Between the Devil and the Deep
A Rurouni Kenshin Alternate Universe Fic
by Gemini
Rated PG-13 for language, more of Kenshin's smutty thoughts.
Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Shonen Jump, etc.
For Moonspark: I swear, I'll stop sending you the wrong chapters. Maybe.
Chapter 7: Answers
Saitou lit another cigarette from the smoldering tip of his dying one and took a deep, calming pull. Absently, he flicked the butt over the railing without even glancing over to see if it made it beyond the deck. He exhaled slowly, the smoke veiling his face in silvery shadow, making it difficult to read his expression. When a gust of fresh sea air chased away the smoke, it was clear that his eyes were on Aoshi, who stood silently, his body positioned between the captain and Misao. Aoshi returned his gaze steadily, both men participating in a staring contest that didn't end until Shishio got fed up with waiting.
"Captain," The Commodore hissed through clenched teeth, "While you may be content to simply stare at our captives, I was hoping to perhaps get some information out of them."
Saitou grunted and shifted his gaze to where Misao stood, partially behind Aoshi. She looked frightened, but at the same time, there was a determined set to her chin that almost made him smile. Almost.
"It seems to me that you, Miss Makimachi, are responsible for all of this. Am I correct?" He asked her.
She nodded. "I am." Her voice quivered slightly.
"And your reasoning was…?"
Her chin tilted up a bit higher and she scowled. "I do not believe that I have to explain myself to the likes of you, Captain." She said in a manner benefiting her station.
Saitou's eyes narrowed. "I believe you do, Miss Makimachi, since all that's standing between these men and death is my good humor."
She paled. "Very well." She stepped out from behind Aoshi, ignoring his protests. She silenced him with a look and cleared her throat. "As you know Captain, I have been betrothed to a man named Genji Hideo." She paused and looked down at her feet. "He is very rich and my father believes it will be a good match. For him, anyway."
Saitou snorted.
Misao ignored that and continued. "He's sixty-two years old and has outlived three wives. He has four daughters, all older than myself who are married. When he dies, his estate will come to me, as his widow. Of course, I won't be allowed to administer the estate; it will be strictly under the control of my father and brothers."
"Well, naturally." Shishio said. "Why on earth would anyone let a woman handle that much money? You'd spend it on dresses and other useless trinkets."
Misao glared at him. "I have no use for such things." She shot back.
"Of course you do." Shishio said condescendingly.
Saitou took another drag of his cigarette. "And? All of this simply to avoid an unwanted marriage?"
Misao shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No."
"Then what?" Saitou asked ruthlessly.
Misao bit her lip and hastily wiped away the tears. "Do you mean to tell me that you have not heard the rumors about Genji Hideo? About how his last wife committed suicide and how his second wife just disappeared one day? How female servants vanish into thin air?"
Saitou lifted an eyebrow. "I haven't heard any rumors like that." He said quietly.
Shishio snorted and waved a dismissive hand. "Idle chatter from silly servant girls."
Misao shook her head. "It isn't. I checked."
"How could a little girl like you do something like that?" Shishio asked.
She scowled. "I have my ways."
Shishio pointed at Aoshi. "What, your pirate lover? Do you honestly think you can trust him?"
Her face went from white to red. "He's not my lover!" She exclaimed angrily. "And no, not from him, from Kaoru!" She stopped abruptly, her eyes wide, hands flying to cover her mouth as if to prevent any more words from escaping.
"Kaoru? Who is Kaoru?" Saitou asked.
"Just a friend." Misao muttered, dropping her hands to her sides.
Aoshi, for his part, was putting some things together in his mind. If Karou had found out some unsavory things about this Genji Hideo, it made sense that she would be so insistent that they pull up anchor and come after Misao. He stared down at the petite woman in front of him, fighting the urge to comfort her in her distress. But, of course he couldn't.
Saitou sighed. "All of this trouble for your father's greed." He muttered. He shook his head and then turned to bark orders at his men. "Take them down to the brig and put Miss Makimachi back in her room with a guard." The crew scurried around to do his bidding.
"Why bother? We should just execute the lot right here, right now and send a message to those brigands on the other ship." Shishio said, a note of excitement in his voice. He fingered the hilt of his sword in an almost obscene manner, a glint in his eyes.
"Commodore, you said you knew that ship. Who are we up against?" Saitou asked, not addressing Shishio's suggestion.
"It's the Kami Kaze. The woman on the figurehead is the late wife of Tetsuro Kamiya. I might not have recognized the ship, but I'd know Hanae Fujimiya anywhere. She was presented at court the year I was made a lieutenant." He frowned slightly. "Of course, she wasted herself on that traitor, Kamiya. It was his arrogance that got him kicked out of the navy and it was also his arrogance that killed her, the poor woman."
"Tetsuro Kamiya?" Saitou rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I heard he was dead, murdered by one of his own men during a mutiny."
"I've heard stories similar to that." Shishio admitted.
"So, if he's dead…then who is running that ship? The mutineer?" Saitou asked.
"I suppose." Shishio shrugged. "Does it matter? We'll kill whoever it is in the end."
"Yes, I suppose." Saitou replied, still looking thoughtful.
Kaoru slowly lowered her telescope, her expression troubled.
"What?" Sano was at her elbow, eager for news.
"Saitou's just had the men taken below decks. My guess is they're being taken to the brig." She replied.
"What about Misao?"
"She's probably been taken back to her room." Kaoru frowned and worried at her lower lip as she thought about their options.
"Well? What's the plan?" Sano's badgering was starting to get on her already thin nerves.
"I don't have a fucking plan, Sano!" She snapped.
"Wait for Saitou to make his move." Kenshin was half hidden in the shadows cast by the mainmast where he was leaning. "That way you'll know just how much of a threat he thinks you are and you can respond accordingly."
Kaoru nodded. "I suppose that's all I can do." She said quietly. Suddenly, she looked up at Kenshin. "Can you identify someone for me?" She asked him.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Someone who's onboard with Saitou. He seems to be pretty important." She replied. "I mean, he's been arguing with Saitou and the captain hasn't tried to kill him yet, so obviously, he's not just some sailor."
Kenshin smiled slightly and reached out to take her spyglass. "I'll see if I recognize him." He said.
He trained the glass on the two men who were currently engaged in conversation. He recognized both Saitou and the other man immediately. "Shit."
"Who is it?" Kaoru asked nervously.
Kenshin cleared his throat and lowered the spyglass. "Commodore Makoto Shishio."
"I must have been a very bad person in a previous life to have this kind of karma." Kaoru muttered.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kenshin couldn't suppress another small smile.
With a groan, Kaoru leaned against the railing and closed her eyes. Kenshin's cursed imagination was currently constructing scenarios in his head, all of which involved him ravishing her in one way or another. Only the presence of Sano, Kaoru's multiple weapons and the dire situation kept him in check.
"Sano," Kaoru began in a low voice. "What's our status?"
"Chou has all the cannons armed and ready, he's just waiting for your command." He replied.
"Very well. We wait, then." Kaoru replied, opening her eyes and staring at the sky above them. "Keep me updated."
Sano nodded and went below decks to make sure everything was still running smoothly.
Kenshin and Kaoru stood together in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until Kaoru chose to speak.
"You should go below with the others in the galley." She said.
"I'd rather stay up here and help you." Kenshin responded fiercely.
"Your chivalry is acknowledged and appreciated. However, I think it would really be best if you stayed out of this."
Kaoru said firmly.
Kenshin shook his head. "I won't do that."
She sighed and stepped closer to him, lowering her voice so that they couldn't be overheard. "Listen to me, Captain Himura…Kenshin, I know the punishment for treason as well as you do. At the very least, you'll be drummed out of the service. At the worst, you'll be swinging from a hangman's noose." She paused and regarded him thoughtfully. "Why are you so willing to risk all that for us?"
He frowned. "You know, I have no idea. It just seems to be the right thing to do." He said quietly. "And I couldn't bear the thought of you…" He trailed off, a small blush tinting his cheeks.
"Of me what, Kenshin?" She asked curiously. She was suddenly aware of a foolish hope buried somewhere in the back of her mind, a girlish, naive wish that he would finish that sentence with something utterly romantic. She tried to push it back to where it belonged, but once encouraged, it was difficult to quell.
"Well…I…" He began hesitantly.
"Captain! Off the port bow!" The sailor in the crow's nest yelled.
Romance would have to wait. Kaoru had scarcely cut her eyes in the direction of the port bow when a thundering boom and high pitched whistling told her that a cannonball was heading in their direction. She watched as it sailed through the air and landed harmlessly in the water, only a few yards away from the ship. It was a warning.
"Get below decks, now." Kaoru ordered, her tone leaving no room for objection. Kenshin frowned but obeyed her order, acknowledging Sano as the big man rushed past him to the captain.
"Warning shot?" Sano asked breathlessly. He had run all the way up from the lower decks when he heard the explosion.
She nodded. "Get the men ready, Sano." She replied. "It's begun."
A/N: Aiiieeee! So the battle begins! Next chapter has some Kaoru-kicking ass bits, perhaps a bit more of the mushy romantic stuff, and a surprise!
A Rurouni Kenshin Alternate Universe Fic
by Gemini
Rated PG-13 for language, more of Kenshin's smutty thoughts.
Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, Shonen Jump, etc.
For Moonspark: I swear, I'll stop sending you the wrong chapters. Maybe.
Chapter 7: Answers
Saitou lit another cigarette from the smoldering tip of his dying one and took a deep, calming pull. Absently, he flicked the butt over the railing without even glancing over to see if it made it beyond the deck. He exhaled slowly, the smoke veiling his face in silvery shadow, making it difficult to read his expression. When a gust of fresh sea air chased away the smoke, it was clear that his eyes were on Aoshi, who stood silently, his body positioned between the captain and Misao. Aoshi returned his gaze steadily, both men participating in a staring contest that didn't end until Shishio got fed up with waiting.
"Captain," The Commodore hissed through clenched teeth, "While you may be content to simply stare at our captives, I was hoping to perhaps get some information out of them."
Saitou grunted and shifted his gaze to where Misao stood, partially behind Aoshi. She looked frightened, but at the same time, there was a determined set to her chin that almost made him smile. Almost.
"It seems to me that you, Miss Makimachi, are responsible for all of this. Am I correct?" He asked her.
She nodded. "I am." Her voice quivered slightly.
"And your reasoning was…?"
Her chin tilted up a bit higher and she scowled. "I do not believe that I have to explain myself to the likes of you, Captain." She said in a manner benefiting her station.
Saitou's eyes narrowed. "I believe you do, Miss Makimachi, since all that's standing between these men and death is my good humor."
She paled. "Very well." She stepped out from behind Aoshi, ignoring his protests. She silenced him with a look and cleared her throat. "As you know Captain, I have been betrothed to a man named Genji Hideo." She paused and looked down at her feet. "He is very rich and my father believes it will be a good match. For him, anyway."
Saitou snorted.
Misao ignored that and continued. "He's sixty-two years old and has outlived three wives. He has four daughters, all older than myself who are married. When he dies, his estate will come to me, as his widow. Of course, I won't be allowed to administer the estate; it will be strictly under the control of my father and brothers."
"Well, naturally." Shishio said. "Why on earth would anyone let a woman handle that much money? You'd spend it on dresses and other useless trinkets."
Misao glared at him. "I have no use for such things." She shot back.
"Of course you do." Shishio said condescendingly.
Saitou took another drag of his cigarette. "And? All of this simply to avoid an unwanted marriage?"
Misao shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No."
"Then what?" Saitou asked ruthlessly.
Misao bit her lip and hastily wiped away the tears. "Do you mean to tell me that you have not heard the rumors about Genji Hideo? About how his last wife committed suicide and how his second wife just disappeared one day? How female servants vanish into thin air?"
Saitou lifted an eyebrow. "I haven't heard any rumors like that." He said quietly.
Shishio snorted and waved a dismissive hand. "Idle chatter from silly servant girls."
Misao shook her head. "It isn't. I checked."
"How could a little girl like you do something like that?" Shishio asked.
She scowled. "I have my ways."
Shishio pointed at Aoshi. "What, your pirate lover? Do you honestly think you can trust him?"
Her face went from white to red. "He's not my lover!" She exclaimed angrily. "And no, not from him, from Kaoru!" She stopped abruptly, her eyes wide, hands flying to cover her mouth as if to prevent any more words from escaping.
"Kaoru? Who is Kaoru?" Saitou asked.
"Just a friend." Misao muttered, dropping her hands to her sides.
Aoshi, for his part, was putting some things together in his mind. If Karou had found out some unsavory things about this Genji Hideo, it made sense that she would be so insistent that they pull up anchor and come after Misao. He stared down at the petite woman in front of him, fighting the urge to comfort her in her distress. But, of course he couldn't.
Saitou sighed. "All of this trouble for your father's greed." He muttered. He shook his head and then turned to bark orders at his men. "Take them down to the brig and put Miss Makimachi back in her room with a guard." The crew scurried around to do his bidding.
"Why bother? We should just execute the lot right here, right now and send a message to those brigands on the other ship." Shishio said, a note of excitement in his voice. He fingered the hilt of his sword in an almost obscene manner, a glint in his eyes.
"Commodore, you said you knew that ship. Who are we up against?" Saitou asked, not addressing Shishio's suggestion.
"It's the Kami Kaze. The woman on the figurehead is the late wife of Tetsuro Kamiya. I might not have recognized the ship, but I'd know Hanae Fujimiya anywhere. She was presented at court the year I was made a lieutenant." He frowned slightly. "Of course, she wasted herself on that traitor, Kamiya. It was his arrogance that got him kicked out of the navy and it was also his arrogance that killed her, the poor woman."
"Tetsuro Kamiya?" Saitou rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I heard he was dead, murdered by one of his own men during a mutiny."
"I've heard stories similar to that." Shishio admitted.
"So, if he's dead…then who is running that ship? The mutineer?" Saitou asked.
"I suppose." Shishio shrugged. "Does it matter? We'll kill whoever it is in the end."
"Yes, I suppose." Saitou replied, still looking thoughtful.
Kaoru slowly lowered her telescope, her expression troubled.
"What?" Sano was at her elbow, eager for news.
"Saitou's just had the men taken below decks. My guess is they're being taken to the brig." She replied.
"What about Misao?"
"She's probably been taken back to her room." Kaoru frowned and worried at her lower lip as she thought about their options.
"Well? What's the plan?" Sano's badgering was starting to get on her already thin nerves.
"I don't have a fucking plan, Sano!" She snapped.
"Wait for Saitou to make his move." Kenshin was half hidden in the shadows cast by the mainmast where he was leaning. "That way you'll know just how much of a threat he thinks you are and you can respond accordingly."
Kaoru nodded. "I suppose that's all I can do." She said quietly. Suddenly, she looked up at Kenshin. "Can you identify someone for me?" She asked him.
He cocked an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Someone who's onboard with Saitou. He seems to be pretty important." She replied. "I mean, he's been arguing with Saitou and the captain hasn't tried to kill him yet, so obviously, he's not just some sailor."
Kenshin smiled slightly and reached out to take her spyglass. "I'll see if I recognize him." He said.
He trained the glass on the two men who were currently engaged in conversation. He recognized both Saitou and the other man immediately. "Shit."
"Who is it?" Kaoru asked nervously.
Kenshin cleared his throat and lowered the spyglass. "Commodore Makoto Shishio."
"I must have been a very bad person in a previous life to have this kind of karma." Kaoru muttered.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Kenshin couldn't suppress another small smile.
With a groan, Kaoru leaned against the railing and closed her eyes. Kenshin's cursed imagination was currently constructing scenarios in his head, all of which involved him ravishing her in one way or another. Only the presence of Sano, Kaoru's multiple weapons and the dire situation kept him in check.
"Sano," Kaoru began in a low voice. "What's our status?"
"Chou has all the cannons armed and ready, he's just waiting for your command." He replied.
"Very well. We wait, then." Kaoru replied, opening her eyes and staring at the sky above them. "Keep me updated."
Sano nodded and went below decks to make sure everything was still running smoothly.
Kenshin and Kaoru stood together in silence, each lost in their own thoughts until Kaoru chose to speak.
"You should go below with the others in the galley." She said.
"I'd rather stay up here and help you." Kenshin responded fiercely.
"Your chivalry is acknowledged and appreciated. However, I think it would really be best if you stayed out of this."
Kaoru said firmly.
Kenshin shook his head. "I won't do that."
She sighed and stepped closer to him, lowering her voice so that they couldn't be overheard. "Listen to me, Captain Himura…Kenshin, I know the punishment for treason as well as you do. At the very least, you'll be drummed out of the service. At the worst, you'll be swinging from a hangman's noose." She paused and regarded him thoughtfully. "Why are you so willing to risk all that for us?"
He frowned. "You know, I have no idea. It just seems to be the right thing to do." He said quietly. "And I couldn't bear the thought of you…" He trailed off, a small blush tinting his cheeks.
"Of me what, Kenshin?" She asked curiously. She was suddenly aware of a foolish hope buried somewhere in the back of her mind, a girlish, naive wish that he would finish that sentence with something utterly romantic. She tried to push it back to where it belonged, but once encouraged, it was difficult to quell.
"Well…I…" He began hesitantly.
"Captain! Off the port bow!" The sailor in the crow's nest yelled.
Romance would have to wait. Kaoru had scarcely cut her eyes in the direction of the port bow when a thundering boom and high pitched whistling told her that a cannonball was heading in their direction. She watched as it sailed through the air and landed harmlessly in the water, only a few yards away from the ship. It was a warning.
"Get below decks, now." Kaoru ordered, her tone leaving no room for objection. Kenshin frowned but obeyed her order, acknowledging Sano as the big man rushed past him to the captain.
"Warning shot?" Sano asked breathlessly. He had run all the way up from the lower decks when he heard the explosion.
She nodded. "Get the men ready, Sano." She replied. "It's begun."
A/N: Aiiieeee! So the battle begins! Next chapter has some Kaoru-kicking ass bits, perhaps a bit more of the mushy romantic stuff, and a surprise!