DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.
Author's Notes: This is my first Alternate Universe Fanfic about Kenshin and Kaoru falling in love during modern times. It's not your typical love story and it is OOC. (Drama/Angst/Romance) Fatal Love Fanfiction by Gypsy-chan Enjoy!
Please Note: This story was not written to offend those in the medical profession or in the law enforcement field. It was written from my over-active imagination. The characters, the characters in various professional capacities and the events in this story should not be taken literal in anyway. OOCness and unethical practices will prevail throughout this story. Thank you and Enjoy! ^_^
Part Thirteen
"Saitoh! What are you doing here? Where's Warden Matsushita?"
"He took a permanent leave of absence. ....."My name is Fugita Gorou, I'm the new warden here, in case you haven't noticed."
Saitoh lit the cigarette and took a long draw. Upon exhaling, he shifted his eyes between Shura and Kenshin saying, "Shall we get down to business?"
********************************"I have no business with you Saitoh," scowled Kenshin.
"Shut up you moron and just listen."
Kenshin glared up at him.
Shura turned to Kenshin and said, "Over the past six months, the Navy has received reports regarding suspicious activities taking place along the docks. Generally, the Navy doesn't involve itself in land crimes. However, our investigation has found that, an underground organization has been smuggling tainted drugs and counterfeit money across international waters and bringing it into the country.
We've apprehended several men from this organization stationed along the docks. They were posing as naval officers. That is when we contacted the local government for their assistance.
As the Navy continue monitoring activities over the waters and along the docks, the local government and police will assist in tracking all land activities in this matter. Mr. Gorou has been assigned to handle the land investigation."
Kenshin eyes widened as he looked over to Saitoh.
"I've narrowed my search down to this prison. Three months ago, a large sum of money appeared in Warden Matsushita's bank account. He was an older man, so selling boy scout cookies for extra money was ruled out.
When our office contacted Warden Matsushita, he became afraid and said that he would confess everything. Unfortunately, by the time I got here, he had vanished without a trace. My office assigned me to work undercover as the new warden while investigating the case."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes up toward Saitoh and asked, "What does all this have to do with me?"
After exhaling the smoke from his cigarette he replied, "Trouble and death seem to follow you wherever you go. That's what makes you the perfect bait."
Kenshin glared at Saitoh.
"There's also another reason why you were chosen. I've heard that the leader of this underground organization has a personal score to settle with you. He'll probably try contacting you. When he does, I want you to report back to me."
"Can you tell me the name of this leader who supposedly has a score to settle with me?"
"No, that's still under investigation," replied Saitoh as he took another long drag of his cigarette.
"If the matter is still under investigation, then why should I help," responded Kenshin.
"You'll be doing this for your country," answered Shura.
Kenshin widened his eyes saying, "My country?"
"Yes. Since those tainted drugs hit the streets, many young people have died because of it. The drugs were found on the grounds of college campuses, high schools and several junior high schools. As for the counterfeit money, its being laundered throughout the country as we speak. The economy will suffer greatly if this continues."
Kenshin sat in deep thought staring down toward the floor.
"I know that this is all so sudden, but we don't have much time to waste," said Shura as she stood. "Think about what I've said Mr. Himura. I hope you will join us in this fight."
Shura got up and left the room leaving Kenshin still in deep thought. Finally he looked up at Saitoh.
"Well don't expect me to beg you for your help. Personally, I couldn't care less whether you help or not. But if you decide to help, the government will give you a full pardon over all your crimes. If not, you'll be prosecuted and sentence again for the other murders you failed to report ten years ago."
Kenshin's eyes widened at Saitoh.
Saitoh smirked at Kenshin before pulling out another cigarette from his pocket. As the cigarette dangled off his lips he said,
"You seemed to have underestimated me Himura. When I questioned you ten years ago over the deaths of your ex-wife Tome, her husband Akira, and your attacker, you seemed to have confessed too quickly. I played along with your little game. I could sense that you were hiding something.
While you were being detained in our jail, my commanding officer (C.O.) reviewed the case and decided to stop the investigation. To him, it was an open and shut case. But I knew differently. Not wanting to go against my C.O., I waited until the time was right to reopen my own little investigation.
After you had been tried and convicted for murder, I started my investigation. As I pulled out your file, I noticed that on the autopsy report, there was a picture displaying a small tattoo on the arm of your attacker. I recalled seeing similar tattoos on the bodies of a street gang found several days later.
At the time, it seemed like a typical rival gang killing, with all the blood that was found in the area. No one became suspicious. However, the more I researched your files and theirs, it became evident that everything linked back to you."
"If you knew this, then why didn't you turn in the new evidence? What purpose did you have for hiding it Saitoh?"
"Those punks were nothing but maggots littering the streets. They got what they deserved. Besides, you had already been sentenced to life imprisonment and was on your way to prison. I didn't see where it would make a difference to report it."
Kenshin grew angry.
"A life is still a life! No matter what they did, I had no right to murder those men! You work for the law and suppose to represent justice. How can you sit here and say that they deserved to die. What kind of justice is that!"
"There's only one brand of justice that I adhere to and that is Aku, Soku, Zan. (Kill, Evil, Instantly). As long as evil exist, I will never turn aside from that brand of justice."
Kenshin remained silent.
"You shouldn't concern yourself over the past Himura. We have a job to do."
Saitoh buzzed for the guard. Before the guard entered he looked at Kenshin and said,
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be relocated to another part of the prison. I suggest that you go and say your farewells to Dr. Kamiya. There's no need for her now since I've already denied your parole."
Kenshin widened his eyes as he stared up at Saitoh. "What!"
"We don't have time to waste. The area of prison that you are going into is very dangerous. One of my undercover agents was sniffed out and murdered last week. By putting you in that spot, no one will ever suspect anything. You've been in the prison system for over ten years. Everyone is familiar with you and your infamous reputation.
However, from our brief conversation today, I can see that you have grown soft. Now is not the time to be weak Himura. I need you to focus your mind on becoming the killer you once were. It's the only way you'll survive in the area that I'm putting you in. That is why I'm cancelling your sessions with Dr. Kamiya. I can't afford to have that woman filling your head with thoughts of pacifism. It'll only get you killed."
Kenshin sat numbly as the guard unhandcuffed him from the chair and then escorted him out of the warden's office. Saitoh went over to his desk and buzzed for his secretary.
"Yes Warden Gorou?"
"Contact Dr. Kamiya and have her meet Kenshin Himura in the visiting area. He'll be there waiting for her."
"Yes Warden Gorou."
Saitoh felt his top pocket and found that he had one cigarette left. He buzzed his secretary again.
"Yes Warden Gorou?"
"Get me a carton of cigarettes. It's going to be a long day."
"Yes Warden Gorou."
As Saitoh sat looking at his desk, he moved a couple of papers back and picked up his cell phone and called his wife.
Saitoh on phone: "Tokio, I'll be late."
Tokio on phone: "Again?"
Saitoh on phone: "Yes."
Tokio on phone: "But I made special dinner plans and we have guests coming!"
Saitoh on phone: "Cancel it."
Tokio on phone: "I'll kill you!"
Saitoh on phone: "I know."
Click! Dial tone is heard. Tokio disconnected phone call between them. Saitoh looks at cell phone and smirks, "Evil woman." Then he begans doing paper work.
Kaoru rushed into the visting area. She saw Kenshin sitting behind the thick glass pane. A guard is in the background watching over Kenshin
The guard says, "Five minutes Himura."
Kenshin nods and then turned to face Kaoru.
"Mr. Himura, are you all right?" asked a worried Kaoru.
"Yes Dr. Kamiya, I am fine."
"I just received a call from the warden's office that you wanted to see me."
Kenshin closed his eyes briefly and thought, "How do I explain my leaving? Saitoh should have given me more time to prepare for this. I can't tell her what I have to do. I don't want her to get involved. What do I say?"
"Mr. Himura?"
"Dr. Kamiya, starting tomorrow, I will be relocated to another part of the prison. It seems that my parole has been denied and there is no further need for my attending any more sessions."
Kaoru's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "What! How can you be denied parole without my findings? You've made so much progress. Did the warden tell you that you were denied parole?"
"Yes. But it doesn't matter."
"It does matter," replied Kaoru. "I'm going to see the warden and tell him..."
"No Dr. Kamiya. You mustn't get in trouble because of me. When I entered prison ten years ago, the warden back then told all the new prisoners that we belonged to the prison system. Our freedom was given up the moment we committed the crime. We were expected to do whatever the prison officials told us to do."
"But I don't understand. There's something wrong about all this. I can feel it. Why is it that every time you near parole something always happens."
"Dr. Kamiya, when I first came to your office, you welcomed me and treated me like a real person and not like a prisoner. I am very grateful for that. I've learned many things from our sessions. I intend on applying them to my life so that one day I can become the person you had hoped I become. Thank you Dr. Kamiya and take care."
Kenshin smiled at her one last time before he stood and was escorted away by the guard.
Kaoru put her hands on the glass pane and as it slid down she silently cried, "Kenshin!"
