Author: long awaited chapter (I guess)…… writer's block is more severe this time… argh…I'll shut up. Oh, and a bit swearing at the last few sectioin. Just thoughtI should warn ahead. (I know some people have a thing with swearing.)
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Disclaimer: Look at the prologue's disclaimer. Too tired to type.
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The broken pieces of your dream
Sticks into my chest
Leaving the pain
That I should never forget
- Moments, by Hamasaki Ayumi-
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Chapter 12 Yami no Hikari
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"Oi, itachi, where's your Arashi nee-chan?" Sano ruffled Kayko rather fondly. Seriously, weasel incarnate. If he didn't watch it soon, his little Souko would fall under weasel-influence soon, like Kenji.
Kayko seemed to become the leader of their 'kiddie' group, including Suzume-chan and Ayame-chan. And it seemed that their sole purpose was to annoy Yahiko.
"Shhhhh, not so loud, Tori-san!" hissed Kayko, putting a finger on her lips. Sano raised an eyebrow. The girl pointed to Misao, who was sleeping against the wall, the katana in her lap – Kenshin style. Sano pinched the girl's cheek, earning a vehement protest from the 'weasel incarnate'. "What's your point, itachi?"
"Arashi-nee-chan never sleeps whenever there's anybody around, even me," Kayko smiled, "She must like this place enough to trust you all, and so do I."
Kenshin and Kaoru both smiled back at the girl. Yahiko yawned. Sano snorted. Megumihad goneback to Aizu yesterday because of her clinic.
"Show Yahiko ni-chan your trick, Kayko-chan! I want to see his expression!" Souko piped up suddenly. Yahiko scowled warily.
Kayko took out a handful of kunais, and began juggling them. The Kenshin-gumi gaped at her. The girl was deep in concentration, careful to catch the kunais by the handle. Yahiko was so focused, following the flashed made by the weapons' metal reflections, that he had quite a scare when Kayko reappeared beside him, yelling, "BOO!"
Yahiko fell backwards, and turned to stare at the pile of kunais on the ground. Okay, so the little weasel used them as distraction, and somehow, by sheer dumb luck, she managed to surprise me, Yahiko reasoned.
Souko and Kenji laughed so hard that, after Yahiko jumped them, clouds of dusts enveloped everyone due to their 'little fights'.
"Time to take a nap, you two," Kaoru ushered the two away, ignoring their loud protests again. Sano smirked, "Oi, Yahiko, you fifteen and you are fighting with kids? Shoulda known that once a brat, always a brat, wouldn't ya agree, jou-chan?"
Yahiko tried to regain his restrain on anger. Boy, it was getting difficult nowadays.
Kenshin wondered where he had seen Kayko's juggling before, so he asked, "Where have learned to do that, Kayko-chan?"
"With Nee-chan, of course! You wouldn't believe it…… she is so deft with kunais!"
Yahiko was trying to straighten his attire without much success, "Hey, why does she wear that cover all the time anyways….even when she's sleeping! It's kind of, well, weird."
As if on cue, Misao's loosened cover fell onto her arm softly, revealing both of her scars. Kenshin felt his breathing hitching in half anticipation and half excitement.
"Misao……dono?"
"How do you know nee-chan's real name?" Kayko blurted out in surprise, and shut her mouth later but it was too late. It was enough of a confirm.
Sano stared at the former Weasel Girl, finding that the endearment doesn't fit her anymore. How much had she changed……… her new techniques, her fame as a wanderer, this brand-new Misao…… the same who disappeared five years ago.
Kaoru had overheard them and was just standing beside the shoji door, thinking about this new information. The Kenshin-gumi was speechless.
Misao woke up suddenly, feeling a familiar chill she always had when a certain wolf was around. Her hand was on her hilt, and she glared at the uninvited guest currently unnoticed by the Kenshin-gumi.
"What are you doing here, Saitou?" Misao growled. She just doesn't like him, no matter what emotion-management she has.
Realizing who's arrived, Sano clenched his fist, and Kenshin oro-ed.
Saitou Hajime stood there as if it was the most natural thing in the world, casually puffing on his cigarette, "Well, well, fancy meeting you here, Weasel. At least I don't have to go track you again, wouldn't you agree?"
Kenshin's eyes narrowed, "Saitou…… you knew…… you knew where Misao-dono has been for the past five-years?"
Misao was surprised; her hand went up to her cover automatically and felt her insides turn cold when she felt nothing. Baka! That's why you can see with two eyes……. Oh no, they know who I am now…
"You are Misao-chan…aren't you," Kaoru looked so relieved and happy, Misao wasn't sure what to say.
Yahiko wanted to slap his forehead. Oh course! Where could that girl Kayko got that weasely personality from? The kenpo, the kunai and the braid……… well, I suppose Misao does look a lot different…
Misao glared at Saitou again, who smirked in obvious amusement. She swallowed hard and replied hesitantly, "Minna……gomen……I… I…" She was shocked when she was crushed by a group hug. Even Yahiko has a small grin.
"Misao-chan! WE miss you so much! You finally came back…… oh what has happened to you all those years!" Kaoru wiped away her tears, sniffling.
Misao couldn't believe it; it was like a bit of weight off her shoulders. "You……missed me?"
Sano was still trying to connect the 'scrawny, nosy, loud girl' to this respectable swordsman-woman. Kayko looked from each of them in bewilderment, especially Saitou (who stood a fair distance away of course); her eyes lit up when something clicked and she pointed to the wolf.
"Nee-chan! Is he the psycho cop you talked about?"
Sano and Yahiko howled into laughter as Saitou's eyebrow twitched in bemusement. They were all still trying to suppress their joy of reunion, well, sort of. Misao grinned sheepishly.
Saitou coughed, "Sorry to interrupt your……talks, but you know I wouldn't just waste my time coming here to the zoo, you know, even here is an additional critter on display."
He paused dramatically, catching Misao's eyes, "It shall concern you especially, weasel."
When they had quieted down, he continued, "for the last few weeks, we've had many people missing from all over Japan, and the police had just recently discovered a large burning site…… of corpses. We have determined that some of them are the missing ones. From all of the data gathered so far, there is only one connection between these people – they had all worked for the Oniwabanshuu during the Bakumatsu, under Okashira Makimachi…… I believe you know who that is, weasel."
"Grand…father?" Misao felt her face go pale. She still remembered vividly……the day he was killed in front of her.
"The Okashira's death had no suspects, but that incident might be connected to this massacre. We had worked out a possible lead. The suspect is…… the Yaminobu," the wolf glanced at Kenshin briefly, whose face went rigid like Misao's.
"Those that…… abducted…Tomoe-san?" Kaoru spoke timidly. Misao had no idea what she was talking about, but she knew who the Yaminobu was. The Oniwabanshuu's rival Clan, and possible murderer of her family.
"What's more, weasel……the Yaminobu seemed to have a connection with Takeda Kanryuu and many other illegal weapon dealers you had dealt with the past few years. Remember all those years back at Nagoya? The opium dealer who shot your arm?"
Kaoru and the others gasped at that, and Misao recalled the days she had to let her arm heal and get to Hokkaido as soon as possible. She grimaced. Siatou smirked again.
"Well, I sent Chou to on a mission to find any connections between any known criminals. It turns out that through opium, all the money are sponsored on the Yaminobu's weaponry. Battousai, the one you fought...Inui Banjin's master, back then, was the temporary leader for the Yaminobu. The original leader, unknown, disappeared during the first few years of the Bakumatsu. And, according to Chou, it seemed that eh leader had come back more than a year ago...with vengence. We do not know his objective, but it is very possible that the leader would wish to seek revenge on you…… and Tenken."
"Sou-chan? Where is he? Is he okay?" Misao asked rapidly, her heart beating fast. The hawk cocked its head in concern.
"He barely escaped. The Yaminobu were stronger than before, with a weapon-modifying technique the leader had brought back from wherever he disappeared todecades ago.No matter how good a swordsmanTenken is, a katana can't fight against technology. He is currently residing in France with Honjou Kamatari."
"Good……Kama-san will take care of him……," Misao muttered, stll trying to straighten her thoughts.
"Well, if there is any new information, I shall come back again. Since you are the possible main target after all," Saitou waved his hand dismissively, and left without saying anything. They were used to that, so they said nothing about it.
Misao sensed questioning eyes on her.
Misao felt queasy. The Yaminobu killed Kayko's family to, and now they were after her. She may put her friends in danger again! She had to leave, now. Sou-chan almost died because of her…… no, she had to end it. I shall find them myself.
As she turned to go, a sudden pain burned her lungs and she found herself coughing up blood. Misao felt dizzy, and bitter. I don't have time……it hurts more each time…….
"Misao-chan!" They crowded around her, but Misao leapt onto the roof as quick as she could in this state.
"Misao-dono………you are……," Kenshin's eyes were wide. He remembered seeing the same symptom with Okita of the Shinsengumi when they were fighting. Could it be?
Misao chuckled dryly, "Don't worry... I know it's not contagious..."
Shewiped away the liquid furiously, "I must leave……minna. Can't drag you into this mess…… I'm sorry but…please take good care of Kayko-chan and Taka-chan, onegai………be safe……"
She leapt from roof to roof, determined to ignore the shouts behind her, and Kayko's anguished cry. I swear I will come back……if I could.
So, they've already caught up to me? It's good thing I left the dojo early. Misao panted, running along the riverside. Several dark shadows could be seen around the bushes and trees. The citizens just stood there in shock, not knowing what to do. Misao bit her lips. No, I can't harm these innocent people…the Yaminobu's target is me. I shall make use of the river, then.
Misao sped closer to the riverbank, prepared to jump in. A kusagari (chain-sickle) shot out from the water's surface, wrapping it self around Misao's Hebigane, the sickle acting as a wedge. The movement had stopped her from running so suddenly she lost her balance and the momentum gave her a rather heavy fall. She was a little dazed, glancing at the submerged figure holding the weapon. What? Did they anticipate what I would do? They even had their men hiding in waters to ambush me?
Misao tugged at the chain feebly, but the blade and chain was stuck perfectly between the Hebigane's scales. Misao was about to shatter the chains with her Futae no Kiwami when the water shinobi pulled her into the river. She gasped as water closed in around her; she choked and breathed in even more water. The river was rapider than she had imagined. The current pulled her along, as her other arm flung wildly trying to get to the surface. She couldn't think straight, as there is only one thing that mattered at the moment – breathe.
She felt dizzier and dizzier and dizzier, but her feet collided against something hard, preventing her from fainting. She reached out with her right arm, gripping firmly onto the rock. She kicked out ferociously at the chain, and even under water, the chain blasted into dust nevertheless. Misao heaved herself up and gulped in oxygen frantically.
To some relief, she found herself deep within a forest, so that she wouldn't have to worry about someone unrelated getting hurt. The water shinobi seemed to have vanished, so did the other shadows. Misao cocked her head in wonder. Her ears caught a whisking sound sailing towards her, and Misao unsheathed her katana swiftly to deflect the kunais. Another rain of kunais was aimed at her back, and she barely reacted fast enough to block it.
The Yaminobu was attacking her in all directions, with kunais, poisoned arrows and shurikens. Misao got tired already. She was used to fighting face to face, and guns even. Now, thinking back her life, Misao realized she had never fought with ninjas before. Her sparring with the Oniwabanshuu was for practice only. And with all that foliage hiding her opponents, Misao had no choice but to DESTROY the surroundings. She had three Futae no kiwami attacks left, but with her state right now, she can only handle two more. Six steps short of shukuchi or not, it was useless if she couldn't locate her enemies. She only had a chance, to combine her speed and destructive power.
She dove for the tree sixty feet on her right, and using her right hand to do a Santae no Kiwami. The tree exploded and brought down the few surrounding trees. Misao heard a few astounded gasps. She was close to hyperventilating, since the stronger version of Futae no Kiwami took more strength than it used to. She wasted no time, whipping out her katana. However, by using the sword's blunt edge would not work on experienced shinobis. If she hoped to get out of this place alive, she would have to kill them, which Misao wanted to avoid at all costs.
No! Not now! She lurched forward, gagging on the blood rising from her throat. Her lungs seemed to burn, and she felt paralyzed. Without having to look up, she knew her attackers had formed a circle, and they dashed forward, ready to give her finishing blow. Her rigth hand reached out weakly, trembling from fatigue. Please… at least…just one last time……Aoshi-sama…
The pain never came, she felt bodies collapsing around her, some cried in pain and some merely just died quietly, perhaps not even feeling the slash.
Just as black slowly consumed her vision, she saw a tall figure walking towards her. It was all too agonizingly familiar, the way he walked……… Perhaps… he came to welcome me from the other side? No matter, I still saw him………I have no regrets…
She knew she was smiling as she lost consciousness.
Aoshi kneeled down carefully, reaching towards the girl (no, woman, Aoshi corrected himself). He couldn't believe it. She must be Misao. Technically, Aoshi hadn't see Misao in 13 long years, ever since he left her, when she was a child. He was blinded by revenge, and the title of strongest that he had coldly shunned Misao. He didn't really see her. And now, this woman is like a total stranger; but somehow, his heart told him that it was her. Her eyes were enough prove.
He slowly wrapped Misao's soaked form in his large trench coat. Though it was ragged, it was still warm enough. Her two swords caught his eyes. He gasped inwardly and fingered the kodachis. His kodachis. After all these years……does she still believe that he is alive?
As he picked her up, Misao felt…right in his arms. She was still light, and still retained her small frame even though she is taller than before. Her long, sleek hair felt so silky against his fingers.
He glared at the dead shinobis, and wondered why the Yaminobu had come after her. At the distance, he had seen Misao faring well against them, her punch was like that Sagara Sanosuke's. He couldn't believe how strong she had gotten. She hid her emotions, her ki; she even knew how to use a katana, superbly, too. But she just suddenly stopped. Was she injured before? Just how much had Misao suffered…… because of his fake death? He hugged her closer, almost possessively. After so long, so long, there is no way I can fully make up to you… Misao…this time, I will…protect you.
"What? Makimachi is still alive? What is the meaning of this!" Dan-na's voice thundered and the subordinates flinched. Some glanced sympathetically at the unfortunate shinobi chosen to make the report.
"Dan-na….. at the river I saw them…… our target was pulled under water and seemed to have difficulty fighting our ambush squad off. But, when I reached the forest, the squad members are all dead. That Makimachi doesn't seemed to be the one who did it……..our comrades were killed by kenpo….," the underling stuttered hurriedly.
Shinomori Dan-na roared in rage, his almost mechanical arm stretched out and the iron shackles grasped the speaker, who sputtered helplessly against the strength.
"Don't give me that shit. You know no kenpo skill can slay the Yaminobu! Even the lower of us can win against most swordsmen! That Tenken was almost removed… or are you saying that we, the Yaminobu, couldn't even defeat a woman?" He spat out the last word in both mocking fury and a sickening lust.
"Sir……sir! No……" The iron shackles snapped the poor man's skull, silencing him immediately. "Now, every single damn one of you, get out of my sight! NOW!"
The whole building was empty in mere seconds, though one remained. Dan-na growled irritably, "What do you want, Chou?"
The former Katana-gari smirked, "Why don't you dispatch me, Dan-na? I admit I ain't no ninja, but my enhanced hakujin no tachi can sure snare that weasel-girl, shukuchi or not. You saw me, Dan-na. How I captured the Tenken."
The Okashira of Yaminobu glared at the blonde skeptically. True, this Chou had only joined not too long ago, but he proved to be rather efficient and powerful too. His underlings had a hard time catching up to Tenken no Soujirou, but Chou caught his former Juppongatana-ally without hesitation. Chou's strange sword was stronger now with the Yaminobu's modifying technique.
Thinking back on the day half of his body was destroyed when he fell off the cliff, all because of that meddling fool Makimachi Tsuroumaru, Shinomori Dan-na gave Chou his permission to go after his long-sought target.
"I've bide my time too long…… I did not realize I did not end the Makimachi line all these years ago…… now, with enough men and power, I will bring a finale to this revenge…… Misao-san."
Chou shook his head inwardly at the echoes of the Dan-na's insane laughter. It was difficult to prevent Soujirou from being captured, so Chou himself would have to catch the Tenken himself... with a heads-up plan to Tenken of course. Well, it was time to find that damn Saitou. Gosh, the things he did for that psyco cop. Perhaps it was time to get a salary raise, or one of those katanas in Tokio-san collection.
Misao woke up slowly at the feeling of someone fingering her cheeks. She felt warm and comfortable. That's weird. I remember being soaked to the bones… and seeing…
She looked up, the sound of her own heart pounding was deafening. She found herself looking into a pair of familiar yet different ice blue eyes. A flicker of concern and something Misao couldn't identify shone in his eyes. Aoshi-sama.
They stare at each other silently. Misao used the time to observe her surroundings without averting her gaze. Her lungs still burned slightly, which meant she was still very much alive, or death just wouldn't be worth it. She was wrapped comfortably in Aoshi-sama's signature trench coat. Both of them seemed to be in some kind earth-chamber under a massive tree's roots. Possibly an animal's abandoned burrow.
Misao had often played this kind of scenarios in her head too many times. But she didn't believe this would be true…… Aoshi-sama… is…alive.
"Misao," her name seemed to roll so perfectly off his tongue. His breath blew softly on her damp hair. "I…...I…there are no excuses……a mere sorry…isn't enough…" he muttered, the vibrations of his deep voice rumbled against her body. He trailed the scar on her cheek gingerly, almost as if she was a porcelain, spotless doll, "You…have……suffered too much…"
"Iie…… after so long…as long as you're back…it's enough… Aoshi-sama," she smiled softly, breathing his unique scent. He still smelt of tea, smelt of 'safety'. His appearance was haggard, but his features still remained the same. Yes, he was no doubt, Shinomori Aoshi. But……was he the man she loved, or the man of shura on that day, when he almost killed Okina?
Doudemo ii…… Aoshi-sama no wadashi no soba ni……sore wa juubun……
Aoshi was dazed. Her voice, her eyes……they were so mature yet he could still recognize the Misao he knew… She didn't push him away. She still…remembered him.
Out of desperation, out of the need to have hope, he whispered, "Do…do you still… I mean…when you were little…… I understand I have changed so much… but…"
Misao knew what he asked. She touched his cheek tenderly, chuckling lightly, "Do you even have to ask, Aoshi-sama? You are still you…… you are……you would always be the man I love."
Misao's eyes filled with love, not the childish infatuation Aoshi was used to see. He was so touched by her words. Aoshi had loved Misao ever since the day Sayo handed him her baby daughter. Somehow, the love had evolved from brotherly protectiveness into yearning over the years of her absence.
Perhaps it was because of their longing for each other; perhaps it was because what he had wanted but just refused to accept before, Aoshi leaned forward and captured her lips gently. At the moment, he didn't care about what consequences this action had, he didn't even fully know this woman before him, of whatever had happened to her.However hedoes know one thing: He loves Misao, for who she is.
Misao's mind was blank the moment he kissed her. It was something she had wished for so long. There were too many questions she didn't ask yet; too much she doesn't understand about this man. But the kiss felt too real to be a dream; it was true.
As she responded to him, she felt a slight curve of his lips into a serene smile. Her heart leapt at that. He had smiled. He was truly the man she had always loved.
She had finally found her Aoshi-sama.
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End of chapter 12
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-Doudemo ii…… Aoshi-sama no wadashi no soba ni……sore wa juubun……- Doesn't matter… Aoshi-sama is by my side…… it's enough… (of course, if the translation isn't correct, you are welcome to contradict me)
-(chapter title) Darkness's light
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THANX FOR UR REVIEWS, people! (Too exhausted to respond...sowwie. But you know I love you all)(huggles glomp :D)(the fatigue's taking its toll one me... ROFL)
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Not too OOC, I hope? If the last section is a little too sweet……(Nooooo), blame it on the writer's block. Oh, yeah, the strike's ended and school is back. I'm buried in tests and no feeling too good (erlack). Sigh.
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For those who didn't read manga:Inui no Banji was the one who fought Sanosuke in the Jinchuu Arc. Inui's master was the old geezer who Kenshin slashed at along with Tomoe. I don't remember his name.
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Well. Romantic times wouldn't last for long……….theshowdown between the last of Makimachi Clan &Aoshi and a father he never knew; Former Okashiras of Oniwabanshuu and the leader of Yaminobu. (drumroll) Any suggestions for future chappies are welcome.
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Note: the song at the beginning……that song was great. Ithas lastedreally long as my 'Current Fav Jp Song'. If you could get your hands on it, please do. Highly recommend it. It is a must-have for song-freaks! (LoL) If you already do………well, listen to it again XD
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Reviews shall cheer me up (grin)
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-Kaco-