Lovely Reviewers That Make Me Happy! (That and check my e-mail ever 8secs.)
rain angst - I'm glad you liked the little fluff I added to that chapter!
Tiger of the Sonicboom - No mistakes huh? Weird… it must go every other chapter or something. Cool. Wait… that means this chapter will be filled with mistakes! (Looks it over once more) Yeah I think the summaries are the hardest part of the whole story! You just don't have enough space.
Ms. Zeal - AH! SCARY! (rips tin-foil off head) I shall just knock myself out! Yeah that would work! (Calls Kenshin) Hey! I'm going to cut your hair again! (Kenshin) HITEN MITSURUGI-RYU HIRY-USEN! (Sakabato hit's Outer Zig-sag's head as Inner Zig-zag walks up) What did you do to her? (Inner Zig-zag pokes her other passed out half) She said she was going to cut this one's hair again. Or was that YOUR idea? (Inner Zig-zag starts to slowly step away) Ah… no. You do realize that in the manga YOU cut your own hair. (Kenshin) This one doesn't care. I still don't want you two to do anything to MY hair. (Inner Zig-zag) Ack! He lost the this one! Run away! Now that I have the wrath of Kenshin to worry about I don't have time to worry about you reading my mind.
Nekotsuki - Yay! Popcorn! (Starts eating.) Thanks again for reminding me I hadn't read your story yet! I think you were the only one I forgot. Sorry! Now I think both you and Ms. Zeal can read my mind. How did you know I was planning to post another story right after this one? It's called Amber Eyed Angle. I'm planning on giving a little summery of it at the end of my last chapter!
Chapter 23 - Yahiko's and Misao's Battle
Yahiko and Misao followed the man from the dock to a wooded area. Misao jumped from tree to tree as Yahiko slowly made his way; careful to not step on anything that would give him away. The man came to a small hut that from the look of it had been hastily built. The man opened the door and a child came running out.
"My ball!" The child wailed. "You said you'd give it back if I stayed here."
"I also said if you were quiet." The man tossed the ball inside the house and the boy cased after it. The man went in and shut the door.
"Was that Taku?" Yahiko asked after a few moments.
"I don't know." Misao said softly. Neither had seen Taku before but they were both willing to bet that was him. "Listen Yahiko, I'm going to watch this place. I need you to go back and ask Maki what Taku looks like."
Yahiko kept his eyes on the shabby hut, his teeth clenched, deep in thought. "I don't want you here alone. If that guy is with Suiso no telling what he can do." He said softly back to her.
"I'll be fine." She said quickly. "Just get going." Before Yahiko could protest further she jumped higher in the trees and disappeared from his view. Yahiko, seeing he lost the argument, quickly made his way back to Unmei's and Maki's house.
As he exited the forest he ran at full sprint through the market dodging people as they got in his way. Without slowing he ran through the door and ran through the house looking for anyone. He found Megumi and Maki sitting with Unmei dressing his wound. He stopped and tried to speak but found that air was needed for talking. Yahiko stood a moment gasping in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" Megumi asked, they hadn't expected anyone to return. "What happened?"
"Maki, what dose Taku look like?" Yahiko managed to say before gasping for more air.
Maki seemed stunned for a moment. She blinked at him for a few moments. "Well I have a picture of him." She stood up and opened a box sitting on top of a dresser. It was a plain looking square box but inside is where Maki hid her treasures. Inside she pulled out a picture and handed it Yahiko. Yahiko looked it over. He recognized Unmei and Maki standing together holding hands. There was a strange girl he didn't recognize standing next to Unmei and a man he knew to be Tsuki next to Maki. In the center of the four stood a little boy with a big smile on his face. "This was taken last year when we visited the city."
Yahiko felt like jumping for joy. Taku had to be the boy at the cottage. "Thanks!" He said as he twirled around ready to go back.
"Wait just a second." Megumi stopped him. "You come running back here asking for Taku's description and except to just go running off again. What do you know?"
Yahiko opened his mouth to tell them that he and Misao had found Taku but shut it again. He didn't need to get Maki all riled up and go out after the man who had taken her son. She was clearly not a fighter. Not to mention Unmei. He was still weak and if he knew his son was in danger he would probably leap up and go after him. No, it was best not to tell them yet. "I wanted to know so when we find Suiso's ship I know which kid is him." He ran out before anyone could ask him more questions.
Yahiko ran for the forest only slowing when he reached the trees. Then he entered with more stealth. He could just see the building up ahead when Misao jumped down right in front of him. He almost cried out in fright but managed to hold his yell in his throat. "Well?" Misao asked anxiously.
Yahiko nodded. "That's defiantly Taku."
Misao and Yahiko both looked towards the building. "I think we should watch awhile longer. He might not be alone." She said softly. Yahiko, although reluctant, agreed with the ninja. She made her ways into the trees as Yahiko hid behind one. Hours passed without anything happening and Yahiko began to get bored. He slowly felt his eyes dropping. The next thing he knew he was being shaken awake by Misao. "I can't believe you fell asleep! Wake up!" She said sternly but quietly.
"I'm up!" He said groggily. "I wasn't sleeping. I was trying to listen for any weird sounds!"
"Uh-huh." Misao answered not believing him at all. "Listen I got a good look inside when that guy came out not to long ago."
"He came out!" Yahiko almost yelled too loud.
"Yes and if you hadn't been asleep you would have noticed."
"I wasn't asleep."
"Sure. Anyway Taku tried to run away but that guy nabbed the poor kid." Misao smiled. "He made quite a ruckus I'm surprised how bad your hearing is. You even had your eyes closed, you must have been straining those poor ears of yours too much."
"Shut-up, I wasn't asleep."
"Riiiiiiiiiight." Misao couldn't help but chuckle slightly when Yahiko stuck his tongue out at her. "I got a look inside and it's completely empty. He's the only one here."
Yahiko stood and thought for a moment. "If we attack now he might use Taku to his advantage."
Misao nodded in agreement. "We need to come up with a plan to get Taku away from this guy." They both stood eyes focusing beyond what they saw lost deep in thought.
"Misao, I'm going to fight this guy." Yahiko said at last. "While I have him distracted grab Taku and make a run for it."
"Are you a fool? That guy has a real sword! He'll cut you shinai in half!"
"I know that but your faster then me!" He didn't like admitting someone was better then him but now was not the time.
Misao was quiet a moment thinking things over. "Alright, but don't go get yourself killed alright."
"I won't."
"And don't fall asleep."
"I didn't fall asleep!"
Yahiko stood in the small clearing in front of the shack. "Should I knock?" He wondered silently staring at the closed door. "Should I call out?" Just then the door opened.
The man walked out rubbing his temples, when he looked up he seemed startled by Yahiko's appearance. "Who the hell are you?" The man looked around. "Where'd you come from?"
Yahiko wasn't quite sure what to do so he acted on impulse. "I am Myoujin Yahiko, student of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. I challenge you to a fight!"
The man stared at Yahiko like he was an idiot. "You what?"
"I challenge you!" Yahiko repeated.
"Listen kid," the man said annoyed. "I don't have time to play with you."
"I'M NOT A KID!" Yahiko yelled his shinai raised ready to strike. The man was utterly surprised at Yahiko's attack. He dodged without any time to spare.
"What the hell kid!" The man unsheathed his sword. "Just leave kid before I hurt you."
Yahiko held his ground. "Hurry Misao, get Taku out of here."
Misao saw her chance and jumped down out of the tree she was in. With great stealth she snuck into the little hut before Yahiko finished his first strike. Inside she found Taku who looked up at her. The boy looked up at the ninja for a moment then his eyes started to fill with tears. He was about to yell out when Misao put her hand on his face. "Shh! It's alright Taku, I'm a friend of you mother. I know Maki and I'm going to bring you back to her."
Taku's face brightened and Misao moved her hand. "Mommy! Really!" He said jumping up and down.
Misao nodded. "Uh-huh but you have to quiet okay so the bad guy doesn't find us." Taku puffed out his chest and nodded. "Good boy. Come on let's go." She heard Yahiko yell meaning the two outside had started to fight. The boy looked down thoughtfully for a moment.
Taku looked around the small building before running off and picking up a paper ball on the floor. "My ball!" He told Misao holding it out to show her.
"Yes, it's a very nice ball but we have to go." She scooped Taku up in her arms and waited by the door for a moment she could sneak away without being noticed. Seeing her opportunity Misao ran from the small hut and into the cover of the forest running as fast as she could go with Taku in her arms.
"Just leave kid before I hurt you."
Yahiko stood his ground a few moments. He took one last deep breath then charged the man with a yell. The man was either a very poor swordsman or had greatly underestimated Yahiko because it was very simple for Yahiko to land his hit. He shoved the point of his shinai into the man's gut.
The man let out a surprised grunt as he took a couple steps backwards. After catching his breath he snarled at Yahiko. He brought up his own sword over his head and brought it down. It was a slow attack, Yahiko easily dodged the blade and brought his shinai across the man's rib cage. The man coughed and sputtered a moment. He reached up and wiped off a bit of drool off his lips then glared at Yahiko. He came in for a side swipe this time but again his attack was slow and Yahiko was able to duck underneath it. It was clear now that this man was all muscle and no speed.
Yahiko used this to his advantage. He waited for the man's slow but deadly attack and easily slipped around it and was able to land a hit. However, doing this meant Yahiko had to be very fast and he lost some of the power behind his attack because of this. They weren't getting very far.
Yahiko was the first to change tactics. Instead of waiting for the attack he charged right in before the man had time to react and struck his neck. Yahiko put so much force into the attack he heard his shinai snap. The man cried out in pain echoing through the forest.
Misao stopped for a moment when she heard the yell. She knew it couldn't belong to Yahiko. "He must be winning!" She thought happily but she wanted to hurry up and help him so she continued on running. She could soon hear the sounds of the town not too far ahead.
Megumi had taken off after Yahiko as soon as she had finished dressing Unmei's wound. She hadn't believed the boy's story and knew something had to be up. She had first checked the dock but no one had been there. Now she was making her way from the market to the woods. She was surprised when she saw Misao come bounding out carrying a large bundle in her arms. Wait, that wasn't a bundle it was a person. It was a child. "Misao!" She called out.
Misao stopped and smiled. "Megumi! We found Taku!" She yelled setting the boy down on his feet as the doctor came running up.
"Is he hurt?" She asked quickly looking Taku over.
Misao shook her head. "I don't think so. Listen, I have to get back! Take care of Taku." She yelled back as she ran back into the forest.
"Misao wait!" Megumi shouted after her wanting answers but the ninja wouldn't slow down. Megumi looked down at Taku who was hugging tightly to her leg.
"I miss my mommy!" The poor child wailed into her leg, hot tears pouring down his face.
Megumi sighed. Right now Taku needed her more then Misao or Yahiko did. She reached down and gently stroked Taku's head. "It's alright now, I'll take you home." Unmei and Maki were overjoyed at the return of their son.
Yahiko back away from his attacker and looked at his shinai. It was beginning to crack. He looked back at the man who was rubbing his injured neck, but he still stood. He glared angrily at Yahiko. The man clutched his sword and both hands and charged at Yahiko yelling out a nasty shout. He brought his katana up over his head and down again. Yahiko dodged that attack but the man did a combo letting go with one hand and making a swipe at Yahiko.
Yahiko brought up his shinai instinctively to block but it was cut in half. Yahiko's mouth dropped as the top half of the broken shinai fell to the ground. The man laughed at Yahiko as he attacked again. Now with only half of a shinai Yahiko could only dodge. "Now what!" He yelled at himself trying to think of a way out of this when a yell broke through his thoughts.
"HAIYA!" Misao yelled as she brought her right foot up and gave the attacker a round house kick to his gut. He fell back coughing and spitting once more as Misao turned to Yahiko. "You alright?"
"Yeah fine." He said somewhat stunned to see her back.
"Thanks for stalling him but I think I'll give it a try now!" She said with a light laugh as she turned back to the man who was just getting his wind back. "You're fighting me now." She informed him.
"Now who the hell are you?" The man yelled feeling very frustrated but he didn't wait for an answer. He came running in and tried to strike Misao with a right side swipe. Misao easily jumped over the attack and landed with a laugh.
"Is that as fast as you can go? You're going to need to go a lot faster to beat me!" She spun around and kicked straight back. Her back kick hit the man square in his gut. He stumbled back as Misao fell back into her kick. Following throw with her back kick Misao came forward and kicked straight out and toes down landing another round house on the man's ribs. Misao stepped down and was going to come in for a punch but the man saw it coming. He grabbed her wrist as it sailed towards him.
Misao didn't stop, she twisted her wrist in his grasp and grabbed his wrist. Using the momentum she was building she stepped around and behind the man. With a loud and confident yell she picked the attacker up and threw him over her hip. He landed with a grunt and let his grip on Miaso's wrist loosened. Miaso still hung onto his wrist as she brought her foot straight up and brought it down on his chest.
The man coughed and spat as he rolled away from Miaso. He rose to his feet shakily but he never looked up. Misao spun around once more and with a back spin kick she hooked her foot around and smacked the man's temple.
His body flew through the air before landing on the ground. He tried to sit up but his head swam and he fell back to the ground. Misao let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead as Yahiko came running up. "Where's Taku?" Yahiko asked.
"I left him with Megumi." Misao looked over the man. "Let's go back and tell the police." Yahiko agreed. When they walked out of the forest together they were a little surprised that Megumi had already informed the police. There were two officers ready to go pick up the man Yahiko and Misao had just defeated after they left the forest.
The local police sent word to Kyoto for back up and help to interrogate their prisoner. The note reached the desk of a certain officer. He read it over carefully as he took a puff on his cigarette. The note had told of a Captain who had taken at lest three captives and one was supposedly the legendary Battòsai. The wolf almost laughed as he read the ridiculous letter. "He's out getting into more trouble, the fool." He turned to a tall man with tall blond hair. "Hey Chou, I want you to take care of this."
Chou took the letter and read it over. He eyed the letter suspiciously. "You sure you don't want to take care of this Saito."
Saito gave a small 'humph' as he looked over some other paper. As of that moment the Battòsai and his little friends still thought him dead. He planned to keep it that way for now. Besides if they thought he was dead they wouldn't think of bothering him. "I'm sure you can take care of this small nosiness." He rose up from behind his desk, tired of paperwork. "Besides I have better things to do."
The man didn't speak when interrogated. He was too loyal to his captain so there wasn't much for the ones left behind to do but wait and hope that their friends would return. Taking turns they would frequent the docks in search of the horizon that might one day hold that little vessel Tsuki, Aoshi, and Sanosuke had sailed out on.
Yahiko had been the one standing watch when he spotted Suiso's ship. He wasn't sure if that was the right ship until he saw that it was tugging Unmei's ship behind it. Excitement carried him all the way to Unmei's and Maki's house to tell everyone the good news. So they were ready when the ship pulled into the dock. Ready to see their friends and the police were ready to arrest Suiso.
A/N: Sorry to everyone who wanted to see Yahiko beat this guy but I wanted to make sure I let both Misao and Yahiko have a chance to battle. Still one chapter left before I say (sniff) good-bye! So don't miss the exciting conclusion! (Inner Zig-zag) With the way you've been writing it won't be that exciting. (Outer Zig-zag) Hey! Like you could do better! (Inner Zig-zag) I could! (Outer Zig-zag) If I let you type everyone would die! (Inner Zig-zag) So? What wrong with liking a little violence? (Outer Zig-zag) You scare me. (Inner Zig-zag) BUW HA HA HA! (Outer Zig-zag) HEY! That's MY evil laugh! (Inner Zig-zag) It's mine too because we're the same person. So there! (Outer Zig-zag) Meanie.