AN: Last time I left you confused. Now I intend to let you people in on the secret of 15 years ago. This one doesn't have any action, so forgive that. This chapter explains things, explains. So the next one will be mostly action. I hope. Thank you to my reviewers.
Chiruken- I hope that this fic has the answers to all of your questions.
Jenna- Thank you for the review.
Fluffybun- I know that you probably didn't do the math, and I should of told directly, but Kaoru is 20 and Kenshin I made him 24 so he would be the same age as Aoshi and Soujiro. If I didn't place his roommate's ages, they're all 24.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters.
Chapter Two: Answers To the Past
"I don't understand Lord Aoshi; Kaoru is just as good as any fighter here; even better than most of them. Why won't you let her do any of the assignments?" asked Misao curiously.
"We will later. If she would always take her pills, then we would right now," said Soujiro.
"So she tends to forget, it's only a pill. She could make it up the next day," protested Misao.
"Those pills are very important. It's not that we're all that worried about her skill, but the after effect of the job without that pill.
"You see, Kaoru was five when she got into an accident..." started Soujiro.
"She has gotten over her parents' death," said Misao angrily cutting him off.
"It's not that. Kaoru got into a car accident on the way to the police department. The car slipped on the rainy road, and rammed into a toxic carrying truck. Her car flipped over, and some of the toxic waste spilled out of the truck. Her driver died, but she was still alive, but unconscious in the back. They found out that she was lying next to a puddle of amber colored, toxic waste that was just near her face.
"When they got her out, they rushed her to the hospital. When they checked her eyes, they had become amber like the waste. They thought that she had gotten Hepatitis or something, but her body was perfectly normal and healthy. In fact, she seemed healthier and stronger than most people," said Aoshi seriously.
"I was only eight, but I remember the day that we went to see her. A policeman led us to her room. As we got there, Kaoru began to open her now amber eyes. The moment that she saw the officer's gun, she leapt at him. It took ten security officers to get her small form away from the man that she was beating up. We were shocked, and too small to understand.
"They had to place her in a straight jacket, as they called doctors, scientists, and therapists to help her. She broke through about five of them, and was forced back into them, before she stopped fighting it. The therapists said that the sight of the gun triggered her memory of her parents' death. That she shouldn't be placed near any weapon when like this. Since her abnormal strength and ability could cause others to suffer," said Soujiro coldly.
"Later on, the scientists said that she was exposed to the toxins for too long. That its effects would stay with her forever.
"The government paid, and still do, for her pills. They knew that they could be sued for carrying toxics in a public area. So as long as they keep giving us the money, we keep our mouths shut about that day," said Aoshi seriously.
"That's why we always want her to take her pills. They were made before to stop the toxin from working for a little bit. Though it only stops her from changing for a day, there is no real cure for it," said Soujiro, as Aoshi closed his eyes.
"Luckily she has no memory of it," said Aoshi.
Misao slunk into her chair in shock.
"You two are only doing all of this, for her and others' safety. I'm so sorry for yelling at you two," said Misao, as she closed her eyes from shedding unwanted tears for her lost friend.
All three of them fell completely silent.
~*~*~*~
Kaoru's breathing became rigid, she had heard it all from outside. She forced her self not to cry, and silently ran up to her room.
She sat on her four poster bed and pulled her knees to her chest. Kaoru rocked back and forth to the thunder's booming rhythm. She kept her eyes closed; she would not cry over the past.
Kaoru heard a knock at the door, and sat up straight.
"Come in," said Kaoru, hoping that her voice didn't crake.
Soujiro stepped in with his usual happy smile.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Aoshi says that you can come with me if you wish," said Soujiro, as he sat next to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's fine Soujiro. Just make sure that you lead them well," said Kaoru smiling at his frown.
He let out a sigh and shook his head. "You make sure that you don't get into any trouble with Aoshi," said Soujiro as he playfully ruffled her hair playfully.
Kaoru smiled at him as he went to pack his things.
Her eyes fell on the reverse-blade sword that hung on the mantle. Aoshi had never allowed her to use a real one, now she understood why.
It hung proudly next to the picture of her and her parents.
She stood up, and took the sword off of the mantle. Then brought it over to her bed, and placed it in her lap, as she sat legs crossed.
Kaoru traced the raven-carved figure on each side of the sheath, with her delicate fingers.
Her eyes fell on the leather strapped hilt, and on the silver bells that hung there. The bells would ring like musical chimes with each movement of the sword.
On the bottom of the sheath, carved in silver in Japanese, was the word "KIREI". Aoshi always said that she was like a beautiful raven with a musical voice. So he had this sword specifically made just for her.
She smiled at it one last time, before placing it on its mantle piece again.
She stared at her bed, looking at it longingly; wanting rest from her mind.
Then she finally went to bed, as the rain lured her to the dream world.
~*~*~*~
The elevator doors opened, and Kenshin walked out. That floor had only one door, and that was his apartment. He took out his set of keys, and opened the door. When he stepped inside, he was greeted by a mess all over the place. He let out an annoyed sighed, and locked the door behind him.
Even if his Uncle was powerful, he still had to share his apartment with three other fellow assassins. Two of which were complete slobs, and always left a messy trail behind them.
He never really cared, as long as they didn't bother him. The apartment had enough room for 20 men to live in. But he hated it when the others brought back disgusting prostitutes.
Don't get him wrong, he's had his share of women. It was just that he couldn't take all of their perfume, and how their make-up got all over the place. He had quit on them for a year now.
Walking over the mess, he went into his room to change and take a nice long hot shower.
He hated the feel of blood all over his body. Another reason was that he always liked things neat, he couldn't stand things to stay messy; it was a habit that his Uncle knocked into him during training. Since he was taught under his Uncle as well.
After changing, he went out to the living room, where his roommates were seated.
Though the dark brown haired one, and the ruffled black haired one were busy watch television. The one with the white hair, was the only civil one of the three.
"Hey Hitokiri Battousai. Finish your job so quickly," asked the one with black hair.
"You should do the same Takasugi," said Kenshin, as he sat down on a black leather armchair.
"I'll do that later. Change the channel Sanosuke," said Takasugi to the one with brown hair.
"I'm watching this," said Sanosuke, as Takasugi tried to get the remote from him.
"How many did you execute?" asked the white head.
"Six. What about you Enishi?" asked Kenshin calmly.
"Five. People are so weak these days," said Enishi, as he drank the coffee he just made.
"Yes. Your Uncle Hiko called us. He said that the Bafuko are growing stronger, and wants us to work harder. Katsura is trying to get on the good side of the Oniwanbanshu, so they want us to be very polite to their members," said Takasugi a bit disgusted at the thought.
"Man, all this killing can wear you down. They should let us rest for a while. Though do the Oniwanbanshu want to make a better Japan, or are they just mad at the Bafuko? They should just say it out loud that they want the Bafuko out of the way," complained Sanosuke.
"Without the Bafuko, then no more illegal trading will happen. Which means a better Japan, and the people will remain safe. Also their Leader is annoying," said Enishi.
"You mean that annoying Shishio that you've been trying to kill for so long, because he killed your sister? I just don't like him, that's why I'm on your side," said Takasugi.
"He was a high school enemy too," said Enishi as his blood boiled.
Kenshin closed his eyes, this was getting tiresome. The only reasons that he was even here, was because of his Uncle, and his belief of a better Japan. Also the thought of killing Shishio as revenge for the death of his high school love was also a good deal. So he didn't complain.
Then the phone rang. Enishi being the closest, picked it up.
"Yes?" asked Enishi.
"Where is my nephew?" asked a cold voice.
Enishi froze, and held the cordless phone out to Kenshin. He went over and took it.
"Yes Uncle Hiko?" asked Kenshin.
"Did you finish your assignment?" asked Hiko.
"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't be here," said Kenshin a bit annoyed.
"Talk back to me again and I will rip your tongue out. Now, Soujiro is going to Base 3, and we plan to make ourselves look good. A group of men will attack him as he is coming out of the area to the Oniwanbanshu mansion, you will recognize one at least, and you will save him. Just don't kill our men if possible," said Hiko.
Kenshin stared at the phone.
"Did you hear me?" questioned Hiko.
"Yes. Where?" asked Kenshin seriously.
"Your directions will come to you tonight in the black envelope as always. Don't kill any one if it can be helped," said Hiko seriously, and hung up.
Kenshin shook his head, and hung the phone up.
"Problem?" asked Sanosuke knowingly.
"Last time I knew it, people usually sit down and talk it over tea to work together. Now they want to do a set up," said Kenshin with a sigh, and he sat back down in his favorite chair.
"The things people will do to get rid of other people," said Takasugi shaking his head.
~*~*~*~*
"Did he agree?" asked a shadow, as Hiko hung up the phone.
"Of course," said Hiko.
"If things go as planned, then the Bafuko will not stand a chance," said the shadow.
"But was it necessary to use my nephew in your plot, Katsura?" asked Hiko.
"He will be of great help in the better future," said Katsura as he sat across from him.
"What if he kills our men?" asked Hiko.
"Oh no, they really are from the Bafuko. You see, I had a spy tell me that they were going to attack his carriage to get rid of one of the thorns in Shishio's eyes. So this way we get rid of some of his top men, and gain the Oniwanbanshu's trust," said Katsura grinning.
Hiko sighed, and just went back to doing the paper work that was spread across his desk.
Then a messenger came in and handed Katsura three file folders.
"Those are the files on the Leader and the rest of his living relatives," said the messenger.
Katsura looked through the first two blankly, but upon looking at the last one. He gave a grin, and Hiko stared at him strangely. Katsura only grinned that wide when he had an idea; a very important and crazy idea. Hiko stopped working, and waved a dismissive hand to the messenger, who bowed lowly and left them.
"What are you thinking?" asked Hiko knowingly.
"We might have a change of plan," said Katsura calmly, as he threw his partner the file.
Hiko cocked an eyebrow at him, and then began to read; his eyes widened.
"You just sit back and relax. I'll take care of the rest," said Katsura, and he left the room.
Hiko just shook his head, and placed the file away along with the other two.
~*~*~*~~*
AN:I hope that this chapter has explained most of your questions. I'm not that sure on what I should do next, so I'm open to all suggestions. Oh and can someone tell me some of the character's fighting techniques. I always get them confused. I need Aoshi's, Soujiro's, and Kenshin's. They're all so close, I can't really tell, since they're all so good at sword fighting. Please tell me. I need help, I'm new to all of this. Please Review=)