Chapter 9: Revelations
The next day, Misao did nothing but sit in her hiding place of the closet in Hanabi's room. Smiling and shrugging off her friend's concern, she rolled three topics back and forth in her thoughts. First was the hovering conflict with Omura, second was what she would do following the unavoidable wedding of Hanabi, and the lastly was the statement Aoshi had left with her. The latter was the subject that would not leave her alone.
Artificial freedom? Misao scoffed to herself. He was one to talk - fighting for artificial honor in an era that no longer placed honor on a pedestal. He was living in the past.
But aren't you doing the same thing? She shook her head in denial at a the small voice that had been plaguing her since Kenshin's gentle reprimand. She accused Aoshi of being blind, but could she be so sure that she was not suffering from the same affliction? Running away? He had followed her - two years ago she would have been leaping for joy and eagerly shedding her assumed identity to follow him home. Yet the fact now only irritated her - it proved nothing, only that he believed she still needed adult supervision. That she was still a child.
Yet he had kissed her like woman. She flushed at the thought. Another stalling tactic - one that was rather low. The argument rang off-key with her, but she ignored it. Picking up the sword that rested against the wall, she cautiously slid open the closet door and emerged. Hanabi would be out in the tea house all afternoon, and Aoshi was assigned to guard her. Misao smiled to herself, wondering what new tactic he would try at persuading Hanabi to stop her charade as Jiei. Early that morning, Misao had retold the night's encounter.
Shifting her feet, Misao began the same pattern Hanabi had outlined for her that she had been practicing. 'Flight of the White Crane' was simple enough to remember, but the control needed to execute each movement was taxing. Misao now could see how Hanabi was able to detach herself so well when engaging the bandits. Focusing entirely on one's actions left little room for aggression. She had nearly gotten the hang of it last night when her concentration had broken at the flash of white from the corner of her eye. Her old fighting ki almost flared at the feeling of intrusion when she registered the former Okashira watching in the shadows before she regained the blankness of the sword. Aoshi's deliberate prick at her pride almost made her control a second time, but she buried her anger for later.
Now alone in the room, she rehearsed once more. Between herself and Hanabi, they would prove that they were strong enough to stand alone, despite the pressures of society. Finishing her kata, Misao quickly gathered her things together and tucked them in the closet. Wrapping the veil around her face and settling the now familiar weight of the sword at her back, she crept out of the house to seek out the Wolf. It would be the second-hardest bit of acting she would need to pull off to keep her cover. The ex-Shinsengumi would have senses equal to those of Aoshi - perhaps even sharper.
Slipping past the police guards at the front of the house, she made her way to the police station with little effort. Listening for a moment to all the various voices at the window, she crept around to the back of the station and pressed an ear to each window. The last window was rather small, but the distinct smell of cigarette smoke drifted from it. A back door that looked little used provided an easier access to eavesdropping. Misao paused, certain that Saito was inside. Her thought was confirmed when the door opened abruptly but silently despite it's unused appearance. The tall, gaunt, policeman glared down at her.
"I could have you arrested in an instant for both carrying a weapon and for spying on government officers."
Slowly and deliberately, Misao stood, the Jiei mask firmly in place. "I doubt you would want to do that to one who is willing to help you on your present assignment."
Golden eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here, creeping around like a snake in the grass."
The inner-Misao smiled, so she went from a weasel to a snake in this man's mind. One was to be treated with more respect than the other, so she assumed this was a step up.
"I have found the name of policeman Fujita Goro involved with Omura. I am well aware of the undercover system of the police, but if I am to protect the Lady Hanabi, then I would like to know what your involvement with the attackers may be."
Saito chuckled and stepped back from the doorway. "I do not wish to say anything in the open. Come into my office."
It was dim inside, made twice as dark with her veil, but she dare not remove it. Focusing on the glowing red tip of his cigarette, she continued, "I need only to know how far you intend to risk Lady Hanabi's life."
He ground out the cigarette deliberately and Misao's hand clenched involuntarily. "Why do you wear such an idiotic thing over your face?"
"It is none of your business."
"Then why should I tell you mine?"
"Because I wish to remove this Omura from any underground power that may harm the Katatomi's."
"Why? Are you in some sort of relationship with this noblewoman that you wish to protect her?"
Again Misao smiled within herself. "She is engaged to be married."
"Never stopped anyone before."
"We are friends, nothing more. Now answer my question."
She felt Saito's calculated gaze sweep over her for a long moment and then felt a powerful pulse of his samurai spirit accompanied with his dry command, "Do not order me around, hatchling."
Very carefully, Misao let some of her own anger leak out. "The Wolf should watch where he places his feet if there is a snake in the grass."
"Keh," His eyes narrowed. "You know a lot for some wimpy looking bodyguard. I could bite you in half in an instant, but it would be a waste of my time. Yes, there is an agent working with Omura - specifically, myself. I've been looking for a reason to take him down, but thus far he has been playing his cards very carefully. His family fell from the Emperor's favor a while ago, but he is rebuilding his fortune by pulling the strings of politicians. I cannot allow that to continue - especially now that he is using drugs." He lit a new cigarette, the flame of the match casting a sharp glow on his face. "I had to give him a little push in the right direction, and then the rest fell into place."
"How so?"
Saito returned to his seat behind a massive wooden desk. "How much do you know about the dealings in the Katatomi household?"
"I have only been there for two days."
"Rikoteki is an addict. He is a pawn of Omura's and his dealings have been growing more and more... hazardous. Since he is also the tax accounter, there is little else to explain."
Misao frowned. Drugs, yet another demon the Oniwaban could not escape. "So you are setting him up? How?"
Saito smirked. "Why spoil the surprise?"
She growled, "Then answer my first question - how far are you going to risk Lady Hanabi in your scheme?"
The policeman's face lost all emotion. "That depends on how far her father has involved her in his plans. He has already made a bargain with Omura, but I have yet to discover what that trade may be."
"I see." After a long moment of silence, Misao turned back to the door.
"I would think it best to keep this information from your partner - Shinomori and your precious Lady Hanabi, snake-boy."
Misao only bowed once before slipping away.
A knock covered the slight whisper of the closing back door. Saito growled, "What is it, moron?"
A station secretary timidly opened the office door. "Sir, a report has just come in that a meeting has been planned between Katatomi-san and Omura-san."
Picking up his katana, Saito pulled on his gloves. Snatching the piece of paper from the mouse of a man, he quickly scanned it, his exchange with the mysterious Jiei fading into the background. How strange that such a slip of a fighter was able to answer his ki attack with his own. However, that was of little importance now. Lighting a match, he burned the thin paper and let the ashes fall to the floor. Ignoring whatever the secretary was complaining about, he put on his police hat and strode out the door.
The exchange went as well as it could have. Misao risked a moment to unveil her face to wipe the sweat from her eyes. She hadn't expected an intimidation tactic from Saito, but had managed to fend it off. However, the news of Rikoteki only added to the contradictions. He was a drug addict, and drugs cost money, yet his entire household was classed for the aristocracy. Hanabi knew nothing, of that Misao was confident. How much did Aoshi know? Saito had 'hired' him, but with what sort of persuasion? Was he forcing the ninja to relive the past for some sort of cold entertainment? Did Aoshi know that drugs were involved?
Misao scowled. Why was she even worried about him? She should be more concerned for her friend's safety. If Saito wished to toy with other people's lives, then he would have to go through her to get to Hanabi. She would prove how much of a snake and a weasel she could be.
Before entering Hanabi's room, Misao carefully scoped out the tea house tucked away in the far corner of the rock garden. The ceremony had been completed and there was no sign of Aoshi or Hanabi. Frowning, Misao skirted the outer wall and leapt into an ancient pine whose branches just shaded the side gate. She could not risk being spotted if Aoshi knew Hanabi to be in a particular place. Scanning the room from her vantage point, she watched closely at the faint movements behind the closed windows. Two people were in Hanabi's room talking. The slight breeze blurred the words together, but one was most definitely a man while Hanabi's softer voice carefully maintained its demure tone. Another person entered, and Misao heard a faint exclamation - whether in anger or fear was unintelligible. The movements stopped and voices faded.
Something twisted in her gut. Risking being seen, she leapt from the tree to the top of the garden wall. Balancing precariously, she managed to dart across the wall to the house and climb to the balcony. Cracking the window open, she looked inside. The room was empty. Misao scanned the floor for any sign of struggle and immediately noted Hanabi's fan near the door. A pitiful meow came from the closet, and Misao released a rather irritated Kitai from her confinement. Frowning, she looked for the ribbon that had been the kitten's constant plaything but found no trace of it.
There was something wrong. Misao waited for a servant to raise an alarm, but none came. For a long moment she agonized over leaving the room to find Rikoteki for an explanation and finally drew her sword and crept down the hall. Darting from room to room, she scoured the entire house and found no one. Her unease increased. Where was Aoshi? He was supposed to be guarding Hanabi, yet she hadn't heard his voice in the earlier exchanges.
Footsteps approached the main gate. Misao checked her veil and crouched at the door. She recognized Saito's figure immediately and sheathed her sword. stepping onto the porch, she raised her voice,
"Officer, there is no one here. I believe Lady Hanabi has been kidnapped and there is no sign of Shinomori-san."
Saito frowned and entered the courtyard. "That is because he was sent to find me."
Misao stiffened at the sudden appearance of Aoshi in the gate behind the Wolf. She felt Aoshi's eyes immediately fixate on her, but she did not break her gaze with Saito. "Then why is there no one in the entire house when I returned from meeting with you?"
"Because perhaps that is Omura's plan - no witnesses. This is the plot - to have Lady Hanabi taken, the ransom paid for Rikoteki's debt, and her dowry to ensure future drug shipments."
Misao's fists clenched and she cursed behind her veil, still ignoring the close look Aoshi was giving her. "Then you knew about this and did nothing to prevent it?"
Saito glared at her. "You fool, I was about to take care of things when your partner came looking for me. He said that your Lady had valuable information. I was on my way to a meeting between Rikoteki and Omura."
The pieces few together. Her ki struggled to free itself at the sense of abuse, but she remembered her sword's lessons. "This was what you set up? For Hanabi to be sold off for narcotics while you wait for your glorious drug operation to be set in place. You risk her life, when she is nothing but an innocent?"
The cop calmly took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
"So you found me out. Yes, I did go to Omura and suggest the kidnapping, but I had my suspicions about his connections to Rikoteki Katatomi long before suggesting any conspiracy. The setup was too perfect to ignore. Why strike down one corrupt man when he will lead me to another?"
Misao clenched her fists, but maintained her anger. "So you have left Lady Hanabi in the open as bait."
Saito took another pull on his tobacco. "Yes, and it has apparently worked. Now come and prove your worth."
The policeman turned and walked out the gate. Aoshi stood motionless and she could feel the pressure of his gaze as she walked past him, following the infuriating Wolf. She heard him take a step and lowered her voice so that only he could hear her.
"Do not touch me. You failed her."
Whether she meant that he had failed Hanabi or herself, Misao let the double meaning hang between them in a final defense. He answered in an equally low voice.
"Then until this task is complete - but I will be watching you."
