Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Chapter Fifteen
Himura was not the type to admit that he was anti-social, but he wasn't the type to deny it either. He knew that as far as light conversation went he was better off opening his ears than opening his mouth. He learned this after a few episodes that taught him that whether he talked of listened, he was on a receiving end. It was just up to him to decide what he liked to receive better.
When he listened, he tended to get respect and insight. When he talked, he tended to get beaten and hospitalized.
He liked listening.
However, there did come times when something simply had to be said, regardless of what potential hazards this brought upon his health. Just because he wasn't a social man didn't mean that he was without wisdom. And when he found opportunities to share his wisdom, especially with those who needed it, he was not one to hold back.
Consequently he was feeling very stupid right now, and for once his gi has nothing to do with it.
The others must've been a little low on intelligence this evening too, because no one seemed ready to spout off any universal knowledge.
After escaping the radicals' lumberyard, leaving them to sort out whose limb was whose, Kenshin, Nuhiro, and Futashi had simply begun sprinting away. Not any one of them realized they had taken out practically all of the soldiers and running really wasn't necessary. They only stopped after realizing that their blind dash towards the teahouse was just that. Only minus the "towards the teahouse" part.
After seeing their surroundings were unfamiliar they looked at each other with glances of "Who was leading?" and "Don't look at me, I was following you!"
Himura found he was the only one asking the former. This meant the others had been trailing him, which probably shouldn't have come as a surprise since god-like speed wasn't exactly something made for following.
Without a word he began to lead the way back home. …Once or twice asking directions (hey, he was still new to this town!). Without words is how he led, and without words is how they followed. This might've been fine if there wasn't so much to be said.
Himura stole glances at his companions, observing their composures and reading the emotions displayed on their faces. Obaga was clearly trying to disguise his discomfort by humming some tuneless ditty under his breath, acting as though this were a simple stroll through the back alleys. It didn't appear as though the old samurai was disgruntled with anyone, and nor should he be. He probably only felt it wasn't his business to address the tension in-between the redhead and the boy.
Futashi.
Casting his amythest eyes upon the kid walking between the them, it didn't take an expert swordsman or Hiten Mitsurugi master to read the young man's face. Although his head was bowed, Futashi's features were lined with evidence of inner turmoil. Had they not been in a hurry home to beat the sinking sun, Himura would've guessed the boy would have liked to simply find a corner and brood. While it was always impossible to read another's actual thoughts, Kenshin had a lot of guesses as to what they were.
Hurt. A loss of trust. Maybe even a feeling of betrayal? It seemed that his past was doomed to catch up with him no matter how far he wandered from it or how many 'oro's he hid behind. Even if in a fool's clothes he was still the Battousai.
Perhaps the only one he'd been fooling this entire time was himself.
Well, it was time to fess up. An apology was hardly any good now, but maybe if offered along with his sword and his life it would find a semblance of worth…?
Himura cleared his throat, which ended up sounding a lot louder than intended when noised against the silence. Obaga's humming abruptly stopped, even though he did not turn his attention too far into the matter. He knew this wasn't for him after all. The one who it was inclined towards merely kept his head down and eyes on the road. Himura decided to take this as an opportunity to speak and forged on.
"Futashi-kun… Sessha is--"
"The Battousai." Blinking, the redhead turned to look down at the boy, not having expected a reaction so quickly. "I know," Futashi went on, not sounding entirely concerned nor bored by the subject of revelation. "You would have denied it by now if you weren't."
"…Sessha is sorry. I never meant to betray your trust in me." Since when could he get his voice to be that quiet?
In the fading light Himura could see the child's shoulders slump a fraction, almost as if he'd been hoping for a different answer. Maybe a hope that he had still been wrong?
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in a voice that rivaled Himura's for a negative measure on the volume scale.
"I guess… I just didn't want you to find out if you didn't have to. I genuinely meant what I said earlier. About protecting everyone, I mean. But after hearing your story… hearing about your sister's fiancé… Would you have trusted sessha knowing who he really is?" He turned to look down at him. "…Do you trust sessha now?"
It was a question that was given no response, but that was expected.
Kenshin sighed and after another long passage of silence, deciding it was time to address another matter.
"Obaga-dono, please escort Futashi-kun home."
"Nani?" the elder asked, a bit startled by the sudden request and its meaning.
"What about you?" Futashi asked before Nuhiro could. The boy's tone sounded caught in-between suspicion and… worry? "Where are you going?"
"We're being followed de gozaru," the red haired man answered, his eyes now visibly keeping to the corners of his vision.
"Oro. I don't feel--" Obaga suddenly became more alert, as though something had all at once pricked his senses. He turned to his apprentice. "How do you do that?"
"Followed by who?" Futashi inquired, strangely being the only one asking the useful questions.
Nuhiro scowled at the narration but since he couldn't do a dang thing about it, he carried on with a more intelligent point. "Where are they? How long have they been trailing us?"
Answering in order, Himura said, "Not sure, but they're stealthy. They're keeping a distance of about 15 yards. I just picked them up soon after we started heading back."
"I was wondering why we were taking the long way de gozaru."
"I just thought Girly Man was lost again."
The 19-year old frowned. "Isn't this your town? Couldn't you be the one leading the way instead of a visitor like me?"
"I don't get out much, okay? I'm more concerned with what goes on inside the teahouse, not outside it."
"Oro. Aren't you a little too young to know about those kinds of things?" Obaga asked.
"Not like that ya perverted old man!"
"Anyway," Himura coughed, bringing the topic back around. "Sessha would like you to get Futashi-kun home safely, Obaga-dono. I will see if I can't draw off our pursuer."
"It might be dangerous," the older samurai warned. Himura cast him a look. "…Okay, so that was stating the obvious. I'm just saying keep your guard up."
"I can hardly remember the last time it was down," the redhead muttered.
"Need I remind you of a certain laundry incident de gozaru ka?"
"…I hate you."
"I was just saying…"
"What laundry incident?" Futashi asked curiously.
"Can we just carry this plan out already?" Himura pleaded, not caring to relive the details or enter a flashback scene.
"Maa," Obaga soothed before motioning for their youngest group member to follow. "Come on, Futashi-kun. Your sister is going to be very worried when we get back de gozaru."
"But…" The child cast an uncertain look towards the man known as the Battousai. "What about…?"
"Don't worry about Himura-dono. He can take care of himself as I'm sure you've seen."
"Yeah, I saw…" came the whispered answer. Feeling the old pangs of guilt, Kenshin made a sudden decision.
"Tell them, Futashi-kun."
"Eh?"
"You should tell Nikko-dono and Yuiishi-dono about that man, Aroji, who is apparently after you and your sister. I do not know the past you hold with him, but he will obviously not be doing you a service if he finds you. It might be best to let your sister know all of this so that she may be prepared for any emotional confrontation. As for a physical confrontation…" He gripped his sword. "Sessha has sworn to help you protect you and your loved ones de gozaru. No harm will come to her or any of the others. I promise."
For a moment Futashi looked caught in indecision, as though he wanted to ask or say something buy didn't know how to. At last he gave up with a sigh and nodded.
"…I know you will, Himura."
Nuhiro turned towards their destination and smiled. "Come Futashi-kun. We should hurry before it gets too dark."
"Alright."
The former hitokiri watched their forms disappear into the night, noticing how Futashi kept stealing glances back as though he were unsure if this was a wise decision. Himura sighed at that. It seemed it would take a bit of doing to regain the boy's full trust again, but at least there was enough left to build upon. He only hoped he would not prove a disappointment.
Purposefully heading in an opposite direction, Himura was pleased to note that their pursuer had chosen to keep an eye on him rather than the other two. Not a bad tactic either. Had they chosen to ignore him, he simply would've found that he would have to track them down instead. This way was much more preferable. Now, to see how long they could keep up…
Suddenly taking off in a zig-zag pattern through the back alleys, Himura sensed the other give a hasty chase and was unable to suppress a slight smirk. The game of Cat and Mouse was on.
…It was amusing how his pursuer thought he was the Cat.
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"He's going to kill him, isn't he."
"Oro?" Obaga looked down at the child in surprise. "What makes you say that, Futashi-kun?"
"What do you mean?" the boy asked in return, his tone suggesting he was answering a silly question. "He's the Hitokiri Battousai!"
"Er, didn't you just find out what that was less than an hour ago de gozaru ka?"
"Well, yeah, but… That doesn't matter now! The point is I know what that is and I know it's what he is too. So tell me, he's going to kill the guy following us, isn't he."
The elder smiled warmly, as if he'd just heard an amusing tale. "You don't seem to be asking me as much as you seem to be telling me, Futashi-kun." The boy had no answer to this. "If you are so sure he will, then why are you asking?"
"Because I… I just wanna know for sure." He sighed irritably to hide the nervousness in his voice. "I mean, how am I supposed to know if I still can trust him? Knowing who he is and knowing he lied to me about it."
"Did Himura-dono ever deny being a hitokiri?"
"Well… no, not exactly," Futashi mumbled, casting his memory back and finding no spoken untruth. "But he didn't tell us who he was either, and that might as well be the same thing!"
Nuhiro chuckled, something Futashi found annoyingly inappropriate. "If not telling strangers our pasts makes us liars, Futashi-kun, then the world is full of thieves and scoundrels. You yourself would be guilty of that sin de gozaru."
"What's that supposed to mean?" the child growled unhappily, never liking it when he missed out on something; especially when it sounded like something he was at the butt of.
"Did you tell either Himura-dono or I about your past when we first came?"
"No, but Himura was never gonna tell us his past, was he?"
"Were you?"
"…Well… no. But his past could put us in danger!"
"And whose past is it that has us in our current danger?"
"Er, well, that's not our fault! Besides, our past is our business!" Obaga cast him a look. "…Will you stop throwing my words back at me?! Stupid old man."
"I'm just trying to help you understand de gozaru," the samurai answered collectively. "You shouldn't judge someone on how they hide their past as much as on how they live their present and future."
"But…"
"Himura-dono has a past of a darker man, yes," he continued, "and the reputation of it does pose dangers. However, I would hope to assure you that he has never and will never intend for it to bring sorrow or burden upon others. It is one of the reasons he lives the lifestyle he has chosen de gozaru."
Futashi walked in silence for a moment before whispering, "And that makes it okay?"
"Let me ask you something. Does that make him a bad person?"
Again there was no reply.
Nuhiro sighed softly. He knew this wouldn't be easy considering the mistrust this kid's path had engraved in him, but it seemed further steps had to be taken. This meant only one thing.
Time for a story.
"There once was an apprentice to a certain kendo school who was very good friends with his master and his family. The apprentice trained quite diligently and soon achieved mastery level himself. There were some very happy times."
Futashi blinked when the samurai had begun the tale, wondering when he had stepped into "Story Hour with Obaga." Regardless to its randomness, Futashi inclined himself to listen.
"Then one day, there began to be a few political contentions in the city. Some mysterious black ships that had showed up off the nation's coast had created quite a stir among the people, and many were speaking of changing old ways. The apprentice, being younger and more arrogant than his wise master was drawn to the talk of new ways. He began to try to convince his master that their school should provide its teachings to potential soldiers. The apprentice knew this would go against some of the principles of the school, but he also believed it would be for a greater cause and justify his reasons. The master, however, did not agree.
"Again and again, the apprentice tried to convince his master, but this only made him grow more wroth with the apprentice. In turn, the apprentice was becoming more impatient with his master and less respectful; he even began to call his master an old fool for refusing to give up old traditions.
"Then one night, the two had an argument that turned violent, and the apprentice slew his own master for the sake of his pride. Almost immediately the apprentice realized what he had done and immediately felt ashamed. In a panic, he hastily fled from the dojo and the city, lamenting his foolishness."
"Wait," Futashi interrupted, sounding confused by something. "Why didn't the apprentice just quit the school and go off himself to do something about it? He was a master, wasn't he? Couldn't he have taught the school techniques himself?"
"He could have," Obaga nodded. "However, his lingering faith for his master had kept him from doing so. But by the time he had lost even that, the apprentice's anger was fueled only by his pride and he had become blinded by it, desiring only for his master to join the ranks of impending reformation so that his ego might not be wounded by error."
"So why didn't the master just give in?"
"Because he was stronger."
"Wait, I thought you said he got killed."
The elder smiled. "Not that kind of strength, Futashi-kun. The master had a strength in his mind and heart that the apprentice could not hope to surpass. …Although he tries every now and then." After a chuckle he continued, "You see Futashi-kun, the best way to measure a man is by that type of strength-the one that lies in the heart." He pointed to his left breast for emphasis. "A man's soul is what makes him "good" or "bad;" not his past. A past will always be good or bad or even both, but the most inner desires of a person must be your judgment on present character, because it is desire that drives us.
"Look past the shadows of a past, Futashi-kun, and look upon the strength of the heart."
"Old man…"
Futashi looked up at Obaga with a face of dawning realization. Nuhiro couldn't help but nod in understanding at the boy's awe in his wisdom.
"…That is the sappiest piece of crap I've ever heard!"
"Oro!"
"Jeez," the boy continued, shaking off his discomfort. "The only thing this mushy moment is missing is the part where I begin go all wide-eyed and start going, 'You're right! Himura's not such a bad guy after all! Gosh, let's give him a second shot!'" Futashi had bared his upper teeth and crossed his eyes to punctuate his point. "That isn't happening by the way."
"Must you mock everything people give you?" Obaga asked, a bead of sweat running down his cheek. "I was only trying to help de gozaru."
"I know," the boy said almost apologetically. Almost. "But you don't understand what my sister and I have been through either! I'm supposed to put our past and feelings aside just because someone else had a bad day? It's not that easy. Nothing is."
Futashi scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion, once again unable to understand why this man would pick now of all times to throw out a grin. But on a second glance, Futashi realized it was the kind of smile he was very familiar with. The one he had seen Himura wear earlier that day.
"You're quite right, but I'm sure Himura-dono realized this as well when he entrusted his reputation into your hands. He understands what you can do with his name as you tell the others." Obaga stopped to look at the path before them. "He asked for no excuse and no secrets to be kept. A part of his fate here is in your hands now, Futashi-kun."
The boy stopped alongside the old samurai, following his gaze and turning to find that they were now standing in front of the back gate to the brothel. Futashi couldn't remember it looking as big as it did just then; as though the weight of his responsibility were messing with his perspective.
"Hey old man," he asked in a tone of afterthought. "Whatever happened to the apprentice in your story?"
There was a small pause as night fell ("Ouchie," it then muttered after picking itself back up. A/N: Sorry, but love that joke! ) At last Obaga's voice drifted to him through the darkness.
"He wandered Japan for along time, reflecting upon his mistakes and weaknesses, trying to help and protect others. One day, he came across a murderer that was just as unhappy with life and the apprentice remembered being. The apprentice could see that the murderer was really a good man, so he decided to help him. Later, the two of them came across some people who were in trouble. One of these people was a young mother, the other was a young but very brave boy who wanted to protect his sister very much." Futashi's eyes visibly widened. "The apprentice wanted to help these people very much."
"…Why?" Nikko's brother asked in breathless tone. Nuhiro's brown eyes crinkled warmly.
"They reminded the apprentice of the wife and son of his late-master. The son was about the same age of the boy the apprentice wanted to help when he had left. And the apprentice feels that if he somehow helps this new boy, it will be like an atonement for the pain he caused his master's son."
"…Does the murderer want to help too?"
"Very much, although the apprentice can't tell the exact reasons why. However, the murderer is trying to repent for past sins too. That is why these two men want to help the boy and his family, and protect them from whatever is trying to hurt them." Neither one noticed their speech had changed to the present tense, and yet they still knew.
"So what happens?" the younger inquired.
Opening the door, the apprentice answered, "I guess we'll find out, ne?"
Nodding, the boy stepped inside.
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"Futashi-kun!" Nikko cried as soon as she spotted her brother, setting the pattern she was sewing beside her lantern. It was obvious she had been waiting worriedly. One doesn't normally sew out on the porch after all. "Where on earth have you been?! Do you realize how late it is or how long you've been out? I nearly throttled Asuka for ever letting me let you--"
"Oneechan," her brother interrupted sharply, quickly silencing her babble. "Oneechan," he continued more softly, "please go and wait in Yuiishi-sama's private tearoom. I will find Yuiishi-sama." He turned to leave.
"What's wrong." For such an obvious demand, Nikko's voice was unnervingly reserved.
"It's him, oneechan." Nikko visibly paled, and as her brother continued she began to tremble. "He's here. And he knows we're here too."
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Himura slipped in through the gates sometime well past 9 in the evening. It had taken him longer than he'd desired to shake off the spy, but much to his relief it had ended without violence. Before resorting to a direct confrontation, Himura had decided to drop a few "hints" that he was well aware that he was being watched and followed. After a short while the spy got the hint that if his pursuit didn't stop, a whoopin' would commence. He left soon after. The entire situation had taken all but 40 minutes.
That was three hours ago. He'd spent the rest of his time wandering aimlessly through the streets, realizing with some dismay (and a lot of embarrassment) that he'd gotten himself lost again.
After peeking his head into a bar open late, he'd gotten directions to the brothel along with some unnecessary winks, elbow nudges, and tips on how to… Well, never mind what the tips were for. He was quite thankful to be out of there. He didn't think his cheeks could've taken the blood rush had he stayed.
Because it was so late when he arrived back, he didn't really expect anyone to be awake. At least not anybody who wasn't working that is. Much to his surprise however, as he passed the back of the brothel on his way to his room (a.k.a. the laundry bin), Asuka opened up one of the shouji doors and waved him over.
"What're you doing up so late, Asuka-dono?" Himura asked as he stepped up to her.
"Are you kidding?" she asked irritably. "Hardly any of us can sleep!"
"Oro," he blushed. "Asuka-dono, if I wanted to know how well business was going, I would've asked de gozaru."
"Not because of that, hentai!" she hissed. "Nikko-chan's in an awful shock and it has everyone upset. Yuiishi-sama is worried about her health and that the stress may not be good for the baby."
"Sessha is not a hentai! Sessha just thought you said…" Realization sank in. "…Did Futashi-kun talk to her?"
"Yeah, as soon as he came home. Gathered up Nikko-chan, Yuiishi-sama, Obaga-san, and me." Himura gave her a look. "Okay, okay so I eavesdropped! But I'd already heard enough by the time they found me so I stuck around to hear the rest."
The former-assassin lowered his head. "So you know…"
"Practically everyone in the brothel does," she answered solemnly.
A strong feeling of shame and guilt swept over him as he struggled to gulp down the nervous lump in his throat and voice his humility. "…Sessha is…" He swallowed. "Sessha cannot express his sorrow and apology to you or the others, Asuka-dono. If I could change the past I would, but that is something beyond even my capability. But I promise you now that I will do everything I can to--"
"What in the world are you babbling on about?" the young woman interrupted. Blinking, Himura looked up to see Asuka staring at him as though he'd grown spots. As she waited for an explanation, his mind scrambled to provide one.
"…Oro?" he at last presented, effectively killing off the drama.
"What was all that about an apology and changing the past? …Are you sorry you saved Futashi-kun? Look, I know the kid can be a brat sometimes, but we're all grateful that you--"
"No, no, no!" he said hastily, grasping to find his perspective in the conversation. "I mean I'm sorry about not telling you."
"Telling us what?"
Himura began to wonder if Asuka was playing dumb or if she perhaps eavesdropped sometime after a certain revelation. Just to make sure, he prodded, "About who I am."
"Oh!" Asuka replied, her voice rising as though she had just remembered something. Being a fearsome ex-killer was certainly something Himura was sure a person didn't forget easily, but… "You mean about how you're really a kick-butt swordsman? Er, or so Futashi said."
"Oro? Kick-butt swordsman…?" That certainly wasn't how he'd describe it.
"Yeah, the kid already told us how you saved him and helped you guys escape by using your sword skills. I have to admit I found it hard to believe that you could be as talented as he claimed, but he was very persistent on the matter…"
A new thought slowly began to occur to Himura. "Was that… all he said about me?"
"What? You think you deserve more praise?"
"No, that's not it. I was just curious to know if he said… anything else about what happened or what was said. Maybe there was anything more about me de gozaru ka?"
Asuka stared at him a good while before lowering her lids for a baleful stare. "My, aren't we fishing for compliments Mr. I'm-Not-Worthy. I knew it was an act."
"Oro." A large bead of sweat gathered on his brow. "That's not it at all!"
"Himura-dono?" Obaga stepped up from behind Asuka. "Ah, I see you've returned."
"Obaga-dono…" Himura looked at the man. He cast his eyes over to Asuka. Then he looked between them both for a while. Finally he leaned in toward the woman. "Sessha is quite sure he can't pay you for anything de gozaru," he whispered. "So I wouldn't bother."
Quickly realizing what this meant, Asuka blushed furiously. "It's not like that!" she hissed insistently. "He's too old!"
Obaga frowned at Asuka. "I'm not that old de gozaru." He then turn to assured the younger man, "There are other people in here, Himura-dono."
"Sessha is not interested in threesomes, foursomes, or any-more-somes, thanks."
"Will you get your mind out of the gutter?!" the woman hissed.
Funny thing to hear coming from a brothel girl.
"I believe my influence has been too great on you, Himura-dono," Nuhiro mused. "Maa, forget that for now and just come inside. Yuiishi-dono has been waiting up with Futashi-kun to look after Nikko-dono."
All other things were forgotten as Kenshin crossed the threshold and entered. "Is he alright?" he asked, allowing himself to be led by Asuka (who was still irked from the conversation, but Nikko's welfare seemed to draw more of her attention).
"Aa. She is doing much better now de gozaru. The news seemed to shock her badly at first, but she has calmed down since then."
Hesitantly the redhead inquired, "…Does she know that I…?"
"Saved her younger brother? Yes, she knows. …And yes, that's all she knows," he stated more quietly upon seeing Kenshin's inquisitive stare. "Futashi-kun apparently sees no reason to worry his sister further. Don't take advantage of that however, Himura-dono," he warned.
"I know. I don't plan to."
Asuka opened the door to a room that was further into the establishment, yet distant enough from the main hall that it held enough peace for any quiet reflection. Right now it was very quiet indeed.
Futashi was the first to come into view since he was sitting a bit to the right, opposite of the door. He looked up sharply as the shouji opened. He didn't relax as he made eye-contact with Himura, but he didn't keep that long either. As he looked away, Himura followed his gaze. A few lanterns hung from the ceiling with one main one on the floor, illuminating Yuiishi Nanari's bright sky blue and sea green kimono which would have looked a lot more vibrant if not for the dulling yellow light. The head mistress looked distressed, and continuing on, Himura could see why.
A bowl of water and cloth laid discarded by her, no longer wiping any feverish brow. Her chestnut bangs were tousled and wet from where the washcloth had touched her brow, and her usually spirited eyes looked dull; almost empty. What surprised Kenshin most about her was that she was kneeling upright and tall with no signs that she had once been lying down. Such a strict posture simply didn't seem to match the weary and despaired expression on her face.
…Maybe having Futashi tell her hadn't been such a good idea after all.
"She's looking better," Nuhiro remarked to Yuiishi as he moved to seat himself.
This is better?! Himura thought. I wonder what the worse was.
"Yes, she's regained her color."
Asuka sat on Nikko's left and gently squeezed her hand. At first there was no response, but then Nikko turned to her friend and forced a timid smile. Upon this, nearly everyone in the room relaxed, clearly finding this to be a good sign of sorts. Himura wasn't sure if he should be finding similar comfort in this or not.
Yuiishi leaned over and asked, "How are you feeling, Dear?"
"Better." Her voice was hoarse but strong. "Sorry for worrying you all. …Jeez, I'm pathetic, ne?" she laughed, attempting to hid her humiliation and break the tension. "Futashi-kun," she said, turning to her brother. "…I… Sorry. Guess I'm never as much help to you as I should be, huh."
"It's okay, oneechan," was the only thing the boy could find to say without compromising another lapse.
Another small smile as she cast her eyes down. "Thank-you all."
There was a long, awkward moment of silence as everyone looked at each other, trying to figure out what to say and who should say it. At last Yuiishi cleared her throat and addressed the one whom had just joined them.
"Himura," she stated, "are you aware of the current situation?"
The redhead blinked, gathering his thoughts and trying to determine if he knew he was aware of the situation. Since it was taking so long to figure that out, he assumed he didn't. "Not in it's entirety, I'm afraid."
The mistress nodded. "Then you will need to be informed. She looked pointedly at Obaga and Asuka as well. "You will all need to be informed. I admit I have not told you everything, Obaga-san."
"So you were using him to spy on Amatomo!" Asuka declared.
"You knew about this?" Himura asked.
"Well, no, not exactly," she sheepishly admitted. "But I suspected she was sending him out for more than just groceries. I just didn't know for what. But when I found out that you three had met up with Amatomo…"
"Amatomo?" the cross-shaped scarred swordsman echoed curiously.
"Amatomo Aroji," Nikko answered, her voice firm with conviction; and full of spite. The strength of it brought everyone's attention upon her. "I suppose…" she reluctantly continued, "that I owe it to you all, to tell you about who it is that is seeking my brother and I."
"Aroji," Kenshin repeated. "That was the name of the man who led those rebels…" Amatomo… Why does that name sound familiar?
"Do you know who he is, Nikko-dono?" Obaga inquired.
"…Yes."
"Oneechan--"
"It's alright, Futashi, I can do this!" she snapped. Then in a more patient voice she uttered, "…I need to do this."
The men leaned forward to hear her better as she licked her lips in determination, while Himura couldn't help but feel he was missing something obvious.
"Amatomo Aroji is… he's…"
Amatomo. Wait a minute, wasn't that the family name of the man Nikko-dono was suppose to…"…He's my husband."
Silence.
Well... Didn't see that one coming.
End of chapter fifteen.
Author's Notes:
Forgot to mention in past notes to give a special thanks to my buddy Pam-chan for helping me out of my Writer's Block that I was in a while back. If she hadn't beaten me with the Inspiration Stick or shot me with the Movitation Gun, this fic might not be where it is today. Thanks!