Disclaimers: I DO NOT OWN any of the characters in Rurouni Kenshin or Shinsengumi.
Chapter 27: Weakness
… Fuyue is still alive!
Meanwhile, back at the Tokyo police station, Tsujiai has just returned from his investigative undertakings assigned by Katsuya. Without even a glance at his companions, he somberly strides across the dark training grounds towards the main building. Upon entering, he quietly slides the furisode doors close behind him and removes his hat. He manages to take few steps forward, before finally retreating a few steps back towards the hallway walls. Leaning back against the walls, he gives a heavy sigh and makes another attempt to calm himself, a feat which he has tried since his return trip from Kyoto earlier. Never before has he felt such a cold aura emitted from someone. Just thinking about it sends chills down his spine. As if he wasn't perturbed enough, Saito makes his stealthy appearance.
"Back already, Tsujiai. Has Ayasaki finally released you?" states Saito mockingly as he exhales a puff of smoke.
Jerked back to reality, Tsujiai quickly bows and stammers, "Fuuujiita-san!" He remains scrunching the hat in his hands.
With a quick glance at Tsujiai, Saito inquires, "Why the pale face?" before placing the lit cigarette back on his thin lips.
"Ah…nothing…many apologies for concerning you," Tsujiai replies as he gives another bow.
Saito smirks at being referred to as concerned. "Don't let Ayasaki's blood thirst get to you," comments Saito, as he taps Tsujiai on the shoulder and slides the entranceway behind him open.
Surprised at Saito's awareness of the situation, Tsujiai inadvertently lets out a short "Ah…" as Saito exits towards the training grounds. How did Fujita-san know what he was thinking?
(Flashback)
Earlier that day, Tsujiai and Katsuya have been exchanging tidbits of information at an outdoor café located approximately 500 meters away from the Kyoto station. Nearby, a father and son pair is taking their rest from a successful hunting trip. The son approximately ten years of age is proudly holding out his father's hunting bow and reenacting the triumphant catch of a Japanese Sika (deer).
"I expected that you have made progress on the information I provided…"
Tsujiai nods and reveals to his companion, "I believe we have enough evidence to more than detain him, Sir…"
"I see," acknowledges the tranquil inspector before quietly sipping his hot tea.
"Do you wish for us to take him into custody for treason?"
"No need. I intend to…"
Temmo kai-kai so ni shite morasazu. See Chapter 24 for translation
His eyes suddenly swerve towards the police station. From a distant, there appears to be a prison breakout. A group of police is attempting to apprehend a vicious thug whose beefy arms knock a cop unconscious and steals his blade. The local officers have judiciously refrained from the use of their guns due to the populated streets.
"It's a prison break out, everyone get out of the way!"
"We can't let him escape!"
"It's a prison breakout!" declares Tsujiai alarmingly after a quick observation of the situation.
Katsuya mechanically places the teacup down on the table and continues to the scan the circumstances while murmuring to self, "515 meters due west."
"Sir, it looks like that serial killer I helped catch last month." Tsujiai notices a few more officers beaten to the ground. "They're hurt! I've got to help them!"
It also appears that the thug has secured himself a hostage, a young male not much older than he. Tsujiai immediately arises from the bench, and prepares to aid the fellow officers in the distance.
"Hold it, Tsujiai," commands Katsuya halting Tsujiai in his tracks.
Tsujiai turns around and looks at Katsuya in confusion. What is he waiting for?
"A serial killer?" questions Katsuya in a calm and stringent manner. "Report."
"To be executed two days from today…"
"The crime…"
"His last victim was a young boy…," replies Tsujiai in an adamant and rushed manner. Katsuya's eyes narrow in livid fury; those same eyes quickly locate a nearby weapon. "I was only able to save the mother…but…the boy…I was too late. Sir, we've got to hurry!"
Katsuya quickly leaps over to the neighboring table and seizes the bow and arrow from the young hunter's small hands. "Confiscated for government use," states Katsuya in an unrelenting grim tone. The boy naturally gets upset and begins to attack Katsuya with little punches.
"That's my dad's! Give it back! Give it back!" The boy continues to pummel Katsuya's side; Katsuya ignores the boy's lament and tugs on the string to test its resilience. His accompanying officer, Tsujiai, stands to the side feeling a bit ashamed at the current situation. The angry father approaches Katsuya preparing to lash out and defend his boy. Katsuya turns and gives the hunter an extremely icy glare, emptying the hunter's mind of any harsh things he has prepared to utter a few moments prior. The hunter quickly pulls his son and backs away from the frightening young man before him.
"But sir, there are too many people around to shoot. Moreover, the criminal is too far away and he's got a hostage," comments a stunned Tsujiai hesitantly.
"Silence!" commands Katsuya, quickly pulling a single arrow from the quiver. "540 meters and moving…" Katsuya swiftly dashes a few steps forward and leaps up into the air. Promptly notching an arrow, he aims and releases within a split second. "Aku Soku Zan." The arrow sears through the air and pierces the target right through the heart, instantly killing him, and leaving the hostage unharmed (save a bit of emotional trauma).
Upon returning to the ground, Katsuya approaches the young boy and returns both quiver and bow. "Compensation for usage," utters Katsuya dropping five hundred yen into the boy's trembling hands. "Turning back to the blanched Tsujiai, Katsuya adjusts his glasses and instructs, "The criminal has ceased resistance. The corpse lies approximately 545 meters to the west. Be at ease that he shall kill no more."
"Hai."
Aware of the whispering nosy onlookers, Katsuya notes aloud, "I do not take kindly to repeated offenders."
(End of Flashback)
"You don't look too well, Tsujiai."
Tsujiai is suddenly called back from his revelry by one of his fellow officers, "My night shift's over, care to join me for morning drink?"
"Hai."
Back in Kyoto…
The radiant morning sun pierces through the old mildew infested shack, lighting up the little details hidden by last night's shade. Though outwardly an excellent place for rest to the night weary eyes, the old shack in actuality is not only prone to collapse, but it is also a health hazard to those to reside in it. Apparently having survived these dangers, Soujiro sits comfortably leaning against the rotten wooden wall, eating while still keeping watch over the 'weak' maiden sleeping a few yards away. It is now mid morning around the beginning hour of the horse (Chinese ancient way of telling time, Zyuunishi of the series 'Fruits Basket'). Fuyue lies tiredly on the hardwood floor; Aches and pain travel throughout her body. The only thing comforting her at the moment is the soft touch of the morning sun upon her skin, and the warmth of her dark cloak which has also been energized by the generous sun. Morning sun? Fuyue immediately pushes herself up, sharpening the pain in her muscles. Her dark hood falls down her shoulders, allowing Soujiro a full glimpse.
"Good morning, Miss," greets Soujiro cheerfully.
Startled by the greeting, Fuyue's head instinctively turn to the smiling rurouni. Apparently, Fuyue has been overwhelmed with fatigue and pain that she did not sense his presence, even at such a close distance. Her body is aching all over from the massive loss of blood, and lack of sleep. Moreover, with the little rest she receives, she is overly exhausted to move. Grabbing the two swords which she hugged all night, she tries to get up by herself but falters back to the hard ground floor. Soujiro arises from his sitting position with thoughtful intentions on lending some assistance. Fuyue immediately backs up and defensively holds her sheathed sword out in front of her; her energy rendering her only a few inches from where she was before.
Ceasing his advances, Soujiro inquires, "Do you need any assistance?"
Fuyue drops her sword wielding arm tiredly, and callously questions, "Why are you still here?"
"I want to make sure that you were well," comes Soujiro's natural reply.
"My well-being does not relate to you," states Fuyue icily before continuing, "Leave me. Takafumi is sure to have discovered that I be not an apparition by now and has sent people to kill me. Leave now before you draw yourself further into my tribulations."
"That is all the more reason I need to stay. You are weak right now, and Sawatari-san is strong. The weak need to be protected…"
"I am not weak."
"… and it was my fault that you were injured."
"Besides, not all weak people NEED to be protected. Moreover, not all weak people SHOULD be protected!" declares Fuyue harshly. Soujiro repeats Fuyue's words to himself as he tries to comprehend its meaning. "You are wasting valuable time! Leave now, before it is too late!"
"Miss…I think it's rather too late now." Fuyue looks at Soujiro curiously. "There many people coming this way, and they aren't really friendly it would seem."
"Many people…Why can I not sense anything!" contemplates Fuyue feeling both frustrated and extremely vulnerable. Apparently the profuse blood loss really impairs her sharp sensing ability; the ability to sense the surrounding activities and to feel the rift in the atmosphere is pivotal to her survival thus far. She has been taught, "Fight not with your eyes as much as your other senses for visions can be deceiving while detrimental." Fuyue quickly turns to face the entrance. From her position, she can see nothing but the cloth covered doorway, moreover, the windows are too high for her look through. Pushing herself up from the dirty floor, Fuyue slides both her sheathed blades through her waist sash in preparation for battle. Unlike other women with traditional Obi belts, Fuyue ties a very long sash belt about her waist allowing it to dangle pass her knee.
"Can you still fight in such condition, Miss?"
"I have not an option."
The mumblings of the approaching thugs could be heard outside the shack. Without much thought, the thugs blindly enter without contemplating on the possibility of a trap or some kind of enemy fortification. "You two must the people Sawatari-sama is after," declares the thug leader, before commenting, "Hehehe…it looks like this will be an easy capture after all. Not only is the female injured, but she is the one with the weapons."
"And the sword-less guy looks like a complete wimp."
"We will definitely get a big reward for their capture. I will take on the pretty girl. The rest of you can play with the boy."
The thug leader pulls out his saber.
"Ron yori shoko (Proof rather than argument)," murmurs Fuyue as she flicks her katana out a notch. The thugs begin their assault as ordered; five against Soujiro and their leader against Fuyue. Fuyue unsheathes her katana at a slower speed than usual and blocks an oncoming attack; while weaponless and injured Soujiro leaps about the room playing a chasing game with ease. Fuyue's right arm remains limp at her side from the gunshot injury, as she parries most of the attacks. Noticing her lack of strength, the thug leader hones in his strength and slashes downward at Fuyue who blocks once again but this time falters back. Fuyue has been pushed into a sword strength battle, blade to blade pushing against each other; both blades now rely on the strength of the wielder.
"I cannot die, not just yet, not to the likes of you. I want my revenge!" thinks Fuyue boosting her morale. The enemy backs up a bit from her sudden force but quickly overcomes Fuyue's push, forcing her to bend one of her knees to the ground for support. Meanwhile, Soujiro soon notices Fuyue's uncompromising position and jumps in to lend his strength. He grasps Fuyue's sword hilt, and helps her shove the enemy away.
With a short glance at Soujiro, "I lend you my blade, Sir. You say you protect the weak. Do as you will."
Author's Notes:
I have finally taken the time to update. Sorry for the delay, but I've been quite busy. I was ill for a while, and I had to adapt to new accommodations for the past month. Only excuses right?
Anyhow, there exists two Soujiros, both know Fuyue, and neither are blood related to her. More A/N on that topic will be updated next week, and you all know what that means ne? This, however, is on the condition that I get reviews…hehehe. About knowing Shishio, remember that it can be said that 500 yrs ago Fuyue shares a common ancestor with Ayasaki. Before I go, Thank you for all your reviews
Till next time,
A very Sleepy Kiriakis
