Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only.
FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please send no flames, I'm sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com
Chapter Seven
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Takahashi looked from the door way as the battoussai kneeled over the form of his companion. She laid on the futon unmoving. The way the Himura had acted in battle it had been frightening so. Like no time had passed at all. They could have been introduced just yesterday.
The battoussai moved some of her hair away from her face. He ran his hand down the smoothness of her cheek. She was so soft. But she was cold. He drew the blankets closer to her body so she wouldn't get cold. The feelings that had swallowed him whole during his fight threatened to enslave him again. He had feared for her life. It was true, the thought of her in danger stirred feelings of dread. He'd been so close to loosing her. There was nothing in this world he wouldn't do to protect her. Nothing.
He touched her cheek again. She hadn't stirred since she'd fallen into this deep slumber. Though she was out of danger she remained weak. He gave her a chaste kiss and broke contact with her. He rose and exited the room hastily.
The battoussai entered the kitchen where he found Takashi drinking sake. "What news?" The battoussai's asked in a clipped tone.
'Just as he remembered,' Takahashi thought. "Yamagata sent us to retrieve you. He sends you this." Takahashi handed Kenshin a sealed envelope.
Kenshin took it and read it.
Himura,
Izu is not safe. The Mimawari-gumi are active. Return to old head quarters. Kyoto
-Yamagata
He thought he recognized the colors. He set fire to the note and watched it burn on the table top. "Can you find me transportation?" He asked without looking at Takahashi.
Takahashi looked up. "Yes."
"Tell me when you've acquired it." Having said that the battoussai turned around and left the room.
To Takahashi's surprise Himura didn't return to the girls room. He left the house.
*************
"Yamagata-san?" Yamagata Aritomo looked up at the intruders voice. He was busy gathering his things getting ready to leave Yokohama.
"There have been two more assassinations."
Yamagata stood up straight. "Who was it?"
"Two more statesmen." The messenger paused for a second before he continued. "Tokyo and Nagoya have been set ablaze. That is all we have confirmed."
Yamagata closed his eyes and shook his head. It was as he had feared. Things were getting out of hand. If only they had realized their intent earlier they could have stopped them before all these meaningless deaths. Before he gathered so many followers.
"Word on who's leading the Mimawari-gumi?" Yamagata asked.
"No sir."
"Very well. You may leave." Yamagata finished gathering his things and left the room quickly. Eventually they would all end up back here.
A soldier took his luggage while he carried important state papers. Leaving Yokohama felt like hiding to him. But the assassinations were starting again. The way they had changed the times, once. Now the Mimawari-gumi were on the verge of doing it too. Yamagata boarded his carriage and it set off. The army had moved to guard Yokohama they would stay in place till they were sure they had the leader of the Mimawari. It was funny how he'd once fought to keep important men safe, solely because they meant to create a time of peace. Now others would have to keep him safe to ensure it's survival. He knew he'd done the right thing in traveling with his former companions. The others would be safe too if they'd taken his advise and traveled with swordsmen.
*************
Kaoru opened her eyes slowly. She felt woozy. She half raised herself but the pain in her abdomen kept her down.
She felt gentle hands help her to a sitting positions. She turned her eyes to blue/violet eyes. A flash in the background set of the memory of a steel blade. "Are you hurt?" She asked though her voice had sounded so frail.
He shook his head and she cleared her throat. "What happened?"
She noticed her clothes were different. "Did you? Did you change my clothes?" She asked him
He nodded.
Despite her embarrassment she felt the need to comfort him. He was looking grim. "Tell me what happened?" She asked.
He still held her by the shoulders but he turned his face away from her. "Do you always run into battle after me?" He asked.
She licked her suddenly dry lips. "No, not usually."
He turned back to her, his eyes boring into hers. "Not usually." He squeezed her shoulders and she grimaced a bit.
"I didn't want you to . . . have to kill." She sputtered out.
He withdrew and she found herself reaching for his hands and keeping them close. "No Kenshin." Her eyes teared up with the emotions she'd felt before she'd lost consciousness. "You don't understand." He tried to pull his hands away and she held them tighter in her grip. "You . . . It's you. It's because of the way you feel, Kenshin." She began as the insistent tears slid down her cheeks. "I'm afraid. If you did something now. Something you'd regret as the rurouni. You might leave. You might leave me." He pushed her back to her seat and sat in front of her. She bit her lip to keep from crying. The feeling of loss was settling into her being.
"You don't want me." He said but she cut him off.
Anger rose in her voice. "Kenshin baka." She said a little hoarsely. "Kenshin I am very aware that you and I have different believes. You kill to protect. I know you've killed and you still kill." She choked back a sob as she said this because it was all her fault. "I must be the worst kind of person." She cried, not really aware she'd said it out loud. She turned her watery eyes back to his cold expression. "I must be. But I don't care. I don't care about what you've done . . . . I love you." She bowed her head and the silent tears continued their journey. It was the first time she'd said the words out loud.
He was dumbfounded for a moment. He understood the last part it was just everything else he didn't understand. So he sat there while she cried. "I am an hitokiri." He spoke after a moment. "Can you love that?"
She nodded her head. She understood what he'd once been what he now was. And why later on he'd go on to feel guilt. "I can love you." She said again.
"I am not a rurouni," he protested, giving her a critical look.
She gave him a sad smile. "I know. But it doesn't change the way I feel." She trembled a bit in her seat. She felt exhausted.
He got up and laid her back down. He wiped her tears with his thumbs. Hating that he was the reason for them. He stayed kneeled in front of her for a long moment just starring at her. "I will protect you." He spoke to her. 'For as long as I may live.' he said to himself.
Her eyes blinked slowly at him. And a smile appeared on her face. This was his oath and his confession. She closed her eyes and was just barely aware of his lips brushing hers before she fell asleep.
He closed his eyes and held her hand closer to his heart. She filled him with . . . it was hard to describe. He looked down at her face. Her soft, plush mouth was slightly parted in sleep. It made him smile. The warm feelings she created soothed as well as frightened him. Every time he'd been happy in his life something had gone terribly wrong. Happiness, it'd been snatched away from him before. He wasn't sure what would become of him if something happened to her . . . . .
*************
Kawamori sat in a hall. Three of his five captains had returned. Safe and with all their men. Tokyo, Hyogo and Nagoya were done. Now all they had left was Osaka and Kyoto.
"Kawamori-san" Ono called out to his leader.
Kawamori turned glad to see Ono walking around again.
"What news?" He asked.
Ono paused when he was a couple of feet away. "They have encountered resistance in Osaka. The Shinsegumi have been called in." Kawamori looked a Ono for a long moment. "What of Kyoto?"
"There is still no word." Ono responded.
"Have Kazuki come in here." Ono bowed and left the room. A moment later Kazuki first commander of the Mimawari-gumi came in.
"You called me?"
"Osaka is resisting. Take ten men and divert the Shinsegumi's attention."
Kazuki bowed and left shortly.
*************
Minami pointed to his right and six men left in the direction of the police station. The Shinsegumi had been expecting them. He pointed to the left and another ten left in the direction of the senator's house. He made a gesture with his hand signaling straight ahead, all but his personal fighters left to set the fires. He took the rest with him and they crept in the darkness. They would head for the senators house but they would emerge from the back. He knew that's were the Shinsegumi expected them. They divided into two more groups and crept into the woods surrounding the house.
Minami slid his blade at the first signs of wolfs. Blood spattered across his mishiyuki as he sliced the man in front of him. 'They weren't all going to be that easy.' he thought grimly. He could see the gleam of another's sword. They were using the standard style of the Shogunate, the Hirazuki. As third captain of the Mimawari-gumi he was very familiar with the style of fighting knowing that one day he would encounter them. With a battle cry he fell into place among his men as they met up with the Shinsegumi.
*************
The battoussai and his companion left the shrine quietly. Neither uttered a word, neither wanting to break the silence. They walked down the road and through the city. They were to board the train again. Luckily they hadn't been too far and the exertion of the walk would not harm the smaller of the two. Their pace remained even and they reached the station just as their train arrived. The battoussai helped his companion onto the train where they proceeded straight to the back and took a seat.
Kenshin looked down at her exhausted form. He eased her down the long wooden seat so she could continue her rest. He hated having rushed her especially when she was so frail. But he had felt the need to do it. As if he waited any longer she might perish.
He looked out the window of the train. 'Things were so different yet they all remained the same,' he thought. The attack on him two nights ago. It had been something he'd been expecting since he'd woken up, 'on that day.' He'd never expected for her to get involved. If only she had listened. He'd have to be more careful with her. His thoughts suddenly trailed back to something the boy, Yahiko had said.
"He's dangerous. He doesn't know who you are. He might harm you. He wouldn't even know what he's done until it was too late."
The boy had said like he'd ever hurt her or worse. He shook his head he would never. The thought of him accidentally killing her was absurd. Something like that could never. It would never happen. He looked at her face as the train began to move. He felt a slight twinge in his heart, a sort of warning. He really would be careful with her.
His thoughts trailed to his last assignment before he remembered the Mimawari-gumi. They were a group of his time. They had fought during the Bakumatsu to take control of the government for themselves. He looked out the window when he felt they were slowing down. The scenery slowed down till it became quite still. It was late in the afternoon, almost night. He could carry her but it would look suspicious. He'd have to wake her. He shook her gently until her eyes opened. She grimaced as he helped her sit up. He peered at her closely. He'd have someone check her when they got to the house.
The harsh winter air slapped them as they both stepped of train. He glanced down to see her shiver. Even in a thick kimono with wool lining she was still cold. He'd have to buy her a coat. He tore his eyes away from her and looked around suspiciously. There were too many 'people' standing around casually. Except they weren't at all casual. They were keeping their ki to a point were it couldn't be easily detected. Just like he was. It was hard to tell what faction they belonged too. He gripped the long package he held. He shouldn't have listened to Takahashi and wrapped it up. 'Makes it look less conspicuous,' Takahashi had said.
"Let's go." He said while keeping his eyes on a particular group of people. They left the station rather quickly.
Kaoru fisted her hands as they walked down the street. The pain in her side was killing her. She felt the dressing needed changing. She gritted her teeth but said nothing to him. Ever since he'd become the battoussai she'd been weeping left and right, afraid he'd leave her. Her emotional state had been in turmoil. Now she was assured he would never leave her but while that remained of great news to her there was still the matter of the attack on them in Izu. What had prompted those men to attack and in the dead of night? She was sure she wasn't going to like the answer when she found out, well that's if she found out. She spared him a glance. He was being tight lipped. There was something going on, she was sure of it. In her injured state she'd forgotten to ask where they were going. She turned her eyes back to the familiar road. Kyoto.
It'd been a while since she'd come and paid Misao a visit, still. Things seemed so different. They drifted away from the road that would take them to the Aoiya. She briefly wondered where they were going.
They walked for a while, until it became to hard to walk. She struggled to take one step after the other. Still she was persistent if not anything else. So she kept her pace. She'd broken into a cold sweat and the wound on her side was throbbing. Her brow furrowed and she squinted to get a better look. She could see a large gate ahead. Surely, that's where they were going.
Kenshin looked at the gates; they shouldn't have been there. He walked up to the doors and knocked. A little window slid opened and a set of eyes peered at him. "What's your business?" The voice asked.
"Tenchuu." A one-word answer that had the man tripping to get the door open. It swung open and the man hid behind it. He hadn't realized the red head was . . . . . but it was.
It was him.
They walked into the house where and elderly lady greeted them. "Nice to see you Himura." She said with a smile. Her eyes turned to Kaoru.
Kaoru gave the woman a smile and a respectful bow. She felt like the wound was going to burst, the pain had gotten stronger. She rose from the bow slowly and carefully. She just had to hold on a little longer. 'Just have to make it to the room,' she thought. 'Have to make it.' She fisted her hands till her knuckles turned white.
Kenshin peered at her and noticed the beads of sweat on her brow. The flushed cheeks and slightly glazed look in her eyes. His face-hardened instantly. "You're ill." He accused.
Her smiling face had turned to him before she realized what he'd said. The words had sunk in slowly; they had sounded like he was far away instead of standing but a foot away. The one accusation seemed to take the last of her energies.
The landlady noticed that too. "Follow me." She said taking them to what once had been his old room. This place had been burned to the ground at one point but over the years and with a lot of help the Inn had been rebuilt better that before. She'd heard of his misfortune over the years. And it wasn't till recently that she'd learned the fate of the other girl, the one that smelled plum blossoms. Very tragic indeed. Still it seemed fate had been kind in giving him another. One just as pretty. "Here you go." She told them as she slid the door open so they could go in.
The stairs were just too much. She held on to the side of the wall. She felt like she was going to throw up. She was aware of the landlady opening the door and she made a wild grab for Kenshin. This was it; she couldn't make it any further. She felt herself growing limp until it all went black.
The landlady's eyes widen in worry as the girl swayed and fell limply into Himura's arms. He picked her up and took her into the room. He seemed so different then the last time she'd seen him. "I'll get the doctor." She said turning on her heel and running off.
Kenshin placed her gently on the floor as he set about fixing the futon for her. He set her on it and touched her forehead. His mood grew dark. She had a fever. He should have realized before this. If he hadn't been so busy thinking about the Shinsegumi and the Mimawari-gumi this wouldn't have happened. He heard the sound of footsteps running down the hall and stopping in front of his room. There was a knock on it before the door slid open.
An older man with graying hair and wise brown eyes came into the room quickly. He placed his bag down next to him as he kneeled next to a young woman. He touched her forehead and found she had a fever. He felt her hand for a heartbeat and was a little unnerved that it was so weak. He touched her throat to see if the fever stemmed from a cold. But that was not the case. "Has she been sick lately?" The doctor asked as he opened one of her eyes to look at the pupil.
"She was injured in Izu."
The doctor turned to the red headed man. "Where?"
Kenshin pointed at her right side. The doctor looked down at her form and touched over the material softly. "I will have to undress her." He said as he began to undo the obi. Kenshin stayed in place while she was undressed. The bindings over her breast were in place as well as other undergarments. The doctor looked at the aggravated wound. What should have been clean and a dusty pink was now a deep angry red. He removed the dressing and set it to the side. The blood had almost completely soaked through. The landlady came in then holding a pot of hot water and a bowl. The doctor looked up at her gratefully. He spent the next couple of minutes cleaning and redressing the wound. Finally the doctor stood. "She's going to need a lot of rest. Make sure she eats and try to get her to stay still. At least until the wound has healed a bit more." The doctor turned to look at Kenshin once he'd covered the girl in warm blankets. "You can leave the windows open. The cool air will help maintain her fever down just make sure she keeps on these two blankets at all times. I'm going to give you some herbs and a special blend of tea. Tomorrow you should go out and get her some more." The doctor rummaged through his bag. He handed Kenshin two small triangular shaped papers one with medicine and the other with tea inside. He turned his back on Kenshin one more time so he could write down the names of what the red headed man needed to buy. "Here," He said handing him the paper.
Kenshin took the paper. "Thank you." He said. He remained in a sitting position even as the doctor spared him another glance and left the room. Kenshin was very aware of the landlady still in the room. "Himura I can get those things for you." Kenshin turned his face up towards her and nodded. He handed her the paper and she gave him a sad smile before she left the room. He waited till the woman was far enough before he crept closer to Kaoru's sleeping form. He sat by her, touching her cheek. Her face was so hot. He got up only to open a window for her and then went back to sit as he'd been. He felt extremely angry. It had been one day. One day since he'd promised to take care of her. To protect her and already he was failing miserably. She'd done her best to hide her discomfort too and that just added to the building rage. He sat there for a long time just watching her sleep.
He opened the door to his room just before someone knocked on it. The man stood there with his hand still raised. "They're here."
It was well after midnight when the last government official had arrived. They all sat around waiting for their late supper. The battoussai came into the room and took his usual seat. It was odd, to see them eating here. This place was usually where the Kihei-tai had their meals. The officials always ate either amongst themselves or they ate in their room. The seat where Iizuko usually sat was now occupied by Yamagata Aritomo. Things were just as strange as he'd expected. Coming to Kyoto expecting things that were no longer. They were served their meal and Kenshin began to eat along with the rest of the men in the room.
*************
Yamagata cleared his throat. "I am very glad to see you have all made it here safely." He spoke as he looked around the room. "I think that by now all of you have heard some sort of truth as to why we are here. Many of you find yourself here once again." Yamagata took a regretful sigh. "The Mimawari-gumi are active, their goal is still the same. They will try and bring down the current government to establish their own. Since my departure from Yokohama there have been two more assassinations." He paused as the men in the room broke into whispers. "That is five in the last month." He continued after a moment. "I am afraid dark times are among us once more. History seems to want to repeat itself. We are here because this house is safer than anyone of your homes is. Yes even with the army and even with your personal guards." His last statement made some of the other men shut their mouths as they were half way to making a protest.
"We will conduct our business from here while our forces search out the Mimawari. Certain precautions have been set into place. And we've searched out certain people." Yamagata said glancing at Himura. "To help us maintain order. We've fought too hard for the Meiji. Spilt too much blood so that we could have peace. Now that we have achieved it. It just isn't right for someone else to come along and cause such horrendous acts simply because their side lost. Many of you may not have heard yet but Tokyo, Hyogo and Nagoya have been burned down almost completely." Yamagata paused again feeling weary. "The death toll will only keep rising if we don't stop them soon. As government officials it is our responsibility to stop them." A lot of the older officials looked at each other having lived through the Bakumatsu. They knew what it would be like if they didn't soon stop the Mimawari-gumi. The younger officials looked at each other; some bewildered and some frightened at the events. Still both groups hadn't realized the graveness of the situation till now.
They all left the room in a deadly silence.
*************
Kenshin entered the cold room still feeling agitated with the night's events. He made his way over to Kaoru and felt her forehead. She was still very warm but not burning up the ways she had been earlier. He noticed she seemed to be in discomfort though. He was unsure of what to do. He laid his hand on her shoulder. It was harder to comfort her when she was asleep. Still . . . .
He moved the blankets aside for a moment as he got into the futon with her. He laid the blankets around them and slowly eased her over to himself until her head rested against chest. He rubbed her shoulder soothingly until the look of discomfort left her face. Her breathing evened out as she fell into a deep slumber.
: : : : : : : : : : : : :
Kaoru looked around the yard till her eyes fell on the familiar figure. "Kenshin." She called out.
Kenshin stopped his wash and turned around to face her. With a warm smile he answered her. "Hai, Kaoru-dono."
Her smile slipped off for just a moment. Why was she disappointed this was who he was. 'Not true,' a voice in her mind whispered. She stared at his confused expression noting for the first time just how false it really was. 'Why do you want the mask when you can have the whole . . . '
: : : : : : : : : : : : :
Kaoru's eyes opened slowly. She felt groggy. She could already tell she was going to have a big headache. 'I swear to Kami if Yahiko comes in here yelling, I'm going to knock him into next week,' she though savagely.
"Feeling better."
Kaoru's eyes turned left in the direction of the voice. Ah. For a moment she'd forgotten where and who she was with. Her brown furrowed in confusion and slight agitation. Why did his questions not sound like questions? She tried to sit up.
"Don't."
She halted in her movement and looked at him strangely. "Why?" She asked even as he pushed her back down.
"You are ill and must remain in bed. The doctor left some medicine for you." His tone was even. Not betraying the anger or the worry he had felt. "Here." He said holding her against his chest just enough so that she could drink the tea. He'd gotten it when it was still scalding hot now it was just barely warm. He held her until he could see the tea's effects.
He stroked her face a little while longer. He wouldn't have to leave her till later on. Not till night had set in.
All right well this chapter was a little longer but I cut it down because the end made no sense to me at all. Still this is twenty pages. This chapter was a little slow but it will start to move along soon. Still I hope you enjoyed it.
Small Note: What's there to say. The assassinations have started. A military tactic meant to intimidate the public as well the as the state.
Yamagata Aritomo.
He leads the army and the department of defense for the Meiji Ishin. He's a cabinet member. He's also and old friend of Kenshin's.
Tenchuu, the judgment of Heaven it was a word frequently used among the Ishin Shishi. It expressed out the intention of meeting out the justice of heaven, 'with our own hands.'
Mimawari-gumi, lead by Kawamori Tetsuya. A group made up of over two hundred members, mostly children of the original warriors. Their goal is to overthrow the government and establish their own.
The forces are lead by five captains.
01. Kazuki, first captain
02. Minami, second captain
03. Masashiko, third captain
04. Takanashi, fourth captain
05. Izubuchi, fifth captain,
Each leads a small army of fifty men. All trained in the old ways.
Tokyo was set on fire by Takanashi
Hyogo was set on fire by Izubuchi
Nagoya was set on fire by Masashiko and
Osaka is being set on fire by Minami
Kyoto is the last city on the list. It will also be the most difficult.
The battoussai left Izu as soon as Kaoru was able to move. The train ride over was a little fluffy, I know. But it will make things easier for me in the later chapters. The shrine . . . I should hope you know what that means.
Kyoto their final destination and headquarters once again. All important member and loyal samurai have been summoned there.
Well that's it. Don't feel dejected if you didn't see much on Bat/Kaoru I will include a lot more in the next chapter. Thanks for reading. Don't forget to review.