Disclaimer: I-do-not-own-Rurouni-Kenshin-thank-you.
ThE tHrEaT Chapter 6.
Suzume stood outside the Akabeko shaking from head to foot. She had never been in a situation like this—it usually happened to everyone else! Even with Kenshin standing next to her, she still didn't feel completely safe. She looked at his face. He looked straight ahead and his eyes were determined.
As they stepped into the Akabeko, they found the lights were out and it was as empty as if no one had ever been there before! Kenshin whipped out his reverse-blade and listened and started searching the place.
Suzume listened for any kind of noise at all, besides the people outside. She heard something and poked Kenshin. "I think whatever it is, is coming from the kitchen."
He nodded and headed in that direction. He kicked open the kitchen door and stepped inside, making sure he could see Suzume at all times.
It was pitch black in the kitchen and the two could not see a thing in there! Suddenly, a light came on above them. "SURPRISE!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENSIN!" Standing in the kitchen was a number of people: Aoshi, Saitou, Sanosuke, Megumi, Tai, and some different police officials. Also, a few people that Kenshin had helped a long time ago.
"Oro????" It was the only thing Kenshin could say.
Aoshi shook his head. "Never saw it coming, did you?" He grinned.
Suzume gasped at the realization that she had been wrong all along. What she had overheard: everyone was planning a surprise party for him! Here ears and face burned red. She had caused everyone so much trouble. Why hadn't anyone told her about the party?
"Hey, Suzume, how's it going?" Ayame grabbed her in a hug from behind.
"Ayame! You're here for the party?" Suzume gave her a squeeze right back. She was happy for the distraction.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss a party for Uncle Kenshin." She smiled and went to greet Kenshin.
As soon as her sister left, she felt alone and a little more scared. It meant that some people were still after her and now, she had no leads or anything to go on this time. She spotted Hiko in the corner. He wore a small grin, barely visible, and was probably waiting to talk to Kenshin along with everyone else. Suzume went to talk to him so she wouldn't be alone.
"Hello, Mr. Hiko." She gave a small wave. He nodded his head towards her. "I guess you were right after all."
"Is that a good thing, then?"
Suzume thought about that. "I don't know. It is and it isn't because now Kenshin doesn't have to fight his friends, but then, I don't know who's after me."
Neither said anything further and just sat and watched everyone enjoy themselves. Hiko finally pulled Kenshin aside and started talking to him and Suzume grabbed up something to eat.
Just as she was about to put it in her mouth, Ayame asked, "Suzume, where is Kaoru? I haven't seen her at all yet. Go outside and see if you can find her."
Suzume didn't know how to tell Ayame what happened to the now missing Kaoru. She tried to explain, but she wouldn't listen and kept telling her to go find her. "Look," she said, "I have something I want to surprise her that I'm here. I didn't tell her I was coming."
Suzume rolled her eyes and nodded and went out the door. She pretended to look around, but didn't make a great effort about it. She went to the door and peeked outside at all the people. There was a sign on the door that read "closed." That would explain why no one was coming in.
"Looks like you were wrong, huh, kid?"
Suzume froze in place. To whom did that voice belong? It wasn't anyone she recognized.
"You already know that, though. Why don't we take a quick walk? After all, we don't want to be caught in the explosion." A gloved hand firmly gripped her mouth and took her out the door.
Suzume struggled against the man's strong arms, but didn't get anywhere but exhausted! She started crying out of sheer fear and frustration. What explosion? What was he talking about? Oh, no! He's going to blow up the Akabeko with everyone inside!!
Indeed, she was correct. Three minutes later, and a safe distance away, the man turned around and watched with pride as the restaurant blew up and shattered into thousands of pieces of wood and metal and shrapnel.
This must be a nightmare; it has to be! It wasn't. She closed her eyes and opened them only to see the remains of the place and people running out of panic and hysteria. This is all my fault...
Suzume closed her eyes and dropped her head. What was the man going to do to her now? The answer was given in the next second as he turned her around and made her walk forward. She listened to the sound of his shoes...he was wearing heavy shoes as if he belonged on the police force, but it wasn't Saito. His breathing told her that he wasn't a short man.
She tripped as they went up a hill and he pulled her arm up, taking his hand off her mouth. After that, she kept her eyes open so she wouldn't fall and so he wouldn't get angry with her and do something rash. What would Kenshin do if he were in this situation? Well, that easy. One, he wouldn't be in this situation. Two, he could get out of it easily. She would have to think of someone else.
The sound of rushing water reached her ears. They came to a bridge she recognized. Where were they going? They were going north across it and the river flowed west. I cannot allow myself to be taken like this! She stopped walking.
"Keep going, girl, we aren't there yet." The man growled.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"You'll see," he grinned.
She tried to keep from being pushed on, but it was no use. Then she heard someone come up behind them. Whoever it was, he was coming fast—and he had a weapon. Out of habit, she said, "Look out!"
"Nice try, girlie." Of course, Suzume was serious and someone ran into both of them, knocking them all off the bridge and into the river!
-------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------------For shame! Look how late I am on putting this up! Tsk, tsk, but at least it's up right? Ah, well.
Thanks for reviewing, Samuraiduck27!
