Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the creation of Nobuhiro
Watsuki, with the manga and anime rights belonging to Jump Comics and Sony
Entertainment, respectively. FF is non-profit, meant for entertainment only.
FF can be archived anywhere, just let me know where. Please send no flames,
I'm sensitive. For all other comments 0_o you may contact me at
kaoru_koishii@yahoo.com
Chapter Five
*************
Kaoru held on to her father's arm. A bit self-conscious of the dress she'd decided to wear. She stayed close as they walked into the enormous room. "They really out did themselves." She noted.
Kenji Kamiya turned his gaze away from the crowd and to his daughter. She stared around in awe at the grand scale of the social gathering. "Looks like a lot of people came after all." Kenji said leading her around various clusters of people.
Kaoru was oblivious to the heated stares she received but her father was not and he glared dangerously at those who ogled her. He'd been surprised by how beautiful she'd become. If that wasn't enough to upset his fatherly protectiveness she'd also decided on wearing something revealing. Though it had been sometime since he'd seen her in party clothes. Seems he'd forgotten her flare for fashion as well.
He greeted old colleagues before he maneuvered them towards his company's table. It was a large table and there were a lot of people. Some of them he knew while there were a lot that he did not.
"I see a lot of actors." Kaoru comment as she settled into her seat.
"Aa, The gala seems to grow larger every year. This is the largest I've seen it so far." Kenji said before taking a drink from his glass.
Kaoru toyed with her goblet, watching the liquid swirl before she took a drink. Champagne is something she'd never tasted before. It was nice. Everything in the room looked nice.
"I've been thinking about transferring."
"Papa, not this again. I'm old enough to live on my own." Kaoru said laying a hand over his. "I know you worry but you don't have to go out of your way to keep an eye on me."
"I just think it would be a good idea for me to move back here."
"Papa be honest. If I weren't here would you consider leaving your job to transfer back?" She looked at him intently.
He sighed dramatically and she smiled in return. "See." She said making her point.
"I just worry koneko."
"I know but I can take care of myself." She assured.
He nodded. It was just that now that he saw how she looked, he wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing she lived alone. What if some psycho followed her home and killed her? He'd always been afraid of his daughter ending up the same way as his late wife. And with the way his koneko looked that might be a real possibility now.
She ate her meal, happily chatting away about her scholastic plans while he listened and smiled. He had missed his little chatterbox. She hadn't changed much since she was little.
*************
The head of security hid from the throng of people. Dressed in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and deep red tie. He stood off to the side, watching. Observing individuals within the large crowd.
"Hunter to shadow leader. Do you copy?"
He tapped his earpiece. "I copy."
"There's movement on the east wing. Possible ground unit."
The redheaded man tapped his earpiece again. "Shadow leader to Eagle eye. Move to the east wing and confirm movement." He sent a sniper to confirm before he sent a ground unit. It would be safer that way. This was just a business gala. There was no reason to think that there would be some sort of attempt tonight. Except he knew that this was a gathering of some of the largest figures in the business world as well as in entertainment.
"No one there, toorima."
The redhead scoffed. He hated that nickname. "Hunter take your unit and blend. If there's someone there you'll see them again. Don't approach before informing me of your location. Copy?"
"Copy, hunter out."
"Eagle maintain position. And inform me of any further discrepancies. Copy?" The head of security moved his finger away from the earpiece.
"Copy, eagle out."
The redhead went back to observing the crowd. Everything had been running smoothly. But there was always the chance of something going horribly wrong. Maybe he should have worn the black uniform instead. He'd had it in his hands but he'd decided on this suit at the very last second. But now he was having second thoughts.
"Himura!"
The read turned. "Kurizuma, Akihito." He greeted them.
"Splendid job on security. We were wondering if you wanted to join us at the table." Kurizuma asked.
Akihito much like Kurizuma seemed to be some where in his mid forties maybe early fifties. His hair a shade of gray darker than Kurizuma's. Much leaner as well. But also less verbal.
"Come on. There are a lot of people who would like to meet you." Kurizuma insisted.
Kenshin shook his head. "No. I have rounds."
"Do you expect something to happen?" Akihito voice was low. Someone of good breed who'd never had to yell at anyone. Well mannered and well spoken. His eyes bore in to Kenshin, asking for the truth.
"Yes. If you'll excuse me." With those last words Kenshin moved away from the two men.
He weaved through the dancing couples, veering away from groping hands at certain times. Some women.
"Excuse me." He said when he bumped into a man.
A tall, fair skinned man with deep expressive eyes turned to look at him. His dark eyes narrowed before he moved his head to the female in his arms. "Do you want to dance with him koneko?"
Kenshin frowned. That's not what he meant.
"No."
The answer surprised both men. The older man nodded and they dance away from him. When they turned Kenshin saw the woman. It was the same woman. The one he kept seeing around. Her long midnight hair was down, falling to her hips alluringly. She wore a deep red dress same color as his tie, he mused. He liked the dress very much. The back was cut low, allowing him a very nice glimpse of what he could only assume would be a smooth back.
The redhead moved off to the side again. Keeping an eye on the black haired beauty. He wanted to see the front of the dress. 'Oh,' he groaned inwardly. The front of the dress had an even better view. A deep plunging neckline held back by very tiny straps around her neck. He could have dance with that. His eyes skimmed over the curve of her hips, over the small waist and pausing on her bosom a moment before settling on her face. She laughed at something her dancing partner said. Her eyes casually settling on him, she smiled flirtatiously at him before she went back to looking at the older man.
He felt something in him churn at the provocation. She had refused him yet the way she looked at him. It confused him. Who was that man she was with? He seemed much too old for her.
*************
"Papa, that lady's been staring at you all night." Kaoru said in a hushed tone. At her word he turned his head but made no comment. "I think that maybe you should ask her to dance."
"Nonsense. You're my date." Kenji said patting her head and twirling her. She giggled and it lightened his heart.
"Let's get some dessert," Kaoru said after a while. She led him back to the table and picked up her dish. "No, papa don't sit." She laughed when he stopped mid motion. "I want to eat this outside on the balcony. It's getting too crowded in here."
He father nodded and they both left.
Kenshin watched them leave. He'd been following their movements on the dance floor for some time. Casually he stepped out of the room. He made his way out to the balcony where he was satisfied to see a not so large group of people.
He pulled a small palm pilot out of his suit pocket. Quickly reviewing his list of the more prominent figures. A picture appeared on the small screen accompanied by a name and occupation. His eyes would scan the crowd every time after the image changed.
Prince Mikasa Tomohito, the eldest son of Prince and Princess Mikasa, born in Tokyo on 5 January 1946. The prince is a first cousin of the Emperor, fifth in line to the throne and heir apparent to the house of Mikasa-no-miya.
He didn't want to take any chance. So he put the palm pilot back into his pocket and walked over to the older man. Pausing before he spoke. "You're highness." He said with a quick bow. "I'm the head of security for Akihito corp. I would suggest returning inside."
"For your own safety." Kenshin added when the prince didn't move. The prince understood and nodded. Leading the way back inside, his group right behind him.
The reflection of something made Kenshin turn. "Get down!" He roared seconds before the sky was lit with flashes of color. The crowd scurried off shrieking and wailing in an attempt to get away from the invisible threat. Thought not so invisible anymore.
"Shadow leader . . . . . on the roof . . . . unknown." There was static and the transmission didn't quite make it through.
Kenshin had rolled away from the balcony and stood just behind the glass doors. "Get back inside!" He bellowed at several people still outside on the balcony. They would get caught in the crossfire. Damn it. He crawled over to a circle of four women. Yanking one by the hand. "Stop crying. Look at me." He yelled harshly in response the woman stopped wailing and only sniffled.
"You need to follow me inside." He said pulling on the woman and began leading her back. He turned and noticed the other three weren't following him. "Get over here because I'm not coming back." He growled. They nodded and made their way over to him. A nasty rumble was followed by a large crack. He shoved them inside at the sound of another crack. His footing slid to the side. The balcony was going to collapse. "Grime clear the floor beneath the west wing. Do you copy? Clear the floor beneath the west wing."
"Shadow . . . . . gunfire . . . . heavy."
There was too much static. He jumped back inside and back to the dance floor where several clusters were still laughing and dancing unaware of what was happening. He signaled six of his men and they quickly moved to his side. "Two of you will guard the balcony. No one is allowed out. The rest of you will guard the two entrance doors in pairs. Two on each side. I want radio silence unless we are breached."
They nodded quickly and ran to their new posts
Kenshin ran around the side of the room heading for a door when it exploded open. His gun was already out and aimed.
"We have a problem."
"I know." Kenshin said lowering his gun and closing the gap between him and the newcomer. The room had gone silent, listening intently.
"There's too much interference but they're still on the floor they've split up and we caught some of them. It's those nut followers from last year."
"The ones from the airport." Kenshin said as they raced down the hall.
"Yeah, they struck right at midnight. They . . . ."
"Stop!!"
Both men looked at each other. A female scream? Everyone was still supposed to be inside, at the party.
Kaoru's fist connected with the bastard's nose then kicked him on the side of the face dropping him where he stood. A gun clicked near her head but she didn't care. No one hit her dad and got away with it. She moved to kneel at his side when the other man pulled her by the hair.
"Let me go." She hissed.
"I aught to kill you where you stand." The man said too close for her comfort. "But you're a brave little thing aren't you?" He said running the gun along her cheek. "Standing up for daddy the way you did." He drawled as he cocked the gun and leaned it against her temple.
Kaoru closed her eyes. The sound of a bullet resonated along the hall echoing in the silence. Kaoru breathed and opened her eyes. The form holding her dropped to his knees and then back to the floor.
She knelt to her father's side. "Papa." She said shaking him.
"We're in trouble if they're coming up the elevators. We have everyone on the floor looking, down below."
Kaoru turned her face upward to her rescuers. One dressed in a black uniform and the other in a suit, both with guns but only one holding his out. Her oni.
"All right we'll get them back inside. I have extra artillery I brought just incase." Kenshin said as he looked around.
"Always prepared, aren't you?"
"Hunter. " Kenshin snapped, he didn't need sarcasm right now.
"Yeah, yeah." He said shrugging. He moved towards Kaoru smiling after he checked her out. "How about I carry the girl and you carry the old man." He said to Kenshin over his shoulder.
"He's not old." Kaoru snapped. "And I will not be carried."
"Fine." Hunter said in disappointment. He picked the man up and tossed him over his shoulder. Kaoru scowled at him for mistreating her father. She watched Kenshin approach the figure she'd knocked out. He knelt by the body and bound him with something plastic he pulled out of his belt.
Kenshin picked up the body and tossed it over his shoulder in the same manner the old man had been tossed over Hunter's shoulder.
Kaoru made a disgusted sound in the back of her throat and walked along side Hunter. Kenshin walked behind them. His eyes straying to the curve of her back from time to time.
"Do you mind? Kaoru said. Hunter turned to look at her but she wasn't addressing him. She was starring straight ahead. He turned back to Kenshin, who despite the detached facade seemed to have the semblance of a ghostly smile on his face. Hunter turned back somewhat perplexed. In all the years he'd know the red head, had Toorima ever smiled? They opened the door to the gala, the sound of the party reaching their ears as they walked in.
Kaoru pulled the barbarian's sleeve leading him to the side closet where all their coats were. There was a large sofa just outside the counter.
Hunter tossed her father on the sofa like a sac of rise, earning him a vengefully glare from Kaoru. "Be careful." She warned. She turned towards the barbaric idiot but he was gone. The door they'd come in through was ajar but she couldn't hear anything. A second later the redhead stepped through the door, making his way over to the stage.
He stopped at a small side door and removed two large black duffle bags, which he carried back to where she was. Correction to where the closet was. He changed his clothes in less than a minute. Then strode out past a surprised coat checker and a silent Kaoru. He was heavily armed and undoubtedly ready to slay the imminent threat.
He hadn't changed at all.
Well there first meeting could have been longer. Raise your hand if you think the same. Yeah me too. So I went ahead and tossed something good for you in the next chapter which is being posted along with this one. I added nothing new, so there's no reason you should feel lost but if you do just e-mail me.
toorima: phantom killer
hogosha: protector
