Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I was joking when I claimed that Watsuki Nobuhiro gave me the rights to Rurouni Kenshin. Alas, I'm only a fanfiction writer and I do this sort of thing just for fun. Watsuki Nobuhiro, Jump Comics, Shueisha, Sony Picture Entertainment, Fuji Television, Media Blasters and Viz Comics own the right to make money off Rurouni Kenshin.

Catharsis

entreaty
.:chapter five:.

Kaoru leaned forward in her chair, resting her chin on her palm with her elbow propped on the windowsill. The warm afternoon breeze swept gently across her face, stirring her bangs with the scent of the ocean. She knew he was aware of her eyes upon him. She didn't feel embarrassed staring at him and he no longer seem to mind. She'd been watching him go through his forms since the day his arm came out of the sling. Even on that first day, his movements were precise. They were slow, certainly, but precise.

Today, however, she noticed a distinct change in his routine. Feet and chest bare, he moved with a fluidity that appeared graceful, almost cat-like, but promised bloodshed once unleashed. Were he not so dedicated to killing Kenshin she knew she would have found his routine enthralling. But with his body almost fully recovered and his eagerness for the fulfillment of his Jinchuu, the sight of of him moving through his kata so easily, so perfectly, made her insides knot with worry.

Enishi had speed, strength, stamina and motivation. He was pure in his intent, and frighteningly deadly. Chewing on her bottom lip, Kaoru wondered if her attempt to befriend him by cooking for him had hastened his recovery.

Sword in hand, Enishi flowed into a position that Kaoru had not see him perform before. Her interest piqued, she found herself leaning further out the window as she watched. He paused, focusing on his target with eyes narrowed and muscles tense. A lone tree, not far from the edge of the practice area he favored, waited for him to make his move. Thick, green leaves swayed carelessly in the currents of air...

...and then, it was gone. The tree was nothing but splintered wood. A carcass.

Kaoru swallowed hard. He moved so fast, she barely saw it. His strength and speed were back in full force. He was recovered. Completely.

"I'm surprised you can move like that already," she called out to him, guilt nipping at her smartly. "I guess I shouldn't have cooked for you after all."

"This has nothing to do with that terrible food you serve," Enishi replied, glancing at her out of the corners of his eyes.

Kaoru balked, her temper flaring, "Then don't eat it!"

The corners of his lips quirked up.

"No one forces you to eat what I cook," she continued. "Ingrate!"

His eyes sparkled with amusement as he rested the sword against his shoulder and faced her fully. He was enjoying her anger. She could tell. And that only served to annoy her even more. Standing with her hands on her hips and shoulders back, she lifted her chin and gave him her best look of contempt.

"I hope you choke," she said.

Grinning widely, he gave her one more barb. "I have."

"Mou!" Kaoru huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and pointedly looking away. She heard him chuckle, but barely recognized the sound. Too distracted from his insults, Kaoru simply clenched her jaw. When she finally turned to face him once more, an insult hot on her tongue, the sudden arrival of an unfamiliar group of strangers gave her pause.

• • •

When Kamiya began to watch him practice, he found her presence intrusive. The first few days he sent her more than one withering glare and the occasional sharp comment, but he never specifically told her to leave. As long as she kept to herself and didn't interfere, what did he care if she watched?

Part of him hoped her curiosity would backfire on her. Let her see what he was capable of, what he could do to the Battousai. The other part of him simply wondered why she would want to watch him. She knew his goal was to strike down Battousai; did she think she could discern some sort of weakness in his form? Enishi spent years honing his skill for the specific purpose of killing one man. If that was her motive for observing him she would be sorely disappointed.

After the first week, he didn't bother to acknowledge her. She never spoke or did anything to disturb him so it was easy to ignore her, but he could never quite forget that she was there. As the days stretched out, he found he had grown used to her quietly watching him and had come to expect her presence.

Today, however, she broke tradition by speaking to him. The sound of her voice held a slight tone of regret when she called out to him from the window.

"I'm surprised you can move like that already," she said. "I guess I shouldn't have cooked for you after all."

He almost smiled at her comment. Was she worried for the Battousai's life now that he was fully recovered? She should be. Glancing at her out of the corners of his eyes, he said, "This has nothing to do with that terrible food you serve."

"Then don't eat it!" she yelled. The girl was indeed worried. Good. Enishi couldn't help the smirk that curled the corners of his lips upward as she continued. "No one forces you to eat what I cook. Ingrate!"

Resting his sword against his shoulder, he turned to face her fully. She was standing now, hands on her hips and blue eyes bright with anger. His amusement was plain to read and she scowled when she recognized it in his expression.

"I hope you choke."

So entertained by her comment that his reply came out automatically. "I have," he said.

Outrage flashed through her eyes and she turned away from him in a huff. He chuckled at her reaction and decided then that teasing her was far more fun than it should be. Just as he was about to throw another quip at her, he caught sight of movement in his peripheral vision. He angled his body toward the source, just barely, and just enough to confirm his suspicions.

'Heishin,' he thought with annoyance.

As the smaller man entered the clearing, Enishi noticed that Kamiya, too, was aware of the other man's arrival. Her shoulders tense and brows creasing in concern, she gave Enishi a look that reflected her misgivings of the new arrivals and her willingness to trust him. Giving her a slight nod, he gave Heishin is attention.

"Boss, I apologize for disturbing you while you're busy," the smaller man said, his tone overly polite and saturated with false humility. "But we have some things to discuss that I think will interest you."

Enishi knew immediately that he wasn't there to simply talk. He wanted something ― something that he didn't think Enishi would readily approve of ― and it aggravated him that Heishin had the nerve to interrupt him during his training. Heishin, for all his bluster and delusions of greatness, was still just a henchmen.

Smile gone, Enishi let his amusement drain away as his countenance hardened. "What do you need, Heishin?" he asked.

"There is a small problem I'd like to address," Heishin glanced at Kamiya out of the corners of his eyes. "And it has to do with that personal matter you are currently involved in."

It was clear that Heishin wished for Kamiya to be sent away, which meant that it would probably rankle the little man to allow her to stay. Pushing his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose, Enishi deliberately ignored Heishin's unspoken request and asked, "What's that?"

The Chinese man hesitated as he clenched his jaw in annoyance. With an expression reflecting his impatience, Enishi waited for Heishin to speak.

"Yes, well," Heishin began. "It seems that a man with a weapon attached to his arm was going berserk in the middle of Tokyo about four days ago."

"Oh," Enishi grinned, "that would be Hyougo Kujiranami. Did he get himself killed?"

He nodded, "He did. Apparently he caused quite a bit of damage while fighting with some young man." Heishin paused for a moment, as though considering his next words. "My intel is usually very good, but the report I read has to be mistaken."

"What did it say?"

Heishin gave a nervous laugh, "It claimed that Kujiranami was very nearly defeated by a child. A boy with a shinai―"

Enishi heard a sharp intake of breath a second before Kamiya choked out her student's name, "Yahiko?!"

Interrupted, Heishin gave the girl a cold, dark glare. So worried about her student that she seemed completely unmoved by his obvious anger. She simply accepted his annoyance and stared right back at him. Enishi watched Heishin study Kamiya and felt a spark of anger tingle along his spine. There was a calculating assessment in the other man's gaze, a slowly congealing plan that undoubtedly centered around Kamiya's death.

"It seems that the boy, Yahiko," Heishin continued, emphasizing the young man's name as though it were a curse word, "and a police officer managed to kill Kujiranami. The two of them, along with a few other stragglers, are on their way here."

He frowned as he observed the way Heishin stared at Kamiya, focusing his attention on her alone as though she were more a threat to him than Enishi himself. While it was true that Heishin was reliable when it came to protecting and growing the various interests of the Syndicate, he was by no means trusted. Clearly he needed to be reminded of his position in the organization.

"Heishin," Enishi said, the sudden acid-like quality of his voice demanding his second-in-command to look directly at him. "Why are you looking at her when you are speaking to me?"

His face paled slightly, but Heishin covered for it with a smile that lifted his features, "I- I apologize. That was rude of me. I... I was just taken aback by her audacity."

'You weren't simply being 'rude,' Heishin,' Enishi thought as his shoulders began to tense in anger. 'I know that look. Don't take me for a fool.'

"Shouldn't she be confined to her room?" Heishin continued, completely unaware of Enishi's growing anger. "She's an eyesore―"

"She is under my protection, Heishin," Enishi said as tendrils of unnaturally thick nerves began to bulge just beneath his skin. "Understand?"

• • •

It was almost like seeing two children play tug-of-war, but it was far less frivolous and much more disturbing to watch. There was no doubt that Enishi was the leader. The stranger, Heishin, even called him 'boss,' but there was no trust between them. And Kaoru very much doubted there was any real loyalty, too. She knew nothing of the other man, save for the fact that he was clearly Chinese and somehow involved in whatever group or organization that Enishi led. He wore a crisp, clean suit ― custom tailored, no doubt ― to fit his body perfectly. His hair was neatly combed and his face cleanly shaved. She was certain that he had never been in a fight in his entire life, though he stood with an air of superiority that did not mesh with his short stature and small hands.

When she blurted out Yahiko's name she knew then, without a doubt, that Heishin was someone she needed to be very wary of. He was dangerous in a way that Enishi was not. Instinct told her to find a weapon, to prepare to defend herself in case he sent one of his four well-muscled bodyguards that towered over him after her. But the way Enishi regarded the other man kept her firmly in place. She wasn't sure if his behavior was his way of protecting her, or if it was just part of their overall game of dominance. All she knew for certain was that Heishin was trouble.

So she remained where she was, muscles tense and eyes wide, as she strained to hear the smaller man's words. Was Yahiko hurt? Was Kenshin? What was happening in Tokyo? Almost three weeks had passed... why had no one come for her? The questions crowded together in her chest, demanding release, but she stubbornly pushed them down. The way Heishin was staring at her, assessing her, demanded that she pay attention and be ready. At that moment, he felt more threatening than Enishi ever did.

"Heishin," Enishi said, the quality of his voice was so dark and menacing that Kaoru's eyes were instantly drawn to him. She was not the only one. Heishin's whole body seemed to shrink back at the sound of his voice. "Why are you look at her when you are speaking to me?"

The smaller man's features suddenly bore a sickly hue. He tried to cover up his unease with a forced smile and said, "I- I apologize. That was rude of me. I was just taken aback by her audacity. Shouldn't she be confined to her room?" He turned his gaze toward her and she saw hate there. "She's an eyesore―"

A shift of movement and a chilling whisper of blood lust suddenly filled the air. The hairs on the back of Kaoru's neck rose uncomfortably and she quickly turned her attention back to Enishi. Just for a moment, only the slightest of seconds, his body seemed to change. It was as though his nerves and veins had become chords of steel that suddenly hardened and tensed. Muscle and skin tightened and bulged as he stood in place, sword still resting on his shoulder, eyes locked on Heishin and every inch of him radiating power.

She wondered if she had imagined it, but the way Heishin's arrogant smile was quickly gobbled up by fear she knew she had not.

"She is under my protection, Heishin," Enishi said. "Understand?"

Sweat gathered at his brow as he seemed to shrink away from Enishi in every way. Heishin was suddenly very afraid, perhaps even terrified, and his fear made Kaoru's mouth go suddenly dry.

'What is this?' she wondered. 'What just happened?'

"Y-yes," the smaller man nodded as he nervously swallowed. "I understand."

Enishi's expression relaxed slightly, but his eyes remained sharp. Seemingly satisfied that he got his point across, Enishi continued the conversation as though nothing strange had just occurred.

"So," he mussed. "They're on their way and they know she's alive."

Before her mind had a chance to process what she just saw, Enishi's words made her stomach quiver sickly in her belly. 'They... they think I'm dead!?'

"I don't know if they're aware of her health," Heishin said.

Enishi softly 'hmmed' as he dipped his head down causing his hair to fall forward and obscure his eyes. No one dared speak and the pregnant pause between them felt oppressive. Mind whirling with questions, Kaoru knew she had to reign in her emotions and clear her head. Now was not the time to try to make sense of all that she had just learned. She needed to pay attention, listen, think... but her heart was sick with grief and worry.

'Why do they think I'm dead...?' she asked herself. 'Why didn't Enishi tell me? How long does he plan on keeping me?' Tears stung her eyes but she stubbornly blinked them away. 'Why did Yahiko fight Kujiranami alone? Where is Kenshin?'

Fingers digging into the windowsill, Kaoru waited for the silence to end, for Enishi or Heishin to speak, for something to happen. As fear for her friends began to claw at her throat, demanding release, Enishi finally spoke.

"Is there a man with a cross-scar on his cheek with them?" he asked.

"No," Heishin answered, signaling to his bodyguards that the meeting was coming to an end. "That one hasn't moved from Rakuninmura."

• • •

It wasn't ideal, but Enishi couldn't help but feel pleased. He had anticipated Battousai's guilt and had crafted two scenarios for the final chapter of his Jinchuu. Rotting in Rakuninmura was the least fulfilling of the two, but there was still a deep satisfaction in knowing that Battousai was suffering alone with his own feelings of guilt and powerlessness.

Enishi spent years in his own private Rakuninmura. Battousai would only spend a few weeks. Then, when Enishi grew tired of him pathetically clinging to life, he'd kill him. It wouldn't be a satisfying death ― more of an execution, in fact ― but it would be justice. Even so, Enishi would rather see the second scenario play out. The one where he had a final confrontation with Battosai, one last fight to truly demonstrate what his actions that day in snow had created.

"I have prepared a greeting for our guests that should solve our problem," Heishin said, pulling Enishi back to the present. "And the mess in Tokyo is already being cleaned up."

Enishi narrowed his eyes at Heishin. "I didn't order you to make any such preparations."

"But―"

"Let them come," he said. "I welcome their arrival."

"But that's... That's ridiculous!" Heishin exclaimed, his voice shrill as he fingers twitched nervously at his sides. "According to the Kokou Touzai Book of Naval Warfare, the wisest plan is to attack from the water to prevent the enemy from landing―"

"Heishin," Enishi's calm, controlled tone interrupted. "Is it your desire to fight me now?"

The Chinese man took a reflexive step back. Enishi regarded him wordlessly, his eyes bright with the promise of violence. If Battousai would not come and face him then Enishi would show his comrades the monster the former hitokiri had created. And if Heishin did something to prevent their arrival, he would pay for it. Most severely.

Clearing his throat, the Chinese man quickly acquiesced. Nervously smoothing his hair, he said, "O-of course. I... I'll call off the cannons immediately."

If Enishi was satisfied with that answer he did not show it.

"B-but once your private matter is settled the organization will be mine," Heishin continued as he attempted to reign in his fear by pushing his shoulders back and standing a little taller. His voice betrayed him. Still a bit too shrill, he said, "I'm not willing to just sit back and watch. I have different tactics."

With that, he turned on his heel and returned the way he came, leaving the pair alone to navigate through a charged silence. Enishi barely moved after Heishin left. His mind was working, the gears turning behind his eyes as plans began to take on a pleasing shape. Kamiya watched him warily, noting his stillness and focus.

"Enishi," she said, voice almost a whisper and thick with worry. The way she said his name made it clear that she was uncertain what to expect from him, but his eyes turned toward her immediately. She visibly tensed under his gaze, her blue eyes wide and watery. The stiffness that had built up in his back and shoulders with the arrival of Heishin slowly began to loosen as he peered at her and waited.

Clearing her throat, she said, "P- promise me you won't kill them. Promise that―"

Her words died in her throat when he took three steps toward her. Fingers trebling, she awkwardly smoothed the front of her robe and whispered, "Please don't kill them."

"Jinchuu is not complete," he stated firmly, simply.

"B-but they're not―"

He stared at her pointedly. "Jinchuu is not complete."

Anger broke through her fear then. Expression tight, she grasped the windowsill in a white-knuckled grip. "But your Jinchuu is with Kenshin, isn't it? Not them!"

Rage blanketed his heart at the sound of Battousai's given name. How could she be so blind? So foolish? Battousai was stained in blood, pain and death! Those things can never be forgotten. Yet she did. Why was she protecting him?

"This is part of Jinchuu," Enishi grated, eyes hard.

"No, it's―!"

"Jinchuu would not exist were it not for that murderer!" Lips pulled back into a sneer, he continued, "If you wish to blame someone for the welfare of your friends, blame Battousai! He is the beginning and end of your misery and mine!"

• • •

Darkness still coated the early morning hours when Enishi decided to protect his fulcrum. He could hear her deep breathing through the door as he turned the key in the lock and sealed her within her room. Even in sleep, the girl could not be ignored. Enishi found his way back to the balcony overlooking the beach and once again observed the glow of the lantern lights inching closer to shore. They would arrive not long after daybreak. With any luck, he would take care of matters long before Kamiya awoke. The less involved she was, the better. She would be a distraction otherwise.

"Boss?"

Enishi kept staring at the light glowing off shore. "Hmm?"

"I really think we should sink the ship," Heishin said, the tone of his voice bearing an annoying nervous quality. "A dinghy will land on the island, but the ship will remain in deeper waters. Even if you kill everyone, the police remaining on board the ship will―"

"Who says I'm going to kill everyone?" he interrupted, his back still pointed at the Chinese man.

"This situation needs to be dealt with!" Heishin bristled, "This is more important than your personal matters."

"Then you do wish to fight me now," Enishi intoned as he turned to look at him over his shoulder.

The pre-dawn darkness hid Heishin's expression as the color drained from his face. Flustered, he clenched his fist. "N-no! I'm simply thinking of my organization."

A chill moved down Heishin's spine when Enishi finally stood to his full height. "Your organization?" he asked darkly. "This organization is mine and it will continue to be mine until my Jinchuu is complete."

Anger loosened his tongue and Heishin blurted out his feelings without thinking, "But it will eventually be mine and I don't want to clean up after you!"

Heishin wasn't aware that Enishi had moved until he was towering over him. Turquoise eyes turned hard and dangerous as he stared down at him. "Leave," Enishi commanded, voice unnaturally calm.

Heishin took a half-step back and blinked, "...Eh?"

"If I see you again before my Jinchuu is finished, I'll cut off your legs and throw you to the sharks that feed off shore," he said. "Do not test me."

The two men locked eyes. One pair calm and confident while the other quivered. Heishin was the first to look away. He raised a trembling hand to his head and smoothed out his hair. Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving Enishi to watch the light shining on the waves.

As Heishin left the house with his Su Shen surrounding him, he vowed to not only take care of the situation his way, but to find a way to eliminate Enishi once and for all.

AN: Don't forget to review! It's very encouraging and helpful to us lowly fanfiction writers.