New Life

by rakenrol

One day, as I was running down the market, I bumped against this guy with red hair and a scar on his left cheek. But who could have known he - as well as his friends - would play a big part in my life? (WARNING : MAJOR SELF INSERTION^^)

4. The Cure

New Life
Chapter 4 : The Cure
a Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction
by : Sakeena deathstalkker@yahoo.com>

I couldn't be so sure, but one thing was evident on my mind. Ikehara was hit. Badly . On his arm. I stared at him in disbelief. His arms were squeezing my shoulder , his body atop of mine as he pushed me out of the dart's route. And he got hit instead.

I felt my fist ball, and my blood boil. No one does that to my friend and gets away with. So ,laying him gently aside, I prepared myself to go after the dumb-ass aggressor, who was no other than, I had suspected, the mysterious man. Jerking my head sharply, I craned my eyes in the faint light a setting sun would radiate.

"No, don't!" Ikehara protested weakly.

I didn't turn to him and was too engrossed in spotting the assailant when I felt him tug my sleeves. "Dammit Kei --"

My words were cut off as I saw Keichi , sweating very badly, biting his lower lip. He managed to look at me with his kind brown eyes that I found so much pitiful that I gave up my quest to catch the dumb-ass. At least, for a while. "Please forget him."

I hesitated. The mysterious man couldn't be that far. I shook my head . "I'll get him, Keichi. He'll pay for it, that's for sure."

He sat up, holding his arm. Sitting up was a big effort for his part, so that stopped me as I stood up to chase the dumb-ass. "Take me inside. Please."

I sighed, but assisted him in taking inside in the fastest stride I could muster as I burdened my shoulder with his arm. The attacker couldn't be that far, I kept telling myself. As soon as I got him in bed, put a blanket over him I dashed out and ran. It was the mysterious man. He was back.

The more I think about it, the angrier I get. And the angrier I get, the more I craved to get my hands on him. And the more I want to get my hands on him, the more I think. I was staying in Kyoto for such a long a time already, and every time he appears, all it means was trouble. It seemed like he was determined to make my life really miserable and his presence meant a bad omen for my well so blasted life. It would have been better that way -make-my-life-miserable-kind of game but why put Ikehara to all of these? That made playing with him very hard. But the man was tough. How many lives has he got, anyway? Curses, if he was an animal, he wouldn't just be cat. It seemed as though he should have been dead a long time ago, but taran! here he is -mysterious as ever!

I guess I got totally absorbed in playing our favorite game : cat and mouse chase. The cat is supposed to win and have one hell of a dinner, but why is it that I never catch him? My paws are great and so are my whiskers...Meow...

His usual technique was what he did. It was a big wonder why I can't figure out a way to get him. Probably because he was already up to me by several points with his speed - lightning speed - so quick that you could barely see him. But he made sure I see him. That was the punch line.

For what seemed like a millionth time, I dashed after him. The dumb-ass, on top of a roof and i bellow, thinking of a way up just when he goes down. His big straw hat sat on his head calmly, as usual, to cover his face. I wonder who he is.

A white post bumped against me. Or should I say, I bumped into a white post. Oh no. It wasn't a post. It was --

"Sagara?! Out of my way!!!" I yelled. He was walking with the other Kamiya residents. I know I should be pleased and excited, but I was more engrossed with the man.

"No hi there, eh? We came to visit you." With that, he tripped me with his foot. I fell down face forward, witnessing the customary results of a struggle I usually have with him - defeat. His shadow retreated to the early darkness, then vanished right before my eyes. He was quick. I coughed the dirt on the ground, but managed to turn around and give my most wicked stare at Sagara. Kaoru helped me up.

"That isn't very nice, Sano --" Kaoru began as we walked back to the house.

"Forget about lecturing me !" Sano cut in nonchalantly. And they went on shouting at each other like they usually do back in Tokyo - telling each other this and that even when neither is listening. They were my old friends, and what they were doing told me they hadn't changed a bit. Good. And bad.

When we got in, Ikehara's arms were crossed as he bossily leaned on a wall to support himself. "I told you to forget about him, didn't I?"

I gave him a dry look. "I did that for you." Then turned my back on him.

"I didn't ask you to do so."

I turned around again. "Is that your way of thanking me, Keichi?"

"Does it sound like I'm pleased?"

"Why are you acting this way?" Having a snappy conversation with one of the quietest and mildest and most compassionate guy I ever known in the history of Meiji restoration since I was a pickpocket was rare. In fact, I don't usually give a harsh retort to him, and neither does he. I had learned to listen to whatever he says. Plainly, because they made sense and they bring the best outcomes. but letting the mysterious man go was out of the question. He should know by that time how nuts I really was in catching him. HE should understand.

"Because you won't listen to me!" Ikehara's voice grew louder.

"I've always listened to you!" I yelled back.

"So now, you ain't not gonna listen -?"

"What made you -?"

"Listen! What's the problem with you? Why do you keep disobey --?"

"Well,what is the problem with you too? I'm not your servant!"

Ikehara fell silent. In fact, everybody did, including Sano and Kaoru whose voices were supposed to be as loud as a thunder raised to the 23rd power.I don't like fighting with him, but he is being so crabby. Just then, Ikehara sank back to the bed, clutching his arm. That reminded me of his condition. And what I should be doing. But before I could offer my help, Kamiya had already ran over to him and assisted him. I rolled my eyes. Kaoru could be really nosy and not mind her own business. Were they taking sides against me? Fine! "Wow," I muttered dryly, making sure it was loud enough for both Kaoru and Keichi to hear. Kaoru didn't seem to have heard me, while Keichi glared."Wow," I repeated louder. Kaoru didn't hear again. Deaf girl. Clearing my throat, I said more loudly than the previous one , "Kenshin, aren't you gonna get mad your girl is so worried about another guy?"

Kaoru turned to me, her face glowered. Keichi's glare hardened.

"What's the problem with you?" Ikehara and Kamiya chorused.

They were taking sides against me. Wow.

Heaving out a sigh, I headed for the door hitting my thigh with my fist without a response. Kenshin, who had been showing his usual politeness as he stood quietly by the door, watched me anxiously. Putting a hand on the startled swordsman, I leaned over and gave him a kiss - long one - on the lips. "Let's be a team, Kenshin. Don't worry. I'll make you happy."

Before Kenshin could say out his little "oro?", they two had boomed : "WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH YOU?" as a reply. Good reply. That was what I had been waiting for.

The equally nosy Sagara joined in. "And where are you going?" he asked.

"Fishing."

"She's just acting like that 'coz she lost," I heard Misao whisper to Sano.

Sano snickered."Yeah. Again."

I spun sharply at them. They were whispering all right! They both looked up to receive my hot retort : "SHADDAP!"

"What's the problem with you?" they both asked at the same time.

I gritted my teeth, spun on my heel and slammed the door behind me, shouting a big "DON'T FOLLOW ME!" It was pretty obvious they were forming coalition against me. In fact, Sano retorted , "What made you think we will?" Great. Wow. I'm impressed. I'm speechless. I'm flattered. Enraged and flattered. I didn't know where else to go, but I was determined to leave the house. I couldn't bear to stay when I knew I was not wanted. haha. Like I've ever been wanted. At times like this, I thought, I only need one thing (no, not juicy fruit gum), but - fishing! So, I headed to the bar. There will be good sea creatures there, I was so sure. And as long as I have my 85-cm chest and 56-cm waist, I could be assured I will have a great time. After all, I'm *THE* grrrl.

However, I was wrong. So wrong as ever. I guess my killer body wasn't an assurance to a great time I had anticipated. Darn. Well, of course, I got a drink. No money but a drink. That's the wonder a killer body could do. And man, I should be proud. Only women had the power to do that. Unless of course...Nevertheless, no matter how many mugs I got, my mind wasn't eradicated of the worry for Keichi. I spent time drinking and worrying, so there was no really fun .As much as I hated to admit it, I was worried. Even if he was a foe, I was extremely worried. I guess not even *THE* grrrl could be that worry-free.

After some hours that I calculated was their sleeping time, I went home. The dojo residents should be gone. But grr I was wrong again. Kamiya welcomed me with a roar by the door with Sano to ne side and Kenshin on the other. "Where have you been?" she demanded.

I went in ,ignoring her. The last thing I need was her nagging. "Fishing." I intended to pass by her without getting harmed, but she took hold of my shoulders and shook me.

"You idiot!!!! Keichi is so sick now!!!"

I turned to her. Her face was dead serious, no trace of sarcasm or of humor. In fact, she looked pretty worried. An uptight bitch. "What happened to him? " I asked quietly, afraid of what I was to hear. The trio exchanged looks, but all was speechless. Furiously, I stormed in, went to the sleeping Keichi under a thick blanket and shook him. No move. No complaint. No glares. I slapped him across the face once, then twice, then thrice, then I felt hands pulling me away.

"What are you doing?" Misao yelled loudly. "He's sleeping, you baka! Don't disturb him!"

I spun at Kaoru who was pulling me. "Why didn't you tell me --?"

"I was going to --"

"You scared me!"

"I was going to -"

"You dirty -"

"Listen! Let me explain! If you hadn't kissed -- "

"What was that supposed to -"

"Then I wouldn't have -"

"Ladies!" Kenshin cut in. That was always the case. Whenever me and Kamiya end up in each other's throat, we were lucky to have Himura to be our referee. The swordsman spread out his hands to separate us, smiling sheepishly. Both of us stopped. One of the reasons I wanted Kaoru to shout was to wake Keichi. For you added info, Kaoru's voice could be really one of the most irritating voices you could ever hear! "Now, please stop arguing, both of you. We can't bear to fight now. Somebody is dying here and he needs our help most." That's what I like most about the Battousai - he was always there to remind you of the crucial things you tend to forget the very moment you couldn't afford to. He was just a MR. Nice Guy and always points you to the right direction. I'd like to make him happy.

I walked away as Kaoru turned her back at me, fuming. Sano was leaning against the wall, watching everything but not so much in to being a referee. He was scared of arising our anger and women's anger were not really such a safe one. Meanwhile, Misao was laying the blanket i had shaken off over Keichi.

I scratched my head, cracking my head of what to do. Nothing came. Finally, unable to contain it, I asked loudly to no one in particular. "What should I do? "We have to find a doctor. A cure. Or else he might......."Himura's voice trailed off as my gaze fixed on him steadily. "You don't have to scare me , Kenshin. I thought we're on the same team?" "Gomen," he muttered silently, though his eyes were as grave as mine. He was only trying to help and I knew it. But I was, as bloody heck usual, too crabby to acknowledge. I didn't know what to do. There was a loud crash and later on ,I realized it was the thunder. But it took some tie before it registered to my mind. Everybody was silent and all that could be heard was the rain and the crashing of the loud thunder and Ikehara's heavy breathing. Mainly to blame was me and I can't accept it. I ran out of the door angrily. To no one in particular. Kaoru shouted at me once ,then twice then over and over again telling me to come back, ut I didn't. It was raining, but suddenly forgot about it. In fact, i was drenched for what --?? More than a minute before I remembered the bad weather. BUt what was I supposed to do now?? I was wet so that meant I can't go back. I had to do something for Keichi. I turned around to the fellas. "Take care of Keichi! I'll be back as soon as I get the shit out of the shaman!" I heard Kaoru shout back, "I'll go with you!" but I shook my head in refusal. I don't need another body to be responsible of. "No one follows me, understood?" For some reasons, I know I'll get into some dirty business again like I normally do and I didn't want anybody try talking sense out of it later when the offer has come. But, that bastard Sagara stepped in the rain and defied me. How dare he? "I'm going with you," he said in a tone that I-am-going-with-you. Maybe Kaoru bribed him to defy me. in three seconds, he was soaked all over, so there as no point in pushing him back. I was just glad it wasn't Kaoru or Kenshin since they're pretty good-goody people and will stick to what is good no matter what. I, however, was not and am not and will not be that kind of person, especially when I don't have to be.

*******

The Shaman's house was a bit far than I had anticipated. I guess everything seems so far when you're in a hurry. And, to my aghast, the damned shaman refused to be bribed to get out of bed and walk in the rain. The shaman's servant kept his head bowed apologetically, refusing to (1) let us in & (2) to talk to the shaman. I begged, threatened, plead, bribed but none worked. They were getting on my patience. what was it that suddenly got to the shaman that he refused my offer?? Is he playing hard to get or just plainly out of conscience?? whatever it was, I was losing my patience. I gritted my teeth and was about to barge in and pull the shit out of the shaman , but Sano stopped me by laying his hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go. We can check out some other fellows outthere. I'm pretty sure he ain't the only one. We don't have time for this."

With that, he pulled me away back to the rain. The door had shut when I decided to turn to Sano. I dusted off his hands and glared at him."Why are here anyway?" I shouted at him. I didn't care if the people would wake up. I just want Sano to get lost and start minding his own business. Talking failed. SHouting should do. I pushed him away and walked to a different direction.

"Wait!" he called out, running after me. I ran faster, wishing he wouldn't be able to catch up. But I guess I was way too much tired and heavy with alcohol that he caught up with me. I ran faster, but my foot tripped over a rock.I didn't bother standing up. He caught up with me and offered offered his help, which I didn't the least bit pay any attention to. I didn't want to stand up.

He knelt down when I refused to take his hand. "What is the problem with you?" he asked. I sense him losing his patience. Good.

"Leave me alone," was all the reply he got from me. A stubborn girl, he must have told himself as he did his best not to hit me with his fist. But honestly, I didn't know what was the problem with me. That "problem" just began when they arrived, that was for sure. I was not acting like a fruitcake the day before, as far as my intoxicated mind was capable of thinking. Yesterday had been just another of those ordinary days and I never remembered picking up a fight against Ikehara and neither did he against me. Then.....the Kamiya dojo residents arrived and messed up.........wait a minute......before they arrived, there was another visitor -- the mysterious man!!!! Damn! It was him. Whenever he appears, it was an emblem that a storm was going to arrive. And man, it was not only a "storm" but every meaning of the word - literally and figuratively speaking. What curse did he possess that whenever he comes, something bad happens??

"What?' Sano asked loudly. I realized I was hitting the ground with my fist. Still laying flat on my stomach, I was soaking wet and was swimming in the mud. The mud splattered all over my face as I hit it with my fist.

"What am I supposed to do, Sano?" Without turning, I asked him wishing I could get a single word of sanity from the last person I expected it from.

Luckily, the other guy must have heard the soberness that managed to become audible in my tanked voice that he gave me an assuring pat on the back with an encouraging answer. "Get up." It may seem so stupid, but that moment, it seemed so right. Literally and figuratively speaking.

That spun my head to him. I laughed. "Idiot." He offered his hand once again and this time, I accepted it. We were in the middle of a totally dark...somewhere...

"Where are we, anyway?" I asked him looking around. A house. A house. Another house. No lights. No one awake with my shouts.

Sano stared at me in disbelief. "You don't know??"

************

We had searched everywhere but there was no one who was willing to work.. House to house pleading became our salvation. "Anybody who can help us? We have sick friend and ....." Some wouldn't open their doors, maybe because they didn't hear or they just thought we're some thieves or they just don't want to, some did open only to shout at us and some just plainly gave us a dry look before shutting the door before our faces. The first one was the most commonly practiced. I didn't know where else we should go. I don't know any practicing doctor and I didn't care that's why I didn't ask. I regretted that. I should have started to care. I can't believe it, but I was actually wishing for that Takani-doctor to be there. She was the only one I know, aside from Dr. Genzai who would work for free as long as she could flirt with Himura. I mentioned that to Sano, but was way too dark to notice if he reddened at the mention of his lady love's name. Finally, I got my sense of direction and headed back to the house. Only Kenshin and Kaoru were awake and Kenshin was waiting patiently by the door while Kaoru welcomed me with that worried face of hers. I was getting impatient and really annoyed, so what I did, as soon as I entered the house dripping wet was ran to Keichi and pull the chest of his clothes and shake him as hard as I could.

"WAKE UP, KEICHI!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Kaoru ran to me to silence me, telling me that somebody was already sleeping., but I couldn't be stopped.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking really worried. She thought I was drunk. I can't blame her. "Can't you see he's in pain?"

I looked up to her, meeting her dark eyes. "And I'm not?" I asked. She fell silent, but put hand on my arm.

"I know how you feel, but you have to see you can't get anything from that --"

I ignored her and went on shaking Keichi harder. "Tell me Keichi who can help us? Who can help us? DAMMIT, IKEHARA, OPEN THAT FU***** EYES!!! ANSWER ME!!!!!" There was no reply. Still on his deep slumber. He should be waking now that I was wet and dripping on him...but what if.................ah! I hate to think about it, so after shaking him very very hard to no gain, I slapped him in the face . hard. That was only the warning.

"What are you doing?" Kaoru protested.

"Better let him be," Sano adviced, watching us closely.

"Don't you know any other people who could help us?" Kenshin asked.

"NO I DON'T!!!!" Hauling all my strength and attention back to Ikehara, I aimed my hand at his ace again. "LISTEN! OPEN YOUR EYES OR I WILL --"

Before I could, his eyes opened feebly. "What is it that you want from me so badly that you must do that?" he asked in very soft voice. Speaking was already hard on him and he just caught my fascination that he was able to say out the words with as much sarcasm as he just did. Maybe he was going to be fine, after all. But I knew Ikehara. He was not the type to complain.

"Keichi!" Kaoru screamed, her eyes widening happily. She ran over to the other end of the room and disappeared for a couple of seconds.

"What?" Keichi asked indifferently, flaring at me still. "What do you want?"

I grinned. "You."

His eyes softened, then his eyelids began to fall. I shook him hard once again."Tell me, Keichi. Who can help me save you? Who can I trust?"

His eyes froze to mine icily. "I was telling you that before. Who's the doctor, the cop the --"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes. Kaoru came back with a warmly wet cloth and rubbed his forehead with it as I shouted at him. "You don't have to scold me now, you nincompoop! Now just tell me, ok?"

He shutup. Maybe because he was tired or what and he didn't have any energy to argue with me anymore. Or maybe I was right. "Go to the house by the river. Look for Yagami. He'll help you."

"Which house?"

"It's the on house there."

"What does Yagami look like?"

"Old. White hair. Kind of crabby. Like you. Has a granddaughter named Himiko. Really pretty. She has long hair and --"

"I'm not asking about his granddaughter." I dropped my hold on his garments and he fell down on the mattress with a mischievous smile. Then his eyes shut sleepily. Kaoru assisted him dutifully. before she could scold me, I headed for the door.

"Going with you again. Did he say Himiko?"

We reached the only house by the river. Small. Too close to the river. The rain had shown recession, but not completely, quite strong still, I must say. When we reached, it took a more than ten knocks and numbing before the door opened.

Sano whistled, as a lady in a kimono peeped. She had long dark hair and those suspicious dark eyes. I want to hit Sano very badly. "Yagami. Where is he? Where is he? " I demanded.

"Are you Himiko?' I heard Sano ask, displaying his I'm-you're-man kind of smile. I ignored it.

The lady gave me an irritated look. "Do you know what time is it?" she snapped without answering Sano's question. Her suspicion didn't decrease. The door was only two or inches opened and she didn't bother to let us in.

I smacked my hands on the door without pushing it too hard. "I don't know. I don't care. And I'm not asking. Yagami, please?"

She opened the door wide, her arms crossed bossily. Sano whistled louder. And longer. The girl didn't seem irritated by the bastard's action or she might not have heard, but I was certain she was more irritated of me. "For you information, it's two o clock in the morning.."

"So?"

'So that means my ojiisan is sleeping and can not attend to your needs." She attempted to shut the door, but I blocked the door with my hands.

"How old are you , Himiko-san?" Sano interrupted.

She gave out a flirtatious smile at him. "89-52-87. "

Sano let out a laugh, maybe the male version of Takani's "ho-ho-ho" laugh. Both are meant to drive me nuts.

"And what do you do for a living?"

"I'm single and legal. " She looked at me, her eyes ran from my head to foot and back. "And I'm not definitely not a man." She giggled. Sano chuckled , amused. He likes it when I get insulted and the offender didn't get to pay for it later. He was making he most of it. Turning to Sano, she cocked an eyebrow. "And may help you? What do you do for a living?"

"I'm so legal and definitely single," Sano answered. Himiko's mouth formed into "oh", then they both laughed. They forgot in the very first place I was there with them. I spanked the door hard. "Ahem, but Yagami please?"

Her face darkened once again like she had seen something she had longed to forget. "Why?"

"Lookit, lady. My friend's in trouble and he's gonna die! So just please lemme talk to Yagami. "

The lady looked at Sano. "Him?" she raised her brows snootily unlike the way she did when talking to Sano.

I rolled my eyes. "No you horny idiot. Ikehara. Keichi. he said Yagami's the only me I can trust!"

At the mention of Keichi's name, her face knotted from snooty to really worried. "Keichi? Did you say something happened to my kawaii hito? What happened to him??"

Kawaii hito?

Sano choked. I clamped my teeth. "Where is Yagami? I'll tell you later."

She spun on her heel to get Yagami. While she was gone, I scolded Sano over and over again and even hit him in the arm. Why is it that this night, people loved to flirt??? As a retort to my question, he asked me pointedly, "Why did you kiss Kenshin in the first place?" Kyaaa!!! I can't take it. He had a point. "Because Kaoru keeps flirting with Keichi!" "o she wasn't! She was merely helping!!!" "Well, I intend to get her jealous." "Why? "Because you were jealous?" "No of course not! Moir?" "He's here."

We both looked up at Himiko who had suddenly sprung to the door. She opened the door wider then came back, leading an old man with her.

"Won't you let us in?"

She looked surprise, like the thought never in a hundred years struck her. "You're dripping." In short, no. I clamped my fist harder. She was getting on my nerves. I had to fight the nerve to go and beat her up. And one more thing : she reminded me of Megumi. But Megumi's certainly a lot likable. I mean, couldn't she just pretend she would like to but the door is too much narrow for somebody like us? HOwever, the old man she was with was lot kinder. "Let them in, please." his voice croaked out weak and soft. I was already halfway in even before he was finished. He talks way too slow and I was wayy to impatient. I told him I needed him to see Ikehara and explained to him what happened, but before he could answer, which I anticipated as "yes", Himiko interfered. "There's no way I'm going to let Ojiisan walk in that rain! " Yagami protested, but Himiko reminded him, "You are sick, Ojiisan. You can't possibly get all that soaked and still live. You're condition is already bad. I can't bear it to get worse." Turning to me, she suggested. "Why not bring Keichi here?"

"I can't. He's sick, I'm telling you!" I put hands on my hips to keep myself from strangling her.

"Well, so is my Ojiisan!" she snapped.

"But --"

"Wait a minute," Sano broke in before our conversation gets any worse. He stood up and laid both hands between us. "Since we can't bring Keichi here and we can't bring Yagami there, let's just bring the dart that hit Ikehara here and let Yagami inspect it."

We agreed on that. Sometimes, that Sagara could make a complete sense but I later found out he wanted me out so he could have a serious flirting with Himiko. Angrily, I dragged him out and insisted that I needed somebody to go with me because the "very late night is not safe for women." He agreed, realizing that there was no escape from me. We reached the house about some 15 minutes later, still raining, though must I say, the rain was dying down. We explained it all to Kenshin and Kaoru , and luckily, Kaoru was able to keep the dart. Ironically, when we reached Yagami's house, the rain had stopped. Anyway, what happened later on was the old Yagami examined the dart and what was in it. It was dipped with poison, then he mentioned some other names that was a possible source of that poison which unfortunately I couldn't remember what, then prescribed a medicine. He also said that Ikehara's life span could last up to maximum of 30 hours with fifty fifty chances of living. I don't what his relation to Keichi was but he was grateful to him for some reasons and offered a medicine he had stored , stating that there was no drug store open at the very moment and even if there was, that kind of medicine is rare. He disappeared for a minute then came back with a black wooden box where he have stated the medicine was kept. Gingerly, I was going to reach it, when a dart came speeding missing my hand by a half inch. It came from the window. All four of us looked up but I was the first to recognize my very **best** friend, the dumb-ass enigma that was haunting me for centuries. Abruptly, I dashed to the window to have a peek and caught him atop a tree, but before I could voice out my oaths, Sano followed me, shut the window and advised me : "Forget about him."

I resolved to forget about him, I wanted to say. For how many times have I tried to do it? I was almost successful except he would come back, show his stinking hat and ruin everything again . Nevertheless, I kept all that to myself and went back to where the startled Yagami and scared Himiko where sitting in the center. I thought everything was fine when after several minutes, I met Sano's brown eyes. We both fell silent, then raced to the window and peered out. We looked at each other. "Gas." He smelled it too.

A laugh came from above. He was up on a tree from where I have seen him only minutes ago. In his hands, he fiddled with a match and stick then doused it off with his own fingers. "I will drop the last one," he announced proudly. Brrrrrrr. I punched the window, trembling with rage. I know he loved it , you know, seeing me mad and very much affected of his game, and I should be acting otherwise to stop his amusement, but I couldn't TAKE it anymore. "That's it! I'm going to get you once and for all!!"

"Before that, we have to move Himiko and Yagami out," Sano reminded, sensing another storm. It was so great he didn't remind me of my previous failures by saying ,"Again? You said the same thing the last time you saw him!"

"What is going on?" Himiko cried out. It was either the smell was beginning to spread or she just sensed our uneasiness. Suddenly as I turned to check on the dumb-ass, something fell from above. It all happened so fast yet so slow. The next thing I remember, fire scattered all over completely surrounding the whole house. I remembered Sano dragging Himiko and Yagami out while I shout curses at the mysterious man inside the burning house. Then ,we were all standing outside, Himiko in dread, watching their house crumb into ashes, while the old man gasp for breath. On his hand was the black box. Good.

"What happened?" Himiko blankly. She was not surprised by the happening. She was extremely shocked. She was so pale and unmoving. Before I knew it, she was back into the house, gathering their stuffs. Sano ran after her, which left me with the old man. The enigma was not in sight, but I felt his presence. Strongly. I craned up my my neck and strained my eyes. No trace of the bastard. Then, a dart sliced through the air to the north. I ran to it. But, later, I realized what a mistake I had actually done. It was a decoy and the as I looked over my shoulder, the dumb-ass appeared behind the old vulnerable man , his hand hitting the side of the old man's neck. Yagami fell in his arms, unconscious. I saw the enigma stuff the black box to his somewhere in hs chest, then, carrying Yagami over his shoulder, he leaped to a branch, laughing. That was his way of saying , "if you want it, come and get it!!!" And man, that was his customary type of fishing. And man, I was biting again. Meanwhile, Sano had burst out of the house, carrying the unconscious Himiko. Before he could ask, I told him, "Yagami's abducted. I'll go and get him. If I'm not back within 8 hours, worry." Then I gave Sano a meaningful look . "And Himiko-san? You know what to do!" I winked at him. With that, I jumped to a began running and followed the enigma who was gingerly waiting for me.

My fascination was strongly captured as the dumb-ass flew past one tree to another almost effortlessly, when he has a heavy burden with him, while I, the only burden I had was myself and that 85-cm yet was unable to catch up. I wonder what his secret was. Then, we were playing the same boring cat mouse chase for some time, maybe an hour or so that he stopped in a tree that seemed impossible to get to in order to give me time to rest. Another of his way to annoy me. He was the first to speak. It was so much better now that he begins to talk. Before , he would just show up and not bother saying anything long enough to complete a sentence.

"Let's make a deal," he began. His large straw hat seemed to smile wider. It was bugging me that people always get to propose the deal and I always ended up accepting it because there was no other choice. I was in for a bargain that I never intended to bite, but I ended up chewing it instead.

"What deal?" I asked him fuming, crossing my arms over my chest playing-hard-to-get. What followed on was definitely hard-to-do.

"Kill Seta. Soujiro Seta."

"Who? Seta? That idiot?"

"Otherwise, forget about everything. Including the cure."

I sighed. It was not something to think of. There was no choice. "Agreed. But how do I ............?"

"Follow me." Hopping smoothly, he went on stopping several minutes later by a large tree casting his gaze below him . I followed him as I ran and ended up in an opening where structure somewhat larger than a usual house welcomed me. "I'll be watching," he declared. Before I could ask, he vanished. No trace , no good-bye no whatsoever. It could only mean that.......................... that .another trouble has opened up for me and I wasn't even thinking about it twice. Because I thought about it a hundred times already and my instinct says I should do it. But ain't my instinct always wrong?? But one thing for sure : the enigma was playing with my life like chess. He was going to watch, that's positive.

There was about five men waiting for me when I barged in . From the way things were, it appeared as though they had a feast of some sort of merrymaking the night before. It was already morning, I suppose, but they were wide awake and alert. One jolted upright, but all of others took my intruding in a cool manner, but making sure they all had some sort of weapon to hit to my ass. However, none of them was the kiddie idiot, Seta. I wouldn't be able to forget his face - the smiling one that never in the least bit became sad nor angry with whatever I tell him. But the most memorable encounter with him was when Aoshi ordered him to watch over me as I take a bath...ugh!!.......maybe the enigma just wanted me to have fun in taking my vengeance. But well ,I should be thankful at least a fraction that he clothed me before hanging me up the ceiling.

The idiot was nowhere in sight, so I shouted instantly in seeing them preparing to strike, " Out of the way, gentlemen! I want to fight Seta!!! Where is he?? Don't hide him from me!!"

Other completely relaxed, while others refused to trust. I can't blame them. I don't look trustworthy. I guess I don't even look human , much more a girl. I was half drunk, I was aware, plus the cold rain reduced some of my energy and I was feeling really hot and sick. But I was wayyy toooooooooo confident, even though a great part of me wants to doze off to sleep. That's the stubborn part of me.

One guy, the one with whiskers that I just recognized ::and I bet he just recognized me::, put down his weapon. "You," he muttered under his breath, watching me with bewilderment and recognition. "You were the girl which Shinomori had kidnapped!"

I rolled my eyes. "Gomen, but I don't have time for reminiscing.. Where is he?"

"Won't you give us a chance?" one of them asked loudly with a smirk.

"No," I answered frankly. Ignoring them, I went forward and screamed at the top of my lungs ,"Seta boy, where are you? I went here to kill you!!!"

One with a scar over his eye chuckled. "Do you have any idea how deadly he is?" He was smirking, like his other colleagues.

I smirked back at him. "No I don't know. I don't care. And I'm not asking. Now where is he??"

The scar-eyed bastard frowned , and with a signal, he and his folks lunged at me for attack. Only the one with whiskers didn't move. Before they could do anything, a kind voice interrupted, "Stop it now." All of my attackers spun their heads, a and in seeing the kid, they all retreated and made a way by staying by the side. Seta was, as usual, smiling.

"Hell-o!" I greeted him with a phony beam.

"I heard you call for me. What is it that you want?"

"You're life?" Funny, it should be a statement.

That seemed to put a larger and wider grin. I guess he didn't understand me at all. But he did, coz immediately, he motioned me to go to a spacious lot beside the structure where we decided to have our bout. All five other bastards just stayed at the side to watch and pray for my defeat. I clutched the dagger in my chest. Hoping. Praying. Begging.

I couldn't believe what happened. The kid turned out to be one heck of a swordsman with such skills I never saw in kid in my whole entire life. He was s quick, tough and worse, he doesn't project any ki so that I couldn't anticipate his next move. After less than ten minutes, my good ole dagger was out of my hand as I fell down on t he grass and he was pointing his sword at my neck. The bastards laughed. I heard the scar-eyed guy shout ," I told you so, idiot!" Didn't I ever tell you I hate I-told-you-sos??? I clamped my teeth, watching the scar-eyed guy at the corner of my eyes. Seta sank the blade deeper to my skin that got my attention.

"Are you going to kill me?"

He answered without thinking. It all seemed like a matter of common sense. "Yes." He said it all with a smile.

I laughed. I should have drunk all to my heart's desire. "Do it." Although I was scared, I was not so much into showing my feelings, specially before the scar-eyed guy who will surely have a good time if he sees me beg to Seta. But I wasn't the type to go and kneel and beg . At least, not just to anybody. I'm quite choosy because for some reasons, there's still this little pride that kept my head from being bowed. Yeah, even though it is already bloody. And if the scar-eyed was to have fun seeing me cry, then I wasn't going to cry. Even if that's the only thing I felt like doing. I'm so stubborn.

I didn't close my eyes. Part of me already was overcome by my illness and my eyelids were beginning to get really heavy like a block of cement was piling on top of it. But I kept my eyes open. I knew enigma was watching. I tried locating him, sliding my eyes to its very corner, but I never succeeded in getting a glimpse , the least, of his shadow. However, as I was going to get struck, a voice called out.

"Cut it out now." It was a commanding voice. Male. Familiar. Awfully.

Shishio. It was the name I remember to be used to that mummy man. He was standing some feet behind Seta, watching everything. The fellows chanting for my death backed out to make way for Shishio. I whistled to myself. My knight in.............bandages. I coughed. Blood again, all right. Without a question or demands, Seta withdrew his sword from its position my neck. Slowly, the mummy man walked closer. He offered his hand.

"Work for me," he said.

I coughed.

"How much would you like?"

I coughed again. And guess what happened next? I fell asleep. When I woke up I was in a soft bed. Sitting up, I stretched my arms, yawned and opened my eyes slowly, but the light was hurting my eyes so I shut it.

Things like that happen when I get in trouble. You know, waking up to a bed even when I don't remember getting into one. In fact, I didn't remember anything.

"You're awake," a voice said. Not Keichi's.

"Keichi?" Nevertheless I asked opening my eyes again. There was someone whose back was turned to me but my eyes was too blurred to recognize anybody.

"You've been saying that name in your sleep more than thrice," the voice went on. I rubbed my eyes. I saw a room, small one, dimly lit. Suddenly I remembered. Seta. Shishio. The bad guys. I veered my eyes to the figure. A guy. It doesn't appear to be Seta's. And definitely not wearing bandages. Not Shishio either.

"So?" I snapped. I needed him to speak up.

"I figured he means something to you."

Ooooh. Shinomori. He turned with that grim expression on his face. Nothing changed. the same old Shinomori. "Let me get straight to the point . Work for me."

I coughed. Maybe something changed."Denied."

"I've got a deal on my mind."

"Denied."

"I know what you want--"

"Denied."

"It's the --"

"Denied."

"The cure. "

I became speechless. Utterly. "Beg your pardon?"

Shinomori went on. "And the doctor ." He gave me a meaningful look. "And the *man*"

"How did you --"

"I have spies. Now all you have to do is agree, work for me, then I'll give you those three things you are after."

Without hesitating, I answered. "Deal accepted."

He grinned. Wickedly. I bit my lower lip. Maybe I made a wrong decision. Automatically ,after those two words came out of my mouth, I became his servant, put under his spell, command and dominion and was bonded to him by my services. And there was even no time limit. I guess I'm really in Shinomori's clutches this time, as I had been in the enigma's before. My only survival depended on his dignity, but it appeared, as I see his smiling face, as though he had lost it. Maybe I shouldn't have trusted Shinomori. I never know if he was the same Aoshi I had known. Maybe he became *badder*. But whatever it was that I had come upon with or whatever he had become, there was nothing I could do. maybe I should take it back. But the look on the guy's face told me he wasn't taking no for an answer. I wonder, is it no return no exchange? Touch move?? Rats. My life has become like the crazy game of chess. Aoshi's voice cut through my thoughts sharply.

"As your first order, I want you to serve Shishio Makoto. Please him. Make him happy." The wicked grin even became more wicked. The door opened so I slumped back to the bed and covered myself with blanket. I tried looking at the newcomer through the blanket. It was the mummy man.

"She's awake," Aoshi reported to him. Darn the Aoshi!

The man nodded watching me. "Do you accept my offer now?"

I flipped the blanket off, looking really thoughtful. Shinomori gave me a meaningful look. I swallowed. "Uh....yeah, of course. How much is the pay again?"

The man seemed to grin. Then he left. I turned to Shinomori, run to him and pulling the chest of his garments, I shook him. "Aoshi, I can't run out of time. You have to give me my price before 12 midnight today." I hope I looked really pitiful.

"Why is that?" he asked.

my eyes ran to the wall as I thought of an excuse. "Well, I............" I paused. "My fortune. That's my fortune. I should receive rewards, prices whatever before tomorrow because tomorrow is wel...um ..bad luck.."

He didn't appear satisfied with my answer. He didn't seem to believe it either, but neither did he look at me with skepticism. Shinomori was a man who was very hard to fool. Whatever it was, he maybe took my answer aside and just shrugged apathetically.

"Let's get you a doctor," was all he said as he headed for the door.

"Wiat!" I called out at him. He stopped, but didn't turn. "Is it afternoon now??"

"Yeah. Been asleep for more than five hours." He left. He made sure the door was locked so there was no escape for me. Sighing, I went back to the bed and sank down. It was only that time that I realized my clothes had been changed.

*********

I don't really know what the time was, but several boring hours later, a man arrive claiming to be a doctor and did some stuffs with me , asking me what and how and when it all begun and finally, asked me to take some stuffs I didn't know and didn't bother to know what. I just took them in, before the mummy man and Shinomori and told them I was quite fine so I could do whatever Shishio wanted. In other words, I wanted my price.

I was put to rest, several more minutes that I thought everything was just some moronic dreams. It wasn't. But it was certainly moronic. Shinomori entered with Shishio some time later on,and lead me outside where my "loyalty is to be tested." My mouth opened and shut ,but only AOshi seemed to notice my uneasiness that he eyed me. I shut up. Like, why do they have to "test my loyalty"?? I only intended to work for a day and after I get what I want, it's sweet bye bye. After all, my deadline was up till midnight and if I fail and Ikehara dies, then all the reason for me to fight had vanished. And, maybe even all the reason for me to live had too.

Outside, the sun was setting.So late afternoon. The sun was sinking slowly to the earth , diffusing a lovely color that was agreeable in the eyes. The whole place was pretty nice, but it didn't succeed in getting my mind off the dilemma I was faced to. Plus the enigma. Hold on, Ikehara. I'll be there.....

Shishio was welcomed by a lady who wore a loose kimono, baring her shoulders out proudly among the men. Instatnly as Shishio came to her view, she went to him and possessed herself of his arm. The night sank in. I was welcomed to the association almost whole heartedly. You know, I was invited to dine with them and drank. I never really cared if they put some poison on my food. I was *wayyy* to hungry to care. If I end up dead, then maybe it's my fate. Was that the test they were referring to???

No, it wasn't. It some time later on, maybe some 2 hours after sunset , that I was placed outside, right before everybody. Everbody - Seta, the lady, the scar-eyed, SHinomori, the walrus, Shishio and some other men they probably just hired, gathered around in the circle. Some feet from me was somebody, tied, a sack over its head. It was probably half dead since it wasn't screaming or anything.

"What is this.......?" I looked at Shinomori to my left. Seeing my discomfort, he went to me, withdrew his sword and handed them over to me. I didn't accept it. I just stared at it.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked.

"Am I supposed to kill him?" What a stupid question.

"Torture him, beat him, whatever." He laid upon my shoulder a hand that was probably meant to assure me, while on the other was his sword, its blade gleaming in the early night. That can never assure me. What was wrong with SHinomori anyway??

"Who is he?" I asked that came out in a soft whisper.

"An ass." He winked at me. I realized I was not breathing.

"And after this....?"

"You'll get what you want. I promise." He grinned. His evil wicked sinister grin. I just hated that grin.

I was silent for a while, just to get my breath back. The audience became quite restless and impatient and started cheering for me to begin. I still had not accepted the sword. I didn't want to kill anybody. But whoever figured it out, that the only way for me to prove my loyalty was to kill, was pretty smart. He anticipated my plans and knew that if I was responsible for a certain crime, I could never go back and escape from them. The cops would surely arrest me, so I was left with only them as my salvation. How shrewd. On the other hand, if I would not do it, what will happen to Keichi?? He will die and that was the last thing I ever wanted. I will be alone again..and miserable.. I guess Shinomori was right. Ikehara meant something to me. More than I ever knew. I touched my chest.

"I need my dagger."

Shinomori hissed some quick orders at the men in the circle. In a minute, my dagger was delivered. As I was going to reach for it, Aoshi suddenly askd out, "How 'bout a gun? You don't want this dagger....."

"OK. A gun." The dagger was out of my sight in less than a minute and was replaced by a gun. I shut my eyes for a while. It seemed like it was the hardest decision I had to make in my wholly entire life. What happened last night flashed back to me. The mysterious man. Keichi. Kamiya dojo residents. Misao. Himiko. Yagami. The house on fire...it seemed like a repetition of what happened to me. Poor Himiko. One peaceful night, she meets me and her house gets burned and her ojiisan abducted. I guess I was indeed a bad omen. Htne, there I come looking for the cure and selling myself for it in exchange.......Wait a minute...taht was exaclty what happened with Master Tan and me. Master tan gets hurt and Kuroi Bara and Yakuza play savior - to seduce Shinomori. Now, Ikehara gets sick and the enigma, Juppon Gatana and Aoshi Shinomori play savior. but weren't they the one - ahem, bless the engima - who had caused all of these??? Whatever I had figured out that time, there was no backing out anymore. I had to sink my teeth to whatever was in my mouth. The picture of Ikehara kept flashing to my mind and I had to fight the tears. He was the second man I had learned to love and he on the verge of leaving me. Again.

Without no more hesitation, I opened my eyes, took the gun sitting in Aoshi's open palm and watched my target with steady gaze. Aoshi went back to his seat in the circle. To my surprise, my hands shook. Killing somebody had never been that hard for me. I raised the gun with both of my hands, levelling it to my eyes. My heart pounded wildly and my hands were trambling, moist but cold. I bit my lower lip, inhaled , exhaled. Why was it that more images of Ikehara was pouring to my mind?? It was probably urging me to do it. I pulled the trigger.

It was that moment that a rock hit the gun, sending my shot way up in the sky. There was shout of a loud, "NO!". All heads turned, and in an instant, a new battle was beginning. I turned to the newcomer. Himura battousai. Sagara. Kamiya. Makimachi. Yahiko. And Yagami Himiko??? I heaved a sigh, almost gratefully. But why??

"That's Keichi!" Kaoru yelled. I looked at the sky to where my shot had gone to. I was extremely shocked. Then my eyes went to the person Shinomori regarded as an "ass". Almost everybody, by that time, was engaged in a fight with somebody. Shishio, who was at that time, being tugged at by the lady behind him, had shouted an order for his men to fight. However, he disappeared quickly, perhaps becuase of the lady. My eyes blurred. I ran to the "ass", untied him and took off the sack. Ikehara all right. He was unconscious as i cradled him in my arms. I was saddened, but it was overcomed by hatred almost abruptly, and I began to stalk for Shinomori. The battle was just beginning.

Kaoru and Himiko ran to help me with Ikehara, as the four, Kenshin, Sano, Yahiko and Misao fought the men threathening to be in their way. Silently, I pleaded Kaoru and Himiko to take care of him while I take care of somebody. I could never ever forgive Shinomori. Not ever.

I waded through the fight, looking for Aoshi, my new enemy. Of course, he ahd been my enemy before, but he saved my life. I guess repaying time was over. I will kill him, and that was all that was printed on my mind. I will save the rest of the bullets for him, my dear Shinomori. I found him, in a dark isolated corner, talking. Talking to the enigma. He was handing him a sack. My anger grew. So they set me up.

I will kill them. Both of them.

"Aoshi!" I called out, smirking. "You're an ass!" Without no more thinking, I aimed the gun at him.

"NO!" a voice called out. IN split second, Misao was right in front of me, shielding Aoshi, her arms outstretched. Idiot.

"Out of the way, Misao. I want him."

"Let me fight him."

"Don't be an *ass*, Misao. OUT OF THE WAY!"

"I will fight him!"

"Fine. Both of you GO TO HELL!" I pulled the trigger. At least I thought so. But I was wrong. Kenshin had arrived and slipped the rifle out of my hand in a speed I had never seen. "How dare you cut in somebody else's business?" I asked him. For once, I was ready to kill anybody in my way. I mean *anybody*, especially those who were not on my side.

Himura's eyes were grave, but it softened almost suddenly. "The cure. You need to get it before anything else. Keichi is waiting."

He was right. I had no time for Shinomori. Ikehara. He needed the cure. He needed me. Maybe I should leave Aoshi to Misao. I smiled weakly at Kenshin. He was on my side. He deserves a kiss. Later Himura. Then I spun on my heel and left the two of them. Maybe Aoshi was waiting for Misao. He needed Misao. He needed the cure.

February 99 © Sakeena