Chapter 2: Unforgiving
-Tokyo. Restaurant. Afternoon-
A quiet man with playfully light turquoise eyes sipped a cup of sake in a demure fashion. His tarnished eyes held the memories of earthly hell, weary from viewing them over and over. Alone he sat in a solitary corner of this ordinary bar both Japanese and foreigners visited, ignoring the mens' beastly fighting and arguing and the cooing geisha women of the floating world. Nothing mattered to him no more except for one realization. Though this realization seemed so high as the sacred Heavens, his mind did reach up that far. He'd pitted himself into Rakunimura, a place that ones' who've thrown their lives away come to. It felt like China all over again...moseying through those diseased streets...but it was too long ago. The mysterious man who hid in the corner slammed down his sake cup, closed his eyes and wished with all his might, that those memories would sink into their grave and never haunt him again.
" I'll never forgive you, Himura Kenshin...even now you cause me pain and deterioration of my very being. I had thought I was over my vengeance, but I find myself...wishing for nothing more than that to settle and put to rest my troubled mind. With my wretched memories, I will bury you in the grave."
A stocky man wasn't sitting too far from where this troubled man sat. Half intoxicated from the potent liquor, he stood, wobbling with blurred vision of a typical drunk. The laughter he spewed out in drunkenness manner, reeked of vile stench comparable to garbage. He stomped his way over to the demure man who hid his eyes behind small, stylish black glasses. The shadow of this obese man loomed over the smaller one, yet no emotion stirred. As to mock this elephant of a threat, the blue eyed man poured another cup of sake without a shiver of fear. It was a display of clear defiance.
" Huh? You...think yer better than I am? (wobbles some and draws a sword) I'll...I'll show ya!"
" I thought there was a law banning swords from being carried or used in public. (sips sake) But if you wish to challenge me...then by all means, let me be the judge of your sins!"
The slender man had uncovered his own weapon, quickly swinging it out to slash open the pig's belly before he could lift his sword. The gasping drunk stood shocked and a frightening silence aired the room. The large man toppled back, falling against the wooden bar with his guts hanging out. Glasses flew into the air along with large splinters and pieces of wood. blood seeped out from the deep slash, staining the wood a dark color. Heads turned to the smaller man in the corner who continued still to drink his cup of sake in one hand, the large Chinese-like blade held in the left arm, stained to the hilt in oozing, crimson blood. Cold and expressionless were his alluring eyes. He sat there like a statue to be admired and by, to be respected by. Then the admirable silence of the air was cut with the shrilling scream of one of the geisha women. Shouts started up, anger washing through the crowd in the bar. The man stood up defiantly and in such quickness that shouldn't be rivaled with. Those eyes stared back to the crowd of monstrous men and fail women. And then a ringing cry.
" MURDER! MURDER!"
The man laughed while brandishing his blade. the barkeeper thought the man no more than mad, a man who may have lost everything he had in life. It was always a sad sight to see these kind of men, the kind of men he saw everyday. The well dressed man dared to leave his dark seat of the safe corner to approach the crowd of customers of the bar. The convincing smirk struck fear and respect in the people around him. They cleared a path to let the man out into the busy Tokyo streets. One man dared to grab this insane one's arm to halt him. Those stone turquoise eyes fell upon the lanky man.
" Who are you?..."
" I, my friend...(smiles empathically) am Enishi Yukishiro."
-Kisagi Household. Afternoon-
The household was in good spirits of laughter and discussion. Akira had been careful all evening to not say anything in regards to politics, knowing full and well where Kiyoko's family had once stood. Instead, he talked of the coming spring and the marriage. Both girls had delighted in that subject. Even the servants couldn't help but glance smiles to one another, fancying how beautiful of a pair Kiyoko and Akira made. Both were so beautiful, so noble and wise.
Mother had to admit Kiyoko was a great actress. Her eyes glittered when the time called for it, and she spoke with unshaken confidence. The topping was her linking arms with Akira, sneaking him a kiss with such flowery shyness in which he sat up straighter, proud to have her on his arm. In this play, this neverending play called life, everyone played their part. Kiyoko picked up a piece of sushi with her elegantly painted chopsticks and popped the little piece of raw meat into her mouth. The atmosphere of this household was at peace and serenity. The elements were promising and yielding to the happiness brought into the home.
" I was thinking we should marry in the month of April when the cherry blossoms bloom and-"
A subtle knock rapped on the door, rippling the pond of tranquility. Kiyoko's mother excused herself, bowing to Akira and hurried to her door. Unlocking the wooden door, she swung it open to reveal a man with a piece of paper in his hand. He was young and possibly new to his job, the unsureness showing in his vivid eyes.
" Um, this is the...(looks at another paper) Kisagi House, right? A man forwarded this letter to Imagawa Akira. He is here?"
Akira stood and went to the door, giving a genuine smiled to boon upon the young man. He took the letter from the boy's hand, thanking him for relaying the message to him. The young one smiled and was off to deliver other messages and packages. Mother shut he door and let Akira walk in, opening the letter with sure fingers. The shimmering golden eyes began to read the message slowly, absorbing the information. A cross of concern replaced the placid shimmer. Kiyoko's mood had come to worry, wondering what kind of wrought news the paper must contain. Akira looked to the girls and the servants even, knowing they wished secretly to see why there was worry in his attitude.
" "Imagawa-sama, I regret to inform you there has been a murder in Tokyo. The suspect has not been apprehended yet so please be on your best guard. Word is he is a highly powerful swordsman and unbelievingly quick. It would not be wise to engage in a fight."...Kiyoko, I think it would be best for you, your mother and servants to come with me to my own household. You would be safer there with me and my guards. I don't want you alone here with that man still wandering these streets."
the Mother let a look of fear's dew cover the surface of her face. The paleness became paler than geisha's make-up, the anxiety taking hold of her good nature. The two servants gave one another looks, wondering if that would be best. The man talked about in the letter didn't sound any worse than some that had been found in Tokyo. There had been other men who've not only murdered one person, but many. Only if the man was after someone in the government would he be considered a thorn in Akira's side if only a baby thorn. Kiyoko stood and bowed.
" Yes, it would be wise, Akira, and thank you very much for the concern on my family and myself. (stands back up and looks into his eyes with adoration) We shall pack some of our belongings for the trip."
Akira's heart rested from the turmoil of the news, petting her cheek with devout affection for his lovely fiancee. Kiyoko's mother watched closely in detail to how they touched one another, noting the way Kiyoko's eyes now possessed the ability to hide the falseness of her supposedly devoted love. Her daughter reminded herself so much of their father, Sato. Willing to give up their own personal desires as long as it meant to protect and provide for the family.
" I shall take my leave now ahead of you to prepare my household for your arrival. In two hours' time, I shall send a carriage for you, my love. (sees Diru just coming back) I trust your brother is a strong man to protect you and your mother. Please, rest easy, darling."
Akira placed a gentle, endearing kiss upon her brow and turned on heel, leaving their household to prepare his own. He would send for a carriage soon enough and be on his way. Until then, they had two hours to pack personal belongings. Diru glared at the two women with folded arms, wondering what this commotion was truly about. Mother had no time to explain, already rushing off to prepare to leave the household for an estimate of a few days.
" Sis, what's going on?"
" There is a murderer about the streets. Akira thought it best we come to his own household and rest easy there. He wishes for me and my family to be well protected and not on its own. He's invited even our servants."
Diru's mind couldn't process the ideal of being stuck in that man's household much less being around him for any long period of time. Kiyoko had bowed her head to her brother and rushed off to the second story and prepare her own belongings. Diru saw his servants casting shamed glances on him, remaining seated where they were. the anger within him rose not at them, but at Akira. He barked at the servants and shook their spines.
" GO HELP THEM!"
The two scrambled to their feet, bowing their heads and disappearing. Diru looked at the half-eaten food on the dining table. He settled himself down and took up some chopsticks and ate some of the mildly warm food. While doing so, he couldn't help but have a dark feeling in his stomach that something was wrong. It wasn't that fact he mistrusted Akira, but something told him in the back of his head to not go. Diru compared this feeling to a simple animal; that when an animal's instincts prick the hairs on its back and churn its gut around, that something must be wrong. On that impulse, most would run and escape the perceived danger.
-Tokyo Streets. Afternoon-
The murderer Enishi walked the streets calmly, his ear catching gossip left and right. It all sounded as worthless as broken chopsticks. The compact wall of people slowly moved about, carrying with it the tides. To try to walk against such tides was a fool's errand. While walking along, Enishi took time to look up and see the clear sky and the shining, brilliant orb of masculine, healthy light. The warmth of its rays thawed his attitude from the previous hour. Not far from him, stood a merchant carriage of imaculate silk kimonos of many colors. Three women were holding one a piece, gabbing over the brilliance of the stitching and design. Nothing they said reached Enishi until they started talking about Imagawa Akira.
" Yes! He is marrying one of our class! Isn't it unbelievable? He is so beautiful! That girl is so lucky to have won the heart of such a man!"
" Yes, Ayame, but you must remember he is a Meiji governor. He cares not for us all. From the way I see it, that girl is just riding on good karma. They say since the murder, that Akira is inviting her and her family into his household for protection!"
Something clicked in Enishi's mind. Hearing what those girls were gossiping about could come in handy. Ahead and not no more than a few steps was a small building; a restaurant. He let the ride of the crowd wash him that way until he popped into the quiet restaurant. People looked up in pure curiosity to see the newcomer before turning their heads back and focusing on their own conversations or whatnot. A waitress smiled gently to him and bowed her head.
"Welcome to the Akabeko, sir. Please, let me seat you."
Enishi gave a nod and let the young girl lead him to a seat. Many people didn't occupy the restaurant right now, but the sound of dishes forever clattering suggested that the rush hour here was just over. He sat before the small block serving as a table, sitting in the traditional Japanese way. He let the sword set against the wooden divider from other seating areas and rested himself.
" A cup of green tea, thank you."
And the girl was on her way. Chattering was heard from other seating areas, mainly about the delight of Imagawa Akira's present engagement. They talked very fondly of the girl and of Akira. So, this Imagawa Akira must be fairly rich as he is famous around here. I wonder how much he really does love this woman they speak fondly of. If he is indeed a true Meiji politician, then it wouldn't be much love. Enishi needed financing for his life now...he'd cut his ties with the Chinese Mafia and ended his own Jinchuu Mafia. There was nothing to return to now. Loans were feeble and the exposure of one's weakness. He thought about this Akira again and a lightened smirk of a scheming fox spread across his face. I wonder how much he would pay in ransom money if I was to find this girl and kidnap her before she is able to reach Imagawa's house. And I bet there are men around that wish to be in on some of the money.Tea came in a steaming cup. The girl sat the kettle before him and the full cup. With no other orders from the strikingly handsome man, she left him to his self to serve other customers. An ordinary girl like her couldn't comprehend exactly what went on in the minds of men like Enishi...and it was better that way.