Part 4: Friends, Adversaries and Brotherhood
Tenshi was awakened by a sudden splash of water thrown at his face. The minute he realized it, a shot of pain burns at the right side of his face and he could barely open his one eye. "Welcome to Kyoto!" his twin greeted with a wide grin on his face, "After both hiding us underneath the train, Aoshi-san lost us and here we are!" he was half-expecting for Tenshi to just agree with him and forget everything but he was surprised when his brother snapped then charged on him and send them both crashing by the wall. They were by the street alley, and there are a few people who roam the street at nights and the commotion Tenshi is starting is getting unwanted attention.
"Do you have to fist me at the face to have us both get here?" Tenshi snarled, pins his brother down and shaking him by the collar. "Look!!! I can barely feel the side of my face and I can't even open my right eye!!"
"Damn it Tenshi no baka! You were hysterical, how I was suppose to calm you down?!" Shiro spat back, shoving his brother roughly off him. "You blew our cover, and it's the only best idea I could think of!" Well he seems right, so Tenshi calmed down and sat at the ground, mumbling... "It was because of the spider…"
"I TOLD you not to touch your cap." Shiro exclaimed, dusting himself off and standing up, he stretched his hand to his brother. " Come on now, I'll explain everything later to Okaasan. We have to go there…" then giving Tenshi another going over as the latter stood up, "I wonder what made you so afraid of spiders, and I think it's hereditary..."
Tenshi sighed, "Forget it, just next time if you are going to do that just hit me at the head."
"But that happened already to you this afternoon." He nearly forgot, he intervened with one of Shiro and Kenji's arguments and got hit by a firmly hard wooden sword right at the middle of his head. He shrugged and just walked beside his older twin as they took a route to Himura-san's residence.
"I think it's nothing personal, I heard of group syndicates who usually kidnapped women to attempt to sell them in slavery in other countries…"
"But why our daughter, why will someone attempt to have her?" Kaoru voiced out, her voice full of concern and worry when Hotaru, Kenji's younger sister, her daughter is reported missing awhile ago. No clue or ransom had yet been sent and the couple is brainstorming with Misao and Soujiro to help give any possible leads to find her.
Soujiro took another mouthful of the scrumptious serving of squid balls that Himura brought for late dinner, since as usual, Kaoru being a bad cook and with the current situation make it even worse to her bad culinary skills. Misao can't help but notice that Soujiro had busied himself just eating ever since the conversation started, and its starting to annoy her.
"Have you had anything to say, Soujiro?" Misao said, giving him a sharp glare. "I hope you are very well listening, since I noticed you have been eating THOSE ever since we got here…"
"But it taste good Misao, you should try some…"
"SOUJIRO!! We are to help, not to have a picnic!!" Misao shouted, sending him to drop his plate. Kenshin who is comforting Kaoru in the background sweat dropped at the sight of such scene most least likely to happen, Soujiro have not lost his old habits…he seems to be calm and composed even though Misao didn't notice, Soujiro is listening all the while he is eating. It has been almost 10 years and he observed that Misao and Soujiro fight on little things: Misao gets furious easily and snaps off…then Soujiro would give her one of those comforting apologies with a smile that most of the time works to melt her rage.
"But I am listening Misao, now don't go angry..." he said, smiling with those apologetic look. " I'm going to help in this affair, since I am also part of this family..."
This will be the mushy part, Kenshin thought... Misao will find a heart to forgive him and they will eventually kiss and make up…in front of them, and it's not a good time to see it. "Soujiro, so tell me…what are your conclusions on whom possibly kidnapped our daughter?"
Soujiro took a quick sip of his tea to wash down what he ate, "I agreed with Misao, the kidnapping has to be a syndicate…but I can't help to think that it has some personal matter involved here."
"What made you think it's personal?" Kaoru asked,
"If it's white slavery syndicate, they usually go and kidnap lower class citizens. But if we are talking of a big, syndicate ring here...since all they have kidnapped belong to certain class." Soujiro noted, "Kenshin-san, you have Hotaru enrolled in a western all-girl school with a private dormitory, am I right?"
"Yes, I and Kaoru agreed it's the best for her," he looked to his wife, holding her hand. "With Hotaru's state, she need a caring stable environment and a good education, and for her to have a good future."
"I noticed that all the young women reported missing all came from the same school," Soujiro concluded, "all 20 of them,"
"You are getting into something." Misao said proudly, "So are you saying this is a big time syndicate?"
"I guess so." Soujiro implied, helping himself another mouthful of squid balls. "But the fact, that all the young ladies kidnapped does not belong or have any association to a prominent lineage, I have my benefit of a doubt that it could also be personal."
"How can you be sure they are not of a prominent lineage?" Kenshin questioned, "I haven't reported this to the authorities yet, but you seem sure that is the conclusion…"
"All the students you told me that are reported missing along with your daughter didn't ring a familiar name." Soujiro said, then adding. "I read newspapers in my spare time and I get to learn a lot of valuable information who is who in politics and social gatherings."
"We could only guess..."
"Does everyone know about much of Hotaru?" Misao questioned, "I mean if the status is not important, she is the only among the 20 kidnapped that stand out."
"What do you mean by that?" Kaoru said, looking up from her husband.
"What Misao meant, does everybody in that school knows her pedigree is?" Soujiro followed up the statement of his wife, "I mean they know that she is the only daughter of the living legend Kenshin Himura."
"Of course, after all she is my daughter…there is nothing to hide." Kenshin said, "But we are one humble family now, I am retired to be called such a legend and that is all in the past: I'm just now an average family man…" giving Soujiro an affirmative look, "…and I know you are also one, Soujiro."
Soujiro gave a nod to the comment, "I just can't shake of the thought it has some personal agenda to the kidnapping of your daughter. There are enemies from the past that will haunt us as long the people like ourselves continue to live, even if we had changed our paths in life and wanting the past to be left behind."
"But I couldn't think of anyone who will ransom our daughter," Kaoru spoke softly, "Kenshin, is there anyone you know that who could do this…"
"Not that I know, Kaoru."
"Kenshin-san," Soujiro spoke again and much serious this time, "I know I'm speaking from experience, the only way to track a criminal is to think like one… it's the best way we could get a lead about your daughter."
Soujiro spoke a great length of knowledgeable thoughts in those few minutes, and Misao is quite surprised that all through out her husband is eating he is also listening attentively at the same time. His driven concern to the situation is that Kenshin have helped him twice before: a second chance to change… and a second chance to love. And he will pay his debt for him with also a good deed, after all Kenshin accepted him also as a family.
"..And you used to be one..." Misao commented, reacting to her husband's statement.
"Hai. As a former right-hand man to the one of the most brilliant mad man in Japan. I could use a thing or two from what I learned from there…" he said, "for the better good, of course."
Suddenly Kaoru remembered something, "Soujiro! I forgot one detail when the news about Hotaru was brought to us…"
"What is it?"
"All those 20 girls…" she said, "All those 20 young average girls that also went missing, they happen to be Hotaru's closest acquaintances in that school."
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
"There should be a ransom, we should wait till tomorrow if they will hand us a note. From there, we might get possible clues." Misao told everyone, "Let's just hope the best of luck, if nothing happens tomorrow... me and Soujiro will help you to track Hotaru down, we promise."
"But we talked it over Misao," Soujiro intervened. "You are going to retire from this; it's the oath you said to Okina. We are going to retire from fighting together."
Kenshin and Kaoru is not surprised to hear from them that Okina is already dying, he had witnessed three generations and Buddha had granted him enough longetivity to even witness Misao's sons grew into fine young men. As his dying wish, he wants Misao to retire since her responsibility as the group leader started in such an early age and having her own family herself to watch. He appointed Tenshi as the new leader to the clan in doing so.
"But this situation is an exception Soujiro; after all…it's just not the right time for Tenshi to take over such responsibility." Tenshi being the younger and much sensitive one happens to be much closer to Misao. Being a mother, she had her worries on letting her own son being assigned on a task to which he had no experience on.
"He is not a child anymore Misao, we didn't teach our children martial arts of sword fighting and ninjistu for nothing."
Misao is about to escalate in another heated debate on motherhood and loyalty to friends and having the way of a ninja, but everything was cut all of sudden by a sound of something that crashed nearby the sliding door. Kenshin is the first to react at the sound, noticing it could be an intruder listening at the middle of night by bringing out his sakabatou and cutting it through the thin door…something he rarely does anymore. And to everyone's astonishment, the twins stumbled into the view, with Tenshi falling upfront.
"Shiro! Tenshi! " Misao called out in surprise, and quickly stood up and scold her sons, "what are you two doing here? I told you to stay home! " and then noticing the still dazed Tenshi, "...and what happened to your face?! Did Shiro hit you again?"
"Hai, okaasan…but it's a long story."
Soujiro sighed, then talking to their red-haired companion. "Himura-san, this is another reason why she needs to retire..." he smiled faintly, "...she always worry about the boys," They watched Misao is openly furious with a frustrated attempt to give Shiro a pinch by the shoulder, while Tenshi tried to calm her down…trying to explain the whole story why Shiro HAVE to hit him at the face. Shiro try to dodge his mother's hands and trying also to give a side of his story, "How did you two get past by your Aoshi-san?! I entrusted both of you to him and it's impossible to just get out!"
"Umm…it took us 17 years to figure it all out, okaasan." Shiro replied, and then told her the whole story. But what he got is the shameful-drag-you-by- the-ear and demands an apology which parents are good at. "You are going to get it when we get home!" then looking behind, "same goes to you Tenshi for following your bonehead brother!"
"I'm not a bone head…." Shiro argued
"Okaasan, he didn't force me into it…really..."
"Soujiro, this two went all the way from Edo just to get here…WITHOUT permission, aren't you going to discipline them?" Misao said. Between her and Soujiro, she knows her sons are more intimidated to their father than she is. They know that she expresses her disappointment freely but to Soujiro its calm and unpredictable and the two never answer back if a word from their father is soon spoken.
"They are pretty smart." Soujiro spoke, standing up and facing his twin sons. " I think as the matter of fact, they might have inherited my shrewdness to escape under Aoshi-san and go here to Kyoto and that's a very impressive thing. " he followed the statement with a smile to Misao, who in turn became totally put off that she walked out flaming from the room. Kenshin had the "oro" expression, for Soujiro had strange moments to tease his wife in the wrong mood…and Kaoru sometimes questions how the two could get along. Tenshi and Shiro looked at each other, "Sometimes I can't guess Otousan's humor..." Shiro whispered, "…we are supposed to get a punishment, not to be congratulated."
"I heard that." Soujiro said, that send both twins nearly jumping off from their skins. "You two will still get a punishment, but we would deal about that matter later with your mother."
"Later?"
"You heard me right you two," he said, "Both of you wouldn't be in here if it's not something important, am I right?"
They nodded.
"I was about to say that to your mother, but I think she got turned off of what I said awhile ago…anyway, one can never get to Kyoto overnight."
"Hai, Otousan." Shiro bowed, "It's about Kenji…back from Edo."
"What about Kenji?" Kaoru asked, "He shouldn't been told about this incident…he will do something drastic."
"Whatever happens he must stay at Edo, at all costs." Kenshin concluded, "Your parents must have told you about that already."
"Kenshin-san…"Tenshi looked up, "It's the reason why I and Shiro are here," He took a deep breath and received an affirmative nod from his older twin, " Kenji ran away. He overheard the conversation and I noticed it's already too late to catch him…he just left so fast…"
Tenshi was awakened by a sudden splash of water thrown at his face. The minute he realized it, a shot of pain burns at the right side of his face and he could barely open his one eye. "Welcome to Kyoto!" his twin greeted with a wide grin on his face, "After both hiding us underneath the train, Aoshi-san lost us and here we are!" he was half-expecting for Tenshi to just agree with him and forget everything but he was surprised when his brother snapped then charged on him and send them both crashing by the wall. They were by the street alley, and there are a few people who roam the street at nights and the commotion Tenshi is starting is getting unwanted attention.
"Do you have to fist me at the face to have us both get here?" Tenshi snarled, pins his brother down and shaking him by the collar. "Look!!! I can barely feel the side of my face and I can't even open my right eye!!"
"Damn it Tenshi no baka! You were hysterical, how I was suppose to calm you down?!" Shiro spat back, shoving his brother roughly off him. "You blew our cover, and it's the only best idea I could think of!" Well he seems right, so Tenshi calmed down and sat at the ground, mumbling... "It was because of the spider…"
"I TOLD you not to touch your cap." Shiro exclaimed, dusting himself off and standing up, he stretched his hand to his brother. " Come on now, I'll explain everything later to Okaasan. We have to go there…" then giving Tenshi another going over as the latter stood up, "I wonder what made you so afraid of spiders, and I think it's hereditary..."
Tenshi sighed, "Forget it, just next time if you are going to do that just hit me at the head."
"But that happened already to you this afternoon." He nearly forgot, he intervened with one of Shiro and Kenji's arguments and got hit by a firmly hard wooden sword right at the middle of his head. He shrugged and just walked beside his older twin as they took a route to Himura-san's residence.
"I think it's nothing personal, I heard of group syndicates who usually kidnapped women to attempt to sell them in slavery in other countries…"
"But why our daughter, why will someone attempt to have her?" Kaoru voiced out, her voice full of concern and worry when Hotaru, Kenji's younger sister, her daughter is reported missing awhile ago. No clue or ransom had yet been sent and the couple is brainstorming with Misao and Soujiro to help give any possible leads to find her.
Soujiro took another mouthful of the scrumptious serving of squid balls that Himura brought for late dinner, since as usual, Kaoru being a bad cook and with the current situation make it even worse to her bad culinary skills. Misao can't help but notice that Soujiro had busied himself just eating ever since the conversation started, and its starting to annoy her.
"Have you had anything to say, Soujiro?" Misao said, giving him a sharp glare. "I hope you are very well listening, since I noticed you have been eating THOSE ever since we got here…"
"But it taste good Misao, you should try some…"
"SOUJIRO!! We are to help, not to have a picnic!!" Misao shouted, sending him to drop his plate. Kenshin who is comforting Kaoru in the background sweat dropped at the sight of such scene most least likely to happen, Soujiro have not lost his old habits…he seems to be calm and composed even though Misao didn't notice, Soujiro is listening all the while he is eating. It has been almost 10 years and he observed that Misao and Soujiro fight on little things: Misao gets furious easily and snaps off…then Soujiro would give her one of those comforting apologies with a smile that most of the time works to melt her rage.
"But I am listening Misao, now don't go angry..." he said, smiling with those apologetic look. " I'm going to help in this affair, since I am also part of this family..."
This will be the mushy part, Kenshin thought... Misao will find a heart to forgive him and they will eventually kiss and make up…in front of them, and it's not a good time to see it. "Soujiro, so tell me…what are your conclusions on whom possibly kidnapped our daughter?"
Soujiro took a quick sip of his tea to wash down what he ate, "I agreed with Misao, the kidnapping has to be a syndicate…but I can't help to think that it has some personal matter involved here."
"What made you think it's personal?" Kaoru asked,
"If it's white slavery syndicate, they usually go and kidnap lower class citizens. But if we are talking of a big, syndicate ring here...since all they have kidnapped belong to certain class." Soujiro noted, "Kenshin-san, you have Hotaru enrolled in a western all-girl school with a private dormitory, am I right?"
"Yes, I and Kaoru agreed it's the best for her," he looked to his wife, holding her hand. "With Hotaru's state, she need a caring stable environment and a good education, and for her to have a good future."
"I noticed that all the young women reported missing all came from the same school," Soujiro concluded, "all 20 of them,"
"You are getting into something." Misao said proudly, "So are you saying this is a big time syndicate?"
"I guess so." Soujiro implied, helping himself another mouthful of squid balls. "But the fact, that all the young ladies kidnapped does not belong or have any association to a prominent lineage, I have my benefit of a doubt that it could also be personal."
"How can you be sure they are not of a prominent lineage?" Kenshin questioned, "I haven't reported this to the authorities yet, but you seem sure that is the conclusion…"
"All the students you told me that are reported missing along with your daughter didn't ring a familiar name." Soujiro said, then adding. "I read newspapers in my spare time and I get to learn a lot of valuable information who is who in politics and social gatherings."
"We could only guess..."
"Does everyone know about much of Hotaru?" Misao questioned, "I mean if the status is not important, she is the only among the 20 kidnapped that stand out."
"What do you mean by that?" Kaoru said, looking up from her husband.
"What Misao meant, does everybody in that school knows her pedigree is?" Soujiro followed up the statement of his wife, "I mean they know that she is the only daughter of the living legend Kenshin Himura."
"Of course, after all she is my daughter…there is nothing to hide." Kenshin said, "But we are one humble family now, I am retired to be called such a legend and that is all in the past: I'm just now an average family man…" giving Soujiro an affirmative look, "…and I know you are also one, Soujiro."
Soujiro gave a nod to the comment, "I just can't shake of the thought it has some personal agenda to the kidnapping of your daughter. There are enemies from the past that will haunt us as long the people like ourselves continue to live, even if we had changed our paths in life and wanting the past to be left behind."
"But I couldn't think of anyone who will ransom our daughter," Kaoru spoke softly, "Kenshin, is there anyone you know that who could do this…"
"Not that I know, Kaoru."
"Kenshin-san," Soujiro spoke again and much serious this time, "I know I'm speaking from experience, the only way to track a criminal is to think like one… it's the best way we could get a lead about your daughter."
Soujiro spoke a great length of knowledgeable thoughts in those few minutes, and Misao is quite surprised that all through out her husband is eating he is also listening attentively at the same time. His driven concern to the situation is that Kenshin have helped him twice before: a second chance to change… and a second chance to love. And he will pay his debt for him with also a good deed, after all Kenshin accepted him also as a family.
"..And you used to be one..." Misao commented, reacting to her husband's statement.
"Hai. As a former right-hand man to the one of the most brilliant mad man in Japan. I could use a thing or two from what I learned from there…" he said, "for the better good, of course."
Suddenly Kaoru remembered something, "Soujiro! I forgot one detail when the news about Hotaru was brought to us…"
"What is it?"
"All those 20 girls…" she said, "All those 20 young average girls that also went missing, they happen to be Hotaru's closest acquaintances in that school."
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
"There should be a ransom, we should wait till tomorrow if they will hand us a note. From there, we might get possible clues." Misao told everyone, "Let's just hope the best of luck, if nothing happens tomorrow... me and Soujiro will help you to track Hotaru down, we promise."
"But we talked it over Misao," Soujiro intervened. "You are going to retire from this; it's the oath you said to Okina. We are going to retire from fighting together."
Kenshin and Kaoru is not surprised to hear from them that Okina is already dying, he had witnessed three generations and Buddha had granted him enough longetivity to even witness Misao's sons grew into fine young men. As his dying wish, he wants Misao to retire since her responsibility as the group leader started in such an early age and having her own family herself to watch. He appointed Tenshi as the new leader to the clan in doing so.
"But this situation is an exception Soujiro; after all…it's just not the right time for Tenshi to take over such responsibility." Tenshi being the younger and much sensitive one happens to be much closer to Misao. Being a mother, she had her worries on letting her own son being assigned on a task to which he had no experience on.
"He is not a child anymore Misao, we didn't teach our children martial arts of sword fighting and ninjistu for nothing."
Misao is about to escalate in another heated debate on motherhood and loyalty to friends and having the way of a ninja, but everything was cut all of sudden by a sound of something that crashed nearby the sliding door. Kenshin is the first to react at the sound, noticing it could be an intruder listening at the middle of night by bringing out his sakabatou and cutting it through the thin door…something he rarely does anymore. And to everyone's astonishment, the twins stumbled into the view, with Tenshi falling upfront.
"Shiro! Tenshi! " Misao called out in surprise, and quickly stood up and scold her sons, "what are you two doing here? I told you to stay home! " and then noticing the still dazed Tenshi, "...and what happened to your face?! Did Shiro hit you again?"
"Hai, okaasan…but it's a long story."
Soujiro sighed, then talking to their red-haired companion. "Himura-san, this is another reason why she needs to retire..." he smiled faintly, "...she always worry about the boys," They watched Misao is openly furious with a frustrated attempt to give Shiro a pinch by the shoulder, while Tenshi tried to calm her down…trying to explain the whole story why Shiro HAVE to hit him at the face. Shiro try to dodge his mother's hands and trying also to give a side of his story, "How did you two get past by your Aoshi-san?! I entrusted both of you to him and it's impossible to just get out!"
"Umm…it took us 17 years to figure it all out, okaasan." Shiro replied, and then told her the whole story. But what he got is the shameful-drag-you-by- the-ear and demands an apology which parents are good at. "You are going to get it when we get home!" then looking behind, "same goes to you Tenshi for following your bonehead brother!"
"I'm not a bone head…." Shiro argued
"Okaasan, he didn't force me into it…really..."
"Soujiro, this two went all the way from Edo just to get here…WITHOUT permission, aren't you going to discipline them?" Misao said. Between her and Soujiro, she knows her sons are more intimidated to their father than she is. They know that she expresses her disappointment freely but to Soujiro its calm and unpredictable and the two never answer back if a word from their father is soon spoken.
"They are pretty smart." Soujiro spoke, standing up and facing his twin sons. " I think as the matter of fact, they might have inherited my shrewdness to escape under Aoshi-san and go here to Kyoto and that's a very impressive thing. " he followed the statement with a smile to Misao, who in turn became totally put off that she walked out flaming from the room. Kenshin had the "oro" expression, for Soujiro had strange moments to tease his wife in the wrong mood…and Kaoru sometimes questions how the two could get along. Tenshi and Shiro looked at each other, "Sometimes I can't guess Otousan's humor..." Shiro whispered, "…we are supposed to get a punishment, not to be congratulated."
"I heard that." Soujiro said, that send both twins nearly jumping off from their skins. "You two will still get a punishment, but we would deal about that matter later with your mother."
"Later?"
"You heard me right you two," he said, "Both of you wouldn't be in here if it's not something important, am I right?"
They nodded.
"I was about to say that to your mother, but I think she got turned off of what I said awhile ago…anyway, one can never get to Kyoto overnight."
"Hai, Otousan." Shiro bowed, "It's about Kenji…back from Edo."
"What about Kenji?" Kaoru asked, "He shouldn't been told about this incident…he will do something drastic."
"Whatever happens he must stay at Edo, at all costs." Kenshin concluded, "Your parents must have told you about that already."
"Kenshin-san…"Tenshi looked up, "It's the reason why I and Shiro are here," He took a deep breath and received an affirmative nod from his older twin, " Kenji ran away. He overheard the conversation and I noticed it's already too late to catch him…he just left so fast…"