IMPORTANT - Gahhhh I am really sorry for not updating for so long...gotta enjoy the bittersweet last vacation I am going to have before school starts again X X Well, I am permanently back from vactaion...:) So expect frequent updates...though I can't promise anything.
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Author: Guess who our favorite weasel's going to meet in this chapter? Hunh? A huge being and an OKAMA? (That should be pretty obvious)
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-Charmed Wolf- I hope this chapter won't disappoint you! Although, it is only a 'part 1'
-Yuki - (smacks Yuki-mouse plushie in her face) There ya go! (runs away screaming bloody murder)
-MmindloveM- thanks a lot! I spend quite a bit of time editing on that letter (grins)
-PRoyalAngel- (screaming hysterically) NEW READER NEW READER! (cough) Ahem, thanks for the encouragement)
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Disclaimer: I own RK. I really do. See, the kodachis Really Kill! --llll(I'm still slightly delusional from the flight...)
(readers starts throwing things) Icoughdon'tcoughowncoughRK.
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Chapter 5 Reflections of the Juppongatana -Part 1-
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Aoshi leaned against the boat railing, ocean wind casually blowing his dark bangs, covering his softened ice blue eyes.
The closer he got to Kyuushu, the more dreams he had about the woman with his eyes. Most of his dreams involved a crying chibi-sized Aoshi and the woman hugging him affectionately.
He scoffed at the mere thought of himself crying, no matter what size he was. But this also caused him to wonder. Did he have a family? Did he have any siblings? Endless questions swirled around his head, sometimes making him dizzy as he attempted to analyze all the data he had gathered so far.
Right now, he preferred thinking about that woman more than the Braid Girl; every time he thought about the Braid Girl, his heart would throb agonizingly, his mind on the verge of exploding. He felt so terribly miserable, thinking about her and the four people killed by the gatling gun. Therefore, he would rather indulge himself in wondering about the kind woman, whose warm smile didn't quite match the color of her eyes. Whenever he thought about her, he felt safe (which was ridiculous, Aoshi thought), and he respected her; only a few had ever earned his respect, including the red-haired samurai with a cross scar on his cheek, whom Aoshi had yet to find out his identity. He also wanted to laugh, which he never recalled himself doing.
Then again, how would I know? Perhaps I did laugh before, I just forgot. Ah here it is.
He straightened himself, a distant spot looming enticingly ahead. Shinomori Aoshi is always ready, including unraveling the past he himself had sworn to forget all so long ago, on that fateful day.
Myouou no Anji sat in a meditating position on the jail floor, a splintered tablet was set in front of him.
His eyes were closed, as he attempted to clear his mind and concentrate on nothingness; if was a difficult feat and only those 'enlightened' can do so.
After Sano helped him 'open' his eyes, he had decided to repent his sins in jail for twenty-five years. His 'student' was right; destruction is not the path to salvation, for it only brought more pain and suffering upon this world.
It was exactly what he went through. Correction, it was Tsubaki and the others went through. It just wasn't fair; they were just children and orphans, no less, yet they met such unfortunate deaths. Those fat lugs who thrived in drugs and bribing should be cleaned out, as he was once determined to.
But he was their Oshou-sama; they would not want him taint his hands with any more blood, not matter how filthy those evil politicians and their lackeys are.
Agreeing with Sano on that aspect didn't mean he like the government at all; in fact, he was even more so disgusted by it. As far as his knowledge goes, most of the Juppogatana's crimes have been pardoned, as long as they work for the government through an underground deal. He had rejected the idea right away. Then, those stubborn parasites kept bugging him, almost bring out the Myouou in him again. It was only the cold feeling of the tablet against his torso kept his mind clear.
It was a good thing the remaining Juppongatana are civilized being as long as they are under proper surveillance. If someone like Usui escaped death, the world would surely be lead to a path of chaos.
He still remembered, about five months ago, he had stopped the proud "Eye of the Heart' specialist from killing an innocent girl. Sure she was an Oniwabanshuu, but her innocent face, childish voice reminded him all too much of Tsubaki. The girl with head-band would always blush prettily whenever one of her 'brothers' suggested himself marrying her.
He was fond of her, that was obvious, but she was also his sister, friend and responsibility. And he failed them.
Anji sighed, unable to concentrate and enlighten himself. Footsteps echoed in the empty, bitter cold corridor. He was mildly surprised when they came to a stop in front of his cell.
"Anji Oshou, you have a visitor. You have an hour. I will come back again," the officer told whoever paid him a visit.
Anji scowled. It must be those sleazy politicians trying to bribe him with Buddha-knows-what this time.
But no oily hair with shiny mustaches greeted him; a beautiful girl with waist-length hair stood boldly in front of him. She wore loose-sleeved haori and tight blue pants, a katana hung horizontally against her hip. Since her hair was tied back, he could see a thin scar across her left cheek. The girl smiled broadly, though it didn't reach her stunning blue eyes. She resembled someone he knew, but not quite. The girl he had rescued from Usui is definitely not the same one before him. This one was a lot more mature, both physically and mentally; she could probably reach his jaw if she tiptoed.
"Anji of the Juppongatana, I presume?" her voice seemed older and more feminine.
Anji nodded his head curtly. The girl sat down in front of him gallantly, though careful to put certain distance between him and the tablet.
"I am Makimachi Misao. We've met briefly before. I was the one…"
"You were the leader of the group that stopped the Kyoto fire back then. You were also the one Usui desired the cut," Anji cut her off.
Misao smiled lightly, "I won't beat around the bush, then." Her voice turned serious, and she bowed down low, "Please teach me your Futae no Kiwami. You've seen how hopeless I was against Shinkan no Usui, not even aware of his presence. I believe the technique would help me greatly in my own chosen path."
Anji closed his eyes again, sighing inwardly. So this is why. Strange, I remembered telling myself not to pass on the technique on any one, and now Sagara can use it and this girl wanted to learn.
"Solve the problem confusing your heart; erase itif you can.If not, it is not possible for me to teach you. After all, I gave you instructions of the method, and the rest is up to you, your will."
Misao seemed genuinely surprised. She had expected Anji to refuse her offer right away, or give her a long lecture about the almighty Buddha or something. Misao gritted her teeth furiously; how dare he tell her to forget about Aoshi-sama?
Anji made no more movement, dead silent. Misao understood alright; until she cleared her heart of unnecessary emotions and distractions, Anji isn't going to teach her anything.
So, to gain something, I must lose something in return……is that so? Is the price of learning Futae no Kiwami too high? CouldI ever forget about him?
Anji spoke gently, as if reading her thoughts, startling Misao out of reverie, "I didn't tell you to forget; I merely thought it best for you to make peace with what ails you. Your memories are precious, which is why you should not confuse over them. I know not why you came, or why you seek power, but I do know that you have to let go of wondering how it might have been, or it should be, and move on. It is time for you to advance and start the time that has stopped since your inner turmoil."
"Oi. The time's up, miss," the police's voice ran like a bell to jolt Misao out of her jumbled thoughts.
She paused at the door, glancing at the tablet, and her eyes softened. She whispered quietly, "I will come back, and, I assure you that I WILL be ready. Good day to you, sir."
When she walked out, another visitor was waiting. He was handsome, there's no doubt about it; his dark hair framed his rather feminine features, a delicate nose and sparkling eyes with long lashes. A dark turquoise head band stood out against his brilliantly bright gi and white pants. He had well-proportioned arms like Aoshi-sama's, or Sano's. But what really caught Misao's attention were his arm guards. There was a steel, scale-like covering strapped on his forearm and wrists, stopping at his knuckles.
They are both like a shield and something to enhance his punches. How very interesting. Misao winced a little. Wouldn't want to be the receiving end of that thing, that's for sure.
The man gave her a nonchalant smile that seemed familiar somehow. He held her gaze; his own curiosity shone and mirrored hers. Something clicked in his brains, and he backed away a little, astonishment filled him. Misao glanced at him one last time, warily, and followed the officer out.
The man stood there, folding his arms, pondering over what he just saw. He shook his head and entered the cell.
Anji's eyes snapped open. The man smiled in a rather girlish way at the bemused monk, "Yo, Myouou no Anji. Sashiburi desu."He giggled at his frown.
Anji observed him carefully, and commented, "Yare yare. Another visitor? I was least expecting a former comrade. You sure changed during the past few months, Juppongatana no Ookama ." O.o
Misao cursed profusely, punching at random trees and rocks.
She understood Anji very well, but saying it and doing it was another matter altogether. The more she tried to lock Aoshi-sama at the back of her mind, he would always manage to slice his way tothe front with his kodachis.
She growled in frustration, picking up pebbles and held one at arm's length. She vaguely remembered Sano's training to achieve Futae no Kiwami.
She was sort of an expert at kenpo, which was part of the reason why she wanted to master it. With the combination of her speed and the destructive force of the particular technique, she can be strong enough to aid people without any casualties.
She struggled to bend her knuckle the way she had seen Sano. Sure she broke the rocks, but they didn't decimate into microscopic particles. It was really difficult to execute double-hits in an instant; she could only manage to hit twice in a combo, then the rock fell apart. SHe attempted this method on boulders, but it resulted in a bleeding knuckle and a barely cracked wall of stone.
She had been practicing for nearly two weeks now with no improvement at all. Her lack of accomplishment pissed her off even further, which added the aggravation and messed her so called training schedule.
She had come to an almost bare-leafed forest, desolated and definitely undisturbed. It was also a good thing that she robbed some food off these egotistical, unbelievably rich merchants. She was still starving herself even with the food though; she trained non-stop, day and night, dawn till dusk, even when her body screamed for a rest. And a rest she did; a meager nap of maximum of one hour before setting off her rampage of demolishing Mother Nature.
She let out a shriek of pure rage and flung kunais every here and that. It was a safety precaution that she chose to train at this place; she knew it would be some time before she snapped, months of bitter fury and buried grief pouring out like a broken dam. And innocent passerby would unwittingly end up as an unfortunate victim of her incurred wrath. Now, she wanted to help people, doesn't she?
Crying is what should be avoided at all costs. She realized it made her considerably weaker, and so she made a resolution not to weep anymore, the same time she decided to come here. So far, her determination was still in place.
"SO this is where you are. I've been looking for you. Quite a hider, ne, oh-itachi-musume?" chuckled a lilting voice, a hint of arrogance and just plain teasing. It sounded oddly feminine AND masculine at the same time, like Himura's, though this intruder's voice was higher than his.
Misao whirled around like a berserk kamaitachi (pun, ne?) and flung thirty or so kunais, crimson ire blinding her vision.
Resolution or not, no one's taking that tone with her while calling her weasel too at the same time.
There were continuous clanks of metal hitting metal, and Misao gasped; the intruder was the same guy she saw when she visited Anji.
By using the foreign metal contraption on his arms, he blocked and deflected all of her weapons.
"Who are you?" she found herself asking, though an answer nagged at her mind, though she found that impossible. Remember, he was gay. Her logical conscience reminded her.
"Don't tell me you don't recognize me? Still an ignorant girl, I see. Even in my current clothing, I am still way sexier than you and that tanuki girl could ever dreamed to be,' he shook his head in mock despair. He took down his head band and brushed his hair down until it reached a W pattern. He winked at her girlishly.
"You! YOU! YOU you!"
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End of Chapter 5
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Evil cliffhanger? Guess who that person is? The hints are enough, I would think…... I promise the next one would be a rather LONG chapter (MUWAHAHAHA)(still a little delusional. Give it a 24 hour curing time. If not...well, I am always a little delusional :)
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kamaitachi- scythe weasel (HINT HINT)
sashiburi desu- long time no see (...er...)
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Haha, I have more helpers to use to threaten people!
REVIEW OR FUTAE NO KIWAMI WILL DESTROY YOUR…er…THINGS! (finishes off lamely)
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-Kaco-