jacket, hair in a messy braid, barefoot and never would she have thought to find Soujiro on her doorstep. Then there was the fact that she had never informed him of her address which in turn sent chills down her spine as to how in the hell did he know where she lived.

"It's not like I have a choice right?" She was surprised her voice showed nothing of what she was truly feeling right now. Soujiro was extremely unpredictable and those eyes which had once smiled so kindly at her were showing nothing. She'd never felt so frightened then what she felt right at this very moment.

Instantly her left arm was taken by Soujiro, a sudden strength within the short man she would never have thought he possessed. All Misao could do was quickly pull her door closed, she not even being able to hear whether it fully clicked shut or not.

Misao was taken to the basement where all the tenants had their cars and it wasn't long before everything went black when she felt a sudden jab and slight pricking sensation at the back of her neck.

Two days, two fucking days and not a single phone call. Aoshi had done what was ordered of him, which of course was to do nothing, as hard as that had been for him and yet...no one called. Was this their answer? Whether he caved to their demands or not they would still continue to crush what little hope he had left of believing Seiji was alive? Aoshi was at a complete loss as he tried to figure out what he had done wrong in the world. His son was an innocent, why didn't they just come after him instead?

"Wow, I never knew you were this messy." Dull green orbs turned slightly to stare over his shoulder at his intruder. "And furthermore, it really isn't safe to keep your apartment unlocked, considering the current circumstances."

"Why are you here Jin?" The tall handsome model made his way over to the sitting Aoshi, stepping over a mountain of toys which were surrounding his friend as though anything that belonged to the boy would help Aoshi in remaining positive. He was sitting on the carpet, facing the large window, still dressed in his black trousers and shirt from the show.

"Kenshin and I have been trying to call you. When you never answered our calls, especially mine, I became worried." Jin pressed his right hand atop his friend's head. Aoshi's usual silky strands would easily glide through his fingers, but this was just further confirmation that the younger man had not showered in days.

"Anything?" Jin crouched down, pushing several toys out the way before he sat down in front of Aoshi.

"No..."

"That could be a good thing." Jin found green orbs starring across at him. "Look, Kenshin asked me not to tell you, but, we kind of got some help." The model watched as his dear friend's eyebrows furrowed at this news. "Before you saying anything, we know you can't go to the cops, this guy isn't a cop. And the fact that they haven't made contact with you is a good thing that he hasn't been detected sniffing around...or so we think."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Sagara Sanosuke, he's a PI."

"I met him...at Misao's place." Aoshi softly spoke. "Though it was only for a brief moment and she never told me what he did for a living."

"It was Mi-chan who recommended him. We've been having communication issues with him."

"Why?"

"Kenshin got a cryptic message from him and what we could make out is that he was going 'under' and that he could not be contacted for awhile. It's been well over 24 hours now and we are hoping he will surface soon and that he may have news on Seiji."

"How...do you know about Seiji?" Aoshi's eyes widened slightly when he was flicked on the forehead like a little kid.

"How long have we known each other?" Jin huffed as he folded his arms over his chest as though he were a youngster again himself. "And besides, you made quite a scene at the mall. I'm fairly certain everyone in the company knows by now."

"Aa..."

"You didn't actually think I wouldn't figure out your secrets?"

"My secrets?"

"Well Seiji for one..." Jin placed a hand on Aoshi's knee. "And deep down I've always known about your undying love for me." He felt pleased at the chuckle, but the light mood was short lived. "I'm sorry..."

"Jin..."

"Even after everything we've been though, I don't know what to do for you. To see you like this, it's killing me not being able to help."

"Perhaps it's time that I stand on my own."

Jin shot to his feet as he watched Aoshi stand merely seconds before him. "Are you fucking nuts? Your problems are my problems and the last thing I'm going to do is just abandon..." He promptly stopped when Aoshi's hand cupped his cheek suddenly.

"I take so much...and never give anything back. I am so selfish." And just like that whatever Jin had wanted to say was forgotten. Frustratingly he raked his hands through his locks of hair, the band coming loose as the strands brushed over his shoulders.

"God you piss me off." Jin made his way over to the couch and flopped down onto the cushions. "Selfish or not, giving me something in return or not, it doesn't matter. I chose to be here, to be beside you no matter what." The model turned his dark hypnotizing gaze to Aoshi. "What can I say; I'm an idiot when it comes to you."

"Jin," Aoshi sat next to him. "Getting Seiji back is all that matters to me. I'd do anything...anything!"

"Well let's hope I get the information you need and I can blackmail you into doing something for me." At the frown he received, Jin rose to his full height.

"Sorry, bad joke. Look, I'm not helping you at all by being here, I better go." He jolted, eyes quickly peering down at Aoshi as the younger man had snapped his hand up to wrap it around his wrist.

"Stay with me." Jin sat back down next to Aoshi. "Even I don't think it's a good idea if I'm left alone."

"Baka..." Jin mumbled as he raised his left arm and drew Aoshi to him, their heads softly knocking together.

"Do you find this place appealing Misao?" Misao looked over at her captor.

"What if I said no?"

"That...would be most displeasing to me." Misao felt yet another chill run down her spine as those words were whispered in her ear. She was currently strapped down in a chair, it situated in the centre of a large room, which barely housed any furniture. She was facing floor to ceiling windows that looked outwards towards a portion of ocean. From moving her head to look left and right out the windows, it appeared this property had no neighbours which was why Soujiro didn't bother to hide her from view.

Misao's first day here, though she had been groggy at first from whatever drug had been within her system, she'd been housed in what she could only describe as a very posh yet stylish bedroom under the circumstances. It too had gorgeous views of a very quiet beach, waves crashing upon the rocks and shore. There was a king size bed adorned with plush cushions and blankets which she'd woken up in. Two bedside tables with equally nice looking table lamps were on either side of the bed. Expensive looking paintings were hung on the wall. There were three doors leading off the room. One was the way out, the second led to the all white tiled bathroom complete with spa bath and she guessed the third was possibly a walk-in wardrobe; she'd not had a chance to look at that one.

The pretty model had not lasted long in the bedroom for when her strength finally returned she'd knocked out one guard and smashed the other's teeth in, hence why she was now strapped down in the chair and out in the open where she could be viewed from every angle. Her hands were bloody, from using a violent streak within her that she had not realised she possessed, but it was all for naught when Soujiro had knocked her out...yet again. She awoke just as her captor was sending the two men away, he angered at their incompetence, which to her could possibly be used to her advantage...somehow.

Misao's adrenalin had been on an all time high, but as she sat in this chair, not being able to move, it was all but drained from her now. She was certain her ass had already fallen asleep and the only thing she could do was wiggle her toes in the hopes it would keep her blood pumping through her system.

On another matter, she'd not eaten for two days and barely touched water. Not allowing herself to drink was more out of her own stubbornness not to yield to Soujiro...the bastard.

"Place could use a little furniture." Misao opted to say after a pout of silence. It in turn brought a laugh from her captor. Her statement was true since there was only a brown and white plush rug on the polished floorboards and a glass coffee table. A large kitchen, incorporated in granite tiling and stainless steel appliances was off to the side, but that was all. It appeared no one lived here...or barely lived here.

"Perhaps you could do me the honour." Misao's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to take in those words. Was she to be kept here as a prisoner...forever? Her heart thumped heavily at the thought.

"Someone will know that I am gone. You cannot keep me here."

"I have many places to go. We can be together wherever we wish."

"What 'we', there is no 'we' Soujiro-kun." Quickly she bit back a gasp of shock at the sudden painful pressure on her shoulders, she being pushed back into the hard chair.

"Give me time, I'm sure you'll get to like me, maybe even love me."

"You are one sick twisted bastard you know that." The sudden smack across the face was definitely unexpected as Misao tittered in the chair, just waiting as the seconds ticked by like hours to see whether she would fall to the hard flooring, possibly damaging her shoulder in the process.

One blue eye cracked open when nothing happened. Soujiro himself had stopped her from falling over, his proximity far too close to hers it made her want to vomit. When his hand came out, Misao turned her face away, not allowing him to wipe the small amount of blood from her bottom lip. She would not give him that satisfaction.

"I am sorry Misao." After several moments, Misao turned her gaze back to her captor, only this time she found saddened blue eyes looking down at her. She watched astonished as he pulled out a packet of tissues from his trouser pocket and pried one out to dab it softly against her lip. "I didn't mean to hit you."

"Soujiro-kun," The young model voiced quietly. "What's the matter with you?"

"Whatever do you mean? Wait there, I'll get you a drink." Misao could do nothing but stare in confusion. For one, she wasn't going anywhere since she was strapped down and two, this was just too weird. It was like she was in the presence of a completely different Soujiro!

Jin jolted at the sudden vibration of his phone buzzing away in his back pocket. He hadn't realised he'd even fallen asleep to begin with! He lifted his right hand, to gaze down at his Rolex to see it was now afternoon. Several hours had gone by.

Aoshi was still at his side, slumped against him with his head on his shoulder. Carefully the model moved, removing his left arm from around the businessman's shoulder and half turned on the couch to observe his dear friend. Even with the unshaven face, the messy hair and the bags under his eyes, he still looked so adorable in slumber, so defenceless in sleep that the handsome model could not help but lean forward, lips pressing against Aoshi's forehead.

"You can't do that anymore, I'm not a kid." Jin drew back at the mumble. "And besides, it gives me a weird feeling now." A smile spread across the model's lips as green eyes peeled open to look up at him.

"You just don't want to admit that you secretly love it." Jin rose to his feet; taking Aoshi's hands within his as the younger man had silently placed them out, wanting to be helped up from his slouched position.

"I stink," Aoshi mumbled as he caressed one hand over his chin. "And I need a shave."

"Well, I wasn't really going to say anything about the matter, but..." Jin noticed the frown, but could have sworn it was practically a pout on Aoshi's lips. "You do indeed stink." The model pushed his friend towards the bathroom. "Go freshen up while I make you something to eat. I'm sure you haven't touched food in awhile."

Jin had just whisked some eggs and was about to place them in the hot pan when he felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket once more. He'd forgotten about it earlier and pulled it from its place to flip it open.

Aoshi was currently lounging within the bath, he now clean shaven and his washed and drenched hair was spiked in all directions. His eyes focused on a bright yellow rubber duckie floating on the surface of the water, it being one of Seiji's bath toys, his favourite in fact. His hand went out to capture it, but he paused at the shouting of his name.

"Aoshi!" Jin had barged into the bathroom.

"I know you haven't seen me naked in awhile..." Aoshi began, but as soon as his eyes met Jin's, the look on his face, it made him rise from the water, not caring about his nudity. "What is it?"

"Something is wrong."

"Soujiro-kun," Misao gulped down the build up of saliva in her mouth. This Soujiro seemed a lot safer than the other and a sudden rush of adrenalin began pumping through her system as she tried carefully and quickly to obtain as much information as she could, while she could. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Whatever do you mean? We came here together, to spend a lovely weekend alone." He was walking back over with a glass of water within his hand.

"Could you free my hand?" She watched him tilt his head slightly at her question. "I cannot drink otherwise." His emotions were playing across his face and Misao realised it was not wise of her to be asking for her hand to be freed at this stage. She thought it best to keep this calmer Soujiro here rather than have the other one rear his ugly head. "How about you hold it for me instead?" This seemed to please him more as he brought the glass to her lips. Instinctively Misao tiled her head back, savouring the cool liquid as it quenched her dry throat.

"How about I make us something to eat, you must be hungry." Indeed she was, but food was definitely the last thing on her mind.

"Soujiro-kun, I remember now we were going away for the weekend, but this is definitely a surprise for me, may I ask where we are?" He did nothing but stare at her. "The ocean views are spectacular; I'd love to know where we are so when we go home I can tell my friends what a beautiful place you brought me to."

"This was Shishio-sama's place, though he doesn't really come here anymore."

It hadn't worked the way she had initially hoped, but with great determination, Misao pressed on. "And who is Shishio-sama?"

"I've already told you about him."

"I can assure you Soujiro-kun, you have not. For if I knew of him I certainly wouldn't ask you to repeat yourself. That would definitely be wasting Soujiro-kun's time." Misao sweetly urged him on.

"Shishio-sama is my master, the one person I absolutely adore and would do anything for." Misao chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip.

"Is Shishio-sama a great man?"

"The best!" Misao highly doubted that considering her current situation.

"And he knows we are here, in his home?" She watched Soujiro shake his head negatively. "Should we not leave then? He may become angry if we are found here uninvited."

"Shishio-sama will never get angry at me."

"Alright, but what about if he finds that I am in his home?"

"It's alright Misao, he's back in Tokyo, he will not be returning here." Finally, one fact Misao had now determined was she was not in the city anymore.

"But, isn't this his home?"

"Shishio-sama has many homes, but he gave this one to me. He said the sunrises in Suruga Bay are breathtaking. I've spent many days here with him and Yume-san, but they are probably resting within the top floor apartment at Shishio Enterprises."

Two more pieces of vital information for her had been spewed forth from Soujiro's loose lips. Misao knew where Suruga Bay was and just how far she was out of Tokyo now and she was certain more than ever that all of this tied in with Aoshi and Seiji now that she was beginning to hear about this Shishio-sama and now Yume-san.

"And who is Yume-san?" Misao questioned dumbly.

"She is Shishio-sama's woman."

"Ah, she must be a wonderful woman, to be able to be with a great man like Shishio-sama. Does Soujiro-kun find her worthy of him?" Misao was trying to say the right words which would connect with this sweeter, younger and almost child-like Soujiro. She watched as he stared off into space, her words ticking over in his own mind. "Does she do what he asks, like you do for him?"

"At first I was bewitched by Yume-san when I met her many years ago. She was the only one who would talk to me back then. It was she who brought me to Shishio-sama. When she was with Shishio-sama in the beginning, she saw nothing but him, but then, she strayed. Shishio-sama still allows her within his presence and though I still like her, I am not as forgiving as he is. I am and will always be Shishio-sama's one true companion and nobody will take away my devotion from him."

"And that is what everyone needs, one true companion who will stay with them no matter what ne?" Misao observed him nod his head. "May I ask what Yume-san is like?"

"Yume-san is pretty and I like that she takes care of me like Shishio-sama does. I still think she is not devoted to Shishio-sama enough, but it is not my place to say. Shishio-sama would become extremely displeased with me if I did anything to Yume-san, not that I would mind you." This Shishio was definitely someone Misao did not want to associate with. She could not believe that both Aoshi and Himura-san had ties with such a man. Well in actual fact she understood the ties that Aoshi had with him, seeing as he was the very man that made Yume 'stray' as Soujiro had put it, but what of Himura-san? How did he fit into all of this?

"Even though you find faults in her, your Shishio-sama loves her and I'm sure they both love you very much as well." Misao was drawing her own conclusions and hoped she was fairly close to the mark.

"Mm," Misao's eyes followed Soujiro as he headed back into the kitchen. "Don't tell anyone," Like she could... "But I heard a rumour that Shishio-sama cannot produce children." Blue eyes widened at this news. "And more than anything, Shishio-sama wants an heir." Misao's heart literally stopped within her chest. "And I'd do anything to give him what he wants." She instantly felt sick.

"Soujiro-kun, may I please go to the bathroom?" It was almost too easy as he came over and removed the bonds holding her in place. She should have pushed him away and run for dear life, but instead Misao found the nearest bathroom, slammed and locked the door and spewed her guts out. This little weed of a man was tearing apart the very man she loved, all in order to please his master! And the fact he was trying to do it with Aoshi and Yume's son, as though giving Seiji to Shishio like a gift was going to make everything better. Did he not realise that his master loathed Aoshi? He bedded his woman, they had a child together and yet it was like Soujiro couldn't see it at all. Unless that was his plan, to destroy Aoshi like he had said he could. Misao was certain that if Soujiro presented Seiji as his would-be heir, the boy's life would surely be in danger. What if he had done that already? Misao stared at herself in the mirror before trailing her eyes down to her hands, noticing the dried blood. Quickly she removed it with the hand soap, noticing several scratches and also the welts on her wrists from the ropes. Her ankles had a slight tingling sensation and she was certain welts were there as well. Now that her ropes were gone, Misao decided it was high time she made a break for it.

"What do you think you are doing?" Misao couldn't help the squeak that escaped her lips. She'd left the bathroom after washing her face and rinsing her mouth out with water. Her captor was nowhere in sight and quietly she had been making her way to the door, but of course her plan was halted. When she flicked her eyes over to Soujiro, they widened slightly to notice the sweet and seemingly innocent Soujiro was no longer present.

"I was looking for you." She was trying to think quickly on her feet. "Thank you for allowing me to use your bathroom, I feel much better now." She noticed the flash of confusion drift across his face and dread quickly began to seep into her being when he latched onto her upper arms, slamming her back against the wall.

"I never did such a thing!"

"Soujiro-kun," Misao cooed his name, keeping the wince from her face as she was trying to get her timing right in order to pull her next move off convincingly. He paused in his roughness, his gaze returning to hers and that is when she struck, craning her head forward as best she could and slammed her lips against his. It was all she could think about doing in the hopes of wanting her gentler captor to spring forth once more. She prayed and prayed as the seconds ticked by and slowly pulled away, eyes starring expectantly as she held her breath.

"Misao, what was that for?" The young model thanked every God that was possibly out there as she watched the short man before her blush.

"For being you, Soujiro-kun," Misao tried to smile her best sweet smile. She felt his grip on her weaken. Her plan was working. "Do you think they'll like me?"

"Who?"

"Shishio-sama and Yume-san of course."

"Why?"

"You said you'd take me to meet them today."

"I did?"

"Of course you did silly." Misao swatted him playfully on the arm. "I've been looking forward to meeting them since you've told me so much about them."

"Hm,"

"Do you not want them to meet me?" Misao pouted across at Soujiro, watching the emotions play easily across his face. She was so close to winning him over she just needed a little bit more and carefully the words spilled from her lips. "Am I...not worthy enough?" She was instantly engulfed in his embrace. It took everything within her not to push him away from her in disgust and instead she slowly rested her head on his shoulder.

"Why would you think that Misao, of course you can meet them; we shall take our leave and be back in Tokyo in just over a couple of hours." She had to hide the smile from her lips at finally catching a break as she pulled gently out of his embrace, but not too far away from him to cause alarm.

"Mm, I cannot wait." Finally, she was going home.

Jin and Aoshi bolted into the lobby of Misao's apartment building heading directly for the elevator, both not bothering to look at the surprised receptionist. It had taken them about an hour to get here. Traffic had been such a bitch to get through.

The two men waited impatiently within the lift as it took them to Misao's floor. When the usual bell tone rung and the doors parted, Aoshi was first out and his long strides took him quickly down the corridor towards the apartment. He stopped suddenly at the half opened door, Jin nearly running into the back of him.

"What is it?" The tall model asked but instead observed as Aoshi took a deep breath before his hand pushed the door further open and they walked cautiously down the hallway.

"Kenshin, what is going on?" The redhead had been sitting on the couch waiting for his two friends to show up.

He instantly stood and made his way over to them. "I received a message from Sagara-san that he had found something and wished to meet here."

"And?"

"He didn't elaborate on the phone and instead wanted to discuss it face to face."

"Why has he chosen to discuss this here? And furthermore, where is Misao?" Aoshi glanced around the room, knowing it was barely used considering she spent most of her time with him these days.

"She's not here." Three pairs of eyes turned to gaze at a tall scruffy man walking into the living room.

"Sagara-san," Jin and Kenshin voiced at the same time while Aoshi did nothing but look him over. He too had not looked like he slept in days.

"Sagara-san, thank you for..." Aoshi got no further as he was slammed up against the window, feral brown eyes glaring up at him. Kenshin and Jin were instantly behind the PI, trying desperately to pull him away.

"Do you have any idea what you've fucking gotten her involved in?" Aoshi's windpipe was being crushed by his strength and it was several long seconds before Kenshin and Jin finally pried the two of them apart, Aoshi gasping for breath, eyes watering as he pressed his hand to his throat.

"I...don't...understand." Aoshi stood to his full height once more and took in some deep breaths of air.

"These you fucking asshole!" The three men who had no idea what was going on finally darted their eyes to the glass coffee table which was now littered with photographs. Aoshi crouched down, resting on his knees, picking several images up of Misao, Seiji and him. There were literally hundreds of them, like someone had been stalking them from the very beginning. His orbs took in the sight of many more images of him with Yume and even some of when Seiji was a baby as well.

"Did you not realise you were being watched?" Kenshin placed his hand on Aoshi's shoulder as he gazed upon the photos in disbelief. This was year's worth of surveillance before even Misao came along. Someone had been building up to this for a long time.

"You didn't realise either!" Purple orbs snapped up to gaze confusedly at the PI before another lot of pictures were thrown atop of Aoshi's lot. Instantly the blood drained from Kenshin's face. He too descended to the carpet as his slightly shaking hands went out to pick up a picture.

"What the hell does Tomoe-san have to do with this?" Jin snapped angrily. Yes, he too knew about Kenshin's deceased wife and also the fact that he once had a son too. Like he said before, he wasn't a stupid man. In actual fact, a previous lover of his had been one of the first on scene at the horrific crash. She had suffered mentally from the case and had quit the force and moved away.

"Her brother is a very sick man." Sano began, watching as all eyes turned to look over at him as he finally took a seat while pulling out a packet of cigarettes. "He wanted nothing more than to bind her to him forever. His love for her is a disease...and it became his undoing. When she found you Himura-san, she found her escape." Kenshin felt his hands fist, several photos crinkling within his grip. Sano lit his cigarette, taking in a long drag, savouring the taste. While underground, he'd not smoked and he had been trying to quit for the sake of his wife, but right now, he really needed one. "Only you will ever know if she truly loved you, but you were her way out of her chains, an escape to run far away from the brother that loved her far too much...and not like a sister either."

"What the hell does this have to do with anything?" Jin was the only one who could find his voice.

"Your wife, Himura-san, was not Yuki Tomoe at all." Both Aoshi and Jin turned their gazes to Kenshin, his head bowed so no one could read his facial expressions. "When she met you, she changed her identity in order to try and forget about her life. Sorry, but I did some digging. You two weren't truly married were you?" Sano waited for an answer but realised he was never going to get one from the quiet man. "There is no record of the two of you ever being officially married. All I could find was record of you placing her into your family's registry. Your wife, or whatever the hell she was to you, her real name was Yukishiro Tomoe."

"Yukishiro?" Aoshi repeated while his mind took him on a journey to his past trying desperately to think about why that name sounded so familiar to him.

"Her brother, Yukishiro Enishi, is a long standing friend of Shishio Makoto." Sano pulled a picture from his pocket and handed it to Jin who in turn placed it on the coffee table so both Aoshi and Kenshin could look at it. Everyone watched as Aoshi banged his hands on the glass table, eyes blazing as he stared down at the image.

"Is this him?" Aoshi voiced softly, he not being able to help the raw emotions playing across his face as he stared down into turquoise eyes.

"This is Yukishiro Enishi." Sano confirmed verbally for the businessman.

"This man...killed my father."

"Are you certain Aoshi?" Jin was by his side in an instant.

"I will never forget those eyes."

Sano cleared his throat. "He drove the car, but I am certain it was an order from Shishio Makoto himself." All eyes once again turned to look over at the PI as he was butting out his cigarette in his handheld personal ashtray, clicking it closed and pocketing it. "As I said before, Yukishiro Enishi's love for his sister was his undoing. When he realised she was slowly being taken away from him a lot of thoughts raged through his mind at the time. When he found out she was pregnant and gave birth to Himura-san's child his mind snapped. If he could not have her, then nobody could. And there was only one man he could turn to for help."

"Shishio..." Aoshi spat the name from his lips.

"Mm, it took some time and quite a bit of threatening on my side to get what I needed, but I finally found a paper trail. As I suspected, your case Himura-san, was buried under a pile of red tape that nobody wanted to touch. I dug deep, pulled some strings and found several phone call transcripts between the two of them, most importantly Yukishiro Enishi asking Shishio Makoto to end his sister's suffering...permanently." Kenshin closed his eyes, not wanting anyone to witness the play of emotions across his face. After all these years, finally he had some answers and yet it did not make him feel any better. Her past was all a lie to him, but the fact they lived what he had assumed was a blissful and happy existence, together, the three of them, that couldn't have been a lie could it?

"And the murder of Kenshin's wife and son are linked to Aoshi's father and son, how?"

"Yukishiro Enishi had to repay his debt to Shishio Makoto." Aoshi turned his gaze towards Sano. "What better way to repay a debt by doing as Shishio asks of him? It was Shishio who murdered Himura-san's family for Yukishiro and thus he in turn asked Yukishiro to remove the two most important to Shinomori-san."

"What the hell has Aoshi done to deserve this?" Jin angrily questioned.

"To bed the woman linked to Shishio Makoto, you have got some balls."

"Huh?" Jin was now completely confused.

"He's referring to Yume." Aoshi quietly spoke and suddenly everything started to fall into place for Jin.

"I fucking told you she was bad news from the beginning, but no, you never fucking listen to me, you were just thinking with your dick!"

"Jin," The ranting model stopped and turned his gaze to Kenshin. "You were not the only one who was trying to protect him from making such a mistake."

"She was not a mistake." All eyes turned to Aoshi as he shot to his feet. "No matter what has happened, Yume was never a mistake to me. Of course many terrible things happened, but somewhere along the line I believed we were happy. Was Tomoe-san ever a mistake to you?" Kenshin couldn't find the words to answer. "I loved her, we have a son together, she..." And it was then Aoshi abruptly stopped, thinking back on what Sano had previously said about Shishio asking Yukishiro to remove the two most important to him and instantly his heart constricted. "Is Seiji...dead...like my father?"

"Iie..." Aoshi collapsed to the carpet, all strength leaving him at hearing Sano's response. "I am certain he is still alive."

"Yokatta..." Both Kenshin and Jin proclaimed at the same time.

"Himura-san, you finally have the evidence required in order to re-open Tomoe-san and Kenji-kun's case. I will assist you in finding them justice for their untimely deaths as long as you promise me one thing."

"Anything," Kenshin stood from his kneeling position and made his way over to the best bloody PI he'd ever come across. This man went above and beyond what was required of him and Kenshin would do whatever he possibly could in order to try and repay him in some small way at finding out his family's murderers.

"Help me find my Weasel Girl." At the confused look on the short redheads face, Sano decided to elaborate on who he was talking about. "I'm referring to Misao. She'll always be my girl, we've been through a lot together and if anything happens to her..."

"Let me help." Kenshin and Sano turned to look over at a now standing Aoshi, a sudden fire burning within his gaze. "She may be 'your weasel girl' but she's my..." The tall businessman paused, searching his mind for the right words.

"One true companion..." All eyes turned to Jin. "I know it's a bit cliché but wherever she is, he'll want to be, believe me, I know him best."

"Jin..."

"And I cannot rest until I have completed my part in guiding him to his beloved; I'm here to help too." Jin ruffled Aoshi's hair as he moved passed him and plonked himself down on a swivel chair in front of a small table. "So, what's the plan?" He leaned his elbow on the desk, accidentally thumping several keys on the laptop, eyes peering over at it as the screen woke up.

"Well, the last I heard from her was when I asked her to look at some photos for me."

"Um, Sagara-san, are these them?" A repeated slideshow of the photos Sano had sent Misao on her phone were being displayed before there eyes.

Misao insides were literally buzzing like she'd had six energy drinks one after the other as she sat in the passenger seat, Soujiro driving them back to Tokyo. The hours had literally whizzed by as she faked sleeping in order not to chat with her captor. Her heart was pounding within her ears when they pulled into a long driveway and stopped at a set of electronic gates which were guarded by two beefy looking men. She silently watched as Soujiro hit the electric window to show himself and instantly the gates were opened without a single word being spoken.

"I'm so nervous Soujiro-kun."

"I'm with you Misao, there is nothing to fear." When the car stopped, Misao got out and gazed up at what she could only describe as a fortress of some sorts. The place was lit up like a Christmas tree and her eyes instinctively looked around for more guards. Nothing to fear he said; how delusional was he? In actual fact she had everything to fear now that she was behind enemy lines.

"Be-Before meeting them, could I have a grand tour, you know, to ease my nerves?" Misao had quickly voiced while making her way over to the short man, her hand slipping into his to emphasise her connection to him.

"Yes, let me show you around." And they were off, Misao being half dragged around the large building as Soujiro jabbered away here and there. She was shown the expansive grounds, her eyes trying not to stare too long at the narrowed gazes coming from several security guards. She assumed they dare not say a word considering it was Soujiro who was traipsing her all over the place. She hoped word would not get back to their boss as to what Soujiro was currently doing as she wished her presence from Shishio Makoto to be as prolonged as possible. Oddly enough, she could not spot any security cameras, but then when the place had this many guards, maybe they were not needed. Misao had to remember to gush here and there as she was definitely not listening to anything he was saying and instead her observant eyes were sorting out any rooms with their doors closed.

"What's in here?" Misao found the first room with a door closed and curtly she received an answer from Soujiro saying it was a closet full of cleaning products that the housemaids utilised. It wasn't long before they were moving again and she found another room with the door closed. Again she received a random answer to her question and it was then Misao realised she would be repeating herself over and over again and would have to watch for tell tale signs of when Soujiro's attitude would change. At the moment he was seemingly happy to answer truthfully, but she was certain that if they possibly and hopefully came across the room Seiji was in, he would not be so kind in answering.

It felt like forever as they made their way up the large spiral staircase and once again Misao found herself within another large hallway, red carpet on the floor and many paintings on the walls. The light fixtures were on and down the end of the long corridor a door was slightly ajar and a light was on inside.

"Ah, Yume-san must be home." Misao's eyes grew wide. No, this couldn't be happening! This was the second last floor in the large estate building and she was going to see Aoshi's ex-girlfriend and mother of his son! She needed more time, she needed...something!

"So-Soujiro-kun," He stopped in his strides to look back at her and quickly Misao tried to think of something to say. And just like that the Gods were smiling on her yet again, out of the corner of her eye, just a little further down the corridor, just before the room they were heading to, a closed door. "What's in there?"

There was a long pause before, "That doesn't concern you." That was the room!

"I...I'm sorry..." Misao weakly muttered, eyes lowering slightly as she became somewhat submissive to her captor.

"Come on," He pulled on her arm, trudging forth to their final destination as Soujiro pushed open the door. "Yume-san, I'm home!" Misao held her breath as she stared around the large lounge room. A fire was cracking away, a large flat screen TV was on, but the sound was mute. She sighed pleasingly when there was no Yume and more importantly no Shishio in sight. She was dragged over to one of three plush leather couches and pushed to sit down. "Wait here, I'll prepare some tea and find out where Yume-san is." She watched as Soujiro left the room, closing the door with a resonating click. It wasn't long before the model bolted up from her rigid sitting position and quickly made her way to the door, pressing her ear against the wood as she listened for footsteps moving down the hallway. When they moved out of ear range, Misao took in a deep breath, her hand going out to grasp the doorknob.

"Who are you?"

To Be Continued...