Chapter 10: Consequences
Aoshi's senses were contradicting themselves. Most of them screamed for him to strip the veil from the face of the small figure walking just ahead of him. Yet others held him back with the cold words that echoed in his ears.
You failed her.
The tone had been blank, yet the undercurrents were tangible. He was almost sure he knew who was hiding beneath the mask, but if it was Misao, then it was most definitely not the Misao who had left the Aoiya. This person was careful, calculating, and ruthless. Could two weeks change a person so completely? How could she have mastered a sword in such a short amount of time? A more troubling question swam out of the confusion. How could she have changed her spirit so drastically that he could no longer identify her at first sight?
Because you drove her to it. Aoshi's hand tightened on his kodachi. Her desire for the respect of Okashira, her need of acknowledgment had thrown her brilliant, youthful heart into shadow - so like his own. He had done this. Yet the brown eyes of the noblewoman added to the mix. The person from that encounter could have only been Hanabi Katatomi. Perhaps that was why Jiei wore a veil. Eyes betrayed.
Saito was leading them towards the bay. The roads grew darker with trash and the smell of decaying seaweed and rotting fish steadily increased. The long rows of low-rent rooms were pushed closer together until the road broke out onto the beach. Making a left turn, the policeman continued away from any definite civilization and into the heart of disrepute. Aoshi's eyes narrowed. They were walking towards the old docks, a nest of gangs and underworld activity. Saito sensed his disapproval and smirked over his shoulder.
"Afraid you can't handle it in your condition, Shinomori?"
"I am only wondering why you have not called in your policemen. You had them stationed outside the Katatomi house, yet they made no attempt to stop the kidnapping."
Jiei's hidden eyes were fixed on the Wolf but Aoshi could easily picture blue flames burning in them. "Because he wanted it to happen."
Saito ground out his cigarette against a rotting post and ignored the anger radiating from the smaller figure. "Omura has a storehouse four blocks from here. It's an old abandoned temple. This is where he and Rikoteki have been making their exchanges as of late. I will go first, since they know me as a crooked policeman. You two will wait for my signal."
Aoshi frowned. "Yet they attempted to distract you by sending me out on false information. Aren't you suspicious that they know you as a spy?"
The policeman shrugged. "They do not hold me in such high regard to waste that much energy. They would care less if I were present or not - which is to my advantage. If they are not watching me, then I am free to move about. However, that does not go for you two. They know that you, Shinomori, were hired by the true police, and they know Jiei as being oh-so-loyal to Lady Hanabi. That is why you will wait outside."
Jiei made no reply, but Aoshi felt him tense. He doubted that the smaller bodyguard would wait for anything if anything threatened his charge. Saito's eyes darted to the ninja's before he tilted the hat on his head.
The temple rose out of a mass of poorly thatched houses and smaller warehouses. This Omura was clearly a well-financed criminal if he managed to buy the old temple from the government. Even though it was abandoned, the site was still considered sanctified ground and for an individual to purchase it for personal use would take a good sum of money. Aoshi refrained from drily smirking. Of course, Kanryuu had no monetary conflicts with Megumi Takani under his control - drugs were very profitable. Those in control of the substance had no concern for their customers once they were pulled into the black hole of addiction because they knew their hold was almost unbreakable.
The surrounding houses were not unoccupied. Aoshi sensed numerous people behind the dirty papered doors and windows, a mass of energy that lay in wait. He eyed the unstable roofs and thatching. They would be doing this on foot with no leaping from building to building. The narrow alleys and darkened corners of the streets would provide more hidden places for the drug lord's allies than protection for the force of three fighters. This would be a fight harder to break free from than to spark.
When the three reached the last ring of disreputable looking complexes, Saito took his sword into his left hand for easier access and confidently strode towards the main door of the building that faced the East. Without a word, Aoshi and Jiei slipped to the left, skirting the stretch of open ground that protected the temple from any thieves looking for an easy break-in. The roof was high - far higher than any traditional temple. There must have been double, perhaps triple floors inside and the roof was crowned by a tower with a green-tinged bell hanging inside. Barred windows ringed the walls under the low-hanging eaves while half-roofs protected the two side doors.
Aoshi judged the distance from the ground to the bell tower and asked his silent partner, "Can you reach that?"
Jiei took his own measurements with his veiled eyes. "There is no double roof. I can use the doorways to launch, but I don't think I'll be able to get past the overhang of the roof."
Aoshi nodded. "Reach where you can and I will assist you."
The two made a run for the temple, feet darting silently over the gravel scattered around the building to assist with rain run-off. Jiei leapt into the air, closely followed by Aoshi, yet his trajectory was lower. Aoshi focused all his energy downwards and sailed straight to the gray, moss covered tiles. The smaller bodyguard sprang from the small ledge that sheltered the Northern door and launched himself upwards. Aoshi moved to help him but was ignored. Grabbing the beams which protruded from the temple eaves, the black-clad figure hung for a moment before latching his feet around a timber and flipping upside down to being prying at a barred window. Aoshi waited till he was sure Jiei had made it inside without detection before creeping over the point of the roof to the South side. If things went wrong, it would be best to attack from two directions.
Misao dropped soundlessly to the floor and quickly closed the shutters behind her. Taking a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dimness, she cursed the veil she wore. Even if Aoshi had figured out who she was, there was still a good chance she could pull off her ruse with Saito. The inside of the temple had been completely gutted and was now full of large wooden crates. The second level had been cleared and filled with stacks of the containers while the center of the upper room now looked down upon the first floor. A series of pulleys and ropes told how the gangsters hauled the large boxes into place.
She could hear a handful of voices and crept to the edge of the second-level floor. Down below, a man dressed in a western suit stroked the head of a gold cane just in her line of vision. Contrary to his choice of dress, the man did not wear the usual facial hair that was also in fashion. Narrow black eyes were coldly analyzing the bowing Rikoteki who nervously twisted his precious hat in his hands. The simpering man was saying,
"Please, Omura-san, I have given you my daughter's dowry. I promise that as soon as the ransom is delivered to the Hinotoro family, that the rest will be paid in full. If I could only -"
"Katatomi, I have been forgiving because this scheme seemed amusing at the time. I have not been fond of the aristocracy for some time for their holding to the outdated traditions of old blood being mightier than new ambition. However, the time it is taking and the expense are making the benefits trivial."
"I have done everything you have asked."
"Have you? Then why was it so difficult for my hired men to break through your pitiful, underpaid soldiers? Even when I hired those ratty ninja's they were unsuccessful. I have begun to think you want to hold on to your daughter more than you first let on."
"I keep my deals, Omura-san. And as proof, I brought you my daughter."
Misao stiffened at the sounds of a body being dragged across the wooden floor. She couldn't see anything but there was a muffled cry and then Hanabi's voice rang out,
"Father! What is the meaning of this? I thought we were going to the palace!"
Rikoteki's voice turned hot and he raised his hand as if to hit her out of range of Misao's eyes. "Silence, worm! You useless piece of flesh! How dare you ask me for an explanation of my decisions! You have no right to demand anything."
Omura's voice was amused though his face did not show it. "Ah, I see that she is a bit of a fighter. How odd, coming from one who looks so easily broken. A bit naive, but that will soon be cured."
There was a second sound of movement, and Hanabi's voice dropped to a carefully controlled level. "Cured sir? How can one be cured of something one has never had? I know that I am thought a tool to be used by my father, but I am also a person with her own thoughts and decisions. I do not know who you are, sir, but I ask that you release me."
"I am not the one to do so."
A new voice entered the conversation, the distinct odor of tobacco smoke accompanying it. "A person, yet a tool. You talk in contradictions, woman. You are most naive to speak on things you do not know."
"I learn quickly."
Rikoteki moved further into view, anxiously pacing. Misao watched the angle of his attention and began plotting her next move. The man was shaking oddly, the hat nearly slipping from his fingers while a sheen of sweat was making his skin shine in the block of sunlight falling from the bell tower. He sounded desperate. "Please Omura, I gave you my word, I brought my daughter here. I know that I still owe you half of the debt, but I will pay it back soon. If you wish, you may have the first share of my daughter.
Misao's hand went to the hilt of her sword. He was trading his daughter for drugs? Was he that needful to give up any remaining family honor for a moment of fleeting pleasure? Hanabi made no response, possibly too shocked to even move.
Omura's cane tapped the floor, but as he moved closer to the trembling accounter, Misao noted that he did not depend on it - striding confidently. The gang leader raised the golden head of his cane and belted Rikoteki across the face with it.
"You are the pathetic worm. Whoring off your family for opium! You should ask with more dignity than that. Besides, I am not that foolhardy. I know that she is still engaged to a high-ranking family. I am in this agreement for profit, not a death sentence. There are plenty of others out there who will do the job for that aristocrat, but I can handle scum well enough."
"Father?" Hanabi's voice was shaking. "Is this true? You are selling me for drugs?"
Rikoteki's eyes were glazed. "So what? You are my daughter, and a daughter's duty is to obey her father who decides what is best for her."
Saito cut in, "And that includes shaming herself before her wedding?"
"Shut up, Goro! What do you know about shame - you informant!"
"The logic behind your thinking is flawed. If the Hinotoro family anticipates something like this - they will not be willing to pay the full ransom. That lands you right back in your predicament right now - in withdrawal."
The smaller man clapped a hand to his face and let out a strangled moan. "Please, Omura?"
The other only smiled. "No to both your requests. Not until I see the money. As I said, I am in it for the profit, and I do not see any as of yet. Once your debt is repaid, you will go on your way."
"But what of my daughter?"
Omura only glanced in the direction Misao assumed her to be. "What of her? I do not need any satisfaction - I can get that whenever I wish - and I will not start war with the Hinotoro family. Bad for business."
Misao began to growl with impatience. What was Saito waiting for? He had all the evidence in just the fact that Omura was in the company of Rikoteki. She could hear the quiet sobs of Hanabi below her and it drove her to act. Drawing her sword, she made a run for the pulleys. Grabbing a rope in her left hand, she slid down to the first floor and faced all three men. Omura didn't even twitch at her abrupt appearance.
Misao let her anger burn as she raised her sword point to his throat level even though she was still six feet away. "You disgust me, Omura - even more than Katatomi-san. He is a victim of his own weakness, yet you are still in control of your logic and choose to play with peoples lives. How dare you lecture him, when you are twice as corrupt!"
Omura tucked his cane under one arm and regarded his opponent carefully. "And I have the honor of meeting..."
Rikoteki's teeth were grinding loud enough to almost echo in the temple, all pleasantness was wiped from his face. "Jiei - you are dismissed from your duty. Return to my house and I will see you well compensated."
Misao raised an eyebrow, though he did not see it. "You offer to bribe me, yet you have a debt so large that you must conspire with the devil himself to pay it off? You expect me to believe you? I think not. Instead, I think I will find sufficient compensation in seeing you cut down to size."
Omura barked a laugh. "Interesting words from so small a man." His black eyes were carefully examining her and then swept the second level for any others. "You forget that this is my territory. Katatomi is concerned with only one thing - maintaining his dependence on my opium. There is no one else in this region that has such a pure product that will satisfy."
Misao took a step forward, her sword unwavering. She could see Hanabi behind her father, hair in a mess, but her face was set. Misao hissed, "I do not care about Rikoteki. You, however, will be severely punished. Saito - you have your proof so make your move before I do."
Both men looked momentarily confused at her sudden command. A spark glowed in the shadows before falling to the ground. With the rasp of metal, Fujita Goro stepped forward from his post by the main door. Sword drawn, he glared at Misao.
"You little meddler - I do not like it when my hand is forced."
Omura reached into his western coat and drew out a revolver. "Goro, here is a chance to earn your pay."
Saito eyed Misao for a moment before turning to his employer. "Yes indeed." He slipped into his gatotsu stance. "Omura-san, you are under arrest for the illegal trafficking of drugs into Japan, the selling of those drugs, bribery and conspiracy against the country, and participating in the slavery of the people."
Omura only pointed his gun towards the ceiling and fired. The bullet struck the ancient bell in an um-musical clash. Rikoteki pulled out his own revolver and began wildly firing at Misao. Dodging back and forth, she watched the crazed man's hand and pulled out a kuni. She hesitated for split second and then threw. The gun fell with a clatter. The pounding of footsteps outside the temple made it clear that the fight was far from over.
"I should have known you were an undercover agent. How interesting that you were the one to suggest a kidnapping, Fujita Goro. I should have realized what you were up to the moment I mentioned my client's debt."
Misao shot a glare at the former Shinsengumi. He had suggested it? He really would do anything to get his prey.
Saito only smirked. "You were a hard man to pin down, Omura, since you execute your activities from behind. But a puppet master can easily get his strings tangled. I needed this one last piece of evidence, along with Katatomi to prove your involvement with some of the government officials. The Meji government is corrupt enough without your little perverse stage for amusement."
All four doors burst open and men bearing rifles and swords flooded in. The riflemen immediately moved up the stairs and ladders to the second level of the temple and took aim. The swordsmen below ringed the intruders. The odds looked like ten swordsmen and three gunmen to each - wherever Aoshi had gone. Misao glanced upwards at the black mouths of the rifles. The swords didn't worry her, however, dodging lead was not something she enjoyed. Her eyes widened - they were carrying repeating rifles - things she had only heard of. They could fire up to five shots without being reloaded. She cursed under her breath - the temple had become a firing range.
First task would be to get Hanabi out of danger. Behind the face-off between Saito and Omura, the woman was slowly sliding backwards. Her hands were still tied with the Kitai's ribbon, but she would not get far without being caught by Omura's henchmen. She could throw her a kuni, but that would only draw attention, and she would still be unarmed.
"Kill them all!"
Rikoteki looked shocked. "Omura-san?"
The drug lord raised his pistol, eyes not wavering from the poised figure of Saito. "If I destroy all your evidence, Agent, then you will have no proof - only corpses that cannot talk."
"You can't do that to me!" Rikoteki shrieked.
Omura turned his gun on the man and fired. With a moan, Rikoteki collapsed. Hanabi let out a short scream and Saito charged. The rifles added their own voices while Misao leapt forward and tackled Hanabi to the ground and out of the immediate line of fire. With one quick cut, she freed her friend. Misao whispered,
"I am sorry. He was a bad man, but he did not deserve to die like that."
Hanabi's eyes were slightly unfocused, but she tried to smile. "When I saw him like that - when he cursed me - I knew it was too late for him." At the sound of gunfire, she cringed. "What of your friend? He will know now."
Misao pulled out her kuni. "It no longer matters."
A scream made her spin around. The shots were fewer now, and not all of them aimed downward. She sensed Aoshi above her as he fought with the gunmen. Saito was standing over Omura's screaming figure as he clutched a severed hand, blood ruining his western suit. He kicked the gang leader in the face, and turned to the other swordsmen. Even as good as Misao knew the Wolf was, he could not take on thirty armed men in such an unprotected and confined space. His own blood was darkening his right side where either Omura's gun or one of the rifle's had touched him. With a battle cry, she threw a handful of kuni into the crowd, disrupting their mass attack. She caught a moment of irritation in the policeman's face before she joined the fray.
She blocked a strike at her head and allowed the blow to slip away in a spin. She caught the man in the back before parrying another. She kicked him in the knee, then struck his head from his body. Time seemed to blur as the surprised face of her opponent slowly fell and rolled away. Her chest hurt and she began gasping for air. Pain burned in her left shoulder and she sprang forwards, leaping over the hulk who was charging her with an ax. When the large man turned with his weapon, she stopped the blow though it rocked her entire body. He frowned, unable to comprehend how such a smaller enemy could block his heavier weapon. A blade sprouted from his chest and he fell with a gurgle. Saito was holding his side of the fight. She took a moment to examine her arm. Whoever had struck her from behind had only done minor damage, though it weakened her arm. She parried and struck in a perverse dance as Hanabi had taught her - interspersing her kuni to impair those further back from the actual combat.
Her awareness of Aoshi's presence opened a new awareness in each action she made. She felt each cut of the sword as it sank into the yielding bodies of her attackers. The smell of blood filled her head but she moved on, slashing through wet flesh - killing and killing again. She heard Hanabi cry out behind her and saw the young woman struggling with a gangster who held a pistol to her head. Misao's hand moved without thought and the attacker screamed.
It was instinct - raw and biting - it was starting to terrify her. The sword was no longer helping in the chaos of battle. Now she felt more like an animal. Throwing the blade to Hanabi, she reached for her kuni in blind hope that using them would establish a bit of normalcy.
Two bodies fell from the second floor and the gangsters drew back for a moment. One of them cursed.
"There are only three of them! What's going on up there?"
Misao snarled and launched her own attack. The remaining gangsters were caught off guard only for a moment. She was unable to find an opening in which to throw and was left only with catching sword blades on the narrow margin of her throwing knives. She vaguely heard Saito speaking behind her but his words were lost in the flashing of metal and angry faces.
Then she felt a warmth press against her back and caught a flash of white. The rage and mixed panic calmed. Sometime during the battle the veil had been cut and now flapped against her cheek. She tore it away. It was useless now, only a hindrance. She was running low on kuni. To her surprise, something worn and hard was pressed into her right hand - the handle of a kodachi. She looked up at Aoshi, wide eyed.
"Watch yourself, Misao."
There was a rush of wind, and six men toppled over - two by Aoshi's kodachi, two by Saito's gatotsu, one by Misao, and one by Hanabi. When the final three men registered what had happened, they threw down their weapons.
Saito quickly tied their hands behind their backs before tying a tourniquet around Omura's arm that was severed just below his elbow. The floor was covered in blood and bodies. Hanabi looked like she wanted to be horribly sick. Aoshi watched carefully as Misao stepped over a headless corpse and led the noblewoman outside.
Saito lit a cigarette with bloodstained gloves. He eyed the two women and then smirked. "I don't know what you did, Shinomori, but the weasel has grown some sharp fangs."
Aoshi's glared. "Did you know?"
The Wolf only sheathed his sword. "A satisfactory fight - they were not all incompetent like most gangs." He kicked Rikoteki's body over onto its back. "And all I need is a body of an official on site. One way or another, he was going to die."
Aoshi sighed inwardly before cleaning his own blade and paused. This was the first time in two years he had fought with only one kodachi and the first time he had watched Misao wield one of her own. Perhaps there was some meaning to that.
He almost smiled. How very much alike they were, yet still opposite faces to a coin. They hungered for respect, life turning dull and deadly without it. Yet, the risks in seeking it too fiercely brought nothing but a ruined spirit. Aoshi would be damned ten times over if he allowed that to happen to Misao. He would pull her back from the brink she was so willingly standing on. He had felt her soul wavering and it terrified him. Her drive to prove herself had began to consume her - just as his desire to prove the Oniwaban as the strongest had pushed him beyond his rationality.
She had grown - she had forced herself to grow beyond the Aoiya and it's sheltered love. Yet when she had looked up at him and he had seen her wide, sea-blue eyes, he had almost been taken over with the urge to drag her to him. She had eluded him for so long, but perhaps that is what the Fates had planned. This was a journey for the both of them, and now their paths would finally meet. There was no way he would let her run without him.
He clenched his hand.
