"They went to the Akabeko," Yahiko answered as he came around the corner, summoned by Sano's call. His bamboo sword was hefted onto his right shoulder as he wiped the sweat on his brow from the towel hanging from his neck. "It was Miss Ise's treat."
"What? And no one told me! Oh, man!" Sano moaned, hating to miss out on a free meal, especially if it meant beef pot. But something didn't seem right. He frowned and looked at Yahiko. "Hey, wait a minute. Who's Miss Ise, and why aren't you with them?"
"I'm training, that's why. I just had some cold leftovers. There's some miso soup and rice left if you want." Yahiko turned and headed back to the training hall.
Sano stared at the youth incredulously. Yahiko ate cold leftovers and didn't follow the others to the Akabeko? What in the world was going on here? He followed the young swordsman inside the room and crossed his arms across his chest. "Hey, did something happen while I was gone? And who's this Miss Ise person already!" Why does the good stuff always happen when I'm not here? he grumbled to himself. He could have offered to take Yahiko's share of beef pot if the kid wasn't going to eat it.
Yahiko got into position and began to practice his swings again, making sure to keep his movements crisp and deliberate. "It's a long story and I've got to train. Maybe you should head over to the Akabeko and get them to tell it to you."
Sano stared at Yahiko as if he had suddenly sprouted another limb. He had never seen the younger man so focused or so solemn. It was creepy, almost like talking with Aoshi. Except the height, of course. Hehe. "Are you serious? What the hell happened while I wasn't here?" he half wailed, frustrated at the lack of answers.
Yahiko groaned and stopped his swings. "All right, all right! Miss Ise's brother is after me and I'm training harder so I can defeat him. Is that good enough?"
"No, that leaves me with more questions," Sano shot back. "Why is Miss Ise's brother after you and why didn't anyone tell me they were going to the Akabeko!" He paused in mid-rant as the words finally sunk in and squinted at Yahiko. "Wait a minute. If someone's after you, why are you here alone? Shouldn't Kenshin be near by, just in case?"
Yahiko growled out his frustration at Sano's words. "That's why I didn't go with them! I'm not going to let Kenshin fight all my battles for me! Now, leave me alone!"
Sano put his hands out in a gesture of surrender, realizing the youth was serious. He set aside his teasing manners – for the moment, anyway. "Hey, sorry but I can't stop asking questions until I know what's going on. You had better start from the beginning."
Yahiko sighed and did what he was told, realizing he wouldn't get any peace until Sano was appeased. By the time he finished with the story, the other man was grinning. Sano slapped the young swordsman on the back heartily and said, "Well, congratulations on your first family grudge fight, it should be a good one. So, we don't know when this Nori guy is going to show up, eh?"
Yahiko shook his head. "Miss Ise said it probably wouldn't be tonight, which is why she offered to take us out, probably because she was feeling bad about this whole thing. And Saitoh said he'd assign some guards tonight, just in case." Yahiko heard the gate to the dojo unlatching again and poked his head out of the training hall. "Hey guys, what are you doing back so early?"
Kenshin glanced up and smiled at Yahiko while Kaoru locked the gate. "Miss Ise thought she felt her brother's ki along the way and decided to go investigate. We thought it would be better to bring dinner back home so we could all share it. Evening, Sano."
Sano stuck his hand out of the room to wave at the wanderer. "Evening Kenshin, Missy." He peered over Yahiko's head and his eyes were drawn to the package in the red-head's arm. "Is that … beef pot?" he asked, mouth agog.
Kaoru hmphed as she strolled past him to set dinner up. "Careful or you're going to slip on your own drool."
They settled down to eat as Yahiko and Sano squabbled over who should get the biggest portion – "You already ate dinner!" "Yeah, but there wasn't much of it. Besides, I'm training and I need the energy!" "I'm bigger, I'm the one in need here!" "Keep dreaming, moron!"
Kaoru sighed and shook her head, glancing at Kenshin to see what he was thinking. He had finished eating and was staring out from the open shoji doors. "Kenshin?" she asked softly.
He turned at her voice and offered her his gentle smile. "Yes, Miss Kaoru?"
She glanced at Yahiko still in heated argument with Sano and edged closer to him as if to seek comfort from the red-headed swordsman. "Are you sure Yahiko's ready to take on a trained samurai whose already killed so many people?" she asked, her voice a mere threat above a whisper. "It's not that I don't believe in my own apprentice but … this is a bamboo sword against a real one."
Kenshin smiled again, his own words quiet. "You shouldn't worry so much, Miss Kaoru, that you shouldn't. If it is necessary, I will intervene on Yahiko's behalf."
Relief blossomed within Kaoru at his words and she impulsively grabbed the wanderer into a tight hug. "Thank you, Kenshin. I feel a lot better about it now."
"Oro! Please, Miss Kaoru … I cannot … breathe!"
Yahiko and Sano stopped their bickering long enough to watch the couple. Sano let out a whoop. "Way to go, Missy! Take the bull by the horns and drag him in!"
Kaoru released her grip on Kenshin's gi, blushing furiously. She glared at Sano and whacked him on the head to cover her embarrassment. "You pervert!" she growled. Kaoru glanced back at the wanderer, who still looked dazed, and scowled. "Men!"
"Oro …"
From her damp perch on the trees overlooking the dojo, Ise couldn't help but smile as she watched Kenshin and Kaoru turn bright red at whatever the tall, brown-haired man said. Once again, she had dampened her ki so she could watch over them without their knowledge. They're not related in any way, but they're as close as a family can be, she thought wistfully, remembering her own childhood and the warmth of her adopted family. Monotobu, Mother, I wish you were here now to give me guidance.
It wasn't disrespectful that she called her stepfather by his first name as he had insisted on it. Ise had loved her real father terribly and Monotobu wanted her to understand that he could never replace him, even if he married her mother. Because of his understanding and gentleness, she had grown to love the Otsuka family enough to take their name.
A slight rustle behind Ise alerted her to the fact that she was no longer alone in the trees. She berated herself for not paying attention to her surroundings or her senses as she whipped her head back to look. Her right arm was inching towards the kunai hidden within the folds of her cloak. "Who's there? Show yourself!" she commanded in a hiss. She felt around for the intruder's ki but found nothing. Was it Nori?
The rustling stopped but a voice emerged from the foliage. "Ise?"
Ise put a hand to heart as if that would stop the sudden frantic beating. "Nori," she whispered.
By unspoken accord, they both jumped down from the tree branches to face each other for the first time in a year. Through the shower of raindrops burning silver in the moonlight that came down with them, Ise could see her brother had changed only slightly in the past months. He was still as tall and impressive as ever, having even towered over his own father by a good six inches. His long hair was carefully combed and secure as a topknot, something Motonobu insisted a good samurai would take care of, regardless of the pain of doing it. Nori's clothes were a little more worn and tattered with new tears, both the white hakama and gray gi boasting badly mismatched patches. He even looked a little thinner and bonier, as if he ate irregularly. Looking more closely, Ise could see that he was tired – something he couldn't hide from her despite his best efforts.
"Ise, what are you doing here?" he demanded gruffy, ignoring her anxious check on his wellbeing.
"You know why, Nori," she said quietly. She took a step forward but froze as her brother shifted into a defensive stance. Ise could only stare at him, dropping her guard so that he could see that his reaction hurt her. How could he think she was going to harm him?
"You told the police about me. I can no longer trust you," he said brusquely as if in response to her silent question. His dark eyes stared back at her, determined not to waver as she lifted pain-filled eyes to him.
"You were going to kill a child, Nori! What else was I supposed to do?" Ise whispered, fighting back the tears clouding her vision. Was this really her brother who had so patiently played with her when she demanded it, helped her in her ki training, who caught fish just for her to eat? She trembled, fighting back equal desires to demand her real brother back and to knock sense back into him.
"It was Father's last wish."
The terse words broke Ise restraint and her tears. She strode over to her brother and slapped him on the cheek, silvery streams running down her cheeks. "How dare you?" she hissed. "How dare you dishonor your father's memory by saying this is what he would have wanted? Motonobu was the finest samurai I had the honor of knowing and he would never stoop so low as to want to kill a child! Even if it was his greatest enemy, he wouldn't dare sully his name by such a dishonorable action! You are nothing like our father, nothing!"
Nori's body stiffened at her assault. "Take care, Ise," he said dangerously. "I will only take so much, even from you."
"Does it matter if you kill me too, Nori?" she asked, her voice reflecting the pain in her heart. "If you are determined to kill Yahiko, it is worse than murdering your own kin. At least I had the chance to live my life. That boy you are so determined to kill still has many years left before he can choose what he will make his life out to be."
Nori stared at his sister who suddenly seemed to wilt before his very eyes. His beautiful sister whom he accepted into the family without question because his father did. She was always the joy of the family, bringing sunshine and laughter even during times of war and bloodshed. He could see how much suffering he had caused her from the worry and intense travel pace he set. He had never seen her look so … defeated. Was he the cause of all this?
But … no. Nori's eyes hardened as he remembered his task. The voice inside of him reminded him of his duties as the last male Otsuka descendant still alive. He had to fulfill his father's last wishes, the words he spoke upon his deathbed. Myojin and the others must die to prevent more killing. To preserve the future. To protect Ise and the future generation from ever seeing so much pain and blood again. He refused to kill those innocent but if any stood in his way, he must be strong enough to stop them as well. Motonobu Otsuka was strong, and he had not trained his son to be weak.
Nori gripped his sword for comfort, reassured by the familiar, worn handle as his eyes were riveted on the exhausted Ise. She had pursued him from the very first time and he could no longer afford her interference. He had the perfect opportunity to kill Myojin but she had surprised him with her ki attack. When did she become so powerful? he wondered to himself. How could she have gained so much skill when he wasn't looking?
But – no, she wasn't so strong, he realized, still looking down at her bowed head. Ise was merely holding on by a thread. She looked so tired but refused to give up. A ghost of a smile flickered through his tense face. She was just like an Otsuka.
A level voice broke the silence, reflecting a mixture of annoyance and sarcasm. "Well, isn't this a cozy, loving reunion."
Ise lifted her head up instantly, searching for the owner of the voice. It was Inspector Saitoh, she realized, the scent of cigarettes wafting in their direction. But what was he doing here? She vaguely remembered something about him sending a few guards over to protect the occupants of the dojo. Curses, I forgot about that!
The said police officer strode over, stopping a few feet away from them as he blew the smoke from his mouth. His hard amber eyes studied the scene before him before he shook his head in disgust. Idiots. Why did they insist on being so melodramatic? "Didn't I explain to you, madam, that I don't appreciate people dying during my watch? It creates more paperwork than I care to do. Kindly back away from the madman so I can take care of this myself."
Ise could feel Nori bristle at his words and she leapt in front of her brother as if to protect him. She sent Saitoh a pleading look. "Inspector, please! Allow me and my brother to work this out on our own."
Saitoh examined his cigarette and deemed there was at least one last puff to take from it. He did so and flicked the butt aside, allowing it land in a puddle where the water would snuff out the fire. "Please, from what it looked like, he was going to skewer you and I'd have to chalk you up as victim number sixteen. If that's your idea of handling it, you may need as much help as the killer there. Step aside or I'll arrest you for standing in the way of official police business."
Nori growled at the other man, not liking his tone of voice. "How dare you insinuate that I would hurt my sister in any way?"
Saitoh shrugged. "You're a killer. You had your hand on your sword. What other conclusion can I draw from it?" His wolf eyes glanced briefly at Ise before settling back on the other man, studying him. "So, you think you are doing the right thing? How disappointing. A true warrior would never seek the death of children and women."
Another insult. Nori abruptly shoved Ise aside and charged the smirking police officer, drawing his sword. "How dare you? Die!"
"Nori, stop!" Ise called, panic edging her voice. She had heard rumors of the Wolf of Mibu and if they were even half right ...
Saitoh sighed at his opponent's impatience and waited until the last moment to draw his katana, meeting the attack head-on. "'Die'? I've heard more original battle talk from the brat you were trying to kill." The discordant tone of their weapons crossing pealed in the air, startling in their clarity. Nori pressed against him, using his superior strength to try and overcome the police officer but Saitoh sprang back and smirked at the samurai. "Come now, is that all you've got to show? How you've managed to kill fifteen people with your pathetic skills is beyond me."
Nori snarled, scanning his opponent briefly for an opening. Stepping in, he opted for a diagonal slash starting from the left shoulder, hoping to throw him off guard with such an unusual attack. Saitoh immediately moved to parry the blow, turning his body slightly to the right and giving away some leverage with his sword, causing the larger swordsman to go slightly off-balance as he traveled farther than he expected. Smoothly, without pausing, Saitoh jerked his weapon back and swept around to the right until he was behind Nori.
"Hmph. Like I said, pathetic," Saitoh said with cold derision while the other man righted himself and glared at the wolf. "Surprise was the only reason you could have killed so many so far. I see no point in continuing with this when it is obvious your skills are inferior. Come along quietly now so you can stand trial for your actions."
Nori flushed red with rage at the casual dishonor to his father who had taught him the ways of the sword. "First you slight me and now you dare insult the Otsuka family name? For that alone, you will suffer with your life!" His dark eyes narrowed as he slowly shifted to execute his deadly four-prong attack.
"Looks like you've made a new friend, Saitoh."
Saitoh didn't even bother taking his eyes off the killer, recognizing instantly who it was from the annoying voice. "What do you want, idiot? Can't you see I'm in the middle of a fight here?"
Alerted by all the noise right outside the dojo, the whole group had gone out to investigate, suspecting it was Nori. Sano smirked as Kenshin helped Ise up to her feet while Kaoru and Yahiko ran to catch up, having been slowed down by a kimono and short legs, respectively. He really wasn't surprised to see Saitoh either, getting mixed up in the middle of things. "Nothing. I just want to see how long it'll take for you to finish this when you've been complaining about his lack of skill."
"Idiot," Saitoh muttered. He was still watching the killer who looked slightly bewildered at the impromptu party that was going on.
"Nori Otsuka!"
The loud voice startled them all as everyone drew their eyes to Yahiko. He stood tall – as tall as he could muster while panting, anyway – his bamboo sword out and pointed straight at the samurai. "Nori Otsuka, I challenge you to an honorable duel!"
"Yahiko!" Kaoru exclaimed.
Predictably, Yahiko ignored his teacher, focusing only on his opponent. His dark eyes were narrowed, sparking fire within its depths. "You want to kill me? Then do it one-on-one. If I lose, then you can kill me fair and square. If you lose, you turn yourself into the police without killing anyone else."
Nori, still tense, glanced around at everyone briefly. "No others will interfere?"
Yahiko nodded tersely. "On my honor."
Nori narrowed his eyes to look the youth over before returning the curt head jerk. "My father said the Myojins always kept their word. I accept your challenge of a duel. Tomorrow at dusk."
"At the dojo. Don't be late." Yahiko moved the bamboo sword to rest on his right shoulder before turning around.
There was a gleam of respect at the boy's courage from Nori's eyes. He glanced around at the rest of the people to make sure they were properly distracted before dampening his ki and leaping into the trees, heading back to his makeshift camp. He wouldn't let Myojin down at the duel tomorrow and already he was formulating a battle plan. He was so intent in his thoughts that he didn't even hear his sister's lost cry following after him.
"Nori!"