Hikari
By KCSobe
Disclaimer: ... What? Did you acually think we own it, or somthing? Bha! Yeah right!
A/N: Well, first of, we'd like to thank all our fans and all our reviews! Thank you fans and reviews!
Next off, we'd like to inform you that we've recently created the Hikari web site, however the one we have up is temporary until we get the real thing going, so it's rather small. We just started it, but we have lots of stuff to scan and upload, and we're hoping it'll come out pretty cool. Also, if you have fanart or fanfiction you want us to up there, feel free to send it to us! And if anyone is interested in drawing some Hikari fanart or whatever, please tell us! That would be sooo cool! Go to kcsobe.
Unexpected Detour Part II
"Help! Somebody help!" A man gasped, his voice ending in a gurgle as his attacker tightened the grip around his neck.
"Nobody here but me," his enemy chuckled, and with a grunt of exertion, slammed the man against the wall. An audible snap echoed within the alley, and his head suddenly fell forward, the body going limp. Dropping him, Senkaku chuckled. It was nice getting on his own for a bit, without anyone to boss him around.
A whistle wailed out from across the street, and he grinned in anticipation of a more challenging fight. He took the first officer down with a powerful windup into the stomach. As the policeman doubled over, gasping in pain, he finished the job with a chop across the neck.
Just in time to see their comrade crumple to the ground, two more officers skidded around the corner. Entirely focused on the battle, none of the combatants noticed the amber-eyed shadow watching them from the sidelines.
Kenshin winced as Senkaku sent one of his assailants flying over his shoulder into a pile of garbage. All that man had been doing for the past few days was stir up trouble and pick on innocent people. He knew that stepping into the battle now, he could take Senkaku down in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, he had more important things to think about, such as the need to stay undercover and out of sight.
"Hey, Himura!" Misao whispered angrily, "Aren't you gonna help them! They're getting their butts kicked!" He shrugged, and turned to leave the now triumphant bully to his own ends.
"Not now. This isn't the time or the place."
"Isn't the time or the place? What kind of person are you? Those guys needed your help! You can't turn your back on them!" Misao hissed from behind him. Kenshin rolled his eyes.
"Watch me." He moved down the main street without a backward glance. In truth he was more troubled than he cared to admit, although for an entirely different reason. If Misao continued to follow him everywhere he went, she could very well learn information that was better off hidden from public knowledge. Even worse, she might witness something she wasn't supposed to.
The rules of the hitokiri dictated that any and all witnesses must be eliminated. If it came down to that, could he really kill Misao? For that matter, could he bring himself to kill Kaoru? Or Sano, Yahiko, Megumi? Instinctively, he knew the answer was no. These people were too close to him, and every fiber of his being screamed out to protect them at all costs.
I must be getting soft. If I'd been asked that question only a couple of months ago, I would have said yes without even thinking. These ties that I've tangled myself up in are just weaknesses that my enemies can exploit. Not to mention they act as distractions that'll get me killed someday. I just can't afford to have them get in my way.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed. Seeing a criminal like Senkaku roaming the streets, destroying at will, reminded him of his mission. He had sworn to protect Japan's citizens, and this was the only way he knew how.
"I mean, come on Himura, you can't just do nothing. You've got to be more aggressive!" Gradually he became aware of Misao's chatter drawing him back to reality.
"I believe you're right Misao-dono," he smirked. "We'll have to be a little more aggressive with Senkaku, that we will." She gulped. The words sounded soft and gentle, but the intensity of the glare behind them spoke otherwise.
Soujirou wandered through the open stalls of Osaka, humming to himself. He had been here for several hours already, and there had been no sighting of Senkaku. However, his eye had caught that of one of Shishio-san's countless spies.
As he unobtrusively threaded his way towards the man in question, he was careful to preserve the mask of a carefree onlooker, enjoying the many wares sold on market day. Finally, he stopped in front of the man in question.
"Good day to you, sir!" He smiled brightly. The man tipped his cap in acknowledgement.
"What can I do for you? Daikon perhaps? They're very good this time of year!"
"Actually I'm looking for a friend of mine. Have you seen him?"
"I believe he's staying at an abandoned dojo to the north of town. Will that be all?"
"That's it," Soujirou nodded his head politely, and took a glance up in the sky. It was already late afternoon. With any luck, he should be able to reach the dojo by sundown. Shishio-san had made it very clear that his orders were absolute, and they were regarded as such by all of his followers. Soujirou ensured that much. Which Senkaku was about to learn.
Within the large packet of information that Misao had provided him with, was Senkaku's current address. So it was armed with this piece of vital information that Kenshin set out, shortly before sundown.
He had been careful to keep his plans a secret from Misao, who he did not plan to involve any further than was necessary. Looking around, he noticed a path leading off the road. Following it through the underbrush, he came across a large building in the early state of disrepair. Concealed from any prying eyes, it was the ideal hideout for a fugitive from the law. It was also ideal for what he had in mind.
Hearing a steady stream of sounds drifting out from behind the dojo, he skirted around the side, careful to stay well within the woods. The backyard was an open courtyard, where his target, Senkaku, was training.
Kenshin immediately noted the weapon of choice, two large knuckle blades attached to his hands. He was practicing a sudden charging movement that incorporated a series of chopping motions into the attack. The trained assassin within Kenshin focused on the footwork. His speed was impressive for a man of his bulk, but his agility was nothing compared to the god-like movement of the Hitokiri Battousai.
Growing impatient for the battle to come, Kenshin stepped out of the woods and coughed. Loudly. With a sudden start, the man turned to look at him.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" He shouted, bending his legs into a crouching position. Kenshin smirked and pushed his sword ever so slightly out of its sheath.
"I've come for information, of course." After that remark, Senkaku sprang forward, using the same mincing blows he had been doing earlier. Having watched the man perform this for the past ten minutes, Kenshin dodged them all with ease. Senkaku was left panting slightly, while his opponent had not even bothered to draw his sword.
"My turn," Kenshin shot forward, his katana flashing silver in the dying light.
Senkaku blinked. It looked as if the man had simply disappeared. Or at least, that was how it seemed before he felt a sharp burning sensation across the back of his legs. With a howl, he fell forward, landing hard on his knees. Kenshin appeared before him, his sword dripping with blood.
"The ligaments in your calves are completely torn. I doubt you'll ever be able to walk freely again. Still, that is about to become the least of your problems… RYUSOSEN! " His sword flashed again, and Senkaku felt himself hurled through the air, blood spurting out of several deep gashes.
He gasped desperately for air, struggling against the searing spasms of pain that threatened to overwhelm him. How was this possible? To be defeated so easily? This man… was he even human?
His rapidly fading vision could barely make out the silhouette of the man standing over him. He felt a sharp prick at his neck, against his jugular vein.
"I'm not through with you. I want to know the names of every single member of the Juppon-Gattana. I wouldn't recommend lying to me either- your aura is far too easy to read."
Senkaku shuddered, and tried to suppress a growing fear. If he betrayed Shishio-sama, death would be slow and painful. But at least he could make a run for it. This demonic stranger's eyes held no mercy within their depths. The blade pressed harder against his throat, drawing a thin trickle of blood.
"Talk before my patience wears out," the assassin snarled.
"T-t-tenken… he's the highest, Shishio's most loyal follower. Blind Sword, Angry God, All-Knowing, the Destruction Army, Great Scythe, Free Flight, Ogre, Sword Hunter," Senkaku listed slowly, feeling cold sweat drip down his forehead.
"Code names, huh? I suppose it just makes my job more interesting. But it makes you rather useless…" With one swift movement Kenshin decapitated his captive.
He looked down in silence at the now dead Senkaku. Kaoru did not believe in killing. She had stopped him from taking Aoshi's life, and he had acquiesced, because maybe, somewhere in Aoshi's mind, was something worth saving. But this bully, who murdered others for fun, did not deserve life.
The Battousai diverted his attention to the dojo. He would have to search it carefully for any information that might be laying around. As he slid open the door, the last of the sun's red rays mixed with the blood pooling on the ground.
Soujirou had come up the path confidently. This dojo was often used by members of Shishio's clan passing through, and it was no surprise that Senkaku would use it as his temporary headquarters.
Actually, it made things easier. Isolated from civilization, he would be free to execute and bury Senkaku without worrying about witnesses. Soujirou came around the bend, and saw the dojo, exactly how he last remembered it.
Only… it wasn't. He stiffened abruptly, as he felt a powerful fighting aura erupt from behind the building. The sounds of low voices could be heard, and he peeked around the corner of the dojo.
The man responsible for the unusual aura was small, with scarlet hair that was pulled into a low ponytail. He was wearing a dark blue gi, and was wielding a bloody katana. Soujirou could hear Senkaku's voice distinctly, as word by word, he betrayed their cause. So it was with no great concern that he watched the swordsman behead him, and enter the dojo.
What was slightly more concerning, however, was the identity of this swordsman. He appeared to have dispatched Senkaku with undeniable ease- that in itself was worth marking down. Could it be that this was the assassin Kamatari had warned him about?
If this was the hitokiri in question, Soujirou's ever present smile widened, he might actually present a threat.
By the time Kenshin had finished searching the dojo, night had truly fallen upon Osaka. He was dusty and grimy, and had very little to show for his efforts. Nothing better than circumstantial evidence had been found. A few guns, and a large supply of food had been hidden under the floorboards of the main room, but other than that, the dojo was no more than an empty building.
Still, he could already imagine Saito's expression when he triumphantly revealed his findings in Osaka. It would be the perfect trump card, if that cop ever tried to accuse him of neglecting the mission.
A twig snapped behind him. Instantly, he had spun around, his sword out and ready. There was nothing there but the dark of the forest.
"If you don't yet wish to die, I would suggest keeping out of Shishio-san's business," a lilting voice echoed around him.
Kenshin dropped into a defensive position, scanning intently for another aura. There appeared to be nobody there aside from himself. It was impossible to pinpoint the exact direction the voice was coming from.
"Consider this your first warning," the voice laughed, and then there was silence.
Kenshin sighed impatiently as he scanned the streets for Misao. Why was it that she always managed to turn up when least wanted, but as soon as he actually needed to talk to her, she was nowhere to be found?
He was planning to stay in Osaka for a few more days, and had decided to give Misao the misdirection as soon as possible. After all, the sooner she left, the less chance she would have of becoming involved in all of this.
His train of thoughts was broken when he spotted a woman struggling with several trays of dirty dishes. Her precarious grip on them was growing looser by the second, and it was clear that they would soon slip into a massive explosion of broken pottery.
"Here Miss, let me help you with those!" He exclaimed hurriedly, as he took off the top half of her burden.
"Thank you so much! Where I'm going really isn't far from here!" he heard her say from behind the piles of plates.
Several blocks later found the two at a small hotel. The woman deposited the trays on a long counter, and Kenshin followed suit. Taking a step back, he managed to get his first good look at the person in question.
She was slightly taller than him, and had long black hair that was pulled loosely back. Several wisps brushed the frame of her face, and a few more had escaped to fall forward into her eyes. Her eyes were a dark brown that seemed almost unnaturally large against her pale skin.
"I really am grateful for your help," she smiled.
"It was a pleasure…?" Kenshin trailed off, having forgotten to ask her name.
"Fujita Tokio," she answered softly.
"And I am Himura Kenshin," he finished the introductions. She seems so quiet! Maybe I've just spent too much time around Misao and Kaoru-dono…Wait, Fujita! It can't be!
"Any relation to a Fujita Goro from Kyoto?" Kenshin asked, dreading the answer.
"My husband. Do you know him?" She asked, looking interested.
Saito is married? Who in their right mind would want to marry him! First Misao and Aoshi, now this Tokio and Saito…I know Japan is a small place, but this is getting ridiculous!
"Errr… I guess you could say we work together," he fumbled for an adequate answer. She probably has no idea that Saito is anything more than an ordinary police officer. It would be best not to tell her too much.
"I guessed as much, Battousai," she replied, almost inaudibly. Kenshin froze. Then she spoke again, louder.
"Perhaps, Himura-san, you might join me upstairs for some tea? It is a much more private place to talk. And I would so love to hear how Goro has been doing." Her voice was gently persuasive, and he found himself nodding his head in agreement.
She led him up a narrow flight of stairs and down a corridor, to where there was a spacious sitting room. Here she slid the door shut.
"Now let me pour you a cup of tea, while you tell me while you tell me what Hajime has been up to," Tokio looked at him expectantly. Kenshin had noticed the shift of names from Goro to Hajime. Obviously they were in a secure room.
"Well, I haven't seen that much of him, but I know he's been very busy with the string of murders that have been going on. He has all his best men on the case, and is working around the clock." Tokio silently digested the information, as she performed the tea ceremony with an elegant grace.
"And Shishio?" Once again, Kenshin tried to conceal his surprise. Exactly how much did she know?
"Appears to be laying low for the moment. We're not sure how long that will last." He took a sip from his cup, to hide his confusion. She seemed perfectly unconcerned with the fact that they discussing a matter which posed a serious threat to her husband, almost disinterested in that aspect of the matter.
"Fugita-dono? Or would you prefer I call you Saito-dono?" He began.
"Tokio is fine," she glanced up from her own tea.
"Why did you marry your husband?"
"Because I love him," Tokio replied simply. Kenshin immediately felt his face begin to burn in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Tokio-dono, what I meant was why did you marry him when you knew that you would constantly be in danger from his enemies? Surely he must have warned you beforehand."
"I knew what you meant Himura-san. I would rather face countless dangers at Hajime's side than live a life of safety alone. One must live one's life without regrets," she tilted her head to one side as she regarded him.
"I'm not sure I understand," Kenshin admitted, feeling exceedingly uncomfortable.
"Pardon my forwardness, Himura-san, but what do you intend do with your life after this next mission?" He frowned, turning the question over in his mind.
"Wait for my next assignment, I suppose."
"Haven't you ever had other plans or goals?" Kenshin sat silently, staring out the window.
It seemed like such a long time ago that he had dreamed of fighting on behalf of the weak and defenseless. For a long time, he had fooled himself into believing that every murder was a step towards peace. However, reality had crushed that fantasy, and left him with the blood still dripping from his hands. But that was one thing he had never thought about until recently…
"Love is a weakness, Tokio-dono. A distraction."
"You really can't mean that. Love is the strongest force of all. Any truly great fighter is battling to protect something or someone that they care deeply about. You should know yourself; didn't you fight during the revolution to protect the new era? Aren't you still fighting, even now, to protect Japan? For all your cynicism, Himura-san, you've never given up protecting those in need, in the only way you know how."
Kenshin closed his eyes, trying to fight the relentless stream of thoughts those words had unleashed. Can it be true? After all those years of bloodshed, am I still able to protect those I love? Kaoru-dono… He remembered the way she had clutched the folds of his gi, remembered the way she had called his name.
Tokio stood up, and moved to the door.
"I'm afraid I have an appointment to go to. But there's one last thing I want you to understand. I would rather live a short life with Hajime, then endure eternity without him. Any woman in love would agree with me. I wish you the best of luck on your mission," she paused. "Are you planning to head back to Kyoto any time soon?"
"I'm not sure," Kenshin shifted in his seat. I know I planned to stay for a few more days, but I think it's time I headed home. To Kaoru-dono and the others. He smiled at that thought, and cleared his throat.
"Actually, I believe I will be on my way to Kyoto. Are you planning on leaving soon?" Tokio shook her head.
"No, I'm staying with my family at the moment. But if you wish, I can purchase you a train ticket. That will be considerably faster then walking."
"That would be wonderful…," Kenshin trailed off as a sudden thought occurred to him. "But could you perhaps buy two? I have a friend who will be accompanying me to Kyoto."
A/N: So, how many of you thought that Tokio was Tomoe at first? We thought we'd just pull your leg a little, but don't worry, Tomoe never existed in this fic, so don't worry about it. Also, we don't know what Tokio looks like, so we just made up the discription (duh!). Imagin that she looks kinda liek Tomoe. Well, hope you liked it! Review please! Ciao!