Thank you to Sylv-chan and Rebecca-san for pre-reading this chapter.
:: :: Non spoken conversation
Kokoro
- Heart, Mind and Soul
Part 16
By Jade One
***
On the Road
***
The general air of the people who were with her had been watchful for the past couple of days. It was not hostile but it was wary. It seemed as if they almost were waiting for her to strike out at them and a small corner of her mind wanted to, was screaming at her to run, to get away but she couldn't work out why. So she had given up listening to that voice and had ridden on. But as her horse topped a crest and yet another valley with a village nestled into it came into view there was an almost palatable change in the people around her. They relaxed and the eyes that had been furtively watching her and everything else in case of attack looked only towards that village. She surmised that it was probably their destination. The voice telling her to run agreed with this decision and screamed more insistently that now, when they weren't looking was the time to run. She couldn't though, she was so tired but despite that she looked up to examine the village. If it was her destination it wouldn't hurt to see what it looked like.
The village was well kept and neatly laid out. At least all the roofs were whole and showed no signs of damage. Smoke rose from most of the houses and even from a few buildings that were located out in the fields. She assumed they, the villagers, were getting ready for the evening meal or bathing after a day's work.
They began to descend from the hill, moving out from the trees and into the well tended fields that surrounded the village. There were still some workers finishing up in the fields and she could feel their eyes on her. They weren't hostile or cunning or wary. None of the eyes that had been on her for the last days. They were just the eyes of people watching others pass by. There was admiration in the looks, certainly but it was relaxed, normal, something she had experienced every day in Tokyo. And that normalcy made her relax and she lost the will to look further at her surroundings, despite the voice that was still screaming at her to awaken.
***
"Quit stallin' boy an' git to work!"
"Hai!" The hoe began to rise and fall and the boy, young man really, began to move along the field hacking at the weeds. Chop. It was a tedious job, dull and repetitive, yet at the same time it required concentration. Chop. If the hoe fell at the wrong angle, you'd kill the crop and not the weed. Chop. It was heavy work, which was why he always got assigned it. Chop. Still it was late in the day and he really could have waited until tomorrow before starting this field. Chop. What was one night more or less? Chop.
"Ya gotta get your head outta the clouds boy," the tirade continued. Chop. The boy ignored it as he continued to work. Chop. He'd be more worried if the tirade had stopped. "You're a farmer. You always are gonna be a farmer. You ain't no samurai, and even if ya were, the samurai is dead!" Chop. "You ain't gonna be a guard for Niijima-sama. You don't even know how to hold a katana. Plus ya gotta know how to ride a horse." Chop. "Now wouldn't that be a sight! You all high and mighty! Well you can forget it!" Chop. "These fields boy. These are your future, like they are mine, like they were my fathers and like they're gonna be your sons'." Chop. "So quit your wool gatherin' and pay attention to the job at hand." Chop. "Work hard boy, work the land, and please our Master and when the hard times come, 'cause they will, he won't forget you." Chop. "But slack off boy, and I'll help Niijima-sama kick your worthless hide out myself!"
The chop of the hoe was accompanied by the fall of horses' hooves. Chop. Clop. But that was common enough since Niijima-sama had arrived. Chop. Clop. His guards came along the road to and from Niijima-sama's house almost every day. Clop. But he still loved to watch them. They looked so fine. Clop. And even his father didn't complain about them.
"Now what cha lookin' at boy?"
"H... Hi... Hime-sama!"
"Don't you Hime-sama me, boy!"
"But... But..." He pointed vaguely in the direction of the road. Surely his father had heard the horses.
The woman was beautiful, even if she did sit astride the horse with a somewhat awkward grace. Her head was down cast. She was looking down at her hands that were gripping the saddlebow. Such small white hands! She was wearing plain hakama and a kimono, on which the sleeves were tied out of the horses' way. The flapping would no doubt scare the animal. But it didn't detract from her beauty. Her hakama were tucked into riding boots and the kimono was tucked in at her trim waist. She was dressed for practicality but Juro could see her in the fine garments he'd once seen Yumi in. This woman, with her long black hair arranged and pinned and her face and lips painted would outshine the stars.
He took a half step forward. He'd do anything to serve such a vision. Such a woman could only be kind and gentle. She'd be truly worthy of the title 'Hime'. And if she was staying at the village he'd do anything to serve there. Anything. As long as he was closer to her.
"Well boy. At least ye got eyes to see. But that all ya be doin'," the old man broke in on his reverie.
What do you think I am, Oyaji? I would never touch such beauty.
"She be Niijima-sama's. Mark my words boy. She ain't for the likes of us. And don't you get no half brained notions of working in the village. Ya ain't got no hope and the fields be needin' a good hoein'," He looked up at the sun. "Finish that line and then we'll go eat an' see what's up in the village. That was Katsunan-san returning so the Master's sure to be followin'."
"Hai!" Just looking would be enough. I would never touch. The hoe began to rise and fall rhythmically once more.
***
Akihisa's Base
***
Noisy!
Why was it so noisy when she was trying to sleep? She looked around without much interest. They were in a courtyard of some sort. But it seemed too full, too many people were crowded about and the noise was coming from everywhere. There were guards shouting at each other and others welcoming them back in loud jovial tones. She suspected it was helped by the sake they were ingesting. The horses too were making noise, a stray whiny, the clop of a hoof, the noise of leather being stretched and the ever present swishing of their tails. Some of the noises were soft, almost lost in the general din, others were loud but they had all disturbed her.
The noise lessened somewhat when most of the horses and guards disappeared around a corner. At least now she could see her surroundings. It was a courtyard or the entry yard of a fine house. She could remember from somewhere that there was probably more than one yard. This one was fenced on one side and the gate in that fence was large enough to admit several mounted people at once. On the other side there was a fine house. At least she assumed it was a fine house because it was adorned with solid wooden doors at the top of several stairs. A dense shrub had been planted on either side of the doors and lead out forming a hedged walkway, and the other two impartial sides of the courtyard. The guards had disappeared behind one of them.
No one had told her to get off her horse so she stayed there. There wasn't anything else she could do, one part of her mind reasoned. And when it had been time to mount or dismount someone had always come and helped her, so she'd just wait for that. Yes, that was the best course of action. She looked over at the person she knew was Katsunan. He'd been in charge of their party for the last few days. He was standing on the steps talking to someone who had given him a half bow of greeting.
"We've been expecting you," the man was saying.
Katsunan nodded. "Yes, I know. Niijima-sama told us. How do things stand?"
"The woman and child arrived a couple of days ago. We put them in the guest rooms."
"Have they given you any trouble?"
"Not at all, except the woman insists on helping with the chores. We eventually gave in, although we have told her repeatedly that this isn't her duty. Is that okay?" The man asked the last question in a tone that betrayed his nervousness.
"Just make sure she has time to herself but apart from that, it's okay," Katsunan reassured the man. "How goes the search?"
"As Niijima-sama suggested," the man replied in a relieved voice, "we have directed our efforts to the south east quadrant. We've found his trail but we have been unable to locate him."
Katsunan nodded again. "Niijima-sama didn't think you'd be able to capture him and while it must be done, it is no longer as urgent as it once was. Tsuya will talk to your searchers in the morning. She found him once so she should be the best person to find him again."
The man nodded and then looked over at the group who had remained mounted.
Katsunan followed his gaze. Only Tsuya, the woman and two guards who'd been assigned to watch over her remained mounted. The rest of their party had disappeared and the baggage they had brought from Tokyo was being moved into the house by a stream of servants passing around him. "This young woman is Niijima-sama's special guest. You have a room ready for her?" It wasn't a question. They'd been told to have one ready.
"We've been ready for days," the other man responded, walking down the stairs before bowing to Kaoru. "My Lady," he began formally. "I'm honored to finally meet you in person."
Katsunan sighed. "She doesn't know yet, Sedra. And apparently she is something spirited so Niijima-sama has placed some blocks on her. She probably won't remember any of this."
"I'd imagine she's something more than 'spirited' for her to have caught Niijima-sama's eyes," Sedra responded.
"That may be," Tsuya interrupted the impending argument in her sultry voice. "But for the moment Niijima-sama does not want her distressed. And this is confusing her!" Tsuya slid down from her horse, casting a vicious 'you should know better than this' look at both Katsunan and Sedra before she moved to stand beside Kaoru's horse and made motions for her to dismount.
"Alright. The room is this way," Sedra said after the woman and her guards had dismounted. He turned and led the way inside as several more servants gathered up their horses.
The inside of the house was a peculiar mix of western and traditional design. It almost looked like some parts had been remodeled or rebuilt in the new fashion. But the house was still serviceable and comfortable. They had paused only long enough to remove their shoes at the door before Sedra had escorted them through the corridors, some of which had western paneling and plaster and others which had the rice paper and wood of a traditional home. Arranged at what seemed odd intervals there were statues and pillars supporting small ornaments. It only added to the house's uniqueness.
Kaoru shook her head, bemused. Even if the mix was odd, it was a lovely house but there was too much for her to take in. She was too tired and too confused. So much had happened. So much she didn't know. She continued walking in almost a daze, not even listening to the quiet conversation between Katsunan, Tsuya and their guide. Kaoru's guards trailed behind them at a discrete distance.
Eventually Sedra stopped before a door. There was a girl dressed in a simple kimono waiting outside it. She bowed as they approached and made way so that they could enter the room before she followed them in. Kaoru's guards took up positions outside the door. If they were needed they could be called.
"I trust this will be sufficient?" Sedra asked Katsunan after he had finished looking around.
"Aa, it will," Katsunan responded, not fazed by Sedra's challenge. "Who is this?" he asked, looking towards the girl.
"This is Kita. She will help Kaoru-dono."
"Good," Katsunan nodded. "Niijima-sama will be pleased. But now, I think we should leave the Lady to her evening," he added, starting back towards the door.
"I agree," Sedra followed him. "I'll make sure the guards are relieved before the evening meal."
The three of them filed out of the room leaving Kaoru alone with Kita. It was pretty much what Katsunan had been doing for the last couple of nights except Tsuya had been left. Kaoru would eat, brush her hair and then sleep. Always as docile as a baby and exactly what Niijima-sama had said she would do. And even if she remembered again, broke his protections, she did not have Murakami's training. She would not escape the village.
Kaoru looked tiredly around the room that they had left her in. Now that she had stopped traversing the beautiful but confusing corridors she felt a little bit of strength returning to her. Not much but enough to be curious about her immediate surroundings. She doubted she would ever get the strength to take up the voices urging to run.
There was a bed in the middle of the room. It was covered with richly tapestried covers and looked soft and warm. A large wooden chest was at the foot of the bed. Kaoru took and involuntary step towards it. It looked so soft and comforting. Along the walls of the room there was a table and chair with a mirror hanging on the wall. And there was a large wardrobe in the far corner.
It was beautiful, expensive and still. She hadn't noticed until now how truly disorientating the continuous motion of the horse was. She smiled. There was something comforting about the room. Something which was telling her to rest and relax.
"Kaoru-dono?" The voice was quiet, almost timid.
Kaoru turned to face its owner and found herself looking at a young girl dressed in a simple kimono who was standing by the door, her hands clasped before her and her eyes downcast. "Forgive me for interrupting you, but would you like to take a bath before the evening meal?"
Kaoru didn't even need the inner prompting that was telling her that this was a good idea to aid her answer. She was a woman after all, and despite some tom boyish tendencies, being grimy was not a sensation she overly enjoyed. And she was feeling decidedly grimy at the moment, from the horse and the dust of travel. "That would be wonderful but," she looked down at the clothes she had been given to wear. Hakama and a short kimono were practical for riding but they would not do for dinner. Especially not when they were so dirty. And she hadn't brought anything else to change into. Why would that be? If she was travelling why wouldn't she have brought extra clothes? It was yet another thing that didn't make sense. The vocal part of her mind grabbed at it and began screaming anew that this was just more evidence that something was wrong and that she had to get away. She didn't really have time to register this before the complaint and the faint anxiety it brought was soothed away by the warm comforting presence's that had been with her lately. It sung her to sleep every night. "I don't have anything to wear." Despite her concern of the subject disappearing the sentence still slipped out.
"Kaoru-dono," Kita began with a smile. She had been told the woman would be confused and insecure and had been instructed to act appropriately. She moved towards the wardrobe as she spoke. "That won't be a problem. There are plenty of things for you to wear here."
Kaoru followed her movement and gasped. The wardrobe contained many kimonos hung up in a neat row. The colors varied but they seemed to be predominantly blue and green although there was one or two startlingly red kimonos.
"Which one would you like for this evening?" Kita asked.
Kaoru looked at them, more than a little confused and overwhelmed. She'd never had so much choice! "I don't... I don't know!" She managed to say, reaching out to touch the fabric. Silk. But of such a fine weave it was so soft to her touch and almost slipped through her fingers.
"Pick something he'd like," Kita suggested teasingly.
"Something he'd like..." Kaoru murmured, looking at the clothes. He... Who is he? There were two images which came to mind. One was of a red haired man with beautiful amethyst eyes. The image looked at her with the kindest and most loving expression. She should know this man. Why didn't she know who he was? The other was a different person. He felt like the presence's that had comforted her over the last few days. He had brilliant emerald eyes, shot through with gold. His wavy black hair went past his shoulders but it was not as long as the other man's hair. Kaoru frowned slightly. She couldn't remember his name either. Did she know his name? Why couldn't she remember either of them. "Something he'd like..." she repeated, shaking her head slightly. It was odd. She couldn't remember any of these people but she didn't feel any anxiety. Something comforted her.
She looked back at the clothes. There were many colors but eventually she decided upon a green one. It was an emerald green with golden highlights along the sleeves and neck. It was patterned in gold with sprays of flowers so detailed she could almost see the dew on their petals. She chose it because it felt and looked like the person she could feel comforting her.
"A beautiful choice," Kita complimented her as she took the garment. Her interruption banished and further thoughts Kaoru had as she watched Kita carefully fold the kimono with its matching under robe and golden obi into a more compact shape for carrying. "The bath is this way..."
***
"Do you feel better, Kaoru-dono?"
"Much," Kaoru responded. The bath had felt good. And it was wonderful to be dressed in clean clothing. She hadn't bothered tying her hair back into its customary ponytail. Instead she'd settled for tying a green ribbon through it at the nape of her neck. It hung loosely and felt relaxing. The only problem was, and it was only a minor one, that now that she was clean and warm, she was sleepy. And it seemed too early to sleep.
"Would you like some dinner?"
Kaoru closed her eyes considering. While she was tired, now that Kita mentioned food, it did seem to be a good idea. She could go to bed after she ate and perhaps it wouldn't seem so early then. "That would be nice, thank you."
Kita brought in a tray. There were several bowls on it and the food smelt delicious. She put the tray on the table and indicated for Kaoru to come and eat.
"Arigatou," she said, sitting down to eat. "...ne, Kita?"
"Aa, Kaoru-dono?"
"After this, I think I'd like to go to bed."
"Hai, Kaoru-dono," Kita smiled at her. "You have had a long day, although I'll brush your hair first. Otherwise it will be difficult in the morning."
"Aa." Kaoru continued to eat with a dreamy expression.
***
Horse's hooves clattered on the stone. Leather creaked, guards shouted and fires crackled and popped.
"Niijima-sama!" Sedra strode into the opening court yard. He sketched a bow. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, Niijima-sama. Please forgive us."
Akihisa waved his hand, dismissing the matter. "We ran into a slight hindrance and I thought it would be best to return as quickly as possible, so we pushed the horses." Niijima offered the rare explanation as Katsunan appeared from within the house.
"Niijima-sama," he bowed.
"I trust everything is fine?"
"Hai, Niijima-sama, shikashi..." Katsunan didn't look comfortable but his master had to be told before he discovered it himself. It would be better that way.
"Shikashi..?" Niijima trailed off. The question itself was clear.
Katsunan looked around. While the village was loyal to Niijima-sama there were things they didn't need to know. "I would prefer to tell you this in private, Niijima-sama." He bowed deeply in apology. "It could be determined to be sensitive information."
Akihisa looked over Katsunan with an appraising eye. "You've gotten bolder since this began," he voiced his conclusion in a neutral tone. There was no need to let Katsunan know that there were some things he could be questioned on as long as he was obeyed. He did allow for some small independent thought with his operatives. Katsunan knew some of the topics, but it appeared he was branching out and trying to find the others. ::What is it?:: Akihisa opened the link.
::Kaoru-dono...:: Katsunan heaved a mental sigh. There was not way he could break this news gently. ::Tsuya can verify this, but before we reached the village last night, Kaoru-dono broke through your precautions.::
::She broke through...::
This was one of the few times Katsunan had seen his master at a loss for words. His outward expression and stance hadn't changed but his mind was trying to come to terms with Katsunan's report.
::What happened?:: Niijima may have been surprised but he didn't remain that way for long.
::We're not sure. We were approaching the village when she became aware. But Tsuya and I felt it, so we were able to move everyone into position to prevent any escape attempt. She was awake for a small amount of time. Somehow, she managed to slip around your suggestions. At first it didn't look like she would try anything so by the time she had decided to run, everyone was in position. And then, your protections reasserted themselves, Niijima-sama. Since then she has been asleep and we have kept a double guard on her.::
Akihisa nodded. The news was disturbing but in some ways expected. He hadn't chosen her because she was weak or ungifted. The only question was if she remembered how to break his controls and what exactly she had remembered. She could be difficult if some memories had come to light.
He shook his head slightly as he entered the house. It was late and now was not the time to consider his choices. He turned to Katsunan and Sedra as he strode through the corridors. "You are both dismissed for the night," Niijima said abruptly, turning down a new corridor.
The two of them stopped following their master and bowed as he drew away from them. Bairei continued to follow. Niijima had said nothing to him yet.
"You may go as well Bairei. I will not require you until tomorrow afternoon so you are dismissed until then."
"Hai, Niijima-sama," Bairei too faded back into the house, leaving Niijima alone.
He frowned slightly. She'd broken his restraints? Worrying, But a small smile crossed his features. Pleasing. Now is not the time... It has been a long couple of days. I need to rest before I decide what to do about Kaoru-san. But first... He turned, doubling back slightly but moving with definite purpose heading towards a section of the house. He could feel her there and it had been too long since he had seen her, sitting astride the horse with a blank expression.
He didn't even glance at the guards as he approached the room. He could barely see them. Her presence was everywhere. It almost seemed to be a burning blue light that shone through the walls. His senses had been awakened, amplified by the Battousai's technique. His fight with Saitou had shown him that but this... He hadn't even seen her and he was in danger of loosing himself. And she was asleep. He could feel that from here. But he still had to see her and not just her aura.
Akihisa pushed the door open and slipped into the room quietly. He glanced around briefly checking the room before he looked over to her. Sedra had done well. The room should not cause her distress and if she became that way there were only limited things she could use to hurt herself or others. But for the moment, that was a moot point.
Kaoru-san lay asleep on the bed. Her hair had been arranged into two plaits that lay beside her although a few strands of hair had escaped and were caught in her lashes. She was dressed in a plain robe but a beautiful green and gold kimono was hung up. An interesting choice. As she moved he looked over to her. The coverlet was drawn around her. It was rippled and creased over her curves. She settled herself more comfortably and he leant back against the door to watch her, listening to her quiet breathing. A small smile played around her lips, highlighting her face's childlike innocence and beautiful openness.
Perfect. It was the word he'd used when he'd first seen her. It still applied now. Even asleep she was perfect and still had the power to capture him. And now that he had the Battousai's technique there was even more that entranced him. He pushed off from the door and moved closer to her, picking up the chair as he moved. Niijima straddled the chair back wards, folding his arms across the top and looked down at her. He didn't reach to touch her. He didn't think he was ready to touch her yet. Her power was something he wasn't sure he could handle now and while he controlled Kouken he didn't yet have full control over Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. And it had made his Kouken senses so much sharper now. He wasn't sure he could handle her touch. Besides that gesture should be something that didn't happen while he was tired and she was asleep. It should be something special to them both.
He looked down at her and carefully reached out with his mind. While he wasn't going to physically touch her, he did need to see the damage she'd done to his barriers. But the first thing that came to him was not her Kouken presence that should have been the barriers he had set but something else. He blinked in surprise then relaxed. He'd seen and felt this before, he just wasn't used to it. He could feel her, a large calming presence. It was simply her chi. Calming, solid, comforting but with a surprising amount of force. Akihisa nodded. This was the way the Battousai saw her. He allowed her presence to comfort him for an instant before he drew his focus in and brushed gently against the working he'd left in her mind.
The damage she had done was incredible. And it was not something he could fix now. His shielding and controls were still there but in many places they were very thin. If they had been something physical he'd say they'd been attacked with claws or systematically shredded with a katana. The break she'd made was clearly visible but the rest of the working had collapsed slightly. That's what had closed it. It had been a closer thing than Katsunan had indicated. But then, he didn't really know what had been done.
Akihisa narrowed his eyes both in tiredness and to focus. They'd darkened to a smoky green as he worked. There was nothing he could do now except smooth over some of the damage. Tomorrow he would have to remove the working completely. She was in one of his bases and despite her strength she did not have Seir's advantages. She would not escape.
He pulled back into himself, closing off everything he might get from Kouken for the moment. It was too intense. She was too intense for Niijima. He smiled as he looked down. So strong, even without knowing it. He could feel her even now. "Kaoru-san..." he sighed. "Oyasumi..."
A soft smile crossed her features at his words and she settled herself, snuggling into her blankets. She sighed softly before her breathing became regular again.
He got up carefully. He didn't want to disturb her and he'd seen what he needed to. At the door he turned back to admire her once more. She was the picture of restful perfection. "Oyasuminasai... Kaoru-koishii. My angel, my soul... Mine."
***
Tokyo
***
"Well finally!" Hiko jumped down from the ship to the dock. Sea travel was not something he enjoyed.
"Yes, we're here," Misao confirmed as she moved down the gangplank. She wore the same battle clothes he'd seen her in at the Aoiya except in the intervening time she'd developed a little and had added an undershirt and a small kodochi to the whole attire. It looked like she'd finally worked out or been told that she'd need something more than projectiles. The weapons were hidden though by the manto she swung around her shoulders. It was one thing to be scantily clad in the capital but it was another to be armed. The others, Segawa and Ryusaki had taken similar precautions. They hadn't opted for mantos. Despite the cool fashion statement they were if the whole group wore them they would be somewhat conspicuous. Rather the two of them carried their swords bundled with the rest of their belongs. But Hiko had seen them making the bundles. Their swords were in very easy reach.
Finally Aoshi came down the gangplank and looked around. While he had begun to show some preference for a western style of clothing he now maintained his black shirt and pants, over topped by his trench coat. It would be an unremarkable attire for Tokyo.
The dock looked like the one's in Osaka. The soft hiss and lap of the water providing a constant murmur of noise over which the shouts and clattering of the work could be heard. At the moment gangs of workers were boarding the ship they had departed. The boson was screaming orders at them but he spared a moment to quit haranguing his work force to lean over the rail and yell abuse at the general layabouts who seemed to congregate at the docks. Hiko shrugged, it probably kept what he called a mind occupied.
Misao had skipped on ahead towards the city but she turned back to glare at the four men who were making their way towards her. "Hayaku!" she insisted. "The sooner we get to the Dojo, the sooner we can help Himura get Kaoru back."
"Hai, hai," Shinichi agreed with a gentle smile. "But if we hurry Misao-chan, we'll be obvious and that won't help anyone." He flicked his gaze over the lay abouts who were perched on every surface available. He lingered on a couple who were a little too alert. They didn't have the blank faces of drunken stupor of their comrades, even this early in the morning. Rather they were furtively looking around the docks with bright eyes seeking something, a target. Them?
Hiko sighed slightly. If they were dumb enough to attack like the last lot, so be it. The result would be the same. But he did hate to waste the effort. His skin crawled as more of them settled their gazes on the group. He wasn't worried about the situation, nor did it make him uncomfortable, it was a normal reaction to someone watching. He just wished if they were going to try an attack that they would. If they were going to make the futile effort the sooner they did, the sooner he could beat them up and then be on his way to belt his baka deshi for dragging him out here.
He caught the eyes of one and glared. The man quivered slightly and backed away, ducking down behind a stack of crates. It didn't improve Hiko's temper as he turned to the next one. This one had a bit more mettle. He shook his head slightly before settling back down, to pretend to be something he wasn't, lying in wait for an easier target.
"Relax Hiko-san," Masujiro came up beside him. "They're not going to attack," he added quietly, sweeping his eyes over their watchers. "I don't think they've been paid to do anything but watch."
"Now that's just insulting."
He doesn't mean that. He can't mean that. Masujiro looked at Hiko both surprised and wary. He was fast enough to catch the flash of amusement behind his eyes. "Better the fight avoided, Hiko-san," he cautioned anyway.
::Having problems, Masujiro-kun?::
::Aa,:: he responded to his master's silent question. ::How do you tell what he means and what he doesn't? He's not a bad man but that is sometimes the impression I get.::
::I know. In Hiko-san's case, I think the determination must be based on more than what we know and feel. Otherwise judgement would be rendered too early and we'd be left confused, knowing less than we do now. Just don't let him confuse you. Act on what you feel, not on what you think he knows.::
::Hai, Sensei.:: Masujiro gave his master a brief smile.
"Interesting conversation?" Hiko whispered to him before moving away.
Masujiro looked around to cover his blush. Now that they had left the docks he could see that the city was different from both Kyoto and Osaka. The noise was the same though. He winced and belatedly reinforced his shields. He could now truly appreciate the quiet village he and his master usually resided in. I wonder if Niijima has thought this through. Control for him means domination and rulership, but then he'd be surrounded by this all the time. He'd get no peace! Masujiro shook his head. Niijima was probably arrogant enough to believe he could handle it. That is not my concern. He followed Misao as she flitted though the crowds towards the Kamiya Dojo.
"We're here!" she called as softly as possible. She obviously wanted to surprise those inside with their appearance. She'd stopped outside a wooden gate inset in a tall white plastered fence. The gate was more a door and was completed by a structure capped with blue roof tiles. The weathered signs on the wall proclaimed this to be the Kamiya residence as well as the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu Dojo with on Kamiya Kaoru as the Master in residence. Masujiro raised an eyebrow. 'Kaoru - Fragrance - Female?' This was not a conventional school. And wasn't Kaoru the name of the woman Niijima had kidnapped? There was something wrong here.
Shinichi looked around. The corners of his eyes creased as if he were smiling. He obviously approved of the place. "Despite its appearance, this is a good establishment. I can feel it."
Masujiro reached out slightly. He could feel the people inside. For the most part they were bright, calm and happy. Exactly what he expected from people who were in their home. But there was an undertone of worry to them that he couldn't identify. They considered something to be wrong. It took him a moment to sense it. The source of their concern. The presence was so quiet he almost missed it. And despite its quietness once he locked on to it, it was truly a formidable presence. He was suddenly very glad Hiko had accompanied them. This was one being he wouldn't have wanted to confront alone. This was the Hitokiri Battousai.
Masujiro spared a glance for Hiko. The mans expression had changed. An instant ago it had been comfortable personable. Now it was completely blank. Masujiro didn't like the change. Could Hiko sense something he couldn't?
"Well, what are we standing around for?" Misao broke in on the possibility of discussion as she slide the gate open. "Let's go and tell Himura we'll help him get Kaoru back." She led them through the gate and around the buildings towards the back where the faint splash of water could be heard.
As they rounded the corner they could see the people who occupied this building. The first person they saw was a slight woman. Her back was towards them and she was bending over a large tub. Her kimono sleeves were tied back, as was her hair. The splash was coming from her as she scrubbed at clothes. For the moment Masujiro wouldn't have given her a second glance but for Misao's reaction. The child pulled up, her lips moving but no sound coming out. She was very surprised. Hiko too had glanced at her with something more than passing interest. It was more than slight confusion but Hiko was more interested in someone else.
Masujiro looked around. Helping the woman with the washing was a tall lankey man with spiky black hair, a red fluttering bandanna and almost blindingly white clothes. He was taking the garments, although there seemed to be many bandages as well, from her and was carefully threading them on to bamboo poles to dry. Hiko hadn't even bothered to look at him. So he couldn't be the once causing the others distress.
The next person Masujiro saw was a child. He could be the cause of distress. While he was dressed in hakama and gi, the bandages he had wound around his body were not for the prevention of injury. They were there for injuries he had sustained. It could be seen in his movements as he slowly, very slowly swept the ground. It was entirely out of place for a child with such injuries but Masujiro noted with a soft smile a shinai strapped across his back. His desire to protect was still strong. Ryusaki shook his head, the boy was the cause of some distress but not the main cause. He looked around. Where was that almost inhumanly quiet presence he's sensed earlier?
He stopped looking as he felt Hiko tense. There, in the shadows. There was a small man sitting, almost curled around his sword. He almost looked asleep but his eyes were bright and wary and even though he was in shadow Masujiro could see that they were a brilliant glowing yellow, shot through with blue. He was obviously the person Hiko had been looking for and he was slowly uncurling himself from his sword. Masujiro was vaguely aware that all motion in the yard had stopped. Even non sensitives could feel the tension between the two.
The man stood facing Hiko. Masujiro could almost hear the snarl from him. He was very small, dressed in a navy blue kimono and white hakama. But there was a force about him that was formidable. He could understand why this man was so feared. Hiko's eyes had changed, narrowing dangerously as he considered the person before him. He'd obviously thought he wouldn't be seeing him again. They spoke together with the same hatred and feirce determination, almost snarling the word.
"Kisama!"
To Be Continued... ^_^
Definitions
Hai - yes
Hime - Princess
Oyaji - father but a disrespectful way of saying it
Arigatou - thank you
Ne - general noise or the equivalent of a question mark.
Aa - yes
Hai - yes
Shikashi - But
Oyasumi - Goodnight
Oyasuminasai - Goodnight
Koishii - beloved
Hayaku - Hurry
Baka deshi - stupid pupil
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.
Just a reminder to tell you that you can Email me!