Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin© is created and owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony Entertainment and Jump Comics. This fic is for entertainment purposes only.
Gateway to DarknessChapter 1: The Start of Incoming Evil
Kyoto, Japan
1881
Aoshi sat underneath the shade of a tree, his eyes closed as he felt the wind blow in his face. The heat this summer was hotter than last year, and most of the Aoiya occupants complained about it. Even his beloved wife, Misao, was not as energetic as she usually was. She was thankful though because her hair was always in the long braid as she kept it.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, sensing something different. It was certainly not hostile—yet—but surely strange. The nature was slightly…off, and this meant something not in the nature's plan was happening.
"Aoshi!" Misao called as she slid the door open. He turned and smiled slightly at his little wife. She marched to him and poked him on the chest. "You, my dear husband, are in kitchen duty today, or are you out here to escape that?" She scolded, an irresistible pout appearing on her lips. "Inside, now!"
He nodded, but not before he kissed her. Aoshi returned inside the Aoiya with Misao weak in the knees. Aoshi had that effect on her, and she could still feel the warmth on her lips. But on another moment, she turned serious and opened her hand. Inside was a normal-looking insect, still alive, but not for long. Clenching her fists, the insect died. She opened her hand again and saw its crushed remains fade slowly.
Misao frowned. A blood-sucking creature from the Other Realm…but why is it here where no ordinary human can see it? She took a few steps toward the Aoiya, hesitated, and turned. With the agility of a trained ninja, Misao jumped from branch to branch on a high tree. She stood on the highest branch and looked through Kyoto, as far as the eye can see.
"I knew it," She muttered under her breath. There was something very wrong, and it made dangerous things appear on Kyoto. Somewhere, on other parts of Japan, Misao knew that the situation would be the same. She jumped down from the tree the way she came up and straightened herself before returning inside.
As Misao walked, one thought remained in her head. I think it's high time Aoshi and I paid a visit to Kenshin and Kaoru.
-*-*-
Tokyo, Japan
1881, 3 days later
Kenshin had been worried since morning over something he couldn't understand. Kaoru watched as her husband stopped doing the laundry, frown in puzzlement, shrug then continue on with his work. She had been noticing him doing that even when it came to cooking, when he was right in the middle of chopping vegetables that she was afraid that he would cut himself.
It was before lunch was served that Kaoru couldn't take it anymore. She tugged his ear—hard—and she knew that would get his attention, although not really in a polite manner. She was too irritated to care.
"Kenshin, what's the matter with you?" Kaoru asked exasperatedly, staring at him pleadingly to answer her question truthfully. "One too many times you could've lost your finger or your head, and I can't stand it anymore. Please tell me what's bothering you so we can talk about it and bring you back to normal."
With a sigh, Kenshin untied the cords that held back his sleeves. "I don't know really. I have this feeling that there's something wrong, and totally not right. Something that really isn't dangerous but would be if left alone."
Kaoru placed a hand on his arm. "Kenshin, do your senses say it's dangerous now?" She inquired.
"No, not really. No hostility, but much trouble."
"Mou. If there are no hostile emotions, you should forget about it when you're doing something dangerous, like chopping food without you looking! Your finger was almost separated from your body today!" She scolded. "Think when you're safe, not when you're in the possibility of bleeding to death."
He chuckled, pulling her into his embrace. "What would I do without you, koishii?" Kenshin murmured in her air.
"Hmm…wearing tattered clothes, perhaps?" She answered mischievously with a glint in her eye. "I don't remember how many times I've been sewing your old pink gi from battles—both in and outside the dojo!"
This time, Kenshin laughed, kissing her deeply until she felt tingly down to her toes. "It's magenta, de gozaru." He murmured on her lips.
Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just kiss me again already."
He did.
-*-*-
Kaoru watched as Kenshin washed the dishes used during lunch. His thoughts were not straying anymore and that relieved her. But that doesn't mean that her thoughts were not. What her husband told her was disturbing, especially when he said that the feelings were not hostile, just odd.
She sighed, looking again at Kenshin. Then her eyes narrowed in surprise. An insect with wings settled itself on his gi, near his neck. Her lips tightened at what she saw and stood up abruptly, hurriedly walking to him.
He turned when he felt his wife moving. "Kaoru? Is there something wrong?" Kenshin asked as she stood beside him.
"I just thought that you needed some help," She said lightly, placing her hand to his chest. "I can dry the dishes while you wash them. It'll save some time." Kaoru took the drying cloth beside the wet dishes and started one by one to dry them. Kenshin shrugged lightly and resumed washing.
Kaoru stared at the insect at the corner of her eye, watching if it did anything to Kenshin. Fortunately, it didn't move a bit while she and Kenshin talked. With a quick flip of the cloth, she snapped the insect away from his shoulder. It was wrapped around the cloth as Kaoru brought it back.
He glanced at his shoulder then to Kaoru with a questioning gaze.
She smiled. "It's nothing." Kaoru replied, continuing to wipe the dishes dry.
When everything was done, Kenshin stretched and took the tofu tub from the kitchen. "I'll be going out to the market today. We're a little low on food, and we don't want to starve, ne?" He chuckled jokingly.
Kaoru looked at him amusedly. "Okay. Iterashaii."
"Itekimasu." Kenshin answered and walked to the gate, waving back at his wife and went out.
In a quick run, she returned to the kitchen and snapped out the cloth. The insect landed on the floor. Its wings moved and went on flight, ready to go out to the yard to escape. Kaoru frowned and took a sharp pin from her hair and threw it expertly, targeting the small body. It went through the insect and pinned it to the wall before it could go out.
Kaoru stared as the insect faded and retrieved her pin, placing it back on her hair. If she saw any more insects inside her dojo property, she would certainly kill it, and write a letter to Megumi in Aizu.
-*-*-
Nagasaki, Japan
1881
Fishermen doing their work off the coast of Nagasaki were puzzled by the sudden lack of fish. It was disturbing, since it was a prime spot where many sea creatures were caught. One of the fishermen threw his net back into the sea, waiting for a day's catch that was overdue. His other friends gave up and returned to the shore, shaking their heads over the loss of food and income for their family. But Tetsuya didn't and patiently sat in his boat.
Half a day later, Tetsuya noticed something strange. Although the sea was deep, he could make out a large shadow, a dark spot that wasn't there since the time he was out to sea many years back. The shadow was big, over six feet at minimum. He squinted at the water to see if he could take a better look, but a feeling of dread crept upon him. He thought of giant monsters in the sea eating the fish.
"Still, something isn't right," Tetsuya muttered out loud, pulling his net quickly and going back to shore as fast as he could manage. His fear ran deep, something in him telling him that soon, everything would change, and everything would disappear, and he didn't doubt a bit that the large spot at the bottom of the sea was somehow connected with all of it.
-*-*-
Aizu, Japan
1881, 2 days later
In a small clinic that lacked space because of so many patients waiting to be cured, Megumi leaned back on the stiff chair she was sitting on and read concernedly again the letter that Kaoru sent five days ago. She was too busy at that time to open the letter, and now she was free, Megumi wished she hadn't put it off. What good could she do when she cured the people in Aizu when she couldn't save the whole Japan?
She placed the letter down on the smooth table and looked out the open window. The sounds of living people could be heard even two stories up, and Megumi unconsciously smiled at the noise. It gave proof that they were happy and alive, but while she thought of this, the thought of them sickly and dying nearly drove her to anger. Long, long ago, the place was sealed and sank down to avoid destruction to Japan and to the world. Now, it was again open and slowly regaining an opening, if she read correctly Kaoru's letter.
With a firm nod, Megumi pushed herself up from the chair and started to take her personal belongings from the table. She grabbed the letter and placed it inside her kimono sleeve, untying the cloth from her hair and taking off her doctor's apron, going downstairs and slipping on her geta. She had a lot of packing to do, since Megumi didn't know how long she was going to stay in Tokyo. Of course, the training doctor under her could substitute for her, as she couldn't put this more important task at the back of her mind.
Yui, a trainee in her middle twenties, looked up from treating a wound to Megumi's speedy form going to the door. Immediately she closed the wound of the patient and hurried to her mentor's side, her eyes confused.
"Takani-sensei, what's the matter? Where are you going?" Yui asked, taking in her attire. No doctor's wear…it meant she was going to deal with something outside the matters of medicine. "Please, tell me where you're going! I can't do this without your guidance! I'm still a trainee under you."
Megumi stopped and sighed. "Yui-san, you can do this. I know you can. You've had a lot of practice in the months you were under me. I need to do something extremely important in Tokyo, and I'm going to leave you with the clinic for a while." She explained. "I don't know how long it will take me to finish that task, but I'm going to be back. If you don't hear from me in six months, that means I'm already dead and you will be continuing to administer here."
The doctor-in-training gave a gasp. "Takani-sensei, you're seriously telling me that you might die?"
At that, Megumi stopped short. "Might die? I don't really know, but whatever the outcome, I'll be happy just with the knowledge that I did something good." She said and smiled at her. With the knowledge that I gave everything I had to save the country and the world. That's enough retribution for the sins I have committed. "Take care, Yui-san." Before Yui could speak, Megumi walked out the clinic and shut the door firmly.
Outside, Megumi watched as the people walked to and fro in front of her—some old, some young—but everyone had something common. They were alive, no matter what happened. Even though some had no idea what their purpose was on Earth, some people hardworking in their jobs or whatever life gave as trials, they were still living. And that, Megumi mused, was the reason why she would fight hard against trouble brewing.
-*-*-
Nagoya, Japan
1881
Misao looked up from her seat when she heard a knock on the door. On the other side of the room, Aoshi went to open the door, closing it behind him when he was handed a tea tray with two cups, a pot of tea and a small plate of cream biscuits. She folded the map of Japan that she was reading and waited for Aoshi to place the tray on the table. They had arrived in Nagoya just today after two days of sleeping outdoors. Aoshi insisted that they sleep in a hotel, and after a small argument—mostly on Misao's part—they finally paid for a room.
Ever since they had settled on the hotel room, Misao had practically pulled out the map and began looking through it, using ink to make circles and marks on the paper. Their journey started late, since she had a hard time convincing Aoshi to come to Tokyo.
"Misao, whatever are we to do in Tokyo? If we're to go, we have to write a letter to Himura to warn him of our arrival." Aoshi had said.
Exasperated, Misao had to take drastic measures to convince Aoshi. Not so drastic, but enough to get him to agree on a surprise trip. Of course, the excuse was somehow…embarrassing to say, but Misao couldn't think of anything that might convince him otherwise. The other Oniwabanshu weren't surprised though, especially Okina. After all, a second honeymoon was natural in married couples, wasn't it?
"Who ordered afternoon tea anyway?" Misao asked as Aoshi placed the tray on the table. She took the pot and poured tea onto the cups.
Her husband chuckled lightly. "That would be me. A little indulgence from time to time never hurt anyone." Aoshi replied, taking the cup she offered.
She smirked slightly. "Speak for yourself, my Zen husband." Misao said, sipping her own tea as she looked over the rim to see what Aoshi's reaction would be. "Indulgence? I hope that it'd be for me." She purred.
"Who requested for a second honeymoon, anyway? I certainly remembered that it wasn't me."
Misao laughed, setting her cup down and stood up to hug Aoshi. "I really meant what I said when I told you I wanted a second honeymoon." She whispered, kissing him on the forehead. "After all, you married a demanding woman, so I was just exercising my demanding-ness."
Aoshi sighed. "You leave me no choice." He uttered and scooped her up, carrying her bridal-style. Misao instinctively placed her arms around his neck to help balance herself. "A honeymoon you wanted then a honeymoon you shall have."
She shrieked in happiness, pushing the ever-increasing problem that was starting at the back of her mind.
-*-*-
Tokyo, Japan
1881
In the middle of the night, Kaoru awoke to a strange sensation. She opened her eyes in alertness, trying to sort out the sudden intense feeling that something wasn't quite right. Beside her, Kenshin slept deeply, snoring but still light enough for the sound to be passed off as a very small noise. Carefully, she eased from the covers and tightened her robe and opened the wooden shoji that was placed every night for a peek.
A shadow flitted through the darkness of the yard, and the eerie sensation that it wasn't human passed through Kaoru. She turned to watch if Kenshin would wake then completely opened the shoji to move into the open space, the summer night air warm against her skin. Her eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to find the intruder in her home. There was dripping hostility in the emitted aura, and her teeth gritted when she realized what it was.
In a flash, she closed the wooden shoji as quietly as possible so the monster couldn't run into the dojo. She magically produced three sharp needles with a flick of her wrist and threw it to the nearest tree. From the shadows, the monster jumped out, avoiding the needles with just seconds to spare. It was quite small, with rows of sharp teeth and gleaming red eyes. Its skin was as black as the night, with small spikes protruding from the elbows and shoulder blades. Its hand was open with sharp claws ready to tear her apart.
"What business do you have, monster?" Kaoru hissed, producing another three needles. "If you want to live, go away from my property."
The monster gave a cackle. "You know my business, Guardian!" He replied, his mouth curving into a sinister smile. "A few of us managed to escape the barrier that you Guardians have erected centuries before, and we are out for your blood." He finished and jumped towards her, claws out.
Kaoru looked at the monster coldly. "No weakling shall ever draw blood from any Guardian!" She said icily, flicking her wrists and releasing the needles.
He saw the needles and evaded, chuckling as he did so. "You aim proves to be fatal, Guardian."
"Yes, isn't that true?" Kaoru murmured, snapping her fingers as she did so. The needles turned around and flew speedily towards the monster's back. All three needles pinned themselves deeply onto its back, going through skin and muscle and plunging out its chest. With a cry of agony, the monster burned in black fire and disappeared. Kaoru stood stonily in the middle of the yard, her eyes still as cold as ice. Without another sound, she turned back to the dojo and slipped quietly in, returning to her bed she shared with Kenshin.
The needles that were pinned on the trees shimmered then melted, turning into water.
-*-*-
From kilometers away, on a tall tree, resting on a branch was a man clad in dark blue. He lowered his spyglass and trembled at the strength of the woman who fought a monster—small, but a monster nevertheless. He gulped, suddenly doubting his master but remembered that he was also powerful. With a sudden triumphant smile, he stood from his perch and was ready to jump down when strong hands gripped his neck, ready to crush his windpipe.
"Who were you spying?" The man hissed, tightening his hold on the dark-clad spy.
"N-No one."
"Liar."
The spy shook. "I-It's t-true!"
The man's eyes narrowed, brilliantly light in the dark. "I can't tolerate liars and cowards. Die knowing full well that you didn't manage to fulfill your mission to your master." He told him and immediately crushed the spy's windpipe. He let go of his neck and took the spyglass, looking through it as if searching something. He smirked when he realized what the dead one was looking at.
He flicked the spyglass down, shattering the glass. He jumped down, brushing off imaginary dust on his blue clothes. In the shadows, a dark-haired woman walked out, dressed in a black kimono with golden sakuras and red obi. Her hair was put up in a traditional marriage bun, and a light shawl was hanging elegantly on her arms.
"What was he looking at, anata?" She asked, her voice as light as the wind and as pretty as tinkling chimes. She practically glowed with power, but untrained senses never felt it. Only certain people managed to feel her presence, and those certain few were powerful beings themselves.
From his pocket, he took out a cigarette and lit it. "Spying at the dojo. Seems like the little tanuki ran into some nighttime trouble." He answered. "I bet that the spy's master would be furious not to know how Kamiya defeated that monster."
The lady sighed. "Probably so, and there are still some who are not awakened to their destiny." She whispered. "They are the ones who are in grave danger."
"That raccoon can take care of them on her own."
She closed her eyes. "But not without help she won't." She said, turning her back to him and started to walk in the other direction. "She can't do it alone, no matter what."
"You underestimate that girl." He told her. "Naïve, but definitely powerful—not that I'd admit it to those ahous."
His wife smiled despite the huge problem. "As stubborn as ever," She said in an amused tone. "I'll always wonder why I married you." She teased, her smile growing wider when she saw his facial expression. "Never mind. I know. Opposite attracts."
The man grinned predatorily, like a wolf. "Exactly." He said and joined her into the shadows.
-*-*-
Nagasaki, Japan
1881
Aoshi was already sleeping before Misao stood from the western bed to open the gas lamp on the large desk. She unfolded the map of Japan, her nerves coiled tightly with tension and pressure that sleep evaded her. She traced with her finger one of the places she circled.
"Niigata…" She murmured under her breath, looking the closeness of the place to the Sea of Japan. She had circled several more, and she traced every single one of them. Hakodate, in Hokkaido; Aomori on the northern part of Honshu; Akita, the nearest province to Aomori and also beside the Sea of Japan; Sendai, a bit nearer to the ocean and Kanazawa, another place near to the Sea of Japan. From Nagasaki downwards, she haven't circled anything, but she could see more that she needed to look at.
Taking a feather pen and ink, Misao began to circle places that were near bodies of water deep enough to hide what they were looking for. The places near the ocean: Yokohama, Chiba, Hamamatsu, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Nagasaki. The others were near to the water, but she figured that the water was not deep enough. She was suspicious of Kyushu, though, since it had so many little islands than Hokkaido, Honshu or Shikoku.
Behind her, Aoshi made a small sound and she stilled, turning to see if her husband was awake. He merely moved a bit, burrowing himself into the covers then snuggled comfortably back to deep sleep. With a sigh of relief, Misao set aside the pen and ink, folding the map back neatly and closed the lamp. She crawled back into the western bed, settling beside him, but her eyes remained open, slowly becoming misty.
I think it is in Kyushu, Misao said in her mind, waiting for a response from far away.
Kyushu? Why? What is in Kyushu that differs it from Shikoku? A reply resounded in her head.
Another soft-spoken voice entered the conversation. Water? Fire? A minute of your time, if you please.
Of course, Wind. Misao assured her. Water and I weren't discussing anything yet.
Have you seen the insects about? I wasn't paying attention much. I've noticed them just yesterday but I put off reporting it to you.
I'm sorry, little one. We've been neglecting our duties also. We've seen them; I just five days ago, Fire eight days. Water murmured.
Wind gave a small gasp. Did someone report anything to Earth?
I did. Don't worry. Water quickly replied.
As I was telling Water earlier, I think the Gate is somewhere in Kyushu, because of its small islands. If you've seen the map, it litters the larger ones, some small enough not to be placed in the map. Of course, the map I have is recent. We need something that will tell us geographically what Japan was centuries ago to compare.
Suddenly, Wind cried out in Misao's mind, not in distress but more in surprise. You wouldn't believe who telepathically have contacted me!
Who? Fire and Water asked simultaneously.
It's another Guardian. It's Rebirth!
Another Guardian! Interesting. So we have a new addition to our group. Water said in an amused tone. Invite him to our conversation, Wind, and let's see what kind of person is the Guardian of Rebirth.
Misao nearly choked when she heard a deep voice. A young man!
I'm still a bit new at this, Rebirth said, his tone shy. I'm a wanderer, by the way. I've discovered my powers only recently when I've started seeing strange insects that others don't see. I thought I was going insane, if I haven't accidentally tapped in into Wind's presence.
Wind is still a young one and also recently awakened. You say you're a wanderer, Rebirth? How coincidental! My husband was one once, before he settled down. Water chuckled. Where are you now in Japan?
Somewhere in Shizuoka, I think.
Wind sighed. I think you should come to Tokyo, Rebirth. Almost every known Guardian are coming here, so you better come and join us. It's wisest, too, since Fire and Water can teach you how to control your powers and harness it for your own. I'm still a pupil, but I can help you control them so they won't hurt anyone…or accidentally revive an evil being dead years ago.
Misao groaned inwardly. That's a bad joke, Wind. I wouldn't want to think about it, Rebirth, if I were you.
Never entered my mind. Rebirth answered cheerfully. I think I better leave now so all of you can sleep. It is in the middle of the night, and I think we are all tired.
Oh, I like him. He's practical, logical and smart. Water remarked.
Shush, you! You're married! Misao scolded.
I said I liked him. I never said anything about concerning love. I must be a fool to leave my husband for someone I hardly know!
Rebirth chuckled. Stop quarreling, ladies. Let's all get some sleep.
I second that notion! Wind chimed, breaking off from their connection. Misao could feel Water's teasing smile before she also broke off from her. Rebirth was gone way before Wind. She snuggled in Aoshi's side, smiling when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. With that, she finally fell asleep immediately after she closed her eyes.
-*-*-
Shizuoka, Japan
1881
"Oh, god, why did it have to be at this time of the night?" Megumi uttered out, running swiftly as fast as her feet could carry her through the woods she passed through when escaping some demons she encountered. She jumped into a tree; perched on the branches for a moment before jumping to another, ready to lose them with speed. A dark shadow passed in front of her and with an irritated cry, Megumi pushed it out of the way, pointing a finger on a thin branch. It coiled around the demon, squeezing it until it was crushed to death.
More demons were nearing her, and Megumi flipped down to the ground, already annoyed beyond her limits. With an earth-shattering cry, she swung her right arm in a half-arc. Instantly tree roots, branches and soil burst from everywhere and closed around the demons that were going after her, crushing them agonizingly until they disappeared. With a smirk, Megumi brushed off some dirt that stuck on her kimono and managed to straighten herself.
"Interesting way to kill them off." A sardonic voice suddenly said, startling Megumi. He stepped out of the shadows, his usual smirk on his face and his eyes glinting with sick amusement.
She groaned. "Oh, please don't tell me you're one of us!" Megumi pleaded, her head tilted upwards.
"A Guardian? Of course I am, kitsune-onna. Being the Guardian of Death, wouldn't that explain my liking for killing?" He replied, as if she was stupid. "What is the world coming to when even the doctor couldn't even know the difference between a human and a Guardian?"
Megumi glared. "Go on, shoot your sarcastic comments. As if I'll listen to them."
He grunted. "Likewise, kitsune, watch your barbed tongue. I hear it could bring down even the toughest of men."
"You scared?" She asked slyly.
"You wish."
She sighed. "Oh, well. It was wishful thinking." Megumi shrugged. The Guardian of Death made no comment and turned his back on her returning to the dark. "Hey, wait for me, you oaf!" She fumed, following him and disappearing into the shadows.
To Be Continued…Reviewers:
Ewunia—many, many of them. Almost all, and some others.
Beauty Eclipsed, Gemja the Wolf's Fang, Storm_Warrior_91, ixchen—thanks for the reviews.
Author's Notes: Anybody knows what's the present name of Aizu? I can't find it in the atlas, and I'm having a hell of a time trying to fit Megumi in places. I'm guessing it's Chiba, but I'm not really sure and I don't even know why I'm guessing that certain province. I really need this certain information, so please help me! I'm on my knees!
Oh, and I certainly left a lot of clues who's the Guardian of Death, so if you know who that is, I'm sure you know who the woman he was with, and if you picked on really small clues, you'll know what kind of Guardian she is. The clues to the identity of the Guardian of Rebirth are somewhat vague; since I don't like to give away too many secrets, but I suppose you guys would know who he is. After all, you people are especially perceptive when it comes to vague things.
R/R people! E-mail anytime.
Started: March 9, 2004
Finished: March 15, 2004