Chapter 6- Past Acquaintances
Disclaimers: Standard disclaimers apply. I do not own RK or Flame of Recca so please have pity on a broke college student who's just writing this fic for kicks. This RK fic is set in an alternate-universe, a sequel to my fic, "Binding Hearts"
*********
"Yanagi-chan, you're wonderful," sighed Misao as she surrendered herself to Yanagi's ministrations. The golden light enveloped Misao's torso as Yanagi concentrated. Aoshi and Kaoru hovered nearby, a frown puckering their brows.
Yanagi withdrew her hand slowly as she opened her eyes. She wobbled a little as she stepped back and Recca braced her as she smiled tiredly. "You made me work a lot Misao-chan," she said as she laid her head to rest against his shoulder.
She turned to smile at Kaoru and Aoshi. At her smile, Kaoru took it upon herself to question Misao. Wisely, Aoshi took subtle steps away but Misao's voice froze him.
"Iie Aoshi-sama, please stay," she said with a disarming smile. Sighing, Aoshi smiled as he saw the determination beneath Misao's wide smile. He turned to face Kaoru's searching and intensely curious eyes. Fuuko was less restrained however, as she marched right under his nose and demanded, "Who the heck are you?" she asked bluntly.
Mikagami winced slightly as he spoke quickly, hoping that Aoshi wasn't insulted. "You're a college student are you? You seem pretty familiar too me," he said as he looked at Kenshin. To everybody's surprise, Kenshin turned to Aoshi and bowed respectfully.
"Konnichiwa Shirofuji-senpai," he said before Aoshi nodded slightly, acknowledging Kenshin's greeting. "Konnichiwa Hikoshichiro-kun," he said before he smiled slightly as he added softly, "Baka deshi."
At that, Kenshin reddened and hastily explained, "Ano, minna, I studied my Hiten Mitsurugi technique with his otuchan, Hiko Shirofuji. Shishou has always called me 'baka deshi' much to my dismay," he said. Kaoru contemplated the name for a while before she looked up and teased Kenshin.
"Mou! Kenshin was pretty good with his sword you know," she said in a tone that was faintly suggestive. Kenshin reddened further and Mikagami and Aoshi smoothed grins of amusement at the shy redhead's plight. Misao laughed unashamedly while Fuuko cackled.
Aoshi then turned serious as he faced the curious crowd again. "Watashi wa Shirofuji Aoshi," he said bowing slightly as he introduced himself. Kaoru clambered over and asked him, "So Aoshi, how did you come to be with my sister?"
Misao then spoke up as she quickly snatched her hand away from Yanagi. "Kaoru-neechan, he saved me like Kenshin saved you! I thought I was a goner for sure! He took care of me when I lost consciousness and had no idea what was happening to me!" she piped up. All eyes turned to her as she continued, oblivious to the facts that seemed a little umm, compromising.
"When I woke up, I was in his bed, wearing his shirt and he was really very surly and quiet. And then Dr. Genzai poked and prodded my wounds making Aoshi-sama even more surly--" continued Misao enthusiastically. Kaoru raised an eyebrow as she repeated, "Aoshi-sama?"
Aoshi shrugged as he interrupted Misao's winding story. "I wasn't surly! Besides, I just happened to be passing by and strangely, I 'heard' her calling me," said Aoshi as he gazed quizzically at Misao's astonished expression.
"Excuse me! I was being choked to death that time Aoshi-sama! I couldn't have called out for help even if I wanted to! I never called out for help during my battle even against Raiha!" said Misao huffily unaware of Fuuko's pale face. "You fought against Raiha?" asked Mikagami grimly as Misao nodded arrogantly, "Hai and I even managed to elude him except for that ambush!"
"I heard you call my name!" insisted Aoshi as Kenshin immediately looked up as well. "Hai! Kaoru-dono, when I saved you, I heard you call out my name as well! Which is why I knew exactly where you were!" exclaimed Kenshin.
Irate, Kaoru and Misao yelped at the same time, "We never called you! We don't even know your names then!" Fuuko and Mikagami exchanged bewildered looks, as well as Domon, Yanagi and Recca. Both couples looked stubborn and Fuuko threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Fine! Another mystery of life then! Hearing strange voices call for help!" exclaimed Fuuko. Yanagi then smiled as she spoke, "Oh my, that was very romantic!" she enthused.
"Romantic?" asked Recca completely at loss. "Romantic?" echoed Domon. Mikagami looked equally lost as the females brightened like a christmas church. Yanagi looked up, stars shining in her eyes.
"Oh my, I think what you guys are experiencing are what some of my friends call a "soul-bond", " narrated Yanagi as she clasped her hands together as if in a prayer. Misao and Kaoru whipped their heads so fast as they echoed," Soul-bond?"
"Oh yes, there is a mystic named Shedrianne in the downtown district. She has been giving out 'healings' in past life tragedies," continued Yanagi. "Shedrianne..." whispered Misao as she felt a distant memory stir.
"Oh right, I've been researching about a certain book, it's called 'Book of Binding Spells', I'm getting freaked out by the sheer coincidences here," said Kaoru as she rubbed her arms. Misao brought her head up quickly to gaze at her sister. "Kaoru-neechan, you dreamed it too?" whispered Misao.
Kaoru nodded slightly, not wanting to alert Kenshin and Aoshi who were watching them with very alert eyes. With fox-ears, Fuuko bounded over and dropped the pile of newly printed facts. "Yare, yare. Is this what you were researching earlier Kaoru?" asked Fuuko innocently as Kaoru exploded.
"FUUKO KIRISAWA!" yelled Kaoru as she began chasing Fuuko around with her shinai. Aoshi and Kenshin began reading the printed facts with Mikagami and Misao hanging over their shoulders.
"As early as Japan 1800's, the 'Book of Binding Spells' has been passed on from one owner to another. It was said that whoever possesses the book would gain infinite knowledge and power but perish in the face of tragedy," read Kenshin aloud, grimacing as the rest began piling up on the poor redhead.
"Mou! Get off of Kenshin!" yelled Kaoru as she slammed the others into orbit. "Oro" exclaimed Kenshin as he was finally freed of his burden. "Daijoubu Kenshin?" asked Kaoru worriedly as she helped the shy redhead up. With his eyes still in a twirl, Kenshin managed a weak 'oro' while Kaoru glared murderously at the others who were rubbing their lumps.
"You are so violent Kaoru," complained Recca as Yanagi smiled. "She doesn't want you hurting poor Ken-san," she said as she helped the rest up. "You wanna see violence?" challenged Kaoru as she waved a threatening fist in front of Recca who quickly paled.
"I do hope you wouldn't hurt my only son," said a female voice as a shadow detached itself from the walls. Kenshin and Aoshi tensed while Kaoru and Misao watched the shadow slowly take form as a beautiful, middle-aged woman. The woman then raised her head, revealing infinite dark eyes. "Konnichiwa minna," she said as she smiled at the audience.
"Aww, Okaasan..." grumbled Recca as he quickly looked around the stupefied newcomers. "Ano...Kaoru, Misao, Aoshi, Kenshin, meet my mother Kagerou, or as Hokage knows her-- Shadow," introduced Recca as his mother bowed politely.
"Yoroshiku," greeted the four simultaneously, smiling as they realized the way they sounded. Kagerou gazed at the four, looking at them through the eyes of a ninja who has traveled through time and invoked a spell/technique that bound her to live forever.
" A soul bind..." breathed Kagerou softly as she gazed upon the faces of Misao and Kaoru. "Nani okaasan?" asked Recca as he studied the expression on his mother's face. Kagerou shook her head as she continued to gaze upon the four, her eyes darting from one person to another.
She took a step closer as she peered into the eyes of Misao and Kaoru. "Yes... very strong spell, one that would span the rest of your lives..." she murmured as she gently touched Kaoru's cheek. Kenshin looked worried as he asked, "What do you mean Kagerou-dono?"
She smiled as she shook her head. "I'm not at liberty to divulge any information Hikoshichiro-san. You are a part of it I fear," she said as she smiled. "You still bear scars from the past," she said as she gently touched the crossed scars on his cheek. She turned to look at the three other people. "And so do you... you must 'heal' and bridge the bonds shattered by time," Kagerou said.
Silent, the occupants of the room can only wonder at the ominous words as Kagerou smiled and touched Yanagi's cheeks affectionately while she looked longingly at her son. She raised her hand in farewell. " Ja minna..." she said before disappearing into the shadows again.
"Now what did she mean by that?" asked Misao in exasperation, still feeling shaken at how at ease she felt with Kagerou. It was almost as if they shared a common goal or perhaps an almost similar circumstance. "I don't know," admitted Recca as he shook his head.
"Why don't we start by going to this Madame Shedrianne mystic?" asked Fuuko with an enthusiastic smile.
"Hai," said Kaoru nodding as she contemplated Kagerou's words. "Why don't we all go along to make sure you guys don't get into trouble again?" interjected Tokiya as he gazed a little grimly at the shattered planes of glass.
*************
"You failed Raiha," said Kurei grimly as he looked straight at his slightly bruised right-hand man. Raiha bowed his head in humility as he faced his okashira.
"Sumen nasai Kurei, there was unexpected help and Misao Kirisawa was trained in kenpo. An eyebrow shot up in the unmasked side of Kurei's face. "Kenpo? How interesting," drawled Kurei as his eyes focused more intently upon Raiha.
"Hai. What's more is that two members of Hokage were in the penthouse when we attacked. The Kirisawa sisters are related to Fuuko Kirisawa, the wearer of the Fuujin. There was also another swordsman who seemed to be using the technique of Hiten Mitsuruugi," added Raiha his eyes shadowed as he thought of the expression in Fuuko's eyes when she saw him.
Mori suddenly strolled in, smoking a cigarette oblivious to the stiffening of Kurei's posture. "So my son, have you taken care of our little problem?" he asked his small eyes wily and shrewd, assessing the atmosphere inside Kurei's office.
Forcing himself to relax, Kurei drawled out, "Not yet but I will take care of it soon Father." A glare darkened Mori's face as he replied, "I hope you will not be too overconfident and take care of this soon Kurei," he said before he strode out, a trail of cigarette smoke hanging in the air.
"Hai father," whispered Kurei as he settled back into his chair, the expression on his face inscrutable.
***********
Author's Note:
Woohoo! Kurei's pretty serious now, I wonder how he'll react knowing that Aoshi's the one who actually rescued Misao. Anyway, I hope you liked this installment minna, I'm kinda stuck writing this ficcie. Ja! C&C's are very much appreciated.
