The Return Of Kanryu Takeda

Part VI

by

Chibijem

Disclaimer: See Part I

A/N: I just want to extend my thanks to all of you who have been reading my story and to those who have either reviewed or sent me comments. They are all greatly appreciated.

Aoshi followed Misao footsteps and found her in her room going through her chest and pulling at the obi of her kimono. "Misao, let me explain." He stood behind her attempting to halt her angry actions.

She whirled around to face him, "Explain? There's nothing to explain. Kanryu Takeda just shows up, in public, and you confront him alone." She threw at him, storming past.

Aoshi reached out and took her arm. "I wasn't alone; the Battousai and Sagara were not far behind."

Misao turned to face him again and he saw incredulity on her face. "Not far behind? You were alone with Takeda? Aoshi, what were you thinking? With all the discussion going on, I know this man is extremely dangerous and Megumi says from his behavior, he's probably psychopathic. And you decided to confront him alone, however briefly." She huffed out, dropping her head and shaking it.

"Aa, I know. Whatever went on after he was taken into custody, his mental health is not what it once was." Aoshi told her, coming to stand in front of her, cupping her shoulders in his still dusty hands. "At least now I know his mental state and what he's capable of." He whispered against her forehead, pressing a kiss there in apology. "We learned something from this altercation, Misao."

"And you were hurt. Again." She countered, laying her head against his dusty uniform top. She felt him raise a hand and looked up at him as he passed a hand across his face. "You should go to the bath house and get rid of the dust and dirt, anata."

"I'm alright, koiishi," Aoshi replied, shaking his head which caused more dust and debris to fall. He coughed slightly and disengaged from Misao's embrace. "Perhaps I should." He smiled down at her, "Am I forgiven?"

Misao gave him a small push, "You know you are. It just bothers me Kanryu Takeda was able to get so close, especially in broad daylight."

"I, too, am troubled by that. He's become more brash and arrogant. I would not have expected him to take the initiative as he has. Now we know to expect anything from him." He followed Misao out of her room and down to the bath house, passing Kenshin and Sanosuke on the way. They too had taken the time to cleanse themselves of the days action.

Misao helped him undress, placing his soiled uniform out of the way to be cleaned. As Aoshi sat on the bath stool, she poured the hot water over him, washing his hair, letting the soap run down his muscular body. She had him tilt his head back and ran warm water over his eyes, to soothe them. She smiled when she heard him sigh; she leaned down and pressed her lips to his wet shoulder. He turned his head and answered her caress with one of his own. When Misao started a massage on his tight shoulders, he practically groaned in relief.

"Why don't you get into the tub and relax while I go get you some clean clothes." She whispered against his ear.

Aoshi opened his eyes, "Be careful," he cautioned.

"Just to your room and back." Misao promised as she watched his lithe, wet body sink into the hot water. "I promise," she assured him at the look he sent her way. As she made her way back to the main building, she noticed the extra guards Aoshi has posted. He was ever vigilant with everyone's safety and now more so than ever. As she entered the kitchen, Omasu looked over in question.

"He's fine, Omasu-san. Just taking a soak" Misao placed the bundle of dirty clothes in the laundry basket as she passed. When she returned, Omasu had a tray with tea ready and accompanied Misao back to the bath house. "Arigato. You always take such good care of all of us."

Misao slid the door closed and took Aoshi a cup of tea; he watched over the rim of the cup as Misao undressed, took a quick bath, rinsed and slid into the tub with him. He noticed the bandage on her arm and felt a twinge of guilt at the sight. He spread his legs and smiled into the steam as she nestled into the space. "Comfortable?" He asked, arms going around her petite form.

"Mmmm, very." Came the answering purr as she laid her head back against his shoulder. "You?"

"Very much so; I guess I needed to let go." He sipped his tea and pressing the teacup to her lips watched as she sipped as well.

"You need to let go for a while. You're too tense, you've been losing sleep too." Misao said rubbing her head against him and resting her hands on his upraised knees. She caressed his kneecaps, "You need to be very careful, Aoshi. I don't like where this is going." Misao told him seriously.

Aoshi lifted his head from the rim, opening his eyes and stared down at Misao's bent head. "I will be, I promise Misao. I will be." He replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her silky hair. He set the teacup on the table adjacent to the tub and turned her in his arms. He lifted her head so he could look into her sapphire eyes. "I promise, I will be very careful. I have everything to live for after all." He kissed her very gently to seal his promise.

Misao closed her arms around him, laying her head against his, "I almost lost you to him once. I don't want it to happen now." She said into his neck, running her fingers through his drying hair.

"It won't, it won't." He comforted her, trying to believe his own words.

Misao lifted her head and looked into the emerald depths of his eyes, "Better not." She ordered, kissing his soft lips once, then again. She curled her back into Aoshi's caress, watching the desire swirl in his wonderful eyes. "Aoshi..." Her voice a caress.

"You said I needed to let go." He teased softly.

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After dinner, everyone settled into Okina's sitting room to discuss the day's events. "The warehouse is currently empty with no occupant. My officers and I spoke to the businessmen and workers in the area and no one saw anyone leave before seeing the three of you coming out." This coming from Saitou.

"If he knew we were to meet, he would have planned an escape route." Aoshi replied. "He has changed since our last meeting."

"More dangerous?" Yamagata asked, taking tea from Omasu.

"Aa, if he was sane before, he is not now. Before he would never have gotten his hands dirtied by handling the physical aspects of his business. Today he used a small explosive in order to buy time to make his escape." Aoshi said. He reached down and under the cover of his haori and Misao's kimono, took her hand in comfort and understanding. "He's growing desperate. From just the few words we exchanged, I believe he thinks he has nothing to lose or live for."

"That makes him very dangerous, that it does." This coming from Kenshin, sitting with Kaoru.

"Why would he even want to confront you, Aoshi?" Okina asked.

"Possibly to just see me, let me know he's here and watching."

"Che! What a baka. He knows we know he's here. What more does he want?" Sanosuke added angrily.

"He wants to die." Misao said softly When all heads turned her way, she looked up at Aoshi. When he nodded, she continued, "Aoshi said he believes Takeda thinks he has nothing left to live for. He must have heard what happened after he was taken into custody; that Aoshi wanted revenge. What better way to have a final say in your adversary's demise than force him to kill you. Remember, Kanryu Takeda's thinking is warped so his logic would be to."

"When you think like that, the Weasel is right." Saitou softly exclaimed through his cigarette smoke.

Yamagata turned to Aoshi, "I must remind you Shinomori-san, that you cannot move without authority." He told Aoshi firmly and solemnly.

Aoshi lifted his head and everyone saw the hard glitter to his eyes. "Kenshin, those eyes remind you of something?" Sanosuke asked quietly around Megumi.

"Yes, he looks like he did at Shishio's." Kenshin answered just as quietly.

"I beg your pardon, Yamagata-sama, "Aoshi began softly, his voice harsh. "You've come here, disrupted our routine. We've been injured and terrorized and you tell me I cannot do anything without your approval?" Aoshi asked, his voice rising in volume.

"Shinomori-san..." Yamagata tried to placate the tense man.

"Iie. This is from my past and I will deal with it in my own fashion. He's already hurt myself and Misao and threatened others. Not to mention his use of explosives today. Can't you see the escalation before you?" Aoshi stood, shaking off Misao's hand. "I will not stand peacefully and let others be hurt for something they had nothing to do with. Kanryu Takeda wants me and it's me he'll have." He stalked out of the room, Yamagata following.

"Please understand Shinomori-san. My hands are tied; the government wants this matter dealt with within the court system."

Aoshi turned to stare at the older man. "Is this the same government who let him live? Opium peddling is supposed to be punishable by death, Yamagata-sama." Aoshi reminded him, thinking back on Misao's words a few days previous.

"Yes, I know, but..." Yamagata started but stopped when Aoshi moved to stand directly before him.

"This is the same government who is supposed to protect it's citizens? From what I've seen, they've done a poor job of it." Aoshi ground out. By now, Okina and Misao had moved to stand just behind their Okashira. They both turned worried eyes on him.

Yamagata moved to take Aoshi's arm as if to maneuver him to the door to the gardens, but Aoshi brushed off his hand. When Yamagata tried again, Aoshi moved into a defensive stance in pure instinct.

"Aoshi!" Okina called out in order, "Yameru." He placed a hand on the younger man's arm. Okina held his breath when Aoshi turned his head to look at him; he saw pure animal instinct, the instinct to protect, on his Okashira's face.

Aoshi took a deep breath, turned back to Yamagata and bowed deeply in apology, "Gomen nasai, Yamagata-sama. I was out of line. You are correct, this needs to be dealt with in the courts." Aoshi said firmly.

"I believe you are allowed, Shinomori-san," Yamagata smiled gently. " I've done nothing but bring you bad news. You've had a shock and been focused on this since I arrived. It's understandable."

"Domo arigato gozaimas," Aoshi bowed again and moved down the hallway, Misao following. The others watched the couple as Misao took Aoshi's hand as they made their way.

"Sir Okina?" Kenshin started, the question plain in everyone's mind.

"He's feeling frustrated, Himura. He needs to close this part of his life that has reopened." Okina began. "Before you all arrived, he and Misao informed us of their plans to be married." He shook his head, waving a hand , "This is just poor timing."

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Misao followed Aoshi as he stalked into his rooms. She watched as he paced, the caged energy needing release. She hated to see him so tense especially after their wonderful afternoon. "Aoshi, you need to rest." She said softly, worry in her voice.

"No I need to..." He stopped and sat in front of the fire pit across from her. He dropped his head in his hands, running his long, lean fingers through his hair in frustration. "I should go back down. We need to formulate a plan, go over things ..."

Misao went to him, knelt next to him and placed a hand on his head, gently running her hand over his silky hair. "No you don't. You need to let this go for a while. Look what this is doing to you."

Aoshi raised his head to look at her in the fire light. "I know. I'm out of control and I don't like it. I don't like feeling like this, Misao." he said miserably. "And what is it doing to you? You're worrying over me...This is suppose to be the happiest time in our lives and look what I've brought to you." He laid his head on his drawn up knees.

Misao moved behind him, "Remember what I told you: this is not your fault. You did not bring this to our door." She reminded him, wrapping him in her loving embrace. When she felt him nod ever so slightly she went on. "We all stand with you; everyone here: Kenshin, Sanosuke, the others and even Saitou are all here for you. We will all stand with you."

Aoshi looked up, turning his head and smiled at Misao; he reached up and ran the back of his fingers along her cheekbone, "Arigato, koiishi. For being here, for reminding me."

"It's late. You should sleep." Misao moved to the cabinet and taking out their futon, began setting it up for him. He moved to help her; when he settled into it, she moved to stoke the fire. "I'll be right back. I'll bring you some tea." She told him, kneeling and pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Aishteru, anata."

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Misao stepped into Okina's room and sat before Yamagata, "Gomen, Yamagata-sama. Please forgive Aoshi-sama. He's under a lot of stress." She explained.

"Iie, it's fine, Makimachi-san. He's allowed, any other man would not have been so... restrained." Yamagata smiled.

"Where is he, Misao-chan?" Okina asked.

"He wanted to come back down but I convinced him to rest." Misao replied, standing.

"He's been tense, that's for sure." Yahiko said, getting hit on the head by Kaoru. "Well he has," he grumbled.

"I think he has every right to be, Yahiko. This is not the best of times when it should be." Kaoru said. She faced Misao, "Okina told us. I'm so happy for you, Misao-chan."

Misao blushed and looked at Okina, "Arigato, Kaoru-san." Everyone congratulated her on her upcoming wedding, even Saitou whom she looked upon speculatively. "I'm going back, I promised him tea."

When Misao left, Kenshin looked over at Kaoru and the others, "We'll get them through this, that we will."

End Part VI

A/N: Sort of a filler chapter to show the strain Aoshi is under. Action upcoming soon...