Deep Within By

Deep Within
By: Jen

Every day I wake up to another day gone by
Nothing but the open road and the never-ending why
Anything can happen, yeah, but nothin ever does
I try to change, it's kinda strange, the same as it ever was, but look at us

- How Do I Deal? Jennifer Love Hewitt

Chapter 4b- Reflections II: Mirror Images

His eyes traveled to the beautiful night, alit with millions and millions of twinkling stars. His gaze never left the crescent moon as it hung low in the black sky. For one moment, a reflection of him appeared once more as his hand reached out almost as to touch the beckoning moon, but then quickly dropped again to his side. As it always did, his mind begins to travel back to his childhood.

//Flashback//

'Oniichan! Oniichan! Where are you??!"

'Shh… little one. Don't wake up the whole house.'

'Oniichan!'

'Ne, what are you doing out of bed?'

'Ah…that is…I had a nightmare and you were it in and saw was 'kaasan, 'tousan, and jiisan. You were all together in Okina's garden and I was running towards everyone, but the closer I came, the further away you went. I was scared. I was running after you screaming for you to wait for me, but my voice was blocked by the wind. Then the light begin to fade I was left alone in the darkness. I felt so lonely, my heart hurt soo much. Oniichan, you won't leave me ever? Ne? Ne? Promise me??'

Blinking and looking at the little child in his arms, his answer came out in a gentle, resolved voice. 'Iie. I'll never leave you. I promise.'

'Arigatou, demo… it's a special promise so you have to promise on the moon.'

'Ehh?'

'Omasu-neesan said that promises made on the moon are the most special.'

'Sou da ne. Ok little one. I promise on the crescent moon in this night sky that I will never leave my chibi-chan alone.'

'WAI! WAI! I promise to be with niichan forever and ever.'

Chuckling he held his chibi-chan closer, until the child was close to sleep, he whispered to the night sky. 'Forever and ever. Hear that? Whenever you need comfort and I can't be there for you, look up at the moon and remember our promise.'

//End flashback//

"Oniichan, why did you leave me? You promised. I need you so much." Ryuuen tried to seek comfort from the memory and the promise but found that his heart would just not allow any condolence.


The man awoke from his slumber as he heard weak voice beseech him and for any unknown reason his heart constricted. His forest green eyes rested on the light outside his window provided by the moon hanging low in the sky. Somehow it comforted him as he remembered, and he was once again in a deep slumber.


Aoshi stared at the night sky; his cool demeanor masking any emotion he might have felt. Six months since his life was thrown into turmoil. Six months since his heart began to long for the missing presence. Six months since the light faded from his life. It had been six months since Misao seemed to vanish into thin air. Had it really been that long? And what had he been doing in that time? Did he go look for her, as he should have done? Did he look for any messages that might have come for her? Did he as much as show any of his confusion? Not even anything close to any of those things, but he wasn't the only one. The other Oniwabanshuu did not do those things, they had refused to search for Misao. Only, Mei searched. Only Mei went out every week to look for Misao, but then return later to rest a few days before searching again. None of them could convince her to stop, her fierce determination and fear for Misao, kept her going despite their protests. She did what the others wanted to do, but they had not the heart to do so. So they remained at the Aoiya, hopelessly waiting for any message from Tokyo, never receiving.

All, but Aoshi. He remained impassive as usual. Any signs of concern was hidden in that cool façade. No one could have guessed the turmoil he was feeling. So here he sat under the moonlight just gazing at the starlit sky, contemplating and trying to sort out the sudden agitation he was feeling. Of course looking up at the night sky made him remember the time when he wasn't the first person Misao ran to with her troubles. It brought back memories of his best friend and rival for Misao's affection, Misao's older brother, Eiji. Eiji was only two years younger than he, and yet they had so much in common. Painful childhood, both minds determined to master all the techniques of the Oniwabanshuu, both a favorite of their okashira, and both destined to be great warriors. Eiji never had his chance though. The only reason Aoshi had become okashira was because of Eiji's untimely death that fateful night. After that Misao had hardly left his side in fear of losing him too. He knew that Eiji was watching over them right now, and he would probably enraged at Aoshi for letting this all happen. For not protecting Misao, but how could he protect her from himself? No matter how much she persisted, he drew away, even fell in love with Yuri.

//Flashback//

'Ohayo Aoshi-san!'

'Yuri-san.'

'He doesn't talk much. Ne, Eiji-kun?'

'Aa. You'd be surprised just to hear him say one complete sentence.'

'Hey!'

Eiji and Yuri laughed. Aoshi was not amused. He knew that Yuri was Eiji's close friend and of that he was infatuated with her. He decided to leave them alone and turned to leave.

'Matte! Aoshi!'

'Nande?'

'Tonight oji- Hiroshi-sama and a bunch of us have to leave on a mission. Can you stay here and protect Mi-chan?'

Aoshi raised his eyebrow. 'Nani? How come I'm not going?'

Eiji's smile vanished. 'This is personal business in my family. We really need you here Aoshi.'

'Aa. I promise to protect her. Always.'

'Arigatou. Now let's practice so I can kick your ass again!'

Aoshi smirked. 'Go ahead and try.'

\End Flashback \\

He had broken his promises. He was not the same person anymore, nor was Misao the same little girl anymore. They were just mirror images of what was once there.


Kaoru gazed wearily at the midnight sky. Her eyes were brimmed with tears of sorrow and worry. Six months. Six months since Misao's disappearance. When they first were notified of Misao's visit, Kaoru had been delighted. She had not seen Misao for over a year. She regretted this, but it couldn't have been avoided. She had been too busy with her new students at the dojo and caring for her daughter, Asuko. Misao had been too busy as the okashira and running the Aoiya. Kaoru had awaited Misao's arrival eagerly, and had begun to worry after a week and no sign of Misao. She sent word to Kyoto, but never received a reply. After three months, Kaoru sent another message to the Oniwabanshuu. She still received no response from them, and that caused her to write another letter, seeking information on Misao's whereabouts. Receiving no letters again, Kaoru became furious and distressed at the same time.

"Kaoru?" Kenshin saw the distraught expression on Kaoru's face and understood immediately. " It's Misao-dono, right?"

Kaoru nodded and Kenshin immediately embraced her, trying to comfort his wife. "It's ok Kaoru. I'm sure that Misao-dono is fine, wherever she may be."

" Demo, she has been missing for so long. Six months, Kenshin. Six months, and no one has seen her. I sent so many messages to the Oniwabanshuu, but they won't ever reply! It is as if they don't care about Misao-chan anymore."

"Iie. They still care about her. I'm sure of it. It's just probably too painful for them to bear, and perhaps by not answering your letters, they could feel comforted."

"Comfort?"

"Aa. Comfort. They don't want to admit that Misao is missing. If they don't answer your letters, then they could pretend that Misao is here, safe with us. Otherwise, they would truly be devastated."

"But they should be looking for her! They should find her and take her home with them. So that she truly would be safe…. If I wasn't needed so badly around here, I would… I would…"

Kenshin held Kaoru closer as he tried to ease her anxiety. "I know Kaoru. We all would… but that can't be helped. All we can do now is pray to Kami-sama to protect Misao-dono."

Kaoru nodded and whispered sadly, "Please protect her…. Misao…"


Ryuuen's eyes blinked open as he heard a familiar voice run through his head. "Kaoru?"

Diminishing it as a figment of his imagination, Ryuuen looked around, noting that it was still nighttime. Deciding to begin his travels again, Ryuuen crept over to the pond nearby and begin to cleanse his face. After he dried his face, he caught a glimpse of himself in the water. The moonlight bounced back his reflection as he peered at himself through the liquid. He almost let out a hollow laugh at what he saw. His hair that hung a three inches past his shoulder was covered with leaves and dirt. His lips set in an emotionless straight line, and his once vibrant eyes were void of any life. Much like… He stopped his line of thinking. A great deal had changed in past months since his departure from Kyoto. He had learned after a while, that he could not find peace. Those wounds on his heart would never disappear completely. He would always have the scars to make him remember. So he did the only thing he could do, hid buried his pain deep inside the darkest chambers of his heart, hoping… believing that they would never hurt him again.

Soon after his discovery, Ryuuen had decided to finally go to Tokyo. Now he was on the outskirts of Tokyo and would go to his friends to stay after looking around Tokyo for a while. Walking and absently stroking his bird's feathers, Ryuuen began tour of Tokyo.


"OI! I ordered you to tell me. WHO are you?! I don't make deals with anyone I don't know. Especially if it's going to be a murder."

The figure turned around slowly and in a godlike speed attacked the leader, killing him. "I'm someone you can't order around."

He turned his gaze to the rest of the thugs. "Any more questions?"

They cowered in fear as they saw the murderous gleam in his silverish-colored eyes.

"Good. Gen! Discard of this piece of shit."

"Hai, okashira." They watched as the person rode off with his guards.

"Okashira?"

"Nande?"

"Are you sure they can get the job done? Wouldn't it be better to send some of our clan to dispose of her?"

"Shizu-chan. Do you doubt your okashira?"

"Iie. That's not it."

"Trust me. When Makimachi Misao steps into Tokyo, she will pay with her life for all of her family's sins against our clan. We will have revenge. Now come with me. I want you to entertain me tonight."

"Hai."


"Okaasan, okaasan. That lady's wearing boy's clothes." The young boy's mom looked up to see Ryuuen walking by. He stopped when he heard the boy's comment. The little boy's mom hid him behind her. "Gomen nasai. My son is very loud sometimes and has a very imaginative mind."

"Daijoubu. Ohayo chibi-chan. My name's Ryuuen. What's yours?" Ryuuen knelt down beside the little boy. "…Ken… Gomen ne, Ryu-niisan. I thought you were a girl."

"It's ok. No harm done. See? I'm not mad."

The boy's mom watched as the mysterious young man talked to her son. Though his voice was gentle, it lacked feeling. She studied to young man as her son stroked Ryuuen's bird. His face did have some feminine features, but not too much. She didn't really think of it as she smiled and said goodbye to the stranger.

Ryuuen watched as the boy and his mom left. He saw through my façade. An innocent like him saw through me. He did not have time to think about it anymore as he headed closer into the city.


He had just past the Akabeko and was heading no where in particular, when he heard a young boy's curses. Ryuuen's head snapped up and headed into the alley where he saw thugs with a boy around Yahiko's age cornered. One of them brought his knife down on the boy to kill him. The boy's eyes closed as he awaited death, which never came. He opened his eyes to see himself alone. He ran out of the alley and saw the people who had attacked him before, surrounding someone.

He weaved through the crowd to get a better look at the person who saved him. He was surprised to see a young male, very small in size in the center. He stood there calmly eyeing the gang. He held a smug expression on his ever-impassive face his eyes gleamed wildly. The boy watched in awe as he begins to attack the criminals.


Ryuuen gazed at the street trash circling him calmly. Ten against one. They think they're going to win. This is going to be so much fun. I haven't fought in a long time, I may be a little rough. Oh. Whatever. Ryuuen started off by launching a series of kicks and punches on three of them, knocking each one unconscious. Then he left gracefully in the air and arched his arm sending a shower of kunai at the rest of them.

The leader's eyes widened as he saw the tiny little knives.

'You will know if it is Makimachi fighting when you are attacked with kunai, little throwing knives.'

He dodged the kunai drawing out his knife along with another one of his comrades. Ryuuen knocked the knife out of his friend's hand easily, but could not block him as he got a hold of his arm.

'Give her this.'

He charged at his opponent with the knife in hand.

'But that's not very strong. It won't kill her.'

'Not true. She will already be feverish and would probably be wearisome from her travels. Besides she probably has not recovered from the major blood loss. Let this enter her and it would weaken her even more.'

Ryuuen flipped in midair and landed on the roof, the thug following his movement. He knocked the leader unconscious, but did not see another one coming out him with a knife drawn. Shin swooped down knocking the knife away. Ryuuen took this opportunity to pin him down with his kunai. His head spun as he landed on the roof again, only to have his arm slashed by a knife. Ignoring the pain, he whirled around to see the fallen leader and jumped back into the air with the leader following him. With a quick sidekick to the back of his head, Ryuuen disposed this one too. He landed on the ground, wobbling at first. He suddenly felt very dizzy, feverish. He looked through the crowd and smiled at the boy whom he had saved, before walking away.


The boy watched in utter amazement as the mysterious man disposed of the thugs effortlessly. The movements and fighting technique fascinated him. He saw the man smiling at him and turning to leave. He quickly followed him, hoping to find out the person's name.

Another person watched with interest at the fighting scene. The little old lady watched as this stranger perform a series of moves. Using a technique that only the okashira of the Oniwabanshuu would know. Ai watched saw the familiar kunai of her former okashira flew through the air. When she saw the stranger's face, her suspicions were confirmed. That person was none other than the missing okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. "I have to alert Okina-san. She's finally here."


Ryuuen's mind was deep in thought. Today the image of the person he once was had flickered out again. Stronger that before. Of course. How long did he think he could pull this charade? He wasn't what he seemed. He was only a reflection of himself. A mirror image of what he once was. He suddenly felt very dizzy. His head spun as he tried to remain standing. His body ached all over and he suddenly felt lightheaded. He fell to ground and before he entered the arms of the welcoming darkness he saw a figure approach him. Then all was dark once more and the mirror image of him faded, leaving who he once was in its place.


Author's Notes (Ramblings):

Oi, minna-san. What did you think? Did it skip around too much? Probably. Gomen nasai about that. Did that even make sense? I don't know. So it's been six months, ne? Finally! A small glimpse of the enemy. Who could it be? He's got silver eyes! Cool! Who was that woman talking to him? Why does he want Misao-chan dead? Well let's see what happens next. Wait! Not yet! I didn't write the next chapter yet! Remember, feedback! Loved it? Hated it? Death threats??? Just send them, ne? I take anything from flames to comments.


Preview of next chapter…sort of…

"Someone please help me! Anyone! Onegai?!" Kenshin and Sano saw a young boy run out from the forest nearby screaming for help. He ran up to them and begged them,

"Onegai, help me! There's a body in the road, and he's almost dead! Onegai you have to help him!"

Kenshin's eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"Over there! On that road! Hayaku! Hayaku!" The boy ran off leading the way with Kenshin and Kaoru and the rest of them racing behind him. They arrived on the road and saw the body faced down under the pouring rain. The boy ran up to the prone figure with Kenshin. Kenshin took the body into his arms, his eyes widening as he recognized the person's face.

"Kenshin! Daijobou ka?" Kaoru knelt next to him with Asuko in her arms. Her eyes widened and she gasped when she saw the person's face.

"Kami-sama! It's-"