Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version (c) N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
Honeybee
By Chiruken
Chapter 2
The noise level was thunderous and he felt his headache return full force. Swiftly moving through the mob of rabid fans surging towards the stage he wound his way through the masses, taking care to not touch anyone as he did so, and breathed a soft sigh of relief when he reached his previous position near the pillar housing enormous speakers. Not for the first time he wished he could tone down the painful clarity of his hearing. Again, he cursed the enhancements that increased his auditory senses. Carefully scanning the crowd spread out before him, he satisfied himself that no immediate threat was in close range to the stage. Turning his attention to the young women on stage he blinked, finding the steady gaze of Kamiya Kaoru resting on him. For an assassin, being noticed twice in the space of one night was unnerving. He didn't like the feeling at all. He was supposed to be able to blend into the shadows at will, yet both Shinomori and Kamiya had picked him out effortlessly. He wondered, briefly, if it was an indication that his skills were slipping. If that were the case, his career as an assassin was nearly over…and his usefulness to Choushu along with it. Not a pleasant thought at all. His continued existence rested solely on his worth to the organization he worked for.
Slowly tuning out the background noise of the massive gathering of screaming humanity he focused his attention on the music blaring through the speakers surrounding the auditorium. He decided that it wasn't unpleasant, not that he was a connoisseur of musical accomplishment. He especially found the harmony exercised by the young women to be enjoyable. Tilting his head to the side he wondered at that. It had been a long time since he last paid the least bit of attention to such trivial things. Eyes never leaving the young woman he was under orders to protect he felt the same jolt he'd felt when he'd looked at her image in the file he'd been required to read prior to embarking on this assignment. There was something about Kamiya Kaoru that affected him like no other had ever done. He wasn't certain he liked the feeling.
It took him several long moments of observing her move across the stage, her sweet voice echoing through his mind, before he identified the sensation. He swore softly under his breath. It had been literally years since he'd felt the stirring of attraction towards a beautiful woman. It was just as well that she was unavailable. He didn't need the distraction of involvement to divert his attention to his purpose for being there. His effectiveness rested exclusively on his ability to ignore what he considered useless sentiments. But still, he felt his uneasiness return. He wondered, briefly, if he would be allowed to request a transfer to a different assignment. With a slight shrug he decided that he'd better leave the thought unspoken. Kogoro would not be pleased if his 'creation' began showing signs of human weakness.
The concert was nearly over by the time Shinomori Aoshi returned, taking up his place at the edge of the stage, casting a cold glare in his direction. He wondered what Kogoro had said to the other man to cause such blatant hostility. He decided that it was unimportant. His orders were clear, whether Shinomori liked it or not. Personal feelings could not be allowed to interfere with his assignment. He shifted his gaze back to the stage, watching as the lights began to dim, the two young women moving the center of the raised platform, the notes of their last song echoing out over the deafening adoration of their fans. As he watched they bowed to the crowd before moving closer together, arms going around each other before a brief kiss was exchanged. He gritted his teeth, tearing his gaze away. He'd known of their involvement with each other, but he found the display…irritating. He shook his head slightly, watching the fans as they cheered, amber eyes moving restlessly over their ranks. It appeared that no further threat would be directed towards Kamiya Kaoru during this performance.
A light touch to his shoulder had him spinning, his rigid control all that prevented him from delivering a fatal blow to the man frowning down at him. Shinomori nodded towards the small corridor leading to backstage and he followed, casting one last glance over the retreating mob, their laughter and idle chatter, filled with excitement, slowly fading as the auditorium was left behind the insulated door. He turned back to the taller man and stopped, giving him a cool look. "Don't do that again." At the inquiring quirk to his eyebrow he elaborated. "If you value your life, don't touch me. I won't be held responsible for the consequences."
"Indeed." Aoshi turned his back, refusing to let his alarm to show. He knew he had to remember that the other man was dangerous, that his training didn't allow for mistakes. He continued down the well lit hallway before stopping in front of a familiar door. He turned back to the smaller man and folded his arms across his chest. "It appears we will be working together for some time to come. We may as well establish certain…"
"Working together?" He frowned. "I work alone, Shinomori."
"That may be, but in this instance it would be more effective if we collaborated, don't you think? Let's get this straight. I don't like you. I don't trust you. I think you're more of a threat than any of the bastards who are after Kaoru. But I won't go against Choushu, so I'm forced to compromise. Either we work together, or I go to Kogoro and tell him to find someone else."
His eyes narrowed. He didn't like the other man's attitude and he certainly didn't like the threat implied in his tone. "Is that so?" He mirrored the bodyguard's stance. "And what makes you think that would make a difference?"
Aoshi allowed a small humorless smile to tilt the corner of his lips upwards. "Because, Battousai, despite what you and your organization think, Oniwabanshu can take care of their own. She'd disappear, along with whatever she may have that Choushu wants. Do you really want to take the chance? I doubt your superiors would appreciate such a failure on your part."
Gritting his teeth he stepped closer to the other man and growled. "I don't like threats, Shinomori."
"And I don't like having an assassin around. Cooperate or face the consequences. I don't make idle threats, Battousai." There was no doubt in his mind that he was playing a very dangerous game, but he wasn't willing to allow Choushu or their heavy handed ways to dictate his actions.
Eyes narrowing in growing anger he bit back his automatic retort. He knew Oniwabanshu was more than capable of accomplishing what their leader was proposing. Kogoro would be most displeased if such an occurrence were to come to pass. He didn't know what his interest in the Kamiya girl was, but he couldn't take the chance that she was more important than his superior had previously let on. "What do you suggest then?"