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 18 -- Reckonings, Part 1
After Aoshi left, Sano approached Misao, keeping one wary eye on Unmei.
"Misao..." he said softly, feeling bereft as he watched her stare at the doorway Aoshi had just disappeared through, tears rolling silently down her cheeks. Of course... you still love him. I'd almost forgotten... I almost thought... but it was just a foolish dream...
"Misao," he repeated, louder this time as he knelt next to her. "We should get you to the clinic..."
Misao turned to face him, her face crumpling. "Sano," she sobbed, burying her face against his shoulder. "I... ow... I'm so sorry... itai... shouldn't have gone alone... ow... I failed everyone..."
Sano held her gingerly, not wanting to aggravate her injuries. "I know you feel that way, kirei," he murmured soothingly, stroking her hair. "But you did fine."
Misao pushed herself away from Sano. "Don't patronize me, rooster-head... Toushi kicked my ass," she said, looking at the floor, her voice thick with self-disgust.
"Maybe so... but you gave him at least one good shot. I saw his bloody shirt," Sano said, tipping her chin up and examining her face. "He was feeling it, too." He touched her bruised cheek gently, then moved behind her to untie her wrists. "Do you think you can walk?" he asked as the ropes fell to the floor. "I'd hate to have to carry you -- with those broken ribs, it'll hurt for your waist to be bent like that."
"How did you know my ribs were broken?" Misao asked, rubbing her hands together to restore circulation while Sano removed the ropes from her ankles.
"You can barely breathe without wincing," Sano said, touching her torso with one fingertip. Misao bit her lip to keep from crying out from the sharp pain. Sano's eyes narrowed.
"It's worse than I thought," he said. "Maybe I should try to bandage them now." He glanced over at the old woman, who stood watching them silently, her hands clasped in front of her. "Oi, oba-san... where do you keep your bandages?"
Unmei stared at Sano, a small smile on her lips. She wordlessly pointed to a small chest sitting next to the weapons against the wall. With a brisk nod, Sano strode over to it, leaving Misao facing Unmei.
The old woman's smile broadened. "He's a handsome devil," she said. "Temper and bravado to spare... just like your grandfather. He's a good match for you, Misao-chan."
The young woman turned her mournful expression on her elder. "Why, Unmei-sensei... obaa-san?" she asked thickly. "Why didn't you tell me? Or was I just part of the whole plan for you to get to Aoshi-sama?"
Unmei smiled sadly at her granddaughter. "No, Misao-chan... I had no idea you were in Tokyo until the day I saw you training in that field," she said. Her eyes misted as she continued --
"Seeing you in that uniform... your hair in that long braid, the way your mother used to wear it... and those eyes, so like your father's... I knew in an instant you were my granddaughter, even before you gave your name. It brought back such pleasant memories... the times Akihito and I were close... our children happy." She hastily drew a hand across her eyes. "Mattaku... what a time to get emotional," she chuckled. "The curse of being old... you live more and more in your memories."
Her face hardened briefly. "True, I mainly asked you to train with me to keep better track of your okashira," she said, her voice becoming wistful. "But I also wanted to know you better... and as I did, I wanted more and more to reclaim you as my flesh and blood."
She walked up to Misao and stroked the young woman's unbruised cheek. "It's not too late," she said.
Misao jerked away from Unmei's touch. "How can you say that?" she said angrily. "You plotted to kill Aoshi-sama out of some twisted vengeance I don't understand at all! And your grandson almost killed me for the same cause! What makes you think I would ever forgive you for that?"
Sano rushed to Misao's side, his arms filled with bandages. "Leave her alone, oba-san," he barked. "She's suffered enough because of you."
Misao glanced at Sano gratefully... and suddenly burst out laughing.
"Daijoubu, Misao?" he asked, frowning. She's finally snapped... and who can blame her...
Misao shook her head, pointing at the armload of bandages. "Sano... it's only my ribs," she gasped, wincing. "You have enough bandages to cover all of me... twice... I'm not Shishio, you know."
Sano grinned sheepishly. "Didn't want to run out," he said. "Now stop laughing... you're hurting yourself."
Misao stuck her tongue out playfully at Sano, who muttered a curse. "How can you still be so damned cheerful after all this?" he said in an undertone, glancing sidelong at Unmei, who had retreated to the side wall but still watched them closely.
Misao sobered. "Yahiko asked me the same question after Kaoru-san..." she said, her voice trailing off as she remembered that horrible time. "I told him then that my cheerfulness was my strength. I guess the answer's still the same."
Sano smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. "I never thanked you for looking out for Yahiko then," he said. "If it weren't for you, he would've given up... like the rest of us did..."
"Shh," Misao hushed him, putting a finger to his lips. "What's past is past. We have enough problems right now." She flinched again, bringing Sano back to the present.
"Sumanu, Misao... I need you to take your shirt off," he said.
"My breasts are bound anyway," she said, her cheeks flaming. "Don't worry about it."
Sano looked away as she slowly untied her sash, then slipped off her sleeveless top, each small motion setting her teeth on edge from the pain.
"I'm ready now," she said.
"I'll try to be gentle," Sano said, turning to her, linen strips in hand. He inhaled sharply as he saw the ugly bruises beginning to blossom all over her abdomen. That fucking bastard... I could kill him with my bare hands, he thought, his face twisting briefly into a snarl. He pushed that thought aside and concentrated on wrapping the bandages snugly around Misao's ribcage and lower abdomen. Misao clenched her jaw to keep from screaming in agony, but she couldn't prevent an occassional whimper from escaping or stop the tears from leaking out of her tightly closed eyes.
"Oh, Misao," Sano whispered as he finished tying the final knot. Heedless of Unmei's continued regard, he kissed Misao tenderly. "I'm sorry, kirei... I wish I could heal them for you..."
Misao managed a small smile. "That helped," she said softly, kissing him in return.
The building suddenly trembled as a massive cracking sound reverberated through the stillness. "Che... the police," Sano said as he handed Misao her shirt. "I forgot all about them."
"You should let them in," Misao said, pulling the garment on and holding it closed. No way I can retie that sash... it hurts too damned much...
Sano glanced at Unmei, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor with her eyes closed. I don't know if I want to leave you alone with her, he said, keeping his voice down. What if she tries to hold you hostage again?
I don't think she will, Misao said. She seems to be leaving everything up to Toushi now. She blinked several times, fighting tears. I just wish I understood what this was all about, she whispered.
Sano looked away from Misao's grave, worried face, shutting his eyes tightly against the sharp sting of disappointed rejection he felt.
If you still love him that much... then there's only one thing for me to do...
"I'll bring him back to you."
Misao jumped slightly and stared at Sano, who was now looking at her with grim determination. "What did you say?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"I said I'll find him and bring him back to you," Sano repeated, his voice strengthening. "Like Kenshin did that time. That idiot okashira of yours forgets there are people who care whether he lives or dies... so I'll be there to remind him that you're waiting for him." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, murmuring --
"It's a promise, Misao. So please don't worry anymore... you need to save your strength. Just focus on getting better, okay?"
A glimmer of understanding began to work its way through Misao's bewildered thoughts. He thinks... of course... how stupid of me! I've been so worried about Aoshi-sama that I didn't consider Sano's feelings...
"Sano --" she began.
The police chose that moment to burst into the doujou.
"You're all under arrest!" shouted a burly man, pointing his sword at the three figures in the training hall.
"Oi, baka-yarou... we're not --"
Before Sano could finish, several officers had jumped him and were trying to wrestle him to the ground. Two others grabbed Misao's arms and yanked her roughly to her feet, pinning her arms behind her and setting a fresh wave of pain surging through her chest and stomach. Her anguished cry enraged Sano, who easily threw off his attackers, roaring --
"Get your fucking hands off her! Can't you see she's hurt? Cops or not, I'll smash your heads in if you don't --"
"Release them."
At Saitou's sharp command, the officers immediately backed away from Sano, who rushed to Misao's side. "I'm all right," she said weakly, her white face and trembling limbs belieing her assertion. Sano wordlessly put his arm around her, and she sank against him with a grateful sigh.
Saitou strode briskly past the pair, his narrowed amber eyes scanning the room. His sharp gaze fell on Takashi Unmei, who remained seated on the floor.
"Where is Takashi Toushi?" Saitou asked her in a cold voice.
The old woman merely smiled slyly in response.
"Gone," Sanosuke said flatly. "But with Shinomori chasing him, he won't get far."
Saitou gestured to the officer who'd tried to arrest the doujou's occupants. "Tell your men to search the surrounding streets and alleys and fan out from there," he said.
"Hai, Fujita-san!" The officer motioned for his men to follow him outside. Saitou turned his attention back to Unmei.
"Takashi Unmei... head instructor of the Takashi doujou... and until today, a well-respected resident of Tokyo," he said, smirking slightly. "You'll be coming with me now."
Unmei continued to smile, eyes glinting. "It won't do you any good, Miburo," she said in a malicious undertone before assuming a feeble, weak countenance. "I'm an old woman... forgetful, you know," she warbled. "I don't know how much help I'll be to you young officers."
Saitou's eyebrow lifted slightly. "Shinichi... escort Takashi to police headquarters," he said. The young officer snapped a salute, took Unmei's right arm and motioned to another officer to take her left. They escorted her out the door as she babbled nonsense about the weather.
Saitou finally glanced at Sano and Misao. "Yare, yare," Saitou said, studying Misao's battered appearance. "Hasn't your okashira taught you the value of knowing your own limitations, weasel girl?"
Sano knew Misao was in bad shape when she didn't even flinch at Saitou's barb. "Misao?" he said anxiously as he watched her eyelids flutter closed and felt her go limp against his side.
"You'd better get her to the clinic," Saitou said gruffly, without a trace of his usual sarcasm. Sano nodded distractedly, scooping the unconscious girl into his arms and hurrying out the door.
Toushi skidded to a stop at the end of an alley, listening as the sounds of shouting and police whistles grew closer. Frantically, he scanned both sides of the street facing the alley for a place to hide. As he searched, he heard the faint, pealing sound of a child's laugh. His eyes narrowed as he glimpsed an open gate off to his right... and two small girls playing just inside the fence.
A place to hide... and hostages. Lucky for me...
The onmitsu swiftly crossed the street, heading for the open gate.
...................
"Cheater!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Not!"
"Are!"
Suzume giggled as she smoothed her doll's kimono. "Yahiko-nii and Yutarou-nii are so funny when they fight," she chortled as the boys hurled insults at one another.
Ayame frowned as she watched Yutarou throw aside his shinai at Yahiko's goading and pounce on his rival. "They're not being funny now," she said, raising her voice. "Yahiko-nii! Yutarou-nii! Stop it before you hurt each other!"
"That's the idea," Yahiko growled, biting Yutarou on the shin. The blond-haired boy yelped.
"Who's fighting like a girl now, Myojin?" he snarled, throwing an elbow into Yahiko's gut.
Ayame jumped to her feet, clenching her fists angrily. "If you don't stop fighting this second, I'm getting Ken-nii!" she shouted.
At that moment, a black-haired, black-clad man came running into the yard. His piercing black eyes met Ayame's, and hers widened in horror as she saw the blood on his shirt and the swords sheathed at his side.
She and Suzume screamed.
Toushi moved swiftly to grab the young girls... but his path was blocked by two grim-faced, disheveled boys, each holding a shinai in a defensive posture.
"Who the hell are you?" Yahiko snarled.
"And what right do you have to just barge in here?" Yutarou hissed through gritted teeth.
Toushi snorted derisively. "Well... if it isn't the chibi-swordsman club," he sneered. "Step aside, little boys, before you get hurt."
Yahiko and Yutarou both clenched their hilts, wearing nearly identical outraged expressions.
"Make us," they said fiercely.
..................
Megumi sighed as she slid the door to the thief's room closed. "That medicinal tea should keep him sleeping for awhile," she said to Tatsuya.
The young doctor took the empty cup from Megumi's hand. "You look tired, Megumi-san," he said. "Why don't you go lie down for awhile? I can handle anything else that comes up."
Megumi turned weary eyes on her assistant's concerned face. Sweet, considerate Tatsuya-san. If only you were a few years older... or I a few years younger...
"I am tired," she said. "Arigatou, Tatsuya-san... I think I will --"
Her voice trailed off as an anxious bellow resounded down the hall.
"Megumi? Genzai-sensei? We need a doctor here!"
"Sanosuke?" Megumi gasped as the fighter rounded the corner carrying an unconscious Misao. "What happened?"
"No time to explain," Sano panted. "She took a real beating, Megumi... and she feels so cold and clammy..."
"Calm down and be quiet for a minute," Megumi snapped. She felt Misao's forehead and cheeks. "She's in shock," the doctor said, touching the bandages bound around her middle. "There's no blood... did she break a rib?"
"I think so... maybe more than one," Sano said. "Her abdomen's all bruised up... and it hurt her to breathe..."
"I'll have to take a look," Megumi said, turning to Tatsuya. "Could you heat some water for me, please, Tatsuya-san? We'll need some fresh bandages as well. Sanosuke, follow me."
The three entered a nearby room, where Sano laid Misao on an examining table. Megumi handed Sano a blanket. "Put this over her... we need to warm her up," the doctor said, picking up a scalpel from a tray and turning back to Misao. "For the bandages," she explained as Sano's face paled. Within seconds, she'd ripped them open and was deftly pressing her fingers over Misao's stomach. The young onmitsu stirred, whimpering, before sinking back into unconsciousness.
"Three broken ribs," Megumi said, a note of exasperation in her voice. "Mou, Misao-chan... what kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time?"
"She tangled with the leader of those bandits," Sano said. "And did some damage of her own, too. So don't give her a hard time, okay, kitsune-onna?" He started for the door.
"Chotto, Sanosuke! Where are you going?" Megumi said sharply.
Sano's eyes met the doctor's, then lingered on Misao's prone form, shining with such intense emotion it took Megumi's breath away.
"To keep a promise," he said simply. "Tell Misao that when she wakes up. It'll make her feel better."
Megumi stared at him, speechless, as he ducked out the door... then turned back to the girl lying on the table, mumbling --
"I don't know whether to consider you lucky or cursed, Misao-chan... because that baka tori is most definitely in love with you..."
....................
Aoshi had little trouble keeping up with Toushi as he slipped swiftly from roof to alleyway to fence-top. That wound must be slowing him down... which means his fight with Misao wasn't as one-sided as it first appeared, he thought with satisfaction.
Aoshi stopped and ducked out of sight as Toushi came to a sudden halt at the end of an alley. He peered around the corner of the alley, watching as Toushi scanned the street in front of him. As his quarry slipped into the street, Aoshi stealthily made his way to the end of the alley...
And froze, his eyes widening as he saw Toushi head straight through the open gate to the Kamiya doujou.
Oh no... Kamiya Kaoru... the children...
Aoshi sprinted toward the opening, rushing inside just as Toushi began unsheathing his swords to attack the two kenjutsu students that stood protectively in front of two terrified young girls. Myojin Yahiko... Kamiya Kaoru's best student... and I don't recognize the other...
In the time it took Toushi's swords to leave their sheaths, Aoshi drew his own kodachi and leaped over Toushi's head, whirling in midair and landing lightly on his feet in front of Yahiko and Yutarou.
"Sugoi," both boys breathed, their eyes bright with excitement.
"Your fight is with me, not these children," Aoshi said calmly.
Toushi grinned evilly. "You're right, Shinomori," he said, charging at the Oniwabanshuu's okashira, swords flying.
Aoshi parried Toushi's blows, yelling over his shoulder --
"Get those girls out of here!"
"Right!" Yahiko said, nodding to Yutarou. The boys turned to Ayame, who was holding her weeping sister tightly and fighting to control her own shaking. Yahiko took Suzume from Ayame, and Yutarou helped the older girl to her feet.
Aoshi relaxed almost imperceptibly as he watched the children scurry toward the back of the doujou. Toushi frowned and threw a round-house kick at his opponent's head, which Aoshi dodged at the last minute.
"You'd best pay attention to me, Aoshi-sama," Toushi said, drawing the honorific out in a high, mocking voice. "Or I'll beat you to a pulp... like I did your little apprentice."
Aoshi's jaw visibly tightened as he pictured Misao's battered face... the way she'd struggled to breathe... the tears glistening in her eyes. He took a deep breath and released it, hearing the voice of his okashira Akihito-sama rising from his memories --
// Breathe in... breathe out... let the anger flow out of you like water, Aoshi. Anger... frustration... fear... these emotions are your worst enemy in battle... they cloud your vision... dull your senses... //
His equilibrium restored, Aoshi fixed his eyes on Toushi as the two men moved in a slow circle, each assessing the other, hoping to find the slightest opening... the tiniest hint of weakness. Several long, silent minutes passed before Toushi addressed Aoshi again --
"This is getting boring, Shinomori. I didn't spend the last 13 years of my life in training to stand here and gawk at you..."
Aoshi braced himself as Toushi charged toward him.
..................
Kenshin stood up from the washtub, his eyes narrowed as he heard the faint clang of swords meeting and a familiar voice shout --
"Get those girls out of here!"
Shinomori Aoshi? Fighting... here? Kenshin absently fingered the hip where his sakabatou used to hang. Best go get my sword...
He started for the doujou, but stopped short as Yahiko, Yutarou and Ayame came racing toward him, Yahiko carrying Suzume, Yutarou supporting Ayame.
"Doushita, Yahiko?" he asked.
"Kenshin... it's Aoshi and some strange guy with bloody clothes," Yahiko panted. "I think he might be one of the guys Misao trains with at the Takashi doujou... but I can't be sure. It was really weird."
"And scary!" Suzume whimpered, burying her tear-streaked face against Yahiko's neck.
Kenshin frowned, his mind working feverishly. Misao told me Aoshi has been helping Saitou look into those robberies... so I have to assume his opponent is one of the thieves. I have to protect Kaoru and Kintou above all else... as well as these children...
"This is what I want you to do, Yahiko," he said in a low voice. "You and Yutarou-dono take the girls home... then go to Yutarou-dono's house and wait for news from me there."
"Chotto, Kenshin!" Yahiko protested. "I can help you... I know I can..."
"Me too!" Yutarou chimed in.
"You're both very strong," Kenshin agreed. "That's why I need you to protect Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan right now. The man Aoshi is fighting is extremely dangerous... you need to get them to safety right away. Go now."
Yahiko gritted his teeth and gave a brisk nod. "Come on, Yutarou," he said. "Hang on tight, Suzume-chan... we're going to be running. Can you be brave for a little while longer?"
Suzume nodded against Yahiko's neck. "Yahiko-nii and Yutarou-nii will protect us," she said confidently, her wet brown eyes fixed on his trustingly. Yahiko felt a surge of pride swell within him, quashing some of his irritation at being left out of the main fight.
As the four hurried toward the back gate, Ayame said in a voice meant for Yutarou's ears alone --
"You were so brave, Yutarou-nii."
The blond boy blushed. "C'mon," he said, taking her hand. "We'd better move fast or we'll lose Yahiko."
....................
For a time, it looked to Aoshi as if he and Toushi would fight to a stalemate. The Oniwabanshuu's okashira gracefully swung his blades in a perfect mirror of Toushi's attacks, able to anticipate each before it occurred just by watching the position of the younger man's blades and the movements of his feet.
Onmyou Kousa...
Toushi brought both swords around in a deadly arc, using one blade to push the second, increasing its speed. Aoshi simultaneously dodged the first blade and brought his kodachi down hard on the second. Toushi grunted as the force of Aoshi's counter nearly jarred the blade from his grip, but he managed to hold on, jumping away from Aoshi to regain his hold on his sword. He paused only for the space of a breath before launching his next attack.
Gokou Juuji...
Aoshi swiftly countered with the same simultaneous horizontal and vertical swordstrokes, the attacks cancelling each other out. Toushi gritted his teeth in frustration. Isn't there anything obaa-san taught me that this bastard doesn't already know? Growling, he danced backward, then leaped at Aoshi, his swords twisted at an angle Aoshi instantly recognized.
Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren...
Aoshi flipped over Toushi's head just before his swords descended in the distinctive, blindingly fast slashing pattern that marked Kodachi Nitou Ryuu's succession technique. The instant his toes touched the ground, Aoshi whirled around and came at Toushi with all his speed and strength --
Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu shiki... Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren!
Toushi managed to turn in time to deflect one lightning-fast blade, but when his second kodachi met Aoshi's, the power of Aoshi's swing knocked Toushi's sword loose. As it fell to the ground, Aoshi flipped his blade and slashed Toushi's shoulder. The younger man grimaced, but didn't cry out. Aoshi parried Toushi's remaining sword and backed away, flicking the blood from his blade.
"So," Toushi panted, ignoring the blood trailing down his sleeve as he picked up his kodachi. "I see your tendency to attack from behind like a coward hasn't changed."
Aoshi frowned. "Who told you that... your grandmother?" he said sharply. "She's confused... it's your father Taki who specialized in attacking when the fight was done and his opponent's back turned."
"Liar!" Toushi shouted, hurling a kodachi at Aoshi's head. Aoshi mentally snorted in disdain as he knocked it away. Onmyou Hasshi... does he really think I'll be fooled so easily?
Aoshi dodged what he expected to be the second kodachi, thrown directly behind the first so as to be hidden from view. But it never came. Instead, Aoshi heard from above --
"Kaiten Kenbu -- Tengeki Kourin!"
What the hell?
Aoshi had barely raised his swords when Toushi came crashing down upon him like a strike from heaven, his single kodachi a gleaming, deadly blur. The force behind Toushi's first swing knocked one kodachi from Aoshi's hand. With his remaining sword, Aoshi managed to parry the second slash, but Toushi deflected Aoshi's kodachi on the third and struck the older man in the chest. Toushi laughed triumphantly... until a vicious kick in the face from Aoshi sent him flying across the yard.
"Enough," a cold voice commanded as Toushi jumped to his feet, wiping blood from his nose.
Toushi looked up wildly. "Who dares to interrupt --" he began, then fell silent, his eyes widening as he caught sight of the speaker... a short man with red hair... narrowed violet eyes... a sword at his side... and a faint cross-shaped scar on his cheek.
"Kuso," he muttered. Of all the places in Tokyo... I would pick the Hitokiri Battousai's doujou to start a fight in...
"Himura," Aoshi said gravely, bowing. "I apologize for the intrusion."
Kenshin stared at Aoshi, then at Toushi. "Who is this man, Aoshi?" he asked.
"Takashi Toushi," Aoshi replied. "Leader of the thieves that have been attacking Tokyo's citizens in the name of the Oniwabanshuu."
"Oi!" Toushi snapped. "You have no proof of that!"
"He attacked Misao... then held her hostage," Aoshi continued, ignoring Toushi's protests. "I am here to bring him to justice."
Kenshin flicked the hilt of his sakabatou up with his thumb, unsheathing the blade by an inch. "Allow me to assist you," he said, his eyes flashing.
"I appreciate the offer... but this isn't your fight," Aoshi said firmly, seemingly unaware of his own chest wound, which was dripping blood.
"You made it my fight when you both invaded my home," Kenshin retorted, a thin thread of amber piercing the violet of his eyes. "But I will respect your wishes and leave this to you, Aoshi." He pushed his sakabatou back in its sheath and rested a hand lightly on the hilt, adding in a low, ominous voice --
"For now."
Toushi shivered in spite of himself. They say he killed hundreds during the Bakumatsu... but I've also heard rumors that he can no longer wield a sword effectively, he thought in an attempt to reassure himself. That should make defeating him easy... but first...
"Shall we continue, Shinomori?" he said with a mocking smile. "I have several other surprises for you..."
-- End of Chapter 18--