Rurouni Kenshin: The Phoenix Saga
Episode 3 - Distant Shadows of Corruption: The Midnight Revelation
Sanosuke strode lightly through the town, a fishbone protruding from his mouth and a short red cloak hiding the "Aku" symbol on his primary jacket. Not that that was on purpose, of course; he was merely keeping out the cold. He smiled grimly as he thought about his ever-growing tab at the Akabeko. He would never get what he owed paid off at his rate of eating versus earning. Oh well. That's what ignoring was for.
The young man rounded a street corner aimlessly, hoping to perhaps find a fight brewing or something else interesting. Not that anything could be as interesting as fighting. He was surprised, however, to see a familiar length of red hair exiting the police station.
"Yo, Kenshin!" he yelled, raising a hand and jogging toward the rurouni, who turned his head in Sano's direction and stopped to wait for him. Sanosuke was puzzled to see Kenshin's hair loose, and a tear in his jacket sleeve. "Hey, what happened?" he asked, "Didja get arrested for havin' your sword? Did I miss a fight? I always miss the cool stuff--"
"Sanosuke," Kenshin interjected in a serious tone, "There is trouble occurring near Kyoto that is very disturbing, that it is. I wish to discuss it with everyone. Please, if you are not busy, can you go to Dr. Genzai's home and ask Kaoru-dono to meet us at Megumi's clinic, I ask of you? I shall go to the Akabeko and retrieve Yahiko, that I shall."
"Huh?" Sanosuke questioned, "Why there? And why get the kid?" He rubbed the back of his head ruefully, where Yahiko had gnawed only twenty minutes before at the restaurant.
"I shall explain everything there, that I shall," Kenshin answered. Then, he added with a slight smile, "And ask Kaoru-dono to refrain from anger; I am sure she worked hard to cook, and I will return to Dr. Genzai's to eat of it, that I shall."
"Heh, alright, you man of a strong stomach," the street-fighter acknowledged, "We'll meet you at the fox-hole then."
*****
Many thoughts ran through Kaoru's mind as she followed Sanosuke down the street. What could possibly get Kenshin to be so serious? Were more attacks on the way? How would this issue involve everyone? Was he about to leave? Oh, heaven forbid that...
Sanosuke looked over his shoulder, fishbone long gone, and smiled. "Oi, Jo-chan," he quipped, "you really do look like a Tanooki when you frown. No sense worryin' until we know what's up, ne?"
Kaoru's eyebrows narrowed for a moment at the raccoon comment, but then they twitched and reverted to an expression of dignity. "You're right. I wasn't trying to look worried, but I guess it comes through sometimes." Then her voice and expression melted back to an unusually subdued one. "I can't help but worry when I've seen Kenshin so brutally attacked, though. And heard what he was accused of."
"Eh, I'm just gonna wait and see," Sano said with a shrug. "We're here anyway."
They stepped into the clinic, where they found Megumi, Kenshin, and Yahiko sitting around a low table in the break room. They took seats as well.
"I am glad you all could be here, that I am," Kenshin began, "I shall not take too long explaining, as Megumi may be needed soon to care for people. That is why I chose for us to meet here, that it is."
Yahiko's eyes were shining. He was thrilled that he was being included in this important matter. He felt very grown up, and was glad Kenshin thought to invite him to listen. His face sobered, however, when Kenshin looked directly at him.
"What you are about to hear is an ugly truth," he stated grimly, "and it may have even worse details at its heart. Because it is happening, though, it must be known even to you, Yahiko, so your young spirit may be motivated toward solving such horrible problems someday, that it must."
He then divided his eyes between his audience as he recounted his encounter, sounding more sad now than grim as his personal emotions worked their way past his business-like organization. "The man who attacked me at Dr. Genzai's house accused me of torture resulting in a death and a grieving brother... At the police headquarters, I found out that the man is a guard for a respected French aristocrat, that he is."
Eyes widened and breaths caught. Kenshin had a sip of water from a small bowl, then continued. "I am sure you all wonder about political involvement and relations with other countries, and how that may be affected by this situation. But, first I shall tell what I know of the situation at hand, that I shall. The man's name is Jean Luc de Fontaine. He told an interpreter that his lord and his sister, as well as some guards not including himself, had come to visit Japan for sightseeing reasons, as well as trade opportunities.
"However, these siblings were kidnapped by a small group dressed in black, at sword-, knife-, and even gun-point. All the guards died trying to protect their superior... He and his sister were taken to a hidden stone building in a forest, where the sister was tortured to an extent only described as inhuman, that it was... The aristocrat himself was not harmed, but the pain of his sister may have driven him to madness, Jean Luc said. Even though they had been released and allowed to return to France, they were not freed from the horrors they had endured and seen, that they were not."
Kenshin closed his eyes, head lowering. "And so...," he said quietly, "His sister committed suicide several weeks ago. Too full of fear and pain, too physically weak, the survivor sent all of his guards to Japan to find the man responsible and bring him to justice. All he was able to remember was a cross-shaped scar on the man's face. And it is all the guards are looking for."
There was silence, shocked and sad, angry and questioning.
"Jean Luc was eager to tell the police about all of this," Kenshin said, subdued, "But the police were not eager to tell me. It was only because the Chief was soon there, that both he and I were told, that it was. We found out that this was not the first instance of such kidnap and torture by a man with a cross-shaped scar... At least two other incidents were acknowledged by police in western Japan, near Kyoto and Osaka. Meaning that the police knew about it... But have done little to nothing, and did not report it to their superiors, that they did not."
"How could they keep it secret like that?!" Kaoru burst, slapping the tabletop, "Their duty is to protect everyone and maintain order! That completely defies their purpose!"
"Indeed, milady," Kenshin agreed, nodding once, "The Chief was furious at the discovery, that he was. The lower police offered excuses. They said that the kidnaps so far have only been of foreigners or people who 'would not be missed.' Whether that is true or not, is not known, nor does it justify what the police are hiding. They also said that they would rather keep it quiet for political reasons concerning other countries, as well as our own, that they did."
"What we don't know won't hurt us," Sanosuke spat, "Is that what they think?! The government's lookin' worse and worse by the day."
"We cannot say whether or not they are directly involved," Kenshin stated, looking at the enraged ex-Sekihotai, "but whatever the case, this corruption cannot continue, that it cannot." He then looked at each of his friends, face a bit hardened again. "I spoke with the Chief, and he plans to bring the issue up so it can be dealt with by law enforcement. However, he said that this may take a very long time, and the offending parties are obviously skilled fighters to have overcome guards of Jean Luc's caliber. The Chief trusts that I am not the one responsible... And he is sure that he cannot see justice through without help, that he did."
There was more silence. Yahiko finally spoke up. "What about Jean Luc?" he asked, "He's not gonna rot in prison, is he? I really don't blame him, y'know."
"The Chief and I discussed him as well," Kenshin answered, "However, we are unsure of what to do with him. He could be dangerous to innocent people, and also he would have a difficult time with his search because he does not speak Japanese, that he does not. And so, they plan to either take him back to his home country and find out more from his superior, or they may hold him at the station until the real criminal is found. If that be the case, they promise to be kind and treat him as a guest, that they do."
"Who's to say they'll keep their word," Sanosuke muttered angrily.
"Well," Kaoru pointed out to him, "He was trying to kill Kenshin, and he came awfully close too."
"If I may say again," Kenshin sighed, looking grimly at all of his friends, his family, "The new government and our defense is yet too shaky and imperfect to take care of this issue on their own. It is doubtful that this will get the attention it warrants, that it is. The police need aid in this investigation, and in bringing down the evil acts being done... I have something in mind, and I wish to hear if you have anything different, that I do."
Kaoru's voice came, quiet, her head now lowered so her hair hid her eyes. "You're leaving for Osaka... aren't you?"
Kenshin looked at her, eyelids dropping a bit as his expression softened. "Only if nothing else can be thought of, milady..."
"Hell, I'm definitely goin'!" Sanosuke announced, "Whether you go or not, Kenshin! I'd like to see what the government dogs hafta say for themselves when a lowly Sekihotai ends up doing their damn job!"
"I'm goin' too!" Yahiko declared, "I'll use the Sword that Protects!"
"Won't do much good against these guys, pipsqueak," Sanosuke answered.
"It will too, Tori-Atama!" Yahiko retorted.
"Don't you call me a 'Rooster-Head', you little Hedgehog!" Sanosuke yelled.
As the two argued, Kenshin looked between the two women. Megumi looked melancholy, and Kaoru was still unreadable. They seemed to know there was no other alternative, but were afraid to say so lest any other chance be dashed.
Finally, Kenshin looked toward the spiky-haired boys, who were pulling said hair and still hurling insults. He was about to administer order, but a voice took care of that for him.
"Yahiko," Kaoru said expressionlessly, causing the squabble to cease, "The dojo needs protection. The threat could strike here, anytime." She raised her head, and her eyes looked determined. "I'm going to train you extra hard, and myself, so we're strong enough to keep our home safe. So neither of us will have to stay behind anymore after this is over."
Everyone looked at her with silent surprise. Kenshin murmured, "Milady..."
Kaoru's narrowed eyes shifted to Kenshin. "No need to worry about us, Kenshin, we're strong enough to take care of ourselves!" She promptly rose and dashed out of the room. Nobody moved to stop her, though everyone watched her go with concern in their eyes.
"I think you'd better go talk to her, Kenshin," Megumi said quietly, "I have to get back to work soon, anyway. Just don't leave without us all at the dojo to see you off."
"I shall know by tonight," Kenshin acknowledged, standing. "Sano. If I am leaving as well, I shall accompany you tomorrow morning, that I will." He then bowed slightly, eyes closed, then turned and exited the room.
He stepped outside and spotted Kaoru walking slowly back toward Dr. Genzai's house. Her head was lowered, and her stiffened arms ended in fists which moved to and fro to the beat of her walking. Kenshin slowly approached from behind and to the right.
"Kaoru-dono..." he meekly said.
"Not right now," she said in a controlled tone, throat obviously tight, "Wait until we're away from other buildings."
He quietly said "Hai," and remained where he was, behind and beside her. He could see the curve of her jaw line tremble slightly, and her long thick eyelashes batting in rapid blinks, before he respectfully lowered his head.
The girl led him to the outskirts of town, to a large, ancient tree in the middle of a grassy plot. It was underneath this tree where she stopped, folding her arms over her belly and cupping an elbow in each hand. Her head was lowered, and she stood sideways to Kenshin. He stood close enough so she would not have to speak loudly, yet far enough to give her personal space.
She remained silent for some time, eyes closed. Kenshin also remained silent, waiting for her to speak first. He felt guilty for bringing her to such a state, for causing her to look so subdued now when he was used to seeing her so exuberant. His expression reflected that as he quietly stood.
Finally, Kaoru took a deep breath and looked straight at Kenshin, eyes shimmering with held-back tears. Her voice was strained. "A man tries to kill you, so you plan to leave those you care about for his sake?"
"It is not for his sake, that it is not," he said quietly, "but for the sake of any innocent people at risk, and for those who have been wronged. As I said, I am open to an alternative, that I am."
Kaoru bit her lip. She could think of nothing that Kenshin hadn't already considered, doubtlessly. No elite group's skill could amount to Kenshin and Sanosuke's combined strength, and the government would not readily approve of dispatching a giant squad of police to tackle a criminal that was no direct threat to the government itself. Kenshin and Sanosuke were the only ones capable of bringing the threat down. But she could not stand the thought of them leaving.
"It would take months, wouldn't it?" she asked quietly, eyes closed.
"I am uncertain, that I am," he answered.
"More French guards may attack you..."
"I am ready for them, that I am..."
"...The evil man may be too strong for you..."
"...That is always a possibility, that it is..."
"...You won't become the Hitokiri Battousai again, will you?..."
"Of course not. I shall hold true to my vow, that I shall."
"You'll come back?"
"I shall come back."
"...I'll miss you..."
"...... ....I shall miss you, Kaoru-dono, with all my heart."
"...It's so cold..."
She fell against Kenshin's chest, the tears finally released from her captive eyes as she sobbed. Kenshin wrapped his warm arms around her, as she did around him. His eyes were closed, his face reflecting his sadness. His guilt for causing her tears. His hope that he would be able to return quickly to her again. But right now, he was with her, and he had to make that count. He stroked her hair, allowing her to support all of her weight on him, his head leaning against hers comfortingly.
For long minutes they stood thus, Kaoru's tears flowing now to leave strength later. Kenshin keeping her warm, close, and safe as he always wished to keep her. And even as her tears subsided, they remained locked close, Kenshin swaying slightly to and fro. His voice whispered to her softly.
"Does milady find me worthy of holding her thus, I ask of her?..."
"Yes," she whispered back, a new tear soaking into the fabric of his jacket, "She does. Worthy to stay this way until the end of time..."
There was an edge to the air. The earth stood still around them. The silence waited to be broken...
......
......
It was Kaoru.
"I... I love you.... Kenshin...."
.......
"I love you... Kaoru.... That I do."
He expected his scar to sting, but it did not. He felt himself tremble slightly, however, and a single tear leaked from his eye. Kaoru looked up in time to see it. She lifted a slender, warm hand to Kenshin's cheek and tentatively wiped it away with a gentle, breezing stroke before it reached the cross. He also put a hand to her cheeks and tenderly erased them of drying tears. The whole time, their eyes were locked softly upon each other.
They had made their confessions. There was no turning back. To both, it was frightening. And yet, they were both freed from a heavy burden now.
Now, they could fly.
*****
That night, Sanosuke crept quietly through the main room so he could go outside and take a piss. From the corner of his eye, he expected to see Kenshin as usual, sleeping in a sitting position with his sword at ready. Frankly, he couldn't understand how the baka could sleep like that anyway. But the wall was vacant. He paused and looked more carefully around the room. He was surprised to see a bedroll near Kenshin's place, occupied by two figures. Kenshin and Kaoru.
They were simply lying there, eyes closed, breathing evenly in peaceful slumber, side-by-side. Sanosuke smiled warmly. They musta told each other how they felt, he thought happily, Well, it's about damn time.
He exited quietly so as not to awaken them, took care of his business in the proper place, then proceeded to take a walk around the dojo land. The air was crisp and fresh, and his nostrils tingled as his breath became vapor when it met the cold. Sure, he had a long journey ahead of him, but who could sleep on a night that chilled you to wakefulness like this? Eyes bright, he began practicing punches and kicks in the air. He'd heat up the night himself!
After a while, however, he stopped his movements when he noticed a second figure in the distance, surrounded by long, raven-black hair. He approached curiously, trying to be silent like the rurouni in his steps but finding himself failing in that venture. Soon, the figure's face turned toward him. It was Megumi, sitting on a rock near the stream, in her bedclothes and wrapped in her blanket. Sanosuke froze in place, eyes widening without him realizing it.
The woman was illuminated by just the right amount of star- and moonlight, her rose-red lips parted ever so slightly, eyes dreamy and hair flowing in a cool night breeze. She was beautiful.
"Er..." he muttered, eyes still wide, "...Uh..."
"Why am I out here?" she translated with a mild smile, "I just came out to think. And I know why you came out here."
"Huh?"
The fox tittered. "You came out to use the bathroom! And it wasn't very interesting either!"
That did it. That broke the spell. Sanosuke's face exploded into bright red.
"You... YOU SAW ME?! NOT VERY INTERESTING?! Wha wha wha ... wha what's that supposed to mean?!?!"
She laughed good and hard at the sight of Sanosuke losing it. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" she announced.
Poor Sano's face was scrunched, still blushed, a sweat drop on his head, eyes lowered like a guilty puppy. "About which part?" he asked.
"Oh I didn't see anything, you big baby," she chuckled, then her voice slowly went more serious, "I may seem like the kind of person who would try, but I just flirt for fun. I wouldn't violate someone's privacy, seriously."
Sanosuke sighed in relief. "Yeesh, woman, that wasn't funny."
"If that's the case," she said, "I really am sorry. I'm impulsive sometimes to make up for the times I couldn't be."
He thought about that for a bit, and looked at her expression again. She looked a bit pensive now, gazing at the cold waters once more. He shrugged to himself and sat on the ground nearby. "Thinking about us bein' gone, eh?" he guessed.
"Yes," she answered, "As well as things I should just leave buried. And I suppose sorting feelings, too."
"Ah, so that's why you've been picking on me lately. Not wanting to get between Kenshin and Jo-chan?"
She looked a bit surprised that he would know that, then lowered her head slightly. "Yes... I don't.. I don't think I deeply loved Kenshin... Enough to feel a little jealous, I guess... But also enough to want what's best for him. And it's apparent they had something for each other before I even came along. It won't be easy for them, I can tell... But I'm not going to try harming their relationship now that it's drawn more clearly before them."
Sanosuke nodded understandingly. "I guess the thought of separation shocked them into motion," he theorized, "though now I'm gonna have to deal with a Kenshin deep in thought I bet. It'll be a long trip, I'll tell you that much."
"He'll keep his mind on his work," Megumi countered, "We know he can be focused sharply when he finds it necessary. Meanwhile, I hope they work something out so the absence isn't too hard on them."
"I'm sure they will. Yahiko will keep her busy enough." He smirked at the thought of those two squabbling. "But hey, in case you wonder, I'm gonna miss all you guys too. Even you of course."
She looked surprised again. "...Even me?"
"Hey, I said it," he said, cocking his head to the side and grinning, "For looking so quiet, you sure do make an impression on people. Ya keep things interesting."
"Why... thank you," she said quietly, seeming taken aback from an unspoken thought. There was silence.
Then, she looked deeply into Sanosuke's eyes, her own showing sincere gratitude. "It's admirable that you truly seem to have forgiven me, Sanosuke... In case nobody else has told you, I realize that must be really hard for you."
At first, he thought she was talking about the potty joke, but then he realized that she meant the opium affair. When he had gotten past emotion and down to fact, though, he knew it wasn't her fault at all, and that she truly had had no choice in the matter. No lingering ill feelings were there, and he found it nice for someone to acknowledge that.
He smiled gently. "That's no problem," he said, "No regrets. No more beating yourself in the head over it; I consider you as much a part of our group as anyone."
"Thank you!" she exclaimed happily, clasping her hands together. "So can I continue picking on you?"
He chuckled. "Eh, sure, why not?" he shrugged, "I'll just pick back since you're so old."
Her jaw dropped, eyes narrowed in a silent huff. "I am NOT old!"
"Yes you are!"
"I'm twenty-two!"
"You're old!"
"Well you're a child!"
"Well you look really funny when you're mad!"
"Rooster-head!"
"Fox ears!"
"You're impossible!"
"You INVENTED impossible!"
*****
Inside the dojo, Kaoru chuckled quietly, having been awakened by the yelling, but finding it too funny to reprimand the two for it. She looked at Kenshin, who's eyes were closed. "Kenshin," she whispered.
His eyes opened right away; he was apparently not only already awake, but alert enough so he must have been for a long time. He saw her notice this, so he tried to fake a sleepy blinking.
She smirked. "How long have you been faking sleep?"
He couldn't lie to her. "All this time..."
"I guess we did confess suddenly," she said, "But it is how I feel and I don't regret it."
"...I should not feel the same, that I should not," he whispered, "You are still very young, and you do not know all about me. I will have to tell you everything if these feelings are to remain... And I do not know if such is safe, as I have controlled myself by trying to forget, that I have..."
"I'm an adult," she answered, "and if you'd rather not bring the past up, I don't mind."
"I must keep no secrets from you, that I must not," he countered, "and yet, even if you promise you will not hate me for it, part of you will, I am sure of it that I am..."
"At worst," she said with a tactful smirk, "it will help me miss you less when you go, but I'll still be happy when you come back, and by then all that will be left is love and friendship."
He was silent. Finally, he rolled his head so he was now facing the ceiling instead of her, and he whispered his tale.
He whispered, in factual terms so as not to stir his memories too restless, the loss of his family, the loss of his foster family, the loss of his childhood, the loss of his humanity, the loss of his innocence... the loss of his love... the loss of himself. The rebuilding of a new self. Then he described the Hitokiri that still lived within him, woven into his being, suppressed yet ready to spring forth, leaking through around the seams of his being, begging to be forgotten yet begging to be released.
The silence was heavy.
"...Kenshin..." she finally whispered.
He turned his head slowly toward her, his eyes looking so tired, so full of regret. Hers were moist with tears once more... But they desired to draw his own in. Slowly, her slender hand hovered into view, and her eyes shifted to the scar on his face. The scar that bound the souls of two dead lovers. The scar that bound Kenshin to them. The scar that made Kenshin who he was. The man that she loved.
He moved his face forward, ever so slightly, eyes sliding shut as he accepted her hand with his own. Together.... they touched the scar.
Her skin felt cool and comforting against his own. And his felt warm and safe against hers. Kenshin was shuddering with the intense emotions flowing through his being, and a quiet sob escaped his lips.
"Open your eyes, Kenshin," Kaoru tenderly requested.
He did so, slowly. They were edged, ever so slightly, with amber, but were devoid of tears despite the sobs he was choking back. In turn, Kaoru's tears flowed silently, not a single break in her steady breathing.
"Two lovers opened the scar to join their souls," she whispered gently, "...and two lovers will heal it."
She leaned her face forward, and she kissed the center of the cross.
Kenshin's breath caught... and then, he felt an intense wave of freedom and cleanliness wash over him. He felt as if he had grown wings like an angel, and he felt a worthiness he had never allowed himself to feel before.
His face turned as hers did, and their lips met gently, both of their eyes closed as their only awareness passed to each other through the kiss. Their hands still rested upon the scar, Kaoru's thumb stroking it gently.
Finally, after a long while, they slowly drifted from each other's faces, their hands lowering to the bedding and still together, fingers laced like a woven basket containing their hearts. Their eyes were once again locked, Kenshin's once again pure violet, Kaoru's the blue of a clean sea and no longer full of tears.
"Don't be afraid of things changing," she whispered with a smile, "When you come back, I'll still throw things at you and frighten you into an 'Oro' attack."
He smiled back. "And I shall continue enjoying your cooking, that I shall," he answered.
Their hands remained laced between them, and slowly their eyes drifted closed, as they surrendered to the draw of sleep, and dreams.