All For Love

Disclaimers apply. No offence is intended to anyone.

Misao: Cao, or Xiao Cao
Omasu: Zeng/Ah Zeng
Okon: Jin/Ah Jin
Okina: Lao Die (Old Father)
Megumi: Hui/ Xiao Hui
Kaoru: Xiao Xun/ Xun
Kenshin: Jian Xin
Kanryuu: Guan Liu
Sanosuke: Zuo Zhi Zhu/ Xiangle
Soujiro: Zong Cilang

Chapter 9: Confrontation

She was in a daze.

She knew she was supposed to be busy preparing for her wedding--after all, it was the next day. But she just could not bring herself to do it.

The night before, Cilang had suddenly appeared out of no where, helped her up and sheltered her all the way home. He had been so nice to her that she felt bad about loving another.

She wondered if he had seen them, but he had made no mention of it. When she had asked him what he was doing out there so late at night, he had merely replied that he was on his way home from making a delivery to the military camp, and had seen her out in the rain--all that with a smile. At least Aoshi's eyes sometimes told what he was feeling, with Cilang it was so hard.

But Aoshi had rejected her. She tried to force herself not to think about it, but she could not. Everywhere she turned, she saw the red of wedding decorations, which reminded her of her wedding, and of Cilang and Aoshi.

Why? Why had he done that? She knew he had feelings for her, she was a hundred percent sure now, after last night...but why did he push her away? He had told her that there were better men around than him. It was true, but shouldn't he have known better? She didn't care if he wasn't the best man in the world for her, he was the best she knew...the one she loved. To her, love was everything, and nothing else mattered

Why? He had not even turned back to look at her? Was he merely playing with her feelings? She doubted it, his eyes couldn't lie. She had seen love in them, she was sure, just before their passionate kiss. So why? Could it be that he thought she was unworthy of him? Perhaps...perhaps it was because she was not a Japanese woman. Or maybe it was because she was such a tomboy, not the demure gentle type which was practically every man's dream wife.

The feel of his lips on hers was still fresh, but then so was the pain in her heart. Did he really mean it? The signals he was sending confused her--if he didn't share her feelings for him, why had he kissed her and...done so much for her? But if he loved her, why had he pushed her away so heartlessly and walked away?

Her mind was full of questions, but how they would be answered, she did not know. She did not know what to do any more.

The only thing she could do for now was sit there and await what fate had planned for her.

***

Zong Cilang flashed his pass and walked into the military camp. It was just by luck that he happened to have to make a photo delivery to some soldiers that day, which saved him from the trouble of figuring out some way to get himself into the camp.

Shinomori Aoshi...Jin had disclosed the officer's name to him when he had asked.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" she had asked him when he had inquired about the officer, and told her that he intended to break the engagement.

"It's for the best. Cao will be happier with someone she loves." He was certain about it, and did not regret it. Yes, it was the best he could do as a friend.

Making the delivery, he asked the recipient, a friendly private who had been a regular customer at the photo shop even before the war, where he could find Shinomori Aoshi. The private pointed toward toward the back, where the higher ranking officers stayed. "You should be able to find him somewhere around there," he informed.

And so, Cilang found himself wandering around the rows of barracks, searching for any sign of the tall officer. There was no sign of anyone around, it was after all a Sunday and most of the soldiers were either making merry or on duty somewhere.

A hand landed on his shoulder, causing him to jump in shock.

"What are you doing here?" A strangely familiar voice demanded in a slight foreign accent, the tone so cold that it felt as if the country had suddenly frozen over. "This place is out of bounds to strangers."

Getting over his initial alarm, Cilang turned around to face the person confronting him. Another wave of surprise washed through him as he realised who the person was.

A face as emotionless as a mask...intense eyes in a cold glare at him, complete with a scowl. The person he had been looking for was now right in front of him.

He had come with the boldest of all hearts, intending to talk to him about Cao...the girl they both loved, one more than the other. In his mind, he had planned how it would all go, what he would say, and was certain that he would have enough confidence to pull it off. Why was it then that he was so unnerved now that he was face to face with the other party?

"What business do you have here? Who are you looking for?" The initial frostiness in Aoshi's eyes was now replaced by curiosity.

"I-I was looking for you...you are Shinomori Aoshi aren't you?"

The officer arched an eyebrow, astonished by the young man's audacity. "Yes I am. What are you looking for me about?"

Cilang took a deep breath. "It's about Cao..."

Now it was Aoshi's turn to be stunned. "How are you related to her?" he asked in a low growl. All along, he had assumed that nobody else besides his friends and her family knew. Now this strange...boy had turned up and wanted to talk about her.

"I am Zong Cilang. Her fiance." Cilang held his breath.

A mix of emotions coursed through Aoshi--shock, astonishment, wonder and finally anticipation. Her fiance...he surveyed Cilang closely, noting the never-waning grin on his face. Does he have to smile all the time? Somehow, that smile irked him a little. It was only a little while later that he realised why--for years, he had not shown such outward pleasure as well as any other emotions. The unwavering smile on Cilang's face was, to Aoshi, a symbol of what Cilang had and he did not--the carefree ness and ability to express inward emotions. What he did not know then was that like his rigid mask of a face, Cilang's smile, too, served to hide any unfavourable emotions he might have.

A husband who will smile all the time for her...this is what she deserves. He had to admit defeat in that sense. No--defeat? Since when had he been fighting with her fiancé for her? Even if he had, since when had the word 'defeat' been in the vocabulary of Shinomori Aoshi, major in the Nippon Army and okashira of the Oniwabanshuu?

He was careful not to let his emotions show through, and looked at the younger man with anticipation. "What about her?" he asked, his voice unintentionally taking a softer tone which did not go unnoticed by Cilang.

"Officer Shinomori...I just need to tell you something...Cao has been extremely depressed and miserable since yesterday."

Aoshi kept quiet, an expecting look in his eyes. Cilang took another deep breath and continued.

"This engagement was not her choice...it was against her will, and I believe she will not be any happier if the marriage goes on. She and I...there is nothing between us, we are just friends. You're the one whom she loves...and the one who truly loves her. You two were meant to be together."

"I see." Was it a figment of his imagination or did the officer look a little resigned? "Why all this? You must love her, or you wouldn't be standing here telling me all this and being so concerned about her happiness."

"I used to think I loved her that way..." Cilang confided softly, "but my love for her cannot be compared to yours. I love her as no more than a friend now. Besides, you're the one her heart belongs to, and nothing can change that. You can't deny it any more, even a fool would be able to see how much you love each other. I have heard how much you've protected her, and helped her...Shinomori Aoshi, you pretend to have no emotions but the way you look at her, and talk about her, tells everything. I'm a man too, I know that you rejected her last night not because you didn't love her, but because you don't want to hurt her. But by doing so, you hurt her even more." He paused to let the words sink in. "I can't give her happiness because I can never love her the way you do, I was being selfish thinking I could make her happy by marrying her and taking care of her. But last night, you both proved me wrong...I saw you two accidentally, but it was enough to make me realise I didn't love her the most. You're the only one who can give her happiness, Shinomori Aoshi."

Aoshi's eyes were wide in astonishment. Cilang's words were the truths which he had known long ago, in his heart, but refused to believe.

There was a long pause before Aoshi finally spoke

"But I am not worthy of her," he said softly. "You have no idea how many I have killed...how many people's blood I have on my hands. I don't deserve her, she deserves someone untainted like you. Besides, even if we were to be together, it would only bring her pain. Tongues will wag, and people will view her as nothing more than a loose woman--a whore. And I have made her cry...not just once, but more than that. Someone who loved her as much as you said I do would not make her cry for him."

"Don't you think she knows that? But she doesn't care--Cao doesn't care, and I believe she has told you that many times over. As long as you can be together, as long as you love each other, she doesn't care what happens. She's stronger than you think, and even I, who have known her for less than a week, can see that. When she loves, she loves passionately, unfalteringly. And she loves you, enough to see beyond those faults. Only you can make up for her tears...only you can make her smile again. You know, Aoshi? She hasn't smiled since the engagement, and without you, I don't think she ever will again. Don't let her lose her laughter, Aoshi, you're the only one who can bring it back to her." Cilang paused for effect. "I will be calling off the wedding. The rest is up to you--the sooner, the better. Don't let her down, Shinomori Aoshi--don't let yourself and everyone else down. It is only when one is with one's true love that one will be happy." He bowed in respect. "Think it over. I'm going."

And so he left, leaving Aoshi in deep thought.

-----

Aoshi was still in deep thought even as he set off with his four men, into the isolated forest where they planned to lay their ambush and catch Kanryuu red-handed.

Although he usually checks up thoroughly on his customers-to-be, he was too neglectful this time, Aoshi thought to himself, satisfied. He had enlisted the help of a Formosan detective who had lived in Syonan even before the occupation for that. Nobu Tadashi (Chen Zhong) had played his part so convincingly that Kanryuu had not even guessed that he was a spy sent to report on his activities, and not a resistance leader interested in obtaining arms from him.

With the information which Tadashi had passed to him, Aoshi had enough evidence of Kanryuu's guilt. It was not enough, however, and the only thing he could do to make sure Kanryuu was brought to justice was to catch him in the midst of a transaction. As Kanryuu had been extremely secretive about transaction details, all details of the 'exchange' were left to nearly the last minute. Immediately after obtaining the details, Tadashi had reported to Aoshi, giving him enough information to catch Kanryuu by surprise on the day of the transaction.

And after that was done...after that was done, it will be one major thing settled once and for all. The other major thing on his mind was still far from being resolved though, and Aoshi kept replaying in his mind what Cao's fiance had told him earlier in the day.

Are you so sure you want to be with me, Cao? You don't have any way of knowing how much I've done...Will you feel the same if you knew? Do you really want to end up with a killer who has no remorse for what he's done? Of course, he wanted her to be happy...he would do anything to make sure she was. And if their being happy would make her truely happy, he would not object.

He closed his eyes and tried to take his mind away from the matter. He had to concentrate on the mission...just for a while, then after that he could think about her as much as he wanted. Capturing Kanryuu was of utmost priority for now, and he could not afford to let personal matters affect him. He could not let Kanryuu slip through the net--he could not fail!

Yet...Aoshi sighed, thinking about a time not so long ago, when he could complete missions without getting distracted at all. This was exactly why he had tried so hard to stay away from emotions such as this--love. It was only without anyone else to think about and consider that he could concentrate on the various missions he was sent on, most of them extremely risky--one wrong step could cost him his life.

Before he met Cao, as long as those missions were accomplished, he did not care whether he lived or died. To be a honorable soldier, to uphold the warrior's spirit which had been impressed into him his whole life, was to live in honor, and die in honor, for the Emperor and the country. If he was ever given a choice between living in shame, and dying in honour, he would choose the latter without hesitation.

But now, with her in her life, everything was different. She wasn't someone to die for--she was someone to live for, to cherish and love his whole life and even after that.

A reason to live...no excuse to die...he didn't want tears to stain her face ever again. He clenched his fists. No matter what, he would make sure he did his best. He wouldn't give up his life so easily any more.

In the distance, a small attap hut came into view. Tumble-down and ruined, passers-by who gave it a glance would have the mistaken impression that it was abandoned. In fact, this could not be further from the truth. Unknown even to most of the members of the underground resistance, this deceptively dilapidated hut was in fact a well-disguised store for the meagre amount of weapons which the resistance had. It was to this forest, and to this hut, that Kanryuu and his men would sneak small amounts of artillery such as grenades and bullets, all under the cover of the night. Believing the bluff that 'Chen Zhong' was one of the resistance while in actual fact he was a spy working for the Japanese, Kanryuu had agreed to deliver the goods to that same hut.

The sun was already beginning to set as the five men took up their positions among the trees and shadows, blending so well in that only someone skilled and experienced enough would notice them.

And they waited.

Judging by the growing darkness and the few stars that had already appeared in the sky, it was already 9 o' clock. [note: This is Tokyo time, (according to 'War and Memory in Malaysia and Singapore') which was 1 1/2 hours ahead and used during the Occupation] Any time now...

The five men kept as silent as possible, the seconds ticking away into minutes, which felt like hours. It was not before the whole forest was pitch dark, save for the moonlight and the few scattered stars. Luckily, Aoshi and company had extraordinary night vision, the result of vigorous ninja training since young; the darkness did not affect them in any way. In fact, it was ignoring the irritating mosquitoes which buzzed around them that proved to be a harder job. It involved extreme patience and self control. With the exception of Aoshi, they were all increasingly annoyed by the incessant buzzing, but had to keep extremely calm and still so that they would not give themselves away.

After what seemed like eternity, there was finally some sign of their target. The cracking of twigs pierced through the crickets' hums and the frogs' croaking. A bright light suddenly cut through the trees, into the clearing, as the soft roaring of a car engine grew louder the nearer it came toward the five hiding among the shadows.

He was finally there. As Aoshi watched, the car--a military vehicle, to his outrage--stopped right in front of the hut. The driver's door opened, and Kanryuu stepped out, in all his self-satisfaction and smugness. The despicable smirk on his face irked Aoshi, and it took up nearly all his self control to restrain himself from rushing out of his hiding place and slashing the traitor to pieces with his kodachi.

A man came out of the hut to meet Kanryuu--Tadashi. Some words were exchanged, but in voices so low that even Aoshi, with his exceptionally sharp ears, could not catch what they were saying. Finally, the other man nodded, and Kanryuu motioned to one of his men, who opened the back door of the car and reached in, as if to take out something. The 'client', too, motioned to his companion to get something out of the hut.

Was it his imagination or was there a note of mutual resentment among supplier and buyer? Aoshi saw distrust flicker in both men's eyes as they looked at each other. He, in part, pitied the resistance fighter a little, the latter having no choice but to obtain weapons from the enemy--what could be more shameful?

After a while, the assistants of both sides brought out their respective good--grenades and other firearms hidden in sacks, and a briefcase of something.

"Yi1 shou3 jiao1 qian2 yi1 shou3 jiao1 huo4, [Exchange the goods and the money at the same time]" the resistance leader told Kanryuu. Aoshi shot his four friends a furtive glance, and they nodded--it was about time to act.

The moment both sides were about to hand over their respective items to each other, Aoshi and gang sprang out from the surrounding foliage in an ambush, rifles and swords in hand. The guilty parties were at once taken by surprise, stunned in astonishment.

Without wasting his breath, Aoshi announced in a cold, emotionless voice, "Takeda Kanryuu, you are under under arrest for providing arms and weapons to subversive forces and aiding them to overthrow the military administration, hereby betraying the Emperor and the country. For that, you will face severe punishment. Drop all your weapons and surrender."

Kanryuu's mouth dropped wide open, and he turned toward his Tadashi/Chen Zhong, only to receive the unpleasant surprise of realising that his 'customer' was pointing a revolver to his head.

He and his men were surrounded, and there was no way he could break free; what little fighting skills he had were no match for Aoshi and the other four. trying to make a run for it was also not advisable, judging from the gun pointed to his head, its cold butt pressed against his forehead...

"Move and I'll shoot," Tadashi hissed. Pale with fear, Kanryuu remained still as all his pockets were searched and emptied of any weapons. His two companions were also forced to do likewise.

The three captives were nudged toward a part of the forest with particularly dense foliage, where Aoshi had hidden their military car. While the others held the captives firmly to make sure they could not escape, Beshimi and Hannya tied their hands tightly together with strong rope.

Suddenly, Kanryuu kicked Tadashi hard in the shin, causing the detective to moan in pain and lose grip of the revolver as he fell to the ground. Shoving Beshimi aside, he ran back in the direction they had come from.

Quick as a flash, Aoshi went after him, calling out for Tadashi to guard the other two prisoners, whose hands had already been bound tightly. He and his four friends followed Kanryuu back to the hut, only to realise that they had suddenly lost sight of him.

Aoshi berated himself severely. After all his efforts, he could not let Kanryuu go off scot-free this time! Not only was it a loss of honour, it would also mean that Tadashi, who was also an important informant on the dealings of the resistance, risked having his real identity exposed, which would result in chaos.

"Takeda Kanryuu, if you consider yourself a real man, face up to your deeds and show yourself now!" Aoshi yelled, his voice reverberating around the whole forest.

A few seconds, before his command was replied with a sinister, cackling laugh from behind him. The whole group turned, only to see Kanryuu--a machine gun in one hand and Cao in the other!

"You took me by surprise just now, Major Shinomori, now it is my turn to turn the tables around, one step closer and I'll depose of your beloved woman." Kanryuu cackled gleefully. "You know too much to live, you and your gang. You'll never get me, Major. " He said the title in the mocking tone, as if using it to spite Aoshi. His hands were around her neck, as if about to strangle her. The fear in Cao's eyes was obvious, but she was trying to contain it, to remain brave.

Aoshi had never been so angry in his life--this bastard had actually kidnapped Cao to threaten him! A fire burned, deep and dangerous, in his eyes, and if looks could kill, Kanryuu would have been pulverized--burned into ashes by the fiery fire of his fury. He tried desperately to regain his self control, but how could he when his most beloved was in danger?

"Whether that is so is not up to you to decide." He tried to remain calm, but the lives of his loved ones were in danger. He he tried to save his friends, he could lose Cao. And if he tried to save her, he would lose his friends. Swords, rifles, kicks and punches were no match for a machine gun.

"Smart, aren't I? I somehow guessed that you'd be on to me today. So I decided to take precautions." Another gleeful laugh. "A good woman you have here, Shinomori, I can say she's a good fighter. But such a pity...no match for me. And a bad decision on her part, thinking you wanted to meet her."

"Takeda Kanryuu, you bastard, let go of her. Where's your honour, using a girl to threaten me like this? Let go of her!"

"Ah, the great Major Shinomori begging me...all because of a woman. It is amazing how a weak spot can change people. But fat hope--you know I won't." Kanryuu was basking in self-satisfaction. "Yes, Major Shinomori, Takeda Kanryuu is smarter than you think. I don't care about honour, like you do. Shinomori Aoshi, if you're a man, face up to your fate and surrender yourself," he grinned, repeating almost exactly the same words Aoshi had said just a few moments ago.

"Aoshi, Don't worry about me!" Cao's voice broke in. "He can't do anything to m--arrgh!" Her shriek of agony as Kanryuu gripped her neck tightly pierced into Aoshi's heart.

"What do you want?" he asked Kanryuu, his voice choked with emotion.

"I want you all dead," Kanryuu growled.

"Don't give in to him, Aoshi! It's what you believe in that matters! After what he has done, you can't let him get away just like that," Cao pleaded, getting a slap from Kanryuu in return.

"You really should take your woman in hand, Shinomori. Women should be seen and not heard," Kanryuu growled. Aoshi bristled in anger. "Now stay still and I'll let you die a quick death by your own hand. If you dare to put up a struggle, I promise you that you--and your woman--will die slowly and painfully." His face took on an even more sinister look. "How would you like to see your woman ravaged right in front of you?"

"I swear you won't get away with this, Kanryuu!" Aoshi growled menacingly.

"Aoshi-sama, don't worry about us! It's the girl you need to save," Hannya urged, speaking for all four of them. "We can protect ourselves, it's the girl who's in the most danger."

To their horror, their Okashira unsheathed his sword, and pressed it against his throat. "You'll get what you wish..." he told Kanryuu, who was surprised but pleased with himself.

Cao, too, was extremely horrified at the sight of Aoshi resigning himself like this. How could he? I'd rather die than see him like this! A criminal had to be brought to justice, and she would willingly give her own life up for that...for Aoshi. She knew that for him to surrender like this was extremely dishonorable, and he was dishonoring himself to save her. And she could not let it happen!

"No! The Aoshi I know wouldn't do this, he'd fight brilliantly and wouldn't die just like this! He wouldn't give himself up just for a girl...he was a honorable man! Aoshi, if you die, I'll go with you! I told you I won't ever let you walk away from me again, and I WON'T! I'm not going to let you leave me alone again!" She was in tears. "Even if you--you die right now it's going to be in vain, because I swear that wherever you go, be it heaven or hell, I'll follow you! I'm nothing, Aoshi, I'm not worth your life..."

"You're not nothing...you're not just any girl...not to me," he whispered to her softly as he slowly drew the sword across his throat...

...and lunged at Kanryuu with it. This sudden, unexpected turn of events took everyone by shock, Kanryuu especially-- the satisfied look on his face immediately changed into one of shock and terror. Knocked onto the ground by the sudden lunge, he let go of Cao, the machine gun falling from his hands.

"I told you you wouldn't get away with this," Aoshi snarled as he and his men surrounded Kanryuu. He pressed his sword against Kanryuu's throat. "Be grateful that I'm not going to kill you...not now. You want my life? Never!"

"I give up--I give up--please don't hurt me, I'll do anything you want..." Kanryuu begged, beads of cold sweat on his face. His promises seemed genuine, but none of them noticed that Kanryuu was stealthily reaching into a hidden pocket in his trousers...

"Famous last words, Shinomori," Kanryuu hissed, finally freeing the object he wanted from the pocket. Aoshi's eyes widened when he saw what the other man had in his hand.

"Everybody, back off!"

As Kanryuu threw the grenade, all of them dived for cover, and Aoshi pushed Cao out of the way. The grenade exploded into the hut, setting off a string of explosions as dynamite and other explosives exploded. Debris flew in all directions, and it rained rubble. Some of it hit them, and Kanryuu was knocked out. The roar of the explosions was deafening, as if a zillion volcanoes had erupted...as if a thousand planes were flying past.

And finally, it was over. Cao first opened one eye, then the other, then finally becoming aware of the weight on top of her.

Aoshi was holding her in his arms, protecting her, never wanting to let go again. A trickle of blood ran down his forehead; he had been struck by a small piece of shrapnel. For a moment, she was afraid...so afraid that this time, he had really given his life for hers. "Aoshi?" She begged the gods up in heaven to protect Aoshi just as he had protected her, to not take him away from her this time..."Aoshi...you can't leave me!"

Her prayers were answered as his eyes slowly opened, to meet his beloved's teary face.

"Cao, I'm still here...I won't die...I won't leave you. Please don't cry." He wrapped his arms tightly around her.

Overcome by relief, she threw herself into his chest, sobbing, out of fear, relief and gratefulness. "If you ever left me I won't forgive you. Idiot, you gave me a shock just now and I'm not going to let you get away with it. You're not going to leave me alone ever again."

"I know." He smiled. "Wherever you go, I'll follow, even if it's to hell."

"Copycat." She smiled back at him through her tears. Then, her face turned serious. "I hope the four of them are all right."

"Let's go and make sure." He tried standing up, and winced at the pain in his chest and leg.

"Aoshi, you're bleeding!" Even in the dark night, one could still see the dark, growing wet spots that stained his trousers and jacket.

"It's just a slight injury. I'll be fine." He heaved himself up and limped back laboriously.

Where the hut had once been was a flaming inferno. Red, angry flames were consuming the ruins, and the heat could be felt from miles away. Kanryuu lay a few metres away from it, still alive but unconscious, face disfigured by the blast.

They found Hannya, barely alive and bleeding profusely from the head. Aoshi bent down, still stunned. "Hannya..."

He turned his head, he could barely keep his eyes open, so swollen they were. "Aoshi-sama...I promised you I'd serve your for as long as I lived. I'm afraid I can't do so for much longer now...I have let you down, I can't protect you any longer."

"Please don't say that." Aoshi's voice was full of emotion, and one who didn't know better would have sworn he was about to cry, faced with the prospect of losing a loyal comrade, and a good friend. "You won't die."

"Hannya-kun...please don't die..." Cao's eyes were full of tears. "You won't die, because heaven won't let good people such as you and the rest of them die so easily. The gods will protect you..." she broke down and started sobbing again.

Hannya looked at him weakly. "I have a last wish, Aoshi-sama, will you make it come true?"

Aoshi nodded. "As long as it's within my means, I will. And if it isn't, I'll make it come true somehow."

Hannya smiled at that. "You have a treasure in your hands, take good care of it. Marry the girl, Aoshi-sama. It's always been my greatest wish...to see you and Cao-chan end up together. If these are to be my last words to you, so be it: Marry the girl. I'll be watching over you two from heaven above. Marry the girl, Aoshi-sama."

Choked with sadness, Aoshi nodded. "I will...I will."

Appeased, Hannya closed his eyes and drifted away, a smile on his lips...

Tbc..

Don't worry, I won't be breaking my promise of not killing them!

A late greeting, but Happy Valentine's Day! It isn't often that both the 'Western' Valentine's Day and 'Chinese' Valentine's Day end up one day after the other, ne? Yup, 15th February was Yuan Xiao Jie, the 15th and last day of CNY--and also, another day for couples--the 'Chinese Valentine's Day'.

What a romantic week...I hope this fic was romantic enough to fit the mood.

Thank you to everyone for their kind and encouraging reviews, you make me determined not to let you all down :)