AN REVISION ALERT!!
OLD AN: AN: Hey! I'm back (after experiencing major writer's block and mid-terms week part1). I really hope this next chapter won't be a dissapointment. I'm a bit afraid actually, because the story sort of took off in its own direction. I don't know...hopefully no one is unhappy with the development. I must admit that it is quite stagnant for such a long chapter. Again, SORRY!! But, please review and help me make this story better ^_~ Thanks for reading you guys! You've been positively wonderful.
Responses
Val: Yup. She managed not to answer a single question. You'll see why this chapter ^_~ I must admit thought, I thought she was irritating but there was no other way to end the chapter...I just kinda got stuck in the same pattern. Hopefully it wasn't annoying ^^ THANKS for readin'
goldmund: Heh heh, I'm glad you think mysteries intrigue this fic...I think I kind of slap a whole bunch of information onto you guys this chapter...so I'm not sure. Please tell me what you think. Thanks for thinking this is fantastic (please don't change your mind after reading this chapter). Hopefully I still have a couple of secrets to unveil. ^^ THANKS
Kard of Dark: Hey! Welcome back! Thanks for the postive comment.^_~ Glad you like my dry sense of humor inserted into this fic. So, what do you think? New chap a let down? Hmmm...would it actually be advisable to add in romance for Yahiko? hmmmm....*deep in thought*
Iwuzpyschoboiz: E/k? Hmmmmm....it is on my list of possibilities. Well, hang in there I suppose...let's see where this fic takes itself first. I don't even know how I am going to work in the romance bits of it. Enishi and Kenshin both are such rigid turds...*pulls hair* not fair!! I wish I could have made life easier for myself...but then that would not make it fun for you guys to read, right? Well, thanks for reviewing!! Please tell me what you think of this new chatper!
Sheeshasan: yay! you think this is cool! E/k...E/k...E/k...ahhh!!! like I said, putting romance into this fic and attempting to make it non-cheesy is going to be difficult beyond anything...but i'll try my best! I promise you that I'll try and not to dissapoint you, either way...is that cool? Thanks for taking the time to review!
MoonAura: Heh heh...give Kenshin Tomoe...ah! I have other plans for her to play...as you probably picked up the vibes earlier in the end of chapter 2. Heh heh...its going to be awesome. Don't worry, I like E/k and I will not bash Tomoe's character. ^^ Thanks for reviewing!
mihoshi: Glad you liked it very much! What about this new installation? Granted it isn't as animated as the previous ones but...oh well, tell me what you think please ^^ Thanks for reading!
Kitsune KeNsHiN: Thanks for your suggestion. Me still very confused. I actually like E/k very much...but when it gets down to it I always feel bad for Kenshin...*sigh* let's see what happens, yeah? Thanks for reading ^_~ Hopefully you'll like this chapter...although I think the name I picked is kinda lame...oh well.
Chapter 2: Questions Finally Answered
"Misao, I'm going to ask you to part with that" Kaoru protested mock-sternly "Its my favorite pillow" Kaoru lunged herself in Misao's direction, aiming for a tattered blue and orange knit cushion-like pillow.
"No fair Kaoru, I made it anyway" Misao pouted her lips as Kaoru wrenched the pillow out of Misao¡¦s hands triumphantly.
"Well, that still doesn't change the fact that its my favorite" Kaoru rolled onto her pack and snuggled her face onto the pillow. Misao flopped over and peered at Kaoru's face seriously.
"Kaoru"
"What?"
"Sorry" Misao's apology caught Kaoru off guard as she turned around to face Misao's suddenly sullen face.
"For?" Kaoru questioned softly.
"For everything." Misao pressed her face against the blue and orange and started muttering. "I shouldn't have left you alone that night, Kaoru. I should have, I don't know. I didn't even bother to email you all these years." Kaoru, with grave effort, twisted her face into smiled and patted Misao on her head.
"Misao. . .don't worry about it. . ."
"Kaoru, don't force a smile for me, I know you were hurt." Kaoru bit her lip and turned her head away from Misao.
"True, but I. . " Kaoru swallowed hard "I felt so helpless Misao, I could not defend myself. I could not do anything. . .I was merely an information seeker, not a combatant. . ." Misao's eyes moistened as she leaned in and hugged Kaoru.
"You know. . ." Misao began but was waved off by Kaoru.
"The past ia done with Misao, I don't want to think about it anymore. . .I have enough to deal with in my life as it is" Kaoru fumbled around trying to hide her tears beneath a smile.
"Aoshi" Misao said abruptly.
"No" Kaoru's voice was now wrapped in years of hidden bitterness and anger.
"You really aren't suited for unfriendly demeanors Kaoru-chan" emphasized Misao, trying to break the tension in their conversation by smiling.
"Misao, Aoshi betrayed me. He betrayed us. Did you forget?" Kaoru spoke through gritted teeth.
"I know you are angry but it was a good seven or eight years ago," argued Misao, frowning in Kaoru's direction.
"Nine years. And, well, I hold grudges." Kaoru protested obstinately.
"Its very childish." Misao's words hit a nerve, a big one. Kaoru's face turned red as she tried to control her temper.
"And are you telling me that what he did wasn't? Look at you! You ran away and ignored me for nine years. Nine years Misao." Kaoru huffed, Misao fumed.
"Look" Misao said with finality "As much as it hurts my pride, I'm here now. And I think we should talk."
"No" Kaoru sat up and made motion to leave the room.
"You stay right there!" Misao hissed but was ignored by Kaoru. Angered suddenly by Kaoru's cold stubbornness Misao lunged towards Kaoru and caught her off balance. Both tumbled over and started wrestling.
"Get off me, you have no right to be here" Kaoru caught Misao's arm before being pinned down.
"No, I have every right to be here. I demand you listen to me and keep an open mind" Kaoru kicked Misao and freed herself.
"No you don't. Its my life. My past you ruined." Misao tugged at a handful of Kaoru's hair that caused her to flop back down on the bed. During the couple of seconds where Kaoru was trying to re-orient herself Misao grabbed her by her shoulders and pinned her onto the floor.
"Look. I. . ." Misao paused to catch her breath. "I am sorry. But, Kaoru, you have to listen to me. You had to be betrayed. It was the only way" Kaoru raised her head in defiance.
"Fine. Talk"
"You promise to stay still?" Misao's relentless graph on Kaoru was beginning to take its toll.
"Yes" Misao flopped over and Kaoru sat up, rubbing the sore sports on her wrists.
"I don't know where to start, except with another apology. It really wasn't meant to turn out that way. . ." Kaoru rolled her eyes and was about to say something only to be silenced by Misao.
"Please let me finish talking. . .at least hear me out first. . ." Misao hung her head. Kaoru sensed the change in her friend's demeanor and kept her mouth shut.
"Well, that day, the day that you know. . . a letter came. We did not tell you this because we knew, first of all, you would not have believed us. It was better that you had us to blame instead of. . . well, other things. . .If you don't believe me, I brought the letter with me, as proof, in my pocket. I know, we should have told you right away but. . . we thought we were protecting you by hiding the truth. Anyway, the only way to get rid of the threat was to turn you out." Misao sucked in her breath "I know I am not making much sense but. . . ."
"Misao. . ." Kaoru started "I don't want to read the letter, I want to hear from you" Misao glanced up at Kaoru, eyes weary.
"The letter was from Shiroi Tora" Kaoru's jaw hit the floor.
"What!" she stammered "What did the infamous tiger want from me?" Eyes wide open with shock Kaoru stared at Misao intently.
"The letter didn't say. Basically it was the job busted or your life. Obviously we purposely failed our mission and made it seem as if we betrayed you so that we could get you away from this mess." Misao trembled "But now that he and his brother are out of jail, I don't know, I thought I should come and alert you of the truth. Don't hide who you are anymore. . .I'm afraid he might be after you now" Kaoru fingered the letter that Misao produced.
"This breaks down a lot of the walls that I built around myself, you know that right?" Kaoru sighed, "Let me read this letter and see. . .Just to be sure that you aren't lying to me by dreaming up some far-fetched story. . ." Misao gave Kaoru a wry grin.
"You go ahead and do that. . "
Kaoru left Misao in her room and entered the kitchen, coffee mug and letter in hand. It has been so long, still the images of that day play themselves vividly in her mind. The turning point, she liked to call it, the day that turned her life around. For better and for worse. She yawned and sat herself down onto the chair next to the kitchen table.
Maybe her past wasn't as cheerful as everyone else's. No, let's be honest, it wasn't. Kaoru sighed, so much for the vouch of ordinary life. She, Misao and Aoshi were the Oniwabanshu, infamous information gatherers that disappeared and appeared like the whim of the wind. Collecting mostly the dirt behind government proceeding, they strived to perform a little justice here and there for the world. Perhaps, she wasn't sure why, it was monetary woes that involved them with the bad crowd. Kaoru unfolded the letter. Exciting days. The biggest risk of running in that circus was getting caught. If you were caught, your life was over, basically. With your identity exposed you became an open mark. Then, however did she survive her exposure?
Kaoru cocked her head mid-thought and glanced at the letter. She was shocked at its simplicity. . .
She dies if you succeed.
It was unmistakably the tiger's mark. A blood red and snow white slash mark at the bottom of the page. So nonnegotiable. So direct. Perhaps Misao was right. Maybe her exposure did entitle her some protection. . .But then, how did they know the tiger was after her? Kaoru scratched her head and gazed at the letter. . .
That night they were heading in for the big kill, as predictable as that sounds. If they cracked the headquarter's security they would have unveiled the identities of the largest underground network of criminals, including Shiroi Tora and Akai Ryu. Ah, Kaoru grinned wryly, small wonder they were exposed. . .what got into their heads? Talk about ignorant arrogance.
Still, the memory of being surrounded by a dozen men in merciless black, watching Aoshi and Misao retreat away into the darkness, burned her mind. Her so-called friends and allies left her to fend for herself. She knew nothing about combat or self defense. It hurt. She was so sure that night was her end. Bruised and unhappy the men let go of her when they were called off by. . .hmmmm, Kaoru rubbed her temples. She didn't quite remember, all she could recall was hearing a harsh voice yell,
"Don"t hurt her, the deal is settled"
Hmmm. . .Kaoru sipped her tepid coffee. Why was she singled out as a mark even before her exposure? The letter did not specify, but she had a sinking feeling that Aoshi and Misao knew more than they let on. The alarm sitting on the counter top chimed two am . . .It was time for bed, but could sleep she now that her past was resurfacing? Kaoru picked up the letter and washed the half empty coffee cup. All these things in her life, they were too confusing to be dealt with at such a time of night.
Kaoru tiptoed into her bedroom only to be greeted by a wide-awake Misao.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Kaoru demanded, crossing her arms across her check in mock sternness.
"Well, I had to wait for you. . ." Misao rubbed her nose "Plus, I need to hear from you and find out what is really going on inside your head. ."
"Well, after having to relieve that horrible experience" Kaoru mouthed sarcastically "I've discovered that a lot of my bitterness has evaporated. . .consider yourself lucky" She grinned slightly at Misao "Now all I have in my mind are questions really. I doubt your story but at the same time the pieces sort of fall into place. But, the only thing that doesn't make sense is this, why was I singled out? Why was I the mark? What did I have that they wanted?" Kaoru gazed intently into Misao's eyes, her stare never wavering.
"I don't know." Misao dug at her nails. Kaoru narrowed her eyes.
"Misao, I really don't have time for games. If you know anything, better spit it out now."
"I . . .well, your brothers. . .they were involved on the other side of the game." Silence ensued Misao's statement. Kaoru was, apparently, in shock. She had some clue that her brothers were up to something at that time but didn't except this. Direct involvement?
"You were caught in between the warring sides. Something had to give. . .Its amazing your family still managed to stay whole" Kaoru glanced up at Misao, who, she noticed, had trouble mouthing her knowledge of the situation.
"Kaoru," Misao started again "Aoshi had to bargain for your family's life. Since your brothers were of more value to the other side then you were; you had to be exposed. Plus, if they had let you go ahead with your mission, you would have revealed their identities to the public. It was more than imperative to stop you, I suppose. But, even now, I'm not sure why they targeted you especially. What matters most is that you are alive, right? Had the deal not been struck. . .I don't know. . ." Misao sucked in her breath.
"The most dangerous thing is. . .I don't know. . .no one knows the true identity of the Shiroi Tora and his brother, Akai Ryu. Are they still after you? No one knows." Too shocked to speak, all Kaoru could do was stare are Misao. Her mind processing this information at the highest speed it could muster.
"Misao," Kaoru urged her friend in the gentlest voice "I appreciate you telling me this. . .but, what bring you here? Why are you here, telling me these things after nine or so years of silence?"
"We need your help. . .no, I need your help" Misao stammered shakily and heaved a huge breath "Aoshi's gone. I'm not sure but I think they may have gotten him."
"Misao. . .that is not possible." Kaoru, reluctant as she would like to admit, knew that she cared for her friend. As bitter as she was, she did not want to see either one of them in trouble. "Aoshi was the best amongst us at hiding himself, there's just no way he could have been caught."
"Well, explain to me this letter then!" Misao thrust another letter at Kaoru forcefully. Kaoru unfolded the crinkled edges of the yellow sheet of paper. Again, the tone was terse and simple
You give in or He Dies.
"Misao, what do you have to sacrifice?"
"I don't know!!" Misao held back tears of frustration "Kaoru, I don't know what we could have done! After we let you go we quit that world together. Out of shame really. . . We haven't touched the business in such a long time, I have no idea what they would want with me. . .or with him" Kaoru saw the tears collecting at the edges of Misao's eyes and leaned in to offer her friend a hug.
"I know I'll regret saying this" Kaoru sighed and tucked Misao's head under her chin "Though I don't know how much help I'll actually be, being out of practice for so long, but. . .I promise you I'll be there for you and help you find Aoshi"
"Thanks. . ." whispered Misao.
"Now, give me my pillow and go to bed" Kaoru chided.
"Its my favorite" protested Misao
"No more arguing" chastised Kaoru "Enough for one night." She snuggled herself underneath her bedcovers and was about to turn off the lights when Misao interrupted her.
"Kaoru, there is a group of people I'd like you to meet" Misao mouth curved into a small smile when she heard Kaoru's reluctant groan.
"No more. . .Misao, no more of these odd surprises"
"A support group" urged Misao "As we like to put it. . .kind of like a sisterhood where we help each other" Kaoru snorted
"I suppose these are the people that are enlisted on your search party to find Aoshi"
"No, oops. . . I mean, yes. But, really Kaoru. . . this is important" Kaoru groaned and flipped off the bedside lamp.
"I'll come Misao, you know I will. But, in the meantime, I don't want my boss to fry my ass tomorrow. . .I gotta go to bed."
"Okay, night" chimed Misao happily.
"I swear. . .even at times like this you are still bounding around in endless energy" mumbled Kaoru "Good night"
Kaoru flipped the lights off. Her stable future was turned upside down by the arrival of new tenants and the mysterious appearance of her old friend. All this in one evening. . . she did not even want to imagine what life had in store for her tomorrow.
AN: How is this revised? Like it? Hate it? I apologize for making Aoshi, Misao and Kaoru the Oniwabanshu, I ran out of names and was extremely unoriginal. Well, review and let me know ^_~ Anyway, I apologize for not having new chapters up regularly. Maybe I will make a promise about that sometime *sheepish smile*