Kamatari could tell that Saitoh had something to say to Sano. As much as the cross dresser enjoyed baiting the young man, he didn't want to piss off the older man. He liked his hide in one piece thank you very much.
"'Tari?" Megumi asked and he smiled down at the child. She was strangely attached to that foolish rooster-head, but evidently he was second choice. She had shied away from him for the first few days at the station, but eventually his openness and charm won her trust. Not that she had much choice. It was him or Saitoh.
"Yes honey?" He asked still dwelling on the child's unexpected arrival.
There were many things he could expect from the wolf. Saitoh was a man of habit and he was firmly rooted in his beliefs. Like a great tree. Changed didn't come easily to him and his growth outwards and upwards was tediously slow. Nothing was considered a permanent obstacle. After all, even solid rock broke with the right amount of pressure. He was a man of extreme patience at times, yet impatient at others. The cross dresser had met the lean wolf only a few years prior, but he was well aware of the being that was Hajime Saitoh. They had shared space, even eaten together, but were never close.
"I think Mister Wolf," The child's name for Saitoh, almost comical, "Is unhappy."
Kamatari's mouth quirked up and he looked down at her complimenting, "You're sharp honey. Saitoh is a very dutiful man."
Married to his work was an understatement. The man practically breathed Aku Soku Zan. More so than anyone else present. He had never shown much interest in women and Kamatari wondered if he favored the other side of the fence. Then again, he showed no inclination towards men either. The cross dresser mentally threw up his hands in frustration. Surely the man had some sexual desires! He was human after all.
Megumi picked at a hole in her clothing and Kamatari realized she hadn't changed since Sano had brought her in a few days before. Now that he was paying attention there was that unpleasant smell and the poor girl had been living in that. Instant sympathy kicked in. Sometimes he wondered if he really was born female.
Some people asked why he didn't do a complete gender transformation. It wasn't the money, he had plenty enough saved up. Even though such an operation was daunting, he wasn't particularly scared or uncomfortable. He supposed that essentially he didn't want to lose himself. It sounded foolish out loud, but deep down that was his reasoning. If things would just stay the way they were... he knew they wouldn't. Nothing stayed the same. He learned that the hard way long ago.
"'Tari?" Megumi tugged on his hand insistently. He blinked and looked down into her worried brown eyes. "Are you happy?"
She was too young to be critical of his choices. She wasn't confused about his gender although she had seen him in complete drag after missions several times. It just didn't click yet that a man dressing as a woman wasn't natural. That it was wrong. Suddenly he didn't want her to grow up. He knew that was foolish and that the sun would sooner rise in the east.
Stupid to even think that. What made him think she would live that long? Even with the hot head and himself protecting her he couldn't seen how a young woman could live among so many males. There were no females in their organization for exactly that reason. Rape seemed inevitable and the only reason that she hadn't already been molested, yes Kamatari had seen the lecherous looks, was that Saitoh still had a hand in her keeping. Who knew how long the man would hold an interest.
"Darling, I'm as happy as I can be right now. I have you after all, right?" He squeezed her hand and she tightened her grip. He gave a bitter, half hearted smile. Why the hell was he being so critical? Maybe getting snoked with rooster-head was a good idea if it took away these stupid, pesky thoughts.
He shook his head. Getting totally sloshed wouldn't solve anything. All that would happen was he would mellow out until he passed out. Sano would drag his sorry carcass home and he would wake up the next morning with a killer hangover. It had happened numerous times before. Face it; he couldn't hold his liquor worth a damn.
They made it to the restroom without incident. Megumi insisted that he wait outside, that she was old enough to potty herself. He agreed hastily and stationed himself again the wall next to the door.
A group of men strode down the hall towards him and he eyed them warily. They were obviously out for trouble. The enforced lockdown was doing far more than irritation just fist boy. The gang spotted him and he almost rolled his eyes. Just a bunch of bully boys, nothing to worry about.
"'Tari?" Megumi asked nervously as she opened the door peering out down the hall at the men. Her skittish nature after being brought here forced her to check out every situation before making a move. Something he approved of, but this was not a good time to dally around.
What was so simple a few seconds ago now complicated.
He wasn't Sano; he wasn't spoiling for a fight. But that didn't mean he was a pacifist either. If push came to shoved he'd do far more than a lady's slap. Because his hands had to stay pure for his gigs he learned how to use the rest of his body, mostly his legs, to beat opponents to a bloody pulp. Not an easy task in a dress, but he managed. Now that he was in comfortable wear it wasn't even a problem. He wished for the spiked heels though. Those bad boys could do some serious damage to a person's face.
With a quick glance their way under his lashes he gathered the girl up shoving her in front of him.
"Walk." He hissed keeping tabs on the group. Megumi was frightened yet she managed to stride forward with her stubbly little legs. It was slow going compared to the longer strides of the men, but she was trying. If worse came to worse Kamatari was sure he could hold the bastards off giving her time to find Sano or Saitoh.
"Hey you two." One of the brutes yelled roughly. Megumi flinched and Kamatari had to put a restraining hand on her shoulder to keep her from running.
He decided that this was enough as the men started to circle. Shoving her ahead he whispered grimly, "Find Saitoh sweetie."
She turned giving him a worried, fearful look. At first he thought it was for herself, but then he realized it was for him. She was worried he might get hurt. As touching as that was, and it really was touching to him, she needed to escape. He didn't want such a sweet, innocent child to witness what was going to happen next.
"Go." He urged pushing her upper back. She frowned before running down the hall as fast as she could.
"Hey baby, I don't remember saying let the kid go. Did I say that Saigo?" The original brute remarked to his buddy.
The wiry, smaller man raised an eyebrow, but declined to reply. Kamatari noticed his gaze was more inward and it seemed he was deep in thought. What was happening probably wasn't processing at the moment. Well, he'd would get one hell out a jumpstart in a minute.
"Go fuck yourself." Kamatari fumed, speaking in the language that a stupid grunt like him would understand. Apparently it got through. After a second's hesitation the man decided that what the slight human in front of him had said was indeed an insult. His face started out a pale red, but ended up an intriguing shade of purple.
"Bitch..." He snarled grabbing for Kamatari's wrist. The smaller man twisted out of the way reaching for his chain. He knew it was a crass weapon, not even his weapon of choice, but it was portable and he knew how to use it with ease. Not to mention it was good for bashing in thick skulls of men who were being a bit too forward for their own good. The thick metal links also did wonders on other bones, smashing them in several places per strike.
What he hadn't counted on, besides the unfair numbers, was the man had a gun. Firearms were expressly forbidden on base outside of one's locker. Now that they were on a lockdown that held doubly true. Apparently such rules did not apply to assholes.
"Make a move bitch." He offered with a leer on his heavy set face. The small handgun looked almost harmless in the dim light, but Kamatari had seen the type of damage it could do at close range.
The group circled in around the lone cross dresser and Kamatari felt a sincere twinge of unease. What bothered him so? Besides the gun of course. Then again, he had dealt with those before. Whatever it was he was about to find out.
Reviewers:
eriesalia: *rolls eyes* Yes, and he has recovered from the stapler attack LMAO! *blinks innocently* but that would be mean =D Aoshi will show back up. I realized, subconsiously, that I'm cruel to the poor man. And you guys think I'm harsh with Sano O__O;; Yes, he was so much better in Season 1 *smirk* I'm rewatching all of them slowly, ever so slowly, on CN. *poke* They need to hurry up because I have several important scenes I missed (B vs. Saitoh, Aoshi threatening Meg, Misao and Kenshin's meeting, Hiko's fight against Fuji (?) at the Aoiya, and Aoshi fight against Shishio). *hopes for Jinchuu to be animated*I couldn't get my hands on those fan-subbed mangas because stupid viz started publishing in English *fumes* And now it will take forever!
MissBehavin: LMAO, I think the psychiatrist would be the one needing mental help if Saitoh showed up in his office and started all that ^^ Dang you're astute! Shhh!
Fyyrrose: No wonder the poor child has so issues! She was telling me about how her teacher likes her, her female teacher. I so didn't want to know that. Okay, so you're basically giving me permission to do anything I please with him so long as I stop a hairsbreath away from death? Will do. Enishi and I will take care of the psychological damage and Hiko will deal out so physical! *glances at you shrewedly* Is that another challenge in disguise? Because I took your lemon one and kicked your ass on it =D Pah, that is so pathetic I hesitate to even label it fluff. Thank you sensei-sama, you have taught me well, it just doesn't show in this fic LOL!