Chapter 3- Interweaving Destinies

Chapter 3- Interweaving Destinies

Disclaimers: Standard RK disclaimers apply. I'm also borrowing the characters of Flame of Recca whose creator I don't remember. I DO NOT own Flame of Recca nor RK. Strictly for entertainment purposes so please don't sue. I'm a poor college student.

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"Kaoru! Kaoru!" yelled Fuuko as she ran. Misao was very much ahead of her, not yelling but running straight ahead, as if she knew where her sister could be.

'This is the University Park area,' realized Fuuko as she trailed behind her cousin. Misao turned sharply, heading straight for a thick copse of trees and a sudden red flash made the both of them ran faster.

Misao jumped, utilizing her ninja skills and landing right where she saw the bright red flash. At first, what she saw in front of her made her attack.

A red-haired guy, certainly not Tokiya Mikagami from Fuuko's descriptions seemed to be holding her sister in a very intimate manner. Her sister's face was tucked against his chest and he seemed to be holding her very closely, although if Misao would stop and think the guy was actually holding Kaoru rather protectively.

"Ecchi!" screamed Misao as she let loose her kunais and jumping forward to kick the guy's ass. Kenshin saw her and anticipated her attack, recognizing the rage that emanated from Misao's eyes.

Kenshin deftly evaded Misao's kunais and her swift, furious attacks. He then sensed another kenki behind him and he saw another girl, wearing the same uniform attack him with a wind technique. His eyes widened as he first looked at the face resting against his chest and then at the two other girls attacking him. The God of Wind or the Fuujin was Fuuko Kirisawa's technique!

"What's going on here?" asked a male voice as running footsteps where heard. Kenshin was crouched low, still holding Kaoru, his sakabatou tucked against his side, unable to draw it. He relaxed slightly when he heard the familiar voice and he called out, "Mikagami-senpai, Sessha is here!"

Fuuko stopped attacking him and began to look at him suspiciously instead. Misao was still lost in her rage, still hearing her sister's call for help in her mind. "Unhand my sister you female sissy!!!" shouted Misao as she launched herself off to another attack.

Everyone generally face-faulted and Kenshin's embarrassed 'oro' was very distinct. Fuuko blocked Misao's path as she gestured behind the girl. "Oi, Misao-chan, I think we were attacking the wrong guy," she said quietly as she looked at Tokiya's face for confirmation.

Tokiya then stepped out of the shadows and offered Kenshin a hand. He tried to take Kaoru off Kenshin's arms but Kenshin declined and instead allowed Mikagami to take his sword. "Gomen nasai Fuuko-san. This is my classmate, Kenshin Hikoshichiro. He's a Hiten Mitsuruugi master and he's also my Dark Water apprentice. He seems to have saved your sister from that guy," said Tokiya as he pointed at a long figure reposed near the bushes.

Misao stopped seething and gazed for a moment at Tokiya. Now that he mentions it, her instincts weren't screaming that much after all. She gazed at Kenshin and scoffed mentally. The guy looked as dangerous as Yanagi-chan but then again, he was able to evade all her attacks, even Fuuko's! She looked at Tokiya again and sighed mentally. 'Kawaiisou!!!'

"Why didn't you fetch her yourself Tokiya?" asked Fuuko, a great deal of anger evident in her voice. Tokiya had the grace to look a little guilty as he gestured at Kenshin again. "Sumen. I was finishing a research paper. I thought Kenshin would make a fine job of protecting Kaoru-san as well as I," answered Tokiya.

At that, Kaoru moaned aloud, obviously regaining her consciousness. Kenshin loosened his grip on her as she pushed herself off his arms and shakily stood on her feet, still braced slightly against Kenshin's shoulder.

She then turned her face to look in Kenshin's eyes, as if oblivious to the presence of others. At that moment when blue eyes met violet eyes, everyone felt a strong indefinable current, like the air was suddenly alive with a hundred souls rejoicing. Tokiya and Fuuko's psychic weapons hummed slightly, vibrating along with the current.

"Arigatou gozaimasu Kenshin..." said Kaoru as she placed her hand on Kenshin's cross-scarred cheek.

Kenshin drew a deep breath at her touch. 'This was absolutely crazy! So much emotions awakened at a single touch' he thought. For a moment, his violet eyes showed amber traces, a true revealing of himself but only to Kaoru.

His eyes then turned back to a regular, friendly 'rurouni' violet. He inclined his head, displacing Kaoru's fingers against his cheek. He smiled his normal smile, a firm wall between them all of a sudden. "Sessha wa Hikoshichiro Kenshin de gozaru yo," he said, formally introducing himself to Kaoru, Fuuko and Misao as he bowed slightly.

"Arigatou for saving my cousin," said Fuuko in a level voice as she supported her cousin. She looked then at Tokiya who seemed to be at ease with Kenshin and she shrugged. There was something about Kenshin's quiet manner that reminds her so much about Mikagami. Misao still had her reservations as she gazed at Kenshin. "Ano.. You look familiar you know, " she said before adding, "And I really thought you were a girl too!"

"Oro?" exclaimed Kenshin as Mikagami laughed. "Mikagami-san, gomen, but you two bear a slight resemblance, you look like a girl too," said Misao oblivious to her cousins dark looks. Mikagami scowled at that and told Fuuko, "Now I know that she really is your cousin Fuuko-san."

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"Aoshi, Kurei is here to see you," said Saitou as he blew a smoke ring. They were standing inside the Oniwabanshuu headquarters, it's plush leather decorations dark and ominous.

Aoshi said nothing as he waited for the Uruha leader to enter his office. 'Kuso, I hate this responsibility, ' he thought morosely ignoring his uncle's smirking looks. Oniwabanshuu would have functioned well under Saitou's management whose philosophy of Aku San Zen would turn Oniwabanshuu into a straighter path.

Kurei then swept inside the room, followed closely by Raiha, a quiet ninja whom Aoshi couldn't help but admire for his loyalty. "Greetings Aoshi," greeted Kurei as he entered. Raiha bowed slightly, showing his respect for Aoshi's position and positioned himself as Kurei's guard.

"What do you want Kurei?" Aoshi asked, his voice clearly impatient. He didn't mind working for the Japanese government but Kurei, a clear shadowy worker is an altogether different story. Saitou crossed his arms over his chest, clearly declining to take part in the negotiations.

Kurei gave him a measuring look and swallowed his own distaste in dealing with the arrogant okashira. " I want you to dispatch somebody for me," he said as Aoshi's frown grew by leaps and bounds.

Sarcastically Aoshi asked, "Who shall I have to get rid of Kurei, a political nemesis perhaps?"

"Iie Okashira. I want you to kill the Kirisawa sisters," he said flatly as he laced his hands together. His mask gleamed in the dull light of the chamber as for several minutes Aoshi remained silent. Saitou was clearly stiff at the duty Kurei has named but there was nothing he can do.

"Girls? You want me to kill women?" asked Aoshi through clenched teeth. He half-rose out of his chair and faced Kurei, anger etched on his face.

"Not just ordinary women but the daughters of Gen. Kirisawa. I suspect the information the late Kirisawa possessed was given to those two. That information is vital to Uruha's security. If it gets exposed the Uruha will be forced to wage a war against the Japanese government," said Kurei as if facts alone would make murder be taken more lightly.

"A war against the government?" asked Aoshi as he calmed down, sitting heavily against his chair. Saitou then strolled forward and carelessly flicked his cigarette in Kurei's direction. "Ahou. Aoshi, I don't think the Oniwabanshuu and the Shisengumi need to involve ourselves in this business," said Saitou as he locked eyes with Kurei.

"Demo... those girls could be conniving brats. If they use the information which we failed to recover, a likely scandal would ensue and Uruha will be forced to begin a coup de e'tat," said Raiha as he leaned forward.

"Aoshi, Saitou, the Uruha needs the intelligence units of Oniwabanshuu and the action group of Shinsengumi. We have been far too visible since the bombing therefore your cooperation will be paid handsomely," said Kurei as he stood up.

"I'm afraid we have to pass on this job Kurei," said Aoshi flatly, feeling his uncle Saitou's approval of his decision. Kurei stiffened at his flat out refusal. His mask gleamed ominously as he turned away from Aoshi and Saitou. "Its your loss then okashira," he said before leaving the room quietly. Raiha bowed respectfully before closing the door to Aoshi's office.

When the two men left, Aoshi slumped down on his seat and Saitou leaned against Aoshi's desk, lounging indolently. "You did the right thing Aoshi," said Saitou before taking a drag off his cigarette.

At that, Aoshi's shoulders loosened. He sighed deeply before reaching under his desk and pulling out massive books and a sheaf of papers. He dropped it at his desk and he stared at it more morosely. "Ahou. What's that?" asked Saitou before getting up to leave.

Aoshi said grimly as he stared at the pile, "College term papers."

Author's Notes:

Ohayou minna, looks like this chapter would have to be cut down into two because of its length. Anyway, here's the end of part one. Proceed to part B.