This fanfic series takes place two years after the Revenge Arc ends, in an alternate RuroKen universe. (Only because I started it well before the manga ended ^_^;;) Eighteen-year-old Makimachi Misao comes to Tokyo to stay with Kenshin and Kaoru... and to put her own troubles behind her. A newly attentive Sagara Sanosuke is more than willing to distract her. Then a certain Oniwabanshuu onmitsu turns up in Tokyo to help investigate a wave of vicious armed robberies sweeping the city...
Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated. But be warned: this fic meddles with what seem to be considered the tried-and-true romantic pairings in RuroKen (in case I didn't already make that clear). So if you read further, please be kind and keep an open mind! ^^;;
Note: for those who are new to the language, go to http://www2.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
Chapter 5 -- Searching For Answers
Kenshin sat silently next to the well as Misao scrubbed Sanosuke's stained gi. She'd just finished telling him what Sanosuke had told her, leaving nothing out. She knew Sano had told her to keep his meeting with Saitou to herself... but she knew Himura too well to even think she could conceal such important information from him. The former Hitokiri Battousai was every bit as good as Aoshi-sama at ferreting out a lie or catching an omission from a story. Besides, she knew how close Sano and Himura were... so Sano probably would've told him everything anyway, she reassured herself.
She looked up from the wash tub. Kenshin was frowning, his eyes narrowed... their usual placid violet now tinged with amber. She hadn't seen Himura look this angry since his final battle with Enishi... and she felt a stab of regret at having been the one to give him such upsetting news.
It isn't right... this is supposed to be the peaceful new age Himura fought so hard for all these years... his fighting days should be over. He should never have cause to look so hard and angry again...
"Misao-dono," Kenshin said quietly. "Where is Sano?"
"Right here, Kenshin," Sanosuke said. He walked up to them, swabbing his face with a towel. "You were right, Misao-chan... the bath really helped. How's my jacket?"
Misao held up the dripping garment. "I managed to get the worst out," she said, trying not to look directly at Sano. She was a little dismayed by how fascinating she found Sano's fresh-scrubbed, bare-chested appearance... and she wasn't about to embarrass herself by gawking at him in front of Himura.
"Arigatou," Sano said, taking the gi from Misao. As he began wringing it out, he addressed Kenshin--
"So... Misao-chan told you everything." It was a statement, not a question.
"Aa."
"I figured she would." Sano smiled briefly at Misao, who relaxed. She could tell from his casual tone that Sano wasn't angry with her. "You know... we have to tell Jou-chan and Yahiko." He grimaced. "They're both gonna freak... Yahiko, especially."
"I'm afraid so. I'll tell them, if you'd like."
"Iie. It's my responsibility," Sano said, a trace of bitterness in his voice.
Kenshin's gaze softened a bit. "Stop blaming yourself, Sano. You did all you could," he said gently.
"I keep telling him that, too," Misao said, shaking her finger at Sano. "Yamete, baka!"
Another brief smile crossed the tall man's face. "Gomen," he said, reaching down to pat Misao's head. "I promise that's the last time."
She smacked his hand away. "What do I look like, a dog?" she growled.
"Nah... more like a weasel," Sano teased. Kenshin sighed as Misao leveled Sano with a Kecho Geri.
"Go ahead... call me that again, you rooster-head!" Misao shouted, pinning Sanosuke to the ground with one knee against his chest. All the activity had loosened her sleeping robe... and as she leaned over Sano, he was treated to a great view of her unbound breasts.
Sano grinned wickedly. "As much as I've fantasized about something like this, Misao-chan," he drawled, "now's really not the time." That comment prompted a fresh rain of blows and curses from a beet-red Misao while Kenshin looked on, unable to keep himself from grinning right along with Sano.
"Oi, you guys are loud!"
Everyone froze as Yahiko stumbled around the corner, rubbing his eyes. "What the hell is going on out here?" the boy groused.
Misao and Sano jumped up, looking at Kenshin. "Yahiko..." Kenshin said, his face sobering.
At Kenshin's solemn tone, Yahiko immediately became fully awake. "Nan dai?" he asked, his eyes wide with fear. "Tell me, Kenshin."
Sanosuke moved in front of Yahiko, bending down and putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Yahiko," the fighter said, looking directly into his eyes. "There's been... an incident... at the Akabeko," he continued, cursing himself silently. ..."incident"... I sound like that bastard Saitou...
Yahiko paled, shrugging off Sano's hand. "Don't baby me, Sanosuke," he said, his voice trembling a little. "Just tell me what happened. Is... is Tsubame-chan..."
Sanosuke closed his eyes for a second, trying to shake the image of Tsubame-chan's battered, tear-streaked face. "She's okay now," he told Yahiko. "It was a robbery... she got pretty banged up, but Genzai-sensei says she'll be fine."
Yahiko swallowed. "And Tae-san?" he asked, his voice cracking a bit.
"Same thing... she's at the clinic with Tsubame-chan," Sanosuke replied, trying to sound reassuring.
Yahiko clenched his fists, turned away from the group and began running toward the back gate. "Matte, Yahiko -- where are you going?" Misao called to him.
"Where do you think, baka?" Yahiko called back to her. "To the clinic, of course."
In a flash, Sano caught up to Yahiko and grabbed him by the back of his sleeping robe. Yahiko began to protest, but Sano silenced him with a single wry observation --
"You might want to change first."
...............
The morning sun was burning off the predawn mist as Misao, Sanosuke and Yahiko quietly entered Oguni Clinic. They found Genzai-sensei dozing in a chair outside the partly open door to one of the hospital rooms. The old man stirred as the trio approached him.
"Ah... Yahiko-kun, Sanosuke-kun... I was expecting you, though not so early," Genzai-sensei said with a weary smile. "And Misao-chan, too! Demo... where are the Himuras? Still asleep?"
"Kaoru-san is," Misao said. "Kenshin said they'll come as soon as she's up and Kintou is fed." Surprisingly, Kenshin hadn't needed much persuading to stay home with his family. Misao was determined to keep him out of this whole business... for Kaoru-san's sake and their children.
"That's good," Genzai-sensei said, slowly rising from his chair. "Kaoru-chan needs all the rest she can get. Speaking of which... I know you're here to see Tae-san and Tsubame-chan, but it's best if we don't disturb them right now. It was a very long night..."
Sanosuke studied the doctor's pale face and tired eyes. "For all of you," he finished, eliciting a chuckle from Genzai-sensei.
"Daijoubu, daijoubu," the old doctor said, waving his hand dismissively. "That's the life of a doctor... sometimes we don't get much sleep."
"How are they?" Yahiko asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
"Eh? Oh, they'll be fine," Genzai-sensei said. Although his smile was reassuring, Sano could see a hint of worry in the old man's eyes. "I've patched up the worst of their bumps and bruises... all they need now is some rest. If you come back after lunch --"
"Can I..." Yahiko's voice trailed off for a moment. He looked up at Genzai-sensei imploringly. "Can I just look in on Tsubame-chan? Just for a minute? I promise I'll be quiet."
The doctor glanced at Sano, who nodded slightly. "All right, Yahiko-kun... but remember, try not to wake her or get her excited. Calm and rest are the best medicine for her right now."
Yahiko nodded solemnly, slipping through the half-open door. Sano waited a moment, then soundlessly slipped the door shut. He turned to Genzai-sensei. "All right, sensei... now you can speak freely. Are they really okay?" the younger man asked in a low voice.
The doctor sighed, shaking his head. "I was telling the truth... they'll heal all right," he said. "But it was a nasty business. I can't believe anyone would treat two defenseless women so cruelly." He rubbed his eyes. "I didn't want to say so in front of Yahiko-kun, but I was worried for a bit about the little one. Luckily, that wound in her back wasn't as nasty as it first appeared... it stitched up nicely."
"So they're really going to be fine?" Misao asked anxiously, glancing at Sanosuke's grim face.
"Hai... but they won't be working for awhile," Genzai-sensei said. "I want to keep them here at least a week to be certain they're healing properly. Sanosuke-kun, have you told Tae-san's father what's going on?"
"The police told me they'd notify him," Sanosuke replied, his voice cooling a bit. "I'd rather it come from someone else, but I don't really know Tae's father that well... so it made more sense to do it their way."
"So the police are involved," Genzai-sensei said. "Yokatta ne! It's about time they did something about all these robberies. Why, this was the third violent theft this week!"
Both Sano and Misao jumped slightly in surprise. "You mean... there have been more robberies like this one recently?" Misao gasped. "Why haven't the papers said anything about it?"
Sano was grinding his teeth in silent fury. To hell with the papers... why did that fucking jerk Saitou leave that bit of news out of our conversation? Pumping me for information... while all the time he knew this was going on... the bastard used me again!
He clenched his fists, trying to concentrate on what Genzai-sensei was saying. There would be time enough later to deal with Saitou and his manipulations.
"I'm not sure why news hasn't gotten out," the doctor said. "But there are rumors that these robberies are being coordinated by a new yakuza mob. That might be the reason people aren't talking about it... these yakuza could be offering bribes... or making threats... or both, to keep people quiet."
"But for them to have suppressed word of this many crimes... to this extent... they must be extraordinarily well-organized," Misao mused. "And their leader must be unusually sharp. Most yakuza we dealt with in Kyoto were run by stupid, greedy, petty men... their lack of foresight and strategic ability usually ended up doing more damage to their organizations than the Oniwabanshuu ever could."
Sanosuke stared at Misao as she stroked her chin thoughtfully. "I guess you have been busy these past two years," he said admiringly. "You'll have to tell me about your adventures sometime."
Still deep in thought, Misao looked up at Sano in confusion. "Nani?" she said.
"Never mind... it's just strange to hear you talking like your okashira," Sano said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Instead of getting angry, as Sano suspected she might, Misao smiled a little sheepishly. "Gomen... didn't mean to sound like a know-it-all," she said.
"Not at all... what you said makes sense," Sanosuke said. "And if there's a yakuza organization that well-constructed in Tokyo, you can bet it wasn't built overnight. I think if we do some digging, we'll uncover at least a few of its roots. Then we can follow them to the source."
Misao's eyes danced with excitement. "It's been awhile since I've done any investigating," she said. "But I'm ready when you are."
"So am I."
A startled Sanosuke turned to discover Yahiko standing just outside the doorway where Genzai-sensei had been only a moment before. He slid the door part way shut, then turned to face Sano and Misao. "I'm coming, too," he said firmly, his dark eyes blazing. "Don't even try to tell me I can't. I want those bastards. I'll see to it personally that they pay for what they did to Tsubame-chan... and that they don't hurt anyone else like that ever again."
His quiet, resolute tone was so like Kenshin's that Misao had to smile. She looked at Sanosuke, shrugging slightly. "I would think we can use all the help we can get," she said. "Ne, Sano?"
Sanosuke smiled broadly, clapping Yahiko on the shoulder. "Fine by me," he said as Yahiko struggled to regain his balance. "You've proven yourself in enough fights before this. But you probably should keep quiet about it... Jou-chan'll have all our heads if she finds out you're involved."
Yahiko grinned. "Yoshi. So, what do we do first?"
"How about your policeman friend Shinichi? He might be able to give us some information on the police investigation into these robberies," Sanosuke said.
"Good idea... Shinichi's always saying if I ever need anything, just say the word," Yahiko said.
"Why don't you go talk to him after breakfast?" Sanosuke said, his eyes narrowing. "And listen... don't let Saitou see you... and make sure Shinichi doesn't say anything to him, either. I don't want that yarou getting involved." Any more that he already is, anyway...
"Wakatta," Yahiko said, a little doubtfully. "Demo... Saitou is a high-ranking officer, and he has connections all over Tokyo. I don't know if I'll be able to avoid him for long."
"Don't worry about it," Misao said, giving Sanosuke a sharp look. "Just do your best... I'm sure that'll be good enough. Why don't you head home? I'm sure Kenshin has breakfast ready by now."
Yahiko stared witheringly at Misao. "You must think I'm a total idiot," he said. "No way I'm letting you guys ditch me now!"
Sanosuke playfully whacked Yahiko in the back of the head. "Calm down, Yahiko-chan... we're not going anywhere," he said, chuckling. "We'll be right behind you... we just want to finish our chat with Genzai-sensei first."
Yahiko glared daggers at Sano. "All right, I'm going," he grumbled. "But you better tell me everything you find out. And stop calling me -chan, you chicken-headed jerk!" He stomped out of the clinic, muttering, "...not a kid, dammit!"
Misao and Sano grinned at each other, then turned to the doctor. "Is there anything else we can do to help you, Genzai-sensei?" Misao said. "You look like you could use a break. Isn't there another doctor who could relieve you?"
"I'm afraid not," Genzai-sensei sighed, sinking back into the chair. "Ever since Megumi-san left, it's been tough to find a partner willing to stick with a clinic that treats everyone, regardless of whether they can pay for it. I've done all right on my own, but I'm an old man, and these past few months have been exhausting. This crime wave is giving me too many patients... I've barely slept more than a few hours a night these past couple of weeks." He nodded decisively. "That's why I've made my decision -- I'm retiring by the end of this year."
"Retiring?" Sanosuke sputtered. "But... but with you gone, what'll happen to Oguni Clinic?"
"Go-shinpai naku," the old man said, smiling brightly. "I've already received a letter from Megumi-san -- she's coming back to Tokyo with a doctor who is considering taking over the clinic for me."
"That's wonderful!" Misao said, clapping her hands together. "I'm sure Himura and Kaoru-san will be happy to see her again... do you know this doctor she's bringing with her?"
Genzai-sensei shook his head. "I think it's one of the students who attends the medical school Megumi-san and her brother established in Aizu," he said. "I was hoping Megumi-san might consider staying on as well... but the school is very successful... and with her brother there as well, I wouldn't blame her for wanting to stay in Aizu."
Misao glanced at Sanosuke, who hadn't said a word since Genzai-sensei first mentioned Megumi's return. His face was grave, his eyes dark with some emotion Misao couldn't quite identify. It could be sadness or... regret?
... I always wondered about those two... whether they were ever... involved. Thinking about the possibility made Misao's stomach feel heavy and strange. Sano certainly doesn't seem happy about her coming back... so if they were... it probably ended badly. Or maybe she rejected him... I certainly know how that feels...
Sanosuke finally spoke. "When are you expecting the kitsune-sensei and her student to arrive?" he said in his normal, breezy way.
"In three days," Genzai-sensei replied. "Unless they get delayed by some medical emergency on the road... that happens a lot, especially in the country, where there aren't many doctors. I'm sure she'll stop by the doujou for a visit when she arrives."
"I'm sure she will," Sanosuke said sardonically. Then, more cheerfully-- "We'd better be going, sensei. Take care of those two... we'll come by to visit them later."
"You can count on me," the doctor said good-naturedly. "Mata ne, Sanosuke-kun, Misao-chan. And be careful... I don't want to be treating either of you anytime soon!"
...............
"Misao-chan!" Unmei tapped her cane impatiently. "You aren't paying attention. That blow couldn't tear paper, much less stun an enemy."
Misao wiped sweat out of her eyes. "Gomen, sensei. My arms have never been my strength," she panted, holding up her slim, aching limbs.
"Ridiculous!" Unmei snorted. "In my prime, I could defeat men three times my size with one punch... and as you can see, I'm much smaller than you." The old teacher's eyes glittered. "Remember... the power is in the technique -- thus, concentration equals power. Don't think about your limitations... your lack of physical strength... just focus on doing the technique exactly as I showed you and you will succeed. Now... again!"
"Hai, sensei!" Misao turned to the practice dummy again, breathing hard. She was tired and dripping sweat, but she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and silently repeated Unmei's advice--
Concentration equals power... belief equals strength...
"Hyaaaa!" Misao roared, her fist slicing the air. It connected with the dummy's head in exactly the right vital point, splitting its burlap cover while leaving the straw within intact.
"Excellent! Magnificent!" Unmei clapped her hands. "Well done, my child. You may take a break now."
Misao walked over to the water bucket, beaming with pride. Under Unmei's tutelage, her kempo had improved dramatically in a few short weeks... and the old woman had promised that once Misao was able to defeat the doujou's champion, she would begin kodachi training. That promise fueled her to succeed in a way nothing else ever had before.
"Misao-chan?" Unmei hobbled over to where Misao was sitting. "You seem distracted today. Is something troubling you?"
Misao set down the dipper she was drinking from. She didn't want to say too much about the previous night's events, but if there was a possibility Unmei could help them... "Hai, sensei," she said. "Some friends of mine were hurt in a robbery last night. I guess I'm still upset about it."
"Ahh..." Unmei said, her black eyes narrowing. "Even in these peaceful times, violence continues to rear its ugly head. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends... will they be all right?"
"Hai. I just wish we could catch whoever did it," Misao said. "Unmei-sensei... do you think you could use your onmitsu to track down whoever is organizing these robberies? I heard this isn't the first time this has happened around here lately."
Unmei studied Misao for a moment. "We can certainly try," she said, patting Misao's knee. "Try not to worry, child. I'll see what our information network can turn up for you... if you promise to forget about this unfortunate situation for the rest of your lesson."
Misao grinned at the old woman. "It's a deal," she said, leaping up from the bench and trotting back toward the practice ring. As Misao continued practicing her punch, Toushi entered the yard and walked up to Unmei.
"Doushita, obaa-san?" Toushi said. "I saw you raise your cane... is there something you need from me?"
"Aa," Unmei said, her eyes fixed on Misao. "My young student has asked us for help in locating some rather vicious thieves. They're becoming the talk of the town, apparently. You know what to do, don't you?"
Toushi bowed slightly. "Wakatta," he said flatly. "I'll begin immediately."
"You had better. I'll expect a full report tomorrow," Unmei said, a hint of venom coloring her words.
...............
"I can't believe Megumi-san is coming back!" Kaoru said as she scooped up another helping of rice. "It's so exciting to have our old friends returning to Tokyo, isn't it, anata?"
Kenshin smiled at Kaoru's bright-eyed expression. "Aa," he said, taking another piece of fish off the grill. "I look forward to meeting her colleague as well. Especially if he's going to be replacing Genzai-sensei before our children are born."
Kaoru patted Kenshin's free hand. "Remember -- Genzai-sensei said that even if I'm late and he retires before the babies come, he'll be the one to deliver them. He promised me."
"I wouldn't worry," Yahiko said around a mouthful of fish. He swallowed and continued, "If this new guy is even half as good as Megumi-san, you'll be in good hands."
"True," Kaoru said, giving Kintou a bit of rice, which he swallowed eagerly. "But since Genzai-sensei has been with me since the start of my pregnancy... I'd feel better if he saw it through to the end."
Misao finished her own food silently. She'd been stealing looks at Sano all evening, but he had yet to meet her eyes. He'd been uncharacteristically subdued for most of the day... though he appeared to be back to his normal, gregarious self when she met up with him after her training session with Unmei. But as the conversation over dinner turned to Megumi's impending arrival, he'd clammed up again, chewing on a fish bone and staring into space.
As the others continued chattering, Kenshin rose from his seat by the grill and approached his friend. "Sano? Daijoubu de gozaru ka?" Kenshin asked in a low voice, crouching down beside him.
Sano turned to Kenshin with a puzzled look. "Hm? I'm fine, Kenshin," he said lightly. "Just not in the mood to chat. Know what I mean?"
"Aa," the redhead replied with a small, knowing smile. "It's been a rough day for you, hasn't it?"
Sano closed his eyes. "Yup... that about says it," he smirked. "Now stop fussing over me... you should save that for Jou-chan."
Misao turned toward the pair. "I agree, Himura," she said, pushing aside her empty dishes. "Now scoot! I'll take it from here."
Kenshin held up his hands. "Wakatte de gozaru," he chuckled. "I'm leaving now. Don't worry about the dishes, Misao-dono... Yahiko and I can take care of them."
"Nani?" Yahiko spluttered, jumping up. "Chotto! I'm staying with them..."
"I don't think so," Kenshin said brightly, taking Yahiko by the shoulders and marching him toward the kitchen. "We'll see you later. Take care!"
After Yahiko's protests faded away, and Kaoru and Kintou bid them good night, Sano regarded Misao with interest. "So... what do you have in store for me tonight, Misao-chan?" he said, his good humor fully restored.
Misao scrambled to her feet. "I thought this would be a good night to start our search," she said with a sly grin. "That is... if you're up for it."
Sano slowly rose to his feet, returning Misao's impish expression with his own roguish grin. "Bring it on," he said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
-- End of Chapter 5 --