I hope anyone who takes the time to read this will enjoy it.
:: :: Non spoken conversation
Notes: I am assuming that there is a train line from Kyoto to Osaka.
I know in the manga they (Kenshin, Saitou, and Sano) took a carriage but
it is convenient for my fic so I'm not really interested in it's actual
existence or not. For fic purposes I say a train line exists between Kyoto
and Osaka so it exists.
Secondly, pulling out the atlas shows the trip by
sea from Nagoya to Tokyo to be shorter than that from Osaka to Tyoko although
the overland distance from Kyoto is a little longer and there appears to
be a bit of a mountain/hill in the way. Fic purposes again, they (Hiko,
Aoshi, Misao, Shinichi and Masujiro) are travelling Kyoto to Osaka by train,
then Osaka to Tokyo by ship. Part of the reason is that I assume Osaka
is/would have been a larger city/port and so more ships would have been
available for hire. Enough babbling though... On with the fic.
Kokoro - Heart, Mind and Soul
Part 12
By Jade One
Time Frame: Day after Exchange
Elsewhere - On the way to Tokyo
Seir stumbled onward toward Tokyo concentrating mostly on raising one leg after the other. He was breathing heavily and his body was screaming for rest, but he'd almost been caught again twice and he wasn't about to let that happen again. Not now. Not when his captor had two of the three techniques he desired. Not when all he required was knowledge Seir possessed. I couldn't fight him now. I couldn't fight a babe off now. Not that I was at the end. He frowned, remembering Akihisa's anger... All I said was the truth. But I couldn't stand against both techniques and I doubt whatever was shielding me then could do it either... So I have to get away. I have to get far enough away then he cannot find me. I have to find his master to make them stop. He pushed on toward Tokyo rising resolutely each time he fell.
Tokyo - Akihisa's Base
That could have gone better, Akihisa thought,
slowly chewing his rice. But they will obey me, and that is all that
is important. He continued eating although he did not have much of
an appetite. It was an early meal for him. He had many things to do after
this. He pushed the food away, reaching for the tea which had been placed
near it, reviewing the instructions he had given to his operatives, and
those he had yet to instruct.
Hasekura... He had spoken to her last night
as she had tenderly but properly bandaged his wounds. She was so
useful and so easy to manipulate. The Okashira would regret not paying
attention to her pleas. She had been gentle last night but beneath it,
beneath her soft words and delft hands he could see her fear, not of him,
her only fear of him was the some day he would ignore her, and he wasn't
ready to do that. Not yet. No, she didn't fear him, but another man, another
she served and not willingly. He had seen that and had deliberately waited
until she had finished her ministrations before he had reached out and
pulled her in, closing his arms around her, whispering the comfort, the
reassurance she longed to hear. As before she had resisted only for an
instant but unlike the last time she had turned, squirming in his arms
to face him, musing her hair. She had looked at him then, tears shining
in her not green eyes, her blood red lips slightly apart and had made a
plea to him. The same one she had made to her former masters, although
not quite in the same way. The one which due to their lack of action had
planted the seed of betrayal. Unlike them, he had answered her, whispering
softly as he stroked her hair. "I know little one, I know. And it will
not last forever and though it pains me thus for the moment I must ask
you to endure." She had gasped and stiffened against him. "I must ask you
to endure," he repeated, gently entering her mind to sooth her pain. "But
only for a little while longer. Soon... little one, soon everything will
be complete and you can begin anew, with no bindings from the past. I will
not force you Hasekura," he said. I don't have to. You gave up
more than you will ever know when you chose me. "I will find another
way if I must..." he had trailed off, knowing she couldn't disobey. She
would continue as she had no matter what happened and she couldn't betray
him. She belonged to him.
Beneath his hand he had felt her shake her head
slowly and quietly draw breath to speak. "Iie. That will not be necessary
Master. I have been with him for sixteen years, I can wait a few weeks,
months longer for you." Her eyes had softened and she had buried her head
in his chest. "You ask me to serve, you do not order and that is why I
chose you. I will be patient until you give the word." She had risen then,
drawing back from his embrace, the one she wanted so much, sensing that
tonight he wished to be alone.
Akihisa watched her leave. So easy the thought
came again. So easy to give what she wants. So easy to hide the
truth. You have no choice but to wait Inoue. You have no choice because
it suits me thus. Your position is too valuable for you to wander from
his side. And unlike your previous master, I can force compliance and I
will not let go.
Hasekura had her instructions and would continue
to serve.
Bairei... Akihisa reached out, sweeping
his base for the familiar presence. "Bairei!" he called as other servants
entered to remove the remains of his meal. He watched as the young man
bowed before him, motioning for him to sit.
"Niijima-sama."
"I trust your morning went well?"
"Hai," Bairei replied. "Although Yukishiro has disappeared
the fragments of his organization are efficient when they can shake off
the Police. Others are also moving into the territories so it was not difficult
to replace that which was stolen."
"That's good to hear."
"Although, Niijima-sama?" Bairei looked faintly
worried.
"Nani?"
"I know you didn't order it thus, Niijima-sama but
I took the extra precaution of ordering the shipment to be placed in several
sites. It has been scattered around Tokyo."
Akihisa smiled warmly. "There is nothing to be afraid
of Bairei. You are allowed to take sensible independent action and in this
case it is warranted. I have no wish to repeat the Shadow Daggers," he
paused considering the path before him. "Your father has become involved
in my plans," he began again.
"Forgive me, Niijima-sama," Bairei replied quickly,
bowing low.
"There is nothing to forgive you for. It was to
be expected that eventually he and I would met again."
"You know my desires on the outcome of such a meeting,"
Bairei's voice was firm.
"I do," Akihisa replied, amusement in his tone.
"And I will not disappoint you, but his involvement means I will require
your presence back at my main base with me. So I have one last errand and
task for you while we are in Tokyo."
"Hai."
"I require you to collect and information package
from Inoue. She needs to remain with her husband for the moment."
Bairei's eyes flashed, amused and he caught the
general feeling of dislike and contempt.
"I know," he chided gently. "But even her former
masters recognised the value of her position. She is useful and easy to
use, so be nice. Enough of this though, I also require you to contact Morihiro
I haven't spoken to him in a while and have not used him at all in this
so they will be perfect for watching over Tokyo. Please inform him I wish
to see them later tonight and after that, your time is your own. However
be ready to leave tomorrow morning. Tokyo is too noisy as I am sure you
have noticed and I have no wish to linger any longer than necessary."
"Hai, Niijima-sama," Bairei snapped, bowing low
before leaving quietly.
Such a good child. So unlike his meddling father.
He was well worth the effort to raise, Akihisa thought before focusing
on his next contact.
Katsunan, Tsuya and her. This could be a little
tricky. Although she would be unaware and her presence dampened, the
strength she had, her pure brilliance still called him daring him. Soon
he would take up its challenge but until then he required distance from
her, distance from the song she sang. Akihisa focused inward before reaching
out, travelling out from Tokyo along the route to his base...
There! A dazzle like the sun on water, and beside
it two lesser presence's. ::Katsunan, Tsuya!:: he called, waiting for their
response.
::Niijima-sama.:: They responded, Tsuya's seductive
tone mingled with Katsunan's formal thought.
::How goes the journey?:: he questioned veering
away from the perfect brilliant kaleidoscope of color and music which was
with them. Later... He promised himself. Later... When all of
this is over... When no one can challenge me, then I can lose myself and
listen only to her.
::Well, Niijima-sama, as you predicted she
has given us no problems and is placid. We will reach the main base as
scheduled. Do you wish us to look for the Tamashii adept? Tsuya does know
his feeling,:: Katsunan responded.
::No, I will attend to that problem shortly and
it is not as urgent as it once was. I will require some time to integrate
Hiten Mitsurugi. It is more important for you to reach safety as soon as
possible. Tsuya, when you arrive, you are to search for them then. I require
you to merely locate and lock on to his position.::
::Hai, Niijima-sama,:: she responded.
::Katsunan, I will be leaving tomorrow, prepare
a recapture group but hold them in readiness. I will give the order when
I am ready for Tamashii Hitokken. For the moment, your primary concern
is her. Do I make myself clear?:: Akihisa questioned harshly, imprinting
his will upon them.
::Hai, Niijima-sama,:: they snapped in response
as he withdrew from them. They knew his desires. They would not fail. He
traveled on, following the path they had yet to travel, to their eventual
destination. There was a shimmering off to one side. Akihisa paused slightly
and examined it. It was very general. Murakami Seir. So that's where
he is. This will be useful for my people. He traveled further.
There were two other small shimmers. Masujiro's wife and brat. They
will arrive later today. This is good.
He stopped again above the town, watching
as its inhabitants went about their daily business. In Tokyo, his black
eyes gleamed. They were his, this town would always be his and soon he
could
extend his reach... Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama... Japan. It would all
be his and she would be standing by his side. He descended into the village.
::Sedra!::
The man jumped, looking around wildly before realizing
what was happening. He cringed both mentally and physically but did not
resist contact. Akihisa sighed, those he rarely contacted could be so transparent
at times. ::I am no longer upset about Murakami, Sedra. Although you should
direct the search to the south east sections. He is heading towards what
little protection Tokyo can offer.:: Akihisa instructed, gleaning details
of the search from Sedra's mind.
::Hai, Niijima-sama,:: Sedra seemed relieved at
his Masters acceptance of the situation.
::Also those guests I warned you about will arrive
today.::
::We have prepared rooms for them, Niijima-sama.::
::Good. They will not cause trouble. Katsunan is
on his way and should be there in two or three days. Transfer command to
him until I arrive and call the Yokohama people. I want them in position
between there and Tokyo as soon as possible.:: Akihisa paused, considering
his options. It would not hurt to be fully prepared. ::Get in contact with
Utsunomiya, Toyama, Kanazawa... Iya, Kanazawa is too far, go for Niigata
and Sendai and see if anyone else wants to play. Bring in everyone who
does. Katsunan will fill you in on the details.::
::Hai,:: Sedra replied but Akihisa had broken contact
and was travelling south west towards Kyoto. Yasunari has probably got
himself beaten up by now. Either way I need to check on him. He focused
in, narrowing his attention to Kyoto, sifting though the multitude of presence's
for the one keyed to him. Hmm... He frowned. Not here. Probably
captured then. A slight feeling of urgency rose. I usually
wouldn't have ordered him thus but I am nearing the end and they do need
to be warned away even though they will ignore them. He should not
have taken another and this is just one more way of telling him. They cannot
remain invincible forever, not now and not after I have everything.
Akihisa narrowed eyes, clenching his teeth as he forced himself to calm.
Shishou,
will eventually see the truth when one way or another the body lies at
his feet... Hmm. Yasunari will be able to resist for a little while but
this is that cursed Masujiro... Akihisa snarled in anger although he
knew what needed to be done. I'll have to find that ahou Yasunari and
add some extra precautions. They are too soft hearted to consider that
option... Now where would they be going? He expanded his focus.
They weren't hard to find. They were a distinctive
group. Hiko Seijuro stood out as clear image which was odd. He'd searched
for both Hiten and Tamashii masters like this before and had found nothing.
This
is good, Akihisa decided delightedly. I'm already accepting the
Battousai's technique, if I can so easily find another master. But
that wasn't all that made them easy to find. The two Kouken 'Masters' were
almost a beacon to him and as he had expected they had not begun any probe
to determine who Yasunari belonged to. In fact, as Akihisa drew cautiously
closer none of the group appeared to be paying any attention at all to
their prisoner. Rather they were focused on the absorbing task of consuming
lunch. But he was wary. While he could shield himself from his former master
and the idiot he called a pupil, and from this distance the others posed
no threat, there was always the possibility that they could trap him in
Yasunari. And living in a body doomed to die was not how his future went.
Mentally Akihisa braced himself, becoming if anything more intense but
in a way while was difficult to detect, as he reinforced his shields, trying
to mimic the quiet brilliance of the Battousai's focused mind, before he
dove
at Yasunari, merging with them so he could place his extra precautions.
A
bit of reinforcing and a specific trap. They don't know I read the scrolls
before they did and no matter if they believe them or not, they are sure
to try to break him. Power calls to power, blood calls to blood but there
is a defense against even that.
On the way to Osaka
Hiko's gaze flicked between Shinichi and Masujiro
as if in askance before he gave a small shrug. "I think it's time for another
demonstration," he said, jerking his head towards the slumped form of their
prisoner. "Unless you wish me to do it."
"Why Hiko-san, whatever do you mean?" Shinichi asked
innocently.
"Don't be coy," Hiko snapped.
"Just teasing Hiko-san. Indeed we were wondering
how long you were going to let him sleep. Masujiro-kun, would you do it
please? You have always been better at this than me."
::And Niijima is better at this than us both,::
Masujiro flicked the thought towards his master as he took their prisoners
face in his hands.
::Unfortunately you are correct, but we all have
our strengths.::
::Hai, hai. I would just prefer to believe the possibility
that this isn't one of Niijima's toys. I am shielded Master but I don't
want any surprises.::
::I'll anchor you then.::
::Arigatou,:: Masujiro replied as he felt the calming
weight of his masters presence move to his side. He is so unlike Niijima.
It's difficult to believe they are of the same school, that Niijima could
take his teachings and twist them so much... But perhaps it was inevitable,
the ancient Kouken scrolls are very precise... Masujiro gave himself
a mental shake before he focused on the man in front of him. With his thumbs
he peeled back the mans eye lids, focusing his own darkening eyes on the
whiteness revealed. He reached out. Nani..?
::Shishou, you feel that?:: Masujiro recoiled
slightly form the man, his body jolting back but his hands did not loosen
their grip.
::Hai, hai. I guess that answers that question.
Anyone with shields that well developed belongs to Niijima. I have only
seen shielding that... comprehensive,:: Shinichi replied carefully, ::once
before.:: He flicked his eyes over the mans form before he turned to their
waiting audience. He deliberately ignored the way Masujiro tensed. That
time had not been good for anyone. "Well, this could take longer than we
thought," he began. "There are ways of blocking our techniques and this
man has been taught them. Not only that, his training has been externally
reinforced. So while it may take a bit longer, it does confirm that he
belongs to my former student."
"Belong?" Misao asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes, child. It's one of the reasons he is so dangerous.
While the Yakuza this morning merely work for Niijima, those he allows
close to him do not have that choice. They belong to him, mind and body.
They are incapable of disobeying him, no matter what their personal desires
are." He glanced at Hiko, aware that the Hiten Mitsurugi master would be
able to read more from his words, so he volunteered the information. "This
was one of the things which convinced us that he was no longer sane. There
was an incident, however we detected it." He looked back at their prisoner.
"This one was not so lucky. Masujiro, continue please."
Masujiro nodded slightly, not catching the whispered
addition, "I wonder how many more I am responsible for?"
He looked back at the man, examining the barrier.
He sighed, he thought he could break through it but then that would require
days of exhausting work for both he and Shishou repairing the damage that
would cause. Not to mention the probable months of reprogramming to free
him of Niijima's influence. They had seen this once before. Chikusho
Niijima... You've had this one for years! This is going to take forever
to sort out. He looked back at the barriers, examining the patterning
closer before annoyance set in. I can't break it, so it doesn't matter
about damage. I'll just have to wake him up and then keep telling him we
can feel when his is lying, that's if he can talk at all. Kuso, why couldn't
you have accepted your life gracefully Niijima. You should be dead, you
know it! Masujiro squashed that thought before he narrowed himself
down to a single point and mentally screamed, ::Wake up!!::
Yasunari blinked, that is he tried to blink, there
was force holding his lids open and from his blurry vision all he
could make out was the vague impression of a face, except for they eyes.
They were perfectly clear and black. He started to struggle, weakly, there
was still a pain in the back of his head but something was telling him
to run. The pressure on his lids abated and he quickly closed his eyes,
trying to hid as his body gave up struggling and slumped.
"Yosha, he's awake," a voice said from close by
as the feeling of being gripped disappeared, but the pain did not. "We
should wait a little while before questioning him though. Hmm..." Yasunari
knew the was being examined. "His name is Yasunari. I can tell that much
at least."
Another voice broke in, "Can you make him tell the
truth?"
"We could," the new voice was speculative. "But
if he knows anything it would probably be destroyed. Force creates a lot
of damage and I'm sure Niijima has put in precautions."
How dare they?! Yasunari though angrily at
the tone. Don't they know haw great my Master is?... No. His mind
worked sluggishly. Niijima-sama said they would be enemies. But they
will learn respect. He breathed deeply, focusing his defenses as Niijima-sama
had taught him, as he tried to remember what had happened.
There had been no problem with the Dayside Dragons.
They had been sure of themselves, cocky and when he'd pointed out their
target they had rushed in to attack and that should have been it. The brat
should have been the first to fall but the Okashira had saved her and after
that everything went wrong. The two Niijima-sama had indicated that if
possible should be taken alive fought together, each covering the other,
and they seemed to know exactly where to strike. The girl had thrown small
daggers and had all the while been covered by the Okashira, although he
did seem to take care that she didn't see it. And after the initial charge,
Yasunari couldn't even see the other man. He realized now that that was
a mistake. He'd ventured too close to when everyone else was leaving the
area, but he had been so focused on those he could see he hadn't noticed
the fallen forms of the Dayside Dragons who'd never even ventured near
the four central fighters. He didn't see the tall man with the white manto
flicking his way through the flanking Yakuza. He's never have believe he
could not have seen that white cloak in time to block. At least, not until
he materialized in front of him. He'd just appeared, his eyes hard but
there was a sardonic smirk on his mouth. His manto had taken an instant
to follow his movement, the same instant Yasunari had realized his mistake
and had turned to run. After that all he remembered was black. He'd never
even drawn his sword, and he could feel now that its weight was not at
his side. He could also feel that his wrists and ankles had been bound.
The knotting felt it had been done by an expert. There was little chance
he could break out of it. Forgive me Niijima-sama. They were far better
than I anticipated but I will not betray you.
::I know you won't,:: a voice whispered around
him, sounding amused at some joke. Yasunari did not understand but at the
same time it was strangely comforting. Niijima-sama.
"Lying comatose is not going to help you," a voice
snapped at him. "You've slept most of the day and we know you're awake."
Yasunari opened his eyes, focusing on the group
he had attacked. "Asleep or awake I'm not going to answer your questions."
"We'll see about that," the oldest spoke in a voice
which sounded exactly like Niijima-sama's most scathing and mocking tone,
when there was nothing gentle about him. The man smiled at him, mocking.
"We know my ex student has given you some protections and so you are loyal
to him. Nothing we could do to your body could make you talk. I know, I
taught him the technique myself and he was always very good at it. But
consider this Yasunari, before you think yourself safe..."
Yasunari watched the man, he could not look away
as his eyes slowly changed for a faded brown to a deep coal black. The
same as Niijima-sama when he uses his power.
"What Niijima," the word was spat out with
hatred, "can do, I can undo and it will not be a pleasant
process for you. And by the time I'm finished you will have betrayed him
utterly."
He dragged his gaze from the man. "I will not
betray him. You're bluffing. He told me. You cannot undo what he has done,"
Yasunari's eyes narrowed as his expression became sly. "Or rather you could
and in doing so, I would tell you everything but you can't make me tell
you, you can't undo it, without ripping me apart and you won't do that."
He glanced at the group from the corner of his eye. The four men wore neutral
expressions but the woman-child's blue eyes were wide with surprise, and
her lips were apart as she considered the implications of the conversation
she was hearing.
Shinichi and Masujiro looked at Yasunari carefully.
His attitude was not what they had expected but that was secondary. Now
that he was awake, the shielding had altered slightly and they could see
some of the internal protections. Niijima had done a thorough job with
this one. It was probably the work of years and Yasunari wasn't lying.
He couldn't betray him. The words would freeze in his throat and
if they tried dismantling Niijima's work a different sort of defenses would
be set off, killing the man faster than they could repair the damage. They
couldn't even shield against it.
::Shishou, I don't mean to reopen wounds but do
you remember the scroll which began this?::
::The wounds will not close until this is over.
I should have known but yes, I remember it.::
::Power calls to power, blood calls to blood. Poetic
yes but further on in that section it was a bit vague but supposedly you
can undo what Niijima has done. I don't know if it's true but it is worth
an attempt. We have nothing to lose.::
::I agree. We must forget our ties it we are to
triumph. Or rather we should use them to bring him down.::
"Usually Yasunari, we would agree with you. But
your master is the result of inappropriate training," the younger man,
Masujiro spoke. "Our schools history contains a warning which Shishou did
not know about until it was too late but that same history says some other
interesting things. While I cannot undo Niijima's touch, another
can."
"What are they babbling about?" Aoshi asked. None
of this made much sense to him.
Hiko looked over, surprisingly understanding. "It
appears Kouken is even more mystic that I thought but for the moment let
them continue. Unless you have a different idea. They seem to think this
will work and there are still a few more days before we reach Tokyo in
which we can question him."
Aoshi nodded, backing down and content to wait,
for now.
The older man stepped forward. "Power calls to power.
The reason I should not have taught him is the same reason I can undo what
he has done without destroying you. You are going to speak Yasunari.
You are going to tell us everything."
Before he could struggle or scream Shinichi reached
out, covering Yasunari's shielded presence with his own, forcing him to
remain still and quiet. He glanced at their chosen companions. "Thank you
for your confidence, Hiko-san. Although this may take a while since it
has only ever been tried once before in the history of our school so I'm
not exactly sure what to do but I'll work it out. Niijima does not know
of this technique. It is one of the one's we discovered after he had left
us." Shinichi turned back to Yasunari, expanding his presence and began
looking for the matching patterns of thought in the shield which the ancient
text had described.
Yasunari could feel the older man's presence. The
shields he had always known were there but had never felt had flared into
existence with both his and Masujiro's touch. He couldn't examine them
the way they were looking at him but he knew as the feel of the older man
surrounded him that they were going to try something and it was something
his Master did not know about. Ha, as if that were possible. "Niijima-sama
has prepared for every eventuality. He is superior in Kouken Sokuuchi to
both of you. Whatever you try is destined to fail." ::I have prepared better
than you know.:: The same voice whispered again.
His taunts brought no response from the man in front
of him except for a hardening of his eyes. Yasunari looked passed him ,
to the younger master. This was the one Niijima-sama hated. This was the
one whose being had destroyed the uniformity of the Kouken school. Yasunari
could almost feel his masters anger even though Niijima-sama had never
directly spoken to him about his sensei. He only knew there should have
only been one student, one sensei. The only reason for a second student
was the death of the first. "So you are the one who has robbed Niijima-sama
of his rightful place. It's your fault. You should not exist..." Yasunari
stopped gasping.
Shinichi's presence which had been a constant pressure
on the shields had suddenly come into a sharp focus, closing in. He dimly
heard the words, "The matching places are there, now to break them open,"
Shinichi's voice was distant but Yasunari could see that his eyes were
opaque. He had nothing to fear but he was covered in sweat.
"I will not betray him. I will never tell you,"
he gritted his teeth, forcing the words out. He could feel the barrier
slowly eroding, fine hair line cracks ran through out it. He tried to reinforce
it but he couldn't. That wasn't his strength. "Iya!" he tried to scream
as he felt larger cracks appear but it came out as a whimper. I mustn't
betray Niijima-sama, he thought frantically as he felt Shinichi's presence
impose itself upon him, like Niijima-sama when he gave him his orders.
I
mustn't betray... I mustn't... He began the panicked chant but suddenly
another presence came to him. It was huge and it was familiar.
Niijima-sama!
Emerald eyes flashed, their spectacular yellow flecks brilliantly highlighted
against the darkness.
::You will not betray me.:: The comment was directed
at him before one which was scathing and angry but at the same time it
held an oddly satisfied note. ::My servants never betray me. By the way...
You know that secret scroll you found... I have read all the histories
of Kouken, Segawa-sensei.:: Niijima-sama's presence continued to the already
fading presence of Shinichi. Then something crashed down. Yasunari could
feel a dull ripping and then nothing.
Shinichi yelped. Masujiro was moving before he knew
what was happening. He leapt forward, his eyes going dark before he gripped
his masters head. He initiated contact, pulling the presence of his master
back, reaching out with his own mind to cut the contacts, using his masters
presence's to find the matching points of Shinichi had used to break through
the barrier. It was like an intricate lace work but it was one which was
quickly unraveling as one half of it was ripped apart from within. He pulled
everything which to his senses felt like his master, keeping all the strands
whole, pushing them back into his master. Impossibly he could feel Niijima,
in the center of what was once the man Yasunari. He was ripping him apart.
There would be nothing left for them to salvage. He could clearly see the
parts of Yasunari as they were destroyed but all he could see of Niijima
was his brilliant eyes. Then every last piece of Yasunari vanished and
Niijima's eyes faded into the dark emptiness which was left. I shouldn't
have been able to see him, even if he was there, his presence should not
have been that strong. It's probably because of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, Masujiro
decided as he pulled back, Shinichi finally releasing Yasunari's head,
his brown eyes wide with shock.
::Shishou!?::
::I am whole. Arigatou Masujiro-kun but that is
not something I want experience again.::
Masujiro looked over at Hiko, Aoshi and Misao. Misao
looked confused by his sudden movements. Aoshi was a study in neutrality.
How did the man stay like that all the time. He would be a formidable enemy
even with the slightest knowledge of Kouken techniques. Hiko looked on,
his smirk as sardonic as usual and one eyebrow raised in question. "It
didn't go as planned?"
"No, Hiko-san. It didn't," Shinichi replied in a
quiet voice. "It did not go well at all." He shifted slightly to let them
see Yasunari now. He was still, his eyes stared vacantly at nothing. His
mouth was slack and spittle was pooling at the corners. "Gomen nasai, Hiko-san.
This will require an explanation but we need to deal with this as well,"
Shinichi continued when Hiko's gaze returned to him.
Osaka
Disposing of the body proved to be relatively easy,
at least from Shinichi's point of view. He was sure Aoshi's contacts in
Osaka would have some problems with it but he did not inquire as to what
would happen. Hiko-san had solved the immediate problem at the train station
by carrying him draped across one shoulder. The story they had told to
one official was that he was drunk. Apart from a few curious looks no one
had bothered them.
But that wasn't what was bothering him. Although
it had been his decision to ask the other Masters, he never thought he'd
have to show this much. Kouken knew about the other schools. They did not
know each other or Kouken. But that was changing as he watched. If the
other schools had merely found out about each other, that would have been
concerning but he could have handled it. It was that fact that Hiko at
least was becoming aware of the secrets of Kouken. Although Hiko couldn't
copy the techniques his knowledge of them was still dangerous. We couldn't
stand against him if he can work out a defense. Kouken would fall to the
superiority of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, instead of standing equal. Hiko couldn't
duplicate them but Aoshi was another matter. He was coming very close to
it. All he needed was a little training or an extended demonstration. And
I've certainly been giving him that. And now he was going to
have to explain what had happened. Before I acted but now, I realize
I have revealed so much. I know we need Hiko's help but I never thought
it would show so much of Kouken to outsiders. I never realized that there
were those who were so close to it anyway. I never should have done that
in front of them...
"Onegaishimas..." The cry was a heart felt
plea. The voice was lost in the desperation it held. "Onegai. Don't let
it happen again. Don't let their be another. Even if it costs you your
life, even if it costs the continuation of the Kouken school... There cannot
be another." He remembered the words of the scroll which had detailed the
prohibition he had broken. When he had read them he had heard the voice
of the author. He'd known it wasn't there but the power and passion with
which the words had been written had almost seemed to travel through the
generations to him. If only I'd found that scroll earlier. I would never
have taught him. Kumi, forgive me. Shinichi straightened his shoulders,
he had to deal with this now. His personal feelings were not angry but
more anguished that Kouken was so revealed but his duty and the feelings
of the author of the scroll were clear. It didn't matter, Niijima had to
be stopped.
::Shishou!:: Masujiro finally broke into his thoughts.
"... explanation," Aoshi finished in his quiet voice,
watching them from those expressionless blue eyes.
The last word was all the explanation he needed.
He nodded. "This is going to sound strange but please remember what we
explained to you last night." Shinichi took a deep breath, phrasing his
words in his mind. He looked at Misao. "Do you remember child, I told you
Yasunari belonged to Niijima?"
Misao nodded uncertainly.
"Allow me to explain a little bit more of what that
means. It means that Niijima had 'modified' Yasunari. Think of it as a
sort of special training. Apart from ensuring absolute loyalty and dedication,
it means that he could protect himself against the Kouken techniques and
against normal methods of questioning." He paused, allowing that to be
taken in before continuing. "Now usually what one Kouken master does, another
cannot undo except for actual combat maneuvers because they are by nature
temporary. This is more permanent. For example, if Masujiro had done this,
I could have tried forever and not have undone it or gotten Yasunari to
talk unless Masujiro allowed it. But Niijima and I are a special case,
one that if I'd know about it would never have arisen. I can undo what
Niijima has done and that's what I did this morning and that is where the
problem lies."
Brown and blue eyes looked at him with equal measures
of disbelief.
He sighed as Masujiro took up the thread. "Since
we found out about this special case from a Kouken history scroll we thought
was lost, we did not believe Niijima knew about it."
"We were wrong. I successfully pulled down the protection
s Niijima had placed on Yasunari but he set a trap, one keyed to exactly
that action. You saw the results for yourselves. Only Masujiro's actions
allowed me to escape it but Yasunari was caught from the beginning." He
shuddered remembering the impression he had felt of Niijima.
"You don't really expect us to believe that, do
you?" Aoshi questioned, his whole manner accusing as he shifted slightly.
Shinichi suppressed a smile as he noted that while the movement allowed
him more ease to attack or defend it also put him in a better position
to cover Misao. Shinichi wondered if he was aware of that. His question
though, was not unreasonable.
I'm probably planting the seeds of Kouken's eventual
supplantion here. He reached out. Believe what you will Shinomori
Aoshi-san. But you are very close to doing this yourself.:: He noted with
slight satisfaction the widening of the man's eyes but he did not back
down. "Even if it costs the continuation of the Kouken school." I need
him... Hiko and his student will help but we will need others to help.
::This
has never been done before Shinomori-san but I am willing to show you some
of the basics, not everything but enough for you to understand how we do
at least some of what we do.::
Aoshi nodded, backing down slightly. "I understand.
But is this going to happen to everyone we run across?"
"No, I don't think so. The trap this morning was
very powerful I doubt he has put it in all his agents and we are not likely
to encounter anymore of them. We will probably encounter more Yakuza but
answers can be gotten out of them fairly easily. But from this we need
to get to Tokyo as soon as possible. And then we need to stop him by any
means."
::There is something else, isn't there Shishou?::
Masujiro asked him, looking across slyly.
::Are you angry I offered to teach Aoshi? It would
be dangerous to have an untrained sensitive running around. We would never
get any peace.::
::No, but that's not my question.::
::You always were too intelligent... Alright. Niijima
was waiting for me. He's read that scroll. He's probably read all of them
but that's not all. He could have sprung the trap and got me as well. He
didn't want to. He left the way out open and that worries me. He had gotten
far more powerful in just one day after absorbing Hiten Mitsurugi and he
won't fully be used to it yet.::
::He's gone beyond us, hasn't he? His mastery of
Kouken... I know I couldn't set something like that. A trap triggered by
such a specific thing, especially since the trigger was so destructive.::
::I think you are right but I pray you are wrong.
This is going to be difficult enough as it is. We will have to be more
careful from now.::
::Should we tell them?::
::No, we should still be able to shield them. That
requires less energy than an attack. Even if he is beyond us, we should
be able to hold him and that will be enough.::
Masujiro nodded, his face shadowed in thought.
Tokyo was a long way away.
End Part 12
Another note: When Shinichi thinks Kumi, I do mean Kumi not Kami. Kumi is a female name and who it belongs to will be revealed in time, if I remember although it should be fairly obvious. (Says she, knowing exactly what I am talking about. Sorry if I am being too cryptic.) Just take Kumi as a female name. She's not important, since she's dead.
Next time I promise you Kenshin and Kaoru will finally get into the chapter, since that chapter is also set on the same day. This is one long day for everyone involved.
Definitions
Onegaishimas, Onegai - Please
Gomen nasai - I'm very sorry
Okashira - Leader
Yosha - Alright
Kuso - shit
Chikusho - darn, general curse word
Shishou - Master
Arigatou - thank you
Ahou - moron
Nani - what
Hai - yes
Iie - no
Tamashii Hitokken Ryuu - Yasutake Ryuichi's and Murakami Seir's technique
Tamashii - soul
Hitokken - One Sword
Kouken Sokuuchi Ryuu - Niijima Akihisa, Segawa Shinichi, and Ryusaki
Masujiro's technique
Kou - Thought
Ken - Sword
Soku - Swift
Uchi - Strike
Fairly simple ne?
HUGE Thank you to Tatsuko for helping to create the names of some fighting
schools.
Any other names that appear in this fic, eg names of people, while I'm sure they mean something, I did not pick them because of any meaning they may have. I picked them because I liked them when I was choosing names. Some I stole from other manga's and animes and one or two I made up myself.
Review Please!