To Reveal All
Chapter 8: Revealing Too Much
By steelphoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters.
Author's Notes: YAY! REVIEWSREVIEWSREVIEWS! You guys really rock my socks! Here I am at the 65-review mark, and I was expecting to get only 20 or so… for the whole thing… /blows kisses/
Language Notes: None. (Whoa… weird.)
Warnings:PG-13 for sexual situations/scenes and violence in other chapters. No language warnings.
A dark-headed young man leaned against the gatepost of the Kokuryukai House, chatting to his fellow doorkeeper.
"Y'know, it would be great if they let us at those geishas. What's the point of holding them here if they don't let us use them, y'know?"
"Yeah," replied his companion. "They're only a pack of sluts. There's what, twenty of them? There's eighty or so Kokuryukai. Sharing them out would be only fair!"
A pack of sluts! fumed Kaoru, from behind a half-open shoji across the courtyard. Stupid idiots… And there's only sixteen of us, what're they getting excited about? Alright, Kaoru, stop worrying about them, think of a way to get past them!
If I find a basket or something, they might think I was going to the market, or something, but I'm too well-dressed to be a servant… I could say that I was carrying a note from Shishio to the manager of the teahouse…
Lost in planning, she didn't notice the room's other shoji opening.
A cold voice said "Geisha, I may have told you to come to my room, but that doesn't mean you can wander."
Damn the girl! She had to come into my room, of all places!
Kaoru snapped around, gasping. The owner of the voice was Shinomori, and this time he wasn't alone. Shishio stood beside him, and behind him was another geisha. Her hideous kimono (flame-orange, with purple flowers) led Kaoru to the conclusion that she was Shishio's favourite, Lady Yumi.
"Geisha, I told you to sit down!" Shinomori's voice snapped. Kaoru could detect a note of nervousness in his tone. It was obvious, really. If it was discovered that he had given her a weapon…
Quickly, she glided over to the row of pillows along the wall, and knelt, holding herself carefully. The kodachi slid between her legs as she knelt, and she clamped her thighs around it, willing it not to clank as it hit the pillow. It slipped down a little, but didn't land, held up by the tightness of her obi.
"Ah, your geisha. Is she why you took so long to get to the meeting?" Shishio's tone implied things that Kaoru knew were legitimate – she was a woman in captivity, after all – but not at all comfortable.
"Yes, sir. I had to get her looking presentable for you."
"You didn't have any… fun… with her before the meeting?" Shishio grinned lecherously.
Shinomori was silent. Shishio's grin only grew wider. "I think that means you did?" He chuckled. "Was she any good?"
"No, sir. Very cold and stiff." Shinomori shot a glance at her, that said, Keep up this pretence unless you want to be discovered.
She ducked her head, trying to conjure up a blush. That would lend credibility to Shinomori's story. Think of Kenshin's body… that might work… Apparently it did, as she felt her cheeks growing hot.
Why did I think of that, anyway…?
"Ah-ha! That's a blush, I think! Still embarrassed by your profession, girl?" Yumi had broken in, and her voice was bittersweet. She laughed, a disturbingly saccharine sound. Shishio joined her amusement, his laughter mocking the young geisha.
Yumi sauntered over to her master, and leaned against him, pressing her curves into him. She began laying light kisses along the bandages on his neck, and reached down to caress his crotch.
Shinomori turned away in disgust, and Kaoru followed his lead, turning her head to look out the open shoji to the courtyard.
Shishio found this amusing, apparently. "This is what a good geisha does, girl. Go and give Iceman there a hot time."
Not knowing what else to do, Kaoru rose, and walked over to Shinomori. He grabbed her hand, and dragged her over to the door.
"Close the shoji, Aoshi, there's a good boy," said Shishio, as Yumi pulled open his robe and began caressing him more intimately.
Shinomori, once outside the room, slammed the shoji, and, still dragging Kaoru, stormed off down the veranda. Reaching an open shoji, he shoved her inside, and slammed the shoji shut after them.
Thank the kami that Yumi was being amorous today… that'll keep Shishio from asking too many questions… Shinomori thought, still angry, but partially relieved at the way the situation had turned out. But the girl had nearly got him caught…
"You nearly got caught!" he hissed at her. "If you got caught with my kodachi, I'll be killed for treachery." There'll be no way I could get Misao out of here…
"I stole it from your room!" said Kaoru, thinking fast.
"Possibly a good excuse. You think fast." Shinomori's voice held a hint of approval.
"Thank you, sir." Kaoru was oddly touched by his compliment. He seemed to be a man who didn't often give praise.
A tapping on the shoji interrupted Shinomori. He walked over, and slid it open. A gang member, identifiable by the black headband, muttered something to him.
"Very well, I shall come. Geisha, stay there."
---
Kenshin knelt in the centre of the dojo's practice hall. Yahiko's rough map lay on the ground in front of him.
"Right. This is what I want to happen. Kamiya, Sanjou, dress in your oldest clothes. I assume you want to be part of this?" He directed the question to the girl.
"Yes! Of course!" Tsubame was adamant. "Kaoru's always been good to me, and she's Yahiko's sister. We have to rescue her!"
"What does the fact that she's Yahiko's sister have to do anything?" grinned Sano. Tsubame blushed, and shot a glance at Yahiko. He smiled in return, and she blushed even more. He's so nice to me… But now he knows I have a crush on him…
"Sanjou!" Kenshin snapped, and Tsubame's attention was rapidly recalled to their 'commander'. He continued explaining, in the precise, commanding voice that the others were rapidly learning to identify as Kenshin in 'military' mode.
"I will ask to speak to the Leader of the Kokuryukai. If he allows me to speak to him, I challenge him. From what I know of him, he will accept. You two will also enter, and begin looking for the geishas, especially Kaoru and Megumi. If at all possible, set them free and lead them out."
"Sagara. You will come with me. You are my backup in case the Leader orders his gang to attack us instead of fighting him. You will hold my back with the zanbato. I will kill the Leader as fast as possible. This will cause the Kokuryukai to lose heart, and they will most likely surrender."
"Sagara, Kamiya, you have weapons. Sanjou, do you want any?"
"Yes, please," replied Tsubame decisively. She had already thought this one out. "Kaoru taught me a little about how to fight with knives."
"Good," said Kenshin, smiling at the young woman's determination. Strange, thought Tsubame. He has a smile on his lips, but not in his eyes, like he always used to… it must be the Battousai.
"We will get ready to go. It is afternoon now. This must be finished by nightfall."
---
Kaoru knelt on the tatami in the room, as he had instructed. Although she knew that now he was going to help her escape, she wasn't going to let go of the kodachi. It still nestled inside her kimono, waiting for her to draw.
But if I have to fight to get out… Kamiya Kasshin was based on protecting others, not just yourself… I can't kill to get out!
Surely you'll find some way to get out without killing, without even needing that kodachi, the sensible part of her mind said.
But what about the others? What about Megumi, and Tae, and everyone else?
Kenshin might be able to think of a way to get them out…
Kaoru's reverie was interrupted as she heard steps coming down the veranda, and the shoji slid open. Shinomori's voice snapped out, "Geisha, get up."
---
Four people stood near the gate of the Kokuryukai's base. The three dark-haired ones waited for Kenshin's direction.
"Don't forget, Kamiya, Sanjou. Get them out as fast as possible, and then go to the courtyard." He stepped out, and Sano followed his lead, boldly walking up to the front gate. He was wearing his usual magenta gi and white hakama, but over them flapped a white merchant's robe. Kenshin had explained earlier that the robe was excellent concealment for the sakabato, and would lend him an air of respectability that would make it easier for him to be admitted to the gang compound.
"What are you here for?" The two guard asked, aggressively, their hands on their knives, eyeing Sano and the cloth-wrapped zanbato on his back.
"I am here to see your Leader." Kenshin's reply was cold and quietly polite.
The first guard grinned. "You must be the manager of that geisha house. Here to get your whores back?" When there was no answer from Kenshin, he snorted. "Alright, you can come in."
"Thank you." Kenshin walked through the gate, followed by the guard. Stupid, Battousai remarked. What manager would carry a sword?
You can't blame him for assuming things, Rurouni pointed out. You can't see the sword in this robe's folds, and you must admit, we do look like a manager in it.
"Right, you can wait here. I'll get the second-in-command. You don't need to see Leader Shishio."
"Why can I not see the Leader?" asked Kenshin. Damn… that wrecks the whole plan, if I can't challenge the Leader…
The guard grinned lecherously, and pointed at a closed door, across the courtyard. "He's in there. If you want to try interrupting him, then do."
"Thank you." Kenshin followed the man's pointing finger, and began walking in that direction.
The guard sprinted over, following him, and skidded to stop in front of the redhead. "No! Don't! I wasn't serious! You can't interrupt him if he's with Lady Yumi! It'll cost me my head!"
Who cares about your head! snarled Battousai.
Now, now, we don't want any unnecessary deaths, Battousai, said Rurouni's calm voice.
The guard's yelling caused a stir among the gang members grouped around the courtyard. Hands flicked to sword and knife hilts, especially as the men noticed the cloth-wrapped package on Sano's back that could only be a weapon. Then, as Kenshin halted, obviously obedient and under control – he was only a merchant, after all, the guard could deal with him – they turned back to their card games and polishing weapons.
"Very well. We shall wait." Kenshin's voice held underlying anger as he walked up the veranda steps, and knelt down, settling himself sitting looking out at the courtyard. Sano followed, and following the lead the guard had unwittingly given him, positioned himself behind Kenshin, as a bodyguard would.
"Okay… I'll get the Second…" the guard said, apprehension in his voice. "Just… please don't do anything… stupid…"
Kenshin just gazed straight ahead. Sano, behind him, looked down at his friend. It's strange how much he's changed as Battousai… before, he would have been friendly to the guard. Now he's just cold and indifferent… following the mission…
Sano heard a step on the veranda, and turned to see a tall, dark-haired man, dressed in a long white coat over dark purple ninja gear coming towards them. Kenshin, too, turned his head, and, noticing the guard behind the man, concluded that this was the Second.
The tall man flicked his hand at the guard, who returned to his post. Turning to the two men that were waiting for him, he spoke. "I am Aoshi Shinomori, the Second of the Kokuryukai."
Wow, thought Sano, And I thought that Kenshin's voice was cold.
Kenshin, taking the pose that he was the manager of the entertainment house, bowed deeply, and replied, "Sir, I am glad to meet you. I am here to negotiate the release of the geishas of the entertainment house."
Shinomori smiled coldly. "Follow me." He's not the manager of the entertainment house… therefore… he must be…
Slightly bemused, Kenshin and Sano followed the tall man down the veranda. He slid open a shoji, and entered a room, snapping out an instruction to a woman who knelt on the floor. "Geisha, get up."
---
Kaoru turned, and at the door, behind Shinomori, were Kenshin and Sano. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped. She took a rapid step forward, about to launch herself to fly into Kenshin's arms, but… Wait! I can't betray him! her mind screamed.
But he's here! He came for me! Kenshin! She put on her geisha face, but inside, her heart was singing. He'd come, even though she had thought that she would have to escape on her own.
But… Why am I so happy to see him? Does this mean…?
Kenshin smiled at her, relief flooding his face, and he was about to step forward, when he was caught. No! Rurouni, you idiot! Don't take over! We have to get her out first, deal with my successor, then you can do what you like! Battousai yelled at his counterpart, furious.
Sorry, Battousai… I was just so glad…
I know! Just let me finish this! Battousai snapped, and took over again. Kenshin's face snapped into the expressionless mask it had been before.
Shinomori slid shut the shoji. "Your reaction confirms what I thought," he stated coldly to Kaoru. "These are the rescuers you were expecting."
Kaoru nodded, hoping Shinomori would continue acting in the vein he had been previously.
"Geisha, I need a diversion for time to escape. You are a swordswoman, am I correct?"
"Yes," replied Kaoru, confused at the term 'escape'. Apparently Kenshin had noticed, also. "Escape?" he asked, his voice puzzled. What?! He wants to escape?!
"Yes, I want to escape, with a friend. I may be the Kokuryukai Second, but I was coerced into it."
"But… but… You're a gang member! How could you… why…?" Sano stuttered, flabbergasted.
"My family owed Shishio a samurai debt, and I am the only surviving member of my family. Shishio called the debt, and this is how I serve it out. Lately, however, I have been growing more concerned for a… friend… of mine. I wish to escape, and help her to do the same."
"But… All samurai debts were cancelled at the beginning of the Meiji," said Kaoru, confused.
"I am a man of honour. I will fulfil my duties." Shinomori's icy voice, and gaze, froze her to the spot.
"You can't let Kaoru be the decoy!" interrupted Sano. "I'll –"
Sano's offer to be the decoy was stopped short by Kenshin, whose golden glare told him to shut up. He wasn't about to argue with one of the most deadly men in Japan.
Kenshin took over where Sano had left off. "Sir. Don't use Kaoru as a diversion. I will be the diversion." I can't let Kaoru-dono become a target!
Shinomori turned, with the hint of a sneer on his face. Contemptuously, he asked, "Are you even a swordsman, merchant?"
"I am no merchant." Kenshin's voice rang with the cold pride of a warrior, and he folded back the merchant's coat to show the sakabato's hilt.
Shinomori's eyes narrowed at the sight of the swordhilt, and he asked, "Then who, and what, are you?"
"I am Kenshin Himura," replied Kenshin. "I was once a rurouni. I am at present a dojo master."
Shinomori's eyes became considering. "How good a swordsman are you?"
Kenshin's amber gaze met Shinomori's blue one levelly. "I lived through the Bakumatsu."
"You lived… what were you?"
"I was once a hitokiri."
Shinomori paused for a long second, then nodded. I know who this man is. "Hitokiri Himura Battousai."
Kenshin' only answer was a single nod, his amber eyes darkening from a light, expressionless gold, to a forbidding ochre glare. The glare warned, Speak of this and you die.
"Then you have business with Shishio Makoto also?"
Shishio Makoto. I remember someone by that name…
"I am here for Kaoru. If I must fight to protect her, I will." Obliquely avoiding the question, Kenshin moved over to the woman, still half-watching Shinomori, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Kaoru-dono?" The tone was the Rurouni's, Kaoru noted, but the eyes and hard face were still the Battousai's.
"I am, thank you, Kenshin. But I need no-one to protect me. I can fight if I need to." He knows I can fight! I'm no helpless maiden to need protecting! …Though, it was very sweet of him to want to… I wonder if that was Kenshin, or Battousai?
Kenshin smiled slightly, the still-amber eyes amused. "I know. However, I need you to help the geishas to escape. Your brother and Tsubame are going to be attempting to find them also. If you find the two of them, have them aid you." Dear Kaoru-dono, said the Rurouni. I know she doesn't need protecting… can't she see it's just that I want her to be safe?
Headstrong as she is, Rurouni, she probably knows that you mean it that way, but still wants to assert her independence. Battousai's tone was amused. Rurouni grinned internally at his voice, knowing that Kaoru's outspoken attitude was one of the things that endeared her to the fiery warrior half.
"Helping the geishas escape?" Shinomori's voice was almost as cold as when he had been speaking to Shishio. "If you only want the one woman, why are you helping the rest escape?"
"I cannot, in all honour, allow women to be kept prisoner," Kenshin replied, his tone nearly as cold as Shinomori's, and almost rebuking, as if he was reproaching the Kokuryukai Second for forgetting the laws of chivalry and honour that a samurai had to uphold.
"I had to follow the orders of my lord. I will not betray him simply because of a group of women." Shinomori rapidly denied Kenshin's implied unfavourable view of his conduct.
"Samurai debts were cancelled. You have no lord."
Kaoru could sense the tension between the two men, almost palpable. As Kenshin – Battousai – met Shinomori's steady glare, she realised. They were testing each other, measuring the other's strength. It's not even important, but their warrior ways can't desert them now… And when two people as strong as they are competing…
"I honour my debts, Battousai. You may be an assassin, but you should understand that."
"I do." Kenshin's face was largely emotionless, mirroring Shinomori's. Only their eyes sparked with the warrior's fire.
Shinomori at last sighed, and looked over to Kaoru. "I have revealed, and done, too much, but I will take the geisha to where the other geishas are being held, and guide them to the back gate. That is all I will do. I must go. Battousai, start a fight in the courtyard as soon as possible." He turned on his heel, moving towards the door, and beckoned to Kaoru.
"Wait –" Kaoru called after the retreating man. He paused at the door that opened deeper into the compound.
She quickly turned to Kenshin and Sano. "Thank you for coming to help… Be careful."
"Thank you, Kaoru-dono," replied Kenshin, with a quick smile and nod. Rurouni! Did you really have to use that silly smile? Now she's going to think we're silly!
Worried, are we, Battousai? asked the Rurouni, semi-maliciously.
I can't have the Battousai grinning stupidly, snapped Battousai, too-hurriedly.
"Don't you worry, Kaoru! We'll be fine!" Sano's exuberant grin was almost fake, but he made it nevertheless. I don't want to worry Kaoru. Knowing her, she's worrying enough about getting the other geishas out of here.
She turned, following Shinomori, and Kenshin sighed as the last flick of her kimono disappeared.
I wish she didn't have to leave, said the Rurouni, forlornly.
She could fight with us… It would be fun having her fight by our side, Rurouni. Battousai teased.
Put Kaoru-dono in danger? Never!
I was joking, Rurouni… We could never put her in danger… Battousai let out a half-regretful sigh. Then, as Rurouni let go, he lifted control of the body totally into his own will. Let's go!
"Right, Sagara, let's go."
Author's Notes: I'm not sure whether the samurai's laws had the 'chivalry towards women' attitude that Western knights have – from what I can discover, they didn't – but I included it anyway… I needed it for the plot.
What do you think of Tsubame? I really need you to tell me what you think of her characterisation. I don't think I've got her quite 'right'… ah well…
Review! Please! Onegai!
Review Replies: Thanks to all my reviewers.
sprinkles73 - You're welcome! /bows/
half-breed-demon-fox - Updates are subject to my Internet privileges, but trust me, I'm writing them!
kenshinlover2002 - I made it so Kenshin gave his sword to Yahiko because he's got so many memories with that sword, and they had to be banished somehow. Giving it to Yahiko, who would use it well, was the best idea.
half-demon-from-Azarath - Updates are fun... but may be somewhat uneven in terms of timing...
Peachie-Chan - Well, perhaps not as twisted as you'd like, but yes, kinda twisted...
Dagorwen of Ithilien - Hehe. Like I said to half-breed-demon-fox, updates are subject to my Internet privileges, but I am writing them.
HiEi JaGaNsHis FlAmE - Glad you think it's getting interesting... there's battle sequences coming up in a couple of chapters, which will be even more interesting!
RangerDo'Urden - The in-head fights between Rurouni and Battousai are really fun to write - you should try it sometime! Ask your Muse for help. She may try to screw it up, but keep her on the right track, and it'll turn out great!
Jomai - You like it? Good!
Sosoru - I enjoy the banter, but I don't think it makes Kenshin as a whole seem insane. It's just like when you argue with your conscience - except the conscience we're talking about here is a bloodthirsty manslayer... Yes, that is indeed the beauty of AU.