Disclaimer : Kenshin does not belong to me . . . sadly.
Author's Notes: I won't be able to update as often after this chapter because school is starting soon. I'll make sure to complete this story though. ^_^ As of right now, it seems as if the story will run over 20 chapters.
~ A Memory Forgotten ~
Chapter 15
"You consider me a friend, ne Kao-chan?" Soujiro asked.
"Of course, Sou-chan," Kaoru replied brightly.
"So . . you're not trying to poison me right?" he said lightly as he looked down at the food and then back up at her.
"Eh?" Kaoru was dumbfounded. Soujiro was still smiling at her. She looked down at the food and looked back up at him. His expression hadn't changed. Kaoru's eye began to twitch as she started to register what he was trying to say.
Soujiro, uncomfortable with the long silence, started to squint open his eyes little by little. Sitting across from him, was a very, very red and very, very upset Kaoru. I should have just kept my eyes closed, he thought with a sense of foreboding.
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The next morning Soujiro woke up earlier than usual. He rubbed the bumps on his head that he had received from Kaoru's lashing, wincing from the dull pain. I shouldn't insult Kao-chan's cooking abilities anymore. . anyway, the amnesia may have caused her to forget how to cook. As he got up, he decided that he would need to go find out information on the whereabouts of this Higurashi character. Before leaving the little house, he walked silently over to Kaoru's room to make sure she was okay. He slid open the door a little and peeked in. She was still fast asleep, curled up in a fetal position. Her mouth was half open and some drool could be seen hanging in the corner. He silently chuckled to himself as he slid the door closed.
He went to the kitchen and prepared a quick breakfast for Kaoru before leaving. When he finished, he set the food on the table so that she would be sure to see it when she woke up. Then Soujiro cleaned himself up a little before leaving, stopping by the door to pick up his trusty katana.
He gave one last glance over his shoulder at the hallway where Kaoru resided and sighed. I hope that she will be okay while I'm gone, he thought as he remembered how he felt when he couldn't find her after buying some rice from the store. No . . nothing is going to happen. I'll find out where her father is and return promptly. .and even if I don't find any information, I'll make sure to return before nightfall. With that last determined thought, he went on his way back into the busy streets of Tokyo.
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Kenshin, Sano, and Yahiko sat around the kitchen. All three of them had black shadows around their eyes due to lack of sleep. Kenshin prepared breakfast and was encouraging his two companions to eat.
"Do you think that Kaoru is alright right now? Do you think she's eating properly?" asked Yahiko in a worried tone. "Cuz kami-sama knows she'd end up poisoning herself if she was doing the cooking."
Sanosuke and Kenshin fidgeted worriedly at the young samurai's questions. I wonder where she is right now?, they both thought at the same time.
Kenshin looked at the boy and said in an assured voice, "Yahiko, you of all people understand that Kaoru-dono is a strong woman. We should believe in her and her abilities. I think that wherever she is right now, she would be taking care of herself." He paused. "And that is what you should be doing, too. You'll need all the energy you can get to search for her."
Yahiko nodded and started to eat the food more fervently than in the past few days. Sanosuke looked at the young samurai next to him and his eyes softened. He stared down at his own plate and ate more than usual. Kenshin silently smiled at the scene as he looked at the miso soup in front of him. His hunger had left him the past week ever since Kaoru had gone missing, but he knew that in order to keep up his strength he would need to eat. And that is just what he did.
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Soujiro once again arrived in the bustling marketplace. Even though it was in the early afternoon hours, people were already pushing and shoving in the streets. He gave a sigh as he wondered where he would find information about the man.
He took a few steps forward and remembered. The hideout! Maybe I can find someone there. . . it's not much to go on, at least it's a start. Soujiro retraced his steps to the run-down restaurant, "Todai's" and paused, seeing if he could sense any hostile ki around him.
The man felt none and decided it was safe to search the entire the abandoned compounds. He searched every room and to his dismay, found nothing. He walked out dejectedly from the building and looked through in his tracks. As he continued back, Soujiro heard some silent shuffling noises in the corner next to the wall. He quietly turned around and peeked by the side of the wooden wall.
It's him!, he thought with surprise. It was one of the bodyguards that had escaped with the boss. He couldn't help but think how it was pure luck to find him and in such short a time period also. His eyes narrowed as he saw the man walking away from the area.
He followed him, making sure to stay hidden in the shadows. He felt the man's ki tense up. Before the man could look behind him, Soujiro jumped and hid behind an empty stall. The bodyguard gave a sigh of relief when he found that no one was following him and continued on his way. Soujiro took a glance back towards the man and saw that he had started walking again. Soujiro, ever so lightly jumped down from the stall and started following the man again.
They walked for what seemed to take the entire afternoon before they reached the pier. I wonder what he is up to, Soujiro thought as he saw the ships before him. He saw the man he had been following for the past hour stop and walk into a bar.
He went in afterwards and spotted him walking up the stairs. Soujiro grunted seeing that he wouldn't be able to follow him up because of the huge men blocking the stairs. It'd be too suspicious if I ended up causing a commotion.
Soujiro decided it would be best to sit and wait for the man to come back down and confront him from there. He found a seat close to the entrance and sat down gracefully, making sure to put his katana in the corner next to him, out of sight.
"Hey there sexy. Would you like some company?" a sultry voice from beside him asked.
Soujiro, surprised by the voice, put his hand on the hilt of his sword and turned to face her. He was so intent on watching the stairs that he had become a bit careless. He grimaced at the overwhelming smell of perfume from the lady. He turned from her heavily made-up face and politely said, "No thank you."
The girl pouted and traced a finger around the boy's shoulder. He shivered at her touch. "I'm sure a man such as yourself could use some company." Then in a low, husky voice added, "It'll be worth your while."
Soujiro took her hand and looked straight up at her, his eyes narrowing. "I've told you before miss, I do not want your company," he said with much vindiction.
The girl flinched at his words and decided it would be best to leave the boy alone. "Hmph . ." she said with a grunt as she turned from his table and went to the next one. Soujiro let out a sigh. He really disliked women who pushed themselves like that onto men. While waiting for the man to come back downstairs, he ordered some sake. (A/N : So that he wouldn't look so suspicious since he's in a bar.)
After what seemed like hours and many more women throwing themselves at the young man, the bodyguard reappeared at the top of the stairs. Soujiro's eyes closely followed the man's movements down the flight of stairs. The man nodded his head in recognition at a couple of people that he passed and walked back out to the pier.
The boy followed him until they came upon an empty street. He quickly came up from behind him and put him in a chokehold with one arm and a hand over the man's mouth. With unconventional strength, Soujiro dragged the man's flailing body into one of the darker alleyways. Still standing behind him, the boy said in deadly whisper, "Scream and you're dead." He released his hand over the bodyguard's mouth and took out his katana and put it towards his neck to further prove his point.
The bodyguard was now starting to sweat profusely. The only word that replayed in his mind was, Shit! Shit! Shit! He wanted to turn around so that he could see whom exactly the attacker was, but fearing for his life didn't do so.
"Now tell me who do you work for?" Soujiro started.
Beads of sweat were now falling constantly from his forehead as the interrogation began. He didn't want to die, he didn't care if he told the man what he knew. So he began to speak in a quivering voice, "F- -Fujimoto Akane."
Soujiro inwardly smirked at this particular man's cowardliness. Keeping his smiling visage, he asked again, "What does your boss want with Higurashi?"
The man was a bit surprised to hear the man's name so suddenly. How'd he know his name? Soujiro gave the man a rough shake for he was taking too long to speak. The man snapped out of his senses. "eh .. Higurashi Miroku betrayed him sometime during the Bakumatsu by supporting the uprooting of the Tokugawa government and he wants to get him back."
Good, now I have his full name. "Now, where is Higurashi's location?"
The man paused in shock. He had only just gotten the information from the man in the bar. Damn it if I am was going to tell this guy everything right now. The boss doesn't even know the information, yet. Fujimoto's plans would be spoiled if I were to tell anyone else right now. "Eh . .I - - I don't know," the man said unconvincingly.
Soujiro frowned at his statement. This guy has to know something more. He's lying. He pushed the katana closer the man's throat. Her heard the man give a shortened gasp of fright as he felt the cool iron touch his warm flesh. "Do I need to remind you?"
The man gave a gulp as his throat tightened in fear "Eto . . I heard that . . he . . he's in Shanghai, China."
"This is the truth?" Soujiro stated.
"H- - Hai."
Soujiro lessened the grip on the katana and with a thrust of his palm knocked the man unconscious. He then proceeded to re-sheathe his sword.
"Arigato," he whispered as he stepped over the man's limp body.
The boy left the site and swiftly walked in the direction back to the house. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of yellow eyes appeared from behind the shadows, witnessing the man clad in blue leave the scene.
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- To be continued
Author's Notes:
Please read and review! Thanks very much!
Princess of Darkness and Me – Thanks for reviewing all the chapters so far ^_^. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Tiaravball15 – there will be more Kenshin in the later chapters =D .. some of it in the next chapter =D
Ame Kurayami – I've read your reviews before. Thnx =) I really appreciate the comments. I'm glad you like the S/K interaction =D
Poppy2 – Hehe ^_^ author plots evilly as she thinks of what will go on when K/K/Soujiro will meet Nothing toooooo dramatic .. I know what I'll do with Soujiro for this story . .but he won't pair up with Misao as she already has her Aoshi-sama.
Kitty12perfecto – I'm glad you like the fic. I actually have the next chapter typed up. I'll post it sometime soon. But after that I won't be able to as much because of school.
Califpinay3001 – thanks for reviewing many of the chapters so far =) I hope u continue to enjoy it.
Ryoga – Thanks for the insightful comments. I'll make sure to do that next time.
Doris – Thanks for the comments ^_^ I'm glad you like it so far. I think there should be more S/K fics out there.
Jen – Yeah. I've read "Patchwork Family." It's very very good =) .. Yes, I guess in that way it is similar to that story =)
Thunder sister – Ano . . I didn't explain what violent means Kaoru had used on Soujiro .. but you can imagine I guess .. hehe
Clemen – I'm glad u like the interactions and feelings amongst the three characters ^_^ There will probably be a little angst .. or maybe a lot .. guess you'll just have to find out.
Inugirl and Saotome – thnx for all the reviews.
Gozaru_no_da - Thanks for the review. A Kenshin and Chichiri fan? Hehe . .
Ana – hehe . .yeah it is a bad idea to upset Kaoru especially about her cooking .. ^_~