Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic: These Changing Times
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 10 -- Cat and Mouse
Aoshi... sama...
Misao had never understood the concept of one's mind going blank until that moment. She couldn't think, couldn't speak... couldn't feel anything. All she could do was stand and stare.
Sanosuke watched Misao closely. Her face had gone pale, her eyes dark with disbelief and pain as she gazed at her okashira... who wore that same infuriatingly emotionless expression that always made Sano want to smack him. Che, the man can't be human... how can he look at her like he just saw her yesterday when they've been apart for weeks?
Surprisingly, Aoshi was the first break the silence. "Sagara... do you mind taking care of that?" he said, gesturing to Umari's prone figure.
Sanosuke looked at Misao. She had jumped slightly when Aoshi spoke, but it seemed to have brought her out of her trance. She met Sanosuke's eyes... and he was relieved to see hers clear a bit. "Do you need help, Sano?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly. "We don't have any rope..."
"Don't need any... thanks anyway," he said, hefting Umari over his shoulder like a sack of grain. "I think I can handle this one little guy." Sano then addressed Aoshi, taking care to keep his tone casual. "I take it Saitou called you in on this, Shinomori?"
"Aa."
He's as talkative as ever, Sano thought wryly. "So I guess we're taking him to the wolf," he said. "Let's go."
Aoshi turned to Misao as they began walking toward police headquarters. "Thank you for your assistance, Misao," he said. "Your aim has improved considerably... that strike to Umari's sword was at an awkward angle, yet you hit it perfectly. Well done."
Misao flushed as the feelings of anger, humiliation and sorrow she'd been holding back flooded her. Aoshi's words of praise carried a hint of condescension -- like a master complimenting a mediocre student who performs beyond everyone's modest expectations. She looked down at the ground and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Yamete. I can't fall apart... not now, in front of him. Later... when I'm alone... I can feel and think and cry.
She opened her eyes and and met Aoshi's directly. "Arigatou, Aoshi-sama," she said, matching his impassive tone. "Kedo... two of my four kunai missed their targets. I'll have to practice harder tomorrow."
Sanosuke looked over his shoulder at Misao. Her eyes were blank, her face expressionless, save for the trace of a blush on her cheeks. His heart ached for her, that she should feel the need to hide herself so completely. Oh, Misao... what I wouldn't give for you to get over him... to be yourself again... the way you've been these past few days.
They were all silent for the rest of the walk. As they approached the police building, Aoshi addressed Misao again --
"Misao... you should probably return to Kamiya Doujou. It's late, and this will take awhile."
Before Misao could protest, Sano angrily interjected, "Chotto! If it weren't for Misao, we wouldn't even be here with this guy right now. She has the right to stay if she wants."
Aoshi merely raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to stay?" he asked Misao.
She considered the comfort of her futon and her need for a good cry. Then she looked at Sano, and his encouraging eyes made up her mind. "I do," she said firmly.
Aoshi nodded, and the three entered the building with their prisoner.
...............
"Please forgive me!" The silk merchant fell forward, groveling before the masked figures that had stormed into his office. His bookkeeper lay unconscious on the floor, bleeding profusely from several deep sword wounds. "I know the payment is late... one of my shipments was delayed... my business has suffered... you have to understand! I'll get you the money! I just need time..."
The leader of the masked men stepped slowly forward, his two swords dripping blood. His voice was as sharp and cold as the blades he wielded. "I don't recall extensions being part of the deal we made," he said. "You're paying the Oniwabanshuu for protection, remember? You miss a payment... your protection runs out."
The man looked up, trembling uncontrollably as he watched the masked leader approach him. "I beg you! I have a wife... children... have mercy!"
The leader's eyes glittered as he raised his swords...
...............
Saitou took another drag from his cigarette, absently flicking ash onto the floor of the interrogation room where they had brought Umari. The officer was tied to a chair in the center of the windowless room. Saitou stood directly facing him, while Sanosuke and Aoshi stood on either side... Sano shifting restlessly from foot to foot, while Aoshi stood quietly near the door, his back almost touching the wall.
Misao remained behind Umari, standing silently in a shadowed corner. She and Sanosuke had argued fiercely with Saitou to earn her the right to stay for the questioning... and Aoshi had surprised her by intervening on her behalf --
"As you reminded me earlier, Saitou, Misao is Oniwabanshuu... and since she's the only onmitsu I have in Tokyo right now, I may call upon her again to assist me in this case. I'd prefer if she stayed."
Saitou had glowered at Misao for a second, then exhaled sharply. "Fine. But keep to the shadows and stay quiet," he said to Misao, gesturing to a corner behind the unconscious Umari. She suppressed the urge to gloat and merely nodded, taking her position without another word.
As Umari came to with a groan, Saitou tensed, dropping his cigarette to the floor and crushing it under his heel as he strode forward. "Umari... can you hear me?" he said sharply.
Umari shook his head slightly, opening his eyes. They widened as he recognized Saitou. "Fujita-san!" he exclaimed, trying to stand. "Where... who... why am I tied up, sir?"
Saitou folded his arms. "Don't play innocent, Umari... I don't have the patience for it," he said, staring coldly at the prisoner. "You know very well why you're here and why you've been... restrained." Saitou's eyes assumed a feral gleam. "Now, allow me to ask you a few questions... such as why you failed to inform me of the first attempted robbery at the Akabeko last month."
Umari looked shocked. "Attempted... robbery? Last month? Sumanu, Fujita-san... I have no idea what you mean."
"Oh? That's interesting... considering I have a witness here that says otherwise." Saitou turned to Sanosuke. "Sagara... is this not the officer that took your report that night?"
Sanosuke clenched his fists and stepped forward. "Yeah, it's him," he said, scowling at Umari. "That's why he ran like a coward when I recognized him tonight."
Umari blinked, looking genuinely puzzled. "I'm sorry, mister, but I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about," he said. "I've never seen you before tonight, when you started chasing me and yelling threats because I just happened to see you kissing your girlfriend."
"Teme!" Sano snarled, tightening his fists. "You're just stalling now. Admit it -- you were the one who took my report... told me you'd pass it on to Sai- I mean, Fujita... and did nothing. You can't deny it!"
Umari shrugged. "There's nothing to deny," he said. "You're simply mistaken. I understand how it could happen... it was late, you probably had been drinking... it was probably dark in the restaurant. I have no doubt that someone took a report from you, but it wasn't me."
"Liar!" Sano shouted. Before he could continue his tirade, Saitou interrupted him --
"Can you prove this?" Saitou said, his eyes never leaving Umari's face. This bastard must have incredible self-control to be so bold and confident in his lies. Or else a strong alibi. "Can you vouch for your whereabouts at about 2 a.m. on August 25?"
Umari nodded emphatically. "I'd have to check my report from that night... but I'm almost certain I was taking a statement from the proprietor of the Kaiko-ya at that time," he said. "He suspected one of his workers of stealing from him, and he summoned me while I was making my rounds that night."
Misao hardly dared to breathe as she puzzled over the conversation. I never thought I'd live to see Saitou so upset! Demo... there's no way Sano can be mistaken about Umari. Sano's not stupid, no matter what Saitou says about him... and he talked to the guy for long enough to remember what he looks like.
Saitou's face turned to stone. "I remember the report on that incident," he said in a tight voice. "I'll look it up myself right now. If you'll excuse me..."
"Forgive my interruption, Fujita-san... but you should probably save yourself the trouble," Aoshi said. "If you remember the incident Umari is referring to, our questioning him further is a waste of his time and ours. We should let him go."
Sanosuke began sputtering a protest, but Saitou cut him off with a wave of his gloved hand. The police inspector then stared at Aoshi as if the onmitsu had just gone stark, raving mad. "And just where," Saitou said through clenched teeth, "am I supposed to let him go to, Shinomori?"
"Send him back to his post," Aoshi said calmly. "We were obviously mistaken." He then turned to Umari. "Gomen nasai, Umari-san. I am sure you will be compensated for any injuries you incurred, as well as the time you spent being interrogated."
Sanosuke growled something unintelligible, but held his tongue as he watched Saitou grind his teeth. All right... I'll keep quiet for now, since this is Saitou's turf... but where does Shinomori get off?
Umari's face assumed a look of indignant triumph. Before he could speak, however, Aoshi continued --
"However, I'm sure Fujita-san can assure you your time and trouble here will not go unrecognized. When word gets out that you spent 2 hours here answering questions about the robberies, the real go-between may become nervous and expose himself. In that event, you'll be given the credit you deserve for assisting in that inevitable arrest."
Umari's face paled. "What... what do you mean... 'when word gets out?' " he inquired nervously.
Aoshi wore his usual detached expression, but Misao recognized the glint in his cool blue eyes. Naruhodo! He's using the threat of retaliation by the yakuza to push Umari into revealing himself.
Misao then glanced over at Saitou, who, despite his outward expression of barely suppressed rage, had the same glint in his narrowed amber eyes. And Saitou knows what Aoshi-sama is up to... much as I hate to admit it, these two are the best...
"Well, Umari-san... I'm afraid a few people saw us bring you in," Aoshi said politely. "I'm sure everything will be straightened out as far as your innocence is concerned, but there's bound to be some talk in the meantime... and we'll be sure to use that to our benefit to try to flush out the real traitor."
Umari was visibly sweating. Sanosuke had now caught on to the play being staged for Umari's benefit and had to bite his lip to keep from saying anything. What if he doesn't crack? Umari will walk out of here a free man... and we'll have to start from nothing again!
Aoshi walked over to Umari and untied the ropes that bound him to the chair. He stood back, allowing Umari to rise, rubbing his bandaged shoulder absently. "You're free to go, Umari-san," Aoshi said. "We'll be keeping in close touch with you. Please inform us if you should see anything strange while on the rest of your rounds tonight."
Umari swallowed heavily as he gazed sightlessly toward the open doorway. Then, trembling slightly, he threw himself down on his hands and knees in front of Aoshi.
"N- no! Please don't make me go out there!" he cried. "They'll... they'll kill me!"
Aoshi regarded Umari silently. The officer raised his terrified face beseechingly. "All right! I admit it! I'm the contact... I buried those robbery reports... covered up the thefts... I'll tell you everything! But... but you have to promise to protect me! Better to go to jail than to face that madman!"
Saitou yanked Umari up by the back of his shirt. "You may wish you chose otherwise after I'm through with you, uragirimono," he said icily, pushing Umari back into the chair. "Now start talking."
...............
Where the hell is Umari? The leader of the thieves clenched his jaw as he sped through the night, keeping to shadows and rooftops as best he could to avoid his pursuers. He had ordered his people to scatter the minute the police showed up, drawing their attention so that they chased him alone. That worthless cop was supposed to keep everyone away from this neighborhood tonight! When I get my hands on him...
A shrill whistle pierced the night air. "This way, men!" an officer shouted. "I saw him duck down an alley over there!"
Cursing under his breath, the leader changed his direction and headed for the nearest canal. I'll lose them in the water... it may take an hour or so, but they'll never catch me there.
As he emerged from the alleyway, he took a deep breath and jumped into the canal. His final thought before hitting the water was --
Umari... you're a dead man!
................
"That's it?" Saitou raised his head from the papers on which he had Umari write out his confession. "That's everything you know about your contact?"
Umari nodded vigorously. "That's all I know, I swear! This guy was really careful... he never made first contact with me, it was always some random bystander who would pass me a note telling me to meet him in an alley or an abandoned shack or something. That way, he could show up in his dark clothes and mask and not be noticed by anybody. I never even saw the color of his eyes." He shivered. "I'll tell you this... I'll never forget his voice. Cold as ice and deadly as a knife... just remembering it gives me the chills. And I heard things about him... that he was ruthless to the point of cruelty. The things he did to people who crossed him... I didn't think that kind of bloodlust still existed in Meiji."
Aoshi finished skimming the papers Saitou had handed him and said, "You're sure this man referred to himself as Oniwabanshuu? Did he give any other name or title?"
"The only title I ever heard him use was okashira of the Oniwabanshuu," Umari said. "Hmph... didn't know those relics still existed. I thought they had all committed suicide or ran away after the wars like the whipped dogs they were. And now they're petty thieves... they never did have any honor..."
Misao clenched her teeth in rage. Sono uragirimono! How dare he? She stormed out of her dark corner to berate the prisoner, but before she could even get his attention --
*thwack*
Misao and Sano gaped as they watched Aoshi punch Umari in the face. He stood over the shocked officer, face suffused with anger, shouting --
"Urusai! You dare presume to judge others... you, who have betrayed all sides! A traitor like you knows nothing of honor!"
Misao put her hand up to her open mouth. Now I understand why Aoshi-sama is here... to clear the Oniwabanshuu name. She narrowed her eyes, hating herself for indulging in the same old frustrated thoughts.
You and your damned honor... it's all you care about... the only thing that rouses your emotions... baka-yarou!
As Aoshi glared at Umari, he crouched in his chair, shouting, "Fujita-san! I thought you said you would protect me!"
Saitou slowly exhaled smoke through his nose. "I said I would protect you from the yakuza," he said, looking amused. "Nothing more."
Sano sniggered. Aoshi lowered his hand, his face settling back into its usual sedate mask. He turned abruptly and said to Saitou --
"Unless you have further need of us, Fujita... I think it's best we leave now."
Saitou nodded. "We can go over all this tomorrow morning," he said. "I'll see you at about 11, Shinomori."
"Yoshi," Sano chimed in. "We'll see you then."
Saitou stared stonily at Sanosuke. "Who said you were invited, rooster-head?" he asked rhetorically.
"I did!" Sano growled, advancing a step toward the inspector. "I'm part of this, too, whether you like it or not!"
Saitou smiled mockingly. "On the contrary," he said smoothly, "you've already given me all the information you have on this case, which means you're of no further use. Go back to your street fights and leave the investigating to professionals like Shinomori and me."
"Kisama!" Sano roared, taking a wild swing at Saitou, who dodged it easily.
"Ahou," Saitou said smugly. "Try that again and I'll make sure you share a cell with the uragirimono tonight."
Sano flexed his fingers and grinned wickedly. "That a promise?" he said. "It'll give me a chance to settle with both of you in one night."
Misao reached the end of her patience. She stomped up to Sano, grabbed him by the arm, pulled him around to face her and yelled --
"Sano no baka!"
All the cockiness faded from Sano's face, which assumed a put-upon expression. "What'd I do?" he protested. "You heard him... he was asking for it!"
"I don't care!" Misao shot back. "I've had it with all this macho posturing... we've caught our man, so let's leave it at that and get the hell out of here!"
Sanosuke felt a surge of anger as he glared down at his furious friend. "Fine," he hissed, shooting a deadly look at Saitou. "This isn't over, Miburo... not by a long shot."
Saitou smirked as he watched Misao drag Sanosuke out the door. "You see what I mean, Shinomori?" he said, taking a leisurely drag. "Your little weasel has that chicken by his tail-feathers. Quite amusing, ne?"
Aoshi didn't reply. "I can be reached at the Midori-ya if you need me," he said as he walked out the door.
Saitou smiled broadly. "Very amusing indeed," he said as he yanked Umari out of his chair and dragged him toward the holding cells.
...............
Sano stewed silently as he and Misao headed toward Kamiya Doujou. She was walking apart from him, refusing to even look at him or acknowledge his presence. Che... you would think from the way she's acting that I'd murdered someone...
"Come on, Misao," he grumbled. "I know I was acting like an idiot, okay? But I think I have the right to be pissed, dammit!"
Without looking at him, Misao replied, "I know you do. But Sano, sometimes it's better to walk away and resume the fight later. Saitou has every right to include or exclude whoever he wants from this investigation... it wasn't exactly the right time or place to question him."
Furious, Sanosuke reached over and grabbed Misao by the shoulders, turning her to face him. "So it's okay with you that Saitou is shutting us out of everything now... after all we've done for him?" he whispered fiercely. "What the hell is the matter with you, Misao? You never would have let him get away with that a few days ago!"
Misao looked away from him, her face unreadable. Something occurred to Sano in that moment. "Now I get it," he said, his voice rising. "It's all because of Shinomori, isn't it? That's why you're backing off. What, now that your boss is back in town you're going to become his little lapdog again?"
A white-hot rage exploded behind Misao's eyes. Without thinking, she slapped Sano's face as hard she could. The sharp smack seemed to echo endlessly down the empty street as the shocked fighter stared at her. Neither of them said anything for a full minute.
Then Misao slowly backed out of Sano's grasp. "Gomen... gomen nasai, Sano," she said shakily. "I don't know... what came over me... I shouldn't have..."
Sano took a step toward her. "Iie... I deserved it," he said, his eyes dark with regret. "I had no right to say what I did... I know Shinomori is your okashira, and that you have to show him respect. What I said was rude and demeaning to you."
He reached out to her. "Please forgive me, Misao, for behaving like such a mouthy, selfish baka-yarou tonight," he said.
Misao stared at his hand, which seemed to shimmer and blur. No... not yet... mustn't yet... "I accept your apology," she whispered, her head bowed, eyes shut tight against the threatening tears.
She gasped slightly as she felt Sano cup her chin in his hand and raise her face to his. "Misao," he said gently. "Look at me."
Misao shook her head. "Please... don't..." she whimpered. "Just take me home..."
She felt his fingertips brush her eyelids. "I can't do that," he said. "Misao... you can trust me... please tell me what's hurting you so much. Is it what I said before?"
Misao sniffled and finally opened her eyes. To her relief, only a few tears escaped. "No... it's my ankle," she said thickly. "I must have overused it tonight... it's really throbbing now. It's hard to walk on it."
Sano knew she was lying, and that he should probably drop the subject. Still, there was one other thing he could offer her. He moved to stand beside her, putting his arm around her waist, and said solemnly --
"Then lean on me."
Misao couldn't explain what it was that finally broke her down... the empathy in his eyes... his strong arm supporting her... the double-meaning in what he said to her. Whatever it was, she found herself turning to Sano and burying her face in his jacket, unable to contain her sorrow any longer. As she sobbed, she felt Sano wrap his arms around her securely and press his lips to the top of her head. He spoke into her hair --
"That's it, Misao... let it all out... cry all you want. I'm not going anywhere..."
...............
Genzai-sensei bid the guard outside the clinic good-night as he locked the front door from the inside. Ahh... another long day... it will feel good to get into bed!
As he paused outside Tae's room to look in on her once more, he heard a clattering, rattling sound outside. The sound seemed to grow louder, as if it was approaching from a distance. Nani? That sounds like...
The doctor hurried back to the front door, hastily unlocking it and stepping outside. As he suspected, the noise was coming from a horse-drawn carriage pulling up to the clinic. His face lit up as he recognized the face peering out of the carriage window.
"Megumi-san!" Genzai-sensei cried. "What a pleasant surprise this is! I didn't expect you for another two days at least!"
The driver swung open the door and helped Megumi out of the carriage. The dark-haired woman beamed at her old colleague. "Genzai-sensei... it's so good to see you again!" she said, clasping his outstretched hands. "I apologize for our late arrival... and the carriage... but Tatsuya-san was eager to get here before we got sidetracked again."
As she spoke, a short man with light brown hair stepped out of the carriage. He bowed respectfully to the older man. "Pardon our intrusion," he said. "I am Wakamatsu Tatsuya."
Genzai-sensei bowed in return. "And I'm Genzai-sensei," he said, studying the man standing before him. Hmm... younger than I expected... handsome, too. He glanced at Megumi speculatively. Interesting...
"Well, now that pleasantries are out of the way... let's get you two settled," the old doctor said cheerfully. "Follow me..."
...............
Unmei shuffled restlessly around the lantern-lit practice yard, tapping her cane impatiently. I can't believe this! What a complete disaster! Where the hell is that idiot grandson of mine? He has much to answer for tonight!
Her eyes snapped fire as she detected a dripping, squishing sound behind her. Whirling around, she confronted the dark-clad, sopping-wet masked figure that had just dropped over the doujou fence. She hissed --
"Where the hell have you been?"
The figure tore his mask off and shook out his soaked black hair...
"Don't ask," Toushi grimaced. "What a lousy night..."
"That's the understatement of the year!" Unmei screeched. "Do you have any idea how badly you fouled things up tonight? One of our men was caught by the police that raided the Kaiko-ya! Once that bastard Saitou gets his hands on him, it's all over for us!"
Toushi's eyes flashed. "He won't talk... he'll die before he reveals anything," he said confidently. "I'll make sure of that."
"Oh, will you?" Unmei shook her head in disgust. "You're too confident, boy. You have no idea what Saitou is capable of... he was one of the Shinsen Gumi's best. Mibu's Wolf is a cunning, ruthless man... he'll use any means necessary to get his answers. And he's not some weak, witless rookie you can outsmart or sneak past."
Toushi glowered at his grandmother. "Then I'll send one of our contacts within the police to do the job," he said. "That scum-sucking coward Umari owes me big-time... he didn't hold off his police buddies tonight like he was supposed to, which is why the police broke up our visit to the Kaiko-ya."
A tentative voice interrupted them --
"Toushi-sama? I have news."
Toushi turned to face the masked onmitsu standing in the shadows of the practice yard. "What is it, Kazuo?" he said shortly.
The man bowed. "Umari has been caught, okashira," he said. "I saw him being brought into police headquarters by the ex-gangster known as Zanza."
Unmei clenched her jaw as Toushi blurted, "You mean Sagara Sanosuke? That interfering oaf... we should have disposed of him when we had the chance."
"Silence, Toushi," Unmei snapped. "Is there more, Kazuo?"
"Hai, Unmei-sama," Kazuo said, his voice pleased. "There were two other people with Zanza. One was your pupil, Makimachi Misao... and the other was that man you've been waiting for. The Oniwabanshuu's okashira."
Unmei gasped. "Shinomori Aoshi," she said, clasping her hands. "Are you sure?"
"Hai, Unmei-sama... I am certain. His description matches the one you gave me," Kazuo said.
Unmei looked delighted. "Well, Toushi... it looks like we won't need much more time after all," she said, cackling. "The final act is about to begin."
-- End of Chapter 10 --