Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken and Rurouni Angel were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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A collaboration of Rurouni Angel and Chiruken
Rurouni Heirby Rurouni Angel and Chiruken
Chapter 4
Eyes narrowed in concentration, Misao shifted her weight onto the balls of her feet spread shoulder width apart, arms raised, hands clutching at the familiar leather hilts of her kunai, and focused on the target set up across the yard against the wall of the Kamiya Doujou. Pausing, she glanced over her shoulder, an eerie sensation of being watched overcoming her briefly. When she saw no one, she shrugged and faced front again, closing her eyes to concentrate on sending her senses out and around the immediate vicinity in an effort to determine who may be watching her as she practiced. Shaking her head with a sigh, she detected no one and knew that her training exercise couldn't continue. She refused to practice when there was a possibility of someone spying on her. It gave her an odd feeling, since she was the one who was the spy. Grinning as she tucked her kunai into their various places within her Oniwabanshu uniform, she shook her head at the irony of that thought. I'm effectively the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu until Aoshi-sama resumes his responsibilities. "As if that's going to happen any time soon…" She muttered under her breath, casting one last lingering look around the yard before retrieving her abandoned target and tucking it under her arm as she strode to the training hall.
Peeking inside, she smiled when silence met her. Wonder where everyone went… Shrugging she entered silently and deposited her target in a corner and, on impulse, grabbed two shinai from their resting place on the wooden sword rack. Looking around herself quickly to ensure that she truly was alone, she dropped into an alert stance, both wooden weapons held out to the sides. Brows drawn into a frown of concentration, she drew in several deep breaths to center herself, striving to achieve calm centering as she'd been taught. Once satisfied, she moved, executing her form perfectly, shinai whipping through the air with practiced ease, feet moving rapidly as she twisted and turned, a deadly dance being performed with equally deadly grace. Suddenly she dropped and spun, shinai held horizontally to the ground, crossed over each other as she lunged forward using the strength of her legs to gain momentum, scissoring her weapons in a perfect imitation of Shinomori Aoshi's deadly technique. "Gokou Juji!" Coming to a stop, panting from her exertions, Misao smiled triumphantly. Everyone thinks I'm only good with the kunai…but what they don't realize is that all members of the Oniwabanshu are trained in kenjutsu. Tossing her long dark braid over her shoulder, she crossed to the sword rack and replaced the shinai where she'd found them. Some of us just prefer certain techniques to others…
Exiting the training hall, Misao stretched her arms over her head, eyes moving automatically to the deserted washtub near the engawa. Heaving a deep sigh she shrugged and crossed over to it, frowning when she saw no sign of the red-haired rurouni. Kenshin is gone, Misao…he's never coming back and you know it, so get over it! Smiling as she knelt in front of the tub, she found herself actually reaching for a piece of cloth to wash. Smile widening into a grin, she shrugged. Well, someone has to do the laundry now that he's gone and it may as well be me since I'm the only one home right now. Humming softly under her breath, she threw herself into the comforting routine of rhythmically scrubbing and wringing out the material, mind wandering back to the last bit of conversation she'd had with her stupid rurouni the night before as they'd walked back to the doujou under the pale and soft glow of the moon. Hand in hand they'd walked through the quiet forest, neither of them speaking, merely enjoying their last moments together. Biting her lip, Misao reached to the side and grabbed another item to wash, pausing to swipe her forearm across her eyes, refusing to allow tears to fall. I cried enough last night, I don't need to cry anymore. Her lips curved into a sad smile as she scrubbed Yahiko's training gi vigorously. Neither of us wanted to break physical contact…not until the very last second. Gripping the soft material tight enough her fingers hurt, she felt her heart drop down into her stomach again at the memory of Kenshin's claim of miwaku…and his subsequent rejection.
Tossing the now clean gi into the waiting basket, she growled, reaching for another item to wash. He hadn't listened to her, paid no heed to her arguments. He'd been too stubborn to see that what she was suggesting was the most logical thing to do. How can he be so dense? "Stupid rurouni!" Drawing in a sharp breath, she quickly glanced around herself to see if anyone had heard her sudden outburst. With a soft sigh of relief, she returned to scrubbing the laundry when she didn't see anyone. But you know you're being watched. Don't be so naïve! She briefly closed her eyes, the same eerie sensation from before making her hair rise up on the back of her neck, alerting her to some one else in the vicinity. Heaving another sigh, she shook her head slightly and chose to ignore whoever was making it a hobby to spy on her. I'll get him when he least expects it! After all, I am Makimachi Misao, Okashira of the Oniwabanshu…and there is no way I'm going to let a peeping demon get away with… She cleared her throat and stared into the sudsy water. "Peeping…" She finished in a whisper.
Choosing to just ignore her unknown watcher until and if he or she made a threatening move, she allowed her thoughts to return to the events of the previous night, her mind going back to the last conversation she'd had with Himura Kenshin before he'd left the doujou…walking out of their lives for good. Sighing, Misao allowed her eyes to drift closed, wet yukata slipping from her fingers to plop into the tub with a small splash, a dreamy expression crossing her pretty features as she allowed her mind to dwell on the earth-shattering kiss they'd shared. She'd barely been able to remain standing after that, her thoughts scattered to the four winds as she'd rested her head against his shoulder with a contented smile. It felt so right being held in his arms… She sighed again and shook her head. But I had to open my big mouth… She'd forced herself to pursue the topic of marriage, despite the angry little voice whispering to her on the breeze, undermining her confidence and sowing the seeds of self-doubt. Even in the bright light of day, that voice still echoed insidiously through her mind, chilling her, telling her that she could never be good enough, that she'd never be able to replace her… It had been as if Kenshin's first wife had returned, her angry spirit descending to hurl accusations upon the young woman's head. "I'll never be as good as she was…I'll never replace her…" The doubts were rising up again, threatening to engulf her.
Standing abruptly, Misao turned her back on the laundry tub and raced across the yard, hurdling the back gate in her haste to run from her thoughts and doubts. Swallowing hard, she knew that Tomoe was lingering in her thoughts and secretly she wondered if, despite his reassurances from the previous night, he felt the same way…that she'd never be good enough to replace the elegant woman. Closing her hands into fists, she ran as fast as her legs would carry her into the forest, away from the doujou and the ghost of the woman Kenshin had loved so many years before. Using her momentum to her advantage, she jumped and grasped a low hanging branch, pulling herself up into the tree to huddle against the trunk as she immersed herself fully into the memories of the night before.
Thoughts of Tomoe had lingered in the back of her mind as she stood within the comforting circle of his strong arms, haunting her, tormenting her, casting insidious tendrils of self-doubt to snag her and hold her captive. She'd had no way of telling Kenshin of her fears, not without embarrassing herself. When they'd reached the back gate to the doujou, she'd been surprised when he'd halted her, pausing to stare straight ahead, her hand still captured by his. She'd bit her lower lip in uncertainty, shifting from one foot to the other, wondering if she should bring up her fears after all, tell him of her feelings of inadequacy in the wake of Tomoe's memory when he'd surprised her, yet again. "Tomoe wasn't as good a wife as you are thinking…" His quiet voice had been soothing, yet the words had elicited so many more questions in her mind. "She was a mere outlet back then, Misao…a way to feel…to experience emotion, something I'd denied myself for so long…" His soft violet eyes had held so much sadness that she'd wanted to throw her arms around him and hold him tight, offering comfort the only way she knew how. "Some were more pleasurable than others…but to feel anything back then, back when I was drowning in the blood…" Misao had placed a light hand on his arm, green eyes compassionate as he'd bowed his head, eyes closed tightly against the painful memories. When he continued, his voice had been a bare whisper above the familiar sounds of the night. "I felt good for dirtying her…" He'd looked up slowly, meeting her gaze steadily, eyes shadowed with sorrow. "It made me feel human again."
Misao closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the silent anguish she'd seen in his eyes at his confession. She hadn't lived during the chaos of the revolution, but she did see what it did to Aoshi-sama…and now Kenshin. The rurouni's nature was to be gentle and kind, but the circumstances of the revolution and the task he'd been assigned had left no room for his true self to flourish and so Hitokiri Battousai, a cold, emotionless killer, had been created to mask the young man who's heart was too filled with sorrow and a wish for peace in order to survive. Though she'd grown up on the stories of the most feared assassin, she'd never really thought of Kenshin as being particularly unbalanced. Now she understood why. Back then, everyone had needed a way to stay sane…and Kenshin found his through Tomoe. "That's why he's the man we know today…because she kept him sane…" How am I supposed to compete with that? She'd told him the night before that she understood and he hadn't objected when she'd pulled away to reenter the doujou's silent yard. She'd had so much to think about…she'd needed time. She'd managed to extract a promise from him to return one last time and she hoped that he would honor that promise. "What am I thinking? Himura Kenshin is a man of his word. He would never break a promise…never." She whispered the words with quiet conviction, believing them deep in her heart.
The snapping of a twig alerted her to the fact that she was no longer alone in the quiet forest. Looking around with narrowed eyes, she searched the dappled floor for signs of the intruder. Reaching for her kunai, she gritted her teeth and shifted until she was perched on the balls of her feet, her back to the large trunk of the tree, one hand up in front of her face to prevent the unknown interloper from being able to drop a noose around her neck, her ninja training kicking in automatically. Her eyes moved restlessly around her immediate vicinity, and yet she saw no one. Frustrated she shuffled further out on the limb, straining her senses for any sign of her stalker's location.
"Misao…" The low voice so close behind her startled the young ninja into losing her balance. With a muffled exclamation and some imaginative swearing, she tumbled off the branch, the hard ground coming up fast to meet her impromptu descent, twisting in mid-air to land on her feet. However, her feet never touched the ground as she felt strong arms come around her, catching her. She had a moment of déjà vu, memory of when she'd first met Himura Kenshin and had foolishly tried to hurdle a chasm no one in their right mind would ever attempt to jump across. No one but Kenshin himself! She smiled a little, remembering how he'd jumped off the cliff after her, catching her, saving her. Her smile changed into a grimace. Yeah…and I fainted in his arms. Now, how embarrassing is that?
Snuggling closer to her rescuer, Misao kept her eyes closed, recognizing the compact form instantly. "You know, Kenshin, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that. It isn't safe…I could've hurt you, you know." She cracked one eye open when he remained silent and started almost violently, eyes going round and lips parting on a gasp. "K-Kenshin!" She lifted a hand weakly, her kunai falling from suddenly nerveless fingers, and allowed it to hover. "Wh-what did you do?" It emerged on a hoarse whisper as she finally allowed her fingers to rest on his cropped hair, cut short in the style favored by foreigners. Her fingers fluttered nervously like butterfly wings against the closely cropped locks in the back, pausing to lightly touch the longer strands on top until finally running through the almost familiar fringe framing his handsome face. Her gaze traveled lower, expecting the familiar and faded gi, but instead encountered a finely tailored western style suit and coat, complete with the fluffy white material at his throat. Cravat… Her mind supplied numbly. "Oh Kenshin…" She whispered, green eyes shimmering with sadness. It was as if her beloved rurouni were no more, replaced instead by a handsome westerner who bore a faint resemblance to the man she'd come to know and love. Her eyes widened at that thought. No…no, not love…definitely not love. She bit her lip and looked away from him, becoming uncomfortably aware that he still held her in his arms against his strong chest. It's miwaku…that's what it is. Miwaku. Drawing in a quick breath for courage, she decided to just jump right in. I want him and if it will help him, I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Besides…he deserves to be happy and those stuffy foreign men and fluffy western women couldn't possibly do that for him. I don't know if I can either…but I'm willing to try! I want to try! "We have to get married."
One eyebrow shot up, a half smile quirking his lips upwards. "Is that so?" When she nodded his smile widened into a teasing grin. "And why is that?"
Green eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a firm line, Misao swatted at his arm and tossed her head, long black braid swinging with the movement. "Mou, Kenshin…you know why! If we're married, then they can't marry you off to the first foreign woman they come across. I've studied the western ways and I speak some of their language…"
"Which language?" He interrupted, his curiosity piqued by her sudden announcement.
"Ano…English." She tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "How about you?"
He shook his head with a frown. "I understand and speak some Dutch, that I do. However, English is very confusing, that it is."
She nodded sympathetically. "Yes, it is." Suddenly she grinned. "Now you see why it's logical for us to be married. I understand the language of the country they'll be shipping you off to. There's no telling what they'll try to make you do if they think you don't understand what they're saying. It's better if I'm there to take care of you, Kenshin."
"Take care of me, is it?" He laughed and shook his head. "Misao, you're something else, that you are." He leaned forward and pressed his lips lightly against hers in an all too brief caress. When she tugged on his hair, pulling him close for another kiss, he didn't resist, choosing instead to draw it out, savoring the sensation of her lips moving against his own, of her soft, feminine body pressed close to his hard frame, reveling in the way she so passionately responded to his caressing hands and coaxing kisses.
Twining her arms around his neck, she leaned into the embrace, loving the feel of his arms around her, holding her. She wanted to show him that she could make him feel just like Tomoe did…only happy feelings…more pleasurable feelings for the both of them than what he'd experienced during the revolution with his first wife. Pressing closer to him, she gave herself over to the need coursing through her threatening to engulf her in flames. But I don't mind…I love the way he makes me burn… With a soft moan, she tentatively touched the tip of her tongue to his bottom lip and was rewarded by a low groan for her effort. Lips curving upwards into a smile, she did it again, this time a little bolder and ran her tongue along his lower lip. Shivering with pleasure, she tried to press herself closer to him. When did I become so wanton? She shrugged the thought away as it formed. Who cares? I like how he makes me feel and I want to feel more…
Slowly, reluctantly, he drew back, breaking the kiss that was swiftly leading him down the road to temptation and allowed her to slide down his body until her feet touched the leaf-strewn path. "Ahhh…Misao…" He murmured softly, tenderly brushing his sword callused fingers against her cheek. "So sweet, so innocent…" He pressed his fingers to her chin, tilting her face up to his. "I know a little of the ways of the English…" He paused, lips curving up into a wry grin. "However, I don't know how to live in their ways, that I do not."
Meeting his soft violet gaze directly, ignoring the blush staining her cheeks, she licked her suddenly dry lips and drew in a quick, fortifying breath. "That's why I should become your wife, you know. I can help you, Kenshin. I've studied their ways. I can speak the language and I know of their strange customs." When he looked as if he would refuse outright, she reached up and pressed her fingers against his lips. "Please! You won't tell Kaoru-san or Megumi-san, so who else is there to help you?" She felt him stiffen and begin to pull away. Biting her lower lip to still its trembling, she allowed her hand to fall to her side. Here it comes… Biting her lip harder, she closed her hands into fists at her sides. Oh kami-sama…why didn't I just keep my mouth shut? I should have known he wouldn't want me in such a way…after all…in his eyes I'm still a child! Needing to put some distance between them, Misao bowed her head to hide her tears of defeat. It was a bitter realization to know that she'd done irreparable damage to the relationship that had been growing between them.
Studying her bowed head and reading the sadness in her ki, Kenshin heaved a silent sigh and raked his fingers through his hair, sending the red strands into tumultuous disarray. "Misao…" He whispered leaning closer to her. His frown deepened to a scowl when she seemed to flinch and pull away from him. "Misao, I will not let you give up your life for me."
Her head snapped up, eyes blazing as she raised a fist to press against her chest over her heart. "What gives you the right to decide that? I'm old enough to decide what I want to do with my life."
"England is very far away from Japan. What of Aoshi and Okina…the other members of the Oniwabanshu…your family? I won't separate you from your family, that I will not!"
Growling in frustration, Misao scowled at him, green eyes narrowed, and took a deliberate step forward, closer to him. "Stupid rurouni! What of your family? What about them? You'll be leaving them behind when you go. Will you just up and go to a new country and become someone else without anyone to help you? To care for you?" She lowered her voice to a bare whisper. "Who'll protect you, Kenshin?"
Gently brushing his thumb over her lower lip, Kenshin smiled before drawing her back into his arms. "Do you think to act as my bodyguard, Misao?" He rested his cheek against the top of her head, eyes falling closed as he inhaled the delicate scent of her perfume. "Is that what you're proposing?" His lips curved upwards into a mischievous grin. "I'm very lucky, that I am. Not many are offered the services of the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu…not in this capacity." He fought to hold in his laughter when he felt her stiffen as a low growl rose from her bowed head and she tried to pull away.
"Are you purposely trying to make me mad, Himura? If so, you're doing a remarkable job of it!" With that said she tried to twist out of his embrace, head coming up, and eyes blazing emerald fire. "Damn it! Let me go!"
With a wicked smile, Kenshin pulled her tighter against his lean form. "I love the way your eyes sparkle when you're angry, that I do." He whispered as he pressed his lips against her cheek in a tender show of affection. His eyes snapped open the instant before he felt the cold steel of a blade press against his neck menacingly. Aoshi… He thought darkly. How could I have become so careless as to allow him to get this close without detecting him? Are my senses so dulled by the sweet temptation that Misao offers that I could become this lax in my attentiveness? Gritting his teeth, he held himself stiffly, not daring to move lest the blades owner lose patience and press the blade closer.
Misao's eyes widened as her lips parted on a sharp gasp. "Aoshi-sama!" Oh kami-sama! What is he doing here?!
"Release her now if you value your life." The former leader of the elite group of spies from Kyoto growled, eyes narrowed to icy emerald slits. "Now." He ended, adding more pressure to the blade of his kodachi pressed threateningly against the exposed flesh of the finely dressed foreigner attacking his sweet and innocent Misao, whom he regarded as a younger sister and therefore someone under his protection.
"Aoshi-sama…y-you don't understand…" She began, and then glanced up at Kenshin to see his expression. He looked surprisingly calm considering the circumstances, even smiling as if nothing were wrong…as if Aoshi weren't holding a very sharp blade against his neck, threatening to kill him. Biting her lower lip, Misao pressed her hand against his chest and pushed. His eyes opened slowly, pinning her with a direct golden stare.
Aoshi's eyes narrowed further as he flexed his wrist, tapping the blade lightly against the stranger's neck in a not so subtle reminder of his presence. "Move." His voice was as flat and emotionless as ever. "Now."
Slowly, with infinite care, drawing in a slow, deep breath, Kenshin turned with careful deliberation to face the other man, lifting his hand to press two fingers against the bared blade of the kodachi and pushing it aside, glaring at him with baleful amber eyes. "Do you mind?" He annunciated each syllable with cutting precision.
Narrowed green eyes widening in disbelief, Shinomori Aoshi took a hesitant step back, his arm falling to his side, the kodachi falling to the ground, slipping from suddenly nerveless fingers. "Battousai?" The word emerged on a hoarse whisper.
Kenshin opened his mouth to reply with a scathing comment when a gentle hand on his arm stopped him. He glanced down into Misao's pleading green eyes and released a long-suffering sigh before turning back to face the other man. "What do you want, Aoshi?" He carefully maintained a neutral tone of voice as he addressed him.
Aoshi shook off his momentary stupor. "Battousai…why are you dressed like that?" He glanced at the young woman standing behind him with her eyes downcast, her face an interesting shade of red. "And what were you doing with Misao?"
Misao hurriedly stepped around the rurouni to plant her fists on her hips and glare at the taller man. "Aoshi-sama…there is a perfectly logical explanation as to why Ken--…I mean Himura…is dressed like this. You don't need to jump to conclusions, you know. And what gives you the right to pry into my personal affairs? In case you've forgotten I'm the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu…you stepped down from your duties two years ago and never gave a hint that you'd like to be reinstated. You have no right to tell me what to do and who to do it with. I'm a grown woman in case you haven't noticed and I can make my own decisions and any choices I make are mine to make and live with. You have no say in what I may choose to mmmph!" The rest of her tirade was cut off by Kenshin's had covering her mouth.
"What Misao is trying to say in her own eloquent way is that I'm leaving Japan, that I am." He winced when he felt sharp teeth bite into his hand. "Itai!" He released her and shook his hand before inspecting the perfectly formed teeth marks. "You bit me!" He sent a hurt, accusing look her way and was met with a careless shrug.
"You shouldn't have stuck it in my mouth." She tossed her head with a sniff. She turned her gaze on Aoshi briefly before sighing. "Kenshin, how much of the recent events do you want to reveal to Aoshi-sama?"
"What events?" Aoshi looked from one to the other, her usage of the rurouni's given name not lost on him.
"My…family…is searching for me." The former hitokiri raked a hand through his hair, the red waves standing straight on end for a moment before he ran his palm over them again, smoothing them. "My family from England, to be specific."
"I…see…"
"Kenshin is an English Earl." Misao supplied eagerly, green eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Well…I don't know about that…" He placed a hand behind his head in a gesture of acute embarrassment.
"So it makes sense that the reason they're looking for him now after all this time is so that they can get him over there in England and marry him off!"
"We don't know that for…"
"So, I'm trying to convince him that the only way to avoid that trap is if he's already married."
"I'm certain Kaoru-san would be ecstatic." Aoshi noted dryly, fascinated by the way Kenshin's face was beginning to rival his hair in shade.
"K-Kaoru?!" Misao cried, face draining of all colour.
Quickly placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he squeezed lightly when he felt her trembling. "No, Aoshi, not Kaoru-dono." He closed his eyes briefly as the quiet words hung in the still air between them.
"Not…Kaoru-san?" He repeated slowly. "Who then? Megumi-san?" Suddenly his eyes widened. "Misao?!"
"And why not? I know the English language and of their odd customs. I can help him more than either Kaoru-san or Megumi-san. Tell him Aoshi-sama…tell him that I would be the logical choice."
"I doubt logic has much to do with this." He muttered under his breath before clearing his throat. "It is true that Misao has extensive knowledge of the English and said knowledge would be a definite asset when dealing with the foreigners."
"See?" Misao grinned, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet in her excitement. "Even Aoshi-sama agrees."
"I never said it wasn't logical…"
Misao turned to face Aoshi directly, momentarily ignoring the rurouni. "He's just being stubborn. Tell him it's the right thing to do, Aoshi-sama." Her green eyes pleaded with him to go along with her and substantiate her plans.
Clearing his throat he nodded slowly. He had his doubts, most of which stemmed from the smaller man's violent past, but he would put them aside for the moment in view of Misao's obvious desire to be with him. "She is correct, Battousai. This is the only thing to do." He turned to her with a stern expression. "Misao, give us a moment." She nodded reluctantly and slowly stepped away. When she was out of hearing, the former Okashira of the Oniwabanshu turned back to the oddly dressed rurouni. "All right. I won't mince words. Misao fancies herself in love with you so you will take her with you, marry her and make her happy."
Kenshin stared up at the taller man. "L-love?" He repeated incredulously before shaking his head. "You are mistaken, Aoshi." He smiled with a shrug, amber receding from his eyes and leaving the usual soft and gentle violet hue in its wake. "Misao is…"
"Whatever you want to call it, the truth is the truth. However, I will not waste my time arguing the point with you. In the end, one fact remains clear. If you were to leave her behind she would be devastated. Misao has a driving need to know that she is helpful…that her assistance is needed and wanted. I haven't done much towards helping her grow into a confident young woman. Don't make the same mistake I did, Battousai. Don't throw her affection back into her face. Don't break her heart. It would destroy her this time."
He turned slowly to gaze out into the shadowed woods, hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders hunched. "All right…" He murmured softly, eyes closed as he tilted his face up to the slight breeze rifling through his hair. "All right, Aoshi. I'll do it. But on one condition." He turned slowly to face the other man again. "This conversation never happened. You don't know where I'm going or why."
"You aren't going to bid farewell to the others." It wasn't a question.
He shook his head slowly. "No. It would complicate matters, Aoshi. I have no desire to cause Kaoru-dono more hurt, but if I were to tell her the reason behind my leaving…it would hurt her to know that I won't be returning."
"And this is better?" Aoshi slowly shook his head. "It is ultimately your decision, Battousai." He slowly bowed to the smaller man. "Have a safe journey and take care of Misao." He straightened and offered a rare smile. "It has been an honor knowing you Himura Kenshin."
Kenshin returned the gesture. "Take care of yourself, Aoshi…" He turned and strode towards the young woman watching them anxiously. "Come, Misao…we must hurry."
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