The Return of Kanryu Takeda
Part IV
by
Chibijem
Disclaimer: See Part I
Aoshi lay in his futon, listening to the wind and to Misao's soft breathing. It was well after midnight and he still couldn't quiet his mind. He knew he was worrying everyone, especially after his altercation with Saitou and especially Misao. He turned his head and studied her slumbering form, smiling to himself when she snuggled more closely to him; he wrapped his arm more tightly around her and she, in turn, wrapped a slender, strong arm over his chest, placing her hand over his heart. He felt his eyes moisten at her action: even in her sleep, she was protecting him, making him feel safe. He pondered over the evenings events; dinner was quiet, he could feel everyone watching him, worrying. Later in the evening, he had excused himself as Saitou had shown up with additional information. He as well as Kenshin, Sanosuke, Yamagata and Okina had closed themselves up in his office to go over the details. He added the new information to what he already knew and began to plan. He also knew any plan he came up with would have to be approved by Yamagata and he could not act alone. Plans forming, he finally drifted off to sleep.
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Misao was awakened by Aoshi's twitching; she lifted her head from it's perch on his shoulder. He's having a nightmare, she thought when she heard his soft mumblings. She let out a quiet gasp when he called out to Hanya, Beshimi, Shikijo and Hyotoko. She reached out a hand and in a tender caress, brushed his hair from his eyes and ran her small fingers along the furrows in his forehead. "Shhhh, it's over. You're safe, shhhhh," she whispered as she leaned down to press a kiss to his temple. She felt her heart shatter when he opened his eyes and she saw not only grief, sadness and shock but shame and guilt. She moved back to let him sit up; she leaned against his shoulder when he brought up his knees and rested his arms across them, laying his head on them. "Bad dream?" she asked knowing full well it had been.
Aoshi nodded, trying to quiet his frantically beating heart and the images from his dream. He turned his head on his arms and looked at Misao. His dream had badly frightened him; it had gone beyond where it normally did and had included Misao. When she lifted a hand and cupped his cheek, he kissed her palm. "Very bad," he said softly.
"Tell me."
He studied her; she looked beautiful illuminated by the fire. "I...can't," he got out, not wanting to frighten her.
She pulled back, and looked at his strong face, shadows from the fire running along it's angles. "Anata, who was always there when I had bad dreams? Who taught me not to be afraid of dreams, that they can't hurt me? Tell me," she implored him.
He looked into her eyes, almost hypnotizing himself in their depths. He looked back to the embers burning in the fire pit. He reached over to pick up the poker and stirred it, "It's always the same. I'm back at Kanryu's mansion, watching as he's killing..." He couldn't continue; he felt Misao pull him into a hug and rested his head on her small shoulder. "This time you were there and I couldn't stop him from..." his voice fading into a harsh whisper.
Misao could feel him tremble against her and pulled him tighter. "It's over, Aoshi. I'm here and nothing is going to happen." She told him, peppering kisses against his silky hair.
Aoshi lifted his head and placed a hand along her neck, "It's not over." Misao shook her head at him and he stilled the action. "It's not," he repeated. "Kanryu Takeda is still living, he's still a threat." He turned back to watching the fire. "Sometimes dreams foretell." He finished softly.
She crawled into his lap and pulled his arms around her; she took his chin and pulled his face down so she could look him in the eye. "I trust you, anata. You'll keep me safe and you'll defeat Kanryu Takeda." Misao lifted her head and pressed a kiss to the underside of his strong jaw. She snuggled against him, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She could feel the tension lessening but it was still there.
Aoshi, smiling to himself, pulled Misao closer until he heard her emit a squeak in protest. He rested his chin on the top of her head, "I promise to keep you safe, always, koi."
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After several minutes, Misao coaxed Aoshi back into the futon and was curling up next to him when she felt him tense and tilt his head. She was about to ask, when he placed a finger against his lips. She nodded and watched as he pushed up and crept to the window to peer out into the gardens. When he went to his tansu and grabbed his kodachi, Misao hurriedly put on a heavy yukata and went up to him. Aoshi leaned down close to her ear, "Please wake the others quickly but quietly." Came the whispered order. he watched as Misao slipped out and he slipped on a haori. He left their rooms and went down the hallway, watching as Misao went from room to room, waking everyone. He was soon joined by Kenshin, Sanosuke, Kuro and Shiro, "There's someone in the gardens," he told them quietly. "I think there are others." The four men parted and silently went to patrol the Aoiya and property. By then Okina, Omasu and Okon had joined him and in hand signals, Aoshi gave them orders. They left him as Misao joined him with Kaoru and Megumi in tow.
"Misao, I want you to take Kamiya-san and Takani-sensei to my office and barricade yourselves in the hidden room. Open the door to no one but me. Do you understand?"
"But Aoshi..." She started. He stopped her with a look and remembering the look on his face just minutes ago, relented and motioned the other two women to follow.
Aoshi watched them turn down a hall with a sigh. He knew all three were very capable and would have no qualms utilizing their skills but had no idea what they were facing. He went down the stairs where he met Kuro and Shiro who were coming from the gardens. "Aoshi-sama. We neutralized four men; they're currently restrained in the dojo." Shiro told him. By this time, Kenshin and Sanoskue joined them. "I found tracks of five men, Aoshi." Kenshin reported.
The five men looked at each other with the realization that one was still unaccounted for. "Damn," cursed Aoshi. He moved outside and followed Kenshin to where the tracks started while Sanosuke, Kuro and Shiro moved to guard the Aoiya. Aoshi and Kenshin split up and Aoshi made his way to several outbuildings to check. His felt an unidentified ki and grasped his kodachi firmly. "Come out. You've nowhere to go."
A darkly dressed figure stepped out of the shadows and nodded to Aoshi. "Well, if it isn't the Okashira himself," came the hiss-like voice.
"You've failed."
"I think not." The figure retorted and charged.
Okina made his way to Aoshi's office, Yamagata trailing him. "Thinks, I'm only good as a babysitter," he grumbled. Aoshi had relayed orders that he watch over Yamagata. He made his way to the secret opening to put Yamagata there for safety and came up short when he found Misao and the others already there. "I guess I'm not the only one..."
"Okina, where's Aoshi?" Misao asked coming fully into the room.
Okina never got the chance to answer his adopted granddaughter's question as they all heard the sounds of a fight. Misao raced from the room followed by the others. They met Kenshin and the others at the back of the Aoiya and ran towards the sounds. Misao, in the lead, stopped short seeing Aoshi in full combat with another. She felt a hand on her shoulder, "Jiya..."
"He'll be fine, Misao-chan."
"He's right, Misao." Kaoru added.
Just then Yahiko came into the gardens bringing Saitou with him, "Well, well. Nice to see Shinomori still has it." Saitou said, lighting a cigarette. Eight pairs of eyes turned on him. "What?"
As Aoshi and his opponent fought, the men all spread out to make sure the man had no way to escape just in case. They all watched Aoshi: he was in fine form, not losing any technique nor grace. Misao bit her lip, worrying. She watched as Aoshi's haori stuck to his body from his sweating; she found herself becoming aroused watching his body move and flow, not now, you baka, she thought.
Aoshi knew everyone was watching this duel, could feel Misao's worry but did not let himself get distracted. He ducked as his opponent's blade made for him and reached out a leg and with a well placed kick, the man went flying into the building behind him. He then felt another unidentified ki and before he could move felt a soft, quick breeze go past him. He barely managed to move out of the way of the passing blade. He turned and in horror saw the blade imbed itself in Misao's arm.
At Aoshi's look, Kuro took off with Kenshin in tow. Aoshi ran to Misao where she stood with blood flowing down her arm, staining her yukata a sickening red. Shiro, Okina and Yamagata made their way to the fallen intruder; Saitou sauntered over to the dojo to check the men already caught. Aoshi lifted Misao in his arms, forgetting his kodachis and ran into the Aoiya. When he turned panicked eyes to Megumi, she laid a calming hand on his forearm, "She'll be alright, Aoshi-san." Megumi then asked Kaoru and Yahiko to heat some water and turned to Sanosuke, who without a word, entered the Aoiya to get her medical kit.
Aoshi carried Misao into their room and laid her on their futon, Megumi trailing them. He tried, with shaking hands, to remove the her yukata but stopped when he heard her whimper in pain. He looked down and saw her watching him, love in her eyes. "I'm alright, anata." She tried to reassure him, watching the guilt creep into his eyes. "My fault, I left the room. I disobeyed your order." Her breath caught as Megumi cut the offending cloth from around her wound. A small kunai had made a wound just below her shoulder; Megumi saw Aoshi pale from the corner of her eye. "It's not bad at all, may need a stitch or two."
Aoshi brushed back Misao's unbound hair, leaned down and softly kissed her brow. "Gomen, koi. Gomen."
Misao laid the hand of her uninjured arm on his throat, feeling his pulse, noticing it's erratic rhythm. "You heard Megumi, I'll be fine. I will not have you feeling guilty for this, Aoshi." She managed to tell him firmly as Megumi pulled the blade from her wound. "Do you understand?" She asked, gripping his hand tightly to make her point. "Besides, now we'll have matching scars." Misao joked, trying to lighten his mood and calm him.
"Hai, Misao. Hai," he replied as he followed Megumi's direction and moved behind Misao to steady her. By then Kaoru and Yahiko had come with the hot water and more bandages.
None of them noticed Okina standing in the doorway, studying Aoshi. This little incident changes everything...
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"I thought you'd like these back." Sanosuke told Aoshi, handing him his kodachis.
"Arigato gozaimasu," Aoshi replied, taking his weapons and putting them back in their saya. He then sat at his desk motioning for the others to sit. His office, brightly lit with many lanterns, was packed with the others with the exception of Misao, Okon, Kaoru and Megumi. Omasu poured tea and they all settled to discuss the early morning's events.
"I've had the men taken into custody and they will be questioned as soon as the regain consciousness. You and your Oniwaban don't pull any punches." Saitou said, sipping his tea.
"You expect us to leave ourselves open for attack?" Okina asked, still watching Aoshi. "You've done worse, I believe."
"Anyways, we won't be getting anything out of them until later this morning."
Kenshin spoke up, "Aoshi, do you think they're testing you?"
Aoshi looked up from his tea, his eyes troubled. "Possibly."
No, they're pushing you, pushing you to the brink, that thought came from more than one person in the room.
No, they're pushing me and it's working. Whatever happens, Kanryu Takeda will not live through this, Aoshi thought to himself, peering into his teacup again.