Chapter 4
"Leader, I have obtained the information you wanted," Matsu says. "Your suspicions were correct; the two men were Sanosuke Sagara and Kenshin Himura."
"I see…" the leader said. "They are interfering with my plans. Matsu, I am giving you a mission. Because it would be difficult kidnapping the Battousai and bringing him here, capture Sagara. The Battousai will have no choice but to come and rescue him. We will deal with them here."
-
Sanosuke opens his eyes and leans forward. Rubbing his eyes, he notices its morning, and that he was lying in a bed covered with a blanket. He sees Aneko beside him, sound asleep. He puts his white shirt on, takes the blanket, covers Aneko, and quietly leaves. He walks back to the Kamiya dojo. When he enters, he sees Kaoru sweeping the porch. She sees him, drops the broom and runs towards him.
"Sanosuke! Where have you been! We were all worried about you!" Kaoru says.
"Relax missy, I'm all right aren't I?" Sano says, "Now where's Kenshin? I need to talk to him."
Kaoru points towards the back of the dojo and watches Sano pass by with blood stained on his headband. She wipes a little tear from her face. She goes inside to begin lessons with Yahiko.
Sanosuke finds Kenshin doing the laundry. Kenshin looks up and asks, "Sano, where were you? Glad to see you're okay, that I am."
"Yeah I'm okay," Sano says, "But I must talk to you. I found the girl who was attacked last night. When I finally caught up to her we were ambushed by two ninjas, but we managed to escape. Though I don't remember what happened afterwards. But Kenshin, the Sanada Ninjas are after her. It's been a year since the conflict of the Sanada Ninjas and the Divine Elixir. For a year they were at peace. Why are the Sanada Ninjas out causing trouble again?"
"Hmm…" Kenshin says, "I don't know Sano. But now it sounds like you are involved which means they are probably after you too. Whatever you do, don't let your guard down." Kenshin hangs some shirts to dry. "By the way, who is this woman?"
"Her name is Aneko, she said that the Sanada Ninja's are after her riches," Sanosuke says, "And that's all I really know. She's in danger Kenshin."
"I have the feeling she's connected with these mysterious murders. A man was found dead earlier in his home. The police believe that he was killed in his sleep last night, and that he was in fact German. The strange part is, his wallet was near by and no money was taken. This leads me to believe the Sanada Ninja's are not after money, just like Matsu said. So they are not after Aneko for her riches after all; she's hiding something."
"Then what do we do Kenshin?" Sanosuke asks.
"Well if it's all right with Ms. Kaoru, I'd like for you to bring her here. She will definitely be safer here, and maybe she will tell us what she knows… so the killing can stop," Kenshin says. "Sano, bring this woman Aneko here, I will talk to Ms. Kaoru."
-
"Aneko!" Sanosuke shouts in front of her home. He knocks a few times but no reply. He slides the door open and it is deserted inside. He slides the door closed and begins walking through town. He passes by his apartment complex when he sees three men entering his apartment. "They're after me already…" Sanosuke mumbles to himself. He hides behind a building, trying to devise a plan. He's about to sprint and attack the ninja's when suddenly someone grabs his hand and pulls him back.
"I've been looking for you all morning Sanosuke, I knew they were going to try and find you," she says.
"Aneko, I've been looking for you as well," Sanosuke says, "But first I have to go teach them a lesson for trespassing."
"No we have to ambush them. Hide here and I will make them chase me. They won't expect it, take care of them here," Aneko whispers. She then quickly runs into the open and towards them. One immediately spots her and leaps over to attack. Aneko also leaps into the air and slashes the ninja's arm. He drops his shurikans and falls to the ground. She kicks the ninja and runs towards Sanosuke. She quickly turns and when the other two ninjas were about too, Sanosuke jumps out kicking one in the water and punched the other until he bled and fell onto the ground. "Come with me before they get up," Aneko tells Sanosuke. He follows her to a nearby shrine. "We should be safe here for now," she says, "but I'm sorry for all this…"
"I got myself involved and besides, I haven't been in a fight for a while. Let's just say I refreshed my skill," Sanosuke says, "but why don't you tell me the truth Aneko."
"…What?" Aneko questions.
"Those Sanada Ninja's are not after your riches," Sanosuke says. "And here I am being attacked because of you and I know nothing about you. Enlighten me a little, won't you?"
Aneko lowers her face and shyly says, "I… can't."
"Why not?" Sanosuke asks.
"Because…," Aneko says, "you wouldn't understand. I just can't tell you."
"You're in danger," Sanosuke says, "You need to tell me so I can help you. Why are you going to let danger control your life?"
"You just wouldn't understand!" Aneko says. She begins to run away. Sanosuke grabs her arm. "Let go, please."
"I still don't know what's going on but I will find out," Sanosuke says with aggravation. "But I will regret it later if I never did anything to help you. Stay with me at the Kamiya dojo. You will be safer there."