Dreams I Dreamt Instead
By Fujifunmum
Author's Note I: If you've been reading my ficcy, you know that the Oniwabanshuu have been communicating via carrier pigeon in Haiku about Sano and Misao. Misao is gathering all the messages to see what the birders are saying. Haiku is three lines, 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, 5 in the third. (Very short, perfect to attach to the bird's leg!) Why should I have all the fun? So, Haiku Me! Send me your suggested Haiku and I'll publish the best ones in or at the end of the story!
Send your Haiku to : fujifunmum1@sbcglobal.net
Author's Note II: This is the first new chapter since my fanfiction meltdown. Thank you to the many folks who thoughtfully
sent me their regards. I'm over it. (I think.)
Chapter 18: Just Desserts
"Here, put these on."
Misao could tell that Megumi was feeling better. She arched an eyebrow at Misao and said, "Sure. Just as soon as you give me the rest of it." She turned over the small package in her hands, noticing that it was far too small to be the kimono, under-kimono and obi she usually wore. It was also a very familiar shade of blue.
"It's a disguise. While you're here, you will dress as Okon. We'll call you Okon, too." Misao paused at the look of disbelief on Megumi's face. Then she sat down across from her and continued. "Look, it's the perfect disguise. I checked with Jiya and Okon is off to help Tohaku and Ichino pack up to move here to Tokyo. That is, she'll be there unless she stopped to visit Hiko on the way… but there's no doubt that she's not in Kyoto and everyone there at the Aoiya and the Gingko will say that she's here, visiting me at the Crane. Isn't that brilliant?"
"I don't know about brilliant. Who are Tohaku and Ichino? And this…costume… won't fool any of my former patients."
"No! Of course not. You'll still have to be very careful and keep to the family quarters here, not letting anyone get close enough to see your face. But at least you'll be able to leave this room. And if the Yakuza come looking, they won't find Megumi, they'll find Okon, staying here with her clan." Misao urged Megumi to change into the uniform to see if it fit her properly. "And Tohaku and Ichino are Makiko's parents. You haven't met her yet, but she and her husband and kids are in the rooms next door to you here. Tohaku and Ichino are moving here to help out at the Crane and to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Also, Tohaku's brother Amon, is in Yokohama, so they will be closer to him, too."
"Misao, before you get into the life stories of all these people I've never met, I'd just like to point out that this uniform is totally indecent and unacceptable." Megumi had shrugged out of her sleeping yukata and into the uniform Misao had provided. It was a short sleeved kimono garment just like Misao's ninja top, but longer, reaching all the way to Megumi's knees. Unlike Misao's shorter top, this longer version had long slits up both sides, resulting in a front and back panel, held closed by an obi that matched Misao's. While Misao had short pants that she wore with both her ninja top and the larger haori she often wore, Megumi's outfit had only one other piece; a headband.
"Here, let me help you with the headband." Misao tied it across Megumi's forehead, tying it under her hair just as Okon did. She then walked around Megumi, checking out her appearance. "You look remarkably like Okon. I really am brilliant."
"I am not being seen in this revealing outfit, Misao. It is not happening."
"Well, that's the point, isn't it? No one will see you up close. Okon does all of the flower arrangements for our Inns in Kyoto, so if you need to go into or through the public spaces, you can just carry one of those big flower arrangements we use in the entryway. If you like doing that sort of thing, why don't you do the flower arrangements for us while you're here?"
"Forget it Misao. This outfit is entirely too short and revealing for me. I, am a woman of mystery."
Misao half expected Megumi to break into her signature laugh, but she didn't. "Look, I don't know what you're so worried about. Okon wears this outfit whenever she feels like it and you wouldn't exactly look different if you wore a regular kimono, would you? Besides, the only one who's gonna see you dressed like this besides me and Makiko is her husband, Akoto, and he's married."
"Just my luck. I suppose you think that makes me feel better about this."
"Come on, with this uniform you can come down to the family dining room and eat with us, and not be up here hiding in your room all the time. I'll check and see if the coast is clear. Best not to let anyone get too close."
"OK. I'll try it. You can tell me all about your new members and their families." She paused, extending a well-turned ankle, followed by a cute knee and a very shapely thigh. "Oh, and I'm sure Sanosuke will like it." She hid her favorite smirk and a twinkle in her eye from Misao by the long curtain of her hair.
Misao gave Megumi a sharp look. Hadn't she told her last night there was nothing between them? Shaking that off, she checked the hall for guests. None were about yet this early, so she and Megumi made their way to the family dining room. She introduced her to Akoto, Makiko and the kids.
While Makiko and Megumi chatted, Misao looked at Megumi in Okon's uniform. It was a very good disguise. She looked very much like Okon. She also looked very beautiful. She was showing nearly all of her arms and much of her legs in this Omitsu uniform. While it allowed Okon to maneuver her Kunoji Shuriken boomerang unencumbered by restrictive clothing, it certainly revealed most of her charms. Megumi had a lot of charms to reveal as well.
She didn't hear much of what Megumi and Makiko said, Megumi's last words kept ringing in her ears, "I'm sure Sanosuke will like it."
At the moment, Megumi was not on Sano's mind at all. Nor was Misao. He considered them both safe and secure in Tokyo so his entire focus was on matters at hand here in Aizu. Specifically, how he might use his hands and his Futae no Kiwami techniques. He'd expanded the technique considerably during his travels abroad and was anxious to get in some practice. He'd used his left elbow on Ishiji; maybe he'd get the chance to try something new. They were going directly to the Yakuza main headquarters in Aizu, and Sano couldn't have been happier about it. He still liked a good fight, and this was for a good cause, too. Just like those miserable creeps he fought for his dad. Moving behind Aoshi, who led the way, he wondered just what Aoshi had meant by it being personal.
Kenshin was mulling on that same topic as he followed Sano and Aoshi through the streets. Aoshi's ki had a different feel to it. It had always been strong. It had always felt deadly. But now, there was vibrancy to it, an indescribable difference that could only be attributed to strong emotions. Aoshi was clearly acting on and tapping into his emotions. It was new. And the strength he added to his potential by using his heart along with his intellect was staggering. He wondered if Aoshi felt it. Then he realized that he must. It had to be a conscious choice. So he wondered instead if Aoshi understood the new depth it had added to his abilities. Was there anything stronger than defending someone you loved? The last time Kenshin had felt it had been on Enishi's Island, in defense of his Kaoru.
There was no more time for thinking or planning. The time to act was upon them. They walked together, three abreast down the last block to the Yakuza meeting place. Once before they had walked like this, returning to the Aoiya after Shishio's defeat. Now they faced a new challenge, some with more strength, some with less.
As expected there were lookouts posted at the front door. The two men were alert but hardly on guard. They noticed the approach of the three determined men coming ever closer, walking with purpose toward them, but there was no reason to believe that they were a threat, or even intended the Yakuza headquarters as their final destination. That gave Megumi's defenders the upper hand and the advantage of a surprise attack right up until the last minute. The guards sensed their threat, and stood at the ready, not that any two guards would be able to stop three of the most powerful fighters in Japan.
Sanosuke stepped up in front of both Aoshi and Kenshin. "I'll handle the guards and the outer rooms. Doubt if I'll even have to work up a sweat. You guys watch my back and save your strength for Kunisawa." He lengthened his stride, stretched his fingers, and cracked his knuckles as he approached the guards.
"We're here to see Kunisawa. Now. Either step aside or escort us in. You don't even want to know what your third choice is."
"Back off Jerk. Nobody sees Kunisawa unless we know them, and we don't know you or the couple behind you. And what'd you bring a woman for…" The guards blustering was cut off by a quick right hook from Sano. He didn't even bother to look in the other guard's direction as he took him out with a quick sucker punch.
"So much for these turkeys. Let's see if there are any actual fighters inside."
With that, Sanosuke kicked open the door, revealing an outer room full of Yakuza regulars awaiting assignments, working on ledgers, cleaning and sharpening weapons and gambling. All activity came to a halt as the men regarded the blue clad figure filling the doorway. His matching blue headband didn't begin to restrain his wild hair and his height made him an imposing figure in any setting. There was no doubt from the look on his face and the streaks of blood on his fists that he was an intruder.
Men began to leap to their feet and started to rush at Sanosuke in pairs. Sano stepped into the room to give himself more room to maneuver. Flexing his shoulders and neck he raised his fists and prepared to meet all comers. The first unfortunate sets of pairs of attackers were introduced to the formidable talents of Zanza, the street fighter. Punching and fighting easily with the willing but less able opponents left him ringed with bleeding bodies.
The enemy regrouped, this time forming ad hoc companies of three to five men with a plan to contain and defeat the attacker. Sano merely smiled, stepped slightly back in preparation and cocked his head as he judged quickly how best to deliver his prized technique to effect the maximum number of attackers at once. His smile broadened as he employed his Futae no Kiwami first through his left elbow to the nearest group of five coming at his left flank. He choose to apply it to the first man to reach him, attacking his solar plexus and sending him flying into the two men immediately behind him. The ones to his sides were thrown off balance by the man's flailing limbs. Sano quickly finished them off with follow-up punches before they could regain their equilibrium.
That attack was enough to rile the rest of the Yakuza soldiers into concerted action. They simply all ran at Sanosuke at once, each releasing an angry yell of warning.
The noise irritated Sano more than the action. Several were able to land punches as he busied himself with sloughing through the onslaught with a mixture of fists and technique. He really didn't use his Futae no Kiwami much. These guys were too weak to withstand the pressure and he didn't want to upset Kenshin by actually killing anyone, even accidentally.
By this time, Kenshin and Aoshi had moved into the doorway and watched with approval while Sanosuke plowed the road. Within minutes it would all be over for these low-lifes. The real fight lay within the next room. Their only real concern was that Kunisawa was either not there or would escape. Kenshin continued to watch his friend work the room while Aoshi kept his attention on the door to the room beyond and the surrounding windows. He would recognize Kunisawa and could block his escape if necessary.
Sano was just finishing up the first batch of whipped Yakuza filling when the door at the back of the room opened a crack, then closed just as quickly. Both Kenshin and Aoshi discerned the locking mechanism beneath the din of the fray in front of them and Kenshin allowed himself a brief smile and a conspiratorial glance at Aoshi. It was a fruitless attempt, but a clear indication that Kunisawa was indeed within the room behind. The quarry was waiting.
Sano paused to survey his handiwork and looked back over his shoulder at Kenshin and Aoshi. "Next?" He gave them a very satisfied smile and received their unspoken agreement as they acknowledged his efforts with approving nods. Then Kenshin ran towards him at full god-like speed calling, "The door Sano, let's invite ourselves in!"
"Right!" Sano turned and joined Kenshin in his direct run at the offending barrier. They kicked it down together, just for old time's sake, and felt the satisfaction of years of working together when their timing and efforts fused to land them facing their next set of opponents.
Kunisawa was seated in the center of the back of the room, enjoying a luncheon and tea spread before him. He took no notice of the untimely interruption, but for a hand signal that amounted to a flick of his wrist indicating that his bodyguards should dispose of these interlopers before they disturbed his meal.
There were six bodyguards stationed in the room. Each between the door and Kunisawa. Each brandishing a variety of weaponry. Sano and Kenshin darted quickly toward the two with guns. Sanosuke reached his prey before the man had the presence of mind to fire the gun. It would be his last chance to defend his employer that day. Sanosuke grabbed the weapon with one hand, turning it towards the side wall and away from any human target as he wrenched the weapon out of the man's hand with the power of his fists. Giving him a few choice words about his opinion of weaklings who relied on gunpowder to defend themselves, he gave the man a severe blow to the head, promising to leave a wake-up call for him the next morning.
Kenshin leap to escape the path of the bullet rushing towards his chest, landing behind the gunman as his bullet hit the empty wall he stood facing. The gunman was too surprised to fire again immediately and Kenshin quickly delivered an elbow blow to the back of his neck to render the man unconscious.
Sanosuke yelled at him from across the room. "Hey, Kenshin! Are you trying to steal my Futae no Kiwami technique? Let's see that new sakabatou of yours!"
Kenshin gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Sano. Next time."
The other four bodyguards all drew their weapons. Three had swords, all nihontou, or excellent blades of native Japanese manufacture. One had a katana, one a nodachi, an extra-long sword, and the last weilded a renbattou. This double-edged whip-like blade was probably the most deadly of the three. The fourth man wielded chains. He had two weighted chains which behaved similarly to the rebattou. Kenshin fleetingly thought that if he was carrying the same weapons as Akamatsu, then he might also have two additional chains hidden in his sleeves. Kenshin waived Sano back and fell into his battoujutsu stance, hand on the hilt of the sakabatou that was a gift from Hiko.
Kenshin took couple of calming breaths. He hadn't been in this kind of a combat situation in a very long time, and had hoped, but not believed, that he would be able to avoid them. His assessment was lightning fast, as usual. The ki of these men was bright but not able. They would defend their master Kunisawa to the best of their abilities, but their abilities would be no match for his. His only real concern, aside from his overriding concern that no deaths occur, was that he not use up his limited strength too soon. He had to be able and ready to give Aoshi his complete support should Kunisawa's talents be too much for the out of practice ninja. Sano would be able to take care of the tekku, but only he would be able to defeat a talented swordsman who was able to defeat Aoshi.
"Yield your ground, our quarrel is with Kunisawa, not with you. Yield or taste defeat."
The bodyguards sprang into action, each seeking to reach the small man first. They converged on his location only to find him missing. But only briefly as Kenshin's Ryuu Tsui Sen came slashing downward on the man with the katana, disabling him in a flash. He followed this immediately with a Ryuu Sou Sen, a rain of blows, directed at the stunned holder of the nodachi. Two down, two to go, but the most dangerous sword was left. If it's owner was a decent swordsman, then Kenshin had to react fast.
The renbattoya was unwinding towards Kenshin as he executed his Ryuu Kan Sen – Tsumuji. He became a whirling strike force spinning towards the swordsman target, hitting him squarely in the chest. It was effective, as always, knocking the bodyguard off his feet and leaving him unconscious. It was a costly move, however, giving Kenshin a rather hard landing as well. He rose to one knee, feeling the chains the fourth bodyguard entwining about him while he recovered from his landing. Fortunately, the sakabatou was true and Kenshin broke one of the main chains by jamming it with the sword. Again, he leap to the air, taking the remaining chain with him and pulling it's master totally off the floor. Kenshin landed, hitting the offending bodyguard with a Ryuu Tsui-Sho Sen. He slashed downward with his new blade, then hammered up to totally incapacitate the last bodyguard. Bursting the chain still wrapped around his lower chest, Kenshin turned towards Kunisawa.
Aoshi, who had been observing the action from the doorway and guarding against any others joining the fray, held up his arm to motion him to stop. "My turn, Himura. Guard the door Sagara. Kunisawa is mine, I will tolerate no interference."
Kunisawa Umaro had watched the small man with the red hair and the tall man with the wild hair take down his bodyguards while he casually sipped his tea. The man who stood watch in the doorway, the man he had faced the previous evening in front of the clinic, had come to wreck havoc on his Yakuza. Kunisawa was incensed, but kept up his calm and reserved exterior. He was completely confident that no matter how good these three men were there was nothing they could do in the face of his ultimate technique. No one had ever been able to counter it. He would take control of this situation himself, and then his minions could punish these interlopers at his leisure. There would be no permanent harm. There would be equal pain and suffering on both sides. And he would be finished before his tea cooled.
Aoshi stood center stage, the long drape of his coat swept back by his arms. He had drawn no weapons yet, but it was clear they were at the ready. If he was troubled by the fracture of his kodachi, he wasn't showing it. Sanosuke stood lounged in the doorway between the inner and outer rooms. He kept watch on the Yakuza incapacitated in the outer room and could handle any others who might chose an inopportune time to come visiting at Yakuza headquarters. Kenshin was posted at the far side of the room, seated with his back to the wall in his usual resting posture. He was recovering from his fight and regaining his strength for any future need. From his position there was no one who could aid or surprise Aoshi without being stopped.
Kunisawa slowly set his teacup on the tray with the remains of his lunch. He unhurriedly rose to his feet, smoothing his clothing and rearranging his obi and daisho. He appeared to be wearing two standard samurai style swords, a katana and a wakizashi. They were bound to be excellent swords. Whether they were of any particular note remained to be seen once they were drawn and used. The wounds on his hands were expertly bound and did not seem to trouble Kunisawa as he moved about to face Aoshi.
"I was not expecting company for luncheon today. Say what you wish before I exact retribution for your ill treatment of my men."
"Takani Megumi."
"Ah. That is why she has not yet been discovered. All this for a woman? Absurd."
"A woman who is now free. Surrender your claim to her or suffer the consequences."
"She is a mere vessel. Mine to use; mine to discard."
"Consider her discarded then."
Kunisawa came around his tray and cushions, out into the room proper to stand face to face with Aoshi, his hands flexing towards his weapons. "I think not. She has still some small use. But you, do not." Kunisawa drew his sword, attacked and was well met with Aoshi's longer kodachi. Kunisawa raised the tekku on his other arm to block the thrust of Aoshi's weaker blade and the match had begun.
Using the close quarters to his advantage, Aoshi landed a punch to Kunisawa's sneering face and tried to follow that with a swift kempo kick to his midsection. Kunisawa, however, read the move and managed to both avoid it and block it with his tekku.
Aoshi raised one eyebrow slightly. Kunisawa's reliance on the tekku was indeed a weakness. And could also account for the lack of complexity in his ki. Kunisawa had not fought his own battles, relying instead on his bodyguards and the reputation of the Yakuza for protection. He had not tempered his talents, however great they might be, with trial and use. It would be his downfall.
The pause in the action gave Kunisawa the time he needed to center himself and to bring forth his secret technique. This unidentified man wanted his woman and had actually drawn his blood with that blow to his face. Kunisawa was livid. He took a deep breath and began.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed at the changes moving over Kunisawa's face. He was beginning a move, a move that involved his ki. Aoshi could feel it, Sano could see it, but Kenshin could read it. Aoshi was making a move to begin his Goku Juuji technique. He crossed both kodachi at the point, like a pair of scissors, and then he would rush forward and stab directly at the arteries in his opponent's neck. He had barely begun the move when Kenshin cried out.
"Wait! He's using Shin no Ippo!"
Just then Kunisawa completed his preparation, focusing all of the strength of his ki through his eyes, leveling them at the three men invading his inner sanctum. The blast of the sharpened ki had the expected effect in freezing his opponents. Kenshin, Sano and Aoshi were indeed frozen in place immediately. The effect however, was momentary. First Kenshin's will broke through as he answered; "I don't think so! Jin'eh Odu's Shin no Ippo could not hold me, yours is no match for us!"
True to his words, Aoshi's will broke the barrier as if it had never been cast. Both Aoshi and Kenshin looked to Sano in time to see that he, too, was breaking the hold of the force of Kunisawa's ki.
Aoshi resumed his Goku Juuji, crossing the kodachi at the tips and blasting towards Kunisawa in a rush. Kunisawa was shocked but quickly crossed his fists in front of his neck, deflecting the strike and protecting his neck with the Tekku.
Aoshi rebounded immediately, and began his Ososugi de Ugoki, along with taunting his opponent. "So Kunisawa, you prefer mind games do you? Then use your mind to discover which of my images you should attack." Soon Kunisawa was surrounded by multiple images of Aoshi, all moving at varying speeds. Kunisawa was still fully armed with his katana and his tekku, but he was helpless to determine where to attack.
Seeing his opponent's eyes darting in confusion, his senses failing to lead him to the real physical opponent, Aoshi began his Kaiten Kenbu. Sanosuke had seen this play before and knew what the ending would be. Only an invincible fighter like Kenshin could withstand Aoshi's Kaiten Kenbu. Kenshin, who had only seen this technique from the victim's vantage point watched fascinated. Aoshi closed in, spinning three times and giving Kunisawa three slashes to the chest.
Kenshin could tell he was only using the weaker of his kodachi, but still he cried out, "Aoshi, remember your promise!"
Aoshi's spin came to rest. Kunisawa grabbed his chest – the garments were slashed, as was the skin underneath and the bleeding Kunisawa fell to his knees, hands to his chest, blood dripping through his spread fingers.
Aoshi turned to face Kenshin. "He is barely wounded, Himura. My promise is kept."
Kunisawa, hearing the disdain in Aoshi's voice, gathered his pain and anger and focused his eyes directly into his own katana. His glare intensified as Aoshi turned back to face him and see what his opponent was attempting to do now. Casting an inquiring glance back at Kenshin, Kenshin responded. "He's performing the Hiyoki Spell. It's another form of the Shin no Ippo. By using his own reflection in his sword he is seeking to maximize his body to its fullest potential."
Undaunted, Aoshi watched with curious eyes. He had not seen this technique before and wondered at how much it would actually maximize Kunisawa's strength. No matter. As soon as Kunisawa broke the spell he would finish this irritating match and get on with his life. It stunned him to realize that he was actually anxious to finish the match in order to get on with life.
"I am the strongest. I am the strongest I've ever been. I am undefeatable. I am invincible."
Sano was non-plussed at this outburst from Kunisawa. "Man, if only I had a yen for every opponent that spouted that trash before I finished him off, I coulda paid Tae for all that food and bought sake for everyone. Do it Aoshi. This guy's startin' to bug me."
Aoshi responded with his Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren. He flipped his kodachi backhanded, running forward towards Kunisawa. Kunisawa couldn't tell if he was going to begin his attack from the right or the left, but he had to choose. He feinted to the right, and then moved with his katana to meet Aoshi on the left, keeping his tekku placed to block an attack on the right. Aoshi may have been severely out of practice, but his body knew the moves of his techniques as if they were an intimate dance. He might have erred a bit in his kempo strikes, but his sword technique was engraved on his soul. Kunisawa's defenses were much too little too late. The intuitive strength of Aoshi's past training bolstered by his strengthened and centered ki were truly an awesome sight. Aoshi came to rest in the center of the room, Kunisawa at his feet with six new slashes rendering his chest into a mishmash of blood and torn fabric.
He heard Kenshin's sharp inhale and held up his barely bloodied kodachi to reassure him. "My promise is kept, Himura. Although he may be more injured than I originally intended. A pity there is no doctor here to care for him, isn't it?"
"Lost your touch Shinomori? Too bad. Nothing worse than an ungrateful son. I'm sure he will wish you had finished him off before this is all over."
Three startled sets of eyes, one iced blue, one violet and one brown rested on an old nemesis.
He enjoyed their faces as he lit himself a cigarette.
"What's the matter? Didn't you think I'd show up in time to collect the garbage?" Fujita Gorou casually came over to survey the damage to Kunisawa. He nudged him with his foot. "Sadly, he's still alive. Should I go out and come back later? Give you time to fully repay him for his use of the good doctor?" Aoshi remained completely silent under Saitou's direct gaze. "No? Well, I can see that you've been meditating too long." Then glancing at Kenshin and Sano, he continued, "Or maybe it's the company you keep."
Author's Note III: Many thanks to all who read my story before, and welcome to some new readers and reviewers. Thanks for
reading, reviewing, and making the effort much more worthwhile.
Firuze Khanume, AutumnFire, Oryo, Gochan, kongykun, BladeRy,
Cherie Dee, Lizzie, K-chan, Leila Winters, MightyMightyMunson, The Great One, Eternitys End, Shadowfox, and Conspirator.
Mary-Ann, fghfgh, Shihali, chubby sanzo, Dragon of shadows, Ruby, Akari Sennyami, Emily Hato, Mia, Tracey Claybon, Oryo, Luli451, and len.