Chapter 7: She is Your Disease
Tomoe was a very obedient woman. Her loyalty never wavered for Kanryu. She never questioned it, nor did she try to understand why she did so. It was probably from fear, but she never delved deep enough to find the answer in herself. From the day she was taken into his custody, she was an empty shell, a doll. She was Kanryu's previous possession placed upon the highest shelf, left to be admired. From time to time, she would come off of her perch and toy with those who got their hands on her, but only if Kanryu had given her that signal. Otherwise, she was this immaculate goddess of the teahouse. She was free of any impurities, and showered with praises of her beautiful, polite facade.
She had tried to leave behind everything people told her, tried to block out everything that disturbed her. She blocked everything that made her question what she was doing. But somehow, one particular chance meeting never quite left her. Instead, it left traces of doubt upon her mind, and touched a nerve she never thought she had. Those doubts were formed by Akira Kiyosato. Their meeting seemed to be absolutely kismet, as if he would be the one turning point or conflict in her life. She knew it was wrong to help Kanryu murder enemies. Everyday, her hands became stained a little more with the blood of the men who believed in her false affections. She was anything but immaculate. And partially because of this, she was cold to everyone and built personal walls around her. She couldn't afford to really get close to any men because maybe they, too, would have to face Kanryu's wrath. She personally never expected to feel any kind of softness for any man, except for Aoshi, who was not even a man anymore. He was empty, like her, killing without resolve.
At that party that night, Tomoe had met up with Aoshi, who watched her after she touched base with him. He was there for one sole purpose, to protect her in case anything went wrong. He hated to make Tomoe do it, but what other choice did he have. For the years he had spent with the obsidian-eyed beauty, a little part of her died with every victim. Of that, Aoshi was certain. And Kanryu was slowly bringing her to her own ruin. Before Tomoe had come to the party that night, Kanryu had met with Aoshi to tell him of his plans.
"There is a party tonight. The Hiruma brothers are planning to throw quite the soiree, I hear. You and Tomoe will attend, and she will charm the elder brother, Kihei. Aoshi, you will try to keep Gohei distracted as she gains Kihei's trust. When she takes him to his quarters, I will have men prepared. You only have to worry about protecting Tomoe and getting her out safely."
Kanryu was always to the point, and it was always his way. When Tomoe approached the silent henchman, he had informed her as he always did, plainly and simply.
"He wants Kihei dead." Aoshi stated.
"He couldn't pay Kanryu..."
"He took opium from Takeda."
"Drugs aren't an excuse but neither is so much blood shed."
"Kihei's throwing a party. To Takeda, his logic is simple. If he can throw a party, he had money to pay him back."
"I understand." she said numbly and walked into the crowd.
Aoshi had already found Gohei Hiruma. He was tall, with big build, certainly considered a giant of the party. His black beard contained droplets of the sake he nearly spit every time he laughed at a joke his friends told. He was the younger of the two, but both were hulking masses. It wasn't hard to find the hosts of the function. When the friends slowly dispersed, that's when Aoshi made his move, smooth and calculating as always.
"This is quite the party you have tonight."
Gohei widened his eyes in surprise and turned to Aoshi with a sheepish smile.
"Well, it's my brother's birthday! In fact, I hired him quite a few ladies to come. I'd say that this is a pretty good turn-out, isn't it?" he said and gave a hearty laugh.
Aoshi just side glanced over to Tomoe, who already had Kihei swayed with her charms. He looked a lot like his brother, only slightly less bulky and his beard was trimmed more so than his younger brother.
"I'd say it is." Aoshi commented.
"I didn't think this many people would come with all the scare and all."
"Scare?"
"Somebody informed me that Kanryu found out about the party and was going to come tonight all angry, but he was very nice and social. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. I knew he would understand it's my brother's birthday."
"Indeed. Sometimes, people start a commotion about something. Little do they know that things will take their course and happen when they least expect it."
"You're a very meditative guy, aren't you?"
"I've lived through a little more than you think."
Aoshi glanced over to see that Tomoe and Kihei had disappeared. It was his cue to follow suit.
"Well, it's been nice speaking to you, but I must leave with the friend that brought me." Aoshi said to the birthday boy's brother.
"Oh! I see! I was wondering why you looked familiar, but I couldn't place a name with your face. What's your name again?"
"Aoshi Shinomori."
"Well, it was nice seeing you again."
"Likewise."
And Aoshi departed, leaving the man to be bombarded by his friends once again.
* * *
Kihei was instantly enamored with the beautiful seductress. She came to him with a voice as light as the powdered snow, and gentle, almost unnoticeable caresses on his arm. His attention was focused on this little treat at his side.
"So you must be Kihei Hiruma." she said with not a trace of a smile on her face.
"And you are a guest at my party. May I ask what the name of such a lovely creature is?" he said with a grin, flashing his pearly white teeth to her.
Her eyes flicked briefly downward and back up to his eyes, showing a little modesty to his attention. He observed with pure admiration, and his eyes fell upon her ruby lips as she subtly let her tongue wet them.
"My name is Tomoe." she replied finally and he devoured every delectable feature he found on her.
"Well, Tomoe-san, I am truly honored you decided to spend some time here."
"It is your birthday."
A sly smile graced his lips. At that moment, her stomach curled. She knew what was on his mind. It happened every time a man looked at her. And he would end up like every man before him. She looked around briefly for Akira's face, but saw that he was already bidding farewell to Kanryu near the door. He was leaving. Her attention then turned over to Aoshi who was with Gohei. Now was her chance to seal the deal with Kihei, but it looked like Kihei was already finishing up with her. He glanced over at the hallway that led up to the rooms and back at her. She had caught it but continued to be naïve to the fact.
"Well, since it's my birthday, Tomoe-san, may I have the pleasure of your presence to escort me to my room?"
Like a moth to a flame...
* * *
"What is this, Sagara? This doesn't look like an apartment. It looks like a brothel to me." Misao spat as they reached the entrance where the sight of drunk men and cheap whores filled the room.
"Well, you should feel right at home, shouldn't you?" Sanosuke retorted with a chortle.
She scowled, and he put up his hands to calm her.
"Don't get all excited, it's just a stop before we hit my place. It's a gambling joint I always go to." he said, but she did not calm down.
"So you're a gambler. Do you get lucky?"
"Not very much." he replied sheepishly.
Misao seemed to tense up at the warmth of the room and the roar of men's laughter in the room. Men always made her uncomfortable. The way their eyes roved over her body, the way they fondled her, and sometimes have their way with her with a simple exchange of money. It disgusted her, but everyday, she beared the brunt of what life handled her, ending it with tears. It was the ritual of things now and the meaningless diatribe with Sanosuke was well accepted than a man's calloused hands going into her kimono. In fact, she felt very awkward in a room with men without wearing a revealing article of clothing. It was the detail of her job, and in some odd force of habit, she was wondering which one would take her home that night.
Her thoughts ceased when Sanosuke had walked over to a group of men seated in a circle on the ground. They rolled the dice and men would shout "evens" or "odds" for a chance for money. He sat down in the circle and waved her over. As she made her way over to him, a few of the gamblers took a interest in his female companion.
"So who's the broad, Sano? I've never seen her before. Is she a new conquest?" one commented with a smirk and threw the dice.
"Naw. You know me! I don't mix business with pleasure." Sano laughed.
"What do you mean 'business'?"
"Guys, she's just a girl Shishio wants guarded at all times."
"Another task for a member of the Sekihoutai, huh?" a baritone voice interrupted.
"Souzou-sama..."
Sanosuke would know that voice anywhere. A man sat down beside Sanosuke's friend with a cup of sake in hand. He wore a long coat over his thin form. His lengthy black hair was over a red cloth wrapped around his head, and his brown eyes were fixed on Misao at Sanosuke's side. She glanced over at the man. Sanosuke referred to this man named Souzou once in a while, not to her, of course. She heard him speak to people outside her door, and refer to his gang leader. She assumed this man was him. He looked rather youthful to be a gang leader though. His face was clean shaven, not a rough area on his face, which made him seem like a nice man in exterior. He definitely had a commanding and respectful presence. She knew why Sanosuke highly regarded him.
"Shishio has us guarding her?" Souzou inquired.
"Don't worry, Souzou-sama, I got her covered." Sanosuke quickly replied.
Misao glanced over at Sanosuke while her head was bent downward. His face seemed to brighten in the company of these men. He was more animate as well with hand gestures and hearty laughs. This was his family. But her attention was interrupted. She felt something slither onto her thigh and into the folds of her kimono. Another hand wrapped around her arm, and jerked her towards the man beside her. She screamed, removing his hands, and backed away from him.
"Where are you going, sweetheart?" he asked snidely as he grabbed for her again.
She squealed in surprise of his strength and tried to hold her breath as he breathed roughly in her face. She could smell the alcohol intoxicating him. It made her sick. Sanosuke and Souzou watched the display, but it didn't take long for Sanosuke to interrupt.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing with her?!" Sanosuke exclaimed and towered over the drunkard.
"Hey, buddy, go get your own!"
Sanosuke's eyes grew small and smirked just before he punched the man in the face. Misao backed away from both the men, but found herself in another man's waiting arms.
"Hey, what's the rush, baby? We're just going to have a little fun."
Sanosuke turned to see more men, surrounding her, tugging at her garments, and something stirred inside him. He felt an almost natural protective urge in him, and it made a fire ignite in him: the desire to fight. Souzou caught the youth narrow his eyes and grind his teeth while he cracked his knuckles. He decided to join the boy in whatever actions he would go through with. This was, after all, their assignment. They would protect her at all costs, even if she would die later on in Shishio's hands, but it wouldn't be on their heads. Souzou and Sanosuke both made their way to the group with powerful strides. They glanced briefly at each other, indicating which way they were going, and moved in. Souzou simply picked men off of her and threw them to the side, while Sanosuke picked the more bold approach. His fist collided with one man's jaw and pulled him in by the arm for a punch in the stomach. He tossed the injured man aside and moved onto the next, rewarding him with a knee to the groin and a shove to the side. Misao peeked through her closed eyelids to see her saviors as she felt the pressure lessen off of her. Sanosuke pulled the last man off of her, but sneaked a peak at her while he held the man in the air. She was shaking her head as she clutched her red cheek. One of the men had hurt her in their huddle, and Sanosuke was displeased. His grip on the man's clothing tightened and prepared to punch.
Fragile hands reached out desperately for Sano's fist, and he paused. His eyes never left the man he held, he just felt the hands-so small-placing a light weight on his hand. The desire to fight diminished in that short moment, and she removed her hands. Sanosuke listened as he heard footsteps quickly heading outside. She was running, and he needed to catch up to her.
"Listen, Sano! I didn't know she was that special to you! I swear!" the victim yelled as he flailed his legs in the air.
Sanosuke locked eyes with him, and the man held his breath. He brought him down to his eye level, the man's legs still dangling because of Sanosuke's intriguing height for a Japanese man. He looked deep into the man's eyes and made sure that every word he accentuated clearly.
"Don't ever touch her again."
Sanosuke released his grasp, and the man fell to the ground in a heap. The tall gangster just shoved his hands in his pockets and tread toward the exit.
"And she's not mine!" Sanosuke added before going out into the cold.
"What's up with him, Souzou?! Is he fricken' crazy?!" one of the attacked men yelled.
Souzou just snorted and sat down in the gambling circle, where his seat was still open.
"Evens: six or two."
Sanosuke walked outside and found his captive on the ground on her hands and knees, her head bent down. Her hair, that was put in a long, prim braid, hung off her left shoulder, touching the snow-covered ground with its tip. Her cheeks were flush, and her sobs hushed.
"Misao-."
"Don't!" she yelled, and tears escaped her eyes.
He noticed the cold biting at his cheeks, and the white powdered snow falling around them. They could have freezed to death out there. His casual observations turned to the girl crying on the ground before him. She couldn't go on like this. He crouched and laid a hand upon her shoulder.
"Please...just take me to your home..." she said almost desperately.
He sighed and rose up to his feet, her slim form following suit.
"To home it is." he muttered and began walking.
He didn't stop until they came to a small block of apartments, little cubbies for human beings, he thought morosely. He then stopped at one in particular, pushing aside the door, to see the small space he called home. He turned to Misao, who seemed as if she didn't even care. She simply stepped inside and made herself comfortable in the corner where, after a few minutes, she fell asleep. In the darkness, he had set up his futon while she lulled into sleep and made himself a bed. But he couldn't help but look over to her. Her head was leaned against the wall, and her body curled up in her arms' embrace. He sat up, and crawled his way over to a chest in the opposite corner of the room. Quietly, he took a thick blanket out and made his way towards the sleeping girl. He placed it over her shoulders and admired her for a brief second.
"You act feisty, but inside, you're just a broken, pitiful girl, right?"
She responded only with light breathing from her peaceful slumber, and he makes his way to his futon, where he, himself, got a peaceful night's sleep.
* * *
Tomoe entered the hallway, keeping an eye on the presence of any people in the hallway. She found none that had been in or followed them to his room. It was such an easy break. She knew the usual tactic. Aoshi was waiting for her in the shadows of the room. Awaiting to kill, to see the man's flesh tear, and blood to stain his hands. It was the silent man's job: the dirty work. Kihei stopped in his tracks and turned to Tomoe with a strange look. A look Tomoe had never come across on any of her victims before they entered a room with her. It was a look of turmoil or uncertainty.
"What's wrong?" she asked with concern.
He was quiet for a moment, not responding, but deciding on what to voice. But he shook his head.
"Do you think that I am a bright man?" he asked.
She froze and pondered on how to reply.
"Well, you are very rich."
"Through our business, not by my brains."
She swallowed forcefully, swallowed the unease she felt at the question.
"I mean-I know that this party tonight was a mistake. Don't you?" he said as he placed his hand on the door.
"I don't know what you mean..."
"I told Gohei that it was a bad idea to host a party when we owed Kanryu so much..." he paused as if remembering their conversation, "But he didn't listen to me. He told me everything would be all right. And Kanryu seemed to happy to give his best wishes for my birthday..."
Tomoe was shocked, but didn't show it. The man who seemed to be this big, dumb, ox of a man was actually quite brilliant.
"Forget I ever said anything." he abruptly said and opened the door to his room.
He entered with Tomoe right behind, and she shut the door. She heard Kihei light a match and saw the surprised reaction on his face. Worst of all, she saw Aoshi standing before them in the dim light of the small flame. Kihei turned to Tomoe with disgust.
"You knew all along, didn't you?!" he exclaimed, and she smelled it.
It was the smell of blood. And she heard Kihei's flesh rip apart with the help of the cold blade and saw his pained expression. He took a step forward in her direction, seizing the moment of opportunity, and grabbed her by her hair.
"You bitch..." he muttered and brought her to him.
She whimpered in pain, but did not show any emotions of fear. He tossed her in front of him, and she saw it, Aoshi's blade, piercing through the darkness towards her slender neck. The blade froze in mid-air, hairs away from her flesh, and she closed her eyes instinctively. Aoshi was always good with attacks, even when he had to stop them. Kihei, scared of Aoshi's quick reflexes, abandoned her body as he ran for the door, and she heard Aoshi run after him swiftly. She looked over to Aoshi who was fighting tooth and nail with the man. Kihei had a dagger with him, tucked safely away in his belt. With that weapon, he blocked Aoshi's attacks with amazing precision and, as he blocked Aoshi's next slash by holding his wrist above his head, he managed to slash Aoshi's side with the small weapon. Aoshi hissed in pain and brought his fist to connect with Kihei's jaw. The big man fell back against the wall, but launched himself towards Tomoe once more. Tomoe froze, feeling no desire to escape death, and he came running towards her. She prepared for the impact, but instead felt the light spray of moisture. The quiet woman peered through the darkness to see the big man falling towards her, and Aoshi's blade stained with blood in the moonlight.
Kihei fell atop her, and they both fell to the ground in a heap. She just lay there, not moving, and at one point imagining that she was Kihei. Aoshi whispered her name, but still she lay, not responding. The blood stained her body as it pooled around them, staining one of her finest kimonos. She looked at her hand laying on the ground, the alabaster stained with crimson blood. She knew it all too well. She was a tainted person contrary to the belief of other people. Men died because of her. She was dangerous, yet beautiful in every eternal form of God's intention. But the sins weighed pretty down on her heart. She could not be saved now.
"Tomoe..."
The weight was lifted off of her, and Aoshi bent down to examine her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked softly.
"No."
* * * * * *
Megumi sighed as she filled the powder into the little packets. In the candlelight, she viewed the tiny packages in the palm of her hand. With her other hand, she traced the little squares and let the pads of her fingertips stray to her skin. They softly brushed against her life line from the space between her thumb and index finger to its midway path. It stopped where most life lines were three-quarters to its normal length. At the heel of her palm, she found a trace of the powder still holding on to her skin. Her index finger wiped a bit off, and she brought it up to her eyes.
Such a little substance could cause so much pain. For a brief second it looked to be that she was pondering over what it was like. She raised the contaminated index finger to her mouth, but she stopped when she heard the rustle of fabric. She turned to see Tomoe standing in her doorway, her expression full of pain and her clothes stained with droplets of blood.
"Tomoe?" she said in worry over her facial expression.
The obsidian eyed beauty stared blankly at Megumi, and let her shawl drop to the ground to reveal the huge blood stain on her midsection that she had covered. Megumi watched in horror as she walked in and stood before her. She glared down at the young medicinal woman with an empty stare.
"Tomoe, what's wrong?" Megumi asked, already practically forgetting the drugs before her.
"I just need some company tonight. That's all." she replied detachedly.
"Tomoe, I-." Megumi was interrupted as Tomoe fell to her knees, "Tomoe!"
She clutched the delicate woman before she collapsed fully to the ground. Tomoe's head was turned away from her until Megumi turned her face to her. As she placed a hand on her chin, she felt a moistness there. She looked at Tomoe with confusion and saw what she then confirmed. Tomoe was crying.
"Tomoe, what happened tonight? Did Kanryu do anything to you?" Megumi asked frantically, but Tomoe wouldn't answer, "Tomoe! Answer me!"
The seductress slumped against the doctor, laying her forehead on her shoulder.
"I'm just tired." she said reassuringly, but Megumi didn't buy it.
She bit her lip, contemplating if her decision for the moment would have consequences. She pulled Tomoe from her and took out a handkerchief that was tucked away in her obi. She handed it to her before she stood up.
"You stay here. I will be just a moment." she informed her and exited the room quickly.
She had rushed downstairs to my level, and I had just reached my room from my outing with Tsunan when she approached.
"Tanuki!"
I turned to see her run to me with an almost urgency in her voice. Her tone worried me, so I backed away from my door.
"Megumi-san..."
She neared me, and I listened intently, not quite trusting her for she had always asked me for chores or trivial things that wasted my time.
"I need you to-."
"Mou! Megumi-san, I will not go out for anything! Not at this time of the night, and I don't care what you say-!"
"It's Tomoe."
That silenced me, and I stood numbly in my place as Megumi spoke.
"I don't know what's wrong with her. She won't speak. I don't know what to do."
"Kiyosato-san!" I blurted, and Megumi looked at me oddly.
"Now is not the time to be thinking about boys, Tanuki." she said angrily.
I blushed to my roots, I swear.
"No. It's just the only name I could think of when you said that. I don't know why."
"I can't bring a man here! Not unless he's paying for her time."
"Please, Megumi-san! I know he can help her."
She pursed her lips and looked away from me for a second, as if to contemplate what I had just asked of her. She turned to me with a sternness in her glare.
"This goes against my better judgment, but not a word to anyone of this. Do you hear me?" she commanded with a wag of her finger in my face.
"Yes."
"Now, stay with her until I return."
I watched her depart out the door, an urgent swiftness in her strides. I knew Megumi cared for Tomoe's well-being. I didn't understand the two of them. Usually, there would be a struggle between the first cherished and the second, but Megumi and Tomoe had a comfortable companionship in each other. Yet Megumi couldn't handle Tomoe. There were some things that they couldn't share, and Tomoe had found a kindred soul in Akira. I knew it ever since I saw their exchange of glances, and the warmth I felt between them. There was something that neither Megumi, Kanryu, Aoshi, nor I could give Tomoe. Whatever it was, Akira could fill that gap with his own sense of humanity.
I witnessed my wreck of a mentor on the ground. She sniffled a couple times, but the tears seemed to have vanished when I arrived. I placed a hand upon her shoulder, but she did not turn to me. She covered her mouth with the handkerchief and closed her eyes.
"Tomoe-sensei?" I called, but she did not respond.
I kneeled beside her, and called once more. I shook her shoulder lightly, but she was obviously too disturbed to even look at me. She never had acted this way in the short time I knew her, so to have her totally upset upon the floor was something that had me baffled. She was a strong woman, wasn't she?
I pulled her to look at me, but her eyes were full of this unbelievable despondency. I tried to speak, but my mouth only parted. I couldn't find the words to comfort her. So all I did was stay by her side until I heard footsteps reaching the floor once again. By this time, the candle had some of its wax to the pan below it. Only Megumi appeared at the doorway when she returned. Her mouth was set in a grim line, and her eyes were cold.
"Go to your room, Tomoe." she said sternly.
Tomoe set a palm on the ground and pushed herself up. I watched her rise from this huddled mass on the ground to this crane gliding away from her perch. She looked blankly at Megumi before continuing, and I rushed to see her walk away. Megumi cast a glance at me, and I stopped to watch Tomoe at the other end of the hall, looking at her shoji very inexpressively. She began to slide the door aside, but her attention had focused on someone sitting inside. She stood still and looked to him with confusion set in her features. He looked just as confused at to why he was there.
"Tomoe-san..." he said reluctantly.
She stared at him in wonder, but stepped inside, closing the door behind her. I stepped over to the shoji and pressed my ear to the surface to hear a bit more. All I heard were sobs, and some shift of weight on the floorboards. I didn't get to hear the rest because Megumi yanked my ear and told me to go to sleep. But she told me the next morning that they hadn't spoken all night. Kiyosato had held her all through the night, letting her cry on his shoulder. Neither had spoken a word to each other except for before he left early in the morning.
She had faintly whispered, "I can't forgive myself, so I don't expect you to forgive me either."
He left that morning, tired, yet rewarded with the sweet smell of white plum-Tomoe's fragrance-that stayed in his clothes and in his memory. His departure did not go unnoticed as Akira had thought. The wolf's eyes lay upon him in the dark of the early morning with only the cigarette smoke hazing his vision. Akira had sensed his presence at the exit and only acknowledged it at the end of the road.
"You're getting too involved. This is not a part of your duty."
Saitou's voice was informative in this stern tone. Akira didn't turn to meet the eyes of the officer, he rather tried to escape by walking away, but Saitou's voice stopped him.
"Do you know why they nicknamed me 'the wolf', boy?" he asked before taking a long drag of his cigarette.
"No." Akira replied curtly, biting his tongue before he felt the urge to argue with him.
"I go in and out, lurking only in the shadows, but I'm still loyal to the pack I run with. You're wavering, Kiyosato. She is your disease. And you're slowly faltering just like all the others. Don't be fooled by her beauty and soft voice. They're more deceiving than you think."
The white plum still filled his senses. His fondness of her had grown in the time he'd known her, but Saitou, in his own way, was warning him. He had to keep her at a distance and let her be destroyed when the time came.
"Understood."
* * *
That night, when Megumi ushered me into my room, I must confess that I hadn't spent the whole night sleeping. I couldn't sleep after I saw Tomoe in such a state of grief. It hurt me, too, because she always seemed like such a strong person in my eyes. I lay in my futon listening to the sounds of the teahouse. It was strange that I didn't hear a party in the entertainment establishment. Instead, I only heard a few customers in the women's quarters. It was probably because a lot of the men went to Hiruma's party.
It was odd for me to just want to leave my room when usually I would beg for this much peace in this new fast-paced life I had become accustomed to. I sat up in bed, my lungs suddenly craving the air of the outside world, and stood up. I left my quarters and made my way down to the exit where I was hit with a winter breeze. I instantly shivered at the contact and tried to focus my eyes in the darkness. I saw the well, probably frozen from winter's touch, and the clothes line down, leaning against the side of the house. But what caught my eye was Aoshi. He was on the ground, his back to the well, and slumped over. I ran immediately to the well and knelt beside him.
"Aoshi-san..." I shook him gently, only to receive a hiss from him, "What happened tonight?"
He tried to raise his head to meet my eyes, but he couldn't find the energy. His head remained hanging.
"It's nothing." he replied curtly and tried to raise himself off the ground.
He got up, with the help of applying some weight onto the well and pushing himself up, but he collapsed back down to the ground.
"Aoshi-san! Please don't move!" I pleaded and kept a hand on his shoulder, "Whatever you're going through, it's not just nothing!"
"Get away from me." he commanded sharply.
"No!"
"You stubborn little girl! Get back to your room!"
"Not without you."
He sighed in frustration, and looked at me with irritation.
"You are relentless just as much as when I first met you. I thought Kyoto would take that out of you."
I just smiled as I took a hold of his arm and placed it over my shoulder. We rose from the ground-I, trying to keep my balance with this new weight on me, and he, getting used to help. I carried him into the women's quarters, but found myself not knowing where he, himself, sleeps at night. I looked to him for direction.
"Where's your room?" I asked.
He took a sharp intake of pain as I adjusted his arm on my shoulder.
"I am near the kitchen." he said in a hoarse whisper.
I looked around, trying to find find my direction in the dark, and walked down the empty corridor. I had never noticed it before, but there was a door next to the kitchen. I always assumed it was a closet or a storage room, never did I at least brush on the thought that it was a room for Aoshi. I stumbled along the corridor with Aoshi, and he leaned forward toward the door.
"Aoshi-san!" I exclaimed, and he just slid open the wooden door.
I helped him in and let him settle in a corner before closing the door behind us. He sat like a wilted shrub in the corner. It made me almost pity him, but it made me wonder how the party had turned out. I assume that the confrontation with Kihei wasn't as successful. Tomoe was having a break-down, and Aoshi was severely wounded.
"Aoshi-san, we have to get a doctor."
"NO!" he exclaimed harshly.
I looked at the blood staining his hands and the beads of sweat on his head despite the cold weather. I knelt down beside him, not knowing what to do next. I couldn't get him a doctor. The best I could do is offer him comfort and try to help his wound as best as I could. My hands drifted from my lap where they were neatly placed, and hovered above his face. He flinched and closed his eyes as he shivered. From what I don't know, but I knew he couldn't last without some medical attention. I let my fingertips graze his forehead and sweep the drenched, stray locks from his face. He tried to calm his breathing as he felt the cloth of my yukatta brush away the sweat from his forehead. He seemed to calm with that gesture and leaned back against the wall.
"Kaoru..." he murmured softly and twitched in pain.
"Wait here." I said curtly and ran out of the room.
I ran into the kitchen next door, grabbing what utensils I could find that could help. I found a bowl, and a clean cloth for the next day's work, and started boiling some water. While waiting, I panted in anxiousness. He was counting on me and waiting for me to help him. I quickly poured the heated water into the bowl, while putting the towel on my shoulder, and tried to walk as calmly as I could knowing that Aoshi was badly injured. When I returned, he sat there looking at me with a far off glint in his eyes.
I laid the bowl down and eased his hand from clutching his wound. He grunted in response, and I took the towel off its perch to soak in the bowl. The water burned the pads of my fingers, turned it red with irritation, but I continued on, bearing the brunt of the pain. I wrung it until the water wasn't sopping off the cloth, and pulled part of his shirt away.
"Hold it." I commanded softly as I placed his hand on his shirt.
He did as he was told and watched as I worked on cleaning the wound. My hands delicately cleaned away the excess blood that caked on his skin, and he clenched his teeth in pain. I bit my lip as I heard him bear the stinging in his side, and I looked up to see him with his eyes tightly closed.
"Tonight didn't go well, did it?" I asked, but he kept silent.
I continued on.
"Tomoe didn't look to good when she came home. She had blood all over her. So I assume that Kihei died."
Still, he did not speak.
"And you're hurt, so he must've put up quite a fight."
There was more silence as I cleaned the wound a final time. The bowl was filled with light red liquid at that time, and I was well aware of the blood loss. I had finally seen the cut in his midsection. It wasn't very deep. I smiled in relief. I dipped the cloth in the water, wrung it out, and proceeded to finish, but Aoshi's hand grabbed my wrist. I looked up to him.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked tersely.
"I just...want to help."
His grasp on my wrist became tighter, and he pulled me towards him. I tried to support myself with the other hand on the floor, and only then did I really realize how dangerously close we were.
"I have killed people in front of you, come back here smelling like blood, and you still help me. I just don't understand how an innocent girl like you would do such a thing?"
"Because all people need to be helped. You're not as bad as you say you are."
"You'll see..."
He released my wrist, and I rubbed it with a sour expression. He really was a strong man. It was evident by his physique. He was tall with broad shoulders, and when he took off his shirt, I had seen his muscles. The proof of all his application. During the day, he would go out and exercise, so I was told by the women there. My eyes were glued to his abdominals for a second. They were marred by the slash in his side, the gash that went through one of his muscles.
"I have bandages in my chest over there." he said nonchalantly as he nodded his head in the opposite corner of the room.
I ran over there, and quickly opened the cover. There inside were rolled up bandages as he promised, but what intrigued me was that there was a paper crane, in tact, lying on top of the rest of his belongings. I took it into my hand and examined the work. It was clumsily crafted, as if by a child, yet it was earnestly folded into perfect creases. I turned to meet his eyes in the dim room, and our eyes met, his a dazzling ocean blue, shimmering in the darkness, mine with a glint of an unknown emotion I could not name at the time.
"Put that back!" he snapped.
I looked at the fragile paper creation with a fondness, and placed it gently inside.
"Who made it for you?" I asked softly with a hint of a smile.
"No one."
"So you made it."
"No."
He glared dangerously at me, but I continued to smile. I grabbed the bandages and sauntered over to his side. When I sat, I began to work once again like the first time I met him. I started wrapping the bandages around his torso, and I found him watching me intently. He was watching my hands, my eyes, my smile-everything. When I was done, I looked back at it in appreciation.
"There. All done." I said proudly, "I think I did a pretty good job, don't you think?"
He just watched me as I picked up the bowl and cloth, starting for the door. As I reached his door, I heard soft words reach my ears, and touch my heart.
"It was made by a girl when I was young."
I smiled warmly, and turned to him as I exited.
"Goodnight, Aoshi-san..." I said softly, and closed the door behind me.
Author's Note: Sorry! This took a long time to get out! I've been busy! I went to visit my Aunt's grave, had a dance and choir concert, worked, went to Rocky Point, and I had a choir competition! I've been busy-busy-busy! Plus my birthday is coming up in some few weeks and so is a wedding of a boss of mine. Well, I hoped you liked the chapter. Turning points in everyone's life, right?!
Responses to the Reviewers:
Jen – As always, thank you for your encouragement!
Blue Jeans – Thank you for the compliment! "Memoirs" is my favorite book of all time! And there was partial inspiration for it in this, shall we say an ode to Sayuri!
Svelte Rose – I'm glad you love Kaoru and Aoshi! Even more, I'm glad that readers have also taken to Kaoru and Tsunan. It'll make it even harder for people to choose between. Plus, people will probably be scolding me for whichever pairing I pick because they've grown fond of both. And I'm glad you're not one of those 'I hate Tomoe' people because you actually enjoy her character. Thank you! ^.^
Marstanuki – Ah, my loyal reviewer! I'm glad you like the updates and actually tolerating Tomoe and Megumi's presence. Believe me, they're not as bad as in the anime. They still remain with some character qualities though.
Furygrrl – Don't worry about K/A! They have their moments throughout this fic, so keep on reading. I'm glad you enjoy the other aspects of the fic though.
Kamorgana – It's okay! ^.^ As long as you read, it's fine! I'm sorry about changing my rating. I just thought that it's not like I was writing anything too smutty.
Relena Maxwell – I'm glad you like the story, but I'm keeping you on your toes, aren't I? J/K! Anyway, I'm giving you a hint-Kaoru kind of has a love triangle, but it's an odd situation and it comes later. And it won't be in the circumstances you expect. That's all I'm giving away. So...of chicklets and gum drops!
Rhysati – I'm glad you actually stumbled upon my fic and read it. I'm glad you enjoyed it so far! And I don't update with a schedule. I just update whenever I can. I'm a very busy person, so writing comes in small moments in my life.
Saki – Well, I'm glad you love it, love it, love it! LOL! =)
