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://home.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
Chapter 16 -- Choosing Paths
Since the time he'd returned to the Aoiya after the battle with Shishio, meditation had served as both comfort and refuge for Aoshi... much as his kata had after the deaths of his Oniwabanshuu comrades. When he was meditating, he felt nothing... thought nothing. It brought him to a peaceful place where his past mistakes didn't exist, freeing him from their consequences. Freeing him from the stab of guilt he felt every time he saw Okina wince with pain as he reached overhead to pull dishes from a shelf, exposing the scars along his arms. Freeing him from the aching remorse he felt every time he caught Misao gazing wistfully at him, her eyes expressing a longing as powerful as any battle aura he'd ever felt.
But today, even the comfort of meditation wasn't enough to rid himself of the nagging vision of Misao and Sanosuke together at the old shrine... kissing and caressing each other with a familiarity that indicated it wasn't the first time they'd touched in that way.
His eyes snapped open as he expelled a breath he wasn't even aware of holding, ruffling the bangs that obscured his face. What did I expect... that she would pine for me forever? I wanted her to move on... forget about me. I did everything I could to make that happen. And now she has. I should be happy for her... wish her well... but...
His hands tightened around his knees as his normally disciplined thoughts took a wayward turn... conjuring up memories of that fateful night outside the Aoiya months ago. He trembled slightly as he remembered how it had felt to hold Misao's hand gently in his... run his fingers over her satin-smooth cheeks... caress her soft, slightly moist lips. It had been sheer madness, to touch her like that. Something had come over him when he'd caught her practicing her kata that night... her movements strong and graceful, her face serene. He'd watched her silently from the shadows, captivated by this beautiful stranger who bore only a passing resemblance to the Makimachi Misao he'd practically raised from infancy.
He'd known the moment Misao realized he was watching her, and in that split-second exchange of auras, he'd felt himself returning her longing. The feeling had only grown as they'd practiced... and when she'd taken his hand, his ever-present resistance to her had nearly vanished. For those few moments after her innocent touch, he'd allowed himself to imagine the unthinkable -- his lips on hers... his hands in her silken hair... his body pressed against her supple, inviting frame...
It had been terrifying, to come so close to losing control. Thankfully, he'd returned to himself just in time, though he would have given anything to take back the deliberate cruelty of the words he'd spoken to her as she lay weeping on the ground. He'd gone to Osaka at dawn to complete some Oniwabanshuu business -- but had then stayed for a few months at a nearby monastery, trying to reestablish that careful distance with which he'd held Misao at bay for so long. How surprised he'd been to return to Kyoto, ready to face her... only to find she was in Tokyo visiting the Himuras. When he asked Okina how she was faring there, the old man had given him a long, measuring stare, then handed him a letter.
"Read for yourself," Okina said.
The letter had been typically Misao -- cheerful and breezy and messily written, as if her thoughts came so fast she hardly had time to capture them in paper and ink. She was fine, the Himuras were fine, the weather was good, she was training every day. It told him nothing. He'd been grateful when Saitou's summons arrived because it gave him an excuse to check on Misao, find out for himself if she was truly all right.
He hadn't expected to find her with another man. Not so soon, anyway.
And of all men... why on earth did she choose Sagara Sanosuke? He's brash... crude... reckless... completely without discipline or ambition...
A sly voice inside him added --
He's also young... handsome... filled with life...
Aoshi's jaw clenched reflexively as he recalled Sagara pulling Misao on top of him in the midst of their kiss... his hand moving slowly up Misao's exposed calf... her warm laugh as she slapped it away, saying something in a half-laughing, half-scolding tone... the surge of frustrated, possessive rage that welled within him as he watched Sagara cut her off with another bold kiss...
He stood up suddenly, silently berating himself --
Enough... whatever I think or feel is irrelevant. I have no right to her. I lost all rights I had when I broke my promise to Sorata-san... and slaughtered Okina in front of her eyes...
He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the wall, trying to push away the image of Misao's shocked face, splattered with the blood of her beloved surrogate grandfather. He could never undo that horror... or the hell she'd suffered afterwards... all because of his selfishness. His thoughts turned bitter --
Who am I to judge Sagara, or any other man she should choose? Sagara is far more deserving of her than one who allied himself with devils like Takeda Kanryuu and Shishio Makoto... who made choices he knew would bring pain and death to those he swore always to defend. And he's certainly better for her than the one who has deliberately broken her heart time and again...
But even as he admonished himself, Aoshi grabbed his kodachi sheath and headed for the door. He had to meet with Saitou first... then he would find Sagara and determine his intentions toward Misao. It was his duty, after all... to Misao... and to her dead father.
This time for sure, Sorata-san... I promise I won't allow her to be hurt again. Not by me... or anyone else...
................
Misao sighed, rising from where she lay pillowed against Sano's chest. "I have to go," she said. "I have to make sure everybody gets lunch, then change for practice with Unmei-sensei --"
Sano grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down on top of him again, eliciting a small shriek of protest from Misao. He kissed her in the middle of her scolding, smiling against her mouth as she easily gave in, moaning low in her throat, her tongue darting and weaving around his. He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his breath catching as she willingly parted her thighs enough for his leg to slip between hers. They writhed against each other as his lips traveled hungrily down her neck... to the bit of skin exposed by her disheveled kimono... stopping at the bandages binding her breasts.
"Damn these bandages," Sano muttered, pressing his forehead against her chest. "Thank kami-sama for these bandages..."
"I know exactly what you mean," Misao said shakily, stroking his hair. "Sano... we really should go."
"Aa," Sano grunted, rising to his knees, his face red. "Sumanu, Misao..."
Misao rolled up to a sitting position, pressing her fingertips to his lips. "Iie, Sano," she said firmly. "Don't apologize to me. Not for this. I wanted you to..." Misao's voice trailed off, her face burning.
Sano embraced her, breathing into her ear --
"I know, kirei."
Misao hugged him back fiercely. "I don't care about Megumi-san or any of that," she whispered. "I still want you, Sano. It's like this aching inside me... and it grows more every day..."
Sano groaned softly as he kissed her temple. "I know... I feel it, too..." he murmured, drawing back from her, marveling at the yearning he saw in her beautiful eyes.
"Misao," he said, his voice low. "I want to see you tonight. After dinner. At my place. Will you come?"
Misao wasn't prepared for the tempest of emotions Sano's request raised within her. Oh, I want to... so much. But... I'm still not sure... I mean... what if I change my mind after we...? What if he changes his mind? I would be so humiliated...
Sano smiled ruefully as he watched her eyes grow dark with confusion and anxiety. "Forget it," he said, kissing her forehead. "Your body may be saying yes, but your eyes tell me you're not ready."
"No, Sano... I want to --" Misao protested, only to be cut off by a brief kiss.
"Don't, kirei," Sano murmured, cupping her face in his hands. "It's okay. I told you I'd wait for you... and I meant it. Don't push yourself."
Misao wanted to cry from relief... from frustration... from feelings she couldn't yet name. "Sano," she said, looking away from him. "I know you might need... I mean... it's okay if you need to... be with someone else. I know it's harder for men to wait..."
Sano stared at her in disbelief, then smirked slightly. "I appreciate the thought, babe," he said, his eyes glowing possessively as he took her hands in his. "But... I don't want anyone else. I haven't since you came back to Tokyo..."
Misao's stomach did a somersault. "H- honto?" she stammered, silently wondering if her face had reached the shade of Sano's headband yet.
"Honto," Sano replied, smiling devilishly and kissing the tip of her nose. His voice grew husky as he went on --
"I don't want to settle for anyone less than you, Misao..."
Misao felt her throat tighten. "I... Sano, I'm not really that special," she managed to choke out.
Sano shushed her, brushing his lips over hers once more... then tapped her under the chin. "C'mon, itachi-chan... let's go eat some of that mochi," he grinned. "I'm starved."
Misao stared at him, dumbfounded... then chuckled, shaking her head. "You're a hard one to figure out, Sagara," she said gruffly as she rose to her feet, brushing the dust off her kimono and straightening it.
"Not really," Sano said, winking at her as he watched her tighten her obi. "A little food... a little sake... a little cuddling... that's all I need to keep me happy."
"You forgot the part about kicking ass," Misao said dryly, adjusting the comb holding her coiled braid in place.
Sano flashed his most suggestive grin as he rose to his feet. "I'd rather be grabbing ass than kicking it," he drawled, squeezing her rump for emphasis.
As he expected, Misao kicked him in the shins. But as he bent over exaggeratedly, mock-yelping in pain, she grinned evilly. "Two can play at that game, rooster-boy," she retorted, giving his rear a hard pinch that made him jump and howl with genuine agony.
"Oi, that really hurt!" he whined, pouting and rubbing his offended buttock. "All right, all right... truce?"
Misao smiled triumphantly. "For now," she said, winking at him as she began making her way down the stairs. Sano watched her for a minute, admiring the graceful swing of her hips as she effortlessly navigated the roughly hewn steps in spite of her constricting clothing.
Damn... Sagara, I think you've finally met your match...
He resumed his cheerful whistling as he loped down the steps after her.
................
Saitou was putting on his police cap as Aoshi entered his office. "I'm glad you're here," Saitou said. "I want you to come with me to the clinic to interrogate the prisoner."
"Why?" Aoshi said, raising one eyebrow slightly. "Surely you don't need my help."
Saitou smirked. "It's more likely you need mine at this point," he said. "You do realize that right now you're my prime suspect in the attack?"
Aoshi was unperturbed. "As I was telling Misao yesterday, it's a logical assumption," he said calmly. "Are you going to place me under arrest?"
"Not yet," Saitou said, frowning. Such self-control... any other man would at least protest his innocence a little, he thought with grudging admiration. "I'd like the prisoner to have a look at you first," he went on. "Once he sees you, I should be able to tell within a few seconds whether you're his assailant or not."
"Fine --" Aoshi began, but was interrupted by a frantic yell.
"Fujita-san! Fujita-san, come quick! Umari is..."
"Chikusho," Saitou growled as he and Aoshi bolted down the hall.
................
"Oi, Sano," a voice called from behind Sanosuke and Misao. Sano grinned as he turned to greet its owner.
"Yo, Katsu. What brings you out with the crowds?"
"Looking for you," the dark-haired man said, glancing at Misao. Sano nodded slightly, his smile becoming wider as he rested his hand briefly on Misao's shoulder.
"Makimachi Misao, meet Tsukioka Katsuhiro, a former Sekihoutai and a good friend of mine."
"Hajimemashite," Misao said, bowing in greeting. Katsu nodded and, without a word, studied her intently. Misao fidgeted under his scrutiny, her polite demeanor dissolving. Finally, she could stand it no longer --
"Mou!" she sputtered. "Do I have something on my face or what?"
Sano burst out laughing, while Katsu started and bowed gracefully. "Gomen nasai," Katsu said. "I didn't mean to be rude. It's just that I'm an artist... and your eyes... I've never seen eyes quite that color before. They're extraordinary."
Misao blushed deeply. "Arigatou gozaimasu," she said. Katsu smiled slightly and nodded in Sano's direction.
"I hope he doesn't give you too much trouble, Makimachi-san."
Misao raised an eyebrow at her grinning companion. "No more than he gives anyone else," she said wryly. "Please excuse me... I really must be going. Sano, should I set some lunch aside for you?"
"That'd be great, Misao... thanks," he replied. "I'll see you at dinner, then?"
"Of course," she said, bowing again in Katsu's direction. "It was very nice meeting you, Tsukioka-san."
"The pleasure was mine," Katsu said, returning her bow.
Misao smiled wordlessly, turning away from the two men and heading down the street. Katsu watched her walk away... emitting a long, low whistle as soon as she was out of earshot.
"Now I know why I haven't seen much of you lately," Katsu said, slapping Sano on the back.
Sano's grin turned cocky. "So, you approve?" he said. "I'm surprised. I didn't think you liked women much."
"I don't," Katsu said with a sly smile. "She's... different, though. Your taste has improved tremendously. Where did you meet her?"
"Long story," Sano said. "To make it short, we met in Kyoto during that whole Shishio mess, and we got reacquainted when she came back to Tokyo awhile ago." His voice turned eager. "You really liked her?"
"Not nearly as much as you do, it seems," Katsu said, amused.
"Good answer, baka-yarou," Sano said, flashing another grin before glancing around at the bustling streets. "You've got information for me, ne? We should probably go someplace quieter."
"Agreed. Let me buy you a drink," Katsu said, his face darkening. "You'll need one after you hear what I have to tell you."
................
Megumi finished recording the results of Tae's latest exam and blew on the page to set the ink. She smiled, remembering how the young businesswoman's eyes had shone after Megumi told her she could return home in the morning. Genzai-sensei had been wise to keep Tae at the clinic while her ribs healed, especially in light of the threats she'd finally confessed to receiving from the yakuza that had robbed the Akabeko. I hope it's safe to send her home now... but the police did say they'd watch out for her while those thieves are still on the loose. She shivered. I hope they're caught soon! It makes me nervous, being around here alone... especially in the evening...
She grew sober as her thoughts turned to Sanosuke. He'd always looked out for her in the past, checking in on her when she worked late and making sure she got home safely at night. Being fiercely independent, she'd usually given him a hard time, yelling at him and chasing him away. Finally, he took the hint and stopped watching over her... or so she thought. Little did she know he'd just started shadowing her instead. She winced as she remembered the night she caught him in the act -- she'd given him her usual tongue-lashing, and he'd yelled back at her --
... Fine then! Why don't you go back to pretending you can take care of yourself, and I'll go back to pretending I don't care? ...
He'd stomped off then, muttering something about stubborn, nasty-tempered foxes... and she'd headed home, feeling lonely and -- as always -- guilty for being so mean to him. It was like a reflex she couldn't control... though she knew deep down that she chose not to control it to keep Sanosuke from getting too close to her.
She sighed, closing the record book and rubbing her eyes. No matter how hard I tried to run him off, he always came back for more. I guess what happened between us was inevitable...
Bittersweet memories of that last week in Tokyo flooded her mind, setting her cheeks aflame. The finality of Kenshin's marriage to Kaoru, and her own decision to leave Tokyo, had been difficult enough to deal with... throwing Sanosuke into the mix had been sheer insanity on her part. She couldn't even count the number of times she'd cursed herself for succumbing to his roguish charms... twice, by all that was holy! What had she been thinking?
That infuriatingly irrational voice inside her piped up --
You weren't thinking at all... Sanosuke always tends to have that effect on you. Take that dream you had last night, for instance...
Megumi shook her head briskly, trying to clear out the images the voice had conjured. But it was hard to resist the warm, pleasant feelings they invoked. She couldn't help smiling, remembering how after their first time together, she'd teased him that he'd nearly lived up to all his boasting about his prowess as a lover. His response had been typically Sanosuke... a cocky grin... a low laugh... and a murmured assurance that she hadn't even experienced half of what he had to offer her. Then he'd demonstrated the truth of that statement... to dizzying effect.
She bit her lip and shoved the record book aside. Dame! This is pointless... whatever was between us is long gone.
The rebel voice snickered knowingly. Really? Is that why your heart races every time he turns his attention on you?
Megumi silently ordered her errant brain to shut up. All right... I'll admit I still find him... attractive. But nothing else has changed. We can't spend our whole lives in bed... and outside of that, we still have nothing in common. And he's still the same baka-yarou I left two years ago in Tokyo... shiftless and jobless...
She winced as she remembered the day she departed for Aizu. After her last, terrible fight with Sanosuke, she'd bitterly regretted some of the things she said. But she refused to apologize, thinking it was better for him to hate her... that he would forget her sooner that way. Better to eliminate all possibility of him showing up in Aizu... so that her new life could proceed in peace.
She hadn't counted on missing her old one.
Despite her joyous reunion with Ryuuen and the hard work that had followed, those first weeks in Aizu had seemed so... empty. She missed the squabbling and the laughter that had characterized life at Kamiya Doujou. Her brother's family helped fill that gap somewhat, accepting her with open arms and inviting her to eat with them regularly... but being with them often served to sharpen the loneliness of the solitary apartment she returned to every night near the medical school they'd just opened. And though she met a lot of men through her work and her brother and their friends, not one of them had even come close to measuring up to the standards she'd set.
Well... maybe one...
She shook her head sharply again, growling in frustration. There was no use entertaining that thought. Better to save her mental energy for finishing these reports... then she could head for Kamiya Doujou to check on Kaoru. She was bearing up well under her restrictions, but she could tell the strain was beginning to wear on the girl. The babies seemed fine, though, and that was the only thing that mattered to all of them.
A soft rap on the office door interrupted her thoughts. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It's way too early for Sanosuke... and Tatsuya-san would've announced himself by now...
She stood hastily, her manner immediately shifting to that of the strong, capable physician. "Come in," she said, smoothing the front of her smock.
To her surprise, the door slid open to reveal Misao, wearing her Oniwabanshuu uniform and a nervous expression. Megumi couldn't help staring, still floored by the tall, lovely young woman the scrawny little weasel girl had become. Gods! What a transformation. I'll never get used to the way she looks now... even in flat sandals she's as tall as I am! It's unnerving...
Megumi quickly recovered her outward poise. "Konnichiwa, Misao-san," she said politely. "What can I do for you? Do you need medical attention?"
Misao bit her lip, shifting from foot to foot, then looked Megumi straight in the eyes.
"Actually... I'm here to talk to you, Megumi-sensei," she said. "Do you have a moment?"
Megumi stared at the young ninja. What on earth could she possibly have to say to me? Unless... she wants to apologize for this morning... "Of course," she said, tilting her chin slightly upward in an effort to negate the similarity in their height. "Please come in..."
Misao nodded and entered the room. As Megumi pulled out two mats for them to sit on, she thought back to her talk with Sano. Megumi-san's so well-mannered and ladylike most of the time... it's hard to picture her acting like Sano said she did. But he always did bring out the worst in her... I remember how rude and bossy she used to be with him in Kyoto. Not that she doesn't have the same effect on him...
Misao waved Megumi off as she offered Misao a seat. "I won't be here long," she said. "I just had something I needed to say to you."
Megumi nodded as she returned to her desk chair. "What is it?" she said, readying herself to gracefully accept Misao's apology.
"Well... I know Sano's supposed to come see you tonight," Misao said, looking away briefly. "I know what happened between you is none of my business... that I should stay out of it... but..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words to express what she'd found it so easy to say to Sano as they left the shrine --
Sano... what happened with Megumi is in the past. You need to forgive her... and yourself. So just tell her you're sorry, even if you think you were right and she was wrong. I'd hate to see you hold on so tightly to the past that it clouds your present... I've seen too much of that with Himura and Aoshi-sama. It's not worth it...
Megumi's eyes flashed as she rose from her seat. "Damn that idiot rooster-head... he told you everything, didn't he?" she said sharply. "I knew he was tactless, but this is going too far."
Misao took a step toward Megumi, her temper flaring. "He only told me because I asked him to," she said, her voice rising in response to Megumi's.
"Well, you're right about one thing -- this is none of your business," Megumi snapped. "So I'd appreciate it if you keep your mouth shut and leave right now. I don't have time to soothe your bruised ego on top of everything else..."
"M- my bruised ego?" Misao sputtered. She felt her anger boil over. "What about your ego, you jerk! You can't stand the fact that Sano got over you, so you start flirting with him the minute I walk in the door this morning. It's like what you used to do to Kaoru-san all over again!"
Megumi's face reddened. "You are so wrong, little girl," she hissed. "I couldn't care less what that baka tori does with you or any other tramp that's panting after him!"
"T- t- tramp?" Misao squeaked, reaching for her kunai. "Why, you... you don't know a thing about me! How dare you insult me that way?"
"I could say the same to you," Megumi said, her eyes blazing. "And I'll thank you to keep your weapons hidden. This is a hospital, not a doujou."
Misao felt her own face flush with embarrassment. "Gomen," she grumbled, dropping her hand. "I got carried away, as usual." She pressed her fingers to her temples, grimacing. "Dammit... this isn't at all how I wanted things to go..."
Megumi pressed her lips tightly together, feeling an absurd surge of satisfaction at having regained the upper hand, mingled with shame at her own quick-tempered petty behavior.
Misao's shoulders sagged as she sighed. "Just... accept his apology," she said wearily. "That's all I ask. I know you don't care about him... but I do. I'm asking you to forgive him so he can move on with his life." She looked at Megumi pleadingly, though her voice remained even. "I promise I'll leave both you and your assistant in peace if you do this one thing for me."
Megumi stared at Misao, surprised at how openly the ninja girl admitted her feelings for Sano. But then, the Misao I knew was never one to hide anything when it came to her feelings. I guess that hasn't changed...
"I don't know if I can, Misao-san," she said truthfully. "But I promise you I will try." She swallowed, forcing herself to continue --
"I'm sorry I insulted you... called you a tramp. I was still... annoyed with you from this morning."
Misao smiled inwardly. Yappari... I thought I'd gotten to her there. "I apologize for my behavior," she said. "I was just trying to get back at Sano... and you, too, I guess. It won't happen again." As long as you keep your hands off Sano, that is...
Megumi nodded, hating herself for feeling relieved. Ridiculous... why should it matter? It's not like there's anything between Tatsuya-san and me...
As if materialized by her thoughts, Tatsuya suddenly appeared in the office doorway. "Megumi-sensei... we need your help," he said breathlessly. "The prisoner.. he's awake and extremely agitated. The guards are holding him down, but he's already managed to rip off half his bandages..."
Megumi pushed by Misao. "Gomen," she said hurriedly as she rushed after Tatsuya. Misao followed the two, thinking that maybe she could help hold the prisoner down. It'll be a good opportunity to get a look at him, too... then I can describe him to Sano later...
As she entered the room, a policeman grabbed her arm. "Who are you and what business do you have here?" he asked sharply.
Misao broke his grip easily. "It's okay... I'm a friend of Megumi-sensei's," she said. "I wanted to make sure she's protected... I heard this guy is dangerous."
"He's no threat to anyone in his condition," the guard said. "But he's certainly not making it easy for the doctors to treat him. He keeps saying he should've died in the attack... that 'they'll' be back for him, whoever 'they' are."
As the bandit thrashed around on the bed, moaning while Megumi tried to calm him, Misao got a good look at his unbandaged face. She gasped as she stared at him, her face paling.
"Yeah... he's pretty mangled, ne?" the guard said, patting her shoulder. "If you're bothered by it, you should probably wait outside. His other wounds are much worse..."
Misao nodded. "I will... arigatou..." she said in a choked voice before dashing out of the clinic, her mind spinning as the pieces of information about the Tokyo attacks she'd tried so painstakingly to assemble suddenly snapped into place with alarming clarity.
That guy... he was one of Unmei-sensei's senior kempo instructors. Which means... either he's been robbing storekeepers on his own time... or the doujou is actually a front for the yakuza that have been terrorizing the city in the name of the Oniwabanshuu...
She lurched to a halt, bending over to catch her breath, her eyes shut tightly against the wave of dread, shame and betrayal that threatened to swamp her. I don't want to believe it... that Unmei-sensei could be involved in this. But it all fits. She's always talked about her own band of Oniwabanshuu... her own information network... but she's always stopped short of sharing anything concrete with me. And Takashi Toushi... he's always given me the creeps, though I could never put my finger on why.
She opened her eyes, which were hardened with resolve. Shikashi... even knowing the thief's identity, all I have to go on are vague hunches and assumptions. I need real proof the doujou is involved... and since no one there knows that I suspect anything, this is a perfect opportunity to get that proof. Before I go to the others, I have to be sure...
She began running in the direction of Takashi Doujou, one thought tumbling over and over in her mind --
Please... Unmei-sensei... let me be wrong about this...
-- End of Chapter 16 --