Chapter 6: Brothers
-Kamiya Dojo. Late Morning.-
Diru was sitting with the rest of the Kenshins group as they surrounded a table full of delicious food. Chatter was exchanged between them and quite lively chatter it was. The only one not joining in was Diru. He sat with a full plate of steaming food and ate so slowly, his eyes cast down to the tray and its porcelain plates. Over and over, he racked the guilt and blame onto his shoulders with every thought. He kept asking himself what kind of brother would let his own sister be kidnapped so simply. The only ones to notice the pain stricken face was Megumi and Sanosuke. The two traded looks of sympathy then looked upon poor, hurt Diru. Megumi quickly nudged Sanosuke in the stomach, shooting him a side glance.
" (whispers) Speak to him, Sano. After all, he is your best friend. Try to cheer him up."
Sanosuke begrudgedly stood up. diru hadn't even the noticed before him until Sanosuke touched Diru's shoulder. Once he did, the reality of where Diru was came back to him. His eyes went up to see Sanosuke standing and with one of his easy going grins.
" Come on, let's go have a talk, eh? I'm not that hungry anyhow (thoughts: The hell I'm not but you're more important...I guess) so let's go on the back porch."
Diru gave first intention to decline the offer but after considering the rudeness if he refused, stood and exited the room with Sanosuke. Diru stepped out onto the back porch and looked to the bright blue sky with envy. Diru's thick, black, glossy hair waved in the gentle wind's kiss. His eyes were blinded now with the idea of revenge, of hatred and despair. The blue eyes that matched his sister's reached up to the sky. And even his voice changed.
" What is you wanted me for, Sanosuke?"
" Only to ask ya what's up. Look, I know how you feel about your sis being kidnapped, but moping around ain't gonna help now is it? We're trying to keep up our spirits so maybe you can rest a bit easier. "
" So what do you think I should do? Do what Akira is doing and hack down every tree in Japan to find her? You think that would help?"
" You love your sister don't you? I know if she was my sister and she got kidnapped, I wouldn't be just hacking down trees, I'd be hacking down damned cities!"
"Huh."
Diru turned on heel and walked back inside the dojo without another word. The virus that had infected him over the night was spreading. Already it had taken his sight and now it was inking his mind of clarity. All he wanted right now was for those bandits to be in front of him on hands and knees, brutally beatened and begging for mercy before he had the joy of severing their ugly heads. His sister was so innocent, so pure. What she got she didn't deserve at all.
Akira let the soldiers do the supplies shopping. He'd visited the Kisagi house to see if Diru had returned there. Not finding him there, he knew where he would be at. Akira spurred his horse hard, riding him through the streets at monstrous speed. People jumped out of the equine's way, waving fists and shouting profane words at its reckless rider. Akira came to the doors of the Kamiya dojo, halting his horse. It reared and paced with hi-strung energy.
" Kamiya Kaoru! Is Kisagi Diru here!"
The shouts echoed into the residence. Kenshin looked to Kaoru who gave a faulted face and excused herself from the table. The others stood and followed Kaoru until they reached the front porch. Kaoru walked the sidewalk and opened the doors to see the handsome Akira mounted on his steed, his face colder than usual. He entered the property and looked around, hoping to see Diru. Not seeing him, his golden eyes turned to Kaoru who smiled meekly.
" Where is he?"
" He's here, he's inside. I'll go get him."
Diru came to the doorway of the dojo with Sanosuke behind him. Diru stared at Akira with a peculiar madness. Akira could tell the darkness that had already infested Diru's heart and he smiled in gladness. this would mean his proposition wouldn't be turned down so quickly by the brother.
" Diru! I have great news! My request from the Emperor went through. I have been granted top soldiers who specialize in tracking and hunting. We've come to Tokyo to stock up on supplies. We're going to track Kiyoko down, starting at the place where she had been abucted. I come here to seek you out and I ask of you...will you join us in the hunt for your sister? I felt that I shouldn't be the only one with a fiery heart searching for one of the most important person in my life. We shall become brothers soon enough... so both should set out together, am I right? I have an extra horse for you to ride if you do decide to come. Do you accept?"
Kenshin looked alarmed by this proposal. As he looked into Diru's eyes he could see the lust. They shimmered with the very thought of joinging this expedition and not just in hopes for finding his sister, but for the lust of bloodshed of her kidnappers. Wouldn't it be enough to find her alive and take her back? Kenshin had wanted nothing more but for useless killing to cease in the world. He'd done his share in being death's helper. Now he wanted to aid life. He looked to Akira and placed a hand on Diru's broad shoulder.
" If Diru goes, this one shall go too."
" A former battousai? (grins) Of course you can come, Kenshin. I'll have to find a horse for rent then in the city for you."
" I'm coming too! I'm good friends with Diru. Kiyoko's been like a sister to me too. There's no telling me otherwise."
Eyes rested on Sanosuke as he grinned and pounded his fists together, demonstrating his readiness. Akira didn't smile but nodded and agreed to let him come along as well. The more the merrier if real trouble made itself present to them on their journey. to have the famous "Zanza" accompanying them could possibly come in handy. Diru looked to Kenshin and Sanosuke with softened eyes. He could see how much his friends cared for him and cared for his pain enough to emerge themselves into this mess. And he gladly welcomed them for the journey. He couldn't deny willing friends of his and of Kiyoko's to join.
" I'll come back here with the troops and with the horses."
" I'm coming too!"
" You're staying here, brat!"
Sanosuke kicked Yahiko into the side of the dojo with a loud clatter. A vessel popped in Sanosuke's forehead as he gritted his teeth. Even though Yahiko and Kiyoko were acquaintances, it didn't mean a kid like him should come on such a dangerous mission. Yahiko growled and jumped up, thrashing his Shinai sword around in anger.
" Stupid rooster head! What didja do that for!"
" Look! Kenshin and I are going, ok? I don't feel right leaving only Kaoru and Megumi by themselves so stay here with them, you hear? They need at least ONE man here...even if it's a dope."
" WHAT!"
The feud abated and Yahiko stomped his way into the dojo. Akira turned his horse around and ran out of the gateway and off to find horses for Kenshin and Sanosuke. Diru turned and walked into the house with a calmer spirit. Kenshin and Sanosuke followed and then Megumi and Kaoru. The two girls wondered the same thing. Would Sanosuke and Kenshin be ok? They had no idea how strong the enemy was. None of them did, even Akira. Both just hoped for the best and had only the hope that the two would return in one piece.
" I'll be back later, you guys. I'm going to the Akabeko for a few minutes."
" Sano! Akira's going to return soon with horses for us. Don't you think we should wait a bit?"
" I'll be fine, Kenshin. Give me only about fifteen minutes."
Sanosuke turned and left the dojo premises and made his way down the street to the Akabeko, hands in pockets. The Akabeko certainly did serve good food, but you could go there for another thing. Since many people loved to dine there, including bandits, one could also find out easy information about anything going on in the city. It would be better to have an idea of the man they were chasing instead of a ghost figure. People only shoved past him on this busy morning, everyone going about their own way. Sanosuke smiled with a hint of sarcasm.
" Ah, Tokyo...the heart of the beast."
-Akabeko. Noon-
The place was swarming with people! Policemen, workers and your regular citizens were all coming here for their lunch. The cooks were dishing out food as fast as they could and waitresses were making their way around the restaurant to feed their demanding customers. Sanosuke walked in through the doors and glanced at the people who've come here. Yes, lunch time was the best time to come to this place. His 'favorite' waitress, Tae, was going about and doing her job with efficient ease. He smiled and waved her.
" You aren't going to greet your favorite customer?"
" What do you want, Sanosuke! We're kind of busy here."
" Theeen you wouldn't mine me going around and asking questions?"
" What are you now? A detective?"
"...Eh, sort of. (whispers) Kenshin and I are going with Imagawa Akira to search for Kisagi Kiyoko. I need to see if there's any kind of man around who may know anything about the kidnapping or about the man behind it all. Please, Tae, can you point me to someone? It won't be for a loss cause."
" Like your tab here?"
"...(eyes slant) Yeah, I guess."
"...There's a man sitting over there (points out the one walled place. A man sat alone sipping some sake). He always brags about being a bandit and underworld fighter, like you used to. He may know a thing or two."
" (smiled) Thanks, Tae."
Sanosuke made his way to the man's table and humbly sat himself down. A waitress came and Sanosuke took an order, confusing the man before him. Once the waitress left, Sanosuke turned to the man and gave a half smile. A bead of sweat dripped down the oily cheek of this disgusting man, his eyes full of worry. Being what he was, he knew who sat before him. The white coat, the tapes around his stomach and feet...yes this was Sanosuke, known to others like himself as Zanza.
" Wh-what can I do f-f-for you?"
" Nothing much. I just need a bit of information. Now, we can go about it two ways. Either I...beat it out of you or...you simply tell me everything I ask for. Got it? We can leave here perfectly unharmed or I can leave with you broken."
" I'll-I'll try to answer your questions. Just don't hurt me!"
" Good. Now, I know everyone knows about the kidnapping of Imagawa-sama's fiancee, Kisagi Kiyoko. (the man nods solemnly) What I want to know is whether or not you're involved. (The man shakes his head no) Well then, do you at least know who's responsible for this?"
"...I...I was asked to aid in the kidnapping. The man promised a large sum of money just to kidnap the girl. I was ready to agree but...it didn't feel right. Something was wrong with the deal. I don't know what it was, but I declined. There was something purely sinister about how he smiled, how his eyes bore into me as if to force me to say yes."
" Well that means you got a good look at him then. Tell me what the man looked like."
" He...had white or light purple hair or something...It was short, spiked...and his eyes were an unusual color. A light blue, like a turquoise or powder blue...He stood at about an average man's heighth. He wore nice clothing too and he carried a large sword strapped to his back. I thought it unusual cause many carried their swords at their side. He wore strange glasses too. Small, black, round lenses...they didn't hardly cover the eyes...must have been some attempt at a fashion statement, heh..."
"...Did you get his name? Tell me! Did you get the bastard's name!"
The Akabeko became silent as Sanosuke reached across the table and grabbed the poor man by the collar and shook him. By the description, Sanosuke didn't need the name but he had to be sure. Tae's face faulted as she realized who it was. The man stammered but nodded his head. Sanosuke dropped the guy and sat back down, glancing to everyone around him.
" Mind your own business! Do whatever you all were doing!"
People cowered and did so, going back to talking, eating or whatnot. The man straightened his clothes out, and patted his head with a handkerchief.
"...His name was Enishi...Yukishiro Enishi."
Sanosuke stood up in a single, fluid motion, turned and walked out of the restaurant without further words. This was to be a grim journey, a very grim journey. If indeed this was the same man who had kidnapped Kaoru, the same man who sought to kill Kenshin...this search could turn quite dangerous.
-Kamiya Dojo. Afternoon.-
Akira had returned with two horses for the men coming with him but he only saw Kenshin! Kenshin told him that Sanosuke had gone out to get something and they should wait at least five minutes and so they did. Sanosuke came through the gateway, pushing horses aside to get through. Disgruntled soldiers mumbled a few things under their breath about the man's rudeness but didn't speak up. Akira turned the horse about and saw Sanosuke there, waiting.
" Finally."
" Yeah, yeah. (grabs the horse's reigns) Sorry to keep you waiting. (mounts the horse as does Kenshin). Let's get going shall we?"
Akira nodded and the three turned to exit the gateways. Kaoru and Megumi were there to wave off the men. Just as the three were about to exit, a man came rushing in on a messenger horse. Both he and the horse were drenched in sweat from the long run. Sanosuke's horse reared up in surprise but he was able to keep his seat by holding onnto the saddle for dear life.
" What's your problem!"
Sanosuke barked at the weary man who panted almost as hard as the horse did. the messenger ignored him and turned to Imawgawa Akira with a sad face. He pulled from his kimono a rolled up scroll and handed it gingerly to Akira.
" This was dropped off at your house. I got a horse and ran as fast as I could Akira-sama."
Akira ripped open the scroll and read its contents aloud.
" I've kidnapped your beautiful fiancee. I demand a ransom for her safe return from you. I am in the far Northern parts of Japan. Have good luck finding me. You got a full week to find me and deliver the ransom money. In return I shall return your fiancee unscathed and untouched."
Akira ripped the note in hald and threw it to the dusty ground in anger. Sanosuke and Kenshin exchanged the looks of worry before they turned back to the blazing Akira. Akira turned his back on them and gave a sharp kick to his horse's flanks.
" MOVE OUT!"