Hi all! This little ficcie is the product of two minds! Rurouni Angel and Chiruken have teamed up to bring you an original Alternate Pairing Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction!
"Charmed" is going to be wild, a little crazy and maybe even a little scary at times…especially considering whom the Altered Pair will be!
Now, I feel compelled to add in a few warnings before we get into the fic itself:
1.Alternate Pairing!!! There….that's said.
2.This fic is rated for a decidedly citrus flavor. That means this fic is probably going to turn into a lemon sometime soon.
3.If you have a problem with sexually explicit scenes, dialogue or themes, then this fic is definitely not for you. If you have a problem with Alternate Pairings, then this fic is definitely not for you.
Well, now that that's been said…On with the fic!!!
(Oh…and don't forget to have fun! That's the main goal of this collaboration of Angel and Chiruken.)
Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©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.
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RPG Collaboration between Rurouni Angel & Chiruken
Charmed Part 21By Chiruken
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Shinomori Aoshi, Oniwabanshu uniform concealed beneath his trademark trench coat, paused and surveyed the garden of the Aoiya one last time before turning back to face the ninja's assembled on the engawa awaiting his instructions. "I don't know how long I'll be gone, Okina. In the event that I am unable to return, leadership of the Oniwabanshu transfers to Misao, as it did before…" He paused again, mouth tightening momentarily, his only outward sign of emotion. "If she is willing to accept the responsibilities at that time."
Okina bowed respectfully, expression sad. "Yes, Okashira."
Aoshi turned his back again and stared sightlessly out over the garden. "The ghosts of the past rise up once again to haunt us all…" He murmured softly. "It is time that they be exorcised once and for all before they harm anyone else." He turned back to face the people who were like a family to him. "Shirujou."
The ninja snapped to immediate attention. "Yes, Okashira?"
"Go to Tokyo and warn Himura and the others of the Kamiya Doujou of the impending danger that will be descending on them. Leave at once."
The other man nodded once, sharply. "Yes, Okashira." He turned and all but disappeared.
Aoshi turned his attention to the others. "Kurojou."
"Yes, Okashira?"
"Go to Kobe, awaken our contacts there, mobilize them. They may be needed soon if things do not go well in Tokyo. Takeda Kanryu cannot be allowed to escape justice again."
"Yes, Okashira." Kurojou turned and silently disappeared inside to prepare for his journey.
"Okon, Masu." His expression softened slightly. "You will need to go undercover, into the underground. Infiltrate Takeda's latest operations, get close to him, keep an eye on him…but don't make a move unless it becomes absolutely necessary."
Both women nodded simultaneously. "Yes, Okashira." They smiled and left. They had their orders; it was up to them to decide how best to execute them.
"Aoshi…" Okina began softly, waiting for the younger man to focus his attention on him again. When the cool green gaze of the leader of the Oniwabanshu settled on him, the eldest surviving member of the elite group of spies cleared his throat. "About Misao…" He paused, hesitant to broach the obviously painful subject.
"What about her?" Aoshi's eyes narrowed warningly.
"What should I tell her?"
Aoshi looked up into the rapidly brightening sky and shook his head. "Nothing. Misao is…" He paused to draw in a shallow breath. "She is happy now. Keep it that way." He turned, not giving the older man a chance to continue the painful conversation, and strode purposefully away. He had a boat to catch in Osaka.
~~~
Himura Kenshin tucked his hands inside the sleeves of his oversized gi, expression uncharacteristically serious, normally violet eyes a dull flat blue and narrowed in contemplative thought. He ignored the bright sunshine and the cheerful chirping of the birds. He was worried…more so than he was willing to show. Takeda Kanryu would be out for revenge, there was no mistaking that little fact, and his quest for vengeance wouldn't stop until all he held responsible for his tremendous loss in power and wealth were dead, or under his control. He'd heard disturbing rumors lately of a new and exceedingly dangerous group specializing in catering to "men's needs". His expression darkened to a brief scowl before he schooled his features to impassivity again. He was almost certain that Takeda was behind it.
"Kenshin…" He looked up at the soft, hesitant tone and smiled reassuringly. "Who was that guy the other night? You guys aren't tellin' me anythin'. I'm not a little kid, you know. I can handle it."
Kenshin's smile widened slightly at the indignant note in his young friend's petulant tone. "This is true, Yahiko, that it is." He scooted over on the engawa, patting the boards and gesturing to the boy to join him. "It's just that I didn't want to discuss this in front of Kaoru-dono, that I did not." He sighed softly and shook his head slowly.
"Why not? Busu was there, too."
"I didn't want her to worry, Yahiko, that I did not." He glanced at the boy, noting his serious, yet puzzled, expression. "Takeda Kanryu is a very dangerous man, Yahiko. You remember this, yes?"
"Of course I do, Kenshin. I was there, remember?" Yahiko frowned. "So what's he up to now then?"
"I'm not sure, that I am not." Kenshin sighed and shook his head again. "Whatever it is, it isn't good, that it is not."
The boy rolled his eyes and flopped onto his back, legs dangling off the edge of the engawa. "I kinda figured that out, Kenshin." Suddenly he sat upright again. "Aoshi!" He shouted, causing the rurouni to jump despite himself.
"Oro?" Kenshin blinked at the boy in incomprehension.
"He'll be goin' after Aoshi, too, Kenshin. We gotta warn him!" He jumped up and glared over his shoulder at the rurouni who was restraining him by grabbing onto the back of his gi. "Hey! Let go, Kenshin!"
"You shouldn't be hasty, Yahiko, that you should not." He gestured for the boy to take his seat again. "Aoshi is in a better position to gain information than we are, that he is."
"You mean he probably already knows about Takeda?" His only reply was a nod as Kenshin turned to contemplate the yard once again.
~~~
Misao glanced up at her husband with a blush, stumbling in her haste to keep up to his long strides. "Kihou…" She called softly.
He turned and glanced down at her with a slight smile, one eyebrow raised in inquiry. "What is it, Misao?"
"I have a weird feeling about this…" She looked around the crowded docks with a frown. "I think we should take a different boat…please?" She looked up at him, green eyes pleading.
He shook his head, expression regretful. "I'm sorry, koneko. It must be this boat. We've delayed enough. We must hurry to Tokyo now. There's no telling what kind of trouble is brewing."
"Do you think Himura and the others will be all right?" At his questioning look she smiled and shrugged. "They were involved in that mess that Aoshi-sama was in the middle of, right? It stands to reason that Himura wouldn't have stood by waiting, right? Knowing him, he was probably responsible to Takeda going to prison in the…first…place…" Her voice trailed off into a choked gasp, sea green eyes wide with horror as she stared past Saito, face paling as she swayed. "Oh…" She whispered, lips forming a perfect round 'o'. "Oh kami…"
"Koneko?" Saito shifted, pulling her close against his side, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. "What is it, koishii?" His narrowed amber gaze scanned the surrounding area alertly.
"Aoshi-sama!" She hissed, jabbing Saito in the ribs and pointing towards the front of the boarding line.
Saito winced and discreetly rubbed his smarting side, following her pointing finger. With a soft sigh he met the Okashira's narrowed gaze and nodded slightly in acknowledgement. He had a feeling that the next three days were going to be very uncomfortable for the three of them. "It's all right, Misao. He won't bother you."
Misao rolled her eyes and jabbed his ribs again before stalking away, limping slightly from the lingering effects of her active morning with her husband. She flushed brightly but held her head high. "Of course he won't. He's a professional, kihou. He's on a mission now."
He frowned at the back of her head and lengthened his strides to close the distance. "What does that mean and how can you tell?"
"It means that more than likely he won't know us. And it's in the way he's standing, what he's wearing. Look…" She lowered her voice and leaned closer to her husband. "When he shifts, you can catch a glimpse of his uniform under his trench coat. And there…see that? That glint is one of his shuriken. He's on a mission, Saito." She spoke with quiet authority.
Saito frowned thoughtfully and studied the other man across the distance. He didn't like how this was progressing. He didn't want Shinomori anywhere near his koneko. She was his and the Okashira had best remember that.
**To Be Continued…**