Hello! According to Emode's Inkblot test, my unconscious mind is driven
most by curiosity. ^^ Makes you wonder what Eni-chan would answer in a
Rorshach inkblot test....
Much of this chappie got done while I tried in vain to upload chapter 15, the first day ff.net got those "site overload" things. I've just been reading the most recent chappie of WTJC. Man, I've a long ways to go.
............
"Soujirou-dono! It has been a while!" Himura warmly greeted the cheery young man. He had met Himura and Misao at the train station, the next morning. Misao was now bedecked in one of Kaoru's kendo uniforms, kunai stuffed in her hands, waist, and thighs. She had nothing against kimonos, but the hakama of the uniform allowed greater leg mobility for the ninja.
"Hai. Life has been good to you, I presume, Himura-san? Your son is quite handsome, and your wife is in the best of health." Soujirou complimented.
A few more pleasantries were exchanged. Seta explained that he visited Kaoru and Kenji yesterday afternoon, and departed hours before Himura and Misao returned to the dojo. Kaoru in turn had told him about their "cruise through Tokyo Bay, a little treat for Misao, you understand."
"She was discreet, which was very wise of her," he commented with a happy smile. "I bring you greetings from Kyoto," he added, with an imperceptible glance right and left.
"I hope everything is well with her friends there?" Himura asked with the same caution.
"Maa-maa desu. I have a private booth reserved, we can talk there, agreed?"
"Private booth? Where'd you get the money, wandering smiley?" Misao sneered.
"From your friend, Misao-san," he answered simply.
She frowned, and folded her arms. "I will take nothing more from that spineless, heartless, ruthless..." the blood was rising fast to her brain.
"No more adjectives, Misao-dono," Himura warned.
"Hai, not until you hear what I have to say," and Soujirou waved the two ahead of him toward the train.
.........
She knows. He felt it. He had felt it since yesterday afternoon. There was a coldness in the air around his cell, that was not there before. Animosity, anger, hate. He felt it, and he knew it was hers.
He felt it the first time they had met alone. A supreme wrath at seeing an enemy of all things she held dear: friendship, justice, and truth. A repulsion toward a man who embodied the worst she felt in men.
People had always kept their distance from him, physically and emotionally. Subconsciously, they felt that particular aura that he had. He had power to do evil, much evil. He had no heart for any man. He felt no sympathy for any creature. People did business with him, only because he was useful to their cause, and he benefited from the alliances and connections.
He did not mean to lie to Misao, but he never recognized how little she truly knew about himself. She took him at his word, no more and no less. Evidently she liked what she saw, and she stayed on, and even grew to love him. But what she loved was the man she met in Kyoto. The one who loved books and enjoyed good conversation. The one who was a gentleman. She still abhorred the man he used to be. Now that she knew the full extent of what he used to be, she hated him with everything in her soul, even more than before. She felt deceived, and he knew she was right to feel that way.
The mission was a mistake, he realized now. He should have gotten hold of Seta Soujirou earlier, and sent him instead. Seta was used to the workings of the underworld. He would not cringe at crime and retribution records.
He had been too optimistic. She was not going to return to him. Worse, she now considered him an enemy for life.
It would have been better if she really was dead. He could live with losing someone he loved; he had done that for most of his life. He could not live on, seeing her alive every day, knowing that he had broken her heart.
All of these sad musings notwithstanding, Yukishiro Enishi already had enough presence of mind to seriously think about his dire situation. Who could have possibly gotten him into this mess, and how he could best get out of it. Much of the evidence still depended on what he personally knew, and not so much what Shinomori Aoshi helped him with.
His mind ran through all his present employees, from the most important manager to the most insignificant janitor. He tried to remember all the people he had met over the past few months: business associates, messengers, carriers, rivals, even Makimachi herself. He thought he had put two and two together, but many inquiries led to a dead end.
He was thus employed, when a new visitor knocked on the bars. "Even here, do I have to tell you to stop bothering me?" the prisoner welcomed the visitor.
"Come on, now, sir, can't your secretary come visit you once in a while?" the visitor sweetly smiled back. He was a small man, with balding hair brushed back and heavily oiled. His eyes were shifty yet fearless. And his shirt and suit were very precisely buttoned to his neck.
"Alright, alright, what is it now?" he asked with an irritated tone.
"Sir, I've come to report that some documents of yours are missing," the secretary said.
"Well, what concern of yours is it?" he arrogantly sauntered toward the bars, toward his secretary.
"Well, sir, I just thought you wanted to know," the secretary continued easily. "Someone might have come in and stolen them, you know. Someone might use those papers to blackmail you, or to get you in trouble."
"Someone like you."
Enishi's face looked of murder.
It was the face that sent Chinese, Japanese, and Caucasian agents shaking in their boots. Narrow fiery eyes, angry clenched teeth, flaming white locks. Many who had seen that face, saw the blade of his long sword or the end of his pistol minutes later. They were not heard from again.
The secretary obviously knew that face, for he began to back away from the prison cell.
"Trying to get official backing, I see," the prisoner sneered, as he accused the man in strong Chinese. "Trying to get recognition from the big bosses, by using my name. Trying to own your small part of the organization, through me."
The man's face began to sweat.
"You might think you know me and my methods. You would be deceiving yourself." He tossed his head. "The fact that I can't remember you that well should tell you something. You haven't been in the organization long enough."
The secretary shakily asked in Japanese, "What makes you say that, sir?"
"Cut the crap." Enishi warned, still in Chinese. "First, you planned to get my cooperation by spreading rumors of new exchanges. Failing that, you tried to force it by going to the police. Still not getting your way, you tried to attack my friend, and dared to do the shock interrogation on me. Unfortunately, things have not gone the way you planned, so you're asking for the documents that you hoped would implicate me for good."
The former mafia boss was cool and confident, and calmly paced the floor as he spoke. "In any case, no matter how you got my cooperation, you, like many of the scum in the organization, would eliminate me the first chance you get. I'm sorry, but I have no plans of leaving Kyoto anytime soon." He ended his analysis with a sinister grin.
"But, sir!" the man stammered. "Wu has been running the branch like crazy! You have to take over again! I'll put you back!"
"One piece of advice," Enishi came close to his secretary, until only inches separated their noses. "Talk for yourself. Don't live under anyone's shadow." He grabbed the man by the collar and hissed down his shirt. "Now, get out of Japan by the next boat, or I will have Shinomori on your case. I warn you, I know the business. I could easily have you locked in for life, and you won't know what got you." With that, he released his iron grip, and dropped the man to the floor.
But the secretary was shaken, not stirred. He stood up, re-arranged his collar, and smoothed out his suit. He stared down at the prisoner in defiance.
"I could have been a great second man for you, boss," he said as he exited. "You ruined it."
"I'll be glad to be rid of you," Enishi retorted in his native language. "You annoy me."
He was alone again.
Himura had promised that he and Misao would be back in three days. It was already the afternoon of the third day.
He did not know what to feel. Over the past week he had been through a whirlwind of emotions. He was happy, yes, that Misao was alive. He was relieved that she would have the documents he sought. Soon he would be cleared of all the false evidence against him. He would once again be in good standing, and his business could only thrive from there. But at what cost?
The short incident with his secretary convinced him that he had not changed enough. He still had a terrible temper, a force to be reckoned with. He still had the power to threaten, the power to control. He had a reputation he could not easily erase, and a history he could not easily ignore. He was not the man for such an honorable young woman as she.
He decided. He would go away quietly, as soon as this mess was over. He would leave Japan. He would finally go to Paris, like he planned at least a month ago. He would start over. He would forget her, for another young woman. Surely there were Japanese women in Paris, too. Women like her.
He would leave her with Shinomori. At any rate, she was ready to marry the man, before he came and changed her mind. He knew her better, she knew him better. Whatever it was that Shinomori had done in his past, surely it was not as terrible as what he had done in his. He had a better right to her.
Speaking of Shinomori, where WAS Shinomori? He was supposed to be coming that afternoon with new information! Maybe he decided to wait for Seta first before coming. Even then, something was holding up both men. What was it?
...............
It had taken most of the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, to inform Misao and Himura of recent events. It had cooled down Misao's wrath somewhat, but not entirely. She was angered that they told Enishi she was dead. She was appeased that Enishi did speak the truth, that he was in trouble not by his own doing. She was very happy to know that her Aoshi-sama was helping him with the case.
But, what was she to do now? Exactly on whose side was she on now? Aoshi's or Enishi's? Aoshi-sama is the same Aoshi-sama she knew and loved, that was proven well enough. But what about Enishi-san? So it was true he was wronged. What would stop him then from seeking revenge? Should she trust him again?
"You still do not believe me, Misao-san?" Soujirou asked, as he helped her off the train.
"I suppose I do, but I don't know what to do now. What to think, what to feel, what to believe...." she replied absentmindedly.
"That would be easily settled, as soon as we get back, ne, Misao- dono?" Himura reassured.
However, despite everything she thought, she could not shake off an anxious feeling.
Never mind the psycho, the mafia boss, the deceiver, the smuggler, the murderer. Somehow, her, her, friend, her friend of a few months, was in deep trouble.
It has been said that great swordsmen emitted a powerful ki, an aura that other creatures and objects felt. Maybe it was ki that she felt emanating from him, a strong force she always felt when she remembered him, or when she was near him. Himura had something like it, one that a person could trust, one that made people depend on him more. Enishi's was a little different. It engulfed a person, ensured him of his immeasurable power and skill. It assured Misao of his presence.
That force she felt through her, was fading, and fading fast.
In her Aoshi-sama's case, it was a different sensation, one of security in his simply being there, being somewhere in the world, alive for her. It grew a little stronger as she neared Kyoto, thanks to Soujirou's wonderful reports of him. But even this sensation was vanishing at an alarming rate.
"Something wrong with what I said, Misao-san?" Soujirou asked, with a worried look at her anxious jade eyes.
But Misao looked straight ahead of her, and could not reply. Her face had grown deathly pale, and dotted with cold sweat.
"What is the matter, Misao-san?"
Misao suddenly hugged Himura, like a little child afraid of a horrible monster before her. Her whole body was shaking.
"Why, Misao-dono? What is the matter?" Himura asked, as he tried to comfort her.
Her voice shook as she sobbed nervously. "Something...is very wrong...very wrong....Something happened.....to Aoshi-sama.....to Shinichi....I mean, to Enishi-san.....more to Enishi-san...." She looked back and forth at Himura and Seta with pleading eyes. "Please, we have to do something!"
Just then someone shouted through the train station, "The precinct is on fire!"
"We have to hurry," Himura noted. Seta nodded.
...............
It was getting rather stuffy in the prison. The sun had already set, so it was not summer humidity that caused it. He coughed and hacked. Something was decidedly wrong with the air as well.
Smoke. Heavy smoke.
Someone yelled out, "FIRE! FIRE! The precinct is on fire!!" "Sound the alarm!" "Get everyone out!"
He dived to the cold stone floor, and waited his turn, as he watched policemen unlock the cells one by one. No one was allowed the chance to escape; they had the doors of each cell well guarded, and each prisoner was watched as they exited. That did not matter to many-at least each man was alive!
Finally, the guards reached the cell next to his. They turned the key and opened the cell door. The man was soon running for his life out of the building.
By now the smoke was getting sootier and darker and thicker. Flames were seen just outside the doors of the prison. Policemen and remaining prisoners were all coughing, and all shouting, pressuring everyone else to hurry up.
Enishi heard a guard put a key to his door. He was soon on his feet and pushed at the door. "About time, you slowpokes!"
But the door would not budge. It was still locked.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? OPEN THIS DOOR!!" he demanded.
The guard tipped his hat, and showed his vicious eyes.
"Sorry, boss, but you know too much already. You have to go."
The former secretary moved on to the next cell, and released the next prisoner.
"I'll be seeing you in the afterlife, sir," he gave a very malicious grin, and ran out of the prison.
Dammit, Enishi punched at the floor. What a way to leave the world. Burnt to a crisp. And no one would miss him, not even his little weasel friend. What he would give right now to get his hands on a pistol, so he could fire at the lock and be out of the inferno. But maybe he could kick it down instead?
He concentrated all his strength on one powerful kick to the door, and managed to free the lock. Maybe he was not doomed to die in a fire after all. He forced the door open, and began crawling his way out. He sweatdropped in spite of himself. He should have done that MUCH earlier.
But most of his remaining energy was spent on that kick. Moreover, he found it hard to breathe. The smoke had lowered to only two feet above the floor, and it made him cough uncontrollably with every other step. He hacked and wheezed his way through the narrow hall of the prison, until he reached the door at its far end. Fortunately it was open. He faltered and crept his way out the door and into the police quarters.
There was no way he would get out of the building in time. Even if he successfully made it past the prison area, there was still a long way out of the floor it was in. He was going to meet his Maker, today.
He stopped crawling altogether, and decided to save his last breaths.
As he lay on his chest on the cement floor, his mind returned to only two events in his life.
A day, when he was a little boy. His sister had just made him a little pinwheel. He recalled her quiet smile as he happily ran through the spring breeze, and watched the pinwheel spin and spin.
And a night, just a few weeks ago. A beautiful young woman in a pink kimono lay at his lap. He slowly undid her hair comb, and watched her black tresses flow down like a waterfall. He stroked the long hair, and dreamed of the day she might be his.
If only for these two events, he was sorry to leave this world.
He closed his eyes, and accepted his fate.
........
Currently I'm on a reading spree. I can cache now for ff. net. Present objective: Read through the nominated fics over at Nikki's Diary. ^^ That would be a BIG pile of stuff. I haven't read half the stuff that's nominated!!
Iceangel-You've got a whole long answer from me, ne? ^^
Midori-sempai (^_^)-Thanks much for the pic! Aw, so cute! Give my regards to Phoe-chan, I love her RK cat stories!
Chitchat-Thanks much, glad you liked the entries!
Sabbie-Glad you liked the delivery boy, erm, I mean, the flowers!
Devil-Oh, yeah! It's going to get even tougher.
CardMistressSakura-Am writing again, so here's the next chappie.
BittersweetKandy-Tomoe might not be a lot, but Tomoe is TOMOE to Enishi after all. And well, Eni-chan was still bitter and angry at the world, until Kenshin dealt with him for good. Someone should be paying Kenshin exorbitant fees as a psychologist and counselor, you know? ^^ He could turn a person upside down in only one session!! Testimonials from Sano, Aoshi, Sou-chan, Eni-chan....
Firuze-nee-san-You keep reminding me that Aoshi's bad, too. ^^ Misao does know about Aoshi. Kaoru and Yahiko gave it to her completely, around that point where Kenshin was going to train with Hiko. Then she did see what he did to her Jiya. And, yes, I agree that she's very forgiving. She even forgave the Aoshi-sama without going through the whole speech bit. She just treated him normally and nicely again. But it must be remembered that Misao also went through a confusion phase. She called Kaoru and Yahiko liars, she cried her heart out, she took over Aoshi's position. Maybe that's what I'm trying to express at this point. She's still confused. Thanks for the long essay, all the same, it made me think about it. Hope you liked this chappie! Ah, I read the initial A/N of Moonlight. ...I agree about it not being Rakuninmura. HOW could I have been such a dope and forgot about it?! For White and Black's chapter 2 and 3, since I forgot, I figured he hid out in Raku first. Nearer, if he jumped off the boat and swam. ^^
So that's that. Don't flame me yet, White and Black is not done yet. Please wait patiently for the next chapter. Thank you!
Much of this chappie got done while I tried in vain to upload chapter 15, the first day ff.net got those "site overload" things. I've just been reading the most recent chappie of WTJC. Man, I've a long ways to go.
............
"Soujirou-dono! It has been a while!" Himura warmly greeted the cheery young man. He had met Himura and Misao at the train station, the next morning. Misao was now bedecked in one of Kaoru's kendo uniforms, kunai stuffed in her hands, waist, and thighs. She had nothing against kimonos, but the hakama of the uniform allowed greater leg mobility for the ninja.
"Hai. Life has been good to you, I presume, Himura-san? Your son is quite handsome, and your wife is in the best of health." Soujirou complimented.
A few more pleasantries were exchanged. Seta explained that he visited Kaoru and Kenji yesterday afternoon, and departed hours before Himura and Misao returned to the dojo. Kaoru in turn had told him about their "cruise through Tokyo Bay, a little treat for Misao, you understand."
"She was discreet, which was very wise of her," he commented with a happy smile. "I bring you greetings from Kyoto," he added, with an imperceptible glance right and left.
"I hope everything is well with her friends there?" Himura asked with the same caution.
"Maa-maa desu. I have a private booth reserved, we can talk there, agreed?"
"Private booth? Where'd you get the money, wandering smiley?" Misao sneered.
"From your friend, Misao-san," he answered simply.
She frowned, and folded her arms. "I will take nothing more from that spineless, heartless, ruthless..." the blood was rising fast to her brain.
"No more adjectives, Misao-dono," Himura warned.
"Hai, not until you hear what I have to say," and Soujirou waved the two ahead of him toward the train.
.........
She knows. He felt it. He had felt it since yesterday afternoon. There was a coldness in the air around his cell, that was not there before. Animosity, anger, hate. He felt it, and he knew it was hers.
He felt it the first time they had met alone. A supreme wrath at seeing an enemy of all things she held dear: friendship, justice, and truth. A repulsion toward a man who embodied the worst she felt in men.
People had always kept their distance from him, physically and emotionally. Subconsciously, they felt that particular aura that he had. He had power to do evil, much evil. He had no heart for any man. He felt no sympathy for any creature. People did business with him, only because he was useful to their cause, and he benefited from the alliances and connections.
He did not mean to lie to Misao, but he never recognized how little she truly knew about himself. She took him at his word, no more and no less. Evidently she liked what she saw, and she stayed on, and even grew to love him. But what she loved was the man she met in Kyoto. The one who loved books and enjoyed good conversation. The one who was a gentleman. She still abhorred the man he used to be. Now that she knew the full extent of what he used to be, she hated him with everything in her soul, even more than before. She felt deceived, and he knew she was right to feel that way.
The mission was a mistake, he realized now. He should have gotten hold of Seta Soujirou earlier, and sent him instead. Seta was used to the workings of the underworld. He would not cringe at crime and retribution records.
He had been too optimistic. She was not going to return to him. Worse, she now considered him an enemy for life.
It would have been better if she really was dead. He could live with losing someone he loved; he had done that for most of his life. He could not live on, seeing her alive every day, knowing that he had broken her heart.
All of these sad musings notwithstanding, Yukishiro Enishi already had enough presence of mind to seriously think about his dire situation. Who could have possibly gotten him into this mess, and how he could best get out of it. Much of the evidence still depended on what he personally knew, and not so much what Shinomori Aoshi helped him with.
His mind ran through all his present employees, from the most important manager to the most insignificant janitor. He tried to remember all the people he had met over the past few months: business associates, messengers, carriers, rivals, even Makimachi herself. He thought he had put two and two together, but many inquiries led to a dead end.
He was thus employed, when a new visitor knocked on the bars. "Even here, do I have to tell you to stop bothering me?" the prisoner welcomed the visitor.
"Come on, now, sir, can't your secretary come visit you once in a while?" the visitor sweetly smiled back. He was a small man, with balding hair brushed back and heavily oiled. His eyes were shifty yet fearless. And his shirt and suit were very precisely buttoned to his neck.
"Alright, alright, what is it now?" he asked with an irritated tone.
"Sir, I've come to report that some documents of yours are missing," the secretary said.
"Well, what concern of yours is it?" he arrogantly sauntered toward the bars, toward his secretary.
"Well, sir, I just thought you wanted to know," the secretary continued easily. "Someone might have come in and stolen them, you know. Someone might use those papers to blackmail you, or to get you in trouble."
"Someone like you."
Enishi's face looked of murder.
It was the face that sent Chinese, Japanese, and Caucasian agents shaking in their boots. Narrow fiery eyes, angry clenched teeth, flaming white locks. Many who had seen that face, saw the blade of his long sword or the end of his pistol minutes later. They were not heard from again.
The secretary obviously knew that face, for he began to back away from the prison cell.
"Trying to get official backing, I see," the prisoner sneered, as he accused the man in strong Chinese. "Trying to get recognition from the big bosses, by using my name. Trying to own your small part of the organization, through me."
The man's face began to sweat.
"You might think you know me and my methods. You would be deceiving yourself." He tossed his head. "The fact that I can't remember you that well should tell you something. You haven't been in the organization long enough."
The secretary shakily asked in Japanese, "What makes you say that, sir?"
"Cut the crap." Enishi warned, still in Chinese. "First, you planned to get my cooperation by spreading rumors of new exchanges. Failing that, you tried to force it by going to the police. Still not getting your way, you tried to attack my friend, and dared to do the shock interrogation on me. Unfortunately, things have not gone the way you planned, so you're asking for the documents that you hoped would implicate me for good."
The former mafia boss was cool and confident, and calmly paced the floor as he spoke. "In any case, no matter how you got my cooperation, you, like many of the scum in the organization, would eliminate me the first chance you get. I'm sorry, but I have no plans of leaving Kyoto anytime soon." He ended his analysis with a sinister grin.
"But, sir!" the man stammered. "Wu has been running the branch like crazy! You have to take over again! I'll put you back!"
"One piece of advice," Enishi came close to his secretary, until only inches separated their noses. "Talk for yourself. Don't live under anyone's shadow." He grabbed the man by the collar and hissed down his shirt. "Now, get out of Japan by the next boat, or I will have Shinomori on your case. I warn you, I know the business. I could easily have you locked in for life, and you won't know what got you." With that, he released his iron grip, and dropped the man to the floor.
But the secretary was shaken, not stirred. He stood up, re-arranged his collar, and smoothed out his suit. He stared down at the prisoner in defiance.
"I could have been a great second man for you, boss," he said as he exited. "You ruined it."
"I'll be glad to be rid of you," Enishi retorted in his native language. "You annoy me."
He was alone again.
Himura had promised that he and Misao would be back in three days. It was already the afternoon of the third day.
He did not know what to feel. Over the past week he had been through a whirlwind of emotions. He was happy, yes, that Misao was alive. He was relieved that she would have the documents he sought. Soon he would be cleared of all the false evidence against him. He would once again be in good standing, and his business could only thrive from there. But at what cost?
The short incident with his secretary convinced him that he had not changed enough. He still had a terrible temper, a force to be reckoned with. He still had the power to threaten, the power to control. He had a reputation he could not easily erase, and a history he could not easily ignore. He was not the man for such an honorable young woman as she.
He decided. He would go away quietly, as soon as this mess was over. He would leave Japan. He would finally go to Paris, like he planned at least a month ago. He would start over. He would forget her, for another young woman. Surely there were Japanese women in Paris, too. Women like her.
He would leave her with Shinomori. At any rate, she was ready to marry the man, before he came and changed her mind. He knew her better, she knew him better. Whatever it was that Shinomori had done in his past, surely it was not as terrible as what he had done in his. He had a better right to her.
Speaking of Shinomori, where WAS Shinomori? He was supposed to be coming that afternoon with new information! Maybe he decided to wait for Seta first before coming. Even then, something was holding up both men. What was it?
...............
It had taken most of the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, to inform Misao and Himura of recent events. It had cooled down Misao's wrath somewhat, but not entirely. She was angered that they told Enishi she was dead. She was appeased that Enishi did speak the truth, that he was in trouble not by his own doing. She was very happy to know that her Aoshi-sama was helping him with the case.
But, what was she to do now? Exactly on whose side was she on now? Aoshi's or Enishi's? Aoshi-sama is the same Aoshi-sama she knew and loved, that was proven well enough. But what about Enishi-san? So it was true he was wronged. What would stop him then from seeking revenge? Should she trust him again?
"You still do not believe me, Misao-san?" Soujirou asked, as he helped her off the train.
"I suppose I do, but I don't know what to do now. What to think, what to feel, what to believe...." she replied absentmindedly.
"That would be easily settled, as soon as we get back, ne, Misao- dono?" Himura reassured.
However, despite everything she thought, she could not shake off an anxious feeling.
Never mind the psycho, the mafia boss, the deceiver, the smuggler, the murderer. Somehow, her, her, friend, her friend of a few months, was in deep trouble.
It has been said that great swordsmen emitted a powerful ki, an aura that other creatures and objects felt. Maybe it was ki that she felt emanating from him, a strong force she always felt when she remembered him, or when she was near him. Himura had something like it, one that a person could trust, one that made people depend on him more. Enishi's was a little different. It engulfed a person, ensured him of his immeasurable power and skill. It assured Misao of his presence.
That force she felt through her, was fading, and fading fast.
In her Aoshi-sama's case, it was a different sensation, one of security in his simply being there, being somewhere in the world, alive for her. It grew a little stronger as she neared Kyoto, thanks to Soujirou's wonderful reports of him. But even this sensation was vanishing at an alarming rate.
"Something wrong with what I said, Misao-san?" Soujirou asked, with a worried look at her anxious jade eyes.
But Misao looked straight ahead of her, and could not reply. Her face had grown deathly pale, and dotted with cold sweat.
"What is the matter, Misao-san?"
Misao suddenly hugged Himura, like a little child afraid of a horrible monster before her. Her whole body was shaking.
"Why, Misao-dono? What is the matter?" Himura asked, as he tried to comfort her.
Her voice shook as she sobbed nervously. "Something...is very wrong...very wrong....Something happened.....to Aoshi-sama.....to Shinichi....I mean, to Enishi-san.....more to Enishi-san...." She looked back and forth at Himura and Seta with pleading eyes. "Please, we have to do something!"
Just then someone shouted through the train station, "The precinct is on fire!"
"We have to hurry," Himura noted. Seta nodded.
...............
It was getting rather stuffy in the prison. The sun had already set, so it was not summer humidity that caused it. He coughed and hacked. Something was decidedly wrong with the air as well.
Smoke. Heavy smoke.
Someone yelled out, "FIRE! FIRE! The precinct is on fire!!" "Sound the alarm!" "Get everyone out!"
He dived to the cold stone floor, and waited his turn, as he watched policemen unlock the cells one by one. No one was allowed the chance to escape; they had the doors of each cell well guarded, and each prisoner was watched as they exited. That did not matter to many-at least each man was alive!
Finally, the guards reached the cell next to his. They turned the key and opened the cell door. The man was soon running for his life out of the building.
By now the smoke was getting sootier and darker and thicker. Flames were seen just outside the doors of the prison. Policemen and remaining prisoners were all coughing, and all shouting, pressuring everyone else to hurry up.
Enishi heard a guard put a key to his door. He was soon on his feet and pushed at the door. "About time, you slowpokes!"
But the door would not budge. It was still locked.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? OPEN THIS DOOR!!" he demanded.
The guard tipped his hat, and showed his vicious eyes.
"Sorry, boss, but you know too much already. You have to go."
The former secretary moved on to the next cell, and released the next prisoner.
"I'll be seeing you in the afterlife, sir," he gave a very malicious grin, and ran out of the prison.
Dammit, Enishi punched at the floor. What a way to leave the world. Burnt to a crisp. And no one would miss him, not even his little weasel friend. What he would give right now to get his hands on a pistol, so he could fire at the lock and be out of the inferno. But maybe he could kick it down instead?
He concentrated all his strength on one powerful kick to the door, and managed to free the lock. Maybe he was not doomed to die in a fire after all. He forced the door open, and began crawling his way out. He sweatdropped in spite of himself. He should have done that MUCH earlier.
But most of his remaining energy was spent on that kick. Moreover, he found it hard to breathe. The smoke had lowered to only two feet above the floor, and it made him cough uncontrollably with every other step. He hacked and wheezed his way through the narrow hall of the prison, until he reached the door at its far end. Fortunately it was open. He faltered and crept his way out the door and into the police quarters.
There was no way he would get out of the building in time. Even if he successfully made it past the prison area, there was still a long way out of the floor it was in. He was going to meet his Maker, today.
He stopped crawling altogether, and decided to save his last breaths.
As he lay on his chest on the cement floor, his mind returned to only two events in his life.
A day, when he was a little boy. His sister had just made him a little pinwheel. He recalled her quiet smile as he happily ran through the spring breeze, and watched the pinwheel spin and spin.
And a night, just a few weeks ago. A beautiful young woman in a pink kimono lay at his lap. He slowly undid her hair comb, and watched her black tresses flow down like a waterfall. He stroked the long hair, and dreamed of the day she might be his.
If only for these two events, he was sorry to leave this world.
He closed his eyes, and accepted his fate.
........
Currently I'm on a reading spree. I can cache now for ff. net. Present objective: Read through the nominated fics over at Nikki's Diary. ^^ That would be a BIG pile of stuff. I haven't read half the stuff that's nominated!!
Iceangel-You've got a whole long answer from me, ne? ^^
Midori-sempai (^_^)-Thanks much for the pic! Aw, so cute! Give my regards to Phoe-chan, I love her RK cat stories!
Chitchat-Thanks much, glad you liked the entries!
Sabbie-Glad you liked the delivery boy, erm, I mean, the flowers!
Devil-Oh, yeah! It's going to get even tougher.
CardMistressSakura-Am writing again, so here's the next chappie.
BittersweetKandy-Tomoe might not be a lot, but Tomoe is TOMOE to Enishi after all. And well, Eni-chan was still bitter and angry at the world, until Kenshin dealt with him for good. Someone should be paying Kenshin exorbitant fees as a psychologist and counselor, you know? ^^ He could turn a person upside down in only one session!! Testimonials from Sano, Aoshi, Sou-chan, Eni-chan....
Firuze-nee-san-You keep reminding me that Aoshi's bad, too. ^^ Misao does know about Aoshi. Kaoru and Yahiko gave it to her completely, around that point where Kenshin was going to train with Hiko. Then she did see what he did to her Jiya. And, yes, I agree that she's very forgiving. She even forgave the Aoshi-sama without going through the whole speech bit. She just treated him normally and nicely again. But it must be remembered that Misao also went through a confusion phase. She called Kaoru and Yahiko liars, she cried her heart out, she took over Aoshi's position. Maybe that's what I'm trying to express at this point. She's still confused. Thanks for the long essay, all the same, it made me think about it. Hope you liked this chappie! Ah, I read the initial A/N of Moonlight. ...I agree about it not being Rakuninmura. HOW could I have been such a dope and forgot about it?! For White and Black's chapter 2 and 3, since I forgot, I figured he hid out in Raku first. Nearer, if he jumped off the boat and swam. ^^
So that's that. Don't flame me yet, White and Black is not done yet. Please wait patiently for the next chapter. Thank you!