The Return Of Kanryu Takeda

Part V

by

Chibijem

Disclaimer: See Part I

Aoshi sat in his room watching Misao as she slept. His mind was working overtime now; his purpose: keeping everyone safe and not letting anything else happen to Misao. He was heart sore as he knew he hadn't kept his promise to keep her safe always. Her gentle reminder to him notwithstanding--he still blamed himself. He stood and left the room; he felt the need for action and made his way to the dojo to practice.

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Later in the afternoon, Aoshi sat in his office pouring over maps and blueprints. He was trying to come up with a way to lure Kanryu out without having to involve anyone else, especially the innocent citizens of Kyoto. He looked up from his studying and nodded at Omasu as she entered carrying his afternoon tea.

"Konichiwa, Aoshi-sama." Omasu greeted him as she knelt and began serving him. When Aoshi returned to the maps, Omasu cleared her throat. "Aoshi-sama, Misao-chan has been asking for you." She informed him, placing his tea in front of him.

Aoshi sat back and looked at the woman in front of him, "Omasu..." He began.

"Aoshi-sama, you know Misao better than anyone. She won't let you avoid her for long. She doesn't blame you, none of us does. Kanryu Takeda's entrance into your life is not your fault." Omasu told him, looking him directly in the eye. When he looked away, she went on, "Aoshi, I've known you since before your were Okashira the first time. We grew up together; don't let Kanryu take over again."

"Take over?" Aoshi asked softly, letting his eyes meet Omasu's.

"Yes, he is the reason you became a demon, for your thirst to be named the best. Kanryu Takeda took the lives of our men, our friends. If that had not happened, what would you have gone on to do? The one bright spot that came out of that time, is your return to us, to Misao." Omasu watched as Aoshi as he digested what she told him. If she had not known him for so long, she would have missed the evidence of a battle being played out in his mind.

Aoshi sat, sipping his tea, watched as it swirled in the cup. I've no idea what would have happened, had the whole mess not occurred. Would I have come back? "Arigato, Omasu-san." He thanked her, his voice soft but sure. Yes, I would have returned, the Shishio affair would have still crossed my path. From that, I would have returned to Misao. He returned to his perusal of the maps.

Misao made her way down the stairs and stood outside Aoshi's office. When Omasu had told her Aoshi was still in the office, still studying, Misao knew she had to act for she knew he wouldn't. She slid the shoji open and just watched him. He stood behind his desk, slightly leaning over, looking over the papers on his desk, hands splayed out.

"Aoshi." She called out to him softly. When his head came up and she saw the torment in his eyes, torment he would only allow her to see, she walked over to him to stand toe to toe with him. "You need a break, anata."

Aoshi motioned to the blueprints and maps covering his desk. "Too much to do..." He replied. He turned his study to her and noticed that she looked a bit tired but otherwise was fine. "Daijobu desu ka?" He asked softly, cupping her chin in his strong hand.

She turned her head down so she could press a kiss to his palm. "Hai, genki des. It's only a scratch."

"Hardly." He retorted, sitting. When Misao sat in his lap, he turned serious eyes to her. "You had a knife imbedded in your arm, koiishi. That's hardly a scratch."

Misao, bracketed his face in her small, strong hands, "Listen and listen well, Aoshi. None of this is your doing. None of us blame you, we stand with you. I don't blame you and I will stand with you. Now you can stop avoiding me or I will just follow you everywhere, pestering you like I did when I was a little shinobi." She finished, kissing his forehead, trying to wipe away the worry and tension she felt in him. She felt him smile against her throat and felt the caress of his lips as well.

"Hai, hai. Please don't torture me with that." He graced her with a small smile; her remark lightening his mood and bringing back fond memories. He ran his hand over her shoulder and could feel the bandage. "Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

"Just a bit sore, but I'll live." She answered truthfully. She then noticed a shiny object on his desk. "Is this it?" She asked picking up the kunai. It was well weighted but heavy in her hand.

"Yes, " he answered, taking it from her and held it so she could see what was engraved on it. When she turned her head to look into his hard green eyes, he nodded, "Yes K.T.--Kanryu Takeda. He sent us a message and a warning." He laid the weapon back on his desk and watched Misao process the information. "You must be extra cautious Misao; he's watching."

She nodded and leaned back against him, "You too."

Aoshi hugged her closely and then set her on her feet. When he picked up his coat and kodachis, Misao raised a delicate eyebrow in question. "I need to speak to the craftsman who made it. He may have information. And before you ask or order me, I've already asked Battousai and Sagara to come with me." He assured her as he leaned down to press a kiss to her parted lips.

"Thank you," Misao returned his kiss and reminded him to be careful. Aoshi rolled his eyes, darted to miss her swing and told her to rest.

Misao followed him and he was soon joined by Himura and Sano. When Aoshi left them to quickly speak with Okina and the others, Misao stepped up to the other two, "Please, watch out for him and yourselves."

"Don't you worry Weasel." Sano replied, sucking on a fishbone.

"Sano's correct, that he is. We will be careful, Miss Misao." Kenshin told her with his customary smile.

Aoshi rejoined them and they left, Misao watching from the doorway.

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The trio were walking back to the Aoiya, discussing the information the craftsman had provided. He had described in perfect detail the man who had ordered and purchased the kunai; a perfect image of Kanryu Takeda. He had even mentioned the man was polite to the extreme but still gave the craftsman a very uncomfortable feeling. "It's obvious, Kanryu is not trying to hide the fact he's here and wants to get to you, Aoshi, that he does." Kenshin said, taking a bite out the snack he had purchased while he and Sanosuke had waited for Aoshi.

"Aa," Aoshi agreed. "But he has never gotten personally involved. For him it's always strictly business."

"They do say prison changes a man." Sano interjected, stealing a bite of Kenshin's snack. "And we all know, he puts the blame squarely on you, Icicle. If you hadn't stood up to him, his whole drug and gun running empire would still be operating. Or at least that's probably what he's thinking. That man is seriously deranged."

Aoshi was about to respond, when both he and Kenshin felt an enemy's ki. Aoshi looked over at the red-haired man: We're being watched, was the silent message that passed between the two. Sano stared at his two companions, Kenshin told him quietly what was going on. When he turned back to Aoshi, all he saw was the back of the Oniwabanshu Okashira rapidly disappearing into the crowd. Both he and Sanosuke followed.

Aoshi turned down an alley and noticed only one door open in one building. He pulled his kodachis out as he made his way to the entrance. He stood with his back to it and leaned in to peer into what turned out to be a deserted warehouse. He squinted passed the raised up dust and slipped noiselessly in. He managed to follow the footprints in the disturbed dust covering the floor and made his way up to the second floor. He could smell the cigarette smoke from Kanryu's cigarettes; it made him sick and he could feel his stomach muscles tighten and the memories assailed him. He closed his eyes, briefly, to center himself and continued down the hall. With a hand he pushed the door open and saw the man he hated more than anyone before him, "Kanryu," Aoshi's cold, unemotional voice echoed through the mostly empty room.

"It's been a long time, Leader." Kanryu's irritating voice came through the smoke. He stood and strolled towards Aoshi. When Aoshi raised his kodachi, Kanryu stopped. "Is this anyway to greet an old acquaintance, Aoshi?"

Aoshi's eyes went hard and his hands tightened on the hilts of his swords. He was fighting the very instinct to take Kanryu's head right off and end it right there. "We were never acquaintances, Kanryu. I may have worked for you, but I never respected you. I did what I had to do in order for the Oniwabanshu to survive. Nothing more."

"And look how that turned out." Kanryu taunted.

"Only because you have no honor." Aoshi's jaw clenched, teeth grinding.

"The same could be said for you. You worked for me and turned against me. You cost me everything. Everything!" Kanryu screamed at him.

Sagara was right, Kanryu does blame me for his downfall, Aoshi thought as he and Kanryu began circling each other. Aoshi thought he could see the insanity plainly in Kanryu's eyes and knew he had to be extra cautious. He has nothing to live for and I have everything to live for. "You're wrong. Your greed for money and power led to your fall." Aoshi gave a small smile, "Though I might have sped things up a bit."

"Why you?" Kanryu screamed.

"Aoshi is correct, that he is, Kanryu Takeda. You and you alone are to blame. Remember what I said to you: you should pray to your money for help." Kenshin's voice came from the doorway.

"Ah, the Battousai; and Sagara, isn't it?" Kanryu politely questioned, forgetting Aoshi. His eyes leaving Aoshi to follow the two men's progress into the room.

"Why don't you just turn yourself in, Kanryu," Sanosuke said. "Or we can help you with that." He finished with his customary smirk.

"Not at the moment, thank you. I still have unfinished business to see to." Kanryu replied, slipping his hand into his pocket.

"You have no business left to see to." Aoshi voiced, studying his adversary. "You're alone, no one to help you. It is not in your nature to dirty your own hands."

"No, but I plan well." Kanryu whipped out his hand and lit a small incendiary device.

When the smoke had cleared, the three men stood alone. "Kisama, he got away." Sanosuke cursed opening a window to help clear the air.

Kenshin, seeing that Aoshi had not moved, walked abreast of the taller man, "Aoshi?"

Aoshi raised his hand to brush his eyes, "Curse you, Kanryu Takeda. Curse you to the depths of Hell," his voice deceptively soft. He turned to Kenshin, "I'm fine, just dust in my eyes." He finished, his eyes beginning to water.

"Let's head back. Megumi-san can check them. Sanosuke run and let Saitou know of these developments." Kenshin ordered, helping Aoshi down the stairs.

"Me? Why do I have to go talk to the police? Why don't you go and I'll take Icicle back? Man, it's so unfair." Sanosuke's complaining could be heard as he turned the opposite way from them as he headed to the police building.

"Things never change, do they Aoshi?"

Aoshi had given up rubbing his eyes, that making it worse. "Iie, they don't. Misao is going to be very unhappy with me," he said with a sigh.

"Hai, that she will. Then she'll just be glad you're alright."

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In the few minutes it took them to arrive at the Aoiya, the watering of Aoshi's eyes had cleared most of the dust and grit. Nonetheless, Kenshin asked Omasu to get Megumi as soon as they arrived. Megumi, after examining his eyes, had asked Omasu for some warm water; now they were settled in Okina's sitting room when they heard the bounding of footsteps coming down the stairs and the almost reckless way they made their way to them.

"I'm all right Misao," Aoshi said, sighing from where he had rested his head so Megumi could rinse his eyes. He felt Misao's tiny fingers clench his own and turning his hand, squeezed back.

"What happened?" Misao questioned.

"Kanryu," Aoshi told her, not wanting to get into it further.

"Well, of course, Kanryu." Misao replied, exasperated. Trying to get any information from this man is like trying to arm wrestle an octopus, she thought, watching as Megumi rinsed his eyes time and again.

"We saw him, Miss Misao." Kenshin revealed.

Everyone gasped and Misao turned her eyes to Aoshi who had sat up and was drying his face and looking at her from above the top of the towel. Misao dropped his hand, stood up and walked out of the room. Aoshi sighed and rose to follow.