Hikari

By KCSobe

Disclaimer: Hn... Well, needless to say, we don't own it.

A/N: Hey hey hey everyone! As promised, here is chapter 7. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Reviews are the firewood that keeps our fire going, so we hope you like this chapter! Oh, and thanks reviews for pointing out spelling errors, we kind of rushed the editing of this chapter. If you guys find more, if you have the time, do you think you could send us alittle email? That way we can address the matter sooner! Thx!

Whispers of Nothing

Kenshin hurried through the streets of Kyoto, trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. Surrounded by people, he felt trapped and confined. Something was wrong- at every sudden movement, his hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. Still, the sensation of dread was elusive, and he was unable to determine the exact cause.

Stopping at a small vegetable stand, he began to haggle over the price of some carrots. He waited until his nerves were practically twitching before suddenly glancing over his shoulder. A brief blur of movement was all he detected, and then he was again looking at the ordinary shopping crowds.

There could no longer be any doubt. Somebody was following him, somebody whose skills at tracking and concealing their aura were almost as good as his own. Needless to say, that left relatively few possibilities, all of which were dangerous.

The first step was to lose his new shadow. Abruptly, Kenshin spun around and threaded his way back into the shopping district.

Aoshi cursed softly under his breath, but his impassive features remained unchanged. After about an hour of following the Battousai through every winding street and back-alley in Kyoto, he had lost him in one of the busiest intersections.

It was possible, of course, that if he stepped back from the crowd to scan his surroundings he might spot his target. But that would increase the likelihood of the Battousai discovering his identity, which would jeopardize his plan.

The plan was simple. Track the hitokiri until he could be cornered alone, in a secluded area. Of course, this could take a long time, but if necessary, there were ways to draw him out. Once alone, he would exact revenge upon the heartless murderer who had so callously killed his comrades. After disposing of the body, Aoshi would leave Kyoto, unconnected with the bizarre death of a short red-headed swordsman.

Losing the Battousai was merely a temporary setback. He would probably return to that small dojo on the outskirts of town, and when he did, Shinomori Aoshi would be waiting.

With a frown, Kenshin stepped out of the restaurant he had just ducked into. The menacing presence had vanished, and he was reasonably sure that his mysterious enemy had given up for now. But what of the future? Could he remain on guard against this attacker throughout the entire mission? No, this new threat had to be dealt with as soon as possible.

In the mean time, he had to hurry back to the dojo before Kaoru began to truly worry. After all, he had disappeared with Megumi three or four hours ago. Still, why should she worry? I'm just her tenant. Most likely she didn't even notice.

"Shinta! Where were you? I was so worried!" Kaoru exclaimed as she saw him noiselessly slip into the dojo. He looked tense and anxious. However, he could not be nearly as anxious as she was. It had been forever since he had left, with Megumi on his arm. There had to be an explanation.

"So, have you... met Megumi before?" She asked, looking at the ground.

"No, this one has never seen Megumi-dono before. However, she reminds this one of an old friend who died many years ago," Kenshin faked a smile as he lied threw his teeth. Kaoru shifted her weight uncomfortably.

"Are you sure?" She looked at the ground, to avoid Shinta's questioning gaze.

"Yes, this one has never met her before. Kaoru-dono, are you feeling well? You just seem to be acting a little strange." Kaoru bit her lip. His voice was full of a friendly concern.

"No, everything's fine." He shrugged, and continued past her to his room. But everything was not all right. She couldn't shake herself of the image of Megumi clinging to him, like they had always known each other. And he had spent all afternoon with her. Did Shinta really enjoy Megumi's company more than hers?

"Come on Kaoru! You promised to give me another lesson today!" Yahiko stuck his head in from outside.

"I'm coming!" Kaoru called back, putting the troublesome thoughts out of her mind. For now, what she needed was some training, to drive away the doubts.

That night, as she lay in her bed, Kaoru's mind returned to the predicament. Shinta had been incredibly friendly to Megumi, without question. He had spent the entire afternoon with her, a stranger who he had just been introduced to!

Maybe it was just his nature to be kind and outgoing to strangers. So why had he ignored her when they first met? That could not be the reason.

The most likely answer was because Megumi was prettier. She had an elegance and glamour that Kaoru had never been able to pull off. Not to mention the fact that she flirted with every guy she met. Kaoru twisted in her sheets. If she flirted more with Shinta, would he notice her?

Wait! Where had that come from? Why did she care if Shinta noticed her anyway? They were already friends, and besides, she barely knew him.

Kaoru suddenly thought of the way Shinta smiled. He always seemed so gentle and caring. He was a decent cook, did the laundry, and helped out with chores around the house. His clueless aura always made her laugh. And those large violet eyes, that Kaoru could spend hours looking into.

There was really no question about it. She was jealous of Megumi, and she was well on her way to developing a crush on Shinta. She could feel herself begin to blush, even in the dark. Anyway, Kaoru thought firmly, it would be a dark day indeed if she ever surrendered him to Megumi without a fight.

Sano walked down the road towards Megumi's clinic, whistling cheerfully. It had been several days since she had made her surprise visit, and he was now planning on returning the favor. Not that he wanted to appear too desperate for her company. That was why he had waited. Still, it had been good seeing her again, until she had disappeared with Shinta.

A shadow passed over his face. That was the real reason he was going to see Megumi. He needed to warn her against becoming too friendly with that man. Not that Megumi ever took him seriously, but he had to try.

"Tori-atama! What are you doing here? You haven't gotten beat up again, have you?" Megumi smirked as she opened the door for him. Sano grunted in acknowledgement.

"Actually I came here just to talk to you," he said after he had removed his shoes and stepped inside.

"Do tell," Megumi raised an eyebrow.

"So, what'd you think of Shinta?" Sano prompted, after a moment of silence.

"He's very cute…" She began, laughing when she saw the incredulous look on his face. "…. But not my type."

"Well that makes this a little simpler," Sano sighed in relief.

"Okay, what's wrong with you? You come rushing into my clinic, just to talk about Kaoru's new boarder? And then you ask me if I like him? What's gotten into you? Wait… You're not gay, are you?" Megumi joked as she crossed her arms.

"WHAT?!? HELL NO!!! I'm as straight as a line! Look, I just get a bad feeling about him, all right? Something tells me you shouldn't get too close to Himura Shinta," Sano explained stiltedly. How much could he afford to tell her?

Megumi looked at him, her head tilted to one side. Underneath her careless facade, a sudden wariness stirred into life.

"Sanosuke," she replied softly, "I think you'd better tell me what you know."

"Fine. I know Shinta isn't who he says he is. I've seen him hanging around crime scenes, and I know he lied about being a bad swordsman. Sometimes when I'm around him, he just changes. It's hard to explain, but all of a sudden he gets really cold and dark. Like he could kill me without a second thought. I'm worried about Kaoru spending so much time with him. He's dangerous, Megumi," Sano finished.

For a moment, she said nothing. The air was thick with silence as he waited for a reaction. Then her lips curved upwards into a mocking smile.

"Could it be, tori-atama, that you're being slightly paranoid? After all, he probably doesn't want to draw attention to himself by boasting of sword skills. I think you're being a little over-protective of your 'little sister,'" she laughed. Sano frowned.

"You're wrong," he spoke flatly. "I know Shinta isn't what he seems. But don't tell Karou about any of this. She trusts him a lot, and I can't let her get hurt." Megumi shrugged.

"As you wish. Now did you only come here to deliver ominous warnings?"

Sano felt the tension lifting from his shoulders.

"Of course not! I want to hear about your trip to Aizu, and why you stayed away so long!"

"Why Sano! If I'd known how much you'd missed me, I would have come back sooner!" Sano felt his face begin to burn.

"As if I'd miss someone like you! You're always sticking your nose into other people's business!" He retorted.

"Well at least I don't gamble away other people's money!"

"No, you just flirt with every man you see!"

"Free-loader!" Gradually they moved closer together. After Megumi's last insult, they were standing only inches apart, glaring at each other. Then suddenly, Sano's scowl lifted, and he grabbed Megumi in a bone-crushing hug.

"It's good to see you again, Kitsune. I guess I missed you after all," he whispered. Megumi flashed another smile, this time genuine.

"Missed you too, baka. Now run along, I'm busy 'planning' Kaoru's love-life." Sano shook his head.

"More like 'plotting', probably. Still up to your old tricks, I see," he snorted, before leaving the clinic.

Kenshin paused in the middle of sweeping the dojo's porch. It had been days since the adventure in the market-place, and he still could not shake the feeling that he was being watched. And it had grown worse. He was beginning to fear for Kaoru's safety.

Several times now, he had found himself inexplicably abandoning his patrols of town or his daily chores to accompany Kaoru somewhere. He could not leave her alone in Kyoto, when his mysterious enemy was still at large.

"Shinta, I'm going to rest for a little bit, in case you need me," Kaoru called. She smiled at him, as he nodded.

"This one might go for a walk, Kaoru-dono," he replied.

"Have fun then," she called after him. Her previous fears about Megumi had all but died away. Shinta was spending more time with her than ever, and she could not be happier. He was such nice company, and was uncomplaining when her errands ran overtime. Unlike Sanosuke, he was always willing to listen. And he was so gentle…

Wait! Shinta was going for a walk by himself. He might get jumped in Kyoto, or attacked by bandits in the forest! It was obvious that he had good potential as a fighter, but even he wouldn't be able to hold out against multiple opponents.

"Sano! Hey Sano!" She shouted.

"Oi, Jou-chan, I'm right here," his head popped out from the kitchen.

"Can I ask you a huge favor?""

"That depends," he answered cautiously. "What is it?"

"I'm worried that Shinta might run into trouble alone. Can you follow him and make sure he's all right?"

"Sure, but I think Shinta can take care of himself."

"I know… but I don't want anything to happen to him. Please, Sano?" Kaoru looked up hopefully.

"Fine, I'm going," he sighed. Inwardly, though, he felt a surge of excitement. Shinta had been acting distracted recently. Perhaps with his mind elsewhere, Sano would be able to track him to his destination.

Kenshin was walking briskly along the outskirts of Kyoto. He knew it was only a matter of time before his shadower ran out of places to hide and confronted him. His hand found the hilt of his sword. He would be ready for any surprises that might be thrown his way.

Finally, he came along a path that lead to an open meadow, ringed by thick trees. Knowing he would not have long to wait, Kenshin prepared himself. Abruptly, he spun around.

A tall man with black hair stepped out from the trees. His bangs fell forward into his face, partially obscuring the icy blue eyes that stared out from under them. His trench-coat billowed slightly in the breeze. Even without looking at the twin kodachis in the man's hands, Kenshin knew who it was.

Shinomori Aoshi had changed since their last meeting. Outwardly, he looked much the same. But his eyes hadn't held the same dead look before. His aura had not been so dark. And most of all, he had lacked the sheer power that now hung about his person like a cloud.

"I've come, Hitokiri Battousai," his voice dropped to a whisper, "for revenge." Kenshin blinked. This was unexpected, and a little perplexing. Other than beat him thoroughly, what had he done that would merit revenge?

"Regardless of whatever pathetic motive your mind had dreamed up, I will destroy you. It's something I should've done a long time ago," Kenshin spat.

"Instead, you were too busy destroying my comrades. A pity. You will suffer unimaginable pain for that," Aoshi answered coolly.

Destroy his comrades? But I didn't… Which means that he doesn't know the truth. Kanryuu betrayed him, and he's blaming me. Still, it hardly matters why he's attacking me. All that matters now is finishing the job I started, Kenshin thought. He withdrew his sword, and tilted it, so the sun's rays played off the polished blade.

"Prepare yourself," he hissed, dropping into an attack position. Aoshi's grip on the kodachis tightened. Just then, a twig snapped. Startled, both men turned towards the forest. In their intense concentration on one another, they had completely missed the presence of a third aura joining them.

"Obviously, this is not the time. But I'll be back, Battousai," Aoshi sneered as he melted back into the woods.

Still staring at the spot where Aoshi had vanished, Kenshin cleared his throat.

"Come out Sagara. I know you're there, and if you even think about running off, your head will roll." Sano stepped out cautiously. Kenshin didn't even face him, but held out his sword so that the sun continued to reflect off it. "How much did you hear?"

"Just about everything… Is it true? Are you really a… hitokiri?" Sano asked, staring.

Kenshin paused. He had two options now. He could tell Sano the truth, and trust him to keep it a secret, or simply kill him and bury the body. Except, he couldn't kill him, because he was the only lead on the Shishio case. Which left telling the truth.

"Yes, I'm a hitokiri. I've come here to hunt down the man responsible for all the murders in Kyoto. I hope you understand, I really never even thought of hurting Kaoru. Those lies were necessary to protect my identity."

"So you work for the government?" Sano ventured another question.

"Yes. I can't let you tell anybody about this, though. If my presence is revealed, then the entire mission will be jeopardized."

"Look, I'm sorry for accusing you of hurting Kaoru. I was just worried. It might sound strange, but I thought you were the murderer," Sano admitted, scratching the back of his head. Kenshin smirked, and Sano noticed that his eyes were still amber.

"What a coincidence. Considering you of all people should know who the true murderer is."

"What?" Sano answered blankly.

"I mean, you can stop lying. I know you're the real murder," Kenshin turned and lunged forward so that the tip of sword was pointed at Sano's chest.

"Me?! How could I be the murderer?" Sano retorted in surprise.

"The wall at the murder scene and the wall you smashed near the dojo are identical. Don't try to deny it. Not to mention the fact that you saw me at so many murder scenes. I was investigating, but what were you doing there?"

"Look, I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm not the murderer!" Sano snapped.

"Would you care to explain this unfortunate series of coincidences, then?" Kenshin responded sarcastically.

"Well being at the murder scene isn't a big deal. I live in downtown Kyoto, after all, and half the town shows up anyway."

"But the wall."

"You've made a mistake. They can't be the same. The technique I used near the dojo is called the Futae no Kiwami, and only two people in the world know it. I learned it from a monk named Anji, and he developed it himself. He would never teach it to a murderer," Sano spoke vehemently.

Kenshin frowned, the first tendrils of doubt beginning to creep into his mind. He was extremely adept at reading auras, and Sanosuke appeared to be telling the truth. But he wasn't wrong! Which meant…

"It must have been this Anji then. It's the only plausible explanation. I know the walls are identical." He cut through Sano's denial sharply. "It appears my suspicions about you were wrong. Consider them formally withdrawn." Sano looked at him in mute astonishment.

"You know, I could've sworn that almost sounded like an apology!" He smiled at last.

"Don't count on hearing another one. Now what can you tell me about Anji?" Kenshin dragged the conversation back on track.

"He's a fallen Buddhist monk. I met him a couple of years ago, when I was on my way to Kyoto, to find Kaoru. Apparently, he developed the technique to help him save the world. Anyway, I begged him to teach me, and he finally said that he would, but if I couldn't master it within a month, he'd kill me." Here Kenshin began to look interested.

"It doesn't sound to me like he has much of a problem with killing," he interjected thoughtfully.

"Well, I told him I'd master it within a week, and to make a long story short, I did. Of course, that nearly killed me too. Then we parted ways, after he gave me directions to Kyoto. I've never seen him since."

"But you'd recognize him if you saw him again?"

"Sure. He was really big, and was wearing a bandana. And he had a really evil-looking face."

"Did he ever mention a man by the name of Shishio Makoto?"

"Not that I can remember. Who's that supposed to be?"

"Shishio is a former hitokiri who was betrayed by the government. I can't say for sure whether he deserved the fate given to him by the government, but now he's trying to conquer all of Japan. He's the man behind all of these murders, even if he hasn't done the actual killing."

Sano looked at Kenshin in silence for a moment. This sudden deluge of revelations had left his head spinning. Shinta was a government assassin, tracking down another assassin, and had previously suspected him of the murders.

Despite his overwhelming creepiness, he didn't really seem like that bad of a guy. And he had apologized. Making a quick decision, Sano spoke up.

"Tell you what. I'll help you with your investigations. I have a lot of contacts throughout Kyoto, and I can keep an eye out for Anji too. I'll even keep your identity a secret," he offered. Shinta smiled in relief.

"I suppose I owe you some thanks then."

"I have one condition though," Sano warned him.

"What?"

"Shinta isn't your real name, is it? So who are you really?" There was another long pause, and then Shinta whispered three words, that hung in the air for a second, before dissolving into silence.

"Kenshin. Himura Kenshin."

A/N: Well, at lest somethings are cleared up, ne? Please review and we'll continue to try to update weekly! Ciao!

Next Time on Hikari:

As Kenshin worrys about Kaoru, he forgets that Kaoru is not the only person on Aoshi's list of targets connected to Kenshin...