Kamatari was breathing heavily feeling the cold air weighing on his lungs and pressing uncomfortably on his ribs. His arm, which he had set in a temporary sling, was burning with pain with every movement. He had no idea how the kid could be so far ahead of him or how she knew where to go in the first place. It wasn't as if they had discussed it. Was he really that out of shape?
Just a bit more, just a bit more. Hopefully nothing had happened. How could he forgive himself? He wouldn't have to, he thought with a wry wince, Sano will kill me.
He turned the corner. He could already hear the clash of weapons and he realized that Saitoh must be fighting with his sword. That made his heart beat faster. Complications. Either the target really did have the Obiwaban's protection or the Ishin Ishishi had intervened. Both were worst case scenarios. When he looked his mouth dropped down. He couldn't help it.
Saitoh was locked in combat with none other than the Battousai while a tall, imposing man had Sano pinned. He had never seen Aoshi Shinomori, but he had heard a description of the man several times. He had no doubt in his mind that that was him. To make things ever more alarming there was a woman pointing a gun. She seemed vaguely familiar somehow, but he didn't dwell on it. He followed the angle with his eyes giving his heart a good jolt. Megumi was pressed painful to a thin, wild looking man. She had a knife pressed against her small, delicate throat and her eyes were rolled back with fear.
It struck Kamatari that the child would be lucky to not have years of therapy ahead of her. If she lived. He shoved that thought away. The girl had survived the wolf with a bit of timely intervention. She had made it through more or less when those thugs attacked. She wouldn't go down now.
That wouldn't be fair! But life's not fair, is it? All it would take was one good slash to loose all her life giving blood. Of course, if the dealer did that he might as well slit his own throat right after because if he didn't Kamatari would gladly smash his head in.
"Leave my daughter alone."
The voice alone was enough to make Kamatari shudder, her face was murderously calm. Like Saitoh's before he made a kill. She wouldn't hesitate an instant to pull the trigger, that much was painfully obvious. Of course, the gamble was would she do so after the bastard dropped Megumi?
Wait, daughter? He felt surprised. They had never considered the face that the child might have a mother still living. One aligned with the Ishin Ishishi at that. He would never have recognized Tokio Takagi the way she was now. She was a hard woman, true, but she rarely reverted to violence. Not in all the years he had known her.
Her deadly words seemed to bring about a pause. Both rooster-head and Shinomori looked over; one in shock, the other with a dead gaze. Megumi's eyes widened slightly and she mouthed the word mommy. Looking between the two Kamatari wondered how he missed the resemblance before.
Suddenly Shinomori released Sano letting the young man topple over off balance. With sinuous grace he was heading straight for Tokio, no doubt intending to do his job.
Kamatari felt rooted. He had to do something. He was too far away to deflect and he knew Shinomori was way above his skill level. If he shouted her name, he'd be giving her away. He hated going into a situation so half-ass informed.
"Lord Aoshi!"
The man edged his blow so that it only glanced off Tokio's left shoulder. She yelped with pain, but didn't drop her gun.
Kamatari slid forward. If he could get Megumi away while Kanyruu's guard dog was distracted then maybe he could convince Tokio to leave while she was still able.
The man was easy enough to sneak up on. He was so involved in watching the fight and securing his human shield he didn't even sense Kamatari.
Unfortunately Shinomori did. He started forward and Kamatari realized that the man was becoming more insecure about his client's position. He would start killing rather than wounding if he felt he couldn't handle all of them at once.
Kamatari paused, trying to draw out his chain. His arm lanced with pain and he dropped the heavy metal into the concrete. It slammed down with a loud clang drawing all eyes to him.
"I just want the kid, so you can hand her over now." Kamatari bluffed the target. "See? I dropped my weapon rather than sneaking up on you and attacking."
Shinomori paused and out of the corner of his eye Kamatari saw two kids on the fringes. This was turning into quite the little party here.
Kanyruu licked his lips nervously and his beady eyes darted to Tokio. He pressed the blade harder drawing a few beads of crimson.
"Tokio, lower your gun." Kamatari called hoping she would listen to him, recognize his voice. She hesitated with a furrowed brow, placing him, before slowly lowering the muzzle down. There was a click as she put the safety back on, but her lethal gaze never left her daughter's threat.
"See? No gun, nobody hiding in the shadows. Drop the girl and get in you car. Take your body guard with you. No harm done."
Kamatari knew that was an out and out lie. Someone would kill that bastard. He could see ugly bruises on the man's cheek and realized Sano had already gotten a shot or two in.
"I don't think so!" The coward yelped, scuttling back. He dragged Megumi back with him. She had been limp as a rag doll before, but now she was struggling. "You just want this little cunt so you can kill me."
Damn straight, Kamatari thought. He was running out of patience.
"Listen buddy," That was Sano, oh shit. The guy never could hold his temper well. "Your Doberman just chased off after some kids, he's not paying a lick of attention to your sorry ass. You do have an audience, one that would love to tear you apart in the most fucking violent way your puny mind can imagine. You can do what the fuck the freak over there suggested or I can bash your brains in. Now let the kid go okay?"
So much for diplomacy.
Reviewers:
Fyrrose NO BAKA! I don't see you're review here. Anyway, I used the 'c' word, sorry ;.; I'm very bad.
eriesalia: Ah, thank you for pointing that out *grumbled about stupid typos* That was supposed to be her. And will do. Sentence/paragraph structure is something I sometimes struggle with. What can a poor child do? >:)
MissBehavin: Never mess with a momma period O__O My mom scared the beejeebes out of me when she goes after people over such trival things that threaten her babies ^^ What are the chances Saitoh will...?
Wistful-Eyes: Sorry, I wrote a chapter a night. So I must have been tired that evening. Hehe, I hope you don't mind, but I used your review as an example to my stalker (don't ask) as to the feedback I normally get >:) Math is inheriently evil!