Author's Note: Well, here I am again. Where hast everyone goneth? I feel sad now...one minute everyone's here and now everyone's, well...not here...
Ummm, I'll do my best to update as soon as I can, as classes have started up again. Sad, ain't it?
Gothic Misery/Lady Battousai/any other name you will be giving yourself in the future: errr, i'm not sure what you mean by what you said...errr, after you upload it, you can do all that previewing stuff has changed it so much now...it's getting kinda annoying) and then you go to "edit story" and then update...err...forgive me if I'm not any help, but uhh...if you still dunno what to do just leave another message and be specific, i guess. sorry i haven't gotten back to you until now, but my internet crashed and then I went on vacation so...yeah... those are my pitiful excuses. sorry.
Disclaimer: The only thing that belongs to me right now is this screwed-up computer.
(Note: I really don't like this "horizontal rule" they've got me using here, but as they won't let me use my tildas or dashes anymore...I'm stuck with this pathetic looking line as a separator. Again, I apologize.)
chap. 13 - unexpected meetings
The flare from the cigarrette tip ignited a fiery red as it glinted in the blackness, briefly illuminating a lean face with high cheekbones before fading back into the darkness. The man exhaled a large puff of smoke, which extinguished as it made its way upwards towards the rainy sky. His voice was but a hiss of rancor, consisting of a single word,
"Battousai..."
They stood in the darkness for a few moments, resisting the urge to pull out their weapons and finish the battle they had so long ago started. The odd feeling in the atmosphere made them withdraw, and hesitate to what the other had to say before acting rashly.
It was Kenshin who decided to break the silence by speaking first, "So long ago we met...and now we meet again... Tell me, what brings you to Kyoto?"
Saitoh snorted at Kenshin's remark and huffed before responding, "I'm amazed you remember. Days I've wandered these streets, so accustomed to just being a part of a high-ranking secret police, and suddenly, I'm not who I thought I was. Tell me, Battousai, what the hell was running through your mind when you decided you could just rewrite history? What kind of self-consumed bastard were you? Or shall I say...still are?"
Kenshin did not know how to respond, for he might as well be that self-consumed bastard Saitoh claimed him to be, so he chose his words carefully, "There are many ways I could respond to that, Saitoh. But for now, I am not sure of the answer, that I am not. For now...all that matters...is finding - "
"Your woman and that kid," Saitoh finished for him, holding his cigarrette delicately between his fingers. With that, he turned his back, assuming that Kenshin would follow now that he had his attention, walking into the station.
The station was musty and had a misty scent to it, pressumably from the remains of the rain. Saitoh monotonously walked up to the station's counter, placing his rapidly-dying cigarrette into his mouth before vanishing behind a door to find something or another.
Kenshin took in his surroundings as he stood by the counter, keeping a weary eye for any tricks Saitoh might pull. Kenshin had all rights to suspect the former Shinsen Gumi captiain, and as muffled footsteps sounded behind him, he, by instinct, drew his Sakabato, his stance all ready for any attack that may come his way.
The former captain sniffed, and threw old packets of paper onto the counter, making dust fly up in every direction, "No need for that Battousai, this is the Meiji Era that you Hitokiris have brought about, and besides, there is no need to rush the journey to Hell." He glared profusely at Kenshin as he sheathed his sword, taking a long drag of his cigarrette before saying,
"Your woman and the kid are being held at the old Shima compound towards north Kyoto -"
"I thought that place was abandoned," Kenshin remarked, not entirely in the mood to use good manners.
"It is, which made it entirely complicated to track down, now, as I was saying -"
"Why are you helping us?" Kenshin asked, the question slipping out of his mouth like yolk seeps out of a cracked egg.
Saitoh's breath smelled of old tabacco and spicy air as he exhaled another puff of his cigarrette, the look on his face entirely unreadable, as if he was disgusted with the very thought of helping his formery advisary. There was silence for a heartbeat, before Saitoh icedly responded,
"The man that stole off your woman, Gensou Katsukawa, he may have other plans that involve not only killing you, but government-related issues. He has only been a small speck of the secret police's concern, and so we have not bothered with his case. Therefore, by bringing you into the picture, we shall see who is helping who."
Silence filled the air once more, before Saitoh again spoke up,
"Here are the floor plans of the compound, as well as estimated guard posts. However, Gensou may have altered the facility, and so this could be horribly damn off."Saitoh threw down a thick, rolled-up parchment, before turning his back to leave Kenshin.
"Why don't you assist us Saitoh? This would speed up the process by a great deal," the red-haired man proposed.
Saitoh halted his walk, but didn't turn around as he replied, "There is but a small whisper of a line that differenciates friend and enemy. One of your allies has already crossed that line, but I would hate it if we were to become friends, because one day I do hope to finish the fight we started during the Bakumatsu."
Kenshin was barely listening to Saitoh's final response, for he was fully concentrated on the previous words he had spoken, "One of...my allies?"
The former captain took one last breath from his cigarrette before throwing down the remaints and crushing the butt beneath his heel, one final slither of smoke trail with the barely tangible wind. His voice was curt in reply, obviously pressed for time, "Has it ever occurred to you, Battousai, how Aoshi Shinomori has obtained all the information he has needed up to this point? Have you ever wondered, how he has that old glint in his eye again, just as a hungry tiger out for revenge? Shinomori is out for blood, blood that is sweet with the ever coming revenge. And he has gone through so many ways to garuntee his victory. He is out for death, Battousai, and it is your death he craves. Go back to the Aoiya, go back...and you will find that Shinomori has long but gone. Perhaps to search for a means so as he can have one final battle with you." Saitoh finished dramatically, and walked slowly into the shadows of the station, all but before adding,
"Stay alive Battousai, stay alive. Because one day, we will finish what we started."
Kenshin's breath caught in his throat, and he knew, the scales had been horribly altered.
The calm ferocity glinted in his eyes as his stride quickened. An aura of unpassionate determination emanated from his very being, a sort of intensified anger that one could barely fathom. His expressionless stare was set as step by step, he neared closer to his goal.
The paint from the rusty iron gates were slowly peeling away to reveal the cast underneath, and as he made his way closer to the locked gates, an empty, mocking laugh escaped his mouth, disappointed at the lack of defense. He gripped the hilt of his Kodachi, then decided otherwise as he took a small step backwards before making a unimaginable leap over the gates.
Once inside the grounds, his eyes warily scanned the perimeter and ticked off the number of guards. None.
It seems that I have been expected...
Not too long ago, the Shima compound had been regarded as one of the most magnificent, old, but honorable grounds in Kyoto. It held its own temple, garden, library, and numerous and uncountable rooms and quarters. One could easily lose his way within the cryptic mazes.
But Aoshi Shinomori was no fool, having gained information from Saitoh and the secret police, and he slammed the faded red-painted double doors open with one mighty thrust, revealing a large hall, its open arch stretching to two stories. A creaky, grand staircase was dead ahead, with a man standing center-stage.
"The legendary Aoshi Shinomori draws closer, former leader of the Oniwa Bansu. Of course I assume you are here for the child? Or perhaps Battousai's woman?" he questioned confidently.
Aoshi gave him a dirty stare as he snorted before saying, "I am here on no such errand, Gensou."
An expression of astonishment flickered on Gensou's face, the first move of the game that he was not able to predict, and it had briefly caught him off guard. However, he quickly regained his composure as he smirked, "Ah, I see that my reputation proceeds me. Well, then Shinomori, what is it you are here for, if not for either Wolf or the woman?"
"I am here to strike a deal."
Silence hung in the air as this request certainly took Gensou by surprise. His reply came slow, careful to chew his words before blatantly spitting them out, "And what, pray tell, makes you believe that I can trust you? And how in all hells, are you supposed to know that you can trust me? Trust is something that is easily crushed...but not so easily built."
Aoshi's face filled with disgust at each word that left Gensou's mouth, and he impatiently stated, "Because I can tell you every detail of the Battousai you need. Assist you in any manner. In return, I ask that you do not disrupt nor question my actions. Allow me to do what I will, without attempting to stop me. Because I work for no one."
Gensou chortled as his sinewy figure swayed while he made his way slowly down the steps of the grand staircase, "Shinomori, Shinomori...certainly a comic. Clearly revenge it is you wish. Very well, because you strike me as a person who possesses characteristics beyond what I have ever seen before, I accept. Hesitantly, I admit, but I accept. Because now, I lose an advisary and gain an ally...."
Aoshi remained rock standing exactly where he was as Gensou approached dangerously near, his voice continuing to fill the hall as he rambled on, "But know this," he said curtly, "I will have you watched. Because I don't know what kind of game you are playing Shinomori, but I am willing to play along with it. With big gambles, come big rewards, and I am more than willing to gain. However, trust is a suttle thing...though I am trusting that you can and will kill the Battousai. I see it in your eyes." Gensou was so close to Aoshi now, that the former Oniwa Bansu leader could feel the man's breath on his neck.
For some quick heartbeats, Gensou glared scrutinizingly at Aoshi, as if questioning his motives. He didn't however, as he sharply turned around and declared, "Go. Go now, and don't come back until you have the Battousai's head."
The man's footsteps echoed in the hollow hall as he made his way up the steps, one by one, step by step. And as a door slammed throughout the mansion, Aoshi flexed his muscles before marching out of the building, the fire of selfish passion burning in his eyes.
A gnawing, throbbing pain echoed in her head as Kaoru attempted to bring herself to consciousness. And as the world became clearer through her eyes, she cringed as the agonizing pound filtered through her mind, causing her to feel lightheaded. After a few moments of pulling herself together, she was able to slowly sit up straight, allowing the blankets that covered her shoulders to fall, cascading down into her lap.
"Ah, you's awake Kaoru-sama," a familiar voice stated matter-of-factly.
Kaoru couldn't help but let her heart swell with joy as she saw the boy that had entered their lives only a few weeks before. It had only been a few days, but Kaoru felt like it had been a lifetime of seperation. She smiled as she whispered quietly, "It's beyond words, Wolf. There are so many worries that are running through my mind, other thoughts that I could be thinking of. But yet, even as those thoughts haunt me...the sight of your face brings me hope..."
The faint freckles on Wolf's cheeks danced as he smiled, and a few slick salty drops made their way down his face as he allowed himself to be surrounded by Kaoru's embracing arms. His voice came muffled as he questioned hesitantly, "Will's they ever come...?"
Kaoru inhaled before slowly laying her chin atop Wolf's dirty blonde head, responding every so quietly, "I hope so Wolf...I hope so..."
The pair remained in that position for awhile, hoping, that by having one small speck of another's presense, the outcome would improve. And with questions and thoughts in mind, they fell into a deep sleep as the thin crescent moon crept over the pitch black horizon.
Kenshin's pace sped as anticipation and anxiousness coursed through his veins, the very blood circulating as adrenaline kicked in. The fear that a much worser fear had been confirmed. 'Please...let Saitoh be wrong...please...' Kenshin thought, now closely nearing the Aoiya.
The wind whistled in his ears as he pushed the door to the restaurant, walking into a room that held Misao, Sano, Yahiko, and Megumi.
"Where's Aoshi?" he spat out, impatient for their response.
Everyone gave Kenshin a blank look, as if they thought he had known. Sano blankly replied, "He wasn't here when we all got up. We assumed he was with you."
A smug look overcame Kenshin's face at Sano's statement, and Misao read Kenshin's face like an open book.
"What happened to Aoshi-sama?" she questioned urgently, her tone of voice demanding an answer.
Kenshin did not know whether to answer her question or not, not knowing what her reaction would be to Aoshi's betrayal. But as Misao's face became more and more concerned, her alert perception told him that she had every right to know. In a frail attempt to inform her as gently as he could, he explained, "It seems that Aoshi...that Aoshi has decided that he has a much greater and more important goal in accord with Gensou..." Kenshin finished lamely, his face sympathetic as Misao's face contorted into the utmost shock.
"W-why...?" Misao stuttered, "Why the hell would he leave us for that bastard?"
Why would he leave me...?
"Tsk, tsk, language..." Sano muttered.
Kenshin sighed, and could only respond in the way he knew, "I do not know...but something tells me that Aoshi wishes to see me above all else, that it does... I leave to find him...and I hope to bring him back." With those words, Kenshin turned his back, the door closing softly behind him.
Yahiko shook his head in disappointment, stating bluntly, "So much for love. That guy doesn't even know how to make a commitment. Broke Misao's heart, that one."
Megumi shot Yahiko a dark look, and was about to yell at him, but Misao turned to face them, her words soft and almost inaudible, "I do not love him. I damn well don't love him." Her words were clear and precise, but there was still a quiver of hesitation that was barely noticible. And despite the statement that had come out of her mouth, she whipped around, flinging the door open, running into the streets of Kyoto.
Megumi sighed sadly...she had seen a tear streak down Misao's cheek as she turned to run out the doors.
She loves him...
Kenshin set a fast pace as he meandered through Kyoto.
"Great..." he muttered to himself, "I am being ridiculous, that I am...I do not even know where Aoshi is..."
"Talking to yourself won't get you anywhere, Battousai," a curt, rude voice stated.
"Saitoh!" Kenshin whirled around to find Saitoh standing in the dark shadows of a building, completely calm as his arms were crossed laxly over his chest.
"Hn... If you want to know where Shinomori is, he is getting rather impatient. He is at the Togetsukyo Bridge towards Western Kyoto," Saitoh informed.
Kenshin stared at Saitoh in disbelief before nodding slightly in agreement and taking off towards the bridge. Dodging commoners as he went, he ran at a decent pace that would get him there in good time.
And indeed, it took him less than a couple of minutes to reach his destination. Unfamiliar with this patch of post-war Kyoto, Kenshin took in his surroundings carefully, slowly easing his way towards the bridge. The Arashiyama Mountain loomed ahead, patches of green foilage growing on its side, its peak stretching towards the gray, cloudy heavens. And yet, on a typical day, Kenshin would have marveled at the beauty of Arashiyama, but today Kenshin didn't even give the mountain a second glance, for right in front of it, lay the long, wooden bridge of Togetsukyo.
On the other side stood Aoshi Shinomori.