Author's Note: Here's the first major plot point that will solidify Kenshin and Kaoru's involvement in Itikaku Mizu and will give a sinister undertone to the joyful preparations for their wedding. And enters in the continued mixed emotions that make Kenshin and Saito Hajime both allies and adversaries as they are once again joined in a similar cause. Thanks to all the readers (5284—wow) and to those reviewing especially.
Glossary of Japanese words
Ki—feeling, soul
Ohayo—Good Morning (casual)
Tori-atama—Roosterhead (nickname for Sanosuke)
Hankosha – RebelAku Soku Zan – Translated "Slay Evil Immediately" the motto of the third Shinsengumi
Yakuza – Tokyo's underworld—organized crime
Kyoshi -- Teacher
Yokoso -- Welcome
Butsudan – Buddhist altar—in Japanese homes, a simple version of this is found where a family scroll is hung with candles, floral arrangements and when a guest is received, they are usually seated there as a token of honor
INTO THE FIRE
The early morning sun was staining the eastern horizon pink as it chased the shadows of the night away. The waning moon sat as a white crescent, stenciled on the still dark western horizon as if reluctant to leave its spot in the brightening sky. It was silent, save for the occasional call of the nightingale to be answered by the coo of the morning dove.
The shoji slid open and the titian haired samurai stepped out into the slight morning chill and sat on the back porch that led to the courtyard of the Kamiya Dojo. Kenshin took a deep breath of the dew kissed morning air as he reached into his gi and withdrew his Bible. He opened the tome and began to read when he picked up the beloved familiar ki of the young woman he had asked to share his name.
"Ohayo, Kenshin," the sweet voice whispered as Kaoru sat beside her intended.
He smiled lovingly at her as he responded, "Ohayo, koibito. Did you sleep well?"
She nodded as she twined her arm with his, joining hands as she replied, "So, what is the devotional reading for today?"
"I'll read it but first we should pray." He took her hands and together, they bowed their heads in prayer as they each spoke in their hearts to their Savior, asking his blessings and protection on the coming day. This had been a regular morning ritual now for the couple since arriving back home from Kyoto and had become a treasured time both together and with God. Yahiko still slept late so this early morning time was private.
They completed their prayers then Kenshin opened the book and read from first Thessalonians, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
Kaoru pondered the reading as she remarked "That particular reading has great significance considering what you've shared with me about the threats on Itikaku Mizu."
Kenshin nodded in agreement. "The words speak clearly to my heart. The peace of those people cannot be destroyed, that it cannot. I must do what I can to protect them."
Kaoru agreed, "Hai. And I will do all I can as well. Even those who are rude." Her pretty face registered a frown as she recalled the frigid way the woman name Maita responded to being introduced to her.
Kenshin glanced askance at her. "Was there a problem last night?"
Kaoru smiled brightly and shook her head but Kenshin knew better as he took his hand and captured her chin to gaze deeply into her troubled sapphire eyes. He regarded his fiancée with concern.
"Tell me what happened."
Kaoru sighed as she told him about the woman who snubbed her, seeming quite unfriendly. Kenshin nodded as he listened and then recalled a strange feeling he had when he was with Danjuro. He remembered the talk he had with Danjuro after the service and how while they were in conference, he had picked up a strong evil ki outside the shoji and then suddenly it was gone. He could not help but feel that someone of ill will toward the group was among them.
When Kaoru was finished, Kenshin took her by the hands and spoke earnestly to her, "Kaoru, I had picked up an evil ki from someone while I was talking to Danjuro-san and I was concerned. We need to keep a close watch on the Itikaku Mizu group, that we must. I can't help feeling that something is about to happen to them."
Kaoru nodded, "Hai, I agree. We'll attend the next service, Sunday evening."
Kenshin nodded not knowing at the time that their decision would put them in the midst of a disaster of monumental proportions. And that his premonition would be prophetic.
About an hour later, the residents of the Kamiya Dojo were sitting down to their breakfast when a knock on the main door interrupted them. The long, lean form of one Saito Hajime sauntered in and Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko all leapt to their feet as Kaoru gasped.
"Ohayo gozimaru," Saito said amiably as Sano flexed his fists and Yahiko drew his shinei.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously and his hand automatically shot to the hilt of his sword. "What do you want, Saito?"
Saito smirked as he replied, "Tch, not very hospitable are you here at the Kamiya Dojo? And here I am just making a friendly call on you all to see how you're faring. Not very polite, I must say."
Kaoru suppressed a shudder as she rose and said politely, "Would you care for some tea?"
The maverick police officer shook his head. "Arigatou Kamiya-san but I must decline. I came to discuss something with the Battousai if I may."
Kenshin relaxed his battle stance yet kept a wary eye on Saito. "Very well. Come with me." He headed to the back porch area with Saito in tow.
"Hey wait a minute, Kenshin," Sano protested. "You can't go back with this crooked cop alone. Suppose he tries something against you?"
Saito turned and regarded the street fighter haughtily, "Believe me baka, if I was here to settle the score with the Battousai, I would be a lot more discreet and nobody would be allowed to get in my way. Especially not a tori-atama like you."
Sano bristled at the jibe. "Why you--,"
Kenshin intervened with a smile, "Don't worry Sano. I'll hear Saito out, I don't think he means any harm."
Kaoru said worriedly, "Please be careful, Kenshin."
His eyes lit on her with a loving glow. "I will, koishii. Don't fret." He and Saito both headed out to the courtyard, closing the shoji.
Once outside, Kenshin faced his old adversary squarely as he inquired, "All right Saito. What is it that brings you here?"
Saito leisurely lit a cigarette as he replied, "Is it true that you and Kamiya-san are involved in a Hanare Kirishitan group known as Itikaku Mizu?"
Kenshin nodded "Aa. The leaders of the group were harassed at the Akabeko about a week ago by Akai Ryu."
Saito grunted and said, "I had a visit from none other than Hashimoto himself, the leader of Akai Ryu."
"Hontoo desu ka?" Kenshin asked. "He's a former member of the Shinsengumi, right?"
Saito snorted in derision as he replied, "He was ousted from the Shinsengumi because like Udo Jin-eh he had a tendency to be too bloodthirsty. He was an hankosha who completely disregarded our motto of Aku Soku Zan."
"So what did he want?"
Saito took a last drag on his cigarette and tossed the butt on the ground to crush it out with his boot. "He requested that I assist him in his quest to topple the Meiji." He regarded Kenshin with a sly look as he continued, "He even offered me the opportunity to settle the score with you."
Kenshin's eyes narrowed and had flecks of gold. "So is that why you're here today?"
Saito raised a hand. "Save your anger for the time we do settle the score between us. In the meantime, it appears that we both are uneasy allies once again. I want to catch Hashimoto and give him what he deserves but I need your help since you're a part of that group now. Why may I ask are you a part of a group of Christians, surely you haven't taken that route to remain in the farce of your vow not to kill." He smirked, seemingly amused by the notion.
Kenshin replied flatly, "And what if I say I am? Do you have something to say about that?"
Saito chuckled as he replied, "You needn't get so defensive, Battousai. I see it as fortunate that you are for this time because your involvement in the group gives you the perfect reason to be in the group, the perfect alibi. Although to me the concept of any religion is simple nonsense."
Kenshin ignored the barb and sighed as he asked, "Is there anything else, Saito?"
The former Wolf of Mibu shook his head and headed to the back gate. As an afterthought he turned and said, "By the way, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You're finally making an honest woman of the tanuki girl, eh?"
Kenshin nodded as he answered, "Kaoru has bestowed a great honor to me by consenting to become my wife."
Saito grunted as he said, "I'll be in touch. Good day." He strode away as Kenshin watched him leave, his own mind teeming as he pondered This seems to be getting more and more interesting, that it does.
On late Sunday afternoon, Kenshin and Kaoru strolled over to the Kamioka dwelling in the golden rays of sunset to attend the service. Once again they were ushered into the main house and through the back to the meeting place where the crowd of people from the other night were assembled.
Kenshin and Kaoru greeted Danjuro and his wife warmly as the couple did the same, Tamiko taking Kaoru's hand and squeezing it excitedly
"Yokoso, Kaoru-chan, Kenshin-san. We're so glad to see you again." Her exuberance was contagious as Kaoru smiled warmly, clasping her hand as well.
Danjuro smiled with loving indulgence at his wife and then smiled at Kenshin as he said, "Hai, subarashii we hope you'll enjoy the service."
Kenshin smiled politely back and said, "I'm sure we will, that I am."
Unnoticed by the two couples, the woman Maita watched with veiled contempt as her eyes strayed to the famed former hitokiri and his woman the Kamiya girl. Many around Tokyo had whispered and gossiped about the only daughter of the late swordmaster Kamiya Kuzojiro and her harboring of the ruthless assassin Battousai, the thug fighter-for-hire Zanza, and the yakuza pickpocket Myojin Yahiko. The talk was that her relationship with Battousai was illicit and shameful, yet they often walked boldly together in the marketplace, ignoring the whispers behind their backs. And now, the ultimate hypocrasy, the announcement of their marriage in the underground newspaper that the artist Tsukioka published. She wrinkled her nose in distaste as if an odious scent had made her ill.
A tug on her kimono shook her out of her brooding. "Maita-san, Daisuke is causing trouble in the classroom again." A small girl with big chocolate eyes entreated.
Maita pasted a smile on her face as she responded, "Hai Yuki, I'm coming." She turned from observing the couple and followed the girl to the small classroom. On her way there she made an imperceptible gesture to a man just outside the main door, hiding in the brush surrounding the stairs.
Inside the classroom, the small firebrand named Daisuke was holding a doll up so that a little girl could not reach it. Maita came over and took the doll away and gave it to the sobbing child that was being tormented. She took the small bully aside and spoke firmly to him.
"What is going on here, eh? I thought I told you not to tease the others." She frowned in disapproval.
"Gomen nasai, kyoshi. I was just playin'," the boy protested but Maita was firm.
"Daisuke, I have to punish you. You'll sit in here until service is over." She shepherded the rest of the children out in the meeting area and closed the door on the sullen boy.
In the meantime, Kenshin took Kaoru's arm and escorted his koishii to a seat as other members smiled and welcomed them to the service. He smiled politely as he took Kaoru's hand and they waited with the rest of the congregation for service to start.
Danjuro and Tamiko both welcomed the throng as they stood before them, leading them into the art of worship with songs of praise. The congregation had hands raised as they sang, their eyes closed, totally caught up in the sense of singing to their Savior.
Kenshin raised his strong tenor contrasting with Kaoru's own sweet soprano as the room filled with the voices of the faithful. It was a blended symphony of praise that had everyone within oblivious to all but their reverent song so nobody heard the sound of a group of dark clad warriors that surrounded the building with great stealth. Another went about the building pouring kerosene along one of the sides of the wood structure.
Inside in the midst of the worship, Kenshin could sense a multitude of evil ki outside and the sight yet pungent scent of kerosene. His eyes narrowed as he had a rising sense of urgency, but did not want to alarm Kaoru or anybody so he remained silent.
Outside, the man with the kerosene finished his task than gave the sign as matches flared and were thrown at the pools of fuel igniting into immediate flames that licked greedily up the dried wooden structure. The flames skittered up the structure rapidly, meeting and creating a wall of fire as black smoke billowed up to the evening sky. Not staying around to admire their handiwork, the figures disappeared into the shadows.
The scent of smoke came into the meeting room through the window slats as the roar of the fire suddenly caused a whoosh and broke through on the far wall. The congregation became panicked as everybody shot to their feet.
"Fire! Fire!" the crowd screamed in a cacophony of frenzied fear as they stampeded to the exit.
"Everybody please," Danjuro shouted. "Please form a line and we'll get out the back!"
"We can't," someone wailed. "The fire is blocking the door!"
Sure enough, flames had engulfed the rear exit, making escape by that route impossible. The crowd was getting unruly as sheer panic overtook them.
"Come up this way then!" Danjuro gestured to the door behind the lectern. He tried desperately to open it but it was stuck. Realization of the situation getting desperate caused the crowd to get even more terrified.
"Oh, Kenshin, the room's on fire, what can we do?" Kaoru cried.
Kenshin grabbed Kaoru and pushed her to the front gently but firmly as he felt her fear and tried to reassure her. "Don't panic, koishii. Just stay here and help Danjiro-san and Tamiko-san." He pushed himself to the door and drew his sword.
"Stand back!" the Battousai ordered. He flipped the blade of sakabatou and cried, "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu Tsui Sen!" bringing the blade on the wall in his god-like speed, splitting the wood in two and providing a huge opening. The crowd pushed themselves out into the cool night air, gasping for oxygen.
Tamiko, Danjuro, Kenshin and Kaoru were still inside the burning structure, making sure everyone was safely out and they were about to leave themselves when Kaoru heard a cry from a closed door amidst the flaming rear of the room. She pulled her arm from Kenshin's firm grasp and headed into the smoke.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin bellowed as he coughed on the acrid fumes. "Come back here!" He wove his way back into the room to follow his fiancée, his fear for her safety making him oblivious to the danger.
Kaoru crouched below the smoke, holding her hand over her nose as the cry and pounding were emanating from the closed door of the classroom. She got there and wrenched the door open as a sobbing Daisuke crumpled in her arms.
"It's all right," she said soothingly as she gathered the frightened little boy up and began to make her way through the debris and falling timbers of the building supports. She was nearly to the opening to escape when a large burning beam fell down, cutting them off from the safety of the outside.
"Oh Kami, no," she breathed as terror gripped her. She began a paroxysm of coughing as she tried to shield the boy with her body then she heard a fierce, yet dearly familiar cry.
"Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu So Ryu Sen!"
The sakabatou came down in a flash and the force of the strike pulverized the smoldering beam and with a shower of sparks, scattered the remnants clearing a path through the conflagration. Kenshin reached and scooped up both Kaoru and the boy and then turned and leapt through the opening he had created just as the roof collapsed in a fiery heap. He sprinted outside with his precious bundle and laid both of them on the grass.
Kaoru was nearly overcome by the smoke and lay there as Kenshin tried to revive her. "Kaoru, Kaoru, breathe. Please speak to me, are you all right?"
Kaoru coughed as her lungs took in the fresh air, causing her to gasp. She looked first at Kenshin whose face was flooded with relief and then to the small boy in her arms, frightened but unharmed.
"H-hai, anata, I'm fine."
"You made my heart stop," Kenshin said as he wrapped his arms about her. "Don't ever scare me like that again," he murmured against her hair.
Outside, Daisuke's frantic parents were astonished then overjoyed as they saw their son safe and alive in the arms of the Battousai and his woman. They rushed over to the prostrate pair.
"Oh Daisuke, are you all right," his mother knelt down and took her son in her arms as his father wiped away the moisture in his eyes. He regarded Kenshin and Kaoru who were still clinging to each other as they sat on the ground.
"I am deeply indebted to you both for saving my son," the man spoke in tear streaked gratitude as he shook his head in disbelief over the close call. "Arigatou, Battousai."
Kenshin nodded silently as he helped Kaoru to her feet. She coughed a few times as his arms steadied her and he asked worriedly, "Are you sure you're all right, tenshi?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me. As long as the boy is all right."
"Our boy is fine, thanks to the both of you," Daisuke's mother said gratefully as she regarded Kenshin and Kaoru who merely nodded as they both breathed in the fresh, life-giving air.
The fire brigade finally came and proceeded to try to extinguish the fire. They managed to get the fire under control but they were too late, the building had sustained heavy damage, making it impossible to use until it was repaired. Everyone had gone home, leaving just the Kamioka couple, Kenshin, and Kaoru. Danjuro stood at the foot of the crumbled structure.
Tamiko approached her husband and saw his blank stare as he surveyed the smoldering mess that was his dream and her heart broke for him.
"Anata, we can build it again. Praise the Lord that nobody was hurt or killed."
Danjuro sighed heavily as he replied, "I know, Tamiko-chan. But where can we meet now, there is no place that would allow us for fear of the same thing happening."
At those words, Kenshin and Kaoru stepped up to the couple. Tamiko took in the sooty and disheveled look of Kaoru and her almond eyes were filled with remorse.
"My apologies, Kaoru-san. You both must come inside the house to clean up."
Kaoru smiled and said, "Hai, arigatou, Tamiko-san."
Danjuro gazed somberly at Kenshin and said, "I'm in your debt, Battousai. If not for your help, we all could have perished. Arigatou."
Kenshin nodded as he stated, "Danjuro-san, I will do what I can to protect the members of Itikaku Mizu, that I will."
Kaoru nodded in agreement and she brightened as she came up with an idea. "You can come and use the dojo for your meetings until you can repair this building."
Tamiko and Danjuro exchanged glances as Danjuro answered, "That is most generous, Kaoru-san but I cannot put you in any more danger then you already have experienced. If not for your actions tonight, little Daisuke would have died."
Kaoru said with quiet conviction, "I will never allow a child to suffer unnecessarily. And those who would do something like this are vicious monsters and cannot be victorious."
Kenshin placed a hand on his betrothed's shoulder as he said, "The offer is there, Danjuro-san. We both want to extend the invitation and if I know Kaoru, and I certainly do, she offered freely and with all her heart."
Tamiko brushed a tear away as she said tremulously, "You are both too kind."
Kaoru said in a soft yet firm manner, "It's not kindness, it's a duty to God. This group must prevail and continue meeting, it's his will."
Danjuro nodded as he said almost absently, "Not my will, but thine be done." He went to the wreckage where his pulpit once stood and bent down to pick up his copy of the Bible, which had miraculously came through the fire unscathed. He held the worse for wear tome and said softly, "Hai, I accept and will contact everybody secretly before the next service."
Tamiko smiled as she took Kaoru's arm, "Come Kaoru-chan, we need to get you cleaned up." And she shepherded the raven haired girl toward their house as the men followed their women. But as they headed into the house, a figure hiding in the bushes extracted herself and scurried away like a rat to a nearby alleyway.
"It appears that the Battousai and his woman, Kamiya are actively involved with Itikaku Mizu now. Kamiya has offered the use of her dojo for them to meet next," she told the man waiting for her.
"Hmmm," came the laconic response. "Then they too shall feel the fangs of Akai Ryu."
Later back at the dojo, Kenshin had just finished drawing and heating the bath for Kaoru and went to get her in her room. He knocked softly and called to her.
"Kaoru? Koishii, I just drew the bath for you and it's ready. Kaoru?" He slid the shoji aside and was dismayed to see her room empty. Concern for his future wife filled his being and he took off down the hall to search for her. He looked in the kitchen, the spare unoccupied rooms, and the parlor, all empty with his worry growing proportionately.
Kenshin was fighting a growing sense of panic as he turned and headed toward the training hall the last resort, hoping that she would be there. Her manner as they walked home from the Kamioka house was subdued, as if her mind was a million miles away and he was disturbed about that as he sought after her. However, as he came to the training hall, he felt relief that morphed into concern as he heard the muffled sound of sobbing.
Kenshin slid open the shoji and the moonlight streamed in, piercing the darkness with the illumination of the night and shone on the crumpled form of Kaoru. She sat before the butsudan that held her family scroll bent over as she cried. His heart tore with each sob as he soundlessly made his way to her and knelt down to take her in his arms.
Kenshin's arms coiled around Kaoru as his right hand cradled her head, his fingers rhythmically stroking the midnight silk as his lips brushed against her temple in a butterfly touch.
"Kaoru," he murmured softly. "Tenshi, don't cry, it's breaking my heart."
Kaoru turned and buried her face in Kenshin's shoulder, his gentle strength encompassing her in a cocoon of safety as she sobbed uncontrollably. He whispered tenderly to her.
"Hush, everything's fine now."
Kaoru just clung to his gi and sobbed harder as he continued to offer comfort and words of endearment.
"It's all right, koibito. You're safe, it's all over. Don't be afraid I'll protect you with my life."
Kaoru shook her head as she pulled her face back to regard him with tearstained cheeks. "I'm not crying about that. It's just that somebody was cruel enough to want to kill all those people, children too. I-I can't believe it, Kenshin."
He nodded as he said, "Hai, I know."
She went on, "It's just like when we saw all those crosses in Shimabara. All of those who dared to believe in God lost their lives in such a brutal, heinous manner. I-it is inconceivable." She shook her head and turned away, as if the thought was unbearable.
Kenshin took her chin and brought her visage to face his. "I know. Remember it was like that all during the Tokugawa Era. Anything that threatened to upset the balance of power by giving hope to the oppressed was dealt with quite harshly, that it was. That's why I entered the Ishin Shishi when I did, to fight that oppression. And even now in the Meiji with the ban lifted on those believing in God instead of Buddha, there are those that would continue the old oppressive ways."
Kaoru nodded as she agreed, "Hai." She gazed into Kenshin's moonlit eyes as she asked, "So you agree that my asking Itikaku Mizu to meet here was the right decision."
Kenshin nodded, his eyes shimmering as he said softly, "Hai, koishii. Knowing you to be the sweet, compassionate person you are, I would expect nothing less." He drew Kaoru's petal pink lips to his in a soft, unhurried kiss and on the floor the two silhouettes in the reflected moonbeam merged into one.
NEXT---NOT PEACE BUT A SWORD