AN: Welcome back Mina-san! I hope that this is just as successful as Heart of a Wolf! So please review and let me know what you all think! I also want to give a special HUGS to Leila Winters my beta reader! Yay!
Disclaimers: I do not own RouKen or any of its characters. I do however own this strange plot, Shiori, and the man that takes her away from Kenji, Naruto. (Not to be confused with Naraku but generally just as evil... to some people at least *cough*Leila*cough*)
Our story begins with a mystery…the lives of those involved in the Shishio Makoto affair are in danger with one death accounted for and two severally injured. Through this their children must find and put a stop to their parents tormentors before it is too late. However, Kenji and Shiori are having trouble working together because in two weeks Shiori will marry another man.
Sins of the Fathers
Ch.1
June 23rd, Meiji 30 (1900)
The ship Kurokaze broke through the white crested waves swiftly as it reached the harbor on the edges of the Kyoto prefecture. It brought with it people from all ages and countries to the land that was home to old legends. However that was not what made the Kurokaze special. No, what made it special is that this ship brought back a young woman whose heart was promised to another on a spring night not long ago.
A cool sea breeze blew by caressing the golden skin of the young woman. She had aged as all humans do, but there was an immortality about her that gave her greater beauty. Maybe it was because she was young, maybe it was because she was in love, or maybe it was because she was wise enough to know that her existence was tangible and immediate. Whatever it was she had aged like all humans do physically and mentally, yet she held a great beauty about her that had men of all ages watching her.
Fujita Shiori was oblivious to these stares or rather she was too caught up in her own thoughts to really take notice of the leery looks. It was strange for the young woman to be heading back to Japan after four years away from her homeland. She had missed it terribly the first two years thinking that she may very well never see it again, the latter two years were even more miserable for she finally realized what her heart had been telling her all the time, she was in love. She had known what love was about, had been witness to it several times, but it was that one instant when an old memory came to her in a dream that her heart awoke longing for a gentle touch of her red haired desire. Yes, she had longed for Japan more so out of heartache than homesickness, such a selfish desire.
Shiori was familiar with her heart's longing and desire, she was familiar with its sorrow and want, and now a new sensation filled her as she watched the shores of the port city become clearer and more distinct. It took her breath away and sent her heart thundering in her chest, her strong legs suddenly became weak and unable to support her weight so she gripped the railing of the deck with white knuckled fingers. It sent electricity through her system leaving each nerve raw and tingling with excitement! She was almost home! Almost there, within the waiting arms of her husband-to-be!
She began to scan the shores as if trying to find him amongst the ant like people wondering how much he had changed if at all. She picked at her pale yellow frock almost unconsciously. She had changed within those four years… she had changed a lot. She had gotten taller that much was obvious. She had sprouted much like a weed in barely two months but she still managed to fall beneath the line of the average height. However, most would never really notice that she was shorter simply because she appeared tall. Her long thin figure belied her true stature in more ways than one.
Her voice had changed. It was no longer that pitched squeal of a child but that of a young woman tittering softly like bells dancing in the wind. Her words came out more pronounced, careful and refine carrying a soft accent of the places she had visited and had learned their language. Oh yes, she had learned to speak English and Spanish very well, and she had learned quite a few other things too. Singing, dancing, sword fighting… there was so much to learn and yet so little time within those four adventurous years! But Shiori had learned them quickly and efficiently for she was a bright girl, much like her father was.
Her father… four years ago she could say that there was little she understood about her father and little he understood about her. Those four years of travel had brought their hearts closer, closing the gap that had been built out of fear and hesitation. She loved her father more than she loved herself, and frighteningly more than her red haired love. Maybe that would change once she laid honey colored eyes in his warm blue violet ones and she would fall madly in love with him. Oh how her heart longed to see him!
Some things however did not change, she was still a smart girl and acted a lot older than she was, receiving strange and queer looks most often than not. Shiori still had the urge to control things even if they could not be controlled and fought often with those who were wild of spirit or just generally laid back. It did her little to no good if the people around her did not show the same motivation and meticulousness that she had. Such things often left her bitter and resentful of those who were no help. The raven haired young woman knew that she had these flaws so she tried to have patience with others but usually her temper would win out and a strong tongue lashing ensued, leaving her feeling more bitter than before.
She still had a trouble of letting go of her strange little justice and the severity of each case grew dangerously. No longer was she just helping people find lost kittens and children, but now murders and killers filled her list. She had tried to keep such endeavors secret from her father— so if her father knew of them he said nothing and she continued on her dangerous treks. It frightened her sometimes for she was a woman and generally weaker than many of her opponents but she had enlisted the help of an accomplice who watched her diligently like a hawk. She wanted to complain of his suffocating presence but could not bring herself to part with such endearing sentiments. She loved him dearly with a great part of her heart.
"Oi! Jou-chan!" The dark haired woman was roused from her dreamlike state sharply and turned to the tall figure that towered over her petite form. He gave her a smirk that she could barely make out since the sun was directly behind his spiky haired head. "Good to see yer awake and all little missy."
Shiori growled before pouting and turning her eyes back to the sea. "Baka…" She smiled good naturally as he wrapped long dark arms around her small figure and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"I love you too." The older boy rested his chin on her dark hair taking a deep breath of the salty air. They were quite for some time, comfortable in the silence, watching the sea and the shore that inched closer and closer. "You thinking about him again?" He asked seriously in his deep husky voice causing an unconscious blush to spring to the young woman's cheeks.
"Yes." She whispered suddenly wishing that it were her love's arms around her holding her gently. The man grunted and said nothing letting the two lapse into another long silence. "Do you… do you think he'll still want me?" Shiori timidly asked pulling out from under his loose hold to gaze into the dark chocolate eyes.
The boy looked at her curiously, deeply considering the thought. He must have thought too long on the answer for Shiori smacked him rousing a chuckle to come from him. "I think he will." He pinched her pert nose between two long calloused fingers giving her head a firm yet gentle shake. "The question is will he be enough for you?"
She gave him a serious look and he had to resist the urge to laugh, as the look seemed completely out of place behind his fingers. "Of course he will." She huffed out her voice a bit muffled by the hold on her nose.
He shook his dark head sending black locks that shined green about his face. "I'm talking about your father." He gave her an imitation of Saitou's frowning glare. "He still has to approve of the change ne?"
Shiori laughed at the comical look on his tan face and removed her nose from his offensive affections. Since she had first meet him Takani Souzo was someone who shared a common bond with her soul. He was the bastard son of Takani Megumi and Sagara Sanouske. There was much mystery behind the relationship and even though Shiori's curiosity rose to the challenge she let it go once the bitter hurt flashed within those dark chocolate eyes.
Though she had never seen Souzo's father she could imagine what he looked like just by glancing at his son. There was very little resemblance to his mother other than the same hair coloring and sharpness of his brown eyes. Those eyes, though hidden behind small spectacles, saw everything with the same analytical gaze Megumi would often have. They could also hold the same gleam of cunning in their dark depths.
"Souzo no baka. Don't make me worry about that!" She tried to pout through smiling lips as she smacked a lightly tanned hand on his broad chest. He was wearing the typical western white shirt with dark blue slacks and matching tie. A wide, white headband attempted to keep the long dark spikes back but failed miserably against the wilting stalks of hair. He was quite handsome with his roguish features and gentle eyes and Shiori often wondered why it was that he never expressed an interest in the beautiful women that tried to capture his attention. When she questioned him on this he simply replied that he could not do so for it would go against his heart. She had persisted in finding the answer behind his riddle answer but gave up on ever finding it as he stubbornly refused to make a clearer statement.
Souzo laughed along with his little charge and crushed the tiny woman within his massive hug. "It had to have crossed your mind at one point Jou-chan!" His tenderness seeped in as he loosed his hold on her and gave her a boyish grin. "What ever will you do Miss Fujita if he says no?"
Shiori tried to pry herself from his strong hold but gave up as she failed miserably against the much stronger man. She giggled again and let her fingers fly across the sides of his abdomen eliciting a small shriek of protest from the older boy.
Souzo released the small girl and danced out of her reach and feather like caresses. "That's just wrong Jou-chan! Just wrong!"
Shiori snorted and stuck her tongue out to the chuckling young man. "Just because I thought about it doesn't mean you have to voice it. I know how strict my father can be, I don't need you to remind me!" She giggled again behind a slim hand and leaned against the rail taking a good look at her stepbrother.
Shiori loved Souzo dearly, he reminded her so much of her older youngest brother, Tetsuro. Though he had a tall thin frame and large steel like muscles his touch was always gentle reminding her of a European saying, 'the gentle giant.' Sometimes she wanted to hug him close to her like a teddy bear and kiss his face tenderly for he radiated such kindness and softness around him. She would have placed that aura on his medical background and the obsessive caring he took on his patients in his profession, but even if Souzo had not learned the medical arts she was sure he would still be as equally kind and gentle. It was just his nature.
"What are you staring at girly?" He smirked again showing off his white teeth in a grin that was adorably infectious.
"I'm wondering how someone as wonderful and beautiful as your mother could have possibly had such a brut for a son." It wasn't true and he knew it, but still he wanted to pretend that it hurt a little, hoping that in doing so he would appeal to Shiori's guilt and nurturing desire. No such luck, she laughed again at his facial expression grasping her corseted waist in attempt to ease the pain of her laughter.
"You are so cruel, Jou-chan." He smirked at her, having gotten to know her character very well in the past four years. She gave him a wolfish grin and turned her amber eyes towards the port as sounds on the docks began to wash over the ship.
August 3rd, Meiji 30 (1900)
Himura Kenji had changed in the last four years partly thanks to his father who would remind him of his promise, and partly to the fact that he had several great mentors. The first being his father whom he had reconciled with and had generally learned a lot from. The things that Kenji learned from Kenshin were not what the older red head had taken care in teaching but things that Kenji had seen his father do. If Kenshin wallowed in self-pity and brooded for most of the day sending his wife into worry and hysterics then Kenji learned to appreciate himself more and gain a strong self-esteem. If Kenshin was helpful in everything he did then Kenji tried to gain a little more patience to deal with others. All in all Kenji learned a great deal about life, love, and battle with the older Himura and for it he was quite grateful.
His second mentor was his diligent mother who had gotten the same disease as his father, consumption, but would not let it be her downfall. She taught classes and the value of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, that life was to be protected—yours, your opponents, and those whom you are defending. Kaoru held onto her optimism even though she was facing death in the face, it was something that Kenji admired from her and tried to duplicate with the same vivacity as his mother.
Though the younger Himura would never admit to it, Yahiko was also a great inspiration. The spiky haired man never let Kenji give up and always encouraged the young swordsman to look to other styles and techniques in order to improve his own strength and execution. It was this attitude that allowed Kenji to have the upper hand at times within their sparring. It also allowed Kenji to venture into and seek other arts. He learned chaji, tea ceremony, kyudo, archery, and even ikebana, flower arrangement. Each developed his mind and gave him a greater knowledge and respect for his home country.
Kenji also devoured books learning everything he could about Japan's history, Western politics and sciences, and all the new discoveries that were being made of ancient civilizations. Kenji was an exceptionally bright young man so he could learn each thing quickly and effectively before taking to learn the next. He was so bright that even though his father and his grandfather Hiko refused to teach him the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu he had learned each and almost every technique just by listening to Yahiko tell him stories. When the three men learned this they practically jumped at him and tried to dissuade him from using the style. But Hiko finally relented and accepted Kenji as a student saying "at least I can teach this baka the principles behind it and hope the idiot learns them better than his father!" So Hiko undertook Kenji tweaking the stances and was generally pleased once the year was over at Kenji's grasp on the sword style.
Hiko was another of Kenji's mentors and one that he loved and hated at the same time. Hiko was everything that Kenji wanted to be and everything Kenji hoped he would never be. The man was obstinate, proud, arrogant, and egocentric, but he was honest, honorable, strong, and on occasion, gentle. Hiko was a wonderful grandfather to Kenji and the shorter young man could not bring himself to walk away from his blunt remarks and teasing "baka deshi"s.
Kenji had planned on returning to Tokyo after his yearlong stay with Hiko but upon arriving at the Aoiya to send a letter of correspondence to his parents, he was reunited with Shinomori Aoshi and Misao. They were infectious from the quiet solitude of Aoshi to the cheerful persistence of Misao. He probed and prodded things from them—from running a business to the omitsu. They're eldest daughter Kumiko was also a great pain and balm to Kenji's heart, for she was as old as his heart's desire and as equally as caring. He found himself becoming attached to the young girl the way a brother would and endured her ever-crushing hugs and endearments of "Kenji-sama". It was through her that Kenji got her blue-eyed father to teach him how to use kodachis and other weapons. The young red haired youth also learned kenpo in a speed that surprised and surpassed the teacher. Another year had passed and he finally returned to Tokyo with Kumiko clinging onto him all the way.
Once arriving in his home city, he realized that three years had already passed and that he felt stronger both physically and in spirit, yet his heart was troubled and ached dearly for the smile of his golden eyed love. Kenshin had greeted his son with open arms and a new prospect for Kenji's training. For the first time in his life Kenji met his uncle, Yukishiro Enishi.
The white haired man offered to train the youngest Himura his own sword style, after seeing a spectacular display of Kenji's tremendous strength and gifts. Kaoru had been hesitant in letting Kenji leave simply because they had not seen the boy in over two years. But Kenshin convinced her that her son was no longer a baby but a man and that he was a greater man than any they both had ever encountered. Kenji left with Enishi and Kumiko who had insisted that she go with him to train.
The last year of Kenji's development for Saitou's approval went slower than the previous three simply because his heart was anxious to see the face of his beloved. He met his twin cousins, Tomoyo and Touma, and though the four had become good friends and companions, he could not help but feel lonely without his petite friend. So when the end of the fourth year came to a close he was nervous and fidgety to leave China, which had become a second home to him, and return to Japan in search of his heart's desire.
"Mou Kenji-sama! Don't ignore me!" Kumiko protested her two long braids moving as she shifted her feet.
Kenji looked down at her slightly for she was quite tall and was almost the same height as him. "I'm sorry Kumiko-dono," Kenji had picked up his father's bizarre habit of the honorary suffix and it drove the women around him insane. "I had my mind preoccupied with things." Kenji was unnaturally secretive when it came to things about him, Kaoru had once said it was because Kenshin was the same in nature, so he had never made mention to anyone about his reasons to why he was seeking a stronger mindset and strength. To him it was unnecessary for them to know. Which was why he was a constant frustration to both Kumiko and Tomoyo, these two girls did not understand why Kenji did not take interest in either of them no matter what they did.
Kumiko pouted and sighed as she leaned against the railing of the deck of the ship. "Are you that anxious to go home?"
Kenji chuckled and nodded. "Yes. It's been a long time since I've last seen my parents and I worry about their health. It's by the grace of God that they haven't yet left this world."
Kumiko nodded and smiled at the handsome red head. "I suppose that's a good reason to go. I'll miss China terribly though." She said wistfully as she looked over her silk covered shoulder to the docks where Enishi was waiting for the ship to depart.
"Me too." Kenji added looking to his left where his two younger cousins were leaning over the railing in a daring act of acrobatics. On the shore Enishi paled and was about to shout a stern warning when both teenagers leaned back and smiled at their stressed out father. "You two shouldn't do that to him." Kenji scolded them gently.
"Aw, but it's so much fun to see him worry about us like that!" Tomoyo giggled as she leaned against Kenji's shoulder much to Kumiko's annoyance. Tomoyo was older than Kumiko by two years yet acted younger. She had dark honey skin and large wide teal eyes that made her seem just as young. Kenji had learned from the months that he had been with her that this was Tomoyo's way of catching people off guard. She looked more like her father with her dark obsidian hair than her brother did with his spiked chestnut tresses.
"Oi, Kenji! What's Japan like anyway?" Touma asked as he copied Kumiko's pose of leaning his back against the rail. "Dad says it's rather quiet compared to Shanghai."
Kenji thought about it for a small while and nodded his head in agreement. It was true that Tokyo had gotten rather robust with Western culture and exchange but it had maintained an air of tradition and peacefulness that Shanghai could not.
"It's a lot quieter, Tou-kun." Kumiko supplied glaring at Tomoyo who gave the younger girl an innocent look. "And we don't have to deal with improper girls!"
Tomoyo glared at Kumiko with a tight frown etched on her young face. "Well there is something I can believe, after all you came to China so Japan must be free of such things until you return. "
"Why you little-" Kumiko growled out her blue eyes blazing.
Kenji sweat dropped at the situation and waved his hands in a passive manner he'd seen his father do several times. "Maa, maa, calm down you two. Look the ship is leaving now." Sure enough the boat bound to Japan began to move away from the dock. Tomoyo forgot her dispute with Kumiko for a short time to wave goodbye to her father, the other three soon joined in and Enishi smiled at them all before waving back towards them wishing them a safe journey.
A week later the ship arrived safely without a problem into the harbor in the Kyoto prefecture. They had a small waiting party for the group's return that included the two set of parents and the one whose heart had been waiting for her love's return. Once on shore the groups were to send Enishi a letter to let him know of their safe arrival. It wasn't until two months later when he received a pair of letters from Kenshin and Aoshi that he really began to worry. Their children had never dismounted from the ship and after questioning the captain and crew they were never seen on the ship. Enishi packed his travel bags and headed to Japan immediately hopping to solve this strange mystery and retrieve his children.
However, the stories never changed, no one aboard the ship had ever seen the group of four on the ship and had never seen them depart from it. Kenshin and Kaoru fell further into their sickness with worry, while Misao and Aoshi used their Oniwaban resources to track their children down. Shiori slipped into depression her heart shattering at the thought that they may be dead while Saitou risked his case's secrecy on helping them. Enishi struggled between finding his children, trusting in the skills he had taught them, and caring for Kenshin and Kaoru. He was suddenly very afraid that if either of them left that all hope would be gone and he would truly be alone. But no matter how hard they all searched nothing was ever uncovered and their misery sent them deeper and deeper into despair.
It would be an entire year before either of the four would be able to set foot back into Japan and they, upon their return, would find that their parent's lives would be in grave danger and the wedding of Fujita Shiori to Murasaki Naruto was to pass in two weeks.
August 10th, Meiji 34 (1901)
"Goodnight Fujita-san!" A young officer by the name of Mizuki Hiro called to the lanky captain as he snorted and walked past the enthusiastic boy. Saitou disliked that particular young man more than anyone else in the building simply because of his annoying good cheer and ability to do things correctly in a timely manner.
The boy was as tenacious as an iron ship, no matter what torture Saitou put him through he was always cheerful and eager to help the commanding officer. Saitou had once asked the young man to re-file all the reports in the file room by the severity of the case. It took weeks but the boy finished it smiling the brightest smile that had made the wolf even more irritated so Saitou assigned him to make a list of every officer within the western building, their rank, where they were located, age, shoe size, and in alphabetical order. Mizuki did it without error, every stroke was clean and smooth, every kanji correct, all the information placed into simple and understandable form. Saitou would transfer him but he was the only idiot that could write reports correctly and that made Saitou's job a lot easier.
The aged captain sighed. For all the hell Saitou always put him through Mizuki was a good man and showed a lot of promise, if only he wasn't so damn sunny all the time, then the two of them would get along just fine.
"Goodnight Sir." The two officers at the gate said in unison and Saitou just waved to them with a gloved hand stuffing the other one into the pockets in of his blue slacks. He was walking down the familiar streets of Kyoto back to his little home that lay within the bustling city. He was somewhat dreading coming home this chilly August night, simply because he didn't know if he could handle seeing Shiori so broken again. Exactly one year ago Himura Kenji never stepped onto Japanese shores and Shiori's heart fell from her hand.
Saitou was quite sure the boy and his three missing companions were fine and in good health. They just were not here and had not sent word from wherever it was they were. That made Saitou angry. The simple fact that they could not lessen the worry of their disappearance with some sort of letter was displeasing to say the least. It made the wolf want to squash Kenji like the bug he was for making his baby cry like she did. The idiot.
He stopped at a little stall that was just about to close their shop for the night. For a moment the police captain wondered why they were still here so late. The sun had gone down and most merchants left before sunset. So out of curiosity he stopped and inspected their wares as the merchant patiently waited for him to leave or buy.
They had a variety of small pendants and other metal works, but what caught his golden eyes was a pair of decorated hairpins. He reached out for the black lacquered objects with thin fingers, gingerly picking them up and being surprised at their light weight. Soft, gray frosted stones were gathered at the ends being held together by thin gold lines that twisted around the wooden base before disappearing into the blackness of the pins. Even in the poor light the stones and gold vines seemed to glow unnaturally. It was a simple but intricate beauty, one that Saitou could appreciate in its skillfulness.
"How much for these?" Saitou gruffly asked sending his cold gaze over the plump merchant.
The vendor seemed to pale as the wolf's golden eyes rested on his chubby face. "17-1700 yen sir." The portly man stuttered afraid of the sword the man carried.
Saitou mulled it over in his head a little. It was a little expensive but the quality was well done and… and it would make her happy. "Alright." He said as casually as if he were talking about the weather before searching his pockets for the required money. The vendor meanwhile wrapped the object carefully in rice paper before tying the little bundle closed with a cord. They exchanged the objects and Saitou gave the merchant a slight nod before walking into the darkened streets.
Shiori would like them, he was sure. She had a delicate taste for things such as these and it would take her mind off of Kenji and his betrayal. Saitou unconsciously growled lowly in his throat. Mentally he was envisioning slicing the auburn haired youth into tiny pieces. That thought caused a smile to form on his thin lips and a sadistic chuckle to rise.
The tall man turned down an empty alleyway. He had never said it, but it had disappointed him that Kenji never returned. In a way the wolf would have liked to have his former rival's son to marry his daughter. That time five years ago Saitou had been mildly impressed with Kenji's disposition, though he was having trouble with his father. Kenji had showed respect to those who deserved it, had been unafraid of his challenge and undertook it without hesitation. Kenshin had written to Saitou once when he was in Aziu to pick up Megumi about how Kenji had spent a better part of his day helping others and developing his mind and soul. Saitou had sincerely liked the boy and had smiled slightly through the letter knowing that Kenji would be the one to take care of Shiori when he could not. But it was too late now Shiori would never marry Kenji.
Saitou was a worrywart, and when it involved any of his children he tended to worry more, he just never showed it. So when it seemed that Kenji was not going to come for his cub he worried that she would not have anyone to take care of her, not that he minded but Megumi had it in her head that Shiori needed to marry. He snorted as he walked into the softly lit street leading to his house. Shiori did not need to marry, she needed to stop thinking about that moron. He growled again.
He knew his daughter was a pretty girl and she was sensible too, so finding a suitor wasn't the problem. They just all happened to be morons…except maybe for one, Murasaki Naruto. When Saitou had first meet the skinny young man that Shiori had brought home with her, he had thought that she was doing one of her little case things again. He shook his head slightly, Shiori thought she could hide it from him but Saitou knew of her little missions to help others. He didn't say anything because she didn't say anything. He knew she would come to him if she needed help. In a small way he was proud of her for undertaking such tasks even if at night when she left with Souzo he would stay up waiting for their return. He was a worrywart he couldn't help it.
It turned out that Murasaki was the nephew of the Prime Minister that Saitou had traveled with those four years in Europe. He had talked about Murasaki before to Shiori and Saitou had never thought anything of it until that day Murasaki came to his household for dinner. Apparently Murasaki and Shiori had met two years ago somewhere in Europe and he had been persistently pestering Shiori with his affections. After the disappearing act of Kenji and company he worried over her and sought her out more fervently than before. Shiori had turned down all his attentions and attempts to court her—the worry of Kenji still too fresh in her young heart. But suddenly one day she had turned around and invited him!
Saitou had learned that Shiori was sneaky and cunning; it gave him mixed feelings about her character at times and just how truthful she was being. He had thought that she had relented to inviting him to dinner only because he knew several officials that traveled around the world and had connections everywhere. The raven-haired girl was just using Murasaki to help her gather information on the whereabouts of Kenji. However, Shiori had never mentioned Kenji to Murasaki nor asked him about helping her find him. It struck Saitou as odd.
Saitou had been incredibly surprised when Megumi said that Shiori was starting to take their relationship seriously. At first he had blown it off as one of doctor's babble but when Murasaki appeared to him one day asking for Shiori's hand in marriage, he seriously thought that Shiori had forgotten the youngest Himura. He had not given the brown haired boy an answer instead speaking directly to Shiori about the proposal. He had seen her eyes flash gold several times during their conversation betraying her true thoughts and intentions. Saitou wasn't quite sure what she was up to but she said she wanted to marry the young man so he didn't object… after arguing with Megumi for three weeks about it at least.
Sneaky little fox, she found ways to make his life miserable in those three weeks until he relented and gave in to their request. That had been months ago and in another month she was to marry the merchant but still Shiori had made no mention to call the marriage off and that made him worry. He was afraid that she might be getting into some thing much deeper than she had originally imagined.
The swordsman stopped underneath one of the streetlamps and turned around slowly his hand coming up to grip the hilt of his katana. Other than him the streets appeared to be empty and devoid of other people but he knew better and felt the killing aura long before he had left the merchant's stall.
"There is no point in hiding. I know you are there." Saitou called out casually as if bored. Two figures appeared, their faces shadowed by the low light. Saitou quickly took in what little of their appearance he could for later analyzing. 'Dark suits, looks like a navy blue or maybe royal violet. Omitsu? Looks Asian…China? India? Connected to case? Maybe, maybe not. Look young 20 or 30 years or age. Hn… punks with no respect for their elders. '
"Just two? A little confident now aren't we?" He smirked as he drew his sword from its sheath, readying himself for the attack. They were going to learn that no one came to the Wolf of Mibu looking for a fight they couldn't win. Clouds covered the waning moon shrouding the three in darkness. They were still, frozen in time as the moon reappeared behind the wisps of mist and fell to the drawn katana kissing the cool metal gently with its glow.
There was a blinding flash of light and Saitou felt a slight pressure behind his eyes. He instinctively covered them with his right hand, never loosening his grip on his sword. 'What the hell was that?' The other figure lunged forward, fist flying and he tried to dodge and counter strike but it was as if he was moving through water, his movements slowing down and his opponent stopping the counter attack easily. The force pf the impact sent his bones rattling as Saitou was pushed back several feet.
Saitou narrowed amber eyes at his attacker as he got a good look at his roughish features. "Well I didn't think I'd see you again." Was all he said as he launched a simple gatotsu but the attack was once again slowed and the counter strike stopped. 'Damn. I'm moving too slow!' Saitou spit out the blood that had collected in his mouth from the punch the young man had placed against his jaw. "You've gotten better." He remarked casually inwardly cursing at his inability to wipe the smirk off the square jaw. The slight pressure had turned into a throbbing headache, his eyes pulsating with each beat of his heart.
"And you've gotten slow." The fighter remarked smirking at Saitou before getting into another fighting stance. "It's time to take you to your grave old man."
"We'll see about that, Ahou." Once again another more refined gatotsu was prepared but it never made its mark. Saitou fell to his knees clutching his head as the intensity of the pressure grew. It was as if thousands of knives were being shoved into his head tearing and ripping it apart. He cried out clutching his head as the pain increased a thousand fold. His eyes burned and teared in an attempt to elevate the tremendous pain. He couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. His mind was solely focused on one thing and one thing only, the pain.
The fighter grinned down at him before picking up the fallen sword holding it high above Saitou ready to strike downwards through flesh and bones. Saitou mildly acknowledged the threat and tried to ignore the pain so that he could at least dodge the blow but his limbs froze and his muscles refused to work. One word coursed through his mind, the one thing he knew he needed to live for. 'Shiori…' And then the world went black for the wolf as warm blood rained down on him.