I'm still against the war. I'll continue saying it until it's over.
Yay! Sprited Away won the Oscar!! Chicago is Best Picture! "Lose Yourself" (from 8 Mile) is best song! Yahoo!!
Midori and I are having an effect on people! There are several more authors seriously using E/M in fics! Yeah, I know, I shouldn't be comparing, but I still think Midori and Firuze are the masters of the white tiger. Compared to them, I barely know him. ^^
And now, for your reading pleasure, performing with the famous white tiger, the one, the only, Ice Blue Eyes.
.......
In a prison cell, the day is as the night. In the depths of despair, there are no hours or days. Food, a bed, other people-these do not exist.
But mythical beings did. He distinctly heard them, speaking in some language he thought he understood, but had not heard for some time. Chinese.
"Are you sure about this?" one being asked the other, rather close to him.
"Yeah, I'm sure," the other being replied. "The boss will snap out of it eventually. When he does, we'll make him top man again."
"But this is cruel!"
"You should've seen some of the things the boss did back in Shanghai. This is nothing. You don't know him like I do. The boss lives for revenge. You just have to give him a reason to find revenge."
So, the beings were talking about him, aye? Deciding his fate? Planning out his future life?
He had to admit, revenge was a good idea right now. He never trusted the police much in his life. He had tried to stay on the good side of the law, and it landed him in prison. He would make the police understand just how much of a mistake they made. They want an enemy of the state? He will give them one. He will get them all! Every single one of them will go six feet under. Starting with Shinomori Aoshi.. First he stole his revenge, then he stole his only love..he will get what he deserves.
He had stared at the floor of his cell for an eternity, when he noticed a scrap of paper. He remembered, Shinomori had left it for him. He unfolded the paper, and frowned at it.
It was a telegram, slightly crumpled and gathering dust.
----Misao staying at dojo STOP wounded and weak STOP threatened then clubbed by suspicious men STOP await instructions STOP Himura Kenshin----
Staying at the dojo? Threatened and clubbed? But didn't the police say she was shot? Another lie; he was being fed another lie! Even worse, Himura was lying to him as well! And he had trusted him!
He rounded the paper into a small ball and threw it across the bars. "No more games! No more lies! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"It is not a lie, Yukishiro," a voice from outside the bars replied. "Misao is alive."
Japanese, and a familiar specter. "Shinomori," he snarled. "Why should I listen to a liar?"
"Why should I be helping a liar from the first, if I did not believe him?" the specter retorted.
"Why you---"
"Look, Yukishiro." The annoyance barely showed in his face, but it was there. "I have been coming here for two days already, expecting a decent conversation. You might not believe it, but I want to help you."
Enishi grunted and sneered at him, both hands held on the bars. "Supposing what you are saying is true, and Misao is alive. You merely want my help in getting her back here, and you want information out of me. Then, when you have it, you will allow me to rot here, like the scum you think I am for taking your woman."
"I am not that low."
"Prove it."
"Alright." He folded his arms again. "First, you could have been shouting at me from the new mental hospital, had it not been for my intervention. You, sir, have been talking to a certain ghostly nee-san, at all hours during the last two days, and you have threatened two guards with their deaths."
The prisoner merely smirked. He had been called insane before.
"Second," and he took out several pieces of paper, "I have been going through your office documents and police evidence. The documents used against you are not written in your hand. They are still inconclusive, but they are enough to convince me that you are to be believed."
Enishi grabbed the papers from the okashira and scanned them hastily. "Accounts of guns, cannons, bullets. Payments, expenses. Dates of exchanges. In my style, yes, but not my handwriting-----you are correct."
"Ah, finally, the man I have come to see," the okashira smiled.
He became all business, disheveled hair and dark-ringed eyes notwithstanding. "Do you already know who gave these to the police?"
"Someone from inside the factory, according to them. Obviously, someone who has access to your documents. They refuse to disclose the name to me."
"Even if you do know, whoever he is, he will deny it," the white head nodded. "However," he added suspiciously, "that does not change the fact that Misao is dead."
"It is in their interest to make you BELIEVE she is dead," the okashira explained. "It will make you take their side. Therefore, I am telling you. I believe that Himura's report is correct. To make you believe me even more, we received another one today." And he gave it to him.
----Misao better now STOP tell brother we will proceed with request STOP expect us in three days STOP Himura Kenshin----
She is alive! Misao is alive! It was not a lie! It was true! And she was coming back in three days!!
Then Enishi got suspicious again. "Why are you telling me this? Isn't it in YOUR interest to convince me she is dead?"
"No," the okashira said flatly. "You are Misao's friend. You have a right to know."
He gave a smug smile.
He paced his cell, and thought of the next words to say. Having decided, he sat on the floor again, with his back to the prison bars and to the okashira.
"Tell me, Shinomori. Plainly. Truthfully. Do you love her?"
Shinomori remained silent.
"You kept me away from her for months. You guarded her like a dog. There must be a reason."
"We were not sure if you were still a smuggler, or the simple businessman you claim to be. Until we knew, we had to be cautious."
"But you met me in Tokyo...I told all of you....I gave you the whole story.."
"I did not want Misao to be hurt. I did not want her to be deceived. I did not want her...to give her heart to a lie."
"Because you love her."
"Yes." Simple, precise.
"As I love her."
"Yes."
Enishi was stunned into silence, then chuckled quietly for a few seconds. "And yet you do not want me out of the way? You even help me?"
"I have found you to be sincere. It is my duty to ensure an innocent man receives justice. After that, it is her choice to make about what to do."
The prisoner began to laugh, long and loud, maniacal.
"And you think that being kind to me will win her over to you? Not anymore, Shinomori Aoshi! If you really love her, you will tell her so! You will tell her in simple words that you love her. You will treat her like the woman she is! You will show her that she means the world to you! Until you do that, you do not have a chance, and you will someday regret that you let me live. Misao is alive, you say? Well, then, Shinomori Aoshi. She will come back to me!"
The okashira did not respond, and walked out.
"I love her, do you hear? And she loves me!" he shouted after him.
He slumped to the floor again, and fell to musing.
She loves him...she loves him...right? Only him? He was not mistaken, right?
For all the show of bravado, that yes unrattled him. He did have a rival. It was not his imagination. However, for some strange reason, he did not doubt the man's intentions.
He doubted his friend's heart.
What right had he to claim her? He had only really known her for a year. The man had known her since birth! He was her whole world. He was her Aoshi-sama. If things went according to his plans, he would come to her favor again, and she would ..love him again. Of course, he wanted his freedom back, and he would surely cooperate with Shinomori. But what would happen to himself after that?
She was alive, yes, but she would not be his.
That was not his idea of a life.
...............
Misao watched the butterflies flutter through the dojo's garden. She was seated at the front porch, well enough to walk around the dojo, but still unable to walk far.
She waved a hand happily at Himura, as she saw him coming through the dojo gates. "I have just been to the port. We are free to go tomorrow morning," he greeted.
Himura suddenly found himself inside Misao's warm embrace, and the recipient of a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Oro? What is the meaning of this, Misao-dono?"
"I know who you are now, Himura," and she gave him another big hug. "I never saw exactly what you did, but I know I won't be alive if not for you. Domo arigatou gozaimasu!"
"Do itashimashite, Misao-dono," he smiled. "Anything for a friend."
They walked toward the kitchen arm in arm, when she unexpectedly came to a complete stop.
"Something wrong, Misao-dono?" her support asked.
"Ever get that feeling, Himura, that someone's thinking about you?" she asked in return, eyes looking straight ahead of her.
"Too often," he sighed. "People who wanted me dead, people who wanted me arrested---"
"Well, he's thinking about me right now, Himura," She looked at him with sad eyes.
"Who, Misao-dono?"
She scratched her head again. "Him, him...The one who sent me on this mission...him. And it's not Aoshi-sama."
Himura raised an eyebrow at her. "Why is Misao-dono so worried about him, that friend?"
"Because I love him."
"ORO?! You love ----" Himura was taken slightly aback. "But Misao- dono forgets his name?"
"I know who he is. I can point him out in a heartbeat. I just can't remember what his name is right now, that's the trouble. Do you know him, Himura?"
He gave an odd smile. "We can talk about it more tomorrow, while we are on the ship."
...........
About Aoshi, regarding Misao's choice: "He had it comin', He had it comin', He only got himself to blame! 'Coz if you had been there, if you had seen it, I betcha you would have done the same!" ^-^V (Cell Block Tango, from "Chicago". I wanna see the movie, badly!!)
Thanks to wynter_ashes, the ol' Aerichan, who put me in the faves list.
Max-thanks for liking Singing in the Rain!
Chitchat-don't worry, summer break is just around the corner! Thanks for liking the story!
ICEANGEL-You'll have to check back on chapters 10 and 11. ^^ Yup, I like Cattleya (Haru's sister) too, she's nice and sweet! As for Aoshi, he's not that bad, I will tell you that much. I just don't like over-stoic guys, I guess. ^^
BittersweetKandy-Will continue, will continue. ^^
Mi-Aw, how sweet of you to give Eni-chan a hug! ^^
Sabbie-I hope this chapter answers your question about mercy on a tiger? Thanks for liking Eni-chan!
CardMistressSakura-I hope this chapter also answers things for you. ^^ Don't worry, I know Aoshi-sama isn't a bad guy at heart. I liked him a lot in the Jinchuu arc, you know! Thanks always for reading!
Tesuka-chan-Thanks much! Yeah, I get your point, too bad I didn't think of it sooner, but I guess it's better things turned out this way. As it is, with what I did in previous chapters, I got a lot of people scared. What more if I thought of chap 12 sooner? ^^
Dallisse-Hello and thanks a lot! I'm so glad you got it....Aoshi's not a bad guy, no, he isn't!
Thanks everybody for reading!
Yay! Sprited Away won the Oscar!! Chicago is Best Picture! "Lose Yourself" (from 8 Mile) is best song! Yahoo!!
Midori and I are having an effect on people! There are several more authors seriously using E/M in fics! Yeah, I know, I shouldn't be comparing, but I still think Midori and Firuze are the masters of the white tiger. Compared to them, I barely know him. ^^
And now, for your reading pleasure, performing with the famous white tiger, the one, the only, Ice Blue Eyes.
.......
In a prison cell, the day is as the night. In the depths of despair, there are no hours or days. Food, a bed, other people-these do not exist.
But mythical beings did. He distinctly heard them, speaking in some language he thought he understood, but had not heard for some time. Chinese.
"Are you sure about this?" one being asked the other, rather close to him.
"Yeah, I'm sure," the other being replied. "The boss will snap out of it eventually. When he does, we'll make him top man again."
"But this is cruel!"
"You should've seen some of the things the boss did back in Shanghai. This is nothing. You don't know him like I do. The boss lives for revenge. You just have to give him a reason to find revenge."
So, the beings were talking about him, aye? Deciding his fate? Planning out his future life?
He had to admit, revenge was a good idea right now. He never trusted the police much in his life. He had tried to stay on the good side of the law, and it landed him in prison. He would make the police understand just how much of a mistake they made. They want an enemy of the state? He will give them one. He will get them all! Every single one of them will go six feet under. Starting with Shinomori Aoshi.. First he stole his revenge, then he stole his only love..he will get what he deserves.
He had stared at the floor of his cell for an eternity, when he noticed a scrap of paper. He remembered, Shinomori had left it for him. He unfolded the paper, and frowned at it.
It was a telegram, slightly crumpled and gathering dust.
----Misao staying at dojo STOP wounded and weak STOP threatened then clubbed by suspicious men STOP await instructions STOP Himura Kenshin----
Staying at the dojo? Threatened and clubbed? But didn't the police say she was shot? Another lie; he was being fed another lie! Even worse, Himura was lying to him as well! And he had trusted him!
He rounded the paper into a small ball and threw it across the bars. "No more games! No more lies! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"It is not a lie, Yukishiro," a voice from outside the bars replied. "Misao is alive."
Japanese, and a familiar specter. "Shinomori," he snarled. "Why should I listen to a liar?"
"Why should I be helping a liar from the first, if I did not believe him?" the specter retorted.
"Why you---"
"Look, Yukishiro." The annoyance barely showed in his face, but it was there. "I have been coming here for two days already, expecting a decent conversation. You might not believe it, but I want to help you."
Enishi grunted and sneered at him, both hands held on the bars. "Supposing what you are saying is true, and Misao is alive. You merely want my help in getting her back here, and you want information out of me. Then, when you have it, you will allow me to rot here, like the scum you think I am for taking your woman."
"I am not that low."
"Prove it."
"Alright." He folded his arms again. "First, you could have been shouting at me from the new mental hospital, had it not been for my intervention. You, sir, have been talking to a certain ghostly nee-san, at all hours during the last two days, and you have threatened two guards with their deaths."
The prisoner merely smirked. He had been called insane before.
"Second," and he took out several pieces of paper, "I have been going through your office documents and police evidence. The documents used against you are not written in your hand. They are still inconclusive, but they are enough to convince me that you are to be believed."
Enishi grabbed the papers from the okashira and scanned them hastily. "Accounts of guns, cannons, bullets. Payments, expenses. Dates of exchanges. In my style, yes, but not my handwriting-----you are correct."
"Ah, finally, the man I have come to see," the okashira smiled.
He became all business, disheveled hair and dark-ringed eyes notwithstanding. "Do you already know who gave these to the police?"
"Someone from inside the factory, according to them. Obviously, someone who has access to your documents. They refuse to disclose the name to me."
"Even if you do know, whoever he is, he will deny it," the white head nodded. "However," he added suspiciously, "that does not change the fact that Misao is dead."
"It is in their interest to make you BELIEVE she is dead," the okashira explained. "It will make you take their side. Therefore, I am telling you. I believe that Himura's report is correct. To make you believe me even more, we received another one today." And he gave it to him.
----Misao better now STOP tell brother we will proceed with request STOP expect us in three days STOP Himura Kenshin----
She is alive! Misao is alive! It was not a lie! It was true! And she was coming back in three days!!
Then Enishi got suspicious again. "Why are you telling me this? Isn't it in YOUR interest to convince me she is dead?"
"No," the okashira said flatly. "You are Misao's friend. You have a right to know."
He gave a smug smile.
He paced his cell, and thought of the next words to say. Having decided, he sat on the floor again, with his back to the prison bars and to the okashira.
"Tell me, Shinomori. Plainly. Truthfully. Do you love her?"
Shinomori remained silent.
"You kept me away from her for months. You guarded her like a dog. There must be a reason."
"We were not sure if you were still a smuggler, or the simple businessman you claim to be. Until we knew, we had to be cautious."
"But you met me in Tokyo...I told all of you....I gave you the whole story.."
"I did not want Misao to be hurt. I did not want her to be deceived. I did not want her...to give her heart to a lie."
"Because you love her."
"Yes." Simple, precise.
"As I love her."
"Yes."
Enishi was stunned into silence, then chuckled quietly for a few seconds. "And yet you do not want me out of the way? You even help me?"
"I have found you to be sincere. It is my duty to ensure an innocent man receives justice. After that, it is her choice to make about what to do."
The prisoner began to laugh, long and loud, maniacal.
"And you think that being kind to me will win her over to you? Not anymore, Shinomori Aoshi! If you really love her, you will tell her so! You will tell her in simple words that you love her. You will treat her like the woman she is! You will show her that she means the world to you! Until you do that, you do not have a chance, and you will someday regret that you let me live. Misao is alive, you say? Well, then, Shinomori Aoshi. She will come back to me!"
The okashira did not respond, and walked out.
"I love her, do you hear? And she loves me!" he shouted after him.
He slumped to the floor again, and fell to musing.
She loves him...she loves him...right? Only him? He was not mistaken, right?
For all the show of bravado, that yes unrattled him. He did have a rival. It was not his imagination. However, for some strange reason, he did not doubt the man's intentions.
He doubted his friend's heart.
What right had he to claim her? He had only really known her for a year. The man had known her since birth! He was her whole world. He was her Aoshi-sama. If things went according to his plans, he would come to her favor again, and she would ..love him again. Of course, he wanted his freedom back, and he would surely cooperate with Shinomori. But what would happen to himself after that?
She was alive, yes, but she would not be his.
That was not his idea of a life.
...............
Misao watched the butterflies flutter through the dojo's garden. She was seated at the front porch, well enough to walk around the dojo, but still unable to walk far.
She waved a hand happily at Himura, as she saw him coming through the dojo gates. "I have just been to the port. We are free to go tomorrow morning," he greeted.
Himura suddenly found himself inside Misao's warm embrace, and the recipient of a sweet kiss on the cheek. "Oro? What is the meaning of this, Misao-dono?"
"I know who you are now, Himura," and she gave him another big hug. "I never saw exactly what you did, but I know I won't be alive if not for you. Domo arigatou gozaimasu!"
"Do itashimashite, Misao-dono," he smiled. "Anything for a friend."
They walked toward the kitchen arm in arm, when she unexpectedly came to a complete stop.
"Something wrong, Misao-dono?" her support asked.
"Ever get that feeling, Himura, that someone's thinking about you?" she asked in return, eyes looking straight ahead of her.
"Too often," he sighed. "People who wanted me dead, people who wanted me arrested---"
"Well, he's thinking about me right now, Himura," She looked at him with sad eyes.
"Who, Misao-dono?"
She scratched her head again. "Him, him...The one who sent me on this mission...him. And it's not Aoshi-sama."
Himura raised an eyebrow at her. "Why is Misao-dono so worried about him, that friend?"
"Because I love him."
"ORO?! You love ----" Himura was taken slightly aback. "But Misao- dono forgets his name?"
"I know who he is. I can point him out in a heartbeat. I just can't remember what his name is right now, that's the trouble. Do you know him, Himura?"
He gave an odd smile. "We can talk about it more tomorrow, while we are on the ship."
...........
About Aoshi, regarding Misao's choice: "He had it comin', He had it comin', He only got himself to blame! 'Coz if you had been there, if you had seen it, I betcha you would have done the same!" ^-^V (Cell Block Tango, from "Chicago". I wanna see the movie, badly!!)
Thanks to wynter_ashes, the ol' Aerichan, who put me in the faves list.
Max-thanks for liking Singing in the Rain!
Chitchat-don't worry, summer break is just around the corner! Thanks for liking the story!
ICEANGEL-You'll have to check back on chapters 10 and 11. ^^ Yup, I like Cattleya (Haru's sister) too, she's nice and sweet! As for Aoshi, he's not that bad, I will tell you that much. I just don't like over-stoic guys, I guess. ^^
BittersweetKandy-Will continue, will continue. ^^
Mi-Aw, how sweet of you to give Eni-chan a hug! ^^
Sabbie-I hope this chapter answers your question about mercy on a tiger? Thanks for liking Eni-chan!
CardMistressSakura-I hope this chapter also answers things for you. ^^ Don't worry, I know Aoshi-sama isn't a bad guy at heart. I liked him a lot in the Jinchuu arc, you know! Thanks always for reading!
Tesuka-chan-Thanks much! Yeah, I get your point, too bad I didn't think of it sooner, but I guess it's better things turned out this way. As it is, with what I did in previous chapters, I got a lot of people scared. What more if I thought of chap 12 sooner? ^^
Dallisse-Hello and thanks a lot! I'm so glad you got it....Aoshi's not a bad guy, no, he isn't!
Thanks everybody for reading!