First, I will reiterate. No one is dead yet. ^^ Sorry for such a horrible cliffhanger.
Also, remember that White and Black comes out of a side story in Nine Months. Therefore, Kenshin has already married Kaoru, and Kenji is already their baby son. If you haven't read Nine Months yet, this would be a nice time to do so. ^_^
"Anata" and "koishii" are sweet names for spouses. This chapter will run in dialogue. I've noticed that I compensate for long description chapters with a long dialogue chapter. ^-^
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"Anata, where are the vegetables? Your clothes are all torn, what happened? And who is this?"
"No time to explain, koishii. Please get a futon ready. As soon as I get her into the house, I have to go to the doctor."
"Who is this?……………Masaka………..what happened?! Why is she here?"
"I do not know yet. That is not important now…….go into the house now and take care of her for me………..hurry!"
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For her, it was still the morning after that memorable night.
She was a ninja, after all, and she was trained to be aware of her environment. It was rare that she slept very soundly. Even now, she faded in and out of drowsiness. He could have drugged her, she knew—he even told her he could. For some reason he did not. If she was still rather sleepy, it was not his fault. She was just simply tired from all the walking she did that night.
She distinctly heard the rumbling of carriage wheels outside, and the clip-clop of horses' hooves through the pavement. She felt a warm blanket wrapped around her, and a warm lap under her head.
He was taking her somewhere. Where, she did not know.
But soon the rumbling and the galloping ceased. So he did not take her far. This was even too short for the train station or the port. Whatever plans he might have had, he was not following them. Probably, for the first time in his life.
He was a gentleman, indeed. He respected her choice. She was glad she trusted in him.
As she snuggled back into the blanket, she felt the strong arms take her up again. She floated up a flight of stairs, then was laid down in a futon.
She was too tired and too happy to bother and find out where. She slept in quiet peace.
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"What did the doctor say, anata?"
"No serious injuries to the head or the neck, koishii, thankfully. We only have to give her time to rest."
"Thank goodness. Oh, here, anata. I found these papers in her dress. I think you better keep it for now."
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She awoke and sat up in bed. Her head was pounding horribly, and she put a hand to it. She was surprised to feel bandages around her head, and to see gauze over her arms and hands. She looked down at a new sleeping kimono and new sheets. She looked around her. Aside from being in an unfamiliar house, she saw two anxious people sitting beside her bed. A woman was holding a smiling baby boy, and a man beside her had unusually red long hair.
This was not real. This was a nightmare. A horrible nightmare.
"Where am I?" she asked the man and the woman sitting nearby.
"You're in Tokyo, at our house," the man answered with a unique smile.
"No, it cannot be. I live in Kyoto. Where are Okina, Okon, Omasu, Aoshi-sama?"
"Sessha does not understand what Misao-dono is trying to say," the man scratched his head. "You got into trouble and I managed to save you in time."
"No, I wasn't in trouble! I was just at his house last night! We had fish and crabs and rice, and green tea……… I'm not drunk, I swear! Last night was the cherry blossom festival, and I found him, and he brought me to his house………"
"But, Misao-dono, the sakura festival was a week ago," the man tried to convince her.
"They hit her pretty hard," the woman noted to the man, and shook her head. "Look, Misao-chan, all you need is a little more rest and you'll be alright."
She quickly stood up. "I'm alright now! Please believe me! I didn't do anything crazy last night! I wasn't drunk----"
"MISAO!" the couple shouted out in concern.
"I'm alright! Now tell me where Jiya and the rest are. I have to make them believe me----"
She suddenly felt weak in the head and knees, and fainted.
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"Any word from Kyoto?"
"No instructions, only that they are grateful she is with us. It is as if they do not want to divulge information. Something is wrong in Kyoto, koishii. There is a reason why she is here, and the sooner we find out, the better."
"How? She has been awake only 15 minutes in the last two days!"
"Let us be patient, Kaoru-dono, and let nature have her course. ……..Wait, Kaoru-dono, look at this article in the newspaper…..this might be the key…….."
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When she woke up again, nothing had changed. Bandages were still on her head and arms, a strange kimono was on her person, a different futon under her, and the couple was still beside her.
This was not a dream, then. Something happened to her, after she arrived in Tokyo………on a mission……….for someone……….to find someone………aaaaaa…….what was it about again?!
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Misao-dono," the man greeted, and offered a bowl of soup. She took it without a word. She felt so hungry, she did not know why.
She remembered she had a mission………of some sort, and she had lost valuable time. She tried to stand up from the bed.
"Take it easy, Misao-chan," the woman eased her back into bed. "You're in no condition to walk yet."
Half dizzy and half confused, she complied. "Thank you for your kindness, good sir and good lady, but I have a mission to do, and I only have a week to do it."
"You're not going anywhere today," the good lady declared. "Whatever your mission is, we've told the Oni that you can't complete it yet."
"But the mission is not for Aoshi-sama------um, what should I call you?"
"Oh………no…………." the woman looked anxiously at the redheaded man beside her.
"Himura Kenshin de gozaru," the man introduced himself calmly. "My wife, Kaoru-dono. My son Kenji is the one over there in the basket."
"Himura……..Himura…….." she tried to rack her brains. Her mission involved having to look for……. "Himura? Are you the one I'm looking for? Please tell me!"
"Why would Misao-dono be looking for me?"
"It's part of the mission. I have to find Himura……..show him the documents……..give it to him……..he has to help me find some other documents in an island somewhere……….." She fumbled through her kimono. "But where are the papers?"
Himura took out several pieces of paper from inside his gi, and spread it before her.
Much relieved, and too focused to ask where and how he got them, she unfolded all the documents. One of them was a map of Tokyo, its bay and nearby land formations. Another was a blueprint of a house. Two other papers were a list of other documents.
A last paper contained the following words in Japanese, Mandarin and Cantonese, and English:
The following documents must always be in the hands of the one who wears the ring. The bearer of the ring must be given full access. If the documents are found with someone WITHOUT the ring, the documents and the bearer are to be eliminated with haste and without mercy.
There will be only one exception: if the documents fall into the hands of a man with red hair and a cross-scar on the left cheek, he too must be given full access.
Any man who defies these words will answer for it with his life.
It was left unsigned. The power in the words was a signature in itself.
"Well, now, the person who sent you has a lot of respect for me, I will say that," Himura commented. "Speaking of which, Misao-dono, if Aoshi did not send you, then who did?"
She tried to think again. Come on now……….what was his name again? She looked again at the pearl ring, still in her right hand, and tried desperately to get clues. She took it off, looked all over the band, to no avail.
"Do not trouble yourself if you cannot remember," the redhead reassured. "It will come to you eventually."
"But he said I need to get your help!"
"And I will help you. At any rate, I cannot leave you alone for any length of time in your condition. For now, take your rest. We can start on this mission of yours next week."
"But I've lost a day already!" she protested.
"Three days, actually, Misao-chan," the man's wife, the one called Kaoru, answered. "That's how bad you were hurt."
"Several men attacked you for some reason," Himura explained. "You called for help. Fortunately I got there in time to do something."
She tried to get out of the futon again. This time she managed to stand up. "I have to go. People are trying to get me killed, and something terrible is going to happen in two days, or something already happened, to Shinichi….."
Himura looked at her and the papers thoughtfully. Kaoru's face expressed deep concern for her standing up and swaying like a young tree in the breeze.
Finally he spoke again. "Alright, Misao-dono. We go fulfill your mission tomorrow. But right now," he placed his hands firmly on her shoulders and set her down on the futon again, "I will have you resting." He lay her head back on the pillow.
"But……..."
He hushed her again, and slowly stroked her hair and face.
She recalled how……he…….touched her so……..sometime in the night of the sakura festival. How he ran her fingers through her hair, held her face so gently, touched her arms with such warmth. It felt so wonderful to be caressed in such a way, by such a man.
She closed her eyes again, and dreamed of him.
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"Shinichi?"
"Shiroyuki Shinichi, according to the newspaper. He was arrested in Kyoto yesterday, on suspicions of smuggling."
"But why would this Shinichi get Misao's help and ask for yours, anata?"
"I have seen this name, Shiroyuki Shinichi, before. A year ago, Aoshi asked me to check on the buyer of a gold weasel pin, a gift to Misao while they were here. That was the name given in the jewelry store's records. Now it all falls into place."
"I don't understand, Kenshin."
"Someone who knows at least 3 languages, owns a small island, can order anyone to be killed by a piece of paper. Someone who used to know murderers. Someone who knows me enough to give full confidence in me. It can only be one person. This is confirmed by the character hidden at the sides of the map, the blueprint, and the document list."
"So you're saying……."
"Shiroyuki Shinichi is an alias, another name. For Enishi."
"Are you absolutely certain?"
"Yes. If it is true what Misao-dono has been trying to say, then Enishi is innocent, and this arrest is based on false evidence. He knew beforehand, and has asked her to get documents to clear his name. I do not know why he went to her and not to Aoshi, but he definitely needs our help."
"So, you are really going to help her, go back to Kyoto with her, and see this case settled?"
"That is the plan, Kaoru-dono……… if you consent."
"………….He is family, after all……. Alright. Don't worry yourself about me and Kenji. We'll be fine here."
"I promise to take a short a time as possible-----"
"Take as long as you need. I believe in you. You are the one who can best help her now."
"Arigatou, Kaoru-dono."
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A few quirks I established in Nine Months: (1) Kenshin still calls Kaoru "Kaoru-dono" every so often. (Don't dispute this anymore—I've had plenty of it in Nine Months.) (2) I only use "sessha" and "de gozaru" only when Kenshin should sound unusually respectful for some reason. (3) Kenshin does not "dono" Aoshi, Sanosuke, Yahiko, and Enishi.
Three reviewers didn't get the last part of chapter 10, so I will explain. "–dono" is a courtesy title Kenshin uses, instead of "–san". In English, when Kenshin uses it for Kaoru, they usually say it as "Miss Kaoru". It's one of his trademarks, the others being "oro", "de gozaru" instead of 'desu', and "sessha" instead of 'ore' or 'watashi'.
eloquent-lotus—I don't know what to answer to your question. ^^ But thanks for reading!
Sabbie—Walk cycles, aye? Enishi's would be tall and confident, I bet. Much like Smallville Lex Luthor's! Enishi and Lex have a lot in common, you know! ^^
Devil—Thanks for being so patient!
Mi—Thanks for the compliment! Thanks for your patience, too!
CardMistressSakura—Um, all I can say for now is, thanks for still reading White and Black! ^^ I can't comment on the ending yet.
Ro-chan—Thanks for the compliments! Get it on, get it on? I still don't know. ^^
Dragowolf—You didn't know? I hope this chap clarifies everything. Thanks for reading!
Tiian—Yup, Kenshin is saving the day again! ^^V
BittersweetKandy—Well, it's not Enishi, so I hope by now you know. Check my explanation above. Thanks for reading!
Firuze-nee-san—Thanks MUCH! Thanks for the compliments!! No problem, I liked it being a long two cents!
Tesuka-chan—I didn't hurt the heroine—too much, as you can now see. ^^
Chitchat—Thanks for liking the dream sequence. How many times do you ever see Enishi described as an angel? I so liked doing it! ^_^V
Chavi-Westwind—Thanks! I don't like long skirts either! ^^
Thanks to everybody for enduring such a long read in chapter 10! I hope some questions were already answered now. The chap after this (as well as for How to Impress a Girl 101, for Vandread) might come after some time, because I need to really think about my reports next week. Please be patient, and please keep reading!